I took the fourth of July weekend to spend time with my 18 year old. We have been trying to get this kind of trip together for some time and it almost did not happen. She was supposed to work this weekend and then at the last minute, they called her off, the trip was on. Originally, I was going to go up to New York and finish the section of the Appalachian Trail I did not finish last year,... Read more
Tomorrow America will engage in their narcissistic celebration of themselves, a spectacle of self-adulation often drowns out the quiet truths of our collective past, glossing over the struggles endured by those who came before, and the hopes left unrealized by countless souls beyond these borders. It is however, the silence that follows the fanfare that we must consider true freedom means—if it is merely the right to celebrate, or if it is the deeper capacity to recognize the inherent dignity... Read more
“I took off for a weekend last month just to try and recall the whole year All of the faces and all of the places wonderin’ where they all disappeared” Jimmy Buffett, Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, title song of the 1977 album of the same name. And just like that, we are at the end of June. For six months, we have been freezing and soaked, complaining about the bad weather and in an instant,... Read more
What does it mean to be justified by faith? This is an important point in the beginning of Paul’s letter to the Romans. Paul opens this chapter by stating, “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in... Read more
This topic has been sitting in my writing journal for a couple of weeks waiting to be written about and this week, I want to explore this in more depth. In a world of toxic Christianity, it is important to understand that evangelism and proselytizing does not have be intrusive and accusative. I recall an occasion during my time in the Army when a sergeant who identified as Pentecostal approached me. He felt it was necessary to share his... Read more
As I was on vacation last week, I made a pact with myself to not work more than I wanted to. I set a limit to my writing to one blog post and in doing so, I did not get to write about Father’s Day. In this post Father’s Day blog, I want to reflect and build on what I have written in past posts about masculinity and role a man must play for his community. I found two... Read more
This year for my annual backpacking trip, I am heading to Damascus, Virginia. This is a departure from my original plan to hike the Laurel Highlands Trail (LHT). After Hurricane Helene tore through Damascus and other southern towns, I canceled my trip to the LHT to allocate my tourist spending to the communities devastated by the hurricane. Travel On Friday, June 6, I traveled from my home to Damascus, Virginia. The drive was rather uneventful, and after seven hours, I... Read more
Faith and LGBTQ Exploring the intersection of faith and LGBTQ identity reveals a tapestry of complex experiences, where spirituality can serve both as a source of solace and as a challenge. For many, faith provides a grounding sense of purpose and belonging, yet the interpretation of religious doctrines can sometimes conflict with LGBTQ realities, impacting mental well-being. Striving for inclusivity, communities and leaders are increasingly fostering spaces for mutual understanding, honoring both spiritual journeys and diverse identities. As a disclaimer,... Read more
In the “High Priestly Prayer”, Jesus passionately pleads for unity among his believers, a sentiment that strongly resonates today. With themes of Trinity, Divine nature and hints about the nature of who Jesus was, we end up with a Trinitarian prayer that reveals God’s desire to draw humanity into the very heart of God’s divine communion. The unity among believers is a direct reflection of the unity within the Godhead, powered by the love that flows between the Father, Son,... Read more
Jesus, Justice, and the Fall of Christian Nationalism Recently, while preparing for an upcoming backpacking trip, I embarked on a hike that led me into deep contemplation. As an individual diagnosed with ADHD, walking or running has always served as a valuable method for sermon writing or for clearing my mind during challenging days. On this particular occasion, my thoughts were drawn to topics I have recently discussed in class over the past eight weeks, specifically the concepts of nationalism... Read more
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