I've always had a soft spot for Pastors.  They have a challenging job, dealing with peopel problems all the time and not getting a whole lot of compensation to do it.  This is especially true for the pastors I meet in the Amazon jungle.  In this epsiode I talk about our work there and our conference we will be having in 2022 of April. https://www.rayofhopeamazon.org/conference

Have you ever noticed how Christians are perceived by the secular media?  A core Christian believe that addresses moral or ethical issues is seen as discrimination against those who disagree with said thoughts.  These hot button issues, such as gay marriage, are perfect opportunities to share the Word with people.  They may (won't) agree, but it's your chance.

Last episode I discussed an artcile in the New York times talking about the split in evangelical chruch over various social issues.  As I thought about it, is this a bad thing?  Are we better off agreeing on everything or is it better to have a wide variety of perspectives on what it means to be a Christian as long as we keep the Greatest Commandments in mind?

Tim Keller, my favorite pastor, suggested a story by David Brooks in the New York Times (subscription required...although I was able to read it via his link) https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/04/opinion/evangelicalism-division-renewal.html It discussed how the evangelicals are splitting over political lines.    Keller has always been someone who has challenged me intellectually and so I read what he says to read.   Anyway, is the church splitting and splitting a bad thing?  Does anyone really think we should all be under the same authority on earth?  Does anyone remember Roman Catholics for 1500 years?  Let's talk about it.

Have you ever gone through a negotiation?  How does that make you feel?  They are trying to hose you....right?  And you feel the need to hose them back?  How should we handle that as Christians?

Have you ever run into a situation where an answer was right in front of your face, but you failed to see it?  Do you do that with God?   Are you seeing what he provides? I've got a story to share......

I've been thinking a lot about control.  And the control I don't have.  Real control like when Jesus calmed the seas?  We fool ourselves into thinking we have control.  We don't.   What do we have control over?  Accepting God in our lives and our love of others.

You've been lied to.  You've found out about it. How do you respond?  Revenge?  Lie back?  Or do you Forgive and make peace?  What is the Christian response?  How do you best move forward?

Martin Luther Kings was a transformative figure in American history.   He has inspired so many to do so many great things.   What I find interesting around MLK day is how he is being used by the secular society.  Do people realize he was a pastor?  Do peole know his foundation came from his Christian faith?   His words would drive some crazy today.....and worse.   So while the secular world picks and chooses what they like about MLK, have you thougth about similarily how you pick and choose that which you like from the Bible?  Listen up....we discuss it.