This was one of your best interviews, Russell. It was deep and thoughtful yet came with practical, applicable advice. It spoke to our current moment with enduring wisdom that has spanned the centuries. It was delivered with a generous spirit yet did not shy away from discussing unpleasant truths. That’s quite an accomplishment. Your selection of questions like “What does it mean to judge or not judge?” and others brought out the best from Pastor Rich’s vast pastoral experience and his own personal growth and Christian Walk. Technically, it was crisply edited so the pace never lagged. You and your team are doing this with a high level of expertise, professionalism, and care. We are all being well-served because of it. Thank you!
Thanks! Wonderful to take in on my morning walk. I love the discussion of the angles on the Sermon on The Mount. I might be able to "shake up" some of the Sunday lessons I teach with this example.
Another great look at fitting God's word into healing and our becoming better tuned to His guidance for our lives. I am in awe of God's loving patience with His children, an example I hold before me when considering myself and others.
I know I have contempt for the American evangelical church right now. I know I am angry because of so many following Christian Nationalism. I am angry that my tribe has abandoned me because I can’t support it. I can no longer just trust Christian leaders. I am angry that my friends can’t see what I see.
I am there, too. I have lost all respect for those in my congregation who could care less of my plight as a black woman. It was never about abortion. It was always racism and FEAR.
@ i have come to the same conclusion! It was never about abortion. I recently come home after serving at mercy ministry for 5 years. Imagine my surprise when I learned that I am considering “woke” because I believe in social justice. I returned to my home church where I had many friends I had kept in contact. I felt uneasy from the beginning, but wasn’t completely sure why. Lots of classes about how we were starting as a Christian nation. I can agree we were created using Christian principles, but not as a Christian nation. Then the political series started, voting your Biblical Worldview. I sat through the first 6 week series , then a few months later there was another 6 week series. I decided to sit it, and attend a church i knew wasn’t discussing politics. I decided to go one week, and what I heard was disgusting. Justifying slavery, dehumanizing immigrants, and stating that is completely okay to legislate morals. I decided to see what Christian Nationalism was all about. I realized how bad and widespread it is, and be honest my church was leaving out the racism, that the movement is really about. I am sure it is because it is a large very diverse church. I realized I could not be a part of a church teaching this stuff. I have been criticized, called woke, told I couldn’t be a Christian, and was voting Biblically. I absolutely voted my Biblical worldview, it is just different than what most of the American church believes. I realized that I have to stand up for what is right, but it is lonely. I am grateful that during my time serving to provide food for the starving in the world that I really leaned into Jesus, and his command to love my neighbor. I realized that American Christians tend to lean into individuality, and what is best for THEM. I know I don’t always do it right, but I desire to live as Jesus commanded, the first is loving God, and loving my neighbor. I will be praying for you! This is a difficult time for sure.
@ I might add, I can’t even imagine how difficult it must be to be a black woman in the world we are getting ready to experience! My prayers are with you for sure. There are other believers like us, and although there are Facebook pages i have discovered that are like minded, i would love to find a church of such people. I know there are Anglican, and Lutheran in my area, but I am just finding it hard to leave my evangelical roots. At the moment I am attending an evangelical Presbyterian church where the subject isn’t discussing, with a pastor who is truly a shepherd.
I am with you all. I am angry too , hopefully justifiably. The Church has been usurped by snakelike politicians. From the lady at church with her rhinestone “TRUMP” pin the Sunday before the election, to the neighbor who still has the election sign up, months after Election Day. We’re living in a kind of incubator of chaos and injustice that breeds anger, contempt and rebellion. I need to be so full of Christ and steeped in Scripture that there’s little room for the ugly feelings and thoughts… even though some of them is justified.
If this helps at all: A cpl yrs ago, I heard Frank Turek say something that stuck with me. "If a musician played Beethoven badly, would you blame Beethoven?". I know you didn't say you're mad at God, but it seems like you might be in some way; at some level. I hope you can find great comfort in being reminded that your relationship with Christ is with HIM. It's personal btwn you & him & not contingent on what others may do or say, nor how anyone else behaves. ..or atleast it shouldn't & doesn't need to be. Imagine if you lived in North Korea or some such anti-Jesus country. You could still find peace to fill your heart, mind, & soul bc of your relationship with Christ Jesus...which prevails wherever you are & regardless of circumstances. May God bless & guide you. ❤Ana
Thank God there are good, stable and charitable Christians out there. Ya’ll are desperately needed, especially in the current climate. Peace 🩵
This was one of your best interviews, Russell.
It was deep and thoughtful yet came with practical, applicable advice. It spoke to our current moment with enduring wisdom that has spanned the centuries. It was delivered with a generous spirit yet did not shy away from discussing unpleasant truths. That’s quite an accomplishment.
Your selection of questions like “What does it mean to judge or not judge?” and others brought out the best from Pastor Rich’s vast pastoral experience and his own personal growth and Christian Walk.
Technically, it was crisply edited so the pace never lagged. You and your team are doing this with a high level of expertise, professionalism, and care. We are all being well-served because of it. Thank you!
Thank you for this thoughtful and practical discussion.
2:40> Pastor Rich LIT UP like a Christmas Tree at the mere mention of "grandparents". ❤.
Loved the Podcast! Great advice about praying for our enemies.
Thanks! Wonderful to take in on my morning walk. I love the discussion of the angles on the Sermon on The Mount. I might be able to "shake up" some of the Sunday lessons I teach with this example.
Listen all the way through. So full. Prescriptive, descriptive, forgiveness, obedience and so on.
The Holy Spirit will help us see the root of our anger. Thanks for this deep conversation
Another great look at fitting God's word into healing and our becoming better tuned to His guidance for our lives. I am in awe of God's loving patience with His children, an example I hold before me when considering myself and others.
I know I have contempt for the American evangelical church right now. I know I am angry because of so many following Christian Nationalism. I am angry that my tribe has abandoned me because I can’t support it. I can no longer just trust Christian leaders. I am angry that my friends can’t see what I see.
I am there, too. I have lost all respect for those in my congregation who could care less of my plight as a black woman. It was never about abortion. It was always racism and FEAR.
@ i have come to the same conclusion! It was never about abortion. I recently come home after serving at mercy ministry for 5 years. Imagine my surprise when I learned that I am considering “woke” because I believe in social justice. I returned to my home church where I had many friends I had kept in contact. I felt uneasy from the beginning, but wasn’t completely sure why. Lots of classes about how we were starting as a Christian nation. I can agree we were created using Christian principles, but not as a Christian nation. Then the political series started, voting your Biblical Worldview. I sat through the first 6 week series , then a few months later there was another 6 week series. I decided to sit it, and attend a church i knew wasn’t discussing politics. I decided to go one week, and what I heard was disgusting. Justifying slavery, dehumanizing immigrants, and stating that is completely okay to legislate morals. I decided to see what Christian Nationalism was all about. I realized how bad and widespread it is, and be honest my church was leaving out the racism, that the movement is really about. I am sure it is because it is a large very diverse church. I realized I could not be a part of a church teaching this stuff. I have been criticized, called woke, told I couldn’t be a Christian, and was voting Biblically. I absolutely voted my Biblical worldview, it is just different than what most of the American church believes. I realized that I have to stand up for what is right, but it is lonely. I am grateful that during my time serving to provide food for the starving in the world that I really leaned into Jesus, and his command to love my neighbor. I realized that American Christians tend to lean into individuality, and what is best for THEM. I know I don’t always do it right, but I desire to live as Jesus commanded, the first is loving God, and loving my neighbor. I will be praying for you! This is a difficult time for sure.
@ I might add, I can’t even imagine how difficult it must be to be a black woman in the world we are getting ready to experience! My prayers are with you for sure. There are other believers like us, and although there are Facebook pages i have discovered that are like minded, i would love to find a church of such people. I know there are Anglican, and Lutheran in my area, but I am just finding it hard to leave my evangelical roots. At the moment I am attending an evangelical Presbyterian church where the subject isn’t discussing, with a pastor who is truly a shepherd.
I am with you all. I am angry too , hopefully justifiably. The Church has been usurped by snakelike politicians. From the lady at church with her rhinestone “TRUMP” pin the Sunday before the election, to the neighbor who still has the election sign up, months after Election Day. We’re living in a kind of incubator of chaos and injustice that breeds anger, contempt and rebellion. I need to be so full of Christ and steeped in Scripture that there’s little room for the ugly feelings and thoughts… even though some of them is justified.
If this helps at all: A cpl yrs ago, I heard Frank Turek say something that stuck with me. "If a musician played Beethoven badly, would you blame Beethoven?".
I know you didn't say you're mad at God, but it seems like you might be in some way; at some level.
I hope you can find great comfort in being reminded that your relationship with Christ is with HIM. It's personal btwn you & him & not contingent on what others may do or say, nor how anyone else behaves. ..or atleast it shouldn't & doesn't need to be. Imagine if you lived in North Korea or some such anti-Jesus country. You could still find peace to fill your heart, mind, & soul bc of your relationship with Christ Jesus...which prevails wherever you are & regardless of circumstances.
May God bless & guide you. ❤Ana
Hello..