"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear." — Franklin D. Roosevelt

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world."

If your faith requires a particular political party to succeed, you might be following the wrong kingdom.

"Compassion is not weakness. It requires tremendous courage to be compassionate." — Bryan Stevenson

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." — Martin Luther King Jr.

We live in a moment where everyone's looking for a savior in the wrong places.

Politics won't save us. Ideology won't save us.

Only Jesus does. And He already has.

When we tie the Gospel to a flag, we don't strengthen the Gospel.

We weaken it.

The Kingdom of God was never meant to be conquered with weapons or politics.

Jesus said love one another.

Not "love them if they agree with you."

Not "love them if they follow the same religion."

Not "love them as long as their lifestyle looks the same as yours."

Just... love them. Full stop.

The Church gets stronger not when we have all the answers, but when we're willing to ask hard questions together and actually listen to each other.

That's the point of the Gospel. That Jesus is for everyone and not a specific group of people...and that he fought to make sure injustice was righted.

Faith without justice is religion.

Jesus spent more time pushing back on establishments that took advantage of the poor and oppressed than anything else.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

That's Jesus.

Not "blessed are those who defend our way of life."

Advocating for my medically complex child has taught me something about faith: God doesn't prevent suffering, which is a result of living here on earth, but He meets you in it.

And He grieves with you. He provides peace when you ask for it. And He loves fiercely throughout all of it.

"No one can serve two masters." Jesus meant it.

When our love for country becomes louder than our love for His kingdom - which is not of this earth - we've already chosen wrong.

Scripture is clear about divided hearts.

“We must not confuse the cross of Christ with the flag of any nation.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Following Jesus isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a daily decision, most of which nobody sees.

The only evidence is in how we love other people.

against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect 'a wall of separation between church and State.'" - Justice Hugo Black, Everson v. Board of Education, 1947

"The 'establishment of religion' clause of the First Amendment means at least this: Neither a state nor the Federal Government can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another... In the words of [Thomas] Jefferson, the clause..

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:28-30

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

Leaning into this today as our leaders create a world of turmoil and war.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." — Martin Luther King Jr.

"The whole Christian life is an act of love — love that transforms, love that forgives, love that stays." — Desmond Tutu

That's not a feeling. That's a decision you make every single day.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." — Ephesians 4:32

I'm praying for the world to have more kindness and compassion today.

"Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change." — Brené Brown

"Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession...Grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." Amos 5:24.

Jesus said love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. Feed the stranger. Clothe the naked.

Then he said God's Kingdom is not of this world. We can't build God's Kingdom by seizing political power.

We can only build it by becoming like Jesus.

Real discipleship isn't about having it all figured out.

It's about showing up, being honest about the struggle, and letting people see Jesus in you anyway.

Then came the morning that sealed the promise
Your buried body began to breathe
Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion
Declared the grave has no claim on me
Jesus, Yours is the victory! 🎶

He Is Risen!

"We must become the change we seek." — Mahatma Gandhi

The prophets in the Bible didn't speak truth to power because it was popular.

They did it because injustice demands a response.

We can't follow Jesus and stay silent.