Relevant Faith Journey

No King But Jesus: Reflections on Faith, Politics, Healthcare and the Government Shutdown

In this episode I look at how faith influences Christian politics reflecting on last weekend's No Kings Rally and the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. I unpack some information about the US healthcare system and make a case that it's our Christian duty to fund the Affordable Care Act because of the Biblical mandate to care for those in need.  Here are a few resources that I used in this episode:  [1] Link to Houston, TX News interview of grandmas at the No Kings March https://www.khou.com/video/news/nation-world/no-kings-protest-grandmothers-speak-on-national-guard-deployment-cuts-to-cancer-research-in-houston/285-1857905a-f70c-48a6-846e-5f34478024d4 [https://www.khou.com/video/news/nation-world/no-kings-protest-grandmothers-speak-on-national-guard-deployment-cuts-to-cancer-research-in-houston/285-1857905a-f70c-48a6-846e-5f34478024d4] [2] Smithsonian article reflecting on Martin Luther King, Jr’s legacy https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-martin-luther-king-had-75-percent-disapproval-rating-year-he-died-180968664/ [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-martin-luther-king-had-75-percent-disapproval-rating-year-he-died-180968664/] [3] Tisby, Jamar. The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism. Chapter 8, pages 136-137. I highly recommend this book! [4] Ecclesiastes 1:13-14, CEB [5] Proverbs 31:8-9, CEB [6] Wikipedia article on Israeli healthcare system https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Israel [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Israel] [7] Peter G Peterson Foundation Article “US Healthcare System Ranks Seventh Worldwide—Innovative but Fiscally Unsustainable” https://www.pgpf.org/article/us-healthcare-system-ranks-seventh-worldwide-innovative-but-fiscally-unsustainable/ [https://www.pgpf.org/article/us-healthcare-system-ranks-seventh-worldwide-innovative-but-fiscally-unsustainable/] [8] California Governor’s report on the CalRx Insulin deal https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/10/16/governor-newsom-announces-affordable-calrx-insulin-11-a-pen-will-soon-be-available-for-purchase/ [https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/10/16/governor-newsom-announces-affordable-calrx-insulin-11-a-pen-will-soon-be-available-for-purchase/]  [9] New Evangelical Podcast with Patrick Miller referencing his book Truth over Tribe https://open.spotify.com/episode/3QtB9RpzrBS7VJaoh46Wbv?si=ojY9k59qTp6d2UF3rnQ0zg [https://open.spotify.com/episode/3QtB9RpzrBS7VJaoh46Wbv?si=ojY9k59qTp6d2UF3rnQ0zg] [10] Here’s a good illustration of Christians being called out for their veneration of Trump: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BQ8ZpqqpZ/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BQ8ZpqqpZ/] [11] Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34

Beyond Proof Texting: Reconciling the Bible, Homosexuality and Changing Sexual Ethics

I hear this question from time to time: how can you believe the Bible and also believe that homosexuality is not sin? There are variations like, how can you believe the Bible and not condemn sex before marriage as sin?  In this episode I walk through a shift in perspective around the way we read scripture. I introduce the idea that the Bible might not have been written to be a handbook for sexual relationships. Although picking a verse out of the Bible as justification to take a stand, the work of seeking to know God through scripture is more nuanced.

Splitting Faith: Biblical Authority and the Methodist LGBTQ+ Separation

In this episode I'll explore the topic of Biblical authority and how it relates to the separation of the United Methodist Church. As with many spiritual things, the issue is more complex than a disagreement on what the Bible says and means. Here are a few resources that I used in writing this episode: Sermon on Same Sex Attraction from my dad's church. This is from 2015 and may not reflect the church’s current viewpoint, but I found it an interesting point of research. https://summitchurch.com/GetFile.ashx?Guid=e20165ab-22d0-418c-ade6-b099b3b27186 [https://summitchurch.com/GetFile.ashx?Guid=e20165ab-22d0-418c-ade6-b099b3b27186] UMC position on homosexuality https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-what-is-the-churchs-position-on-homosexuality [https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-what-is-the-churchs-position-on-homosexuality] UMC Seperation Agreement: https://www.gracethroughseparation.com/legislation [https://www.gracethroughseparation.com/legislation] The Millennial Pastor podcast did a series of interviews on why young Nazarene pastors have been leaving the denomination. It's the source for reasons behind their migration to the UMC and if you’re interested in the COTN I recommend it. News article reviewing the vote from May's UMC Convention https://www.umc.org/en/content/faith-and-inclusion [https://www.umc.org/en/content/faith-and-inclusion] Reference for how Jesus separates the righteous from unrighteous: Matthew 25.31-46

Advent: God Together – Setting An Intention For The Christian New Year

I am reflecting on advent seasons past in this episode. As a pastor, I often wrote advent readings and created content for my congregation. One series I am particularly proud of was called the Kindness Challenge. Remembering has helped me think about setting an intention for the next year. You can see videos of the Kindness Challenge here: Kindness Challenge 1: https://youtu.be/gcNVxJsZzbM?si=GzpRCdf0Ggo1-_yf [https://youtu.be/gcNVxJsZzbM?si=GzpRCdf0Ggo1-_yf]  Kindness Challenge 2: https://youtu.be/D2C1sYI6Mio?si=Nu6_d8lqf12Y9Mba [https://youtu.be/D2C1sYI6Mio?si=Nu6_d8lqf12Y9Mba]  Kindness Challenge 3: https://youtu.be/9RZ2n3Yr4bs?si=dRsfv90Qn_0MhE0d [https://youtu.be/9RZ2n3Yr4bs?si=dRsfv90Qn_0MhE0d]  Kindness Challenge 4: https://youtu.be/BEi6ocJ7c68?si=W4BLrWBPJ8G7fIx0 [https://youtu.be/BEi6ocJ7c68?si=W4BLrWBPJ8G7fIx0]

Welcome or Affirming?: LGBTQ+ Conversations in the Nazarene, Methodist and International Church

I used to say that sexuality shouldn’t define identity. As Christians our identity is first as children of God and followers of Jesus before anything else. I realize now that as a heterosexual woman, being defined by something other than my sexuality is a privilege. In this episode I'll start with my own journey from quiet support of my friend to fully affirming of LGBTQ+ people. This was prompted by reports that the Church of the Nazarene had removed the senior pastor of San Diego First Church for advocating for more open conversations around same sex marriage. I'll talk about the controversy in the church and expand to discuss the affects of evangelism and colonialism on anti-LGBTQ+ ideas internationally. Real light stuff, right? Here are some reference materials that I used in writing this episode: Hirsch, Debra, Redeeming Sex: Naked Conversations About Sexuality and Spirituality, IVP, April 2015, page 114. On Amazon.com [https://www.amazon.com/Redeeming-Sex-Conversations-Spirituality-Partnership/dp/083083639X/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=xm0pg&content-id=amzn1.sym.5f7e0a27-49c0-47d3-80b2-fd9271d863ca%3Aamzn1.symc.e5c80209-769f-4ade-a325-2eaec14b8e0e&pf_rd_p=5f7e0a27-49c0-47d3-80b2-fd9271d863ca&pf_rd_r=YB20H4A203G2NZQBM38Q&pd_rd_wg=ToRDZ&pd_rd_r=3ca79c96-c805-4cc1-9d74-cbee6ddd6fa7&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m] From The Point, PLNU’s Student New Media "Dean of Theology and Christian Ministry Allegedly Fired Leaving Faculty, Community Members Shocked and Upset" [https://lomabeat.com/dean-of-theology-and-christian-ministry-allegedly-fired-leaving-faculty-community-members-shocked-and-upset/] Paragraph 31 of the Nazarene Manual [https://2017.manual.nazarene.org/paragraph/p31/#:~:text=The%20Church%20of%20the%20Nazarene,that%20God%20the%20Creator%20intended] Dee Kelley “A Hope For Change” [https://lovingnazarenes.com/2023/06/29/a-hope-for-change/?fbclid=IwAR0gGixKzaHf4XMgGxovLgpA9bDsfel644HSPbK3HKUEjUCxeVwrKG9RBpk]  From one of the critics of Dee Kelley https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/responses-by-point-loma-on-the-homosexual-controversy/ [https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/responses-by-point-loma-on-the-homosexual-controversy/] Gallup Poll from 2021 [https://news.gallup.com/poll/350486/record-high-support-same-sex-marriage.aspx] UMC membership and attendance statistics https://www.umc.org/en/content/united-methodists-at-a-glance [https://www.umc.org/en/content/united-methodists-at-a-glance] Church of the Nazarene Annual/Decadal Statistical Report [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57f80092b3db2b529d354654/t/61f560103e602618e2746aa6/1643470866119/Final_2021_Annual_Church_Statistical_Report_with_note+%281%29.pdf] PBS News Article https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/where-african-countries-stand-in-their-struggle-toward-more-inclusive-lgbtq-laws [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/where-african-countries-stand-in-their-struggle-toward-more-inclusive-lgbtq-laws] 5 Countries in Africa That Have Legalized Same-Sex Relationships in the Past 10 Years [https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/countries-legalized-same-sex-relationships-africa/] AP News article “Oil Spill from Shell” [https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-oil-spill-shell-niger-delta-ccfa3bfdd04b840f765189cdc5d90d3d] June, 2023