I have sometimes had non-church people treat me better than church people. The take-away lesson is whether you are in church or not, don't be THAT type of person. The church is filled with imperfect people, which makes it the perfect place to experience God's grace and grow.

Carmen is right about the meaning of "ezer." Amazingly, I have been attacked for this one section of Toxic on Masculinity than for any other part of the book.

Some wisdom on seeking wisdom for life from Proverbs 1:32-33: 32 Fools will die because they refuse to listen; they will be destroyed because they do not care. 33 But those who listen to me (wisdom) will live in safety and be at peace, without fear of injury.

And PS…I am amazed at how many times I can post about salvations and baptisms and get so many likes and comments from my religious friends. But the minute you mention any type of sex abuse reform advocacy…crickets.

Just a reminder one can desire advocacy and action for justice and fairness in society AND be biblically orthodox. It’s what Christianity has done for centuries.

“True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” Dr. Martin Luther King

When a denomination uses their polity (how they run the church) as an excuse to not confront abuse of all kinds in their own camp, then their polity might not be biblical (And this can apply to many denominations, not just ones with which I am currently or formerly affiliated).

We have nothing in this world to fear because we have been brought into God’s family through adoption as if we were part of His natural family! Romans 8:15: For we have not received a spirit of fear or timidity, but rather adoption, for we cry out “Abba Father!”

God be in my head And in my understanding. God be in my mine eyes And in my looking. God be in my mouth And in my speaking. God be in my heart And in my thinking, God be at mine end And at my departing. Amen. From Morning Prayer Salisbury 1527.

2 Corinthians 2:17: “We are not like so many others, who handle God's message as if it were cheap merchandise; but because God has sent us, we speak with sincerity in his presence, as servants of Christ.” apnews.com/article/trump-…

Pentecost reminds us that a church’s focus shouldn’t be on trying to guess the timing of Jesus’ return or which political party is best. Rather, it reminds us to ask if our churches are reflecting the community to come (as it is in heaven) right here and now (on earth)?

A better idea than just the 10 Commandments in school classrooms would be the Beattitudes and Sermon on the Mount in classrooms. They teach justice, how to get along with your neighbor, and get at the real heart of Jesus’ teachings and the 10 Commandments.

As I get older, I am trying to get wiser. But as I get wiser, I realize I still have much wisdom to learn.

We should pray that all those who mock this scene would one day be thankful for the love displayed in it.

Glad to welcome two more churches to the community of Missio Mosaic: A Missional Society: Middleton Congregational Church and Shipyard Church in Boston, MA! Looking forward to doing Gospel ministry with you all!