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God's Kingdom Come - The Scandalous Guest List

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To listen to the full unabridged audio listen here: The Scandalous Guest List

Today is Super Bowl Sunday—a day synonymous with gatherings, snacks, and “sportsball.” Whether you’re there for the game or just the commercials, it’s one of those rare nights where everyone chills out and has a good time.

But in the first century, parties were a different story. They weren’t “democratic” like ours today; they were highly structured, intentional, and governed by strict social rules. This context makes the story of Jesus at a dinner party in Luke 14:1-14 all the more shocking.

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Finished reading: The Will of the Many by James Islington 📚

This book read like Red Rising meets Mistborn meets Ancient Rome. I really enjoy the political intrigue that is building.

I’m thankful for the collegial and kind debate that has been happening at the 187th Stated Meeting of the Midwest Presbytery. It turns out that it is possible to disagree well.

“Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness and pride of power and with its apologia for the weak. – I feel that Christianity is rather doing too little in showing these points than doing too much. Christianity has adjusted itself much too easily to the worship of power. It should give much more offence, more shock to the world, than it is doing. Christianity should take a much more definite stand for the weak than to consider the potential moral right of the strong.”
  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from a sermon on 2 Cor. 12:9

Spiritual fitness isn’t about having all the answers.

It’s about forming a faith that can actually carry you.

🎧 New episode of The Pastor Next Door: What Is Spiritual Fitness?

danielmrose.com/2026/02/0…

1.1 What Is Spiritual Fitness?

A new season of The Pastor Next Door is live.

Season 1 begins with a simple question: What do we mean when we talk about “spiritual fitness”?

Not hustle. Not self-improvement. Not another thing to fail at.

Just a conversation about forming the capacity to trust, love, and stay rooted in grace over time.

If faith has felt tiring or complicated lately, you’re not behind—you’re paying attention.

🎧 Episode 1: What Is Spiritual Fitness? (And What It Is Not)

#podcast #faith #spiritualformation

Transcript

In the Kingdom, success isn’t the “Triple Bs”—Butts, Bucks, and Buildings. Jesus cares more about integrity than influence. From the “little strength” of Philadelphia to the comfort of Laodicea, the call is simple: stay faithful.

Full episode: Revelation 3 - The Second Four Churches 🎧

The Sword and the Living Sacrifice - Why Romans 13 is Not About Blind Obedience

In light of recent events in Minnesota and elsewhere regarding the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), I have seen many people cite Romans 13:1–7. It is often used as a “trump card” to end any argument. Too often, I think those citing the passage haven’t thought deeply about it or considered its original context. So, I revisited the text to consider again what Paul is actually arguing in the opening verses of chapter 13 in his magisterial letter to the Romans.

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