We're diving into a new format today, and I couldn't be more excited to share my very first voice note episode with you! This episode focuses on the struggles many of us face during the summer, especially those of us with ADHD trying to maintain our faith routines when the structure of school disappears. I want to validate those feelings—you're definitely not alone in feeling like your schedule goes out the window when summer hits. We explore the impact of shame on our spiritual lives and how it can derail our routines, reminding ourselves that it’s okay to experience chaos and change. My hope is to encourage you to identify and break the cycle of shame, and instead, find small touch points with God that foster curiosity and connection, even amidst the chaos.

Takeaways:

• In this episode, I shared my struggles with maintaining a faith routine during chaotic summer months.
• We discussed how the lack of structure in summer can impact our faith and daily lives.
• I emphasized the importance of breaking the cycle of shame that can hinder our spiritual journey.
• Curiosity can be a powerful tool to reconnect with God during emotionally challenging times.
• We explored the idea that having small touch points with God can be incredibly helpful when life feels overwhelming.
• I introduced a free resource called 'One Hour to Quiet the Noise' to help manage chaos and reconnect with faith.

Download the Noise Journal here!

Today, we dive into Amos 5, a passage that really challenges us to reflect on our own lives amidst the current climate of Christian nationalism in the U.S. It’s all too easy to point fingers at others while ignoring the issues lurking in our own hearts. As we dig into this scripture, we’ll explore the repeated biblical themes of justice and righteousness - concepts that are way more than just spiritual jargon; they're deeply rooted calls to action that demand our own personal accountability. I share my own journey from a former extreme conservative perspective to a more progressive understanding, emphasizing the need for self-examination and genuine compassion towards those in need. Let’s get uncomfortable together as we consider how we can align our priorities with God’s, ensuring that we’re not just critiquing the church and society but also looking inward and addressing our own sanctification.

Download the noise journal here for free.

Takeaways:

• It's essential to engage with scripture daily, even if it's just a verse or two to start.
• Amos 5 highlights critical themes of justice and righteousness that are relevant today.
• We must resist the temptation to point fingers at others without examining our own hearts.
• Christian nationalism is a significant issue in the US, affecting how we view our faith.
• Personal transformation often requires uncomfortable self-examination and accountability to God.
• Traveling can broaden our perspectives and challenge our prejudices towards those who are less fortunate.

Today's bite-sized Biblecast takes a deep dive into 1 Kings 15, where we explore the reign of King Asa of Judah. Asa stands out as a king who did what was right in the sight of the Lord, a refreshing narrative amid a very rough time of division and idol worship in Israel's history. His actions included completely ridding Israel of idol worship, even holding his own mother accountable for her idolatry. To be specific, he doesn't just scold her or verbally disapprove of her practices - he removes her from her station as the queen mother.

This opens a deeply important conversation about leadership, accountability, and what we as Christians should be willing to accept in terms of behavior from those in power (particularly those who claim the name of Jesus). To put it frankly, friends, we need to hold Trump accountable for his blasphemy this week. And this starts by having conversations with those around us who still support him. Let's dig in together.

Takeaways:

• In the Old Testament, King Asa held his mother accountable for idolatry, illustrating the importance of accountability in leadership.
• We have a responsibility to demand accountability from our leaders, especially those who claim to follow Christ.
• Having tough conversations with friends and family about their political support is crucial for holding each other accountable.
• The recent blasphemous actions of Donald Trump (specifically him posting an AI-generated picture depicting him very clearly as Jesus then blatantly lying about it, saying he thought it was showing him as a doctor) give us the opportunity to practice what we preach and hold him accountable.
• Examining our beliefs and how they align with our faith is essential for being true followers of Christ.
• It’s important to engage in discussions about accountability, and doing so without blatant confrontation is possible.

Want a more grounded, sustainable walk with Jesus but feel like your life and brain are too loud? The free Noise Journal helps you spot what’s really draining you and make a simple plan to clear it in one hour. Download it here!

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