Partners and Citizens

The Christmas season brings us to moments of reflection—on God’s sovereignty, the trials of life, and His ultimate plan of redemption. One particular Christmas carol, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, with its poignant lyrics, invites us to consider the themes of suffering and waiting. Coupled with the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel, these reflections provide a profound look at God’s faithfulness and grace.

The book of Ruth is one of the most beautiful and redemptive stories in the Bible, nestled between the chaos of Judges and the rise of the Israel’s kings in 1 Samuel. In this week’s Advent devotion, titled “He Who Is Mighty,” Lisa and I focus on the themes of shame, redemption, and God’s unwavering grace on sinners.

Through the lives of Naomi and Ruth, we see how God lifts shame, restores brokenness, and transforms lives. Drawing inspiration from the song “He Who Is Mighty” by Sovereign Grace Music, we reflect on how Christ lifts the shame of through His life and death.

As we continue our Advent reflections, we turn to a cherished hymn, "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus," written by Charles Wesley. This beautiful carol, though brief with just two verses, carries profound themes of grace and Christ’s kingship. It reminds us that Christ came into the world to set us free from sin and fear, offering salvation by grace, not by works.

I want to share a few thoughts on the day before one of the closest elections in recent American history. I cast my vote early, just before a heavy downpour on Halloween. Early voting has certainly made the process more convenient for many, especially in states like Tennessee, where voters can visit any early voting location rather than a specific precinct. Americans are engaged, casting their ballots, and considering what kind of leadership we want for our nation.

As election season rolls around, many Americans head to the polls to make important decisions on issues that shape the fabric of society. In states like Missouri, one such issue on the ballot is the question of abortion rights. The secrecy of the voting booth, where no one sees how you cast your vote, raises significant questions about the tension between public moral stances and private choices. In this reflection, we explore how anonymity influences our decisions, especially when those decisions involve deeply moral issues such as the right to life.

In a recent episode of The Pastor and His Newspaper, I addressed two significant topics shaping the political landscape: the geopolitical tension between the U.S. and China and the ongoing abortion debate in the upcoming American presidential election.

The story of Cain starts with hope as Eve celebrates the birth of her firstborn but ends in despair. Cain, once full of potential, is cast out from Eve and the presence of the Lord, becoming the master of a wasteland—Nod, the land of the aimless. Cain's descendants, and the generations that follow, walk in his footsteps, drifting further from the presence of God. The story of the Tower of Babel later illustrates a world filled with people, like Cain, migrating aimlessly away from God.

Many of us probably do not face this sort of active restriction against gospel work. However, if you have the humble blessing of being in touch with present-day, global, mission work, you might know people who do. We have brothers and sisters living and serving in countries who face daily opposition to gospel work. We may only know their abbreviated name or pseudonym, or their silhouettes, or the general region where they work, because the danger of their identities being exposed could immediately garner dangerous consequences.