Rhonda Lynn

Let's Stop Already...
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“The quiet words of the wise are more effective
Than the ranting of a king of fools.

Wisdom is better than warheads,
But one hothead can ruin the good earth.”

(Ecclesiastes 9:17-18, The Message)

Solomon's Wisdom for Today
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U.S.A. For Africa - We Are the World YouTube video by USAforAfricaVEVO

I dont understand…what ‘s happened to us as US citizens? We used to care about the rest of the world. What has changed? Https://youtu.be/9AjkUyX0rVw

My response to: “It’s Not the Government’s Job to Help the Poor—It’s the Church’s!” I’ve heard this phrase all my life—inside churches, outside churches, online, in political debates: “It’s not the government’s job to help the poor; it’s the church’s job.”

As congress continues to cut funding for humanitarian aid around the world, we ALL need to consider our response.
We aren't just US citizens. WE are global citizens!

My response to: “It’s Not the Government’s Job to Help the Poor—It’s the Church’s!” open.substack.com/pub/benjamin...

Sam Rockwell in 'White Lotus'

I kept going to church, over and over, sunday after sunday. Every week. Sometimes two, three times a week. Then I realized, I wanted to BE the church. I wanted to actually be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.

Sunday Musings: Lent 2 Willing...or not?

The scripture story for this Lent Sunday is about a fox and a hen - a contrast between empire and empathy.

Are we willing to choose vulnerability?

Jesus laments because his people often choose wrongly. And now, I lament, too.

America has sided with the fox.

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Upon reading your article, I read and meditated upon all of Luke 13. Thank you for sharing your insights. Like Jesus, I desire to become increasingly vulnerable, loving and kind.

For various reasons, “Horton Hears a Who” should be mandatory reading for our president, vice president and every member of congress. Dr. Suess communicated so many essential life lessons through this book. If you haven’t read it in a while, now might be a great time to revisit it.

Just another example of the devastating consequences caused by putting all of USAID in handcuffs. There’s a way to hold departments within an agency accountable without blowing up or shuttering the whole operation. This isn’t it, and many, many people are dying as a result.

“So my very dear friends, when you see people reducing God to something they can use or control, get out of their company as fast as you can.”

I Corinthians 10:14

“By this time a lot of men & women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees, & religious scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased.” (Luke 15:1).

Jesus befriended those of “doubtful” reputation. He still does. After all, He befriended me. 🥰

How does he think he can rewrite history that’s part of our lived experience? Most of us watched as Putin threatened and invaded Ukraine. Stop the nonsense already!

It is God—not us—who works in the hearts of men and women to forgive and redeem. Coercion is not necessary or even helpful. God is responsible for the harvest—but we MUST plant, water, and cultivate the seeds.”

Rich Stearns
The Hole in the Gospel

Our charge is to both proclamand embody the gospel so that others can see, hear, and feel God’s love in tangible ways. When we are living out our faith with integrity and compassion in the world, God can use us to give others a glimpse of his love and character.”

“It is God —not us—who works in the hearts of men and women to forgive and redeem. Coercion is not necessary or even helpful. God is responsible for the harvest—but we MUST plant, water, and cultivate the seeds.”

Rich Stearns
The Hole in our Gospel

“Christianity is a faith that was meant to spread—but not through coercion. God’s love was intended to be demonstrated, not dictated. Our job is not to manipulate or induce others to agree with us or to leave their religion and embrace Christianity.”

Foreign Aid Is Retreating. The Church Must Not "It is tempting to see this moment as a crisis—perhaps even an unraveling. But history tells a different story."

God has given us as Christ-followers a mandate. This mandate goes beyond our borders to all those in need. The Church must fill the gap.
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The Holy Spirit used ‘The Hole In the Gospel” by @richstearns to call me to action when I read it several years ago. I bought multiple copies & shared them with friends and colleagues. Rich’s message is even more urgent in the current moment. I encourage you to read it soon.

Yes! Jesus was an early resister!

Exactly! As soon the Gospel is imposed on others they’re no longer empowered to exercise free will, and we miss out on the opportunity to be invitational. Jesus never crammed the gospel down anyone’s throat…

“Jesus surely never intended Christendom to be Gospel imposed by law, government, and majority status. God knows we’ve tried, but as soon as the Church became establishment, as soon as we came into power, we lost the true power, the effective virus of the Gospel.” Richard Rohr

What’s your one word for 2025? After considerable prayer and reflection, I chose the word RETREAT: intentionally and purposefully slowing down, simplifying my life around what’s really important.

Thank you for continuing to use your voice to call out Donald Trump and his cronies. I admire your intellect, courage and tenacity regarding this matter and others.

I have great respect for Liz Cheney. I don’t agree with her on many policy issues, yet I deeply admire her character, courage and intellect. AND she’s right, we must start calling out Trump’s malicious lies and falsehoods.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion (and politics)? Come to me (Jesus). Get away with me and I’ll show you how to take a real rest. (Matthew 11: 28, The Message)

Thank you for this conversation. The insights shared helped me along in my thinking.