Kevin Lamarque, REUTERS USA Today March 9

Reading through the Bible…Psalm 129-134/I Corinthians 11

This is basically the origin of these customs we have of women wearing head coverings in worship, while men take their hats off. By these symbolic acts, men and women, who far too often butt heads with each other, submit their “heads” to the Head: (I Corinthians 11:8)

When people come to worship in Paul’s day, women wear hats. Men don’t. These are the customs they have.

These are customs, not commands. Paul explains that these are symbolic acts. There is a reason for them. Even more pointedly, there is a reason for the Corinthian Church to observe them.

The city of Corinth in Paul’s day becomes famous as a Corinthian (dictionary.com) place of luxury, wealth, or loose morals. Paul wants the Church in Corinth to distinguish herself differently.

Paul gives the Corinthians a choice. They can be philo-neikos literally lovers of strife (v.15) Or they can be more like a phila-delphia (a Church of brotherly and sisterly love.

They can be a Church who respect the customs of both men AND women. The first woman came from man, true—but ever since then, every man comes from a woman! And since virtually everything comes from God anyway, let’s quit going through these “who’s first” routines. (I Corinthians 11:12)

Writing…

In March of 2026 our commander in chief faces widespread criticism for wearing a white “USA” baseball cap and keeping it on during a solemn dignified transfer ceremony for fallen U.S. soldiers at Dover Air Force Base.

Critics argue that the President ignores the Customs (our Military) Has. Traditionally civilian men, in the presence of fallen soldiers, will remove their hats and place them on their hearts.

The military has a custom. So does POTUS.

The President has a custom of wearing a baseball hat when he attends outdoor events. He cryptocurrencies the practice during his first Presidential campaign and continues it to the present.

“Bone spurs” doesn’t serve in the military. He does, however, play golf. And golfers wear hats.

Our “golfer” has good reasons to keep his hat on. Some would say that it makes him look younger. It also keeps his hair from blowing on a blustery day.

The military, however, might have even better argument for him to have taken it off.

Does it merit an apology? No. It there an explanation? That’s left up to the rest of us. It’s simply a custom (POTUS) has.

Building…

I confess that it’s simply a custom that I have too. I like to wear my Michigan Alumni hat. Sometimes I even like to wear it to church on Sundays.

It might be for some of the same reasons as our President. I’m 68, not 80. Still, I like to wear a hat because it makes me feel like I look a little younger. Wearing a hat on a windy day, also keeps my hair, whatever hair there is, from blowing around too much.

Wearing a hat is a custom I have. Let me ask, however…

Would it offend you if I wore it to your church?

What should I do about it, if it does?

In the United States I Have a Right To Do What I Want. Our ongoing welfare as a country, however, depends on us believing that we also are Response Able to provide for what others need.

Reading through the Bible…Psalm 126-128/I Corinthians 10:19-33

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. (I Corinthians 10:23-24)

Some tell Paul that they have a right to do anything that they want. He doesn’t argue. He simply suggests that they are also response able to provide some things that others might need.

They are response able to…sumphero: to bring together, to be profitable, to benefit others. Furthermore, they also are response able to…oikodomeó: to build, construct and to edify.

The Corinthians have a right to satisfy their wants. They are response able, however, to also provide for what others need.

They can, but why should they? What’s their why?

For Paul, the why has to do with the who. Paul urges the Corinthians to take responsibility for others because God takes responsibility for them. Paul stands in the Abrahamic tradition with Jews and Muslims who believe that we should be a blessing because we have been blessed by God (Genesis 12:1-3).

For Paul, it’s even more personal. Jesus knocks Paul off his horse by asking “Why are you persecuting ME?” Jesus teaches Paul, and all of us, that we are responsible to Him directly for whatever we do against, or fail to do, for any other human being.

Writing…

Where then is the disconnect with so many who call themselves Christians today? How is it that Christians in Michigan, for instance, can assume no responsibility for over one thousand black and brown immigrants held without due process in the North Lake Detention Center (the largest detention center in the midwest)?

Even if you argue that they have no rights, don’t we have a responsibility?

With the start of the school season, what about students around the country who are failing to get an adequate education? Don’t they, don’t we, share some responsibility?

What about the poor? Jesus says that He comes to preach good news to them (Luke 4:18) Shouldn’t we join Him?

I wonder if part of the problem for people of faith is that we focus on sins of commission rather than sins of omission. We focus what we have a right to do, rather than repenting of what we are failing to do.

• James 4:17: If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

• Proverbs 3:27: Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
  when it is in your power to act.

We are responsible for what we do. We are also responsible for what we fail to do.

Building…

This discussion may have you saying, “I should be doing more.”

Try this instead: “I can be doing more.”

We can bring people together (sumphero). We can edify those around us (oikodemos). Together we can build beloved communities (BBC).

We have a right not to give. We have a response-ability to too. Here is just one way, perhaps to start…

https://cfhz.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1137

“Big Joe”, along with six others, gets baptized by Pastor Winfred Burns II at Tunnel Park. Some friends and family at Maple Avenue Ministries share in the celebration (April 21, 2026)

I get baptized as an infant. Big Joe gets baptized as an adult. If your baptism is a Baptism Like Ours, you know that Baptism is just a beginning…

Reading through the Bible…Psalm 123-125/I Corinthians 10:1-18

Remember our history, friends, and be warned. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and taken miraculously through the Sea. They went through the waters, in a baptism like ours, as Moses led them from enslaving death to salvation life. (I Corinthians 10:1-2)

Paul uses the Greek word βαπτίζω (baptizó) to describe what happens to God’s people when Moses leads them out of Egypt.

To be baptized literally means to be immersed, or dipped into dye. It is actually the Eqyptians who get immersed in the water. The Hebrews pass through the water, out of slavery and into freedom (Exodus 14).

Paul draws a parallel between the Hebrew slaves being delivered through the water from slavery, to God’s people being delivered from sin through the waters of Baptism.

Who gets delivered? Everyone.

Every one of the slaves pass through the water: parents and children, infants and old. Coming out of slavery in Egypt means a fresh beginning for every one at every age. Like Cornelius with his family and friends (Acts 10:44-48), the “Baptism” symbolized in the parting of the Red Sea includes everyone.

For infants, Baptism, like circumcision for Jews in the Old Testament, signs them up and into the faith. For adults, the same holds true. For both infants and adults, Baptism begins the journey, it doesn’t end it.

To put it in a Great Commission way, those who have been baptized still need to be taught to obey all that Jesus commands. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Writing…

Frederick Christ Trump, a real estate developer and businessman from New York along with Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, who was born in Scotland and emigrated to the United States, along with the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, Queens, New York…They all participate in the Baptism of our sitting President.

He is not an adult then and…

Baptism for Donald as an infant is just the beginning. If his parents and parish are to fulfill the Great Commission, it falls on them to teach him to observe all that Jesus commands.

How do they do? Don’t answer that.

Building…

Do answer this.

Are you ever baptized? What does it mean to you? Was it a beginning or an end? Do you feel that you have learned to observe all that Jesus commands.

When it comes to answering those kinds of questions about a Baptism like ours. I would suggest that we’re just getting started.

Read more

Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump ring the opening bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York City on 13 August 2025. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Reading through the Bible…Psalm 120-122/I Corinthians 9

What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge…I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. (I Corinthians 9:18 & 22 NIV)

Paul’s gets paid not in the form of currency or cryptocurrency. Paul’s gets paid in saved souls. He doesn’t get paid by people. He gets paid with people. He doesn’t make money. He makes disciples.

It’s not that he doesn’t deserve to be paid monetarially. He does. “A man, or an ox, has gotta eat”. An ox treading out the grain, should not be muzzled (Deuteronomy 25:4).

Paul deserves to be paid for the eternal investment he makes in the lives of others. However, he doesn’t insist on being paid.

Money is not what motivates the Apostle.

Writing…

Would that the same could be said for our President and his family.

According to federal financial disclosures released by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, President Donald Trump made more than $1.4 billion from cryptocurrency ventures during his first year back in office. Total revenue generated by the broader Trump family and their affiliated entities from crypto investors is estimated to be at least $2.3 billion

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgmv98ez3zo

What’s the big deal? It’s just The Art of the Deal (the title of Trump’s autobiography). That’s why we voted for him, right? He’s a good businessman.

Perhaps, but let’s look at HOW he makes his money.

Donald Trump’s presidency has faced extensive accusations and documentation of unprecedented conflicts of interest, personal financial enrichment, and pay-to-play governance. [1, 2, 3] (Google AI-citing the American Bar Association)

It’s not only how much he makes. It’s how he makes the how much. Can I say that maybe he’s a businessman, but not a particularly good one?

Then, let’s look at what he takes. In the same year that our President’s family, makes 2.3 billion. Under orders of the President, the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, rescinds $2.5 billion of the $3.9 billion in FY2025 Development Assistance funds (CATO institute).

The Art of the Deal President’s family makes 2.3 billion. The Art of the Steal, richest man on the earth, takes away 2.5 billion from US AID.

I have a pretty good idea what that US AID could have meant to developing countries. I can’t imagine what an extra billion means to the first trillionaire. Can you?

Rather than good businessmen, I like to call our two buddies Reverse Robin Hoods. They rob from the poor and give to the rich.

Building…

Still, I feel sorry for them. What does it profit (notice that word) if a man gains the whole world and loses himself (Mark 8:36)?

The Apostle Paul isn’t interested. Neither am I.

For My Reward, I’ll take heaven bound relationships, not hell bent riches.

How about you?

August 20, 2023 International Food Festival with neighbors in Holland, MI (for fun follow the Zinnias on this Tulip Lane to Lake Macatawa in the distance)

Food does not bring us near to God…but it just might bring us nearer to our neighbors…

Reading through the Bible…Psalm 119: 89-176/I Corinthians 8

…food does not bring us near to God… (I Corinthians 8:8 NIV)

Some in Paul’s day thought food could bring them near to God. The practice of offering meat or grain to representations of a deity is widespread in the world in which the Bible is written.

Jesus teaches, however, that God doesn’t need our food. We need to ask, instead, for God to offer food to us. When we pray counsels Jesus, say Give us this day our daily bread (Luke 11:3).

Food, for Paul and the Savior he follows, does not get us closer to God. It can, however, get us closer to others…if we are willing to share it.

Writing…

Jesus teaches us to pray, “give US”, not “give ME” food…and the US stands for more than the U.S. The US stands, or at least used to stand for, USAID.

Our country used to believe that food could bring us closer to other nations. We used to believe that, until 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025, (when) all USAID direct hire personnel, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programs, (were) placed on administrative leave globally. (USAID.gov)

Since then, food aid globally and locally has faced severe cuts, restructuring, and declining enrollment under President Donald Trump’s administration. (you can check numerous sources for that)

We used to believe that bread, rather than bombs made for better diplomacy. We used to believe that exchanging food made for a better economy as well.

Witness US and Canada.

Canada buys roughly 40% to 43% of all agricultural products that Michigan exports. Yearly food and agriculture exports from Michigan to Canada total over $1.25 billion. (MDARD)

If I’m in Michigan (and I am), I’m voting for Abdul El-Sayed and every other Democrat I can find who believe in sharing food.

Iowa farmers sell billions of dollars in corn, soybeans, and other crops to Canada, which is the state's largest foreign export market (best source I could find was https://canada-in-usa.com/state/iowa/)

If I’m in Iowa (and I’m not), I’m voting for Josh Turek and every other Democrat I can find there who believe that exchanging food can make friends.

Building…Beloved Communities

Food can bring us nearer to neighboring nations like Canada. Food can also bring us nearer to neighbors.

Witness the early church. They broke bread in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts. (Acts 2:46 NIV)

Witness my own neighborhood in Holland, MI. You see the picture. It illustrates that food can help BBC (Build Beloved Communities) when we share it.

Food can help even more when we share it in loving and culturally appropriate ways. Kosher foods for Jews. Halal for Muslims. Gluten free bread (along with juice and wine both) in Communion.

God doesn’t need or want our food. Our neighbor or the nation next door, just might. Food does not bring us near to God…but

My late dad’s and Jeannette’s Bibles, framed by son Sam’s gift of praying hands (I am in my room looking at them right now)

I’ve pictured for you where I am. Where are you…?

Reading through the Bible…Psalm 119:1-88/I Corinthian 7

And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life. (I Corinthians 7:17)

Paul doesn’t know where his readers are. He may know geographically, but not maritally. He doesn’t know if they married or single.

In one sense, Paul doesn’t care. He just wants them to be content.

I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am (Philippians 4:11-13)

Paul wants his readers to be content, like he is, with where they are financially. In today’s reading, he also wants them to be content with where they are maritally.

The secret of that contentment, according to Paul, is in the One who makes me who I am. The secret is in believing that God, not our marital status defines our life.

Writing…

Approximately 42% of U.S. adults are unpartnered, meaning they do not live with a spouse or an unmarried romantic partner. Broadly defined as unmarried (including widowed, divorced, or never married), the U.S. Census Bureau reports that roughly 46% to 47% of all American adults are unmarried. [1, 2] (Google AI)

Are you one of them? Are you content?

The New Testament suggests that for you it doesn’t matter whether you have a family. What matters is that God does. God has a family and you, by faith, are in it.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (I John 3:1 NIV)

Building…

You, dear reader, are in God’s family. So am I.

I have lost both parents. All of my siblings are gone. I never live alone my entire life until my late wife Jeannette dies.

I have a hard time, sometimes, accepting that the place I am in right now is God’s place for me. Maybe some of you reading this do too. How could God want this for me?

I wonder if sometimes God let’s us be alone, so God can remind us that we are not. I wonder if, even if others don’t live with us, God does. That seems to be what the creation account suggests when God Ruah’s Godself into the dust (Genesis 2:7).

I wonder if God sometimes gets us alone, so God can talk with us, just the two of us.

I wonder…Where are you?

I have no way of knowing. What I do believe, however, is that whether married or single, you are not alone.

I hope you know that. I hope you are experiencing that, right now with every Ruah breath.

Picture of Michelle and Barack Obama taken by me from a screen on May 28th at the Obama Presidential Center

Are they in love or in lust?

Reading…Psalm 114-118/I Corinthians 6

Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. (I Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV)

Some conservative Christians think that these verses justify their bigotry against men who have sex with men. The Apostle Paul, however, I believe has a different group in mind.

I believe that the group Paul condemns are any and all of those whose actions spring from lust, rather than love. Paul gives us his dirty laundry list: pornography, idolatry, adultery, thievery, covetousness, drunkards, revilers and those who are rapacious (my translations from the Greek words).

These all are not the present identities of the Corinthians. They are some of their previous activities. They represent past efforts to get, rather than to give. They point to motives which seek to satiate rather than to serve.

Some of the Corinthians have been engaged in these kinds of lust full activites. Now, however, they have been sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (I Corinthians 6:11). Now, however, they have been equipped to love.

Writing…

Those who continue to live in lust, according to Paul, will (not) inherit the Kingdom of God. They may, however, live like kings while still here on earth.

It certainly seems that way, doesn’t it?

Pornographers get screen time, idolaters get worshipped, adulterers get divorced and remarried, thieves get rich, coveters get what they covet, those who drink to excess still get behind a wheel to kill people, and those who are rapacious-extremely greedy, grasping, or always wanting more money, power, or things-some of them even get to be President.

Some who live in lust, can seem to live like kings, They don’t, however, get into the Kingdom of God. Love God, Love you neighbor says Jesus (Matthew 22:37-40). That’s the ticket.

Building…

Today, August 24, happens to be the thirteenth anniversary of my nephew and his husband. Tomorrow, August 25, would have been the 75th anniversary of my parents.

Would it offend you to say that I believe that both couples seek primarily to give, rather than just to get? Would it offend you for me to say that I believe that both my nephew and my parents, along with Michelle and Barack, along with many gay and straight couples, do live most of the time in a kingdom of love and not lust?

I hope not.

Marble Collegiate Church, a Reformed Church in America Congregation

Back in the days when Donald went to church, he attended a Reformed Church in America congregation (the denomination in which I am ordained). Marble Collegiate Church in NYC is also where Donald holds his first wedding to Ivana Zelníčková on April 9, 1977.

Reading through the Bible…Psalm 110-112/I Corinthians 5

But I am saying that you shouldn’t act as if everything is just fine when a friend who claims to be a Christian is promiscuous or crooked, is flip with God or rude to friends, gets drunk or becomes greedy and predatory (I Corinthians 5:11)

Paul maintains that the Corinthians shouldn’t act as if everything is just fine, especially when someone who claims to be a Christian is promiscuous…

Paul has received a report of “pornos” (the word translated as promiscous) behavior that wouldn’t even be tolerated even outside the church…One of your men is sleeping with his stepmother. And you’re so above it all that it doesn’t even faze you, (I Corinthians 5:1-2)

It doesn’t seem to faze the Corinthians. Paul’s heart breaks, however. The report brings him to his knees in tears?

I wonder what it would have done for me?

Writing…

We have a President who claims to be a Christian. If he doesn’t make that claim, if he doesn’t have widespread support among others who claim to be Christians, perhaps everything would be fine.

However, we have a President, and most of his followers, who all claim to be Christians. And we, like the Apostle, have reports.

We have reports that our self proclaimed Christian President is promiscuous or crooked, is flip with God or rude to friends, gets drunk (haven’t heard that) or becomes greedy and predatory.

What am I, as a fellow self proclaimed Christian, to do?

It seems like I can either salivate over an assistant’s infatuation for the President, hoping to hear of scandolous sex. Or I can lament the love lost between the President and the First Lady.

I can either speculate about Paula White’s West Wing office which remains open, or grieve the First Lady’s East Wing office that has been torn down.

If our President is indeed a Christian, he then is also my brother in Christ. Don’t I need to first call him out (Matthew 18:15)? Don’t I need to go to my brother out of love so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord (I Corinthians 5:5)?

What if he doesn’t want to be saved? What if he wants to continue in unrepentent sin? If he doesn’t want to be brought back into community with other christians, then don’t I need to let him go? If I can’t successfully call him out, don’t I need to reluctantly cast him out?

Building…

The news, mostly these days about our President, tells us the way it is. The news does NOT tell us the way it is supposed to be.

The news tells us of loveless marriages, promiscuity without promises, casual sex which destroys families and communities. “Pornos” on a screen, rather than passion with a committed partner in a bedroom.

Everything is NOT fine.

Still, it can be. Most of it IS for me in 42 years of a faith full marriage to the love of my life. I hope it is, or will be, for you too…whether it starts in a collegiate church or in somebody’s backyard.

Jeannette on our wedding day (July 5, 1980)

There is a story behind every picture…Better yet, in every picture there are Public Servants. Do you see them?

Reading Through the Bible…Psalm 107-109/I Corinthians 4

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. (I Corinthians 4:1 NIV)

Paul considers himself a public servant.

He serves the public by stewarding (οἰκονόμος) the mysteries God has revealed. Oikonomos compounds oikos and nomos. Paul parcels out (nomos-used especially for distributing food to grazing animals) God’s mysteries to households (oikos).

The Message translation puts it this way

Don’t imagine us leaders to be something we aren’t. We are servants of Christ, not his masters. We are guides into God’s divine secrets, not security guards posted to protect them (v. 1 Message translation).

Public servants, according to Paul, give away, rather than guard the mysteries of God.

Writing…

In the center of the gallery of pictures above stands a picture of our Westcore Neighborhood Community Police officer Jose Padron-Hernandez. Jose lives in the neighborhood. More importantly, Jose gives way ice cream! He publicly serves us…

He’s not the only one. At the top left picture…notice Officer Serna. He is “writing up a report” while standing in my former office at the church. I have been toilet papered by some young vandals. Justice must be served :)

Notice as well two pictures of my dearest Jeannette with two different police officers. I don’t remember the stories behind them. I think the certificate the female officer is holding might be from Jeannette graduating from the Citizen’s Police Academy.

The Holland Department of Public Safety hosts a free, 8-week Citizens Police Academy once a year in the fall to give about 40 local residents an inside look at law enforcement operations, policies, and community partnerships through weekly 3-hour evening sessions. https://www.cityofholland.com/669/Citizens-Police-Academy

The last picture, at bottom right, speaks for itself. It’s me on a runaway segway with officer giving chase :)

I can’t tell you how proud I am of our public servants in Holland, MI.

They don’t get paid enough. Here’s part of the reason why…

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operates on an annual budget nearing $29 billion to $30 billion, fueled by massive legislative funding surges—including multi-year allocations upward of $70 billion to $75 billion aimed at expanding personnel, arrests, and detention infrastructure. Brennan Center for Justice +4

I say ICE OUT. I say Public Servants IN

Building…Beloved Communities (BBC)

I value our Holland Police Officers as Public Servants. I can’t be them. I can, however, support them. You can too.

Take just a few moments today to send a note, make a call, decide to vote for someone who is dedicated to providing services for the public good.

Who are they?

• Emergency workers: Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics.

• Education staff: Public school teachers and university staff.

• Elected or appointed leaders: Mayors, governors, and lawmakers.

• Administrative staff: Civil servants working in local, state, or federal offices.

• Community support: Social workers and public health employees.

What do they do?

• Protect public safety and health.

• Keep laws and run public programs.

• Put community needs above private or political goals

There are public servants in my pictures. There are public servants in yours.

Do you see them?

President Donald Trump holds up a copy of his Truth Social post about Air Force One as he speaks with the media aboard Air Force One on July 8, 2026. The president’s media company is offering investors early access to his Truth Social feed for up to $100,000 a month, raising ethical and legal concerns.

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Who does he think he is?

Reading through the Bible…Psalm 103-6/I Corinthians 2-3

When one of you says, “I’m on Paul’s side,” and another says, “I’m for Apollos,” aren’t you being totally childish? Who do you think Paul is, anyway? Or Apollos, for that matter? (I Corinthians 3:4-6)

Who do the (Corinthians) think (Paul) is?

The Corinthians make a genetive case for Paul. The genetive case in Greek shows possession, origin and connection. They are literally saying I am Paul’s. I belong to him. I originate from him. I am inextricably connected to him.

Paul eschews such designations.

Instead, he self identifies as a diakonia, a servant or attendant, a waiter. Paul goes on to say that he and Appolos are nobodies, weary laborers. They are migrant workers out in the field. They are slaves picking cotton. (my amplifications of vs. 7-8).

Is this false modesty? Is Paul fishing for compliments? If Paul were comparing himself to others. Perhaps.

He’s not.

Paul does compare himself favorably to other people in other passages. He has no problem trotting out his superior credentials in II Corinthians 11:1-15. He claims to work harder than anyone else in I Corinthians 15:10.

Paul admits that, in comparison to other people, he’s no slouch. In our passage, however, he spotlights his identity, not in relationship to others, but in relationship specifically to Jesus.

When Paul looks to Jesus, he sees how painfully short he falls. In comparison to Jesus Paul knows that he is just a menial servant working at minimum wage (v.8).

Writing…

What about our President? Who does he think he is?

Some, like the Corinthians with the Apostle, some seem to worship the President. Witness his executive assistant Natalie Harp.

Others seem plagued with Trump Derangement Syndrome. Rosie O’donnell comes to mind. Donald is binarily evil. She, righteously good. He rich. She…well…is also rich.

In evaluating the President, we can differ radically in our opinions about who he thinks he is…

Building…

What if, however, we are asking the wrong question. What if we were to ask, who WE think that WE are.

I think, with Paul’s help, we could make a pretty good genetive case that we are…God’s. We belong to, originate from, are inextricably connected to…God. People plant us. Others water us. Still, ultimately, we are all part of God’s growing field of flowers.

The Corinthians try to pit Paul against Apollos. Today it’s Republicans against Democrats. Paul doesn’t take the bait, nor should we.

Paul responds to the Corinthians partisanship by suggesting instead a partnership with Apollos. He believes that they represent not opposing parties, but synergoi (a Greek word meaning fellow workers).

Does the Greek word synergoi suggest to you any English word today?

We can’t say for sure who (our President) thinks he is. We can, however, synergistically say who (the rest of us) think we are…and start acting like it.

Reading through the Bible…Psalm 100-102/I Corinthians 1

…none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.” ( I Corinthians 1:31)

The Apostle Paul learns humility…by way of Jesus Christ. He learns to have the same mind as Jesus who humbles Himself and becomes obedient to the cross (Philippians 2:5-my translation).

Paul learns humility from Jesus. Then, he seeks to teach it to the Christians in Rome. He warns them against blowing their own horn before God. He quotes Jeremiah, let not the wise boast…but that they have the understanding to know me. (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV)

Time and again, the scriptures warn against tooting our own horn. Why? Because it’s not our horn to toot. Everything we have, including our horns, comes from God.

So, Paul says, if you have to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.

The “sitting President’s” recent post on Truth Social

Writing…

Paul learns humility from Jesus. George W. Bush learns it from George Washington. What about our “sitting on a horse” President?

You know the answer. Donald, if he ever has humility, loses it a long time ago. Instead, our President-along with his co-dependents-has hubris.

Extreme or excessive pride, arrogance, or dangerous overconfidence, an inflated self-belief causes them to ignore risks, break rules, or overestimate their abilities, almost always leading to their eventual downfall [1, 2, 3]

Google AI breaks it down even more…

• Excessive Pride: Believing you are smarter, stronger, or better than you actually are.

• Ignoring Limits: Acting as if you are above the law, rules, or normal human boundaries.

• Leading to Failure: Usually paired with a major mistake or punishment caused by that blindness to reality. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

That says it pretty well, don’t you think?

One Republican President learns not to toot his own horn from George Washington. The other “sitting President”, doesn’t.

Skates, Stan & Charlie (Hope students who find their way in 2012 to the church that we pastor and end up sitting on the porch of the house next door that we own for a time)

Building…

So, in conclusion, let’s talk about “Skates” (Caleb Murray is on the far left of the picture above). “Skates” Caleb, knows how to toot his own saxaphone. He still plays professionally see https://www.calebdm.com/

However, while studying at Hope College in Holland, MI Caleb chooses to play his trumpet (Saxaphone) for God as part of a worship team on Sundays.

Just one time, I try to play Caleb’s saxophone. It isn’t pretty.

What I learn from Skates is that blowing my own horn sounds about as pleasant to others as me trying to play Caleb’s saxaphone.

However, if I am Caleb, eleven years later, blowing a trumpet for God in the Oakland hills overlooking the bay with a newborn baby lying beside me, that’s a different sound and story all together.

Read more

The Church Lady gets developed by Dana Carvey as part of his standup act, the character debuted on SNL October 11th, 1986, during the show’s 12th season premiere (Carvey’s very first episode).

I commend to you two Church Ladies.

Reading through the Bible: Psalm 97-99/Romans 16

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I a…

Read more

That’s me with my late wife Jeannette (NOT)

It is actually me behind my phone taking her picture while vacationing. It is April 12, 2019, at a surf shop on the Atlantic Ocean. Jeannette is already experiencing symptoms of undiagnosed pancreatic cancer.

Reading through the Bible…Psalms 91-93/Romans 15:1-13

Those of us who are strong and able in the fai…

Read more

A picture of my left over Bolani

I bring a banana (and some other fruit). She brings bolani. We all eat together.

Turns out that…

Breaking Bolani Can BBC (Build Beloved Communities).

Reading through the Bible…Psalm 89-90/Romans 14

When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be s…

Read more

No, this is not a picture of our President…but it could be.

It could be him. It could be you.

Did you know that our heads and faces can literally get hot when we are angry. Our hearts beat faster, blood rushes to our face. We all can get hot and bothered sometimes.

So, let me ask. Is your head hot?

Reading…Psalm 84-86/Romans 12

Don’t hit back; discove…

Read more

This book was sent to my address years ago, in care of my father. He died months before it arrived. It seems to suggest to me that our President may speak for God and country. I’m not so sure…

Reading through the Bible…Psalm 81-83/Romans 11

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way ov…

Read more

Yes, that’s me playing Charlie Brown in Holland High’s production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.” (Extra Credit to anyone who knows what year, more extra credit if you go to the HHS production this year)

I need Help then. Still do. Maybe you do, too.

Reading through the Bible…Psalm 76-80/Romans 10-11

It’s exactly the same no matter what a person’s …

Read more

Read more

Spoiler alert: He lets go.

Reading through the Bible…Psalm 72-73/Romans 9:1-17

I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. At the same time, you need …

Read more

Hannah Aguilera pregnant, standing with her husband and my pastor, Ben Aguilera on December 8, 2017.

My late wife Jeannette takes the picture of our pastor Ben and his wife Hannah. I’m sorry that Jeannette is not here to caption it.

I could tell you a little of what it is like for Ben to serve as a church planter (I did for five years in Lilburn, GA).…

Read more