Podcast Episode, Politics, Faith
Veritéetfeu
S4:E8 Why I Didn't Vote for Kamala Harris

Host Veritéetfeu shares why she didn't vote for Kamala Harris and encourages fellow Christians to remain faithful to Christ no matter their candidate of choice.

S4:E8 Why I Didn't Vote for Kamala Harris
Faith, Christian Living, Politics
Veritéetfeu
“Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be…”

In response to the May 11, 2022 Senate vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have codified abortion nationwide, allowed abortion through the ninth month of pregnancy and for which 49 out of 50 Senate Democrats voted in favor, Pastor Tom Buck tweeted the following:

“In light of today’s vote by Democrats to legalize abortion until the moment of birth, we are rapidly reaching the point that voting for a Democrat should be a matter or church discipline.” 

I believe Pastor Buck’s words were meant in jest, but some on his thread found them to be spot on and long overdue. 

“Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be…”
Christian Living, Politics
Veritéetfeu
Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends

In 2018, I penned an article making a case against the social justice movement entitled, “Social Justice: Why Jesus Didn’t Pursue It + Why Christians Shouldn’t Fight for It”. It was a well-received piece, namely among my Christian conservative friends, and it served as a resource for those who discerned the burgeoning movement was problematic, but had trouble precisely articulating why this was so. Honestly, before writing that piece I, too, struggled with offering a precise, Biblical case for how something that, on the surface, sounded so good was ultimately quite evil. 

Years later, I’ve found myself similarly positioned regarding Christian Nationalism, the latest problematic movement seeking to take root in America and in the Church. 

Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends
Podcast Episode, Christian Living, Politics
Veritéetfeu
S4E6: "Christians Who Vote Democrat Should ...

In this episode of Truth + Fire: The Podcast, host Veritéetfeu examines the Scriptures to determine how the Body of Christ should address Christians who vote Democrat.  

S4E6: "Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be..."
Christian Living, Politics, Podcast Episode
Veritéetfeu
S4E5: Trump v Harris: When Your Candidate of ...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Host Veritéetfeu follows up on “S2E9 - Abortion: Voting Bloc or Stumbling Block?” by examining the pro-choice abortion positions of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. How might Christians navigate this important election in light of their convictions on abortion? And would many still suggest that voting for a pro-choice candidate is a sin?

S4E5: Trump v Harris: When Your Candidate of Choice is Pro-Choice

Faith

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EXCLUSIVE: Canton Jones talks faith, family and following his calling to become a 'Preacher of Atlanta'

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EXCLUSIVE: Canton Jones talks faith, family and following his calling to become a 'Preacher of Atlanta'

A few weeks ago, I was minding someone else’s business on Facebook when I stumbled upon the trailer for Oxygen’s new series, Preachers of Atlanta.  I was immediately intrigued because I watched Preachers of LA (seasons 1 AND 2) and, for the most part, I actually enjoyed the show. But, if I’m honest, some aspects of it left me a little rattled. While the rattling didn't shake my faith, I did wonder if it did more harm than good to those who might not already be believers.  If nothing else, the comments section in the blogosphere and the sentiments expressed by major faith figures like Kirk Franklin and T.D. Jakes proved that at least some in the Christian community frankly weren’t feeling 'the Preachers'.   

But my jaw dropped as one of my long-time favorite Christian hip-hop artists, Canton Jones, appeared in the trailer for Atlanta's edition. For a moment I asked Jesus to take the wheel, be a fence and hold my mule! “No! Not Canton,” I screamed internally.  “Noooo JEEBUSSSSS!” (*Cue dramatic faint*)

 

Questions from my Atheist Friends: Part 2 (God, Jesus + Heaven)

Questions from my Atheist Friends: Part 2 (God, Jesus + Heaven)

As I noted in Part I of this series, I chose to engage this discussion after discerning the exercise would help offer atheists a better understanding of people of Faith. I certainly received more clarity on what atheism is and isn't. Yet, I noticed that as our conversation transitioned from debating science to my imparting more spiritual truths, my atheist friends seemed to back off. By the time we began speaking not only about the existence of God, but about Jesus Christ and the concept of eternity, I was down to only about two attentive "opponents", whom I gathered were actually more interested in what I was sharing than a desire to prove it wrong.  

Here are the remaining top questions posed by my atheist friends. 

Questions from my Atheist Friends: Part 1 (God, Science + Hell)

Questions from my Atheist Friends: Part 1 (God, Science + Hell)

Recently, I somehow found myself in the midst of a theological debate with some "umpteen" atheists, most of whom I gathered were intellectuals.  They seemed to enjoy whittling God down to merely an “imaginary friend” and more than a few of them called me everything but a child of God (pun intended).

Perhaps I should have just ignored them. Perhaps I shouldn’t have even given them the satisfaction of a response.

But as mature as I’d like to think I am, I’m still a teeeeeeeeeeennnny weeeeeeennny bit PETTY! (I’m working on that.)

Since I was rather intrigued by the exchange, I collected some of their best questions and statements...and I've decided to expound on my responses in a two part series for your ease of reading. This part covers questions about God, Science and Hell. Part II (not yet published) will cover questions about God, Jesus Christ and Heaven.  

God certainly helped me wade my way through this experience, so please feel free to shelve some of this theological goodness. Who knows? Maybe one day you, too, will find yourself in the midst of a random Twitter battle with umpteen non-believers. Enjoy!

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"Protected Sex" Doesn't Make Sense...There, I Said It

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"Protected Sex" Doesn't Make Sense...There, I Said It

If I'm honest, the concept of "protected" sex doesn't make any real sense. (Wait! Hear me out!)

I think practicing "protected" or "safe" sex is very smart...I just don't find it to be very wise. First, to have "protected" sex, you're implying that you 1) don't know and/or 2) don't trust the person you're with.  Second, when we say “protected” and “safe” sex, we don't mean "birth control"...we mean sexual activity wherein one guards him/herself against unknown health complications, life-long diseases and terminal illnesses.

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Why I Love Kim Davis: Lessons in Handling Faith-Based Convictions

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Why I Love Kim Davis: Lessons in Handling Faith-Based Convictions

As a fellow Christian, I have to say, I love Kim Davis!  Watching her case has taught me so much about standing for God in today's time, and I bless God for using her to demonstrate some important lessons for me.  I've been quite fascinated with this case for weeks now. I had  plans to publish a full piece covering my specific thoughts on her case for some time,  but I find the essence of this matter to be rather open and shut.  

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It's My Birthday: How Fighting with God is My Best Gift EVER!

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It's My Birthday: How Fighting with God is My Best Gift EVER!

Today is my 35th birthday. While most people enter their birthdays thankful to see another year, I was in the midst of a knock-down, drag out fight with God not even 24 hours ago! We actually fight a lot...and He always wins. But I rather enjoy that He always takes a moment from His busy schedule to entertain lil’ old me when I feel a hankering to whine and complain.

But this fight was a bit different. This time, I was extremely upset with Him. And I made sure He knew it! 

Questions from my Gay Friends: Part 1 - Do you eat shellfish?

Questions from my Gay Friends: Part 1 - Do you eat shellfish?

Since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage legal across the country, the entire debate about homosexuality, the definition of marriage and whether the U.S. is going to hell wrapped in a gasoline-soaked Confederate flag has been all the rage these days.

As one who loves a good Facebook debate, I gleaned some of my favorite questions and arguments from these various discussion and initially intended to take a take a stab at responding to each of them in one blog post. However, the piece has grown entirely too long, so I’ve decided to instead chop it up into a series entitled: Questions from my Gay Friends where in I  do my best to address issues and qualms that seem to be at the center of the Christian/LGBT debate. 

First up is the discussion surrounding homosexuality and shellfish (you read that correctly). 

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Same-Sex Marriage Legal Under U.S. Law: Why Christians Should Chill Out About It!

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Same-Sex Marriage Legal Under U.S. Law: Why Christians Should Chill Out About It!

Well…well…well!

Lookah here…lookah here!

Same-sex marriage is FINALLY legal in all 50 states and I couldn’t be experiencing more peace in my soul! Yet, my fellow Christian bretheren and sistern (is that a word?) seem to be downtrodden and rather somber about it, and I can't say I fully understand why.

From where I sit, today’s ruling made perfect practical sense and I knew it was only a matter of time.

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Closed Eyes, Cold Hearts: But You are Forgiven

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Closed Eyes, Cold Hearts: But You are Forgiven

It’s been a rough week.

As nine innocent churchgoers lost their lives last Wednesday night at the hands of a shooter poisoned by hatred – scratch that – sheer EVIL, I sat in the comfort of my home drafting a carefully crafted piece on forgiveness, specifically what it truly means, how to extend it, and how certain attitudes can hinder it.  

In the days leading up to writing that piece, I’d wrestled with God over the topic because I felt it wasn’t ‘sexy’ enough. We’d been privy to the bizarre and the strange that is the Rachel Dolezal story for days at that point, and I felt I was losing too much precious time writing about “forgiveness” when I’d much rather get in on some “transracial” action!

But God nagged me to publish my next post on forgiveness and, honestly, I didn’t get it. I initially felt the subject had absolutely no relevance. “Who would even read it,” I thought.  But I soon came to realize why God inspired me to speak on that particular topic.

 

Why You Can't 'Get Over It': 4 Mindsets that Hinder Forgiveness

As I’ve meditated on this concept and completed an honest check of my heart’s condition, I have identified four of the greatest hindrances to forgiveness that I’ve had to overcome throughout the years.  I share them in the hopes that those who also struggle with extending forgiveness will begin to identify the attitudes that might not only threaten your maturation in the faith, but potentially cause you to sin and, ultimately, remove you from God’s grace.