Are we cowards? In this three-part special, we’re talking about the Christian response to COVID-19. Declared a global pandemic, COVID-19 has impacted political, social and economic practices around the world. But how has it impacted the Church? And, most importantly, has the Christian response been Christ-like? In Part 3, host Veritéetfeu examines justifications given for COVID-19 church closures.
S2E2.2: Are We Cowards? Christians + COVID-19 Hugs, Hygiene + Hypocrisy
Are we cowards? In this three-part special, we’re talking about the Christian response to COVID-19. Declared a global pandemic, COVID-19 has impacted political, social and economic practices around the world. But how has it impacted the Church? And, most importantly, has the Christian response been Christ-like? In Part 2, we examine new social and hygienic measures that could easily take Believers down an unloving and hypocritical path. Available on all podcast streaming platforms.
An Appeal to Appeal COVID-19 Church Closures
This past week, I've been quite passionate and vocal concerning church closures in response to COVID-19. Some have rendered me and those who share my sentiments as selfish, unwise or foolish, as they believe the church needs to do its part to help the world overcome a global pandemic. Yet, that’s exactly what I’ve been trying to communicate these last several days: that the church does its part. And by closing its doors in a time of crisis, I fully believe we are doing the opposite of that.
Even those who have disagreed with me on this topic don’t believe church closures to be ideal. The issue comes when we discuss the best course of action in light of government mandates and public health concerns. I am sensitive to and certainly respect our need to obey our government. I also respect the concerns some may have regarding the potential spread of COVID-19. Yet, with all of these elements at play, we can’t surely believe we should continue to forsake assembling should present conditions extend beyond April.
So what should we do?
S2E2.1: Are We Cowards? Christians + COVID-19 Prepping
Are we cowards? In this three-part special, we’re talking about the Christian response to COVID-19. Declared a global pandemic, COVID-19 has impacted political, social and economic practices around the world. But how has it impacted the Church? And, most importantly, has the Christian response been Christ-like? In Part 1, we take a look at COVID-19 prepping and how to know if it's being done in wisdom or out of fear.
S2E1: Workin' On My Fitness: A Biblical Approach to Fitness +Nutrition
The second season of Truth + Fire: The Podcast returns with a candid discussion on fitness and nutrition from a Biblical perspective. Tune in as host Veritéetfeu and certified personal trainer and nutritionist Brittney Fairley encourage Believers in their fitness goals in 2020 and beyond. Available on all major podcast streaming platforms.
*To access free resources from Brittney Fairley or to inquire about her services, you may reach her at brittneyfairley86@gmail.com or @BFairley_Fit on Instagram.*
Say It Loud! "I'm Black, and I'm Tired!"
Last weekend, a friend and I visited the Museum of the Bible to take in an exhibit entitled “A Balm in Gilead”. Admittedly, I didn’t do my due diligence to research the event before purchasing my ticket. I simply thought it was a gospel concert given the affair largely boasted of performances by the Howard University Gospel Choir and Fisk University’s Jubilee Singers.
Now, speaking of the performances, the choirs were phenomenal! They had hymns, they had range, they had rhythm, and they had me clapping and singing along.
But as for the rest of the event? They simply had a lot of nerve!
Missions in East Asia: A Request for Your Support
With my Pastor’s support and recommendation, I have been invited to travel to East Asia this spring for a short-term missions trip in partnership with Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. During this two-week trip, I will have a chance to share the Gospel with students at a local university. East Asia is among the unreached regions for the Gospel, so a great majority of students will be hearing the Gospel for the first time.
Christ lived a perfect life, bore the wrath of God on the cross, and rose again that anyone who repents and believes may have eternal life with Him. But thousands in East Asia will suffer eternal punishment in hell if they never receive this glorious hope. That is why I must go.
Will you send me?
Christians, Like Christ, We Marry for Keeps (But): On Divorce, Remarriage + the Gospel
“What would you do if your husband cheated on you?”
“DIIIVOOOORRCE!”
“Really? Divorce? You’d just give up your family like that?”
“Give up on my family? Didn’t my husband give up on us the moment he cheated? I could NEVER trust him again!”
“That’s cold! I can’t believe you’d do that.”
“Are you SERIOUS?!”
This is a snippet from a conversation I had with a gentleman I dated well over a decade ago. I do believe that was the last conversation we ever had. He was an audacious fellow, and I was a little bit more than furious. The nerve of him. OF COURSE I’d divorce my unfaithful husband! What was he thinking...that if we got married he could do whatever he wanted and I’d just deal with it? Tuh! Nope! I was so undone by his response. In fact, as I shared that conversation with girlfriends over the years, everyone said that I was right and agreed that this guy was clearly out of his mind. I didn’t need them to affirm me, of course. I already knew I was right. Indeed, I was more than right!
But then I began to follow Christ.
Truth + Fire’s Top Ten Posts of the Decade
Okay, so Truth + Fire has only been around since 2015, and our top ten articles of the decade actually come from the past three and a half years. Yet, as I reflect on the past 10 years of my life, much is revealed about my testimony in these stats, and in the articles resulting from them. As I’ve previously shared, when I began Truth + Fire, I simply wanted to share my faith. But that faith was not only immature, it was filtered through the ‘prosperity gospel’. Granted, in the months before publishing my first post I’d begun an independent Bible study and was surely learning a few things. But, the truth is, I sincerely don’t believe I was converted at the time I launched this blog. I’ve actually had to go back and DELETE a couple of posts from Truth + Fire’s first six months of publication. For example, in September 2015, I wrote a piece about Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. where I fawned over his humility and ability to unite people no matter their beliefs! Meanwhile, this man not only brings a false gospel, but he has a whole antichrist spirit! BAH!
Thoughts About Suicide...
In September 2019, late Pastor Jarrid Wilson made Christian and mainstream headlines after taking his own life. He was 30 years old with a birthday on the way. In addition to his noble profession as a pastor, he was a husband, a father of two boys, and a mental health advocate. As the pastor of a megachurch with a sizable social media following, Wilson was loved and adored by many, and in the days following the news of his death, those who knew and followed his ministry took to social media to say their goodbyes, express their condolences and to honor his memory. Wilson’s story also gave way to a larger conversation on Christian suicide, and as many utilized social media to grieve his death, many also took to social media to try to make sense of his actions.
Unfortunately, many did so according to their own understanding.