We live in a time when – more than ever before – political differences are creating deep divisions even among close family and friends. Conversations quickly turn heated, relationships feel strained, and it can be tempting to cut people off altogether to avoid the tension. But followers of Jesus are called to something higher. How do you protect a relationship – or repair one that has been damaged by a disagreement related to opposing political views or convictions?
DISCLAIMER: If you're a Christian who is easily offended or triggered, I love you but please stop reading here and go watch this video of baby bunnies. For everyone else, here is a quick summary of where Jesus stands going into this election cycle: Jesus loves people...
The past few days have made me sad. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, comment threads on news articles, conversations outside Starbucks...everywhere I look, everywhere I am, I hear anger. Hatred. Even rage. At the same time, I hear hurt. Pain. Sadness. In the wake of the...
This is not a post about ISIS. I know the title would suggest differently, but this post isn't about ISIS and it's not about politics. See, I've been reading a lot about ISIS, and often when I read an article online I check out some of the reader comments below. I've...
I first wrote this blog post in April 2013 in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing. I had a conversation with a friend today that prompted me to share this again. As I write this, images, stories and news bulletins continue to emerge in the wake of the...
I was listening to the radio on my way to an appointment this morning and I heard something that was very thought provoking. I'm a talk radio junkie, and I was listening to a talk show host talk about Independence Day and freedom. He said, Acting in freedom means...
Jimmy McLoud is the Lead Pastor of First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio. His passion – and the vision of First Christian – is to share the good news that Jesus is for all people by helping them find hope, purpose, and a place to belong. He serves on the Board of Directors for The Solomon Foundation and on the Advisory Team for The Unstuck Group. Jimmy and his wife, Ashley, live in North Canton with their four kids: Braylon, Carter, Ellie, and Grace.