Everyone is asleep on this second night of Christmas. Snow is falling. The stove is ablaze. I’m reading John Behr. This is bliss.

Just discovered #clergymaltclub. No Whisky. 😞 But I do have these options to choose from after 3 delightful services this evening. I think I’ll start with the Belgian style tripel. Merry Christmas!🎄

I started Fairy Tale by @stephenking.bsky.social yesterday and the work of Rob Reiner has been referenced or alluded to at least three times.

With Netflix, WB, Paramount, and other super-wealthy entities doing battle to the tune of billions of dollars to consolidate power over media, it’s clear that these corporations (and the individuals who own them) can bear a larger tax burden to feed hungry kids and pay for the nation’s healthcare.

open.spotify.com/episode/7btj... This interview of @collincornell.bsky.social on his new book is great! The book is “God Draws Near: Rethinking the Biblical Theology of Mission.” It would be great to hear Collin and John Behr in conversation on Scripture and how to read it. Good Advent material too

the birthright clause was not just written to wipe dred scott off of the books, it was written to repudiate the *idea* behind dred scott, you might say the larger *ideological project* of dred scott. and the whole of section 1 of the 14th amendment is a constitutional statement of political equality

I teach the Reconstruction Amendments in 2 weeks. My 8th grade social studies teacher said Reconstruction was “the most boring & pointless period in US history.” I see it as the most significant since we are continually grappling with the nation’s steady unraveling of Reconstruction’s achievements.

I was reading today and struck by the fact that, in a way, John starts where Luke ends, with disciples seeing Jesus in Moses and the Prophets. See John 1:45 & Luke 24:27.

An Act to encourage Immigration 38th Congress - July 4, 1864 www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/... Starts at the bottom of pg. 385 (pdf pg. 1)

November 26, 2025

Too soon?

Very excited about today’s mail! @pgziegler.bsky.social

Starbucks baristas are on strike and the No Kings Alliance stands with them. Don’t shop at Starbucks while workers fight for fair pay, better staffing, and an end to union-busting. Power belongs to the people who make this country run: nocontractnocoffee.org/#pledge #NoContractNoCoffee #NoKings

Reminder that Starbucks’ CEO made 6,666x more than the company's median employee in 2024. This was the widest CEO-to-Worker pay gap in the entire S&P 500. And we're supposed to believe Starbucks can't afford to bargain a fair contract with its unionized workers?

As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history. Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX

Okay. I can breathe. 🦅

Stumbled across this podcast today. This episode from 2023 was really helpful. If you are a @pcusa.bsky.social TE or RE on session, it’s worth a listen. open.spotify.com/episode/3TjO...

When the richest man in the world had the levers of political power for a few weeks, his top priority was to take money from the poorest of the poor. Horrific.

As a former barista who is still a Starbucks regular, I’ll choose solidarity over slaking my thirst on 11/13. Also, there need to be more unionized stores in NJ.

Americans are more aware of the vulnerabilities in our democratic political system—and of the need to stand up and act—than they’ve been in my lifetime. The results of the current madness could end up serving the nation. We’re learning about the realities of maintaining democracy in real time.

This is morally repugnant behavior. “…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” - Matthew 25:35

This one went…faster. “Gotta go fast!”

Took a while, but I think this 🎃 turned out nicely.

In college, I was told that I would receive an F if I used Wikipedia. Today, it is the first place that I direct my high school students to go when starting their research.

Anyone frustrated by the warehouse boom in NJ over the past few years should be concerned about the potential for a data center boom over the next few years. Imagine a giant warehouse that also extracts endless electricity and water resources. This is the book that has me thinking about this:

My first book, Say Her Name: Centering Black Feminism and Black Women in Sport, came out this March with Rutgers University Press. Since then I've given talks in Boston, Urbana-Champaign, Charlotte and most recently Memphis. /1

God, Slavery, and Early Christianity is out in the real world with @universitypress.cambridge.org! I have some extra, so retweet this by the end of Oct. 19 if you’re interested in receiving a copy! Book info here: www.cambridge.org/core/books/g...

This feels more prophetic every day: youtu.be/xwwaEuDeqM8?... Jump to 12:24

Reading this little essay between innings. Go Phils! firstthings.com/a-perfect-ga...

So much to unpack in this short interview. open.spotify.com/episode/45zv...

The Office of Public Witness has released a pastoral and prophetic statement on the federal government shutdown. Read more and take action here: www.votervoice.net/PCUSA/Campai...

Sermon tomorrow is on Acts 15:36–16:40. Lots there. I’m excited to compare Lydia & the jailer. Both believe, are baptized, & show hospitality to Paul & Silas. Contrast that w/ the men who exploit the woman w/the spirit & those who violently imprison Paul. “Secretly” in 16:37 ≈ “while wearing masks.”

This packed quite the punch open.spotify.com/episode/7G3X...

“Do not be afraid.”

Finished reading Sir Gawain & the Green Knight with my students today. We read parts 1 & 2, & 4 in class & they read 3 at home. They did the reading & their excitement & surprise over the scene in the Green Chapel was so wonderful to witness. Printed pages, no AI, group discussion = rich experience

Frankfurt’s “On Bullshit” sits on my desk. A modern classic. This podcast made me aware of his earlier work on “The Importance of What We Care About.” As an educator, I am convinced that we need to do more to help young people find worthwhile things to care about. open.spotify.com/episode/07LI...

Am I up late because I am writing lesson plans? No. But I did just submit a short story to a literary magazine for the first time!

The first US-born leader of the Catholic church singled out the Tesla chief as an example of the kind of wealth he said was undermining 'the value of human life, of the family, of the value of society' on.ft.com/4653oC8

Willie James Jennings commenting on Acts 14, which is my text for this morning: “Violence is in the world that God never ceases to love, and the disciples are placed between that violence and those subject to its pull.” (1/2)

Psalm 11:5: "The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates the lover of violence." Be mindful of what you love today.

NJ students in grades 6-12 will now learn about “the history of organized labor, notable strikes throughout history, unionization drives, and the collective bargaining process and existing legal protections in the workplace.” This is genuinely so important, and so good to see. Jersey strong, baby!!

I was called “The Stephen King” guy @mclsnj.bsky.social in Hightstown today as I picked up 19 books. I felt seen.

Apparently, you can polish your shoes! And it’s actually kind of therapeutic. They aren’t perfect, but neither am I. The school year may begin now.

This part here is the ideal toward which we should strive. But many simply do not believe in such concern for others. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:35 “…and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” -Rev. 22:2

You want to know how I know @stephenking.bsky.social is a great writer? I haven’t thought twice about opening my basement door and reaching to turn on the lights since I was a kid. That is, not until a few days ago while I was reading “It” for the first time. 🤡 Sprinted back up the steps, too.

Deleting 5,000 words just now was both devastating and liberating.

Teaching Reformed theology in Trump’s America Progressives read Barmen as a rejection of Christian nationalism. Conservatives view it as supporting their fight against a fascist administration. Where's the truth? — David W. Congdon. #Repost #EndChristianNationalism

Sermon was on Acts 12 today. A congregant described the passage as “cinematic!” Willie James Jennings’s commentary on the gospel vs the prison is so powerful. The King Herods of this world wield the state’s power of death unjustly, demand fealty and praise, withhold goods, & think themselves divine.

September is coming! So are great programs from MCLS!

Ruin a book by adding “Tom Clancy’s” to the title Tom Clancy’s IT