What does it mean to witness suffering without becoming bitter or indifferent? Can you stare directly at systemic injustice and still believe in life? Using Assata Shakur's poem "Affirmation" and readings from Revelation 6-8, this sermon reframes ancient apocalyptic literature as a survival guide for communities under oppression. The Four Horsemen aren't about end-times predictions—they're about naming the root causes of violence, inequality, and death that plague us today. Through Indigenous interpretations of judgment as restorative rather than punitive, and examples from movements for justice, it offers a framework for maintaining hope while doing the hard work of resistance. Because hopeful witnesses don't ignore the riders of death—they call them out while planting seeds anyway.
Ever wonder why the Bible is so hard to understand? It's not just because it's old—it's because we're missing the cultural references. Just like future generations won't get "boots with the fur" or calling 411 for information, we're 2,000 years removed from the world that wrote Revelation. This talk explores the throne room vision in Revelation 4-5 and its central image: a lion that's actually a lamb. It's the key to understanding the whole book—and it completely redefines what power and victory look like. Instead of a warrior God coming back for revenge, we see sacrificial love as the ultimate form of strength. This matters because what we worship shapes how we see justice, community, and ourselves. For anyone deconstructing harmful theology or wondering if worship can be meaningful without manipulation, this offers a different way forward—one where you can question everything and still choose to pay attention to what matters.
The U.S. government recently issued a directive targeting groups that show "anti-American" or "anti-capitalist" tendencies. Early Christians faced eerily similar accusations: they were called atheists, conspirators, and haters of humanity. This sermon explores how the book of Revelation wasn't written as a prophecy decoder ring—it was a survival manual for communities resisting empire. But there's a twist. After unpacking how to read Revelation as a guide for dissident discipleship, Pastor Anthony turns the mirror on progressive faith communities themselves. What happens when deconstruction—necessary as it was—becomes a wall that keeps out not just toxic religion, but genuine encounter with the sacred? Can you be both critically thinking and spiritually surrendered? Includes a powerful testimony about kidney transplants, monuments to God's faithfulness, and why hope isn't magic—it's work. For anyone who's left the church but still wonders if there's something worth rebuilding.
How do you resist injustice without becoming what you despise? In times when hope feels scarce and violence seems to win, many of us struggle with what we're supposed to feel—and how we're supposed to respond. This sermon tackles those uncomfortable tensions head-on. Rather than treating Revelation as a roadmap to the end times, this message reframes the ancient text as a guide for "dissident discipleship"—living with integrity when the world around you demands compromise. You'll discover why the center of Revelation isn't the four horsemen or 666, but something far more relevant to our current moment. Whether you're wrestling with recent events, questioning how to maintain hope, or wondering how faith intersects with resistance, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on an often-misunderstood text. No religious background required—just bring your questions about how to live well in turbulent times.
How do you stand up to injustice without letting anger consume you? How do you fight systems of oppression without becoming the very thing you oppose? These questions feel especially urgent right now, as many of us wrestle with complex emotions about violence, justice, and what it actually means to create change. This talk explores the Book of Revelation not as a cryptic prediction about the end times, but as a practical guide for "dissident discipleship" — learning to resist empire while staying grounded in what gives life rather than death. Drawing on the image of Jesus as "the Lion who is really a slain Lamb," we'll examine what it looks like to wield power through vulnerability and maintain hope without naive optimism. Whether you're familiar with religious texts or not, you'll walk away with concrete insights about navigating resistance, processing difficult emotions, and staying human in dehumanizing times.
Many of us carry shame about our faith - shame about questions we've asked, people we've hurt, or feeling like we don't fit the "good Christian" mold. This honest reflection explores how religious shame can poison our relationship with spirituality and keep us from authentic community. Drawing from a summer of solitude and the apostle Paul's bold declaration "I am not ashamed of the gospel," this message distinguishes between life-giving faith and the harmful interpretations that wound people. Through vulnerable storytelling and practical wisdom, it offers a path toward shame resilience and deeper authenticity. Whether you're wrestling with religious trauma, feeling like an imposter in your calling, or simply trying to separate genuine faith from toxic messaging, this conversation provides tools for healing and two essential questions for personal reflection.
Ever feel like you're the only one who cares? Like you have to fix every injustice or no one will? Many of us cycle between doing too much, burning out, then either withdrawing completely or blaming others for not stepping up. This pattern destroys both activists and movements. Drawing from the ancient story of prophet Elijah's breakdown and recovery, Daniel explores how sustainable resistance requires intentional rest. He weaves together current events, Palestinian concepts of steadfast resistance, and practical psychology to show why caring for yourself isn't selfish—it's strategic. Whether you're overwhelmed by news cycles, exhausted from volunteering, or struggling to balance self-care with showing up for others, this offers a framework for staying engaged without losing yourself in the process.
We all hit walls—whether it's career ambitions that feel out of reach, relationships that drain us, or dreams that seem impossible. But what if the problem isn't your limitations? What if you're just misreading the signals? Trevor shares a fresh perspective on personal boundaries, offering practical tools to distinguish between obstacles worth pushing through and limits worth accepting. Through relatable stories (including one about spectacularly breaking expensive furniture), he explores how understanding your constraints can actually expand your possibilities and lead you toward what you actually need. You'll walk away with specific techniques for self-assessment, including the three-circle test, energy audits, and how to listen to your body's wisdom. Perfect for anyone tired of fighting the wrong battles and ready to work with their authentic self instead of against it.
Do you exhaust yourself trying to fix everyone around you? Civil rights lawyer and pastor Antonio explores why our need to be everyone's savior leads to anxiety, burnout, and resentment. Whether you're supporting struggling friends, fighting for social justice, or caring for family members, the pressure to solve every problem can be overwhelming. Drawing from the example of John the Baptist, Antonio reveals how embracing your human limitations isn't selfish—it's essential. He shares practical insights on setting boundaries that actually make you more effective at helping others, not less. Learn the difference between being a supportive person and being someone's unofficial therapist, and discover how acknowledging what you can't control creates space for real solutions. If you're tired of carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on sustainable caring that protects your mental health while still showing up for the people and causes you love.
Whether you're fighting for justice or just trying to make it through tough times, burnout is real. This conversation explores an honest question: Are you the person who needs care right now, or are you in a position to help others? Using the ancient story of Elijah's breakdown and recovery, we examine how to assess where you are emotionally and spiritually. The discussion offers practical tools for envisioning what your "healed self" might look like and identifying concrete next steps to get there. Rather than promoting endless self-improvement, it emphasizes that personal healing ultimately leads us back to community and collective action—not away from it. Includes interactive reflection exercises you can do while listening. Perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by current events or wondering how to sustain their energy for the long haul.
Most of us carry experiences that overwhelmed our ability to cope—trauma that literally rewires our brains and makes safe things feel dangerous. Whether it's childhood neglect, discrimination, abuse, or chronic stress, these experiences can leave us feeling frozen, anxious, and disconnected from the relationships we need most. This talk explores how ancient stories can offer surprisingly modern wisdom about healing. You'll discover why trauma can only be healed in relationship (even though relationships often caused the hurt), practical techniques for nervous system regulation, and why authentic healing requires ditching other people's expectations about how you "should" recover. If you're tired of being told to "just get over it" or "think positive," this conversation offers a different path—one that honors your actual needs and meets you exactly where you are.
Ever notice how one person's stress can spiral through an entire family, workplace, or friend group? This talk explores why anxiety is "viral" and how we unconsciously pass our emotional states to others—often without realizing it. Drawing from family systems theory and stories of Jesus navigating conflict, Anthony introduces the concept of "non-anxious presence"—the ability to stay emotionally regulated and connected during others' crises without absorbing their chaos or requiring them to change for you to feel okay. You'll learn practical ways to distinguish between healthy conflict and actual abuse, stop triangulating others into your problems, and recognize when past trauma is distorting your current reality. If you're tired of feeling like everyone else's emotional dumping ground or find yourself constantly reactive in relationships, this offers concrete tools for breaking cycles and creating healthier dynamics.
Ever feel like you're finally independent, only to realize you're still making decisions based on what you're rebelling against? This talk explores how anxiety spreads through families like a virus, creating patterns that control our choices long after we've left home. Using family systems theory and the story of Joseph, Pastor Anthony reveals how we often think we're being ourselves when we're actually just reacting to inherited dysfunction. You'll discover the difference between making yourself "really big" (gaining control) versus "really small" (people-pleasing) as trauma responses, and why both keep us trapped. Learn practical ways to notice when you're being reactive versus responsive, and how to stop letting other people's emotional chaos dictate your decisions. Ready to break free from patterns you didn't even know were controlling you? This is part one of a two-part series on family systems and healing.
What if your life isn’t “off track”—just on a longer, more winding route than you expected? For anyone wrestling with job loss, big transitions, or that nagging feeling of being stuck, this sermon explores what it means to navigate uncertainty without losing hope. Drawing from the story of Moses and the Israelites, we look at how guidance often shows up—not in big, dramatic signs—but in everyday moments: a quiet breath, a conversation with a friend, a walk under the trees. You’ll walk away with three simple practices to help you notice your own “pillar of cloud and fire” when the future feels foggy. Whether you’re figuring out your next step or just trying to stay afloat, this message offers practical ways to listen for what matters—and find your way forward, one step at a time.
Ever feel like you're making major life decisions based on dreams about cats? You're not alone. In this honest conversation about discernment, Daniel Dixon explores what it means to figure out where you're going when you genuinely have no clue. Moving beyond the tired "God has a plan" rhetoric and simplistic self-help formulas, this talk gets real about navigating life's big questions. Through stories of getting lost in Bangladesh, adopting an unhinged kitten, and organizing for justice, discover practical tools for making decisions that actually matter. Learn why your grief might be a better guide than your pros-and-cons list, how indigenous wisdom can reshape your thinking about the future, and what it means to find your place in the ecosystem of change. Perfect for anyone tired of pretending they have it all figured out.
Many of us feel stuck between who we think we should be and who we actually are. Whether you're questioning your purpose, feeling unworthy of your dreams, or wondering if you even have a "calling" at all, you're not alone in this struggle. Through the story of Moses and the burning bush, Shae Washington explores three common obstacles we face when trying to live authentically: not knowing ourselves deeply enough, feeling unworthy of our aspirations, and the pressure to find one perfect purpose. She offers a refreshing perspective that shifts focus from finding the "right" thing to do to cultivating the "right" way to be. This isn't about religious obligation or spiritual performance—it's about discovering what it means to live as your full self while staying connected to something larger than yourself.
Ever feel like you're constantly performing the "right" version of yourself while your authentic self gets buried under endless expectations? This conversation explores how we've outsourced our sense of identity to social media, productivity culture, and other people's definitions of success—leaving us fractured and exhausted. Through the story of Moses discovering a burning bush during his mundane shepherd days, we examine how intentional solitude and margin aren't luxuries for introverts, but necessary practices for anyone wanting to reconnect with who they really are. Whether you're an extrovert with ADHD or someone who thrives on constant stimulation, there are practical ways to step outside the relentless flow and create space for curiosity, creativity, and authentic connection. Perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the "everything everywhere all at once" pace of modern life and wondering how to find themselves again beneath all the noise.
We live in a culture that glorifies the grind, where every moment must be productive and every silence filled. But what if our constant busyness isn't just exhausting—what if it's actually keeping us from the life we want? This conversation explores how margin and attention have become revolutionary acts in a world designed to overwhelm us. Drawing from ancient wisdom and modern realities, Trevor examines how taking time to notice—whether it's a burning bush or your partner's words—can fundamentally shift how we experience life. He unpacks why slowing down isn't laziness but resistance, and how creating space for ourselves and others might be the most subversive thing we can do. If you're tired of feeling scattered, rushing from one thing to the next, or missing the moments that matter most, this episode offers a different way forward—one that starts with the simple act of turning aside.
We've all been there—desperately trying to figure out what we're supposed to do with our lives, maybe even resorting to flipping open the Bible and pointing at random verses (anyone else tried "Bible roulette"?). The question "How do I know God's will?" might be the most common one pastors hear, yet it remains frustratingly elusive for many of us. Using the story of Moses and the burning bush, this talk explores why hearing God's voice feels so difficult and offers practical ways to tune into the divine amid all the noise. Spoiler: it's less about dramatic signs and more about learning to pay attention to the ordinary moments where the sacred shows up. You'll discover why boredom might be your spiritual superpower and how to distinguish God's voice from all the other voices competing for your attention. Whether you're new to faith or have been wrestling with these questions for years, this conversation offers fresh perspective on one of life's most persistent challenges.
We all curate the best parts of ourselves for public consumption – but what about the messy 90% beneath the surface? Using Moses' 40-year wilderness period as a framework, this talk explores why spiritual dryness and deconstruction aren't signs of failure, but often necessary stages of growth. Drawing from Christian mysticism and personal experience with loss and religious trauma, Pastor Anthony challenges the idea that authentic faith should always feel good. Instead, he suggests that our most difficult seasons – when prayers feel empty and old beliefs no longer fit – might actually be where real transformation begins. For anyone who's felt spiritually homeless, questioned their faith, or wondered if they're "doing it wrong," this conversation offers permission to sit with uncertainty and find the sacred in ordinary, difficult places.