I have a t-shirt from The Happy Givers that says: "Jesus Is The Refugee. The Child in Gaza. The Transgender Co-Worker. The Migrant By The Barbwire. The Kid With No Lunch Money. The Man On Death Row. The Single Mom With Two Jobs. The Neighbor With a Disability. The Friend With An Addiction. How You Treat Them, Is How You Treat Jesus." I wear it to mall walk here in somewhat conservative Hickory NC. I hope that folks here take the words to heart because you are exactly right - no human is garbage.
Thank you, Jeff, for speaking the truth when it seems scarce on the ground these days. For reminding us, regardless of the words spoken in Washington, that "No human is garbage. Every person is a beloved child of God."
Even the monsters disguised as humans are seen by God as a beloved child as much as it may choke us to admit or understand it. We choose to live under Jehovah's economy and accept loving our neighbors and struggle to extend that love to our enemies. And it's a daily struggle on the loving enemies part for me.
Thank you for the beautiful artwork displayed with your words. We all need something lovely to behold in these difficult and trying times.
Thank you Jeff. You model so well the voice I want to carry during this time. We can’t dehumanize those that dehumanize. But we can make our calls or speak out. Thank you for leading us well.
Thank you for this. Like you, this somehow struck me as even worse than the normal hatred spewed from him. I've been thinking about it all day and am really appreciative of your words, especially that even those who dehumanize are not garbage.
Yes yes yes. You continue to challenge us toward deeper, truer and harder love. In progressive circles, the easy thing to do is call out the dehumanizers. The harder thing to do is to model love for enemy. How do we both call out truth and love for those we call out? The asterisk is just not there.
As usual, so well stated and so true, Jeff. Teach us, Lord, to love the unlovable, have and show grace to those who annoy us, and also have the assurance that of the hope that is to come.
Jeff, I'm glad you're back writing theological thoughts about the current moment. A few essays back, you mentioned that reading the reviews of your book (a book I happened to love) had made it hard to write. I'm grateful the writer's block didn't last. Your writing inspires and encourages me and our nation (or at least pastors like me) need your voice right now.
Amen. I can't begin to articulate how much I needed to read these words this week. Thank you.
Thank you for this. The nuance you acknowledge and write with is so important.
Thank you, Jeff Chu. I too needed to read, to hear, and to ponder this.
Thank you Jeff.
Amen.
Thank you, Jeff, for keeping us on track in the midst of our grieving for all the kindness and goodness we are missing in those who lead our country.
I have a t-shirt from The Happy Givers that says: "Jesus Is The Refugee. The Child in Gaza. The Transgender Co-Worker. The Migrant By The Barbwire. The Kid With No Lunch Money. The Man On Death Row. The Single Mom With Two Jobs. The Neighbor With a Disability. The Friend With An Addiction. How You Treat Them, Is How You Treat Jesus." I wear it to mall walk here in somewhat conservative Hickory NC. I hope that folks here take the words to heart because you are exactly right - no human is garbage.
Thank you, Jeff, for speaking the truth when it seems scarce on the ground these days. For reminding us, regardless of the words spoken in Washington, that "No human is garbage. Every person is a beloved child of God."
Even the monsters disguised as humans are seen by God as a beloved child as much as it may choke us to admit or understand it. We choose to live under Jehovah's economy and accept loving our neighbors and struggle to extend that love to our enemies. And it's a daily struggle on the loving enemies part for me.
Thank you for the beautiful artwork displayed with your words. We all need something lovely to behold in these difficult and trying times.
Peace to you and Tristan.
Amen!
I really needed this, too. Thank you. And thanks for letting us know how to find your preaching; I'm looking forward to it.
Thank you Jeff. You model so well the voice I want to carry during this time. We can’t dehumanize those that dehumanize. But we can make our calls or speak out. Thank you for leading us well.
Thank you for this. Like you, this somehow struck me as even worse than the normal hatred spewed from him. I've been thinking about it all day and am really appreciative of your words, especially that even those who dehumanize are not garbage.
Yes yes yes. You continue to challenge us toward deeper, truer and harder love. In progressive circles, the easy thing to do is call out the dehumanizers. The harder thing to do is to model love for enemy. How do we both call out truth and love for those we call out? The asterisk is just not there.
Trump's characterization was exacerbated by the press secretary calling his statement an “epic moment.”
As usual, so well stated and so true, Jeff. Teach us, Lord, to love the unlovable, have and show grace to those who annoy us, and also have the assurance that of the hope that is to come.
Jeff, I'm glad you're back writing theological thoughts about the current moment. A few essays back, you mentioned that reading the reviews of your book (a book I happened to love) had made it hard to write. I'm grateful the writer's block didn't last. Your writing inspires and encourages me and our nation (or at least pastors like me) need your voice right now.