born and raised twice in the bay, I preach Jesus and him crucified
There’s an old line that says the difference between being naked and being nekkid is intent. Naked means you simply have no clothes. Nekkid means you have no clothes, and you are up to something. It’s a line that usually gets a laugh, but it also draws out something true about how Scripture presents shame... Continue Reading →
If your whole identity is built on who didn't want you, what's left when someone finally does? That's the tragedy of the incel movement. It feeds off rejection but has no idea what to do with love. The term "involuntary celibate" began as a raw, honest confession. But over time, it hardened into a belief... Continue Reading →
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:6, ESV) We say it to ease tension, to soften the weight of our choices.But when relationships are involved, it is personal. Always. And that’s not a bad thing.Personal doesn’t mean harmful. It means meaningful.It means our words and actions carry weight because... Continue Reading →
“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?” (Matthew 25:37, ESV) There is a quiet song that hums underneath the pages of Scripture. It is not loud, but it is persistent. God sees the outsider. Again and again, He reaches... Continue Reading →
We like to think we are rational creatures, measuring options, weighing outcomes, and making deliberate choices. But more often than not, our lives are not led by logic. They are led by love. Or, more accurately, by what we treasure. Jesus said it plain: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”... Continue Reading →
Phillip W. Martin 