Patriotism, the Pulpit, and the Pendulum: Where Do We Stand?

In this conclusion to our series on patriotism and the church, we tackle the big questions: Does patriotism belong in the church? What does healthy patriotism look like? And must you be patriotic to be a good Christian?

From personal stories to biblical reflections—including a powerful look at Jeremiah 29—we explore how gratitude, love for country, and allegiance to Christ can coexist. The conversation isn’t always comfortable, but it’s honest, thoughtful, and rooted in a gospel-centered worldview.

Whether you’ve been nodding along or wrestling with what we’ve said, we invite you to lean in for one last roundtable as we seek to live faithfully in our nation without losing sight of our higher calling.

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As fireworks crackle and grills fire up, we take a moment to reflect on what it really means to celebrate July 4th and Juneteenth as Americans—especially as Christians. Can you hold both holidays in high regard without diminishing either? Can patriotism exist without nationalism? And what does it mean to celebrate freedom when that freedom wasn’t always available to everyone?

In this episode, the conversation gets honest and nuanced. Aaron, Anton, and Adrian wrestle with personal convictions, cultural history, and biblical principles. From Philly cheesesteaks to forgiveness, this dialogue navigates the tension between remembrance and rejoicing, unity and complexity.

Join us for a conversation that’s thought-provoking, gracious, and rooted in the hope of reconciliation.

Topics include:

• Reconciling July 4th and Juneteenth
• Patriotism vs. nationalism
• Why historical context matters
• Christian perspectives on celebration and lament
• How the meaning of holidays has evolved

Got thoughts?

We’d love to hear your perspective—email us at [email protected] or connect on Instagram or Facebook @aburdenforthetimes.

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In this new summer series, the team dives headfirst into a topic that gets more complicated every year—patriotism. What does it actually mean to be patriotic? Has the definition changed? And how do we differentiate between patriotism and nationalism, especially in today’s climate?

In this episode, we explore:

• How patriotism is defined—and redefined—over time
• Whether deep devotion to one’s country is always a good thing
• Why love for your country can look different for different people
• How the word “patriot” has picked up political baggage in recent years
• The difference between healthy pride and harmful superiority

We also reflect on how patriotism looked post-9/11, during political shifts, and in peacetime vs. wartime.

Whether you’re someone who flies the flag proudly or someone who’s cautious about patriotic expressions, this episode gives you a thoughtful place to begin the conversation.

🔔 Subscribe and stay tuned for Part 2, where we talk about patriotism’s relationship to Juneteenth and July 4th.

📬 Got thoughts or questions? Email us at [email protected] or visit aburdenforthetimes.com

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This episode kicks off with some brotherly banter about the NBA playoffs—yep, even when our teams are out, the debates keep rolling. But we quickly pivot to the heart of today’s conversation: what’s on our summer reading list?

From apologetics to ministry leadership, from fiction to AI ethics, we’re laying out the titles that are shaping our thinking and stretching our souls. Whether you’re looking to deepen your faith, sharpen your leadership, or just get lost in a great story, there’s something here for every kind of reader.

Some books challenge. Others comfort. A few may even stir up controversy. But they all have one thing in common—they’re worth the read.

Featured titles include:

Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta

Accidental Pharisee by Larry Osborne

The Bible Says So by Dan McClellan 

The Art of Paying Attention by Anna Grace Miller

Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg

The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb by Goggin and Strobel

Whether you’re a ministry leader, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, we think this list will stretch your bookshelf—and your thinking.

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In this deeply personal episode, Adrian shares an honest and heartfelt update on his transition from itinerant ministry to serving as a local church pastor. With Aaron stepping in as the interviewer, the conversation covers:

• What led Adrian to shift from traveling ministry to full-time pastoring
• How God used closed doors and unexpected moments to guide that change
• The joys and challenges of life on the road, and what he doesn’t miss
• What surprised him most about local church ministry
• Lessons in discipleship, spiritual growth, and patience through uncertain seasons
• Reflections on preaching, church attendance, and learning to shepherd God’s people long-term

Whether you’re in ministry, facing a life transition, or simply need encouragement that God isn’t finished writing your story, this episode offers hope, humor, and hard-earned wisdom.

Have thoughts or questions? Reach out at [email protected]

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After a deep dive into immigration this past season, we’re lightening the load — but not losing the depth — with a fresh conversation about art. Not just paintings and galleries, but the lost art of creativity itself.

What even counts as art anymore? Can AI generate it? Is beauty being replaced by efficiency? And where does the Church fit in all of this?

In this episode, we swap stories of favorite artworks, reflect on the value of process over product, and wrestle with how craftsmanship shapes culture — and faith. Whether you’re an artist, a parent of one, or just someone who loves good design and deep questions, this one’s for you.

🎧 Topics you’ll hear:

• Why one student painting never left our minds
• The difference between art and content
• Whether AI is helping or hijacking creativity
• What the Church might be losing without artists
• And yes… the Burger King analogy makes a comeback

Hit play and join the conversation.

💬 Connect with us anytime at [email protected] 

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In this final episode of our three-part immigration series, we wrap up the conversation by asking the big question: What can actually be done?

Over the last two episodes, we’ve tried to slow down and do the hard work of defining our terms. We began by asking, “What is immigration?” and then moved to, “How does the system work?” Now, we’re talking about possible solutions—from political reform to biblical responses.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• Is illegal immigration a crisis or a political talking point?
• The real meaning of terms like “undocumented” vs. “illegal immigrant”
• Why tiered consequences may help bring clarity and compassion to the conversation
• How our justice system often swings between cruelty and chaos
• Whether there’s even a realistic solution—and what our role as Christians should be

We also reflect on how language has been weaponized, and how many people being deported today made decisions based on outdated or overturned policies. As Anton puts it, “We made the rules. Then we changed them. And now we’re punishing people for following the old ones.”

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of it all or looking for practical clarity, this episode aims to bring both thought and grace to the table.

Let us know what you think. Email us at [email protected] or message us on Instagram or Facebook.

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In this special episode, we momentarily step away from our immigration series to honor the life and legacy of our grandfather, James Chadwick. While our family attends his funeral this week, we are grateful to still connect with you through a powerful conversation recorded with Tracy from the Toon My Heart podcast.

Join us as we discuss the story of John Henry—his historical and legendary roots, what representation means to us as Black brothers in Christ, and the gospel themes that shine through even in secular stories. From childhood cartoons to cultural reflections, this conversation goes deep while still leaving room for laughter and perspective.

🔸 Special thanks to Tracy for inviting us on her show.

🔸 Check out Toon My Heart for more thoughtful takes on animated films through a Christian lens.

💬 Let us know your thoughts at [email protected].

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Episode Title: Immigration – Defining the System (Part 2)

We’re back with Part 2 of our immigration series, and this time we’re taking a deeper dive—not into people, but into the system itself. In Part 1, we defined immigration. In this episode, we’re asking: what do we mean when we say “the immigration system is broken”?

Before we dive into the heavier topics, we start with a fun conversation: if we could live in any country outside the U.S., where would it be? From New Zealand to Singapore, our answers give a glimpse into how we each view the world—and what draws us to different cultures.

Then we define the system:

• What is the immigration system actually composed of?

• Which agencies are involved (USCIS, CBP, ICE, EOIR)?

• How do people enter, live, work, or become citizens?

• And is the system truly broken—or is it the way we use (and change) it that causes the dysfunction?

In this episode, we cover:

• The impact of political cycles on the system’s stability

• The difference between flawed leadership and a flawed system

• Why it’s difficult to judge a system that keeps getting rewritten

• The real cost of backlogs, delays, and inconsistent enforcement

• How we talk about immigrants—and the power of our language

• Whether it’s possible to separate policy from people

• The responsibility of the Church in this conversation

This episode asks hard questions and resists easy answers. We don’t all agree on everything—but we’re committed to wrestling through the conversation thoughtfully and biblically.

We’d love to hear your input, questions, or feedback. You can reach us at [email protected].

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Hey everyone! In this episode, we’re kicking off a multi-part series on immigration—a topic that’s constantly in the news and often misunderstood.

In this episode, we get into the heart of the conversation—what is immigration, really? We break down the difference between immigration, asylum, and work visas, and talk about how these terms often get mixed up in public debates. We also explore why defining immigration correctly matters and how media narratives have shaped the way people think about it.

This is just the beginning of the conversation. In the next episodes, we’ll dive into how the immigration system works and what possible solutions look like.

We’d love to hear your thoughts—drop us a message or a comment! Have questions or insights? Reach out at [email protected]

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