And Sons

Jonathan Tremaine Thomas is an actor, activist, pastor, producer, social entrepreneur, fifth generation “preacher’s kid”, and the grand-nephew of the legendary Civil Rights artist Dr. Nina Simone. In this timely and timeless conversation, he addresses the topic of racial justice and reconciliation through the unique lens of the gospel. He calls it Civil Righteousness and it involves four key pillars: 1) Engaging Justice, 2) Restoring Communities, 3) Mobilizing Allies, and 4) Building Bridges. Discover how God, at his core, is a healer - and what it looks like to participate in the restoration of all things in this chaotic moment in time.

We live in a polarizing time of stark opposites. The result is growing tension fueled by an odd swirling of opposition, offense, anger, and withdrawal. Sam and Blaine process what's going on behind the scenes - drawing on research and examples of why we believe certain things, how we process new information, and why true change is both more valuable and complex than we imagine.

161 I Dan Allender: Forgiveness is Freeing

Dan Allender believes forgiveness must be at the forefront of our actions - especially in these fragmented times. Rather than take offense, we're invited to create peace. Doing so is a necessity and a privilege that allows the love of God to heal a world filled with hate. When we stop trying to contain, control, or manage life and others, we can start participating in the kind of reconciliation that allows us to experience union and communion with others. Discover how genuine forgiveness is the necessary soil for kindness, generosity, and play to flourish freely in our hearts and relationships.

A few reminders.

The gospel transcends every human identity and tells you a few important things about the world. Like, the fact that the human heart is fallen. It’s the original problem. It is the well from which all injustice and violence pours. And there’s Satan, God’s sworn enemy, who stokes human sin. But, thanks to the work of Jesus, we have a new heart. We have power over Satan and his kingdom. We offer the restoration of all things in real time into the world.

This conversation between therapist Wendell Moss and Sam Eldredge is an onramp into the issues surrounding race, trauma, and masculinity. It first ran in July 2018, but we’re queuing it up again because here at And Sons we look for orientation. We look for trustworthy sages to give us direction in real time. We think you’ll find this conversation helpful, especially as you engage it in view of your position as a friend of Jesus, participating in the restoration of the heart and the overthrow of evil, alongside Jesus, your brother and captain.

The books Moss recommends at the end are: Just Mercy (Bryan Stevenson), White Awake (Daniel Hill), Roadmap to Reconciliation (Brenda Salter McNeil).

We often settle for a simple physical explanation when we're feeling down or off. So when a throbbing headache keeps you from an event of great joy, you assume it must be because you recently cut down on caffeine. Yet these simplistic diagnoses fail to account for the fact that we are beings of body, soul, and spirit - and every move in the direction of greater life will be opposed. Here are tools to better diagnose what's really going on when you sense things aren't right.

The immaterial practices that fill our days (like those endless Zoom meetings) may be productive but they don't anchor us. Numerous studies show we need regular contact with the real. When we disconnect from the physical, we do our bodies and souls great harm. Something powerful happens when we go out for a run, walk barefoot in the grass, or spend time tending our garden. It turns out, we need dirt...literally. Sam and Blaine explore why our body, mind, and soul thrives on tactile connection to the physical world.

Why is the decision to see a therapist the last resort for most of us? Sam and Blaine demystify the process by interviewing therapist Stacia Littlefield. She helps people navigate the terrain of their hearts to care for their inner places. In this conversation, Stacia sheds light on how the process works and why it leads to breakthrough. Because it's true - we all need a good therapist every now and then.

Our words hold immense power. We understand that on a relational level. But spiritually, far more is at play. Throughout scripture, God reveals how your words, thoughts, and actions can either bless or curse your health, home, and work. And it's not just what you speak or think. We receive the blessing and cursing of others, too. This conversation shines light on why words matter even more than we realize.

Our experience with alcohol varies wildly from person to person. For some, it's an occasional beer or celebratory toast. For others, it ranges from a source of relief to a secret addiction they can't break. Annie Grace, author of The Alcohol Experiment and This Naked Mind, reveals why we reach for what we reach for. She's helped countless people rethink their relationship with alcohol by replacing feelings of shame and guilt with motives of curiosity and joy.

These strange times provide countless opportunities to talk with others about the Kingdom, but religious language gets in the way. Here's a simple way forward: rather than talking about Jesus from some memorized script, just talk about your heart. Why? Because Jesus isn't abstract; he's revealed in the concrete territory of your daily life. Then, ask what these times are stirring in the person you're talking with. To hear what this sounds like, listen in on six conversations with friends sharing how this season is affecting their hearts and hopes.