The Apostle Paul was a passionate Pharisee. It was his passion for Pharisee-ism that led him to persecute and kill Christians, who in his mind, were unfaithful Jews. Paul killed in the name of god, in the name of his religion. Why did he do that? Because he believed it was up to him (and his people) to create the kind of world where God was king. In other words, Paul wanted to make the world a better place. Anyone who wasn't on board with this mission was standing in the way (and had to be eliminated). So yes, Paul was similar to violent terrorists we see today. Paul eventually met Jesus, and when he did, his understanding of God changed. No longer was Paul about violence. He was about peace. Paul still believed in his mission to create the kind of world where God was king. But when Paul's view of God changed, his vision of the kind or world he was to create changed too. In other words, while Pau's mission changed, his "missional mindset" didn't. Paul's religion was never primarily a personal, private thing. Nor was it a means to ensure his place in the afterlife (i.e. heaven). Paul's religion was primarily a commitment to a mission to make this world a better place. A world where God is king.

There are moments in life where the right response is to dig deep, rise to the occasion, and change either yourself or the circumstance. Then there are moments when the right response is to lean into powerlessness. To let go. To realize how much you can't change the circumstance and trust anyway.

Many of us have been taught faith equals certainty. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Certainty may sometimes work in the short-term, but it ends up self-destructing in the long-term. Certainty is one thing. Trust is another. Jesus taught us to trust.

Many of us have been taught faith equals certainty. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Certainty may sometimes work in the short-term, but it ends up self-destructing in the long-term. Certainty is one thing. Trust is another. Jesus taught us to trust.

There are moments in life where the right response is to dig deep, rise to the occasion, and change either yourself or the circumstance. Then there are moments when the right response is to lean into powerlessness. To let go. To realize how much you can't change the circumstance and trust anyway.

Brandon shares how God's been at work in the good, bad, or ugly of his life story.

While Jesus walked the earth, he was specifically called to help the Jews. His mission? Showing Israel what it looked like to be faithful to God, showing Israel what it looked like to be the light of the world. Jesus' call was exclusive to Israel, but it was always meant to lead to inclusivity; it was always meant to include everyone. We can only do so much. And that's okay. May we do the best we can in the little we can do. May we be humble as we try to live as the light of the world.

While Jesus walked the earth, he was specifically called to help the Jews. His mission? Showing Israel what it looked like to be faithful to God, showing Israel what it looked like to be the light of the world. Jesus' call was exclusive to Israel, but it was always meant to lead to inclusivity; it was always meant to include everyone. We can only do so much. And that's okay. May we do the best we can in the little we can do. May we be humble as we try to live as the light of the world.

Ed, Heather, and Patience Pederson are moving to Washington, D.C. We'll miss them! Listen to hear why they're moving; listen to hear what they've been learning in the good, bad, and ugly times of their transition from the Quad Cities to D.C.