I had some really bad tooth pain (still do somewhat) for a few days. Through this experience, I learned a lesson of what can be a cause for self-centeredness in myself and perhaps others: Pain.

How can we use pain to understand others?

How to describe the phenomenon that is the American church? Not sure. But here is my attempt!

A little NBA talk to start this podcast. If you didn't know, I am a near lifelong fan of basketball and the Boston Celtics. FF to around 8min. to skip this part.

Other than that, I cover what is going no in our gathering in our home, changed we've made since COVID, etc.

Reading a new book, "Atomic Habits", a self-help book. I haven't read any of the self-help literature in a long time, and in fact, am highly skeptical of nearly all of it. All of it except this book, in fact. This one hit me close to home and just rings true to me. Timing? maybe. Listen and see how I try and connect the concepts in this book to Jesus.

Yes! The title is for shock value! Jesus lived long before Marx, therefore Marx would have to be a Christians! But seriously, what are some of the similarities between Jesus' views on family and Marx's?

BLM is accused of being a Marxist group. Most people don't really know what that means, because they have not read Marx (including me).

My attempt to man-splain Marxism, in order for me to understand it better.

As usual, small talk starts this monologue on COVID-19, BLM, racism, politics, etc.

How do we know what to trust? Can we trust history as it is presented to us? Is it even possible to know history?

Just maybe. The following are my ideas, off the top of my head, as to what might help us to know more accurately what is historical, and what is fake history.

The beginning of this episode are a rehashing of why I do this podcast the way that I do. That is the starting point. Where it goes from there, you'll have to listen to find out!

A redo podcast, done after throwing out a recording the same morning which I deemed to be sub-par (Which for me is pretty low!).

I begin this recording rehashing why I chose the format of this podcast. I then progress into my theological progression, my journey away from organized religion.

Ephesians talks about the "mystery of Christ" which Paul was charged with revealing to us...

This revelation is of the utmost importance and speaks directly to the heart of God.