Snarky Faith

Thanksgiving is upon us in America. This day often fills us with thoughts of delicious food, family and friends. From the Macy's parade to football to the tradition of overindulgence. That's the kind of empty nostalgia best left to Hallmark cards.

The reality of Thanksgiving is much different. Thanksgiving Day is ripe for drama and dysfunction. You've got your mother drinking too much and "getting honest" with everyone and Grandpa telling his racist jokes as a holiday treat from yesteryear that no one asked for. There's that needy aunt that needs to know everything about your life... I mean everything.

We've all got that uncle that sees conspiracy theories as an opportunities to broaden his horizons. Don't worry, he'll fill you in on all his 'research' from the past year. Then, there's that one stinking kid. You know the little idiot wiping his snot everywhere and you just know you'll be sick by Monday. He's such a treasure.

Ask yourself this. Why else do people flock to Black Friday sales? You thought it was about great deals and savings, right? It's really just an excuse for jailbreak and an escape the family dysfunction that is Thanksgiving Day in America.

You've got your dysfunctional tribe and I've got mine, so today, obviously, we'll talk about the dangers of living in echo chambers and toxic tribalism. How does this relate to Thanksgiving? This holiday is an opportunity to see a diverse cross-section of needs, ideas, insecurities, and personalities. It's also a time for you to begin to look at others in different ways, and it's an opportunity for us to look deeper into our own issues and biases.

With a country that continues to become more fractured and polarized, we must move towards change. It's easy to call the other side to change, but the real work begins when we start to change ourselves. Thanksgiving is a great opportunity for that.

If all else fails, we'll also talk through key strategies for surviving Thanksgiving. One way or the other, Snarky Faith has you covered.

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In a world with so much pain, suffering, hostility, stress, and anxiety, how is it possible to experience life to the fullest? If you read the news headlines or scroll through social media, we're stuck seeing the worst of humanity on a daily basis. The outlook looks pretty grim, but is there another way?

Joining the show today, is author, Brandon Andress. In his new book, Beauty in the Wreckage: Finding Peace in the Age of Outrage, Brandon sets out to give us a different way to look at things. If he’s right, his message is just what we need right now.

In the book, Brandon makes the surprising discovery that, even in the heartache, the hostility, the division, the violence, and the oppression, experiencing “life to the fullest,” a life of shalom, is not just possible, it can be our present reality. But in order to discover it, we must learn how to see and live differently—moment by moment—for the transformation of our lives, our families, our relationships, and our communities.

Most of us are no stranger to suffering, but it's how we respond to that suffering that has the chance to change us for the better. Brandon shares personal stores about the transformative nature of suffering and the necessity of finding shalom. It's a wonderful soulful chat that you won't want to miss.

www.SnarkyFaith.com

Brandon Andress is the author of three books:

Beauty in the Wreckage- Finding Peace in the Age of Outrage(2018)

AND THEN THE END WILL COME! (2013)

Unearthed– How Discovering the Kingdom of God Will Transform the Church and Change the World(2010)

He podcasts at Outside the Walls (Available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher) and writes for his popular blogs Brandon Andressand A Joyful Procession. Brandon earned his MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and his BA in Psychology from Hanover College. He loves the outdoors, hiking, camping, and traveling.

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It's time we had a family talk because things in this world keep getting crazier. Toxic politics, racism, misogyny, greed, and selfishness are eroding us as a culture. These are a symptom of a greater problem. So, this talk is well overdue. I know that no one really wants to have one, but it is time.

Faith as being exercised or imagined as a political party is no faith at all. American Christianity has lost its way. Politics and preference have become the new compass. Is it even about Jesus anymore? Or is it more about winning. I'm just sick of the whole spectacle and I know I'm not alone.

So, enough with the conspiracy theories, excuses or theological gymnastics. We need to stop and take a hard look at ourselves. Frankly, it's not Trump. He's certainly a problem, but he's not the problem. He's not the president we wanted, but maybe he's the one we deserve, America.

Sound harsh? I know it is, but these are those moments when we need to have a sobering look in the mirror and an honest talk.

I've gone from being sick and tried to just being tired of all this. It seems like we've lost common decency and are moving down the road towards losing our humanity. This rot is rotting us.

So join us this week, as we have a family talk. It's necessary. Change begins with us. It begins with how we think, respond, love and how we chose to react or not react to the problems we face. This won't be easy, but nothing worthwhile is ever easy. We can be better. We must be better. And at the end of the day, Jesus calls us to be better.

Anyone with me?

www.SnarkyFaith.com

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Chris Kratzer is that unique voice crying out from the wilderness in these crazy times. Conservative Evangelicalism has become a cancer on American Christianity. In his new book, Leatherbound Terrorism, Kratzer is an absolute wrecking ball. He speaks in real, raw, and honest truths exposing how far Christianity has moved from its source.

Through his own experiences serving as a conservative pastor for 23 years, Chris shares stories from his journey of disillusionment and the nagging questions that eventually awakened him to the depths of God's grace. Chris is a brave truth-teller and a unique voice.

If you've also found yourself disillusioned by the church, this is the book for you. It holds no punches, but it's also hopeful as it offers an alternative to a faith that has long been hijacked, institutionalized, and monetized. The church is broken and in need of fixing.

This book is a hope-filled message that needs to be heard in the age of Trump and the Religious Right. It reminds us God's love wins out. There is hope. There is more. This book is a call to step outside of institutionalized Christianity in order to find Jesus.

Join us for a wild ride as we talk with Chris aboutLeatherbound Terrorism. The book is a great read and this show is a wild ride. Enjoy!

www.SnarkyFaith.com

Leatherbound Terrorismis available on Amazon 

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Sometimes life steers you in interesting directions. Sometimes your path intersects with fascinating people with a unique take on the world. Cody Cook is an author with an intriguing voice. In his new book, Fight the Powers: What the Bible Says About the Relationship Between Spiritual Forces and Human Governments, Cook blends apologetics and biblical theology in regards to how Christians should engage in politics.

Join us for a wild ride as we talk about the problematic nature of blending Christian ethics with political ideology. One side wins and it's not usually the right one. Fuelled by fear, Evangelicals continue to push the church further down a road of no return.

Why do Evangelicals continue to need to call America a "Christain nation"? What does declaring that over and over mean to them? It's almost as if it's a mantra like they are trying to convince themselves that their bad behavior is somehow justified. If God is on their side, then who can oppose them. It's just another excuse that leads them further and further from a faith that resembles Jesus.

Gain the world, but lose your soul? Join us as we delve into this with Cody Cook. It's a fun and wild ride so buckle up.

For more on Cody Cook, you can check out his blog posts, podcasts, and other writings at www.cantus-firmus.com.

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