It isn't Gospel if there's an asterisk

Embody Faith || Weekly Devotional

Feb 10, 2025

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”
— Matthew 19:14

After bath, stories, and prayers, both our littles settle down for the night, and my husband and I head downstairs for our nightcap: a mug of ice cream, curled up on the couch, watching a show. We just started How I Met Your Mother and there's an episode where Barney convinces Robin to be his wing (wo)man for the night. At one point while they're out, Barney turns to Robin and says, “No man left behind.”

Despite what conservatives might tell you - Jesus uses that line, too.

No one gets left behind.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ includes everyone. Anything that has an asterisk with exclusionary fine print isn't the Gospel.

Jesus didn't say, “Let the Children come to me”*

*except children who weren't born in this country
*except trans and queer kids
*except those below the poverty line

Quite the opposite.

Jesus wasn't revolutionary for who he excluded, but who he included. There is no redlining in the kingdom of heaven. All are welcome.

And anything that says different isn't rooted in Gospel.

There has been so much hate and vitriol thrown at our queer, trans, and immigrant loved ones in the name of Christianity. To that I think Jesus would say, “Get behind me, Satan,” rebukes all forms of hatred and bigotry that are certainly not of God.

Friends, if you are one of God's beloved children who has been told and made to feel like you don't belong here: I see you and I am so sorry. The Jesus I know is not rebuking you, but the hatred spewed at you. You are the ones gathered at his feet. You are the ones sitting around the table with him, breaking bread, teaching us what it actually means to love God and love our neighbor.

You are God's chosen ones, holy and Beloved.

Anything that says differently is not the Gospel.

Let’s pray,

Beloved Creator, whenever our biases creep in - challenge us. When prejudice rises up within us and judgment starts whispering in our ear - pull us instead towards love. May we remember that the diversity we see in the world is all an expression of your creativity. Amen.

Embodied Practice

Pay attention to when bias and prejudice arise in your mind & heart. When it does, try to transform your judgment into curiosity. Turn your crossed arms into an open heart.

On the Pod

A little update & a throwback!

Every December, we take a break on the pod and this year that got extended after our second son was born on December 17th! We are excited to be back and we’re gearing up for some great conversations this spring! Be sure to check out our two latest episodes - a short one that’s an update with an exciting announcement (more on that below!), and a throwback to one of our favorite episodes with DEI expert, Deidra Riggs.

Throughout all of February, we are going back through the archives and re-airing episodes that feature incredibly wise Black women. This week, we’ll hear from Deidra Riggs and Rev. Mahogany Thomas (releasing Thursday!). Be sure to check back next week for who we’ll hear from next!

Open your heart. Listen to some Good News. Fill your well.
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Help us vote!

Now for the fun announcement: We are getting a new name! As in all things in life, we grow and change - and the podcast is no different. Recently, our ministry got an upgrade from “Dancing Pastor Ministries” to “Faith in Motion,” to better reflect the work we do, and we’re doing the same for the pod.

We started out as a podcast lifting up voices of progressive female faith leaders, and embraced the name Lady Preacher as tongue-in-cheek. But we have grown to a point we want the name to connect to the ministry and better reflect the purpose of the pod, which is to lift up healthy theology that deepens people’s faith and inspires them to live out that faith in the world.

We’ve narrowed it down to two names:

Faith in Motion: A Podcast for the Progressive Christian
Moved by Faith: A Podcast for the Progressive Christian

We’d love your help choosing between the two! And, if you want, just for this week if you have an idea for a third option, go ahead and put it in the comments or reply via email. Who knows, if we all like it enough, we might need to do a second poll next week!

What’s Filling My Well

Experiencing God

Back when our 1st child was a newborn, I came across a post on social media that talked about an order of nuns who wake every night around 3am and pray for nursing mothers. It brought me so much comfort then, and continues to make me feel a little less alone when I’m up nursing Sam in the middle of the night.

Family

We celebrated by brother and his wife at their baby shower yesterday, and it was so good to be there and spend time as a big family.

Baby Snuggles

Is there really anything better?