Hospital For Sinners

09/04/2025

The worst words of wisdom I ever received came from my father:
“Most people live lives of quiet desperation.”
He has said this countless times throughout my life.

As his son, I believed him.
So I set "quiet desperation" as my default setting.

I learned to “suck it up,” to act tough, to bury my pain. But here’s the problem—when you believe you’re supposed to suffer in silence, you eventually start drowning in it.

September is Su***de Prevention Month. And I don’t say that like a public service announcement or even from a pastoral perspective. I say that as someone who has been there. Someone who has felt that hopelessness.

I say this as someone who seriously contemplated su***de during two separate Septembers in my life - both exactly twenty years apart to the day. And because of my "quiet desperation" upbringing, I still cringe at revealing this so publicly.

But twice, by the grace of God, I was led to therapy, counseling, friends, and people - even strangers, who sat with me in my pain.

Without them, I don’t think I’d be here.
I know I wouldn't be here.

But even after accepting that help and healing, I still felt weak.
Like less of a man. Less "tough."
Like I’d failed my father’s definition of strength.
Like I should have kept my desperation quiet.

And maybe you’ve been told the same lie—that asking for help means you’re weak - that you're "less than". That therapy is weakness. That faith alone should fix it.

Friend, please hear me: asking for help is not weakness—it’s courage.

Seeking help doesn’t mean you don’t trust God.
It means you’re using the tools God provides to heal.

If you’re living in quiet desperation and thinking it's noble, stop.
Don’t “suck it up.”
Call a friend. Reach out for help.

Because you are made in the image of God.
Your life matters.
You matter.
And the world is better with you in it.
Even if it's difficult to see right now.

If you’re struggling to the point of suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 today.

Your story isn’t over yet; the Author is still writing.

***dePrevention ***de ***dePreventionMonth

08/24/2025

Oh my gosh, Becky. Look at her "but." It's so... big.

We’ve all got buts. Some are bigger than others.
Some of us show our buts proudly.
Some of us try to hide our buts.
But we all got'em.
And if we’re honest—our “buts” get in the way of God’s love.

Maybe it’s time for a spiritual but-ectomy.

Think about it:
“God loves me, BUT I keep messing up.”
“God loves me, BUT I battle anxiety.”
“God loves me, BUT I've made so many mistakes.”
“God loves me, BUT I have doubts.”
“God loves me, BUT I can’t forgive myself.”
"God loves me, BUT _________."

No. God loves you—despite all that.
Romans 8:38–39 says nothing can separate us from His love.

Nothing.
Not your shame. Not your mistakes.
Not your big ol’ buts.

And here’s the beauty: this is what God’s grace is all about. Grace means your past doesn’t have the final word—Jesus does.

But here’s the harder truth: Some believers don’t just overvalue their own buts—some focus long and hard on other people’s buts.

Deep, lingering but-stares.
They comment on them.
Obsess over them.
Honestly, it’s a little creepy.

And in doing so, they cancel God’s command to love others because they define people's humanity almost entirely by their buts.

“God loves you, BUT you’re gay.”
“God loves you, BUT you’re undocumented.”
“God loves you, BUT you don’t vote like me.”
“God loves you, BUT you don't believe like me.”
“God loves you, BUT you don’t fit my version of ‘holy.’”

No. God just loves them. Period.
Jesus didn’t say, “Love your neighbor as yourself—unless they’re different from you.”

Loving neighbors who agree with you is easy. Jesus says, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” (Matthew 5:46-47)

Loving neighbors who are different is where God’s love shines the brightest. It's where your discipleship shines the brightest. (John 13:35)

So here’s the challenge: stop letting your BUTS show.
Cover them up. Nobody needs to see that.
It’s not a good look.

When the world sees the loudest Christians acting like but-heads—more known for their conditions than for Christ’s compassion—we’ve missed the plot.

The truth is simple: God’s love has no buts.
Neither should ours.

08/12/2025

08/03/2025

I know you don't do your own social media. So, to the people reading this, please, we beg of you, pass this message on. Don't disregard. PLEASE READ.

MAGA has hijacked Christianity. And in typical cautious Democrat fashion… you’ve let them. Even those of you who are people of deep faith.

If the GOP didn't have the Christian vote, we wouldn't be in the situation we're in. Trump would have remained a joke instead of the world's most powerful man.

Have you considered that MAYBE your way forward is reminding the public that DEMOCRAT values often align MORE with the actual teachings of Jesus than the GOP’s culture war platform?

I know, it feels "icky" for Dems to talk about God, right?
We’re not asking you to go full pulpit.
In fact, please don't!

But you are losing spiritual ground you never had to give up. Nor should you have. And that's the "elephant in the room" that you all aren't addressing like you should be.

Start "quietly" amplifying voices like Pastor Brandon, , . These three pastors get tremendous engagement and traction in aligning Christianity more with the Left than the Right. Fighting Christian nationalism. Challenging the American Church.

There’s so much more faith-based support for your policies than you realize. Or maybe you do, and you just don't see the value in it.

Use these voices that are resonating IN YOUR FAVOR.
AMPLIFY IT. EVERYWHERE.

Before it’s too late. And with the gerrymandering going on, it may already be too late.

SO WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE????

As Coach Herm Edwards once said, "you play to WIN the game."

Are you all playing to win?

Because Jesus is mostly wearing your jersey colors, and you're just IGNORING it.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger Liz Cheney Cory Booker Senator Cory Booker Senator Chuck Schumer Senator Dick Durbin Tammy Duckworth Senator Tammy Duckworth Patty Murray U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders Bernie Sanders Jon Ossoff Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Captain Mark Kelly Ruben Gallego Democrats Reverend Raphael Warnock Senator Van Hollen Catherine Cortez Masto U.S. Senator Chris CoonsSenator Andy Kim Senator Tina Smith Senator Mark Warner U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester Senator Martin Heinrich Senator Jeff Merkley U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren Senator Gary Peters Senator Sheldon Whitehouse Senator Maggie Hassan Senator Amy KlobucharSenator Chris Murphy Senator Jeanne Shaheen Senator Maria Cantwell Senator Catherine Cortez Masto U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand U.S. Senator Tim Kaine Senator Ben Ray Luján Senator Edward J. Markey Senator Alex Padilla Senator Jack Reed Barack Obama Michelle Obama

08/03/2025

To those tagged here. You've let the GOP drive and manipulate Christians for decades. WHY aren't you leveraging voices like Pastor Brandon, Ben Cremer, etc?

Democrats are aligned more with Christianity than Republicans, but only a few of you (shout out to Cory Booker) have the intestinal fortitude to call them out.

The Christian vote is why Trump is in office.
If you direct Christians back to Jesus - you win.

GOP has hijacked American Christianity.
So, to quote our hero Todd Beamer - "Let's Roll!"

Start leveraging faith-based voices like these!

It doesn't mean you don't believe in Separation of Church & State, because most "housetrained" Christians do too!

I know many of you are deeply faithful. Now's the time to speak up for the real Jesus (not MAGA Jesus). Make your faith actionable.

Senator Chuck Schumer
Senator Dick Durbin
Senator Tammy Duckworth
Tammy Duckworth
Patty Murray
Bernie Sanders
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
Senator Jon Ossoff
Jon Ossoff
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Pod Save America
Ezra Klein
Sally Kohn
Senator Mark Kelly
Senator Ruben Gallego
Democrats
Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock
Senator Van Hollen
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto
Occupy Democrats

Some won’t call it a cult.
And despite almost a decade of evidence,
I've not publicly called it a cult.
Until today.
Until I've watched the MAGA pivot on Epstein.

So, yes, I'll say it.
It's a cult.

I know those are "fightin' words."
That's a trigger word.
Because members of a cult will never see it until they're out.

But if it checks all the boxes…
there's not much to argue about.

Here’s what actual cult experts say are the traits of a cult. Read them slowly:

AUTHORITARIAN LEADERSHIP: One unquestioned, central figure who demands loyalty, even above truth.

US-VS.-THEM MENTALITY: Outsiders are enemies. Critics are traitors. Doubt is disloyalty.

SUPPRESSION OF CRITICAL THINKING: You're told what to think, not how. Discouraging questions is the norm.

REWRITING REALITY: Facts are twisted. History is revised. Only the leader’s version is trusted.

FEAR & SHAME AS CONTROL TOOLS: You're motivated by fear of outsiders, punishment, or rejection.

CHARISMATIC FIGUREHEAD: A magnetic personality with "divine" insight, seen as above reproach.

MILITANT COMMITMENT TO THE CAUSE: Blind allegiance. Everything is justified for the “mission.”

ISOLATION FROM DISSENTING VOICES: Media is “fake,” experts are “corrupt,” and only insider sources are “true.”

MORAL DOUBLE STANDARDS: What’s “evil” for others is excused in-house. Hypocrisy is normalized - *even if it's criminal.*

APOCALYPTIC URGENCY: A constant sense of threat or crisis to maintain control and loyalty.

WEARING A SYMBOL: Adopting distinctive clothing, headwear, colors, or symbols as a way of signaling in-group status and loyalty to the leader or ideology.

If you’re thinking, “Wait... that sounds familiar,”
it's because the biggest organized cult in our history exists today.

And it's time to start calling it what it is.
—
Sources: Adapted from my readings from Dr. Janja Lalich (cult researcher & author), the "BITE Model" by Steven Hassan (Harvard - Cult Studies), and International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA).

07/28/2025

07/18/2025

Nobody likes to admit they were wrong—
especially when the thing they were wrong about became their identity.

That’s how toxic ideologies keep their grip.
They don’t just shape WHAT we believe.
They shape WHO we think we are.

So when the truth confronts that belief, it doesn’t feel helpful.
It feels personal. It feels like an attack. An insult.

That’s what cognitive dissonance is:
the mental tug-of-war between the facts in front of us
and the story we've staked our soul on.

And in that moment?
Most people don’t let go.
They dig in. Double down.

Not because it’s true—
but because letting go would cost too much.
Family. Community. Identity.
It’s not always stubbornness.
Sometimes it’s survival.

But here’s the hope:
The fever appears to be breaking.
Loyalty lines have been crossed.
A quiet exodus is underway.

People are walking away from what they once defended—
publicly, loudly, even “faithfully.”

So don’t mock the journey.
Don’t weaponize the past.
Don’t be the jerk who says, “Took you long enough.”

Jesus never did.

In His most famous parable, the prodigal son wandered.
But when he came home, the Father ran to him.

No lecture.
No guilt trip.
Just open arms.

Don’t be the older brother.
So obsessed with being right,
too busy being self-righteous
to see the redemption unfolding right in front of him.

Be like the Father.
See the humility it takes to admit you were misled.
See the courage it takes to walk away.

So celebrate their return. Celebrate their courage.

And please, for the sake of grace—make sure your door is still open.
Because no one can come home to a house boarded up with pride.

Jesus’s door is always open.
Is yours?

05/29/2025

Let’s call this what it is: Heresy. Blasphemy. Idolatry.

And if you truly follow Jesus, it should grieve your spirit.

So I have one question for the Evangelicals who prop him up as God’s chosen:
What are the fruits of Trump’s so-called “mission from God”?

📍 His Christian example?
- Found liable for r**e
- Incited a violent insurrection
- 34 felony charges
- Two impeachments
- Hush money to a p**n star
- 30,000+ documented lies during his first term
... and claimed he's never needed repentance.

📍 His Biblical knowledge?
- Asked his favorite Bible verse—couldn't provide one.
- Publicly quoted “Two Corinthians”
- Once held a Bible upside down for a photo-op he tear-gassed peaceful protesters in order to take
- Has compared himself to Jesus.
... That’s not reverence. That’s religious cosplay.

📍 His Christlike posture?
- Called veterans “losers” and “suckers”
- Mocked a disabled reporter
- Publicly belittles those who disagree
- Called political opponents “vermin”, journalists “enemies of the people”
- Openly fantasized about executing generals
- Said immigrants were “poisoning the blood of our country”
... no humility, no mercy, no grace—just cruelty wrapped in a red hat.

📍 His policies?
- Cut food assistance to millions of low-income families
- Fought to remove healthcare from the sick and poor
- Built cages to separate children from their parents
- Blocked refugees and asylum seekers
- Handed billions to the wealthy while leaving the vulnerable behind
...these aren’t policies rooted in the teachings of Jesus. They’re in direct opposition to them.

And let’s not forget John 13:35—“By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Is “love” a word people associate with Donald Trump?

What fruit is Donald Trump known for?
Because Jesus said: “By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:16)

And yet, too many Christians devour this rotten fruit like it’s manna from Heaven.

And the Church needs to stop dancing around this and call this out.
This isn’t a mission from God. It’s a golden calf on a campaign tour.

05/02/2025

Wow.

“What’s past is prologue.” - William Shakespeare

04/28/2025

You want to know a dangerous lie that's wrecking the Church today? It’s not doubt. It’s certainty.Somewhere along the way, we bought into this idea that real faith looks like having every answer locked, loaded, and laminated. No mystery. No tension. No questions allowed. Just smug, self-assured ...

04/21/2025

This is one of those posts that I don't want to write but feel compelled to do so.

MTG's tweet wasn’t talking about a dictator or warmonger. She was—by all accounts—referring to the Pope.

She’s calling the death of Pope Francis a victory for God.

Let’s be clear: Pope Francis led over a billion Catholics around the world. He spoke often about caring for the poor, protecting immigrants, stewarding the planet, and humbling oneself—teachings that sound suspiciously like Jesus.

And that’s the problem.

MAGA Christianity doesn’t have a problem with religion. It just resists or discredits any faith leader who doesn’t serve their agenda.

They rolled their eyes at Pope Francis for talking about climate change instead of culture wars.

They dismissed Bishop Marianne Budde, who gently called Trump to account—not with vengeance, but with a call for mercy and moral responsibility.

They sideline any pastor, priest, or bishop who dares to call power to repentance instead of blessing its corruption.

This isn’t the Gospel. It’s a golden calf in red, white, and blue.

So when you claim that the hand of God is striking down your enemies, just be careful. Because if God’s hand really is moving, it might be coming for those who keep hijacking His name for power, vengeance, and political theater.

And when that hand swings, it won’t be to bless.

04/20/2025

Two thieves hung beside Jesus.
Same pain. Same view. Same sentence.

But only one saw Jesus for who He really was.
One believed. One mocked—demanding a miracle.

The other simply asked: “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” And Jesus, bloodied, gasping, dying… replied with the most unthinkable promise:
“Today, you will be with Me in paradise.”

No religion. No baptism. No Bible study. No church attendance. No moral résumé. Just a dying man who recognized Jesus... and asked.

Let that sink in. He had nothing left to offer but faith. And Jesus didn’t ask for anything more.

That’s the scandal of grace. The beauty of the cross.
That’s the hope of Good Friday.

You don’t need to clean yourself up first. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to see Jesus for who He is and accept Him.

This thief—this criminal—is the first person we’re told was promised heaven by Jesus Himself. Not a preacher. Not a priest. Not a disciple.

A thief.

Maybe that’s the point.

Because the story of Jesus was never about how good we are. It’s about how good He is.

So if you’re hanging by a thread today… feeling unworthy, unwanted, unseen—look again. There’s a Savior hanging right next to you. And He still says, “you will be with Me” to those who believe. To those who ask.

In honor of Good Friday, this page will go silent (on my end) until Easter morning. No posts. No replies. No distractions.

I encourage every believer reading this:
Spend time with God today to reflect. Pray. Be still.
Let the weight of the cross rest on your soul.
And let the beauty of Sunday reshape your heart.

See you at the empty tomb.