As the year draws to a close, Christy, Ben, and Matt open some Christmas gifts and talk about some of the "gifts" of 2024. Merry Christmas, everyone!

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Ben, Matt, and Christy continue their discussion from last week of a few post-election commitments that are crystalizing for them as they contemplate what it means to live as followers of Jesus in the coming season. Here are the commitments we discuss in this episode (listen to Part 1 for the ones at the beginning of the list):

1. Stay awake. Don’t numb your longing for the world to be made right.
2. Keep caring for one another.
3. Keep telling the truth about systems of injustice and evil.
4. Refuse contempt - don't let them get you to hate them.
5. Learn from the great cloud of witnesses.
6. Learn to organize in solidarity with the marginalized.
7. Learn to notice God at work in your ordinary life.
8. Get as healthy as you can so you’re not triggered into harmful ways of relating.

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Ben, Matt, and Christy discuss a few post-election commitments that are crystalizing for them as they contemplate what it means to live as followers of Jesus in the coming season. Here are the commitments we discuss in this episode (more coming in Part 2):

1. Stay awake. Don’t numb your longing for the world to be made right.
2. Keep caring for one another.
3. Keep telling the truth about systems of injustice and evil.
4. Refuse contempt - don't let them get you to hate them.
5. Learn from the great cloud of witnesses.
6. Learn to organize in solidarity with the marginalized.
7. Learn to notice God at work in your ordinary life.
8. Get as healthy as you can so you’re not triggered into harmful ways of relating.

Connect with Gravity Commons:

• Leave us a message or ask a question about this or any other episode and we'll answer it on a future episode.
• Join the Gravity Community to interact with other listeners, and get our list of curated links each week to all things edifying and interesting.
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Matt and Ben reflect on a practical question from a listener on how to resist the power of Mammon in a specific situation.

Show Notes:

• Matt Tebbe on the Liminal Living Podcast
• Sheryllin Ifill's article on practical ways to respond to the election.

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Christy, Matt, and Ben discuss what they're learning about navigating difficult relationships during the holidays post-election.

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Christy, Matt, and Ben discuss the virtues of participating in book clubs, and some of the goodness that has emerged from the new Gravity Book Club. (We are selecting our next book right now, by the way!) Let us know what you think we should read and discuss together.

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We talked with Dr. Thomas J. Oord about the recent heresy trial he underwent in his denomination for LGBTQ+ affirmation, what led him to fully affirm LGBTQ+ people, and many of the issues and questions that come up when discussing human sexuality.

Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. Oord is a best-selling and award-winning author, having written or edited more than thirty books. Academic Influence ranks him among the most influential theologians in the 21st century. Oord directs doctoral programs at Northwind Theological Seminary and directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology. He is known for his research and writing on love, open and relational theology, science and religion, evil and power, and the implications of freedom and relationships for transformation. You can connect with Tom and his work on his website.

Show notes:

The name of the person we couldn't think of at the end of the podcast is Bridget Eileen Rivera, who wrote Heavy Burdens: Seven Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church. We interviewed her in 2021.

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In this impromptu bonus episode, Matt Tebbe convenes a panel of pastors to discuss the spiritual, emotional and social implications of a second Donald Trump presidency. They explore personal reflections on identity, the challenges of fostering unity in diverse communities, and the importance of recognizing and addressing systemic issues such as racism and immigration. The discussion emphasizes the need for authentic dialogue, the complexities of caregiving in times of crisis, and the practical steps communities can take to respond to political turmoil.

Matt is joined by:

• Juliet Liu, pastor at Life on the Vine Christian Community Long Grove, IL
• Timothy McCain, pastor and evangelist based in Deltona, FL
• Mac McCarthy, pastor at Crosspoint Communty Church in Oconomowoc, WI
• Seth Richardson, Director of Resurrection Little Rock, a contemplative community in Little Rock, AR

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