The Friday Update - Gentleness Wins

Happy Friday,

Repentance isn’t self-loathing or spiritual navel-gazing. It’s the aggressive course correction that follows a clear-eyed awareness of our sinfulness. Although humbling and often emotionally jarring, if practiced over time, repentance is life-altering. The kingdom of God is not a distant hope. In Jesus, it has drawn near. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.

The State of U.S. Unions

Per this report: 1) Although most US singles hope to marry, < 50% are married today (down from two-thirds in 1950); 2) Roughly 1 in 6 adults have been divorced, with > 50% remarrying; 3) 42% of Christians now think it prudent to live together before getting married. (Here’s a talk I gave in 2016 on why this is a bad idea.)

Overheard

1) There's nothing more suburban than Costco.

2) The Sermon on the Mount teaches that in the end, gentleness wins. It also teaches that most of us profoundly underestimate the strength, tenacity, and faith that gentleness requires.

3) Smart people often do not think they’re smart; they think others are dumb.

4) If demons were visible, we’d pray more.

What I’m Pondering

Three thousand years ago, Moses faced one of history’s greatest challenges: leading an unorganized mob on an unplanned—and much extended—march through the desert. At a low point, God asked Moses what he needed to keep going. My list of must-haves would have been thirty pages long. Moses asked for one thing: “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Moses didn’t request easy. He asked to see God’s face. I have much to learn from that. 

IS2M

1) Many Christ-followers are being shaped more significantly by an algorithm than by the church.

2) When it comes to intellectual heavy-lifting, the best of the afternoon is seldom as productive as the worst of the morning. 

3) Eugene Peterson was right to note that "sin fragments us, and sentences us to solitary confinement. Meanwhile, the Gospel restores us, unites us, and sets us in community." We need teammates for our faith to flourish.

Without Comment

1) Here’s another study showing that anxiety rises w/ screen time, and that the sane treat social media like radioactive waste. 

2) 41% of Americans believe they are overweight, 52% would like to lose weight, 26% are trying to do so, according to Gallup.

3) This report claims that being outdoors boosts our mood because trees, water, and rocks are “softly fascinating” – i.e., they allow our brains to rest without getting bored. 

4) Though 70% of U.S. adults in ’13 described a college education as “very important,” today only 35% think so. 

5) The share of Americans who say they drink alcohol hit a record low in 2025. On a related note, Jim Beam is suspending bourbon production at its Kentucky distillery due to “oversupply, slowing demand, and tariff-related export challenges.” 

6) U-Haul’s annual report confirms what others have said: people are leaving Blue (CA, IL, and NJ top the exodus list) and relocating to Red (TX, FL, and NC top this list).  

7) According to Derek Thompson, the share of Americans who get their news from print has declined by two-thirds since the early 2010s.

WOTW

Honorable mention goes to wind chill economy (it feels worse than it is), toxic flattery (count me among those already weary of AI’s compliments. “Mike, your essay is off to such a good start… You are right to note….”), and himbo (a modern male who is “hot, nice, innocent and dumb.” Think: a golden retriever in human male form). Full honors go to Critical Ignoring from this WSJ article. (In an age of endless low-quality information, knowing what to ignore—and taking steps to do so—is a life skill).

Revelation Redux

Some months ago, I tried to channel Michael Pollan by summarizing the Book of Revelation in seven words: Evil abounds. Jesus wins. It isn't close. Now halfway through a 25+ week sermon series, I find I can’t help myself. There is a need to say so much more. Two things immediately come to mind: 1) Today’s loudest voices are not the final voices. Indeed, the last word will not belong to fear, violence, or death but to Jesus, and 2) The Book of Revelation is not a crystal ball but a discipleship manual.

Quotes Worth Requoting

1) "Every time I read the Gospels, I’m struck by how much of Jesus’ ministry was just paying attention to people everyone else overlooked. That might still be the most radical thing a Christian can do." — Beau Stricker

2) “Christians believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. Materialists believe in the virgin birth of the cosmos. Choose your miracle." — Glen Scrivener

3) “Because you have seen the reality of beauty, justice, and goodness, you will be able to know idols and shadows for what they are." — Plato

4) "The truth is, I am tired of so many things — of weather, of work, of reading, of writing, above all of News." — C.S. Lewis, 1939

5) "Life close to God's Word is life close to God." B.B. Warfield

Resources

1) Click here to hear last week’s sermon on John 1:43f. In it, I explore something hindering the spiritual growth of many.

2) On January 26^th, Lakelight is hosting Dr. Meghan Sullivan, a Notre Dame Professor who has secured tens of millions of dollars to help develop AI ethics. You can register to attend in person or online here.

Closing Prayer

“Holy Lord Jesus, the heavenly Vine of God's own planting, I ask you, reveal yourself to my soul. Let the Holy Spirit, not only in thought, but in experience, give to me all that you, the Son of God, are to me as the true Vine. Amen.” (Andrew Murray - 1828-1917)