Bob’s Pizzeria - Denver, Colorado - Spaghetti Sauce

Bob’s Spaghetti Sauce

Yield: 4 Quarts

1/2 qt Tomato paste

1/2 qt Tomato puree

1/2 lb Italian sausage

4oz Olive oil

Weigh the following:

5/8 oz Oregano (17.7 g)

3/8 oz Basil (10.6 g)

1 3/16 oz Garlic, granulated (33.7 g)

3/16 oz Pepper (5.3 g)

1 3/16 oz Onion (33.7 g)

7 c Water

Cook for 12 hours.

Add water to desired thickness.

Bob’s Pizzeria - Denver, Colorado - Little Immigrant Sandwich

Bob’s Little Immigrant

Italian bread (18-inch loaf) 

10 slices Pepperoni 

1/2 medium Onion; sliced thin 

Lettuce leaves 

5 slices Provolone cheese 

1 large Tomato; thinly sliced 

5 slices Cotto salami 

5 slices smoked ham

5 slices Mozzarella cheese 

5 slices Capocollo ham 

3 tb Grated Romano cheese or Parmesan

1 oz olive oil 

Cut bread lengthwise. In order stack pepperoni, sliced onion, lettuce leaves followed by Provolone cheese, tomato slices, Cotto salami, smoked ham, Mozzarella cheese, and Capocollo ham. Then sprinkle lightly with the Romano cheese and a bit of olive oil on the top. Top with the top half of the Italian bread. 

What Do We Do With History?

Grace does not erase the past. It redeems it.

History can be painful. But we can’t erase it. No matter how much we might want to go back and fix something, or rewrite the story, the truth is — it happened.

There are earthquakes in life. The kind that shake everything you thought was stable — the earthquake of divorce, of broken trust, of disappointment. All of it becomes part of the story, whether we like it or not.

Sometimes we’re ashamed of our history. Sometimes there are things we wish we could undo, words we wish we could take back. And sometimes, it’s not even about what we did — it’s about what we were part of. A church, a small group, a Bible study — something that once felt sacred. Then something goes wrong. The people scatter. The history splinters or disappears altogether.

There are times we get pushed out. Labeled. Silenced. Even called heretics for asking questions. And people we once loved — people we trusted — suddenly aren’t allowed to talk to us. Or they simply choose not to.

I remember a church I went to once. The pastor’s daughter got married and later divorced. When they were married, her father spoke so warmly of the young man — said he was wonderful. But after the divorce, they erased him. Acted as if he had never existed. In his place, there was only darkness. Stories were whispered. And I remember thinking how quickly we rewrite history when it hurts too much to tell it honestly.

When we tell our own stories, we do that too. We pick and choose. We leave some things out. We highlight the parts that make us look better. We try to clean up the mess before anyone sees it. But when we do that, we lose something sacred — the chance for redemption to shine through. Grace doesn’t need a perfect story. It just needs the real one.

Sometimes even our memories betray us. We remember things wrong. Or remember things that never happened at all. A thought takes root and becomes a false truth. When I wrote about my own story, I once found a photograph that told me I’d gotten it wrong — that I was older than I thought during that moment I had written about. It humbled me. Reminded me that memory itself needs grace.

And then there are churches that try to erase their history completely — letting people go, silencing them with money and non-disclosure agreements. As if truth can be buried and forgotten. But it always finds a way to rise.

So what do we do with history — with all its fractures, false starts, and fragile truths?

Maybe the answer is this: we don’t erase it. We hold it. We let grace meet it. And we trust that redemption still knows how to find its way through the cracks.

Why I Had to Leave Brave Church – Englewood, Colorado

Disclaimer: I know the following story is long — but it has to be. What happened to me at one church is happening in churches all over. If you’ve ever had doubts, questions, or a gut feeling that something wasn’t right, this isn’t just a warning — it’s help for the road ahead.

From Hope to Disillusionment: My Four Years at Brave Church

By Philip Faustin


The Day I Discovered Brave Church
One day, as I was driving down Colorado Boulevard, a sign caught my eye: Brave Church. Something about it stuck with me. It was June 2020, deep into the COVID pandemic. The church I’d been attending had shut its doors, with no indication of when they would reopen. Curious, I looked up Brave Church later that day. Their website gave me hope; they were holding services. For the next couple of weeks, I tuned into their sermons online, feeling out whether this could be my new spiritual home. Eventually, I decided to take the next step—I would visit in person.
 
First Impressions
My first visit was in July 2020, and I loved it from the moment I walked in. The sermon was great, but it was the worship that truly moved me. After months of isolation, it felt incredible to be surrounded by other believers, lifting our voices together. There was a sense of connection and hope in that room, something I hadn’t realized how much I’d been missing.

Initial Concerns About Leadership
What concerned me was that the website listed only one elder. I assumed there must have been others who simply hadn’t been included yet. But looking back now, with the benefit of hindsight, it’s possible there really was only one at the time. Eventually, within a year I noticed additional elders appearing on the website.

Origins and Name Change
When Brave Church first began, it was known as Harvest Bible Chapel. From what I’ve gathered, it appeared to be a church plant of Harvest Bible Chapel in Illinois, led by James MacDonald. That church and its pastor became entangled in various scandals. If you're curious about the details, a quick Google search will tell you more. It seems likely that, in light of those controversies, Harvest in Colorado rebranded itself as Brave Church.

Shifting Focus and Structure
When I first started attending Brave, there was a strong focus on planting and supporting new churches. It seems the original plan to plant independent churches was eventually abandoned. In its place, it seems the church shifted its focus to only opening satellite campuses and producing radio broadcasts where Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub is the common denominator.

Changes in Eldership and Governance
A couple of years into my time at Brave, there was a noticeable shift in the structure of the eldership. What had initially appeared to be a typical elder board was reorganized into distinct groups: shepherding, stewarding, and supervising. The website listed only one supervising elder and three stewarding elders. The supervising elder was tasked with overseeing Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub, while the stewarding elders were responsible for managing the church’s finances.

Something about this new arrangement caused me to wonder how and why it came about and what it meant. As I started asking questions, it quickly became clear that the answers were not forthcoming. I emailed the elders multiple times but never received a response. When I reached out to the church directly, I was simply told to contact the elders.

Transparency Issues
Every church should have bylaws that clearly outline how things are done, including the roles and responsibilities of the elders. Brave does have such a document, but I have not been able to get a look at it. When I asked one elder about it, he seemed completely unfamiliar with what I was referring to. Another pastor acknowledged that he was aware of its existence but admitted he had never read the entire document. When I inquired about obtaining a copy, it quickly became clear that it wasn’t going to happen.

Concerns About Pastor-Centric Culture
My unease with the church deepened as it became increasingly centered on Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub. He seemed to have become a celebrity figure, overshadowing the church itself. The use of the moniker "Brave Pastor Jeff" felt like self-promotion, designed to elevate his personal brand. The underlying message—that he was uniquely courageous and capable where other pastors were lacking—further cemented the perception that the church's identity was inextricably linked to his image.

Lack of Leadership Transparency
The church website, updated months ago, conspicuously omits any mention of staff or elders, something that was there before, focusing almost exclusively on the Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub brand. It's unusual for a church website not to feature its staff, leadership, and elders. Typically, these sections include photos, biographies, and contact information. Brave church had gone the opposite direction.

I recently emailed the church again, requesting a list of the current elders and their areas of responsibility. In response, I received only a list of names, with no additional details. After asking for more information, I received an email from an associate pastor questioning why I was requesting such specific details. I explained that the elders were once listed on the website, and it would be helpful to know who they are and what their respective roles entail. Not surprisingly, I’ve yet to receive any further information or a response. This lack of transparency only raises more questions about the church’s leadership structure.

Pastor’s Stance on Criticism
On two occasions, I heard Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub preach that criticizing a church or pastor is inherently wrong, labeling those who do so as evil and urging congregants to avoid them. This stance seems both self-serving and dangerous. While unwarranted criticism is certainly harmful, condemning all criticism is wrong. It's easy to see the potential consequences of such a stance. It effectively silences dissent, even from the elders, preventing them from addressing legitimate concerns about the church or the pastor's actions.

Indicators of Arrogance
In another sermon, Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub recounted someone telling him they were praying he wouldn't become proud. He expressed anger at this, and I think you can conclude for yourself what that shows.

Financial Concerns and Nonprofit Ties
My research uncovered a concerning detail. Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub has a pre-existing nonprofit, originally named One Heartbeat Ministries (EIN 75-3153722), predating his pastorship. Publicly available 990 forms reveal that after Brave Church was formed, this nonprofit appears to have funded radio broadcasts of sermon excerpts, with Pastor Schwarzentraub receiving varying salary amounts over the years. The nonprofit was later renamed Brave and then Brave Media. At some point, Brave Church began donating 5% of its general fund to Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub's nonprofit. In 2023, this amounted to approximately $863,000. While the radio broadcast expenses were under $300,000, the nonprofit's total assets now exceed $2 million. Furthermore, Brave Church handles all sermon recording and editing, not the nonprofit. It's also reasonable to assume Pastor Schwarzentraub receives a significant salary from Brave Church itself.

Lack of Accountability
When I inquired with an elder about the nonprofit, he seemed unaware of why Brave Church doesn't handle radio time directly or why Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub receives an additional salary without apparent justification. My direct request to Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub for clarification went unanswered, which, while not surprising, is nonetheless disturbing. The question remains: what justifies such substantial sums of money being provided to Pastor Schwarzentraub's personal nonprofit? In my letter, I also asked whether Brave Church compensates him for sermon preparation time and who owns the intellectual property of those sermons. None of those seem unreasonable questions to me.

Drawing Parallels with Mars Hill
In 2021, a podcast was put out by Christianity Today called The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. Here is the description: “Founded in 1996, Seattle’s Mars Hill Church was poised to be an influential, undeniable force in evangelicalism—that is until its spiraling collapse in 2014. The church and its charismatic founder, Mark Driscoll, had a promising start. But the perils of power, conflict, and Christian celebrity eroded and eventually shipwrecked both the preacher and his multimillion-dollar platform.” There are a few things I disagree with in the podcast but as I listened to it, I felt I was listening to a description of Brave Church, both things that have happened and where I could see things ending up.

Here is a link to the podcast: https://www.christianitytoday.com/podcasts/the-rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill. There were 19 episodes over 14 months.

Dismissal of Critical Analysis
During a meeting with a Brave Church pastor to discuss my various concerns, I mentioned the Mars Hill podcast. He dismissed it and said that people shouldn't criticize the church. This was both sad and disturbing. Here was a well-documented analysis of the catastrophic failure of a large church, and he seemed completely unwilling to consider that there might be valuable lessons to be learned from it.

Historical Context and Warnings
I think there are also lessons to be learned from Brave Church's origins. I previously mentioned Harvest Bible Chapel in Illinois and its pastor, James MacDonald. I won't delve into the details here, but a quick online search will reveal the consequences when a church is led by an arrogant, narcissistic, domineering, and greedy leader. The elders failed to fulfill their oversight responsibilities, and when outsiders began exposing the issues, they were attacked and even sued. It wasn't until the situation became bizarre beyond imagination that the church and elders finally took action against MacDonald.

Dependence on a Single Leader
I recall a few years ago when Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub suffered a concussion after falling off his bike. It makes me wonder what would have happened to Brave Church if he hadn't been able to return to the pulpit? To me it seems that the church's foundation rests on him. This echoes the situation at Mars Hill with Mark Driscoll. When Driscoll fell, the entire structure around him crumbled.

Questions About Elder Authority
It’s difficult to discern whether the elders at Brave Church hold any real authority. How are these elders selected? Are they handpicked by Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub? The church bylaws should clarify this, and I wish I had access to read them. Over the years, as the elder structure has been reorganized, was that initiated by the elders themselves, or did they merely comply with directives from above?

Historically, elder boards have often failed to prevent or deal with issues within churches. It sometimes takes a crisis or significant external pressure for them to respond appropriately. Too often, peace and loyalty are prioritized over honesty and accountability.

Another concern arises when elders are also paid staff or receive some form of compensation from the church. Financial ties like these can discourage them from challenging leadership decisions, making them less likely to "rock the boat" when it’s necessary.

Consolidation of Power
I’m concerned that some of the changes to the elder board seem to be consolidating power within a smaller group, or possibly even just one person. Once again, the question is how these changes have come about and exactly what has been done. Is this smaller group made up of individuals who simply go along with whatever Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub desires? History shows that this is a common issue in churches, where elders often fail to prevent abuse or stand up against a domineering leader. When power becomes too centralized, accountability diminishes, and that can lead to problems down the road.

Membership Meeting Insights
At a recent membership meeting I was at, it was stated that if something serious were to happen, Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub could be removed—but only with a unanimous vote from the elders. I couldn’t help but wonder who came up with that idea. History has shown that elder boards are often ineffective at holding pastors accountable, and requiring unanimity makes meaningful action even less likely. If the pastor is the one appointing these elders, the likelihood of them all agreeing to remove him is virtually nonexistent.

The Price of the Pulpit: Questioning Megachurch Pastor Salaries
A side question I have is: why do many megachurch pastors believe they deserve million-dollar-a-year salaries? Take, for example, a church with $20 million in annual contributions and an attendance of 7,000 to 10,000 people. Compare that to public officials responsible for much larger populations and budgets:
•    Mayor of Denver, Colorado: Salary of $205,990.58, serving a population of 716,234 with a $1.74 billion budget.
•    Governor of Colorado: Salary of $141,000, overseeing 5,914,180 residents with a $40 billion budget.
•    President of the United States: Salary of $400,000, leading 335,893,238 people with a $6.8 trillion budget.
Some might argue that government leaders are underpaid, but their roles are meant to be about public service, not personal wealth. In contrast, megachurch pastors often seem to align more with corporate executives when it comes to compensation. The question arises: is their motivation rooted in a calling to serve, or in the pursuit of wealth?

Another layer of complexity is how these salaries are determined. Sometimes, churches hire consulting firms to set the pastor’s compensation. While this might appear fair and objective, there’s ample room for manipulation. Consultants may inflate salary recommendations to curry favor with the pastor, making their services seem more valuable. In other cases, pastors might handpick friends or loyal supporters to oversee church finances, increasing the likelihood of receiving overly generous compensation packages.

When a pastor becomes the celebrity face of the church, it’s easy for them to justify high salaries and perks. They might argue—directly or indirectly—that the church’s growth and financial success are tied to their leadership and personal brand. Even if they’re not explicit, the message is often clear: without me, this doesn’t work.

Warning Signs to Watch For
I once heard a police detective say that every crime is driven by one of three motives: sex, money, or power. The same can often be said for pastors who have fallen. Because of this, we should keep our eyes open for warning signs in these areas and resist the urge to look the other way when problems surface.

If a pastor has admitted to past sexual immorality, it’s wise to remain vigilant for any situations that suggest ongoing problems. Likewise, if a pastor has confessed that his previous ambition was to accumulate wealth, it’s important to watch for signs that this mindset might still be influencing his approach to ministry. If a pastor has a desire to be famous, that too can lead to various problems. The pursuit of power can often result in bullying behavior. Power, money, and sex are potent temptations—and without accountability, many spiritual leaders fall prey to them.

Too often, people notice inappropriate behavior but stay silent—whether out of fear of losing their job within the church or concern that speaking up might cause the church to collapse. The justification that "so much good is being done and the church is growing, therefore we can tolerate a little bad behavior" is a dangerous mistake. Ignoring misconduct, even seemingly minor infractions, only serves to enable and perpetuate more serious problems. Turning a blind eye allows these issues to fester and grow, ultimately causing greater harm to the church community.

Mysterious Staff Departures
Another thing I’ve often wondered about is the way certain staff members seem to just disappear. One day they’re there, and the next, they’re gone—without so much as a thank you for their time or any explanation of where they’re going. I understand this might not be necessary for everyone, but when a high-level staff member vanishes without a word, it raises questions about what’s really going on behind the scenes.

At Mars Hill Church, a troubling pattern emerged involving non-disclosure agreements. Staff members were often offered severance packages in exchange for agreeing to remain silent about their time at the church. This was used to cover up some of the more damaging issues that were taking place. It makes me wonder if similar tactics are at play when people suddenly vanish from the staff without explanation.

Financial Transparency Issues
The 2023 Brave Church financial statement revealed a $50,000 Rabbi Trust, an instrument typically used for highly compensated executives to defer income for tax purposes. My attempt to obtain clarification from the church's CFO regarding this Rabbi Trust was unsuccessful, as my email inquiry went unanswered. This lack of transparency further compounds concerns about financial accountability within the church.

Balancing Good and Concerns
I can say that, for the most part, the sermons at Brave were excellent. The church is filled with good people who genuinely want to follow the Lord Jesus. However, my concern lies with the foundation of the church itself. There are underlying issues that, if left unaddressed, could cause collapse in the future.

Final Reflections and a Call to Action
When I first mentioned Brave Church to my wife, she was immediately opposed to the idea. Three things stood out to her: the name, the fact that only one elder was listed on the website, and that Pastor Jeff and his wife homeschooled their children. That last concern might seem ironic, considering she had homeschooled all eight of our children through high school—but if you’ve been part of the homeschooling world, you’ll understand why it gave her pause.

Looking back, I have to wonder if I made a mistake by dismissing her concerns. I can’t say for certain, as other factors were influencing her perspective as well. What I do know is that there was solid teaching and times of beautiful worship, and for that, I am grateful. At the same time, the experiences of the past four years have shaped my understanding of the church in ways I never expected. Perhaps, in the end, that understanding—and the words on these pages—will serve a greater purpose.

It deeply saddens me to write this. The temptation is to simply walk away quietly and ignore the concerns that weigh on my heart. But I also realize that in doing so, I would be complicit in the very things I feel need to be addressed. By writing this, I know I may make myself an enemy to some and face possible repercussions. Some will dismiss the questions I’ve raised here, refusing to reflect on their own doubts. If they’re honest with themselves, however, they might have to admit that they, too, have suppressed and ignored things they’ve seen and experienced.

When I look at the many pastors who have fallen and the churches that have been hurt in the process, one thing becomes clear: the fallout from these failures often harms the congregation the most. Many people never return to church, seeing it as a fraud rather than a place of healing and truth.

So, I call on Brave Church and its leadership to look inward and take the necessary steps to address these concerns before a disaster unfolds. I know I am not the only one who has raised these issues. It’s time to listen, reflect, and take action.

Recommendations for Transparency and Accountability
Here’s what I believe needs to be done:
•    A public release of the church bylaws, including any changes made over the years, especially those made recently, particularly concerning the elders.
•    A public listing of the elders, detailing their responsibilities and providing contact information for each.
•    Clarification on whether the church uses non-disclosure agreements when staff are fired, laid off, or quit.
•    Transparency regarding how Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub’s salary and compensation are determined, and who is responsible for making those decisions.
•    An end to millions of dollars being funneled to Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub’s non-profit, along with an explanation for why this was done.
•    A cessation of promoting the "Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub" brand, ensuring the focus shifts back to the mission of the church.
•    An explanation of why the decision was made to abandon the idea of planting churches in favor of making Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub the central figure.
•    A disclosure of who the campus pastors are and what their roles entail, ensuring clarity and transparency in leadership.

These steps would go a long way toward restoring trust and accountability within the church, fostering a healthier environment for both leadership and the congregation.

Two Additional Resources
How Do Churches End Up with Domineering Bullies for Pastors?
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/domineering-bullies-pastors

Signs of Bad Church Leadership
https://faithfulandfruitful.com/signs-of-bad-church-leadership


The Last Letter
The following cover letter was to be my last attempt to reach the elders at Brave Church. I had attached this document to it. Unfortunately, though not unexpected, I have yet to receive any response as of March 25, 2025

February 25, 2025

Dear Elders of Brave Church,

I am formally requesting that the attached document be distributed to every elder and that an inquiry be made regarding the questions I have presented.

As this document has not yet been made public, I respectfully ask for a response detailing what actions are being taken by March 25, 2025. Please confirm receipt of this request at your earliest convenience.

I appreciate your time and attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

Philip Faustin


A Gatekeeper at the Inbox
For a while, I had been wondering whether the elders were actually receiving the emails I’d been sending. I began to suspect that someone might be monitoring the Brave elders' email address—possibly filtering the messages and selectively choosing which ones to forward.

I was able to obtain personal contact information for two of the elders and reached out to them by phone. As I suspected, neither of them had received my most recent message—and likely hadn’t seen any of the others either.

About a week after that phone call, one of the elders reached out and asked to meet the following week. I agreed. He brought along another staff member from the church. To me, the meeting felt like a series of vague responses with no direct answers to the questions I had been raising. Once again, they reiterated that the church bylaws would not be made available.

The meeting felt generic and there was no opportunity to go through the document I had submitted, point by point. Based on their comments, I doubt either of them had read it thoroughly—or perhaps they simply chose not to engage with its contents. It felt more like they were checking a box, wanting to say they'd made an effort to reach out, without any real intent to have a significant conversation. It was also clear that only a small group at the church had seen the document and certainly not all of the elders as I had requested.

On several occasions they implied that I was merely upset because I wasn’t getting the answers I wanted—as if my concerns stemmed from a lack of trust rather than a lack of transparency, even on the simplest matters.

The meeting ended with a request that I refrain from contacting anyone at the church except the two staff members present. I suppose that effectively closes the door on any further attempt to engage with the elders.

Goodbye With Love
I want to end by saying once more: I truly loved Brave Church. If I had only seen what was visible on the surface, I would never have left. But after almost two years of seeking transparency through the proper channels and still carrying unanswered questions, I had to make the difficult decision to leave. Each week, my love for the church was slowly eclipsed by the quiet ache of unresolved concerns. And so, with a heavy heart and grateful for the good, I said goodbye.

Why I Still Care
Some may wonder why, now that I've left, I still care. The answer is simple: history has a way of repeating itself. If my concerns are valid, then Brave Church may be headed toward a scandal or an internal collapse. When that happens, it’s not just the institution that suffers—it’s the people. Members of the congregation are wounded, sometimes so deeply that they never fully recover. That kind of pain is something I can't ignore. So here we are. If you’re someone connected to Brave Church, I hope what I’ve written will serve as a safeguard—one that protects people like you.

If this story resonated with you, I’d love it if you shared or reposted to help more people find it.

If you would like to reach out to me, you can at: faustinmail@gmail.com

A printable PDF of this document is available here: http://pfaustin.com/brave church.pdf

A Review of How to Think by Alan Jacobs: A Survival Guide for a World at Odds

In a world overrun with hot takes, comment wars, and lightning-fast judgments, How to Think: A Survival Guide for a World at Odds by Alan Jacobs offers a rare and refreshing invitation: slow down, reflect, and learn how to really think—not just react. It’s not a traditional self-help book with tidy steps and bullet points. Instead, it’s a philosophical and practical exploration of why thinking is hard—and how we can do it better.

Thinking Isn’t Natural—Belonging Is

Jacobs begins with a paradox: while we like to believe we’re rational individuals, our brains are wired more for belonging than for reasoning. As Jacobs puts it, “The fundamental problem we have may be best described as not wanting to think.” He illustrates this with the example of David Foster Wallace’s famous parable of two young fish who don’t know what water is—they’re so immersed in it, they don’t realize it surrounds and shapes them. Similarly, we’re all swimming in the currents of groupthink, confirmation bias, and social signaling without realizing it.

Jacobs unpacks this through real-world examples—like the media frenzy over Justine Sacco, a woman who tweeted a poorly worded joke before boarding a flight to Africa and found her life dismantled by the time she landed. The lesson isn’t whether her tweet was right or wrong—it’s how quickly a public (and moral) consensus forms in the age of Twitter, and how eagerly people sign on for a digital stoning. It’s a chilling reminder of how easy it is to think with the mob.

Thinking Takes Courage—and Practice

Jacobs draws heavily on thinkers like C.S. Lewis and George Orwell to make his case that genuine thought is courageous and countercultural. One striking example comes from Frederick Douglass, the great abolitionist who was once criticized by his fellow activists for dialoguing with those who supported slavery. Douglass believed that engaging with his ideological opponents was not a betrayal, but a strategic and moral necessity. He didn’t just speak to the choir—he made his case to his adversaries, modeling a kind of intellectual bravery that’s all too rare today.

That, Jacobs says, is real thinking: not “us versus them,” but a sincere exploration of “What might they see that I’m missing?” It’s not agreement he’s calling for—it’s the willingness to open the door to another perspective, to risk complexity.

Thinking Requires Empathy

One of the book’s most compelling ideas is that thinking is fundamentally moral. It requires empathy and humility. Jacobs introduces the idea of the "Repugnant Cultural Other"—those people we instinctively dismiss or disdain. He challenges us to resist the urge to caricature them, and instead, to exercise “the charitable imagination”: the effort to understand why someone might hold a view you dislike.

This isn’t the same as agreeing, and Jacobs is clear about that. But until we understand the logic and context of a differing view, we haven’t really earned the right to dismiss it. One practical tool Jacobs offers is the “Rapoport Rules,” drawn from psychologist Anatol Rapoport and later championed by Daniel Dennett. These rules encourage us to summarize the other person’s argument so clearly and fairly that they say, “Yes, that’s what I mean.”

Why How to Think Matters Now

In our polarized age—politically, socially, even within families—Jacobs’ book isn’t just a guide to better personal thinking. It’s a civic call to arms. He doesn’t promise that careful thinking will make you popular or even always right. But it will make you more thoughtful, more compassionate, and less easily manipulated.

How to Think is a deceptively simple book—short, conversational, and unassuming—but its implications are profound. It doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, it gives readers the tools to ask better questions. In a world shouting for attention, Jacobs invites us to the quieter, braver work of listening, reflecting, and thinking deeply.

If you're tired of the noise and yearning for clarity—not just in politics or culture, but in everyday life—this book is an essential read. Not because it tells you what to think, but because it teaches you how.

Find the book here

The Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection - Summary and Review

"The Supper of the Lamb" is a classic culinary and spiritual work written by Robert Farrar Capon. Published in 1969, the book is a unique blend of gastronomy, theology, and philosophy. Capon, a priest and gourmet cook, takes readers on a journey that explores the art of cooking and the spiritual significance of meals.

The book is structured around the preparation of a lamb dinner, with each chapter delving into various aspects of cooking, from choosing ingredients to the intricacies of culinary techniques. Capon's writing is poetic and rich, elevating the act of cooking to a spiritual experience. He weaves in anecdotes, reflections, and theological insights, creating a narrative that is both instructional and contemplative.

Capon's approach is unconventional, and he encourages readers to view cooking as an expression of creativity and love. He intertwines his passion for food with a deep understanding of Christian theology, drawing parallels between the preparation of a meal and the divine order of the universe.

The book has received widespread acclaim for its unique blend of culinary expertise and spiritual wisdom. Readers appreciate Capon's wit, humor, and ability to make profound theological concepts accessible through the lens of cooking. "Supper of the Lamb" is not just a cookbook but a meditation on life, faith, and the joy of sharing a meal.

In summary, "The Supper of the Lamb" is a thought-provoking and delightful exploration of the intersection between food and spirituality. Capon's unconventional approach and eloquent prose make it a timeless and enjoyable read for both food enthusiasts and those seeking deeper reflections on life's meaning.

Find out more and get the book here.

Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness - Review

 

"Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness" by Frederic Luskin is a self-help book that explores the transformative power of forgiveness in improving both mental and physical well-being. Luskin, a psychologist and expert on forgiveness, presents a practical guide based on scientific research and real-life examples to help readers understand and implement forgiveness in their lives.

The book outlines a step-by-step process for cultivating forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of letting go of resentment and grudges for one's own benefit. Luskin argues that forgiveness is not about condoning or excusing the wrongdoing but is a choice to release the negative emotions that can impact one's health and happiness.

Drawing on studies in psychology and medicine, Luskin demonstrates how harboring anger and resentment can contribute to stress-related illnesses and how forgiveness can lead to improved mental and physical health. The book provides exercises, strategies, and anecdotes to guide readers through the forgiveness process, encouraging them to reframe their perspectives and develop empathy.

Overall, "Forgive for Good" offers a practical and evidence-based approach to forgiveness, emphasizing its positive impact on emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, and overall life satisfaction. Luskin's insights and techniques provide readers with a roadmap to navigate the challenging but rewarding journey toward forgiveness.

See more about Forgive for Good here.

Some quotes from the Dobbs abortion opinion.

“The legislature then found that at 5 or 6 weeks’ gestational age an “unborn human being’s heart begins beating”; at 8 weeks the “unborn human being begins to move about in the womb”; at 9 weeks “all basic physiological functions are present”; at 10 weeks “vital organs begin to function,” and “[h]air, fingernails, and toenails . . . begin to form”; at 11 weeks “an unborn human being’s diaphragm is developing,” and he or she may “move about freely in the womb”; and at 12 weeks the “unborn human being” has “taken on ‘the human form’ in all relevant respects.” §2(b)(i) (quoting Gonzales v. Carhart, 550 U. S. 124, 160 (2007)). It found that most abortions after 15 weeks employ “dilation and evacuation procedures which involve the use of surgical instruments to crush and tear the unborn child,” and it concluded that the “intentional commitment of such acts for nontherapeutic or elective reasons is a barbaric practice, dangerous for the maternal patient, and demeaning to the medical profession.”

“Until the latter part of the 20th century, there was no support in American law for a constitutional right to obtain an abortion. No state constitutional provision had recognized such a right. Until a few years before Roe was handed down, no federal or state court had recognized such a right. Nor had any scholarly treatise of which we are aware. And although law review articles are not reticent about advocating new rights, the earliest article proposing a constitutional right to abortion that has come to our attention was published only a few years before Roe.

Not only was there no support for such a constitutional right until shortly before Roe, but abortion had long been a crime in every single State. At common law, abortion was criminal in at least some stages of pregnancy and was regarded as unlawful and could have very serious consequences at all stages. American law followed the common law until a wave of statutory restrictions in the 1800s expanded criminal liability for abortions. By the time of the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment, three-quarters of the States had made abortion a crime at any stage of pregnancy, and the remaining States would soon follow. Roe either ignored or misstated this history, and Casey declined to reconsider Roe’s faulty historical analysis. It is therefore important to set the record straight.”

“Roe was on a collision course with the Constitution from the day it was decided, Casey perpetuated its errors, and those errors do not concern some arcane corner of the law of little importance to the American people. Rather, wielding nothing but “raw judicial power,” Roe, 410 U. S., at 222 (White, J., dissenting), the Court usurped the power to address a question of profound moral and social importance that the Constitution unequivocally leaves for the people. Casey described itself as calling both sides of the national controversy to resolve their debate, but in doing so, Casey necessarily declared a winning side. Those on the losing side—those who sought to advance the State’s interest in fetal life—could no longer seek to persuade their elected representatives to adopt policies consistent with their views. The Court short-circuited the democratic process by closing it to the large number of Americans who dissented in any respect from Roe. “Roe fanned into life an issue that has inflamed our national politics in general, and has obscured with its smoke the selection of Justices to this Court in particular, ever since.” Casey, 505 U. S., at 995–996 (opinion of Scalia, J.). Together, Roe and Casey represent an error that cannot be allowed to stand.”

“Roe found that the Constitution implicitly conferred a right to obtain an abortion, but it failed to ground its decision in text, history, or precedent. It relied on an erroneous historical narrative; it devoted great attention to and presumably relied on matters that have no bearing on the meaning of the Constitution; it disregarded the fundamental difference between the precedents on which it relied and the question before the Court; it concocted an elaborate set of rules, with different restrictions for each trimester of pregnancy, but it did not explain how this veritable code could be teased out of anything in the Constitution, the history of abortion laws, prior precedent, or any other cited source; and its most important rule (that States cannot protect fetal life prior to “viability”) was never raised by any party and has never been plausibly explained. Roe’s reasoning quickly drew scathing scholarly criticism, even from supporters of broad access to abortion.”

Remember by Lisa Genova

I recently read a Blinkist summary of this book and was fascinated by the following section:

“If you’re of a certain age you might remember January 28, 1986, when a space shuttle careened high in the blue sky over Florida and burst into a ball of flames. The explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger left no survivors and was witnessed by millions on live television.

Twenty-four hours later, a pair of psychology professors at Emory University asked their students to jot down an account of what they were doing when they either witnessed or learned of the explosion. Two and a half years later, the professors followed up with the students and again asked for a personal account of that fateful January day. For almost every student, the memory had changed.

When the professors revealed to the students the discrepancies between their accounts of the day the Challenger exploded, some of the students insisted that their current version was correct and that the version they jotted down within 24 hours of the fiery launch was flat wrong. Surprised? Don’t worry, this is perfectly normal.

Our episodic memory may be powerful and vivid, but it’s probably wrong.

First, while our attention can capture an incredible amount of sensory information, it can’t catch everything. We’re limited by our perspective and guided by our interests and expectations. Then, as we translate the sensory data into neural activity, our beliefs and biases again play a strong hand. Finally, in order to distill that neural activity into a stable, retrievable pattern, we edit creatively. We omit some details and add others under the influence of our imagination, assumptions, and the suggestions of others.

After this point, the memory goes into storage. If left untouched, the neural connections that make up the memory physically recede. Gaps appear. We forget.

Retrieving the memory doesn’t preserve its accuracy either. We recall the neural pattern and fill in the gaps with invented information. What’s more, we reinterpret the remembered moment in the context of our present circumstances. We create a narrative to jibe with our current opinions and mood, effectively reshaping yesterday for today.

Each time we remember, we rewrite and save the amended version, and the previous version is gone. Our latest version of memory feels real to us because it’s the only version we have.”

This helped me understand the frustrating experience when talking with someone and realizing that the story they are telling today is different from what happened or what they said previously. As the above material points out, the story we tell ourselves can change over time. If we are angry with someone, the story may get worse over time. We will be fully convinced of “facts” that never happened.

If you have ever kept a journal and then read it many years later, you will find that what you remember now may be different from what you wrote down.

My big take away is to realize that memory is not always reliable. It may be just an invention.

My Second Salvation

I became a Christian on October 14, 1973. Salvation came and I was saved. Without knowing all that it would mean, I decided to follow Jesus. Massive changes happened in my life.

If you want to read that story, click here.

My second salvation happened sometime toward the end of July, 2010. It was on that day that something just as miraculous happened. In the same mysterious way as the first time, an awakening came and with it, grace for change. Of course, I had known for years that I was dangerously overweight but I felt powerless to change. I liked food too much and my previous efforts to lose weight had failed to produce any lasting change. But on that day something happened. For the whole story, click here.

As I have thought back now, twelve years later, I see that my second salvation brought so much more than weight loss. It became a springboard to changes in so many other areas. It was like I was enabled to see the other areas in my life, family, and business that not only needed change but there was encouragement that they could change. A book would come my way and that book would lead to another and on and on. As I put things into practice, so many areas of my life began to improve.

God didn’t do all of it and I didn’t either. It is still mysterious to me where his power and my cooperation meet together. One thing I do know is that when his grace showed up on those days, if I had ignored it or put it off, my life would be dramatically worse. I also see that on a smaller scale, the same thing happens many times every day.

Say yes and take the hand when it is offered to you. Walk the path that is placed before you.

If you are overweight like most Americans, my story can help you. Is today your day?

Get it here.

The Book of Proverbs - Be Transformed Version

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The Book of Proverbs

 

Be Transformed Version

  

Timeless Wisdom From Scripture

 

 

The Book of Proverbs like never before!

 

Welcome to this new version of the Book of Proverbs. I hope the timeless wisdom, knowledge, and instruction from the world's most famous book becomes a companion and friend in your life journey. There are 31 chapters and if you read one each day, you will have read them all in a month.

The goal is not to study the book, but to let it dwell within you and bear its good fruit. That won't come from a study or a one-time read. It will take time, month after month. However, as the book promises, gaining wisdom and understanding will be more valuable than anything else you will ever desire.

For decades, I have read a chapter of Proverbs every day, completing the book every month. I wanted to expose my grandchildren to this source of wisdom but realized there were a lot of words and concepts they might not understand. About four years ago, I started looking for a standalone version of the Book of Proverbs in an easy to understand but accurate version. That led me to this project, which I embraced with enthusiasm and passion.

The base of this version is the public domain World English Bible, but little of it remains. I have made many changes where I think a different word or concept would be better understood for a young or older reader. Most important was to remain accurate, and I have resisted the urge to paraphrase.

Get Wisdom!
Get Understanding!
Be Transformed!

 

 Click to order your copy

Kindle or paperback from Amazon

Donate to support the project

 

Consumed by Hate, Redeemed by Love

Consumed by Hate, Redeemed by Love: How a Violent Klansman Became a Champion of Racial Reconciliation

I first heard of Thomas Tarrants in a Christianity Today cover story about him in 1978. A radical terrorist who hated blacks and Jews, he was involved in more than 30 bombings of churches, synagogues, and homes before the FBI captured him.

After many years in prison, he was radically transformed by an encounter with Jesus through reading the Bible. This book is an update of an earlier one and gives details of what has happened in his life in the fifty some years since his conversion and release from prison.

He also gives some warning and instruction to us here in the present where hatred and division have become so common even amongst Christians.

I read this book in one day. I could hardly put it down.

 

 

Generosity Through Abundance

Do you shop on Amazon? Then just click through the ad below before you shop and a percentage of your purchases could be making its way back to Generosity Through Abundance.

It really is that easy, you don't need to do anything else and it won't cost you a penny.

Another option is to visit the Zazzle store where you will find unique gifts, many of which can be customized.
Zazzle Store

Click here to find out more about  Generosity Through Abundance.

Uprooted: Recovering the Legacy of the Places We've Left Behind by Grace Olmstead

On Homesickness

"There are two different sorts of homesickness. The first is a gentle ache for material things, which I felt soon after I moved to Virginia for college. It's an ache for things that were pleasant and heartwarming as a child—like the smell of pine or the taste of Grandma's pie. These are the things we often associate with nostalgia: the small, material absences or presences that we form rituals around and enjoy, that remind us of the best parts of our childhood. I do not want to negate their importance or sweetness by calling them sentimental, but that is what they are. (And that is not necessarily a bad thing.)

But there's a second form of homesickness that can bubble up in your soul sometimes—often as a reaction to those material items, but going deeper and hurting more. It's an ache for presences past, for the souls that animated and embodied our most beloved memories of home. The ache is often filled with grief and gratitude because our entire idea of home is bound up in their presence, in the way they lived and loved so well. Rather than a gentle ache, it can feel like a raw, burning hurt. In those moments, we feel the absence of the presences that made us who we are, and we long to see them resurrected in our lives. This is why we walk in their footsteps, bake their bread, and tell their stories: to keep them alive, to feel their presences again, to conjure up the comfort they created—even if only for a moment.

"Nostalgia" is derived from the Greek word nostos, for "homecoming," and algos, for "pain, ache." I know I'm not alone in experiencing this ache. Many of my friends have also experienced this homesickness and wrestled with it. Perhaps readers of this book have wrestled with it as well. Many of us share those sense memories of our hometowns, of our grandparents, of the people and places who gave us life. Recalling a particular tree, an autumn scent, or the eccentric habit of a deceased loved one can result in a pang of longing.

We choose what to do with this ache. We can ignore it, dismiss it as sentimentality, and push forward with our lives. Or we can pause and consider. What is the pain telling us about what we're missing? What does it tell us about how we might form the future?"

From Uprooted: Recovering the Legacy of the Places We've Left Behind by Grace Olmstead

Click here for more about the book.

You Can't Outrun Your Mouth

You Can't Outrun Your Mouth

If you are like most Americans, you are overweight.
 
If you are like most Americans, excess weight is affecting your health.
 
If you are like most Americans, you have succeeded in losing weight only to gain it back.

If you are like most Americans, the thought of that extra weight brings great discouragement.

 

There is a different way and there is hope.

 

Say no to fad diets and exercise.

 

Say yes to sensible and sustainable changes.

 

My story of losing 70 pounds in 9 months and keeping it off.

I will show you that there is a sensible way to lose weight and a sustainable way to eat and live so it doesn't return. There is no quick fix or miracle formula but a pathway that requires some work. As progress is made, the reward far exceeds the required changes. My story will help you to find your own way.

Get the book!

Best Carpet Cleaning Machine Review

We used to get our carpet cleaned by a professional company once or twice a year. Last year my wife suggested we look into buying our own machine. I did some research and settled on this one. I figured cheaper machines probably would not do as good of a job. We used to pay the company a little over $200 so the machine was a little over that.

We are amazed how easy it is to operate and how clean the carpet is after. It also dried much quicker that when the professionals did it. That was one of the things we hated about getting out carpet cleaned. It would take over a day for it to completely dry and we had to wait before everything could be put back into its place.

Another thing we noticed is that it stayed cleaner longer. There were some traffic areas that looked dirty a couple of months after cleaning and that is not the case anymore. One other thing I like is that we can do different areas without having to have all the carpet done at once.

This machine is one of the best investments we have made.

False Loves - Forty Weeks - Sacred Story Prayer

 

False loves may be a person or something else. The nature of a blind spot is that we are blind to it.


"But every heart is also divided and broken by the effects of its multiple spiritual and psychological wounds. Your heart can be easily fooled and tempted by false promises of love. All false loves are illicit, because they are lusts masquerading as love. False loves are like mirages for parched and anxious hearts hoping to quench their thirst and find comfort. Instead of providing lasting peace, these illicit loves—illusions really—merely intensify longings, self-deception, self-preoccupation, and narcissism, ultimately leading to spiritual and psychological death.


It is easy to observe the corrosive effects of sins and addictions in other individuals and other groups. But when you are in their grip, it is difficult to imagine these sins and addictions as anything other than a precious lifeline. God clearly sees the corrosive and poisonous effects of false loves on persons, families, societies, and nature. But those in their grip are seduced into believing in false love's comforts, because all false loves can appear as good, life-giving, and natural.


The varieties of deception and seduction are as numerous as the ways a heart can be broken. God will not sanction these lusts because they issue from a violated heart and lead to your heart's further violation. Once acted upon, you will most assuredly violate the hearts of others. God is Love: the origin, the end, and the defender of the human heart. While God is infinitely merciful with our struggles, God cannot sanction anything that breaks your heart, destroys your authentic human nature, or leads to your spiritual death.


You will not be convinced of these false loves' unholy origin until you are honest about them. Examine your false loves in the light of day, not by the cover of night. Here in the light of grace, they will be revealed as neither true servants of the heart nor pathways to the Divine. By exposing them, you will not lose love and life, as you fear. You will find, eventually, the path to Love itself: the Christ who is worthy of your total devotion and self-surrender."

 

~From Forty Weeks - Sacred Story Prayer

 

 

The Serenity Prayer - Full Version

 

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Four Ps of Broken Sexual Boundaries

I was around 20 years old. We were both Christians. She was beautiful and I was smitten when I realized she liked me. Soon we were making plans for marriage.

We spent a lot of time together. Here is the progression of how things went bad; from innocent to immoral but that wasn’t the intention. First hands touch, then holding hands, then hugs, and somewhere in there comes that first electric kiss.
 

The first kiss is simple and short but as time goes on they linger. During this time, hands begin to caress the body.
 

So the day came: we were alone at my house, kissing and caressing on the couch. Soon my hands went places that should be reserved for a married couple. We went to my bedroom.
 

That changed everything. That now defined our time together. We may have gotten together to go to church or do ministry but we always ended up in the same place we went that day. Sadly but thankfully our relationship fell apart after a short time of this.
 

It took many years for me to come to grips with what happened. It seems like denial to say that I never had an intention for things to go where they did. What kind of deception came about that allowed it to happen and then to continue? At what point in the kissing, etc., did sin begin? As some would say, “How far was too far?”
 

My point in all of this is to show that good intentions or lack of bad intentions were not enough to protect us. We started down a pathway that was like a boulder rolling down a hill. It’s a path that is good in marriage but not outside of it.
 

After many years, I came to understand how things ended up where they did. Here are the Four Ps that I think explain it: Proximity, Privacy, Passion, and Progression.
 

• Proximity is being physically present with someone. 
• Privacy is being somewhere where you are alone and it’s not likely that someone will see what you are doing. 
• Passion usually results from physical contact: kissing, caressing, etc and the motor starts running and picking up speed. 
• Progression is the God designed path that begins with touch and ends with intercourse.

 

Proximity alone is not bad. When you like someone, you want to be near them. Privacy alone is not always bad. A phone call is private and the corner of a coffee shop can be private. When you put the two together things can change. If a relationship does not include physical touch then proximity and privacy would not be a problem but in most relationships there is touch. Passion and progression are also closely linked. In a dating relationship, physical touch leads to passion and passion brings progression.
 

If you recall my story, you can see the Four Ps in action and this is where "boundaries" usually break down. Passion is a very hard thing to control. In marriage, you can let passion flourish and progress to the end, which is sexual intercourse. In dating, the common question is "How far can we go?" That presents a problem. It's like racing to the edge of a cliff and slamming on the brakes hoping not to go over the edge. The honest admission would be to acknowledge that we like the feeling of intimate stimulation and want to experience it at deeper levels. The problem of progression also shows up here. In the beginning, holding hands was amazing but after you have kissed passionately, just holding hands is not quite the same. When you are together in a private place, you pick up where you left off and move a little closer to intercourse each time. Without intending to cross your "boundaries", you end up going over the edge.
 

While our intention may not be bad, I think we need to realize how prone to sin and deception we are. We want to believe that we can do certain passionate things in private and not end up in trouble. A big problem is that it feels good and a feeling of closeness can soon turn into sexual stimulation. That wonderful feeling is great in marriage but outside of that we are playing with fire.
 

If you find yourself resistant to these ideas consider if you might be leaving room to slip up. I heard someone say that he and his girlfriend were trying not to have sex yet they continued to go down the same path. They gave opportunity for failure. Another problem is alcohol or recreational drugs as that almost guarantees bad judgment and results.
 

I think the only completely safe boundary when engaging in touch is avoiding proximity and privacy together. I'm not talking about the privacy of a phone call or the corner of the coffee shop but the kind where you are alone and it’s not likely that someone will see what you are doing. Now if you are just holding hands that may be different but once you start kissing and caressing the danger becomes real. I tell you from experience that you can quickly become blinded by deception when certain things are done. Don’t take the chance. As I look back, if I had known and followed that advice a lot of heartache could have been avoided.

I would appreciate your thoughts and input.
 
A PDF for sharing:

https://bit.ly/4TheFourPs

 

Allen Carr's Easy Way To Stop Smoking - Review

I quit smoking cigarettes when I was 17 years old. It was the cough in the morning that convinced me it was a good idea to stop. That said, around the same time I began smoking marijuana every day. One vice traded for another. About a year later I became a Christian and was freed from marijuana, alcohol, and other drugs.

Some time ago on a podcast I heard of Allen Carr and a book he wrote about quitting drinking. It sounded like an interesting concept and method. I looked at the library and put a hold on this book about cigarettes and the one about quitting drinking. This one came available first. I can say that if I was addicted to cigarettes I think this book could be a lifesaver. It has helped many people. I’m looking forward to reading the one about drinking. I have wondered how it will be different from the smoking one.

Have you heard of Allen Carr and his books? I would like to hear from you if so. Also, if you smoke cigarettes this might be a help for you.

 Here is a link to the book:

 Allen Carr's Easy Way To Stop Smoking