This morning, I found myself thinking about the “constantly irritated” state I seem to find myself in these days. Whether I’m watching the news, checking in on my favorite sports teams (I’m a Ball State, Cubs, Colts, Bears fan…so, I’m used to disappointment), listening to the radio, I find that so much of what I watch or listen to clouds my mind with irriating, angering information.

Recognizing that this can negatively impact my interactions with others, I realize that I need to take some proactive steps to avoid being “constantly irritated.”

With that, here are some suggestions I’m going to offer for myself…and maybe you’ff find some of them helpful too.

1. Turn off the television.

In the world of the 24-hour news cycle, it is so easy to have the noise of the news constantly in our ears. It’s pretty rare that the news shares positive and uplifting stories. It’s usually about how the world is falling apart. We can only take so much.

So, turn off the TV…or at the very least, change the channel.

2. Listen to perspectives you normally dismiss.

Let’s be honest, most of us have our preferred news sources. And, we are loyal to those news sources…to the point that we label the other news sources as pushers of propaganda. And, if we are using our logic, reason and common sense tools, we know that ALL of the news outlets are pushing propaganda.

In Fort Wayne, if you normally listen to WOWO on your commute, listen to NPR (and vice versa). If you normally listen to STAR 88.3, listen to Rhythym & Praise (94.1). If you listen to the Homestead radio station (91.1) listen to Columbia City (91.5).

If you watch CNN, watch FOX too. If you watch The Daily Show, watch Gutfield.

Or take some time to read some papers from around the world.

3. Read for fun and drink better coffee.

Maybe you don’t drink coffee (sinner!). So, find a nice tea or flavored water. The idea here is to just slow down and enjoy a relaxing moment.

With all of the noise around us, read something that isn’t related to your vocation – or tied into current world events. This is an opportunity to take a break.

4. Listen to Frank Zappa (or your favorite musician).

When I was in middle school, my dad took me to a Louie Bellson drum clinic. Before Louie came out, a college percussion ensemble performed. Part of their set included selections from Zappa’s “Apostrophe” album. I was mesmerized! Following the clinic, my dad took me to a local record shop where we picked up several Zappa records. My dad then showed me where he kept his Zappa stash (my mom didn’t want him to indoctrinate me at too young of an age). Zappa quickly became my favorite musician.

Earlier this week, I was feeling a little stressed and as soon as I heard “watch out where the huskies go and don’t you eat that yellow snow,” the stress released, I smiled, laughed and relaxed.

Maybe Zappa isn’t your thing…but I think we should all take time to listen to the music that brings us joy.

5. Go for a walk…even if it’s cold outside!

There’s something about being outside that refreshes my spirit. There are all kinds of reports that deal with the positive impact, mentally, physically and spiritually, of being outside. It’s cold today…but take the time to bundle up and spend some time outside. At the very least, the cold air will wake you up!

And, while you’re outside, if you have the opportunity…jump in a cold lake! Research also indicates this is good for our holistic wellness.

6. Spend time with people who bring you joy.

My favorite people happen to be my family. Make the people who bring you joy a priority. Spend time with family and friends. Whether it’s sharing a meal, doing a puzzle, going for a walk or just sitting around talking, this time together is important.

7. Watch the sun rise or set.

My friend, the late William Conner, used to talk about the importance of stopping, looking and listening. He often shared stories about the sunset and how described the colors as “sky blue pink.” He inspired me to do my best to be inspired by and thankful for things that happen every single day…like the sun rising and setting.

If you have watched the news recently, you’ve probably noticed a movement among some Christians pushing for the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. For many of us, this might feel a bit puzzling. After all, is advocating for the Ten Commandments in schools truly a reflection of the priorities that Jesus called His followers to uphold?

Interestingly, if we look to the Gospels, Jesus didn’t tell His followers to publicly display commandments or religious symbols. His focus was never on outward symbols of faith but on living out a life of compassion, love, and service. He emphasized caring for the poor, feeding the hungry, and welcoming the marginalized. So why has this public display of the Ten Commandments become such a hot-button issue for some?

In fact, it’s surprising how many voices advocating for the Ten Commandments in schools also advocate for cuts to programs designed to support the most vulnerable in society—the very people Jesus called us to care for. These programs address fundamental human needs like food, shelter, and healthcare, aligning directly with Jesus’ teachings about caring for the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40).

If these advocates are proposing these cuts with the expectation that Christians will step up and provide for the hungry, homeless, and needy directly, that’s admirable—but realistically, it’s a burden that faith communities alone cannot bear. Far too often, this push is less about taking on social responsibility and more about ignoring the needs of those who can’t “pull themselves up by the bootstraps.”

“Red Letter Christians,” a term referring to those who give special attention to Jesus’ words in the Gospels, have been criticized in mainstream American Christianity as “progressive” or “social justice warriors.” Yet, these Christians are simply trying to live out the radical love and justice that Jesus embodied. Isn’t it time we reexamine what it truly means to follow Jesus?

The truth is, the priorities of American Christianity seem to have shifted. In many ways, we’ve gone from a movement defined by Jesus’ teachings to a political agenda that, at times, ignores or even contradicts the heart of the Gospel. Instead of focusing on loving God and loving our neighbors as Jesus commanded, some segments of Christianity have taken up the banner of religious nationalism, often at the expense of compassion and justice.

Perhaps instead of focusing on posting the Ten Commandments in schools, we should turn our attention to the commandments Jesus gave us: to love God and to love our neighbors. Let’s ask ourselves, as followers of Christ, how we can more closely align with His teachings—not through symbols or displays, but through tangible acts of love, justice, and compassion. Because, in the end, a life lived like Jesus’ speaks more profoundly than any display of words on a wall.

“You sure don’t look like a pastor,” the man said in a deep voice with a southern twang.

The pastor simply replied, “Thank you.”

What the gentlemen certainly intended to be negative criticism was actually received as a compliment.

The man continued, “Well, it’s just that pastors look a certain way, you know?”

The pastor said, “Actually, I’m not sure what you mean?”

The man then attempted to explain what an “appropriate pastor” looks like and how he just couldn’t wrap his head around pastors not wearing a suit and tie. Just imagine how the man must have felt when the pastor introduced him to his colleague, a female pastor!

So, let’s be honest for a moment, there has been an unspoken…wait, I just called for honesty…So, there has been a spoken expectation that pastors “look the part.” While I do understand this has a different meaning in different settings, the generalized assumption in many mainline congregations is that the pastor will wear a suit, tie, fancy (but not expensive) shoes, robe over the suit for the service, clean shave, well-groomed (not long) hair, no tattoos…and, in some circles, male.

As the man finished his list of “how a pastor should look,” the pastor replied, “Well, I’ve always placed more of a value on ‘being’ than ‘looking’ the part. You see, rather than placing a high value on the pastors appearance, I think it’s more important that the pastor possess the fruits of spirit – which oddly enough have nothing to do with how the pastor dresses.”

In reflecting on this conversation, I’m reminded that there are well-meaning church folk who are much more concerned with the appearance than the heart of the pastor. Some reading this may find themselves thinking, “Oh, that can’t be true.”

Well, let me just say, I can testify that I have received more critique on how I dress than I have on my theology, my preaching, or other aspects of the actual “work” of the pastor.

In a previous congregation, one Sunday I had a slip of the tongue when talking about sheep and accidentally said, “sh*t” during the children’s moment! I was trying to say “sheep sit!” My superintendent happened to be visiting that day. He laughed! A few folks commented, “Oh pastor, that just made me feel a lot better. I guess we’re all human.” Not a single negative comment.

A few weeks later, I wore my nicest pair of jeans (which I rarely wear jeans because I hate jeans), a nice shirt that was actually tucked in, and a sport coat. I received three, yes three (only one signed), letters informing me that it was inappropriate for the pastor to wear jeans.

Now, the sad part is, I’m sure those people really thought I would care about their opinions. I’m sure they thought that their letters would convict me and I would get my wardrobe in order. However, my inner-rebel-spirit would not allow that. The next week featured jeans, an untucked shirt and a sport coat. The week after that featured jeans, an untucked shirt, and get this…no sport coat!

Surprisingly enough, the walls of the church did not fall down. The Spirit still moved. The Word was still proclaimed.

I’m one of those pastors who leads with the “what you see is what you get” approach. I’m not going to be (or dress like) someone I am not. My parents taught me to be confident in who I am. So, I guess if you don’t like my fashion style, you can blame Bob and Jan!

I was always taught that if you received a piece of clothing or shoes from your grandma, mom, wife or kids that it automatically qualified as “church clothes.” Again, if you don’t like my style, blame the people who buy my shirts and shoes!

I guess what I’m trying to get at is this…if the pastors fashion is controversial, it just might indicate that we have lost sight of what is truly important. Seriously, this just might help reveal why those outside the church are less interested with each passing day in what the Church has to offer.

Maybe we can focus on those things that truly matter?

“My faith guides my vote.”

This is a phrase that we often hear the closer we get to Election Day.

The thought behind this statement is that “MY” vote is the “RIGHT” vote because I’m a person of faith and “GOD” directed me to vote for “THIS” candidate.

I generally hear this phrase from folks who have an idea that I may have voted for a candidate other than their preferred candidate. This is an attempt to justify ones vote by saying, “I mean, I know this candidate is not ideal, BUT GOD…” or to say, “If you voted for the other candidate, you must not really take Jesus or the Bible seriously.”

When I hear “my faith guides my vote,” I often reply, “Yep, my faith also guides my vote.”

So, here we have two people, who may have voted for different candidates, both claiming that their faith guided their actions in the voting booth.

Now we have to ask, “Is one person right and the other wrong?” While we all want to respond, “Of course, I AM RIGHT,” the more appropriate answer is “who knows?”.

Both people have strongly held convictions shaped and guided by their faith traditions, prayers and understanding of their sacred text. Both people came to different conclusions. How can this be?

Within my theological heritage, we use something called the Wesleyan Quadrilateral to help inform our understanding of a wide variety of topics. By searching Scripture, tradition, experience and reason, we do our best to come to conclusions that will honor God. At times, we revisit some of our understandings because of access to expanding information that sheds new light on our traditional understanding.

So, yes, both people proclaim that their faith guides their vote. And, both people are most likely being honest when they make that proclamation.

However, those two people just might interpret Scripture and tradition differently. Both people may have had different experiences that shape their understanding and elevate the importance of some issues over others. Both people take what they know, take what they believe, spend time in prayer and study and arrive at different conclusions.

Who is right? Who is wrong? Who knows?

What we seem to have lost in this search for who is right and who is wrong is the ability to have civil conversations. When we find out that one of our Christian friends has a different political stance, we engage in arguments. Sometimes, we even question their faith. I have experienced that firsthand.

We unfollow, unfriend and block them from our social feeds – almost eliminating their existence from our daily lives. We turn them into the enemy. We’ve seemingly lost the ability to “agree to disagree.”

I am terrible at this. I often find myself asking, “How can someone who claims to be a Christ-follower vote for someone like that?” I become dismissive. I become arrogant. I become rude. I add to the division and vitriol that is so prevalent in our world today.

Maybe my neighbor who votes differently than me really is being guided by his or her faith? Maybe I don’t need to judge and dismiss them because I see things differently. Maybe I can find a way to engage in civil conversations, not to dismiss them, not to convince them to see things my way, but to better understand where they are coming from.