Author: Aaron J. Smith
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ATMN: Adam Ericksen-Was Jesus Woke?
Hello Friends. This time, we are talking to Adam Ericksen. Adam Ericksen is….The Pastor Clackamas United Church of Christ in Milwaukie, Oregon who is always posting provocative church signs calling out injustice, rebuking police brutality, standing up for rights of refugees, the humanity of Muslims, and the dignity of trans people…you know, like Jesus would. Bluesky: Pastor… Read more
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To the Unknown God
Where are you, God? Don’t you see? Can’t you hear? There is so much suffering, injustice, oppression. It’s happening the world over. There is war, genocide, and destruction running rampant through the streets. Here, in my own country, there is upheaval and turmoil as racist, capitalistic, patriarchal people throw the country into utter chaos.… Read more
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The Imagination to Testify
I have notebooks full of church curriculum. Bible studies. Sermons. Worship events. I even have the notes for a discipleship class/program I helped put together. I spent a lot of time in my twenties thinking about how to help people be better Christians, how to help people get the right doctrine, how to help people… Read more
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The Consistency of Conversion
A meditation on Acts 9.1-20 and Revelation 5.11-14. How often do we breathe out murder? Violence is our second language—often our first. We respond with dominance, anger, might, and all the tools of violence that have infiltrated our psyche since birth. Someone’s disagreeing with you? Shout louder. Someone standing in your way? Push past them.… Read more
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Ashes and Alleluias, Episode3-Grief of Creation
The ache I feel every time something I create is met with silence. Obscurity, truth, and connecting with the right people. One of the best way to support my work is to share what you’ve read here with your friends and acquaintances. Every share is an invitation to our little community. Thanks! For anyone looking… Read more
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Ask for the Body
The body of the King of Life hung dead on the cross. Violence, fear, and the Roman Empire had executed the Christ, the hope of Israel, indeed the Hope of the world. His body was shredded, pierced, raw, broken. Death had enveloped the living God. A man stepped forward into Pilate’s court. He was a… Read more
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Rejoice! The Broken God Calls
This is a sermon I wrote for the Llama Pack based on Luke 22.28-40 and 22.14-27. Listen to the sermon here: There are always two processions. One is driven by a war horse and a cohort of violence and militaristic strength. This procession thunders down the road, with announcements of security for those who are… Read more
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Ashes and Alleluias, Episode 2 – In the Noise
Background noise is an embodied life. On this podcast, there will be background noise, the noise of life. I want an unproduced life, one with the analogue clicks and hisses. This isn’t a polished podcast; these are snapshots, dispatches from my life in all its embodiment all around me. One of the best way to… Read more
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You’ll Be With Me
A meditation on Luke 23.39-43. He hung on a cross on Friday of Passover week. The romans had nailed him there after a trial that he knew he was going to lose. He had been put there as an example, a public and vulgar display of power the Roman empire wielded. The message was clear:… Read more
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Ashes and Alleluias, Episode 1 – The Examination of Prayer
I started another podcast. This one is different from All Things Made New. For one, it’s shorter. Episodes are only about ten minutes long. It’s also just me talking. These are lo-fi (no editing) snapshots of what’s going on in my head and my heart. This first one is an exploration of prayer, why I… Read more