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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · 14h

If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them.—Ecclesiastes 5:8

Nothing new under the sun, indeed.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · 1d

Speak up for those
who have no voice,
for the justice of all
who are dispossessed.
Speak up, judge righteously,
and defend the cause of
the oppressed and needy.
—Proverbs 31:8-9

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · 2d

"The Christian cannot simply take for granted the privilege of living among other Christians. Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies."--Bonhoeffer

The older I get, the sweeter I find the gift of friendship and the gift of having a few who endeavor to follow Jesus together.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · 3d

One Day, the curse will be undone. All things will be made new.

In the meantime, violence, strife, and death abound.

But for those in Christ, the curse is already broken.

We live free of death, performing Resurrection.

Church is a colony of life, rebuking death.

Worship is our rehearsal.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · 5d

Better a little with righteousness
than a great income with injustice.
—Proverbs 16:8

Living rightly > Living wealthy

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · 8d

The problem with tying Christianity to a political party is that when the chosen political party goes awry (as they always do), the message of the Kingdom gets confused with the message of the world.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · 8d

When it is in your power,
don’t withhold good
from the one to whom
it belongs.
—Proverbs 3:47

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · 9d

The book Good to Great changed my thinking as a pastor.

But the little accompanying booklet, Good to Great and the Social Sectors, is a treasure trove.

It's 35 pages (!!!) and PACKED with great insights.

Absolutely essential if you're serving/leading in a non-profit/ministry setting.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · 21d

They soon forgot his works
and would not wait
for his counsel.
—Psalm 106:13

The Scriptures regularly tell us to remember for a reason. We are forgetful, tending to remember our own efforts but not those of the LORD.

Remember.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · 25d

In my new role at Truett Seminary, I'd like to pray for pastors.
If you are a pastor and would like to be added to that list, would you please comment? My only request is that you return the favor and pray for our work to shape the rising generation of pastors at Truett.

Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · 29d

A psalm that has sustained me:

Because he has his
heart set on me,
I will deliver him;
I will protect him
because he knows my name.

When he calls out to me,
I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble.
I will rescue him
and give him honor.

—Psalm 91:14

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Sep 8

This is authoritarianism. Full stop.

Republicans Against Trumpism @rpsagainsttrump.bsky.social · Sep 7

This isn’t Moscow or Beijing. It’s Chicago. Masked federal agents grabbed U.S. citizens protesting ICE and threw them into an unmarked van.

“Who are you? Where are you taking them?” people shouted. “You are kidnapping them!”

What has America become?

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Sep 4

Teach us to number
our days carefully
so that we may develop wisdom
in our hearts.
—Psalm 90:12

One day, you will breathe your last in this life. Live your days wisely.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Sep 3

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength
of my heart,
my portion forever.
—Psalm 73:26

When our bodies, our abilities, or our spirits have nothing more to give, He continues to be our strength.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Aug 30

Rules of thumb for pastors leading change:

* Move slowly
* Be transparent
* Have hard conversations
* Communicate in advance
* Only change if you're willing to stay
* Don't change things until you earn trust
* Earn trust by loving the people
* Honor Jesus with your words and actions

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Aug 29

Regarding the Second Amendment:

My plan for fighting back against a potentially tyrannical government is to love my enemies.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Aug 28

Do not be agitated
by evildoers;
do not envy those who do wrong.
For they wither quickly like grass
and wilt like tender green plants.

Trust in the LORD and do
what is good.

—Psalm 36:1-3

Evil may be all around. But it is not forever.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Aug 25

I will sing to the Lord
because he has treated
me generously.

—Psalm 13:6

I have sung *at*

concerts and sporting events

but I’ve only ever sung *to*

someone I genuinely loved.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Aug 19

Regarding the wicked:

They are exalted for a moment,
then gone;

they are brought
low and shrivel up
like everything else.

They wither like heads of grain.
—Job 24:24

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Aug 18

Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are his.—Job 12:13

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Aug 18

Over on X, the latest move is to defend Doug Wilson by saying he may have a “serrated edge” but is cheerful and hospitable.

False teachers with a cheerful “serrated edge” are still false teachers.

Just because you find their online presence entertaining doesn’t make them less dangerous.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Aug 17

The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.—Job 1:21

In all circumstances, He continues to be worthy of our praise.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Aug 15

In a world of Doug Wilsons, be a Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

bezner.substack.com/p/christians...

Christians, Power, and Control

Why Dietrich Bonhoeffer is superior to Doug Wilson

bezner.substack.com

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Aug 14

The book of Esther reminds us that when the Lord rescues us, it

rarely goes according to our plans,

usually includes people we wouldn’t have guessed, and

is almost always better than we would have imagined.

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Steve Bezner @bezner.bsky.social · Aug 12

Two ways to attempt to bring about cultural change:

1. Control: Dominating others to force change.
2. Influence: Loving others to encourage change.

Both can have impact.

Only influence, however, is healthy (and long-lasting) in transformation of hearts and minds.

Lead/Pastor accordingly.

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