Saint Clair Relief Project

01/25/2026

Join us this morning for
Sermons from the Homestead
https://www.facebook.com/100068583142610/posts/1177742021188558/

Sermons from the Homestead

“Standing Firm When the Wind Blows: Truth, Integrity, and Christ in a Noisy World”

Key Scriptures:

Exodus 23:2 • Romans 12:2 • Matthew 25:35–40 • Leviticus 19:33–34 • James 3:1 • Matthew 23 • 1 Peter 4 • John 17:17

I. Life on the Homestead Teaches You About Noise

Out here on the homestead, you learn something real quick:

Not every sound matters.

There’s the wind in the trees.

The tractor running in the distance.

The animals making noise because that’s what animals do.

But you also learn to recognize the sounds that do matter:

a fence post snapping

a predator in the night

a storm rolling in fast

We live in a world that’s nothing but noise. Social media. News cycles. Political shouting. Endless opinions.

And most of it sounds urgent — but not all of it is true.

God warned His people long before smartphones and screens:

Exodus 23:2

“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.”

Just because everyone’s running doesn’t mean they’re running the right direction.

II. Propaganda Is Like Bad Feed — It Looks Full but Starves You

Any farmer knows:

You can feed livestock something that looks fine on the outside —

but if it’s empty nutrition, moldy, or toxic, it’ll make them sick.

Propaganda works the same way.

It’s packaged to look like truth. It’s designed to stir emotion. It’s meant to keep people reacting instead of thinking.

Social media doesn’t reward wisdom — it rewards outrage and speed.

Scripture tells us:

Proverbs 4:23

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

If you wouldn’t feed your animals garbage,

why would you feed your soul whatever scrolls past your screen?

III. Don’t Let the World Train You — Let the Word Shape You

On the homestead, you don’t just let things grow wild and hope for the best. You tend the soil. You pull weeds. You protect what’s valuable.

Paul says:

Romans 12:2

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

The world is constantly trying to train you:

what to fear

who to hate

how to divide people into sides

But Christ doesn’t train us like livestock being herded. He transforms us like soil being restored.

If your thinking looks exactly like the culture’s thinking, that soil has been planted by the wrong seed.

IV. A Word to the Church: Hypocrisy Is a Rotten Fence Post

Out here, a rotten fence post doesn’t always look bad at first. But when pressure comes — livestock leaning, wind blowing — that post fails.

Jesus had strong words for religious leaders who looked righteous but were rotten inside:

Matthew 23:27–28

“You are like whitewashed tombs…”

Hypocrisy is especially dangerous in the Church. It lets predators in. It confuses the flock. It dishonors Christ.

And Scripture is clear:

James 3:1

“Those who teach will be judged more strictly.”

Faith leadership isn’t about:

politics

popularity

cultural power

It’s about living what we preach — even when it costs us.

V. Christianity Is a Way of Life, Not a Sunday Outfit

On the homestead, you don’t “play farm” once a week. You live it. Every day. Rain or shine.

Scripture says the same about faith:

1 John 2:3–4

“Whoever says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar.”

Faith isn’t a bumper sticker. It’s not a flag. It’s not a talking point.

It’s obedience — lived out in the dirt of everyday life.

VI. The Stranger at the Gate: Meeting Christ in the Foreigner

In rural life, a stranger at your gate matters. You notice. You discern. But Scripture is clear about how God’s people are to respond.

Leviticus 19:33–34

“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself.”

Why?

“For you were foreigners in Egypt.”

God doesn’t let us forget where we came from.

Then Jesus raises the stakes even higher:

Matthew 25:35–40

“I was a stranger and you invited Me in… whatever you did for the least of these, you did for Me.”

That means this isn’t abstract. It’s not theoretical. It’s personal.

How we treat the foreigner is how we treat Christ.

You can talk borders, laws, and policies

but if your heart grows hard toward human suffering, you’ve drifted from the Shepherd.

Faith that excludes mercy isn’t biblical faith. It’s fear dressed up as righteousness.

VII. Discernment Without Cruelty

Out here, discernment matters. You lock the coop at night. You protect the vulnerable. You stay alert.

But discernment is not the same as cruelty.

Jesus was firm in truth — and unmatched in compassion.

John 17:17

“Your Word is truth.”

Truth never requires hatred to stand. And fear is never a fruit of the Spirit.

VIII. Living Faithfully in a Digital World

So what does faithful living look like from the homestead?

Slow down.

Not every headline deserves your reaction.

Check the source — and check your spirit.

Let Scripture be your plumb line.

Not parties. Not platforms.

Practice hospitality, not hostility.

Remember whose name you carry.

If you claim Christ, your life preaches louder than your words.

IX. Closing: Standing Firm Like a Well-Set Post

A fence post that’s set deep doesn’t move when the wind blows.

The storms will come. The noise will rise. The crowd will run.

But the follower of Christ is called to stand firm — rooted in truth, anchored in love, guided by Scripture.

Not following the herd. Following the Shepherd.

Lord, root us deep.

Give us discernment in confusion, courage in pressure, integrity in leadership, and compassion that reflects Christ — especially to the stranger at the gate.

Amen.

11/09/2025

Join us this morning for sermons from the Homestead
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“Losing the Light: How Violence Wins When Respect Fades”

Brothers and sisters, friends in the faith, we gather today under the banner of hope — the banner of love, the banner of the cross. Yet we must face a painful truth: across our land we are witnessing a fading of respect for life — for human beings, for God’s creatures, for the vulnerable among us. And in that fading, violence finds a foothold.

Today I want to talk about how violence is not only in big headlines but in the everyday: in the way we drive, in the way we treat animals, in the way we neglect children. And how in that erosion of respect, we lose ground. But the Good News is that in Christ, we can reclaim what has been lost. Let’s dive in.

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1. The everyday violence: careless driving and disregard for human life
When we think “violence,” many of us imagine gunshots, stabbings, bombs. But violence also hides in slower, quieter ways. Consider our driving: how often do we speed, cut off others, treat the road as our personal racetrack? Lives hang in the balance every time we rush, we text while driving, we ignore the weight of responsibility.

In the United States, traffic crashes kill tens of thousands each year. While I don’t have the exact year-to-date numbers here, the fact remains that many of those could be prevented by respect — for other drivers, for pedestrians, for children, for life. When we treat others as obstacles or inconveniences rather than as image-bearers of God, violence wins.

We are called to the one who said: “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’.” (Matthew 5:37). Let our ‘Yes’ be “I will protect life,” our ‘No’ be “I will not despise my neighbor in traffic.” Let us drive with the humility and love that reflects the Kingdom.

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2. Animal abuse: the link between cruelty to animals and human violence
Let’s lift our eyes to another arena: how we treat God’s creatures. According to a recent survey, in the U.S. it’s estimated that 10 million animals die from abuse or cruelty each year.  Further, there is a strong correlation: “In assessing youth at risk of becoming violent … a history of animal abuse.”  And: “Animal abuse is widely recognized as both a risk factor for and a potential consequence of interpersonal violence.” 

What does that tell us? That when we lose respect for animals — creatures God made, creatures of the field — we weaken the moral muscle of compassion. And when that muscle weakens, the muscle of violence stronger. When children in a home harm pets, when animals are neglected, abused — often nearby is a pattern of human violence, abuse, neglect.

In the book of Genesis, God puts Adam in the garden “to till it and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15). The word for “keep” (Hebrew: shamar) implies protecting, watching over. If we fail at that, we fail at stewardship. And amid that failure, avenues open for further violence.

So let us remember: respect for animals is not a side issue. It is part of the integrity of a life of mercy and care.

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3. Children, vulnerability, and the cultural cost of violence
And now to our children — the ones who rely on us, trust us to guide them, to protect them, to love them. Tragically, the youngest among us are increasingly at the mercy of violence: physical, emotional, structural.
According to data, in the U.S., fi****ms have become the leading cause of death for children and adolescents.  School shootings, youth-related gun violence, and the ripple effects of neglect and abuse all point to a culture that is no longer honoring the sanctity of the life of a child.

When a child is bullied, when a child is neglected or abused, or when a family that cannot provide safety fails to intervene, the cycle of violence deepens.  The failure to protect children is a failure of community, a failure of faith, a failure of love.

And so we see violence not just as an event, but as a symptom — a symptom of a deeper relational breakdown: between neighbor and neighbor, human and creature, parent and child. And we are called, by Christ, to root it out.

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4. Why respect matters — and what losing it costs us
So why respect? Because respect is the recognition that every human being — every creature — carries value, belongs to God, and reflects divine image. When we lose respect, we default to objectifying, dismissing, harming. Violence is easier when we no longer see the other as worthy.
When we treat a child as a nuisance, an animal as less than a being, a driver as an obstacle — we erode ethic, we erode love. We open a door for violence to waltz in.

The cost is high: fractured communities, wounded children, traumatized animals, endless cycles of abuse. The cost is the loss of the image of God in the other. The cost is the loss of peace.

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5. What the gospel calls us to — renewing respect and reclaiming life
Friends, the good news of Jesus Christ is that there is hope for renewal. Here are three practical threads to weave into our lives:

a) Cultivate reverence for all life
From the smallest creature to the oldest adult — we are called to care. Feed the hungry, shelter the threatened animal, slow down in traffic, help a neighbor’s child. Let reverence shape our actions.

b) Foster relational accountability and compassion
When you see a driver cutting you off — instead of rage, pray silently, and say “Lord, grant me patience.” When you hear of animal abuse — support your local humane society, speak out, help. When children are vulnerable — volunteer, mentor, serve. Call your community church to action. The biblical call is clear: Protect the weak, the orphan, the stranger. (Psalm 82:3)

c) Teach respect as a value in homes, schools, communities
We need to invest in the next generation. Show children that respect means listening, helping, caring for both humans and animals. Let our programs — your “Advocate” ministry, your “Friends of the Farm,” your community barn-raising — be places where respect is not just preached but practiced.

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6. Invitation and challenge
So I invite you today: Examine your own heart. Where have you allowed respect to fade? In your driving? In your treatment of animals? In your care for children? Confess, ask for forgiveness, and act.

I challenge you: Let’s make one new step this week. Volunteer for a local animal shelter. Slow down while driving and wave at someone you almost passed. Mentor a child. Let respect be lived out loud.

And I urge this community: Let our ministries stand as light in the darkness. Let our farms be places of life, our classrooms be places of safety, our barn-raisings be places of dignity. Let’s raise up a culture of respect.
In the end, violence loses when respect wins. The cross of Jesus calls us to a respect so deep that He died for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). Let that same love shape how we drive, how we treat animals, how we protect our children.

As you leave today, carry this in your heart: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Let that neighbor include the human you share the road with, the dog you walk past, the child whose laughter echoes in your community. When respect is restored, the violence that thrives in the gaps begins to shrink.

May the Lord bless you, equip you, and empower you to live out a life of respect, compassion, and peace. Amen

If you are struggling, in need of prayer, would like more information on our personal relationship with Christ, or would like to volunteer or donate to support this ministry please feel free to message us.

10/19/2025

Join us for Sermons From the Homestead

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10/12/2025

Join us for...

Today's Sermon from the Homestead.

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08/21/2025

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⏰ 11 AM: Time to Talk About Leadership

Birmingham’s people work hard, pay their taxes, and raise their families with pride. But what do we get in return from City Hall? Broken promises, failed policies, and leadership with no accountability, no ethics, and no morals.

A city cannot thrive when its leaders refuse to put the people first. Birmingham deserves better—plain and simple.

💬 What’s the biggest failure you see from Birmingham’s leadership today? Drop it in the comments.
👍 Like, share, and follow this page to keep the conversation alive.

08/14/2025

Time for a Change in Birmingham’s Leadership

Birmingham deserves leadership that serves all of its people—leaders who are humble, transparent, and focused on solving real problems rather than clinging to a political status quo. If we want a city that thrives for every neighborhood—north and south, east and west—we need a shift in the way we pick our leaders.

Why change now?

For too long, our city has operated under a regime that often feels distant from the day-to-day concerns of residents. Potholes in streets, stalled infrastructure projects, inconsistent public safety results, and budgets that don’t always reflect the needs of families and small businesses have eroded trust. Change isn’t just about new faces; it’s about a different approach—one that puts honesty, integrity, and accountability at the center of every decision.

The case for a non-career politician

- Fresh perspective: A candidate who isn’t a longtime insider can bring new ideas and question assumptions that have become excuses for inaction.
- Relative independence: Without deep entanglements in a political machine, they’re more likely to treat every tax dollar and every public service as a trust you’re entrusting to them—not as a bargaining chip.
- Real accountability: When leadership isn’t chasing a lifetime resume, there’s greater emphasis on measurable results, transparent processes, and a willingness to be held to account by the people.

What “honesty, integrity, and accountability” look like in practice

- Honesty: Clear, plain language about challenges and trade-offs. Admitting when plans fall short and outlining concrete steps to course-correct.
- Integrity: Ethics in every decision, with clear conflict-of-interest policies, and a commitment to doing what’s right for the public rather than for a handful of special interests.
- Accountability: Public dashboards for budgets and performance, regular town halls, independent audits, and a culture of transparency where residents can see how money is spent and what outcomes are achieved.
- Service over self: Leadership that asks not “What can Birmingham do for me?” but “What can I do for Birmingham’s residents, businesses, and neighborhoods today?”

A practical path forward

- Vet candidates on results, not rhetoric: Look for a track record of community service, problem-solving in real-world settings, and decisions that prioritized residents over political expediency.
- Demand open processes: Public budgets, project timelines, contracting procedures, and performance metrics should be accessible and understandable to the average resident.
- Embrace independent oversight: Establish or strengthen civilian boards, watchdog committees, and auditor roles that report directly to the public.
- Encourage collaboration: Real change happens when leaders listen to a wide range of voices—neighbors, small business owners, educators, faith groups, and public safety professionals—without fear of retribution for speaking truth to power.
- Support leadership development outside the political pipeline: Encourage candidates who come from business, nonprofit, education, healthcare, or public service backgrounds and who have demonstrated a commitment to the community beyond electoral gain.

If you’re feeling frustrated, you’re not alone. Birmingham’s future won’t be decided by a single vote or a single candidate. It will be decided by a collective commitment to honesty, integrity, and accountability that shows up in conversations, in meetings, in budgets, and in the everyday actions of our leaders.

Call to action

- Get informed: Attend forums, read candidate disclosures, and ask tough but respectful questions about ethics, spending, and measurable outcomes.
- Vote with your values: Support leaders who demonstrate a track record of service, transparency, and results for all neighborhoods.
- Stay engaged: Hold elected officials accountable, demand public reporting, and participate in ongoing community oversight.

Birmingham has remarkable potential. A leadership change rooted in honesty, integrity, and accountability can unlock it—bringing fresh energy and practical solutions to the issues that matter most to everyday residents.

01/22/2025

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12/30/2024

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11/13/2024

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