Alan Cross, Lead Pastor of Petaluma Valley Baptist Church and Author of “When Heaven and Earth Collide: Racism, Southern Evangelicals, and the Better Way of Jesus,” joined Brian and Aubrey to talk about his book and his article at The Bulwark, “Securing the Border Without Hardening Our Hearts.”  

Connect with Alan on Twitter at @AlanLCross

Alan Cross, Lead Pastor of <a href="http://www.petalumabaptist.org/">Petaluma Valley Baptist Church</a> and Author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Heaven-Earth-Collide-Evangelicals/dp/1603063501">&ldquo;When Heaven and Earth Collide: Racism, Southern Evangelicals, and the Better Way of Jesus,&rdquo;</a> joined Brian and Aubrey to talk about his book and his article at The Bulwark, <a href="https://www.thebulwark.com/securing-the-border-without-hardening-our-hearts/">&ldquo;Securing the Border Without Hardening Our Hearts.&rdquo;</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
Connect with Alan on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/alanlcross?lang=en">@AlanLCross</a>

The idea of “the common good” has a rich history within the Christian church. It’s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God’s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God’s design for all of us fulfilled.

The idea of &ldquo;the common good&rdquo; has a rich history within the Christian church. It&rsquo;s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God&rsquo;s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God&rsquo;s design for all of us fulfilled.

The Common Good Podcast

The Common Good

Guest: Alan Cross, Lead Pastor of Petaluma Valley Baptist Church and Author of “When Heaven and Earth Collide" - Discussion on his book and his article, “Securing the Border Without Hardening Our Hearts” - September 27, 2021

Brian From covers a wide range of topics that matter for faith and everyday life — from a landmark $3 million jury verdict finding Meta and YouTube liable for a young woman's social media addiction, to Russell Moore's reassuring reminder that God's call to "not be anxious" is an invitation of grace, not a rebuke. Brian reflects on John Piper's powerful challenge that the most important thing parents can do is show God to their kids, explores Trevin Wax's freeing insight that God's will functions more like a map than a GPS, and shares Ian Simkins' fascinating look at the Tetris Effect and how what fills our minds ultimately forms our lives. As Easter approaches, Brian closes with a stirring call to recover a sense of awe — the kind that moved Moses, Isaiah, and Peter to respond to God's call — reminding listeners that a big view of God is what fuels a passionate, enduring faith.

Brian From covers a wide range of topics that matter for faith and everyday life &mdash; from a landmark $3 million jury verdict finding Meta and YouTube liable for a young woman's social media addiction, to Russell Moore's reassuring reminder that God's call to "not be anxious" is an invitation of grace, not a rebuke. Brian reflects on John Piper's powerful challenge that the most important thing parents can do is show God to their kids, explores Trevin Wax's freeing insight that God's will functions more like a map than a GPS, and shares Ian Simkins' fascinating look at the Tetris Effect and how what fills our minds ultimately forms our lives. As Easter approaches, Brian closes with a stirring call to recover a sense of awe &mdash; the kind that moved Moses, Isaiah, and Peter to respond to God's call &mdash; reminding listeners that a big view of God is what fuels a passionate, enduring faith.

Opening Day, Big Questions, and the God Who Shapes Us

Brian From sits down with Bret Eckelberry from Focus on the Family's Plugged In ministry to discuss their second annual Screen Fast — a seven-day challenge encouraging families to step away from personal screen time. Bret shares the spiritual and mental health benefits of unplugging, including research showing that 75% of teens report feeling happier and more peaceful when away from their phones, and how replacing screen time with intentional activities can deepen relationships with God, family, and friends. Families interested in joining can visit pluggedin.com/screenfast to download the free Screen Fast Survival Guide, complete with daily devotionals and activity ideas.

Brian From sits down with Bret Eckelberry from Focus on the Family's Plugged In ministry to discuss their second annual Screen Fast &mdash; a seven-day challenge encouraging families to step away from personal screen time. Bret shares the spiritual and mental health benefits of unplugging, including research showing that 75% of teens report feeling happier and more peaceful when away from their phones, and how replacing screen time with intentional activities can deepen relationships with God, family, and friends. Families interested in joining can visit pluggedin.com/screenfast to download the free Screen Fast Survival Guide, complete with daily devotionals and activity ideas.

Reclaiming Your Life from Devices with Bret Eckelberry

Brian From tackles a packed lineup on this Wednesday edition of The Common Good. First, with TSA agents going unpaid during the government shutdown, Delta Airlines makes a bold move — pulling perks from members of Congress. Then, are parents holding their kids back in 8th grade for sports scholarships actually helping them — or just setting them up for disappointment? Brian weighs in on the growing youth sports obsession and what it's costing kids socially and academically.

With America's wealth gap at its widest in a generation, Brian reflects on what our faith has to say about financial anxiety and where we place our hope. Then, a fascinating new study reveals why two people can read the same story and reach opposite conclusions — and what the "echo chamber effect" means for Christians who claim to be people of the truth.

Finally, Brian closes with powerful words from Tim Challies: if the Christian life is already hard, why do we keep making it harder? From the weight of sin to the danger of running alone, this is a reminder to throw off what entangles and run the race marked out for us — not just to start well, but to finish well.

Brian From tackles a packed lineup on this Wednesday edition of The Common Good. First, with TSA agents going unpaid during the government shutdown, Delta Airlines makes a bold move &mdash; pulling perks from members of Congress. Then, are parents holding their kids back in 8th grade for sports scholarships actually helping them &mdash; or just setting them up for disappointment? Brian weighs in on the growing youth sports obsession and what it's costing kids socially and academically.
With America's wealth gap at its widest in a generation, Brian reflects on what our faith has to say about financial anxiety and where we place our hope. Then, a fascinating new study reveals why two people can read the same story and reach opposite conclusions &mdash; and what the "echo chamber effect" means for Christians who claim to be people of the truth.
Finally, Brian closes with powerful words from Tim Challies: if the Christian life is already hard, why do we keep making it harder? From the weight of sin to the danger of running alone, this is a reminder to throw off what entangles and run the race marked out for us &mdash; not just to start well, but to finish well.

Guest: Alan Cross, Lead Pastor of Petaluma Valley Baptist Church and Author of “When Heaven and Earth Collide" - Discussion on his book and his article, “Securing the Border Without Hardening Our Hearts” - September 27, 2021

The Common Good

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