A Graduation Blessing For a Post-Pandemic Age

(given at the Escondido Adventist Academy on June 6, 2021)As your final assignments are turned in, may you remember that the best learning happens not when you consume, but when you create – when you take the things that you enjoy and create meaningful things that will bless the world. As you get your finalContinue reading “A Graduation Blessing For a Post-Pandemic Age”

10 Things I Wish They’d Told Me Before Starting Graduate School

It. Is. Finished. As of May 7th 2017,  I have officially obtained my Masters in Divinity degree from Andrews University – my alma mater. The past few years have been some of the most humbling, exciting, and paradigm-shifting years filled with lots of learning, love, and life. They say hindsight is 20/20 for a reason. HereContinue reading “10 Things I Wish They’d Told Me Before Starting Graduate School”

How the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Adventism Relate to the Cross

Ellen White writes, “The Sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary….* SoContinue reading “How the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Adventism Relate to the Cross”

What I Did Not Like About #ItIsTimeAU

The back story is long. If you have no idea of what I’m talking about, you can read the context to this post here, here, here, or here. If you know a thing or two about what happened, let’s jump right in. Here are 4 things that I didn’t like about #ItIsTimeAU ( and byContinue reading “What I Did Not Like About #ItIsTimeAU”

Why I Can’t Celebrate Christmas

Honestly, I could end this post in a few lines. Fire in Oakland. Chapecoense football team.  Genocide in Syria. Bombings in Germany.  Explosions in Mexico. Attacks in Pakistan. Post-election America.  Add to this your own personal pains – the passing of loved ones, loss of opportunities, stresses of life – and they still wonder whyContinue reading “Why I Can’t Celebrate Christmas”

5 Ways To Share Your Beliefs Without Being a Jerk

Right + Rude = Wrong. Someone mentioned that to me and it has stuck ever since. The counsel is timely, especially in circles where truth claims are criticized and those who express them, in extreme cases, are dismissed as anachronistic. But is there a way to share your convictions without being snooty or insular? HereContinue reading “5 Ways To Share Your Beliefs Without Being a Jerk”

When Do You Know You’re Ready to Pop “The Question?”

Wow. It’s been 5 years. 5 YEARS. Yesterday marked 5 years since we decided to journey together as a couple. 5 YEARS!! ohmygoodness. And on December 29th of 2015, after much deliberation, anxiety, reflection, and anxiety (did I mention anxiety?) I finally decided to pop the question: “Elynn Rodriguez, will you marry me?” Watch theContinue reading “When Do You Know You’re Ready to Pop “The Question?””

The Gospel According to Pulse

My heart is heavy as I reflect on what is considered the worst terrorist mass shooting of U.S history. The shooting at Pulse hit many pressure points eliciting various responses. Gun control, the 2nd amendment, Islamophobia, homophobia, and terrorism were some of the various issues which were re-sensitized and brought to the fore. And caught rightContinue reading “The Gospel According to Pulse”

A 3-Step “Hack” for Examining and Enjoying Scripture

Articulating the “why” and implementing the “how” are two things. That’s why some may spit some smoove words to you, but may not actually have game. OHHHHH! But that’s a topic for another day. (Get it together, Kevin.) The more I spend time with well-intentioned Christians, especially youth and young adults, the more I realize thatContinue reading “A 3-Step “Hack” for Examining and Enjoying Scripture”

Three Things I Learnt from Fasting for 72 Hours

If you are reading this, it means that I’m dead, or am in the process of dying. I can’t take it anymore.. Need………food….. … But let’s not kid ourselves. I love food WAY too much to part with it. So I decided, instead, to participate in a cellphone/social media fast for 72 hours facilitated by theContinue reading “Three Things I Learnt from Fasting for 72 Hours”