Christianity and Culture: Are We Seeing Clearly?

In a podcast many years ago, historian Tom Woods made an interesting observation. He said something like this: “We often talk about how Christianity has shaped America, but we should also consider how America has shaped Christianity.”

That idea has stuck with me. It raises a challenging question: Could it be that we often fail to hear Jesus clearly because we filter His words through the lens of our own culture?

We are all shaped by the time and place we live in. Culture shapes what feels natural, what seems right, and what we consider normal. This is not always bad—culture gives us traditions, community, and stability. But culture can also blind us. It can lead us to accept certain practices and attitudes without ever questioning if they truly align with God’s will.

A Biblical Example of Cultural Compromise

Genesis 16 gives us a powerful example of this reality. In that passage, Sarah convinces Abraham to father a child by using her servant Hagar. In their culture, this was a perfectly acceptable practice to secure an heir. It was a solution that fit the customs of their world.

While it was an acceptable practice, it was not the way of faith. God had promised Abraham and Sarah a child, but instead of waiting for God to fulfill His word, they settled for a culturally approved shortcut.

From our perspective in 21st century United States, it is easy to look back and see their error. But in their moment, Abraham and Sarah were doing something that made sense to them. They weren’t trying to rebel against God; they were trying to solve a problem within the framework their culture gave them.

How often do we do the same?

The Subtle Power of Culture

The danger of cultural compromise is that it rarely feels like compromise. It feels natural. It feels responsible. It feels like common sense. That’s why it is so easy for us to use cultural assumptions in our interpretations of biblical truth.

For Christians living in the United States, this challenge is especially subtle. American values—like individualism, consumerism, and the pursuit of success—are so deeply ingrained in us that we may not realize when they conflict with the way of Jesus.

For example:

• Do we measure a church’s faithfulness by its size and influence (an American metric), or by its obedience to Jesus’ commands (a kingdom metric)?
• Do we prioritize personal freedom over self-giving love, even though Jesus taught that true freedom is found in serving others?
• Do we accept violence, power, and dominance as necessary evils, forgetting that Jesus called us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us?

None of these cultural values are neutral. They shape the way we hear Scripture, the way we structure our churches, and the way we live our faith.

Following Jesus, Not an Americanized Christianity

The task before us, then, is to make sure we are truly following Jesus—not just an Americanized version of Christianity that baptizes our cultural assumptions with our cherry picked Bible passages. That requires humility. It requires discernment. And it requires a willingness to question the things we have been taught as “biblical” but may not actually come from Scripture.

Abraham and Sarah remind us how easy it is to be led by what feels normal instead of what God has promised. The same danger confronts us today. Will we trust Jesus enough to follow His way, even when it goes against the flow of our culture?

A Call to Self-Examination

Perhaps one of the most important spiritual disciplines we can practice is self-examination in light of Scripture. We need to ask:

• Am I believing this because it is biblical, or because it is cultural? 
• Does my discipleship reflect the values of the kingdom of God or the values of America? 
• Where might I be settling for what feels natural rather than waiting on the promises of God?

These are not easy questions. But they are necessary if we want to live faithfully as disciples of King Jesus.

The good news is that God is patient with us, just as He was patient with Abraham and Sarah. He invites us to step out of cultural conformity and into the radical life of faith, trusting that His way is better than anything our world has to offer.

Reflection

Take a moment to sit with this question: How has my faith been shaped more by culture than by Christ?

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal blind spots where cultural assumptions have crowded out biblical truth. Then pray for the courage to follow Jesus even when it feels strange, unpopular, or countercultural.

“Lord Jesus, help me to see where I have settled for a comfortable, cultural version of faith instead of the radical way of Your kingdom. Give me eyes to see clearly, ears to hear Your voice, and a heart willing to obey—even when it goes against what feels normal. Teach me to live as Your disciple first and foremost. Amen.”

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

7 Habits That Help Me Beat the Winter Blues

As the days get shorter and the sun seems to disappear behind gray skies, I can feel my energy dip. The winter months often bring what’s called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) — a mix of low mood, fatigue, and sluggishness that hits when sunlight is scarce.

For many years, the months of November through February have been a dark time for me. That’s why I’ve become intentional about developing practices that help me live with more hope and joy, even in these shadowed months.

This year, as I’ve focused on managing my depression (it still comes and goes), I’ve discovered a few habits that have made a real difference in keeping my mind and heart steady through life’s ups and downs. Some are backed by science; others simply work for me. As we head into winter, here are seven habits that help me stay grounded and joyful.

5 Habits to Consider

1. Getting at Least 10,000 Steps a Day

When it’s cold and dark, it’s easy to stay inside — but moving my body makes a huge difference. Research shows that regular walking boosts mood, lowers stress, and helps regulate sleep. Research also shows these benefits start showing up with 4,000 steps. It is more about getting our bodies moving than the actual number of steps.

The decisions to get Teddy, our family dog, has really benefited me because he gives me a reason to get outside and walk, even on the coldest days. But if the weather’s too harsh, a walk on the treadmill or a few laps around the block still carries the same benefits.

2. Taking a Daily Pause for Prayer and Mindfulness

I use the One Minute Pause App to stop, breathe, and reconnect with God. Those short pauses reorient my spirit and help me reset when the day feels heavy.

Science shows that even a few minutes of mindful prayer can lower anxiety and restore focus — and I’ve definitely experienced that. I’ve also used the guided prayers on the YouVersion Bible App. Whatever tool you use, the goal is to slow down and become aware of God’s presence again.

3. Listening to Music Instead of Podcasts

Music has a way of reaching the soul that words alone can’t.

We live in a time of information overload, constantly drawn to all the great content available at our fingertips. I realized I was drowning in that information, and my mind was becoming overwhelmed. When I unintentionally began listening to more music and fewer podcasts, I found that my heart began to rest again — and my thoughts turned more easily toward God. 

I’ve also found that the type of music matters. This summer, after noticing how much music was helping me, I decided to listen to some 80s tunes — but instead of lifting my mood, they made me feel melancholy. Now I still sneak a few of those songs into my rotation, but most of what I listen to is worship, classical, and Irish/Celtic music. As part of my daily rhythm, I take a Pause and then sing along with three worship songs. That simple practice helps my focus return to God and His kingdom.

Studies show that music reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) and activates parts of the brain connected to joy — a simple but powerful way to fight the grayness of winter.

4. Focusing on Protein (150–200 Grams a Day)

Good nutrition affects more than just energy — it impacts mental health, too. Getting enough protein supports neurotransmitters that regulate mood and motivation.

When I hit my protein goals, I stay more alert and less prone to the afternoon crash. And since I feel fuller throughout the day, I’m far less likely to snack mindlessly or binge eat at night.

Along with prioritizing protein, I’ve started adding creatine to my morning shake. While I don’t have hard evidence from my own experience, research suggests that creatine can support mental clarity and focus by helping the brain produce energy more efficiently. Studies have shown small but measurable improvements in memory and attention with regular supplementation. So while my results are anecdotal, the science seems to back up what I’ve noticed.

5. Returning to Pen and Paper for Writing

When I write by hand, I slow down enough to think and pray through what’s going on inside me. I’ve especially rediscovered this during sermon preparation — breaking down a passage and taking notes by hand helps me process truth more deeply.

Research shows that journaling can reduce stress and improve clarity, but for me, it’s more than that — it’s a form of prayer. Writing helps me bring my thoughts before God, which is one of the reasons I started Paul’s Ponderings in the first place.

2 Things I Want to Improve

1. Strength Training

Resistance training builds more than muscle and longevity — it strengthens mood, confidence, and resilience. Studies even link it to lower rates of anxiety and depression. It’s something I want to make more consistent this winter.

2. Getting More Sleep

Short days tempt me to stay up late scrolling or reading, but sleep is essential. Quality rest restores both body and mind and helps regulate the emotions that can so easily drift out of balance in the darker months.

An Act of Stewardship

As the season changes, I’m reminded that caring for our mental health is a form of stewardship — tending to the body and mind God has given us. It’s also a crucial part of discipleship. We cannot grow into maturity as followers of King Jesus if we remain chained by the weight of depression or neglect the care of our whole selves.

Incorporating spiritual disciplines into our daily habits reminds me that the physical, mental, and spiritual all work together to make us who we are.

What helps you stay grounded and joyful during the long winter months?

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Living in Light, Love, and Truth: Love That Drives Out Fear

Text: 1 John 4:7–21

Big Idea: God is love, and He has revealed that love through King Jesus. His children must embody that same love toward others.

A Glimpse of True Victory

When we think of the Olympics, we picture grueling training, fierce competition, and the pursuit of gold. Athletes give everything for that moment on the podium, standing beneath their nation’s flag as the anthem plays.

But during the 2000 Olympic trials, something remarkable happened that redefined victory. Esther Kim, a 20-year-old tae kwon do fighter, was one match away from qualifying for the Olympics. Her opponent was her best friend, Kay Poe—the world’s top-ranked fighter—who had just suffered a severe knee injury.

Esther could have easily won. No one would have blamed her; it was fair and within the rules. Yet in that defining moment, she chose something greater. She forfeited the match and handed her Olympic dream to Kay.

When asked why, she said, “It’s not like I’m throwing my dream away—I’m handing it over to Kay.” She didn’t win a medal, but she discovered something more valuable. Later she reflected, “Even though I didn’t have the gold medal around me, for the first time in my life, I felt like a real champion.”

That selfless, sacrificial love—putting another’s good above your own—offers only a faint glimpse of the love John describes in 1 John 4:7–21. This love isn’t rooted in human emotion or moral effort. It flows from God Himself, who gave everything in Jesus to make us His own.

Love at the Center

John’s letters warn the early church about deceptive voices that distort truth and divide believers. His antidote is simple but profound: walk in the light, live in love, and hold fast to the truth.

That same message remains essential for us today. Love, light, and truth aren’t optional virtues—they are the core of authentic discipleship. When we abide in God’s truth and love, we become living reflections of His Kingdom in a dark and fearful world.

John points to one clear test of genuine faith: love that mirrors the cross.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” — 1 John 4:7

Love is not a human invention. It begins with God’s nature. To know God is to love others. To withhold love—especially from fellow believers—reveals a heart disconnected from Him.

The Cross as Our Model

God didn’t just say He loved us; He showed it.

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” — 1 John 4:10

The cross defines love. It is self-giving, not self-seeking. It moves toward the undeserving, not the deserving. When we grasp the depth of God’s love in Jesus, we lose our excuses for withholding love from others.

John reminds us that God’s love becomes complete when it flows through us:

“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.” — 1 John 4:12

Love is how the invisible God becomes visible to a watching world.

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

Fear thrives where love is absent. But as God’s love matures in us, fear loses its grip.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” — 1 John 4:18

When we rest in the Father’s love, we no longer fear rejection, judgment, or failure. We live with confidence—not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

Remember: you are God’s child, not His project. His perfect love silences fear.

Becoming People of Love

John concludes,

“We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19

Love for God and love for others cannot be separated. True faith is visible in how we treat those around us—even the difficult ones.

This week, find one tangible way to show God’s love: write a note of encouragement, forgive someone who hurt you, or serve without expecting anything in return. Let your actions make the invisible God visible.

Andrew Murray once wrote:

“The characteristic of love is that it does not seek its own. Love finds its happiness in giving to others; it sacrifices itself for others. Even so, God offered Himself to people in the Person of his Son, and the Son offered Himself on the cross to bring that love to men, and to win their hearts. The everlasting love with which the Father loves the Son is the same love with which the Son loves us. Christ has poured this love of God into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, so that our whole life may be permeated with its vital power.” — Daily in His Presence; November 3

That is the kind of love God calls His people to embody—a love that gives, forgives, and drives out fear.

May the Holy Spirit make us a people of love.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Living the Light of Truth

Understanding Jesus’ teaching isn’t always simple. Part of the challenge is that we live in a different time and culture than the one in which Jesus spoke. That means the meaning may not always be obvious on the surface—we often need to dig a little deeper to discover the truth He intended.

One of the more puzzling passages I’ve wrestled with is found in Luke 11:33–36:

“No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.

“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness.

“Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” (NLT)

At first glance, it sounds similar to Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 about being the light of the world. But here, the emphasis feels different—and a little harder to grasp. Even William Barclay admitted, “The meaning is not easy to grasp.”

So let’s do a little work together.

Setting the Context

To understand these verses, we need to keep them in context. Earlier in Luke 11, people are questioning who Jesus really is. Some accuse Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan. Others demand a miraculous sign to prove His identity—as if His healings and teachings weren’t enough.

In the middle of all this, a woman calls out, “God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!” (v. 27, NLT).

Jesus’ response is key:

“But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” (v. 28, NLT)

He then warns the crowd that they’ll be judged—not by other Jews, but by outsiders. The queen of Sheba sought out Solomon’s wisdom, while the people of Nineveh repented at Jonah’s preaching. Yet here stood someone greater than Solomon and Jonah, and this crowd wasn’t listening.

The lesson? It’s not enough to have access to God’s truth. The real question is: What will you do with it?

The Call to Be Radiant

Now the lamp-and-eye teaching makes more sense. Truth is meant to be shared, not hidden. But it’s also meant to be received with an open and willing heart.

A “healthy eye” is one that seeks truth and is willing to be taught, like the queen of Sheba. A “healthy eye” also repents when confronted by God’s word, like the people of Nineveh.

On the other hand, an “unhealthy eye” belongs to someone who refuses to be corrected—who insists truth must fit their preconceived ideas, or who looks for loopholes to excuse disobedience. That kind of closed-off heart leaves a person in darkness, no matter how much light is available.

Jesus makes it clear: the blessed life comes not from merely hearing truth, but from obeying it. When we receive God’s truth with open eyes and repentant hearts, His light fills us—transforming us into radiant witnesses of His kingdom.

A Question for Us

We live in a time where information is everywhere. Podcasts, blogs, sermons, and social media feed us content all day long. But none of that makes us radiant on its own. What matters is how we respond to the truth of God’s Word.

So here’s the question worth asking: Is my life being radiant with God’s truth—or am I just collecting information without transformation?

Because in the end, the light of truth is not just something we study. It’s something we live.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.