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Matthew 1:1-17I reference Carolyn Custis James' post "The Fab Four" in this episode. During this series I'll be drawing from the following sources:  The Jewish Annotated New TestamentMatthew for Everyone by N.T. Wright Three Months with Matthew by Justo L. González True to Our Native Land: An African American New Testament Commentary edited by Brian K. BlountThe Women's Bible Commentary edited by Carol A. Newsom Matthew: A Theological Commentary on the Bible by Anna Case-Winters Join me on Friday's over on Patreon during this series for centering practices based on the weekly episodes. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Join me on Patreon for centering reflections on Fridays throughout this season. I'll be reading from the New Revised Standard Version unless otherwise noted. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Join me on Friday's on Patreon throughout this season for centering work based on this episode.Three important questions to consider when approaching Scripture: 1) Who am I? (What is your social location? What is your context? What are your assumptions?)2) Who is the author(s) of this text? Who is their audience? 3) So What? For more background on different books of the Bible or biblical themes online check out The Bible Project Dr. Wil Gafney's blog The Bible for Normal PeopleSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Join me on Friday's over on Patreon during this series for centering practices based on the weekly episodes. During this series I'll be drawing from the following sources:  The Jewish Annotated New TestamentMatthew for Everyone by N.T. Wright Three Months with Matthew by Justo L. González True to Our Native Land: An African American New Testament Commentary edited by Brian K. BlountThe Women's Bible Commentary edited by Carol A. Newsom Matthew: A Theological Commentary on the Bible by Anna Case-Winters There will be other specific sources for particular passages, but these are the major ones I'll be drawing from throughout. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Jessica is a writer, theologian and editor. She has two books, The Long Night and 365 Days of Peace. You can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, or visit her website to learn more about her work. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Holly is the founder of the nonprofit Rise, whose mission is to connect, equip and empower people to build a Church where women thrive. People are her passion. Rest for her is hot tea, good books, painted nails & delicious food shared with good people. She lives with her beloved dog Jack in Fort Worth, Texas.You can follow Holly's work on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Lyndsey Medford is Director of Discipleship at Two Rivers United Methodist Church in Charleston, South Carolina. She is an indecorous Southerner, an erstwhile evangelical, and an inexpert advocate for justice. She also manages autoimmune disease and a tiny front-yard garden.Lyndsey holds a Master's degree in Theology from Boston University, but she's most proud of her improv theater, food pantry, and gluten-free baking bona fides, her family, and her rescue dog Miya's dainty high-fives. She writes regularly on her email newsletter and at lyndseymedford.com.Her book, Making Friends with My Body and God, is available through Amazon. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Michelle Van Loon is the author of six books, including Becoming Sage: Cultivating Maturity, Purpose, and Spirituality at Midlife (Moody Publishers, 2020). Michelle is a longtime contributor to Christianity Today, In Touch magazine, and is the co-founder of ThePerennialGen.com, a website for midlife women and men. She’s married to Bill, and is mother of three and grandmother of two. Learn more about her writing and speaking ministry by visiting her website, MichelleVanLoon.com.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Stephanie Tait is a writer and speaker serving at the crossroads of joy and pain. You can read her work online at stephanietaitwrites.com or follow her on social media at @StephTaitWrites on Twitter and @StephanieTaitWrites on Instagram. Her book, The View from Rock Bottom, is available wherever books are sold. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson is a pastor, prophet, digital evangelist and author. He is a graduate of St. Catherine University and Liberty Seminary.  Rev. Richardson is on staff as lead minister at Linden Hills UCC, is a media trainer for Auburn Seminary and works as an executive clergy coach for the Center for Progressive Renewal. The author of, I Know What Heaven Looks Like, Rev. Richardson writes about and advocates for LGBTQ people, people of color, and the flourishing of all; with his works appearing in Huffington Post Religion, The Root, Believe Out Loud, The Salt Collective, Rachel Murr's Unnatural, Austen Hartke's Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians, and numerous national and international publications. Rev. Richardson has received awards and commendations for his service, including the Humanitarian Award from Black Transmen Inc. and the Stellar Award for his work in global communication.When he is not ministering, researching, or writing, Pastor Lawrence loves reading, trying different cuisine, traveling, spending time with family, and empowering people to live life from a place of joy, abundance, faith and gratitude. You can read more about him and his work at www.ltrichardson.com-- Nathan Roberts serves as the Director of Community Engagement at First Lutheran Church in Columbia Heights, MN. He is a founding editor of The Salt Collective magazine. He spent a year as the guest progressive on a weekly live radio show on Fox Radio Affiliate Twin Cities News Talk Closing Argument with Walter Hudson where he discussed progressive politics, faith, and culture. He is also the co-founder and U.S. director of Daylight Center and School in Kenya.You can contact Nathan for speaking and writing opportunities through Twitter, Facebook, or email him at nathan.irons.roberts@gmail.com -- In this episode, three books are mentioned:Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson is a pastor, prophet, digital evangelist and author. He is a graduate of St. Catherine University and Liberty Seminary.  Rev. Richardson is on staff as lead minister at Linden Hills UCC, is a media trainer for Auburn Seminary and works as an executive clergy coach for the Center for Progressive Renewal. The author of, I Know What Heaven Looks Like, Rev. Richardson writes about and advocates for LGBTQ people, people of color, and the flourishing of all; with his works appearing in Huffington Post Religion, The Root, Believe Out Loud, The Salt Collective, Rachel Murr's Unnatural, Austen Hartke's Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians, and numerous national and international publications. Rev. Richardson has received awards and commendations for his service, including the Humanitarian Award from Black Transmen Inc. and the Stellar Award for his work in global communication.When he is not ministering, researching, or writing, Pastor Lawrence loves reading, trying different cuisine, traveling, spending time with family, and empowering people to live life from a place of joy, abundance, faith and gratitude. You can read more about him and his work at www.ltrichardson.com-- Nathan Roberts serves as the Director of Community Engagement at First Lutheran Church in Columbia Heights, MN. He is a founding editor of The Salt Collective magazine. He spent a year as the guest progressive on a weekly live radio show on Fox Radio Affiliate Twin Cities News Talk Closing Argument with Walter Hudson where he discussed progressive politics, faith, and culture. He is also the co-founder and U.S. director of Daylight Center and School in Kenya.You can contact Nathan for speaking and writing opportunities through Twitter, Facebook, or email him at nathan.irons.roberts@gmail.com --Additional podcasts I've been listening to in recent weeks to continue learning, reflecting, dismantling and growing are: Imagining a World Without Police with Lisa Sharon Harper on Pantsuit Politics Interviews with Austin Channing Brown and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi on Unlocking Us with Brené BrownStop Giving White Evangelicals the Benefit of the Doubt and I Bring the Voices of My People with Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes on Profane Faith Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Beth Watkins spent 6 years working in North and East Africa with vulnerable populations and now lives in Baltimore, MD where she works with humanitarian immigrants and resettled refugees. Beth is a writer, former missionary, recovering white savior, and wannabe homesteader. You can find her on Twitter and instagram at @iambethwatkins and blog - iambethwatkins.com, where you can also sign up for her bi-weekly Neighborly Newsletter, a round-up of thoughts and articles on about loving our neighbors, strangers, and even our enemies better. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

D. L. Mayfield lives and writes on the outskirts of Portland, OR with her husband and two small children. Her first book of essays, Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith was released by HarperOne in 2016. Her second book, The Myth of the American Dream: Reflections on Affluence, Autonomy, Safety, and Power released last week on InterVarsity Press. Her writing has appeared in a variety of places, including McSweeneys, Christianity Today, Sojourners, The Washington Post, Image Journal, Vox, and The Rumpus, among many others. Follow D.L. on social media @d_l_mayfield and check out her podcast, The Prophetic Imagination Station for all the critiques of 90s evangelical nostalgia you never knew you needed. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Tracie has been an educator for 30 years. Though her degree is in Art Education with an additional focus on English and Writing, the focus of her teaching has evolved right along side of her life journey. From art to adoption; spirituality to self-care, her message has grown to include grieving, healing and growing through loss and trauma.Tracie has been married for 30 years to her husband John, is mother to 7 amazing children (4 who entered her heart through adoption, 3 of whom have special needs), and “Noni” to two grandchildren. Her youngest son Mattie died in 2014 just before his 4th birthday. His life and his death have been one of her greatest teachers.Tracie's artwork has become a healing modality and part of her self-care as she has walked through the years of grief following the Mattie's death. She creates for her own healing, rest and growth with the hope that others will experience the same as they view her work. Tracie is available to paint commissioned both memorial and celebratory paintings. Prints and greeting cards of her work are available. Website: thehealingbreath.orgInstagram: @tracieloux and @thehealingbreathstudioTwitter: @tracieloux Facebook: The Healing Breath- Tracie Loux https://www.facebook.com/tracielouxfromtheheart/For information on commissioned paintings email: thehealingbreathstudio@gmail.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Robert is a therapist who works primarily with adolescents & young adults, specializing in areas like anxiety, depression, and suicidality. He’s also an advocate for better understanding of mental health in the church, offering resources such as Suicide Prevention trainings, other mental health trainings, and hosting the CXMH podcast which focuses on these topics. Find him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @RobertVore.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Elizabeth Behrens is a consultant and educator with Be The Bridge. You can access her anti-racist children's literature lessons and guides on Facebook. Follow her on Twitter @EB_FindingMercy.  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Rev. Dr. Eric Atcheson is an ordained pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the author of Oregon Trail Theology: The Frontier Millennial Christians Face—And How We’re Ready and On Earth as It Is in Heaven: A Faith-Based Toolkit for Economic Justice.Eric is a parish minister by training who has dedicated himself through his preaching, speaking, and writing to his calling as a prophetic and pastoral voice rooted in the Scriptures. You can read more about his work on his website, or follow him on Twitter @RevEricAtcheson. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Kaitlyn Schiess is a writer and theology student living in Dallas, TX. She is a staff writer at Christ and Pop Culture, and her writing has also appeared at Christianity Today, Relevant, and Fathom Magazine. She is finishing a ThM at Dallas Theological Seminary while working in local church ministry with young adults in their 20s and 30s. Her first book, The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor, will be released on August 25thwith InterVarsity Press.Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter and Instagram @KaitlynSchiess. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Dillon is a theologian and permaculturist. You can read more about his work on his website, tattooed-theologian.com, or by ordering his book Go Golden. Follow Dillon on Twitter @CruzControl72. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)

Rev. Anita Peebles (she/her) currently serves as the Associate Pastor for Next Generation Ministries at Seattle First Baptist Church. She received a Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School in 2018 and was ordained by Glendale Baptist Church, affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists, in April 2018. Anita contributed the Holy Week section to the Growing in God’s Love Storybook Bible (John Knox 2018) as well as written Sunday school curriculum for the UMC, PC(USA) and American Baptist denominations. She is working on several children’s book concepts connecting her passion for environmental justice with spirituality. Originally from Michigan, Anita loves the Great Lakes, writing, gardening, baking pies, and kayaking.You can find Rev. Anita's work online on her blog, or follow her on Twitter or Instagram. Rev. Anita also recommends the books When Sadness is at Your Door by Eva Eland and The End of Something Wonderful by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/mkwestra)