Donald Trump Promises Brand New Executive Order

November 15, 2024 By Matthew Distefano

Washington, DC — President elect Donald J. Trump has made a lot of boisterous and public promises, but one that has, until now, slipped under the radar is a new executive order that he plans on implementing on day one of his second term. The order, dubbed the “Promoting Equal Diversity in Orchestration,” or P.E.D.O., is an idea that the Trump team has stated will “unite the American people around cherished songs we all know and love.” The order lays... Read more

What the Bible Really Says About Sodom and Its Sin

November 15, 2024 By Matthew Distefano

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For centuries, the word “sodomite” has been flung around like a theological dodgeball, aimed squarely at queer folks by those who apparently skipped the part of the Bible where God commands love and compassion. But what if I told you the term has been misused? What if, instead of fixating on consensual relationships between adults, we took the Bible at its word—specifically Ezekiel 16—and used “sodomite” as a label for those who fail to care for the poor, the immigrant,... Read more

Is Donald Trump the Antichrist?

November 14, 2024 By Matthew Distefano

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Growing up in evangelical circles, I was practically marinated in end-times theology. The Antichrist, Gog and Magog, the head wound, the mark of the beast—it was all there, baked into our dinner table conversations and Sunday school lessons. If a politician sneezed in the wrong direction, someone was ready with a chart, a Bible, and a laser pointer to prove they were the Antichrist. For a while, it felt like every world leader got a turn in the hot seat.... Read more

The Camp Fire: Tragedy and the Human Spirit

November 13, 2024 By Matthew Distefano

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I was living 15 minutes away in Chico when the Camp Fire ignited on November 8, 2018. For those unfamiliar with California’s grim tradition of naming wildfires, this one is infamous for its devastation: Paradise, California, was nearly wiped off the map. Eighteen thousand structures disappeared in just three and a half hours. It was as if a nightmare script had been unleashed on an unsuspecting town. But this isn’t just a story about loss—it’s about what comes after. What... Read more

Clobbering the America-First Agenda

November 12, 2024 By Matthew Distefano

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Let’s talk about sin—real sin. Not the kind where people have the audacity to fall in love with someone of the same gender, but the kind where you slam the door in the face of the immigrant, the foreigner, the migrant seeking refuge. And before you clutch your pearls and tell me it’s “complicated,” let me remind you that the Bible—yes, the same one you keep weaponizing against queer folks—has a lot to say about welcoming the stranger. Spoiler: God... Read more

Jesus’ Message, Division, and Standing Against Injustice

November 11, 2024 By Matthew Distefano

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When Jesus told his disciples to dust off their feet when their message wasn’t received, he wasn’t being petty or advocating for cancel culture. He was pointing to a deeper truth: not everyone is willing to embrace the kingdom of god—a kingdom built on love, justice, and radical inclusion. Jesus also warned that his message would divide families, and the cost of following him might be estrangement from those closest to us. Here we are, 2,000 years later, living in... Read more

Gardening as a Spiritual Practice at Happy Woods Farm

November 8, 2024 By Matthew Distefano

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There’s a rhythm to gardening and farming, a cadence that pulls you out of your head and places you squarely into the present moment. At Happy Woods Farm, where Michael and I have spent years rebuilding after the devastation of the Camp Fire—which is 6 years to the day—this rhythm isn’t just background noise, it’s the soundtrack to a life more deeply lived. It’s not about over-spiritualizing every tomato vine or blackberry bramble, but recognizing that tending to the earth... Read more

Celebrating Trump’s Win With You!

November 7, 2024 By Matthew Distefano

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Congratulations! You did it. You cast your vote for Donald J. Trump (again), and I sincerely hope you’re happy. I really do. I hope you carry that warm, fuzzy feeling of victory right through the next four years (or four minutes, depending on his cognitive decline). Because when the consequences of your decision come knocking, I hope that same satisfaction stays with you. Let’s take a moment to appreciate all the “wins” you’ve set in motion, shall we? Let’s Start... Read more

This Is Gilead, Whether We Like It or Not

November 6, 2024 By Matthew Distefano

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Today, a heavy cloud of sadness settles over me, one that I wish I could say was unfamiliar. But it’s a sadness so many of us have carried for too long. It’s the same sadness that comes when we see the world as it is—unveiled, raw, and harsh. It’s the reality of watching a man who once boasted about sexually assaulting women and ogling teenage girls rise to the most powerful seat in the land, again, with half the country... Read more

Why We Must Reject Trump: A Call for Justice and Unity

November 5, 2024 By Matthew Distefano

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As we approach another election day, it’s crucial to reflect deeply on what our vote signifies—not just for ourselves but for the communities we represent and the values we uphold. In my writings, podcasts, and social media platforms, I have consistently advocated for a world rooted in justice, equity, and love. Thus, I find it necessary to articulate why voting for Donald J. Trump on this day and in these United States is not just a political choice but a... Read more