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What if the marks Jesus loves most aren’t polished optics but sun-darkened skin, tired hands, and a life spent in the vineyard? We wrestle with a bracing question: have we traded obedience for image, turning ministry into performance and marriage into a curated storyline? Starting with Song of Solomon’s “dark yet lovely” bride, we contrast the raw look of labor with modern Christian messaging that often prizes platforms, polish, and comfort.

From there, we press into the ache of singleness and the allure of “future spouse” prayers that put us in the driver’s seat. 1 Corinthians 7 confronts us with freedom most of us don’t want: do not look for a spouse, and if married, live with undivided devotion to the Lord. That doesn’t diminish love; it purifies it. When Christ leads first, service to a spouse stops being appeasement and becomes obedience. We set that beside Acts 14:22—many hardships to enter the kingdom—and 2 Corinthians 12:10—power made perfect in weakness—to challenge upbeat spiritual branding that sidesteps the cross.

David’s life becomes a reality check for romanticized ideals. Courage and worship sit alongside grave sin, severe discipline, and messy fallout. If we pray for a “David,” are we prepared for the weight that comes with real leadership and real repentance? We argue for a sober vision of marriage and ministry that expects pressure, embraces humility, and finds strength in surrender. Along the way, we preview a contentious practice drawn from 1 Corinthians 11—a visible “sign of authority” in worship—not as nostalgia but as a confession of spiritual order aimed at deflating pride.

This is not a call to cynicism; it’s a call back to the field. Put away the spotlight. Pick up the cross. Seek the joy that grows in weakness, the freedom of not looking, and the courage to love through hardship. If this conversation stirred you, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a review with the Scripture that challenged you most.

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A judicial conduct commission documents a pattern of abusive behavior, staff departures, and a suspension, only for a state supreme court to reverse removal and reopen the door to future judicial roles. We weigh accountability, bias, and how courts should protect both dignity and fairness without sacrificing trust.

• misconduct findings that cite staff departures and disrespect
• suspension following commission review and delayed hearing
• high court reversal allowing return after thirty days
• tension between bias claims and accountability standards
• risks to courtroom culture, due process, and public trust
• proposals for transparent oversight and fair remediation

The Consider Podcast. W. Consider.info. Examining today's wisdom, folly, and madness.

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We break down HB 2684 and what a rebuttable presumption of social disadvantage would mean for Washington’s public contracting. We lay out who would be covered, the stakes for OMWBE certification, and our concerns about fairness, capture, and oversight.

• aims and scope of HB 2684
• how OMWBE certification affects bids and goals
• the meaning of rebuttable presumption
• listed demographic groups and rulemaking power
• risks of fraud, favoritism, and weak oversight
• equity outcomes versus process shortcuts
• ideas for audits, transparency, and sunset review

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