Demonstrators fill Eakins Oval in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art during the “No Kings” protest, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)Top 10 Posts for 2025

Thanks for reading this year, everyone. I appreciate the community we share.  This annual compilation might benefit new subscribers the most. Thanks for joining in. Here’s some of what you might have missed. For each of the top ten I put a representative quote — click the title if you want to read the whole piece.

I can’t lie. I think 2026 could be tough. What you read the most in 2025 reflects what a mind-boggling and heartbreaking year it was! This year will be harder. But I have hope and I wish you well as you develop and come to know your fullness in Jesus and his people. 

1. No Kings on June 14: Biblical reasons to be on the street (Jun 9)

For those who need it, there is a lot of biblical basis for protesting. The most obvious example is Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. Together, they protested a command from Nebuchadnezzar to bow down and worship a massive, golden statue of himself. Trump, in his newly-gold-plated Oval Office bears a resemblance. The three men (and Daniel) knew the king’s command was putting a false God before the true God, so they refused to obey. Trump has posed as an anointed, God-protected ruler, so that is worth protesting as a Christian. His attack on constitutional rule and precedent is even more worth protesting as a dutiful citizen.

2. Is a sociopath training you for evil?: 8 ways to spot one and survive them (May 12)

When I first saw Donald Trump’s “official portrait” I had to marvel at the audacious grandiosity of it. There is no hint of humility or welcome in it. It is designed to intimidate. It matches his endless talk about “winning.” I had to turn away, to try to put him away.

But after his re-election, I decided I needed to turn back and face what we are all facing in that face. A sociopath is president. And all the traits of that 4% of the population are now being worked into the government, into world society, and into our individual lives. No one has ever known what to do when these people get into power (which they normally don’t), except avoid them or kill them – but those are not immediate options for me. So I am at least trying to understand them and discern the most helpful responses God can suggest.

3. Trump’s admin is a replay of Belshazzar’s feast of the billionaires (Mar 3)

While there are undoubtedly some ideologues in our government presently, and some religious people, too, it is mostly a feast of the billionaires we are witnessing. They were hungry to get to the table and do something, to engage in a battle that feels existential and very difficult. They yearn to have a battle.  They have “praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone” which are the money-making machines of their own design. But their gods demand more and they demand more of their gods. It’s an old story.

4. Say “No” now: It won’t get better (Apr 7)

I don’t think Jesus cares much about the latest status quo, he has deeper things to do. When he says from the cross, “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing,” that is his most loving “No.” Your borderline loved one does not really know what they are doing, either. Donald Trump and Elon Musk do not really care what they are doing to you as long as they rule you. Jesus on the cross is a big “No” to that, and big “No!” to whatever destroys love and peace. The cross is a big “No!” to sin and death, right? The resurrection is a big promise that you will flourish, one way or another, later if not now, if you say “No” with Him.

5. Understanding and responding to a “sociopath” (Oct. 27)

The compilation of my research which I presented: We can love sociopaths with everlasting love. We might be able to help them. But don’t offer sociopaths pity and don’t waste your time shaming them (which is essentially negative pity). Never assume they are like you, with your guilt, shame and doubts; they are not. Keep asking, “What are they doing with their huge, secret advantage?” And tell the truth about your answers — to yourself and to everyone who will listen.

6. Can we listen to the Truth in Trumpland? We are so easily deceived! (Feb 17)

The U.S. government is not the arbiter of God’s will. Jesus does not require it to save the world. It is a dispensable tool, whoever uses it. Right now, however, it is filled with false prophets asserting they are Christians called by God to take over the seats of power so true righteousness can be installed. It takes about five minutes of thought to suspect they are deceivers…. [AT THE SAME TIME] The Spirit of God is moving in the world right now. The logjam of Evangelical nonsense is being exposed and is about to break. I can’t predict a great American economy once it gives Ukrainian territory to Russia, or whatever Trump does. But I think I can predict a renewed church finding its courage and voice and providing an alternative. Many of you are probably the reasons I have such hope. God bless you.

7. Recognizing DARVO is the first step to freedom: 5 practical responses (Aug 25)

The key to not becoming a victim of DARVO is to recognize when it is happening and refuse to cave in. These days, we all need to become experts, since it has become pervasive with the ascension of Donald Trump and JD Vance who employ it habitually. Most government communication is laced with DARVO these days (watch Karoline Leavitt). You can see the pattern most clearly whenever the government is accused of wrongdoing. No matter how far-fetched the logic, DARVO will be employed.

8. Your conscience is in danger: The Bible can help  (Oct 20)

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. (4:1-2)   When the Spirit “expressly says” something we primarily hear it with the seventh sense, which is the main reason we should keep it in shape. The message is mainly tested in community, which is why we need to stay connected to discerning believers. That sense can be dulled. A conscience can even be cauterized so it becomes impermeable to grace, joy and love.

9. Am I doing enough about Donald Trump?  (Jul 28)

When you read the comments to my Facebook post, you probably don’t see the beauty in each respondent. You don’t know them. We all know social media does not represent real persons, just a snippet of verbiage or snapshot of a moment. I have the benefit of knowing how each of these people care for others or are brilliant in their own way, I know a bit about their struggles and successes, their losses and graces. Most of them have faith.

Yet the Trump effect warps their dignity. Whatever distorted politics we are sorting out, we at least need to say a tidal wave of “NO!s” to dismissing our friends and hating our enemies. That may not be enough to stop the tyrants, but it will mean we have something left when they have passed through the social digestive system — which can’t be soon enough for me.

10. Your small group in the church: Key to thriving? (Aug 11)

In the U.S. we Jesus followers might think the individual is the basic unit of the Church. If we are moral, we might think it is the family. But I think the Bible and common sense tells us it is a small group which is the basic unit. Many church people call that small group a cell, a construct within the Body of Christ held together by the Spirit of in love — not born of flesh but of God.

Top Ten from previous years.The common emotion wheels need unpacking (2023)A spiritual midwife: God’s helpers in birthing new life (2013)The Stages of Faith: Earth, Wind, Fire and Water (2018)Exploring DBT skills with Jesus: Ever thought you’re an idiot? Read this (2019)Slander divides: Six ways to overcome it (2023)Who Are You? — In honor of Teresa de Jesus (2019)FFF #17 — Brendon Grimshaw and his Seychelles wonder (2022)Group communication “sad?” Try on some Virginia Satir. (2023)Undo triangulation in the church: Practice Matthew 18 (2019)“How I Got Over:” Mahalia Jackson helps us do the new (2022)The post Top Ten Posts for 2025 appeared first on Development.