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Neil McKown

@nmlunchbox

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Christ following, bbq smoking, garden tending, baseball loving, music listening, youth directing, hat wearing, Texas living gentleman!

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Happy Pride Month!

Today and every day, I’m grateful for the LGBTQIA+ people who are part of my life and my family’s life. You bring so much love, joy, color, authenticity, creativity, laughter, courage, and hope into the world around you.

Thank you for sharing your lives, your stories, your gifts, and your hearts with us. Our lives are richer, fuller, and more beautiful because of you.

I celebrate who you are, the communities you have built, the love you share, and the countless ways you help make the world a kinder and more vibrant place.

Wishing all of my LGBTQIA+ friends, family members, colleagues, neighbors, and loved ones a Pride Month filled with joy, belonging, celebration, and love. You are cherished, you are valued, and you are loved exactly as you are. by @nmlunchbox

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5 months ago

As I continue learning — and unlearning — more about American history and its long history of violence, racism, and prejudice, I’ve got another book recommendation I really want to share. I recently finished The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone, and I genuinely think it’s an important read.

In the book, Cone connects the crucifixion of Jesus with the history of lynching in America, arguing that the lynching tree became a powerful and painful parallel to the cross in Black Christian experience. He pushes the church — especially white theology — to honestly confront racism and the suffering inflicted on Black bodies in America in order to better understand what the cross really means.

What I appreciated most was how Cone brings together theology, history, spirituals, literature, and lived experience in a way that feels both accessible and deeply challenging.

There were a lot of takeaways from this book, but here are a few that especially stuck with me… by @nmlunchbox

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5 months ago

Happy birthday to the best person I know.

You give so freely, love so deeply, protect so fiercely, and never stop dreaming for our family. Eli and I celebrate you today—and honestly, every day.

You are the heart of our home. Because of you, our family is such a safe, loving, and joy-filled place. We are so lucky to get to do life with you. And yes—we know we drive you a little crazy sometimes (okay… a lot), but thank you for loving us through all the chaos and craziness.

You are everything a mother and spouse could be, and I’m so grateful I get to walk beside you in this life we’ve built together.

I love you so much. Happy birthday, Erin. by @nmlunchbox

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6 months ago

As part of my ongoing journey of learning and unlearning, I recently listened to American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church by Andrew L. Whitehead.

This one really put words to a lot of things I’ve been feeling and wrestling with. It reaffirmed for me what the Church is called to be—and also what we need to be willing to push back against.

The blending of faith with power, the ways some leaders (past and present) have distorted the message of Jesus, and the real harm that can come from that—especially for those already on the margins—are things we can’t ignore. If we’re serious about following Jesus, then we have to be just as serious about living and showing a different way.

I didn’t grow up in the evangelical world, but I’ve seen how some of that culture and theology has shaped the broader Church. This book helped me name that more clearly—and challenged me to keep speaking up and paying attention to voices that too often get overlooked.

I’m sharing a few takeaways/quotes that stood out to me—there were so many more, but I couldn’t post them all.

I’d definitely recommend giving it a read (or listen). And if you’ve read it—or want to—I’d love to talk more about it with you. by @nmlunchbox

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7 months ago

As part of my ongoing journey of learning—and unlearning—around race, social injustice, and my own privilege, I recently listened to Forget the Alamo: The Rise and Fall of an American Myth by Bryan Burrough.

As someone who grew up in Texas, this book challenged the version of the Alamo story I was taught. I’m proud to be a Texan, but realizing how much of that story was simplified—or left out entirely—doesn’t sit right.

I’m grateful to have a fuller picture of what was actually happening during that time in our state’s history, and I hope future generations get the chance to learn a more honest and complete version.

I’d love to talk more about it with anyone who’s interested. These were some of my takeaways from this book. by @nmlunchbox

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7 months ago

Just finished another book I can’t recommend enough. I recommend this as a parent and as a youth director who works with middle and high school students. This book explains so many things I am seeing with regard to the rise in mental health and anxiety issues for our young people. This book gives tons of stats and research to back it up. This book gives practical advice for families and parents as well has great information online as well. If you’re interested about reading it or want to talk about it let me know! by @nmlunchbox

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a year ago

Happy pride month! Thank you for all you bring into my life and my family. You are seen, heard, loved, and always have someone who has your back when you need it. Thank you for being you! by @nmlunchbox

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a year ago

Happy Mother’s Day Erin! We celebrate you and everyday! Eli and I love you so much and are so grateful for all the ways you help, lead, and give to our family. You are heart and strength of our family! You are an amazing mother and we are beyond blessed to do life together! by @nmlunchbox

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a year ago

Happy Birthday to you, @erin.mckown! You are the glue that holds our family together! You challenge us to be the kindest and best people we can be. You lead by example! Eli and I are blessed beyond blessed. Yes it’s Easter, but know that we also celebrate you today! You and Jesus! by @nmlunchbox

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a year ago

This is a must read or listen to because of the political climate we are in right now. This book shook me to my core about what we are seeing right now in the United States… we are and have been witnessing the US slide into fascism and tyranny. We must resist and fight this… America we have to do better… go read this… by @nmlunchbox

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a year ago

I have another book recommendation for you. “White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America” by Anthea Butler was another eye opening book. Church we’ve got a lot to apologize for and a lot of work to do to help people heal from the trauma and harm the evangelical movement has done and is doing currently. I strongly encourage everyone to read or audiobook this. It’s definitely worth it. by @nmlunchbox

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2 years ago

Two more book recommendations for you! Medicare For All: A Citizen’s Guide was extremely interesting and informative. It helps explain the efforts people have made to make health care a right for all people. Also, it shows the underbelly of the healthcare industry as well as those in leadership not wanting this right for all people. Definitely check this out!

Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future. Should be required reading right now. It’s eye opening on how fascism has been a part of a lot of our history from colonization, nazi Germany, and how it’s been a part of the American culture in our history and today—as we all have seen and witnessed recently. Please go read this book… by @nmlunchbox

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2 years ago