Okay.

So no one mentions William Lane Craig, anymore? What happened?

GenZs, who is inspiring you in the field of apologetics?

@Born_Crucified

What does blocking friends mean in the age of mental health crisis?

Let me start with this, have you ever blocked someone over social media? When was the last time you blocked someone who used to be your close friends?

Now, having that in mind, just think of how your close friend will feel after you block them. What message does it convey?

1. You don't want them?
2. They are not relevant to your life anymore?
3. They shouldn't be existing anymore?

I am sure you didn't mean any of the three. But how do they know unless you convey your message by telling them why you are blocking or ghosting them? They will suffer thinking that their best friend has closed the chapter on them. At best you have conveyed a message that you have given up on them.

The last time I blocked someone was two years ago. It happened for two weeks. It broke me, not them. I know some people who nag the hell out of us seem like they deserve to be blocked. But is there any other way that we can convey our message without blocking them? Yes, there is.

1. Let people know why you are mad at them. Make sure they understand it. Let them know in plain terms. Like you are telling a third grader. It's okay. Just do it.

2. Tell them how that made you feel. Express your feeling. If you are mad, be mad. In a nice way of course. If you are broken, show your tears. Let your feelings be heard and seen. Don't mask anything. Why would you?!

3. Tell them that you need a space (if you feel so). Let them know you would like to have a break from the friendship. It's okay.

4. Let them know that if they keep nagging you, you will be forced to not pick their calls or respond to their texts. And let them know this actually worsens the situation, and not heal.

5. Pray with them. Pray a prayer of brokenness. Be humble in front of the person or situation that broke you. Pray with them when you conclude everything.

You don't have to tell them you love them or be dramatic about it. Be genuine.

By doing so, you will save a life. You will save yourself.

@Born_Crucified

"ይትባረክ እንደአብርሃም!"

I still remember the very first time I heard this timeless melody.

It was during the 2004 CECAFA Cup, right after Ethiopia clinched a glorious 3-0 victory against Burundi at the Addis Ababa Stadium. I was at home, watching the TV closely, feeling proud. When the final whistle blew, people started celebrating, and then something amazing happened.

Mahmoud Ahmed, the legendary artist with a Muslim background, took the stage. And from his lips flowed a distinctly Orthodox spiritual refrain:
“ይትባረክ እንደአብርሃም!”

I was stunned. How could such a traditional Orthodox Christian song echo through a stadium in a secular sports celebration, sung by a Muslim artist no less? I still don’t know.
But I do know this: it was beautiful. It was unifying. It transcended lines and names.
Whether you called him አብርሃም or ኢብራሂም, it didn’t matter.
That night, everyone danced.
Everyone rejoiced.
Everyone was blessed, like Abraham.

Now, 21 years later, I believe a new version of that same spirit has come again.

This past week, Tiztaw Samuel, a courageous voice in the Orthodox Church’s reformation movement, released a soul-stirring version of “ይትባረክ እንደአብርሃም!”
But this time, Christ is at the center.
It’s more than a melody, it’s a vision.
A song that bridges traditions, tribes, and denominations.
A blessing for all who trace their faith back to Abraham.

When I heard it, I couldn’t help but imagine singing it alongside my dear friend @MYkeber (Misgana Kibret), kindred spirit who’s long held a burning passion for revival within the Orthodox Church. Nearly a decade ago, we would walk together to St. Joseph Church, eager to hear the teachings of Memhir Assegid Sahlu. His bold stand for reformation cost him his place in the church. He was excommunicated, but not silenced. He went on to found Kale Awadi, a ministry that continues to flourish to this day.

As I listen again to this powerful song, my heart is full of hope and prayer.

May "ይትባረክ እንደአብርሃም!" rise again, not just as a song, but as a signal of unity. May the reformers and the faithful of every fold join hands and lift their voices for the glory of Christ. Let it no longer be a song where one feels wounded and another uplifted. Let it be a blessing for all the children of Abraham, a melody of healing, unity, and shared inheritance.

May the day soon come when we will no longer be divided by tradition, but united by the One in whom all blessings flow.
"ይትባረክ እንደአብርሃም!"

@Born_Crucified

Is this press release authentic?

If so, that will be the best thing I read this year so far. The Anabaptists are acting as true Mennonites. This is how you communicate Theology of Peace.

Having said that, who is writing this letter on behalf of the church? The president? Secretary General? Why don't they show their names and signature? Are they afraid of something?

Or perhaps it isn't an authentic press release?

@Born_Crucified

We are back.

Joined the 30s club today.

I was 23 years old when I started writing on this channel.

Time flies.

I'm grateful.

@Born_Crucified

10 years ago, on this very day, I received a text from one of the elders of the small Baptist church I am member of. The text read, “Congratulations, Naol. The elders have accepted your application to become a full time minister at our church.”

Just like that I withdrew from med school to become a full time minister at a small Baptist church at the age of 20.

Isn't it crazy?

Here I am writing to you as into my third year residency program.

I just want to say no matter the path gets witty and gritty, God will not fail you. He won't forget what you have done for His name sake.

Be humble. Serving is not a failure. Waiting for a taxi is not a failure. Nothing is a failure when you are doing while eternity is in the sight.

He will come to reward you someday.

@Born_Crucified

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

- Frederick Bauchner

I came across this quote yesterday. It's an eye opening experience to be honest. Here is why. This quote makes you realize that our joy and the world's deepest hunger can actually meet somewhere. You can still be deeply happy while working to help people who are in need places where the need is significantly high.

You can still be happy and fulfilled.

It is possible, my friend.

You don't have to mourn to make others happy. You can joyfully be a healing to those who all are in need. But the question is that will you be willing to sacrifice the comfort this world gives you to heal and address the deepest need of the world itself?

Will you walk the Jesus walk?

Will you be willing to go to places where God wants you to go?

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

@Born_Crucified

Any medical interns at Jijiga University Medical Campus interested in a nice holiday lunch this Saturday while discussing about medicine, faith and missions? Just inbox me!

@Born_Crucified

Happy New Year to you and your family, friends.

@Born_Crucified

https://youtu.be/wdCp0NiebRI?si=J36goi7Xj-gOUHtG

To be honest, those who know me know that I’m no longer interested in cultural commentary. But here is my response to those who opposed this song, especially those who have studied contextual theology.

I have noticed a double standard—whether intentional or unintentional—or perhaps ignorance among those who disagree with Lidiya’s song. Their problem seems to be more with the method than with the content. I hope they have all actually listened to the song. The content is beautiful. She is bringing the gospel to every household.

“ሆ ብለን መጣን ሆ ብለን
ኢየሱስን ይዘን
ወንጌሉን ይዘን”

I don’t think any genuine believer in the gospel would oppose those words. The issue seems to lie with the melody that was used. Here’s how I see it:

The melody belongs to the people. It is usually labeled “የህዝብ” — meaning it does not belong to any individual. Is it okay to use “የህዝብ” melodies for gospel songs? Yes, it is perfectly okay.

In Oromo culture, we use Geerarsaa in our gospel music. Don’t we? Geerarsaa is a traditional melody that belongs to the people. Traditionally, it is used to express dissatisfaction or even inspire people to war. But Christians have redeemed it and used it to proclaim the gospel. Is it sinful to sing with Geerarsaa? No.

Just a few weeks ago, Tiztaw Samuel used “ይትባረክ እንደ አብርሃም,” and we sang and praised the Lord with it. That was perfectly fine. We use many other traditional melodies for the glory of God. Was Tiztaw wrong for using those melodies to glorify God? No.

In missions, we even use the melodies of Menzuma to share the gospel with Muslims. Is that wrong? No.

So what makes Lidiya’s song any different? Nothing. She is using the same incarnational model to proclaim the gospel — becoming part of the people to whom she is ministering. The gospel does not require a person to separate their culture from their faith, as long as the culture is not inherently evil or harmful. The gospel is always preached in the context of every people group.

Lidiya’s “Hoo Blen Metan” is a beautiful summary of the gospel message, expressed through our beautiful melodies. May all children sing and spread the gospel using Lidiya’s incarnational model.

@Born_Crucified

Barituu ganamoo,
Waarituu galgaloo

Na duraa mul'ataa
Yaadaa oolee hin buluu

He was more than a voice. His touch is all over Eastern Ethiopia. No one can miss the taste of his melodies without being reminded of the communal life of the East. Dire Dawa carries his imprint, Jigjiga and Harar hold his emblem. He was not only a singer; he was an ethnographer of the highest order. His melodies told stories words could not.

He crossed the boundaries of language. He sang in Oromo, Somali, Harari, and of course Amharic. His love songs are still heard everywhere.

He also crossed the boundaries of religion. Between halal and haram he carved a middle ground. Not everyone welcomed it, but his music gathered Muslim, Christian, and traditionalist in one Jam’aa. He dressed like a sheikh, yet danced like a pop star. He could pray like a traditionalist and still sing in the melodies of St. Yared.

If you travel to Eastern Ethiopia, or anywhere at all, his songs can accompany you like a journal. Whether you are traveling for work or missionary endeavor, they will turn you into an ethnographer of life itself.

To the one and only, Adeeroo.

@Born_Crucified

Any young recent MD graduate interested in chatting over coffee or tea about career aspirations, missions, and medicine?

I’ll be around Addis this week. Let’s connect for coffee!

@Born_Crucified

Pheew. What a week!

First, apologies to all my friends I promised to meet but couldn’t. Not even exaggerating when I say I had one-on-one meetings with more than 40 people in the last 10 days. Sounds crazy, I know. I sat with leaders and friends across different projects: Ethiopian Orthodox, Tehadiso, Catholic, and Pentecostal leaders here in Ethiopia. I also met friends and visited sites in Jigjiga.

So many lessons. So much brokenness. So much to learn about our shared humanity, things I’ll be reflecting on in the coming weeks and months.

Thank you all for being kind.

@Born_Crucified

Rest in Peace, Voddie Baucham (1969-2025).

@Born_Crucified

Hey friends,

As the celebrations fill the streets of Finfinnee, my mind has been elsewhere, specifically on the issue of Assab and the port.

It’s very much impossible to ignore the growing national conversations, the emotions, and the political heat surrounding it regarding Assab and Eritrea. But beyond politics, I think it's the time we should all be asking what should the Church’s response be?

Would it be just for the Church to endorse or remain silent if the nation were to wage a campaign (military or civil) to reclaim Assab?

Does Ethiopia have a moral ground and means to reclaim Assab?

And more importantly, what kind of role should the Church play this time, in light of its often destructive involvement and, at times, painful silence during the Tigray war?

I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

@Born_Crucified