Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a visionary man who eloquently gave voice to hopes and dreams common to Americans but often denied people because of race and/or economic status. He pushed the system to acknowledge the ugly truth so often denied: that white folks – especially the wealthy and the middle class – enjoy privileges and rights denied to others because of color or earning power. He challenged us to work together to challenge systems that worked in the favor of some, but denied basic rights to others.
I sat in a pew in Ebenezer Baptist church several years ago reflecting on books I had been reading about Dr. King’s life, Brown vs. Board of Education, biographies on presidents and more. Anticipating my time there, I thought about Continue reading On MLK Day →
The pages of the calendar say it’s a new year. The old has passed away and the new has come. The bearded and bent man has shuffled off the stage, replaced by the infant of expectation. And what has come with this change? What is different?
We’re still talking about violence in Syria, fear of ISIS, and outlandish statements made by politicians. There are still hungry folks in the world. Trouble still stalks the night, claiming victims of the street, victims in their homes. Emergencies still interrupt and we are often caught by surprise. Continue reading New Life Is Coming…? →
Just over a year ago, I stood in the courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. I looked at its plain exterior and remembered the wonder of the first time I had been there. Twenty some years had passed. Since then, I’ve Continue reading On Holy Cross Day →
John the Baptizer pointed to Jesus the day after Christ’s baptism. He said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29-42) A finger directed their eyes toward the one whose arms would be outstretched on the cross. John announced his mission. He is the One, who gives himself for Continue reading Pointing Questions for the Church →
You know the value of good friends when you can sit down with them and share what’s going on in your life. My wife and I did Continue reading Burgers and Beer: Signs of God’s Intent →
It’s no secret that many churches are floundering. They are scrambling to keep up aging buildings, wringing hands over declining income, and sometimes showing concern about the decline of faith practices in their community. The busy-ness of maintaining the church, anxiety over changes happening among them, concerns about the future easily distract leaders and Continue reading Finding Purpose when Floundering →
Time Magazine, this week focuses on “How Faith Can Heal.” It sits along side other major articles such as “The trouble with talking to Iran” and “25 People to Blame for the Economic Mess We’re in.”
Faith has a healing power to offer the messes we find ourselves in. The articles focus on Continue reading The Healing Power of Faith →
I recently had somebody ask me whether the Church still matters, today. I responded that I definitely think the Church has a role to play. His question was posed more than three weeks ago, and yet it is still with me. It’s been rumbling around in the back of my head and I don’t always like some of the new answers I’ve been thinking about. Some answers are in the “yes” column… Others are in the “no” column.
When does the Church matter? The Church matters when Continue reading Does the Church Matter? →
God calls us to trust God's future. Jacob did it at the Jabbok. Jesus did it in the grave. What will the church do?
Jabbok's Edge 