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 →
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I stood by the edge of my garden and looked with disgust. My carrots, lined in a row with their tops blowing in the wind, appeared to be healthy and strong. The waving tops with their nice green color belied the growth below. I pulled them from the ground and found them to be never more than Continue reading When Things Go Wrong →
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Zach Tucker was seven years old when his parents heard the worst news they could imagine. It started with a simple question posed by his mother while they were on a family vacation, “Zach, why aren’t you using your left hand as you play ball?”
“I don’t know,” he said, “It isn’t working right.” They didn’t think much of it and continued with their vacation plans, knowing that they’d Continue reading Throwing Snowballs of Hope →
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There has been a lot of talk about politicians in trouble, recently. Talking heads on the TV are jabbering about it incessantly. And we realize that it’s true: nobody likes a slimeball leader. Continue reading Ethics and Leadership in the Church →
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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 →
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Darkness still covers the earth. Though the days are getting longer, the sun continues to set quite early. 4:37 pm, today, to be exact. It rose at 7:29 this morning, giving us nine hours and seven minutes and 57 seconds of sunlight… Darkness still covers the earth.
Just ask my mother-in-law. She’ll tell you that Continue reading Epiphany Reflections: Isaiah 60 →
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We rejoice in what God does because God saves us. That’s the heart of the gospel. From sin, death and the power of all that is evil, God in Jesus sets us free. God is at work in the world, seeking to Continue reading God does Good Things! →
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Dear Crabby One, Something pretty amazing happened recently. You apologized for harsh words spoken. You really surprised me and I was Continue reading What I Want the Crabby Guy to Know →
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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 