*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Donnie Lee Roberts, Jr.– “God knows I didn’t want to do what I did.” If we allow it, evil can possess and overtake over our lives. Upon possession, we do not necessarily do the things that we want to do. In his final moments, Donnie Lee Roberts, Jr. wanted the world to know that he didn’t want to kill anyone. I believe... Read more
Last November at the Church of God in Christ’s 107th Holy Convocation in St. Louis, Andrew Caldwell stood at the front of the auditorium and infamously declared, “I ain’t gay no more. I am delivered! I don’t like mens no more. I said I like women. Women women women women!” and went on to add, “I would not date a man! I would not carry a purse! I would not put on make-up! I will, I will love a... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Bobby Lee Hines– “Please forgive me.” Forgiveness is a powerful phenomenon that can set both the offender and the offended free. Shortly before he was executed, Bobby Lee Hines asked for forgiveness. While it is impossible to know if Bobby Lee was forgiven by those associated with his crimes or not, we can only know that God generously forgives all who ask... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Jonathan Green- “It hurts bad.” In his final moments, Jonathan Green wanted to give voice to the pain that he was suffering. On the cross, Jesus screamed out in pain, “My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?” In the midst of our pain, why do we feel the need to go through life silent about it? We make life... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Cleve Foster– “Over the years I have learned to love.” When Cleve Foster was about to die, he wanted everyone to know that he had learned to love. Sometimes love takes some growing into. We live in a cruel world and love seems to be a precious and endangered commodity. Often, people just learn to live and survive by being just... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Robert Wayne Harris– “I’m going home, I’m going home. I’ll be alright, don’t worry.” Robert Wayne Harris wanted everyone to be at ease as he finished his journey. In John 14:1, Jesus speaks to the disciples in the same way, “Let not your hearts be troubled…” Though there was still pain and suffering to face, Jesus knew that he was going... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Marvin Wilson- “Ya’ll do understand that I came here a sinner and leaving a saint.” In his final moments, Marvin Wilson wanted the room to know that he was a redeemed child of God. In the midst of a world that called him a criminal and a sinner, Wilson still found his way to God. Sometimes in the midst of a... Read more
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The words will be repeated over and over again across Texas tomorrow. Texan after Texan will be reminded of their own mortality. In addition to the introspection, I pray that God will add a little outerspection to Ash Wednesday here in Texas and pierce the hearts of Christians about the approaching March 5 execution of Rodney Reed. For 18 years, Rodney Reed has maintained his innocence in... Read more
There was a moment in my journey of faith that I realized that following Jesus meant death. In that moment, I realized that, “death is the way, death is the truth and death is the light.” One has to die in order to experience the fullness of Jesus. On occasion, I am vividly reminded of what the consequences of following Jesus can be. When I saw the brutal beheadings of the Coptic Christians in Libya, I was reminded of... Read more
If God is love, our theology must be Love. Love is a strange word that is more often than not thrown about to reflect the intensity of emotions between people. “I’m in love.” “I love you.” “I fell in love.” “I don’t love you anymore.” “We made love.” The interesting thing is that the way of God or the way of Love is more about a state of being and less about a state of feeling. Please don’t get me... Read more
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