Dallas: I’m Ashamed The hour is late. I can’t sleep. Tonight, I’ve watched the nation burn. Theologically, I don’t have a problem with the destruction of the property of the oppressor. Jesus destroyed everything he could get his hands on in the Temple. In the midst of this moment, I don’t believe that Jesus would hesitate to torch a police car…or even destroy a predatory business. The problem is that current rioting is indiscriminate. In the chaos, people are... Read more
We watch as violence engulfs our cities…and we have no idea what to do. Maybe there is nothing to do. Perhaps love is dead. Maybe there is no us left. Perhaps I is all that is. While the answers to such propositions are fleeting…perhaps there is more of an answer than you realize…crackling there in the flames. Variations of the idols of injustice are everywhere. Daily we are asked to worship. Racism? Sexism? Capitalism? (Don’t forget that this all started over some suspected... Read more
George Floyd’s Final 300 Prayers/Seconds * There is a difference between “I can’t breathe” and “I can’t breath.” Breath indicates a single attempt at breath. I want to illustrate that there was 300 attempts to get just one breath. Imagine… the same prayer for 300 seconds. George Floyd prayed it over and over again. In the midst of the terror, I believe that Jesus was there…I believe Jesus heard Floyd’s prayer…I believe that Jesus died with a knee on his... Read more
*Revised from Post Published May 2014 A United States soldier processed the flag of the United States of America in to our sanctuary as we stood at attention singing “God Bless America.” The veterans in our midst were honored as we sang the “Star Spangled Banner.” The “Battle Hymn of the Republic” proceeded the pastor’s fiery sermon on the coming destruction of our beloved nation if we “…did not turn from our wicked ways.” Somehow gays, abortion... Read more
The quarantine shocked us all. Nobody expected the world to be shutdown. Of all things, people raced to acquire toilet paper. One evening I saw a local pastor, filling her cart with as much toilet paper as she could carry. Later, I saw her post on social media that she would be completely unavailable. In that moment, I realized that wiping her ass was much more important to her than loving her neighbor. Unfortunately, she was not alone. In... Read more
I haven’t blogged recently. I haven’t felt much reason too. The times have weighed on my soul. The stories of COVID-19 have revealed many questions and supplied few answers. Strangers in a strange land they traveled. Despite the difficult circumstances, they pressed forward. They knew that the baby was coming faster than they anticipated. Finally, they reached their destination. There was no room for them upon their arrival. They were forced to sleep out in the cold. Though the... Read more
Loving the Least in a Time of Pandemic : On Religious Liberty & the Social Services of Churches *As always, the word “church” includes all religious institutions for me. Though I find the political views of both Governor Abbott and Attorney General Paxton to most often be detestable, I have worked very hard and am very thankful for their recent order and interpretation declaring churches to be an essential service/business. Though they probably didn’t consider it... Read more
“Go different routes.” “Don’t tell anybody.” “Be as discreet as possible.” “Don’t wear bright clothes.” “Just tell them that you’re going to see a friend.” “Don’t ask for directions.” “Knock five times on the door.” Stay quiet.” “Close the curtains.” “Don’t turn the lights on.” “Light the candle.” “Only one person speaks at a time.” “Our lives are at stake.” “Don’t leave together.” “We will leave one at a time every thirty minutes.” ” Don’t turn around.” The entire... Read more
Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood [email protected] In recent days, our governments have repeatedly issued orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These are scary times. Restrictions are necessary. The problem arises when preventative actions begin to flippantly infringe upon basic rights. From the foundation of our nation, religious practice has been something to be protected at all costs. Make no mistake, these latest restrictions are very dangerous…and I believe unconstitutional (they are not the least restrictive... Read more
Dr. Li Weinlang: Martyr of the Faith Strange things seemed to only get stranger. Stories kept on leaking out about a new respiratory illness that was similar yet more deadly than the SARS virus of years past. Wuhan just seemed to be ignoring it. Afraid for the health of his colleagues in medicine, Dr. Li Weinlang started to investigate what was going on. Fairly quickly, it became apparent that this was a nightmare situation. On a Chinese... Read more
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