(italics are words I’ve used in previous posts) It was three years ago. I remember. She never understood my activism and progressive ministry. While I was at home for Thanksgiving, my grandmother brought up “the gays” (in her words). I asked her, “Have you ever been attracted to a woman before?” My question was simply too much for her. I remember. It was Thanksgiving. We were leaving my childhood home. Leaving was... Read more
2 Men in Uniform. We told him that he could serve his country. We told him that we would be proud. We told him that he would be taken care of. We told him… The station looked like most others. The recruiters were used car salesmen…only they specialized in warm bodies. The promises kept on coming. They didn’t have to tell him twice. He signed the papers and prepared for basic training. He was so young. ... Read more
available at: https://www.amazon.com/God-Future-Jeff-Hood/dp/1532633564/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511585961&sr=8-1&keywords=the+god+of+the+future+jeff+hood Throughout The God of the Future, I struggled. Many of the questions I met were more than I was prepared to deal with. Regardless, I did. The following words, sentences and paragraphs are a witness to my struggle. God was there the entire time and God will be there for all time. Now, about that dog… [a] Can alien creatures know us? Doesn’t everybody hate getting dumped? Before I met the love... Read more
Unaware of what I was getting myself into, I jumped in one of those motorcycle taxi things. I had no idea that such a contraption could travel so fast. Honestly, it felt like the damn thing was going to fall to pieces at any moment. When we finally arrived at the center of the city, my stomach was destroyed. Once we stopped, I went behind a small building and threw up. Everyone was worried about me. I was worried... Read more
*These are the final paragraphs from one my latests…The Execution of God, published by Chalice Press. Throughout the day, I will travel to the execution chamber in Huntsville. Instead of commemorating Holy Week in a place of worship, I’ve chosen to experience the passion of Jesus in Adam Ward. When the State of Texas places the lethal needle into Ward’s arm, I will be standing outside in defiance. We all know that Ward’s actions aren’t... Read more
*It brings me great joy to have been blessed with the privilege of playing an infinitesimal part of the downfall of Zimbabwean Dictator Robert Mugabe. I wrote this from Zimbabwe on February 8, 2016. Dirt has been a constant companion. Like air, you’re constantly breathing it in and exhaling it out. When the bus arrived, I passed through the red fog to the climb up into my seat. Before I could even think, the driver looked at me... Read more
“What’s taking so long?” The restaurant seemed to attract assholes. It seemed like rudeness grew by the hour. When she got in her car, she let out a sigh of relief. She began to drive home. After kissing her kids, she arrived at the place she had longed for all day. Laying down and covering up, she quickly found sleep. It was there that she felt most alive. What do the backs of eyelids look like? ... Read more
*Originally posted while I was in Zimbabwe on February 6, 2016 **Reposted in response to the current coup unfolding in Zimbabwe. Earlier this afternoon, a group of Zimbabwean government officials asked me to discuss politics with them. This is an authoritarian society where such an invitation can be dangerous. Nevertheless, I engaged. When I told them that I was primarily a theologian, they told me that here in Zimbabwe politics and spirituality don’t mix. While I didn’t... Read more
How far would I go? How far would you go? The halls were dark. Time was drawing to a close. Every step was accompanied by the same words, “Dead body walking.” There was also a whisper, “I was in prison…” Something seemed to be close. The roomed seemed so far away. Fear ravaged the mind. Memories of love crept in. Heavy. Tears refused to come. The door was loud. Everything was white. This was no heaven.... Read more
NASA / Unsplash If it weren’t for my children, I wouldn’t go to church. I think I’d probably be in a better place spiritually if I didn’t. One does not have to go to a place to meet God. No matter where we go, God is there. The idea that there is a breach between God and humanity is contrary to the gospel. Jesus fixed the breach. There is no need for further fixing. There is a... Read more
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