2016-12-13T17:43:34-06:00

On Monday night, a 73-year-old grandfather suffering from dementia named Francisco Serna made a lethal decision…he decided to go for an evening walk. Somewhere near the 7900 block of Silver Birch Avenue, Serna came in contact with a police officer. Thinking he had a gun, the officer shot Serna 9 times. After the incident, no gun was found.   Where was God in the midst of such tragedy? I believe that God was right there with Francisco Serna. I believe... Read more

2016-12-13T11:55:18-06:00

  I spent this morning watching videos from people in Aleppo. Person after person repeated the same message, I am going to die and this is going to be my last video. People are being slaughtered in the streets. Blood runs down the sidewalk. People can’t get out. In the midst of unbelievable suffering, the regime of Bashar al-Assad keeps killing. What are we to do?   When these atrocities take place, I often hear people talk about their inability... Read more

2016-12-13T11:03:57-06:00

  When we arrived home last night, we placed presents under the tree. The kids were really excited. After some persuading, we were able to get them to bed. Early this morning, we were awoken with shouts of, “It’s Christmas!” We rushed downstairs to find all of the presents opened. Oscillating between frustration and laughter, I stopped to remember that Christmas is not defined by one day…Christmas is everywhere.   I wonder what it would be like for us to... Read more

2016-12-12T11:35:57-06:00

  The air was unusually cold for November. My nose was running and my eyes were watering. Nevertheless, I wanted to kiss her goodbye. I knocked on the back window. I could see her sitting in her chair. Slowly, she moved toward the sliding glass door. Eventually, we got it open. I gave her a hug and kissed her on the cheek. When we briefly saw some bad news on the television, my grandmother declared, “We’re living in the end... Read more

2016-12-06T18:43:21-06:00

  Have you ever missed a dream? You woke up before it started. You tried to catch it. It was gone. For the rest of your life, you’re left to wonder about that dream. Dreams we meet in waking hours are like that too. We think that life can be better. We close our eyes. We miss it. We have to go where they are. We have to figure out how to catch our dreams.   Amen. Read more

2016-12-06T18:44:55-06:00

  I was surprised by the words. Since I’m not a Muslim, I’m not in places where people say “Allahu Akhbar” often. After the owner of an Iranian restuarant I frequent declared “Allahu Akhbar,” he told me that was trying to remind me that God is greater. I was very moved. On the way home, I found myself repeatedly muttering,”Allahu Akhbar.” I believe that God is greater. Don’t you? This Sunday, I think every church should open worship with the... Read more

2016-12-06T18:44:38-06:00

    Voices of Love   Have you ever heard voices? I hear them all. There are a particular set that are haunting. I hear them saying a variety of things. “I’m innocent.” “Please God!” “Forgive me.” “Why are you killing me?” The voices are too real to be fake.   I saw the horrible crime. Barney Fuller walked next door and killed his neighbors. I hear them too. “Please, don’t kill for us.” “God’s love is enough.” “Stop!” Even... Read more

2016-12-06T18:45:19-06:00

  *This article first appeared on the website of the Alliance of Baptists.   Eyes closed. Thoughts flood my brain. The deeper I fall asleep, the more the thoughts subside. Rapid-eye movement sets in. I’m lost in a world of dreams. There is one I’ve come to know well. Someone cries out. The police bust through the door. The officers point at me. I don’t know what I’ve done. I scream out that this is a misunderstanding. It doesn’t matter.... Read more

2016-09-30T22:49:46-06:00

  Dear Marksville.   Though my activism has taken me to many places, I’ve never been to your town. For this, I’m profoundly sorry. I’ve kept up with the case of Jeremy Mardis ever since he was gunned down with his seatbelt on. Truth be known, I was too engaged in a variety of other cases to pay too much attention to this one. Judging by the lack of engagement from activists, I don’t think I’m alone. I don’t think... Read more

2016-09-28T23:20:13-06:00

  Let us pray- Oh God, we have participated in the mechanisms of death. We must repent before we approach you this evening with our requests. We are guilty of murder God. Please forgive us.   (pause) The grace of God extends to the vilest of sinners. Let us proceed with the knowledge that our sins are forgiven. (pause) Friends, let us realize that we serve a God that declared the incarnation fully present in the lives of those who are... Read more

Follow Us!



Browse Our Archives