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 know if such a comment was intended to be a warning or not, I questioned them as to whether Christianity could even exist... Read more
Birds of a feather flock together. Strangely, I’ve found companions amongst the feathers on the farm. There is just something about these chickens. Back feathers. White feathers. Brown feathers. Green feathers. Their brilliant colors seem to never end. The feathered rainbow calls me to never stop searching for more colors. Noise catches their attention. Immediately, the chickens run as fast as they can. It is as if the whole world will crash if they don’t get there... Read more
After three days traveling, I was not in the best mental health. Between the mania and depression, I was struggling to figure out how to make it the rest of the trip. Then, a phrase gave me more clarity about where I was. “Don’t tell anyone you’re mentally ill.” There are few phrases that can strike more fear in someone whose brain functions differently than others. After hearing the phrase, I decided I needed to learn even more... Read more
“He’s the best leader in the world.” On my final flight into Zimbabwe, I overheard a gentleman make this comment about President Robert Mugabe. When I asked about all the crippling economic struggles the nation was having (unemployment at 90% and multiple government sectors having gone unpaid for 6 months), he looked at me and said, “Christians should fear the President. This is the only path to peace.” Shocked, I let the conversation drift off. Peace is an illusion when... Read more
The Shirt * words of comfort for a grieving preacher friend who wore a clergy shirt for the first time at his husband’s funeral. I laid it out. I waited for the time. I heard you call. I said goodbye. I went to the shirt. I held it tight. I knew the time was finally right. I put it on. I drove to church. I got up to speak. I knew we’d meet. I wore... Read more
Emily and I don’t have much money. Truthfully, the vegetables and rice were the best we could do tonight. We were tired. It didn’t matter. The kids were hungry. The words “money” and “tired” are not a part of their vocabulary. By the time everyone got to their plate, we were even more exhausted. In the midst of the chaos, we just wanted everyone to eat and go to bed. Then, something magical happened. I looked up and... Read more
While on routine patrol of Brooklyn, New York’s Pink Houses with his gun drawn and finger on the trigger (something law enforcement are trained to never do), rookie officer Peter Liang was startled by Akai Gurley and fired. The bullet tore through Gurley’s heart and the innocent man bled out as Liang tried to figure out how to keep his job in the midst of this major accident. Despite being trained in CPR, Liang did nothing to try to... Read more
*The Church at the Table in Oak Lawn on 1/25/2016. The looks of God are a curious thing to explore. However, I also think such attributes are something we can’t ignore. We are made in God’s image. What does God look like? God looks like us. We look like God. If you want to know what God looks like, look around. The God in whose image we are made looks like us. God is many colors, shapes, sizes,... Read more
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus said, “What you have done to the least of these, you have done to me.” Last year in a metropolitan suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, a young unarmed and naked mentally ill veteran by the name of Anthony Hill was running around his apartment complex. Concerned residents called police and Dekalb County Officer Robert Olsen responded to the scene. When Hill trotted towards him, Olsen shot and killed Hill. In those moments, Hill was the least... Read more
While I’ve never published this type of damning report about someone who is about to be executed before, I think this case calls for it. I believe that Richard Masterson is beyond mentally incompetent. I can think of few things more cruel or unusual than to execute someone who is out of their mind. Tonight, the State of Texas will try to do just that. I will be standing outside the Huntsville Unit in protest. Below, are memories of... Read more
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