*Delivered at The Church at the Table in Houston on 1/20/2016 While language can only take us so far…there are times in which our current language is not taking us far enough and other words can take us further. Tonight, I want us to explore that it would look like to shift our language concerning God. I believe that the word “it” points further into the distance of possibility and imagination than the word “God” is capable. Certainly time... Read more
* Delivered at the Dallas County Commissioners Court on 1/19/2016 Today, I’m here to speak on behalf of the Joseph Hutcheson family. On August 1, 2015 around 10am, Hutcheson parked his truck on the curb outside the Lew Sterrett Justice Center here in Dallas County and hysterically ran up the hill. Upon entering the lobby, Hutcheson loudly proclaimed, “Please don’t hurt me, I just need some help.” According to the Dallas Morning News and now a videotape of the incident,... Read more
*Based on a talk delivered at The Church of the Table in Fort Worth on 1/17/2016 The great woods were magnificent. Though I’d hiked many places, I’d never experienced anything like this. There was energy to the place that was unexplainable. The things that surrounded me were so full of God. The trees swayed their joy. The wind whispered love. The leaves crunched a welcome. The sun embraced me. I hope to go back there some day. If... Read more
Back in October, I was absolutely appalled at the spectacle of seeing a room full of evangelical pastors fawning all over Donald Trump. Not long after the circus, the Pastor of First Baptist Dallas Dr. Robert Jeffress stood in front of another circus to pray for and practically endorse Trump at one of his rallies. On the other side, pastors are also rushing out to endorse and champion Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. To make matters worse, pastors also... Read more
Growing up in Atlanta, I was well aware from an early age that the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was serious business. On numerous occasions, I traveled to Ebenezer Baptist Church to participate in the annual commemoration services. A few years back, I will never forget Dr. Cornel West warning us about those leading the “Santa-Clausification” of Dr. King by sanitizing his radical prophetic message. When I saw the advertisements for Dallas’ Annual Dr. Martin Luther King,... Read more
“I can’t breathe.” The cry has gone out over and over again. On December 21, 2015, the cry was heard again. After complaining of stomach pain, Barbara Dawson was rushed to Calhoun Liberty Hospital in Blountstown, Florida. Upon stabilization, the medical staff demanded Dawson leave the premises. Repeatedly, Dawson expressed that she didn’t feel well and begged to stay. The staff then banned her from the hospital and called police. When the Blountstown police officer came into the... Read more
*Preached at The Church at the Table in Denton, Texas on 1/10/16 A LIGHT IN THE ATTIC There’s a light in the attic. Thought the house is dark and shuttered, I can see a flickerin’ flutter, And I know what it’s about. There’s a light on in the attic. I can see it from the outside, And I know you’re on the inside…lookin’ out. -Shel Silverstein When I started thinking about meeting all of you in the... Read more
Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God? Dr. Larycia Hawkins believes so. Wheaton College is determined to fire her for such beliefs. Ever since Dr. Hawkins wore a hijab during Advent in solidarity with Muslims, I’ve watched this story unfold with mixed emotions. I agree with Dr. Hawkins on Muslims. I find many of my Muslim friends to be more like Jesus than most Christians I know. I don’t want Dr. Hawkins to be fired. I believe she... Read more
On a frequent basis, I get messages from death row inmates. Due to the volume of my work, I can only engage a small percentage of those who write. In early November, I received a request for help from Tennessee. Opening the envelope, I figured Andrew Thomas would get my regrets. I was wrong. Before I finished the note, there was a phrase at the top of the letter that caught my eye, “I am innocent.” It was not... Read more
Throughout the last five years, I’ve followed the case of human rights champion Saudi Arabian Shia Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. With tacit affirmation from the United States, the Saudi government has brutally repressed all dissent. Coming from an oppressed religious minority, Sheikh Nimr sought to bring about a better world for his fellow Shias in Saudi Arabia through nonviolent resistance. Instead of listening to him, the Saudis executed him earlier today. If you want to know what Gandhi or Dr. King looks... Read more
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