*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Carl Blue- “We all have to die to get to heaven.” When I think about heaven, I think about the overwhelming and intoxicating embrace of love. Sometimes, I think we get glimpses of extravagant love on earth. Regardless of when we are talking, I don’t think love comes without death. We have to die to our self in order to be able... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Preston Hughes- “…fight for my innocence…” Have you ever been falsely accused of something? Until the very end, Preston Hughes maintained he was innocent. Even in death, Hughes wanted his family to fight for his innocence and clear his name. Regardless of the veracity of his claims, I believe that we all begin innocent. Unfortunately, there is an accuser out there who... Read more
Eddie Ray Routh will spend the rest of his natural life in jail for murdering Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. When I watched the families of Kyle and Littlefield celebrate what they considered to be a triumph of justice, I couldn’t help but wonder about another 160 families who will never get their day of justice. We are a confused people. Chris Kyle kills 160 people and we call him a hero. Eddie Ray Routh kills 2 people and... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Ramon Torres Hernandez- “Can you hear me?” Before Ramon Torres Hernandez was executed, he wanted to know if anyone could hear him. I cannot count the late nights of prayer where I have laid awake pondering whether I was heard. Is God real? I don’t have robust proof. There are moments where I think I know and there are moments where... Read more
In February of 1997, Kelly Gissendaner orchestrated the brutal murder of her husband Doug in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Sentenced to die by in 1998, Gissendaner’s appeals process is about to run out. Barring a miracle, Gissendaner will be executed by the State of Georgia on Wednesday night (2/25/2015). Those of us who grow up in the South know well how this process of execution plays out. Over and over again, we watch society dispose of what we perceive to... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Mario Swain- Silence. Mario Swain offered no words when he was executed. Why didn’t we speak up to save him? I invite you to spend a few moments pondering the silence of Mario Swain: Silence. Amen. Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Donnie Lee Roberts, Jr.– “God knows I didn’t want to do what I did.” If we allow it, evil can possess and overtake over our lives. Upon possession, we do not necessarily do the things that we want to do. In his final moments, Donnie Lee Roberts, Jr. wanted the world to know that he didn’t want to kill anyone. I believe... Read more
Last November at the Church of God in Christ’s 107th Holy Convocation in St. Louis, Andrew Caldwell stood at the front of the auditorium and infamously declared, “I ain’t gay no more. I am delivered! I don’t like mens no more. I said I like women. Women women women women!” and went on to add, “I would not date a man! I would not carry a purse! I would not put on make-up! I will, I will love a... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Bobby Lee Hines– “Please forgive me.” Forgiveness is a powerful phenomenon that can set both the offender and the offended free. Shortly before he was executed, Bobby Lee Hines asked for forgiveness. While it is impossible to know if Bobby Lee was forgiven by those associated with his crimes or not, we can only know that God generously forgives all who ask... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Jonathan Green- “It hurts bad.” In his final moments, Jonathan Green wanted to give voice to the pain that he was suffering. On the cross, Jesus screamed out in pain, “My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?” In the midst of our pain, why do we feel the need to go through life silent about it? We make life... Read more
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