Last week, my husband and I celebrated our anniversary. Days eighty-five through ninety-one of my pause for the cause from the Bible presented a lesson in do-overs and love. During our last anniversary, my husband did something that really upset me. I had forgotten about it, or rather, I did not have it on the top or bottom of my mind for quite some time. Whenever I thought about our last anniversary, I remembered the good memories we had on our... Read more
People remain mixed, divided, or unbothered about the testimonies of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh during the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) hearings. Most can be identified as either pro-Kavanaugh or Kava-nah, whether it is from Dr. Ford’s allegations and testimony or the Supreme Court nominee’s temperament and responses. In this post, I discuss five commandments to consider from the SCOTUS hearings. Thou Shalt Discern. People have pointed to the emotions expressed by Dr. Ford and Judge... Read more
I attended a crystal workshop. Although I have some experiences I could discuss from days seventy-eight through eighty-four of my year-long pause from Bible Study that could make things seem more on the proper Christian up and up, I choose this experience. I believe there are more of us Christians with beliefs that do not fit neatly within the religious constraints of the pulpit than we care to reveal. According to the Pew Research Center, 29% of those highly involved... Read more
Thousands of Christians are making the Biblical case, albeit statement, to support racism, sexism, and homophobia. And they are doing it in a way that seems kind, just, and Jesusie. It is the Statement on Social Justice and The Gospel (Depending on my mood, I refer to it as “The Statement” or “Da Statement”). Intentions aside, it reads is as if a friend said, “I’m not homophobic,” and afterwards, winked at me. It reads like some dude sitting in a... Read more
Who wants to be homeless like Jesus? I’m going out on a limb here to contend that most people probably do not have it as a goal or posted on their vision boards. Nope. And I have not come across any executive or life coaches boasting about how they guide their clients to achieve homelessness. With this being said, during days seventy-one through seventy-seven of my year-long Bible hiatus, my husband and I moved into our new home, and I... Read more
Do you have tears that no one ever sees? Do you go through life with a brave face or confident smile, but when you are alone, it dissipates? Maybe you feel numb to the world around you. You have stuffed down your emotions so far that you struggle with feeling them. Perhaps your heart has been riddled with guilt and despair because, in spite of your accomplishments, you do not feel happy. As you cry yourself to sleep, you ask... Read more
Some time has passed since the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and I still do not think everyone who voted for Trump is a racist. Because I write and speak at length about issues of race and racism, some people expect the opposite. Currently, we live in times where to get along with different groups, we are supposed to agree and follow every single belief unquestioningly. Every. Single. Belief. And that’s not me. At least, that has not been me for... Read more
Arising out of the flames of burning Nike apparel in the name of patriotism, a new creation has taken form: The faketriot. What is a faketriot? A faketriot is a fake patriot- a person who thinks s/he is patriotic, but her/his beliefs and actions oppose the fabric and ideals of the nation they support. Nike chose Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback who help ignite a peaceful protest in response to police brutality, as the face of their 30th anniversary... Read more
What if a White church canceled Bible study or Sunday worship service to go watch Spike Lee’s Black KkKlansman? What if all churches in the United States did it? Last week, (Days 57-63 of my yearlong break from Bible study), my husband and I watched the Spike Lee joint, Black KkKlansman. Afterward, we made time to reflect on the film together, discussing thoughts and feelings the movie raised for each other. As for me, this movie provided scripture, church, Bible... Read more
Unicorns and rainbows have trended for a while. They are no longer reserved to child’s play. Indeed, different ages are trying to unleash their inner unicorn. Others have hair kissed of the rainbow with or sans horn. I, for one, am enjoying the creativity of the endless hair styles and the increase in unicorn goods. I could make this post as an ode to all things rainbow and unicorns. I am not. Because a sinister cloud deceptively lurks behind the... Read more
Race and Grace
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