Jesus
States across the Nation taking a BIG Gamble on the Future
I was on the Marc Steiner show on WEAA 88.9FM (Baltimore) Monday evening talking about the prospect of Maryland expanding its gaming options to include casinos. As predicted by many of us who were decrying slots in Maryland; state lawmakers are now teasing the idea of casinos in an effort to deal with... »
To Whom Should Christians Pledge Allegiance?
The continuing drama circling Goshen College right now has sparked an internal discussion within me. Goshen College, the private Mennonite school, recently reversed its 114 year history of not singing or playing the National Anthem before sporting events. Paying homage to its Christian roots of nonviolence and pacifism, the Mennonite school viewed... »
When Christian Mission Goes Way Wrong (part 2)
Photo Credit: Telegraph.Co.Uk I have an uneasy feeling when it comes to Christian Missionaries. I know that sounds strange coming from a pastor. But anyone who reviews the history of missionaries from the Western, American context will find a deluge of disheartening examples connecting Christian Mission with subjugation, oppression, and the dehumanizing of... »
Hip Hop Help Haiti
Last night I was on a very impressive international conference call with more than 700 others to talk about how everyday people can stand in solidarity with our Haitian sisters and brothers. The call was hosted by the Hip Hop Caucus and moderated by its CEO, Rev. Lennox Yearwood. The call featured... »
New Year, Same Struggle: Starting 2010 in Solidarity with Palestinians
Technically, I started the year in corporate worship and fellowship at my church. For those not familiar with the Black Church experience, we observe what we call Watch Night Service on New Year’s Eve every year. It’s a night for us to reflect on the past year’s journey and look forward to... »
Haiti’s Quake: Our Challenge
Photo Credit: Gnews.com Like many of you, my heart has been heavy for the people of Haiti this week as they have endured a tremendous earthquake and successive aftershocks. A country that was already struggling and surviving in the midst of extreme poverty; is now trying to dig out from significant infrastructural collapse and... »
My mind and library will grow this year thanks to InterVarsity Press
One of my new gigs this year is that I’m a book reviewer for InterVarsity Press. Thanks to this blog, someone from the publishing company contacted me and wondered if I would be interested in reading and writing reviews of their publications. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity. I LOVE... »
The Freecycle Network: Another Step toward Simple Living
What do a desk lamp, a recycling bin, and a sewing machine have in common? They are all materials that I picked through The Freecycle Network. According to their website, Freecycle is a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all... »
The Spirit of SMEAC Lives On
I read an article yesterday in The Baltimore Sun entitled, “Activist walks away from Baltimore’s Middle East.” The article almost reads like a depressing obituary for Save Middle East Action Coalition (SMEAC). This excerpt, written by one of SMEAC’s former Executive Directors, gives some perspective on this remarkable organization: Save Middle East Action... »
Baltimore Urbanite Magazine requested a submission from me…
for their upcoming edition entitled “Separate Lives: Why Baltimoreans Don’t Mix, and What We Can Do About It.” They are partnering with Open Society Institute (OSI) on this being as though OSI has spent about half this year rolling out their Talking About Race Series. I was only allowed to submit 300... »
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