Troy Davis was found guilty of murdering a police officer 19 years ago, based upon the testimony of 9 witnesses. Today, 7 of those 9 have recanted their testimony entirely, and there are enormous problems with the testimony of the remaining 2 witness accounts. There is NO OTHER EVIDENCE. The murder weapon was never found. There is no DNA to test. Troy is scheduled to die by lethal injection on September 21, 2011.

I want to thank all of you for your efforts and dedication to Human Rights and Human Kindness, in the past year I have experienced such emotion, joy, sadness and never ending faith. It is because of all of you that I am alive today, as I look at my sister Martina I am marveled by the love she has for me and of course I worry about her and her health, but as she tells me she is the eldest and she will not back down from this fight to save my life and prove to the world that I am innocent of this terrible crime.

As I look at my mail from across the globe, from places I have never ever dreamed I would know about and people speaking languages and expressing cultures and religions I could only hope to one day see first hand. I am humbled by the emotion that fills my heart with overwhelming, overflowing Joy. I can’t even explain the insurgence of emotion I feel when I try to express the strength I draw from you all, it compounds my faith and it shows me yet again that this is not a case about the death penalty, this is not a case about Troy Davis, this is a case about Justice and the Human Spirit to see Justice prevail.

I cannot answer all of your letters but I do read them all, I cannot see you all but I can imagine your faces, I cannot hear you speak but your letters take me to the far reaches of the world, I cannot touch you physically but I feel your warmth everyday I exist.

So Thank you and remember I am in a place where execution can only destroy your physical form but because of my faith in God, my family and all of you I have been spiritually free for some time and no matter what happens in the days, weeks to come, this Movement to end the death penalty, to seek true justice, to expose a system that fails to protect the innocent must be accelerated. There are so many more Troy Davis’. This fight to end the death penalty is not won or lost through me but through our strength to move forward and save every innocent person in captivity around the globe. We need to dismantle this Unjust system city by city, state by state and country by country.

I can’t wait to Stand with you, no matter if that is in physical or spiritual form, I will one day be announcing,

“I AM TROY DAVIS, and I AM FREE!”

Never Stop Fighting for Justice and We will Win!

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 heart wrenching loss of life. I join you in sending prayers to God on behalf of our sisters and brothers in Haiti.

What you may not know is that I was planning to be in Haiti in 2 months for a trip of reverse mission with a ministry in Washington, DC called Faith & Money Network – an offshoot of sorts of Church of the Saviour. I’ve had Haiti on my heart for a couple of years now and this trip of reverse mission was going to be a highlight of my year. I learned yesterday, however, that because of the quake, the trip has been postponed. Even by March, there will be significant rebuilding and re-gathering of life still going on. I’m prayerful about another opportunity that may still grant me the blessing of planting my feet on Haitian soil.

I’m still processing all that has happened this week in terms of Haiti and plan to give a more thoughtful response to things in a few days, but I wanted to at least provide some avenues of assistance as many of you are looking for ways to help. I contacted my sister in DC who lived in Haiti for a while and has sincere relationship with Haiti’s people. She recommended the following organizations for those looking to make financial donations:

Doctors Without Borders, Partners In Health, and Beyond Borders

Kevin Powell also provided a resource sheet of vetted organizations called “How to ‘Help’ Haiti.” Being sensitive to the sad tendency of some to capitalize on the misery of others and to the reality of some organizations being popular in name, but questionable in connections “on the ground,” this resource was created to help us support those organizations – ones particularly led by Haitians and people of color- who are providing support.

Finally and to me most importantly, let us commit to something more urgent than money, speeches, sermons, or even blog articles – let us join together in PRAYER and as we listen let us respond in Love.

Though our life situation as a young family doesn’t make it possible for us to join at this time, I look forward to revisiting this possibility at a later stage in our lives. That won’t stop me from sharing the information with others who might take advantage now and being open to how I can support these types of efforts even I don’t become involved directly.

Take a look at this short segment that CNN did on Christian Healthcare Co-operatives in America. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts. Would you sign up to be a part of something like this?

I’ve been doing a lot of hiding in my office for the past two weeks while trying to digest my perception of pastoral duties during the Holy Season. As my friends over at Working Preacher reminded visitors not long ago, this is a season that in many ways speaks for itself. Oh how I wish I would’ve heard that message back in January when I attempted to speak sermonically to the magnitude of our current president’s inauguration. The Sunday after the swearing in I approached the microphone and being utterly overwhelmed by the historical implications of the moment, I stammered and struggled through a sermon before returning dejectedly to my big chair. (Thank God for grace and the people for patience.)

The inauguration of President Barack Obama pales in comparison to the immensity of the Holy Season. This is my first Holy Season as a pastor, and I must confess a yearning in me to lead the people to meaningful worship and reverence in light of it, but exactly how to get there – I can’t say I’m certain.

What I am certain of is my desire to leave the traditions that have lost some value for me over the years. One of the great things about a blog is that it gives one the opportunity to see how they have evolved, grown, or in some cases regressed over a period of time. It was interesting for me to revisit a post about Easter that I wrote way back in 2005. It was full of frustration and poignant questioning as I was in the midst of my seminary journey standing on the rubble of what used to be my theological grounding. Then 2 years later, I was invigorated by a chance to celebrate Resurrection Sunday at a Juvenile Detention Center. It was life changing and in a sense it gave me “permission” to celebrate the holy days of my Faith in nontraditional contexts.

Now 2 years from that wonderful experience in 2007 here I am again – now as a pastor who has decidedly steered the Faith Community of which I am a servant, away from some of the informal baptist distinctives that have defined this season for decades: 7 Last Words Services, fish after church, and new easter clothes on parade.

And while I knew that I didn’t want to return to those traditions that for me have lost some value, I didn’t – and don’t know exactly how we will reverence the Risen Lord this year. Here I am hiding out in my office (trying to keep quiet so that those in the church don’t hear me) on the eve of Good Friday and I don’t have the program set for this weekend!

But in some strange way – in the midst of my utter bewilderment I’m beginning to find some comfort. I thought it was because of this 10ft tall wooden cross in my office or the ceramic Jesus staring at me on my desk; but no – it’s more than that. In a position where the expectation from everyone is that you should be “in control” and in some ways manipulating the flow of worship and manufacturing the presence of the Spirit (in partnership with the organist of course); I’m beginning to feel truly liberated by not having to define this Holy Season for others. Somewhere in the midst of the cross, my ceramic Jesus and the holy music playing through my desk radio; God has reminded me today and even leading up to today that Jesus speaks most eloquently for himself this weekend. While the other 51 weekends in the year are characterized by well-intentioned orators who through the foolishness of preaching attempt to “speak a word for the Lord”; this weekend – like no other weekend – the Lord speaks a word for Himself!

Therefore I am free. Like Matthew’s donkey and colt (or just Mark’s colt), the Lord has demanded my release for He has need of me….and he needs me not to bear the burden of drawing anyone toward him, but like the beast that carried him into Jerusalem – he calls me just to lift Him!

And while I’m still not sure what “lifting Him” will look like in a practical way come Good Friday Noonday Service or Easter Sunday Worship; I think I’ll follow the example of two eyewitnesses to Christ’s crucifixion. Mary and “the disciple whom Jesus loved” stood on Golgotha’s Hill on that dreadful Friday not knowing what to do either until Jesus gave them some instruction for living in and past that moment. I think I’ll wait at the base of Calvary as well listening intently for directions from the cross. With that desire in heart, I have a hunch that I’ll be joining the women as we run from the empty tomb full of hilarious joy aching to tell the good news.

Do you mind if I close with the words of that beautiful hymn of the church?

At the cross
At the cross
Where I first saw the light
And the burdens of my heart rolled away

They sure did.

Have a blessed and meaningful weekend.

I open this space for you to reflect, comment, and define what this moment means to you and what you feel it means to this nation.

Congratulations to the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. My prayers are with him, his family, and the nation.

And yet, I know that the vision that God has given me for the church that I’m blessed to serve does require resources. As people are educated and invited to experience a deeper faith walk by giving tithes and offerings, then God will provide the provision for the vision.

A part of that vision is helping and supporting the “least of these” all around my congregation. Not too many Sundays go by that someone doesn’t show up at the church looking for food. I thank my God that we have been able to provide food and monetary gifts (and even transportation to work) to everyone who has presented themselves in need. However, I must admit that it’s getting more and more difficult. While we are strong financial supporters of the local emergency food pantry, it’s not open on Sundays and we can’t turn folks away with a word to wait until Monday.

I am confident that this season of economic strain will help us as a church family grow in our Faith. We’re learning already to be better stewards of the gifts that God has given us and this is a great lesson to put things in place during the “fat seasons” so that you’re ready when the “lean seasons” come.

In this CNN/WBAL interview, Rev. Johnny Golden, pastor of New Unity Church in Baltimore and president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance talks about the strain on churches and the charge to trust God through it all.

Newsday.com is reporting that gospel music legend, Dr. Timothy Wright and members of his family were involved in a tragic auto accident in Pennsylvania late Friday. Wright’s wife, Betty, died in the crash and he and the couple’s teenage grandson were critically injured.

There is no update yet on Pastor Wright’s condition. Please keep him, his grandson, and their family in your prayers. Condolences to the Wright family and the Grace Tabernacle Christian Center family as well concerning the tragic loss of Betty Wright.

Sunday, July 6, 2008 UPDATE
Eflux Media is reporting that the Wright’s 14 year old grandson, D.J. Wright, has succumbed to his injuries and passed away Saturday evening. Again, please pray for Pastor Wright and his family.

My prayers are with Talia’s family, especially her father, Jerome.

Here is a thoughtful video which tells a piece of Talia’s story through pictures and song.

God bless.

Well, today – in fact in a few moments – his wife will undergo surgery in an attempt to remove the cancer from her body. The good news is that it is not a form of cancer that spreads to other parts of the body so if the doctors can get all of it out, there is a good chance – with additional medical treatment – that it won’t return.

I just prayed for her, him, and their family, but I also wanted to record my supplication here as well. I believe deeply in the power of prayer. I believe that something happens when we diligently seek to connect with The Almighty through the vehicle of communication known as prayer. Even as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, my recent experiences have emboldened my conviction that prayer is the best thing that family, friends, and loved ones can do in times of sickness, trouble, or chaos.

I record this prayer as a testament to the miraculous power of Almighty God:

Most gracious God, I come before you with great sincerity lifting to you my dear brother, his wife, and family. As you know Lord, she is about to undergo surgery for cancer as I type these words. My prayer Lord is that you intervene in this situation. You know her. You created her. You formed and fashioned her as a gift to her husband, family, and this community. Now Lord, I pray that you heal her body. Heal her body, Lord. Be with the surgeons as they prepare to be used as instruments of divine healing. Clear their minds, steady their hands, calm their souls, and focus their attention on my sister. Strenghten my brother who is now sitting in the waiting area. Prop him up on every leaning side and embolden his faith so that he rests assured that you are well able to do anything, but fail. Be with their children as they have understandable concern for their mother. Show yourself strong to them so that they’ll grow in their ability to rely on you even under troubling circumstances. Have your way, Lord. I’m praying for a good report. I’ll be ever so mindful to give you all the praise, glory, and honor for this and the many other signs of your blessings to your people. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN.

It was refreshing, invigorating, and spiritually satisfying. I needed to commune with God and I did even though attacks by the Adversary persisted. I was and am at peace.

During this season of fasting I learned how much support I really have in my circle of friends. Those who know me personally know that I am a giver. I give my time, energy, and resources to many many great causes and oftentimes to people that I may never see again. Likewise, I strive to be extremely supportive of those in my circle who are doing great things. To be honest, however, sometimes I wondered if I would receive the same level of support from others in my time of need. People say that they support you, they’re with you, they got your back, and the famous church line: “I’ll pray for you” – knowing that they aren’t going to pray. I wondered if I only have those type of folk in my circle. I no longer need to wonder.

When I announced my fast via this blog, I started receiving text messages and emails left and right. People were contacting me to let me know that they were with me. A few true brothers of mine even let me know that they were joining me in the fast! This was amazing to me because I hadn’t even detailed the situation that prompted the fast in the first place! It was like, “Whatever Heb is fasting about, I’m aligning myself with him in support.”

I couldn’t believe that, man and honestly I had to learn how to accept that type of support from others. I can be a pretty proud man. (something that God is still working on in me – finding the right balance) So when another brother comes to me saying, “I’m praying for you”, “I support you”, “I love you and am here for you” and then checks on me every day to see how I’m doing… I had to learn how to receive that. But you know – it’s something that I will never forget. Everybody needs somebody sometimes. (I said EVERYBODY.)

On top of the outpouring of support that I received from those in this state and on the eastern seaboard; I also received a great surprise one day. About 5 years ago (maybe more now) I met an amazing sister in a chat room (remember those?). We clicked pretty quickly and were eager to learn more about each other. Since that time, we’ve remained in touch, “met” each other’s families, sent happy birthday wishes, etc. Last week, she picked up the phone and called me at my desk. I was completely blown away. Why? Because she lives in Argentina, South America!!! I will never forget that 5 – 8 minute call from a friend who was concerned just because she read a post that suggested that I was under duress. I was so excited I clicked over, called my wife and we had an international conference call support group right there on the spot.

This was an amazing week for me. God revealed to me the type of caring, compassionate people that are all around me. And MOST important – the situation that prompted me to the fast in the first place was resolved. God intervened in my affairs – Interrupted the natural course of activity prescribed by the knowledge of men and reversed it to show that only God has the FINAL SAY. God is the Ultimate Authority – well able to overrule the depressing reports of humanity’s chief experts and for that I GIVE GOD PRAISE!

THANK YOU LORD! YOU’RE WORTHY! I PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME! (excuse me ya’ll, but if you knew what I have been through just this week – you would be praising God too!)

WHEN I THINK OF THE GOODNESS OF JESUS…..AND ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL HE’S DONE FOR ME, MY SOUL CRIES HALLELUJAH – THANK GOD! THANK GOD! THANK GOD!

Be not dismayed whatever be’tide
God will take care of you
Beneath his wings of love abide
God WILL take care of you!