One of the highlights of my journey to Palestine/Israel centered on the home-stays. We lodged at hotels or hostels for much of our time in Palestine, but there were two nights where we were guests in the homes of Palestinian families. Our first stay was in the Palestinian Christian town of Beit Sahour –...
Casual study of some of the major state-sponsored atrocities of history will reveal that oftentimes there was religious representation somewhere in the mix that attempted to provide theological sanction for the vicious brutality being enacted on others. Somebody who claimed to speak in the name of God, provided “permission” or spiritual cover that would...
In C. Eric Lincoln and Lawrence Mamiya’s classic work on the Black Church, they rightly describe the character and nature of the “Black sacred cosmos.” Much more than just casual weekend activity or flippant denominational recognition; Christianity for practicing African Americans is so interwoven into personal and social identity that it’s hard just to...
I was actually on the ground in Palestine/Israel when the Israeli Military attacked the Freedom Flotilla which was making its way to the Gaza Strip to deliver 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid to the 1.5 million Palestinians sufferings under the Israeli Blockade. In the days following the attack, thousands of Palestinians, Israelis, and Internationals...
Thanks be to God, I have safely returned to my family and community from my two week trip to Palestine/Israel. As most of you know, I was away with a delegation from a group called Interfaith Peace Builders. I would HIGHLY recommend anyone considering such a trip to go with an organization like this....
Memorial Day took on a totally new meaning today for me. For the past many years, it has been a day to gather with family at my Aunt Mary’s House for a cookout that has been a staple for 30+ years. We get together to catch up on family news, sing songs that feed...
What if a military force came to your neighborhood built walls all around your block and refused to allow you to go and come as you please. How would you feel about that? What if they decided to attack your walled-in neighborhood from the sky and sent troops in to kill people too. How...
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 the coming...
Today, I preached a sermon entitled, “Hanging on to Christmas” with a scriptural focus of Matthew 2:16-19. This passage describes Herod’s murderous response to the birth of Jesus. For fear that the Christ Child would push him from his perch as client ruler of Judea, Herod ordered infanticide in Bethlehem and the surrounding area...
While violence between Israel and Hezbollah was unfolding I was vigorously reaching out to my elected officials and all others who would listen about the root causes to the violence and the unjust policies enacted by Israel that subjects their neighbors to stifling occupation. One day I turned on the television and started watching...
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