I “love” it when I hear people say they don’t want either. It reveals the true nature of things.

Officiant: O Lord, guide those who govern us;
People: And lead us in the way of justice and truth.

When I hear people speak in opposition to justice, I question whether they pray such bold prayers or read the Psalms.

How do you live out your faith if you profess to be a Christian?

“...if a man continues to call a good thing bad, he will eventually lose his sense of moral distinctions.”

-Howard Thurman
Jesus and the Disinherited

“When hatred serves as a dimension of self-realization, the illusion of righteousness is easy to create.”

Howard Thurman
Jesus and the Disinherited

Too many people are running around asking, “Who is my neighbor” instead of following Jesus’s instructions to go be a neighbor.

See Luke 10:25-37

The seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

Rev 11:15

No earthly government’s practices totally reflect the heart of God.

“To love such an enemy requires reconciliation, the will to re-establish a relationship. It involves confession of error and a seeking to be restored to one’s former place.”

-Howard Thurman
Jesus and the Disinherited

What is reconciliation without repentance?

“During times of [conflict] hatred becomes quite respectable, even though it has to masquerade often under the guise of patriotism.”

-Howard Thurman
Jesus and the Disinherited

Well, that will hit you right between the eyes when you take a look around.

OK. Go ahead and have the conversations, but I have one request. If you are going to paint a group of people as unqualified to have certain #jobs, please hide your lack of qualifications by using some tool to compensate for your horrendous spelling and grammar.

I have heard people come against those who have recently opposed racism and racist systems.

Would racial struggles exist if they were not begun by racists?

I hear people say that the oppressed or mistreated MUST forgive. I rarely hear demands from those same people for offenders to stop. Why?

Luke makes a note that the early #church grew. I wonder if #Christians who demand cultural #conformity or #domination ever considered that embracing #diversity might be a church growth strategy of biblical proportions.

The Hebrews did not try to bar the Hellenists from managing the situation for fear of #retaliation. They didn't even reserve spots for qualified Hebrews. If only #Christians didn't assume qualifications based on factors beyond people's control (e.g., race or gender).

The solution to this problem required qualified people. By today's standards, many might think the early church made a bad decision. However, the evidence suggests that all of the deacons appointed were from the group that experienced the #discrimination.

The #apostles called the people together to solve the problem. The apostles were not only part of the solution; they may have been part of the problem. The proceeds were laid at their feet and were distributed to each as any [of the Hebrew widows] had need (cf. Acts 4:35).

No one argues to #justify the mistreatment, tells them that their mistreatment could have been worse, or explains that they are better than what they were because at least they are in the #kingdom of God and get to hang out with the Hebrews.

Christians complained about being #marginalized. While the Bible often speaks against grumbling/complaining, Hellenist #Christians are doing so as they are mistreated by brothers and sisters in the #faith.

Over the past few days, I have heard those inside and outside of the #church speak about a color-blind #America. As a #Christian, I don't see colorblindness advocated in Scripture. I see diversity. Acts 6:1-7 depicts this and provides a potential model.

All the nations are blessed through Abraham’s seed—Jesus Christ (Gen 12). People from every kindred, tribe, and tongue testify of Christ’s salvation (Rev 7). Maybe, just maybe, those who profess to follow Christ will embrace and live into this eschatological reality.

Hey Chaps,

If you think only you can help someone, I encourage you to check your ego. It is not about you.

#Chaplaincy #Ministry

Hey Chaps,

Everything is not an emergency. Some things can wait until later or the person who wants to talk can set an appointment.

#Chaplaincy #Ministry

"A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes – and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent."

Listening to @michellekeener.bsky.social share a paper at #ETS2024 on “The Levite’s Concubine, Trauma, and the Corruption of Religious Authority” to a packed room. People sitting on floors.

That moment you call someone out in your paper title at #ETS2024, and they show up. It’s about to get real!

Great presentation this morning from @carmenjoyimes.bsky.social! It was a packed house. I had to sit on the floor to get a seat. At least I got to sit up front!