The book of Jonah is full of satire and surprise. It feels familiar because it is a go-to Bible story for kids and cartoons. However, we might miss how Jonah is a kind of parable with a plot twist that is meant to challenge our ways of thinking and acting in the world. It’s all…
Prayers We Keep Praying: How Long? It’s been 251 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2019 so far… Lord, “We don’t know what we should pray.” We “wait breathless”, we feel weak and frustrated at all the suffering — and don’t know how to give expression to our inner groaning. [1] Lord we asked you to “teach us…
Prophetic Lament in the Face of Violence I find it hard to find the words to say, but silence is not helpful either. God rebukes the priests and prophets through Jeremiah, saying: “They treat the wound of my people as if it were nothing: “All is well, all is well,” they insist, when in fact nothing…
(Un)Surprisingly Relevant Ancient Prayers for Charleston Lord, “We don’t know what we should pray.” We “wait breathless”, we feel weak and frustrated at all the suffering — and don’t know how to give expression to our inner groaning. [1] Lord we asked you to “teach us to pray” and you said: “Don’t pour out a flood of empty…
Recovering the Lost Art of Lament: Reflections on Ferguson I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, praying, reading, and talking with others surrounding the recent events related to Ferguson. I find myself conflicted, sad, angry, and perplexed. People are all over the spectrum when it comes to their thoughts about race in America and questions of…
When the hardest thing about “love thy neighbor” is your neighbor I often have great ideals. I’m all about being “missional”. Love God, love others. Yes! I want to reach my neighbors, make an impact, be that person in the neighborhood who has an open door and is known for generous hospitality. But I…
Two Simple Things Everyone Can Do That Will Make A Difference It’s almost embarrassing to admit, but sometimes in the quest to make a difference and have an impact, I forget the simple things. I get caught up in strategizing, researching, or worrying about what I will say if ________ or do when _______. There’s…
Conversations: On the Train from NJ to NYC Whenever I think about why I do what I do or share with others my vision for life and ministry, I usually think about conversations I have had with others. These real life conversations are where I find my sense of calling and purpose. They also keep…
In March it was projected that Latinos would become the largest ethnic or racial population in California. The year 2042 is now a well known marker for when experts project that whites will be the statistical minority in the U.S. Our current reality is that more and more people live at the crossroads, the intersection of peoples and nations from…
