Stay tuned
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” … Today I was in the cashier line at a department store…
Today: two choices
“And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your Kingdom!’ And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.’” (Luke 23:42-43) This passage is taken from the account of the crucifixion of Jesus. There were two crooks who were crucified with him. One crook …
Hope and Help
Romans 12:6 instructs us that “in His grace God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.” Then the apostle Paul begins to state a category of specific gifts any of us might have. I do not believe this list is exhaustive, but rather for expediency sake, Paul concluded this narrative over the next …
Not There Yet
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_layout=”light”] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision not uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6 In society at large and even in Christian circles, negative profiles around race and gender still exist. I was struck by this reality this week after the owner of the Carolina …
Fathers and Mothers Wanted
As I reflect today about the ongoing violence, incivility and harshness from the alleys to the mansions in this country, I am reminded of a biblical truth in the New Testament. The Apostle says you have many mentors, but you only have a few fathers. (1 Cor 4:15) This is a fascinating statement because mentors, …
Mutual Transformation
Oftentimes in ministry, we fail to see two interdependent streams that serve as edifying agents for one another. In the inner city, many godly and well-intentioned servants come to the city with a built-in “messiah complex.” Though well-intentioned, this mindset carries an aura of superiority and self-righteousness. It resists the Gospel that Paul describes in Philippians …
From “Deserter” to “Valiant”
“Barnabas wanted to take Mark along with them. But Paul insisted they not take him along because he had deserted them” Acts 15:37-38 As we endeavor to bring about change in our cities, neighborhoods, communities and nation…the unspoken quandary is, “How do we relate to the ‘deserters?’” Those disenfranchised, young black men between the ages of …
Imbalanced Scales
There it was. I got my run in early because Wimbledon was coming on at 8 a.m. Central Time. Serena Williams was vying for her second “Serena Slam” in her career (winning the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments consecutively.) She is also on schedule to win all four in the same calendar year if she …
Counting the Cost
“For God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you had inherited” 1 Peter 1:18 As I was in conversation with one of our partners recently, he was pondering the bittersweet experience of having two families on his leadership team make the noble and courageous decision to move into the neighborhood – a neighborhood …
The Pursuit
“Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing” (Luke 15:5) As we take a moment to reflect about the Restoration of lost things, whether they be lost valuables, lost souls, lost dreams or lost hearts, we all can relate to this type of experience. We know what it means to be …
