This is the most direct I’ve been about race while preaching in a while. I’ve been really hit hard about the real ramifications of Romans 12:1-16 as it relates to the Church as the Body of Christ (as well as the many other passages that use this metaphor). My heart was to effectively communicate what […]
Things that are Great if You’re White: (Highlighting the sad but true racial reality)
I’m white. I can use AirBnB instead of hotels when I travel. I can drive around wherever I want without fear of getting pulled over for no reason. I can shop in stores without being followed by employees or security. My culture is always the dominant culture surrounding me. I never have to assimilate to […]
Black Lives Matter Yard Sign Vandalized After 3 Months #BlackLivesMatter
Honestly, I was surprised my Black Lives Matter yard sign made it as long as it did. After three months, it finally met its first round of vandalism. You can see in the photos below that someone decided to write the word All all over the word Black with a permanent marker: Having the […]
Worshiping an Uncool God in a Cool Culture
The USA Today section of my Lansing State Journal has an article in it with the startling title “Multitasking teens pick texting over sleeping.” The article goes on to say how teens spend around 9 hours a day on “entertainment media” which includes social media, music, gaming or online videos, (i.e. time on their smart […]
Slowing Down Spring Valley: #BlackLivesMatter, Even Insubordinate Ones
My wife is a K-12 music teacher at a pubic school. Students are not allowed to have their cell phones or iPads out in class for personal use, every student knows that. If my wife tells a student to put their device away and they refuse, what is she to do? I think we’d all […]
What’s the Big Deal About Flying the Confederate Flag?
A white Christian friend of mine recently asked me to write a blog about the Confederate Flag controversy in South Carolina. As someone who has spent the vast majority of my life in northern states (Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan), I wasn’t sure what I had to offer to the conversation. Honestly, it seems obvious to me […]