Loving, Learning, and Leading

"Its clear that an essential way to stop the violence and the despair in our culture is to engage in activities that bring us empathy and conviviality"~Cecile Andrews in Living Room Revolution "Justice without might is helpless; might without justice is tyrannical"~Pascal in Pense "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!~Jesus of Nazareth  (Luke 12:49) Dr. Cheryl Sanders wrote that the first step of empowerment of a people is the expression of testimony.  Not the testimonies that we often get in the traditional "testimony service", but an uninterrupted expression of one's experiences using the witnesses own words, language, and forms.  Often, in our sincere desire, to help others, we rush into the area and begin to rescue.  In that rescue attempt, we often articulate "their needs". and silence the voices of those who desire empowerment.  Paradoxically, we further diminish the dignit...

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.  Proverbs 11:2 The Sin of pride undergirds racism.  Pride is a misdirected self-love that regards others as being inferior to the individual or race.~Lisa Sharon Harper in Forgive Us: Confessions of a Compromised Faith Racism need not be malicious or intentional to be.~Monica Harrold Last month, after the massacre of nine African-American people in Charleston S. Carolina by a self-identified White Supremacist who posted pictures of himself displaying what is commonly understood to be the confederate flag (Understanding that the flag used most often to commemorate Confederacy is quite different than what was used by the Confederacy).  In response to the tragedy, cries were renewed to remove that same flag, that had been flying at the South Carolina Statehouse since 1961.   It is heartbreaking, to realize that it took a tragedy of this degree to even initiate a real discussion on...

"Trust is a function of two things: Character and competence.  Character includes your integrity, your motive, your intent with people.  Competence includes your capabilities, your skills, your results, and your history. "~ Stephen MR Covey in The Speed of Trust "The moment there is suspicion about a person's motives, everything he does becomes tainted .~ Mahatma Gandhi' "What's important, though, is that at last we're confronting the issue of declining trust in our culture.  As trust declines, we quit believing in each other; we don't feel safe because we trust no one."~Cecile Andrews in Living Room Revolution Romans 13:3-4 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. (NLT) The single most important asset in any community is trust.  Trust is simply the ability to have confid...

"There is a tendency to judge a race, a nation or any distinct group by its least worthy members"      -Eric Hoffer, Philosopher and Presidential Medal of Freedom writer "It's clear that an essential way to stop the violence and the despair in our culture is to engage in activities that bring us empathy and conviviality."      -Cecile Andrews, in Living Room Revolution Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.      -Romans 12:14-16 NIV The entire tragedy of the Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman incident and trial is almost too large to behold, too deep to describe, and so personal that it is hard to control the emotions that it provokes.  It has been several days since the verdict of not-guilty was issued and I have read some superb blogs and commentari...

Racism need not be intentional or malicious for it to be. Monica Harrold, Coordinator of the the Race and Culture Task Force, African Heritage Network of the Free Methodist Church. Recently, Franklin Graham, the son of legendary evangelist, Billy Graham openly and publicly questioned President Obama's professed faith.  He has since apologized for his questioning and backed off his critique of the President quite a bit.  He adds his voice to the hundreds of pastors, talk show hosts, and politicians who seek more to discredit and diminish this president that encourage or build up Christian people in their faith and in their mission. Ronald Reagan, who is hailed by conservative Christians as the "Holy Grail" of presidents, never confessed to be an evangelical Christian.  Yet, few Christian conservative leaders took the time to question his beliefs, his alignment to classical Christianity, or the authenticity of his brief and relatively few statements regarding his perso...