KNOW YOUR STORY Our congregation has sponsored four mission trips to Ghana. In 2017 as a part of my sabbatical, my family traveled to Ghana in an effort to be more aware of our history and story. Inherent in the trip was the significance of knowing the story of our
Sunday Reflection
You are the light of the world.
You are the light of the world – like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.” Jesus, Matthew 5.14 Several weeks ago, Rev. Watson and I were discussing crime in our city. He suggested that we needed to “light up Birmingham,” by adding more
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Benjamin E. Mays
The late Dr. Benjamin E. Mays (1894-1984), president of Morehouse College during King’s student days and a valuable mentor for King, shared that King’s death was inevitable because, like Jesus, he was a troublemaker. “‘That was the chief trouble with Jesus: He was a troublemaker. So any time you are a troublemaker and you rebel against the wrongs and injustices of society and organize against that, then what may happen is inevitable.’” Mays’ autobiography, Born to Rebel, published in 1971, includes the eulogy that was preached
What would Martin think?
A few days ago, a reporter asked what I believe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have thought regarding a recent local issue. I have heard various people ask that question, “If Dr. King was living today, what would he have thought about…?” Although we have some general ideas about
God Is Faithful
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Jeremiah, Lamentations 3.22-23 Well, without much fanfare for many people, we said goodbye to 2018 and welcomed the unknown of 2019. We are not completely
2019 – Happy New Year!
This has been a very challenging year on many fronts! Many of us were confronted by health crises and challenges. We had to address family emergencies. For many people, work became a hotbed of contention. Some saw relationships blossom while others faced the reality that a relationship was in peril.
It Wasn’t Much, But It Was A Lot!
Every year at my elementary school and home church, we would get a Christmas treat that consisted of an apple, orange, and candy cane! It was placed in a brown paper bag and distributed after the Christmas program. Without fail, every year, at school and church, the young people received
The Bible: A Collection of Stories
Sara and I have books that we are reading or on our reading list on our bedroom tables and other places. From the picture above, you see my partial list, with the newest being Mrs. Obama’s, Becoming. I purchased it the day it came out and Sara grabbed it as
We must hold on to hope
I am in the process of reading and reviewing the late Dr. James H. Cone’s book, The Cross and the Lynching Tree. Cone paints a powerful picture using these two symbols of hate and violence to remind the reader that we have always known racist violence fueled by the hands
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” – Henry David Thoreau
Much will be made of the time that many families will share this Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. A lot of time will be spent planning a meal, making sure everything is just right, and inviting family and friends to join around our tables. Many do the age-old things that we have