“Urkel is dead and I can’t breathe.” Those were the words Oprah spoke to the interviewer when they asked her about one of the most recent casualties of a senseless shooting. I couldn’t breathe either. How could Urkel be gone? He held the hopes of so many of us. He had achieved the dream and … More Communicating to Death (or some better title)
In a world where we are constantly reminded of the dangers that surround us, who among us has not imagined what we would do if we found ourselves in a dangerous or perhaps life-threatening situation? It seems like everyday we hear some story of innocent victims of unspeakable crimes. And whether it is a shooting … More Surrounded! – How Do You Respond Under Threat?
I am not a victim! I know this for a fact and at the same time I cannot deny that there have been people, systems, and deep ignorance aimed in my direction attempting to make me one all of my life. But not just me. Since people have been people, there have been those who … More How To Win At Losing
I write when I cannot take the pain anymore–the pain of trying to contain myself for the comfort of others. I have lived my entire life with pain. I learned early on that it cannot be avoided. In my experience, it is inevitable in this life. Suffering however, is optional. Suffering comes when you do … More When the Pain is Too Much, I Write
About 6 years ago a friend I went to seminary with passed away unexpectedly. Steven was a book lover and so his family decided to have a book give away at the school. At first it felt kind of strange picking through his books, but in a way it felt like if I read some … More Waiting for Anthony Robbins
On July 17, 2016, I preached a sermon entitled “Broken For You”. The idea behind the sermon came down to the idea that if people took 100% responsibility for their lives the whole world would be transformed in an instant. The spark for the sermon came from Jesus’ teaching that those who desire to follow … More If You Don’t Bear Your Cross, Someone Else Will Have To
Let me begin this post by declaring that contrary to some beliefs, one person cannot speak for their entire race, group, or culture. As we all know there are innumerable diversities at work in every individual and my comments with regard to the subject of race, religion, culture, or any other category under which one … More Give Us Us Free!
Recently, I heard that another childhood acquaintance, who we called “Professor”, died from a gunshot wound. When my mom told me, I felt this wave of feelings pass through me and for a brief moment I felt like I might be next. It was a familiar feeling that I had grown up with—the persistent consciousness … More PTSS (Post Traumatic Slavery Syndrome)
This post is a little more personal than my other posts, but I thought it was worth sharing because for the past several weeks I have been having a difficult time reconciling my past with my present. It started when my Systematic Theology professor gave us an assignment to name our biggest influence on our … More We Are Worthy! A Theology of Liberation
It’s been over 11 years since I walked into the Wherehouse and sold almost all of my rap CDs. Looking like a crackhead–no offense–I went in there all shaky asking, “How much can I get for these?” I’m sure the cashier thought I stole them. Why else would a young black man come into a store and … More Road Trip with God, DMX, and 23 Bottles of Water, Part 1
