Category: Justice
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Once a Pastor, Always a Pastor?
Whenever I describe myself as a former pastor, almost always, someone says, “once a pastor, always a pastor.” To which I usually respond with shrugged shoulders, and say something to the effect of, “I don’t know.” I’ve been trying to figure out what that statement means to folks––“once a pastor, always a pastor.“ Is that…
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A Nation of Neighbors
On May 21, 2023, I accepted the opportunity to give a Jesus and Justice Talk at Heart of Longmont. It was inspired by the Good Samaritan Story and asked the question, “What would it be like if we lived in A NATION OF NEIGHBORS?” I am posting that question to you here now. We also…
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Fool Me Twice: Why We Believe the Liars That We Know Are Lying
In my experience, it is the one who most vehemently accuses someone of something that’s actually the one doing it—like cheating in a relationship or voter fraud. And also in my experience, the person being lied to is usually the least willing to accept the weight of the revelation. They say that it is because…
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Indigenous Peoples’ Day – Bearers of the Way
In many ways, this was one of the most taxing messages that I’ve delivered. Working on it compelled me to stare into a the pain of proselytizing and missionary activity around the world where people were robbed of their lands and culture and often left with nothing more than the very Bible that was used…
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Doing God’s Will – In Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“I just want to do God’s will”. These words. This seven word contract with our Creator were some of the last public words that he spoke before being murdered the next day on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel by a country—and I do mean by a country–that praised his stance for non-violence when it…
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The Curious Case of Mohamed Noor
Remember when Mohamed Noor was convicted of murder when he mistakenly shot Justine Ruszczyk. I knew he was going to go down because of how it is. And notice that I didn’t define “it”. Because most of us who have to live with “it” know how “it” is. That’s why even though they say their…
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Questioning Injustice
Roderick Walker’s Lyft driver was pulled over and yet, according to reports, he was beaten and had a knee pressed on his neck when asked for his ID. Some people will ask the question, “Why didn’t he just give his ID?” The answer is that he had the right to ask and refuse since he…
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What Are You Talking About Witness?
How committed are you to a just an equitable world? This piece is a repost of a reflection that I shared in the Together Colorado Faith Voices newsletter. When I was growing up, I used to watch a show called “Diff’rent Strokes”. It was the story about two young Black boys who were adopted by…
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What Is the Language of Justice?
“If there was no such thing as language, would we all be saying the same thing?” — Kelly FitzPatrick Silva (Kitchen Philosopher) After the controversy that emerged from the conversation on race between Lou Giglio, the CEO of Chick-Fil-A, and the rapper Lecrae where Giglio tried to rebrand the concept of “white privilege” as “white…
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A Name and A Place for All
Recently, members of the Boulder County Together Colorado Lay and Faith Leader Caucuses came together with people all over the county came together to talk about housing justice–most particularly as it pertains to people living in mobile home communities. As a part of the program, my good friend, Rabbi Marc Soloway of Congregation Bonai Shalom…
The Roofless Church 