I have been reflecting on the recent trial and conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. The jury returned after just 10 hours of deliberation – evidently a fairly brief deliberation for a trial that lasted three weeks and included testimony from 45 witnesses … Continue reading “It’s Not a Time to Celebrate”
Category: #UnitedAgainstHate
What’s Your Energy?
Friends. Friends are important. So much of the Hebrew and Christian Greek scriptures are about friends—community, koinonia, agape. Right now, it’s hard being separated from friends. In fact, it’s downright painful. Technology has helped—Zoom, Skype, and “ancient” technology like the phone. I’ve even renewed my letter writing, which went on hiatus since March (there is … Continue reading “What’s Your Energy?”
My Lenten Fast to Reclaim Jesus
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. — Romans 12.21 (NRSV) Jim Wallis is the founder and president of Sojourners, a 45 year old community and organization in Washington, D.C., actively seeking peace in the world through the lens of following in the Way of Jesus. Wallis has written a dozen or so … Continue reading “My Lenten Fast to Reclaim Jesus”
Where is the Faith Community in This Era of Trump and Culture of Alternative Facts?
For many of us it’s a scary time as we witness a president who can say and do anything, seemingly with impunity. He brags about his female exploits, and conservative white men and women trip over themselves to get into his rallies and join the throngs standing behind him (strategically placed, of course—notice how cameras … Continue reading “Where is the Faith Community in This Era of Trump and Culture of Alternative Facts?”
Rate of School-related Gun Deaths Explodes
The numbers are staggering when we compare the number of school-related shootings per decade. I found data on school shootings on Wikipedia. I was surprised to find 9 incidents of school-related shootings in the 1890s. I expected barely any if any. Of course, this still pales compared to the 17 incidents in the 1950s (14 … Continue reading “Rate of School-related Gun Deaths Explodes”