I’ve heard white people say, “All the media does is hype up police shootings” or “hype up racism.”
What we’re really saying is this: “I’m tired of being confronted in my comfort. I did the ‘race thing’ last summer. I read a book… or two. Why do THEY have to keep hyping this?”
Read moreIn a time when the American Church should have fallen to its knees in repentance before God, we chose to double down on our stiff-necked responses and tried to hold onto what little power that remained.
I am not saved simply to “go to heaven.” I am saved to understand I have been restored as an image bearer of God and there is a mission given… a human vocation.
N.T. Wright:
The “royal priesthood” is the company of rescued humans who, being part of “earth,” worship the God of heaven and are thereby equipped, with the breath of heaven in their renewed lungs, to work for his kingdom on earth. (SIDENOTE: This is why I believe in being attached to Christ and his Church. Without his renewal breathing through me, I am ultimately powerless to keep on with anything of worth in this world.) The revolution o fthe cross sets us free to be in-between people, caught up in the rhythm of worship and mission. (The Day the Revolution Began, p. 363)
The cross of Christ is critical in the life of the believer. This year, it is a stark symbol for our time. We need to pay attention.
The way of the Cross is the way of humiliation. Our God is not the vengeful, warrior God. He is not about “conquering” the way we think in current American conservative Christian practice. Our current mentality is “war.” Our Lord is about the way of humiliation. The Cross is that symbol.
This Easter is a time of liberation… and judgment. If we see the way of the Cross again as the way of humility, we find true life. If we ignore the Cross and humiliation and continue to only seek “power” and “might,” we will find failure. We will find judgment. God will deal with our arrogance.
God, forgive us.
Christ, have mercy.
Too often we get our minds set for objection when we hear something like “whiteness.” We get arguments ready, like, “I can’t help being born white.” We don’t stop to think through terms and so we choose to be offended and cut off everything that follows.
Read moreStaying silent does me no good.
It is long past time for white evangelicals to call out injustice, bigotry, violent rhetoric, disparaging language, racism, misogyny, abuse of power, and the idolatry of Christian nationalism in their own communities, even if doing so comes at a cost. The cost of not doing so is undeniable, and it is a cost largely born by others.
What a week.
The second impeachment trial of Donald Trump. (Just sit on that thought for a few seconds.)
Read more“I never understood why going to church made you a hypocrite… because nobody goes to church because they’re perfect. If you’ve got it all together, you don’t need to go. You can go jogging with all the other perfect people on Sunday morning. Every time you go to church, you’re confessing again to yourself, to your family, to the people you pass on the way there, to the people who will greet you that you don’t have it all together. And that you need their support. You need their direction. You need some accountability; you need some help.” — Rich Mullins
For years and years I have held to what I have called a “remnant theology.” I haven’t voiced it well, and I know my version of it may not match up with other thoughts. There is always a remnant. While we chase numbers and bigness, that is never a true measure of the Kingdom of God.
Read moreThis was a life-giving conversation about the Church and how we can learn so much as we listen and observe. Click HERE for the podcast.
Please visit Traci at her website and follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
You can purchase her book HERE.
You can also visit my YouTube channel to see the video of the interview.
