WELCOME TO THE BLOG
The Fear of Man and Writing
A reader wrote in recently and asked:
“Did the fear of man ever used to cripple you from writing? It’s weird and new for me to say this but I’m an aspiring blogger and have noticed this a stumbling as I’m beginning. Thank you for any advice you can give.”
Friendship Abandonment
Toy Story 3 gets me every time. Just when their fate, the burning inferno of garbage, seems inevitable, they are rescued by “The Claw.” Before their rescue they make a brave decision to hold hands, signifying their love and unity. They have been dear friends and they will not be parted, even by death. They are going to endure the fire together…
Black Women, Media, and Glory
I don’t watch much television, I enjoy movies. What I thought would be a fad that would soon move on seems to be here to stay—reality TV. My husband and I were on a reality show called Grounds for Improvement on the DIY channel. Our deck needed remodeling and found out through friends the show would be in our area so we applied. They came to our home and rebuilt our deck. The hours were long, the work was hard and much of what we did never got aired…
I Pledge Allegiance to My Blackness
I remember when I first heard Barack Obama had won the presidency of the United States. I was thrilled. The first Black President of the United States. I thought about how proud my father would have been if he were alive. I thought about the men and women who fought so hard to make that day possible. Though I knew much of our political ideology did not align, I was genuinely excited…
Could I Become Like A Pigeon in a Hole?
I was speaking with a friend about the potential for being pigeon-holed as the black woman who talks about black “issues.” You know, topics like race, racial reconciliation, diversity, anything that you may associate with being an African American. Actually, that wasn’t the first time I have had that conversation. Another dear friend issued some advice in the same regard…
Racial Reconciliation: What’s Love Got to Do With It?
Over the past two weeks I have been engaged with Natasha S. Robinson in a wonderful discussion of John Piper’s book Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian.
Today’s topic and discussion is important to me so I wanted to post it here as well…
African Americans and “Big God” Theology
A few Sundays ago I participated in one of the most memorable worship services of my life. Pastor Mike Campbell of Redeemer Church in Jackson, MS preached a biblically sound and passionate sermon on Titus 2:11-14 to a mixed congregation of hundreds of White and Black believers in a visible demonstration of what he called “Big God” theology…
Diversity For the Sake of Diversity Isn’t What We Need
As the Democratic National Convention has drawn to a close social media users continue to point out the obvious: the Democratic Party and its delegates are diverse. It truly is a beautiful sight to see God’s creation, diverse in color and ethnicity, all in one room. The Democratic Party is diverse. Yet I wonder; is diversity the end all be all? In other words, does diversity matter?
Controversial, Transparent, and Honest: Reflections on Honest 2 God
A week ago, Alex Faith released his debut album, “Honest 2 God“. I became a fan of Alex when I heard him on Sho Baraka’s mixtape, “Barakaology”, back in 2009. Ever since then I’ve been eager to hear him again. I met him for the first time in the Spring of this year when my college ministry, RUF, brought High Society in to do a concert. Alex was the tour manager for the group. I communicated that I wanted to hear more music from him, but assumed that he left hip hop for good. We connected again at the Man Up 2012 Conference sponsored by Reach Life. It was there that I discovered he was 22 (my jaw dropped) and was thinking about enrolling in a seminary. I reiterated that I wanted to hear more music from him, but didn’t realize he was already back in the recording booth as one of the features on Swoope’s album, “Wake Up“. To say that I was eager to hear more from this kid is an understatement. At last, Alex has delivered and his project has produced a lot of thoughts, though I only have time to discuss a few of them. However, before I dive in, this isn’t your typical review. In fact, I’m not sure it’s fair to call it a review. Instead, you’ll find here reflections on “Honest 2 God” that I thought were worth sharing…
Reformed African American Network: An Interview with Phillip Holmes and Jemar Tisby
You’ve most likely heard the term “young, restless and reformed.” It was first coined by author and Editor Collin Hansen’s book of the same name: Young, Restless, and Reformed: A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists. The crowd is known as the New Calvinist made up of young men zealous to revitalize Reformed Theology and restless for God. Hiding in the background, quietly working to encourage the faith of their brothers and sisters in-Christ, have been two young, restless, and reformed African American men who are eager to share resources with their community…
It’s Scary–But I Write
I sit down and I write. Fear sets in and I write. I write because I love to write. I write because I believe I’m called to write and yet I’m terrified—to write. I write and the voice begins to talk to me. “You aren’t good enough,” she says with her deadly arrows to my heart. “You don’t know enough.” “You aren’t qualified.” “You can’t do it.” I listen to the voice in my head and I write. Then I tell myself…
Why are we talking about race in 2012?
I’ve been asked these questions:
Why are we still talking about race?
Doesn’t bringing up racism just divide us more?
Redefining “Sisters”
Black, White, Chinese. That’s what my friends and I use to jokingly call each other every time we met together to eat and chat about our lives. I am black, Amy is white and Lillian is Chinese. We met together for eight years pouring out our hearts, sharing the deepest parts of our souls and praying earnestly for our various needs. We were (and remain) the best of friends. We didn’t set out to meet because we were ethnically diverse- it didn’t cross our minds at first. But as we continued to meet we gloried in God’s creativity in making us as three people so very different yet so much the same because of the Cross of Christ. Our friendship was a sweet display to the world of the gospel…
R2K12 Conference: Unity for the Sake of the Gospel
Pastors and ministry leaders of the Presbyterian Church in America will gather in Baltimore this weekend for the Revival 2012 biennial conference. The conference brings together pastors from the Mid-Atlantic to proclaim the gospel and encourage unity and diversity in the Church. The 2012 theme is “The Race Set Before Us: Pursuing Unity for the Sake of the Gospel.”
Are you attending the TGC Women’s Conference?
I am and I’d love to meet you! I’ve had the pleasure over the past several months to “meet” many of you through twitter, facebook and Women of God Magazine. If you are coming to The Gospel Coalition Women’s Conference let me know; I’d love to meet you. If you aren’t sure what I am talking about here are the details for TGC website…
Politics: Diving in the Deep End
On March 25 James Cameron, writer and director of smash hits Titanic and Avatar, came up from a plunge to the deepest part of the sea via his one-man submarine. He had traveled below 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) taking 2 hours and 36 minutes to descend and only 70 minutes to ascend. The pressure of the water put Cameron in immediate danger of being crushed had anything gone wrong. Thankfully for him the pressure wasn’t enough for his 24 foot sub.
Subscribe to my newsletter
Sign up with your email address to receive my monthly newsletter Where Faith and Life Collide which includes a series of reflections, devotionals, news and updates direct to your inbox.