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When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, I’d already lost my violence virginity. His murder was an unbelievable blow to what I perceived the future of African Americans to be at the time, but I had already been assaulted by the unthinkable. It was in 1963. November 22. I was … Continue reading April 4, 1968

It’s a rainy day in April. It’s supposed to be spring but not yet. Apparently. We had snow just two days ago and there’s snow in the forecast for the weekend. So while the calendar says spring…reality says something altogether different. I don’t mind the rain. I like to walk in the rain when it’s … Continue reading It’s a rainy day in April

The Job story has always freaked me out. You know the part. God says to the enemy…Have you noticed my servant Job? Really? You gonna put me out there like that? On Main Street? You gonna out me to the devil? Really? Because you love me? Because I’m special to you? Really? And the result … Continue reading God will put your life on display

The story can’t start at the beginning because of the imperative of the shout. This woman, Paula Ann Scott DeGraffinried met cancer almost three years ago and it had already advanced to stage 4 when originally diagnosed. While the rest of the family was paralyzed in fear and sadness, Paula DeGraffinried chose life. She chose … Continue reading The imperative of the shout

It’s interesting that one of the first characters we encounter in the book of Joshua is Rahab, who protects the two spies Joshua sends ahead of the congregation. She was no where near the unwitting player one might have suspected she’d be. Her proximity to the margins of the camp not only made her profession … Continue reading Rahab

There are many things I like about David, but the one that strikes me this morning is his capacity to show love. I’m sure this is the reason God called him a “man after mine own heart.” Saul’s son Jonathan and he had enjoyed a rich relationship. When Jonathan died, David searched for someone from … Continue reading The thing I like about David

The thing I remember most about that night was the incessant, insistent repetitive pounding of rain on the pavement. It was the kind that caught your attention with its rhythm and reason. It was the kind that characterized the storm in my life that night. With an impending eviction the next morning, i found it … Continue reading Storm

She knew she was going to die. Maybe not how soon. Maybe not the exact day. But. She knew she was going to die. Nobody else knew. But she knew. And she hadn’t received any type of diagnosis of disease or prognosis of impending death. But somehow she knew. And she began to make what … Continue reading Myrtle

This piece is an extra because I wrote it on January 1, 2017, and I’m inspired to embrace faith as never before. Many who know me would be surprised to hear me say this because I have a reputation for believing God – that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who … Continue reading Only. God.

I’m so happy and grateful to see another birthday. I just love birthdays. I love the joy of living. I love the joy of acknowledging the grace of God. I love the gathering to celebrate. I love the cake and the candles. I love the gifts and gags. I just love birthdays. For those few … Continue reading Happy Birthday!!!