Tag Archives: victim

Sydney siege

Sydney Siege: Jesus Answers Religious Terror

News, ,

My Twitter feed this morning lit up with comments about the Sydney siege. I read the news with sadness:

CNN: With two hostages and gunman dead, grim investigation starts in Sydney

A Muslim man (I will not give him the honor of saying his name) held a cafe hostage for many hours, terrorizing innocent Australians who were just enjoying a morning cup of coffee. The terrorist ended up killing two people, young people in their 30s who should have had a long earthly life ahead of them. The man proclaimed himself to be a sheik, a Muslim religious leader. During the siege of the café, he flew a black flag in the window, declaring Allah and Islam as the only true religion. read more

I can't breathe

I Can’t Breathe: Eric Garner, Police, Jesus

News, Social Justice, ,

I Can’t Breathe. Police Above The Law.

I can’t breathe.

The last dying cry of Eric Garner.

His voice echoes on earth through millions of voices in the streets protesting for justice. The people are crying out for freedom. Freedom from fear of police officers who shoot and choke the life out of their victims. Freedom from terror of a violent, racist police force.

I have heard the argument many times that most police officers are caring, upstanding citizens who are forced to work with thugs. Yes, I do believe there are some good officers out there. I read their stories of delivering babies on highway shoulders, saving suburban house from robberies, pulling over drunk drivers before they hurt someone. read more

uninsured in america

Uninsured in America: Broken Bone Morality

Healing, Social Justice, ,

Two years ago, I was uninsured in America. All my efforts to find work had failed, so medical care was closed to me. One afternoon I tripped on a porch step and broke my ankle. The pain was overwhelming, but even worse was the realization that I would have to treat it myself.

A Visit to My Parent’s House

When we left Oregon, homeless and financially broken after years of trying to find work, we began the journey that eventually brought us to Minnesota. We made a stop at my parent’s house in Missouri.

They asked us to pray for my sister who was in the hospital with a mysterious illness. She had a good job, good insurance, and good doctors, but she was getting worse. We went to her bedside and prayed. Yahweh said he would heal her. She was released two days later. read more

NFL violence

NFL Violence, Adrian Peterson, and Child Abuse

News, ,

Adrian Peterson is the latest casualty/perpetrator of the epidemic of NFL violence. Peterson is accused of brutally whipping his child in a twisted form of corporal discipline. Peterson is also a celebrity player, worth millions to the Minnesota Vikings. Are celebrity football players above the physical law? What about the moral law of holy justice? Would Jesus whip and bruise his child?

One Game

There is something sinister about the Twin Cities metropolitan area, which I am not proud to currently inhabit, plus the NFL as a whole, that Adrian Peterson could brutally beat his son and then only miss playing one game. He had many Vikings supporters rallying in Minneapolis to have him play again. Peterson was suspended from Sunday’s football game, then reinstated under the guise of leaving the allegations for the courts to sort out. read more

end nationalism, bald eagle flying toward heaven

End Nationalism, Embrace God’s Kingdom

Holidays, The Kingdom, ,

September 11

As a nation, we take time today to reflect on the events of 9/11 over a decade ago, the flames, the terror, the senseless loss of life. I pray healing over the families forever torn apart, the people’s lives forever changed. How can we redeem the carnage? Is there hope in loss? Can we end nationalism and embrace universal love?

A Kingdom Ruled By Love

There is hope. End nationalism on earth, embrace God’s kingdom in heaven. Close your eyes to the terror outside, and focus deep within your soul. Hear the whisper of the Spirit calling you to childlike faith. Jesus taught us about a kingdom that transcends national and religious borders. A kingdom without fear. A kingdom ruled by Love. read more

pray for ferguson

Pray for Ferguson: The Prophetic Word

Prophecy, Social Justice, ,

Pray for Ferguson. The city is erupting in violence and pain. The police are out of anyone’s control. Even our government has three branches of checks and balances and elected officials who are supposed to represent their communities. The police force has no election process, not even an outside regulatory agency. The police put themselves above the law.

But they are not above God’s law.

Pray for Ferguson: A War Zone

The images coming from Saint Louis are horrible. Green and black tanks thundering down the street. Giant military guns staring down the crowd through red cross-hair eyes. The police dressed in full military uniform, the camouflage of life and death. Full out war on civilians. read more

victim of oppression, feet in bondage

Victim of Oppression

Christian Culture, Social Justice, ,

The Victim of Oppression Has Few Choices

Here’s a popular quote, attributed to an unknown source, that comes across my Facebook far too often:

Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It’s not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument or your age that is to blame. You and ONLY you are responsible for every decision and choice you make. Period.

There is a popular idea in the Christian and the New Age communities that there are no victims, only “bad choices” or challenges on one’s “life path.”In this magical thinking, there is no inequality or oppressive systems of hierarchy. read more

tragic death, leaf floating in rain

The Tragic Death of Sally

Stories and Poems, , , ,

No one remembered Sally. Perhaps no one even knew Sally. Sure, people had heard of Sally. Her picture had splashed across the news in a dramatic end to a quiet life. A life cut short by desperation. A tragic death.

***
Sally stared at the mirror, forward, then sideways.

Can you see the bulge? Perhaps if I arrange my dress this way, no one will notice.

Her thoughts flitted like the sunbeams spilling through the window. Nervous. Excited.

Sally eased herself into the chair, hiding her belly by slouching forward. She stared at the papers on her desk. read more

all oppression shall cease, snowy fence

In His Name All Oppression Shall Cease

Holidays, Social Justice, , , ,

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name!

All Oppression Shall Cease

These are the lyrics to the third verse of the beloved Christmas song “O Holy Night.” Yet how often do we forget that Jesus came to break chains, that at the very mention of his holy name all oppression must cease?

How often does the church who claims to love Jesus practice loving one another? How much love do we as Christians show to those who are outside our denomination, our social circle, our belief system? read more