The Pathology of White Privilege by Tim Wise

Powerful talk on race and privilege from Tim Wise.  Thought this video would add to the discussion nicely.  Freestyle with me, what ya think?

Is race a factor in Health Care reform?

Race seems to always be a touchy subject on my blog. This is due partly because there is a wide variety of perspectives, ideologies, and theologies coming together to dialogue, which I think is a good thing.  Rather than avoiding it, I think continual dialogue is needed.  So I thought this video of Tim wise talking briefly on the subject could open up the discussion. Before anyone completely rips everything he says to shreds, please LISTEN first, and try to hear what he is saying.  Also lets all continue to work on being respectful to one another, treating one another with dignity.  Imagine us less worried about proving our point and supporting our parties ideology, and more concerned with building unity, understanding, and empathy, as we all move towards the goal of mutually benificial progress.  Freestyle with me, how has race impacted American politics?

Another perspective on Obama’s reforming of Health Care

Just wanted to share this article I read about Obama’s  failure to follow through on his original promises for Health Care that he got elected for.  And it leaves me thinking, when it comes to Health Care, are we our brothers keeper?  I have health care coverage, but should I fight to make sure that everyone has access to fair and quality coverage? We pursue right relationship with our creator, but are we also called to pursue right relationship with God’s creation as well?

Freestyle with me, how has your awareness of God impacted your views on access to health care for the poor and marginalized?

Flash back to Lauryn Hill’s call for true Hip Hop

I love this song, and obviously Lauryn Hill is one of Hip Hip’s finest artists.  I love the line “”music is supposed to inspire, so how come we ain’t gettin no higher”.  There have always been mainly two main streams of hip hop… why are the stereotypical performers the most popular, and what effect is music having on the psyche of the next generation? Freestyle with me…

Question?

What is the relatinship between Jesus and stirring up trouble?  And if there is a direct correlation between the two, then what are the implications for us as His followers?  Freestyle with me…

Orphans Deserve Better

Check out this post on a friend’s blog on the movie Orphan, and a contructive response we can offer to provide justice for Orphans.  Don’t ever forget James 1:27, it reminds us what pure religion consists of.

The Pittsburgh Project

It is an early morning… as we grab lunch and prepare to serve throughout the week, low-income and elderly in the city of Pittsburgh. I’ll see how many updates I can do this week (all from my phone). Check out the Pittsburgh Project at http://www.pittsburghproject.com

Being Different (Numbers 14:20-24)

20 The LORD replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. 21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, 22 not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— 23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. 24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.

It is real interesting that Caleb is described as being different.  Yet he wasn’t merely just different in any old way, but he was faithful.  I make the small distinction, so that we don’t think being different in itself will be our salvation.  It was his faithfulness, and the fact that he followed God “wholeheartedly” that made him distinct and favorable before God.  Often times religiousity will take you one way, and following God wholeheartedly will take you another.   In what ways might we be allowing main stream Christianity to dictate our direction and lives?  Could it be that in our going along with american christian culture and thought, that we in actuality miss what God has called us to?  How do we follow Christ wholeheartedly in our time?  Which way is Christ leading? Freestyle with me…

I’m featured this week on GOGF TV

Check it out here… the sermon is split into two videos.  Make sure to come back and freestyle with me on the implications of what I talk about.

The Latest Victim of Racial Profiling… Well Respected Professor of Harvard University, Henry Louis Gates

Yes it is true one of the premier and most well known black intellectuals in our country was arrested while trying to get into his own home… Had to share the story here… I am looking forward to hearing him speak this upcoming February at Messiah College.

Unfortunately, Cambridge has gained a terrible reputation in race relations in the last few years, and even a Nationally known intellectual like Dr. Gates can not escape the stereotypes that run rampant in our country.  Of course, I expect people to justify even this incident, cuz there always is a reason isn’t there… Freestyle with me.