I just posted an article on my blog addressing how disciples of color must avoid feeling justified in allowing resentments toward mistreatment to reside in their hearts. As a white man, most of my blog articles are aimed at helping my white brothers and sisters develop more understanding and compassion for their brothers and sisters of color. However, while I understand something of the challenges faced especially by African Americans, I also understand what the Bible says about how we all must handle challenges. Hence, the aim of my present article.

I asked Michael Burns to read my article before posting it, as I usually do. He has an amazing grasp of cultural issues like these. He mentioned that he had been doing some teaching along the same lines. One point he has been making is how persecuted the Jews were in the Gentile world and all of the violence and nastiness that went on between those two groups. Just imagine the struggle that it was for the Jews to come to the realization that they were now being called to accommodate the Gentile culture, a culture that they had been dominated by and hated by. As always, Michael’s insights into cultural issues past and present are spot on target. He thought my article was on target as well, as I hope you will! ... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago  ·  

If you have not yet read Tom Jones’ recently posted article on my blogsite, I encourage you to do so. It’s quite the article! Also, I appreciate those of you who then post the articles to your friends. Sheila Jones’ article just now posted provides an amazing example of something I have encouraged strongly from the beginning of my blog.

I have said repeatedly that I want to help my white friends understand the world of our black friends, and to help my black friends live in their world with spiritual perspectives. For Sheila, talking to her current black friends about their world wasn’t enough. She wanted to know what life was really like for black people her age growing up where she grew up, in racially segregated Sheffield, Alabama.

The lengths to which she went to discover that are most inspiring and touching. I couldn’t read Tom’s article without crying and I can’t read Sheila’s without doing the same. But the tears are good tears, tears which cleanse the soul. Please read her article (and Tom’s if you haven’t yet) and pass them on to your friends! ... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago  ·  

As promised a couple of days ago, I have posted an article by Tom Jones on my racial-topics blogsite. The one by his wife, Sheila, will follow in another couple of days. I first met Tom in 1983 when we were both speaking in a conference in California. In fact, we were randomly placed in the same hotel room for the conference. The first night we talked into the wee hours of the night and became fast friends from that point forward. I doubt anyone knows Tom better than I do except his wife.

Yet, in his article I learned a number of new things about him. As he describes his childhood in Alabama and beyond, I can promise you that his article is one of the most intriguing you will read this year. His honesty and vulnerability will draw you into his world and to him as a person. Be sure to read the second footnote as well, because it contains a bit of Civil Rights history of which most are unaware.

PS – just a reminder that an app for this blogsite is available for both Apple and Android phones (free)! ... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago  ·