Kristen, I can't thank you enough for sharing this and your thoughts. You're so blessed to have Pastor Len, what an amazing sermon. His message is clear.
I listen to Dr Jacqui Lewis, Ken Sundet Jones, Mockingbird and a few others that do my weary heart good. The Convocation too of course.
Oh, I'm so jealous but I'm glad for the two of you to have that time together. Jacqui's gift is somehow a pressure release valve, at least for me. She's got a lovely gift of presence and I love to listen to her talk with Otis Moss, another wise voice in these times.
I have been thinking a lot about what words are used in church when our pastor speaks and the events happening in our world today. I am truly torn! I know what I am supposed to do, but that really is ... easier said than done. I just pray that God can "take my right hand and say, "Don't be afraid. I will help you." Thanks for the reminder and this post to be forgivers!
Thank you. Yes, King and Fannie Lou Hamer as well as others can show us how to be and what to do in these dark times. You remind me of the true story of a couple who called a man who as a member of the KKK preached hatred and violence on the radio yet lived alone with crippling diabetes. They called to ask if he needed a ride to the grocery store. He accepted as he lived alone
and had no one to help him. Over time, this couples acts of love to one spewing hatred changed him. In the end, he renounced hatred and thanked them for loving him (love as action). The only thing that can transform hatred is forgiving love.
I read Otis Moss III's recent book Dancing In The Darkness (Simon & Schuster, 2023). From his chapters I learned how MLK was Christian first, and activist 2nd. I've been thinking about the options available to resist, and how to choose the options that respect the integrity of Jesus's teachings. I recommend this book.
This is fun to think about, and I appreciate the wisdom from your pastor. I've been reading Melissa Florer-Bixler's book "How to Have an Enemy," and finding it fruitful in this time. Thanks for all that you share.
These past couple of years I have been clinging to these words he wrote on the baptism of his nephew , May 1944
…”when people will once more be called to speak the word of God in such a way that the world is changed and renewed.It will be in a new language, perhaps quite nonreligious language, but liberating and redeeming like Jesus’s language, so that people will be alarmed and yet overcome by its power—the language
of a new righteousness and truth, a language proclaiming that God makes peace with humankind and that God’s kingdom is drawing near.”…
And shockingly I have landed on mathematics as this language. You think this can’t be because we don’t understand, but did his disciples understand Jesus’s parables?
I'll definitely have to listen to the full thing here later. I'm glad you started sharing COS sermons years back on twitter - there have been so many little gems of goodness preached from that platform.
I'm currently reading Malcolm Foley's "The Anti-Greed Gospel", and have been so encouraged by his insights, and his passion. Dare I say this book is - nourishing?? In a way I'll be sad to finish it. SO maybe I'll read it again... Also just finished Steve Bezner's latest.
Also, I resolved to spend all my "through the bible in a year" time (I guess I'm still a good evangelical) reading the Old Testament in Hebrew instead of English this year. It's a much slower pace obviously. I'm in 2 Chronicles this week, and have been struck by how much violence and suffering can and do come from the irresponsible and careless use of power by rulers. It's heavy actually.
Thanks for sharing. Glad you and your fam have a good healthy faith community. :)
Thank you, Kristen, this was moving, especially it was so appropriate to our time. As I look around to find out what I - a 68yo, white woman working from home - can do, I need to remember that I do it in Jesus' name and in His footsteps.
On spiritual renewal & resilience: BHM is educational, spiritual, & fun ... with a Hallelujah Express featuring The Spirituals Choir, Kendrick Lamar, & Beyoncé--amidst a 40-day gradual fast starting on Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. day amidst the regime's start: https://www.youtube.com/live/VQ4KrqR7SsE?si=oH70CyKPQB9CYd8M&t=4905 (I wasn't the only person moved to tears by our younger generations)
Kristen, I can't thank you enough for sharing this and your thoughts. You're so blessed to have Pastor Len, what an amazing sermon. His message is clear.
I listen to Dr Jacqui Lewis, Ken Sundet Jones, Mockingbird and a few others that do my weary heart good. The Convocation too of course.
I know Jacqui well, and we Zoom together monthly!
Oh, I'm so jealous but I'm glad for the two of you to have that time together. Jacqui's gift is somehow a pressure release valve, at least for me. She's got a lovely gift of presence and I love to listen to her talk with Otis Moss, another wise voice in these times.
Kristen ....
I have been thinking a lot about what words are used in church when our pastor speaks and the events happening in our world today. I am truly torn! I know what I am supposed to do, but that really is ... easier said than done. I just pray that God can "take my right hand and say, "Don't be afraid. I will help you." Thanks for the reminder and this post to be forgivers!
Easier said than done. We’re about to be seeing exactly how true this is.
Thank you. Yes, King and Fannie Lou Hamer as well as others can show us how to be and what to do in these dark times. You remind me of the true story of a couple who called a man who as a member of the KKK preached hatred and violence on the radio yet lived alone with crippling diabetes. They called to ask if he needed a ride to the grocery store. He accepted as he lived alone
and had no one to help him. Over time, this couples acts of love to one spewing hatred changed him. In the end, he renounced hatred and thanked them for loving him (love as action). The only thing that can transform hatred is forgiving love.
I read Otis Moss III's recent book Dancing In The Darkness (Simon & Schuster, 2023). From his chapters I learned how MLK was Christian first, and activist 2nd. I've been thinking about the options available to resist, and how to choose the options that respect the integrity of Jesus's teachings. I recommend this book.
I haven’t read it yet, but I have great respect for the author.
This is fun to think about, and I appreciate the wisdom from your pastor. I've been reading Melissa Florer-Bixler's book "How to Have an Enemy," and finding it fruitful in this time. Thanks for all that you share.
Yes, a good book to bring into the conversation!
Thanks for passing on the message and link...
Beautiful way to start out my Sunday. Thank you Kristin and Pastor Len
Thank you Kristen - this was so refreshing and strengthening.
These past couple of years I have been clinging to these words he wrote on the baptism of his nephew , May 1944
…”when people will once more be called to speak the word of God in such a way that the world is changed and renewed.It will be in a new language, perhaps quite nonreligious language, but liberating and redeeming like Jesus’s language, so that people will be alarmed and yet overcome by its power—the language
of a new righteousness and truth, a language proclaiming that God makes peace with humankind and that God’s kingdom is drawing near.”…
And shockingly I have landed on mathematics as this language. You think this can’t be because we don’t understand, but did his disciples understand Jesus’s parables?
Diane Butler Bass Sunday musing was on forgiveness too. Well worth reading and watching the video
I’ve been watching the videos of Len’s sermons since you included him in For Our Daughters. He is humble and inspiring. ❤️❤️❤️
I'll definitely have to listen to the full thing here later. I'm glad you started sharing COS sermons years back on twitter - there have been so many little gems of goodness preached from that platform.
I'm currently reading Malcolm Foley's "The Anti-Greed Gospel", and have been so encouraged by his insights, and his passion. Dare I say this book is - nourishing?? In a way I'll be sad to finish it. SO maybe I'll read it again... Also just finished Steve Bezner's latest.
Also, I resolved to spend all my "through the bible in a year" time (I guess I'm still a good evangelical) reading the Old Testament in Hebrew instead of English this year. It's a much slower pace obviously. I'm in 2 Chronicles this week, and have been struck by how much violence and suffering can and do come from the irresponsible and careless use of power by rulers. It's heavy actually.
Thanks for sharing. Glad you and your fam have a good healthy faith community. :)
I almost added Malcolm’s book to this post, but decided to save it for the next one.
I knew it was gonna be a great book. But I’m still surprised at the amazing amount of hope and power I’ve found in it.
Thank you, Kristen, this was moving, especially it was so appropriate to our time. As I look around to find out what I - a 68yo, white woman working from home - can do, I need to remember that I do it in Jesus' name and in His footsteps.
Thank you Kristin. Those words are both comforting and encouraging.
Thank you so much for this. Had tears in my eyes reading it.
On spiritual renewal & resilience: BHM is educational, spiritual, & fun ... with a Hallelujah Express featuring The Spirituals Choir, Kendrick Lamar, & Beyoncé--amidst a 40-day gradual fast starting on Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. day amidst the regime's start: https://www.youtube.com/live/VQ4KrqR7SsE?si=oH70CyKPQB9CYd8M&t=4905 (I wasn't the only person moved to tears by our younger generations)