Social Justice

With the recent termination of CEO Roger Ailes, FOX News now has to address sexual harassment allegations concerning Bill O’Reilly. These charges and others before continually remind us that some males create unsafe spaces for females at work as well as in our communities and homes. Along with Bill Cosby and many others we hear […]

Reposted from Huffington Post: Recently I was invited by a community advocate to a PUAH meeting (Portland United Against Hate). As a minister, being involved in community work is an important calling that Jesus has given both Lori and I. However, it is easy to become involved in so many works/organizations, that one can neglect […]

For the past six years, I have been donating plasma, twice per week, at my local center. I began donating because one of the staff attended our church and made a plea that we consider participating—not only for the money but in order to meet people who might need to talk about God.  See more […]

Excellent article and well worth the read. I am sure that the book Assimilate or Go Home is equally as good, which I just ordered. I Moved to the Edge of Portland to Help Refugees But I Can’t Afford to Live Here Anymore This story strikes a nerve as Barberry Village complex provides good memories. […]

I have had to take an amount of time to think about the many recent murders that have happened since Orlando, Baton Rouge, Minnesota, and Dallas. I have sometimes thought that this started at Ferguson, Baltimore, and Chicago—however my friends who are people of color have reminded me that this began centuries before that. I […]

I am writing this post as an outsider looking into a world view that is vastly different from mine. I have to admit, I am a white, middle-class, highly educated, male who has been raised in that environment. I don’t apologize for being that person, but admit I have a privileged perspective on life. Over […]

Nov 15 = Sheep and Goats (Matt 25:31-46) Theme = Acceptance, grace, mercy, hospitality, social justice Further Resources: Why Don’t People Stay in Shelters? Advocates Resist “Don’t Give Cash” Views Are All Homeless People Lazy? Deidox Video: A Dr. Abandons Work in the ER to help the poor The parable of the Sheep and Goats […]

Nov 1 = Come to Work (Matt 20:1-16) Theme = Acceptance, forgiveness, empowerment In this story Jesus claimed that “the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire people.” Jesus used many parables to describe the kingdom of heaven. They involved people working common, menial jobs. The […]

Oct 18 = Unforgiven? (Matt 18:21-35) Theme = Forgiveness, mercy, grace, love Sermon: Unforgiven This text is both powerful and troubling. It is powerful because it illustrates who we are as the people of God. We are called to reflect the nature and glory of God/Jesus. God is relational and so are we. Jesus offers […]

Oct 11 = LOST in the Margins (Matt 18:10-14) Theme = Forgiveness, Outreach, Love, Loyalty Deidox Video: A Police Officer Is Called to Those on the Margins Sermon Matthew and Luke vary slightly in their retelling of these stories. Note—Jesus would not have told a story only once—but, as with any ancient storyteller, would have […]