"Why Don't Dreamers Just Get Legal?" I hear this question a lot. It often comes from those opposed to legislation benefitting young Immigrant Dreamers who were brought here illegally as children. The insinuation (sometimes blatantly), is that if the Dreamers are too careless, lazy, and unconcerned to apply for legal status and citizenship after all this time, then why should we help them now? The question really doesn't make sense, but I've seen many use it as a "gotcha" type question, as though no one ever thought, "Hmmm, why don't I just go to the Post Office and apply for legal residency … [Read more...] about Why Don’t “Dreamers” Just Get Legal?
Would You Have Stood With Dr. King? Or Been Silent?
Monday is the day we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King's life and legacy. I thought I'd post a section of his writings. An excerpt from "A Letter From the Birmingham Jail" But despite these notable exceptions, I must honestly reiterate that I have been disappointed with the church. I do not say this as one of those negative critics who can always find something wrong with the church. I say this as a minister of the gospel, who loves the church; who was nurtured in its bosom; who has been sustained by its spiritual blessings and who will remain true to it as long as the cord of life shall … [Read more...] about Would You Have Stood With Dr. King? Or Been Silent?
SBC State Conventions and Leaders Denounce Racism, White Nationalism, and the Alt-Right and Promote Gospel Ministry to All Peoples, Including Immigrants/Refugees
I've been meaning to write about this for over a week, but life events have slowed me down. At least 8 state conventions issued resolutions condemning racism, white nationalism and white supremacy, and the Alt-Right and calling upon gospel unity at their annual meetings. With strong statements from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, the SBC went beyond the Alt-Right Resolution in Phoenix at the national convention and applied this sentiment on the state level as well. I wonder if local associations will continue to make these … [Read more...] about SBC State Conventions and Leaders Denounce Racism, White Nationalism, and the Alt-Right and Promote Gospel Ministry to All Peoples, Including Immigrants/Refugees
Southern Baptists Oppose Racism, Pray for Peace in Tennessee This Weekend
Tennessee Baptists have drawn their line in the sand and have taken their stand against rallies scheduled for Shelbyville and Murfreesboro, Tennessee tomorrow, October 28th. From the Tennessee Baptist and Reflector: FRANKLIN – A mix of ethnically diverse Tennessee Baptists gathered in a display of unity at the Church Support Center in Franklin Oct. 25 to publicly denounce the white supremacist movement and racism during a press conference called by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. “We don’t call press conferences very often but we believe it is impossible to stand silently by while the … [Read more...] about Southern Baptists Oppose Racism, Pray for Peace in Tennessee This Weekend
DACA Revoked, DREAMers Face Deportation. Will Southern Baptist Pastors/Churches Speak On Their Behalf?
DACA has been revoked with a 6 month hiatus. Congress can address this if they want to. It is their job to address this legislatively. So, here's the deal: Evangelicals can speak on behalf of Immigrant DREAMers (those brought here illegally as children) and ask Congress to pass legislation to allow them to stay legally, or, We can do nothing, sit back, say it isn't our problem, and whatever happens happens. If we do that, then DREAMers will lose their protection, lose their jobs, not be able to go to school, and will be eventually deported. Those are the choices before us. Dr. … [Read more...] about DACA Revoked, DREAMers Face Deportation. Will Southern Baptist Pastors/Churches Speak On Their Behalf?
Natural Disasters, God’s Judgment, and Our Response
My heart has been breaking over the scenes that have come out of Houston and the surrounding areas in Southeast Texas from Hurricane Harvey. I've kept up with friends there on social media and have prayed as flood waters have risen around their neighborhoods. I praise God for the thousands of rescuers, volunteers, and regular citizens who are helping their neighbors. And, I am incredibly grateful for those who responded quickly to people in need and didn't pontificate over whether or not Hurricane Harvey was God's judgment on Texas. I remember standing in front of a crowd of tired, hot, … [Read more...] about Natural Disasters, God’s Judgment, and Our Response
Biblical Justice Demands Evangelicals/Southern Baptists to Speak on Behalf of Immigrant Dreamers
Once again, I heard disturbing news today. Immigrant Dreamers (those brought here illegally as children who have previously had certain protections under the DACA program) are going to lose their protections in the near future and become susceptible to deportation. But, even more than that, I've heard directly from the offices of Republican Senators and Congressmen who are asking Evangelical pastors and churches to speak up on behalf of Dreamers and help give them the moral backing to pass legislation to protect these young people. They want to do what is right, but they need support from the … [Read more...] about Biblical Justice Demands Evangelicals/Southern Baptists to Speak on Behalf of Immigrant Dreamers
Denouncing Racism Is Easy, Loving Racists Is Hard
As the nation watched in horror this weekend, racial violence emerged yet again, this time in Charlottesville, Virginia, as white nationalists, Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, the KKK and others met to "Unite the Right." The whole scene was evil and anti-Christ. Saturday's violence and the terrorist attack that took the life of Heather Heyer got a great deal of the attention, as it should have, but the marching with torches and Nazi chanting on Friday night gives a good picture on what this was all about. Friday night around 10pm in Charlottesville, the crowd was chanting: "One people, one … [Read more...] about Denouncing Racism Is Easy, Loving Racists Is Hard
The Coming Crisis: Why We Should Speak/Advocate on Behalf of Immigrant “Dreamers” Right Now
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” - Proverbs 31:8-9 My young immigrant friend keeps calling me. He knows that I work with churches and groups on immigrant/refugee ministry and that I keep up with what is happening from a policy perspective. So, he keeps calling and texting. He was brought here illegally when he was 2 years old. He’s now in his late 20’s and has lived in America all of his life. He is married and has children, all of whom are U.S. citizens. He … [Read more...] about The Coming Crisis: Why We Should Speak/Advocate on Behalf of Immigrant “Dreamers” Right Now
Eugene Peterson and Perhaps the Deepest Kind of Repentance
By now, you've heard of what happened with Eugene Peterson, the 84 year old pastor/professor/writer when asked what he believed about gay marriage and gay relationships. I don't want to get into all of the details of that, give links, and make arguments that have already been made. But, I do want to focus in on something I haven't seen many talk about. His statement affirming gay marriage came out on Wednesday in an article. On Thursday, he released a retraction. He recanted. And, there are three statements that he made here that are particularly worth exploring and should consider: "To … [Read more...] about Eugene Peterson and Perhaps the Deepest Kind of Repentance