1. The Gospel is Never at Stake. A Few Words on Orthodoxy, Christian Unity, and Not Being a Big Jerk
I saw a quote from a Christian leader yesterday, one that I respect despite disagreeing with some of his doctrine. It contained the words “At stake is the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Whoa, hold up. I’m not a scholar or a theologian, but I can tell you one thing: The gospel of Jesus Christ is never at stake. The gospel, the good news, is that [.....]
1. Urban Church P̶l̶a̶n̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ Plantations
Last week I had the honor of meeting with a group of urban pastors who’ve devoted their lives to serving Buffalo, NY. While discussing the challenges they encountered while doing urban ministry in a predominantly non-white, socio-economically oppressed[ii] city, the black, Hispanic and Asian pastors with whom I met raised a familiar issue, one that I’ve heard and witnessed all over the country. Same story, different city...continue reading 2. i-Lust and Other Confessions in a Millennial World
I lust. The words [.....]
Fifty-one floors up. City Club LA. Beautiful view of downtown Los Angeles in the background. Freshly sliced oranges and strawberries alongside blackberries, blueberries and grapes. Wine, cocktails, and Hor d'oeurves. Who would've thought this would be the setting for a discussion on suffering? But this was exactly the scenario I found myself in one Friday night a few weeks ago.
I don't remember the initial direction the conversation was meant to go in, but about 20 minutes into it the topic had shifted to finding redemptive value [.....]
1. and the beat got sicka
On my nightstand :At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape, and Resistance: A New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power. This book is incredible, and I'm only a few chapters in. A painful (and potentially triggering) read, certainly, but it tells a crucial side to the civil rights movement that is largely missing from popular history, illuminating many of the activists, newspapers, and organizations that fought tirelessly against sexualized [.....]
The response to the passing of Germina Cruz has been overwhelmingly sad to say the least. She touched so many lives in such a short time. She hasn't escaped my thoughts once since I received the news of her passing.
There are many people who were a lot closer to Germina than I was. I offer to them my prayers and condolences. I also send my prayers to her family and to the friends and family of Kerry Benson (the young man who also died in the car accident).
My dad shared a few words with me during a phone conversation that uplifted my spirit in a way that I think would make Germina smile. He [.....]
The Ghetto Monk is a home for contemplative thought from the young, spiritual, radical, and ratchet.