Tag Archives: Racism

Jesus Loves…YOU

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It will not surprise regular readers of this irregular blog to hear me write “what we sing forms who we are.” It’s been that way as long as there have been humans singing…and heck, even animals, and nature, and heaven sing…so I guess what those created things sing forms them too.

I think about almost everything I do in my life through a hymnological lens. It’s who I am…and that started in my curiosity as a young child wondering why the song leader at my church where I grew up had a white-leather, special book that was different than the gold colored ones we all had in the pews.

So, i’ve been consumed with thoughts about the recent COVID-19 experience and the death of George Floyd especially through this lens…and here is what I’ve decided to write as of Tuesday, 0945 AM on June 9, 2020. (I’ve had lots of posts I’ve started, walked away, deleted, started over, and “rinse and repeat…”)

While I love the simple theology of “Jesus Loves Me,” it seems painfully clear that generations have been too focused on self as a result. I think that it’s time to make “Jesus Loves You” the main verse.

I love that I and you and generations of others learn that we’re loved by Jesus with this simple hymn as youngsters. But here’s the problem: its selfish.

And the root of each and every problem of race, bigotry, cultural and societal elitism, is a hateful selfishness that may even be subconscious.

Until we realize we are called to love and serve ALL (read that as someone other than yourself…no exceptions) just as Jesus did.

When we sing “Jesus loves YOU” it’s more for our heads and hearts to believe others are more important than it is anything else.

John tells us that “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.” But until we believe this at the core of our being that other people (regardless of race, gender, financial status, job status, etc.) are more important than we are and live like it, things are not going to really change.

Change starts with ME. And Until My heart & head believe and are ready to act like “Jesus Loves YOU,” change can’t happen.

Jesus Loves Me (Anna Warner/William Bradbury)

I DON’T KNOW…

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I DON’T KNOW.
We don’t like these words. We don’t like saying these words. We don’t like not knowing. But these three words fill my mind as I try to process this last week’s events, the entirety of the COVID-19 virus crisis…


As a 38 year old, privileged white male who has NEVER wanted for anything…who has always had a roof over his head, a meal to eat, and spare change in my pockets, I DO NOT KNOW how to respond to the death of #GeorgeFloyd. I don’t know how I can yield my voice, my gifts, my pulpit, my pen, my music to a growing chorus of people struggling to help bring biblical justice into our world. I DO KNOW that God weeps with those who weep…and that the comfort of the Holy Spirit has never been needed more than it seems to be needed today. I have so much more to say…but I don’t know quite how to articulate my thoughts yet.


COVID? Why can’t scientists, politicians, and idiots who are trying to look smart just rest in knowing that it’s ok to say I DON’T KNOW. We don’t know what’s next with this virus. We don’t know what all the symptoms are and how they manifest themselves..We don’t know if/when a next wave of cases comes where they will be, what they will look like. We don’t know if we’re reopening things too soon. There’s just SO MUCH we don’t know. We need to not guess and say that we think we don’t know. Because we DON’T know.


Here’s another I DON’T KNOW. We don’t know when Jesus is coming back. But it is “high time” we started living like it could be tomorrow. We need to start RIGHT THIS SECOND making life on earth like it is in heaven. LOVING one another…STANDING UP, KNEELING, WEEPING, CELEBRATING with those who need people to love them where they are, who they are. Why? Because it’s what Jesus would do. I need to do a better job acting, living, speaking, and LOVING like Jesus.