Until recently, I’ve opted not to speak on the Israel-Palestine conflict in any public capacity: not on any of my platforms, not on social media, not at social gatherings, and especially not at work!
While the conflict predates my existence, it’s been an especially contentious topic since October 7, 2023 - the day Hamas led a coordinated, surprise attack against Israel. As others rushed to social media and traditional media spaces to voice their take on the matter, I decided to remain silent - not because I had nothing to say, but because I doubted my ability to engage the topic competently and graciously. I also feared the backlash and “cancellation” that would surely come to me for expressing deep concerns for, as well as sharp criticisms of, parties on both sides.
Nevertheless, a recent conversation with a coworker gave me a new perspective on the topic, and it finally emboldened me to publicly speak on the matter as much as the Lord would allow.
With more than 50 years of faithful preaching of the Scriptures and zero public scandals, Pastor Begg had certainly earned my unofficial designation as a “solid” celebrity pastor. However, his recent handling of a cultural matter countered a Biblical worldview, and this was not at all consistent with the reputation that has long preceded him.
Which begs the question that many have raised in recent weeks: What are we, as Believers, now to do with Alistair Begg?
Since publishing the original SITMAC series in 2018, I’ve received several requests to write another installment. Admittedly, I didn’t believe one would be necessary because, as my logic went, by exposing the up and coming protégés of the old guard (see Joel Osteen, TD Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, etc), it should be easy to sniff out other false and extremely problematic preachers and pastors by association. Those birds all seemed to flock together, so writing about yet another member of their coop felt redundant.
What I didn’t consider at the time, however, was the role social media was beginning to play in platforming charlatans who don’t necessarily have ties to the old guard. I also didn’t consider how, thanks to social media, false teachers and problematic brothers (and sisters) no longer need a pulpit or a local church to sow error and confusion before a mass of God’s people.
Prior to episode 902 of the Relatable Podcast with Allie Beth Stuckey, I had extremely little knowledge of Kat Von D.
I’ve certainly heard her name in passing as I’ve consumed pop culture news over the years. In recent weeks, for example, I’d seen various headlines reporting on her recent baptism into Christianity. So, indeed, I’ve definitely heard of her.
Yet, I’m embarrassed to admit that I was so unfamiliar with her claims to fame and professional résumé that I initially confused her with the burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese. In my defense, both women do have “Von” in their names; they’re both undeniably gorgeous, fair-skinned brunettes who often rock a bold, red lip; and they are both closely associated with Marilyn Manson.
In the premiere episode of Season 4 of Truth + Fire: The Podcast, host Veritéetfeu tackles "married single motherhood", a parenting phenomenon where married mothers take on the sole responsibility to care for their children. But is this practically beneficial for the mother, the father or their children? More importantly, is it Biblical?
As a fellow Christian, I have to say, I love Kim Davis! Watching her case has taught me so much about standing for God in today's time, and I bless God for using her to demonstrate some important lessons for me. I've been quite fascinated with this case for weeks now. I had plans to publish a full piece covering my specific thoughts on her case for some time, but I find the essence of this matter to be rather open and shut.
Today is my 35th birthday. While most people enter their birthdays thankful to see another year, I was in the midst of a knock-down, drag out fight with God not even 24 hours ago! We actually fight a lot...and He always wins. But I rather enjoy that He always takes a moment from His busy schedule to entertain lil’ old me when I feel a hankering to whine and complain.
But this fight was a bit different. This time, I was extremely upset with Him. And I made sure He knew it!
Since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage legal across the country, the entire debate about homosexuality, the definition of marriage and whether the U.S. is going to hell wrapped in a gasoline-soaked Confederate flag has been all the rage these days.
As one who loves a good Facebook debate, I gleaned some of my favorite questions and arguments from these various discussion and initially intended to take a take a stab at responding to each of them in one blog post. However, the piece has grown entirely too long, so I’ve decided to instead chop it up into a series entitled: Questions from my Gay Friends where in I do my best to address issues and qualms that seem to be at the center of the Christian/LGBT debate.
First up is the discussion surrounding homosexuality and shellfish (you read that correctly).
Well…well…well!
Lookah here…lookah here!
Same-sex marriage is FINALLY legal in all 50 states and I couldn’t be experiencing more peace in my soul! Yet, my fellow Christian bretheren and sistern (is that a word?) seem to be downtrodden and rather somber about it, and I can't say I fully understand why.
From where I sit, today’s ruling made perfect practical sense and I knew it was only a matter of time.
It’s been a rough week.
As nine innocent churchgoers lost their lives last Wednesday night at the hands of a shooter poisoned by hatred – scratch that – sheer EVIL, I sat in the comfort of my home drafting a carefully crafted piece on forgiveness, specifically what it truly means, how to extend it, and how certain attitudes can hinder it.
In the days leading up to writing that piece, I’d wrestled with God over the topic because I felt it wasn’t ‘sexy’ enough. We’d been privy to the bizarre and the strange that is the Rachel Dolezal story for days at that point, and I felt I was losing too much precious time writing about “forgiveness” when I’d much rather get in on some “transracial” action!
But God nagged me to publish my next post on forgiveness and, honestly, I didn’t get it. I initially felt the subject had absolutely no relevance. “Who would even read it,” I thought. But I soon came to realize why God inspired me to speak on that particular topic.
As I’ve meditated on this concept and completed an honest check of my heart’s condition, I have identified four of the greatest hindrances to forgiveness that I’ve had to overcome throughout the years. I share them in the hopes that those who also struggle with extending forgiveness will begin to identify the attitudes that might not only threaten your maturation in the faith, but potentially cause you to sin and, ultimately, remove you from God’s grace.
“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” ~ Leviticus 19:15”
Today’s piece is less of an analysis and more of a good, old-fashioned rant. I simply have nothing profound to add to the discussion surrounding the McKinney, TX incident; the video above more than speaks for itself. But I feel it necessary to share a few thoughts on fairness and balance - two concepts Fox News claims to pursue in its news coverage, though we all know they're about as balanced as a peg-legged pirate standing on a seesaw!
As I wrote my perspective on the Duggar Family scandal, I did my best to implement my analysis through the lens of fairness and truth. In the end, my views on the matter fell counter to popular opinion. From a Christian perspective, I took the stance that we should not gloat in the Duggar’s shame, and I believe it is incumbent upon those of us who claim to be Believers in Christ to not cast stones at Josh for past sins, especially those committed in his youth. I continue to stand by that perspective.
But as I wrote that piece, there was yet another perspective nagging me in the back of my mind: Me as an African American. I prayerfully decided not to include that point of view in the original piece because, frankly, it was not relevant. If I attempted to speak from that vantage point, it would have not only clouded my objectivity, I would have been forcing it upon the issue just to prove a point - God wasn't going to let me corrupt the Truth with my personal opinion.
Nevertheless, as I watched how Fox News’ Megyn Kelly handled the Duggar coverage, I wondered if she might be as gentle and compassionate if the family, specifically Josh, had been Black. I hate that I even had to think that way. It’s sad that I even had to consider it. But I did wonder – and if I’m honest, based on previous experiences with that network, I decided in my heart that Megyn would not have been.
The Duggar coverage was laced with terms like, ‘child’, ‘juvenile’ ‘mistake’, ‘forgiveness’ and, my favorite, ‘over the clothes’. Each time I heard them, my spirit groaned, because I knew similar dispensation would not have been afforded to anyone who looked like me.
Sadly, I was right! (BTW: I'm right pretty often, but it doesn't always feel good!)
Not even a week later, we've moved on to the 'McKinney Melee', as I'd like to call it. (Mind you, 'Melee' is used here only to evoke the image of confusion...the only person running amuck, it seems, was Officer Eric Casebolt - or, as one Twitter user humorously referred to him, 'Paul Blart' - who acted as if he'd chugged a case of Red Bulls before arriving to the scene. Turn down for what!?!) Even though Josh Duggar's and the bikini-clad Dajerria Becton's 'offenses' are worlds apart - one, at worst committed a felony; the other, at worst, was being unruly, the Fox News coverage played out just as I'd suspected. Somehow, yet another case involving Black youth was covered in a way that made the child an adult, and it was implied she brought the officer’s excessive actions upon herself.
“I’m sure he didn’t know she was 14,” said Megyn Kelly during Monday night’s edition of The Kelly File. “She looked like a young woman,” she added. “She was no saint, either,” Kelly actually fixed her mouth utter! She attempts to save herself with the age old, 'BUT, I don't condone his actions' type of rhetoric. But the damage was already done. Her seeds were already planted.
After witnessing Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice and other Black youth become grossly mischaracterized by 'conservative news media' (with no opportunity to defend themselves), I am not at all surprised by Kelly’s sly attempt to paint an alternate narrative around this young woman as well. (By the way: When did it become okay for 'news' to be either 'conservative' or 'liberal'? Aren't they all supposed to be 'journalists?'!)
Even if the teens were mouthing off and “lingering”, that’s not why this matter made headlines. A teenager being a teenager is NOT news! The officer in this case is not only an adult, he was supposed to be an officer of the law trained to serve and protect, not sling and drag...curse and berate...or draw a loaded weapon on teens 'armed' with nothing more than beach towels! There was absolutely no justification for his actions. Period. I assume he understands that now, considering his recent resignation.
I so often wish we all (especially Megyn, Fox News and their friends) would learn to do a better job at sticking to the point of a story, avoiding distractions and fighting the temptation to defend only those with whom we identify. I get it: When your side is under attack, you find every opportunity to assuage any hit that paints your side in a bad light. But where is the pursuit of truth and justice in that? What a world we would be if we had the ability to judge a matter justly and 'call a spade a spade' no matter which deck of cards it came from. (I tend to be an idealist that way.)
At the end of the day, I stand by the truth I pursued in the Duggar matter. The pool party video does not negate Josh Duggar was rightfully referred to as a “child”. It is, however, a brutal reminder that Black youth are not afforded the same level of grace - and there's nothing fair or balanced about that!
As of today, Caitlyn Jenner has been enjoying her new life as a woman (at least in the public eye) for eight glorious days. She was welcomed with overwhelming support for her bravery, her new social media accounts amassed thousands of followers within only hours, and she's been deemed the new face of fabulousness, with some even speculating she looks better than her ex-wife Kris. Ah! Yes! 'Tis very good being a woman!
Before last week, the only thing I knew about the Duggars was that they had a reality show and "a bunch of kids". (That's honestly how I would refer to to them: "Oh, you're talking about that family with a bunch of kids?!") I also had a faint understanding of their faith...a very, very faint understanding: I thought they were Amish. But, other than that, I really can't say I knew much about them. If I'm honest, I still don't really know much.
Yet I, along with the rest of the world, became privy to some pretty disturbing facts that I would prefer to unlearn, and my opinion of them has been shaping with each new news report, interview and gory tabloid detail.
This Sunday marks the six-month (semi) anniversary for those of you who joined your local church on the first Sunday of the New Year, so I thought I'd post this piece as somewhat of a mid-year check in. My goal is to encourage you in this walk because, as you've probably gathered these past few months, it isn't as easy as one might think.
