In Christian community development circles, there is a story about a ministry working in an underserved community. Suburban churches were interested doing weekend service projects with this ministry. Unfortunately, with limited experience and training, there was little that these well-intentioned congregations could actually contribute. Ministry staff decided to tell the visitors they had a wall that needed painting. The visitors would spend an afternoon cheerfully painting the wall, and go away pleased with the notion … [Read more...] about Repaint! For the Kingdom of God is at Hand: Balancing Hope and Critical Analysis in Community Service
Martin Luther King Jr.
Science Corner: Zooming Out on the World
Please stick around to the end for a couple of announcements. While discussing the AI & Christianity series, I talked about artificial intelligence being a tool to spread one's influence farther. I also noted how that was not a unique property of AI, computers or modern technology. Plenty of past inventions enabled an expansion of reach. A reminder of that came this past week in a story about the linguistics of tea. Apparently the words for 'tea' can be placed in one of two groups; they are either very similar to te … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Zooming Out on the World
Resources for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, ESN Staff prays for the ongoing grace to seek justice and practice mercy, to stand with the vulnerable, and to celebrate the vast diversity of people represented in God's Kingdom. Here are a few resources the ESN blog has shared over the past few years related to the work of Martin Luther King Jr. 1. "God Was the First to Cry," a 2-part blog post by Lauri Swann as part of our Lent 2015 Justice series. See Part 1 here and Part 2 here. 2. Book review of Birmingham Revolution … [Read more...] about Resources for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Scholar’s Compass: God Was the First to Cry, Part 2
In the second of her two part series, Lauri Swann reflects on Navigating Justice for the Scholar's Compass Lent series. “God was the first to cry.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma [H]e will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away. - Revelation 21:4, NRSV Reflection Yes, God was the first to cry. Just like God was the first to set His face upon evil to (Leviticus 20:6); to stretch out his hand (Isaiah … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: God Was the First to Cry, Part 2
Scholar’s Compass: God Was the First To Cry, Part 1
In this two part series, Lauri Swann reflects on Navigating Justice for the Scholar's Compass Lent series. “God was the first to cry.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma Reflection In the movie Selma, Martin Luther King, Jr. is seen consoling Mr. Cager Lee, an 82 year old man, who is in the morgue identifying the body of his grandson, Jimmy Lee Jackson. Jimmy, killed in 1965 during a peaceful protest in Selma, Alabama by a state trooper, was only 27 years old. With no other words worthy enough to … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: God Was the First To Cry, Part 1