It was Miles McPherson, black pastor of the San Diego Rock Church who (in his book, “The Third Option”) showed me the most critical thing to consider concerning social tension. McPherson used the scripture of Joshua, who encountered a dangerous man with a sword. Joshua went right up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”.[i] Our country is in a dangerous time of significant division. When society is so divided, we tend to dig in according to our personal beliefs and moral values. There’s nothing wrong with standing for our beliefs and values, but there is an over-riding premise easily forgotten. It’s not “us and them.” Black or…

It’s difficult to grade the scales of awful when it comes to actions of evil. But one deadly force attack on churches rises to the level of the worst ever in America. 9 children, 16-years-old and under were violently executed. 17 adults were sadistically slaughtered in the same attack. Consistent with how we sit together in church as families, 6 families lost more than one in the attack. Astonishingly, 9 were taken from one family alone. 26 died in a matter of minutes. The youngest still in the womb, the oldest 77. Among the injured were a 6-year-old boy who would be the last released from the hospital, a 17-year-old who’s dreams of being a U. S. Marine were cut away by 7 bullets and a bible study leader who survived being shot 8 times. That day, 11/5/2017 at the Sutherland Springs (Texas) First Baptist Church, the killer would find…

There is a scene in the epic movie, Dances With Wolves, where John Dunbar (Kevin Costner) stops a buffalo as it is running down a frightened and helpless young Sioux boy. Dunbar fires the killing shot at the lost moment and the boy’s life is saved. Back in camp that night, there is a lot to celebrate. The celebration lasts well into the night. Not only had they experienced a great hunt, but word had spread about Dunbar saving the boy’s life. Well into the night, the joyful crowd asks the wearying Dunbar to “tell the story again.” He first says he can’t, but then goes ahead and thrills the audience with re-telling the story. There is something in our nature that is inspired when we hear someone speak of great deeds; especially speakers personally experienced in what they talk about. The annual SOS of the FBSN is blessed to…