'White Noise'

My heart and head have been messed up ever since I learned of the tragedy in Brunswick, Georgia. 

Ahmaud Arbery: shot and killed
while jogging in Brunswick, Georgia.

Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed 25-year-old man, was seen walking into a new home construction in a neighborhood in the middle of an afternoon. A local resident called 911 and reported the incident. After 3-minutes, the young man exited the house and began jogging down the street. Immediately, two men (one was possibly the 911 caller) grabbed their firearms, jumped into their truck and gave chase with intention of performing a "citizen's arrest". According to CNN and New York Times reports, the father-and-son perpetrators, Gregory McMichael and Travis (the shooter), told officers that the young African American jogger looked like a person that was suspect in a string of robberies in that area so they “armed themselves and began chasing him in a truck.” After they accosted the jogger, a struggle ensued over a shotgun that one of the men was carrying. Ahmaud was shot and killed in the middle of the street at 1pm in the afternoon, on February 23, 2020.

Two-and-a-half-months after Arbery's death, a video of the shooting surfaced and went viral. Immediately, the case gained national attention and produced an outcry that pressured local law enforcement to finally arrest the two men for the shooting death of this young man. A grand jury is being set to judge on this case.

After reading the on-going reports and seeing the horrifying video for myself, my mind came unglued by the anemic response of the local law enforcement officials. My heart was locked and lit with outrage and a passion for justice.

OUTRAGEOUS! More details are sure to surface in the weeks to come regarding this tragedy. But we do know that two men were allowed to walk free for 74 days after killing another man before public outcry forced their arrest.

HERE ARE MY QUESTIONS:
1. Where is the Caucasian voice for justice against minorities in America?
2. Where is the Caucasian voice against racism and hate crimes in America?

Why are the black and brown minority groups left to speak and fend for themselves – amidst a white ocean of silence? Justice must be seen as an incumbent responsibility placed on the backs of the majority populace to afford, secure and protect equality for all minority groups within that shared society. Obviously, there are those who still harbor and propagate their racist agendas, but their twisted and sick bigotry is outside the address of this letter. My focus and challenge in this moment is to my White bothers and sisters who truly disdain racism as a cancer, but have yet to publicly stand-up and speak-out for those being abused by it. Yes, I am speaking of the 'Caucasian voice' in general terms, which doesn't apply to the whole. Thankfully, there are many whites who speak-out on behalf racial equality. I celebrate those men and women. Yet, my growing concern is for the unwavering 'white noise' -- that empty, non-productive background static that fills the room but communicates nothing. In short, it is time for the collective Caucasian voice across our nation to break the sin of silence, speak out against inequity, stand boldly beside the racially marginalized and champion justice in every neighborhood, coffee shop, media outlet, church, school and courtroom across our nation. We need a fresh awakening in America of the white voice for justice and against racism.

PUMP YOUR BRAKES! Allow me to clarify my perspective before being sidelined as a ‘social jurist’. We live in a multi-cultural society that inevitably precipitates conflict between people of different races. For this reason, I do not believe that all incidents and crimes that are labelled 'racist' are, in fact, racist. Racial crimes and mistreatment happen on both sides of the street. However, my passion to see justice fulfilled has nothing to do with our pre-judging the motives, guilt or innocence of others. Judgment and sentencing are supposed to happen in a court room after due process has been rendered -- not before. My outcry is for all of us to simply work to assure that all people groups are given that same, equal, fair, reasonable, objective and moral treatment of dignity, care and due process. Justice for everyone.

What Is Justice?

Justice… I think our culture needs a refresher course on this word. Webster defines it as fair and reasonable treatment. Biblically, the definition of ‘justice’ goes even further to include objective, moral righteousness. You see, justice is like faith – without works, it is dead. Until justice is activated, it remains a beautiful concept with a barren womb – lacking the power to change anything. For this reason, God has tasked you and I to ‘do justice’.

        Micah 6:8 RSV 
        "He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but 
         to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

How Do We 'Do Justice'? 

Initially, we start by using our time, voices, actions, resources, prayer, phone calls, education, conversations and votes to propagate for the righteous care, concern and treatment of all of humanity. Until we are willing to show-up, speak-up and invest, we have no reason to expect justice to be done.

Secondly, comfort and encourage those impacted by injustice – especially those outside of your own race or ethnicity. Remember that the victimization of one can emotionally impact the majority within that same people group. Therefore, in these trying times we must use our words of support and solidarity to strengthen and lift the hearts of others.

Thirdly, I am convinced that one of the greatest disparities dividing racial unity is a ‘lack of story’. Allow me to explain. I define ‘story’ as owning a personal, first-hand experience of what it means and feels like to be marginalized, disregarded, rejected and considered less-than and/or suspect because of one’s race. For the most part, Caucasians have never truly experienced these discrepancies on a broad scale as other minority groups – at least, not because of our skin color. Consequently, since racism and bigotry have not been our personal stories, I believe we are naturally less aware, less affected and quite blind to much of the injustices that exist around us. We simply live desensitized to racism’s reality. Thus, the only path for us to gain true understanding and empathy into the bite of racism is to listen, learn and believe another person’s story – allowing their experience to become our educator. This is going to require trust. Choosing to confidently embrace another person’s experience so strongly that we allow it to shape and direct our personal views, understanding, beliefs and awareness. Only when we are willing to trust, learn and grow from another person’s story will we be able to stop this mayhem-go-round of injustice. It’s time for all of us to get woke!

SIDE NOTE: Despite my being a Caucasian man (with a severe deficit of pigmentation), I have personally seen racism in action. I have learned of its effect from my Hispanic wife and listened to horror stories of injustice from my Haitian brother-in-law. I have heard the pain and fear of racism in the words of my multiracial friends. So, after decades of living through my own experiences, studying history and learning from the stories of others, my heart has been educated, my spirit has been sensitized and racism now my enemy, as well. 

'Be' The Church!

I will finish with this. The cry for justice is a simple and righteous standard that should thrive in every Christ-follower’s heart. From pastor to parishioner and pulpit to pew, churches in America should be leading the way in what justice and racial solidarity looks and acts like. As Christ-followers, we must remember that it is God’s Word that encourages us to fight-back against all injustice, racism and maltreatment of humanity. We must allow the love, heart, principles and virtues of the Word to direct our lives — giving voice to justice -- even if it costs us personally. When we see one human treated with greater value than another, justice should scream inside of our hearts. If not, our silence in the face of injustice becomes a misrepresentation of the Gospel. And since justice is a ‘spiritual conviction’ that cannot be compartmentalized, those who have embraced that conviction no longer have the luxury of deciding if it will respond or not. Justice matters to God. Justice must matter to us.

        Proverbs 21:3 ESV 
       “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”

My prayer is that justice will becomes a verb instead of a noun, a scream instead of silence and a conviction instead of a preference.

I do not know what the outcome of this trial will be. But my prayer is that truth will be given the unfettered opportunity to speak loud and clear... and that justice will be served.

Let us all continue to pray for Ahmaud Arbery’s family and friends. 

The Other Virus

Two viruses are plaguing our world. Both are invisible, at pandemic levels, highly contagious and toxic.

The first is COVID-19.

The second is fear.

As a society, we are hearing megabytes of scary, tragic information on the coronavirus every day. From personal hygiene practices, social distancing and school/workplace closures to the increasing economic hardships, the rising number of those infected and the escalating mortality count -- it can be difficult to find and maintain inner peace and hope.

Operating as a cohort to the coronavirus, fear has also covered the globe and infected people, but with a faster and broader reach of contamination. Attacking the ‘respiratory system’ of the mind, threats of illness and uncertainty of the future are stealing the breath from our hope, joy, relationships and dreams. Like COVID-19, there is no vaccine to stop the spread of this dis-ease.  

I believe there are two purposes for fear in our lives. The first is alertness. When confronted with challenging news or situations, healthy fear rallies our entire being to identify and assess the present threat. Then, fear moves us into action by either distancing ourselves from the threat or by moving to eliminate it. 

However, if these purposes get twisted or polarized, fear can become antagonistic. The results? Healthy-awareness slides either into an obsession or denial, while healthy action derails into over-reaction or slides into paralysis. 

So, what should be our response?

While the medical community races to create a vaccine that will eradicate the coronavirus, each of us own the responsibility to uproot fear and restore a resilient peace within our own lives. Here are a few ways to vaccinate your mind against toxic fear.

First, guard your thoughts. Change the channel from 24-hour news and listen to music or watch some reruns of FRIENDS. Listening to 'fear on repeat' is emotionally draining. Although awareness is great, obsession is unhealthy. Give your mind a vacation!

Second, talk with someone. Worry and anxiety get stronger when kept in the dark corners of our minds. But honest and open conversation brings toxic thoughts into the light, draining its venom and lifting its weight off our souls.  

Third, don’t isolate. While ‘social-distancing’ is the strategy we’ve been given to curb the spread of the coronavirus, do not allow ‘physical distancing’ to become ‘social isolation’. Maintain a healthy distance, but keep your loved ones close via texts, calls, social media and FaceTime. ‘Isolation’ is torture; choose not to participate. We all need each other to get through this tough season.

Fourth, speak words of encouragement. It is easy to feel sluggish and weak when fearful thoughts and feelings are racing through our minds. However, we can fight wrong thoughts with ‘right words.’ Your voice is powerful! Stand tall, smile big and speak words of hope over your family, friends, co-works… and yourself!

Lastly, as a person of faith, I must also mention a fifth response, prayer. It is amazing how a simple moment of prayer and meditation can reset the emotional state of our souls. No, there’s nothing magical about it. But there is an unexplainable peace that flows in the recesses of our hearts when we talk to our caring, listening and willing to respond, Heavenly Father. Novices are welcome; no experience is necessary.

Is there a silver lining?

Despite these dark days, COVID-19 has unwittingly blessed us with a true gift. You see, it was only after the virus breached China’s borders and reached unbiasedly into all other nations, ethnicities, races, genders, ages, faiths, political affiliations and socioeconomic groups that the global community’s attitude shifted from casual concern to serious commitment in destroying our, now mutual, nemesis.

In effect, COVID-19 has delivered to us the very gift that will be the cause for its eradication - unity. Now, many of those who were previously divided over policy, politics and ideology are finding room, even if only for a moment, to see ‘the other’ as a partner in the war on this pandemic. This newly expressed oneness of caring, reaching and serving gives all of us reason to hope, smile and to keep on fighting. So, whether unity proves to be a silver lining or a silver bullet, we will prevail.

Article published in Orlando Sentinel: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/coronavirus/os-op-fear-in-time-of-coronavirus-20200330-tfsjzpuprbanrlwkni7r5uqhee-story.html 

7 Leadership Keys from Ferguson

Like most Americans, I had never heard of Ferguson, Missouri... until last week. Sadly, this mid-west community is now trending in social media due to a confrontation between local Police Officer, Darren Wilson, and eighteen-year-old, Michael Brown that tragically left the teenager dead. 

Capt. Ron Johnson

Ferguson is on fire... and its fuse is short! The police and community are in a stand-off with fractured communication and no cooperation. Racism is suspect in the shooting. Distrust is high. Frustration is growing. News cameras are running. Violent demonstrations are occurring. Arrests are frequent. Politicians are taking sides. An eruption seems inevitable.

Where leadership is vacant... chaos thrives.

Eventually, a new face, Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, was assigned to lead security oversight for the citizens, businesses and community protests in Ferguson. And it was during his introductory address in that hotbed of crisis where I identified seven leadership keys that Johnson displayed that had been grossly lacking.

1. Focus on the hurting.

    Immediately after taking the mic, Johnson asked the locals that were attending the press conference if they could hear him on the microphone. When the people said, "No",  he then proceeded to leave the platform and move into the crowd - leaving the national media scrambling to catch their sound byte without a mic. Johnson said that his greater concern was for the citizens of Ferguson because they were the ones that needed to hear his voice - they were the ones who were hurting.

    LEADERS will overlook the opportunity of name recognition, publicity and personal status to focused on the hurting people they are assigned to lead. 'Concern for people' trumps 'popularity' in the hearts of a leader every time.

2. Connect with the people. 

    The evening before his public introduction and assignment, Capt. Johnson walked among the thousands of civil and violent protesters - while dressed in full uniform. Please remember that the police had been considered the 'enemy' among the crowd. Yet, Johnson took the risk to personally engage with the scared, hurting and angry people, look them in the face and assure them that answers were on the way.

    
    LEADERS are among the people they are leading. Concern and understanding cannot be fully communicated from behind a desk or on a platform. Leaders must always remain as 'one of the crowd', while connecting, listening and caring for those they are privileged to lead, protect and serve.

3. Choose honesty over politics.

    I listened as Capt. Johnson carefully chose his words in regards to how he felt the Ferguson Police Department had handled the shooting and aftermath. In essence, He stated that some things should have been handled differently by local law enforcement, but he was assured that the necessary oversight was now in place and that answers would soon follow.
    
    LEADERS know that honesty and integrity are character issues that are foundational to lasting influence. Even in opposition, honesty is always identifiable and respected. Sadly, leadership and politics are no longer equatable. Charisma and accomplishment may sway the crowd for a moment, but when leaders choose to 'people-pleasing' and 'reputation' over honesty and truth - their end is near.
 

4. Admit your weakness.

    During his introduction speech, Johnson spoke of a conversation he had with his daughter. After walking with the protesters, she asked him if he was afraid. He admitted that he was. Then he admitted to the entire crowd that 'we all are afraid'.     

    LEADERS admit their humanity. Some say that confessing weakness will hurt a leaders influence. But there is a difference in 'owning weakness' and 'making weakness an excuse'. For a leader, admitting the presence of an obstacle makes him/her human; but moving forward despite the obstacle makes him/her a leader. The greatest quality leaders can portray is not the absence or denial of a challenge, but the refusal to be limited or owned by it. Leaders admit being human and keep walking. Weakness makes you human; refusal to quit make you a leader.

5. Speak-out against wrong. 

    The day he was introduced to the nation, Capt. Johnson stepped to the platform and called an end to the chaos in Ferguson. He made no excuse for it. He explained that rioting in the streets was only hurting the people of Ferguson and he appealed to the citizens to stop the destruction of their community, businesses and themselves. 
    
    LEADERS have the strength to speak-out against evil - using their voices to oppose chaos. Leaders see the long-term impact of today's actions, cast vision for tomorrow and then give hurting people 'permission' to stop destroying their own lives. Very often, leaders are the only ones left standing between life and death. Leaders are bride builders... but sometimes they must also build barriers so they can redirect people to a new bridge...  people.

6. Keep smiling in tough times.

    Capt. Johnson was brought on the scene in an emotionally charged and volatile time. Yet, during his address to the media and those in attendance, Johnson found a way to appropriately interject a smile and a moment of humor. As the crowd responded with their own smiles, peace and hope both made a needed appearance.

    LEADERS understand the importance of resetting the atmosphere with a smile. Tough scenarios are inevitable. Difficult conversations and meetings must be had. But leaders know that even challenging situations can benefit from a properly-timed, kind facial gesture. When used with appropriately, a leaders smile can add a sense of warmth, hope and concern for all involved.

7. Use the Bible to give hope.

    As Capt. Johnson spoke candidly about the conversation he had with his daughter, he concluded by reflecting on the bible story of Peter walking on the water with Jesus. He used the familiar story to encourage every listener how, in the same way Jesus picked Peter up out of his sinking situation, He is going to pick us up out of this situation and carry us out, too.

   
    LEADERS recognize the responsibility of giving hope to those they lead, especially in times of crisis. Identifying and speaking to the spiritual aspect of humanity creates deep impact. And the bible is that book that anchors people's hearts so they can see through the chaos and believe for a better tomorrow. Unexpected and unwanted seasons occur in everyone's life, but leaders lead the strongest when they discover the power of giving hope and expectation for a better future.

Only time will tell as to how things will play-out... because leadership only works when others are willing to follow. But hopefully, Capt. Johnson and the other officials will be able to restore a lasting peace, direction and order in Ferguson, Missouri.

*Please join me in extending heartfelt concern and prayers to Michael Brown's family and friends, Officer Darren Wilson and the community of Ferguson, Missouri.

David & Goliath... the forgotten detail!

David and Goliath is an epic biblical story most of us learned at an early age. With such an inspiring message of the underdog overcoming impossible odds, there is no wonder why this story is referenced in both the sacred and secular arenas.

Unfortunately, there is one seriously important element that is regularly overlooked while telling the story. What is this missing element? David not only carried his sling to fight the giant... but the first weapon he grabbed was his staff! Why is the staff typically forgotten and what significance could it possibly add to the story?

     1 Samuel 17:40
     "Then he took his staff in his hand... and with his sling in his hand, approached the 

     Philistine."

Hebraic understanding reveals 2 purposes for the "staff":

1. A tool and a weapon - used to prod sheep as well as a club to fight off predators

2. A written (engraved) testimony of God's acts - both personal and family

The staff was a wooden rod that carried the inscribed genealogical record of a family (Num. 17:2). And from that list of Patriarchal names, the historical acts of God could be recounted and retold throughout that family's lineage - passing on the family heritage and keeping alive the testimonies of God's on-going protection and blessing. Ultimately, this "stick of testimony" became an valued treasure of inheritance that was passed from generation to generation.

I am sure that David used his staff daily to guide and protect the sheep. Yet, at other times, David must have used his staff to recount and remember God's record of faithfulness over the years. It is for this reason - the staff bearing a record of David's family experiences with God - that I believe David took his staff into battle to fight Goliath. Not so much to be used as a physical weapon, but more as a personal reminder that since God had already proven to bless, protect and provide in times past, then He will do it again. I believe that David's staff reminded him that "just as God was with my family then, He is with me now!"

So the picture of David taking his sling AND his staff to face Goliath becomes more clear and complete. The sling represented David's 'skill', but the staff was his 'testimony' that reminded him of "God's faithfulness" - both of which we must be equipped with as we face our giants and fight forward every day.

The POINT: Relying on our skills alone will get us killed, because there are giants bigger and stronger than our ability to overcome. On the other hand, expecting God alone to work everything out for us without applying our own effort leaves us 'dead' (James 2:17). However, once we learn to exercise our skills while trusting in God's faithfulness... GIANTS DIE, ARMIES RUN and God's KINGDOM WINS!!

A Big I.D.E.A.

We like the thought of having “life under control”… but nothing could be further from reality! It only takes one ‘txt. msg’, doctor’s report, stock report, phone call or accident to rock our world and remind us that life is seriously fragile.

A closer look at God’s Word reminds us to turn our focus inside, not outside. And although we can’t control life’s external circumstances, it is the internal choices we make that create our world.

Check-out this 'fab-four' and discover what God has to say about living your life with a Big I.D.E.A. After all, these are the only four things you have control over in life...

A BIG I.D.E.A.

• I – Integrity (Prov. 10:9)

         Live so that your private and public life have no daylight between them. Authenticity 
         creates self-confidence, trustworthiness and broadens your influence.

• D - Declaration (Eph. 4:29)

         Keep your talk positive, strong and forward. Talk about where you’re going, not where 
         you’ve been.

• E - Effort (Col. 3:23)

         Never be caught looking when you should be working. Opportunity is created by 
         effort.

• A - Attitude (Phil. 2:14-15)

         Without the right mind-set… skills and talents are irrelevant. Make sure the 
         atmosphere you create is healthy enough for you and others to grow in.

This Big I.D.E.A. reminds us that when we control everything we can, we are then able to handle everything we can’t. Stop trying to control people and things, and start dealing with yourself. Handle this quartet responsibly and life will be steady, strong and successful.