My father died in February 2009, and I was chosen to do the eulogy. My father was the lighthouse of wisdom, where I could put my boat to anchor. Without him I felt detached in my decision-making, but I was trying my best to be steady for the family. I … ∞
I confess that I was somewhat of an oddity as a child. There are some who might argue that I’ve retained this quality into my adulthood. When I was about eight years old, my family was part of Brethren church plant in Grand Rapids. Actually, my father is the one … ∞
Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God. By Kelly Brown Douglas. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2015. $24, Paper, xv+240 pps. At this spring’s Festival of Faith & Writing, Kelly Brown Douglas said she did not want to write this book but felt compelled to … ∞
Someone mentioned to me recently that the greatest evangelical tool we have is the testimony of our changed lives. I decidedly disagree. Sure, my life has changed since I became a Christian, but that is not my testimony. I am still a sinner. If my testimony depended on my changed … ∞
How has God formed me during my time at CTS? Before I answer, I have to admit that I don’t think about this question as often as I should. Throughout my time at CTS, I’ve been focused on my own work and effort. After all, if I’m working to become … ∞
I have talked with quite a few pastors who from a very early age knew, with quite a lot of certainty, that they wanted to be pastors when they grew up. There are even more pastors who found that certainty by the time they were in high school or college. … ∞
It has been a distinct pleasure to serve the Kerux this academic year. This year I joined the editing team as the Formatting Specialist. The what? Basically, I am the person in charge of the photos, graphics and the artistic direction of this magazine. One of our goals this year … ∞
We stood overlooking a craggy, yet serene countryside that embraced the Sea of Galilee at its border. The slope is known as הר האושר (har ha-osher) or the Mount of Beatitudes, traditionally considered to be the location Jesus delivered his life-altering Sermon on the Mount. Though the scene was not … ∞
“Ethnically ambiguous.” I have adopted this short phrase to describe my appearance. Most people in West Michigan cannot identify my ethnicity without asking. Really, I am the love product of a brown Dominican daddy and a fair-skinned Puerto Rican mom. You can see that in my own caramel skin, dark … ∞
I expected to meet Jesus on our study tour to Israel-Palestine this past January. Not like the Samaritan woman at the well. Not like Paul on the road to Damascus. Certainly not like Lazarus emerging from his tomb. But, I expected that in the land where Jesus was born, travelled, … ∞
I expected to meet Jesus on our study tour to Israel-Palestine this past January. Not like the Samaritan woman at the well. Not like Paul on the road to Damascus. Certainly not like Lazarus emerging from his tomb. But, I expected that in the land where Jesus was born, traveled, … ∞
Snow and long lines at security checkpoints greeted us as we started our 13-day Taste and See Israel course with Professors Sarah Schreiber and Amanda Benckhuysen, while some of us carried with us exhaustion and lingering flu symptoms. These were the realities juxtaposed against the incredible reality of visiting the … ∞
I have never read a book as raw and as real as Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. While it is only 152 pages in length, it took me over a month to complete the book from cover to cover. I had to put the book down … ∞
On February 27, at Calvin College, I had the opportunity to see a theatre production titled, This Is My Body. In the format of verbatim theatre the play script was a mosaic constructed of word for word interactions by an interviewer and the interviewees. The interviews were reflective of … ∞
*The following are journal reflections from Brendan’s visit to Israel. People Near to Me I grew up in a culture disengaged with the larger world. The sports page in the Sunday paper explored the outermost parts of my earth. The liturgies I grew into never included prayers of peace for … ∞
