The Fierce Urgency of Prophetic Hope

I am posting to my blog an op ed column I wrote for Baptist News and invite you to read, ponder, and share it.  https://baptistnews.com/article/amid-this-pandemic-we-need-prophets-like-daniel-to-decipher-the-handwriting-on-our-wall-intimeslikethese/#.Xn2u2YhKhAG

In order to provide expeditious and safe adjudication of 5 th Division cases during the period that public health and safety are at risk because of the coronavirus pandemic, the following procedures will be followed, effective Thursday, March 19, 2020, and continue until September 8, 2020, unless indicated otherwise. PLEA & ARRAIGNMENT ·         All cases docketed for Plea & Arraignment shall be handled on the pleadings, without exception. ·         Cases involving indigent defendants will be handled as follows: o    The Public Defenders will file the indigency affidavits with the Circuit Clerk o    The Court will appoint the Public Defenders as counsel. o    Appointed Counsel will submit written petitions signed by counsel and the defendant which set forth whether arraignment is waived. o    The written petitions submitted by counsel and the defendant will also state the plea that is entered and whether jury trial is demanded or waived. o    If trial b

Today New Millennium Church in Little Rock, Arkansas joins many other congregations and communities of faith in canceling our usual gathering.  However, I hope this message will provide you with strength and comfort as we worship together separately.  If so, feel free to share it with others.    I hope you will be able to Google the titles of the Hymns and find the words and melodies.  The information below would ordinarily be in our worship bulletin (except for the sermon manuscript). PASTORAL GREETING Most of us have not experienced what is happening now before.  We are unaccustomed to the cancellation of gatherings.  We have not been directed to avoid touching one another before.  This is a strange experience, for most of us. Yet there are many for whom separation, estrangement, avoidance, and the sense of isolation that goes with these things are commonplace.  Our brothers and sisters who are incarcerated know what this is like.  Our brothers and sisters who have been