“Which one is the real issue?” The temptation when confronting a difficult issue is to find a subsidiary issue, make … More
Author: stephen matlock
#WakingUpWhite Chapter 2: Family Values
“One of the things my white mother could not teach me was to honor feelings of outrage.” This chapter is … More
#WakingUpWhite Chapter 1: What Wasn’t Said
This chapter* opens with a provocative quote by the author: “‘WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ALL THE INDIANS?’ I asked my mother … More
If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don’t see
James Baldwin* said this, I’m told: “If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you … More
Jesus of the Scars–Edward Shillito
Today’s blog entry is just the poetry from Edward Shillito “Jesus of the Scars” by Edward Shillito If we have … More
What Would You Do If You Could Bring Conciliation?
This is a review of the book “The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism” … More
The Barley Soup Recipe
So this was a tasty dinner tonight: barley soup, from a recipe a friend gave our family for Christmas (along … More
New Year, New Labels
In thinking about the last year, I’ve struggled to place myself theologically. I am raised Protestant, became a Christian through … More
Feats of Clay
Our heroes are flawed. Our villains have moments of redemptive grace. We live in a complex world, where we cannot … More
Come, Desire of Nations, Come
Come, Desire of nations come,Fix in us Thy humble home;Oh, to all Thyself impart,Formed in each believing heart! Merry Christmas, … More
White People: Follow Directions, Please, and Keep Your Hands and Arms Inside the Vehicle at All Times
I’m shaking my head, still. I posted a note on my FB wall from Thomas Merton: Our job is to … More
Does History Matter?
I’m involved in life, like many people, and one thing that fascinates me is how we forget our past when … More
What Is the Place of Jonathan Edwards As an Example to the Church?
I’m in an interesting discussion in a book group, in which we’re reading Jemar Tisby’s book “The Color of Compromise” … More
For I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel—Except the Hard Parts
I saw this on the NPR website this morning, and it sparked a reaction in me. https://www.npr.org/2018/12/09/674995075/slave-bible-from-the-1800s-omitted-key-passages-that-could-incite-rebellion On display now … More
Who Then Is My Neighbor?
(ETA: A much better response can be found here: https://mereorthodoxy.com/and-who-is-my-neighbor/) If you’ve been around the New Testament to any great … More
The Color of Compromise—A Review
This is perhaps one of the most accessible, clear, and gentle book you might read about the history of, and … More
Thus Far Has the LORD Helped Us: A Retrospective of a Decade
Think of a moment in time, a dot, a pivot. You put a stake in the ground, marking the place … More
Why It Matters: For you I was born, for you I live, and for you I give my last breath
I am involved in two streams right now that are greatly affecting me on how I see myself and what … More
Goodreads Review: The Color of Compromise, by Jemar Tisby
From The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism My rating: 5 of 5 stars … More
I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living
The prophet Amos cried out (in 5:24) the desire of God for righteousness to be the ocean we swim in, … More
Unwanted Subject: When You Have No Space in America
This came across my newsfeed this morning, and it involves a somewhat-local yogurt shop calling the police on a black … More
Chief of Sinners
Recently I joined a group of people who are working diligently to expose, root out, combat, and overturn racism in … More
#TheHateUGive – A Review
I saw The Hate U Give tonight, and I have thoughts… But first, let get some of the mechanicals out … More
Is Paris Worth the Price of a Mass?
Shocking revelation:No political party or interest group is without bias, and that includes conservative Evangelicals. Also shocking:No political party or … More
Ruminations on Acts 4–Do Before You Speak
I don’t often write up my thoughts as I read the Christian scriptures. Though I’m a white Evangelical of long … More
“To Sleep, Perchance to Dream” now available for online reading
My short story, To Sleep, Perchance to Dream, is available for online reading at Literally Stories. Take a look!
“Only a Mother’s Love” fantasy short fiction published
My 2018 Yeah Write fiction entry Only a Mother’s Love is now published online at Short-Story.Me https://www.short-story.me/stories/fantasy-stories/1071-only-a-mother-s-love Premise is a … More