When I was a local church pastor, I often featured Caravaggio's masterpiece Supper at Emmaus as a key visual tool for training spiritual leaders. I'd love to share why.  Supper at Emmaus captures a climactic moment uniquely described in the gospel of Luke, chapter 24. Earlier in the day, before this scene, two disciples were journeying from Jerusalem to Emmaus while discussing the unconscionably traumatic event they had just experienced: Jesus's crucifixion. Imagine their devastation: these were fully devoted Christ-followers who had every reason to believe that Jesus was t ..read more

Springtime Reflections on God's Work He is risen! He is risen, indeed. Happy Easter to you all. Spring in North America is a time for planting seeds and seeing new shoots emerge from the ground. I don’t have my own garden or much of a green thumb, but I am very proud that I’ve managed to keep my fiddle-leaf fig tree alive (so far).  Lately, Jesus’ parable about planting seeds has been on my mind: He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know ..read more

Navigating Caffeinated Requests to Discuss My Sexuality As I mentioned in my last post, several factors complicate my church search. Not everything I share will apply to everyone, but I share as honestly as I can in hopes of encouraging our community. I highly recommend you read the posts in order! “Can we get coffee?” I love coffee and good conversation. I’ve been known to loiter in my share of coffee shops, ordering a new drink every 90 minutes as a sort of coworking space rental, so you would think this request would always fill me with joy. You’d be mistaken. But “Can we get coffee ..read more

If you aren't already familiar with Henry Ossawa Tanner, I highly encourage you to meet him. He was one of the most highly-regarded African-American painters of the nineteenth century–without question a challenging time for a Black artist. Tanner is best known for his paintings of African-American life as well as his striking renditions of biblical scenes. In his generation, his perspective as a Black Christian artist was utterly unique.  What strikes you when you look at Tanner's masterpiece The Thankful Poor (1897)?  The Thankful Poor — Henry Ossawa Tanner | 1894 Person ..read more

Valentine’s 2024 Devotional As a celibate guy, I've spent a lot of my life afraid I was missing out on the best versions of love. I grew up watching a magical kiss combat every cartoon evil, so it sure felt like the magic cure for all of life's ailments. Being convicted to celibacy at 26, then, felt like a forever middle school breakup. I couldn't imagine a life for myself other than nights of crying into a tub of Ben & Jerry's every night with The Devil Wears Prada playing in the background. The movie, not the band. What a bummer to have such a weak view of God. A core ..read more

New Year’s Resolution So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. - Galatians 4:3-7   I grew up an immigrant kid with parents w ..read more

Greetings Beloved Revoice Community, Words cannot express how overjoyed I am for the opportunity to serve you as Executive Director of Revoice! I hope that by now you've reviewed the official press release. While I don't begin until January 1st, I'd love to share a Christmas greeting with you as well as a glimpse into my heart for the Revoice movement. In Chicagoland, where I live, the first snow has fallen and the magical Christmas decor is steadily appearing. During these darker nights, what I love most is observing the twinkling holiday lights, a vivid reminder to me that "on those living i ..read more

November 2023 Devotional You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. – Psalm 139:1-3 I grew up in a big “sleepover” culture. When I lived in Brazil, I spent nights with my cousins, playing games and roaming around the farm, looking at the animals in the morning. After moving to the States, I had a buddy who would come over regularly, or I’d go to his place, and we’d play Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and make brownies. As I got older, most ..read more

October 2023 Devotional Fall is my favorite season, full stop. The changing temperature, the culture of community that comes with ball games and hay rides and fairs, moving headlong into the holidays, all the sports, jokes about the fall of the patriarchy, etc… It's really the most wonderful time of the year.  The permeating theme of change inspires me as well. While school is in full swing and our schedules are falling into sped-up routines after the "lazy days of summer," all of creation is instead shifting and slowing down for its annual hibernation. One of my favorite quotes about thi ..read more

September 2023 Devotional Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”... But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. — Philippians 2:14-15, 18 I'll be honest; I like complaining. Don't get me wrong; I love helping others. I just… sometimes want it to be known that it's costing me something. I've heard this is typical of those of us who struggle to say "no," we sign up for what we n ..read more