Searching for truth, doing my best to understand a God who can never be fully understood.
I wanted to share my three John Lewis stories. My first was a day that was an accident on the scale of just how memorable I expected it to be. I had long awaited the grand opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. I had heard that Public Enemy and … Continue reading John Lewis
My first draft of this was over ten pages. I hope you feel the grace that went into cutting it in half. Over the last week I have seen so many brave people come forward with stories of the ways in which YoungLife has hurt them. I feel it is important to say none of … Continue reading Do Better YoungLife.
An invitation to my Christian siblings from many and far traditions. But especially the ones that raised me. Namely Young Life and Bible Churches: The other day I saw Young Life and communities I once belonged to participate in a solidarity "blackout" with the black community of this nation. In one Young Life post it … Continue reading An Invitation to Young Life & The Bible Churches that raised me:
Sermon 3/22: A link to listen to this sermon is provided here. Intro: Hello, if you have never met me, my name is Devon Bailey and I am the Director of Youth Ministries here at First Church. When I first came out to interview for this job, I was literally leaving a protest. A 10 … Continue reading Interrupting Racism
There is a strong mentality out there that we must behave towards the lies and aggressions of this Presidency and this movement manifested by Trump. That it’s important that business as usual be maintained. But I really want to ask, what does that benefit? And who does that benefit? Democrats seem to think their respect … Continue reading If social harmony means submitting to lies and racism, then it is not peace but oppression.
I spent the first few days of 2020 reminiscing on my favorite films of the 2010's detailing why they mean so much to me or impacted me the way they did. Here are the results! First up at #10: Searching For Sugar Man This movie is simply put, one of the most fascinating captures of … Continue reading Top ten films of the 2010’s
I've had a few friends ask me about what's happening with Young Life and what is going on at Duke and how I feel about it. I'm not sure I've publicly spoken much about where I'm at with Young Life these days. I knew I needed space and distance between my breaking with them and … Continue reading So how do I feel about Young Life these days?
Today, I got into an altercation with the guy who killed the Sutherland Springs shooter. Who was out there telling a crowd that God gave and blessed him with the second amendment. That God empowered him to go kill that man. I hate what this says about God. That God just let over two dozen … Continue reading Today, I got into an altercation with the guy who killed the Sutherland Springs shooter.
I've spent too much of today upset about the President's words. I’ve thought so much about his continuing behavior and our willingness as a nation to accept it. I’m so consistently troubled by it. And not really because of him, his depths only continue to sink further the same direction, at this point it is … Continue reading A Baffling Compromise.
The following is a sermon I gave on the second anniversary of the racist violence in Charlottesville. There is a phone audio recording should you prefer to listen or follow along. Last week was tough. If you were paying attention to the news, I imagine it was tough for you as well. In the … Continue reading What is in the way? A sermon on confronting white supremacy.
