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POTSC: The KKK

September 12, 2011 in Forgiveness, POTSC, Second Chances with 12 Comments

I’m not white. But I clearly remember wishing I was most of my childhood.

My best friend in elementary school was Simone. She was black. Beautiful. I remember holding her hand at recess time and when she let go because we had to get back in line to go to class, I looked down to see if her dark chocolate covered skin had rubbed off onto my paler skin.

It hadn’t.

I was a bit disappointed because her skin was so beautiful.

And that’s the thing. Different is BEAUTIFUL…
… but different freaks the crap out of us because we don’t know how to control it.

I didn’t live through this time. The time when the KKK raged and minorities (mostly blacks) hid. But I clearly remember 9/11 ten years ago… and I’m quite certain I will never forget that.

Different.
Different cultures.
Different thoughts.
Different ideas.
Just different.

We talk about “different” being good… but what if “different” hurts you or someone you love? Would you forgive them? Would you not only forgive them, but actually love them?

Skin color may not rub off… but I will forever remember the imprint Simone left on my heart.

And I’m better off because of her.

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Never Beyond Series Posts:
Darth Vader
Mike Tyson
Casey Anthony

POTSC: Darth Vader

August 28, 2011 in Faith, Forgiveness, POTSC, Second Chances, Television with 17 Comments

What does cinematography evil look like?

Darth Vader.

Vader clearly had opportunities to choose good. He was chosen and trained by the best. He could have been a Jedi. But he had a dark side. Don’t we all?

We all have a choice… and isn’t that what it all comes down to. CHOICE. FREE WILL.

He sliced off his own son’s hand. Now THAT’S a horrible person, right?

But even movie goers wanted redemption for him… for evil… for Darth Vader. If we can root for him…

… why can’t we root for ourselves?

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Never Beyond Series Posts:
Mike Tyson
Casey Anthony

POTSC: Never Beyond Poster Series

August 15, 2011 in Faith, Forgiveness, Ministry, POTSC, Second Chances with 28 Comments

We’re all willing to give people a second chance. At least the humanitarian in all of us SAY we are.

The truth is we’re willing to give them a second chance, till they’ve done something in our eyes that seems unforgivable. Until they do something we’d NEVER do. Until they hurt us. Then we’re DONE with them.

People of the Second Chance has invited me to join them in their Never Beyond Posters Series. Here’s what they wrote:

We all have people we would and wouldn’t give a second chance — lines drawn and beliefs formed about who we could forgive.

Right?

POTSC is launching the NEVER BEYOND Poster Series: 25 posters representing well known historical, current and fictional characters who are believed to have harmed society. This campaign consists of digital and print posters and the full collection will eventually be displayed as a touring art exhibit.

The campaign draws out themes of forgiveness, grace and what a pathway to a second chance looks like.

So… here’s our first one:

Casey Anthony.

She’s free now. The jury found her not guilty. If you bumped into her at the grocery store, what would you do? What would you say? What if she walked into your church next weekend, would you treat her as if she were not guilty? Would you give her a second chance?