Several years ago, Pete Geren of the Sid Richardson Foundation and I began to realize how few of the kids in our local public schools were reading and doing math at grade level. For example, in all of the district and charter schools located in the city of Fort Worth, only 36% of kids are … Continue reading Go Beyond Grades →

Monday, August 17, 2020 This is a classic from Richard Rohr that is good for me to re-read every couple of years. It Must Happen to UsMonday, August 17, 2020 Sooner or later, if we are on any classic “spiritual schedule,” some event, person, death, idea, or relationship will enter our lives that we simply … Continue reading Falling Upward →

Surely, in the end, after all our righteous judgments on what is wrong with ourselves, each other, and with the world; after we experience injustice intractably resistant to our most devoted efforts, leaving us with our thirst unquenched, our mouths dry, and our throats sore from protest; surely in the end the gospel calls us … Continue reading After all our righteous judgments… →

Here are some recent articles featuring our work trying to help our city accurately perceive the current reality: State tests show most Fort Worth kids are behind in reading.  Their parents have no idea: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/education/article279382464.html ‘Right where we left them last year’: Report finds only 1 in 3 Fort Worth students met grade level in … Continue reading There is a Buddhist thought that to accurately perceive reality is a moral act →

I had a great time preaching at Rising Star Baptist Church Sunday as they are celebrating Pastor Ralph Emerson's upcoming retirement and his 33-year(!) pastorate. Here is the video. The sermon starts at the 24:00. https://www.youtube.com/live/37YjMqLPZjE?feature=share

I am preaching Sunday, July 16 at Rising Star Baptist Church in honor of Pastor Ralph W. Emerson's upcoming retirement after 33 years of ministry at Rising Star. The service is at 10:00 am, and Rising Star is located at 4216 Avenue M, Fort Worth, Texas 76105. You can watch the service live or later … Continue reading Preaching Update →

David Brooks had an excellent column in yesterday's New York Times: "You would think that education would be one of the most talked about subjects in America right now. You would think that President Biden would be offering comprehensive plans to reform American schooling. You would think efforts by governors and mayors to address these … Continue reading America Should Be in the Middle of a Schools Revolution →

"In Texas, school districts are run by elected school boards and the superintendents they hire, with no formal role for city officials. Brent Beasley, director of the Fort Worth Education Partnership, has long lobbied for city council members to get more involved in education in their districts. The partnership advocates for high-quality education options in … Continue reading Should city leaders play a greater role in improving schools across Fort Worth? →

     For Father Richard, God shows us our soul’s calling through spiritual practice and letting go of the ego’s drive. He writes:Our age has come to expect satisfaction. We have grown up in an absolutely unique period when having and possessing and accomplishing have been real options. They have given us an illusion of fulfillment—and … Continue reading Surrendering to Our Soul Gift →

I delivered to the Fort Worth City Council the Fort Worth Education Partnership's annual report that shows how the children of Fort Worth are performing academically today. Here is the text of my remarks to the Council and a link to our full report: I live across the street from De Zavala Elementary School in … Continue reading How are Fort Worth’s Kids Doing Academically? →