In these and other similar words each of us have probably beseeched (besought????) the Lord. I remember a nasty skid on an ice covered road sending me in the direction of a very large tree. "O Lord, not the tree!" was my cry.
We cry out, "Lord, save us" - but, of course, we do not want to allow the Lord to decide on the kind of saving that will occur. Save us, Lord, but in our way and in our time.
When you are working with God, it doesn't work that way.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Not enough attention
An article in the current Christian Century asserts that poverty did not get near enough attention in the past election.
The article disputes arguments that a good social safety net reduces the incentive to work. For most of the poor, motivation is not the problem.
The article disputes arguments that private charities should support and provide for the poor of their community. They mean local food pantries and homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters, which are significantly supported by the middle class instead of a tax which spreads the responsibility around.
What the poor generally get is the leftovers, the seconds, and a lot of nasty characterizations.
That and canned peas; and everyone knows that canned peas are not real food.
I want to know, when did poverty get enough attention?
The article disputes arguments that a good social safety net reduces the incentive to work. For most of the poor, motivation is not the problem.
The article disputes arguments that private charities should support and provide for the poor of their community. They mean local food pantries and homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters, which are significantly supported by the middle class instead of a tax which spreads the responsibility around.
What the poor generally get is the leftovers, the seconds, and a lot of nasty characterizations.
That and canned peas; and everyone knows that canned peas are not real food.
I want to know, when did poverty get enough attention?
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Plenty left over for me
That is center of my message for Sunday.
That is the rule by which we too often 'discern' what is right and appropriate when it comes to money.
And even when we have been what we would describe as generous, the truth is, in the end,
there is always
Plenty left over for me.
Lord grant me the courage to look this truth in the face and discern your will and your path and then follow. AMEN
That is the rule by which we too often 'discern' what is right and appropriate when it comes to money.
And even when we have been what we would describe as generous, the truth is, in the end,
there is always
Plenty left over for me.
Lord grant me the courage to look this truth in the face and discern your will and your path and then follow. AMEN
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
How do we balance the budget?
On this election day, it seems this is a pertinent, albeit a little late in the game, questions.
How do we balance the budget? Candidates have presented a myriad of ideas about how to balance the budget. The plans with the greatest potential for success combine increasing revenue and decreasing expenditures. The arguments usually revolve around how to increase revenues (increase taxes is an all time unfavorite option) and which expenditures to decrease (not my program, only those other wasteful, needless programs).
My emphasis in this discussion is not on the balance but on the we. How do we balance the budget?
If this nation is balancing the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable...the poor, elderly, the widows, then we need to say something about it. We meaning people of faith. We meaning those who follow Jesus.
Jesus had already confronted a system that was built on the backs of impoverished and oppressed people. He didn't like it then; it is unjust even today.
What are we doing about it?
How do we balance the budget? Candidates have presented a myriad of ideas about how to balance the budget. The plans with the greatest potential for success combine increasing revenue and decreasing expenditures. The arguments usually revolve around how to increase revenues (increase taxes is an all time unfavorite option) and which expenditures to decrease (not my program, only those other wasteful, needless programs).
My emphasis in this discussion is not on the balance but on the we. How do we balance the budget?
If this nation is balancing the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable...the poor, elderly, the widows, then we need to say something about it. We meaning people of faith. We meaning those who follow Jesus.
Jesus had already confronted a system that was built on the backs of impoverished and oppressed people. He didn't like it then; it is unjust even today.
What are we doing about it?
Monday, November 5, 2012
We're talkin' about widows
Throughout the Old Testament we hear again and again God's command to Israel to care for the widows and orphans. That is because, in the structure of their society, no one else did. Widows and orphans represented the most vulnerable, those with no power at all, no voice, no resources.
Who would we put in this category today? In light of Hurricane Sandy we might put those who are now homeless. Perhaps all homeless folks should be in this category.
In light of Newtown, we might put grieving parents into this category, or perhaps all those who are left behind when violence claims a loved one.
Justice - according to our faith - is the balancing of the scales; that is, lifting up and protecting those who are vulnerable and without a voice.
Who needs our protection today? What are we/you doing to care for them?
Who would we put in this category today? In light of Hurricane Sandy we might put those who are now homeless. Perhaps all homeless folks should be in this category.
In light of Newtown, we might put grieving parents into this category, or perhaps all those who are left behind when violence claims a loved one.
Justice - according to our faith - is the balancing of the scales; that is, lifting up and protecting those who are vulnerable and without a voice.
Who needs our protection today? What are we/you doing to care for them?
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Left in the cold and dark......
there is something quite frightening about sitting in the dark shivering
something that says, "no one is coming" or "no one remembers you" or "you don't matter"
and at some point, it is so easy to give into despair.
Pray for our neighbors who face another night in the cold and dark. Pray that the darkness does not overcome them. Lift them up with the force of our prayers so despair is conquered.
As your heat kicks on this evening, remember to offer whatever donation you can to help them back on their feet.
something that says, "no one is coming" or "no one remembers you" or "you don't matter"
and at some point, it is so easy to give into despair.
Pray for our neighbors who face another night in the cold and dark. Pray that the darkness does not overcome them. Lift them up with the force of our prayers so despair is conquered.
As your heat kicks on this evening, remember to offer whatever donation you can to help them back on their feet.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Unbind him and set him free......
Today is All Saints Day.
For many it will be a day of remembering, perhaps with a bit of sadness, those who have died in the past year.....or we could say, those who are now experiencing life after life, life in the glory of God.
Sunday we will hear again the story of the raising of Lazarus, who after 4 days in the tomb, was called back into this life by Jesus. For the sisters Mary and Martha, I am sure that having their brother back was a great blessing. But I wonder if Lazarus would have rather gone on to the Father, and avoided having to die again in this lifetime.
Either way, Jesus calls Lazarus back to life and then tells the on-lookers: Unbind him, and set him free.
It is a helpful way to think of our loved ones in the same way. Unbound. Free.
Comfort and blessings to all.
For many it will be a day of remembering, perhaps with a bit of sadness, those who have died in the past year.....or we could say, those who are now experiencing life after life, life in the glory of God.
Sunday we will hear again the story of the raising of Lazarus, who after 4 days in the tomb, was called back into this life by Jesus. For the sisters Mary and Martha, I am sure that having their brother back was a great blessing. But I wonder if Lazarus would have rather gone on to the Father, and avoided having to die again in this lifetime.
Either way, Jesus calls Lazarus back to life and then tells the on-lookers: Unbind him, and set him free.
It is a helpful way to think of our loved ones in the same way. Unbound. Free.
Comfort and blessings to all.
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