Christianity & Partisan Politics

Christianity today is too often complicated by partisan politics. Partisan Christianity tends to fall into two general groups.  On one hand there are those who see service to God as a daily struggle to live, advocate and enforce when possible a strict adherence to archaic Hebrew legalism.  On the other, there are those who believe the gospels were intended to spread the good news that Jesus loves each and every one of us, even when our best efforts fall short, and that Christ is best served by humbly offering his nail scarred hand to anyone who’ll have it.  SC

Celebrate achievements and boldly strive ahead

For many of us who remember the 1950s and ‘60s, our memories of those times are reflected in and rekindled by the music of that period.  Much of that music had a common theme.  People sang of a new day coming.  Lyrics told of a future in which all people would be united in a peaceful recognition and acceptance of the fact that we are each different and unique. Popular songs encouraged love and tolerance and conjured up pictures of a time when peaceful coexistence would be the order of the day and all mankind would join in the common cause of freedom and justice for all; a time when mankind could be relied upon to assist those who needed assistance and value the best efforts of each and every individual who did their best, even when their very best fell short. Over the decades since the ‘50s and ‘60s, many have dedicated themselves to achieving the romanticized goals of our youth, the goals of liberty and justice, as contained in America’s historical documents, and the pursuit of goodness, grace and mercy in the eyes of God. Despite the polarization which plagues our nation today, much has been achieved. We stand today at a crossroads, on the firm foundation those dedicated efforts produced. We live now in that new day foretold in our youth by dreamers, songwriters and poets. Some would take us back to a dark, divided past, where ignorance and mistrust were the order of the day, and intolerance and bigotry were celebrated. For the rest of us, we see about us the realization of the dreams and ideals of our youth, the remarkable advances made by a nation inspired by dreamers, united by song, and faithfully dedicated to liberty and justice for all. For us, despite the many challenges we face, we celebrate achievements and boldly strive ahead.  SC

EVENINGS

I always miss you most in the evening,
When sun goes down and memory’s embers glow,
When darkness overcomes the light
Becoming one with shadows,
And faith becomes the only light I know. SC

FORGIVE MY PLAGIARISM

My immediate family will be the first to tell you, I am not a minister.  There are those who might disagree, but it seems counterproductive to debate the issue. In any case, in recent months I find myself in circumstances conducive to frequent and fervent conversations with the Lord. There are those who contend that the Lord’s Prayer was intended only as a template from which to compose our own spiritual conversations. While I wouldn’t disagree with that, it seems likely to me that God would forgive our plagiarism, being heartened instead that we have taken his words to heart. Based on that belief, I have taken two Biblical Prayers and stitched them together with a favorite scrap of scripture; in order to have something on hand that I can recite easily from memory on those occasions when I find it comforting to do so. I share it here in the belief that it can’t possibly do any harm.

“Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.” Mathew 6:9-13 “Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, and that thine hand would be with me, and keep me from evil, that I might not cause pain.” First chronicles 4:10 Guide me, strengthen me, and use me in thy service lord, that I may, “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” with you, through Christ. Amen SCad us not into temptation,

God Bless the United States of America, all those who devote their lives to its service, and our government, of, by and for the people. God Bless our people and our Nation, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all, and God Bless our President.

FINDING PEACE

FINDING PEACE
When those about us languish
In a sullen sea of doubt,
And the whole world seems in anguish,...
And hope, nowhere about;

Its then faith burns most brightly
With conviction’s brilliant glow,
While fears retreat contritely,
Vanquished by the confidence we know.

For our hope is not in inner strength,
Nor conceit at honors won.
Our valor not doomed to fail at length,
Our victory not contingent on what we’ve done.

Our joy is not reliant
On some gallantry we’ve shown.
We’ve no need to be compliant
To some distant impropriety we’ve known.

For our strength is in humility,
Not some valiant course we’ve trod,
But in simply doing justly,
Loving mercy, serving God. SC

It's never a good idea to monkey with the bible!

It’s never a good idea to monkey with the bible.  You’re unlikely to improve on the original, and you’re almost certain to tick somebody off.  That being said, early versions were derived from ancient tales told around campfires down through the millennia, and if you enjoy storytelling, it’s an irresistible challenge to take a stab at it yourself.

IN A NUTSHELL

In the beginning, there was a tiny, ageless, spark, and the dark, foreboding void of its antithesis. Then came the first faint tick in primordial time. Light expanded, darkness drew back, and all of creation burst into illumination.

Through time, mists formed droplets, droplets formed seas, and primeval waters lapped at smoldering shores. Darkness and light formed seasons and cycles and the spirit of God shone brightly on creation.  Atoms formed cells, cells formed substance, and an awesome force breathed life into myriad forms.

Thus, seasons and cycles, darkness and light interacted down through the ages. Life developed consciousness, consciousness knowledge, and knowledge gives hope to those who acknowledge the light. SC