What's up Your Sleeve?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Call me an idealistic teenager, but I think war sucks.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

I cannot abide lying and cynicism and denying accountability among political leaders.
Can you?
I tire of those who “serve” the people and leave public “service” with pockets full of money.
Don’t you?
I see little hope in the political system we’ve devised and the complacency of this “democracy.”
Do you?
Your dominion come on Earth as in heaven.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Only seven more shopping days until Passover.”

[The season has arrived, but not for Him.]

D. Blog: Weird word – “finagle”

"Finagle" is apparently an alteration of an originally English dialectal verb "fainaigue" meaning either "renege [at cards, etc.]" or "shirk [work, etc.]". The origin of "fainaigue" is given as unknown by the big dictionaries. My own speculation is that it might have been originally "feign-ague" = "feign-illness" = "malinger". It is conceivable that the "feign" might have been "fain" = "willing" here, and/or that the "ague" might have been "ache", to the same effect (shirking one's obligations).

[From a post by DGW]

finagle

1926, Amer.Eng., possibly a variant of Eng. dial. fuinaigue "to cheat or renege" (at cards), of unknown origin.

[Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper]

Murphy's law is an adage in Western culture that broadly states that things will go wrong in any given situation, if you give them a chance. "If there's more than one possible outcome of a job or task, and one of those outcomes will result in disaster or an undesirable consequence, then somebody will do it that way." It is most often cited as "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong" (or, alternately, "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time, in the worst possible way" or, "Anything that can go wrong, will," or even, "If anything can go wrong, it will, and usually at the most inopportune moment"). The saying is sometimes referred to as Sod's law or Finagle’s law, which can also be rendered as "Anything that can go wrong, will—at the worst possible moment".
A lesser-known addendum to Murphy's Law is Flanagan's Precept, which categorically states that both Murphy and Finagle were incurable optimists.

[from the Wikipedia entry on Murphy’s law]

Is God's Grace Sufficient?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Call me naïve, but I think war is unrealistic.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

We don’t want it to end, this life of toil and trouble, pain and loss.
The contradiction would be ludicrous if that were the whole picture.
But life is far more than suffering.
What we want to continue are love, beauty, laughter, music, inspiration and joy.
And they do – in you.
We give thanks for the wonderful gift of being alive.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Where’s Waldo?”

[Maybe it was the name of a lost sheep? Not!]

D. Blog: God’s Grace Suffices?

I have heard the affirmation about God’s grace all my life.

On the one hand, I cannot argue with its truth. God’s grace carries us through our failings, our sins and our struggles.

On another hand, I think the affirmation makes a whimpering understatement. God’s grace does much more than suffice. It bathes us in the extravagance of divine love. God’s grace floods and fills every cell of our beings, every nanosecond of our lives, every neuron of our brains, every molecule we breathe, every charge of emotion, every whisper in our spirit, every hint of the soul we are.

“Suffice” does not suffice to describe the infinite grace of Divinity.

God's Protection? (part 2)

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

I’m sentimental. I love peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Seasons come and seasons go. You remain.
Change is the only constant – other than you.
Life and death feed each other. You fast, steadily.
Our lives last but an instant. You are beyond time.
We make vain efforts to outlive death. You will see to that.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I hate it that I get no reception here in Gethsemane.”

[I guess the prayer-as-phone-line-to-God metaphor never worked for Him…]

D. Blog: Protecting the Holy One (part 2)

I, too, would like to protect God from false notions of what God is like, from what appear to be blasphemous ideas: that God condemns to hell, that God hate gays, that God would destroy the human population with flood or fire, that God would directly “cause” tragedy or disaster, that God favors one gender over another, one nation over another, one culture over another, one religion over another.

Jesus is reported to have said many things that make sense. That the most important things in life are to love God and love our neighbors – this seems primary. I notice there’s nothing about protecting God, just loving God.

What's Next to Godliness?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Would it be a good war if no civilians died?

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

I have long heard the saying that cleanliness is next to godliness.
I suppose you don’t mind cleanliness, but it seems to me that it does not rank very high on your list of priorities – nowhere near justice, peace, love, mercy, truthfulness and wisdom, for instance.

I think of the leaves in our yard or the pine needles on our roof. If you were such a neat freak, would you have done trees that way? I don’t think so.

You seem to consider what we call dirt and disorder part of the natural process. We humans are the ones who can’t handle them. Yet we put up with war and starvation, homelessness and desperate poverty in a world of plenty. I hear you saying we should clean up those disgraceful messes and stop fussing about our nails and our lawns.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Where’s my remote?”

[He didn’t say it. Maybe didn’t need one…]

D. Blog: A Haiku

We grew apart.
I left.
I’m entering another relationship.

[On leaving one church for a new one.]

What's in a COB Name?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

War is just a fad. Peace is always in style.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Sometimes I wonder how the human world would be different if you had made us a little more like angels.
Suppose we did not see our differences as reason enough to dislike, put down, abuse, ridicule, hate, oppress, enslave or slaughter one another.
Suppose we accepted our common humanity, our common origins, our common fate on Earth.
Suppose you had made us like that…

You did?
That’s what it means when we pray for your dominion to come on Earth as it is in heaven?
You made it possible for us to realize something like heaven on Earth?
What a concept!
What a project!
You think we can do that??!

Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“This little piggy went to market…”

[I can think of a couple of reasons He never said that – probably.]

D. Blog: What’s in a Name?

The religious tradition that nurtured me has, for this age, a strange name: Church of the Brethren. Archaic, unfamiliar word that’s often misspelled even by members of the church. The name sounds as if it excludes females and it commonly brings the question, “Is that a Catholic order of some kind?”

There have been attempts to bring about a name change, but to date without success. Some of the suggestions for a new name that retains the COB abbreviation are fun or interesting to consider…

Church of the: Beleaguered, Broken, Bad Name, Boring, Bedeviled, Bankrupt, Blocked, Bifurcated, Bloodied, Bereft, Bewildered, Bipolar, or Beloved.

I think the last has sounds best.

Banquet Time

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

There is one problem with peace – doctors and funeral directors don’t have as much to do.

[An actual news item this past week reported that cemetery workers in Baghdad are not earning as much as they did a few months ago...]

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

You never disappoint me.
I sometimes have unrealistic expectations of you…

You never disappoint me.
I have but to look out a window to see trees, mountains, river and flower.
I have but to taste a fresh raspberry or dark chocolate.

You never disappoint me.
I have but to hear Bach, Beethoven, Josh Groban or Denise Graves.
I have but to share laughter with friends or take Alice in my arms.

You never disappoint me.
I have but to smell the honeysuckle or touch Boo’s fur.
I have but to sense your silent presence.

I sometimes have unrealistic expectations, but you never disappoint me.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“In the grand scheme of things, what does a simple piece of fruit matter?”

[Good point. But He never said it – probably.]

D. Blog: A Parable

"The banquet..."

The dominion of God is like a large family which gathers for a reunion once a year to mark Grandma's birthday. The celebrating begins as soon as two relatives are re-united. As they mingle and re-connect, some talk about fond memories, some gossip about present happenings in the life of the extended family, some discuss the food they will eat later in the day.

The meal never begins until all family members are present or accounted for.

How to Judge Christianity??

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

The ruby shoes will take me home to Peace. [Not in Kansas anymore.]

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

We try to pin you down.
We try to fence you in.
We try to name you, label you, use you for our purposes.
We try to understand you, explain you, define you, predict your character and behavior.
We try to analyze you, avoid you, persuade you, blame you.
We try to outwit you, pacify you, do what we think will please you.
We even try to take your place.
You will have none of it. You do not serve as our divine object or creation.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“You’re doing a heckuva job as high priest, Caiaphas.”

[Would disaster coordinator have suited him better? I’m certain Jesus didn’t say this.]

D. Blog: Here’s Your Sign

What a Hoot!

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

The physician has prescribed a cure for our war disease: (1) forgiveness – three times daily; (2) overcoming evil with good – as often as possible; (3) loving enemies – as often as necessary.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

This joy – who can express it?
This beauty – what can surpass it?
This sweetness – when could it possibly end?
This holiness – where would we find its limits?
This glory – how can we overlook it?
This love – who can fathom it?
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Never again!”

[I think it might have been the eighth word from the cross, but there’s no record that He said it.]

D. Blog: What’s Up With That Word?

Hootenanny

[Excerpted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]

Hootenanny was used in the early twentieth century America to refer to things whose names were forgotten or unknown. In this usage it was synonymous with thingamajig or whatchamacallit, as in "hand me that hootenanny." Hootenanny was also an old country word for "party". Now, most commonly, it refers to a folk-music party.

According to Pete Seeger, in various interviews, he first heard the word hootenanny in Seattle, Washington in the late 1930s. It was used by Hugh Delancey’s New Deal political club to describe their monthly music fund raisers. After some debate the club voted in the word hootenanny, which narrowly beat out the word wingding. Seeger, Woody Guthrie and other members of the Almanac Singers later used the word in New York City to describe their weekly rent parties, which featured many notable folksingers of the time. Joan Baez made the analogy that a hootenanny is to folk singing what a jam session is to jazz.

… [One of several more recent application of the word is the one below]

Started in April of 2000, The Hootenanny is the name of a growing annual ski and snowboard event that typically takes place on the first weekend of March in the Interior of British Columbia, Canada. Often referred to as "The Hoot", it is comprised of 4 days of snow sports and socializing and draws people from all around Canada, the US, and overseas. Its essence is captured in its motto: "The Hootenanny...where friends are found, reputations made, and lives forever altered".

Just One Day?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

The organizational chart for peace looks like this: a circle of all kinds of people, with divinity in the center.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

You never stop loving us, despite our despicable behavior.
You never stop providing opportunities for us, despite our bad decisions.
You never stop putting beauty in front of our eyes, despite our preference for trivia and fads.
You never stop offering forgiveness to us, despite our inclination toward vengeance and guilt and shame.
You never stop wanting the best for us, despite our stupid, short-sighted and self-destructive actions.
You never stop loving us, despite our rare expressions of thanks.
Thank you!
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“For the Festival of Booths, we should eat turkey. Oh, right, we don’t have them around here. Ham’s out, too, for sure. I suppose it’ll have to be lamb as usual.”

[Nice try, but He did not designate turkey as the Thanksgiving meat.]

D. Blog: Happy Thanksgiving!

One day a year? Way too little for giving thanks! The Deuteronomic “law” for that Festival of Booths required a full week for the harvest celebration. I’ll be thankful tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, too. Probably go on for the foreseeable future.

Nothing can diminish the wonder and joy of living on Earth. I sometimes doubt whether heaven can compare to this glory we call life. I’m willing to find out, but meanwhile, I think constant gratitude is the appropriate response to the opportunity to breathe in this life.

Whose Needs Matter in Worship?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Raise your hand if you want war for Christmas.
[I didn’t think so. Why do we buy it?]

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Our little rituals and celebrations might amuse you. Or not. Perhaps they please you, perhaps they sadden or anger you.

I think of the recent Halloween and All Saints Day, marking what we fear and people who inspire us. But you are the answer to our fears and the source of all inspiration. You supply the breath of air/spirit that gives life, the courage for living, the hope that goes with them.

I will celebrate you all my days.

Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Yeah, I’ve been working out. How do you like my abs?”

[Worked out at Lord’s Gym, no doubt… Not!]

D. Blog: Meeting My Needs in Worship

I sometimes hear people say things like “congregational worship no longer meets my needs.” Part of me wants to respond with “since when is worship supposed to meet YOUR needs?”

Worship should focus our attention on the Holy One, right? It should encourage us to love God and to love our neighbors, both in and beyond our community of faith, right?

I suppose that if the worship experience does not do those things for us, or proves a distraction from those things, then a problem exists. Not because it does not meet our needs, however, but because it has become something other than worship for us.

Once again, worship is not about me. It should, however, reflect and support my understanding and experience of the Holy One. If it does not, I might say it doesn’t meet my needs, but what I mean is that it does not qualify as worship for me.

Awe-full Day

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Stubborn and smug in their brand of patriotism, they go to war rather than seek peace or embrace change.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Surely, this slice of heaven I know on Earth cannot be taken from me.
This love, this joy, this beauty, this wonder, this peace – surely they stay with me.
Surely, too, your heaven’s wholeness requires my slice.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I, Jesus of Nazareth, do solemnly swear that I will uphold the integrity of the Grand Lodge of the Sons of David.”

[Hmm… No, He never said it.]

D. Blog: A Poem

Birthday Present

What to do for a birthday present?
I would like to toy with the words:
be present on the day of birth,
present the birthed one to the day,
make the day of birth a present,
move the birth into the present day.
They all contain a playful gift, I think.

But our feelings betray us on the occasion.
Too full, too many, too stirred.
Laughter helps defuse the reminders of expanding past
and shrinking future. Awful day…
Maybe some thing or celebration
wraps that anxiety, hides it in smiling bow.
Or not. Best hope a notion to seize the day.

Tears of joy we also quell, and do so, sadly.
For this one, unique in all of time and space,
shares the spark of life with me. We are
together blessed by this.
Fully present, can we be, to an awe-full day?

Do You Hear Them Calling?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

You can recognize peace by the absence of hungry children.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

It’s all so wonderful, I struggle for words. Just look at that pine tree in the yard – an absolutely amazing entity! I could study it for the rest of my life and never comprehend its mystery and beauty. I won’t, though. I’ll just enjoy looking at it and feeling overwhelmed by the thought that millions, perhaps billions, of these “common” trees populate our mountainous region of the world. Awesome!
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Did you hear, Dad? A Samaritan family moved in down the street. There goes the neighborhood.”

[I’m certain He never said this.]

D. Blog: John the Naturalist

“The mountains are calling and I must go.” – John Muir

If you’ve checked my blog posts once in a while, you will know that I identify with this quote. It is both a literal truth and a metaphorical truth. I connect with the physical mountains and want to rest in their heights. And, I connect with the spiritual heights they represent so often in art, poetry and psalm. I respond to their call…

Fear Not?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Did Jesus say anything more often than “Fear not?” Peace now.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

In you, I have security that is real.
In you, nothing can threaten.
In you, I fear no evil.
In you, there is nothing to fear.
In you, my soul knows peace.
In you, even death is no enemy.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Help me run my lines, Jesse. You know we’re performing Godspell on the Sabbath.”

[Maybe that’s how He got his start? Not!]

D. Blog: A Parable

“But in This I Do Not Commend You”

An old lighthouse had saved many ships and lives from destruction along a stormy coast. Its volunteer crew took pride in what it did. Over the years, however, the crew aged. Younger people decided they would be more comfortable living inland, away from all the storms. The lighthouse continued sending out its strong light, however.

Around the lighthouse grew a town full of appreciative artists, small businesses, and tourists. Eventually, the town’s bright lights made people wonder whether the lighthouse still served a purpose. Most of the crew even moved inland to escape both the storms and the growing population. Upkeep of the lighthouse became difficult. Townspeople still liked to take children to see it, though, and to have them learn the grand tradition of the lighthouse.

In a time of tight budgets and environmental concern, a new town council decided to tax the lighthouse property, and passed an ordinance to reduce night lighting. Somebody asked about the safety of those at sea. “Oh, it’s the lighthouse’s job to take care of that,” said the council chairman. Of course, he had only gone inside it as a child, but he admired it.

One Way?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Jesus said that there are many rooms in the divine mansion. War doesn’t fit in any of them.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Your tent has room for all. You do not exclude, but receive us with joy.
Your caravan can take billions of people. You put everyone in their reserved seat.
Your mansion has many rooms. You save a special space for each of us.
You do not discriminate between races, sexes, religions or nationalities.
You say, “Come on inside. Welcome home.”
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Let’s see, I can be there between 2 and 6 on Saturday to work on your bathroom vanity.”

[Definitely not, especially not on a Saturday, or whatever He called that day of the week.]

D. Blog: Here's Your Sign

How Fit are Fiddles?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Until the real thing comes along, it seems that prozac passes for peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

I don’t mean to complain, but couldn’t you make it a little easier on poor people, working or not?
Couldn’t you make it a little easier on the mentally ill and the homeless?
A little easier on those afflicted with restricting religion?
On those who think bigger barns are the way to go?

Whose responsibility? Oh…
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Would you like fries with that?”

[He was a teenager, but never said this.]

D. Blog: Weird Phrase

FIT AS A FIDDLE -- "In fine shape; feeling good.”

Fiddles are admired for their sound and sometimes for their trim and symmetrical shape. Indeed, to say 'his face is made of a fiddle' was once a way of describing someone as charming.

Still, fiddles are not known for fitness, and one suspects the allure of alliteration in the origin and perpetuation of the saying, which is quite old. It appeared in 1616 in William Haughton's 'Englishmen for My Money': 'This is excellent, i' faith; as fit as a fiddle.' At that time 'fit' meant appropriate, proper or fitting; its meaning 'in good shape' evolved in the 19th century and transformed the meaning of 'fit as a fiddle.'" From "The Dictionary of Cliches" by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985).

Seeing the Beauty of Earth

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

In a sense, war is a game of life and death for the young, “Russian” roulette perhaps.
For their elders, the politicians, it is like a chess match.
I refuse to compete.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

It can get dark, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get messy, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get scary, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get painful, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get lonely, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get hellish, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get overwhelming, but you do not leave us alone.
It can get confusing, but you do not leave us alone.
We dwell with you.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Mom, none of the other kids will play Scrabble with me.”

[Tough to compete with perfection. He never said it though.]

D. Blog: Consider Earth

Earth is beautiful. And not just from space. From my windows. From the mountains, the valleys, the rivers and the plains. From sandy beach and sandy desert. From forest and meadow and plains. From creek and waterfall, lake and ocean. From highway and byway, path and trail and railway. From airplane, car, wagon, sled, skis or skates. From snow-capped heights and roof-top observatory.

Anyway you look at her, Earth is beautiful!

God's Protection?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

The truly new world order will not include domination.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

You light up my life.
You fill up my senses.
You show me the way.
You make me want to shout.
You give me hope to carry on.
You invite me to THE party.
You provide all I need.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“It would really surprise Mom if I turn this water into Dr. Pepper.”

[The guests at that Cana wedding would have appreciated it. Not!]

D. Blog: Offering God Protection

Why do so many people think they can or need to protect God?
Don’t they have it backwards?
Don’t the presumption and arrogance strike them?

Imagine Moses: “I climbed this mountain, Holy One, to offer you the protection of this raggedy band of former slaves. In exchange, all we want is a land of milk and honey. Deal or no deal?”

The Sanhedrin to Jesus before they send Him to Pilate: “We’re seeking your death penalty because we need to protect the Holy One from threats like you.”

Amazing, the gall of it all.

From Silence, Words

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

We want to live in peace, but “they” are monsters. That’s the excuse for war. But a true Christian, I think, lives in peace because “they” are neighbors.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

My life flows on, amid the constant wonders: natural beauty, growth, opportunity, creativity, knowledge and love. They fill me with joy and gratitude.
How can I keep from singing?

My life flows on, amid the persistent horrors: violence, greed, cruelty, contamination, weapons of mass destruction. They discourage and frighten me.
How can I keep from praying?

My life flows on, amid the amazing developments: in science, technology, art, cooperation, learning and discovery. They make me want to hang around.
How can I keep from hoping?
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Next, I stick pins into the Herod doll – here and here. Sore neck and ulcer coming up.”

[No, this was not part of His approach.]

D. Blog: Words out of Silence

“One thing Quakers are best known for is the silence at the center of our worship. Quakers keep silence for at least two reasons-- out of a holy skepticism, and, a holy awe of the power of words.

Quakers, rooted in the silence between words, know most words are unnecessary! Worship is a time away from words, to seek what is beneath words, beyond words-- more real than words.

To speak out of the silence, then, is an awesome responsibility; to write out of that silence is, too.

Marianne Moore said of poetry, ‘Anything is allowable, so long as it improves on the blank page.’ When words are an improvement over the wonderful silence, you'd better say them. Otherwise, you'd better not.

Friends who have sat in silence together have seen one another, and themselves, scandalously without their words on. We don't need words to fill up the space between us, or to make sure that God is there. But, we find that into that space, and before our God, words come.

Many Quakers know the story of John Woolman's trip into the back country to visit some native Americans with whom he did not share a language. During his visit, they took time to pray together, and Woolman asked the translators not to bother translating. Though they could not speak to one another, there was a sense of divine love among all the people gathered,
according to Woolman, and he heard later from one translator the comment from one man there: ‘I love to feel where words come from.’

When we gather from our different places, let us ground ourselves first in the silence together. Before we begin to share our love of words, let us share God in a deeper place-- the place from where words come.”

Elizabeth Lyzenga

Celebrate Armistice or Veterans?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Lacking peace, he subconsciously longs for death. Having no peace, he thinks war is a reasonable activity.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Your thoughts are not like ours.
Good. If they were, how could we exist?
Your wisdom is not like ours.
Good. If it were, what would we know?
Your mercy is not like ours.
Good. If it were, what would we know of grace?
Your justice is not like ours.
Good. If it were, what would we know of freedom?
Your righteousness is not like ours.
Good. If it were, would we ever know joy?
Your peace is not like ours.
Good. If it were, would we ever know forgiveness?
Your love is not like ours.
Good. If it were, would we ever find true union?
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Was my sermon too long?”

[I think a few people probably got up and left.. But, no, He never said this.]

D. Blog: Armistice Day

World War I involved 35 countries. It lasted five years, from 1914 to 1918. The US only fought from 1917 to 1918, but one year was more than enough time to claim too many lives, and people held tight to the notion that this was the very last war. When the fighting stopped, leaders of several countries signed an Armistice on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918.

This day was set aside to celebrate peace and to reflect and remember the sacrifices men and women made during World War I. The first official celebration was on November 11th, 1919. Veterans who survived the war marched in parades and were hometown heroes. World War I was called ‘the war to end all wars’ because everyone hoped there would never be another one.

Almost 20 years later, in 1938, Congress voted to make Armistice Day a federal holiday. Sadly, the very next year, in 1939, World War II began. This ended the talk of no more wars.

After World War II, Armistice Day was still celebrated on November 11th. Around 1953, people began calling it Veterans' Day. This was in thanks and remembrance to the veterans in their towns. No longer was it an observance to mark the achievement of peace, but of the sacrifices made by those who had gone to war. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th each year as Veterans' Day.

Personally, I wish we still had an Armistice Day. Memorial Day and July 4th are dominated by honoring veterans and those who died in wars. I think we would be well served by a day to honor the achievement of peace and the hope for an end to war.

[some adaptation from an article “The War to Begin all Wars” by Sarah Lane on www.classbrain.com]

Lost or Hiding Sheep?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Love your enemies – unless your government tells you to kill them. (How we overturn the teachings of Jesus).

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Through the dark night, you continue to lead us.
Your moon and stars guide us on our way and keep us from despair.
You send dreams to accompany and comfort and restore us as we go.
Then comes sunrise and the promise of new and amazing opportunities.
We cannot do without the hope and faith that come from knowing you are always with us.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I read in the Nazareth Chronicle that Wall-Mart wants to open a Purim shop downtown.”

[No way!]

D. Blog: A Parable

"Lost sheep..."

The dominion of God can be compared to a game of hide-and-seek. Many are hiding and one seeks them. Rather than be found by the seeker, those hiding flee. Sometimes they feel safer and enjoy the game more when they hide together. The best part of the game is always the end, when the seeker calls them "all in free" and everyone goes home to dinner.

Glorious!!

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Call me superstitious, but I think war is bad for our health – physical, mental and spiritual.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Earth is full of your glory!
Earth is full of your glory!
Earth is full of your glory!
Earth is full of your glory!
Earth is full of your glory!
Earth is full of your glory!
Earth is full of YOUR glory!
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Game’s over, Eli. That’s 7 straight ringers for me!”

[What a perfect competitor! But He never said that.]

D. Blog: Here’s Your Sign

[Really hard up, it appears...]

Never Retreat from Life

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

We must woo Eirene, not establish her, as in:

Dear Eirene,
You are always in our thoughts. We desire you. We long for you. We love you dearly. You are precious to us. We pray that you think of us. We want you to live with us always

Love,
Humanity

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

We like to take some time away for retreat, reflection, reconnection.
We enjoy the silence, the beauty, the different surroundings.
We hear invitations rather than temptations.
The invitations ask us to live our hopes, to express our vision, to love those around us, to enjoy the fullness of this wonderful life you have given us.
We proclaim it anew: Life is good, yeah!
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“My agent has suggested I write something called “Parables for Dummies.””

[I guess Matthew tried, but with minimal success…]

D. Blog: Weird Words

Dressed to the nines

Meaning: Dressed flamboyantly or smartly.

Origin :

The phrases 'to the nines', or 'to the nine', were used to indicate perfection - the highest standards. That was in use in the 18th century, as here from William Hamilton's Epistle to Ramsay, 1719:

"How to the nines they did content me."

'To the nine' also appears in a translation of Voyages de Jehan de Mandeville chevalier, which appeared anonymously in France, circa 1357 and is attributed to Sir John Mandeville:

"Sir king! ye shall have war without peace, and always to the nine degree, ye shall be in subjection of your enemies, and ye shall be needy of all goods."

The original work was written in Anglo-Norman French and is much translated. Whether the 'to the nine' is a literal translation from the original or whether it was added by translators later, and possibly as late as 1900, isn't clear. It doesn't seem likely that the phrase existed in English as early as the 14th century, not to appear again in print until the 18th century.

'To the nines' has now gone out of use and only persists in the more specific 'dressed to the nines' (or sometimes 'dressed up to the nines').
Dressed to the nines, or dressed up to the nines are merely a version of the phrase that is applied to clothing. That is first cited in John C. Hotten's A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant, and Vulgar Words, 1859 as:
"DRESSED UP TO THE NINES', in a showy 'recherché' manner."

Many theories abound as to what prompted the phrase to be used in reference to dress. The fact that the prior phrase to the nines had been in existence for at least 150 years before we see dressed to the nines makes it obvious that the derivation of the variant version of the phrase need have had no connection with the number nine. Despite this, various attempts have been made to guess at the origin. One has it that tailors used nine yards of material to make a suit (or according to some authors a shirt). The more material you had the more status, although nine yards seems generous even for a fop. Another commonly repeated explanation comes from the reportedly smart uniforms of the The Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh’s) 99th Foot, which was raised in 1824. The problem with these explanations is that they come with zero hard evidence to support them, apart from a reference to the number nine (or even 99, which seems to be stretching the cloth rather thinly). The regiment was raised in the early 19th century, which is the right sort of date for the phrase to begin to be used in the middle of that century. It is at least plausible that the to the nines phrase was matched with the 99 of the regiment's name and reputation to coin dressed to the nines.

As we have seen ad nauseam with similar attempts to explain "the whole nine yards," there are many things that come in groups of nine. Almost anything associated with the number has been at some point put forward as the origin of this phrase. The fact is, we aren't sure.

While no one knows the origin of 'to the nines' it is worth noting that nine has been used as a superlative in other contexts. Classical mythology gave us the nine Muses of arts and learning. The Nine Worthies were drawn from the mythology, history and the Bible. This distinguished group was Joshua, David, Judas Maccabæus, Hector, Alexander, Julius Cæsar, Arthur, Charlemagne, and Godfrey of Bouillon. We also have the nine days' wonder. All of the above would have been well-known when this phrase was coined. A more recent link between nine and excellence is 'cloud nine'.

[from www.phrases.org.uk]

Who Protects Whom?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

We make excuses when we go to war. Peace needs no excuses, just preservation.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

You must hold the key to our repository of memories.
An anniversary may awaken some of them, and then they fill in some of the gaps in our flow of awareness.

Thank you for the reminders that restore more of our self-consciousness.
Thank you for the letting go of those memories that no longer matter to us.
Thank you for the replenished sense of who we are and who you are in our lives.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Dad thought I was a fool to pursue medicine on the side – no financial future in it, he said.”

[Maybe when He healed Peter’s mother-in-law? Nope. He didn’t say this.]

D. Blog: Protecting the Holy One

Why do so many people think they can or need to protect God?
As if they could.
As if the Holy One can’t manage quite well without our protection.

It seems more a matter of protecting our image of the divine. That image becomes graven, it appears to me, when we condemn those who do not bow to it, even declare war against them. The name for this practice is idolatry.

One of my mentors gave me a striking image for the Divine One: “God is an idol smasher.”

Even when the idol is supposed to represent Divinity.

Species Humility?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Peace might require us to admit we are not always right – nor at the center of the universe.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Who sends these marvelous gifts to me?
When I wake up in the morning, I find another day filled with surprising and exciting things to do and see and hear and learn.
I interact with friends and family near and far.
I laugh and play and sing.
Who sends these gifts to me?
See, here’s another one.
I want to send a thank you.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Someday I’d like to see a blue-eyed person.”

[Well, I wonder about that. But He didn’t say it – probably.]

D. Blog: Wondering

I wonder whether other species have the attitude that they have dominion on Earth and that they will continue to exist as a species even if/when the environment that supports them changes drastically…

I wonder whether we recognize our species' hubris…

I wonder whether we will realize that the “fittest” that survive are not necessarily the most powerful, for “fittest” probably means those that best adapt to environmental change…

I wonder whether we humans will ever achieve the humility necessary for survival…

“The meek will inherit Earth,” He said…

Pleasing the gods of war

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

The gods of war must take pride in our recent history. We show an inordinate desire to please them.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

When all is said and done, Earth is a beautiful place.
When all is said and done, it’s a wonderful life.
When all is said and done, people are amazing.
When all is said and done, empires cannot survive war and oppression.
When all is said and done, love makes the difference.
When all is said and done, who could ask for anything more?
When all is said and done, the meek will inherit Earth.
When all is said and done, you truly rock.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Read my lips: no new tablets.”

[Politicians keep getting this un-quote wrong.]

D. Blog: A Haiku

The brightness of the day
offers nothing but promise.
Ready or not…

Can We Adapt to Heaven?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

“More, please. More peace, please.” [Oliver with a twist?]

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

The good, the bad, the ugly – that’s life.

But only in part. We should recognize that it also includes the beautiful, the noble, the inspiring, the joyful, the loving.

The Eastwood view is far too bleak, far too lacking in hope, far too cynical a “realism.” You do not leave us to wallow in misery, but offer the possibility of abundant life in the here and now.

Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I keep waiting for the other sandal to drop.”

[I have wondered where the shoe saying came from… not from Him.]

D. Blog: Literalists in Heaven

How do literalists adapt to heaven? I expect they suffer a great shock, for neither heaven nor the divinity can be anything like their devout expectations. No pearly gates. No streets of gold. No multitudes of eager virgins, female or male. No grand old man with a long white beard (that’s right, no Dumbledore the Gay One).

I just wonder… Perhaps we all go through some sort of re-education camp. Otherwise, how can we possibly get along, when we are all convinced of our particular rightness? We cling so fiercely to our absolute convictions, how will we react when we realize we have made multiple erroneous assumptions, believed ideas for which we have not the slightest bit of evidence?

It seems a daunting problem, but I trust the Holy One manages it…

Moving On

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Call me crazy, but I agree with Gandhi: peace is possible.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

In spite of the daily barrage of bad news and dreadful behavior, the good news outweighs it by far.
The sun rises to the east.
I breathe.
My brain functions.
The cosmos could go on without me, but has a place for me.
You could go on without me, but have a place for me.
My soul knows peace.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Oh, Martha, stop whining.”

[No, not His style.]

D. Blog: A Parable

"The Spirit/wind blows where it will..."

The dominion of God acts like a wall clock that has three hands.

One hand moves quite rapidly. Even as you watch, its movement is obvious.

Another hand seems not to move. But if you turn away for a
moment, then look again, its movement is also noticeable.

The third hand seems locked in place. But if you turn away from the clock and follow another interest, when you look again at this third hand, it, too, will have moved.

And who can say one hand's movement is more significant than another's?

---------
This parable grew out of a group study of Jesus' parable of the workers in the vineyard, Matthew 20:1-16. This version, a simile more than it is a true parable, does not have the financial element. That might blunt the impact Matthew's story has. Or, it might help our understanding of the original because we do not become distracted by economic questions.

Signs of the Times??

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

I learn from the mountains to be upright, sturdy and peaceful.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

I renounce “if only I had/were/could…”
I embrace “I am blest.”
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I’m off to see the wizard.”

[Imagine... But not why He went to Jerusalem, so didn't say that.]

D. Blog: Here’s Your Sign

[A new occasional feature to show signs I find humorous for the language or juxtaposition of ideas, text and image. This one I saw in the window of a central California "fast food" joint. I don't know who added the "open" part, but it turned out to be an honest warning...]

Your First Bible Memory?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Bombs cannot create peace. Bullets cannot secure your life. Missiles cannot shield you. Money cannot buy your safety. Dominating others cannot make them your friends.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

My window on the world delights me.
I see wonderful vegetation soaking up the light of life.
I see awesome birds that fly (!!), collect their daily needs and sing while they go about their business.
I see graceful deer and ungainly (or, honestly, ugly) wild turkeys that somehow make their meek way on Earth.
I see neighbors’ houses just down the hill, reminding me that we share space and time in your creation.
I see in the near distance hillside and mountain crest, inviting me to climb the heights.
My window on the world calls me to celebrate life’s beauty and diversity.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“As a matter of fact, a tree falling in the woods does make noise – even if no one hears. It’s not all about humans hearing it, you know?”

[Why not? Oh, of course, He didn’t speak English.]

D. Blog: Biblical Criticism 101

When I was a first-grader in Sunday school, my teacher told me the Bible has two sections. That lesson made a big impression on me, probably presented my first biblical revelation. I could no longer see it as a single book. In addition, that revelation told me people could make sense of it, analyze it, sort its contents. You might say that revelation introduced me to the process of literary and historical criticism of the Bible that keeps it relevant to me.

Matters of Interpretation

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

When the peace train comes to my town, my banner will say “You Make My Day!” What will yours say?

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

We have a problem.
What an opportunity to experience your grace!
We have a problem, a crisis even.
This, too, shall pass, and having passed, will seem less important than the reality of its passing.
We have a problem.
How wonderful to put our minds to work to find a solution!
We have a problem.
Isn’t life amazing!?
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Yes, I suppose the three bears did have ample reason to stone the girl. But that didn’t really happen, so we won’t stone this woman.”

[Some childish behavior is unacceptable, but He never said this exactly.]

D. Blog: Pope Joke

The Pope’s Surprise

Many years ago, a beloved Pope died and went to heaven. Saint Peter greeted him in a firm embrace. "Welcome your holiness. Your dedication and unselfishness in serving humanity during your life has earned you great stature in heaven. You may pass through the gates without delay and are granted free access to all parts of heaven."

St. Peter continued: "You are also granted an open-door policy and may, at your own discretion, meet with any heavenly leader including God and Jesus, without prior appointment. Is there anything which your holiness desires?"

"Well, yes," the Pope replied. "I have often pondered some of the mysteries which have puzzled and confounded theologians through the ages. Are there perhaps any transcripts which recorded the actual conversations between God and the prophets of old? I would love to see what was actually said, without the dimming of memories over time."

St. Peter immediately ushered the Pope to the heavenly library and explained how to retrieve the various documents. The Pope was thrilled and settled down to review the history of humanity's relationship with God.

Two years later, a scream of anguish pierced the quiet of the library. Immediately several of the saints and angels came running. They found the Pope pointing to a single word on a parchment, repeating over and over: "There's an 'R'. There's an 'R.' There's an 'R'... It's CELEBRATE, not celibate!"

[Thanks to beliefnet.com]