Jeremiah's Role

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Only peace can mend our broken spirits.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

You do not disappoint.
We misunderstand your ways.
You never disappoint.
We misperceive your nature.
You cannot disappoint.
We make faulty assumptions about you.
You do not disappoint.
We have unreal expectations of you.
You will not disappoint.
We need to know you better.
You do not disappoint.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ That sounds like prudent policy to me.”

[I made that up – He never said it, no matter how many people believe it.]

D. Blog: Prophetic Preaching

Let me try to articulate what the Jeremiah Wright flap is about. He’s a preacher who speaks to a part of the people of God. He’s not a politician speaking to the people of America. The contexts are very different. His role is to help build up the people of God. That might not always overlap with building up the people of America. In order to build up the people of God, it might be necessary to criticize the United States of America, to point out the ways in which it does not act in accordance with the vision of God’s people - in the world but not of the world.

American media conglomerates and the American political system (including pundits/ commentators) find scandal in things that challenge the patriotic idolatry of things American. For me, it boils down to this: to whom and what do we give our primary allegiance? A preacher’s primary allegiance should be to God, to the vision of living as a people of God. We should not expect him/her to bow down to nationalistic idols. Nor should politicians be afraid of explaining or defending the rights of religious liberty and freedom of speech.

Having a Splendid Time!

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

No peace, no gain.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

I feel humbled that I get to taste so much of life’s sweetness. Part of me asks “Why me?” That question often comes in the wake of tragedy and loss or the accumulation of years of hardship and despair, but I ask it, too. Good and bad fortune, blessing and curse. For now, life is sweet and there are rose buds to gather.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“It was a difficult artistic decision, but I chose “the narrow way” instead of “the road less traveled.”

[No, He didn't say it.]

D. Blog: A Haiku

Having a super time.
Glad you put me here.
Wish you were… Glad you are…

Feeling Congested?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

What if God gave a peace and nobody came…

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Your love surrounds me.
Your mercy sustains me.
Your blessings enrich me.
Your forgiveness frees me.
Your wisdom inspires me.
Your righteousness challenges me.
Your justice leads me.
Whom shall I fear?
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“The men caught in adultery are less guilty than the women.”

[Men might think so, but He never said it.]

D. Blog: Congestion

It amazes me that so many people put up with the congestion and traffic of big cities. Over the weekend, I visited the metropolitan area where we lived for many years. I did just enough driving in the area this trip to remind me how irritable and frustrated having to deal with those conditions can make people. Stoplight after stoplight. “Aggressive” drivers just wanting to get to their destinations in a reasonable amount of time. Lost and slow drivers getting horms blared at them.

One gauge I used was the “10 miles over the speed limit” rule. Where I live now, following that guideline has me passing most of the vehicles on the interstates. There in my former area, it meant I needed to stay in the two slowest lanes, passing almost no one. I wished for a moment that everyone’s music in their cars would play “Slow down, you move too fast. Got to make the moment last…” It’s a tough sell in our crowded cities.

Seeing Wonder

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

The peace of God may surpass our understanding, but we know it cannot include war.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Every view – abounding with wonder.
Every sound – a treasure.
Every raindrop – an awesome event.
Every breath – an amazing process.
Every movement – an incredible physical achievement.
Every thought – beyond comprehension.
Every emotion – a remarkable arousal.
Every sacrifice – a miracle.
Every act of love – life shaping.
How did you do it?
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“How come they name a sandwich after Reuben? None of us has anything named after us… oh, that’s right, John… And you, Simon, after I renamed you… There seems to be an unfortunate theme with you two.”


[In English, perhaps, but He spoke Aramaic, so He never said this.]

D. Blog: Misguided Theology

Where do we get the idea that God punishes us?
Where do we get the idea that God causes disasters?
Where do we get the idea that God would send some persons to eternal damnation?
Where do we get the idea that our human ancestors were once perfect?
Where do we get the idea that in the end God judges our behavior/lives?
None of that fits my experience of divine reality, nor does it fit what I see and hear of Jesus.
I am eternally grateful that the divine Spirit led me away from such misguided notions about God, into the reality of divine compassion.

For Those Who Read

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

What does it profit to profit from war?

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

A woman, beaten by her husband.
Frightened, give courage.
Betrayed, give assurance of your love.
Trapped, give hope.
Beaten down emotionally, give resolve.
Dispirited, give hope.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Okay, guys, ready for your military training exercise? Good. Take out your slingshots.”

[His ideas about battle were different, but He never said this.]

D. Blog: Random Bumper Insight

- Fearful people do stupid things.

- If you can’t trust me with a choice, how can you trust me with a child?

- We are creating enemies faster than we can kill them.

- I’m for the Separation of Church & Hate.

Willy-Nilly??

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Life is too short as it is. Let’s do away with the disease of war.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

If eyes fail,
If mind fails,
If memory fails,
If body fails,
If an accident takes me,
Still, I love life.
It’s awesome, incredible.
As you are.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Yes, Bartholomew, it does mean we should forgive everyone. Well, except the Sadducees, of course.”


[They didn't get along very well, but He never said this.]

D. Blog: Weird Phrase

[from The Phrase Finder]

Willy-nilly

Meaning: Two slightly differing but related meanings. 'Whether it is with or against your will' and 'in a haphazard fashion'.

Origin: The origin centres around the first of those meanings. There are many spellings in early citations - 'wille we, nelle we', 'will he, nill he', 'will I, nill I', etc. The expression also appears later as 'nilly willy' or 'willing, nilling', or even, in a later humourous version 'william nilliam'. The early meaning of the word nill is key to this. In early English nill was the opposite of will. That is, will meant to want to do something, nill meant to want to avoid it. So, combining the willy - 'I am willing' and nilly - 'I am unwilling' expresses the idea that it doesn't matter to me one way or the other. The Latin phrase 'nolens, volens' means the same thing, although it isn't clear whether the English version is a simple translation of that. There's also a, now archaic, phrase 'hitty missy' that had a similar derivation. That comes from 'hit he, miss he'.
The phrase dates back at least a millennium, with the earliest known version being the Old English text, Aelfric's Lives of Saints, circa 1000:
"Forean the we synd synfulle and sceolan beon eadmode, wille we, nelle we."

[for me, it might apply to the decision between Barack and Hillary]

Jesus: scapegoat? God: child abuser?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

It’s a new day, so I’ll choose peace again.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

In the end, what matters is:
did we give and receive your love.
And did we pass it on to others?
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Thomas is so negative that every time he sees a rainbow, he runs for a boat.”


[Maybe Thomas descended from Noah. But He never said this.]

D. Blog: Scapegoat Jesus

I get very tired and angry at hearing the theological fantasy that turns Jesus into a scapegoat whose death supposedly appeases God for humanity's sin and makes further punishment unnecessary.

- God has no need for scapegoats. We humans might think we require them to satisfy our sense of justice and balance, but God is merciful and does not keep a tally of sin and sacrificial atonement.

- Jesus certainly did not understand Himself as a scapegoat. He was about calling people into the dominion of God, where all have a place at the table, where all find themselves at home as God's children, where all are forgiven - without the necessity of symbolic sacrificial lambs.

- What on Earth are Christians thinking when they basically accuse God of the ultimate in child abuse???

Defining Sainthood

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Seeing no better option, I choose peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

You make it impossible for me to feel any lasting unhappiness.
Life is too precious, people too amazing, Earth too beautiful, the universe too awesome.
How can I avoid being impressed and overwhelmed by the grandeur of it all?
Reverently, I bow in your presence.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“It’s no big deal. I never learned how to swim, so I just walk.”

[Oh, so it's that simple... He never said it.]

D. Blog: On Sainthood

Removing snakes makes one worthy of sainthood? Avoiding all temptations makes one worthy of sainthood? I don’t think so.

Give me someone who gets great enjoyment out of life. Give me someone who is honest and faithful in her dealings with others. Give me someone who laughs, who appreciates beauty, who notices the ironies and paradoxes of mortal existence. Give me someone who seeks justice and is at peace with himself, shows compassion to all, and fosters the divine spirit within.

Have You Seen Jesus?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

When war calls, I recognize the caller ID and don’t answer.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

When did you see us naked, hungry, sick, in prison – and leave us alone?
When did you leave us subject to ignorance, greed, fear and violence?
When did you pass by diseased or starving children, or desperate parents scrounging in trash heaps or making mud pies for the evening meal?
When did you consent to war between your children, sibling rivalry that destroys the family and the neighborhood?
When did you forsake a child of yours to die on a cross?

I know you are not directly responsible. But indirectly – through us?
Forgive us.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“You must be kidding! That image doesn’t look anything like me!”

[Why there’s a commandment against graven images, and why the supposed sightings of Jesus in a bowl of macaroni, for instance, cannot be taken seriously. But He didn’t say this.]

D. Blog: A Haiku

Thanks don’t go far enough
To say what needs saying:
God totally rocks!

Fine Tuning

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Cain was never intended to be a role model.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

A spring morning like no other.
A place like no other.
A view like no other.
A home like no other.
A spouse like no other.
A family like no other.
A church like no other.
A life like no other.

I accept it all with gratitude to the One like no other.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Like I always say, Judas: ‘If the sandal fits, wear it.’”

[He did not say that when Judas asked “Is it I?”]

D. Blog: Tuning In

Sometimes it seems that our lives resound with the equivalents of noisy gongs and clanging cymbals (symbols?). Hearing our inner selves has become as difficult as hearing the voice of the Divine.

We also pack our schedules so full that finding time for Divinity, not simply for church, is as difficult as finding time for ourselves – never mind our neighbors.

Love God with all we have and are? Love neighbors as our selves? Only if we can tune out and tune in.

Only Sufficient??

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

I’m a pacifist and I vote – for those most likely to build peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

To say that your grace is sufficient seems like an insult.
One meal a day is sufficient, too. One suit of clothing is sufficient. A cave is sufficient shelter. And an outhouse is more than sufficient for our needs.

Your grace is much more than “sufficient.” It abounds, teems, overwhelms, stretches beyond limit. It reaches into the realm of eternity.

Your grace is divine.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“The flute and harp are nice instruments, but the accordion really makes me want to dance.”

[There was probably music and dancing at the Cana wedding, but He didn’t say this.]

D. Blog: Interesting…

Interesting, how those in power managed to shift responsibility for Jesus’ death onto God.

Interesting, how those in power managed to shift the focus of Jesus’ message from abundant life in this world, even for the poor, to eternal life in an uncertain afterworld.

Interesting, how those in power managed to shift the assurance of forgiveness given while Jesus lived to something supposedly provided only by his “sacrificial” death.

Interesting, how those in power managed to shift the practical religion of Jesus to make it highly superstitious.

Interesting, how we keep buying into what the powerful tell us, rather than what Jesus said and did.

Sound Bites from a Bumper

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Who will work for peace if we don’t?

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

You provide sleep, a sort of daily Sabbath in our lives. It offers a break from the activities that consume our energies. In it, we renew body, mind and spirit. Without it, we lose our balance and allow our activities to possess us. This Sabbath, too, we need to observe.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Peter, you’re not my father.”

D. Blog: Have you seen these?

- Congress gave huge tax breaks to the rich and all I got was this lousy bumpersticker.

- Never have so few taken so much from so many for so long.

- You measure democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists. –Abbie Hoffman

- Terrorism is a symptom, not the disease.

The Pope Visits

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Peace won’t solve all our problems, but it gives us the opportunity.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, but no point in whining about it.
Nobody knows the joy I’ve seen, and it far outweighs the trouble.
I see much more of you in life than I see evil in life.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”

[“It is finished” misquotes what He said from the cross? No, He didn’t say it.]

D. Blog: The Pope Visits

What would you like to say to the Pope when he comes to visit?

- “Mom will be very surprised to know that you’re my father.”

- “What’s up with the red shoes?”

- “Well, aren’t you special!”

- “Is that a log I see in your eye?”

Celebrate!

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

I fall to peaces over war.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

My cup overflows such that I could hardly ask you to take it from me. Late in life, I got a better seat at the table, and what had been water turned into wine. So I celebrate even more than I did earlier. I invite others to the feast. Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Turn out the light when I’m gone.”

[The 8th word from the cross? No. He never said it.]

D. Blog: Papal Visitation

It’s our daughter’s birthday, but she won’t be receiving the Pope. She’s not his kind of celebrity. He has no idea she works for a Catholic-related ministry/school for at-risk teenage boys. That’s okay. The boys think she’s worth celebrating.

The Tax Man Cometh

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

War has had ample opportunity to prove its value. Give peace a chance.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

It is miraculous how we humans express ourselves through the arts – both refined and folk arts. In the direst of circumstances, art and creativity come naturally.

It is also miraculous how you express yourself through us humans – both sophisticated and simple. In some of the least likely of persons, your voice comes through.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Tell me, Judas, what’s in your wallet?”

[He might have been THE capital One, but He never said this.]

D. Blog: The Tax Man Cometh

When the tax man asked for my money to pay for war, I couldn’t give it to him. When he said he could put me on trial for that, I said that seemed strange, didn’t it? To try somebody for not wanting to be party to killing other people?

When he said I would be found guilty of violating the law, I wondered what authority could judge me for wanting to be free of the guilt of dropping bombs on children?

When he said I could be punished for my crime, I asked about the punishment for the crime of war.

When he said they would get the money without my cooperation, I said that would make the situation clear: you impress my earnings and make me an unwilling accomplice in your crimes.

God have mercy on our souls…

A Taxing Situation

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Does it make sense to assign peacemaking to the military??

Bonus to mark the day:
What if pacifists withhold tax payments because they aren’t represented in Congress?

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Some people imagine a divine dictatorship in your heaven. I do not. For then I would also have to expect an earthly dictatorship if my prayers for your dominion on Earth as in heaven would be answered. My vision and expectation of union with you has no place for a hierarchical heaven. I'll join you there...
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I know you Pharisees want to trap me. I’ll make it easy. Tell those Romans there should be no taxation without representation.”

[In your face, Pharisees and Roman sympathizers! No, He never said it.]

D. Blog: A Haiku

God’s peace surrounds us.
God’s love enfolds us.
Of what shall we be afraid?

What Price Victory?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

If the landmarks and memorials don’t lead to peace, it’s time to change directions.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Glory – yours.
Honor – yours.
Praise – yours.
Thanks – yours.
Blessing – yours.
Holiness – yours.
Wisdom – yours.
Might – yours.
Dominion – yours.

Well. Aren’t you special?!
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Hard to imagine as it is sometimes, one day people will want to call all of you saints, except Judas. Over my dead body!”

D. Blog: Victory?

Those conducting the US occupation/war in Iraq-Afghanistan seem to believe their poorly-defined “victory” is worth any cost. Restrict the freedoms and civil rights that have made the nation a model for the world. Make the US an object of hatred in large portions of the world for generations to come. Make traveling US citizens and officials in those parts of the world the constant potential targets of violent retribution. Put our descendants into life-long indebtedness that severely endangers their quality of life. What a tangled web we weave…

To me it looks like the reversal of the promise of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” But our government “leaders” seem willing to pay that price, rather than to pay the price of peace – tolerance, understanding, compromise, forgiveness.

Your Slip is Showing...

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

War is none of God’s doing.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

I saw you yesterday.
You stooped over a toddler to show him a yellow tulip.
He giggled when he touched it.
That’s when I recognized you.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Do I have a plan of salvation, Andrew? Well, I suppose, if you mean a plan to show people how to live as God’s children in this world.”

[I wish, but He didn't say it.]

D. Blog: Embarrassment

I had an embarrassing moment the other day, something akin to an open fly in public. I don’t know whether anyone else noticed, but it made me wonder…

What’s so embarrassing about being human? About making mistakes? About social faux pas? I’m thinking they just don’t matter. We have too many other and more serious things to worry about or be ashamed of than to beat ourselves up over the fact of our humanity.

Protecting the Environment

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

On the firing line for peace, we don’t need bullets.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Lift us from our petty prejudice and squalid self-centered ways. Liberate us from our awful addictions to self-destructive habits, including war. Limit our eco-arrogance and fruitless commerce. Bring us ever more into the realm of your Spirit.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“For the procession on Sunday, do your best to find something that will give me Fahrvegnugung.”

[Their best wasn’t so good, but He never said this.]

D. Blog: Rockin’ Bumperstickers

- Insatiable is not sustainable.

- 6 billion miracles are more than enough.

- Growing the economy is shrinking the ecosystem.

- Renewable energy is homeland security.

Need Some Wood, Anyone?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

I follow Jesus, who never killed anyone.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

When it is difficult to focus on you, putting pen to page can bring me back to you.
When I have many things on my mind, sitting quietly and seeing the ink mark the page reminds me that you do creative solutions better than I do.
When I am away from home and excited by other surroundings, it helps to know your home encompasses anywhere I go.
When I feel responsible to tend to the needs of other people, I get reassurance just knowing you’ve got the whole world on your shoulders.
In other words, whatever my lot, it is well with my soul.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“The truth, Pilate? You can’t handle the Truth.”

[Good one! But He never said it.]

D. Blog: What’s up with Knocking on Wood??

[From Wikipedia]

Knocking on wood, and the spoken expression "knock on wood" or "touch wood" are used to avoid "tempting fate" after making some boast or speaking of one's own death.

The expression is usually used in the hope that a good thing will continue to occur after it has been acknowledged. So, for example, one might say: "The rain looks like it's holding off, touch wood", or "Knock on wood, I'm much better now."

Brief History
It is commonly thought that knocking on wood has been a superstitious action to ward off evil throughout history involving both Pagan and Christian belief systems. Some believe it has to do with knocking on the wooden cross. Another explanation for this practice is the pagan belief that spirits (dryads) lived in trees. By knocking on the wood of a tree while making some sort of a bold statement, the speaker could prevent the spirit from hearing him and stop the spirit from interfering or out of respect for the wood spirit, touching a tree indicated seeking protection from the particular spirit.

However historian Steve Roud finds no evidence in the British Isles for the earlier theories, suggesting that the superstitions have not been traced beyond children's games of tag of the early nineteenth century. According to Roud, the earliest documented references to "touching wood" are from 1805 and 1828 and concern chasing games like "Tiggy-touch-wood", where you are safe from being "tagged" if you "touch wood", says Roud, "'Tiggy-touch-wood" was an extremely well-known game, and it is more than likely that the phrase was passed into everyday language.

Variations
Furniture
In some versions of the superstition, it is better to touch the underside of wooden furniture, as this is unfinished and closer to the real wood. Others believe that knocking on the underside of the wooden surface will avoid hitting wood gnomes or tree dryads on their heads, which may anger the creature and counteract the good luck.
Cross
According to Greek Orthodox Patriarch, Prof Anastasios Zavales, the custom arose from the times of Emperor Constantine when the faithful first touched the cross in public processions, for blessing and healing. The "wood of life" was touched three times in connection with the Trinity. After the central cross was placed in Constantinople, he says, the practice was to touch any wooden cross or crucifix and later extended to include anything made of wood. He points the origins to Jerusalem in the fourth century AD with the wood of rosaries and prayer beads being "a much later innovation".
Rosary
Early rosaries were made of oak and were fingered in time of distress or trouble. Holding, touching or rubbing the wooden rosary or its wooden crucifix when danger was near became a common way for Christians to deal with hardships and difficulties becoming "touch wood".
Other
If there is no wood available, some people will tap their head instead in self-mockery.

[And done quite appropriately by some people…]

Rose Garden, Anyone?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Inward peace and outward war – the tension cannot hold.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

The countless blessings you send overwhelm my capacity to apprehend them.
The few struggles and losses I experience do not compare with your abundant goodness.
The birds of the air and lilies of the fields have nothing on me. Yes, you care for them, but how much more, it seems, for me.
Blessings all around, within, minute by minute, day after day, without end.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“No, Simon, just cutting bait is not really an option.”

[Nope, He didn’t say it.]

D. Blog: Rose Garden, Anyone?

Nobody promised us a rose garden. But I think that’s fine. Those gardens, imagined as places of ease and leisure, involve a lot of care, a lot of labor, and a lot of thorns.

Instead, we get the promise of LIFE, something much greater than the other. Think of it, perhaps, as a vast landscape with a multitude of growth experience. It might even include a section of roses, but spending time only there will limit our growth.

I imagine Eden looks nothing like a rose garden.

Between Despair and Hope

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

War means profit for a few, loss for many.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Away from home, I might be more conscious of my surroundings.
Away from home, I might pay more attention to what’s happening.
Away from home, I might accept different ways of doing things.
Away from home, I might try something new.
Away from home, I might learn more.
Away from home, I might hear you more clearly.
Away from home, I might understand home better.
Away from home, I might find a better home.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I’ve been to the mountaintop!”

[Maybe when Satan took Him to the mountain? Or after the Sermon on the Mount? Nah, He never said it.]

D. Blog: Despair and Hope

We live between despair and hope. Sometimes we speak of pessimism and optimism, but those words do not convey the same depth of meaning as despair and hope. They seem on the surface and basically chosen or contrived outlooks. They do not hole the same appreciation for life’s realities.

At times I despair over the human situation on Earth. I see no way out of the terrible systems we have devised to govern and support the peoples of Earth. I am not pessimistic about what the human future holds. I despair. I see no realistic and favorable longer term future.

At times I have great hope for humanity. Our creativity and technology, our capacity for caring, our increased care for Earth and all its life forms, our communication. These give me hope for a sustainable future.

I live between those two.

Jesus as Feminist?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

When the peace train comes, I’ll be waiting at the station with my worn and wrinkled ticket in hand.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

I am 61 years old.
It feels like the spring time of my life.
Beautiful…
Thank you.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Yes, Martha, I would be anxious, too, if I had your workload when we come to visit. Thaddeus, James – go help Martha in the kitchen.”

[I love it, but sorry, He never said it.]

D. Blog: A Haiku

All is not right in the world.
Does this mean
God left the realm of heaven?

Finding Our Way

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

I think we jilted Eirene when she stood at the end of the “Cold War.”

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

You made me love you. I didn’t want to do it, but I couldn’t help it. You’re just too good not to be true, too attractive, too awesome, and so loving toward me that I can’t avoid loving you in return. I guess you don’t mind that I’ve joined the ranks of your many lovers and fans.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Cousin John was a nattering nabob of negativism.”

[No, He wasn’t as negative as Agnew or Safire…]

D. Blog: Finding Our Way

He found his thrill on Blueberry Hill.
I think he overlooked countless other thrills.
She put the needs of her husband and children first.
I think she gave up on her dreams.
He did it his way.
I think he missed countless opportunities for relationship.
She devoted herself to the church.
I think she missed her calling.

More People, Anyone?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

United we stand, divided we fall – as a species.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Another quarter of a year has elapsed. I say elapsed rather than passed. Time does not pass me by. It carries me along with it, then stays with me, probably forever. This quarter of a year as we measure time has included great blessings, great joys, much beauty and fulfillment with friends and family. I am grateful for time’s goodness and a capacity to know it.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“What’s this carpe deum business, James? You know I don’t speak Latin.”

[Certainly not pig Latin, but He never said this.]


D. Blog: Too Much Multiplication

I think we have overdone the multiplying part of the Genesis verse, to the point that fruitful activity has become impossible for large numbers of the overly large human population. Too many of us can only see survival as the goal, not fruitfulness. We engage in activities and employment and servitude we know to be fruitless.

It seems that we ignore the huge population dragon in the middle of the kitchen. We hope it’s unreal or that it will go away if we look the other way. But it’s emptying the pantry at an alarming rate while we pretend it’s not a problem. May God send us another text before it’s too late.

Seen in Passing

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

A peace in time saves lives.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Let the sun shine in.
Let the sunshine in.
Let the Son shine in.
Let the Son-shine in.

We would rather shine ourselves,
but of course our light isn’t very bright on its own.

Let the sun shine in.
Let the sunshine in.
Let the Son shine in.
Let the Son-shine in.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Breathe, Mary, breathe.”

[Maybe she fainted once? No, He didn’t’ say it.]

D. Blog: Seen In Passing

- Fight Prime Time: READ A BOOK!

- Isn’t it strange that in the "Information Age" truth is hard to find?

- Our national health plan: Don’t Get Sick!

- Faith is a Journey, Not a guilt-trip

New Title for W?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

The road from here to eternity goes by way of Peace.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Whatever I see, hear, taste, smell, touch – blessing.
Whatever I feel, think, sense, do, read – blessing.
Whatever I hope, fear, discover, learn, experience – blessing.
Each breath, moment, hour, day, year – blessing.
Each step, heartbeat, joy, pain, loss – blessing.

You don’t do blessing in a half-hearted manner.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Considering my ancestry and one of my titles, naturally I thought Davidson should win.”

[Maybe next year… - never said it, though.]

D. Blog: New Title for W: “The Flabbergaster”

flab·ber·gast –verb (used with object)
to overcome with surprise and bewilderment; astound.
[Origin: 1765–75; var. of flabagast (perh. flab(by) + aghast) ]
—Related forms:
flab·ber·gast·er, noun
—Synonyms: amaze, astonish, stagger, nonplus, confound; perplex, confuse, mystify.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
------
flabbergast
1772, mentioned (with bored) in a magazine article as a new vogue word, perhaps from some dialect (in 1823 it was noted as a Sussex word), likely an arbitrary formation from flabby or flapper and aghast.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper

On the Road to Adulthood?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

MLK, Jr. – peacenik. He rests in it.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

How many angels does it take to guard a single life?
You provide them.
How many villagers does it take to nurture a single human being?
You provide them.
How many resources does it take to sustain a person?
You provide them.

I think I see a pattern here…
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Excuse me, brothers. Can you tell me whether this road goes to Emmaus? I think I might be lost.”

[A decent conversation starter, but He never said it.]

D. Blog: Growing Up

Growing up is hard to do, a lot harder than breaking up, I think. After 60 years, maybe I’ve arrived at “grown up” status. Or maybe not, according to some definitions, in which play and laughter don’t seem to fit. At least I’ve learned not to seek revenge. I’ve learned to enjoy the moment, to take note of miracles and wonders all around me. I’ve learned to forgive myself as I forgive others. I’ve learned that although there certainly are evils in the world, life’s goodness has them greatly outnumbered.

Where Would Jesus Live?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine – for peace. Even if “the world” does its worst to extinguish the light.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

The struggle wears on me.
The cynicism of politicians disgusts me.
The narrow-minded “leaders” frighten me.
The short-sighted policies defer my hopes.
The stupid “self-interest” of nation states insults my intelligence.
The greed of business/commercial/corporate entities strikes me as immoral.
The inane advertising and entertainment make me cringe at our willingness to be distracted from reality.
The propaganda that assaults us daily has made deception into an art form.

I have no alternative but to turn to you.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I’m b-a-a-ck."

[Not exactly what He said when He appeared to the disciples after the resurrection.]

D. Blog: Question of the Week

“Where Would Jesus Live?”

I’m pretty sure it would not be in that mansion going up on the mountain to replace those unnecessary pine trees that were keeping the builders from putting in a putting green to improve the landscaping.

Welcoming the Winding Turns

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

In the battle for our hearts, peace wins.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

The road is long, with many a winding turn, that leads us to your door.
But we don’t mind, because you put many marvels along the way. It’s a good life, all in all, well worth the obstacles and twisting turns and occasional detours.
For at the end of the road, you await us, with a banquet prepared for our enjoyment.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“I regret that I have but one life to give for humanity.”

[You think Patrick Henry borrowed from Jesus? No, He didn’t say this.]

D. Blog: A Haiku

In morning stillness
I think I hear your voice:
“It is good. Celebrate.”