“It is better to teach or live equality and love . . . than to have hatred and prejudice.”—Rosa Parks
Verse of the day
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
– Psalm 46:1
Voice of the day
Lord take my soul, but the struggle continues.
– Ken Saro-Wiwa
Prayer of the day
God, let us affirm your constant presence in our lives and take courage, standing with the oppressed in defiance of fear.
Thresholds are potent doorways between the old and the new. When we step onto a threshold in our lives we release an old identity or old patterns and we await the new birthing. It can be uncomfortable at times to rest in this space of waiting, of not knowing what things will look like. But an essential aspect of retreat time is that we cultivate our capacity to breathe deeply and stay present to what is unfolding within us. — Christine Valters Paintner
It’s been a long time since I have written any sort of a reflection on my blog. For years my blog was a part of my sermon preparation process. When I retired from active ministry in 2023 my blogging decreased significantly. However, I was still writing occasionally as Denise and I kept preaching in a church that was without a pastor. This past May I knew in my heart that something had to change. By choice, I have not been preaching at all for the past five plus months. Denise has also greatly reduced her own preaching activity.
After 38 years of full time ministry, I was burned out and needed some time to simply be still and recover both physically and spiritually. We have done some traveling and have also been doing some ancestry research at home and in Canada where my Mom’s ancestors had lived.
This time has been restorative even in the midst of government and national instability. This preamble leads to my sharing from some of the reading that I have been doing lately.
I’ve just begun reading Jamie McGhee’s book on James Baldwin, You Mean It or You Don’t which is the Abbey of the Arts Book Club’s latest book club recommendation (click on the link for more information about the Abbey and its offerings). I have a feeling that Baldwin is going to both feed and challenge me, especially during such tumultuous times in this nation’s history—a massive understatement to say the least!
Baldwin delivered a speech on the campus of UMass Amherst on February 28, 1984. At one point during his remarks, he said, “In any case, it’s not enough to be a liberal…. That is something people have a great deal of difficulty with. But it is not enough to be a liberal, to have the right attitudes, and even to give money to the right causes. You have to know more than that. You have to be prepared to risk more than that.”
A few moments later, a student asks for clarification. “You said that the liberal façade and being a liberal is not enough. Well, what is? What is necessary?”
Baldwin responded, “Commitment. That is what is necessary. You mean it or you don’t.” (Introduction, p. 10)
Dear reader, as we continue to walk this journey of faith and life, my prayer is that we can support and encourage each other in being committed to the greater good for all of God’s people and creation.
What we are called to is a life of peacemaking in which all that we do, say, think, or dream is part of our concern to bring peace to this world. Just as Jesus’ command to love one another cannot be seen as a part-time obligation, but requires our total dedication, so too Jesus’ call to peacemaking is unconditional, unlimited, and uncompromising. None of us is excused! It isn’t limited to specialists who are competent in military matters, or to radicals who have dedicated themselves to leafletting, demonstrating, and civil disobedience. No specialist or radical can diminish the undeniable vocation of each Christian to be a peacemaker. Peacemaking is a full-time vocation that includes each member of God’s people.
“Remember that when you leave this earth you can take nothing of what you have received, but only what you have given: a heart full, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage.”—St. Francis of Assisi
Verse of the day
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
– Matthew 5:16
Voice of the day
We must believe in our souls that we are somebody, that we are significant, that we are worthful, and we must walk the streets of life every day with this sense of dignity and this sense of somebody-ness.
– Colson Whitehead, “The Nickel Boys” (2019)
Prayer of the day
God who cannot help but see us in our entirety, lead us towards acknowledging the inherent worth in ourselves and in others.
“‘What is necessary?’ Baldwin responded, ‘Commitment. That is what is necessary. You either mean it or you don’t.’”
—Jamie McGhee & Adam Hollowell, You Mean It Or You Don’t: James Baldwin’s Radical Challenge Our Lift Every Voice Book Club selection for November & December
What are you committed to, and how does that commitment show up in your life?
View or listen to our conversation with the one of the authors, Jamie McGhee, here.
Jesus is able to move around in the most difficult situations, not only physically and emotionally, but spiritually. He can explore new ways of loving because he is rooted in God. He breaks right through routines when they become rigid and no longer serve God. He criticizes the Pharisees who were stuck in routines.
Jesus also warns people about living rootless lives. He says, “Remain in me as I remain in you. I love you with the same love that the Father loves me.” He is speaking about the inner connectedness of life. Life-giving connectedness is what allows Jesus to move out of the places of death toward life. The experience of joy that Jesus offers is not happiness. It is not just feeling “up.” Joy is something else. The joy of Jesus is never disconnected from sorrow.
Verse of the day
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
– Romans 15:13
Voice of the day
When I choose to see the good side of things, I’m not being naive. It is strategic and necessary. It is how I’ve learned to survive through everything.
– Waymond Wang, “Everything Everywhere All At Once” (2022)
Prayer of the day
God of hope, if we are tempted to fall too deeply into despondency, point us instead to examples of your goodness, so that we can carry on.
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