Lord, teach me. . . .

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.  –Jimi Hendrix On January 21, the day after we inaugurated a new president, many Women’s Marches were organized and took place around the country and across the globe. Women and men gathered together to peacefully make their voices heard. They carried signs, they marched and sang. They made new friends and loved one another. Some reports indicated there were over 3.6 million participants in over 500 organized marches. That is a lot of people—and a lot of marches. But they forgot to count one march. My friend Beth lives in a small town in Ohio. She couldn’t get to any of the organized marches, so she decided to have her own march. She put her black Lab on a leash, made a beautiful sign that read WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS . And she and her dog walked up and down the streets of her small town, praying as they walked. Some folks came out and cheered her on, but she wasn’t doin...

The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others. –Albert Schweitzer There’s a new movie coming out called A Dog’s Purpose , and we were fortunate enough to attend a screening the other night. (No spoilers, but while the movie was quite good, don’t be deceived by its PG rating. Younger, sensitive children might find a couple of scenes troubling.) Anyway. . . . Throughout the dog’s experience of life, first as a red Labrador, then a German shepherd, a Welsh corgi and a mix, Bailey reflects on his purpose. Why, he wonders, was he put on this earth? What was he supposed to accomplish? Pretty heady thought for a dog. By the end of the movie, after many trials and triumphs, Bailey came to his own conclusion as to why he was created, born and reborn. And while we humans only go around once in life (at least as far as we are aware), Bailey’s purpose evolves over time. Like us, he questions, seeks, explores—and life unfolds before him, re...

Offence is important; that’s how you know you care about things. Imagine a life where you’re not offended. So dull. –Marcus Brigstocke The internet is a wonderful place. And the internet is an awful, heartless place. On the one hand, there are people who become so empowered by the seeming anonymity of virtual communities like Facebook, they say anything and everything with barely a thought of how it will be received by its audience. On the other hand, there are people who are so completely consumed by fear and worry that their words might offend their reader, they tiptoe through important, potentially meaningful conversations and take no position at all. In contrast to those strident, hurtful tones, these folks come across as mushy and wishy-washy. Surely there is a better way. (I am certain of it.) It’s a pretty safe bet that no matter what we say, someone is going to take offense. (That’s just the way people are.) Remember, strong leaders who truly feel called...

The only thing you sometimes have control over is perspective. You don’t have control over your situation. But you have a choice about how you view it. –Chris Pine Many, many people of late have been bemoaning what a horrible year 2016 was, and how grateful they are that it’s over. So many deaths, from pop idols like George Michael and Prince; classical music icons like composer Pierre Boulez and conductor Neville Marriner; actors Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds—the list goes on and on. And then there was the U.S. election . . . and the aftermath. Yep. Quite a year. But you know what else happened in 2016? More than half the world has now declared the death penalty illegal.  In Mumbai, volunteers cleaned up over 4000 tons of debris from their beaches.  Denmark became the very first country to declare that transgender is not a mental illness.  Caring citizens raised over one million dollars so the children of Philando Castile and Alton Ste...

Behold! I am making all things new. --Revelation 21 May the New Year be filled with every good blessing from God. God’s perfect grace and peace to you and yours as you pray. Monday  In Canada, today is Boxing Day, a day to give small gifts to postal carriers and other public servants. (Hint, hint.) Matthew 25:35-36 Tuesday  Is your church pledge up-to-date? The church (and other charitable organizations) depends on your pledged giving to meet our financial promises. Acts 20:28 Wednesday  Need help keeping a commitment? Share your intentions with a friend and ask them to keep you accountable. 2 John (the whole letter) Thursday  Was there something you didn’t get for Christmas that you really need? Someone else may need it, too. Buy two; donate one. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Friday  Animals have it harder in the winter. Consider feeding the birds or squirrels. If you have stray cats in yo...

This week, pause. Open your heart and your eyes to the wondrous beauty and mystery and magic of the Christmas miracle and the true Gift of the season. Wander and ponder through “ Sharon’s Christmas Prayer ,” by John Shea. Merry Christmas! Monday  “She was sure of the facts, and recited them with slow solemnity, convinced every word was revelation.” Isaiah 9:6-7 Tuesday  “She said they were so poor they only had peanut butter and jelly to eat, and they went a long way from home without getting lost.” Luke 2:1-4 Wednesday  “The lady rode a donkey, the man walked, and the baby was inside the lady. They had to stay in a stable with an ox and an ass ( hee hee ).” Matthew 5:3-10 Thursday  “But the Three Rich Men found them because a star lited the roof.” Matthew 2:1-12 Friday  “Shepherds came and you could pet the sheep but not feed them.” Luke 2:8-12 Saturday  “Then the baby w...

When we talk about communities, we seldom discuss the margins. But for every person nestled comfortably in the bosom of a community, there is someone else on the outskirts, feeling ambivalent. Ambiguous. Excluded. Unwilling or unable to come more fully into the fold. –Adam Mansbach My husband and I are part of a group with common goals, and presumably a similar commitment to reaching those goals. We meet once a week to share successes and less-than-successful weeks. Usually, we come away invigorated, affirmed and ready to go. But last week was different. Last week, at one point, the group leader made a statement. (I’m paraphrasing here, to protect the folks involved.) If you don’t do exactly this, then you don’t belong in this group. Immediately, my mind left the meeting and I wondered how often we, as the church, say similar things without thinking about it. Baptized (or not) as an infant? Not in our church! Don’t believe the world was created in seven days...