Tuesday, September 30, 2008

There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught.

~ J.C. Watts

Doing the right thing. The fiber of the moral universe is such that we are not held accountable for everything we do wrong. But it is such that eventually, if we make it a pattern, it will catch up with us. The current meltdown in the financial sector is an example of this. When greed and a failure to care for the needs of others is given free reign, eventually there are significant consequences. So let's not just lament the loss in assets but also remember the deeper ethical and moral capital woven into the fabric of life itself.

Monday, September 29, 2008

You don't stop laughing because you grow old;

You grow old because you stop laughing.

~ Michael Pritchard

We have often heard laughter is indeed the best of medicines. This is particularly true in times of stress and uncertainty. Faith that is sour or takes itself too seriously is part of the problem. So let's have a laugh at our own foibles and the follies of the world.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens. 

~ J.R.R. Tolkien

Difficult times enter into every relationship and situation. Keeping faith with others in the midst of this reality is one way that we embody the love of Christ. The gospel witness is that God keeps faith with us, even when we break faith with God. To the extent that we reflect this same love to others we are allowing the light of Christ to shine through our lives.

May you let that light shine today.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

In the eyes of faith, happiness is wanting what you get

With the recent collapse on Wall Street we would do well to remember what our faith teaches. We are to be content with what we have. The greed and usury that seems to be the cause of this crisis is the mirror opposite of this contentment. Perhaps this moment of crisis is an invitation to come back to a deeper trust in the only real security and remember the deeper wisdom of our faith.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are. 

~ Bertolt Brecht

"Change," it is the theme of both political parties. Change is important and needed in life. If we have a bad day we can look forward to waking up to a new day that will be a fresh opportunity. Things will change. 

Faith gives us the gift that all this change is not just one day after another, but instead a meaningful process lead by God's compassion and grace.

Monday, September 22, 2008

The ideal life is in our blood and never will be still. Sad will be the day for anyone when we become contented with the thoughts we are thinking and the deeds we are doing – where there is not forever beating at the doors of our souls some great desire to do something larger, which we know that we were meant and made to do. 

~ Phillips Brooks

Life is a process of going on, of growth and journeying. Today a new small group begins at Old South Church. It is called "Saving Jesus." The people who are part of that journey will be called to grow in their relationship with and understanding of Jesus. Please keep us in your prayers. And may we all find ways to "never be still" and keep moving as we journey.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

It is in spending oneself the one becomes rich.

~ Sarah Bernhardt (with thanks to Maria)

To live a life of generous giving is the goal of our faith. It may be a counter-cultural message in a world of greed and consumption, but it is the way to a life that is blessed and truly rich. Today let's spend ourselves for God and others and know riches beyond the swings of Wall street.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

What we give determines our wealth, not what we get.

Wealth may be defined in different ways. In our popular culture of material wealth and spiritual poverty, wealth is how much we have and keep for ourselves. Yet in God's economy, wealth is about sharing, giving and relationship. While God's way may seem to be a challenge it is the way to true peace and deeper happiness. So may we be the giving and generous people God calls us to be.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

It is our sympathy with all creatures that truly makes us human. 

Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, we will not find peace. 

~ Albert Schweitzer

We may strive for success, for knowledge, for security but until we strive for compassion we will not have what we and our world needs most. So in our many concerns and activities today let's put compassion as our first concern.

Monday, September 15, 2008

It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.

~ Francis of Assisi

Walking the walk, living out our faith practices, that is what we need to do. Acting and doing in the world is the best preaching.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Compassion invests whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others.

Compassion is the great need of our lives and the world. The opposite, turning away from others, breaking into opposing groups and, ultimately, resorts to violence, is the source of much of the suffering in life. To be a person of faith is to embody compassion and so invest ourselves in the healing of others. This not only heals the hurts of the world, it makes us whole as well. So may we be channels of God's compassion today.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Of all powers, love is the most powerful and the most powerless. It is the most powerful because it alone can conquer that final and most impregnable stronghold which is the human heart. It is the most powerless because it can do nothing except by consent.

~ Frederick Buechner

"God is love" (1 John 4:8 & 16). Love/God can do nothing except by consent. Will you offer yours today and allow Love to reign?

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Nothing whatever pertaining to godliness and real holiness can be accomplished without grace.

~ St. Augustine

Spiritual formation is not something we manage alone. Even the desire to grow in spirit, understanding, and service is a gift God implants in our hearts. So while it is a gift we need to nurture, it truly is a partnership between God's grace and our efforts. So ask for and look for help as you seek to grow in faith. It is not a road we travel alone.

Monday, September 8, 2008

An argument is often the longest distance between two points of view.

Ever convince someone whose perspective is very different from yours? It rarely happens. 

In this upcoming political season lets understand that arguing your way to agreement is a bit like driving your car more to reduce your fuel budget. While there certainly is a place for lively conversation and dialogue, there are limits to what they can accomplish. Working to respect differences and accept others is always needed in any relationship or community. It's harder work than simply arguing but it is the best way to bring together different points of view.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Parents can tell but never teach,

until they practice what they preach.

~ Arnold Glasow

We like to tell others how they ought to be and do. Yet unless we are fully practicing what we preach we need to be careful with our correction. What we do far outweighs what we say.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

I cannot do everything, but I can do something.

And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.

~ Edward Everett Hale

Each of us has a part to play. We cannot do it all, repair all breaches or meet all needs.  Yet we can do our small part. 

May you be empowered by the grace of God to do your part today.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Heaven is blessed with perfect rest

but the blessing of earth is toil.

~ Henry van Dyke

As we celebrate Labor Day and as students are underway with a new school year, we might reflect of the blessing of work. Labor that is meaningful gives live purpose and the individual dignity. We can easily see work as only toil, but the Christian practice of seeing work as a calling, as something more, is important here.

So as summer moves away in the rear-view, let's welcome the blessings of work and strive to seek the deeper meaning.