There is a danger, when one has some influence over others' lives, that he or she will use that power or influence for their own gain, either by benefitting those who can benefit him/her, or through direct gain by their abuse of power and influence. Politicians, judges, parole boards, economic czars and executives, corporate execs, bosses, police officers, military leaders, pastors and others need to look with sober judgment at the uses of their power and influence.
In People of the Way of Jesus worship on Sunday, Minister Ron Williams preached and blessed us with a word on the unjust judge and the widow from Luke 18. It was very enlightening and sparked a great discussion over our Agape Meal. It also provoked powerful prayer. The teaching about the judge's disregard for God and human beings, brought us to see that he was not motivated by what was right and good for others, or right and good according to God's will, but what would benefit him politically or economically. The widow "pestered" him until she got a just judgment, so he was also motivated by what was most comfortable or expedient for him at the time. It was inspiring to see how her persistence in demanding justice worked, and hopeful with regard to many voices joining together to demand justice.
When economic leaders, politicians and others with authority, power or influence do not do what is right... parole boards, etc. ... they need to hear about it. We must get beyond our complacency, apathy and comfortability to demand what is right and just for all people, and especially, like the poor widow, the most vulnerable in our society. Injustice for ANYONE is injustice done to ALL. Many voices, persistent for long periods of time, especially in prayer... will have an effect even on those motivated by their own political or economic gain... and GOD, who IS just, will hear and bring justice in God's time and God's way.
So, pray...
Shed your ignorance of issues, complacency, apathy and comfortability...
and Speak Justice to Power...
Demand what is just and right for all, and especially for the most vulnerable in our society...
and do it persistently... for they count on you to not know anything about what is going on, to not want to risk what you have, and to have a short memory, and that your fervor for justice will subside after a short time, so that INJUSTICE and UNRIGHTEOUS actions may be taken with impunity.
Silence and absence imply complacency and apathy, which are interpreted as agreement or compliance... that is what the UNJUST count on... let's give them intentional, persistent, organized, multi-faceted and powerful pressure to do the right thing! Let's be aware of what is going on... shrewd as a snake and unmixed as a dove... and work toward justice... let's be inspired by the poor widow, Rosa Parks, Dr. King, William Wallace, Martin Luther, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Bishop Oscar Romero, Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Cornell West... whoever has been willing to speak truth and justice to power, and do so through letters, petitions, demonstrations, discussions and ballots...
...because those with authority, power and influence NEED us to do that, lest they go down the wrong path for the wrong reasons!
...because those who have no voice, no power and no influence NEED us to do that, lest they simply continue to be abused.
Pastor Jamie
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Selective "pro-life"
I am always amazed at the selective embracing of life for those who claim to be "right to life"...
as I am often amazed at our inconsistencies... yes, I have my own...
Claiming to be "right to life", many also are in favor of CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, the invasion and occupation of foreign countries (with guns and bombs, of course), the covert, "surgical removal" of people who trouble us in other countries, and for the right to kill an intruder in one's home... some more radical folks are in favor of bombing abortion clinics and murdering doctors who perform abortions... many or most, while supporting legislation that will take away any assistance that might give children WHO ARE LIVING NOW a greater quality of life!
I am just saying that we must recognize the blatant inconsistencies we put out there. The question becomes "whose right to life?" or more accurately... "who gets to choose and under what circumstances?"
Rather than ERR ON THE SIDE OF GRACE, we jump in with both feet and then rationalize, justify and legislate our prejudices with regard to life... the RIGHT TO A QUALITY OF LIFE I address on many other blogs... but the question of whose lives we value and whose we do not is the issue.
Troy Davis is to be executed on Wednesday in Georgia, which just happens to be the same evening my wife and I will celebrate our marriage on a beach in Key West with friends. (No, we did not plan it that way.) I will be thinking about that, to be sure. We try to deter people from killing people by killing people. We try to teach society that killing people is wrong by killing people, just to show them.
A Republican presidential hopeful from Texas was interviewed over his origination and support of a law to have girls vaccinated against the STD that leads to cervical cancer, an effort that was tied to money he received from those who put out the serum. He denied that that was his reason for making it a law in his state and said that it was instead because "in Texas we value life". Texas has one of the strictest capital punishment statutes in the country. They execute more people than most any other state. Yet, their murder rate is also still one of the highest in the country. I think they are a good case study in how capital punishment is NOT a deterrent to violent crimes. Violent people do violent acts is what it proves.
"In Texas, we value life." Whose?
We will take another person's life, but only if...
"it was him/her or me"
"it was an accident"
"it was temporary insanity"
"it was in the throws of passion"
"he/she had it comin'"
"I was just following orders"
"he/she was in the wrong place at the wrong time"
"it is the law of the land"
If society or segments of society agree upon and take revenge, does it stop being revenge?
is it not still a vengeful act?
When a group of us decide that we have the right to take a life, does that make it "right"?
which group that does that is right then, and which is wrong?
It is all so "civilized" and legal... we are a very sophisticated mob doing this violence.
like wearing a tux to a lynching... like serving tea and cookies outside the gas chamber...
like setting off fireworks when the electric chair gets turned on...
yes, these are ridiculous images... but we are not so far removed from the crowd gathered
at the tree or the gallows ... from selling peanuts as the christians are eaten by lions...
we can dress it up all we want, but it is still barbaric, uncivilized and wrong
I follow a Lord who was wrongly accused, pushed through a mock trial, tortured, mocked and
executed... I wear his "electric chair"/"syringe"/"gallows" around my neck... He identified with those
who go through such things... I KNOW that we who perpetrate them are not following Him...
It is wrong, according to the values I have grown to embrace because I follow Him...
More hatred does not end hatred. It fuels it. Only LOVE ends hatred.
"An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind." Gandhi, oh yes, and Jesus (Matthew 5:38-42)
"Vengeance is MINE, I will repay", says The Lord. (Deuteronomy 32:35-36; Romans 12:14-21)
Pastor Jamie
P.S. I will be blogging again after September 25... there are a lot of these musings in this blog that you have not read yet, so this is your chance to catch up :-)
as I am often amazed at our inconsistencies... yes, I have my own...
Claiming to be "right to life", many also are in favor of CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, the invasion and occupation of foreign countries (with guns and bombs, of course), the covert, "surgical removal" of people who trouble us in other countries, and for the right to kill an intruder in one's home... some more radical folks are in favor of bombing abortion clinics and murdering doctors who perform abortions... many or most, while supporting legislation that will take away any assistance that might give children WHO ARE LIVING NOW a greater quality of life!
I am just saying that we must recognize the blatant inconsistencies we put out there. The question becomes "whose right to life?" or more accurately... "who gets to choose and under what circumstances?"
Rather than ERR ON THE SIDE OF GRACE, we jump in with both feet and then rationalize, justify and legislate our prejudices with regard to life... the RIGHT TO A QUALITY OF LIFE I address on many other blogs... but the question of whose lives we value and whose we do not is the issue.
Troy Davis is to be executed on Wednesday in Georgia, which just happens to be the same evening my wife and I will celebrate our marriage on a beach in Key West with friends. (No, we did not plan it that way.) I will be thinking about that, to be sure. We try to deter people from killing people by killing people. We try to teach society that killing people is wrong by killing people, just to show them.
A Republican presidential hopeful from Texas was interviewed over his origination and support of a law to have girls vaccinated against the STD that leads to cervical cancer, an effort that was tied to money he received from those who put out the serum. He denied that that was his reason for making it a law in his state and said that it was instead because "in Texas we value life". Texas has one of the strictest capital punishment statutes in the country. They execute more people than most any other state. Yet, their murder rate is also still one of the highest in the country. I think they are a good case study in how capital punishment is NOT a deterrent to violent crimes. Violent people do violent acts is what it proves.
"In Texas, we value life." Whose?
We will take another person's life, but only if...
"it was him/her or me"
"it was an accident"
"it was temporary insanity"
"it was in the throws of passion"
"he/she had it comin'"
"I was just following orders"
"he/she was in the wrong place at the wrong time"
"it is the law of the land"
If society or segments of society agree upon and take revenge, does it stop being revenge?
is it not still a vengeful act?
When a group of us decide that we have the right to take a life, does that make it "right"?
which group that does that is right then, and which is wrong?
It is all so "civilized" and legal... we are a very sophisticated mob doing this violence.
like wearing a tux to a lynching... like serving tea and cookies outside the gas chamber...
like setting off fireworks when the electric chair gets turned on...
yes, these are ridiculous images... but we are not so far removed from the crowd gathered
at the tree or the gallows ... from selling peanuts as the christians are eaten by lions...
we can dress it up all we want, but it is still barbaric, uncivilized and wrong
I follow a Lord who was wrongly accused, pushed through a mock trial, tortured, mocked and
executed... I wear his "electric chair"/"syringe"/"gallows" around my neck... He identified with those
who go through such things... I KNOW that we who perpetrate them are not following Him...
It is wrong, according to the values I have grown to embrace because I follow Him...
More hatred does not end hatred. It fuels it. Only LOVE ends hatred.
"An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind." Gandhi, oh yes, and Jesus (Matthew 5:38-42)
"Vengeance is MINE, I will repay", says The Lord. (Deuteronomy 32:35-36; Romans 12:14-21)
Pastor Jamie
P.S. I will be blogging again after September 25... there are a lot of these musings in this blog that you have not read yet, so this is your chance to catch up :-)
Monday, September 12, 2011
America's Diseases
"Acquisitivitis" - the sickness of extreme desire to always acquire more (of whatever)...
"Affluenza" - the sickness of extreme desire to be affluent or more affluent than others around one
Cornell West in his radio show with Tavis Smiley last week spoke in terms of addiction. We are addicted to always getting more... the nature of greed is that, no matter how much one has beyond what is enough, one will continue to want "more" because "more" is out there.
We want more money. We want more things that money can buy. We want more power. We want more control over others so we can get more. We want more of what we want, how we want it and when we want it, and we will do anything necessary to get it, no matter what it costs!
The price for acting on these diseases is great, and not just for those who have the diseases!
Others pay the price, because we will do what we must to get more at someone else's expense! We will fill our houses with the cheap goods we get from exploited workers in some far off land who have to work long hours for little pay so that we can have what we want at "a good price". When our houses are full, way beyond any capacity of enough, we buy bigger houses to store more stuff (sound like the Rich Fool in Luke 12 yet?)
If we have to pay more because someone is making a living wage to make what we want, we will go to someone less scrupulous, who will be glad to sell us goods which are cheaper because someone else paid the price so that we might have them.
We will pollute the earth we live on... the water we drink... the air we breath, so that we can get what we want... gasoline (instead of other forms of energy), charcoal for our grills, polystyrene and plastics, clothing that is cheap, fuel that is cheaper than anywhere else in the world... we kill species of plants and animals, we waste our natural resources of trees, water, fish and animals... we pump poisons into our own air, water and into our own lands (and overseas)... we want what we want, and we will do what we have to to get it... there is a very strong sense of entitlement here... not matter what...
The price for acting on these diseases is great to us, too. Some folks work themselves to death, to get "more", always more. We neglect the true gifts of family, friends, time off, the quiet pleasures and simple joys that cost nothing in order to make "more", always more... we are destroying the planet we live on... the creation of God... of which we are a part of over which we have been called to be good stewards...
We think it means security, but it is a false security. It erodes security. We make enemies out of our exploitation of others and greed. That makes us less secure. Instead of coming together to secure a better life for everyone and thereby gaining the respect, admiration and care of others, we use others for what we can get, thinking that what we gain can be secure. The money we put away is not secure itself, and the truth is that the more we make the more we spend anyway, so that very few have a "nest egg" or "rainy day fund". Our pensions are certainly not secure and neither are our jobs right now.
We think it means comfort. It is NOT comfortable for those exploited so that we can have what we want cheaply. It leaves much of the world uncomfortable, which eventually will affect our comfort zone as well. It will not be comfortable for long, when one realizes that the comfort one has has been gained off the backs of others who know that. It is not about comfort... we cannot, when we are in the grip of greed, be comfortable, because we cannot be satisfied with what we have... it's not about what we have and being thankful and grateful for it, but always about getting "more", always more. There is no comfort allowed in that striving.
We think it means success. It is a false success. We cannot savor the success, because we must always strive for "higher", "more" and "better". There is always more of that out there, and we are not truly a success until we have "it all", or "the highest" or "the best". Instead of marking success from a community perspective, making sure that all have enough and considering that none of us is a success if all of us are not successes, we make it a very individual, solitary and isolated venture... self-ish... self- centered... self-consumed... and others "be damned". "I will get it... take care of your own... I'm number one!" Instead of employers realizing that it is good business to pay people well and treat them well so that they stay and produce, rather than use them up and have to train replacements all the time... instead of showing loyalty to their employees in tough times by taking less profit rather than laying them off, rather than padding their own pockets by bonuses gained by lifting profits by laying off workers... they are short sighted, selfish and unjust. That is no success at all. If all do not succeed, it is a failure of our humanity. Some are incapable of seeing that because the disease goes deeply for them.
We think it means happiness. Happiness is a fleeting and fickle thing. We sacrifice a deep, abiding joy in our soul's well-being, relationships and sharing in community, for the tentative and superficial happiness that comes, and goes quickly, from acquisitiveness and affluence. Seeing others who are unhappy, in need and hopeless because we want what we want should not be the source of our happiness. The plight of others does affect our joy, if we are not sociopathic by nature, so gaining fleeting happiness in things gotten off the plight of others cannot add to our deep, abiding joy... only to our fickle, fleeting happiness. And that cannot be sustained.
We sacrifice healthy relationships and the joy in them, healthy bodies, healthy and peaceful minds and souls that are inseparably connected to the God who demands Agape Love (active, committed, unconditional and self-sacrificing love) for our neighbors AS FOR OURSELVES. We cannot be healthy and be subject to acquisitivitis or affluenza. We cannot be whole or complete and submit to these diseases.
Enough IS enough. To combat the greedy, ruthless, mean-spirited, selfish diseases mentioned above, one can realize what is enough and be THANKFUL for what one ALREADY HAS... people (family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, neighbors), possibilities, opportunities in community and peace within. One can be satisfied with what one already has... give to those who do not have enough, which will peak their joy... with a grateful heart celebrate the joy of that satisfaction and fullness. One can let go of the guarded quest to keep what one has at any price, and the fearful striving of needing to always get more at any cost, and be joy-filled... which, by the way, will lead to others around us being more joy-filled and whole, complete and at peace in justice.
We cannot live in acquisitiveness and greed and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in the world around us:
LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, FAITHFULNESS,
GENTLENESS and SELF-CONTROL... Gal. 5
We cannot be selfish, self-centered and self-consumed and "look not only to your own interests, but to
the interests of others." Phil. 2
We cannot love God fully or love Neighbor AS ONESELF, and actively work to exclude or exploit
others for our own gain; doing that, we cannot keep Jesus' commandment. Matt. 22
We cannot be ruthless, mean-spirited and sociopathic and be faithful to God in the world around us -
What causes wars, and what causes fightings among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members? You desire and do not have; so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend on your own passions... James 4
Acquisitivitis and Affluenza lead to exploitation, exclusion, the invasion and occupation of foreign lands (whether with our military or corporate colonizers), keeping people down and the SICKNESS UNTO DEATH OF OUR SOULS.
What cost will we continue to pay, in order to have it all? What cost will others continue to pay for it?
How long do YOU think we can keep doing this?
Pastor Jamie
"Affluenza" - the sickness of extreme desire to be affluent or more affluent than others around one
Cornell West in his radio show with Tavis Smiley last week spoke in terms of addiction. We are addicted to always getting more... the nature of greed is that, no matter how much one has beyond what is enough, one will continue to want "more" because "more" is out there.
We want more money. We want more things that money can buy. We want more power. We want more control over others so we can get more. We want more of what we want, how we want it and when we want it, and we will do anything necessary to get it, no matter what it costs!
The price for acting on these diseases is great, and not just for those who have the diseases!
Others pay the price, because we will do what we must to get more at someone else's expense! We will fill our houses with the cheap goods we get from exploited workers in some far off land who have to work long hours for little pay so that we can have what we want at "a good price". When our houses are full, way beyond any capacity of enough, we buy bigger houses to store more stuff (sound like the Rich Fool in Luke 12 yet?)
If we have to pay more because someone is making a living wage to make what we want, we will go to someone less scrupulous, who will be glad to sell us goods which are cheaper because someone else paid the price so that we might have them.
We will pollute the earth we live on... the water we drink... the air we breath, so that we can get what we want... gasoline (instead of other forms of energy), charcoal for our grills, polystyrene and plastics, clothing that is cheap, fuel that is cheaper than anywhere else in the world... we kill species of plants and animals, we waste our natural resources of trees, water, fish and animals... we pump poisons into our own air, water and into our own lands (and overseas)... we want what we want, and we will do what we have to to get it... there is a very strong sense of entitlement here... not matter what...
The price for acting on these diseases is great to us, too. Some folks work themselves to death, to get "more", always more. We neglect the true gifts of family, friends, time off, the quiet pleasures and simple joys that cost nothing in order to make "more", always more... we are destroying the planet we live on... the creation of God... of which we are a part of over which we have been called to be good stewards...
We think it means security, but it is a false security. It erodes security. We make enemies out of our exploitation of others and greed. That makes us less secure. Instead of coming together to secure a better life for everyone and thereby gaining the respect, admiration and care of others, we use others for what we can get, thinking that what we gain can be secure. The money we put away is not secure itself, and the truth is that the more we make the more we spend anyway, so that very few have a "nest egg" or "rainy day fund". Our pensions are certainly not secure and neither are our jobs right now.
We think it means comfort. It is NOT comfortable for those exploited so that we can have what we want cheaply. It leaves much of the world uncomfortable, which eventually will affect our comfort zone as well. It will not be comfortable for long, when one realizes that the comfort one has has been gained off the backs of others who know that. It is not about comfort... we cannot, when we are in the grip of greed, be comfortable, because we cannot be satisfied with what we have... it's not about what we have and being thankful and grateful for it, but always about getting "more", always more. There is no comfort allowed in that striving.
We think it means success. It is a false success. We cannot savor the success, because we must always strive for "higher", "more" and "better". There is always more of that out there, and we are not truly a success until we have "it all", or "the highest" or "the best". Instead of marking success from a community perspective, making sure that all have enough and considering that none of us is a success if all of us are not successes, we make it a very individual, solitary and isolated venture... self-ish... self- centered... self-consumed... and others "be damned". "I will get it... take care of your own... I'm number one!" Instead of employers realizing that it is good business to pay people well and treat them well so that they stay and produce, rather than use them up and have to train replacements all the time... instead of showing loyalty to their employees in tough times by taking less profit rather than laying them off, rather than padding their own pockets by bonuses gained by lifting profits by laying off workers... they are short sighted, selfish and unjust. That is no success at all. If all do not succeed, it is a failure of our humanity. Some are incapable of seeing that because the disease goes deeply for them.
We think it means happiness. Happiness is a fleeting and fickle thing. We sacrifice a deep, abiding joy in our soul's well-being, relationships and sharing in community, for the tentative and superficial happiness that comes, and goes quickly, from acquisitiveness and affluence. Seeing others who are unhappy, in need and hopeless because we want what we want should not be the source of our happiness. The plight of others does affect our joy, if we are not sociopathic by nature, so gaining fleeting happiness in things gotten off the plight of others cannot add to our deep, abiding joy... only to our fickle, fleeting happiness. And that cannot be sustained.
We sacrifice healthy relationships and the joy in them, healthy bodies, healthy and peaceful minds and souls that are inseparably connected to the God who demands Agape Love (active, committed, unconditional and self-sacrificing love) for our neighbors AS FOR OURSELVES. We cannot be healthy and be subject to acquisitivitis or affluenza. We cannot be whole or complete and submit to these diseases.
Enough IS enough. To combat the greedy, ruthless, mean-spirited, selfish diseases mentioned above, one can realize what is enough and be THANKFUL for what one ALREADY HAS... people (family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, neighbors), possibilities, opportunities in community and peace within. One can be satisfied with what one already has... give to those who do not have enough, which will peak their joy... with a grateful heart celebrate the joy of that satisfaction and fullness. One can let go of the guarded quest to keep what one has at any price, and the fearful striving of needing to always get more at any cost, and be joy-filled... which, by the way, will lead to others around us being more joy-filled and whole, complete and at peace in justice.
We cannot live in acquisitiveness and greed and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in the world around us:
LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, FAITHFULNESS,
GENTLENESS and SELF-CONTROL... Gal. 5
We cannot be selfish, self-centered and self-consumed and "look not only to your own interests, but to
the interests of others." Phil. 2
We cannot love God fully or love Neighbor AS ONESELF, and actively work to exclude or exploit
others for our own gain; doing that, we cannot keep Jesus' commandment. Matt. 22
We cannot be ruthless, mean-spirited and sociopathic and be faithful to God in the world around us -
What causes wars, and what causes fightings among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members? You desire and do not have; so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend on your own passions... James 4
Acquisitivitis and Affluenza lead to exploitation, exclusion, the invasion and occupation of foreign lands (whether with our military or corporate colonizers), keeping people down and the SICKNESS UNTO DEATH OF OUR SOULS.
What cost will we continue to pay, in order to have it all? What cost will others continue to pay for it?
How long do YOU think we can keep doing this?
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Remembering
Remembering all those who lost their lives on that day...
Remembering all who have lost their lives, civilians, soldiers
and others in lands we occupy... Iraq, Afghanistan... since that day...
Remembering all who have lost their jobs, homes, pensions...
Remembering all who have lost because of injustice...
Remembering all who have heroically striven to help, to save
to change, to lift up, to voice wrongs and make rights...
Remembering that we are ALL connected to God and inseparably
therefore linked to each other, that we must LOVE our neighbor
(even enemy and stranger) as we love our selves, and that the
best way to destroy an enemy is to make them a brother/sister...
Remembering all who have lost their lives, civilians, soldiers
and others in lands we occupy... Iraq, Afghanistan... since that day...
Remembering all who have lost their jobs, homes, pensions...
Remembering all who have lost because of injustice...
Remembering all who have heroically striven to help, to save
to change, to lift up, to voice wrongs and make rights...
Remembering that we are ALL connected to God and inseparably
therefore linked to each other, that we must LOVE our neighbor
(even enemy and stranger) as we love our selves, and that the
best way to destroy an enemy is to make them a brother/sister...
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Jesus and Salvation
I know that many or most believers are focused on PERSONAL
salvation based on "the one who believes and is baptized shall be saved."
Jesus, however teaches quite clearly that it is NOT just about "me and Jesus."
Our salvation is, according to Jesus, at least partly dependent upon how
we treat the poor, stranger and enemy... especially how the wealthy do...
Matthew 19:16-22 The man had kept the law. He wanted salvation.
He asked what he lacked. Jesus told him to sell all he had, give to the
poor and follow Jesus. He went away sad, because he could not help
but value his earthly treasures over his obedience to Jesus and concern
for the poor. It was about what he had and would keep.
Jesus immediately then tells of how hard it will be for the rich to enter
the Kingdom... the first shall be last and the last, first according to Jesus.
Jesus also addressed salvation and the rich in Luke 16:19-31. The rich
man stepped over the poor man at his gate. He ignored his plight. He then
died and went to hell for it. Even in death, in hell, the rich man had the
audacity to think he could order Abraham about, and to get Lazarus to
be his personal servant, though he was in hell and Lazarus in heaven.
He then asked to have Lazarus sent as his messenger to his brothers, who
would no more believe Moses and the Prophets than he did... that his
wealth was not necessarily a sign of God's favor...
Jesus taught about the Rich Fool in Luke 12:15-21. He accumulated
wealth, and when he had more than enough, he made it possible to get
and keep even more. He died and it was all for nothing. Acquiring more
and keeping all that one can get for oneself is not a Kingdom value. I
believe to be a fool at death, according to Jesus, will mean something bad
for me.
Jesus, the judge of all creation, upon His return, will judge at least in part
on how we treated others and therefore, treated Him... Matthew 25:31-46
gives us a vision of His return and how those of us who are goats for not
"feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned
and welcoming the stranger (immigrant)", are not to enter the Kingdom...
because as we refused them, we refused Jesus.
Is that astounding to you? Scary?
It is to me! In the world, I am considered one of the wealthy as a middle
class American. My salvation, it turns out, according to Jesus, the Judge
of the Living and the Dead, is contingent upon my treatment of the poor.
It is also scary because our nation is concerned with keeping what we have
and getting more, rather than concern for the poor.
It is also scary because the church remains silent regarding economic
justice and the sin of greed, afraid to offend wealthy members, it reflects the
greed of the nation.
It is also scary because individuals are getting more and more mean-
spirited about getting theirs and keeping it, getting more and ignoring others,
exploiting others for their own gain, or keeping others from getting what
they need.
It is also scary because our nation's politicians actively write laws to hurt
the poor and benefit the rich... both among our own people and in the
world.
So, how wealthy are YOU compared to the average world citizen, whom God,
the God of all nations, loves?
How are you doing with your concern for the poor and committed action on
their behalf (Agape Love)?
Where are you with Jesus, who says that those who are rich and who ignore
the poor, use the poor, concern themselves only with keeping what they have and
getting more and do not welcome immigrants (legal or illegal), are in deep trouble
with Him at the judgment?
It is about "you and Jesus". It is just not ALL about "you and Jesus".
We are in trouble as a nation, church, individuals... with Jesus.
It is time for repentance. It is time to LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR (even stranger
and enemy) as a part of how we LOVE GOD with all that we have.
Pastor Jamie
salvation based on "the one who believes and is baptized shall be saved."
Jesus, however teaches quite clearly that it is NOT just about "me and Jesus."
Our salvation is, according to Jesus, at least partly dependent upon how
we treat the poor, stranger and enemy... especially how the wealthy do...
Matthew 19:16-22 The man had kept the law. He wanted salvation.
He asked what he lacked. Jesus told him to sell all he had, give to the
poor and follow Jesus. He went away sad, because he could not help
but value his earthly treasures over his obedience to Jesus and concern
for the poor. It was about what he had and would keep.
Jesus immediately then tells of how hard it will be for the rich to enter
the Kingdom... the first shall be last and the last, first according to Jesus.
Jesus also addressed salvation and the rich in Luke 16:19-31. The rich
man stepped over the poor man at his gate. He ignored his plight. He then
died and went to hell for it. Even in death, in hell, the rich man had the
audacity to think he could order Abraham about, and to get Lazarus to
be his personal servant, though he was in hell and Lazarus in heaven.
He then asked to have Lazarus sent as his messenger to his brothers, who
would no more believe Moses and the Prophets than he did... that his
wealth was not necessarily a sign of God's favor...
Jesus taught about the Rich Fool in Luke 12:15-21. He accumulated
wealth, and when he had more than enough, he made it possible to get
and keep even more. He died and it was all for nothing. Acquiring more
and keeping all that one can get for oneself is not a Kingdom value. I
believe to be a fool at death, according to Jesus, will mean something bad
for me.
Jesus, the judge of all creation, upon His return, will judge at least in part
on how we treated others and therefore, treated Him... Matthew 25:31-46
gives us a vision of His return and how those of us who are goats for not
"feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned
and welcoming the stranger (immigrant)", are not to enter the Kingdom...
because as we refused them, we refused Jesus.
Is that astounding to you? Scary?
It is to me! In the world, I am considered one of the wealthy as a middle
class American. My salvation, it turns out, according to Jesus, the Judge
of the Living and the Dead, is contingent upon my treatment of the poor.
It is also scary because our nation is concerned with keeping what we have
and getting more, rather than concern for the poor.
It is also scary because the church remains silent regarding economic
justice and the sin of greed, afraid to offend wealthy members, it reflects the
greed of the nation.
It is also scary because individuals are getting more and more mean-
spirited about getting theirs and keeping it, getting more and ignoring others,
exploiting others for their own gain, or keeping others from getting what
they need.
It is also scary because our nation's politicians actively write laws to hurt
the poor and benefit the rich... both among our own people and in the
world.
So, how wealthy are YOU compared to the average world citizen, whom God,
the God of all nations, loves?
How are you doing with your concern for the poor and committed action on
their behalf (Agape Love)?
Where are you with Jesus, who says that those who are rich and who ignore
the poor, use the poor, concern themselves only with keeping what they have and
getting more and do not welcome immigrants (legal or illegal), are in deep trouble
with Him at the judgment?
It is about "you and Jesus". It is just not ALL about "you and Jesus".
We are in trouble as a nation, church, individuals... with Jesus.
It is time for repentance. It is time to LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR (even stranger
and enemy) as a part of how we LOVE GOD with all that we have.
Pastor Jamie
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Re-gentrification
means to "re-populate" with "gentry"... those of a higher class...
We are facing it in the Neighborhood Association where I live.
Many of the participants want to see property values go up, to
attract new businesses and see folks move into the neighborhood
who will be like them... folks who will take care of their property
and share their values. It seems reasonable enough.
They are now targeting the homeless as barriers to this, and are
actively seeking to move them out of the neighborhood.
Here's the thing -
Eventually, after the homeless are gone, it will be the low income
folks, the working poor - those who can afford to live here right
now, but who will not be able to fix up their places to the required
specifications like other residents will be able to do and demand,
who will see their property taxes go up and won't be able to afford
them, especially the folks, mostly elderly, mostly on fixed incomes,
who have lived here for thirty years. They will have to be displaced.
Privately owned businesses will not be able to afford the required
improvements and lease rates and/or taxes, so they will be replaced
by chains as bankers, realtors, real estate speculators and developers
come into the area and "improve" it.
The "gentry" will move in, the same kind of folks who lived here
over thirty years ago before the neighborhood "changed", buy up the
property and make it nice and neat.
And a community will be displaced... lost... those like King David
(II Samuel 12) addressed by Nathan the prophet, who have power
and wealth and who can do whatever they want to do, will get what they
want, wherever they want, regardless of who is hurt or what affects
the exile/diaspora will have on families, schools and those who have
less power and wealth.
The irony is that many who are clamoring for this now will not be
the ones who can afford to stay, but they do not see that coming yet.
When they do, it will be too late.
I want to live in a world and a community that VALUES everyone:
the black, brown, white, gay, straight, religious, spiritual, non-believers,
wealthy, working poor, public assistance recipients, homeless...
EVERYONE...
I don't want it to be that neat and tidy at the expense of "those people",
who are pushed out to find somewhere else to live, "as long as it's not
here."
It does damage to our souls individually and collectively to value our
property over people, profit over people and exclusivity over others' lives.
It seems to me that property has the value any individual places on it...
the meaning we attach to it... it is not more valuable because of some
"red" line drawn around a certain area that declares some are welcome
and some are excluded. It is only valuable to me because I like living
in that community, on that street and in that house. Truly, we don't own
anything. That is an illusion, as is the idea that some property is more
valuable than other property. It will be here long after we are gone...
individually and collectively.
Why not value PEOPLE who live here and now, even those who are
different and those who are poor, over property? Give it a try! God had
something to say about it through Amos (Chapter 8).
Why not mark "progress" as the coming together of people in support
of each other - building community. Jesus had something to say about
it (Luke 16; 20:45-47). The 1st Century Church responded to His
teachings and example and lived it (Acts 2:43-47; 4:32-37).
Perhaps the church that claims the name of Jesus could stand with and
for the poor, homeless and voiceless in these circumstances in city
neighborhoods!
Perhaps individual Christians could address it in communities and their
own neighborhood associations. Perhaps concerned neighbors and
citizens could do the same!
What is YOUR value? How will you voice it? How will you act on it?
Pastor Jamie
We are facing it in the Neighborhood Association where I live.
Many of the participants want to see property values go up, to
attract new businesses and see folks move into the neighborhood
who will be like them... folks who will take care of their property
and share their values. It seems reasonable enough.
They are now targeting the homeless as barriers to this, and are
actively seeking to move them out of the neighborhood.
Here's the thing -
Eventually, after the homeless are gone, it will be the low income
folks, the working poor - those who can afford to live here right
now, but who will not be able to fix up their places to the required
specifications like other residents will be able to do and demand,
who will see their property taxes go up and won't be able to afford
them, especially the folks, mostly elderly, mostly on fixed incomes,
who have lived here for thirty years. They will have to be displaced.
Privately owned businesses will not be able to afford the required
improvements and lease rates and/or taxes, so they will be replaced
by chains as bankers, realtors, real estate speculators and developers
come into the area and "improve" it.
The "gentry" will move in, the same kind of folks who lived here
over thirty years ago before the neighborhood "changed", buy up the
property and make it nice and neat.
And a community will be displaced... lost... those like King David
(II Samuel 12) addressed by Nathan the prophet, who have power
and wealth and who can do whatever they want to do, will get what they
want, wherever they want, regardless of who is hurt or what affects
the exile/diaspora will have on families, schools and those who have
less power and wealth.
The irony is that many who are clamoring for this now will not be
the ones who can afford to stay, but they do not see that coming yet.
When they do, it will be too late.
I want to live in a world and a community that VALUES everyone:
the black, brown, white, gay, straight, religious, spiritual, non-believers,
wealthy, working poor, public assistance recipients, homeless...
EVERYONE...
I don't want it to be that neat and tidy at the expense of "those people",
who are pushed out to find somewhere else to live, "as long as it's not
here."
It does damage to our souls individually and collectively to value our
property over people, profit over people and exclusivity over others' lives.
It seems to me that property has the value any individual places on it...
the meaning we attach to it... it is not more valuable because of some
"red" line drawn around a certain area that declares some are welcome
and some are excluded. It is only valuable to me because I like living
in that community, on that street and in that house. Truly, we don't own
anything. That is an illusion, as is the idea that some property is more
valuable than other property. It will be here long after we are gone...
individually and collectively.
Why not value PEOPLE who live here and now, even those who are
different and those who are poor, over property? Give it a try! God had
something to say about it through Amos (Chapter 8).
Why not mark "progress" as the coming together of people in support
of each other - building community. Jesus had something to say about
it (Luke 16; 20:45-47). The 1st Century Church responded to His
teachings and example and lived it (Acts 2:43-47; 4:32-37).
Perhaps the church that claims the name of Jesus could stand with and
for the poor, homeless and voiceless in these circumstances in city
neighborhoods!
Perhaps individual Christians could address it in communities and their
own neighborhood associations. Perhaps concerned neighbors and
citizens could do the same!
What is YOUR value? How will you voice it? How will you act on it?
Pastor Jamie
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
church
In my experience, considering 25 years of ordination and ministry
in a denomination, as an independent pastor and in hospice...
there are a number of different "kinds" of church...
I have known MUSEUM CHURCHES that have as their central
concern to preserve the past traditions of their congregation and/
or denomination. Like museums that display dead things, they lift
up their past and what they have done as if IT is the thing...
I have known SOCIAL CLUB churches that draw folks who love
to be with each other because they are homogenous, usually in race
and/or class, and who do ALL that they do to promote, promulgate and
preserve the club and club house, with little devotion, mention or
concern about the Lord of the church or those outside of it, as if IT is
the thing...
I have known MULTI-NATIONAL CORPORATION churches that
exist for exactly the reason they hear from the pulpit week after week,
to give their money to the church (pastor and other leaders) with the
promise that those who give "to God" will automatically get wealthy.
As in corporations, it is almost always only the Executives and a few
others that actually get wealthy in it. God is used as a means to the end
of more mammon, and the peoples' only value to the preacher is that they
will be present for the sake of numbers present and money given, which is
to many just fine, as they want to anonymously attend to get their weekly
personal "spiritual credit" toward heaven, as if IT is the thing...
I have also known BODIES OF BELIEVERS who come together to
give their love and devotion to God, grow in God's Word, give them-
selves (time, abilities, possessions) to God by lovingly serving God's
children (their brothers and sisters) in the world around them with true
witnesses of faith and love, physical help as others have need, and
standing as advocates in empowerment with those who need that, as
if THAT is the thing... and it IS!
THE THING is not about money. It is not about buildings. It is not about
large numbers. It is not about indoctrination to a particular theology, denomination,
preacher's doctrine or set of principles. It is not about being "the right ones"
and proving it by making everyone different to be wrong. It is not about meeting
with people "just like you." It is not about "me and Jesus" only, and being
entertained personally, reassured personally and used personally. It is about God in
community, community of believers with God and the community coming
together to share the love of God with each other in very real ways.
I suggest that you find a church community that is about THAT. Consider it
in prayer. Look for a church and pastor(s) that takes the teaching and example
of Jesus seriously as the vision for how church is called to be and what it is to
be in the world.
The church is a movement in faith and love, when it is in its fullest expression of
faithfulness. I pray for you that you will find that.
Rev. Jamie Kaufman
in a denomination, as an independent pastor and in hospice...
there are a number of different "kinds" of church...
I have known MUSEUM CHURCHES that have as their central
concern to preserve the past traditions of their congregation and/
or denomination. Like museums that display dead things, they lift
up their past and what they have done as if IT is the thing...
I have known SOCIAL CLUB churches that draw folks who love
to be with each other because they are homogenous, usually in race
and/or class, and who do ALL that they do to promote, promulgate and
preserve the club and club house, with little devotion, mention or
concern about the Lord of the church or those outside of it, as if IT is
the thing...
I have known MULTI-NATIONAL CORPORATION churches that
exist for exactly the reason they hear from the pulpit week after week,
to give their money to the church (pastor and other leaders) with the
promise that those who give "to God" will automatically get wealthy.
As in corporations, it is almost always only the Executives and a few
others that actually get wealthy in it. God is used as a means to the end
of more mammon, and the peoples' only value to the preacher is that they
will be present for the sake of numbers present and money given, which is
to many just fine, as they want to anonymously attend to get their weekly
personal "spiritual credit" toward heaven, as if IT is the thing...
I have also known BODIES OF BELIEVERS who come together to
give their love and devotion to God, grow in God's Word, give them-
selves (time, abilities, possessions) to God by lovingly serving God's
children (their brothers and sisters) in the world around them with true
witnesses of faith and love, physical help as others have need, and
standing as advocates in empowerment with those who need that, as
if THAT is the thing... and it IS!
THE THING is not about money. It is not about buildings. It is not about
large numbers. It is not about indoctrination to a particular theology, denomination,
preacher's doctrine or set of principles. It is not about being "the right ones"
and proving it by making everyone different to be wrong. It is not about meeting
with people "just like you." It is not about "me and Jesus" only, and being
entertained personally, reassured personally and used personally. It is about God in
community, community of believers with God and the community coming
together to share the love of God with each other in very real ways.
I suggest that you find a church community that is about THAT. Consider it
in prayer. Look for a church and pastor(s) that takes the teaching and example
of Jesus seriously as the vision for how church is called to be and what it is to
be in the world.
The church is a movement in faith and love, when it is in its fullest expression of
faithfulness. I pray for you that you will find that.
Rev. Jamie Kaufman
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Labor and Kingdom Values
Matthew 20:1-16... yes, please actually read it...
According to Jesus, the Kingdom of God values people over profit, and goes beyond "fairness" when it comes to what people need.
Please note that those who have not been hired... those left behind in employment, were provided for...
Please note that the owner (employer) was MORE THAN fair with ALL of them... the ones who had worked the day got the days wage, but those who came later still needed to feed their families, and so they were given what they needed for their families as well. When challenged by those who wanted more, the owner of the vineyard (God), stated boldly that they should not question the generosity shown. Oh yes, and "the last shall be first and the first, last."
Kingdom Values could help us with labor today.
God wants us to be beyond fair with those who need to feed their families.
If we were to live the Kingdom Values Jesus teaches us in this parable and elsewhere...
We would not destroy the vineyard as our sustainer of life by polluting, wasting or destroying it...
Employers would not lay off people in tough times, but take less profit willingly for the sake of
making sure everyone could feed their families...
CEO's would not value making 300x what someone in labor makes, but make sure they had a
fair wage...
We would create jobs in renewable energy, sustainable fields and life-affirming arenas that benefit all
people...
We would pay people a living wage with benefits, regardless of what their job is... because they
NEED it...
We would make different choices... not wanting to get more for our selves, or hoard stockpiles of
what we have while others are left in need, and not keeping others from getting what they need
would be among our values...
So, where are the Christian employers? Where are the business leaders who want to follow Jesus' teachings and example? Where are the Christian politicians who want to value what Jesus valued in the laws they write, decisions they make and directions they take? Where are the Christian preachers who demand Kingdom Values for the sake of ALL their flocks? Where are the Christian voters who insist on Jesus' way? Where are the Christian citizens who rise up to demand these things for ALL, who are God's children and therefore our brothers and sisters? Where?
I am certain of two things:
Kingdom Values do not just apply to "pie in the sky when we die." They have EVERYTHING to do
with labor and management, politics and economics.
With Jesus, it is not "nothing person; just business." We are talking about peoples' lives... people whom
Jesus loves and with whom we are COMMANDED to live Agape Love.
Work with Justice. Work for Justice. You will have peace.
Pastor Jamie
According to Jesus, the Kingdom of God values people over profit, and goes beyond "fairness" when it comes to what people need.
Please note that those who have not been hired... those left behind in employment, were provided for...
Please note that the owner (employer) was MORE THAN fair with ALL of them... the ones who had worked the day got the days wage, but those who came later still needed to feed their families, and so they were given what they needed for their families as well. When challenged by those who wanted more, the owner of the vineyard (God), stated boldly that they should not question the generosity shown. Oh yes, and "the last shall be first and the first, last."
Kingdom Values could help us with labor today.
God wants us to be beyond fair with those who need to feed their families.
If we were to live the Kingdom Values Jesus teaches us in this parable and elsewhere...
We would not destroy the vineyard as our sustainer of life by polluting, wasting or destroying it...
Employers would not lay off people in tough times, but take less profit willingly for the sake of
making sure everyone could feed their families...
CEO's would not value making 300x what someone in labor makes, but make sure they had a
fair wage...
We would create jobs in renewable energy, sustainable fields and life-affirming arenas that benefit all
people...
We would pay people a living wage with benefits, regardless of what their job is... because they
NEED it...
We would make different choices... not wanting to get more for our selves, or hoard stockpiles of
what we have while others are left in need, and not keeping others from getting what they need
would be among our values...
So, where are the Christian employers? Where are the business leaders who want to follow Jesus' teachings and example? Where are the Christian politicians who want to value what Jesus valued in the laws they write, decisions they make and directions they take? Where are the Christian preachers who demand Kingdom Values for the sake of ALL their flocks? Where are the Christian voters who insist on Jesus' way? Where are the Christian citizens who rise up to demand these things for ALL, who are God's children and therefore our brothers and sisters? Where?
I am certain of two things:
Kingdom Values do not just apply to "pie in the sky when we die." They have EVERYTHING to do
with labor and management, politics and economics.
With Jesus, it is not "nothing person; just business." We are talking about peoples' lives... people whom
Jesus loves and with whom we are COMMANDED to live Agape Love.
Work with Justice. Work for Justice. You will have peace.
Pastor Jamie
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