There are lessons everywhere in life.
They are presented to us daily.
We can ignore them, but they will be brought
back before us again if we do.
Be hungry to learn the lessons about how this
life is about, but not only about YOU.
Learn from Jesus' teachings and examples in
the Gospels, even if Jesus is just "one more
teacher" to you in the world. Living what Jesus
taught would make this world a DIFFERENT,
BETTER place.
I have included some lessons of Jesus on the
margins of this blog for your edification. I
pray that we will not ignore what Jesus said,
but rather take it in and embrace it, make it our
own and apply it to life in the world around
us today and everyday.
Pastor Jamie
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
it is really simple
Dear sisters and brothers,
So, Jesus said we should feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome
the stranger and visit the sick and oppressed... He said to do so for them
is to do it for Him and to refuse them is to refuse Him. (Matthew 25:31-46)
We have poor who are hungry. We have strangers in the land who need
to know they belong. We have sick and oppressed people who need to
know we stand with them.
Many right wing "Christians" (people who follow the Christ), actively
work to strip away any help to the poor they can, actively kick out the
strangers and dishonor them, and take away the healthcare for the sick
and create more oppressed by disenfranchising voters, for their own
gain.
They call themselves "Christians", and accuse those who would help
"the least of these" of being "socialists" and "un-Christian".
Paul, the most brilliant and eloquent expounder on the Gospels, wrote
to the Philippians that following Jesus' command to extend Agape Love
means counting the other as better than yourself and looking not only to
your own interests, but to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:1-11)
Yet, many on the "Christian right" make it about THEIR OWN interests
at the expense of others, counting others as being inferior to them and
exploiting them at will for their own gain.
And there are other teachings of Jesus ignored, not to mention the Old
Testament Prophets regarding injustice, inequities and inequalities, the
New Testament prophet, James, I John 4, etc., etc..
Who is "Christian"? Would it not be ones who FOLLOW "The Christ" in the
way they are in the world? Who is "un-Christian"? Would it not be ones
who do NOT FOLLOW "The Christ" in how they live in the world? Who is
right? Who is wrong? Hateful, greedy, self-centered and power-hungry
are not "Christ-like" things.
What does it mean to "follow" Jesus? What does what Jesus said, quoting
Isaiah 29:13 mean - "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts
are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the
precepts of humans." Mark 7:6,7
Jesus still says, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord', and do not do what I
tell you?" Luke 6:46
So, we worship Jesus as Savior, but ignore what the LORD taught and
exemplified in the Gospels? Is that what a "Christian" does?
Pastor Jamie
So, Jesus said we should feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome
the stranger and visit the sick and oppressed... He said to do so for them
is to do it for Him and to refuse them is to refuse Him. (Matthew 25:31-46)
We have poor who are hungry. We have strangers in the land who need
to know they belong. We have sick and oppressed people who need to
know we stand with them.
Many right wing "Christians" (people who follow the Christ), actively
work to strip away any help to the poor they can, actively kick out the
strangers and dishonor them, and take away the healthcare for the sick
and create more oppressed by disenfranchising voters, for their own
gain.
They call themselves "Christians", and accuse those who would help
"the least of these" of being "socialists" and "un-Christian".
Paul, the most brilliant and eloquent expounder on the Gospels, wrote
to the Philippians that following Jesus' command to extend Agape Love
means counting the other as better than yourself and looking not only to
your own interests, but to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:1-11)
Yet, many on the "Christian right" make it about THEIR OWN interests
at the expense of others, counting others as being inferior to them and
exploiting them at will for their own gain.
And there are other teachings of Jesus ignored, not to mention the Old
Testament Prophets regarding injustice, inequities and inequalities, the
New Testament prophet, James, I John 4, etc., etc..
Who is "Christian"? Would it not be ones who FOLLOW "The Christ" in the
way they are in the world? Who is "un-Christian"? Would it not be ones
who do NOT FOLLOW "The Christ" in how they live in the world? Who is
right? Who is wrong? Hateful, greedy, self-centered and power-hungry
are not "Christ-like" things.
What does it mean to "follow" Jesus? What does what Jesus said, quoting
Isaiah 29:13 mean - "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts
are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the
precepts of humans." Mark 7:6,7
Jesus still says, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord', and do not do what I
tell you?" Luke 6:46
So, we worship Jesus as Savior, but ignore what the LORD taught and
exemplified in the Gospels? Is that what a "Christian" does?
Pastor Jamie
Thursday, March 22, 2012
majority
I visited a man as a chaplain, who said to me, "If Obama gets elected, we won't even be a democracy in four years." All kinds of things went through my mind, but my role was as his chaplain in his grief, and I said nothing.
It is indicative of a mentality, I believe. When the majority of power and wealth (not of number) feels that their unchecked greed is threatened, then the oligarchic system is threatened. When that happens, the majority of power tries to use fear, the manipulation of the economic system, the manipulation of the electoral system and any other means by which to get those who are under their power (and wealth) to restore them to unaccountability and their status beyond scrutiny. Blatant lies about those who see it a different way, accusations about their character, the questioning of their patriotism and plain old hateful words and actions are not beneath them.
Our system is an oligarchy, geared to keep the majority in power and wealth, in power and wealth. If it were a pure, instead of "relative" democracy, the majority of ALL would be the THE consideration. We would not have an electoral college, which is designed to help those in power and wealth stay there. We would have EVERY vote count, especially in this instant information age. We would not try to disenfranchise some voters among "those people", but value the participation of ALL in our democracy as a unified country. We would not confuse unchecked, unregulated and subsidized capitalism (greed) for democracy.
I think we could very much afford to be a little bit less like "this" democracy, and be more democratic in our practice. I KNOW we could be more compassionate and inclusive in the power and wealth department.
The lies and fear are working wonders at rallying those with the power and wealth. The question is, at this time of possibilities, will those who want a true democracy for the WHOLE majority of citizens, one with equitable treatment and equality for ALL the people rally?
If 1% has 40% of the nation's wealth (and they do), they may be a majority in power and wealth, but not in number. They are the minority, if we will stop blaming and scapegoating each other and unite for the sake of equity, equality and compassion. Yes, I think we could afford to be a little less like THIS democracy, and what it has become, four years from now.
Pastor Jamie
It is indicative of a mentality, I believe. When the majority of power and wealth (not of number) feels that their unchecked greed is threatened, then the oligarchic system is threatened. When that happens, the majority of power tries to use fear, the manipulation of the economic system, the manipulation of the electoral system and any other means by which to get those who are under their power (and wealth) to restore them to unaccountability and their status beyond scrutiny. Blatant lies about those who see it a different way, accusations about their character, the questioning of their patriotism and plain old hateful words and actions are not beneath them.
Our system is an oligarchy, geared to keep the majority in power and wealth, in power and wealth. If it were a pure, instead of "relative" democracy, the majority of ALL would be the THE consideration. We would not have an electoral college, which is designed to help those in power and wealth stay there. We would have EVERY vote count, especially in this instant information age. We would not try to disenfranchise some voters among "those people", but value the participation of ALL in our democracy as a unified country. We would not confuse unchecked, unregulated and subsidized capitalism (greed) for democracy.
I think we could very much afford to be a little bit less like "this" democracy, and be more democratic in our practice. I KNOW we could be more compassionate and inclusive in the power and wealth department.
The lies and fear are working wonders at rallying those with the power and wealth. The question is, at this time of possibilities, will those who want a true democracy for the WHOLE majority of citizens, one with equitable treatment and equality for ALL the people rally?
If 1% has 40% of the nation's wealth (and they do), they may be a majority in power and wealth, but not in number. They are the minority, if we will stop blaming and scapegoating each other and unite for the sake of equity, equality and compassion. Yes, I think we could afford to be a little less like THIS democracy, and what it has become, four years from now.
Pastor Jamie
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
our DEMOCRATIC discourse
I love democracy. I love that it is based on equity and equality. I love that it values inclusion and the participation of all. I am in mourning over our democratic discourse.
Instead of trying to let "The American People" choose a president and other elected officials - to let the voice of the people be heard... all the people, equally, we have efforts by at least one of the two parties to disenfranchise voters through re-districting, eliminate voters through new "Jim Crow"-like voter registration practices and flood the airways with false information ad campaigns bought by new, unlimited funding obtained through legislation to "de-regulate" contributions.
It is not out of a love for democracy and "the voice and will of the people" that this is being done, but out of a love for power, unchecked wealth and the promotion of self over others.
Where is the integrity? Where is the "working for the common good"? Where is the civic participation of all in this? It is not a love for democracy, but an obsession with "having" that leads to this kind of thing. The desire to have no limits for self and no accountability to others leads to this kind of thing. It has become "The American Way" of life. The lifting up of self above others, with no regard to how it might hurt them has become our "Standard of Living". That is not born of a love for the democratic discourse, but of unchecked greed and lust for power, the indulgence of self at the expense of others.
Note which politicians are working to limit voters from exercising their rights to vote. Note which politicians repeat lies enough times until people start to believe them. Note which politicians attempt to spin EVERYTHING as negative that another has done, while boldly claiming the ability to do what most rational people know they are unable to do in the office they pursue. The uncivil nature of the attacks, even against people in their own party... the wrangling for more power and wealth using whatever means will get it for them.
Note the hatred. Note the greed. Note the exclusion. Note the self-serving policies and justifications for them. Note these things behind the rhetoric.
Which seem to value DEMOCRACY itself, by how they engage in the process of this election? Which seem to be able to be civil in the process? Which seem to have the well-being of MOST or ALL the people as a concern? Which are consistent with what they propose and stick with it, even if it is unpopular? Which will do the MOST for "the least" among us?
Voting is a matter of conscience. Have one in this election year. Use it when you participate in this democracy. Vote, not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Vote now, because they haven't taken that away from you (yet), but some of them are working on it!
Pastor Jamie
Instead of trying to let "The American People" choose a president and other elected officials - to let the voice of the people be heard... all the people, equally, we have efforts by at least one of the two parties to disenfranchise voters through re-districting, eliminate voters through new "Jim Crow"-like voter registration practices and flood the airways with false information ad campaigns bought by new, unlimited funding obtained through legislation to "de-regulate" contributions.
It is not out of a love for democracy and "the voice and will of the people" that this is being done, but out of a love for power, unchecked wealth and the promotion of self over others.
Where is the integrity? Where is the "working for the common good"? Where is the civic participation of all in this? It is not a love for democracy, but an obsession with "having" that leads to this kind of thing. The desire to have no limits for self and no accountability to others leads to this kind of thing. It has become "The American Way" of life. The lifting up of self above others, with no regard to how it might hurt them has become our "Standard of Living". That is not born of a love for the democratic discourse, but of unchecked greed and lust for power, the indulgence of self at the expense of others.
Note which politicians are working to limit voters from exercising their rights to vote. Note which politicians repeat lies enough times until people start to believe them. Note which politicians attempt to spin EVERYTHING as negative that another has done, while boldly claiming the ability to do what most rational people know they are unable to do in the office they pursue. The uncivil nature of the attacks, even against people in their own party... the wrangling for more power and wealth using whatever means will get it for them.
Note the hatred. Note the greed. Note the exclusion. Note the self-serving policies and justifications for them. Note these things behind the rhetoric.
Which seem to value DEMOCRACY itself, by how they engage in the process of this election? Which seem to be able to be civil in the process? Which seem to have the well-being of MOST or ALL the people as a concern? Which are consistent with what they propose and stick with it, even if it is unpopular? Which will do the MOST for "the least" among us?
Voting is a matter of conscience. Have one in this election year. Use it when you participate in this democracy. Vote, not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Vote now, because they haven't taken that away from you (yet), but some of them are working on it!
Pastor Jamie
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The current Economic Politic
Our current economic plight was not caused by this President.
Greed is immoral. It is also unsustainable as a driving force in a nation's economic stability. Our current economic plight is the product of decades of unchecked greed in our country.
The economic house of cards, the foundation of which was laid over 30 years ago (1981), started to collapse because of the housing/realty/banking de-regulation and immoral practices allowed by the last administration. In the greedy interest of making a great deal of profit quick for themselves, and with no regard for the long-term future of people in our country, those who could did exploit and engage in corrupt practices, and the rest of our economy fell when they did.
People are still feeling the effects of that. Many companies are now enjoying record profits, but "the job creators" are not hiring folks back for two reasons:
1. They are enjoying record profit margins by NOT paying more people to work and letting those
employed carry more of a load. Stockholders make more that way and CEO"s get bonuses that
way. The fact that it hurts many Americans is not an issue for them in the face of more profit -
immoral greed.
2. In the hopes to go back to an administration that will continue the de-regulation and allow
unchecked greed, keeping people unemployed and therefore unsatisfied in this election year is
just a bonus.
The Healthcare plan that has not yet been fully implemented is a way for all Americans to have some healthcare benefits. It has problems but is an attempt to join other Industrialized nations in offering healthcare as a human right. It is the caring thing to do, but out of the immorality of greed those who would make less profit do not like it. The loss of some profit is being passed on to employers and therefore employees, to keep them unsatisfied in this election year. Rather than accept a little less profit, those who operate out of immoral greed have already started compensating in health coverage to make more profit, when much of the plan has not yet even been put in place.
Why blame the President for their greed? Why blame those on the same economic level you are on or the ones below it, when it is those above you on it that create these realities for you? If you aspire to be in that club, you need to know that it is very exclusive and the odds are against your being accepted in it. If you aspire to be in that position so that you can perpetrate similar things on those "below you" for your own gain, you might want to check your level of greed.
The oil companies keep the prices climbing in this election year, because contrary to what some will say, the President is actively pursuing other forms of energy and they don't like him. He is less in their pockets than the last administration's oil company President, and is not playing nice by pushing for alternative sources. They do not want him to get re-elected. They keep prices high in an election year with any provocation possible, so that the President gets blamed, although even Right Wing broadcasters have said (in years past) that the President has no influence on the price of oil or gas. The thought that it worked against Carter and could work against this guy is being put into action.
The War industries are not pleased to see the end of our spending trillions of dollars in Iraq and soon in Afghanistan, so contrary to the facts of this President actually ending Bin Laden's reign, they will claim that he is soft regarding our military presence in the world. His diplomatic efforts, war always being the LAST option that any nation should use, are being spun as weakness rather than wisdom and responsible action. War is good for profit, so they do not want this President in office any longer.
The banks, credit card companies for whom they are fronts, stock brokers and others on Wall Street do not want this President re-elected. He has received some funds from some of them, but not nearly the amounts received by his future opponent (whoever it may be) in this election (unless it is Ron Paul or to some degree Mitt Romney, both of whom have had their own wealth to run on).
The lies and rhetoric of fear are being used to convince people that it is the President's fault for all of this, when the truth is that it is the culture of greed that created it and wants to let the conditions that led to it flourish for the quick, unchecked and unaccountable profit for a few at the expense of the many.
I get alternately amused and disgusted by the lies that are put out there and that people are duped into believing. These are the folks who at the same time called the President a Muslim, while attacking his Christian Pastor for a sermon. These are the same folks who say he sympathizes more with Muslims than Christians, right after he "pushed the button" on Osama Bin Laden. These are the same folks who said during the last administration that any President is not to blame for high gas prices, but blame this one for them. They are the same ones who keep bringing up his birth certificate as an issue, evidently forgetting that Hawaii is a State. It is ridiculous, and yet people believe it.
And he gets blamed because insurance companies are charging your employer more in anticipation of healthcare reform act policies that have not even yet gone into effect, which your employer passes to you rather than take a bit less profit for themselves. He gets blamed for you not working, when it was "the job creators" who got tax breaks for laying you off, along with record profits, bonuses and incentives. He gets blamed for it because they want to elect someone who will help them go back to the unchecked greed and unregulated fleecing of most of us for the profit of a few.
This president did not create our current economic plight. He inherited it.
I pray for the establishment of justice, equity, equality, a value for people over profit and the end of the immorality of greed in our nation. I pray for us to live the Agape Love (committed action on behalf of the other - even stranger and enemy in Luke 10:25-37) that Jesus commanded. As a follower of Jesus' teachings and examples, I pray for an end to the immorality of greed in our nation.
Pastor Jamie
Greed is immoral. It is also unsustainable as a driving force in a nation's economic stability. Our current economic plight is the product of decades of unchecked greed in our country.
The economic house of cards, the foundation of which was laid over 30 years ago (1981), started to collapse because of the housing/realty/banking de-regulation and immoral practices allowed by the last administration. In the greedy interest of making a great deal of profit quick for themselves, and with no regard for the long-term future of people in our country, those who could did exploit and engage in corrupt practices, and the rest of our economy fell when they did.
People are still feeling the effects of that. Many companies are now enjoying record profits, but "the job creators" are not hiring folks back for two reasons:
1. They are enjoying record profit margins by NOT paying more people to work and letting those
employed carry more of a load. Stockholders make more that way and CEO"s get bonuses that
way. The fact that it hurts many Americans is not an issue for them in the face of more profit -
immoral greed.
2. In the hopes to go back to an administration that will continue the de-regulation and allow
unchecked greed, keeping people unemployed and therefore unsatisfied in this election year is
just a bonus.
The Healthcare plan that has not yet been fully implemented is a way for all Americans to have some healthcare benefits. It has problems but is an attempt to join other Industrialized nations in offering healthcare as a human right. It is the caring thing to do, but out of the immorality of greed those who would make less profit do not like it. The loss of some profit is being passed on to employers and therefore employees, to keep them unsatisfied in this election year. Rather than accept a little less profit, those who operate out of immoral greed have already started compensating in health coverage to make more profit, when much of the plan has not yet even been put in place.
Why blame the President for their greed? Why blame those on the same economic level you are on or the ones below it, when it is those above you on it that create these realities for you? If you aspire to be in that club, you need to know that it is very exclusive and the odds are against your being accepted in it. If you aspire to be in that position so that you can perpetrate similar things on those "below you" for your own gain, you might want to check your level of greed.
The oil companies keep the prices climbing in this election year, because contrary to what some will say, the President is actively pursuing other forms of energy and they don't like him. He is less in their pockets than the last administration's oil company President, and is not playing nice by pushing for alternative sources. They do not want him to get re-elected. They keep prices high in an election year with any provocation possible, so that the President gets blamed, although even Right Wing broadcasters have said (in years past) that the President has no influence on the price of oil or gas. The thought that it worked against Carter and could work against this guy is being put into action.
The War industries are not pleased to see the end of our spending trillions of dollars in Iraq and soon in Afghanistan, so contrary to the facts of this President actually ending Bin Laden's reign, they will claim that he is soft regarding our military presence in the world. His diplomatic efforts, war always being the LAST option that any nation should use, are being spun as weakness rather than wisdom and responsible action. War is good for profit, so they do not want this President in office any longer.
The banks, credit card companies for whom they are fronts, stock brokers and others on Wall Street do not want this President re-elected. He has received some funds from some of them, but not nearly the amounts received by his future opponent (whoever it may be) in this election (unless it is Ron Paul or to some degree Mitt Romney, both of whom have had their own wealth to run on).
The lies and rhetoric of fear are being used to convince people that it is the President's fault for all of this, when the truth is that it is the culture of greed that created it and wants to let the conditions that led to it flourish for the quick, unchecked and unaccountable profit for a few at the expense of the many.
I get alternately amused and disgusted by the lies that are put out there and that people are duped into believing. These are the folks who at the same time called the President a Muslim, while attacking his Christian Pastor for a sermon. These are the same folks who say he sympathizes more with Muslims than Christians, right after he "pushed the button" on Osama Bin Laden. These are the same folks who said during the last administration that any President is not to blame for high gas prices, but blame this one for them. They are the same ones who keep bringing up his birth certificate as an issue, evidently forgetting that Hawaii is a State. It is ridiculous, and yet people believe it.
And he gets blamed because insurance companies are charging your employer more in anticipation of healthcare reform act policies that have not even yet gone into effect, which your employer passes to you rather than take a bit less profit for themselves. He gets blamed for you not working, when it was "the job creators" who got tax breaks for laying you off, along with record profits, bonuses and incentives. He gets blamed for it because they want to elect someone who will help them go back to the unchecked greed and unregulated fleecing of most of us for the profit of a few.
This president did not create our current economic plight. He inherited it.
I pray for the establishment of justice, equity, equality, a value for people over profit and the end of the immorality of greed in our nation. I pray for us to live the Agape Love (committed action on behalf of the other - even stranger and enemy in Luke 10:25-37) that Jesus commanded. As a follower of Jesus' teachings and examples, I pray for an end to the immorality of greed in our nation.
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Radical Love
Galatians 5:1-6
I am fixated on Agape Love. It is not a feeling. It is committed action on behalf of the other. That is what Jesus commands us to live. Jesus made it His Great Commandment, and in Luke 10 Jesus said that the neighbor we must love is enemy and stranger (Good Samaritan). In John 13, we have Jesus bumping up the commitment to love as HE loved us... Paul wrote about it in I Corinthians 13 and Philippians 2:1-11, and we have in I John 4 that if we claim to love God but do not love a brother or sister, we are liars.
The First Century believers formed a Radical Community base on Radical Love. In the end of Acts 2, their radical love proved to draw many people to join them. In the end of Acts 4, they practiced radical shared ownership so that there were none in need anymore. Out of Agape Love, those who had more shared with those who did not have enough. Paul commended them to that kind of love in community in II Corinthians 8,9. In Acts 6, we find that they radically shared leadership, even with Gentiles. In Acts 8, they practiced radical acceptance with the Ethiopian Eunuch, who Philip baptized though he was ethnically, religiously and sexually excluded by the Law of Moses. In Acts 10, the practiced radical diversity and celebration of others by ending the distinction between clean and unclean, circumcised and uncircumcised.
Radical community must be based on Radical Love - Agape Love. If a people are incapable of that, they live focused on differences, focus only on themselves and live out of perceived superiority which breaks down community. Radical community must be based on Agape Love. A stubborn refusal to judge, radical sharing, radical inclusion, radical acceptance, radical diversity and the celebration of other is at the center of radical community. Radical community must be based on Agape Love. The desire to love neighbor as self (enemy and stranger)... so that we would no more want a stranger or enemy go without what they need or be hurt, than we would want that for our selves. Radical community must be based on Agape Love. The love Jesus commanded with no loopholes, even for stranger or enemy... it means having the same mind that was in Christ Jesus and loving as He loved.
Agape Love is committed action on behalf of the other. It is not a feeling. It means committing to the good of all and acting on it... feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, welcoming the stranger and visiting the sick and oppressed (Matthew 25:31-46).
It is this radical love, this Agape Love that defines community. It identifies us with Jesus. People will notice it because the world we live in can be radically unloving, greedy, exclusive and intolerant. The world needs radical lovers of God, self and neighbor. When we live that as followers of Jesus, it will be noticed!
Radical need is prevalent. Radical love is needed. Jesus commanded it. We can spend our whole lives learning how to submit to His command and conforming to His way... but it is a better way for each of us and the world around us.
God bless you all!
Pastor Jamie
I am fixated on Agape Love. It is not a feeling. It is committed action on behalf of the other. That is what Jesus commands us to live. Jesus made it His Great Commandment, and in Luke 10 Jesus said that the neighbor we must love is enemy and stranger (Good Samaritan). In John 13, we have Jesus bumping up the commitment to love as HE loved us... Paul wrote about it in I Corinthians 13 and Philippians 2:1-11, and we have in I John 4 that if we claim to love God but do not love a brother or sister, we are liars.
The First Century believers formed a Radical Community base on Radical Love. In the end of Acts 2, their radical love proved to draw many people to join them. In the end of Acts 4, they practiced radical shared ownership so that there were none in need anymore. Out of Agape Love, those who had more shared with those who did not have enough. Paul commended them to that kind of love in community in II Corinthians 8,9. In Acts 6, we find that they radically shared leadership, even with Gentiles. In Acts 8, they practiced radical acceptance with the Ethiopian Eunuch, who Philip baptized though he was ethnically, religiously and sexually excluded by the Law of Moses. In Acts 10, the practiced radical diversity and celebration of others by ending the distinction between clean and unclean, circumcised and uncircumcised.
Radical community must be based on Radical Love - Agape Love. If a people are incapable of that, they live focused on differences, focus only on themselves and live out of perceived superiority which breaks down community. Radical community must be based on Agape Love. A stubborn refusal to judge, radical sharing, radical inclusion, radical acceptance, radical diversity and the celebration of other is at the center of radical community. Radical community must be based on Agape Love. The desire to love neighbor as self (enemy and stranger)... so that we would no more want a stranger or enemy go without what they need or be hurt, than we would want that for our selves. Radical community must be based on Agape Love. The love Jesus commanded with no loopholes, even for stranger or enemy... it means having the same mind that was in Christ Jesus and loving as He loved.
Agape Love is committed action on behalf of the other. It is not a feeling. It means committing to the good of all and acting on it... feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, welcoming the stranger and visiting the sick and oppressed (Matthew 25:31-46).
It is this radical love, this Agape Love that defines community. It identifies us with Jesus. People will notice it because the world we live in can be radically unloving, greedy, exclusive and intolerant. The world needs radical lovers of God, self and neighbor. When we live that as followers of Jesus, it will be noticed!
Radical need is prevalent. Radical love is needed. Jesus commanded it. We can spend our whole lives learning how to submit to His command and conforming to His way... but it is a better way for each of us and the world around us.
God bless you all!
Pastor Jamie
Monday, March 5, 2012
Sharing Good News in a bad news world
I am regularly struck by how bad the TV and Radio news are. Some of it
is certainly because of one partisan network or another and their attempts to
make someone else look bad. Some of it is because "if it bleeds, it leads" and
how we DO respond most to the sensational. Some of it is because we eat the
stuff up and those who want to frighten us into doing what they want or who
want to sell us something like it that way.
Jesus' Good News is often ignored.
His Good News for the poor is that God loves them and does not want them
to be poor. That God calls others who live by the commandment of Agape
Love (Matthew 22:34-40) and mandate of (Matthew 25:31-46) are supposed
to BE Good News for them in how we live and care for them.
Jesus' Good News of social justice is that the greed, hatred, self-centeredness,
ruthlessness, apathy, complacency, mean-spiritedness and exclusivity of the
world will not last forever because it goes contrary to Kingdom Values. Jesus
is quite clear about that.
Jesus' Good News of economics is that God's Kingdom Values are for all to
have enough, and for those with more to share with those who have less.
Jesus' Good News of society is that God values kindness, gentleness and self-
control in a world of violence, victimization, exploitation and oppression.
Jesus' Good News calls for generosity, inclusion and compassion even for
a stranger or enemy.
Jesus' Good News calls for mercy instead of sacrifice for the guilty and grace
for those who do not deserve it... you know... like ALL of us.
Jesus' Good News calls for the transformation of individuals, communities and
society, so that all conform to Jesus' Way and submit to Jesus' will in how we
live with one another and with God.
Jesus' Good News may be ignored by many because it seems like bad news for
the perpetrators of hatreds, greed and self-indulgence... but it is Good News to
so many others who have been victims of it!
Jesus' first Imperative to His followers in the First Gospel written?
"Repent, and believe in the Good News." Mark 1:15
The time will be fulfilled, as Jesus said. The Kingdom of God is at hand!
How will Jesus' Good News affect how you think, speak, act, live and vote?
I will strive to follow what Jesus says is GOOD NEWS in all of it.
Pastor Jamie
is certainly because of one partisan network or another and their attempts to
make someone else look bad. Some of it is because "if it bleeds, it leads" and
how we DO respond most to the sensational. Some of it is because we eat the
stuff up and those who want to frighten us into doing what they want or who
want to sell us something like it that way.
Jesus' Good News is often ignored.
His Good News for the poor is that God loves them and does not want them
to be poor. That God calls others who live by the commandment of Agape
Love (Matthew 22:34-40) and mandate of (Matthew 25:31-46) are supposed
to BE Good News for them in how we live and care for them.
Jesus' Good News of social justice is that the greed, hatred, self-centeredness,
ruthlessness, apathy, complacency, mean-spiritedness and exclusivity of the
world will not last forever because it goes contrary to Kingdom Values. Jesus
is quite clear about that.
Jesus' Good News of economics is that God's Kingdom Values are for all to
have enough, and for those with more to share with those who have less.
Jesus' Good News of society is that God values kindness, gentleness and self-
control in a world of violence, victimization, exploitation and oppression.
Jesus' Good News calls for generosity, inclusion and compassion even for
a stranger or enemy.
Jesus' Good News calls for mercy instead of sacrifice for the guilty and grace
for those who do not deserve it... you know... like ALL of us.
Jesus' Good News calls for the transformation of individuals, communities and
society, so that all conform to Jesus' Way and submit to Jesus' will in how we
live with one another and with God.
Jesus' Good News may be ignored by many because it seems like bad news for
the perpetrators of hatreds, greed and self-indulgence... but it is Good News to
so many others who have been victims of it!
Jesus' first Imperative to His followers in the First Gospel written?
"Repent, and believe in the Good News." Mark 1:15
The time will be fulfilled, as Jesus said. The Kingdom of God is at hand!
How will Jesus' Good News affect how you think, speak, act, live and vote?
I will strive to follow what Jesus says is GOOD NEWS in all of it.
Pastor Jamie
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