Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright was not wrong in what he preached. It was twisted around AND taken out of its context for political reasons. It served as one of my first major disappointments in this President, whom I continue to support with mixed disappointment and appreciation, because he caved in that early to political games, rather than fight them, a pattern I see continuing, unfortunately. I believe you have to stand up to bullies, state the truth and therefore expose their lies, and not placate them. That being said, I believe The Rev. Dr. would have been better to say, "God Bless America..."
GOD BLESS AMERICA...
with a CHANGE OF HEART from HUBRIS to HUMILITY, so that we no longer honor and bow to those who are "entitled", hoping someday to join their ranks and gain our "entitlements" on the backs of others, but rather work toward the good of ALL in the community and nation.
GOD BLESS AMERICA...
to go from GREED to GENEROSITY in our hearts, so that the IMMORALITY we fight is no longer narrowly defined only in sexual activities and orientations, but rather in ANY ruthless, selfish, mean-spirited and heartless actions that hurt many for the sake of a few.
GOD BLESS AMERICA...
to move from VIOLENCE in our hearts to PEACE in our hearts, so that we do not meet every challenge defensively and then work to justify our defensive, turned OFFENSIVE actions, but rather start with Peace within and then put it out in the world around us, refusing to give in to a VIOLENT orientation to the world around us, refuse to arm our selves in anticipation of a fight, refuse to look for opportunities to "stand our ground", refuse to have an "us vs. them" mentality, but one of peace.
GOD BLESS AMERICA...
to move from INJUSTICE to EQUITY AND EQUALITY in how we see EVERYONE, not just in our land but across the world, halting the abuses of power that effectively, intentionally, systematically suppress the well-being and growth of many so that a few may have dominance and impunity in wielding their power.
GOD BLESS AMERICA...
to abandon our ARROGANCE for COMPASSION, ending the "might makes right" way that we view those within our nation and abroad, the "if I can, I necessarily should" way of thinking that leads us to "get away with" many atrocities across the nation and the world (and change laws to make it legal), and the "if it's good for me, I do not care how it affects others" mentality that prevails in this land of "individual liberty", for a concern for ALL out of COMPASSION for ALL and not just "self".
GOD BLESS AMERICA...
to a new self image from PREDATOR, exploiting the masses for the sake of a few in our own land and abroad, to ADVOCATE for others, building up ALL and seeing the wisdom and REAL strength in having EVERYONE strong and being well, empowered and valued, therefore at peace within and out in the world around them.
GOD BLESS AMERICA...
to move from its HATREDS that allows us to rationalize, justify and condone the vilification of so many for so many reasons, even to dehumanizing others for our own purposes, to an ACCEPTANCE and CELEBRATION of the other for who they are and what they bring to the diversity and therefore strength of the nation and world community.
In other words,
GOD BLESS AMERICA...
with the AGAPE LOVE that Jesus taught and exemplified - COMMANDED...
... and start with the American Church, those who claim to follow Jesus, please.
Pastor Jamie
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
To the President and Democrats...
Dear President Obama and Democrats,
I am afraid that I believe President Obama's budget hurts the poor, and is therefore
extreme in its own right... when will Democrats stop playing politics and do THE
RIGHT THING for the most vulnerable in our nation and stand up to the bullies,
rather than try to placate them? You fend wolves away from the most vulnerable,
and do not allow them to attack them so that they will leave YOU alone... throwing
the most vulnerable to the wolves will NOT secure your positions in coming elections.
People are seeing the inconsistencies and will not stand for it. I stood with the
President and worked to get him elected and re-elected. Now, because he (and you)
has (have) not pushed for assault weapons bans/ extended clip bans/ economic justice for
the most vulnerable and protection for our environment, I cannot continue to back
him. He has the bully pulpit. He had a mandate in the last election. He has turned
against MANY of us who supported him by turning against the most vulnerable,
and I cannot support politics as usual over the good of those whom I love in this
nation. DO THE RIGHT THING! If you do not, and continue playing politics, it
WILL COST Democrats the next election... third party alternatives will siphon off
votes, but people cannot, in good conscience continue to support you who dupe us
into believing that you will do the right thing.
Rev. Jamie Kaufman
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Following Jesus as a way of life
I am a follower of Jesus. I love Jesus' teachings, examples for living in God's Kingdom and the possibilities that following them presents for the sake of the world. I truly believe that Jesus' Way of living in the world would make a better world, if we would live in it. I am a person of the Way of Jesus.
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord' and do not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46) There are many who call themselves "Christians", who were baptized, who have their butts on pews or seats in sanctuaries and who breath in the sanctuary air at least once a week... many whose Bibles are well worn, who give praise and thanks regularly, who profess Jesus as personal Savior, some who even do wondrous healing and signs in His name, and who do not follow Jesus.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?' Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; go away from me, you evil-doers." (Matthew 7:21-23) Following Jesus is NOT just about praising and worshiping Him as Savior and basking in the glow of His Divinity and Power. It is about submitting to Him as Lord of our lives and living the Kingdom Values He taught and exemplified. It is NOT about works-righteousness, but coming to Him out of thankful, grateful hearts for His Agape Love and Grace, and following His example in how to live those in the world. THAT is a genuine walk with Jesus. Saying the right words, having the right posture, outward shows of devotion and even exhibiting Spiritual gifts, while ignoring what Jesus taught and exemplified, leave us as strangers to Jesus, at least if you believe Jesus. It is all about following His way in the world around us, which is centered on Agape Love and Grace. Praising His Name, singing His Praises, ecstatic prayers and gyrations, professing His name, getting others "saved" by saying "the sinners' prayer", etc., etc. mean nothing if we also use His Name to Judge others, exclude them, have a violent heart, make it all about us instead of about Him and others around us, ignore those in need who are brothers and sisters, condemn others for ANY reason, nit-pick others on how they are living while ignoring our need to be Gracious, living the idolatry of greed or lust for power or obsession with prestige, or belittle, shame, scapegoat, blame, victimize, abuse, exploit anyone for selfish reasons (or ANY reason). That is NOT following Jesus. I know what direction that is, and it is NOT the direction in which Jesus goes. Jesus said, "follow me."
"The Kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will some say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the Kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20,21) We are "out there" people who profess Jesus, sometimes. We look for sin "out there", evil "out there" and righteousness "out there", salvation "out there", God "out there". Jesus taught us that we live within the Kingdom and the Kingdom lives within us. Paul did also - "In Him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) We are intimately connected with God. I must fight my battle with sin and evil WITHIN myself. I must look for the sources of sin and evil WITHIN myself, and not in outward things... I must also seek God WITHIN MYSELF, as God has promised to be there. My only righteousness is in Christ Jesus, who is WITHIN ME. Apart from Him, I have none, but I am not apart from Him. Purity and Holiness are not mine to have, but His to have, but He is WITHIN ME. Therefore, if I seek purity and holiness as outward acts, I miss the relationship I have with the Pure and Holy WITHIN ME. It is about living Kingdom Values in THIS PART of God's Kingdom, as they come from within me and out into the world, NOT about seeking those things in the world around me to attain them. Agape Love and Grace have been given to me. I must pour them out into the world around me, in order to follow Jesus.
Following Jesus is not a work. It is work, but it is not a work toward self-righteousness or salvation. It is a RESPONSE to the awesome and marvelous Grace and Love I have received from my Lord, and a recognition that I WANT to submit my will and conform my way to Jesus' Way, as He taught and exemplified it, witnessed to by the four Gospels and His Words in them. It is also the recognition that the world around me will be a better place if I live His Kingdom Values in it, and the desire for that better world. It means that I will not reflect the world, but address it with the Good News of Jesus - stand toe to toe with Unjust Power, Unchecked Greed, Uncontrolled egos and those who insist that the right way to live in this world is to give lip service to Jesus, but in actions and words be Unloving and Ungracious. It means standing with those whom others, even or especially by those in the religious community, have been cast out, disenfranchised, marginalized and rejected. It means being the voice of the voiceless and united power of the powerless, not for self gain, but purely for THEIR sake. It means feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the undocumented alien, visiting the sick and imprisoned. It means proclaiming the Acceptable Year of the Lord, as Jesus did, and working to free the oppressed. It means Agape Love (selfless, unconditional committed action on behalf of the other). It means Grace (undeserved loving mercy for the sake of the other). That is work, but it comes out of a genuine Agape Love and Gracious relationship with the Lord of my life and those whom Jesus loves, who are also my sisters and brothers. Unwavering, with a stubborn refusal to judge others, Lord let me follow You by living what You taught and exemplified for me, and out of a genuine, deep love for You and my Neighbor, who you defined as stranger and enemy (Luke 10:25-37).
Pastor Jamie
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord' and do not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46) There are many who call themselves "Christians", who were baptized, who have their butts on pews or seats in sanctuaries and who breath in the sanctuary air at least once a week... many whose Bibles are well worn, who give praise and thanks regularly, who profess Jesus as personal Savior, some who even do wondrous healing and signs in His name, and who do not follow Jesus.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?' Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; go away from me, you evil-doers." (Matthew 7:21-23) Following Jesus is NOT just about praising and worshiping Him as Savior and basking in the glow of His Divinity and Power. It is about submitting to Him as Lord of our lives and living the Kingdom Values He taught and exemplified. It is NOT about works-righteousness, but coming to Him out of thankful, grateful hearts for His Agape Love and Grace, and following His example in how to live those in the world. THAT is a genuine walk with Jesus. Saying the right words, having the right posture, outward shows of devotion and even exhibiting Spiritual gifts, while ignoring what Jesus taught and exemplified, leave us as strangers to Jesus, at least if you believe Jesus. It is all about following His way in the world around us, which is centered on Agape Love and Grace. Praising His Name, singing His Praises, ecstatic prayers and gyrations, professing His name, getting others "saved" by saying "the sinners' prayer", etc., etc. mean nothing if we also use His Name to Judge others, exclude them, have a violent heart, make it all about us instead of about Him and others around us, ignore those in need who are brothers and sisters, condemn others for ANY reason, nit-pick others on how they are living while ignoring our need to be Gracious, living the idolatry of greed or lust for power or obsession with prestige, or belittle, shame, scapegoat, blame, victimize, abuse, exploit anyone for selfish reasons (or ANY reason). That is NOT following Jesus. I know what direction that is, and it is NOT the direction in which Jesus goes. Jesus said, "follow me."
"The Kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will some say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the Kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20,21) We are "out there" people who profess Jesus, sometimes. We look for sin "out there", evil "out there" and righteousness "out there", salvation "out there", God "out there". Jesus taught us that we live within the Kingdom and the Kingdom lives within us. Paul did also - "In Him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) We are intimately connected with God. I must fight my battle with sin and evil WITHIN myself. I must look for the sources of sin and evil WITHIN myself, and not in outward things... I must also seek God WITHIN MYSELF, as God has promised to be there. My only righteousness is in Christ Jesus, who is WITHIN ME. Apart from Him, I have none, but I am not apart from Him. Purity and Holiness are not mine to have, but His to have, but He is WITHIN ME. Therefore, if I seek purity and holiness as outward acts, I miss the relationship I have with the Pure and Holy WITHIN ME. It is about living Kingdom Values in THIS PART of God's Kingdom, as they come from within me and out into the world, NOT about seeking those things in the world around me to attain them. Agape Love and Grace have been given to me. I must pour them out into the world around me, in order to follow Jesus.
Following Jesus is not a work. It is work, but it is not a work toward self-righteousness or salvation. It is a RESPONSE to the awesome and marvelous Grace and Love I have received from my Lord, and a recognition that I WANT to submit my will and conform my way to Jesus' Way, as He taught and exemplified it, witnessed to by the four Gospels and His Words in them. It is also the recognition that the world around me will be a better place if I live His Kingdom Values in it, and the desire for that better world. It means that I will not reflect the world, but address it with the Good News of Jesus - stand toe to toe with Unjust Power, Unchecked Greed, Uncontrolled egos and those who insist that the right way to live in this world is to give lip service to Jesus, but in actions and words be Unloving and Ungracious. It means standing with those whom others, even or especially by those in the religious community, have been cast out, disenfranchised, marginalized and rejected. It means being the voice of the voiceless and united power of the powerless, not for self gain, but purely for THEIR sake. It means feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the undocumented alien, visiting the sick and imprisoned. It means proclaiming the Acceptable Year of the Lord, as Jesus did, and working to free the oppressed. It means Agape Love (selfless, unconditional committed action on behalf of the other). It means Grace (undeserved loving mercy for the sake of the other). That is work, but it comes out of a genuine Agape Love and Gracious relationship with the Lord of my life and those whom Jesus loves, who are also my sisters and brothers. Unwavering, with a stubborn refusal to judge others, Lord let me follow You by living what You taught and exemplified for me, and out of a genuine, deep love for You and my Neighbor, who you defined as stranger and enemy (Luke 10:25-37).
Pastor Jamie
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