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
Jesus' blessings are for his faithful disciples; they are blessed to be part of his new international kingdom (that he says will be hated by all nations). No nation or kingdom of earth will be led by true disciples; even many churches have only a "remnant" of disciples. In this age, Jesus' little mustard seed kingdom will remain insignificant in the eyes of the kingdoms of earth (and even the eyes of too many churches); but in the end, it will prevail (eternally). In the meantime, disciples (like their king in the kingdom of Israel) will challenge the kingdoms of earth with their sin, and call people to turn away from all that, turning to the one true (and good) king.
ReplyDeleteyes, it is always a remnant who are faithful... I wish to help people see the richness of the Good News and the true joy it would be to live it here, in THIS PART of God's Kingdom... if we are followers of Jesus, should we not live what Jesus taught and exemplified for us to live? I believe so.
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