God Bless America...

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

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

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

The Cross - Applied

 I am a follower of Jesus, and the Way of Jesus.  I am thankful for the Redemption and Atonement - the Salvation I believe we all have because of His Gift of Sacrifice as The Lamb of God on the Cross - His Grace, powerful, beautiful and applied to our need.  I truly believe that because of The Cross and His becoming the Passover Lamb for us, as demonstrated by the Temple Curtain being torn from top to bottom, as if God grabbed it with both hands and tore it apart because it separated the Holy of Holies from the unworthy people - NOTHING can separate me from the Love of God in Christ Jesus.  I am worthy because HE makes me worthy.  He is my only righteousness.  He is my Savior, yes, but also my LORD - the Lord of my life.

   But the gift is not just for me.  The Agape Love Jesus taught, gave and exemplified for us in the Gospels is by its nature something to be shared.  Jesus did not just die for ME and MY SALVATION. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of THE WORLD.  What He taught quite clearly, as reflected in the Gospels, is that God wants us to live this Agape Love (committed action on behalf of the other) with one another in every aspect of life, society, social interaction.  I believe that what God expects is that I will be THANKFUL for this tremendous liberation from sin and death, and being thankful live as one who believes others have this gift as well and need to know it, receive Agape Love and live it in the world.

   What I do not need to do is "get people saved".  Jesus did that for them 2000 years ago.  My interactions with people are not about asking them if they are saved, trying to get them to pray some magic words to get saved or "decide" to believe.  I believe we are created to be in a relationship with God.  I believe the Holy Spirit of God works dynamically in the world.  I believe in the power of God's Grace in Jesus to save THE WORLD.  I do not believe I decide anything, but rather simply live in the relationship I was created to live within.  I believe concern for "saving" people has more to do with the one(s) trying to do that, than it does about those whom they objectify as "saved souls".  I believe I am not called to "save" anybody, but to share the Agape Love I am commanded to live, and that people will respond to that Agape Love and therefore the Lord I follow.  The best way for me to convey the Love of God in Jesus is not to talk about it, but to LIVE IT.  To actually fulfill Jesus' command to LIVE IT in their lives.  I DO THAT because Jesus loves them.  Telling them that Jesus loves them and then laying EXPECTATIONS, REQUIREMENTS, JUDGMENTS on them is not following Jesus.  They are WORTHY, just as I am worthy because JESUS says they are, not because they meet some expectation I have of them... I am simply commanded to live AGAPE LOVE with them.

   I believe I am called to tell people about the Agape Love of God, to live it as if I believe in it and to apply it to the world around me.  It is to apply THE CROSS to the world.  It is applying the Redemption, the Atonement, the Salvation, the Worthiness in Agape Love to the lives of those in the world around me.  If I want to follow Jesus, I must FOLLOW JESUS - what He commanded, taught, exemplified and fulfilled in the world.  Jesus is my example.  Jesus is my model.  Jesus is my Rabbi.  Jesus is my Lord.  I will spend the rest of my life applying the Grace, the self-sacrifice, the Agape Love for the Redemption of others in the world around me - in the lives of the people around me in the world.  THAT is denying myself, taking up the Cross and following Jesus to me.  THAT is evangelism to me.  That is walking with God to me.  That is Micah 6:8.  That is Luke 9:23,24 to me.  That is Matthew 28:16-20 to me, as well as Matthew 25:31-46.  That is Romans 12:1 to me.  

   I am THANKFUL for the Grace given to me and the price paid for it on my behalf.  Because I am thankful and believe in its power out of Agape Love, I must live as if I value it, not just for myself, but also for those in the world around me.  I don't want to claim it so I can exploit others around me, try to indoctrinate them into MY beliefs or "collect saved souls" to somehow justify my own faith.   I don't just want to preach it, proclaim it and teach it.  I want to live it.  If I value it and am thankful for it, I can do nothing else.

   THANK YOU, JESUS for your gift of Grace in Agape Love.  Make me as Gracious with others as you have been with me, as Loving with others as you have been with me, as actively committed to the well-being of others as you were to mine... that others may see Your Love in it, come to value Your Grace in it, and want to live Your Kingdom Values in the world around them - that Your Way may spread like leaven (Matthew 13:33) in the world around us.  Amen

Community and People of the Way of Jesus

It is too easy to isolate in our culture...
   to make our primary mode of communication with our thumbs and not our faces, arms and voices...
   to sit alone within our little, private bubbles in a river of little bubbles, going to the same places as
      everyone to our right and left, in front and behind, but separate...
   to drive into our garages at the end of the week, to only re-emerge for work at the beginning of the
      week, within our castles... satellite TV, internet, social media... enclosed decks... hiding behind
      our privacy fences, heard but not seen - self contained...
   to go to an auditorium and watch the band and choir, listen to the monologue, sit in a sea of
      thousands, eyes forward, with little if any conversation with others, giving our tithes and calling
      that the family of God being gathered in community...
   to drive across town to a restaurant, theater, nightclub, megastore and pass dozens of places close to
      our homes in order to do it, with the result that we see no one we know when we are out...

People are now considering those whom they have never seen (except through a photo), but whom they have "read", as the primary support persons and friends in their lives... maybe never even to hear their voices...

People are now not really WITH the people in front of them when they are face to face, because we are texting or talking on the phone with others at the same time... never really where we are at fully... reporting the experience, rather than experiencing it fully...

We are privatizing at an alarming rate, isolating at an alarming rate and getting self-absorbed in EVERY little thing about OUR existence without taking interest in the lives of others around us at an alarming rate... partly, because our worlds are shrinking to only include our own, little castle, experiences (cooking dinner as a picture-worthy, narrative worthy event) in our daily life, and excluding the richness of other people, even strangers and neighbors and what they bring to our lives - to life together as COMMUNITY.

We ask a great deal as PEOPLE OF THE WAY OF JESUS...
   We ask people to actually leave their castles and come to our home or someone else's, in an intimate setting, and share it with other human beings... we ask people to engage in conversation around Faith and Life... we ask people to share in a meal together... to share in discussion, debate, laughter, tears and comfort... we ask people to pray for and with each other... we ask people to sing a little in a small, intimate setting (and be unafraid in doing it)... we ask that folks gather AS community, IN community... to rub shoulders with each other, turn off the phones, break the isolation and gather - to be connected - physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially present and engaged... for about two whole hours, once a week...

I know, I know, right?  It's A LOT to ask of anyone... especially when it is SO COMFORTABLE to stay in our castles and connect only through the airwaves... be gathered in anonymity with a crowd... or just sit in the easy chair and passively let what comes into our living rooms pour over us, whether news, sports, entertainment or infomercials...  as we tune it all out, day after day, weekend after weekend... disengaged... but convinced that we are connected to the rest of humanity somehow, magically, through our thumbs...
 
Jesus and His disciples... Paul and the Apostles... met in peoples' homes... touched others physically... talked face to face and sang, prayed, ate, drank, discussed, debated, laughed, cried and engaged one another face to face... and it changed the world... THAT'S WHY we do it this way... to follow Jesus means to FOLLOW HIM - His teachings and examples and His Way of engaging with each other in Agape Love...

PEOPLE OF THE WAY OF JESUS IS ON FACEBOOK... it gives information regarding the GATHERINGS as an encouragement to join us in one of them...

Do something different - ENGAGE WITH OTHERS PERSONALLY... their life will be better for it, and incidentally, yours will be also...

Pastor Jamie

Follow Him

"I have not come to abolish (the Law), but to fulfill it." Mt. 5:17
"This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to HIM!" 
    Mt. 17:5
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me... and teaching them to obey everything     
    that I have commanded you." Mt. 28:18-20
"On these two commandments rest all the Law and Prophets" Mt. 22:40
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved
    you." Jn. 13:34 (15:12)
"others will know that you are MY disciples in that you love one another."
    Jn. 13:35
"if you abide in MY Word, you are truly my disciples..." Jn. 8:31 (8:37,51)
"if you love me, you will keep MY commandments." Jn. 14:15
"if you keep MY commandments, you will abide in my love." Jn. 15:10 (15:7)
"You are my friends if you do what I command you." Jn. 15:14
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord', and you do not do what I tell you?" Lk. 6:46
"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up
    their cross and follow me." Mk. 8:34

So, Jesus is our authority on Kingdom Values. His IMPERATIVES are our commandments. I believe we are called to live what Jesus taught and exemplified in our lives, and not just praise and worship Him and give our tithes.  What Jesus taught is in the Gospels.  Want to follow Him? FOLLOW HIM - LIVE what Jesus taught and exemplified! The world will be a better place for it!

Pastor Jamie

PREDATORS AMONG US

Predators

1. stake out their “territory”
2. aggressively attack others to their detriment/expense for self-serving gain of wealth,position or power
*Predators by Nature – they have no choice to be but who they are – envious, ruthless, mean-spirited, controlling, manipulative, aggressive, bitter, hateful, arrogant and with a distorted sense of entitlement to get what they want at the expense of others
*Predators by Opportunity – choose to be predatory only when some opportunities arise
*Predators by Circumstance – because of their own victimization, their manipulation by natural predators or out of ignorance of the predatory nature of their words or actions, they strike out in a predatory fashion

Pan- handlers are not predators, unless they are aggressive and threatening. The vigilantes who go after them are often the predators, because for their own gain of having a neighborhood of only people just like themselves and for their own property values and area development for personal gain, they victimize human beings who are just trying to live.
Squatters are not predators, unless they are directly victimizing others. The vigilantes who go after them are often predators, because for their own gain or position they aggressively attack these human beings who are just trying to have a roof over their heads. Absentee Landlords who do not keep their properties livable, but collect rent or labor in lieu of rent, are predators.
Undocumented aliens are not predators, unless they are victimizing others through crime. Unscrupulous employers can be predators because they pay sub-standard wages and offer horrible living and working conditions, knowing that they have no one to which to report them. Societies are predatory who reap the benefits of their underpaid labors, especially while victimizing them by using them and then deporting them.
Burglars, Car Jackers, Drug Dealers, Gangs, Muggers, Identity Thieves, Hackers and Thieves are predators. They use stealth or force to aggressively victimize others.
Loan Sharks, Title Loan Companies, Rent to Own places and some car dealers, Credit Card companies, Mortgage Loan companies and Banks are predators. They aggressively work to victimize consumers for their own gain through unscrupulous business practices, taking advantage of desperate people and charging ever increasing rates of interest.
Lawyers who push for litigation when they know they will string people along and get paid exorbitant wages while doing it with no positive results for them in the end.
Doctors who push for unnecessary or ineffective treatments and surgeries, and who gouge patients and insurance companies for more gain at the expense of everyone.
Company Executives are predators when they pay their employees as little as possible with few or no benefits, burn out their employees for their own gain, sell products that are known to be harmful while refuting the evidence (tobacco companies, modified foods, etc.) and lay off employees for their own bonuses or stature in the company.
Lobbyists, the government officials who take their bribes and the system that allows this “buying” of government for the wealthy and powerful are predators because what they do is done at the expense of the people, as well as those who would limit basic, human rights or the availability of voting.
Local government officials who use their office for personal gain, position or power or that of their cronies are predators. Those who use regulations to punish residents unnecessarily and those who do what they do to keep certain people out of their territories are predators.
Clergy are often predators, seeking wealth, power and prestige at the expense of The Gospel, the Church and individuals within the church. Using “The Law” to control people, using their position for sexual self-indulgence and manipulating others to tithe for their personal gain are all predatory practices.
Church members, congregations and denominations who viciously attack and judge others (homosexuals, single parents, non-believers, etc.) are predators.
Motorists can be predatory in their driving, riding someone’s bumper, speeding up so another motorist cannot merge in the lane, going slowly in the passing lane and zipping in and out of lanes in an aggressive manner are all at the cost of the safety of others.
Citizens and neighbors who out of their predatory nature, circumstance or opportunity seek personal gain in wealth, position or power by attacking other neighbors, unnecessarily reporting harmless, even helpful property violations and those who cannot afford to meet arbitrarily adopted standards on their property are predators.

OUR RESPONSE TO PREDATORS?
1. become a predator oneself
2. associate with or hire predators to attack the predators
3. organize non-predators to say “No” to predators and their actions
I will assertively defend the victims of predators, and not aggressively attack the predators, because I do not want to become what I hate. It is much too easy to let the predatory behavior of others to turn oneself into a predator, rather than an anti-predator. It is out of love for the predators as well as their “prey” that we must stand up to predatory behavior, because a predatory norm in society hurts all of us.
Human beings are only “prey” in the eyes of a predator.

JESUS healed on the Sabbath and picked grain for hungry followers on the Sabbath, and the Predators came after Him for it. Yes, it was against the Law of Moses. It did not harm anyone and was beneficial for some in need.
JESUS said, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” regarding a legalistic view of the Law and punishing those who break the law, rather than be predatory in the Law… JESUS warned us to beware of Wolves in Sheeps’ clothing, who appear just to be “upright, appropriate and proper”, when they are simply predators looking for an opportunity to be predatory
JESUS taught that we must be “shrewd as a snake and unmixed as a dove” – know what the score is, not naïve, and STILL not fall into these unscrupulous activities – not become what we do not or should not value
Lord, help me to follow YOUR Way when dealing with Predators.
Pastor Jamie