Hanging out and waiting for things to happen

Sometimes waiting for God can seem like "waiting for Godot" - you can google the reference. It seems like a sense of limbo and it can be distracting. Even if I am praying about what seems to be a life-changing decision for me...like a big change in occupation...that shouldn't become the focus of my life. It's easy to put the "idea" of following God, ahead of following God. What? Think about it. It's like worshiping the Bible, and not understanding the words lead you to worship the Creator. It's like worshiping a relic of the cross and not remembering the what the cross means to you as a Christian believer. In the same way...waiting for God can be an idol in itself.

I'm not saying God doesn't lead me to times of prayer, meditation, and reflection. But there are still hungry and hurting people in my path. And I don't get to say to them...wait...I need to see if I can help you...it may not be God's will for me right now. Ha...

On NPR there was a story of a man in Karachi, Pakistan...uneducated, untrained in anything. He started one of the biggest social service networks in the country. He has clinics for babies and buries the anonymous dead. It's an amazing story. He doesn't have to ask God what to do today...it's right in front of him every day.

So for me, let me not forget the relationship...with God, with my neighbor. Let me not forget my neighbor extends beyond my immediate vision, beyond my neighborhood, my social class, my race, and even my borders. My neighbor is the entire world. Open my eyes Lord, that I may see...Open my heart Lord, that I may respond...with your strength...not my own.

today's perscription for spiritual growth

Read this:

http://bit.ly/cbkHz

Read this:

http://www.nakedpastor.com/archives/3566

That is all...

Welcoming Immigrants?

We put up so many walls to immigrants in the US because we are so afraid that all this goodness that "God" has blessed us with might accidentally be diminished if we share it more freely. Mourn the day people...mourn the day.

On the other hand, Israel seems to be getting immigration right...at least when it comes to welcoming their own... Of course, if the US is a Christian nation...(I really don't believe that big one...) then shouldn't we be welcoming all persons with open arms?

So here's how Israel handles immigration...read it and weep... (maybe the Jews really are God's chosen people, and Christians have some how missed the boat when it comes to acting like Jesus):

From the Jerusalem Post :

To smooth the transition for a recent group of South African immigrants to Israel, the Jewish Agency has devised a new way of helping olim (immigrants). Instead of bringing olim to Israel, Israel was brought to the olim via an "aliya expo" in South Africa. "This is a new concept of aliya (immigration)," said Ofer Dahan, the Jewish Agency's outgoing representative for South Africa. "This way, anyone interested in aliya would be able to take out a mortgage, buy an apartment, make investment, do anything he wants to before he comes to Israel."

More than 100 South Africans made aliya on one recent day, and to ease the process, El Al airlines officials came to a local community center to check in the baggage early, which allowed olim to board their flight directly, resulting in reduced stress.

Post-aliya care has been stepped up, too. In a move to reduce bureaucracy, representatives of banks, national insurance, schools and the government met with the olim the next day in their hotel, thus saving these new immigrants many hours of going back and forth processing paperwork. It is hoped that this procedure will serve as a model for future group flights.

What do we really know...

Have you ever been asked what you think of something? I mean, it's like you are really supposed to KNOW something and impart that knowledge to lead and influence people. What a bunch of bunk.

Do I really Know...capital "k" Know anything? I know what I think, I know what I like, although that can change in an instant. I know how I feel right this instant, although that will also change in a second. So what do I "K"now. Not much...not much at all. In fact the more that I learn, the more I learn that I do not Know much worth knowing.

There are a lot of things that I believe though. I believe that loving my neighbor is about the best I can do to show Christ's love to another human being. I believe that the principles that Jesus displayed on this earth are not necessarily what is happening in my life, or being promoted through many "Christian" religions. I believe that someone who is a very good Hindu may be a better Christian than I am. I believe that for me to become who God wants me to be, I must deny myself and what I want for the betterment of others. I believe that all of the above is very hard to do...

I believe that I love most people, but that I should love all people.

I believe that I need to live in community with you, not just live in your community.

I hope that my belief will match my action...

Love and Peace to all.

True Kingdom of God...Zemayesh

From my friend Joyce Spielberger: This is truly community. It is what we need to be about as the capital "C" Church universal:

I recently returned from Israel where I had the privilege of attending our Partnership 2000 steering committee meetings in our sister city of Rosh Ha'ayin. The day before the meetings began, I was at a marina in Herzilya where I saw a boat with the name "Zemayesh" written on it. Loosely translated, Zemayesh means "this is what we have" or as we might say in America, "what it is, it is." And, of course, like an Israeli, you add a gesture and shrug your shoulders as you say "Zemayesh."

Zemayesh, this is what we have. I don't know why but the expression continued to resonate with me throughout my time in Israel...as I spoke to the Israeli people, as I looked out the window of our bus at the scenery and as I visited programs our Federation and Foundation support. Zemayesh.

I thought, Zemayesh, this is what we have in Israel...arid, barren desert; yet, Israelis have learned to grow crops, creating revolutionary techniques to irrigate by bringing desalinated water all the way from Ashkelon to grow vineyards, crops such as cherry tomatoes, and Eucalyptus trees in the Negev.

Zemayesh, this is what we have in Israel...the most hospitable people, who love for you to drop in unannounced and visit with them, any time of the day. Zemayesh...amazing, resilient people who want nothing but for their children and their children's children to grow up in an Israel that is safe and secure, a place where they can live in peace. Zemayesh, this is what we have.

Our Federation understands Zemayesh. We raise dollars each year and Zemayesh, this is what we have. However, for us, too, it is not only Zemayesh, it is also "Zeh She'mah Osim" -- "this is what we do."

Zeh She'mah Osim...so we can be sure that nowhere in the world a Jewish person goes in need. Zeh She'mah Osim...so that children and communities in Southern Israel have the physical and emotional support they need as they live in fear of rocket attacks. Zeh She'mah Osim...so that we can help each of our local agencies contribute and enrich our Jewish and broader communities. Zeh She'mah Osim...so that we can build vital, collaborative partnerships with the broader community to benefit Birmingham as a whole.

Yes...Zemayesh...the dollars you contribute...this is what we have; and yet Zeh She'mah Osim...this is what we can do together, through our Federation and Foundation. There is so much we do, continue to do, and will do, thanks to your support. Todah rabbah! Thank you very much.

Wiping out Israel?

Israel's ambassador to the US, warned on Friday that an Iranian atomic bomb could "wipe Israel off the map in a matter of seconds."

Geographically, we are very far removed from the middle east conflicts... It's not just the Israeli's that are afraid...it's the Sunni Muslims too. It's too easy to just write off the constant messages out of Israel as "paranoid" or "posturing." It's way more than that...it's a matter of survival.

If someone had a gun pointed at our head, constantly...we might understand how they feel. In this instance, the gun isn't quite constructed yet. It's being built, one piece at a time. Agonizingly, the Israelis are watching its construction and wondering why we can't all come up with a solution to prevent it's completion. Because, once it's complete, it's too late. The trigger can be pulled in seconds.

Then, they would be forced to do something for their own survival.

I don't care

If you care about something you really have to start speaking up about it. It doesn't matter what it is. If you don't, I don't think you really care.

You're probably not going to get shot or beaten or even kicked out of the country club for speaking up...but someone may not eat, may get deported, or may not get medical care if you don't. I'm not saying it's all up to you by yourself. But if you don't start, you will never be the catalyst in the chain of events that makes the whole thing go.

If you think your insignificant...just wait until you try to make a difference. You'll find just how significant your opposition thinks you are...

love

Sometimes the simplest things bring the most joy. I built a fort out of pillows and blankets with my son. It was the best thing I did all day.