God Tells Joseph to Create a Federal Program

Today's (March 5, 2012) author, in the section Speaking to the Soul on the Episcopal Cafe site, speaks of God directing Joseph to develop a "federal" program to feed the people of Egypt during the upcoming famin that he predicted by way of a dream from God. Government, and religion mixed; can that be!? The author in today's meditation makes a good case for that. You can read what he has to say by pasting the following link into your browser:

http://www.episcopalcafe.com/thesoul/god_tells_joseph_to_create_a_f.html#more

The scripture reference is Genesis 41:46-57.

2012 National Prayer Breakfast, Part 2

2012 National Prayer Breakfast, Part 1

Faith Activism and Martin Luther King's Legacy

As Christians Should We Celebrate a Death?

On May 2nd, the morning after we received the news that Bin Laden was killed I realized that what I was thinking would not be accepted by many people. To celebrate the death of any individual is somehow wrong. Was / had he turned into a monster? Yes! But as Christians we are told and are suppose to believe that everyone is a child of God. We would be well served to reflect on how anyone can become what Ben Laden had become. A possible answer to that may be that when anyone or any religion or any faction of a religion decides to hate it is the start down a road that leads to even greater hate and destruction. This is probably what Ben Laden allowed to happen. He took one of the world's great Abrahamic - monotheistic religions and twisted it toward hate. This was embraced by a small faction and we saw the result of this on9/11/01 and since. As Christians, if we are not careful, we too can allow hate to motivate us. Indeed some have. Examples of this can be seen in history as Nazi Shinheads, the KKK,and during the 1930s as isolationists. Caution is called for in our reactions. Caution is called for in our jubilation. We need not go down the same road as Bin Laden.

Having written my thoughts in a notebook, that you see above, I was pleased to see on an NPR post on Facebook the following story. Perhaps my thoughts are not so lonely after all.

Is It Wrong To Celebrate Bin Laden's Death?

by Linton Weeks

A crowd gathers outside the White House early Monday to celebrate President Obama's announcement that U.S. forces killed Osama bin Laden.

May 2, 2011

Impromptu celebrations erupted near the White House in Washington and ground zero in New York when news of Osama bin Laden's death was reported and tweeted.

Laura Cunningham, a 22-year-old Manhattan reveler — gripping a Budweiser in her hand and sitting atop the shoulders of a friend — was part of the crowd at ground zero in the wee hours Monday. As people around her chanted "U-S-A," Cunningham was struck by the emotional response. She told New York Observer: "It's weird to celebrate someone's death. It's not exactly what we're here to celebrate, but it's wonderful that people are happy." …To read the balance of this article go to: http://www.npr.org/2011/05/02/135927693/is-it-wrong-to-celebrate-bin-ladens-death

Atheists, I believe in God because I do - Leonard Pitts Jr. - MiamiHerald.com

This article is by Leonard Pitts Jr. a syndicated columnist who writes for the Miami Herald. To read the complete article go to the website listed below.

That which is without quality cannot be measured, the invisible cannot be examined, theincorporeal cannot be weighed, the limitless cannot be compared, the incomprehensible doesnot admit of more or less.’’ Gregory of Nyssa (fourth century Christian philosopher)

“I am that I am" Exodus 3:14

Occasionally, I manage to tick off an atheist.

It is not something I set out to do. Usually it results from some passing comment reflecting my belief that God is. As in a recent column on Lara Logan, the CBS reporter sexually assaulted in Egypt. I wrote that she is “deserving of our compassion, our empathy and our prayers.” This drove a reader named Patricia to her keyboard.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/01/2092334/i-believe-because-i-do.html#ixzz1GEzfcLtW

Karen Armstrong Builds A Case For God

In a recent interview of Karen Armstrong by Terry Gross on National Public Radio Ms Armstrong talks about her concepts of God and religion. Her comments are thought provoking and, some would say, controversial. If, however, one is willing to approach her concepts with an open mind (to use a current popular phrase and think outside the box) the interview is well worth reading, or listening to if you link to the audio version. The transcript can be accessed by going to http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112968197.

I would suggest getting in a quiet place, alone if possible to listen to and think (meditate?) about what is contained in this transcript. As waitresses all seem to say after they have served you a meal, "Enjoy!"