On July 22,1620 the Pilgrims started out from Holland aboard the "Speedwell". At Plymouth, England, they transferred to the "Mayflower". And as they say, "The rest is history."
Historians have often speculated about what would have happened if they had landed where they intended to, which was far south of the Plymouth Rock. Virginia was their original destination. Cape Cod was not on their course, but when they saw it they followed it to the mainland and a new Plymouth.
Ironically today is also the day in 1587, that the Lost Colony landed on Roanoke Island, off North Carolina. That colony expected to be met by a group that landed earlier. A third group, landing later at Roanoke also expected to be met by the colony before them. A familiar story to all and a mystery to this day.
But the story of the Pilgrims is no mystery - except what might have happened in American history if they had reached the original destination instead of Massachusetts. History and life is full of big "ifs". "If" we do this or that, what happens? Today each of us as individuals and all as a community face some really big "ifs".
If I don't find hope for myself or society, what will happen? If I don't take an extra effort to better my
community, why should I expect the politicians to do any better? If there is no God, why are we here? If I acknowledge God; if I become involved in my community; and if I have hope in a future will life as I know it be better?
Do you realize at this point there is a great urge to say emphatically, "Yes!" life will be better "if". But that would be a spectator's response and none of us are spectators in life. Everyone participates, some good, some bad. Was it a good or bad moment when the "Mayflower" changed course and headed in land to Plymouth?
Would New York be where Norfolk is today? Would slavery be unnecessary in an industrial South? Would Haiti and other Caribbean Islands be part of our great nation? Do we see the endless possibilities of "what ifs". These "what ifs" did not happen. That course change was an important moment in history. Good or bad are merely a form of speculative evaluation of a historical decision. Everyone has their own view.
How will history evaluate our decisions today? Should the church keep after the image of a church as we had it in the Eisenhower years? Or is it time to change course and venture into new territory? Should any community follow the ways of old or give their Mayor support to take them into new progressive waters? Should we resist the changes facing our youth or sail with them into uncharted waters?
A great nation of traditions and values held so dear, came out of that decision in the North Atlantic in 1620. Since that first Plymouth Rock, we have become a great nation of pioneers and risk takers. Don't stop now.
The Plymouth Rock of every community across the land is being built by peoples’s decisions today. To prevent our children from being plagued with "what ifs", let us all head for uncharted waters together. Let's change courses as churches and work together for our children. Let us as citizens endorse visions of our Mayors. As a community let's all quit doing things for and to our children. Let's do more things "with" them.
The original vision of every community in this great land began nearly two hundred years ago. There have been course corrections along the way, some good and some bad. Overall they have brought us to communities way beyond the greatest hopes of anyone on the "Mayflower". Today some of our leaders have seen a glimpse of a new era on the horizon and want to change course to see where it leads us. I say, remember the brave Pilgrims following a glimpse of land to their New England. Shall we encourage our leaders to go for it! It will be worth any hardships endured. Who knows what great future we can established? Will they look back three hundred years from now and celebrate the course changes of today's leaders? I pray so.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Time for self examination
As the end of this year rushes upon us we all begin many self-examinations and I thought an old story was appropriate. It goes like this: A man came to an elderly rabbi and said, “You Jews use a special form of reasoning, called Talmudic, which explains your cleverness. I want you to teach it to me.”
“My friend,” sighed the old rabbi, “I am afraid you might not be able to.”
“Nonsense! Why?”
“Well, when Jewish boys wish to study the Talmud- we first give them three questions. Those lads that answer all three correct are allowed to study the Talmud; those who can’t, are not.”
The man frowned and demanded, “Give me the exam.”
The rabbi shrugged and gave him the first question: Two men fall down a chimney. One emerges filthy, covered with soot; the other emerges clean. Which one washes?”
“The dirty one of course,”sneered the man.”
“Wrong, sir. The clean one washes.”
“The clean one?” the man was astonished. “Why?”
“When the two emerge,”explained the rabbi, “they look at each other, correct? The dirty one looks at the clean one and thinks, ‘wow we came out clean’. But the clean one looks at the dirty one and says, Holy Mackerel! We really got dirty. And he washes.”
‘Ah,” the man says, “very clever. Now, what is the second question?”
“The second question is this: Two men fall down a chimney. One emerges filthy, covered with soot; the other emerges clean. Which...”
“Whoa, that’s the same question,” roared the man.
“No it is not. This time the dirty man washes. The clean man looks at the dirty man and says how dirty we must be, but when he looks at his hands he sees he is clean. Likewise the dirty man looks at the clean man and thinks how clean they must be, but realizes he is dirty when he looks at his hands. So the dirty man washes.”
“Clever, Jew,” said the man, “very clever. Now give me the third question. You won’t fool me again.”
“Very well, here it is: Two men fall down a chimney. One emerges filthy, covered with soot; the other emerges clean.”
“Wait a minute, that’s the same question!” cried the man.
“Wrong,”said the rabbi. “The words may be the same-but the problem is entirely new. Which man washes?”
“The dirty one!” snapped the man.
“Wrong,” murmured the rabbi.
“The clean one!”
“I am sorry,” said the rabbi, “wrong again.”
“Then what is the answer?” seethed the man.
“The right answer,” replied the rabbi, “ is that this is a cuckoo examination! How can two men fall down the same chimney and one come out dirty and the other come out clean? Anyone that doesn’t see that at once will, I am afraid, never be able to understand the Talmud.”
Now a new story from me: Two men read their Holy Writings and one comes out very very perfect and the other not so perfect. Which one must repent?
Silly isn’t it how we work hard in life to gain labels and at the same time work to get rid of labels. So this year don’t take the silly examine of constant repentance, just work at being the image of God as you see it.
“My friend,” sighed the old rabbi, “I am afraid you might not be able to.”
“Nonsense! Why?”
“Well, when Jewish boys wish to study the Talmud- we first give them three questions. Those lads that answer all three correct are allowed to study the Talmud; those who can’t, are not.”
The man frowned and demanded, “Give me the exam.”
The rabbi shrugged and gave him the first question: Two men fall down a chimney. One emerges filthy, covered with soot; the other emerges clean. Which one washes?”
“The dirty one of course,”sneered the man.”
“Wrong, sir. The clean one washes.”
“The clean one?” the man was astonished. “Why?”
“When the two emerge,”explained the rabbi, “they look at each other, correct? The dirty one looks at the clean one and thinks, ‘wow we came out clean’. But the clean one looks at the dirty one and says, Holy Mackerel! We really got dirty. And he washes.”
‘Ah,” the man says, “very clever. Now, what is the second question?”
“The second question is this: Two men fall down a chimney. One emerges filthy, covered with soot; the other emerges clean. Which...”
“Whoa, that’s the same question,” roared the man.
“No it is not. This time the dirty man washes. The clean man looks at the dirty man and says how dirty we must be, but when he looks at his hands he sees he is clean. Likewise the dirty man looks at the clean man and thinks how clean they must be, but realizes he is dirty when he looks at his hands. So the dirty man washes.”
“Clever, Jew,” said the man, “very clever. Now give me the third question. You won’t fool me again.”
“Very well, here it is: Two men fall down a chimney. One emerges filthy, covered with soot; the other emerges clean.”
“Wait a minute, that’s the same question!” cried the man.
“Wrong,”said the rabbi. “The words may be the same-but the problem is entirely new. Which man washes?”
“The dirty one!” snapped the man.
“Wrong,” murmured the rabbi.
“The clean one!”
“I am sorry,” said the rabbi, “wrong again.”
“Then what is the answer?” seethed the man.
“The right answer,” replied the rabbi, “ is that this is a cuckoo examination! How can two men fall down the same chimney and one come out dirty and the other come out clean? Anyone that doesn’t see that at once will, I am afraid, never be able to understand the Talmud.”
Now a new story from me: Two men read their Holy Writings and one comes out very very perfect and the other not so perfect. Which one must repent?
Silly isn’t it how we work hard in life to gain labels and at the same time work to get rid of labels. So this year don’t take the silly examine of constant repentance, just work at being the image of God as you see it.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Reactions at a Political Gathering
I don’t know why, but in the time period we celebrate “Hallowed Eve, thanksgiving and Christmas, I can’t help enjoy what The Force Behind Creation (God in my system) thinks of how we take ourselves so seriously over two celebrating events.
One of the neatest sounds in all of creation is the “Heavenly Chuckle.” This is the chuckle, we seem to hear, when Life says, “Relax, you're taking yourselves way to seriously!”
Since no person has ever completely seen The Force Behind Creation (my God), all studies about them are a matter of opinion. We are asks us to respect one another, to accept one another without censure. If we have this mutual respect we can laugh “at and with” each another. The “Heavenly Chuckle” is to be shared by all people.
Recently an article I read included something along these lines, that gave me a chuckle and I want to share it with you. When I read it the very first time, I am positive I heard the “Heavenly Chuckle.” Here it is my modification of that article.
“HOW PEOPLE RESPOND IN A CRISIS...”
During a political gathering, someone rushed in and shouted, “The building is on fire!”
The Congressional attendees yelled throw money at it;
The Methodist gathered in the corner and prayed;
The Baptist cried, “Where's the water?”;
The Christian Scientist agreed there was no fire;
The Fundamentalist shouted, “It's the vengeance of God!”;
The Atheist began to sing “Case Sera” - whatever will be will be;
The Lutherans nailed a notice on the door declaring the fire was not justified;
The Quakers quietly praised God for the blessings the fire would bring;
The Jews posted symbols above the door hoping the fire would pass over;
The Congregationalist shouted, “Everyone for themselves!”;
The Muslims were divided over whether the fire was an act of heroism or terrorism;
The Church of Christ kept the news all to themselves;
The Episcopalians formed a procession and marched out in grand style;
The PAC members asked if anyone needed advice as what to do;
The Catholics sold tickets to toast marshmallows;
The Presbyterians appointed a chairperson who was to appoint a committee to look into the matter;
The President declared the fire started before I got here!
Yes we are all different in our views and understandings about who or what God is or what this life is all about, but we still are beholden to Someone or Something in all things. Perhaps the last laugh is on us. Maybe we are here for fellowship with Someone or Something, for their amusement. I personally can hear my God chuckle at are seriousness of the subject. Ain't that neat?
Shall we all lighten up on who is right or wrong and solve life’s problems together, before it is to late and the “Chuckle” turns to a “Sob” over our demise?
One of the neatest sounds in all of creation is the “Heavenly Chuckle.” This is the chuckle, we seem to hear, when Life says, “Relax, you're taking yourselves way to seriously!”
Since no person has ever completely seen The Force Behind Creation (my God), all studies about them are a matter of opinion. We are asks us to respect one another, to accept one another without censure. If we have this mutual respect we can laugh “at and with” each another. The “Heavenly Chuckle” is to be shared by all people.
Recently an article I read included something along these lines, that gave me a chuckle and I want to share it with you. When I read it the very first time, I am positive I heard the “Heavenly Chuckle.” Here it is my modification of that article.
“HOW PEOPLE RESPOND IN A CRISIS...”
During a political gathering, someone rushed in and shouted, “The building is on fire!”
The Congressional attendees yelled throw money at it;
The Methodist gathered in the corner and prayed;
The Baptist cried, “Where's the water?”;
The Christian Scientist agreed there was no fire;
The Fundamentalist shouted, “It's the vengeance of God!”;
The Atheist began to sing “Case Sera” - whatever will be will be;
The Lutherans nailed a notice on the door declaring the fire was not justified;
The Quakers quietly praised God for the blessings the fire would bring;
The Jews posted symbols above the door hoping the fire would pass over;
The Congregationalist shouted, “Everyone for themselves!”;
The Muslims were divided over whether the fire was an act of heroism or terrorism;
The Church of Christ kept the news all to themselves;
The Episcopalians formed a procession and marched out in grand style;
The PAC members asked if anyone needed advice as what to do;
The Catholics sold tickets to toast marshmallows;
The Presbyterians appointed a chairperson who was to appoint a committee to look into the matter;
The President declared the fire started before I got here!
Yes we are all different in our views and understandings about who or what God is or what this life is all about, but we still are beholden to Someone or Something in all things. Perhaps the last laugh is on us. Maybe we are here for fellowship with Someone or Something, for their amusement. I personally can hear my God chuckle at are seriousness of the subject. Ain't that neat?
Shall we all lighten up on who is right or wrong and solve life’s problems together, before it is to late and the “Chuckle” turns to a “Sob” over our demise?
Monday, November 7, 2011
A sad Christian General
For years I was blessed to look at the painting entitled, "The Christian General" by William L. Maughan. It is a picture of General Lee reading the Holy Bible as a sleeping child rest peacefully on his lap. Robert E. Lee, a graduate of the US Military Academy and leader of the Confederate Armies, was a remarkable human being, who spoke many wise proverbs in his life.
None more wiser than what he said on December 13, 1862. Pondering the Battle of Fredericksberg, General Lee said, "It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow fond of it." Do you think the politicians in Washington believe war is so terrible? What about the neo-brown shirts called the Christian Coalition or anti war zealots of the sixties? Have they all become fond of war? One would think so with recent actions.
Our nation during the last quarter of the twentieth century and into the present one, has become the "champion of freedom" at home and abroad. My heart pounds with pride when we send troops to defend freedom, whether it is in Birmingham, Detroit, Berlin, Bagdad or wherever. I took an oath to serve those causes and defend the nation against all tyrannies that threaten our freedom.
But recently, and I mean the last thirty years, the leaders of this nation seem to have forgotten why we send men and women to war. Their primary reason seems to be capitalistic gains or oil. Now I know all wars have a capitalistic undertone, but it should not be the primary focus.
With all of the wars being fought on our beautiful planet, why are we choosing to get involved in a religious war, that has been going on since the fall of Constantinople? If we are going to send peace keeping troops into every Muslim country, shouldn't we also send them into Ireland, South Africa, China, Korea, Thailand, etc.? Are we really getting involved to protect freedom, religion or our nation's security and financial interest?
I believe places like Bosnia and Iraq are good marketplaces for our military industrialist. We declare we are there to maintain peace and in the same breath announce we can now sell arms to the Muslims. The people of Bosnia even look like Mr and Mrs Middle America, so the war was easier to sell to our citizenry. Let's face it selling Asians or Blacks as victims of anything is a hard sell in this country.
Bosnia was also close to our economic and ancestral roots. We still fall all over European Royalty no matter how ridiculous they behave. It also is close to the cradle of what we call civilization - Greece and The Fertile Crescent of civilization . The roots of many of our religious organizations come out of these neighboring regions. Yes, Bosnia and our religious geography are an easy sell to Americans.
It was and is a win win situation. It was and is easy to sell. It is good for our industrial manufactures. After all we are the largest producers of killing machines. It could be a prolonged market surge. Television can help it be perpetuated and more and more war products will be consumed in the name of peace. My fellow military officers will benefit as they did in Vietnam. Nam was a two promotion tour. Nam was a down payment on a new home, thanks to combat pay.
Yes Bosnia and the Fertile Crescent are much better places to be involved in a war. People are really growing fond of the idea. How that must sadden the "Christian General" I saw on my wall for so many years..
None more wiser than what he said on December 13, 1862. Pondering the Battle of Fredericksberg, General Lee said, "It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow fond of it." Do you think the politicians in Washington believe war is so terrible? What about the neo-brown shirts called the Christian Coalition or anti war zealots of the sixties? Have they all become fond of war? One would think so with recent actions.
Our nation during the last quarter of the twentieth century and into the present one, has become the "champion of freedom" at home and abroad. My heart pounds with pride when we send troops to defend freedom, whether it is in Birmingham, Detroit, Berlin, Bagdad or wherever. I took an oath to serve those causes and defend the nation against all tyrannies that threaten our freedom.
But recently, and I mean the last thirty years, the leaders of this nation seem to have forgotten why we send men and women to war. Their primary reason seems to be capitalistic gains or oil. Now I know all wars have a capitalistic undertone, but it should not be the primary focus.
With all of the wars being fought on our beautiful planet, why are we choosing to get involved in a religious war, that has been going on since the fall of Constantinople? If we are going to send peace keeping troops into every Muslim country, shouldn't we also send them into Ireland, South Africa, China, Korea, Thailand, etc.? Are we really getting involved to protect freedom, religion or our nation's security and financial interest?
I believe places like Bosnia and Iraq are good marketplaces for our military industrialist. We declare we are there to maintain peace and in the same breath announce we can now sell arms to the Muslims. The people of Bosnia even look like Mr and Mrs Middle America, so the war was easier to sell to our citizenry. Let's face it selling Asians or Blacks as victims of anything is a hard sell in this country.
Bosnia was also close to our economic and ancestral roots. We still fall all over European Royalty no matter how ridiculous they behave. It also is close to the cradle of what we call civilization - Greece and The Fertile Crescent of civilization . The roots of many of our religious organizations come out of these neighboring regions. Yes, Bosnia and our religious geography are an easy sell to Americans.
It was and is a win win situation. It was and is easy to sell. It is good for our industrial manufactures. After all we are the largest producers of killing machines. It could be a prolonged market surge. Television can help it be perpetuated and more and more war products will be consumed in the name of peace. My fellow military officers will benefit as they did in Vietnam. Nam was a two promotion tour. Nam was a down payment on a new home, thanks to combat pay.
Yes Bosnia and the Fertile Crescent are much better places to be involved in a war. People are really growing fond of the idea. How that must sadden the "Christian General" I saw on my wall for so many years..
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
How One Man Ruined Humanity
The Death of Humanity or How Curiosity Killed the Cat
Ever wonder how we humans got in this mess?
People killing people in every corner of the world. People driven by greed stealing financial opportunities and security from thousands, no make that millions, of people in every village, town, city, and nation on this giant beautiful blue marble spinning through space and time. People seeking power and fame crushing people as they climb over their broken bodies and empty wallets at any spot on the globe. The bad guys seem to be winning.
The grand and glorious goal of a perfect socialist nation crumbled when angry citizens torne down A WALL. The vision of a nation of people worshiping and honoring their God as they see fit was struck down when freedom was deemed to be for everyone, not just the Christians. The idea that all human beings deserve the same opportunities and freedoms in this life was crucified: when a gay man was strapped to barb wire, tortured, and killed; when a young girl is mutilated and covered with a burka; when a white collar billion dollar criminal is better treated in prison than a homeless man in a shelter; and when national and international leaders meet and meet and talk on and on and on, while people continue to suffer from an array of persecutions.
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
FIRST WHEN DID IT HAPPEN?
Well, I have an idea that it started a long, long, long time ago, when humans existed in their own separate clusters. There were some in the hill country and they lived in comfortable caves. The ones in the plains lived in grass huts. The ones near the sea in warmer climates lived on the beach. And so on and so on, well you get the picture.
None of these groups knew about the other groups. They believed they were the only ones on this small planet. They each developed their own language, diet, ethics and beliefs about where they came from, why they were here, and where they were going. All was right with the universe!
SECOND WHY DID IT HAPPEN?
It probably started when the boys were playing on the edge of their "village" and one of them, let’s call him Abe, looked up the hill where the horizon met his world. The play stopped and one of his friends asked, "Abe what are you looking at?"
Abe answered, "The top of the hill. Have you ever wondered what is beyond the top of our hill?"
His friend replied, "Abe you should not say or think that. What if the elders heard you?"
Then over the next few years, Abe would go to the edge and ponder the hill and what laid beyond. He never discussed it with anyone, for fear of sounding different. Then one day after he had entered manhood, he made an important decision. A decision that would change humanity forever. On that particular day, Abe decided to venture over the hill and see what was on the other side.
In just a few days after he crossed the crest of the hill he encountered some beings that looked a little like him, except that their color and built were different than his. They were lighter skinned than Abe and much taller. He stayed hid and crept closer to observe them better. They spoke strange words and were eating fruits and vegetables.
What they ate bothered Abe the most. In his world human beings only ate the animals they caught and killed. Things from plants were for the pigs and other beast. Plus with their lighter skins and tall bodies, how could they hide in the forest and hunt for their food. They were so different than Abe. It unnerved him!
With great fear and a trembling heart, Abe ran back over the hill to his own world. As soon as he arrived he ran to the head elder and reported the awful and fearful things he had seen over the hill. Those beings he saw were so very different than him! It was frightening.
The elder listened. He had never encountered these things he was hearing. What to do? So he pondered for a moment before responding to Abe’s report.
As the elder pondered, Abe blurted out, "They look like wild animals to me. They also seem dangerous because they are nothing like us. We should kill them before they come up over our hill." The elder agreed and so did the rest of the human beings, who looked like Abe and ate like Abe.
AND IT HAPPENED!
Ever since Abe reported to that elder so very, very, very long ago, human beings have been afraid of any being different than them. So much so, they believe it is their duty to eliminate anything different. Of course, the methods of elimination have improved and the kinds of differences we fear have expanded since Abe first introduced that kind of fear to humanity.
THAT IS HOW IT HAPPENED!
Ever wonder how we humans got in this mess?
People killing people in every corner of the world. People driven by greed stealing financial opportunities and security from thousands, no make that millions, of people in every village, town, city, and nation on this giant beautiful blue marble spinning through space and time. People seeking power and fame crushing people as they climb over their broken bodies and empty wallets at any spot on the globe. The bad guys seem to be winning.
The grand and glorious goal of a perfect socialist nation crumbled when angry citizens torne down A WALL. The vision of a nation of people worshiping and honoring their God as they see fit was struck down when freedom was deemed to be for everyone, not just the Christians. The idea that all human beings deserve the same opportunities and freedoms in this life was crucified: when a gay man was strapped to barb wire, tortured, and killed; when a young girl is mutilated and covered with a burka; when a white collar billion dollar criminal is better treated in prison than a homeless man in a shelter; and when national and international leaders meet and meet and talk on and on and on, while people continue to suffer from an array of persecutions.
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
FIRST WHEN DID IT HAPPEN?
Well, I have an idea that it started a long, long, long time ago, when humans existed in their own separate clusters. There were some in the hill country and they lived in comfortable caves. The ones in the plains lived in grass huts. The ones near the sea in warmer climates lived on the beach. And so on and so on, well you get the picture.
None of these groups knew about the other groups. They believed they were the only ones on this small planet. They each developed their own language, diet, ethics and beliefs about where they came from, why they were here, and where they were going. All was right with the universe!
SECOND WHY DID IT HAPPEN?
It probably started when the boys were playing on the edge of their "village" and one of them, let’s call him Abe, looked up the hill where the horizon met his world. The play stopped and one of his friends asked, "Abe what are you looking at?"
Abe answered, "The top of the hill. Have you ever wondered what is beyond the top of our hill?"
His friend replied, "Abe you should not say or think that. What if the elders heard you?"
Then over the next few years, Abe would go to the edge and ponder the hill and what laid beyond. He never discussed it with anyone, for fear of sounding different. Then one day after he had entered manhood, he made an important decision. A decision that would change humanity forever. On that particular day, Abe decided to venture over the hill and see what was on the other side.
In just a few days after he crossed the crest of the hill he encountered some beings that looked a little like him, except that their color and built were different than his. They were lighter skinned than Abe and much taller. He stayed hid and crept closer to observe them better. They spoke strange words and were eating fruits and vegetables.
What they ate bothered Abe the most. In his world human beings only ate the animals they caught and killed. Things from plants were for the pigs and other beast. Plus with their lighter skins and tall bodies, how could they hide in the forest and hunt for their food. They were so different than Abe. It unnerved him!
With great fear and a trembling heart, Abe ran back over the hill to his own world. As soon as he arrived he ran to the head elder and reported the awful and fearful things he had seen over the hill. Those beings he saw were so very different than him! It was frightening.
The elder listened. He had never encountered these things he was hearing. What to do? So he pondered for a moment before responding to Abe’s report.
As the elder pondered, Abe blurted out, "They look like wild animals to me. They also seem dangerous because they are nothing like us. We should kill them before they come up over our hill." The elder agreed and so did the rest of the human beings, who looked like Abe and ate like Abe.
AND IT HAPPENED!
Ever since Abe reported to that elder so very, very, very long ago, human beings have been afraid of any being different than them. So much so, they believe it is their duty to eliminate anything different. Of course, the methods of elimination have improved and the kinds of differences we fear have expanded since Abe first introduced that kind of fear to humanity.
THAT IS HOW IT HAPPENED!
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