"Be a Blessing"

Perhaps one of the toughest challenges in our interactions with others,and there are many, is to not repay the harm another has done with the same,but instead repay them with a blessing. New testament scriptures which come to mind are Galatians 5:14: ¹⁴For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this;Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself and I Peter 3:8-11,"8...be like minded,be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with a blessing,because of this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue` from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek and pursue it (NIV).  In the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18 states "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself"; 

I don't think it would be an overstatement to say that many have fallen short of the glory of god on this one. Getting even, making sure someone pays for doing you wrong and "tit for tat" can be tempting traps to fall into, if not simply perceived as the needed way to respond. In a world full of trouble, unexpected trials,unfair dealing, push and pull among factions for power and control, to do what is justified and timely to alleviate human suffering borne of war, and the constant strivings of the individual to come out ahead and ontop at the office, the political contest and other public forums is something with which we grapple continually. During this election season, the political ads are fired off with an intensity that makes you wonder if the insults and the tearing down would ever be replaced with a fuller examination of the issues and the candidates true value. Toss into the arena daily back and forths and casual spats among family members and serious slights and abuses which strangers and sometimes close friends hurl at one another either intentionally or unintentionally.

The  Golden Rule which just about every religion and spiritual culture in the world has applied as a principal of ethical since ancient times, crossing the boundaries of religious practice and applied by world cultures to resolve issues,"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" needs to rain down on us today like a mighty cloudburst as it could stand broader and stauncher application today. A great number of prominent religious figures and philosophers have restated its reciprocal, "two-way" nature in various ways...1 
The simple question,  piercing in its accuracy is what will your ultimate act be,how will you respond when flashbacks of the bad things done to you by another i.e., the hurt, the inconvenience,trouble and trauma tugs on your heart and mind?  When your heart strings, your compssion and natural inclination for decency spur you on to do good ,respond to the help for request and be a blessing.  Will you pgive them a drink of water when they are thirsty? Or will you cut off the faucet as you reflect on the ugly things they have done to you?  If they are hungry, do you share your food or instead close the pantry door and lock it up?

Pray to God for guidance as you work through the challenge and strive to"Be a blessing..."

In the words of the song "Go get it,go get your blessing...its your time. You can also be a blessing. Be a blessing. It's your time...

Cynthia Wilson
_________

¹http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule

John Mayer Cancels Upcoming Tour. May Need to Undergo Surgery Again

Photo by Cynthia Wilson

John Mayer,who has been recovering from throat surgery for the last several months, has today announced that he is cancelling his upcoming tour and will likely have to undergo another round of surgery on his vocal chords. The news comes as a shock and disappointment to his music fans and friends so looking forward to traveling to concerts on the tour scheduled to kick off in Bloomington, Indiana on April 9,2012. The tour is in support of his soon to be released record "Born and Raised", which is still scheduled to be released by Columbia Records on May 22.

 John went back to his doctor on Wednesday for a check up after "something did not feel right/sound right" during a rehearsal. His doctor informed him that the condition had returned and he would have "to take an indefinite break from live performing." Let's hope this is not so! It was enough of a shock that he was not among the performers at the White House concert Red,White and Blues in appreciation and celebration of the blues last month. His blues guitar was sorely missed.

  He originally underwent surgery four and a half months ago,which was around the same time that singer Adele had laser surgery on her vocal chords. She has since recovered.

This is such unpleasant news for John who usually manages to maintain an infectious enthusiasm with superlatives like "excellent" and an upbeat spirit. He did remark in response to the doctor's findings, "This is bad news. Because of this, I have no choice but to take an indefinite break from live performing." While this health issue is undoubtedly a setback for the tour and a disappointment to fans, John's health comes first. So, keep him lifted in  prayer that the problem will be corrected this time for sure with surgery and proper medicine. Hopefully, his resilience in combination with our prayers and well wishes will spur him on to a speedy and lasting recovery.

It just may be time to power up an 'interfaith' prayer intensive to help him through this. John,by the way is part Jewish. However, that does not mean you can't pray for him if you are Christian or any other faith for that matter. Get well John! We all love you.

Give Whitney Good Love,Prayer and Care

As our hearts break upon the recent and unbelievable news of yet another beloved music icon's untimely death,let us pray to god for her and her family. Let us also pray to god to help in the understanding and healing transformation of a cultural pathology which makes death at a young age so common among our great recording artists. Such a sad fact to face on this Sunday morning that Whitney Houston will no longer be here among us. Yet many of us will find a measure of consolation in her phenomenal talent which remains worthy of respect and celebration beyond her years. Perhaps we should question intently the quality of care provided our treasured artists with the same degree of fervor and zeal we purchase their records,concert tickets,download their music and clamor for more. Rest in peace and may god rest your soul...

Cynthia Wilson,the Chaplain of Pop

Restoring A Sense of Home:The Great Foreclosure Settlement

 The administration and those negotiating the recent multi-billion dollar (26 billion)settlement with the banks have inspired confidence that the country is on the right track,set on a firm course to obtain a just and fair result. Individual homeowners and entire communities devastated by questionable banking practices which resulted in unprecedented foreclosures can now see hope on the horizon. It is a substantive start and provides significant momentum for the pending investigation underway with the Housing Fraud committee. It is heartening that this settlement was reached. Good faith efforts to heal the housing crisis will go a long way in off-setting the banks'  image of insensitivity and  indifference to homeowners. It also restores a sense of home to those who are being foreclosed or currently have mortgages under water. The 2,000 opportunity could help to get some homewoners into another house or dwelling until they get on their feet.

Caring Big:Written On The Heart and Minds

"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."Hebrews 10:16

Part of the problem with those who take advantage of the woes of those lacking in material resources  to operate their personal lives and businesses successfully is an apparent refusal to think and share big. In a free enterprise system where rugged individualism and profit motives "I got mine,you can get yours" have been accepted as a matter of course and advocated as necessary evils in the scheme of things, those of goodwill can't help but wonder if it is at all as simple as that. With many people currently jobless and homeless many ask why couldn't morsels of those trillions and billions which bailed the banks out have at least trickled down in the thousands or hundreds to those who are still without homes as a result of the foreclosure crisis? Why couldn't money have been thrown into some form of employment pool with the same degree of fervor and urgency as the funds allocated to the banks?

Several praying women, pressed to the point of righteous indignation by the drastic state of homelessness and abandonment of homes which they have witnesses in their communities felt the need to call members of their community together to voice their concerns in a letter writing campaign to government officials. Inspired by the work of Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize recipients who inspired the film Pray the Devil Back to Hell, spiritual leader and minister of Transforming Love Community in Detroit,Michigan recently led a writing seminar for women in the community. The purpose was to come together as concerned,praying and caring women of god inspired, moved and called to make a difference by writing their concerns in letter form about the plight of their city as witnessed by each in their service to the community,on the job, in their churches and in their neighborhoods.

The problem:the housing and foreclosure issue and how it has ravaged Detroit, destabilized the communities of church members and left many unexpectedly homeless i.e., the people you would least expect. Where two or more are gathered in his name, god is in the midst. That goes as much for spoken as written prayers. When a community comes together and cares big enough to wage a letter writing campaign-writing on paper what they hope to ultimately be written on the heart, the message is bound to get through to those who can do something to help.

God Will Provide...Spirit Warmers and Jobs

A friend called recently, near the close of last year thrilled to announce the news about her new job.She was joyous to say the least about entering the gainful employment stream once again after so many months and years of  unemployment. Mainly a a result of the down surge in the economy which took hold during the previous administration and spilled over into the current economy resulting in what has been assessed by the experts as one of the worst recessions. Some of the experts have even slightly hinted of a depression.

More than care to admit have been in the jobless category. Some have been first timers, professionals and executives rusty in job seeking skills. Some have not been as open about their status as others due to shame, embarassment and a desire to keep up appearances.  Many  have weathered the storm quietly and honestly with dignity,few complaints and the resourcefulness born of faith in god, solid values and love of country.  It was good to hear about my friend's good fortune. Obama's news about the economy just a few days following i.e., the decrease in the unemployment rate down to 8 percent from 9 provided a welcome dose of enthusiasm and added to the optimism.

It is a reminder that god will provide even in the bleekest of times if we have faith and continue to knock on doors with hopeful expectancy. Politicians spewing venom at each other amid allegations of incompetence,pointing fingers amongst themselves about their lack of sound economic policies, playing short sighted  games of one upsmanship to secure temporary surges in the polls would not seem to be the most productive course of action. Of course its an election year. But why can't they all come up with sound ideas for the good of the country instead of beating it down. At least show the President a little more respect for the enormity and complexity of the task at hand. 

Despite his detractors, Obama's earnest fight,  taking the case for Jobs to the public, rallying for his Jobs Act in the face of naysaying and congressional opposition appears to be yielding fruit.  The growing number of jobs and companies who are hiring is a hopeful development.  It is also good to have the news of this reality hit home at this time,warm the spirits of the jobless everywhere while reminding the nation that we are still the richest country in the world. That has to be worth something...

"Rendering Unto Caesar and Unto God" in Modern Times

                                  Image Credit
 
 
 
"Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not?”


But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?  Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius,  and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Matthew 22:15-21

"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God, the things that are God's" Matthew 22:21
 
The famous passage in St.Matthews known as the Tribute passage is referenced in this message and like most of the age old wisdom and teachings from the Hebrew or New Testament Bible is relevant today. Jesus' teaching as captured in the full pericope in which a trap is set for him by hostile interrogators,resonates with a desire to do what is right, ultimately making the best choice when faced with the challenge of doing what is politically and morally correct, having to discern between the two when the social climate is rife with social controversy and political unrest.
 
The bottom line is that in the Hebrew tradition, and Jesus was a Rabbi, everything belonged to god.He reminds his interrogators that God was owed exclusive allegiance and total love and worship. So, everything economically belonged to God as well.
 
This historically spiritual teaching of rendering unto another,in this case Caesar, which is ostensibly his, provides food for thought on a more generalized scale in working through the maze of moral issues faced during today's economy as there is clamoring for economic justice and class parity. The "Occupy" movement has not only focused attention on the enormous disparities existing between ordinary citizens and Wall Street titans in terms of government access, but has also generated an increased demand for fair taxation among the super rich, rich, middle class and impovershed masses. 
 
When its all sifted through and the ultimate tally taken as in this context in Jesus' time,the rendering is ultimately unto God. The measures taken by men to run and sustain organized financial systems will in the long run only be regarded as man made stop gaps. While the eternal system of pay outs and budget balancing is in the hands of an infinite creator who has feeble human deficit solutions outpaced by inconmprehensible margins. I don't think anyone would disagree that corporate greed contributed to market problems and resultant collapse.
 
The real rendering,which is to God will take place when we start taking care of each other the way god intended. When that happens the budgets will find a way of balancing out and bottomless deficits corrected.We might also find that printing all the money in the world won't solve the problems, if God is not in the equation.  Our hearts have to be right. Otherwise, its like throwing meaningless paper to the wind.
 
Of course gallant efforts have been made by some to solve the financial woes on both the national and global scales.  Indeed it takes experts, i.e., the federal reserve,banking executives, business and corporate leaders, government officials and ordinary citizens working in unison to come up with plausible soultions. But if everyone involved were sincere in their caring, had to live next door or in the same household with a neighbor who lost a job or other means of support, they might be more inclined to release funds that are now being clinched and held on to so tightly.
 
 The real budget balancing,restoration and deficit reductions will begin when we Render unto God what is God's. A good start is rendering unto neighbor. The first commndment is to love God with all thy heart. The second is to love thy neighbor as thyself. Many of your neighbors don't have jobs,many don't have homes to live in and many don't have enough food.  Yet they have paid their taxes as responsible citizens. That money helps to pay for the salaries of those who are holding things up.