Prophecy and Credibility

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My Take On Paul Knitter's Prophecy and Credibility


This recent post which I ran across in Union in Dialgue strikes the nail on the head and I resonated with it immediately. Paul Knitter creatively addresses the challenge faced oftentimes by the weary prophet or as referred to in Richard Sennett's article in the Nation which fuels Knitter's response, 'leftists' and in more ancient times 'seers'. He speaks to the heart of the matter,  the prophet's ongoing struggle to achieve credibility, a key to creating palpable dialogue, maintaining harmony with people dead set against seeing, perceiving let alone sitting down to the table and discussing things eye to eye and face to face out of an enormous predisposition to disagree. More likely than not, they have also put up an invisible wall or two in places such as the psyche and other undetectable places a prophet may have already sensed which contributes substantially to their stridency. Somehow receptivity in all its seeming understatedness and subtlety has a remarkable way of piercing the iron albeit invisible veils of social,political and cultural intransigence which have historically surfaced as common culprits in the broken and unjust societies prophets are 'called' to fix.

Thank you, Dr. Knitter for your thoughtful article.

Joy Comes In the Morning

Today's word is a message about joy as well as a prayer for those in need. I am dedicating it especially to our nation today during this time of downgrade. Let's keep the spirit of the U.S.A lifted up.

Joy Comes In the Morning

An Inspiration fund...Buy American

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For whatever reason, a good portion of government aid for the ordinary citizens seems to have clogged up in one political bottleneck or the other. It just does not seem to be pouring out fast enough to meet people's immediate needs. The nation could use more jobs. Our state and local governments could use a little cash to spruce up our infrastructures and save our educational institutions. If I hear of another school closing or drive by another business location that was once thriving and now boarded up, I'll...no not scream, but pray harder. Buy American is as much a needed slogan as it is a needed reality. It could'nt hurt to emphasize the purchase of goods and products as well as continuing to buy into and not give up on the American Dream.

Banning together is the key. If we could just convince our legislators and the people they represent of this important phenomenon. I applaud the President for the job he is doing in the face of so much bitter and often times mean spirited opposition by House Republicans overdosing on infusions of Tea Party dogma. My prayer circle prays for him and our political leaders daily,including those whose views or tactics we don't necessarily agree with. Diversity within the unity is what makes democracy healthy.

Let's also keep this spirit of unity lifted up so that layers of delay and set back as has reared its head in the recent debt debate won't be a recurring reality. Perhaps if Community Awareness 101 with a prerequisite of a sleep over or field trip to a blighted and underprivileged area was required for all members of congress there would be more compassion for the poor. Financial predators who profit and gain from schemes and plans designed to benefit only themselves at the expense of others could be put on an intensive track.

Not caring about others as long as you get yours comes with a price. One that is at the end of the day really too high a price for such a great nation as ours to pay. Just look at where our country stands economically in relation to some countries that were once trailing us. That should speak volumes...

Happy 85th Birthday, Tony Bennett

Legendary crooner Tony Bennett receives birthday wishes from artists  contributing to his latest recording project Duets II,slated for release next month.

Shar House

These are photos taken during a recent visit to a drug rehabilitation and self-help addiction center Shar House. Our church has adopted one of the rooms which is in the process of being redecorated and spruced up by some spirit filled sisters.

 What I loved most about the place was the spirit of genuine sharing that embodies its philosophy to the extent that it is in fact a reality, not just a superficially promoted slogan. The house is truly built of  community efforts of the various churches and organizations that come together to adopt individual rooms and beautifully decorate them with amazing wall colors,window treatments,art work, stripped,varnished and glistening hardwood floors. It demonstrated what can be done when people really come together in a spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with love in their hearts.  No duress or coercion involved,simply inspiration.

The above pictures were taken of the walls inthe conference room which,as you can see, were filled with encouraging and uplifting aphorisms.