Open Arms

God of all humankind, make the roof of our house wide enough for all opinions. Oil the door of our house so it opens easily to friend and stranger and set such a table in our house that our whole family may speak kindly and freely around it. Amen.

- Adapted from A prayer from Hawaii, 1000 World Prayers

No Oppression

Rise up, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the oppressed.

- Psalm 10:12

Once social change begins it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.  

- Cesar Chavez

on Money

“When I have money, I get rid of it quickly, least it find a way into my heart.”

- John Wesley

Peaceful wisdom

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

- James 3:17-18

Feb 28 - Apr 4: Most of My Lenten Lunches

First, I didn't really blog at all during March. Not here or on my other blogs. Maybe I should have given up blogging for Lent? 

But I gave up lunches out and, for the most part, I've done quite well. For the most part? Well, I'm not perfect. But my deviations are, in a sense, justified under the circumstances. On one occasion, my office had a firm lunch for which I could not excuse myself. On two occasions, I had continuing education requirements that included boxed lunches. On one occasion, a ticket was purchased for me to attend a local charity's 'soup day'.

For every other day this Lenten season, I have eaten at home or at the office with leftovers. I've taken the opportunity to walk around downtown and have even, on one occasion, eaten quickly before walking with coworkers to a favorite lunch spot where I smelled but did not taste.

This may be the first Lenten season I've ever "successfully" kept my Lenten commitment. I leave with the opening sentences from today's Holy Week service I attended at a nearby Presbyterian Church

Leader: Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live to righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed. Let us bless the Lord.
People: The Lord's name be praised.

Amen.