Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
COFFEE BREAK 371
+ “Religion Beyond the Right" by Frank Bruni is an outstanding NY Times Op Ed column pointing out that there really are a lot of biblical values associated with the Left and the Center. Bruni focuses on the controversy surrounding the Boy Scouts ban on gays. Excerpt: "'I find it perplexing the way the "moral values" phrase is used,' said the Rev. Mark Greiner... (a Presbyterian pastor)... 'Concern for the environment, concern for workers’ rights: those are moral values,' he told me. 'But the phrase ends up being limited to matters of human sexuality, as if Jesus was primarily concerned with what people did with their reproductive parts. It’s crazy-making.' Greiner wants the ban on gay scouts and leaders lifted." | Read the article
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
COFFEE BREAK 341
+ updated at 5:36pm EST on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
+ A new poll reveals that most Americans would blame GOP if we go over the fiscal cliff.
+++++++
+ Faithful America is asking us to sign a petition asking Rick Warren to Speak out against Uganda's anti-gay law. Rick Warren has been instrumental in leading Uganda to become as homophobic as any place on earth. He can make a difference but has been silent on this critical concern in recent days. Here's what the petition says: "Rick Warren, it's time for you to again speak out against the Ugandan legislation that would make homosexuality punishable by life in prison or even the death penalty. Your history of associating with anti-gay extremists in Uganda means you have a moral obligation to work tirelessly to prevent this bill from becoming law."
+ Spirituality and Practice offers important reviews of some great new films and books.
+ The trouble with the rat race, says Lily Tomlin, is that even if we win we are still rats.
+ Robert Reich offers UNDERSTANDING THE FISCAL CLIFF (IN 2 MINUTES 30 SECONDS). He believes the Democrats have a strong negotiating position at this time and must hold firm now and in the coming months. If all goes well, the rich will pay something closer to their fair share of taxes, the safety net will be protected, middle class tax cuts will be preserved, jobs will be a priority and not deficit reduction for the time being, investments in our future productivity will be maintained, military and corporate welfare spending will be cut.
+ A new poll reveals that most Americans would blame GOP if we go over the fiscal cliff.
+++++++
+++++++
+ Spirituality and Practice offers important reviews of some great new films and books.
+ The trouble with the rat race, says Lily Tomlin, is that even if we win we are still rats.
+ Robert Reich offers UNDERSTANDING THE FISCAL CLIFF (IN 2 MINUTES 30 SECONDS). He believes the Democrats have a strong negotiating position at this time and must hold firm now and in the coming months. If all goes well, the rich will pay something closer to their fair share of taxes, the safety net will be protected, middle class tax cuts will be preserved, jobs will be a priority and not deficit reduction for the time being, investments in our future productivity will be maintained, military and corporate welfare spending will be cut.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 219
+ updated at 4:41pm ESDT on Thursday, October 28, 2010
+ CounterPunch offers "America's Jobs Losses are Permanent" by Paul Craig Roberts. It begins: "Now that a few Democrats and the remnants of the AFL-CIO are waking up to the destructive impact of jobs offshoring on the US economy and millions of American lives, globalism’s advocates have resurrected Dartmouth economist Matthew Slaughter’s discredited finding of several years ago that jobs offshoring by US corporations increases employment and wages in the US."
+ Spirituality and Practice offers "Religion, Politics: Walking Away from Church" by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat.
Excerpt 1: "Today, 17 percent of Americans say they have no religion, and these new 'nones' are very heavily concentrated among Americans who have come of age since 1990. Between 25 and 30 percent of twenty-somethings say they have no religious affiliation — that signals an increase in that age group four times higher than in other generations."
Excerpt 2: "What explains this shift? These young people have been turned off from joining organized religion by its conservative politics. Putnam and Campbell point out that the majority of Millennial youth was liberal on most social issues, and above all, on homosexuality. 'Increasingly, young people saw religion as intolerant, hypocritical, judgmental, and homophobic. If being religious entailed political conservatism, they concluded, religion was not for them.'"
Excerpt 3: "If this trend continues — and there is no reason for it not to, given the push of conservatives to use the issue of same-sex marriage as a means of getting Republicans elected — we will be seeing many more churches with low attendance eventually having to close their doors, as has happened with congregations in Europe."
+ Progressive Democrats of America offers "Remarks by Bill Moyers at the 40th Anniversary of Common Cause." Excerpt: "The founder of Common Cause was a prophet in seeing money as the dagger directed at the heart of democracy. Like his fellow Republican Teddy Roosevelt, he opposed the ‘naked robbery’ of the public’s trust. A century ago, in one of the most powerful speeches in American political history, Roosevelt said: 'It is not a partisan issue; it is more than a political issue; it is a great moral issue. If we condone political theft, if we do not resent the kinds of wrong and injustice that injuriously affect the whole nation, not merely our democratic form of government but our civilization itself cannot endure.'"
+ CounterPunch offers "America's Jobs Losses are Permanent" by Paul Craig Roberts. It begins: "Now that a few Democrats and the remnants of the AFL-CIO are waking up to the destructive impact of jobs offshoring on the US economy and millions of American lives, globalism’s advocates have resurrected Dartmouth economist Matthew Slaughter’s discredited finding of several years ago that jobs offshoring by US corporations increases employment and wages in the US."
+ Spirituality and Practice offers "Religion, Politics: Walking Away from Church" by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat.
Excerpt 1: "Today, 17 percent of Americans say they have no religion, and these new 'nones' are very heavily concentrated among Americans who have come of age since 1990. Between 25 and 30 percent of twenty-somethings say they have no religious affiliation — that signals an increase in that age group four times higher than in other generations."
Excerpt 2: "What explains this shift? These young people have been turned off from joining organized religion by its conservative politics. Putnam and Campbell point out that the majority of Millennial youth was liberal on most social issues, and above all, on homosexuality. 'Increasingly, young people saw religion as intolerant, hypocritical, judgmental, and homophobic. If being religious entailed political conservatism, they concluded, religion was not for them.'"
Excerpt 3: "If this trend continues — and there is no reason for it not to, given the push of conservatives to use the issue of same-sex marriage as a means of getting Republicans elected — we will be seeing many more churches with low attendance eventually having to close their doors, as has happened with congregations in Europe."
+ Progressive Democrats of America offers "Remarks by Bill Moyers at the 40th Anniversary of Common Cause." Excerpt: "The founder of Common Cause was a prophet in seeing money as the dagger directed at the heart of democracy. Like his fellow Republican Teddy Roosevelt, he opposed the ‘naked robbery’ of the public’s trust. A century ago, in one of the most powerful speeches in American political history, Roosevelt said: 'It is not a partisan issue; it is more than a political issue; it is a great moral issue. If we condone political theft, if we do not resent the kinds of wrong and injustice that injuriously affect the whole nation, not merely our democratic form of government but our civilization itself cannot endure.'"
Friday, October 15, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 211
+ updated at 10:33am ESDT on Friday, October 15, 2010
+ This was posted yesterday without a title so I am re-posting it with a title.
+ I just found out that you can watch all of GOD IN AMERICA online at http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/view/
+ Another fascinating evening last night on the PBS special GOD IN AMERICA. If you missed it, try to see it when it runs again. PBS tends to run these specials more than once at different times. This may happen SOON. Part 3 covered the last half of the twentieth century and the first decade of the new century. Billy Graham, Martin Luther King Jr. and Jerry Falwell got special attention. King chose to remain outside of the political leadership and was in a better position to speak truth to power including his decision to come out against the Viet Nam War.
+ This was posted yesterday without a title so I am re-posting it with a title.
+ I just found out that you can watch all of GOD IN AMERICA online at http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/view/
+ Another fascinating evening last night on the PBS special GOD IN AMERICA. If you missed it, try to see it when it runs again. PBS tends to run these specials more than once at different times. This may happen SOON. Part 3 covered the last half of the twentieth century and the first decade of the new century. Billy Graham, Martin Luther King Jr. and Jerry Falwell got special attention. King chose to remain outside of the political leadership and was in a better position to speak truth to power including his decision to come out against the Viet Nam War.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 210
+ updated at 11:58am ESDT on Wednesday, October 13, 2010
+ Getting a good balance in my life is something I am striving to achieve. My cyber life is a significant part of it, particularly as I promote sustainable abundance, peace, justice and compassion. My Prayer Life is really important. My Family Life. My Church Life. My Interest in things like Rock'n'Roll, Baseball, Travel, Photography, Politics, Theology and more.
OK Prayer must come first. I have been doing pretty well at establishing a daily practice of Centering Prayer as taught by Father Keating. I have been trying to increase my efforts in Intercessory Prayer. I do a lot of Journaling with a desire to write more and more about my spiritual journey. I intend to add more Joyful Wandering posts at The Abundancetrek Blog.
+ I have really enjoyed Baseball lately. Some amazing Pitching. The League Championship Series between Yankees and Rangers and Phillies and Giants should be fascinating. As for the Red Sox, Next Year in Boston!
+ I hope you have been watching God in America on PBS. The last of 3 episodes is on tonight. It is so riveting that I stopped watching Baseball for the past 2 nights and I love Baseball.
+ The Presbyterian Church (USA) has been promoting Earth Care for several decades. Now there are certified Earth Care Congregations. I am going to encourage my church to get involved.
+ Getting a good balance in my life is something I am striving to achieve. My cyber life is a significant part of it, particularly as I promote sustainable abundance, peace, justice and compassion. My Prayer Life is really important. My Family Life. My Church Life. My Interest in things like Rock'n'Roll, Baseball, Travel, Photography, Politics, Theology and more.
OK Prayer must come first. I have been doing pretty well at establishing a daily practice of Centering Prayer as taught by Father Keating. I have been trying to increase my efforts in Intercessory Prayer. I do a lot of Journaling with a desire to write more and more about my spiritual journey. I intend to add more Joyful Wandering posts at The Abundancetrek Blog.
+ I have really enjoyed Baseball lately. Some amazing Pitching. The League Championship Series between Yankees and Rangers and Phillies and Giants should be fascinating. As for the Red Sox, Next Year in Boston!
+ I hope you have been watching God in America on PBS. The last of 3 episodes is on tonight. It is so riveting that I stopped watching Baseball for the past 2 nights and I love Baseball.
+ The Presbyterian Church (USA) has been promoting Earth Care for several decades. Now there are certified Earth Care Congregations. I am going to encourage my church to get involved.
Monday, September 20, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 201
+ updated at 12:01pm ESDT on Monday, September 20, 2010.
+ There is now a new way of being Good News Ambassadors. The New Church for the New Age. Something like the old church 4 the old age but really quite different. It is not restricted by worn out dogma and worn out buildings and worn out rituals. It is wide open to finding truth and meaning in all kinds of places. The Abundancetrek Connections Galore page offers links to all kinds of places where people are discovering and sharing truth and meaning in all kinds of ways.
+ Americans must make a much better effort to understand and appreciate Muslims. Here is a story of an effort being made by an American Muslim to reach out to those who are acting out of ignorance, fear and suspicion.
+ There is now a new way of being Good News Ambassadors. The New Church for the New Age. Something like the old church 4 the old age but really quite different. It is not restricted by worn out dogma and worn out buildings and worn out rituals. It is wide open to finding truth and meaning in all kinds of places. The Abundancetrek Connections Galore page offers links to all kinds of places where people are discovering and sharing truth and meaning in all kinds of ways.
+ Americans must make a much better effort to understand and appreciate Muslims. Here is a story of an effort being made by an American Muslim to reach out to those who are acting out of ignorance, fear and suspicion.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 180
+ updated at 5:25pm ESDT on Saturday, May 22, 2010
+ The BBC offers "BA and union talks stopped by protesters". I sure do hope an agreement can be reached since I am depending on British Airways for our trip to Germany beginning June 8.
+ God's Politics offers "Glenn Beck Attacks Churches on Climate Change" by Jim Wallis. Excerpt: "You see, Glenn, most of our faith traditions believe that God created this earth, proclaimed it good, and gave us the mandate to serve and protect it. Yet, for thousands of years, we have abused and destroyed it. It is our role as stewards of creation that spurs us to take leadership in urging the government to do its part. This is a biblical concern of ours, not a Marxist one as you keep suggesting."
+ The following report is disturbing. I hate to see the name Presbyterian associated with such a travesty of Justice, Compassion, Tolerance and Human Rights.
Blantyre (ENI). A Presbyterian church in Malawi has welcomed a 14-year jail sentence handed down to two Malawian men accused of homosexual offences after publicly holding a traditional engagement ceremony in a country where same-sex relationships are a crime. "As a church we don't support homosexuality or same-sex marriages. That is both un-African and un-Christian," the Rev. Levi Nyondo, general secretary of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Livingstonia Synod, told ENInews. "We are happy they have been sentenced to 14 years in jail," Nyondo said in a 20 May interview from the northern city of Mzuzu. A magistrate's court in Malawi's commercial capital, Blantyre, on 20 May gave Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga the maximum sentence of 14 years in prison after convicting them of buggery and gross indecency. The two men were arrested in December after their engagement ceremony.
+ The BBC offers "BA and union talks stopped by protesters". I sure do hope an agreement can be reached since I am depending on British Airways for our trip to Germany beginning June 8.
+ God's Politics offers "Glenn Beck Attacks Churches on Climate Change" by Jim Wallis. Excerpt: "You see, Glenn, most of our faith traditions believe that God created this earth, proclaimed it good, and gave us the mandate to serve and protect it. Yet, for thousands of years, we have abused and destroyed it. It is our role as stewards of creation that spurs us to take leadership in urging the government to do its part. This is a biblical concern of ours, not a Marxist one as you keep suggesting."
+ The following report is disturbing. I hate to see the name Presbyterian associated with such a travesty of Justice, Compassion, Tolerance and Human Rights.
Blantyre (ENI). A Presbyterian church in Malawi has welcomed a 14-year jail sentence handed down to two Malawian men accused of homosexual offences after publicly holding a traditional engagement ceremony in a country where same-sex relationships are a crime. "As a church we don't support homosexuality or same-sex marriages. That is both un-African and un-Christian," the Rev. Levi Nyondo, general secretary of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Livingstonia Synod, told ENInews. "We are happy they have been sentenced to 14 years in jail," Nyondo said in a 20 May interview from the northern city of Mzuzu. A magistrate's court in Malawi's commercial capital, Blantyre, on 20 May gave Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga the maximum sentence of 14 years in prison after convicting them of buggery and gross indecency. The two men were arrested in December after their engagement ceremony.
Friday, May 21, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 179
+ updated at 11:26am ESDT on Friday, May 21, 2010
+ The Independent offers "Man-made climate change blamed for 'significant' rise in ocean temperature" by Steve Connor, Science Editor. It begins: "The world's oceans are warming up and the rise is both significant and real, according to one of the most comprehensive studies into marine temperature data gathered over the past two decades."
+ Toronto (Ecumenical News International) -- Eighty international religious leaders will gather in Canada in advance of the meeting of the Group of Eight industrialised countries to press governments to honour the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to reduce poverty. "Our hope is that we can speak with one voice … that we both encourage and challenge world leaders to really give serious attention to commitments they made since 2000," said Canadian Anglican Archbishop Fred Hiltz, who is heading the Canadian delegation to the faith leaders' 21-23 June meeting in Winnipeg. The G8 leaders are meeting in Huntsville, Ontario, from 25 to 26 June. This is to be followed by a meeting of the G20 - or Group of 20 leading economies of the world - in Toronto from 26 to 27 June. The G8 groups Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States. The eight U.N. development goals adopted in 2000 range from halving extreme poverty to stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by 2015.
+ The Independent offers "Man-made climate change blamed for 'significant' rise in ocean temperature" by Steve Connor, Science Editor. It begins: "The world's oceans are warming up and the rise is both significant and real, according to one of the most comprehensive studies into marine temperature data gathered over the past two decades."
+ Toronto (Ecumenical News International) -- Eighty international religious leaders will gather in Canada in advance of the meeting of the Group of Eight industrialised countries to press governments to honour the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to reduce poverty. "Our hope is that we can speak with one voice … that we both encourage and challenge world leaders to really give serious attention to commitments they made since 2000," said Canadian Anglican Archbishop Fred Hiltz, who is heading the Canadian delegation to the faith leaders' 21-23 June meeting in Winnipeg. The G8 leaders are meeting in Huntsville, Ontario, from 25 to 26 June. This is to be followed by a meeting of the G20 - or Group of 20 leading economies of the world - in Toronto from 26 to 27 June. The G8 groups Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States. The eight U.N. development goals adopted in 2000 range from halving extreme poverty to stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by 2015.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 138
+ updated at 6:02pm EST, Thursday, February 4, 2010
+ TruthOut offers "The Hidden Issue of 2010" by E.J. Dionne Jr. Excerpt: "For Republicans, American power is rooted largely in military might and showing a tough and resolute face to the world. They would rely on tax cuts as the one and only spur to economic growth. Obama, Biden and the Democrats, on the other hand, believe that American power depends ultimately on the American economy, and that government has an essential role to play in fostering the next generation of growth. Notice that when Obama spoke (in the State of the Union address) about keeping America in first place, he said not a word about the military. He referred instead to the efforts of our competitors in the public sphere of the economy, and of our past complacency."
+ Ecumenical News International offers "Tuvalu church leader expresses pain of betrayal at Copenhagen" by Kim Cain. Excerpt: "For Falani and the people of Tuvalu it fits a package: his people are the victims of climate change forces they did not create and which they cannot change. And the United Nations climate conference in December was a harsh and disheartening experience."
+ The Abundancetrek Blog offers "Interspiritual Wisdom -- 4". Excerpt:
I have reflected for years on The 12 Pathways to Higher Consciousness offered by Ken Keyes Jr. which you can find at http://community-2.webtv.net/babaluie/LivingLoveThe/page3.html
Number 5 and number 6 seem to contradict each other but not really and maybe this is what forgiveness is all about. Here they are:
+ Spirituality and Practice offers a book review of A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions that are Transforming the Faith by Brian McClaren. Here's an excerpt from the review: "We've been very impressed with what is coming out of the Emergent Movement, and we welcome the prospect of its growing momentum as more and more seekers find a spiritual home that speaks to their faith, openness to other religions, need for practice, and passion for mending a broken world. Certainly McClaren's books, lectures, and buoyant spirit provide a light to show the way into the hopeful and holy future!"
S&P also offers an excerpt from the book.
+ TruthOut offers "The Hidden Issue of 2010" by E.J. Dionne Jr. Excerpt: "For Republicans, American power is rooted largely in military might and showing a tough and resolute face to the world. They would rely on tax cuts as the one and only spur to economic growth. Obama, Biden and the Democrats, on the other hand, believe that American power depends ultimately on the American economy, and that government has an essential role to play in fostering the next generation of growth. Notice that when Obama spoke (in the State of the Union address) about keeping America in first place, he said not a word about the military. He referred instead to the efforts of our competitors in the public sphere of the economy, and of our past complacency."
+ Ecumenical News International offers "Tuvalu church leader expresses pain of betrayal at Copenhagen" by Kim Cain. Excerpt: "For Falani and the people of Tuvalu it fits a package: his people are the victims of climate change forces they did not create and which they cannot change. And the United Nations climate conference in December was a harsh and disheartening experience."
+ The Abundancetrek Blog offers "Interspiritual Wisdom -- 4". Excerpt:
I have reflected for years on The 12 Pathways to Higher Consciousness offered by Ken Keyes Jr. which you can find at http://community-2.webtv.net/babaluie/LivingLoveThe/page3.html
Number 5 and number 6 seem to contradict each other but not really and maybe this is what forgiveness is all about. Here they are:
5) I take full responsiliblity here and now for everything I experience, for it is my own programming that creates my actions and also influences the reactions of people around me.My own thinking about these things over the years has led me to conclude that ...
6) I accept myself completely here and now and consciously experience everything I feel, think, say, and do (including my emotion- backed addictions) as a necessary part of my growth into higher consciousness.
We are intimately, intricately and infinitely connected by a matrix of unconditional, unlimited and uniting LOVE which is miraculous, mysterious and marvelous.
S&P also offers an excerpt from the book.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 130
+ updated at 3:07pm EST, Tuesday, January 26, 2010
+ Shuck and Jive offers "Being A Sermon -- A Sermon" by John Shuck. I preached on the same texts last Sunday with the exception of the Bhagavad Gita selection. John's sermon is profound and there are some delicious comments including a couple by me.
Excerpt from the sermon: "I have heard a lot of horror stories in my ministry from people who believed what they heard from a pulpit. What they believed about themselves or others or what they were supposed to do often didn’t turn out so well. It is frightening the power that interpreters of sacred texts can have over people."
+ The Diane Rehm Show offers Shankar Vedantam: The Hidden Brain. Guest host: Susan Page. The power of our hidden brains: How our unconscious minds elect presidents, control markets, wage wars, and routinely, but imperceptibly, influence our daily lives. Guest: Shankar Vedantam, author of "Department of Human Behavior," featured in "The Washington Post" from 2006-2009, and a Nieman Fellow at Harvard.
+ The The Diane Rehm Show offers Debt and joblessness. Guest host: Susan Page. Debate over the role of the Federal government and Federal Reserve in steering the U-S economy out of recession, addressing the deficit and improving the outlook for jobs. Guests: Alice Rivlin, senior fellow, Brookings Institution, vice chair, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System (1996-99); director, White House Office of Management and Budget (1994-96); and founding director, Congressional Budget Office (1975-83). Kevin Hassett, director, economic policy studies, American Enterprise Institute. James K. Galbraith, economist; Lloyd M. Bentsen Jr. chair in government/business relations and professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin's Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs; author of "The Predator State: How Conservatives Abandoned the Free Market and Why Liberals Should Too."
+ The Witherspoon Society is offering "Big money and democracy: a fair contest?" So far there are four articles responding to the recent Supreme Court decision allowing corporations unlimited access to our political campaigns.
+ Winter has returned to the Erie Canal. Almost all of the previous snow was washed away in heavy rains yesterday as the temperature soared into the 50s. But now the long January thaw is over. Snow is falling now but will end soon ... just a dusting.
+ Shuck and Jive offers "Being A Sermon -- A Sermon" by John Shuck. I preached on the same texts last Sunday with the exception of the Bhagavad Gita selection. John's sermon is profound and there are some delicious comments including a couple by me.
Excerpt from the sermon: "I have heard a lot of horror stories in my ministry from people who believed what they heard from a pulpit. What they believed about themselves or others or what they were supposed to do often didn’t turn out so well. It is frightening the power that interpreters of sacred texts can have over people."
+ The Diane Rehm Show offers Shankar Vedantam: The Hidden Brain. Guest host: Susan Page. The power of our hidden brains: How our unconscious minds elect presidents, control markets, wage wars, and routinely, but imperceptibly, influence our daily lives. Guest: Shankar Vedantam, author of "Department of Human Behavior," featured in "The Washington Post" from 2006-2009, and a Nieman Fellow at Harvard.
+ The The Diane Rehm Show offers Debt and joblessness. Guest host: Susan Page. Debate over the role of the Federal government and Federal Reserve in steering the U-S economy out of recession, addressing the deficit and improving the outlook for jobs. Guests: Alice Rivlin, senior fellow, Brookings Institution, vice chair, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System (1996-99); director, White House Office of Management and Budget (1994-96); and founding director, Congressional Budget Office (1975-83). Kevin Hassett, director, economic policy studies, American Enterprise Institute. James K. Galbraith, economist; Lloyd M. Bentsen Jr. chair in government/business relations and professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin's Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs; author of "The Predator State: How Conservatives Abandoned the Free Market and Why Liberals Should Too."
+ The Witherspoon Society is offering "Big money and democracy: a fair contest?" So far there are four articles responding to the recent Supreme Court decision allowing corporations unlimited access to our political campaigns.
+ Winter has returned to the Erie Canal. Almost all of the previous snow was washed away in heavy rains yesterday as the temperature soared into the 50s. But now the long January thaw is over. Snow is falling now but will end soon ... just a dusting.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 50
+ Updated at 2:58pm ESDT
+ I just discovered Green Tweets: 75+ Environmentalists to Follow on Twitter > Twitter has a huge green community. There are green media, green companies, and green charities all active on the microblogging service, as well as a whole bunch of individual environmentalists and green bloggers. The #EcoMonday hashtag — the environmental equivalent of #FollowFriday, in which Twitter users suggest “green” tweeters to follow and share green news and info — has grown into a regular trending topic every Monday, along with a variety of other green initiatives.
+ EQUINOX! Fall begins at 5:18pm ESDT. Today is the day when every place on the planet gets the same amount of daylight.
+ A great new retreat (ecourse) on the Christian Monastic practice of The Hours has begun at Spirituality & Practice > http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=86
+ I just discovered Green Tweets: 75+ Environmentalists to Follow on Twitter > Twitter has a huge green community. There are green media, green companies, and green charities all active on the microblogging service, as well as a whole bunch of individual environmentalists and green bloggers. The #EcoMonday hashtag — the environmental equivalent of #FollowFriday, in which Twitter users suggest “green” tweeters to follow and share green news and info — has grown into a regular trending topic every Monday, along with a variety of other green initiatives.
+ EQUINOX! Fall begins at 5:18pm ESDT. Today is the day when every place on the planet gets the same amount of daylight.
+ A great new retreat (ecourse) on the Christian Monastic practice of The Hours has begun at Spirituality & Practice > http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=86
Saturday, September 12, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 46
+ updated at 9:52am ESDT
+ Many resources are available for a renewed effort effort to end global hunger at Bread for the World. October 18 is Bread for the World Sunday. Legislation which would streamline US aid is working its way through congress and we need to encourage congress to get it passed.
+ American Pew polls show that while virtually all (but not 100 percent) of scientists surveyed agree that human activity is causing global warming, only half of the public agrees that humans are causing climate change, and some (11 percent) don’t even... believe that we are experiencing climate change at all.
+ Red Sox: You never know but it doesn't look good for a 21st century dynasty. I define a dynasty by 3 world series victories within 6 years which means they would have to win the World Series this year. They are 9 games behind the Yankees at this point and only 2 games ahead of Texas in the Wildcard race.
+ Many resources are available for a renewed effort effort to end global hunger at Bread for the World. October 18 is Bread for the World Sunday. Legislation which would streamline US aid is working its way through congress and we need to encourage congress to get it passed.
+ American Pew polls show that while virtually all (but not 100 percent) of scientists surveyed agree that human activity is causing global warming, only half of the public agrees that humans are causing climate change, and some (11 percent) don’t even... believe that we are experiencing climate change at all.
+ Red Sox: You never know but it doesn't look good for a 21st century dynasty. I define a dynasty by 3 world series victories within 6 years which means they would have to win the World Series this year. They are 9 games behind the Yankees at this point and only 2 games ahead of Texas in the Wildcard race.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 37
+ Facebook Entry > John A Wilde > 26 comments and counting at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/posted.php?id=1005045494&share_id=242733230222&comments=1#s242733230222
I never thought the Church World Service link I posted on the Gaza situation would lead to such interesting comments from family and friends. I invite you to add your thoughts, even you, Lowell! I am changing my policy and will encourage debate here. Be respectful.
I never thought the Church World Service link I posted on the Gaza situation would lead to such interesting comments from family and friends. I invite you to add your thoughts, even you, Lowell! I am changing my policy and will encourage debate here. Be respectful.
Monday, June 1, 2009
WE ATTEND A BEAUTIFUL ORTHODOX WORSHIP SERVICE
I am very Presbyterian and not Eastern Orthodox but I loved the 3 hour service on Saturday dedicating the new building in Ballston NY of Christ the Savior Orthodox Church of America. The service included the ordination of Michael as a deacon. His dad and mom have been longtime friends of Mary & I. I have learned so much from them about a powerful wisdom tradition which flourished in Russia in many ways. The gift of genuine hospitality comes to mind.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 16
+ Silly Democrats! They just don't understand that straight white men are ordained to rule the world!
+ Please don't forget that your comments are welcome and I will insert your wisdom (and foolishness) here if you request it. This post can be revised and expanded until Coffee Break 17 is offered some day, maybe even tomorrow!
+ Did I tell you that the Joyful Noise Cafe last Saturday was very successful? The Joyful Noise Boys were back and we heard some new voices which dazzled.
+ Let's see what I can find on the web today.
+ Please don't forget that your comments are welcome and I will insert your wisdom (and foolishness) here if you request it. This post can be revised and expanded until Coffee Break 17 is offered some day, maybe even tomorrow!
+ Did I tell you that the Joyful Noise Cafe last Saturday was very successful? The Joyful Noise Boys were back and we heard some new voices which dazzled.
+ Let's see what I can find on the web today.
- Some really good quotes offered by a great tweeter, Philip Arnold + Location England, UK / Web http://pja64x.stu... / offers wisdom on Spirit. Wisdom. Knowledge. Inspiration. Love. God. Jesus. Buddha. I Ching. Lao Tzu. Sufi. Vedas. Quotes. Rumi. Books. Blogs. Video. Activism. Peace. Rights etc.
- A good conversation on "The Future of GM" on The Diane Rehm Show
- "Religion without Revelation" is another illuminating, provocative post at a great blog, John Shuck's Shuck & Jive. Excerpts: "I ask this question honestly. Given the historical-critical method, in what sense is saying 'the Bible is the Word of God' meaningful? Or the Qur'an? Or the Book of Mormon?" & "The intellectual community regards the church as a joke. It is a relic from a superstitious past. Who were the intellectual giants of the Middle Ages? The theologians. As revelation gave way to reason, theology could not adapt and from the perspective of the modern university it has gone the way of alchemy and astrology." & "The fundamentalists are buying. They are using the Bible as the Word of God to call evolution a farce and to enforce an oppressive social agenda not only within the confines of their sects but within the larger sphere of secular society."
- Mr. Tweet has a special report for me recommending hundreds of kindred tweeters!
- Spirituality & Practice offers "25 Reasons Why Twitter Is Spiritual" by Frederic A. Brussat.
- Divine Souls at Twitter.com led me to this Cherokee story on a youth's rite of passage at the Divine Souls blog, a blog on Spirituality and Universal Brotherhood which collates the Postings of the Divine Souls group on Google for display to the general public.
- Thanks to The Witherspoon Society, I learned that Politico offers "Barack Obama's nonideological pragmatism will backfire" by Rabbi Michael Lerner. The article begins: "President Barack Obama’s very nonideological pragmatism, which has received so much praise inside the Beltway and which has given him public support in his few months in office, will ultimately be the downfall of his presidency."
3:17pm UPDATE: I'm headed back to Whitestown soon so this may be the last entry today. I hear thunder in the distance here in Rochester. It's really muggy today and I forgot to bring shorts to our Rochester flat.
Monday, May 18, 2009
COFFEE BREAK -- 15
+ The Red Sox had a bad weekend on the Left Coast. I don't even want to look at the standings. But I will.
5:09pm update: I wish I didn't! The Yankees have won 5 in a row and are gaining rapidly. Boo!
+ I'm glad Obama went to Notre Dame and confronted the anti-abortion zealots with a lot of common sense.
+ How can we convince many more Americans that a single payer system is the best for all of us?
+ Now that I've seen Vicky Cristina Barcelona, I want to go to Barcelona! I want to see the unusual architecture there.
+ I love French pop music even though I rarely understand the lyrics. A really neat one which has been around for a while is "Joe Le Taxi" by Vanessa Paradis.
+ I have been practicing for the Joyful Noise Cafe at First Presbyterian Church, Utica, this Saturday. I have about 6 songs ready. The Joyful Noise Boys are getting ready and several other performers are also preparing. The fun beguns at 6pm.
5:09pm update: I wish I didn't! The Yankees have won 5 in a row and are gaining rapidly. Boo!
+ I'm glad Obama went to Notre Dame and confronted the anti-abortion zealots with a lot of common sense.
+ How can we convince many more Americans that a single payer system is the best for all of us?
+ Now that I've seen Vicky Cristina Barcelona, I want to go to Barcelona! I want to see the unusual architecture there.
+ I love French pop music even though I rarely understand the lyrics. A really neat one which has been around for a while is "Joe Le Taxi" by Vanessa Paradis.
+ I have been practicing for the Joyful Noise Cafe at First Presbyterian Church, Utica, this Saturday. I have about 6 songs ready. The Joyful Noise Boys are getting ready and several other performers are also preparing. The fun beguns at 6pm.
Monday, April 27, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 13
+ I'm coordinating The Joyful Noise Cafe at First Presbyterian Church, Utica NY which will be held on May 23, 6pm to 8pm. The Church has a JNC web page. The Joyful Noise Boys will perform and several other wonderful musicians and other performers. Please tell all your friends who live in the Utica area.
+ I'm savoring the 3-game Red Sox sweep at Fenway over the Yankees. The Sox have now won ten in a row to go from 2-6 to 12-6. Can we talk dynasty now?
+ Grubs are wrecking our lawn and demanding time and money and energy I would rather put into something else.
+ I'm savoring the 3-game Red Sox sweep at Fenway over the Yankees. The Sox have now won ten in a row to go from 2-6 to 12-6. Can we talk dynasty now?
+ Grubs are wrecking our lawn and demanding time and money and energy I would rather put into something else.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 12
+ I'm at a meeting of the Seminary Support Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Richmond, Virginia. I will be updating this post from time to time today.
+ At the opening plenary we heard Dr. Susan Fox tell inspirational and informative stories about students learning to be ministers during field education at Union-PSCE here in Richmond.
+ 6pm > Here at the Seminary Support Network meeting, Rose Niles is inspiring us at a workshop to ask people to give out of an abundance mentality rather than a scarcity mentality. I'm looking forward to getting the Power Point presentation she will send to the network. She found an excellent paper by Henri Nouwen on "The Spirituality of Fundraising."
+ Did the Red Sox win yesterday? I've got to find out.
+ They were rained out yesterday but today they beat the Twins 10-1 in a rain-shortened game (7 innings). So now they have won 6 in a row.
+ At the opening plenary we heard Dr. Susan Fox tell inspirational and informative stories about students learning to be ministers during field education at Union-PSCE here in Richmond.
+ 6pm > Here at the Seminary Support Network meeting, Rose Niles is inspiring us at a workshop to ask people to give out of an abundance mentality rather than a scarcity mentality. I'm looking forward to getting the Power Point presentation she will send to the network. She found an excellent paper by Henri Nouwen on "The Spirituality of Fundraising."
+ Did the Red Sox win yesterday? I've got to find out.
+ They were rained out yesterday but today they beat the Twins 10-1 in a rain-shortened game (7 innings). So now they have won 6 in a row.
Monday, April 20, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 10
+ No I am not convinced the Yankees will finish last in the AL East even after their humiliating losses in their brand new stadium. But it would be OK with me if they were to finish last!
+ WONDERFUL BASEBALL UPDATE!! The Red Sox got back over .500 (7-6) today with a 12-1 Patriots Day romp over the Orioles at Fenway. The Sox swept the 4-game series with the Os. Big Papa hit a double and a triple to break out of a slump. See the Boston Globe story.
+ The Presbyteries of The Presbyterian Church (USA) continue to vote to keep Gays and Lesbians and Bisexuals and Transgenders (GLBT) from being ordained as Ministers of the Word or Elders or Deacons. But the vote keeps getting closer. More than 40 per cent of the Presbyteries have voted for inclusion, a much higher proportion than in the past. The General Assembly has voted for inclusion several times but the Presbyteries have not concurred up to this point. John Shuck offers an important analysis in "Four Presbyteries Vote Tuesday" appearing today in Shuck & Jive, a fantastic blog for the Progressive Christian movement. Many of John's posts recently deal with this issue and are worth reading. My Presbytery, the Presbytery of Utica, is one of those in the minority who voted for inclusion. Our vote was nearly unanimnous.
+ I am one of those citizens of this planet who has been moved to tears by the video of Susan Boyle singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. Click here to see and hear this amazing moment of grace. Click here to see my post at The Abundancetrek Blog.
+ WONDERFUL BASEBALL UPDATE!! The Red Sox got back over .500 (7-6) today with a 12-1 Patriots Day romp over the Orioles at Fenway. The Sox swept the 4-game series with the Os. Big Papa hit a double and a triple to break out of a slump. See the Boston Globe story.
+ The Presbyteries of The Presbyterian Church (USA) continue to vote to keep Gays and Lesbians and Bisexuals and Transgenders (GLBT) from being ordained as Ministers of the Word or Elders or Deacons. But the vote keeps getting closer. More than 40 per cent of the Presbyteries have voted for inclusion, a much higher proportion than in the past. The General Assembly has voted for inclusion several times but the Presbyteries have not concurred up to this point. John Shuck offers an important analysis in "Four Presbyteries Vote Tuesday" appearing today in Shuck & Jive, a fantastic blog for the Progressive Christian movement. Many of John's posts recently deal with this issue and are worth reading. My Presbytery, the Presbytery of Utica, is one of those in the minority who voted for inclusion. Our vote was nearly unanimnous.
+ I am one of those citizens of this planet who has been moved to tears by the video of Susan Boyle singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. Click here to see and hear this amazing moment of grace. Click here to see my post at The Abundancetrek Blog.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 8
+ The Abundancetrek Travel Blog and the photos from our recent trip are getting a lot of my attention these days. Also, taxes!
+ At the First Presbyterian Church, Utica, NY, I lead Centering Prayer every second Sunday and now I am coordinating the Joyful Noise Cafe. So, I'm practicing what I preach. I am preaching that there are two wonderful movements renewing and revitalizing the church and other faith communities: The Joyful Silence Movement and the Joyful Noise movement. These movements are based on ancient truths which still make sense. The Bible says: "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord" & "Be still and know that I am God."
+ At the First Presbyterian Church, Utica, NY, I lead Centering Prayer every second Sunday and now I am coordinating the Joyful Noise Cafe. So, I'm practicing what I preach. I am preaching that there are two wonderful movements renewing and revitalizing the church and other faith communities: The Joyful Silence Movement and the Joyful Noise movement. These movements are based on ancient truths which still make sense. The Bible says: "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord" & "Be still and know that I am God."
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