As for Florida in 2000, I seem to remember that it was more a matter of votes not being counted (especially in highly Democratic counties) than of fraudulent voting that caused the turmoil.

Hi Sandy!

Thank you for this very insightful and thought-provoking thread!

I absolutely agree that nonviolence includes the whole spectrum of interaction with other living beings ~ not only the physical.

In any faith, violence of especially emotion can infiltrate our ranks before we even know it. And the inclusivity of the church certainly must be the most tender ground for strong emotional reaction, whether for or against.

When the Methodist church in South Africa opened the question of whether gay leadership is Biblically “allowable” a few years ago, I had to ask questions myself. My perspective deepened so much on what became a very, very intense journey ~ up till that point I had never given it much thought. Because of what I came to believe, that our sexual orientation does not matter, I experienced firsthand from a family member what it feels like to encounter judgement, anger and prejudice. The relationship with this family member never completely recovered.

And I admit my own responsibility for it as well, because though I did not act emotionally violently towards her as we clashed on this matter, within my heart was such vehemence that it made little difference.

By contrast, all the people I encountered who just wanted a place in the church, and some acceptance from their brothers and sisters, were so gentle and open. I attended a gay church to see what it was all about, and was welcomed with open arms. I corresponded with the sweetest man who displayed such patience with the people flaming him … and I thought: that is how I want to be.

I learned a lot!

I have the deepest respect for ANYONE who manages to respond to injustice with peace, love and grace. In the end it is nothing but God’s grace, isn’t it?

You say it exactly right: It is that balance between “not giving in to rage and bitterness on one hand, nor to passive resignation and despair on the other.”

When accusations were thrown at Jesus, when He was humiliated and tortured and misunderstood, He didn’t hold it against them.

And that is who I want to be. Through and through!

Love,
Pippa

THE LONG VIEW
A PRAYER BY Archbishop Oscar Romero

It helps now and then, to step back and take the long view.
The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
It is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the
Magnificent enterprise that is God’s work
Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying
That the Kingdom always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that should be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection,
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
Knowing that they will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything,
And there is liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning
A step along the way,
An opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter
And do the rest.

We may never see the end results,
But that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders,
Ministers, not messiahs.
We are the prophets of a future that is not our own.

AMEN

Steven

I’ve been sleeping quite well, you might like to know… In retrospect, I believe that part of my restlessness last week was unacknowledged nerves about a difficult meeting I had at work two days after I had the sleepless night. That’s not to discount my earlier reflection by any means…just a little more to add the the picture.

I have always disliked Adam from the Bible because he wanted an Eve when he had GOD (!) Who walked in the gardens with him. Until I realized very recently that God did not merely make us spirit; He made us flesh as well. And therefore we will always have physical needs, too. I’m not even referring to the sexual ~ though of course, that too ~ but the very real need to wake up with someone behind your back, or a shoulder to lean against.

And I think He understands very well when we long for a mate of our own, no matter how glorious our communion with Him sometimes is.

For myself, now that I am single, I desperately and deeply desire that awareness of His closeness. And though I still work through the emotional residue left by the break-up, I still sometimes long for a mate.

Do I have second thoughts about taking one road instead of the other? Oh, for sure! Battling regret is one of my most insidious and most constant struggles.

I learn a lot. And that is what this journey here is all about, isn’t it?

I hope you have found peace again.

Love,
Pippa