This week, I have been filled with a deep sense that I need to be doing even more than my family and I are for Christ in meeting the needs of so many people and challenging the injustices, poverty, and other sins of the world.
I was praying about where I could get involved more when I came across World Vision's powerful article on peacemaking in Palestine/Israel. "We Refuse to be enemies" by the president of WV. Again, like his powerful writing in his book The Hole in Our Gospel, Richard Stearns grabs us with the call of Jesus to reach out to those mistreated--to go deeper than the nationalism, secular politics, and distorted religious zeal of this world.
Read and be changed:
http://blog.worldvision.org/stories/we-refuse-to-be-enemies/
In the Light,
Daniel Wilcox
Friday, May 20, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Pure and Profane Speech
Notice how humans, mostly, seem given to extremes, especially when it comes to speech. I grew up in the corner of one extreme, a religious community in the Midwest. I couldn’t refer to my rear as a “butt,” had to say “my seat.” I was instructed not to say “golly” or “heck”—those are “minced oaths.”
Sounds a bit like in the late 19th century when a woman’s pregnancy couldn’t be mentioned in mixed company. Supposedly, people in polite conversation didn't even speak of the "legs" of a table.
The advantage to my fundamentalist upbringing is that it taught me the importance of words. I learned to take great care to moderate my speech as Scripture says, though I did find myself saying “Shoot” a lot when frustrated. I wonder what minced oath that refers to;-) And I became a literature and writing teacher—dealing endlessly with words both spoken and written.
And I suppose I don’t need to inform anyone who has been out in public, gone to work, watched a movie, surfed the Internet, listened to radio, especially paying radio, or seen and heard TV or served in the military, etc. that the other extreme from minced oath prohibition is to be overtly vulgar, obscene, and profane in one’s speech, especially when one is mad or in great spirits.
I used to drive a truck for a chrome company after college (before becoming an English teacher) and at that job I learned plenty of words that our Sunday School teacher never taught us.
The most popular word today heard almost incessantly is the one whose etymology is “to strike” or “to plough.” Notice how in so many situations people use this “ploughing” word for nearly everything from bad drivers to great food or nosy neighbors or non-functioning equipment. Sometimes it is even used to refer to its central meaning…
What’s the point? Why skewer daily conversation with vulgarities? I mean I can understand Mark Twain’s caustic comment that cuss words are important for certain situations. But what is the purpose of running every conversation through the sewer?
And don’t forget profanity. For uncertain reasons, many people speak of Jesus Christ much of the time, in any and all situations, sometimes even give him a middle initial, and say his name louder than the other words of their speech.
I wonder if these same individuals would be happy if people around them constantly, anytime they were angry, or when they were shocked, or when they had nothing else to say, kept using the personal first names of these same individuals’ sweethearts/wives as throwaway curse words?
But Jesus Christ is the love-heart of humankind, the one who chose loving sacrifice instead of violent rebellion against the ruthless invaders of his country.
Why do so many flip off his name, as if he were dung?
I must admit, I am baffled by this lust-affair that so many humans and the media have with vulgarity and profanity. Maybe my confusion comes because of my background at the other extreme.
Could we not agree, however, obscenity and profanity don’t fit in the pursuit of the good, the true, the beautiful, and the loving.
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
Obscene, flippant, or vulgar talk is totally inappropriate. Instead, let there be thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:4
In the Light,
Daniel Wilcox
Sounds a bit like in the late 19th century when a woman’s pregnancy couldn’t be mentioned in mixed company. Supposedly, people in polite conversation didn't even speak of the "legs" of a table.
The advantage to my fundamentalist upbringing is that it taught me the importance of words. I learned to take great care to moderate my speech as Scripture says, though I did find myself saying “Shoot” a lot when frustrated. I wonder what minced oath that refers to;-) And I became a literature and writing teacher—dealing endlessly with words both spoken and written.
And I suppose I don’t need to inform anyone who has been out in public, gone to work, watched a movie, surfed the Internet, listened to radio, especially paying radio, or seen and heard TV or served in the military, etc. that the other extreme from minced oath prohibition is to be overtly vulgar, obscene, and profane in one’s speech, especially when one is mad or in great spirits.
I used to drive a truck for a chrome company after college (before becoming an English teacher) and at that job I learned plenty of words that our Sunday School teacher never taught us.
The most popular word today heard almost incessantly is the one whose etymology is “to strike” or “to plough.” Notice how in so many situations people use this “ploughing” word for nearly everything from bad drivers to great food or nosy neighbors or non-functioning equipment. Sometimes it is even used to refer to its central meaning…
What’s the point? Why skewer daily conversation with vulgarities? I mean I can understand Mark Twain’s caustic comment that cuss words are important for certain situations. But what is the purpose of running every conversation through the sewer?
And don’t forget profanity. For uncertain reasons, many people speak of Jesus Christ much of the time, in any and all situations, sometimes even give him a middle initial, and say his name louder than the other words of their speech.
I wonder if these same individuals would be happy if people around them constantly, anytime they were angry, or when they were shocked, or when they had nothing else to say, kept using the personal first names of these same individuals’ sweethearts/wives as throwaway curse words?
But Jesus Christ is the love-heart of humankind, the one who chose loving sacrifice instead of violent rebellion against the ruthless invaders of his country.
Why do so many flip off his name, as if he were dung?
I must admit, I am baffled by this lust-affair that so many humans and the media have with vulgarity and profanity. Maybe my confusion comes because of my background at the other extreme.
Could we not agree, however, obscenity and profanity don’t fit in the pursuit of the good, the true, the beautiful, and the loving.
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
Obscene, flippant, or vulgar talk is totally inappropriate. Instead, let there be thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:4
In the Light,
Daniel Wilcox
Saturday, April 9, 2011
So according to some Christians, God caused the Japanese earthquake?
What's happened to American Christians?
I've about had it with all religion and politics. Where is there the love of Jesus in any of it?
I'm just back from swimming, but even after a bunch of laps I couldn't out swim the religious and political sludge of this present time...
Like the famous pastor in Minnesota who claims God caused the earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands of Japanese...
Tell that to the missionaries we support in Japan through Mennonite Mission Network.
What ever happened to the kind of Christians in the U.S. like Youth for Christ (back when I attended, like one night in 1961)? I remember the wonder of the infinite love of God, the God of all compassion and holiness. I remember singing "Everybody Ought to Know Who Jesus Is."
And then there is the horror of abortion on demand, but I've already ranted about that...
And let's not forget all the Americans who are all upset about whether Obama was born in the United States!
Who gives a rip?
I didn't vote for Obama and do oppose most of his policies, but, give me a break. When over 4 million people have been murdered in the Congo, when many are suffering in Japan, when people are being jailed and murdered for their faith in various countries, when there are so many children still in poverty, when so many are lost to substance abuse...
what does it matter where someone was born?
Of course, it is a legal question,
But what if we, instead, all concentrated on loving others and giving the good news of God's love to everyone?
In the Light of God,
Daniel Wilcox
I've about had it with all religion and politics. Where is there the love of Jesus in any of it?
I'm just back from swimming, but even after a bunch of laps I couldn't out swim the religious and political sludge of this present time...
Like the famous pastor in Minnesota who claims God caused the earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands of Japanese...
Tell that to the missionaries we support in Japan through Mennonite Mission Network.
What ever happened to the kind of Christians in the U.S. like Youth for Christ (back when I attended, like one night in 1961)? I remember the wonder of the infinite love of God, the God of all compassion and holiness. I remember singing "Everybody Ought to Know Who Jesus Is."
And then there is the horror of abortion on demand, but I've already ranted about that...
And let's not forget all the Americans who are all upset about whether Obama was born in the United States!
Who gives a rip?
I didn't vote for Obama and do oppose most of his policies, but, give me a break. When over 4 million people have been murdered in the Congo, when many are suffering in Japan, when people are being jailed and murdered for their faith in various countries, when there are so many children still in poverty, when so many are lost to substance abuse...
what does it matter where someone was born?
Of course, it is a legal question,
But what if we, instead, all concentrated on loving others and giving the good news of God's love to everyone?
In the Light of God,
Daniel Wilcox
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Imagine There's No Heroin, No Hell Within, But Love Wins
Imagine There's No Heroin, No Hell Within, But Love Wins...
Just finished the powerful but tragic book The History of the Beatles by Bob Spitz and Love Wins by Rob Bell…
Imagine if John could have a second chance to give peace…
Imagine there’s no heroin (in John’s life and so many others)
It’s difficult if you try,
No hell within us
Above us only why
Imagine all of us
Living for this present…
Imagine there’s only one country
It is very hard to do,
One people of humility, compassion, love, and joy,
Living for the true,
No religiosity, no drugs, no adultery or verbal cruelty,
But now John, alone, opening the door to Cynthia when she returns from Greece,
Asking her forgiveness for his infidelities, throwing his arms
Around her in unselfish love;
And saying to his comrades, he’s sorry for how he treated them, the cruel things he's said.
And no
Assassin’s bullet…
Imagine this new life,
This good news for John Lennon, and the other three Beatles, and Brian
Living for humility, compassion, love, peace, and purity--
Not only Heaven above and beyond,
But as Yeshua said,
Heaven within us.
Imagine this for everyone, the whole world, no exceptions…
But imagine this first for yourself
Right now, at this moment—
I choose to.
In the Light,
Daniel Wilcox
Just finished the powerful but tragic book The History of the Beatles by Bob Spitz and Love Wins by Rob Bell…
Imagine if John could have a second chance to give peace…
Imagine there’s no heroin (in John’s life and so many others)
It’s difficult if you try,
No hell within us
Above us only why
Imagine all of us
Living for this present…
Imagine there’s only one country
It is very hard to do,
One people of humility, compassion, love, and joy,
Living for the true,
No religiosity, no drugs, no adultery or verbal cruelty,
But now John, alone, opening the door to Cynthia when she returns from Greece,
Asking her forgiveness for his infidelities, throwing his arms
Around her in unselfish love;
And saying to his comrades, he’s sorry for how he treated them, the cruel things he's said.
And no
Assassin’s bullet…
Imagine this new life,
This good news for John Lennon, and the other three Beatles, and Brian
Living for humility, compassion, love, peace, and purity--
Not only Heaven above and beyond,
But as Yeshua said,
Heaven within us.
Imagine this for everyone, the whole world, no exceptions…
But imagine this first for yourself
Right now, at this moment—
I choose to.
In the Light,
Daniel Wilcox
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Down Jericho Way
A serendipity, an unplanned blessing, came one morning as I drove down Bradley Road. Very unexpectedly, as I had been struggling through a severe spiritual crisis, yet another pilgrim's regress. (Sometimes I wonder, doesn't a person's spiritual journey ever reach the proverbial mountain top, or at least a peaceful oasis in the barren desert of ached spiritual longing?)
It's Saturday. I drop off my son at his school to take his SAT class and head home, ruminating on Life's problems. But then I see the elderly man, the one who stands by the corner hitchhiking most days of the week. Normally, I don't stop because the traffic is heavy and there is no side lane, and there are miles to go before I rest, but today no cars are crowding me, so I listen to an inner feeling and stop for the man. He is in old wrinkled clothes, almost looking homeless, and hunched as if someone has curled his spine; his one gnarled hand holds a small trash bag, evidently his lunch.
When he thanks me I can hardly understand him as he speaks with a heavy Spanish accent and has a voice impediment. He climbs into the van and sits there bent forward, his face weathered, like dark brown parchment. I find out he has 13 grandkids and his wife died from cancer 18 months ago and that he works at a carwash and is 82 years old!
We commune, even though it is hard to understand him. My heavy load of grief lightens. I leave him off near his work where he baptizes cars. I'm not even a Samaritan, more like a prodigal son, but our Father met us on the road there that morning, even though we spoke no religious language. The hitchhiker and I were in a precious moment, a present meeting.
In the Light,
Daniel Wilcox
It's Saturday. I drop off my son at his school to take his SAT class and head home, ruminating on Life's problems. But then I see the elderly man, the one who stands by the corner hitchhiking most days of the week. Normally, I don't stop because the traffic is heavy and there is no side lane, and there are miles to go before I rest, but today no cars are crowding me, so I listen to an inner feeling and stop for the man. He is in old wrinkled clothes, almost looking homeless, and hunched as if someone has curled his spine; his one gnarled hand holds a small trash bag, evidently his lunch.
When he thanks me I can hardly understand him as he speaks with a heavy Spanish accent and has a voice impediment. He climbs into the van and sits there bent forward, his face weathered, like dark brown parchment. I find out he has 13 grandkids and his wife died from cancer 18 months ago and that he works at a carwash and is 82 years old!
We commune, even though it is hard to understand him. My heavy load of grief lightens. I leave him off near his work where he baptizes cars. I'm not even a Samaritan, more like a prodigal son, but our Father met us on the road there that morning, even though we spoke no religious language. The hitchhiker and I were in a precious moment, a present meeting.
In the Light,
Daniel Wilcox
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Christian Faith and Inhumanity, Torture, Ad Nauseam
"Today torture has been reestablished.
"In many countries the system of justice quietly tolerates torture being applied before and simultaneously with the regular proceedings of police and prison officials in order to extract confessions form those accused."
"The amount of suffering thus caused every hour surpasses imagination. To this renewal of torture Christianity today offers no opposition even in words, much less in deeds."
Is this a news comment on the actions of the United States and its allies over the last 10 years?
Is this the beginning of a critique from one of the new Secularists lambasting American Christian leaders for their support of torture, inhumanity, nationalism, oppression of undocumented persons, preemptive war, ad nauseam?
Tragically, no. But thank God, Albert Schweitzer, a theist, an academic, concert musician, doctor, mission worker once did speak out these words, though it came long ago in back 1931.
Isn't it ironic, how in some ways so little changes in human ethics, especially not in Christian ethics, year after year?
Why is it that so many "Christians" now support actions that are so contrary to Jesus' words from 2,000 years ago?
Not too long ago, I even read of Christian leaders at present who claim slavery isn't inherently evil because Scripture supports and condones the institution! Furthermore, another Christian leader said that torture is God's will because the Old Testament supports torture!
But at least this one follower of Jesus did speak out 80 years ago against all oppression in the name of Jesus.
Here are a few more of his comments:
"Christianity has need of thought that it may come to the consciousness of its real self. For centuries it treasured the great commandment of love and mercy as traditional truth without recognizing it as a reason for opposing slavery, witch burning, torture, and all the other ancient and medieval forms of inhumanity in its name.
Only when it experienced the influence of the thinking of the Enlightenment was Christianity stirred up to enter the struggle for humanitarian principles.
The remembrance of this ought to preserve it forever from assuming any air of superiority in comparison with thought.
If Christianity, for the sake of any tradition or for any considerations whatever, refuses to let itself be interpreted in terms of ethical religious thinking, it will be a misfortune for itself and for mankind.
Christianity needs to be filled with the spirit of Jesus, and in the strength of that shall spiritualize itself into the living religion of inwardness and love that is its destiny.
Only then can it become the leaven in the spiritual life of mankind.
Because I am deeply devoted to Christianity, I am trying to serve it with loyalty and sincerity. I do not attempt to defend it with the fragile and ambiguous arguments of Christian apologetics.
I demand from Christianity that it reform itself in the spirit of sincerity and with thoughtfulness, so it may become conscious of its true nature."
Albert Schweitzer
Out of My Life and Thought
p. 183, etc.
--
Healing news from the past needed for today's religious blindness.
In the Light,
Daniel Wilcox
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A Cure for Religious Cancer
A C.U.R.E. for the religious cancer of T.U.L.I.P. that has invaded the Christian faith of so many churches and denominations:
The Good News of Jesus Christ--that God loves everyone so much and calls us to turn from our selfish ways and live in love, truth, and goodness.
Able to accept or reject the Truth that God's Spirit gives us
Conditional Election, based on God's foreknowing of our acceptance of his unlimited, endless, eternal love and goodness
Unlimited Atonement by Jesus, efficient for every human ever born
Reassured that God's Spirit woos everyone, that his love and desire for our rescue from sin is eternal and never ending
Essentially and eternally secure in God's love and truth and goodness
*Reposted from a year ago, because so many people need to hear the Good News instead of the bad news.
In the light of God's endless love for every single human through Jesus Christ,
Daniel Wilcox
The Good News of Jesus Christ--that God loves everyone so much and calls us to turn from our selfish ways and live in love, truth, and goodness.
Able to accept or reject the Truth that God's Spirit gives us
Conditional Election, based on God's foreknowing of our acceptance of his unlimited, endless, eternal love and goodness
Unlimited Atonement by Jesus, efficient for every human ever born
Reassured that God's Spirit woos everyone, that his love and desire for our rescue from sin is eternal and never ending
Essentially and eternally secure in God's love and truth and goodness
*Reposted from a year ago, because so many people need to hear the Good News instead of the bad news.
In the light of God's endless love for every single human through Jesus Christ,
Daniel Wilcox
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