We The People (And then some...)

Hey bloggers...We're about to leave town, but I wanted to update this post (currently 10 comments). I'm really happy that those of you who were ITB today grasped the message, and understood what I was trying to do. Please tell me what happened to you in the service, especially at the end. I loved the feedback from those of you who came down front, and wish we had had more time to hear more. If you wanted to say something, but didn't have the chance, say it here!

As you know, Judah and I are in Washington for the Inauguration, and I may not post anything until we get back on Wednesday. I'll be back for LifeSkills In The Now on Wednesday night (teaching about self-esteem), but I wanted to post this, and leave it up, so that you can write your thoughts, prayers, and observations about this historical event. Even if I don't post, I can check your comments on my Blackberry.

The Inauguration is always on January 20, according to the Constitution, but how amazing is it that this year it falls the day after MLK Day?! There is so much I could say just about him, and about his Dream, and about all that has happened since he gave that iconic speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial. I said something about it this morning in church, but really...it just seems profound to me that the timing worked out this way.

Regardless of your political persuasion, on this coming Tuesday we will not be Democrats or Republicans, black or white, liberal or conservative...we will just be Americans. And, as Christians, we are required to be intercessors for all those in authority. As I said at the Walk By Faith, our prayers are with President George W. Bush and his family, and our prayers are with President Barack Obama and his family. And our prayers are with our great country. God bless America!

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and human beings, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle — I am telling the truth, I am not lying — and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. (I Timothy 2:1-8 - TNIV)

Please share your thoughts on all that is happening right now...

Hey bloggers,

We're leaving for the airport in a few hours, so I have a little time to write something...and I was finally able to get on the page where you post articles.

Thanks for all of your comments about Judah's sermon...I loved every one of them, including the ones on the CITN blog (Pastor Lou, I think I liked yours the best)...and speaking of comments...thanks, Donald, for bringing it to my attention that I asked for you all to agree for a safe "fight". Of course I meant "flight"...or did I?

Also, please read my comment about the estimated number of the crowd at the GPF...

It has been very interesting being with people from all over the world for the last few days. They all want to ask questions about our newly elected President, and, for the most part, they are extremely excited about what his candidacy represents to the world.

We had a meeting at the Korean Parliament earlier in the week, and there is some concern among Korean leaders about how he will treat the trade agreement that the U.S. has with this country. All in all, it has been fascinating to see the whole thing from the perspective of the global village.

There's no way to tell you how much favor we've had here, and I have to say that I liked Korea a lot when we came here in April, but this time I totally fell in love with it. When I spoke at the GPF, I had the entire crowd (all 25,000 to 75,000 of them) stand and stretch their hands toward North Korea and pray for the unification of the two countries, and I believe it was one of the most anointed moments of my entire life. And they totally got it! It was beautiful, and I hope to show you a video of it soon.

As I told you, dad and I had an extra day here after the ILC and the GPF ended, so we were able to go to Prayer Mountain yesterday. We took a cab to Dr. Cho's church, and from there took the shuttle (about an hour and a half ride) out to the place that really was the catalyst for the growth of the world's largest church.

Dad visited there 30 years ago when he was here preaching at the church, and was given admittance to Dr. Cho's personal prayer grotto, where he encountered a life-changing experience with the Holy Spirit. He has talked about it for years, and has always wanted me to go there, too, but we found that the place that he visited back in the 70's has dramatically changed in these last decades. He didn't recognize anything, and the whole place has grown into sort of a huge Christian retreat mega-complex.

We wandered around for about an hour...no signs in English, and no one who spoke English...until we became, shall we say, somewhat frustrated. We not only couldn't find Cho's prayer grotto...we couldn't find any of the grottoes! There is a chapel that seats thousands, a hospital, a restaurant, a sports complex, a youth center, a huge cemetery...even a zoo...but no place to pray that we could find!

Anyway, after asking about a hundred different people, we finally found one guy who spoke a little English, and who led us to where some newly built prayer grottoes are (apparently all of the wooden ones that dad remembered from back in the day are long gone)... so, even though we were disappointed, he got one, and I got one, and we each went into our respective prayer closets for some alone time with God.

While I was in my private grotto, I asked the Spirit to show me what the day was all about, since it definitely did not turn out the way that we had visualized...and He showed me two things...

First, the experience that dad had when he was there before was unique to him...it couldn't be duplicated. Years ago, when I was going through a time of personal crisis in my life, he had wanted to send me to Korea so that I could go to Prayer Mountain and have an experience like he had had...but I didn't want to go then, and now I understand why. Experiences that we have with God are totally unique to us as individuals.

And secondly, He reminded me of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, when Sean Connery played Harrison Ford's father. In the story, he accompanies his son on a mission to find the Holy Grail, and they go through all kinds of trials and adventures in an effort to discover it. At the end of the movie, when Jones lunges for the grail before it falls into the abyss (I'm fast-forwarding, assuming you're familiar with the plot), his father says to him "Indiana, let it go"...and the point of the story is that the father and son thought they were looking for a religious icon, but came to realize that the real spiritual treasure was in the discovery of truth within their own relationship through the process of searching. That's what Korea has meant for my dad and me this week.

Furthermore, we don't have to find Prayer Mountain...we are Prayer Mountain...

I need to go to my room and pack, but I wanted to share this with you. A few weeks ago I was here telling you how much I love Uganda, and now I'm telling you how much I love this country...and I'm not exaggerating. I keep hearing Peacemaker's words to me..."the world is yours"...

Debye and I have been invited to go to Brazil in a few days, and I'm sure I'll love it, too...and for different reasons...but I'll never forget this week...spending time with my father...watching my son preach over the internet from the other side of the world (even though he had had a challenging week...he had to go to court to face the guy who broke into his truck and stole all his stuff on Friday of last week)...

But I love all of you more than ever, and look forward to a big turn-out for Wednesday night. Oh, Auntie Em, there's no place like home!

God is good.

Congratulations, Mr. President-Elect!

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and human beings, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle — I am telling the truth, I am not lying — and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. (I Timothy 2:1-8 - TNIV)

If My People...

Hey bloggers,

You may have already seen this on-line, or in a newspaper, but I thought I'd post it here, as well...

Faith and Civic Leaders Call
for Prayer for the Nation


WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the eve of the election of the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday November 4th, it is appropriate and necessary that "we the people" of America take time to consider the core values and principles that should guide our nation in the next four years.

America is at a crossroads, and faces profound challenges at home and abroad. Our nation's strength - and ability to rise to challenges - lies in the principles that define its ideals, and the people who have endeavored to realize them.

On August 9, 2008, the Global Peace Festival USA launched a campaign to promote an American dream of building "one family under God." This vision underscores three core values that should guide our nation at this time:

1. The family is the "school of love and peace," the most vital social institution that must be honored and strengthened. The human family is bound together by its common spiritual heritage.

2. Universal principles are the basis for interfaith reconciliation and cooperation on a deeper level. Our nation's faith diversity is a great asset, making it possible for America to become a model of interfaith harmony.

3. Promoting a culture of service is the way to substantiate "one family under God." Service initiatives that are international, interreligious and interracial can provide transformative experiences to bridge differences and build mutual understanding.

Many of us are deeply concerned that the political process in our nation has become so partisan and polarizing. Although this election campaign has provided hopeful glimpses of the possibilities of unprecedented change, it has also exposed divisions that are yet to be bridged.

America's distinctive vision shines most clearly in the familiar words of the Declaration of Independence - that all men are created equal and endowed by the Creator with inalienable rights. Those words articulate the fundamental basis of human dignity and intrinsic rights, as well as the principles upon which "one nation" could be created "under God."

America became a pluralistic melting pot, representing how the world could live in harmony under a national vision rooted in our sense of covenant with God. When America has not fully lived up to its founding ideals, leaders have emerged as the conscience of the nation. Such was the case in 1963 when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called the nation to "live out the true meaning of its creed."

What is that "true meaning?" "One nation under God" expresses the essence of the true American vision rooted in our founding principles. In the 21st century we need to take this one step further into the greater, more universal ideal that all humanity is "one family under God." With such a universal vision, America could provide a model and leadership to inspire and unite the human family.

When the Constitutional Convention reached a standstill, Benjamin Franklin called for prayer, saying, "the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"

When the nation was ripped apart by civil war, President Abraham Lincoln called for a national day of fasting and prayer. On D-Day as Allied troops landed in Normandy, President Franklin Roosevelt led the nation in an extraordinary prayer of his own composition.

As our nation makes important decisions, let us pause to reflect, meditate and pray. We urge all Americans to pray for our nation, especially from October 31 to November 2 (covering Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the respective Sabbath days for Muslims, Jews and Christians). Beyond deciding prayerfully, let us also resolve to transcend our differences and come together in support of our newly elected leadership to address the serious challenges before our nation and world.

There is much historical precedent for Americans to call upon God in times of great crisis or momentous change. At this time we are on the doorstep of both.

May God bless America.

Global Peace Festival USA Partners supporting this statement include:

Co-Chairs:

The Honorable Walter E. Fauntroy
The Honorable Matt Salmon
Bishop Jim Swilley
Pastor Debye Swilley
Mr. David Caprara


Partners:

The Honorable Steen Miles
Rev. Mark Abernathy
Rev. Paul Murray
Dr. Mohammad Alam
Ms. Helen Ngo
Matt & Adriana Anderson
Bishop Benoni Y. Ogwal-Abwang
Mr. Dawud Assad
Dr. Charles Phillips
Ambassador Theodore Britton
Ms. Martie Pineda
Dr. Haitham Bundakji
Mr. Victor Pinzon
Ms. Olga Crupper
Imam Mustafa Qazwini
Rev. Tanya Edwards
Rev. Dr. Addie S. Robb
Bishop Jesse Edwards
Ambassador Phillip Sanchez
Ms. Gerry Eitner
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi
Rev. Darrell Elligan
Ms. Fannie Smith
Rev. Mark Farr
Rev. Andre Smith
Mr. James P Flynn
Mr. Gary Spanovich
Rev. Leo Franklin
Hon Richard St. Paul
Bishop Ernest Hamilton
Archbishop George A. Stallings Jr.
The Honorable Earl Hilliard
Ms. Mary Swopes
Dr. Abdul Hye
Mr. Asratie Teferra
The Honorable Donzella James
Mr. Lee Walker
Dr. Michael Jenkins
Mrs. Alexa Ward
Mr. Mohammad Khan
Rabbi Michael Weisser
Rev. Ki Hoon Kim
Mrs. Delece Williams
Dr. Simone A. Mason
Ambassador Sam Zakhem

God Bless America!

Today marks seven months since BLOGINTHENOW began...

...and, of course, difficult as it is to believe, today marks seven years since the September 11 attacks on the United States.

As I said in my sermon last night (Is Christ Divided?, Part II ), for a few days in America after 9/11/01, there were no democrats or republicans...conservatives or liberals...catholics or protestants...rich or poor...no one was black...no one was white...no one was latino...we were all simply broken-hearted Americans, united by a horrible tragedy that affected us all.

On this historic date, let us remember those in NY, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania who lost their lives, and also their families who are still dealing with the pain. But let us also remember to pray for the future of this great country...let us pray that we would all somehow find that unity again that we shared for a brief moment in time seven years ago...let us release our faith that that unity could be rediscovered, this time without tragedy, but through the movement and power of the Spirit of God.

Here is the first verse to one of the most beautiful songs ever written. I love the Star Spangled Banner, but I'm one of those who would vote to have this awesome hymn become our national anthem.

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

Tell Me Something Good!

I hope everyone is keeping cool these days. If one more person asks me if it's hot enough for me, I'm going to...well, I don't know what I'm going to do, but let's just say I've heard it enough. And then that question is usually followed by, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity!"

Hey, it's summertime, people! It's supposed to be hot! Go pour yourself a glass of iced tea (the table wine of the south), and just be happy. As fast as time is flying these days, it will be winter before you know it...


Observations from watching the news last night…

…of course it’s unspeakably tragic…but aside from that, how absurd is it that a man who thinks it is immoral for a church to promote women’s rights and gay rights, to decide to make his statement for morality by walking in to a service at that church (while the children are performing the musical Annie, no less), and just begin randomly murdering people?!! It’s one thing to have a difference of opinion about the standard of morality…but to murder innocent people for the sake of that morality? It just doesn’t make any sense. It’s like those people who gunned down doctors who performed abortions in their clinics because they were, in their opinion, killers! Unbelievable! If you’re really pro-life, you shouldn’t be out destroying life! If morality is really important to you, you should obtain moral authority by being moral!

I understand that morality is a complex issue, and I do believe in having standards…but when I hear about the insanity that comes from rabid intolerance, especially among religious people, I want to embrace the “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” concept more than ever…

…on a lighter note, did I hear correctly that gas prices are the lowest they have been since May? They’re still high, but at least there’s a little good news in that department.

And did I also hear that we have had more rainfall in July than was predicted…and more than we have had for the same month in the two previous years? The drought isn’t over, but things are at least better than they were a few weeks ago in that area!

And then there was all of the nasty political stuff. All I can say about that is... just pray for the presidential candidates. They need it!

More than anything, I was just glad to hear a little good news. Does anyone else have any to share?

Also, it looks like Phillips, Craig and Dean aren't going to be able to participate in the GPF, but they may be replaced with David Phelps. You may know him from the Gaither Vocal Band. He has an amazing voice. And please keep posting your acts of kindness so that we can reach our goal.

If you haven't checked out the Barney Fife video from yesterday, go look at it and tell me what you think (Donald, your observation of his smugness at the end was my main point). Aside from making the point, however, I think it's just hysterical...and a merry heart does good like a medicine!

One thing I love about YouTube is that it has so many things like that which always make me laugh (like the newsroom scene from Bruce Almighty, when Jim Carrey takes over Steve Carell's voice, or Bugs Bunny in Hillbilly Hare). Just being able to see them easily and at any time is very cool to me.

Anyway, I command a blessing on all BLOGINTHENOW bloggers today, and I believe that all things are working together for your good. It's hot outside, but you're alive...you're going to make it...choose to be happy. Count your blessings, and don't waste this Tuesday on bitterness or pettiness or worry or fear.

That's what was on my mind today...what's on yours?

Thank God It's Friday!

Hey bloggers...
BLOGINTHENOW is five months old today! Thanks for making this cyber-community all that it is. I really enjoy connecting with you here every day, and believe that a lot of positive things originate on this site. I even think that some of the growth that we are experiencing at CITN right now is due to the strength of the relationships formed day by day in this part of cyberspace (did you notice how big the crowd was Wednesday night?).

Today's entry in AYITN is Stay Alert!, and I believe that it's a word to all of us right now. Rev. Jesse Jackson is most likely wishing today that he had been more alert to the fact that his mic was still hot the other night when he made some unfortunate comments about Barack Obama. But what's done is done.

We've all done and said things that we wish we hadn't done or said...but once we've done or said them, we have to take responsibility for our words and actions, do what we can to make things right, learn from our mistakes, and then get past it.

Yesterday I was thinking about the concept of turning the other cheek when encountering a verbal blow, and it occurred to me that it's the ideal, symbolic head movement to make to allow things to go in one ear and out the other.
__________

From AYITN...

Stay Alert!

I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man. (Proverb 24:30-34)

Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I am actively involved in my world and on top of every situation facing me. The names of laziness, procrastination and foolishness must bow to the name of Jesus in my life!

Today I will be sober and vigilant—a watchman on the wall. I will pay attention to what is happening around me and will trust the Holy Spirit to show me things to come. I will keep my eyes and ears open in the natural realm, as well as in the spiritual realm, and will be a doer of the word so as not to deceive myself.



















Today I will remember that the only person who is going to be with me for my entire life is me, so I will befriend myself by taking responsibility for my own productivity. I will enjoy my hard-earned successes and victories and face up to the unfortunate consequences of my lapses in judgment and poor choices. But even though I take full responsibility for my life and actions, I will still count on goodness and mercy to follow me all the days of my life, and to turn around for the good every negative situation that I have brought on myself. The buck will stop with me, but the government will be on Christ’s shoulder!

Today I will enjoy the blessing of hard work and the benefits that accompany it.*

Today I will choose how I start and finish my day, knowing that attitude is everything and that I have control over my feelings and reactions to what happens around me.

Today I will really listen when people talk. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and I will use my ability to wisely hear the hearts of those with whom I communicate.

Today I will “look well to the state of my flocks” and will recognize a wake up call when I hear it and a reality check when I see it. I will not be clueless and taken unaware by circumstances. I will not let myself be blind-sided by the snare of the fowler. I will be on top of my game today, and today I will live in the now!

Father, help me to stay alert today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

_____________________

For CITN members: This Sunday will be Pastor Joshua Foster's last one here before returning to the Philippines, so please plan on being ITB to see him. And I think that it may be November (instead of October) when I go there, for those of you who want to go with me (still working out the dates). Bishop Tommy is going to be here in Oct. Also, those of you who are going to Uganda, or are interested in going to Uganda, please see Pastor Avery Rogers for details and information...


*(picture taken in front of Buckingham Palace)

All kidding aside, I want to give God a praise for what happened in N. Korea today. In case you don't know, they blew up a 60-foot cooling tower at the Yongbyon nuclear facility, dramatically destroying the most obvious symbol of their recent nuclear proliferation. The tower isn't too technically significant--North Korea could easily build another one--but its destruction is the nation's latest step back from the brink of nuclear confrontation with the United States and its allies.

I don't say a lot about our president. I was taught that if you don't have something good to say, don't say anything at all. But today I am rejoicing that something like this happened on his watch, and I will gladly give him props for being a part of the peace process. It's certainly better than hearing him call NK part of the "Axis of Evil". Kim recently prophesied that Bush wouldn't leave office in disgrace...I don't know...it was just nice to hear about this today.

Peace on earth, good will toward men...

The Earth is the Lord's! (And then some)

In the last few days and hours, all over the globe, there have been cyclones, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes and earthquakes, among other disasters, that have claimed the lives of literally thousands and thousands of people, worldwide. It's really very hard to get your head around the enormity of the number of casualties, and, as I said in a recent article here, I believe that something is definitely going on with the planet.

Al Gore, along with many others with his world-view, believes that it is the inevitable fallout from global warming. Most evangelicals and fundamentalist Christians believe that it is the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy...signs of the times...a prelude to "the Apocalypse", as they believe it to be. My personal belief is that it is evidence of the whole creation groaning in painful travail, waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God according to Romans 8...the birth pangs for the new earth. Whatever it is, it is certainly unsettling to see what has been happening, even right here in our immediate area.

Today a Christian minister was lamenting the fact that, because so many of these disasters were happening in predominately Buddhist and Hindu (and some Islam) nations, that thousands and thousands of unknowing people who were dying in these catastrophes were being hurled into eternal hell because they had most likely not embraced Christianity or acknowledged or confessed Romans 10:9, 10 (even though they don't have Christian Bibles).

A few years ago I might have believed that myself. Now I believe in the what the Scriptures really say, in the love and mercy of God, in His plan to restore all things, and all of humanity, and in the Last Adam's ultimate triumph over the first Adam.

I don't have all the answers, but I know that it is not His will that any should perish, and that He is good, and His mercy endures forever. I also believe in the power of prayer...pray for your planet today. It's a great day to be alive!


I have some more things to say, and will probably be back here later today...

















In the meantime, what is in your spirit today concerning these things?

___________________________

Hey bloggers,

I said earlier that I had more to say on this subject, and so I’m adding this part many hours later. At the time of this writing there are about 26 comments posted, and let me just say how impressed I am by all of your keen insights, and how proud I am of you as a blog community. You have all brought up some very interesting and compelling points, all of which I basically agree with on some level, and I appreciate the balance of intelligence and compassionate sensitivity that you all show.

As a student of history, I certainly am aware that natural disasters have always happened, and I also realize that with constant, 24 hour news coverage, it may appear that more is happening now than has happened in the past in this area. But you have to admit, the last few days and hours have been pretty intense.

And yet, at the same time, there is such an amazing move of God happening in the world right now…a great awakening is taking place. I realize that there are some Christians who interpret this awakening as “the great falling away”, and I understand their paradigm. I was raised on it. And let me just say, for the record, that I do believe that John 14:6 is the truth. I do believe that Jesus was speaking rightly when He said “no man comes to the Father but by Me”. As the perfect embodiment of the Christ, He established Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that is an absolute in my heart and mind.

But the same Jesus said that those who were not against Him were for Him. John the Baptist said, “Behold, the lamb of God WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD.” The best-case scenario is found in John 3:16…that “whosoever would believe in Him would not perish, but would have everlasting life.” But, thank God, verse 17 follows verse 16, for those who have never heard, or who have not had the proper influences in their lives to cause them to believe in Him…“For God sent not His son to condemn the world, but that THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED!” He is the Savior of all men, ESPECIALLY those who believe.

I may even add more to this later today. In the meantime, I don’t know if you noticed or not, but the picture of the drinking deer has a structure in the background that reminds me of something out of Asian architecture…something that you might see in China or Myanmar (the Land of Pagodas)…I put it there to remind us all to pray for our brothers and sisters in those nations who are suffering even as I write this. They make up a huge part of the Family of God…our family…and those who have lost their lives are with the Lord. The Scriptures say “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”, and that is a universal promise.

That’s all for now. Keep up the beautiful correspondence. I love you all.

A New Commandment!

In the Christian liturgical calendar, Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday is the feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.(“Maundy” is from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" which means "A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another as I have loved you" – John 13:34) On this day four events are commemorated: the washing of the Disciples' feet by Jesus Christ, the institution of the Last Supper, the agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His betrayal by Judas Iscariot.

But, first, to answer a question that was asked yesterday, the morning celebration of these events marks the beginning of what is called the Easter or Sacred Triduum (the Latin triduum means a three-day period…the three days from the death to the resurrection of Jesus). It should be noted that for Jesus and his followers a day ended, and a new day began, at sunset, not at midnight, as it still does today in the modern Jewish calendar. The Last Supper was held at what present-day Western civilization considers to be the evening of Holy Thursday, but what was then considered to be the first hours of Friday. So the ‘three days and three nights’ that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 12:40 is really an idiom that does not require there to actually be three nights as we would think of them.

Anyway, I was thinking about the fact that Maundy Thursday is so associated with the sacrament of foot washing, and about what that really means, so I want to address that here.

In the last few days I have grown especially weary with all the non-stop contention between the Democrats and the Republicans, Hilary vs. Barack, all the white people who are outraged at Barack's Pastor's controversial comments vs. all the black people who are outraged at all the white people for being outraged, and all the wearisome strife between people of faith that goes on every day. I'm tired of hearing about church splits, and about mature people unnecessarily breaking covenant with one another over doctrinal issues.

Yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq...five years! Half a decade, already! I'm tired of war, and I'm sick of non-stop violence...sick of turning on the news, and every day seeing another story about some senseless murder, or yet another random person walking into a public place and opening fire on innocent people. I'm tired of beautiful married couples splitting up over things that should easily be resolvable...tired of the hateful nastiness of e-mails from intolerant religious people...tired of strife and bickering and pride...tired of people being mean-spirited and unkind to one another...tired of terrorism...tired of gang violence...tired of bigotry, racism and prejudice...tired of hatred...tired of selfishness.

Please don't write me and tell me that that's just the way things are, and there's nothing we can do about it. I didn't just get here...I know how mean the world can be. But on this Maundy Thursday, I just want to honor the simple, beautiful act of Jesus washing His disicples' feet...even though He knew that he was about to be betrayed by a friend. I was looking online for a footwashing picture, and I came across this one of Jesus at the U.N. washing the feet of world leaders. That's Hilary on the left, and Jesus is serving Kofi Annan who is next to Osama who is next to George W. Bush. Apparently, the picture has been cirulating on the internet, and has gotten a lot of strong reaction, both pro and con.






I didn't put it here to make a political statement. I just want to speak peace to the world on this Holy Thursday. And for those of you who are a part of this blog, especially the regulars, in the Spirit, I am kneeling before you all with a basin of water, washing everyone's feet.

I have been hearing from people who log on here from all over the world (night before last I talked to Bishop Tommy Smith in the Philppines who told me that he comes here very day) and so I want to say to all who come here...welcome, and take your shoes off.

The trademark at Hard Rock Cafe is "Love all/Serve all", and today...if only for today...that's what I want to do. And whatever you do, from the time of reading this through Easter Sunday...remember to keep these days holy...be a lover...be a server...maybe your little act of kindness will make a difference.

Enjoy Your Day!

This picture of Atlanta at night is posted here because of all the testimonies that I heard after the Sunday service of how many of you miraculously escaped harm during Friday night's devastating tornado. I've been downtown 2 or 3 times since then, and I think that with all of the glass that is missing from skyscraper windows, it's absolutely amazing that no one was seriously injured or killed!

And it’s quite possible that Mykal Riley saved lives by making a shot in a basketball game. With one basket, he could have changed the fate of thousands of people because that night, Alabama was trailing Mississippi State by three points at the end of the game, and Riley hit a three-pointer to tie the ballgame and send it into overtime. Three minutes later, the tornado ripped through that part of the city. If the game hadn't gone into overtime, all those people would have been on the street, headed to their cars at just the wrong time. Amazing how one little thing can affect so much. Something to think about.

Every day on this blog we all give each other a lot to think about. I really appreciate the thoughtfulness and intelligence of all who are a part of this site. Your communication here is a continual breath of fresh air for me. Yesterday my day seemed to be full of encounters with small-minded people (never expect a 16X20 idea to fit into a 3X5 mind!)...so much religious silliness that I had to deal with. I just had to let it go and refuse to be frustrated with the non-visionaries. That's why I enjoy being here with people like you who can "see"...my "deep" needs your "deep".

Anyway, enough about yesterday. I've decided to just fully ENJOY this day, and I want you to enjoy it, too! You know, it’s not what we HAVE but what we ENJOY that constitutes our ABUNDANCE...and I intend to walk in ABUNDANT LIFE today!

ABUNDANCE is not something that we acquire…it is something we tune into...that's why I want to put away pettiness and smallness and anything else that would prevent me from "tuning in" to the treasure hidden in the field of my today...my "now".

For those of you who are a part of CITN or cyber-CITN, I've got a really cool word for you tonight about the I AM, and how the whole concept relates to past-present-future all flowing together.

If you are planning on coming to church tonight, keep your mind open to revelation. And remember that one little thing (like a well-timed 3-pointer) could change history...so stay in the flow!

God is speaking.