And Now to the End of Our Polarization

And Now to the End of our Polarization!

Yes!

With vision I see it!

Not in the distant future, my friend,

Even now, coming into focus.

 Eyes are open—

Ears are unstopped.

With clarity, it is understood how single issue advocacy has

 Distracted,

Distorted,

Divided.

And now to the End of our Polarization of social issues and Toward a More Perfect Union!

Too long held captive—too long preoccupied by unreasonable frenzy

Erupting in cancerous tumor

 Suffocating the breath from our Republic.

Internal impasse

Causing havoc in our political process

 Weakening our whole society

Wrong focus abandoning problems and suffering of elephantine proportions

No undivided attention or prayerful consideration for “the poor, the widow, the fatherless

in their affliction.”

But Weeds of Neglect in Fields of Desertion.

Passing over tribulations and untold sufferings

Scant time “to bind up the broken hearted. . . proclaim liberty to the captive. . .give bread to the hungry. . .water to the thirsty. . .to comfort all that mourn.”

And Now to the End of our Polarization!

For the Sword of Truth has revealed this taunting Goliath.

The Giant, the Consuming Question

The Voter Litmus Test and The Who to Demonize Guide:

Abortion

And its sister/cousin:

Gay Marriage

On the left and on the right

So strong and unrelenting has been this choking grip that it has become the norm

 by which we address all other issues.

 A macrocosm, an ingrained, computer like pattern and response as to how we have notoriously dealt with our differences.

We won’t move.

We won’t budge.

And Now to the  End of Our Polarization!

Differences—what makes us unique, coming from so many backgrounds:

“Red, and yellow; black and white

We are precious in His sight.”

The richness of diversity

From the pageantry of regal worship,

Flowing robes, silver chalices and stained glass windows,

“Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my father

Morning by morning, new mercies I see. . .”

To the camp ground of

Hallelujah!

“Clap, your hands, all ye people,

Shout unto God with the Voice of Triumph”

Psalm 47:1

“Go Down, Moses”

“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”

The silence of Quaker meeting—

a pregnant silence, to bring forth Children of Action.

“I go cheerfully over the earth, responding to the divine in every person,”

 said George Fox, the found of The Society of Friends.

Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, though strong in his Baptist faith, realized,

“Faith, by its very nature, must be a free act.”

Every snowflake is different and if we be co-creators with The Creator,

We too must celebrate our diversity.

And Now to the End of our Polarization:

Dealing with our differences as assets to enlarge perceptions

 As we listen with discernment to one another—

forgiving,

tender hearted--

No longer differences to magnify and twist out of context

 for seeming advantage,

 Snatching one sentence here and another one there.

With careless haste, not rightly putting them together,

Giving them a meaning not meant.

“And they send unto Jesus certain of the Pharisees. . .to catch him in his words. . .”

Mark 12:13

“But the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.”

Psalm 63:11

“To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love for ever is to live forever.

Hence, eternal life is inextricably bound up with love. . .

From The Greatest Thing in the World by Henry Drummond

And Now to the End of Our Polarization:

“If any lack wisdom. . .”James 1

“If any lack wisdom. . .”

Who doesn’t?

Is there anyone here who thinks they don’t need to ask for wisdom?

What is the promise?

“. . .it shall be given to her.”

We can know anything we need to know.

We listen inwardly for the discernment the Spirit gives

beyond “the seeing of the eye and the hearing of the ear”

 “Judge not according to appearance but judge righteous judgment.”

John 7:24

Listen!

This is a time to hear angels sing.

“. . .a thrill of hope,

the weary world rejoices,

for yonder breaks a

new and glorious morn!”

“Stand on your feet. . .”

Yes!

“They that sit in darkness have seen A Great Light!”

“I am The Light of the World,” He said,

“You are the Light of the World!”

“Let your light so shine before others

 that they may see your good works

 and glorify

 your Father in heaven.”

When Moses came down from the mountain, his face glowed.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John,

 and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men,

 they marveled;

and they took knowledge of them,

 that they had been with Jesus.”

Acts 4:13

“Thy people shall be willing

in the day of thy power,

In the beauties of holiness

 from the womb of  the morning:

thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Psalm 110:3

And Now to the End of Our Polarization:

I propose tossing the history laden labels of Pro-Life and Pro-Choice and starting afresh.

La Verde de la Vida

Let this be a New Day with a New Title.

Pro-Life? Pro-Choice? Oh, no,

I’m

La Verde de la Vida

We see The Big Picture and realize that when we come to Solutions—

they are best for everyone concerned. 

As you listen with your heart, I believe, you, too, will find you are

La Verde de la Vida—the Green of Life.

“The Lord bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you.”

And Now to the End of Our Polarization!

I wrote a book for the healing of America. 

I wrote it Among the Trees of Van Cordlandt Park--which is the first chapter.

Gratefully, this park is but a stone’s throw from me,

A place frequented by the whisper of angels—

Angels ascending, descending,

Showing all the facets of concerns—which, to the human eye, are too convoluted, too complicated to understand.

And now to the End of our Polarization of social issues and Toward a More Perfect Union!

 Dr. Rev. John  Santosuosso, a retired professor of political science at the University of South Florida and also an Episcopal priest, said of my book:

            “I found your wonderful book in the lobby of the WMCA. I just wanted to tell you that it is a very beautiful book filled with healing and common sense.  I just can’t say enough wonderful things about it.  I wish the message could be given to every America and everyone in the world. It goes far beyond the abortion issue.  It’s for healing the hearts and souls of all of us.  The world is crying out for  this message. . .You have done something to heal me today!”

And now to the End of the Polarization of social issues and Toward a More Perfect Union!

 I can see the end, as an example, in the views of our two presidential candidates. If the truth be known, both think alike about the polarizing social issues.  They would be relieved to forsake what the single issue advocates, with their distortions, have sought to bully through and come to the conclusions I have put forth in a letter to President Obama.

                                                                                                                                            

President Barak Obama

The Whitehouse,

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

            My prayers are with you tonight. 

Quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, “Do what you feel in your heart to be right--for you’ll be criticized anyway.”

 Also this quote (unknown):  What you compromise to keep, you lose. 

Stick to Civil Unions.  If people want to have marriage ceremonies, they can still do so.  Don’t let this be a voting litmus test.  (Civil Unions might be considered for everyone.)

Abortion: Your Notre Dame speech was excellent.  Just because you believe”

The Reversal of Roe

is not the way to go

does not mean you are “pro-abortion.”  Douglas W. Kmiec, a constitutional scholar who headed the Office of Legal Counsel under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush said, “Overturning Roe would have limited affect, Senator Obama is articulating policies to explore ways to give greater protection to human life. . .  There are clearly partisan forces that want nothing more than to manufacture or stir up faith based opposition to their political opponents. 

Laura Bush, in her book, Spoken from the Heart: “Abortion should remain legal for medical reasons and other reasons.”

She, and other people like her, who have thought this through, certainly should not be considered or labeled “pro-abortion.”

                                                            Blessings,

                                                            Sheilah Hill

Note:

My book, La Verde de la Vida, does not address the Gay/Lesbian issue except to give the example of intersex—when a child is born with both male and female, ovarian and testicular, tissue.  This should help us admit there are many things we do not know. Why does God permit intersex babies?  What should be done? If we had such a baby, would we, with surgery, decide for a boy or girl or leave the baby alone?  

At a mental health drop-in center I met a young man named David who had been such a baby.  His parents had elected that he be a boy.  He was one of the most unhappy people I have ever met--which he expressed in writing tragic poetry.  He said, “I wish they had let me alone. Or at least let me be a girl—not a boy.”  How can we make a judgment in this case?  Isn’t it all right to say, “I don’t know”?

As far as the Gay/Lesbian debate presently tearing at the fabric of our nation, I believe it is wisdom to promote Civil Unions with all the advantages of what we call “marriage.” Consider-- two men or two women, who are not sexual, may wish to be a household—they need Civil Unions.

 Always detrimental, single issue advocacy, insisting on the term of “marriage”, does not realize the whole picture.  And this insistence actually  is counter-productive to their cause as it gets out the opposing vote, electing those who are not sympathetic to this cause at all—such as, in Ohio when this question was on the ballet.  This insistence probably put George Bush back in office.

 It’s important to realize we are one nation-- seeing the whole and not demonizing those whose views we do not share. I think of the graciousness of Joel O’steen as he answers this question and gives his belief of marriage being between one man and one woman.  We come from different backgrounds.  Standing for our rights or beliefs does not have to be done in hateful ways.  Hence, the letter I wrote to President Obama—it is not liberal, conservative, Democrat or Republican but takes in consideration  all views to what can be acceptable to most.  Forget labels—think things through.

It is not the economy that is destroying our nation—no money?  You could have fooled me with all the money being thrown about in super paks.  The economy, could right itself with our proper attitudes of listening to one another.  If hearts aren’t right, it doesn’t matter what they do in Washington.  Conversely, with right spirits, seemingly foolish things could work—historically, this is true.

 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.. . .For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”

-- Proverbs 18:21; Galatians 5:14, 15

Now to the End of our Polarization!

Because the Lord is My Shepherd

6:36 a.m.  July 26, 2012,  I opened Dad's hymnbook, The Singing Church, to:

Because the Lord is my Shepherd,
I have everything that I need;
He let me rest in meadows green
and leads me beside the quiet stream.
He keeps on giving life to me,
and helps me to do what honors Him the most.
Even when walking tro 'the dark valley of death,
valley of death,
I will never be afraid,
for He is close beside me.
Guarding, guiding all the way,
He spread a fest before me 
in the presence of my enemies,
He welcomes me as He special guidest with blessing ever flowing,
His goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life,
and afterwards I shall live with Him forever, forever in His home,
forever in His home,Forever in His home.
                           Ralph Carmichael, 1969

Since I don't know the above Lord is my Shepherd song, I opened to another hymnbook for a Shepherd song I know--in fact, we sang it Sunday at church.  In opening this hymnbook  I opened to:

Song: Faith of our Mothers




I opened my Dad's Bible.  The verse I saw first was Mark 5:15:

And they come to Jesus and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.


I planned to write today:

The Boy With the Orange Hair

                       

The Mosque, a defining moment

The Mosque—A Defining Moment

As a Christian, I believe in redemption. As an American, I believe in religious liberty. Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island said, "Faith by its very nature must be a free act." Though a Baptist and strong in his faith, he did not exclude people from Rhode Island because of their religion or even no religion. He said that government should be concerned about law and order, not religious belief. It was foundational for our religious liberty and should be an example for us today.

The label does not determine what something (or somebody) is. Many horrible things have been done in the name of religion--would I want to be held accountable for what some, who have the label of "Christian", have done? Not all people who say they are "Christian" are peacemakers and follow the teachings of Jesus: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven . . .Blessed are the peacemakers." (Matthew 5)

Likewise not all Muslims are terrorists and it is unfair and un-American and a betrayal of our values to make them accountable or exclude them because of what some Muslims have done--it is insensitive in the extreme.

Muslims were also killed on 9/11. Listen to your heart; have some empathy. Think of how some of them must feel. I don't want them to think this is Christianity. Do we want to be known as a culture of vengeance? Or have the barbaric belief in collective guilt and collective punishment? What if we believed in redemption? Isn't that foundational to what Christians believe along with forgiveness, grace and mercy? “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (John 13) Jesus said, "By this shall all people know you are my disciples if you have love one for another." By this qualification, how many disciples does Jesus have? To allow this cultural center and mosque does not mean compromising what we believe or a blurring of the significant differences between our religions. To forbid it compromises our American values. I'm grateful for the speeches of both the Mayor of New York and the President of the United States--neither of which need retract anything. As a matter of principle, that mosque cannot be relocated out of fear. No one need move to the middle of the bus.
Clearly there are those who want to stir up faith based opposition for their political opponents. Among those against the New York mosque are the very vocal Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin. However, in opposition to this view, President Obama reminds us at a Whitehouse speech for Ramadan: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/08/13/remarks-president-iftar-dinner-0 “This is America. And our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome to this country and that they will not be treated differently by their government is essential to who we are. The writ of the Founders must endure.”

Matters of religious liberty should have been settled long ago—in fact, they were.

And Newt Gingrich, you’re trying to take this away from us—and as a potential political candidate? Your efforts would be better served and the cause of peace by helping the children and people of Pakistan’s flood. instead of forcing our focus on forbidding mosques.

Despite abundant evidence to the contrary, (For example, PBS, October 10, 2008, Religion and Ethics: What the Candidates Believe, "All four candidates describe themselves as Christian. . .Barak Obama has been the most outspoken about matters of faith. . ."I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and that I am redeemed through him. That is a source of strength and sustenance on a daily basis. I know that I don't walk alone.. ." .http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episoes/october-10-2008-campaign-what-the-candidates-believe/885/ ) there are voices that wish to portray the President as “secular” or Muslim. It is said that one out of five Americans wrongly believe this. And now the Iftar speech is eagerly given as evidence to perpetuate this claim. Mr. Gingrich helps fuel this confusion. Take his book title: Stop the Secular, Socialist Obama Machine. What needs to be stopped is how Mr. Gingrich invents things. A very provable invention is that Mr. Gingrich, promoting his writer, Vince Halley, accused the President of” “editing Jesus out of Easter.”

http://www.torenewamerica.com/obama-removes-jesus-from-easter-message

From this accusation came at least three googled pages of outrage against the President—and who knows how much on talk radio and TV. Talk about a machine, Mr. Gingrich, your polarizing, hostility machine needs to be stopped and NOW! And we're to consider you an example of spirituality? Jesus speaks of "the wheat and the tares" growing together. It seems the tares often get the microphone. This is unacceptable. Truth and love shall arise and come forth and their voices shall swallow up and scatter that which is not.

Yes, Sarah, there is a death panel. "Death and Life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21) Your death panel statement was like an avalanche which brought unreasonable anger against our President and our government. People couldn't even talk in the town meetings. We have to listen to one another. Sarah, people who trust in you--who like your sparkling vivaciousness--believe you. For good debate and solutions, it is important that the truth be known and you are the person who has the stage to tell it. Do you agree? Especially when you know many are listening and some are ready to follow your example, it is totally irresponsible to falsely accuse the President of something "downright evil." This is abusive power of your freedom of speech and democracy can't work this way. Before such a drastic statement is made--before one pours kerosene on differences, there is a need to double check and get facts straight. I cannot express myself too strongly. Extreme harm has been done. and I feel you need to apologize to the President and to the American people and publicly explain since you so publicly accused.

“Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely. . .” Luke 3:14

Your "Death Panels" lie was given the Lie of the Year award by St. Petersburg Times, home of The Politifact, which was awarded the 2009 Pulitzer Prize in Journalism. However, unfortunately, some people don't know it was a lie. (For fuller explanation see: http://shiningriver-sheilah.blogspot.com/2010/07/dear-sarah-to-begin-these-words-from.html ) Talk about Mama Grizzles, I'm enlisting. It certainly is true that lies circle the globe while truth is just getting its boots on.

Getting our boots on, President Obama gave two Easter messages—neither of which he “edited” Jesus out. (In one he did not quote everything another speaker said.) Instead Mr. Gingrich is the one doing the editing. This is a serious accusation clearly designed to stir up the people. Take Jesus and the resurrection out of Easter which is most precious to Christians? Please listen to the President’s Easter Prayer Breakfast Message –he speaks of redemption. I have listened to it ten times and took it to church for others to listen to: We need redemption. Who dares judge the President “secular”?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/white-house-easter-prayer-breakfast

“But the King (the President) shall rejoice in God. . .but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.” (Psalm 63:11)

At the prayer breakfast the President said of Jesus, “We are awed by the grace He showed even to those who would have killed Him. We are thankful for the sacrifice He gave for the sins of humanity. And we glory in the promise of redemption in the resurrection.”

I am awed by the grace of the President. In all my years—I have three children and seven grandchildren so I am not young—I have never known anyone to be criticized so unfairly who so little deserves it. He is not perfect, I do not agree with all policies, but he “is trying hard,” as he said, “and wants the best for our country.” Who are the perfect ones to throw stones? If you don’t like the polices, I’m sure he could do better without all this edit-Jesus-out-of-Easter kind of criticism. And who knows—with all this commotion—what some of the policies really are? If he has made unwise decisions and you've been fault finding and seeing what you can dig up and take out of context, then you're part of the problem. Do you make good decisions when you are being constantly criticized and lies are being thrown about? I have never before realized how much our collective consciousness limits the options and decisions of those in Washington. We are to pray for our leaders. As a friend said, “The Bible says to pray without ceasing. Where does it say to criticize without ceasing?” What if we got the President some say we have? There needs to be some gratitude. We need to nourish and uplift our young President. What kind of hearts do we have? I feel like crying. To combat all this negative energy, I’m going to praise the President:

for his love of country and people,

for his knowledge and intelligence--

that he has diligently studied our history, our founders, and our Constitution,

that he is appreciative of our diversity of cultures,

that he stays calm under pressure, (In this culture, this is BIG one. ("He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Proverbs 16:32)
that he is a listener--that he wants to hear and consider opposing views and that he wants to be fair,

for his wisdom and speaking ability,

that he is forgiving and not vengeful, for his generous spirit,

that he knows, as he has expressed, the importance of humility,

for his sense of humor.

I'm thankful for how noble he is and that we can be proud of him when he travels to other countries and gives speeches.

I'm thankful for his dignity.

I'm thankful for his family--for Michelle and his girls to whom he is a good husband and father.

I'm thankful that he is a man of faith,

A man named Bill Derksen, apparently from another country, in responding to PBS analysis expressed , “. . .it is increasingly clear that journalists absolutely MUST criticize a president at all cost to maintain ‘credibility’. My perception of your president is that he is one of the greatest leaders of all time, appreciated in almost all other countries, and perhaps, the most under appreciated, under supported president in your own country. . . "
And now the climate of our country has escalated in controversy over the dream project of another leader, Imam Feisal Rauf. Who is he? I had never heard of him until a few weeks ago. A biographical sketch is given in Complicated Balancing Act For Imam in Mosque Furor, New York Times, August 22, 2010 When giving a speech in Cairo in February, the imam said, "Muslims need to understand and soothe Americans who fear them. They should be conciliatory, not judgmental, toward the West and Israel." He was asked, "Aren't you being financed by the United States?" "I'm not an agent from any government," he said, "I'm a peacemaker." . . . Akbar Ahmed, professor of Islamic studies says, "He hurtles in, to the dead-center eye of the storm. . .expecting it to be like at his mosque--we all love each other, we all think happy thoughts. . .so this mild-mannered guy is in the eye of a storm for which he's not suited at all."

I disagree. He is well suited. In the eye of the storm is silence, peace. This is especially needed in this chaos. I'm grateful. We need this calm. We've enough fanatical voices and the last thing we need is more hothead leaders. I'm grateful that our President keeps his cool--he's an example for us--for me. But even for this, he is criticized. Consider:
"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." (Proverbs 16:32)
"An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire." (Proverbs 16:27)
Perhaps you, like me, have found that often you have more rapport with those under another label than with those supposedly under your own label. Lesson: Forget labels. Remember love. Sojourners has a civility pledge. The Coffee Party has a civility pledge. Americans are longing for civility We are tired of this "endless spewing" of which the oil spill was a metaphor.

In Obama and the Chaos Perception, New York Times, June 6, 2010, Matt. Bai states that since President Obama is a gifted writer, he will “understand the power of a good metaphor. . .the poetic significance of that cloud of oil. . . spewing endlessly . . .the accumulating cloud. . .”

Yes, the accumulating cloud .

Spewing endlessly.

As has been said in many ways by poets, mystics, and theologians, both ancient and modern: The physical is a shadow of the reality in the spirit. The president should appreciate the poetic significance? I disagree with the author's metaphor. What about we as a people appreciating the poetic significance?

What accumulating cloud has been spewing endlessly? Criticism, the distortion of truth, jumping to judgment. The birthers saying the President was born in Ghana and so is disqualified to be president, Glenn Beck Rush Limbaugh and other T.V. and radio hosts leading a mentality comparing the President to Hitler, Stalin, and calling him a communist or a Nazi. Ann Coulter referring to the President as "B. Hussein Obama" in a derogatory way--his middle name should be an asset to connecting with Muslims. He is criticized even for giving a speech to the school children about working hard and staying in school--some advised boycotting that school day. We're supposed to turn liabilities into assets--not assets into liabilities. What a role model and inspiration for our black youth--all of our youth. The fact that he is both black and white should be another asset. Fortunately, others, including Laura Bush, praised him and defended his back-to-school speech, but damage was certainly done. Oh, why can't we pull together and be proud of our President, The First Lady and the children. There's Michelle, she looks like so much fun--the smile on her face, a lady of style and I love her thinking up a vegetable garden for the Whitehouse. I am positive there is nothing we can't do if we stop this negativity and help one another--Listen to your heart and do your part!

There is no greater threat to our democracy than this endless spewing. This accumulating cloud hangs now over ground zero.
When my children were young and quarreling, I sometimes put them on "silence." Like unruly children, there are those who need to be put on silence--Newt Gingrich, you’re on silence, as well as Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter, Keith Halloran, others—on the left as well as the right—put your name in there--Actually, we all need to do this--have moments of silence. Go for a walk in the woods, pray, meditate, let the Spirit speak to you--through the birds, the rippling of the water, the whispering of the leaves. Get away from The Maddening Crowd, have a Walden moment, get a John Muir complex--most of all walk with the Master and sit, as Mary, at His feet. He is the Prince of Peace. . "I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. . ."
This is the best way to affect what happens in Washington, our country, our world. http://shiningriver-sheilah.blogspot.com/2009/10/if-your-enemy-hunger_03.html

Read a chapter out of Proverbs everyday. There are 31 chapters so read whatever day it is and then start over. Wisdom needs to arise and craziness needs to fall. “Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets.” (Proverbs 1:20) We need to build up our reservoir of wisdom. Actually I believe it’s out there, but outrageous voices have been competing and almost drowning it out. America has all the wisdom, information, understanding, gifts, talents and abilities to do everything in this country that needs doing and answer every problem that needs solving. We have so many wonderful, kind-hearted, generous people, but it’s hard to hear them. And with these political campaigns-with millions of dollars being spent –actually much to finance this spewing--words that should not be said. Think of, not only, the money, but the time spent on elections. How can we get anything done? Did you see the pictures of the children in the flooding of Pakistan? Mothers giving birth and no milk?. It tears at my heart. What if that were my two-year-old grandson, Noah? What if this campaign money was sent to Pakistan? I pray we have politicians who say, “I’m getting off this train.” I’m going to take a walk in the woods. I’m going to trust and have the backing of the “One Who inhabits eternity”.

We need to know our seasons—when to speak and when to be silent. When to take center stage and when to retreat backstage. Too many people have been in the spotlight too long who should be going to the back side of the desert.

I need the silence and have been as though in labor going almost daily to Van Cortlandt Urban Forest near me. Today’s verses:

“Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. . . A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.” (Proverbs 25)

This is really a teaching opportunity and defining moment for us as Americans. Who are we and what do we believe? What positions do we take and why? Other countries are watching. I am embarrassed over these protestors. . Some Arab countries do not allow churches. Is this an example for us, or are we the example? I pray that many will rethink this matter and follow the leadership of our President and come to wisdom and understanding regarding it and let it be an opening for healing, beauty and restoration--and thus the sacrifice of those who died there and since then be memorialized, the ground hallowed.

"What better could be done with an enemy than to make him a friend, and especially to make him a friend of God. . .It enables you to see unlimited possibilities in everyone and even in the most tragic of situations"—J. Rufus Moseley
Sheilah Hill.

I am a Baptist minister's widow
Notes::

Rev. Jim Wallis of Sojourners writes in his article, Who Wins When the U.S. Restricts Religious Freedom? "When Muslim leaders step up to lead an initiative to reduce tensions and promote respect and understanding, do we first judge those leaders by the actions of terrorists. . .: . Feisal Rauf and his wife Daisy Khan are friends of mine, and I can testify that they are indeed peacemakers."

On NPR, this morning, August 25, 2010 I was directed to Iman Rauf’s words on 60 minutes: Below are some quotes—not all of which were referred to on NPR, Brian Leher:

Invoking Pearl’s final words before his beheading, Rauf declared: “If to be a Jew means to say with all one's heart, mind and soul, ‘Sh’ma Yisrael Adonai Elohenu Adonai Ehad -- hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One,’ not only today I am a Jew, I have always been one.”"

The critics come armed with their own set of quotes: Shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the imam told “60 Minutes” that “I wouldn't say that the United States deserved what happened; but the United States policies were an accessory to the crime that happened.” In a radio interview in June with WABC’s Aaron Klein, Rauf described himself as a “supporter of Israel,” but declined to label Hamas as a terrorist group, saying, “I do not want to be placed nor will I accept a position where I am the target of one side or another.” And, this week, his detractors are trumpeting a 2005 speech in Adelaide, Australia, in which he cited the impact of U.S.-led sanctions on Iraq and asserted that “we tend to forget, in the West, that the United States has more Muslim blood on its hands than Al Qaeda has on its hands of innocent non-Muslims.”

The quote discussed on NPR and said by some to be under attack was:

“I wouldn't say that the United States deserved what happened; but the United States policies were an accessory to the crime that happened.”

My friends, that sounds like the word of the Lord. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice and another they will not follow.” “If any speak, let her (let him) speak as the oracles of God” (I Peter) We can hear the voice of Jesus through the words of another. Are there those who object to the Imam statement? We are a perfect nation and have nothing for which to repent? I think not. When I heard the President’s speech in Cairo, I heard greatness—no wonder the people of Norway were so affected. Those voices who criticize the President’s apologies on our behalf as a nation definitely need to take a walk in the woods. It needs to become a cliché—have you walked in the woods? Before you speak or write a book—have you taken a walk in the woods? I need the silence—I ask myself, have I gone to Van Cortlandt Park, so to speak—have I spent time in the quiet place, the Secret Place?

We do not condone violence for any reason. For we know “that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. . .for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places.”
However, we reflect upon 9/11 and ask the Spirit to show us. How did it happen? What door was left open? What shall we do differently? What shall we do for our safety and the safety of our children? We need to see behind the scenes. We cannot listen to those who grab statements—the twisters, causing verbal hurricanes and tornadoes. We are ready to repent and ask forgiveness. Thank God for a President who knows this
A quote from Audacity of Hope, by President Obama:

“No, what’s troubling is the gap between the magnitude of our challenges and the smallness of our politics—the ease with which we are distracted by the petty and trivial, our chronic avoidance of tough decisions, our seeming inability to build a working consensus to tackle any big problem. . . 22

The answer is still:

“If my people, who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

Answering: How did 9/ll affect you?





SECURITY IS IN THE SECRET PLACE





I live in Riverdale in the Bronx, less than one hour by subway from the World Trade Center. The morning of 9/ll I went to vote. I half heard some ladies talking something about, “Isn’t it terrible? The World Trade Center. . .” But my mind wasn’t focused on this conversation. I was thinking of my new grandson, Jonathan, born just three days earlier on the eighth.



As soon as I got home, I called my daughter in Tallahassee, Florida, to see how they were doing.



“Mom!” she exclaimed, “We’ve been trying to call you but couldn’t get through! The World Trade Center. . . .”



It was she who told me. I flipped on the TV as she spoke. However, only one channel was broadcasting because of what had been done to the towers. Finding that one, I, like most Americans, watched all day.



In my first reactions, I wondered, what other things were going to be blown up. Should I get out of New York City? And if so, what should I take with me? But where would be a safe place to go?



However, as days passed and I heard of military plans, increasing security at the airports, etc., I instinctively knew that security did not rely in these measures. Physically, no matter how much money was spent, there was no way that one could foreknow where to put policemen, scanners, and the military for certain safety. There could only be one antidote for fear—Security is in the Secret Place. Victory is only possible through weapons of the Spirit—love, joy peace, prayer, praise, faith, food, clothing, shelter, etc. If ever there was opportunity to learn this, it is now.

“911,” people said, “The emergency number.” However, God has a 911 number—Psalm 91:1: “He that dwelleth in the Secret Place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” This Psalm became an anchor for me: “Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror. . .He shall give His angels charge over thee. . .” I determined to be motivated by love and develop my inner listening powers.





From Return to the Garden in Somewhere on the Edge of Dreaming



“O divine Redeemer. . .Night gathers around my soul. . .Hear my cry. . .Come to me. . .Haste to help. . . In thy mercy, hear my cry. . .”

It has been my experience that when I cry, He comes. “unto them who look for Him shall He appear.” When I am in despair and think I will never be happy again, ”Wait upon the Lord and He shall strengthen your heart.”

How many times have I been rescued? I can’t count them. It may be in the form of an encouraging word, a phone call, a line from a book, a verse that leaps out at me or. . . a garden. (“God speaks in the guise of everything that happens,” Martin Buber said.) “Amazing friends have been God’s arms to hold and comfort me.” I may be walking in nature, washing the dishes, taking a bath, or riding on the subway. Within my heart I hear a word. And I know I am not alone. I am loved. All is not lost.

And so I say, whatever the situation, “With divine help, I’m getting right back up and I’m going to walk in beauty. I will be steadfast in the steadfast love of God. I forgive and I am forgiven. ‘No weapon formed against me will prosper. . . I dwell in the Secret Place of the Most High.’”

“Faith is the evidence of things not seen.” It takes time for faith to be perfected. Exercising the faith we do have, more and more we accept the mystical answers. Spirit beings temporarily in this temple, we learn not to “judge by appearances” but look beyond what our physical eyes and ears see and hear. In the energy of the flesh, we don’t try to change externals to end conflict. We seek the whole picture and root causes. We ask for the wisdom we lack.

Seeing “Him, who is invisible,” we walk and talk with Him in the Garden as a friend. We are at peace. “. . .in quietness and confidence is our strength.” He is the One who says to the storm, “Peace be still.”

Return to New York City? Return to the Garden.



Shining River, 4568 Manhattan College Parkway #5G, Riverdale, NY 10471,

718-548-4420

Happy Birthday, President Obama

This morning I opened to this verse:


". . .God hath visited his people . ." Luke 7:16

from the Mission Statement of the World Peace Prayer Society:

The Power of Thought:

Thought forms create an energetic field strong enough to empower the course of planetary destiny.

The Power of Words:

Words carry vibrations strong enough to inspire, heal and transform the human heart as well as the Kingdom of plants, animals, and all creation.

Birthdays are milestones in our lives--a time for reflection of past events and future goals.

President Obama is spending a quiet birthday back in Chicago in his old home--one daughter is at camp and Michelle and another daughter are in Spain. I pray this day be a special time of the consciousness of the Presence of God for President Obama --a visitation of wisdom, guidance and strength. Lord, may he be encircled with Your protection. Still the enemy and the avenger. Cause him to look to You continually for understanding and surround him with good counsel and defeat wrong counsel. May we as a people be hands, feet and voice to work together with Your Spirit of Love and Truth to bring forth that which is best for everyone. We say "no weapon formed against this shall prosper."

We pray peace and understanding for Iraq and Afghanistan. "Scatter those who delight in war" (Psalm 68:30)
Today on the President's birthday, I wish to send again these qualities of the President in contrast to the unfair accusations and to distill the negative energy directed toward him,( please see: http://shiningriver-sheilah.blogspot.com/2010/06/president-obama-and-poetic-significance.html

I wish to express my gratitude and thankfulness for President Obama's many fine qualities. I'm thankful
for his love of country and people,
for his knowledge and intelligence--
that he has diligently studied our history, our founders, and our Constitution,
that he is appreciative of our diversity of cultures,
that he stays calm under pressure,
that he is a listener--that he wants to hear and consider opposing views and that he wants to be fair,
for his wisdom and speaking ability,
that he is forgiving and not vengeful, for his generous spirit,
that he knows, as he has expressed, the importance of humility,
for his sense of humor.
I'm thankful for how noble he is and that we can be proud of him when he travels to other countries and gives speeches.
I'm thankful for his dignity.
I'm thankful for his family--for Michelle and his girls to whom he is a good husband and father.
I'm thankful that he is a man of faith,
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episoes/october-10-2008-campaign-what-the-candidates-believe/885/
for the message of redemption that he gave at Easter.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/white-house-easter-prayer-breakfast
&
http://www.blogger.com/goog_574823676

http://wjz.com/video/?id=69183@wjz.dayport.com


Two days ago, August 2, I opened to:

"Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth." Psalm 138:8

and

"I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and the right of the poor." Psalm 140:11,12
We are aware of the extreme polarization and distortion of truth of many in the media. Concerning the President, you can read about the Birthers, about false death panels and how he "took Jesus out of Easter"--the above Easter Breakfast Message will show that wrong.

Someone said, " We could do more for our country by praying instead of criticizing. The Bible says to pray without ceasing. Where does it say, "Criticize without ceasing"?

Several weeks ago I read these verses--which are a good declaration to speak into existence along with the above:

"But the King (the President) shall rejoice in God. . .but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped." Psalm 63:11

August 3 I opened to:"In that day there shall be a fountain opened. . ." Zechariah 13:1

In looking for a verse above I came across: ". . .they stopped all the wells of water. . ." II Kings 3:25
There are things that need to be shut and things that need to be opened. Example: the oil well--also an example of how words "Drill, baby, drill" brought it forth. In Revelation 3:7 ". . .he that hath the Key of David  he that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth." Jesus spoke of living water (John 4) There are forces that would shut this water so there be no life. (We are thankful that the oil bringing death is stopped and that it is not as bad as it could have been.) Let the Fountain of Life be open--the truth that sets free, the Royal Law of Love (James 2:8) ". . .out of your belly (your innermost being) shall flow rivers of living water (John 7:38). Unstop these wells and let these rivers flow! It comes to me: rivers of living water. . .for the healing of the nations." I look up:
"In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." ( Revelation 22:2) Which reminds me that the stopped wells verse also had: ". . .and they stopped all the wells of water and felled all the good trees. . ." II Kings 3:25 So let the fountain be open and the trees stand. ". . .that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord. . ." Isaiah 61:3

Which reminds me of what God said to Jeremiah:

". . .I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.


Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.


But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.


Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold I have put my words in thy mouth.


See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant. Jeremiah 1: 5-10
". . .that ye being rooted and grounded in love. . .might be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3s you can see this can go on indefinitely--I didn't intend to write all this--it's an example of being led from one verse to another on a treasure hunt--you can do it, too. Let it speak to you. "My words they are Spirit and they are life." (John 7) "The letter kills; the Spirit gives life" (I Cor. 3) The Logos is the word--but the rhema is the word that speaks. Martin Buber said, "God speaks in the guise of everything that happens." It's not just in the Bible. Be listening.

Song:

When He calls me, I will answer;

When He calls me, I will answer

When He calls me, I will answer,

I'll be somewhere listening for my name. . .

May we be a people whose collective consciousness not only brings forth such a leader,

but nourishes and protects our young President with our prayers and goodwill.

May we see with vision the seeds of greatness within him,
even as those in other countries have seen--some having given him the Nobel Peace Prize believing in the things he can do.

May good seeds be watered and not uprooted with careless hands,

enabling him to lead with the audacity of hope and the greatness possible.

May we deal with our differences as assets to enlarge our perceptions instead of liabilities to divide us. .
Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

Open Letter to Sarah Palin II

Dear Sarah,

These words from a recent Sojourners article by Jim Wallis echo my concern:

"The political polarization of our society has now reached a new and dangerous level. Honest disagreements over policy issues have turned into a growing vitriolic rage against political opponents, and even threats of violence against lawmakers are now being credibly reported."

http://blog.sojo.net/2010/04/08/a-covenant-for-civility/

This hostility is in danger of destroying our democracy. In this climate good debate becomes impossible hindering the democratic process in finding the best solutions. Misinformation and lies swirl about on the media, confusing people. How can we know if we are for or against something (such as this health care reform) if, acting like unruly children. there is this shouting mixture of truth and lies?
Your death panel statement was like an avalanche, an explosion adding to the mob mentality which brought unreasonable anger against our President and our government. People couldn't even talk in the town meetings. We have to listen to one another, Sarah. People who trusted in you--who liked your sparkling vivaciousness--believed you.
You said:
"The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Downs Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's "death panels" so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of 'their level of productivity' in society, whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil."
"Obama's death panels are downright evil," you say. If this be true, no wonder people scream. But it isn't and wasn't true. We feel you must clear this up, Sarah. So that the truth can be known, I am enclosing an article by the person whose bill supposedly turned into this false death panel accusation:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/opinion/15blumenauer.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

For good debate and solutions, it is important that the truth be known and you are the person who has the stage to tell it. Do you agree? Especially when you know many are listening and some are ready to follow your example and parrot your words, it is totally irresponsible to falsely accuse the President of something "downright evil." This is abusive power of your freedom of speech and democracy can't work this way. Before such a drastic statement is made--before one pours kerosene on differences, there is a need to double check and get our facts straight. I cannot express myself too strongly. Extreme harm has been done. and I feel you need to apologize to the President and to the American people and publicly explain since you so publicly accused.
“Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely. . .” Luke 3:14
". . .the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped."  Psalm 63:11

Your "Death Panels" lie was given the Lie of the Year award by St. Petersburg Times, home of The Politifact, which was awarded the 2009 Pulitzer Prize in Journalism.  However, unfortunately, some people don't know it was a lie.

You will remember your saying of Barak Obama, "He pals around with terrorists." Even John McCain knew such statements were unfair and said "Obama is a decent family man."

On the other hand, let's consider who you have been "palling around" with--being on their programs: Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, for example. Two media hosts whose uncivil, abusive polarization is well known and now you have aligned yourself with them. Is this an example for our children in the handling of differences? Good debate is healthy and can lead to enlarging perceptions for the greater good. Passion in speaking what you believe is not wrong, but name calling, disrespect and misinformation is.

Mr. Beck called the president "a racist who secretly hates white people." Since you say you are a Christian, I'm sure you are familiar with Jesus saying, "Judge not, lest you be judged. . .Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
When the United States lost the Olympics, Mr. Beck said most gleefully, "Please, please, let me break this news to you! Oh, this is so sweet! Our president flew all the way over there to fail!" He was so happy! Is this the type of person you wish to align yourself?

Likewise, Rush Limbaugh said with great alacrity, "The world has rejected Obama in the first round of voting! mmm! mmm! mmm! Why would anyone award the Olympics to such a crappy place as the United States of America?" mmm!mmm! mmm!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCsPAsz-gp4
Shortly after this they were most dismayed to learn of the President being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Rush Limbaugh said this was a greater embarrassment than losing the Olympics. Glenn Beck said, "It should be turned down and given to the Tea Party goers and the 9/12 project."

Glenn Beck, the 9/12 organization and the Tea Party goers have signs comparing the President to Hitler, Stalin, and calling him a Communist. A sample of the signs:"Obama is a domestic terrorist." "Obama, the Exterminator: Killing Our Jobs, Killing Our Future, Killing Our Freedom." "Bury Obama with Kennedy." and here's one you can claim, Sarah, "Obama Lied, Granny Died."

Glenn Beck also said, "If your church speaks of social justice, run." Rev. Jim Wallis of Sojourners gave a good answer to that.http://blog.sojo.net/2010/03/25/a-million-christians-for-social-justice/

I saw this cartoon from the Dayton Daily News by Mike Peters: If Jesus returned as Glenn Beck--"Don't heal the sick--that's socialism. Don't shelter the homeless, that's communism. Don't feed the hungry, that's Nazism.

Rush Limbaugh,referring to the President, says, "I hope he fails." We're supposed to pray for our leaders.

The president gave a speech to the school children encouraging them to work hard, obey their teachers and parents--to inspire them, etc. I've read the whole text--a great speech. Surely nothing could be found wrong with this? However, Glenn Beck advised the kids to skip school that day. The President and the First Lady encourage volunteerism--this fact, along with the speech to the students, are given as examples that the President wants to control our youth just like Hitler did. There are the Birthers who say that President Obama isn't even a citizen. Sarah, I hope you will use your influence to speak out against these things and encourage honest debate.  What kind of an example of proper behavior is this giving to our children? You may know that bullying in our schools has become a big problem, even resulting in suicide. When we support this kind of speech, isn't this "palling around with terrorists?"

Unfortunately, the microphone is often given to the most outrageous of voices fueling our differences since it pumps up media ratings. This is not news or entertainment. For the good of our country and as an example to our children and the world, isn't it imperative that we express ourselves with civility and courtesy?
"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." (Gal. 5:15)

Sarah, you have said repeatedly that President Obama is "the most pro-abortion President we have ever had." 
Mr.  Douglas W. Kmiec,a well known opponent of abortion and also a constitutional scholar who headed the Office of Legal Counsel  under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, endorsed Senator Obama.  He said, "There is a widespread misconception that overturning Roe is the only way to be pro-life. . . I doubt that many of our non-legally-trained pro-life friends fully grasps the limited effect of overturning Roe. . .Senator Obama is articulating policies that permit faithful Catholics to follow the church’s admonition that we continue to explore ways to give greater protection to human life. Consider the choices: A Catholic can either continue on the failed and uncertain path of seeking to overturn Roe, which would result in the individual states doing their own thing. . .Or Senator Obama’s approach could be followed, whereby prenatal and income support, paid maternity leave and greater access to adoption would be relied upon to reduce the incidence of abortion. . .."
See For Ex-G.O.P. Official, Obama Is Candidate of Catholic Values, New York Times, August 29, 2008 w.nytimes.com/2008/08/30/us/30beliefs.html?fta=y -

There are many people, including Laura  Bush, who understand reversing Roe is not the way to effectively reduce abortion and these people should not be arbitrarily labeled "pro-abortion" for political advantage.  Mr. Kmiec also said, "There are clearly partisan forces that want nothing more than to manufacture or stir up faith-based opposition to their political opponents "
In his book Audacity of Hope, President Obama explains this problem, ". . .Most antiabortion activists, for example, have openly discouraged legislative allies from even pursuing those compromise measures that would have significantly reduced the incidence of the procedure popularly known as partial-birth abortion, because the image the procedure evokes in the mind of the public has helped them win converts to their position. And sometimes our ideological predispositions are just so fixed that we have trouble seeing the obvious. . .ideology overrides whatever facts call theory into question. . .as a member of the Illinois legislature I had argued for an amendment to include a mother’s health exception in a Republican bill to ban partial-birth abortion. The amendment failed on a party line vote, and afterward, I stepped out into the hallway with one of my Republican colleagues. Without the amendment, I said, the law would be struck down by the courts as unconstitutional. He turned to me and said it didn’t matter what amendment was attached—judges would do whatever they wanted to do anyway. “It’s all politics,” he had said, turning to leave. “And right now we’ve got the votes.”

As you can see, what really happened gets twisted to give the wrong impression. This is why it is imperative to get the facts before accusing someone.

Then listen to President Obama: In Praise of Fair Minded Words at Notre Dame posted by Jess Lee—The Whitehouse: Obama answers Notre Dame Hecklers with ‘fair-minded words. . . www.whitehouse.gov/.../Remarks-by-the-President-at-Notre-Dame-Commencement/ - Cached - Similar

Sarah, I am the mother of three children and seven grandchildren.  I have never known a public figure receive so much undeserved hatred and criticism as the President. Please understand--I am not writing in support of all of President Obama's decisions or policies. I am writing because I believe he has a right spirit. I am writing because I believe this hateful energy directed toward him cannot be good for his decision making ability, or for our country--it's hurting all of us. I heard him say, "I'm trying hard and I want the best for this country." I heard Rush Limbaugh mock this. The President said he couldn't do it by himself--he needs us.
Robert Fuller said, " Obama got the Nobel prize not for doing but for being. Not for making peace, but for exemplifying something new on the world stage--the politics of dignity"

Maybe you've heard of the Coffee Party USA. www.coffeepartyusa.com/

Mission Statement: The Coffee Party Movement gives voice to Americans who want to see cooperation in government. We recognize that the federal government is not the enemy of the people, but the expression of our collective will. . .
There's a civility pledge:
As a member and supporter of the Coffee Party, I pledge to conduct myself in a way that is civil, honest, and respectful toward people with whom I disagree. I value people from different cultures. I value people with different ideas, and I value and cherish the democratic process.
This pledge promotes the America I know and love. I'm sure that you will agree that the seeds of ill-manners, malice, non-listening, misinformation and screaming will result in suffering and destruction. Therefore, we cannot support any leader on the left or right who is wedded to ill will and misinformation.

"Death and Life are in the power of the tongue " (Proverbs 18:21).  I hope that you will clarify these matters.

Sincerely,


Sheilah Hill

P.S. In conclusion, our nation needs redemption and resurrection.  My attention came to President Obama's Easter Breakfast message  actually because Newt Gingrich and his friend and speech writer, Vince Halley falsely accused the President of taking "Jesus out of Easter."   This caused three googled pages of rage from organizations parroting this accusation.  Please listen to the President's message:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/white-house-easter-prayer-breakfast

OPINION November 15, 2009
Op-Ed Contributor: My Near Death Panel Experience
By EARL BLUMENAUER
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/opinion/15blumenauer.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

President Obama and the Poetic Significance of the Oil Spill

What if we got the President some say we have?
“. . .it is increasingly clear that journalists absolutely MUST criticize a president at all cost to maintain ‘credibility’. My perception of your president is that he is one of the greatest leaders of all time, appreciated in almost all other countries, and perhaps, the most under appreciated, under supported president in your own country. . . "said Bill Derksen, apparently from another country, in responding to PBS analysis by Shields and Brooks of the President’s oil spill speech.

Other comments:
Annie: “OK, clearly Mr. Obama must just go to the gulf, make his way to the Deepwater horizon site, swim to the sea floor, grab hold of that pipe, and just squeeze it all. What the heck is keeping him from doing so. . .jeez, he’s the president.”

Mr. Derksen: “This is the most insightful and incisive comment yet!”

Hodgson
“I am at a loss as to what the media/pundits want from a President in this crisis. . . “

 In my lifetime (and I have 3 children and 7 grandchildren)  I have never known anyone to be criticized so much who so little deserves it as President Obama. I wish to address this avalanche of undeserved criticism. I feel there needs to be a turnaround--some expressions of gratitude for President Obama’s many fine qualities and some understanding for the complexity of what he faces in one crisis after another. .

In Obama and the Chaos Perception, New York Times, June 6, 2010, Mr. Bai states that since President Obama is a gifted writer, he will “understand the power of a good metaphor. . .the poetic significance of that cloud of oil. . . spewing endlessly . . .the accumulating cloud. . .”

Yes, the accumulating cloud .
Spewing endlessly.

As has been said in many ways by poets, mystics, and theologians, both ancient and modern: The physical is a shadow of the reality in the spirit. The president should appreciate the poetic significance? What about we as a people appreciating the poetic significance?

What accumulating cloud has been spewing endlessly? Criticism, the distortion of truth, jumping to judgment. The birthers saying the President was born in Ghana and so is disqualified to be president, Glenn Beck Rush Limbaugh and other T.V. and radio hosts leading a mentality comparing the President to Hitler, Stalin, and calling him a communist or a Nazi. A sample of the signs:" Obama is a domestic terrorist." "Obama, the Exterminator: Killing Our Jobs, Killing Our Future, Killing Our Freedom." "Bury Obama with Kennedy." and here's one Sarah Palin can claim, "Obama Lied, Granny Died."

The President can’t even give an inspiring speech to the school children about staying in school and working hard without adversaries advocating a national truancy day since they are convinced this is “an attempt to indoctrinate the kids to socialist agenda”. (Sic) So effective was this campaign that some schools, especially in Texas, said that listening to the speech was optional. and in other schools, a parental signature was required. (Please listen to the President’s Speech—from the Whitehouse or You Tube: President Obama’s Message to America’s Students—also google and see who is “enraged” about it You will see that whatever our President does, he is not immune from this endless spewing. Thankfully, however, there were voices of praise for the speech including Laura Bush.)

Laura Bush Praises Obama, Defends Back-To-School Speech (VIDEO)
Sep 7, 2009 ... (AP) WASHINGTON Former first lady Laura Bush on Monday expressed support for President Barack Obama's decision to speak to the nation's ...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.../laura-bush-praises-obama_n_278917.html%20-

Obama’s Back-to-School Speech Was for 18 and Over Too by Mark Shriver and Jennifer GarnerSeptember 10, 2009: The President said: "Every single one of you has something that you're good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is.". . .This was an inspiring message of empowerment and responsibility. If the President -- and the generations of adults he represents -- can help successfully instill these two values in our children, we can fuel the next generation to greatness.”

Instead of being encouraged to turn liabilities into assets, there is this accumulating cloud seeking to turn our assets—the gulf and the President—into liabilities. We have a president who is an excellent role model for children and an excellent ambassador for our country. But he is hindered from doing what he is so gifted to do. Because of Health care squabbling and now because of this unregulated oil spill, he has had to twice postpone a trip to Indonesia and Australia. Many vital concerns go begging because there is no time to give them attention.

We have people shouting down town hall meetings who come specifically to disrupt. They don’t want to listen or have any kind of dialogue.. Looking only out of their own windows, they don’t see the whole picture--this is selfish. “But they stirred up the people and made their minds evil affected. . .” (Acts 14:2) The President and the First Lady encourage volunteerism--this fact, along with the speech to the students, are given as examples that the President wants to control our youth just like Hitler did.

I have never been so aware of how our collective will and consciousness is reflected in what happens in Washington as when this nation was faced with legislating health care. .As the infighting and hurling of insults became more intense, options were increasingly limited. I’m sure we could have a better plan if people had listened and worked together—which I know the President wished to do, but he is accused of just the opposite. How can you know if you are for or against something if there is so much misinformation? Sarah Palin needs to be held accountable for her false death panel accusation, which panicked the people. She needs to publicly apologize to the president and to the American people. (Find out what really happened: OPINION November 15, 2009Op-Ed Contributor: My Near Death Panel Experienceby EARL BLUMENAUERhttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/opinion/15blumenauer.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
And Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh—are they good role models for our youth?
We're supposed to pray for our leaders, but Rush Limbaugh, referring to the President, says, "I hope he fails."

When the United States lost the Olympics, Glenn Beck said most gleefully, "Please, please, let me break this news to you! Oh, this is so sweet! Our president flew all the way over there to fail!" He could hardly wait to tell this news.Likewise, Rush Limbaugh said with great alacrity, "The world has rejected Obama in the first round of voting! mmm! mmm! mmm! Why would anyone award the Olympics to such a crappy place as the United States of America?" mmm!mmm! mmm!"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCsPAsz-gp4

Actually, a cap needs to be put on more than the mouth of the oil well. If our speech has been “crappy” ,then we are part of the problem. We helped cause the oil spill. Inasmuch as we do our part--Inasmuch as we go by the Golden Rule, or don’t go by the Golden Rule, we are responsible for the peace or the violence in this world. It certainly isn’t the pelicans’ fault—neither is it the President’s—he is one person who doesn’t need to clean up his speech. He’s an example for us all. While we’re griping and complaining putting bad energy into the world, we’re stealing energy and time from concerns that need attention—like the regulation of oil wells. How do we expect the President and our leaders to make good decisions with all this railing?

As so happens in life, an experience of acceptance comes right after an experience of rejection. These two events were in weeks of each other, and I see this as the universe bringing some poetic justice. It reminds me of Haman in the book of Esther, or Sanballet in Nehemiah. Mr. Beck and Mr. Limbaugh were most dismayed to learn of the President being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize." What has he done to deserve. . .?" ". . .anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see." (Revelation 3:18) The people of Norway and people around the world saw with vision--they see the potential--as I do.

New Gingrich’s new book title is: Stop Obama’s Secular-Socialist Machine. President Obama secular? Why are Mr. Gingrich and others so intent on portraying the President as “secular” for political advantage? It is easily provable that he is not. The evidence against his secularism is abundant. It was from the beginning. , PBS, Religion and Ethics: What the Candidates Believe , October 10, 2008. begins:
KIM LAWTON: All four candidates describe themselves as Christians, but they talk about their faith — and apply it to their politics — in very different ways.
Barack Obama has been the most outspoken about matters of faith, even though a survey last month found that 46 percent of Americans were still unable to correctly identify him as a Christian.http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episoes/october-10-2008-campaign-what-the-candidates-believe/885/ Hear his testimony in his own words.

The President has a Faith Based Initiative with 25 members on the Advisory Board, (Look it up and see who is on it.) Here’s another article:

Without a Pastor of His Own, Obama Turns to Five
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN March 14, 2009, New York Times
. . . he has quietly cultivated a handful of evangelical pastors for private prayer sessions on the telephone and for discussions on the role of religion in politics.
. . .two of them white and three black — including the Rev. Otis Moss Jr., a graying lion of the civil rights movement. Two, the entrepreneurial dynamos Bishop T. D. Jakes and the Rev. Kirbyjon H. Caldwell, also served as occasional spiritual advisers to President George W. Bush. Another, the Rev. Jim Wallis, leans left on some issues, like military intervention and poverty programs, but opposes abortion. . .
Rev. Joel C. Hunter, the pastor of a conservative mega church in Florida, was branded a turncoat by some leaders of the Christian right when he began to speak out on the need to stop global warming. . .

What? the President hasn’t been going to church? Maybe in his worship, the President wants to quietly be out of reach of these predators who are poised to pounce and twist anything the hapless pastor might say.. There have always been these kinds of people. "And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words."(Mark 12:13)

What brought Newt Gingrich’s secular accusation campaign to my attention was an email about Obama Edits Jesus out of Easter http://www.torenewAmerica.com/obama-removes-Jesus-from-easter-message
This link will take you to Newt Gingrich’s Renewing American Leadership web site and the article by his friend and speech writer, Vince Haley. This piece of writing sped around the Internet resulting in 3 goggled pages of organizations forwarding the original Vince Halley/Newt Gingrich outrage against Obama for daring to edit Jesus out of Easter. To further feed prejudices against him many on Fox and talk radio emphasize that the President had a Moslem service in the White House—which he did, an Iftar service at the end of Ramadan.. Somehow these same people neglected to tell about the other services—a Passover Sedar and an Easter Prayer Breakfast.(The evidence will prove that he gave two Easter messages and Jesus was included in both) He has been widely said to be a Moslem, that he put his hand on the Koran, instead of the Bible when he was sworn in and that he won’t say the pledge of allegiance. http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp To this day many believe these false statements. Is it not true that lies circle the globe several times while truth is just getting its boots on?

The anti-abortion war has gotten totally out of control—actually, it’s been out of control for years. Back in 1990 I wrote my first article for the Florida State Flambeau, entitled: Is there a Peaceable Solution to the Abortion War Without Compromise? (I felt there was.) . Abortion has been said, more than once, to be "at the heart of the wrangling." The frenzy has gotten to such a pitch that Senator Randy Neugebauer from Texas yelled “Baby Killer” in the Senate during the health care debate when Bart Stupak was speaking. Bart Stupak had fought hard and held out to keep health care funds from paying for any abortions. He insisted on a Presidential signature to this effect--which he got. However, this wasn't enough for Senator Neugebauer. Oh, the madness of the demonstrations, the signs, Randall Terry's urging "Burn in Hell Protests" calling on people to burn effigies of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. President Obama is put in this same group and said to be the “most pro-abortion president we’ve ever had.” This refrain is taken up --just google it--Alan Keyes, Sarah Palin, of course. When he was scheduled to speak at Notre Dame 350,000 people wrote protest letters and some Notre Dame students elected to forego commencement in dissent.

However, a careful review of what the President has said and did will reveal this to be most untrue and unfair. The truth is that one of the 4 goals of his Faith Advisory Initiatives is to reduce abortion. I'm grateful for Laura Bush expressing similar views. She said on Larry King Live, May 13, 2010 that she believes abortion should remain legal and has held that view for years. She recalled telling an interviewer on the day her husband took office in 2001 that she did not think Roe v Wade should be overturned. She said at that time that the country could do more to minimize the number of abortions. And that is exactly what President Obama wishes to do. The reversal of Roe will not stop abortion but will rather multiple the problem. Abortion will still happen—it will just be illegal. Drugs are illegal, but this doesn’t stop our 35 billion collar appetite fueling drug wars in Mexico, Columbia and other places. Was Prohibition successful? The cause would be much better served by directing attention to preparing a better environment for wanted conceptions.

Consider:
(1) Women worldwide are dying of pregnancy-related causes at a rate of about one a minute

It’s appalling how many women are dying in the United States from complications due to pregnancy and childbirth. The shocking truth behind these numbers is that half of these can be prevented.

These women are dying because they have no access to health care or maternal care. In fact, 13 million women between the ages of 15-44—that one in 5 women of reproductive age-- have no health insurance at all. Many begin pregnancy with untreated or unmanaged conditions that only get worse with pregnancy. . .
Christ McGraw Program Director Grassroots Advocacy
Amnesty International USA

Shouldn’t this be a” pro-life” concern? Roe will not prevent addressing these desperate needs. However, a focus on the reversal of Roe will steal the energy to do so..

(2-9 at the back of this article)
(10) For Ex-G.O.P. Official, Obama Is Candidate of Catholic Values, New York Times, August 29, 2008 nytimes.com/2008/08/30/us/30beliefs.html?fta=y -When Douglas W. Kmiec endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president last spring, it made waves, especially among Roman Catholics.
A constitutional scholar who headed the Office of Legal Counsel under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, Mr. Kmiec was well known as an articulate opponent of abortion. . .
Q. Given those views, why do you support Barack Obama?
A. There is a widespread misconception that overturning Roe is the only way to be pro-life. . . I doubt that many of our non-legally-trained pro-life friends fully grasps the limited effect of overturning Roe. . .Senator Obama is articulating policies that permit faithful Catholics to follow the church’s admonition that we continue to explore ways to give greater protection to human life.
Consider the choices: A Catholic can either continue on the failed and uncertain path of seeking to overturn Roe, which would result in the individual states doing their own thing. . .Or Senator Obama’s approach could be followed, whereby prenatal and income support, paid maternity leave and greater access to adoption would be relied upon to reduce the incidence of abortion. . .There are clearly partisan forces that want nothing more than to manufacture or stir up faith-based opposition to their political opponents.

The President’s Speech at Notre Dame:
Opposing views:
Listen first to Fr. Corapi of The Cardinal Newman Society—You Tube: Obama Notre Dame Scandal or NotreDameScandel.com http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/

Then listen to President Obama: In Praise of Fair Minded Words at Notre Dame posted by Jess Lee—The Whitehouse: Obama answers Notre Dame Hecklers with ‘fair-minded words. . . www.whitehouse.gov/.../Remarks-by-the-President-at-Notre-Dame-Commencement/ - Cached - Similar
May 17, 2009. . .The speech underlined the president’s desire to elevate public discourse on issues such as abortion in order to find common ground. www.csmonitor.com/.../obama-answers-notre-dame-hecklers-with-fair-mionded-words
You will be impressed with Notre Dame’s enthusiasm for the President... His speech is masterful. As you listen prayerfully with your heart, you will know God's answer.

If our energy is consumed with the reversal of Roe vs. Wade (which is fruitless effort to stop abortion), then it will not be sufficient to attend to the audible screams of children in our own country and all over the world.It is vital to end this war, which is tearing our country apart, wasting time, money, and energy without result or solution and fomenting hate. Causing havoc in our political process and draining our resources, this internal impasse touches us all. In this mistaken focus we are weakening our whole society in neglecting the problems and suffering that need to be addressed, The faulty thinking, surfaced by this issue, graphically illustrates the erroneous way we go about solving the issues that face us – all elements of our discord are represented. The Abortion War—there is a peaceable solution.

Though Frank Rich in Don’t Get Mad, Mr President, Get Even, New York Times, June 6, 2010 may give constructive advice for the President, he somehow finds it necessary to join the chorus and list as a flaw a quality for which we should be especially grateful. In the midst of all this ranting and raving and craziness, our President keeps his cool. Praise God for this! “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city”( Proverbs 16:32) “Anger rests in the bosoms of fools” “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger rests in the bosoms of fools.” ( Ecclesiastes 7:9)

Mr. Rich states: “Obama must address his real flaws to get past this . . . We still want to believe that Obama is on our side, willing to fight. . .” President Obama is on our side! Fight? Apparently they want some theatrics, some losing of his temper from the President to fuel our differences and pump up media ratings. Give us a headline! I want a scoop! Please don't be so boring as to be civil, Mr. President. They wait expectantly, pen poised, but alas in vain--no Jerry Springer, outrageous statement comes forth.

I am so proud of the nobility of our President! What an example for our children and the world!
"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." (Gal. 5:15)
The college I went to had a rule: Constructive suggestions welcome; gripping not tolerated. Most of us have heard the parental admonition, “If you don’t stop crying, I’ll give you something to cry about.”

We have something to cry about. I am horrified by this oil spill. Since a child I have loved the beaches—Lake Michigan and later where my father lived, Sarasota’s Siesta Key. And the pelicans—I love those birds. They make me laugh. They’re goofy and comical, yet stately and elegant in flight and very “in the moment” –confident in their right to be anywhere they are.

I’m remembering a moment after my father’s passing. I was out in the water of Siesta Key with a noodle around me to hold me up. Such peace to sit there . . . the water lapping lazily around me. To my delight one lone pelican circled above me and I
laughed. My Dad loved birds, too. That’s Dad up there, I thought, making that pelican fly around me! I waved, “Hi Dad!”

I mourn the pelicans and other wildlife covered with oil. What must their once happy little hearts think? I mourn for the fishermen and the people of Louisiana’s coast. I mourn for my nation.

In addition to the procedures that are taking place now-- the needed regulations, what preparations BP did not make, how it can be cleaned up-- we need to clean up our speech.
Another quotation from college days:
"When gratitude dies on the altar of a man’s(a nation’s) heart, he is well nigh hopeless."

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21) What we say is what we get is a well-known saying. What if we got the president some say we have?

Do we want the oil to stop? Do we want our beaches and pelicans back? Then we need to first speak it into existence, everyday write down 5 things for which to be grateful , and ask what your part is in the clean up and do it. It’s scientific, "The world you have created is a result of your thinking," said Albert Einstein. Our thinking will create our words and actions. If we want our President and leaders to make good decisions, the screaming feeding frenzy and misinformation (lies) have to stop. If there hadn't been so much of this, more attention may have been directed to proper regulations for BP and our country’s other critical needs..

I am not advocating the agreement or support all the president’s policies. I don’t. I wasn’t happy about sending more troops to Afghanistan. I didn’t agree with the cash for clunkers—I think the money should be spent on mass transit. We have too many cars. Give the car jobs to trains and buses. I certainly wasn’t happy about, “Drill baby, drill” Of course, he didn’t say that. However, somebody did. I am concerned Guantanamo Bay and the prisoners who have neither been charged nor tried.

We have to work together. The greatest threat to our democracy is not this policy or that policy—it’s our spirit and our words, which will reap the right or wrong actions.

It have been said, “I can go with someone whose spirit is right, but with whom I disagree in policy, but I cannot go with someone whose spirit is wrong, but who I agree with in policy.
A friend on Facebook wrote, “We could do more good for our president if we prayed for him instead of so much criticizing. The Bible says we are to pray without ceasing. Where does it say we are to criticize without ceasing?”

Do we want to be known as a gripping, criticizing, complaining, ungrateful nation?

In Audacity of Hope, President Obama says, “

. . .what’s troubling is the gap between the magnitude of our challenges and the smallness of our politics the ease with which we are distracted by the petty and trivial, our chronic avoidance of tough decisions, our seeming inability to build a working consensus to tackle any big problem. . .Politics (and political commentary) not only allows but often rewards behavior that we would normally think of as scandalous: fabricating stories, distorting the obvious meaning of what other people say, insulting or generally questioning their motives, poking through their personal affairs in search of damaging information.” P.22, 64

Eric Alterman in his book, What Liberal Media? The Truth About Bias and the News:
Television atomizes, compartmentalizes, manipulates, disjoins, disintegrates, wrenches from context, ignores, and changes the subject whenever it feels like it. It does not sit still for complex argument. “Television,” Jeffrey Scheuer notes, “systematically keeps it simple, stupid.” The net result is a disaster for democracy as intelligent debate under these circumstances becomes impossible.”


I pray for our President. In contrast to the unfair accusations I wish to express my gratitude and thankfulness for his many fine qualities. I'm thankful
for his love of country and people,
for his knowledge and intelligence--that he has diligently studied our history, our founders, and our Constitution,
that he is appreciative of our diversity of cultures,
that he stays calm under pressure,
that he is a listener--that he wants to hear and consider opposing views and that he wants to be fair,
for his wisdom and speaking ability,
that he is forgiving and not vengeful, for his generous spirit,
that he knows, as he has expressed, the importance of humility,
for his sense of humor.
I'm thankful for how noble he is and that we can be proud of him when he travels to other countries and gives speeches.
I'm thankful for his dignity.
I'm thankful for his family--for Michelle and his girls to whom he is a good husband and father.
I'm thankful that he is a man of faith,
for the message of redemption that he gave at the Easter Prayer Breakfast,


May he be given increasing wisdom and good counselors and may wrong counsel be defeated. May we be a people whose collective consciousness not only brings forth such a leader, but nourishes and protects our young President with our prayers and goodwill.Still the voices of ranker and false accusation. We want to uplift our president and not wear him down. May we deal with our differences as assets to enlarge our perceptions instead of liabilities to divide us. Help us to be quick to hear and slow to speak.

I adjure all of you to listen to President Obama’s Easter Prayer breakfast message. He especially speaks of Redemption.

During my lifetime I’ve listened to many Easter messages, but none have affected me as much as this one by our President at this time. I’ve listened to it around ten times and feel that I could write a book using what the President so eloquently said in so few words.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/white-house-easter-prayer-breakfast&http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-easter-prayer-breakfast http://wjz.com/video/?id=69183@wjz.dayport.com

Since a child I’ve understood what redemption was, but now it takes on a much deeper meaning. What if we really believed in redemption? What would our prisons be like? What if I believed in redemption—any regret, any seeming failure of my life? I am now threescore and ten—what if I believe all can be redeemed? How would this affect my actions and my spirit?
O Divine Redeemer!

Our country, our President, our children need all of our hands helping, our prayers, our encouragement. Sarah Palin, it’s time for you to go back stage for awhile. (All of us need to go backstage sometimes where actually much work can still be done.) Newt Gingrich, you need to get your facts straight and learn some kindness and until you spend some time on your knees or walking through the woods in meditation, you are not an example of spirituality for us to follow. Your writing and speech need redemption. Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, others you’ve said and written enough for 10 lifetimes. As I used to say to my children when they were quarreling, “You’re on silence.”

When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord will lift up a standard against him (Isaiah)

The President (his speech in part):
". . .One of my hopes upon taking this office was to make the White House a place where all people would feel welcome. To that end, we held a Seder here to mark the first Passover. We held an Iftar here with Muslim Americans to break the daily fast during Ramadan. And today, I’m particularly blessed to welcome you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, for this Easter breakfast. . . I wanted to join you for a brief moment today to continue the Easter celebration of our risen Savior, and to reflect on the work to which His promise calls all of us.

"I can’t tell any of you anything about Easter that you don’t already know. (Laughter.) I can’t shed light on centuries of scriptural interpretation or bring any new understandings to those of you who reflect on Easter’s meaning each and every year and each and every day. But what I can do is tell you what draws me to this holy day and what lesson I take from Christ’s sacrifice and what inspires me about the story of the resurrection.

"For even after the passage of 2,000 years, we can still picture the moment in our mind’s eye. The young man from Nazareth marched through Jerusalem; object of scorn and derision and abuse and torture by an empire. The agony of crucifixion amid the cries of thieves. The discovery, just three days later, that would forever alter our world -- that the Son of Man was not to be found in His tomb and that Jesus Christ had risen.

"We are awed by the grace He showed even to those who would have killed Him. We are thankful for the sacrifice He gave for the sins of humanity. And we glory in the promise of redemption in the resurrection.

And such a promise is one of life’s great blessings, because, as I am continually learning, we are, each of us, imperfect. Each of us errs -- by accident or by design. Each of us falls short of how we ought to live. And selfishness and pride are vices that afflict us all.

"It’s not easy to purge these afflictions, to achieve redemption. But as Christians, we believe that redemption can be delivered -- by faith in Jesus Christ. And the possibility of redemption can make straight the crookedness of a character; make whole the incompleteness of a soul. Redemption makes life, however fleeting here on Earth, resound with eternal hope.
"Of all the stories passed down through the gospels, this one in particular speaks to me during this season. And I think of hanging -- watching Christ hang from the cross, enduring the final seconds of His passion. He summoned what remained of His strength to utter a few last words before He breathed His last breath.
“Father,” He said, “into your hands I commit my spirit.” Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. These words were spoken by our Lord and Savior, but they can just as truly be spoken by every one of us here today. Their meaning can just as truly be lived out by all of God’s children.
"So, on this day, let us commit our spirit to the pursuit of a life that is true, to act justly and to love mercy and walk humbly with the Lord. And when we falter, as we will, let redemption -- through commitment and through perseverance and through faith -- be our abiding hope and fervent prayer. . . .

The President modestly says that he doesn't expect to tell them anything they haven't heard before or give any new interpretation of this scripture. And yet, for me--I who have been listening to Easter sermons since before I was born--my mother taking me to church--found something in this message especially deep and new affecting me I think as no other Easter message has. Perhaps the timing and the soil of my heart and my concerns. I thought, what if we as a country really believed in redemption? How would it affect our prison system? (We incarcerate more people than any other developed country.) What about Guantanamo Bay? If a person believed in Redemption, could they ever think that torture is the means of keeping us safe? Some on the death panel deride the fact of "lawyers being used for terrorists" --never mind these people haven't even been tried so how can you know if they are innocent or guilty. As I ran over to Van Cortlandt Park to pray, it came to me, “Jesus is a lawyer for terrorists.” What about the Apostle Paul? If we are truly followers of the Christ—if we believe in the work of Jesus on the cross—if we embrace the message of the resurrection, then we must believe in redemption. It’s the answer to terrorism. May our eyes be open to this revelation. Our country needs redemption! The gulf needs resurrection!

The President said, "We are awed by the grace He showed even to those who would have killed Him” I am in awe of the President by the grace he shows to those who would kill him.

I cannot emphasize enough how crucial it is for us to create a different climate with our thoughts, words and actions. Our president faces 30 death threats everyday:” Since Mr. Obama took office, the rate of threats against the president has increased 400 per cent from the 3,000 a year or so under President George W. Bush, according to Ronald Kessler, author of In the President's Secret Service”. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/5967942/Barack-Obama-faces
Before the assassination of Martin Luther King and President Kennedy, there was this similar climate of hate. In each case a lone gunman pulled the trigger, but everyone who hated without cause and spoke words without knowledge is responsible for the murder:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).
”For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.” Psalm 35:7
“If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause. . .My son, walk not thou in the way with them;; refrain thy foot from their path” Proverbs 1:11
“Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm” Proverbs 3:30
“Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause: and deceive not with thy lips” Proverbs 24:28.
“But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36
“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire”. Matthew 5:22

I’m putting a lot of verses in here to impress how serious this is for individuals and us as a country. I’m certainly grateful for redemption and the mercy and grace of God. For there are mountains of words that need redemption.

My cousin and I were discussing President Obama’s book, Audacity of Hope. She emailed": I am in the thrall of what I consider to be the ONLY man on the planet who could take all these disasters (real and inherited!!) and possibly fix them! I think he is a GODsend!”

I do thank God for our president. He's just the president we need at this time. My cousin's remark may sound like an exaggerated hyperbole, but we've heard so many destructive hyperboles in the other direction, that I let it stand to pull society away from that extreme and more where it should be. Because actually with God's help and with our help he can do it. “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water he turneth it whithersoever he will.” (Proverbs 21:1) God can turn the waters as well and stop the storms—if we stop acting like unruly children. President Obama said he can’t do it alone and he can't. He also said, "I'm trying hard and I want the best for America." I believe him. Will we destroy or build?

The last paragraph of the President state of the oil spill speech:
“Tonight, we pray for that courage. We pray for the people of the Gulf. And we pray that a hand may guide us through the storm towards a brighter day. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.”

There are two prayers someone said that we can quickly pray during the day, “Help” and “Thank You.” Here is another one suggested by our President, “Into Your hands, I commit. . .” All during the day, any fear, any concern that comes to us, pray, “Into Your hands, I commit. . .” O Divine Redeemer, I commit my life, my fears, my children and grandchildren, the mothers and children of the world, our media, our President, our nation, this oil spill and this endless spewing and the accumulating cloud. . ..”

Let’s let the pelicans laugh again.

Let’s be as children, with malice toward none, and run down to the shore and laugh and play with the pelicans circling about!