Pray for Others:
"I am praying for you today." (DW, 7.5.09)
Mei Meditatio:
Prayer is not an activity that ought to be solely for the benefit of myself. I must also direct my contemplative intention toward others in and through Christ's love.
Since all life is interconnected through God's creative Presence and Power, prayer for myself will affect others and prayer for others will undoubtedly affect myself. Yet, I must set aside special time in prayer for both myself and others so as to increase the benefit for each.
In the name and through the power of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. Amen.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Daily Word (7.4.09)
World Peace:
"We are peacemakers, expressing God's love in the world." (DW, 7.4.09)
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Mat. 5.9)
Mei Meditatio:
Peacemaking begins within. Focusing on God's Unity and Love in my awareness and attitude, with the mind of Christ I create a contented situation with my inner being.
However, for peacemaking to be fulfilled and at its greatest expression, it must not be relegated only the the inner realm. Having centered on the Love of God in Christ and filled with this all-inclusive, self-sacrificial Love I extend it out from myself in concrete acts and deeds that promote the well-being of others in my relationships and in society as a whole through equality, justice, and community-building. In doing this, I emulate the life and teachings of Jesus, my way-shower, master, and thus savior.
In the name and through the power of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. Amen.
"We are peacemakers, expressing God's love in the world." (DW, 7.4.09)
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Mat. 5.9)
Mei Meditatio:
Peacemaking begins within. Focusing on God's Unity and Love in my awareness and attitude, with the mind of Christ I create a contented situation with my inner being.
However, for peacemaking to be fulfilled and at its greatest expression, it must not be relegated only the the inner realm. Having centered on the Love of God in Christ and filled with this all-inclusive, self-sacrificial Love I extend it out from myself in concrete acts and deeds that promote the well-being of others in my relationships and in society as a whole through equality, justice, and community-building. In doing this, I emulate the life and teachings of Jesus, my way-shower, master, and thus savior.
In the name and through the power of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. Amen.
Unity Congregations Going Green
*The first two Unity churches to receive EarthCare Certification from the AUCI EarthCare Ministry Team were honored by Rev. James Trapp at the Unity People's Convention in June. Congratulations to Rev. Sharon Clements (right) of Unity Centre of Practical Christianity from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, for being the first Unity church in the world to receive this certification! And congratulations to Rev. Alice Anderson (left) of Christ Church Unity in Orlando FL, for being the first Unity church in the United States to receive the certification!* (Field Xchange 7.1.09)For for more info and/or assistance in involving your church or community in this exciting and innovative process, please contact the EarthCare Team at earthcare@unity.org.
(Above Photo from Field Xchange Newsletter 7.1.09)
Muslim-Christian Musical Integration
Recently, musicians from the Muslim and Christian traditions have been amalgamating two spiritual musical styles important to both religions. Qawwali, a mystical Islamic music that aims at dikr -- bringing the players and listeners in closer proximity to experiencing God, remembering God -- has been combined with many kinds of music, such as local musics from around the world, rock, reggae, hip-hop, and electronica.
At the latest Muslim Voices Festival musicians married Qawwali and an influential Christian spiritual music - Gospel. Hussein Rashid, who regularly attends the Muslim Voices Festival, provides a short commentary and review of the experience at Religion Dispatches.
Though I wasn't there, I would imagine that, having listened to both styles separately and understanding the deep spiritual feelings and inspiration behind these types of music, this would be an intriguing and fruitful cross-fertilization. Each has its own unique contribution of musical power, so experiencing them together with any amount of mutual influence must be an exhilarating and heartening.
Since music speaks a language all its own, one that transcends words, musical interaction can be a beautiful and advantageous way of interfaith dialogue conducive to peacable co-existence.
At the latest Muslim Voices Festival musicians married Qawwali and an influential Christian spiritual music - Gospel. Hussein Rashid, who regularly attends the Muslim Voices Festival, provides a short commentary and review of the experience at Religion Dispatches.
Though I wasn't there, I would imagine that, having listened to both styles separately and understanding the deep spiritual feelings and inspiration behind these types of music, this would be an intriguing and fruitful cross-fertilization. Each has its own unique contribution of musical power, so experiencing them together with any amount of mutual influence must be an exhilarating and heartening.
Since music speaks a language all its own, one that transcends words, musical interaction can be a beautiful and advantageous way of interfaith dialogue conducive to peacable co-existence.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Riverside Church Pastor Resigns
The pastor of Riverside Church, Rev. Dr. Brad Braxton, the renowned hub of liberal theology and social activism on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, is resigning after just two months on the job. Braxton has been in the middle of controversy over his theological-political stance, which is allegedly becoming more conservative than progressive in its leaning. There has also been major arguments over his compensation package.
With this kind of instability, what does this mean for progressive Christianity and liberal religion in general?
There are a few stories on this issue interested people should check out:
Paul Vitello of the New York Times has an informative article here.
Also, read Jonathan Walton's essay at Religion Dispatches.
With this kind of instability, what does this mean for progressive Christianity and liberal religion in general?
There are a few stories on this issue interested people should check out:
Paul Vitello of the New York Times has an informative article here.
Also, read Jonathan Walton's essay at Religion Dispatches.
Teaching the Dalai Lama's Monks: Better Religion Through Science
"A scientist/professor in an experimental program teaching science to the Dalai Lama's monks explains why this project is so much bigger than this one program, bigger even than working to reconcile religion and science." (RD 7.1.09)
These interactions between Tibetan monks and scientists are very important in the increased understanding between religious practitioners and scientists through dialogue. However, we must keep in mind that it's not simply religion that must be open to learning from science but also science drawing insight from religion as well (which I haven't seen as often). It's important that the religion-science conversation is truly two-sided -- a real dialogue rather than two disconnected monologues.
Arri Eisen has the story at Religion Dispatches.
These interactions between Tibetan monks and scientists are very important in the increased understanding between religious practitioners and scientists through dialogue. However, we must keep in mind that it's not simply religion that must be open to learning from science but also science drawing insight from religion as well (which I haven't seen as often). It's important that the religion-science conversation is truly two-sided -- a real dialogue rather than two disconnected monologues.
Arri Eisen has the story at Religion Dispatches.
Daily Word (7.3.09)
Today's Word:
"I am free in mind, body, and spirit!" (DW, 7.3.09)
"For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters." (Gal. 5.13)
Mei Meditatio:
Freedom is part of my essential being. I am created with a free will, a volition to make decisions according to my own intentions. With this liberty of mind, body, and spirit I make choices for the well-being of my self and others.
Attuned to the love of God in Christ, I use my free will to actively pursue equality and justice in society and in human relationships however I'm lead at the time. We're called to freedom, and with this freedom comes responsibility to engage in bettering ourselves and communities.
In the name and through the power of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. Amen.
"I am free in mind, body, and spirit!" (DW, 7.3.09)
"For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters." (Gal. 5.13)
Mei Meditatio:
Freedom is part of my essential being. I am created with a free will, a volition to make decisions according to my own intentions. With this liberty of mind, body, and spirit I make choices for the well-being of my self and others.
Attuned to the love of God in Christ, I use my free will to actively pursue equality and justice in society and in human relationships however I'm lead at the time. We're called to freedom, and with this freedom comes responsibility to engage in bettering ourselves and communities.
In the name and through the power of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. Amen.
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