Daily Word (9.2.09)

Prosperity:

"I accept the abundance of God flowing to me and through me now." (DW, 9.2.09)

"He brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey." (Deut. 26:9)

Mei Meditatio:

God's loving presence is ubiquitous, ever-inherent in my being through Christ. Spirit's liberative, revivifying activity comes to my awareness and flows from my being through my actions, resonating with the lives of others.

In Christ's loving embrace I recognize and respond to the abundant life, love, and liberty graciously given to me in God's abundance.

In the name and through the power of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. Amen.

Obama Administration To Highlight Interfaith Volunteerism

"The White House will announce an effort Tuesday to highlight interfaith volunteerism. President Obama's United We Serve initiative is designating this week, Aug. 31 through Sept. 6, "Interfaith Service Week," administration officials said, with a series of service projects across the country.

In speeches, interviews and administration initiatives, Obama has advocated the idea that interfaith efforts should move beyond words and into action. In his speech from Cairo this summer, he said, 'faith should bring us together. And that's why we're forging service projects in America to bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews... .Around the world, we can turn dialogue into interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action--whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or promoting relief after a natural disaster.'" (Faith in Public Life)

I've supported most policies and platforms of the Obama campaign and administration thus far, but this is one that I highlight above all others. It exemplifies an embrace of religious and cultural diversity in this nation and the world as well as an attempt to bring people together to move from discussing ideas to actively working toward better living conditions and general well-being.

William Wan of the Washington Post has the story at Faith in Public Life.

Remember World Day of Prayer

Remember that the World Day of Prayer sponsored by Unity and Association of Unity Churches will be held September 10, 2009. People all over the world will be spending time in prayer, contemplation, and social engagement in their local communities.

This year's event will include:

1) Spiritual social action opportunities to help create a more peaceful and harmonious existence.
2) Opportunities to share prayer thoughts and requests online.
3) An online board for people to share ideas, prayers, experiences, and stories of social action with each other to inspire one another to make a difference.

Visit the World Day of Prayer website for more info and opportunities to engage in prayer and social engagement.

Unity.FM (Aug. 31-Sept. 4‏)

This week on Unity.FM:

On Unity Classic Radio, Bob Brach will be playing Charles Fillmore's talk entitled "Our All for the Kingdom of God" (April 29, 1928) which speaks about what individuals can do to contribute to the manifestation of the Kingdom of God in the present context.

On World Spirituality, Paul John Roach will be talking with guest Robert Kull who spent one year in the Patagonian wilderness.

On the new Unity.Fm program, Let's Talk About It, Tom Shepherd discusses the meaning of the phrase, "I'm spiritual but not religious." The question becomes how should people committed to a faith community respond to those not committed to a particular faith community? What is the importance of "church" in a postmodern world? (Very interesting.)

Listen to these programs and check out program schedules at Unity.fm.

The Unbelieving Future of Christian Faith

Peter Laarman writes an intriguing article for Religion Dispatches concerned with the future sustainability of Christian faith as being one that doesn't cling to doctrine but is open to reinterpreting past teachings and bringing into our worldview new insights to edify and make relevant Christian spirituality in the present context.

Laarman's argument is that he predicts the Christianity of the future will be mostly comprised of those who haven't tenaciously latched onto dogma and creedal belief, instead opting for a faith guided by an ethic socially committed to liberating the oppressed, downtrodden, and poor in our communities and one maintaining an attitude of openness to truth and revelation wherever one may find it. And the people say . . . Amen!

Read the article at Religion Dispatches.

Back to Blogging

After a two and a half week hiatus, I'm back to blogging. Since I'm working as a professor at a community college in a correctional facility, I'll be much busier than previously. Nonetheless, I plan on bringing in stories, opinions, and events going on in our communities throughout the world that come to my attention and which are concerned with progressive values of forward-thinking in theology, expanding awareness of important issues, and practically living out the love, equality, and justice of a socially engaged spirituality.

Peace!

Daily Word (9.1.09)

Grace:

"God's grace refreshes and renews me." (DW, 9.1.09)

"Everything is for your sake, so that grace . . . may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God." (2 Cor. 4:15)

Mei Meditatio:

God's grace is that ever-present Spirit of righteousness, goodness, and love that rejuvinates our being, leads us into upbuilding conduct, and guides our consciousness into ever greater heights of joyful lovingkindness.

Acknowledging the presence of God's grace in me, I am confident of Christ's work in strengthening my resolve to enact the faith I possess and live out the love of God in Christ.

In the name and through the power of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. Amen.