Does your youth group, church, or Sunday School class need a worthy fund raiser? Check out http://humankindwater.org/.
Help end poverty and disease by helping to provide access to clean water--something that no one can do without.
My friend, Lucy, heard the founder T.J. Foltz speak at her church last night, so this is legitimate.
Find ways you can help.
Grace, Kathy
Showing posts with label justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label justice. Show all posts
July 17, 2014
March 18, 2014
Our Prayer for the Ukraine
From Bishop Eduard Khegay, Eurasia Area of The United Methodist
Church
My prayer is for Ukraine, for peace and unity. My prayer is for
Ukraine – this is a song of our brothers and sisters from UMC in Kiev who
created this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UU_9Iaj7QCMUz0Ry5rvhzwsQ&v=DTnb4A2JTnw&feature=player_embedded
During our meeting of pastors and leaders of United Methodist
Church in Ukraine this week we lifted up our prayers for the people and the
country, for peace and unity. Brothers and sisters shared their worries and
concerns for the country’s future. Many could not come from the east to
Zakarpatie where we have had our meeting. As I was preaching in our churches in
Zakarpatie, my heart was filled with grace and faith, when brothers and sisters
with tears in their eyes lifted up their prayers to God for their country. In
this politically conflicting time, the church continues to share the gospel way
– the way of active ministry to people, preaching of hope and faith,
proclamation of God’s power and providence in the history of humankind.
According to testimonies of brothers and sisters from different cities,
Christian churches never prayed so fervently for their country and for their
people as in this difficult time. Also, people were never so open for the
gospel and for prayer as in this time.
I thank God for United Methodist churches in Ukraine, who bring
hope and reconciliation to people in this difficult time, encourage people and
serve those in need. Let us all stand in prayer for our brothers and sisters in
Ukraine, for all people and country. My prayer is for Ukraine.
Grace,
Kathy
June 7, 2013
Needed: Christian Business People
A friend works for a major communications business here in our city. The company is also noted for treating its employees unjustly. For no apparent reason, with no warning, the company decided to shuffle its teams. People would stay on the same team, maybe, but the teams themselves would be retrained for new jobs. This was ok with my friend, as he has been through many company reorganizations, and he is very open to learning new things. But in mixing things up, the changes include changing everybody's hours. So there is a chance that a person might work any time, for the standard 8 hours, anywhere from 8 am and 10 pm. Can you imagine what havoc that will heap on employees and their families? And it's not like there is a choice about overtime--you take it if told to. What makes this especially difficult is that many employees commute great distances to work. Parking is costly, so people carpool whenever possible. Then there are issues regarding daycare and caring for children.
In addition in my friend's group, there are a number of people who are almost at retirement, and they see the company changes as a means the company is using to get them to quit. Believe me, this accusation is based on many previous experiences.
What is unjust is that employees see no recourse and they feel that they are being treated as disposable commodities--not faithful, hardworking people who want to contribute to the company goals.
I have to wonder, who runs this company? And why are they grinding their people into the ground? Surely, they are not Christian. We all want business to be profitable, but isn't part of being profitable, having employees who feel like they have a stake in the well-being of the company and who feel that their work matters?
My dad owned a small business, so I know all about the need for profit. But a successful business makes more than money. It makes people's lives better for working there. Surely that is part of the work ethic and a way that we live out our Christian faith. Maybe we just need more business people who live Monday through Friday like what they profess on Sunday.
Grace, Kathy
In addition in my friend's group, there are a number of people who are almost at retirement, and they see the company changes as a means the company is using to get them to quit. Believe me, this accusation is based on many previous experiences.
What is unjust is that employees see no recourse and they feel that they are being treated as disposable commodities--not faithful, hardworking people who want to contribute to the company goals.
I have to wonder, who runs this company? And why are they grinding their people into the ground? Surely, they are not Christian. We all want business to be profitable, but isn't part of being profitable, having employees who feel like they have a stake in the well-being of the company and who feel that their work matters?
My dad owned a small business, so I know all about the need for profit. But a successful business makes more than money. It makes people's lives better for working there. Surely that is part of the work ethic and a way that we live out our Christian faith. Maybe we just need more business people who live Monday through Friday like what they profess on Sunday.
Grace, Kathy
November 13, 2012
You Are Invited
Most Jews, Muslims, and Christians are devoted and faithful. Still, on any given day, it’s difficult to avoid the vigorous and heated disputes between them, whether over the “Ground Zero” mosque, lobbying state legislatures against sharia law, sharing worship space, dissecting the fallout of the Arab Spring, protecting civil rights, or challenging the authority of sacred texts. With so much rancor, can there be any common ground? Do they even worship the same God? And can religion, which often is so divisive, be any help at all?
Four internationally known scholars set out to tackle these deceptively simple questions in an accessible way. Some scholars argue that while beliefs about God may differ, the object of worship is ultimately the same. However, these authors take a more pragmatic view. While they may disagree, they nevertheless assert that whatever the answers to these questions, the three faiths must find the will (politically, socially, and personally) to tolerate differences.
Do Jews, Christians, and Muslims worship the same God? may be one of the most important questions of our time.
Your are invited to a frank and stimulating conversation on this question in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 17th at the McCormick Place Convention Center at 2301 South Lake Shore Dr. in Room W196b. Speakers include Martin Marty, Bruce Chilton, Baruch Levine, Emil Homerin, Cynthia Rigby, and Elaine Robinson.
This event will be part of the 2012 annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature.
If you can't be in Chicago, you can still participate via FaceBook.
Go to: http://www.facebook.com/events/246414662152778/
Please don't miss out.
Kathy
Four internationally known scholars set out to tackle these deceptively simple questions in an accessible way. Some scholars argue that while beliefs about God may differ, the object of worship is ultimately the same. However, these authors take a more pragmatic view. While they may disagree, they nevertheless assert that whatever the answers to these questions, the three faiths must find the will (politically, socially, and personally) to tolerate differences.
Do Jews, Christians, and Muslims worship the same God? may be one of the most important questions of our time.
Your are invited to a frank and stimulating conversation on this question in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 17th at the McCormick Place Convention Center at 2301 South Lake Shore Dr. in Room W196b. Speakers include Martin Marty, Bruce Chilton, Baruch Levine, Emil Homerin, Cynthia Rigby, and Elaine Robinson.
This event will be part of the 2012 annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature.
If you can't be in Chicago, you can still participate via FaceBook.
Go to: http://www.facebook.com/events/246414662152778/
Please don't miss out.
Kathy
September 28, 2012
Hero Speaks Out Where Girls Don't Count
How does someone become a hero? Consider Razia Jan, a woman fighting to educate girls in rural Afghanistan and standing up for what is right. She is a hero in a difficult and life-threatening situation, serving her community.
We look at our own daughters and consider them as precious, as smart, as worthy as sons. But we all know that it isn't the case everywhere. In some parts of the world, girls don't count as people. While tragic for both the girls and their communities, in parts of the world educating them is criminal. It takes courage and deep conviction to stand up and speak up for those who would have no chance otherwise. In rural Afghanistan, the person, that woman, is Razia Jan.
While we may not suffer that kind prejudice, there are even places in our country where some people count for less than others. There might be some church members worth less than others in your own church.
Please pray for the girls and women in Afghanistan. And please pray that we might be more like Razia Jan and have the God-given courage to stand and speak out for our convictions. But more than that, help us engage those with contrary convictions so that we can find common cause for justice.
If you know of a hero in your church or community that you'd like us to honor, please send the name and a brief statement why.
Grace, Kathy
We look at our own daughters and consider them as precious, as smart, as worthy as sons. But we all know that it isn't the case everywhere. In some parts of the world, girls don't count as people. While tragic for both the girls and their communities, in parts of the world educating them is criminal. It takes courage and deep conviction to stand up and speak up for those who would have no chance otherwise. In rural Afghanistan, the person, that woman, is Razia Jan.
While we may not suffer that kind prejudice, there are even places in our country where some people count for less than others. There might be some church members worth less than others in your own church.
Please pray for the girls and women in Afghanistan. And please pray that we might be more like Razia Jan and have the God-given courage to stand and speak out for our convictions. But more than that, help us engage those with contrary convictions so that we can find common cause for justice.
If you know of a hero in your church or community that you'd like us to honor, please send the name and a brief statement why.
Grace, Kathy
September 14, 2012
Do Jews, Christians, and Muslims Worship the Same God?
In a book that will hit the shelves in early November, four experts representing Judaism (Jack Neusner and Baruch Levine), Christianity (Bruce Chilton), and Islam (Vincent Cornell) tackle this deceptively simple question.
Baruch Levine says the question is not: Is God on our side? but Are we on God's side?
And God is on the side of those who keep God’s covenant. This means that for the redemption of humanity and lasting peace, we all must recognize that the modern state of Israel must hold an honored place in the family of nations, free, sovereign, and rejoicing in Jerusalem, God’s holy city. But for the state of Israel to continue under God’s covenant, Jews must negotiate peace with the Palestinians and neighboring nations, most of whom are Muslim, and hence monotheist.
Jack Neuser looks at the question from the vantage point of Classical Judaism.
Accordingly, only Classical Judaism affirms authentic monotheism and only when we all accept this can we have true interfaith dialogue. Because Christianity and Islam are not monotheist, they can lay no claim to unique possession of the truth and there can be no common ground for discussion. Judaism stands in judgment of Christianity and Islam because it alone sets the standard for true monotheism.
Bruce Chilton answers this way: Being able to make comparisons about how we believe God acts does not mean that we actually believe in the same God. Likewise, comparing the theologies of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam can give us common ground, but it does not mean that we start or conclude with belief in the same God.
Vincent Cornell says that Islam stands in a medial position between Judaism and Christianity. Do they worship the same God? In the case of Judaism, yes. In the case of Christianity, it depends on who Christians worship. If they worship Jesus, the answer is no; but if they worship God, the answer is that there is more room for conversation. Even so, it is still not possible to bridge the differences between Islam and Christianity enough to create some kind of Abrahamic world theology, but at least a strictly Trinitarian Theology of worship can provide some common ground. Interreligious conversation derives its greatest benefits from counterpoint rather than comparison.
Then Martin Marty writes in his epilogue that the conversation surrounding the question of whether Jews, Christians, and Muslims worship the same God can and must proceed. And amazingly through this difficult and complex discussion, we can all learn and reap unexpected benefits.
This book will be worth your time and energy to digest. The title is, Do Jews, Christians, and Muslims Worship the Same God? Here is the ISBN: 9781426752377.
Grace, Kathy
Baruch Levine says the question is not: Is God on our side? but Are we on God's side?
And God is on the side of those who keep God’s covenant. This means that for the redemption of humanity and lasting peace, we all must recognize that the modern state of Israel must hold an honored place in the family of nations, free, sovereign, and rejoicing in Jerusalem, God’s holy city. But for the state of Israel to continue under God’s covenant, Jews must negotiate peace with the Palestinians and neighboring nations, most of whom are Muslim, and hence monotheist.
Jack Neuser looks at the question from the vantage point of Classical Judaism.
Accordingly, only Classical Judaism affirms authentic monotheism and only when we all accept this can we have true interfaith dialogue. Because Christianity and Islam are not monotheist, they can lay no claim to unique possession of the truth and there can be no common ground for discussion. Judaism stands in judgment of Christianity and Islam because it alone sets the standard for true monotheism.
Bruce Chilton answers this way: Being able to make comparisons about how we believe God acts does not mean that we actually believe in the same God. Likewise, comparing the theologies of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam can give us common ground, but it does not mean that we start or conclude with belief in the same God.
Vincent Cornell says that Islam stands in a medial position between Judaism and Christianity. Do they worship the same God? In the case of Judaism, yes. In the case of Christianity, it depends on who Christians worship. If they worship Jesus, the answer is no; but if they worship God, the answer is that there is more room for conversation. Even so, it is still not possible to bridge the differences between Islam and Christianity enough to create some kind of Abrahamic world theology, but at least a strictly Trinitarian Theology of worship can provide some common ground. Interreligious conversation derives its greatest benefits from counterpoint rather than comparison.
Then Martin Marty writes in his epilogue that the conversation surrounding the question of whether Jews, Christians, and Muslims worship the same God can and must proceed. And amazingly through this difficult and complex discussion, we can all learn and reap unexpected benefits.
This book will be worth your time and energy to digest. The title is, Do Jews, Christians, and Muslims Worship the Same God? Here is the ISBN: 9781426752377.
Grace, Kathy
August 2, 2012
Bullying Is Wrong--No Matter Who Does It
I'm told that Mother Teresa said that we can only do small acts with much love. But it seems that love is in short supply.
Liberals are bashing Chick-Fil-A for not agreeing with their view of marriage. There are even reports the gay activists will protest by having holding a Same Sex Kiss Day inside Chick-Fil-A. See:
http://wreg.com/2012/07/26/gay-activists-protest-chick-fil-a-with-same-sex-kiss-day/
That sounds like bullying to me.
Then there are the Conservatives who bash Liberals. Recently, I read "You'll know your pastor is liberal if..." It was supposed to be funny. Funny if you think making fun of others is ok.
Sounds like bullying to me.
Jesus did small and large acts of love for us. The least we can do, if we can't manage any degree of love, is to act civil toward each other. Perhaps Liberals and Conservatives need to listen while they pray the Lord's Prayer, "Forgive us as we forgive..."
Grace, Kathy
Liberals are bashing Chick-Fil-A for not agreeing with their view of marriage. There are even reports the gay activists will protest by having holding a Same Sex Kiss Day inside Chick-Fil-A. See:
http://wreg.com/2012/07/26/gay-activists-protest-chick-fil-a-with-same-sex-kiss-day/
That sounds like bullying to me.
Then there are the Conservatives who bash Liberals. Recently, I read "You'll know your pastor is liberal if..." It was supposed to be funny. Funny if you think making fun of others is ok.
Sounds like bullying to me.
Jesus did small and large acts of love for us. The least we can do, if we can't manage any degree of love, is to act civil toward each other. Perhaps Liberals and Conservatives need to listen while they pray the Lord's Prayer, "Forgive us as we forgive..."
Grace, Kathy
April 3, 2012
PRAY FOR YOUCEF NADARKHANI
Christian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani is facing a death sentence in Iran. This 34-year-old husband and father of two sons was arrested in 2009, charged with apostasy, or renouncing Islam. Nadarkhani refuted the charges, saying that he had never embraced Islam. After appealing an initial conviction and death sentence, a lower court found that Nardarkhani had not practiced Islam as an adult, but ruled that he was still guilty of apostasy since he was born into a Muslim home. Since his conviction, Iranian officials have pressured Nadarkhani to recant Christianity, including an ultimatum in December. They offered the pastor his freedom if he would say that the Muslim prophet Mohammed was a messenger sent by God. Nadarkhani refused.
(From WORLD magazine, March 10, 2012 issue.)
Please join me and pray for Youcef and his family.
Grace, Kathy
(From WORLD magazine, March 10, 2012 issue.)
Please join me and pray for Youcef and his family.
Grace, Kathy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)