Thursday, September 27, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Everyone Needs Help and Nobody Holds a patent on Kindness (Lectionary Reflections for Sept. 30, 2012)
Here are my reflections on the Lectionary Readings at Sunshine Cathedral for Sept. 30. I have been posting these reflections in the weekly newsletter (The Sun Burst), but space constraints this week didn't allow for it. So, i'm posting the reflections on this blog for this week. Best wishes - Durrell
Numbers 11.4-6, 11-14
1. It’s OK to want more, but we are unlikely to receive more (or appreciate it when/if we get it) if we don’t appreciate the good we have now.(4)
2. We often romanticize “the good old days” instead of remembering that we weren’t really happy then either. Wanting to go back to a glorified and largely fictional past only keeps us from enjoying the possibilities at hand and moving forward to the possibilities of the future. “The past is past and the future has infinite possibilities”
(5-6)
3. Are we ever tempted to blame misfortune on a divine puppet master pulling the strings rather than facing the challenges and moving through them? (11)
4. Mothering image for God. Moses is “not the mama” but God is. Still, a mother’s children are meant to grow up and deal with life as adults. God’s maternity is not the issue. Our being stuck in immaturity, however, is. (12-14)
5. We can’t do everything alone, nor should we. The “spirit” that has empowered and “called” us is bountiful enough to empower and call others to work with us. Sometimes to lead effectively means to share the burden of leadership and let others do their part (less micro-managing and more equipping of more leaders)
James 5.13-15
1. In trouble? Pray (for help). Things going well? Pray (a prayer of gratitude). Prayer isn’t about making things happen; it’s about communion with Spirit/Source/divine Substance (“God”). When things are difficult, Spirit can be a comfort, a soothing balm. When things are good, Spirit can help us appreciate the time of ease and achievement and the more we appreciate, the longer the good times may last, or at very least, the stronger the memory will be for us to conjure up during the next round of difficulties so that we can remind ourselves that things can get better. We can’t go back, but remembering the lessons of past failures and successes can help us move forward. (13)
2. Prayer, communion, union with the divine Source and the community helps us feel stronger, more hopeful, and therefore more whole. Medicine is better today than it was in James’ day, so prayer alone isn’t our only hope, but it’s a good addition to the healing course of action. And, we know the subconscious mind is very powerful. If prayer helps us believe in possibilities, the power of the subconscious will do what it can to validate that belief. And the power of the subconscious mind is considerable! But, no matter how much better physical conditions get, prayer can relieve stress and fear, and that in itself is an amazing healing. (14-15)
Mark 9.38-41
No one holds a patent on kindness. See someone healing in Jesus’ name, that is, in the caring, egalitarian way that he did? Someone is touching the untouchable, loving the unlovable, affirming the marginalized or forgotten, giving hope to those who were hopeless? Who cares if they are Catholic or Protestant, B’hai or Hindu, Atheist or a Voodoo priestess? Who cares if they are a nurse, a chiropractor, a pharmacist, a social worker, a Reiki practitioner, or a grandmother administering a home remedy? Who cares if they are a Christian Science practitioner, a Pentecostal Faith healer, a Wiccan priestess making an herbal tincture or a Buddhist acupuncturist practicing his healing art? If they are trying to help without hurting, nurturing rather than attacking, caring rather than ignoring the problem, aren’t they on the same side as all caring, compassionate, kind-hearted people? Anyone who shows kindness is doing a good thing! (We might even say, a holy thing). What would Jesus do? Try to help those in need. People doing that are certainly being Christ (or Buddha or Yogananda) to the world. If they are trying to help, and our aim is to help, we are all really on the same team.
Numbers 11.4-6, 11-14
1. It’s OK to want more, but we are unlikely to receive more (or appreciate it when/if we get it) if we don’t appreciate the good we have now.(4)
2. We often romanticize “the good old days” instead of remembering that we weren’t really happy then either. Wanting to go back to a glorified and largely fictional past only keeps us from enjoying the possibilities at hand and moving forward to the possibilities of the future. “The past is past and the future has infinite possibilities”
(5-6)
3. Are we ever tempted to blame misfortune on a divine puppet master pulling the strings rather than facing the challenges and moving through them? (11)
4. Mothering image for God. Moses is “not the mama” but God is. Still, a mother’s children are meant to grow up and deal with life as adults. God’s maternity is not the issue. Our being stuck in immaturity, however, is. (12-14)
5. We can’t do everything alone, nor should we. The “spirit” that has empowered and “called” us is bountiful enough to empower and call others to work with us. Sometimes to lead effectively means to share the burden of leadership and let others do their part (less micro-managing and more equipping of more leaders)
James 5.13-15
1. In trouble? Pray (for help). Things going well? Pray (a prayer of gratitude). Prayer isn’t about making things happen; it’s about communion with Spirit/Source/divine Substance (“God”). When things are difficult, Spirit can be a comfort, a soothing balm. When things are good, Spirit can help us appreciate the time of ease and achievement and the more we appreciate, the longer the good times may last, or at very least, the stronger the memory will be for us to conjure up during the next round of difficulties so that we can remind ourselves that things can get better. We can’t go back, but remembering the lessons of past failures and successes can help us move forward. (13)
2. Prayer, communion, union with the divine Source and the community helps us feel stronger, more hopeful, and therefore more whole. Medicine is better today than it was in James’ day, so prayer alone isn’t our only hope, but it’s a good addition to the healing course of action. And, we know the subconscious mind is very powerful. If prayer helps us believe in possibilities, the power of the subconscious will do what it can to validate that belief. And the power of the subconscious mind is considerable! But, no matter how much better physical conditions get, prayer can relieve stress and fear, and that in itself is an amazing healing. (14-15)
Mark 9.38-41
No one holds a patent on kindness. See someone healing in Jesus’ name, that is, in the caring, egalitarian way that he did? Someone is touching the untouchable, loving the unlovable, affirming the marginalized or forgotten, giving hope to those who were hopeless? Who cares if they are Catholic or Protestant, B’hai or Hindu, Atheist or a Voodoo priestess? Who cares if they are a nurse, a chiropractor, a pharmacist, a social worker, a Reiki practitioner, or a grandmother administering a home remedy? Who cares if they are a Christian Science practitioner, a Pentecostal Faith healer, a Wiccan priestess making an herbal tincture or a Buddhist acupuncturist practicing his healing art? If they are trying to help without hurting, nurturing rather than attacking, caring rather than ignoring the problem, aren’t they on the same side as all caring, compassionate, kind-hearted people? Anyone who shows kindness is doing a good thing! (We might even say, a holy thing). What would Jesus do? Try to help those in need. People doing that are certainly being Christ (or Buddha or Yogananda) to the world. If they are trying to help, and our aim is to help, we are all really on the same team.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Religious Freedom isn't a Right to Oppress
Against birth control? Don't use it. Disagree with same-gender loving people getting married? Don't marry someone of your gender. As the president has said, "Religious freedom doesn't mean you get to force others to live by your beliefs." Getting a bunch of people scared of an "other" and then holding a referendum to vote against the "other" having equality isn't democracy. It's bigotry pretending to be religion and it defiles both the name of democracy and religion.
Happy Mabon
Labels:
inter-religious,
pagan,
spiritual humanism,
spirituality
Barbra Streisand Calls us to move forward, not back
from the article by Barbra Streisand (for full text clink link above)
"Obama
has been more fiscally conservative than any other president in recent history,
with the exception of President Bill Clinton.
"President
Obama has been far better at creating jobs than President George W. Bush. During
the 7 years and 8 months of George Bush's presidency, before
the financial crash, only 2.6 million new private sector jobs were created.
In the final month of George Bush's presidency, the country lost 800,000 jobs,
and in the last six months of the Bush Administration, the country lost over 3.5 million jobs.
"However,
in the last 30 months under President Obama's leadership, nearly 4.6 million new
private sector jobs were created (averaging about 150,000 new jobs per month).
In President Obama's last 2 ½ years in office, 40% more jobs were created than
in nearly all of President Bush's eight years in office.
"The
last President who was elected amidst a severe economic crisis and high
unemployment was Franklin D. Roosevelt. His policies strengthened government so
that it would protect the people (creating Glass-Steagall to regulate the banks,
the FDIC to insure bank depositors, the Securities and Exchange Commission to
regulate the stock market, and Social Security to help people build a safety net
for their retirement). FDR's strategy to spend money to create jobs and
stimulate the economy is what ultimately helped pull the country out of a
depression.
"Even
though the country's most respected economists have agreed on what history has
already proven -- that MORE federal spending, not austerity, is necessary to
stimulate the economy and create jobs, today's Republicans categorically reject
this strategy. They are running on a platform of further deregulation and
cutting spending to the bone, so that those earning millions will get more tax
cuts, even though it means Americans who need a safety net won't have it.
"Unlike
Mitt Romney, President Obama believes we need to invest in education, energy,
innovation and infrastructure and reform our tax system to create good jobs,
grow our economy and pay down the debt in a reasoned way. He believes in an
inclusive country where all people deserve equal protection and treatment under
the law, as well as equal opportunity, whether they are gay, straight, black,
brown, white, religious, atheist, old or young.
"The
choice is clear. Would you vote for a person who pays his taxes or someone who
wiggles his way out of them? Do you want a President who has gained the respect
of the world community or someone who on a recent diplomatic trip abroad
provoked the ire and ridicule of other world leaders? Do we want a country where
everyone is fending for themselves or where everyone is pitching in and working
together? Do we want to go backward with Mitt Romney or move forward with
President Obama?"
Friday, September 21, 2012
More Than One Way to be Religious
More Than One Way to be Religious
WRITTEN BY REV. DR. DURRELL
WATKINS
“Prophet” Cindy Jacobs recently declared that weather hazards and
ecological problems are the result of divine wrath in response to presidential
decisions. And without offering specifics,
she prognosticated that more calamities are on the way. Of course, it’s a safe
bet that something unhappy will happen somewhere. It doesn’t take a great
psychic gift to make that guess!
Durrell Watkins holds sociology and theatre degrees from Henderson State
University and Goddard College, respectively, as well as a Master of Divinity
degree from Union Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the
Episcopal Divinity School. He is the author of Wrestling with God without
Getting Pinned: Old Stories, New Thoughts, & Progressive Spirituality
(Outskirts Press, available at Amazon.com), and is the Senior Pastor of the
Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale (www.sunshinecathedral.org).
Thursday, September 13, 2012
prayer for the world
PRAYER FOR THE WORLD by Durrell Watkins
Universal Spirit of Life,
In the midst of conflicts, fears, troubles, and concerns, we dare to believe in the possibility of peace, in the power of hope, and in the reality of love.
May our world today embrace the amazing potential that lies within every human heart.
May our world today seek peace instead of war, healing instead of revenge, communion instead of conflict.
May our world today choose to be aware of the ubiquitous web of existence to which we all belong, and may human dignity be affirmed and the sacred value of all life be celebrated.
Let blessings now flow into every life and may peace prevail on earth. Amen.
Labels:
inter-religious,
liberal theology,
peace,
prayer,
religion,
unity,
universalist
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
How I will vote...
Who will I vote for? That's no one's business; but I don't mind confessing that I will be voting for a woman's right to choose, for labor rights, for marriage equality, for accessible health care, for social security and medicare and student loans and for a tax system that asks everyone to pay their fair share. The party and the person that will get my vote is my business, but the issues for me are clear. I will be voting my values, and human dignity and equality are chief among my values.
First Night of DNC 2012
Amazing. Sikhs, Muslims, Jewish people, African Americans, Latino/as, people of Asian descent, women and men of all ages, first, second, and third generation Americans, and a huge crowd that roars with approval every time marriage equality is affirmed...a convention that looks like America and that affirms the dignity of all people and all kinds of people. Yea, I'm a little teary...feeling patriotic even :-)
Gotta Vote! Please Vote!!!
The Tea Party is to the Republicans what the Dixiecrats were to the Democrats. They can say its about taxes (and I don't understand who doesn't want to pay their share to make sure that we all have all that we need!), but there is a lot of racism, misogyny, and homophobia in the mix as well. If we don't want heterosexist, white supremacist, fundamentalists becoming the representative face of the US, we all must vote in November!
History Made Last Night...
President Obama, the first African American POTUS, is also the first POTUS to affirm support for marriage equality. His wife, on national television, affirmed support for marriage equality at a convention of the first major party in US history to affirm support for marriage equality. I realize this gives the LDS, the Roman Catholic church, and every fundamentalist the excuse they need to declare a
ll out war on the president, but I am so proud that we have national leaders who will say and do what is right rather than what would protect their own privilege and power. I hope such courage is rewarded. That is the kind of decency, integrity, courage, and inclusivity that we need in our leaders. But come what may, I am just so proud that we have leaders who will say no to discrimination even if it means they will suffer discrimination as a result. I want to be the Obamas when I grow up...
Labels:
election,
politics,
social commentary,
social justice
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
I am
I am
“The Spirit is truthful and takes us at our word. If we say, ‘I am foolish and ignorant,’ it lets us be what we say we are.” Emma Curtis Hopkins
One of the biblical names for God is “I AM.” I wonder if that is why Jesus only followed the words “I AM” with positive statements. “I AM the true vine”, “I AM resurrection and life”, etc. Even in his most painful hour when he asks for water, he doesn’t say “I AM thirsty,” he says, “I thirst.” We can acknowledge an experience without identifying with it. What are we pulling into our I-AM-ness? When you say I AM, you are using one of God’s names; don’t use it in vain. Following Jesus’ example, always follow “I AM” with something good (and NEVER with anything negative).
Prayer Treatment
I AM a person of power. I AM wise and wonderful. I AM filled with light, love, and joy. I AM forever blessed. Amen.
Durrell Watkins
Sept. 4, 2012
Spirit & Truth Magazine
“The Spirit is truthful and takes us at our word. If we say, ‘I am foolish and ignorant,’ it lets us be what we say we are.” Emma Curtis Hopkins
One of the biblical names for God is “I AM.” I wonder if that is why Jesus only followed the words “I AM” with positive statements. “I AM the true vine”, “I AM resurrection and life”, etc. Even in his most painful hour when he asks for water, he doesn’t say “I AM thirsty,” he says, “I thirst.” We can acknowledge an experience without identifying with it. What are we pulling into our I-AM-ness? When you say I AM, you are using one of God’s names; don’t use it in vain. Following Jesus’ example, always follow “I AM” with something good (and NEVER with anything negative).
Prayer Treatment
I AM a person of power. I AM wise and wonderful. I AM filled with light, love, and joy. I AM forever blessed. Amen.
Durrell Watkins
Sept. 4, 2012
Spirit & Truth Magazine
Big picture
This election isn't just about the economy. The economy was in free-fall before Nov. 2008 and yes, it is now better. GM lives. Jobs have been created. Taxes on the middle class have been lowered, and attempts to make the super-rich pay their share are underway. Decreasing taxes on the wealthy while spending huge sums for an unjust war used up a surplus and destroyed a balanced budget...but those were 2001-2009 choices, not 2009-2013. So, things are b
etter, but in addition to the economy, gay rights have been promoted, health care has been made more accessible, the person who actually did orchestrate the 9/11 attacks is history, a third of the Supreme Court members are women...more than just the economy is better. Everyone must vote his/her own conscience, but please do vote and please think about more than the economy, and remember, the economy really has improved too.
Labels:
economics,
election,
gay and lesbian,
health care,
politics,
social commentary
A firm stand for marriage equality
the Democratic Party approved the following language in its 2012 platform:
"We support the right of all families to have equal respect, responsibilities, and protections under the law. We support marriage equality and support the movement to secure equal treatment under law for same-sex couples..."
Regardless of party affiliation, Americans can be proud that A party has taken this step toward full inclusion and non-discrimination. I am thankful for those who affirm my full humanity and the sacredness of my loving relationship.
"We support the right of all families to have equal respect, responsibilities, and protections under the law. We support marriage equality and support the movement to secure equal treatment under law for same-sex couples..."
Regardless of party affiliation, Americans can be proud that A party has taken this step toward full inclusion and non-discrimination. I am thankful for those who affirm my full humanity and the sacredness of my loving relationship.
Saturday, September 01, 2012
Divine Supply
“I bow to the One who shares everything…I bow to the ever Bountiful. I bow to the Unlimited.”
From the sacred songs of the Sikhs
We live in an abundant universe. Look how extravagant, even wasteful Nature is. Consider the Field of infinite possibilities. Imagine all the talent in the world, all the ideas that have been and all that will be, and consider the uncountable number of breaths you have already taken in life. When we remember how opulent life is meant to be and how generous Life really is, we can participate in the circulation of divine supply and release all fear of lack and limitation. Our good is at hand!
Prayer Treatment
My good is at hand! This is how it must be, and this is how I now allow life to unfold. Abundance is mine. I receive it. I give thanks for it. And so it is.
Durrell Watkins ("Spirit & Truth" magazine, Sept. 1, 2012)
We live in an abundant universe. Look how extravagant, even wasteful Nature is. Consider the Field of infinite possibilities. Imagine all the talent in the world, all the ideas that have been and all that will be, and consider the uncountable number of breaths you have already taken in life. When we remember how opulent life is meant to be and how generous Life really is, we can participate in the circulation of divine supply and release all fear of lack and limitation. Our good is at hand!
Prayer Treatment
My good is at hand! This is how it must be, and this is how I now allow life to unfold. Abundance is mine. I receive it. I give thanks for it. And so it is.
Durrell Watkins ("Spirit & Truth" magazine, Sept. 1, 2012)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)