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Journal — October 2004 |
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AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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October 29, 2004
This is the last posting in the Journal for October. Hope it has been a
good month for you, full of spiritual growth.
Election Day in the States is Tuesday. Many are already voting where early
voting or absentee balloting is allowed. I hope you exercise your right
to vote and that our resources have been helpful. You can still see the
info at our Spotlight Specials page.
Tom Gilbert
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| October 28, 2004
David Batstone, who writes for Soujourners magazine,
has an interesting
piece on their website that speaks of the concern
over the political divisiveness surrounding the election,
as well as his concern over what things will be like
after the election. He makes no bones about his support
of a change in the administration.
I don’t think it is appropriate for me to stump
for either presidential candidate when I post here. Your
choice and vote is up to you and I just hope each of
us honestly looks at the issues and votes with our Christian
conscience. I fully support Sojourners and others who’ve
made a point that “God is not a Republican or a
Democrat” and that our religion should not dictate
who we vote for.
What I most agree with in Batstone’s article is
the need for us to find a way to unite in facing our
many challenges. I think it echo’s my thoughts
as expressed in the new article, A
New Coalition.
Tom Gilbert
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October 27, 2004
Never underestimate the importance of honesty, open-mindedness and willingness.
They form a nice acronym: H.O.W.
If you don't have enough H.O.W. try praying for them. It's much better
than a "wish-list" of things. When we change our attitude and
way of facing life we might discover we don't even want or need some of
the things we've been praying for.
Tom Gilbert
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October 26, 2004
Do you think it takes a majority for anything good to be accomplished?
That is common sense to most of us. “Majority rules!” is the
battle cry.
Surprisingly, the Gospels speak about how seemingly small and insignificant
beginnings can grow into large outcomes. The mustard seed, the small amount
of yeast in the dough, the few chosen from the many called – these
are ongoing themes that remind us that what is important is to do the everyday
little things that we can so easily dismiss. Small acts of kindness are
big of heart. It’s only the ego that believes we must always be making
lots of noise and doing grand and noticeable things.
This is not to say that God isn’t doing big things. We just have
to recognize that God works wonders and can choose to do it in ways that
appear inconsequential to us.
Tom Gilbert
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October 20, 2004
I continue to get great insight from reading Thomas Merton’s New
Seeds of Contemplation. Today I was reading about obedience
and what Merton refers to as “intelligent obedience”. He makes
the point of the importance of obeying those we are under authority to.
Of course, he’s referring specifically to a religious life and he
doesn’t justify obeying orders that are clearly morally wrong. But
he does indicate that we must sometimes submit as a way of personal sacrifice
(letting our ego go).
I think what Merton was getting at was the call to humility and to remembering
that we obey out of love to God and others. This certainly can be applicable
to any of us. I still struggle with doing things I know I should do. The
hardest are often the mundane tasks of work. The greatest growth comes
from doing the things I don’t really want to do. While hard looks
at the way I live and making significant changes so that I grow spiritually
are the chief aims, I can often overlook the value that comes from doing
some of the things that must get done on a daily basis. Some of my friends
refer to it as “doing the next right thing”.
Tom Gilbert
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October 18, 2004
As some of you are aware I love music and I listen to all kinds. I’ve
spent many years working in radio broadcasting and the various formats
exposed me to a lot of great work (and, honestly, some mediocre tunes,
too).
It’s evident to me that God can work through the creativity of people
to express divine love and insight. Sometimes it is a challenge to us;
at other times praise, worship or reflection. If you’ve spent any
time at all with the music of U2 then you realize they
do all of that and more. A new album will be out from this Irish rock band
near the end of November (“How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb”).
The first single, “Vertigo”, is already receiving
lots of airplay. One of the best people to comment on it is Steve
Stockman, the writer and minister in Belfast who has followed
their music for years and wrote a book about U2’s spiritual journey
titled “Walk
On”. Visit his Rhythms
of Redemption website and see his comments about the new U2
single here.
I also like to write about the spirituality you can find in songs. My latest
song reflection is on “Hanging
by a Moment” by Lifehouse.
Tom Gilbert
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October 15, 2004
There has been much talk about the spreading of democracy around the world.
Many believe it would make the world a better place. True democracy is
a good thing indeed. It means fair representation for and by the people
and honoring the rights of all.
Their can be difficulties in trying to impose democracy. Imposed democracy – sounds
like an oxymoron.
It is good to see countries that formerly had repressive regimes start
to develop a government of freedom and democracy. Mongolia is one such
country and I’ve written before about the role of the television
station, Eagle TV. It’s
been one challenge after another for Tom Terry (an American
media veteran and missionary), but they will soon
be on the air again. They have a matching $200,000 opportunity that
is coming down to the wire – it must be met by October 31. They are
getting close. Find
out more and think about supporting freedom, democracy and the voice
of Jesus’ love through this media outlet.
Tom Gilbert
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October 14, 2004
Most days we have sunshine in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Today, however,
is a chilly and cloudy autumn day. There was even fog this morning. Maybe
the weather made me more introspective, but I found myself looking at a
couple of interesting things on the Internet.
First is a good article at RelevantMagazine.com about
the importance of putting into practice in our daily lives the teaching
of Christianity. So often we are quick to judge others and forget to take
our own inventory. You can read Jonathan Tompkins’ piece here.
The other site I came across deals with the constant
demands on our time, especially regarding work. Aren’t
we all a bit stressed out from the demands on our time?
Is there such a thing as “time-sickness”?
Check out the Take
Back Your Time site and note that October
24th is Take Back Your Time Day.
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October 13, 2004
The election in the United States is just three weeks away. I hope you
are registered to vote (if not, it might be too late now in your state).
More importantly, I hope that you exercise your right to vote.
It’s easy to get cynical about politics in our country. Or you might
feel overwhelmed by the many choices. Or just disillusioned with the whole
process. I understand. Nevertheless, if we don’t participate in the
process then our voice is not heard.
It’s an obligation to Christian believers to not live our lives in
a vacuum, or even a safe bubble of separation from the world. Some people
refer to that as the Christian subculture. We must get involved with others
and not live in the bondage of self-centered interests. I believe God works
through the community of believers. One body made up of many parts.
Don’t fall for the rhetoric of anyone insisting on you voting the
way they say you must. It’s an individual choice and it’s
not the responsibility or right for government, church, neighbors or family
members to decide for you. Listen intelligently and decide prayerfully.
See our spotlight cause for
more.
Truthfully, anyone who is living a spiritual life that seeks God’s
guidance and lives by love will be helpful in our world by expressing in
action God’s call to love. Voting is an action you can exercise in
love.
Tom Gilbert
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October 7, 2004
Tomorrow will be the second presidential debate between President George
W. Bush and Senator John Kerry. The debate is supposed to center on domestic
policy and I will be watching closely to see what issues get discussed.
One of the great issues that continues to face our country (but doesn’t
seem to be getting that much attention in the campaigns) is poverty. However,
there are those raising their voices to this concern. This includes Call
to Renewal. Their "Rolling to Overcome Poverty Bus Tour" kicked
off yesterday in Minnesota. The tour will go to several mid-western states
and cities over the next ten days. The events will include rallies, marches,
worship services, special music, panel discussions, teaching events, workshops,
prayer breakfasts, and other events with intriguing titles like "Yes!
In My Back Yard!", "A Taste of Poverty Dinner" and "Hope
on North Broad Street". You can see more at the Call
to Renewal website.
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October 4, 2004
During a time of warring Christians and Muslims there was a man who decided
to embark on a mission of peace. He was not engaged to do so by any government.
Perhaps it was a prompting of the Holy Spirit. Regardless, he faced great
danger to visit a prominent leader in Egypt and to express his desire that
a peaceful resolution (instead of war) be found. He had himself served
in the army, been wounded and captive, and he saw firsthand the destruction
that violence brings.
The Egyptian leader listened to the man’s message. He was impressed.
It did not cease the war, but the message was heard and the leader decided
to guarantee the young man safe passage home through a war-torn and treacherous
area.
This young man was once a rich fellow, a son of a wealthy merchant who
had pursued a life of pleasure. Later he turned his back on such worldly
ways and embraced all of creation as sacred. He prayed to be a channel
of love. He heard God’s call on his heart and chose the path of peace,
the peace proclaimed by the Son of God. Francis of Assisi followed Jesus
Christ wholeheartedly and in a life of simplicity, poverty, compassion
and love inspired many others to do the same. Today is his feast day. Two
years ago I wrote an article inspired by Francis. At that time the United
States was preparing for the invasion of Iraq and there was not a lot of
talk of peace. Since that time I can see I have a long way to go before
I am a “channel of peace” in all ways at all times. It’s
still a great calling and challenge today, tomorrow and forever.
The article, A Channel of Peace – The
Way of St. Francis, can be read here.
Tom Gilbert
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October 1, 2004
Some of the greatest prayer intentions are those that come to you, surely
prompted by the Spirit. Do you ever have the experience of suddenly praying
for something, or someone, that you had not consciously thought of until
that moment? The pray just comes to you. It might be specific, or general,
but I marvel at the manifestation of God’s prayer requests voiced
in us.
Today: “That reconciliation will be accepted wherever it is offered
and needed.”
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Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved
throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of
International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering of
goods or services requires the prior written consent of International Bible
Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living
Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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PSALM 118:24
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"This
is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad
in it."
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(NIV)
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