I haven’t posted here in a number of days. I find that my time is consumed by several projects at once. Suddenly I realize I am rushing from one thing to another – always working! This is a bit ironic as I am getting ready to participate in a conference over this weekend where I will chair a meeting about workaholism. Yes, God does have a sense of humor.

We must remember that our jobs are not our only reason for living. They should not be our only identity. Good, honest and hard labor is something worthwhile. Balance in our work and being present to each person we encounter is much more important. Jesus was a busy man but he had time for everyone.

On Saturday, July 2 there will be several major concerts with some of the biggest musical entertainers on the planet performing to call attention to the plight of world poverty. If you are not familiar with Live 8 and the Long Walk to Justice see our spotlight cause here and visit the websites we provide links for.

Have a safe and loving July 4th Holiday.

Tom Gilbert

Greetings. It’s been hot here and I don’t have air-conditioning in my twenty year old car, but that’s such a small problem compared to some of the challenges I see each day from those who send in their prayer requests.

I am only a part-time worker on the Living the Solution site/ministry and so I often don’t get to spend as much time in prayer over the many requests that come in. However, it is a blessing to read and pray over those requests. Why? Because it gets me out of myself and because Jesus taught us that wherever two or more are gathered in His name that He is present with us. The essence of this is that Jesus asks us to turn to Him for help.

If we don’t ask for help we are doomed to live on self-reliance…and then we are doomed. We just can’t do it by ourselves. Life is about relationships and community. It’s about love being expressed and freely given in service to others. It’s hard to do – I’m the first to admit it!

If you do send in prayer requests please know that they are seen and prayed over. Everyone gets a standard response that automatically goes back to you by email. There is no way to personally respond to every email. Believe, though, that God knows your heart and your needs and prayer requests are just another way of asking for help.

Tom Gilbert

Discovering just what it means to really be a Christian and truly follow in Christ’s footsteps may take a lifetime. The challenge for any community of faith is that humans tend to gather power and want to control things. This can be done with very good motives.

However, Jesus warned against these dangers. It’s not all about knowing…it is more about faith, trusting and doing. Putting our faith into action is the test of whether we are following the Gospel teachings. Matthew’s gospel spells it out pretty clearly that offering love and being of service, especially to those we don’t think deserve it, is the criteria. Not just saying “I love God and Jesus is Lord”.

These are not easy teachings. They are simple and direct. That is why it is so refreshing to read what Eugene Peterson (writer for The Message Bible translation) is saying in this recent interview with Christianity Today.

Being a Dad is no easy job. Being a parent can be tough – for both mothers and fathers. The challenge many men face today is that they feel a “father hunger” that has never been resolved. When men miss out on a true and loving relationship with their fathers it becomes that much harder for them when they have children. This is especially true for father/son relationships. Sons crave the male energy that only a father can give.

Throughout the Gospels Jesus speaks of his relationship with his father. You don’t find him complaining. Instead he keeps telling us he was sent by the Father and that “all the Father has he has given to the Son”. The message is not about a fearful authority, but a loving, humble and compassionate father who longs for His sons (and daughters) to return to Him. God the Father and God the Son are constantly relating and deferring to each other.

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19th. There are many books out that can speak to being a loving Dad. Try They Call Me Dad by Ken Canfield (here) and Soul Brothers by Richard Rohr (here). You might also want to read an article I wrote last June, Fathering Through the Son.

Tom Gilbert

It is a fact that our world now has the technology and the means to significantly cut global poverty. We also have the ability to really help in the AIDs crisis in Africa. What we may lack is the moral imperative to follow through with the help.

Countries like the United States and Great Britain are considered super-wealthy in comparison to much of the world. The anchor of debt that is sinking many of the developing countries of the world will be on the agenda in the upcoming G8 summit in England (a gathering of leaders from the Group of Eight industrialized nations). Both President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have pledged to work with other leaders to forgive the debt of the poorest African countries.

Just because the Gospels of Mark and Matthew have Jesus saying “The poor you will always have with you…” (Mark 14:7) doesn’t get us off the hook for doing something about poverty. It should be an obligation of all Christian believers to work together to relieve the suffering of the poor and fight against injustice that creates or continues poverty conditions.

Summer greetings everyone. June is here, a time for traveling, vacations and family gatherings. I like the slower pace of summer. Sure, I still have busy days and I can get caught up in the anxiety and stress, but then an evening sitting in the cool of a backyard patio or a day spent at the beach or in the mountains can work wonders.

Take the time to savor each day and recognize that we are all in this together.

A new article I’ve written has just been posted to this web site. You can read Come As You Are here.

Tom Gilbert

The summer months of June, July and August are times of rejoicing for most students when they take a break from school and studies. But for many young people, particularly teenagers and college students, a summer job can be a necessity.

Above and beyond the financial reasons for working there are great opportunities to explore future career choices and to get involved in doing work that is of service to others. Of course, we all hope to work in jobs that we love and to follow our bliss. To discover that bliss means trying new things that doesn''t always appear at first to be a "dream job".

If you haven’t checked in at Relevant Magazine’s web site recently be sure to surf over there and read Beth Stoner’s insightful article on Finding a Summer Job

Tom Gilbert