The Labor Day holiday weekend is in a few days. Normally this is a time when the working people enjoy a final summer holiday and some time away from work. We can be with friends and family and reflect on our jobs and our lives.

This year the effects of Hurricane Katrina are fresh in our minds. There was a lot of death and destruction, as was predicted. The labor ahead will be intensive. As in previous tragedies many workers will be engaged in selfless acts of kindness and compassion. Others will wonder why this trouble came upon them. There will be the cries out to God of “why” and “help”.

God’s help is and will continue to be there. It will be expressed in the “hands and feet” of a faith community. No matter how stretched relief agencies get somehow there will still be those who make sacrifices and give of their time, money and possessions for those suffering. We’ve seen it before, including four years ago about this time on that fateful day in America, September 11th.

Our prayers are with all those who suffer, but know you are not alone or without hope. Visit our Spotlight Special Cause to see how you can help with the disaster relief efforts.

New Orleans issued orders for a mandatory evacuation yesterday when it became apparent that Hurricane Katrina would be hitting Southern Lousianna on Monday. This city on the Gulf Coast is in a particularly precarious situation for such a storm since it lies below sea level. Huge waves and widespread destruction seem inevitable. Of course, we pray for the people in the storm’s path. But let us remember that in the days ahead the need for our prayers – and our action – to help the victims will be critical.

The financial impact will be severe. Insurance companies resources will be stretched thin and the price will get passed on to the consumer. Governmental and private relief agencies will also face the strain. The price of gasoline, growing ever higher, will probably be affected too, because 30 percent of U.S. oil is produced by the Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.

There is much that needs to be done. Each of us could probably do at least a little. Churches and Christian relief agencies are already responding (Operation Blessing). Every day there is a need for compassion and action in our world. This is another opportunity for us to step outside of our self interests and let God work through us.

Tom Gilbert.

Two religious leaders said some interesting things recently. Pope Benedict XVI warned young people at the Catholic World Youth Day gathering about the dangers of “do it yourself religion” (more here). I agree with him that "religion can become a consumer product" and that is not where it's at. On the surface this is a good thing. People need to be aware that without the guidance and revelation of God passed on to us through the years we can be in danger of simply taking what we like and discarding what we don’t. However, I’m always concerned about the need of religion to control others. So if the Pope is saying that you can’t get to God without him or the Catholic Church I would disagree. I’m not sure that is his message. He has continued what the previous pope, John Paul II, had started of reaching out in dialogue with other religions. Surely God can speak to us in many ways. What we, as Christians, believe is that God came to us as Jesus, the Son of Man, to reveal God’s true message of love, mercy and hope.

The other “leader”, Pat Robertson, is an evangelical television minister best known for the “700 Club” program. He’s stirred up some controversy with his statement that the United States government should “take out” Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Getting rid of Chavez would stop Venezuela from becoming a "launching pad for communist influence and Muslim extremism," Robertson said. "We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability," Robertson said. "We don't need another $200 billion war to get rid of one, you know, strong-arm dictator." (more here)

This surely does not sound like the message of love and non-violence preached by Christ.

I believe that God speaks to our hearts. I know that many are skeptical about personal guidance from the Lord. Just as many people seem to swing the other way and think that God is giving us minute and detailed directions on every single thing. Maybe He does, but I believe God doesn’t micromanage. He has created us with great intelligence and imagination. My personal belief is that God is everywhere and will influence and guide our thoughts, hearts and actions when we draw close to Him and willingly seek Him.

Even though this same God helps each of us there arise conflicts and disagreements, even in the body of Christ. This is nothing new. Paul dealt with it regularly in the early Christian communities and it was the subject of many of the letters that are part of the New Testament scripture.

Despite the conflicts in the Body I know there is always a way to find common ground. Jesus was so wonderful at this. He showed us not to be biased, condemning or prideful. He showed us the “third” way to overcome two disagreeing sides. The third way is to be compassionate, considerate, thoughtful and prayerful, non-violent, and above all loving.

Yes, it is hard to do. But it is not impossible. Only we need God’s help. Humanity on its own resources can’t do it. All things are possible with God. Reconciliation, forgiveness, encouragement and the power to do what we can’t on our own. Today listen for God to speak to your heart.

Tom Gilbert

New Mexico is known as the “Land of Enchantment”. It is a very spiritual place and I love living here. The irony is that this state is also the birthplace of the Atomic Bomb. The United States poured a great deal of resources in developing the weapon and used it on two cities in Japan to bring about the end of World War II.

You can argue the pros and cons of this. But the mass destruction of lives in Hiroshima and Nagasaki is a human tragedy. The 60th anniversary of the dropping of the second bomb is today. Surely God and Jesus do not condone the use of such horrific violence, despite the best intentions. We must face the sin and repent if we are truly followers of the peaceful and non-violent way of Christ.

Our Spotlight Cause currently is The August 6 and 9 National Days of Remembrance and Action. Many groups are supportive of this and I encourage you to read and find out more here.

Tom Gilbert

Peter Jennings, the longtime news anchor for the ABC Television network, has died. He had gone public with the news of his cancer several months ago. In a way it typified his style. He wasn’t grandiose and he didn’t say things for sympathy. In a business obsessed with looks and ratings it seemed that he still cared about getting the facts out to the public, as best as such a corporately owned industry would allow.

I’m not sure about Jennings spiritual beliefs, but he did host a number of specials for his network about Christianity and its origins. These specials didn’t come down in favor or against the religious claims and that’s appropriate for a news oriented program. They did stir up thought and gave some historical framework to the Christian tenets and shed light on Jesus and the apostle Paul for many who might never tune in to a Billy Graham crusade.

It’s perhaps ironic that Jennings, in the wake of the retirements of Tom Brokaw (NBC) and Dan Rather (CBS), had to leave the airwaves because of illness, not choice. John Simpson, the BBC world affairs editor, has written something of a tribute to Peter Jennings and you can see it at the BBC news site (here).

It’s a new month and a Monday to boot! Here’s a little trick to employ when your day isn’t going how you would like it. You can start it over. Sure, you can’t make it morning again, but you can pause when in doubt or agitated, and then ask God to let you begin again, with guidance to help you face the day with love and care for others. Believe me; this does work, even if you have to do it more than once. I’m doing it right now.

Tom Gilbert