I've received a few emails recently concerning the idea of removing the motto, "In God We Trust" from our nation's money. One message was about a survey MSNBC was taking about removing the slogan. A couple of folks even sent me a song, "In God We Still Trust," that is banned from the airways.
Here's my reply to this general topic:
My belief for decades has been that our nation's unwritten slogan has been "In America We Trust." 9/11 helped many realize we can't trust ourselves, but for the most part, it has only increased our efforts to trust in our own efforts, might, strength, money. Many turn to God when the going gets rough, but it would be better if all professing believers really trusted Him every day.
Frankly, I don't think God wants His Name on our money, but I can't really speak for Him. However, Jesus did say to give to the government (Caesar) the things that belong to it and to God the things that are His. The prophets repeatedly said He hates our empty rituals, but He wants our hearts. That can't be legalized, or il-legalized.
When believers support the slogan, "In God We Trust," on our money, when we cannot say that as a nation we really trust in God, then we are agreeing with unbelievers to break the first commandment of the Ten Commandments, taking God's Name in vain. To identify something with His Name that is not true, is, in fact, taking His Name in vain, besides breaking another commandment, lying. When God's Name is outlawed, then only true believers will call on Him, and we will not be supporting others in using His Name in vain.
My thoughts are similar for the oft-used phrase, "God Bless America."
For more, read my 9/12/2008 post: "Remembering September 11."
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Relationships - a funny time machine
Lent, Easter, Pentecost - all have passed and summer is coming fast. Time sure flies when you're having fun.
One the most recent fun things I experienced was a family reunion in Oklahoma. It was Memorial Day weekend, and it was too, too brief. The Williams "cousins" met to celebrate the life of Great-grandfather Williams and his offspring - of which there were plenty. My Grandmother (Audria) was one of 13 children from his first wife. There was a second wife, who gave birth to one child. Then his third wife, Callie, had 13 more. In all, John W. had 27 children. This reunion was a gathering of the surviving children (and their children) of the first 13 and last 13 (the middle one has been lost over time).
There's an interesting twist in this family. My grandmother, Audria, married Ulus (sp?), or U. G. (Daddy Wofford). His sister, Callie, was Great-grandfather Williams' third wife, making her Audria's step-mother, while she was also her sister-in-law. So, Callie was my Dad's aunt (on U.G.'s side) and his step-grandmother (on Audria's side). That makes Callie my great aunt and my step-great grandmother.
While I had never met most of the folks at the Oklahoma reunion, I felt a great sense of belonging, being related to both the first and last 13. I'm related to the first 13 children of John W. directly through my Grandmother Audria; yet, I'm also related to the last 13 children directly through Ulus being the brother of Callie.
Relationships are a funny blessing. We don't choose our family relationships, except in the case of our immediate spouse. Yet, we find ourselves cast into a mix with diverse people from north/south, east/west, mainline Protestants/Latter Day Saints, straight/gay, old/young. We shouted a mantra on occasions at our reunion gathering: "We are kin-folks! We are kin-folks! We are kin-folks!" From our arrivals to our departures, our fun, food, local tours, jokes, songs, laughter, tears - were all held together by the one main thing we have in common - "We are kin-folks."
Whether one believes in an original, unique Adam/Eve, or a symbolic original couple for humanity, the fact remains that "We are kin-folks!" Having just returned from this wonderful family reminder of our kinship, it was refreshing to hear our U. S. President this week, as he addressed the Muslims of the world with a tone that reached out for a common ground to Muslims, Jews and Christians (and certainly no intentional omission of others). Quoting from the Holy Scriptures of each of these branches of the family tree of Abraham, our President called us together in the name of Peace.
May peace come sooner, rather than later. We are kin-folks!
One the most recent fun things I experienced was a family reunion in Oklahoma. It was Memorial Day weekend, and it was too, too brief. The Williams "cousins" met to celebrate the life of Great-grandfather Williams and his offspring - of which there were plenty. My Grandmother (Audria) was one of 13 children from his first wife. There was a second wife, who gave birth to one child. Then his third wife, Callie, had 13 more. In all, John W. had 27 children. This reunion was a gathering of the surviving children (and their children) of the first 13 and last 13 (the middle one has been lost over time).
There's an interesting twist in this family. My grandmother, Audria, married Ulus (sp?), or U. G. (Daddy Wofford). His sister, Callie, was Great-grandfather Williams' third wife, making her Audria's step-mother, while she was also her sister-in-law. So, Callie was my Dad's aunt (on U.G.'s side) and his step-grandmother (on Audria's side). That makes Callie my great aunt and my step-great grandmother.
While I had never met most of the folks at the Oklahoma reunion, I felt a great sense of belonging, being related to both the first and last 13. I'm related to the first 13 children of John W. directly through my Grandmother Audria; yet, I'm also related to the last 13 children directly through Ulus being the brother of Callie.
Relationships are a funny blessing. We don't choose our family relationships, except in the case of our immediate spouse. Yet, we find ourselves cast into a mix with diverse people from north/south, east/west, mainline Protestants/Latter Day Saints, straight/gay, old/young. We shouted a mantra on occasions at our reunion gathering: "We are kin-folks! We are kin-folks! We are kin-folks!" From our arrivals to our departures, our fun, food, local tours, jokes, songs, laughter, tears - were all held together by the one main thing we have in common - "We are kin-folks."
Whether one believes in an original, unique Adam/Eve, or a symbolic original couple for humanity, the fact remains that "We are kin-folks!" Having just returned from this wonderful family reminder of our kinship, it was refreshing to hear our U. S. President this week, as he addressed the Muslims of the world with a tone that reached out for a common ground to Muslims, Jews and Christians (and certainly no intentional omission of others). Quoting from the Holy Scriptures of each of these branches of the family tree of Abraham, our President called us together in the name of Peace.
May peace come sooner, rather than later. We are kin-folks!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
New Beginnings (Part 2)
Another new beginning:
After over a year of commuting to my job, I finally started my new job here for the new year of 2009. I'm glad to be at home full-time now (except for some occasional travel).
We decided in mid-2007 to move closer to our children/grandchildren. We bought our house in early 2008, but little did we know that it would take so long to get a new job here as well. I'm so thankful to friends near our old home who let me stay with them during the week while I was still working there. The rising gas prices last summer were especially hard, but having caring friends to give me a safe and happy place to stay made it a more enjoyable experience. I'm so thankful for the many prayers that led to my getting the right job in the right place at the right time.
In the midst of my joy, I cannot forget the many who are losing jobs in the current economic situation. I continue to pray for them (you) and can boldly say - "Don't give up!"
After over a year of commuting to my job, I finally started my new job here for the new year of 2009. I'm glad to be at home full-time now (except for some occasional travel).
We decided in mid-2007 to move closer to our children/grandchildren. We bought our house in early 2008, but little did we know that it would take so long to get a new job here as well. I'm so thankful to friends near our old home who let me stay with them during the week while I was still working there. The rising gas prices last summer were especially hard, but having caring friends to give me a safe and happy place to stay made it a more enjoyable experience. I'm so thankful for the many prayers that led to my getting the right job in the right place at the right time.
In the midst of my joy, I cannot forget the many who are losing jobs in the current economic situation. I continue to pray for them (you) and can boldly say - "Don't give up!"
New Beginnings (Part 1)
We sang a song at church this morning that said, "This is a day of new beginnings ... "
Since my last post, Election Day 2008, I have had some new beginnings. The first, in mid-November joined a wonderful church here. We had been attending frequently during the past year, as well as participating and visiting other churches. We finally decided that we are "at home" at Broadway UMC. Broadway actively seeks and welcomes ALL people. It is probably the most diverse church of which I have ever been a member; however, it is a prime example of why I became a United Methodist a little over five years ago. We celebrate together the things that we hold in common with other Christians, rather than proclaiming our differences with others. After all, Christianity, to me, is about unity. Jesus said the world will know we are His by the love we have for one another; and He also said to love others as we love ourselves. Broadway UMC is a church of love for ALL people.
11/8/2016 revision:
A couple of years ago (this coming Advent season) we began attending East 10th UMC, closer to our home, and are assisting with a modest amount of worship music. We continue to be members at Broadway, but they've allowed us to be "missionaries" to our east side community. We love this congregation and tremendous outreach they have in the near east side of Indianapolis.
Since my last post, Election Day 2008, I have had some new beginnings. The first, in mid-November joined a wonderful church here. We had been attending frequently during the past year, as well as participating and visiting other churches. We finally decided that we are "at home" at Broadway UMC. Broadway actively seeks and welcomes ALL people. It is probably the most diverse church of which I have ever been a member; however, it is a prime example of why I became a United Methodist a little over five years ago. We celebrate together the things that we hold in common with other Christians, rather than proclaiming our differences with others. After all, Christianity, to me, is about unity. Jesus said the world will know we are His by the love we have for one another; and He also said to love others as we love ourselves. Broadway UMC is a church of love for ALL people.
11/8/2016 revision:
A couple of years ago (this coming Advent season) we began attending East 10th UMC, closer to our home, and are assisting with a modest amount of worship music. We continue to be members at Broadway, but they've allowed us to be "missionaries" to our east side community. We love this congregation and tremendous outreach they have in the near east side of Indianapolis.
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