November 11, 2006
an inspiring couple of days
From Daily Reflections, p. 324:
We know that God lovingly watches over us. We know that when we turn to God, all will be well with us, here and hereafter.
I pray for the willingness to remember that I am a child of God, a divine soul in human form, and that my most basic an urgent life-task is to accept,, know, love and nurture myself. As I acccept myself, I am accepting God's will. As I know and love myself, I am knowing and loving God. As I nurture myself I am acting on God's guidance.
I pray for the willingness to let go of my arrogant self-criticism, and to praise God by humbly accepting and caring for myself.
Last night and today were quite inspiring. This is the weekend for the ABC-Metro Chicago annual meeting. There are sixty-five congregations in our region and I am beginning to think that God is asking something rather remarkable from us at this time. The ABC is undergoing some serious transition. As some of the very conservative evangelicals leave us, we are having to tighten our budget nationally. As we have spent the last 15 years wrangling over a variety of theological issues (not just the issue of human sexuality...oh no...), we have neglected much of what was intended to be a common mission. This is why Baptist affiliate in the first place...in order to do missional work that a single congregation cannot. But we're human. We get sidetracked easily into other issues.
Well, in response to an expressed need for renewed common mission, the national level church has crafted a Children in Poverty Initiative. With such foci as public education, health care and taxes, various regions are beginning to develop ministries to respond to this daunting task. Our region is no exception.
Last night we enjoyed hearing about Kids Hope United and their work as well as a sermon on 2 Samuel 21 by Marilyn Turner from National Ministries. This morning a professor from Northern Seminary spoke to us about a new testament theology of justice in response to increasing poverty in this country. And a speaker from the Heartland Alliance shared with us her thoughts and more statistics on the problem of poverty in Illinois than I could digest. It was incredible.
And if that were not enough, our own business meeting was inspiring. That, however, is a post for another day.
It is interesting then to read todays reflection from Daily Reflections, a book of "devotionals" from AA. "This is a book of reflections by AA members for AA members." I like today's reading. In light of the prophetic work with which we were charged this morning, it is good to remember that we too are of value. We are God's children, God's little ones. So often I hear stories of care givers who forget this truth. The meditation is about self care. It is about self love...of the positive variety that is. And it is a lesson worth remembering. I'll tell you more about this tomorrow.
I have before me the icon of the Holy Family as I type this. One way I think we can understand the importance of caring for our children is in thinking about Jesus' own childhood. That God was once a child is worthy of countless sermons and reflections. That Jesus received care from people like me and you is also remarkable. You see, for me this leads to thinking of all children as Christ...and all of us are someone's child. We are all deserving of such love and care. We are deserving simply because God was one of us...God created and redeems us. I am thinking that this Initiative is a good thing. And I am hopeful that we will include ourselves within its ministry.
Posted by tripp at November 11, 2006 07:26 PM