Tag Archives: service

Farewell, Mr. President!

For eight years we have been blessed with a scandal-free First Family. I, for one, will miss President Obama’s quiet dignity and deep strength in the face of all the hatred and opposition he faced from the moment he took the oath of office.

History will bear record to his accomplishments. He has exemplified true servant leadership and has led our nation with intelligence, wit, humor and true humility.

We now enter a new era where the new leader of our nation thrives on lies and scandals, cannot communicate a clear thought and reeks of racism, xenophobia and bigotry. I, along with most of the world, am holding my breath as the United States begins a perilous journey led by an ego larger than the nation, itself.

Farewell, President Obama, and God bless you. You are already missed.

believe

“My fellow Americans, it has been the honor of my life to serve you. I won’t stop; in fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my remaining days. But for now, whether you are young or whether you’re young at heart, I do have one final ask of you as your president — the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago.

I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change — but in yours.”

– President Barack Obama

The closing words from President Obama’s Farewell Address are as powerful as they are poignant. A true servant leader, he understands the power of belief and the results that come from working together.

His wisdom, his grace and his smile will be sorely missed once he leaves office.

everybody can be great…

My hope for the new year is that we all learn the joy that comes from serving those most in need, May each of you be blessed by love; the love you receive from those around you, and the love you give for the least of these among us. May your hearts be filled with grace and your souls with peace.

An Advent Prayer

In this Advent of expectation
draw us together in unity,
that our praise and worship
might echo in these walls
and also through our lives.
In this Advent of expectation
draw us together in mission,
that the hope within
might be the song we sing,
and the melody of our lives.
In this Advent of expectation
draw us together in service,
that the path we follow
might lead us from a stable
to a glimpse of eternity.
Amen

a lie is a lie

A lie is a lie no matter how many times it is repeated. It is the opposite of the truth, Wrong is the opposite of right. Evil is diametrically opposed to good.

It doesn’t matter how many times a lie is told, or evil is lifted up as good, a lie is a lie and evil cannot be good. Rick Warren is right about this. It doesn’t matter how many accept a lie or agree that evil is good. A lie can never be the truth and evil can never be good.

This is especially critical for us to understand during this Presidential Campaign.  We all recognize a lie when we hear it. We all know the difference between right and wrong. We have all been taught the difference between good and evil.

I will cast my ballot for the candidate who has not repeatedly been caught lying during this campaign, the candidate who does not have a long history of racism, bigotry, fear-mongering, inciting violence, and defrauding all those possible. I cannot in good conscience vote for a pompous, egotistical, self-aggrandizing braggart whose bullying is already legendary.

Some of the values I have learned from my faith are love, humility, gentleness and service to others. One candidate reflects these values with a lifetime of public service. The other consistently demonstrates just the opposite.

For me the choice is simple. I recognize a liar when I hear one. I know the difference between right and wrong. And like you, I definitely know the difference between good and evil.

 

a joy I find nowhere else

It’s almost 5:00pm and I am on my way home from India and Nicaragua. I am feeling a little ragged around the edges, but it will definitely be good to sleep in my own bed tonight.

I am currently in Atlanta. My flight gets into RDU after 9:00. By the time I get my car and get on the road it will probably be around midnight before I see Lynchburg. Since we left the hotel just a little after 5am that makes for yet another long day, but nothing a good night’s sleep won’t take care of.

I thoroughly enjoyed my brief time in Bangalore. But, the time in Nicaragua was like a cure for all that ails me. Being back in the field brings a joy I can find no where else. It makes all the stress of long flights a long layovers bearable.

I’ll be glad to get home…but the truth is that I would far rather still be in the mountains of Nicaragua working to change the lives of the least of these among us.

one rich little girl

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We live in a world infected by a viral consumerism that threatens our very survival. Here is a powerful antidote.

Less is more. Believe it. More stuff is not the answer.

True joy is not, and can never be, measured in larger bank accounts or the things that money can buy. True joy, comes from loving, giving and serving. True wealth is measured in caring and sharing.