CMK on November 10th, 2008
As I sat in a faith community gathering this week, we read some remarkable words from Jesus. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is quoted as saying:
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great..” Luke 6:35
Everytime I hear these words I am challenged on a personal level, though I have been blessed with a limited number of personal enemies. But, what if we read this passage in view of the collective? How would this influence our domestic laws? our foreign policy? Specifically, should we stop figuring out how to drop a bunker-buster bombs on Al Qaeda members, and start dreaming up ways we can do good to them and give them money?
So, what do you think? Was Jesus crazy or does it just seem so because of our marriage to a militant view of conflict resolution? I look forward to hearing your view. Have a great week!
CMK on November 7th, 2008
CMK on November 5th, 2008
It’s over at last. After nearly two years of campaigning (and too many political posts on this blog), Barack Obama has been elected President of the United States of America. Although more people voted for Obama than any president since LBJ, there are still many in this country who find themselves disillusioned today, disappointed at the results, and carrying the weight of impending doom. Then, there are many of us who are estacic, flush with the thrill of victory and the pandora’s box of possibility which opened last evening. Regardless of where you fall on that spectrum, I think we can agree on one, enduring truth: We have a lot of work to do.
I use “we” intentionally here, for to assume that the future of the United States of America depends on Barack Obama or the Democratic Party is a fallacy. It is our responsibility, yours and mine, to create the country which we desire. We all have an amazing perspective to offer, and together the hidden resources which we possess are more than enough. We need each of us, in our communities, to work tirelessly to shape the future we desire, to bring into view the world we’ve imagined. Last night simply inspires us to know that anything is possible.
This is not a time for polarization. Many on the far right will feel the need to oppose the new President, even claiming that his election is evidence of the impending armageddon as interpreted from Biblical passages. Many on the far left will revel in the power they think they now have and advocate for changes they desire wiht little regard for the opinions of others. Neither approach is needed in this time.
Instead, we need to come together, to get everyone at the table, to listen to unheard voices and to embody the changes we desire. Barack Obama cannot fix our world. But, together, all of us, one step at a time, with Barack as our leader, we can do so much. This is what changed last night. We now have a reminder that anything is possible, that our problems are not insurmountable, and that we can create a future beyond our wildest imaginations. It’s time to get to work.
CMK on November 3rd, 2008
In two days we will wake up with a new president-elect of the United States of America. After nearly two years of campaigning, this journey will come to an end and either Barack Obama of John McCain will be named the next president. With as much time, money, and discussion that has gone into this campaign, I’m wondering how you, the wonderful readers of my blog, think the conclusion of this will change your lives. We’ve both seen people very excited about their candidate winning and claiming this to be the second-coming of Jesus or Mohammed, while others are spreading fear about the sky falling if their guy loses. My question is this:
On November 5th, 2008, what will be different about your life if John McCain or Barack Obama are elected as President of the United States? What changes?
As always, I look forward to your responses. I have a couple thoughts on this, but I’d love to hear what you think first.
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.chrismichaelkirk.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://www.chrismichaelkirk.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://www.chrismichaelkirk.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Google]](http://www.chrismichaelkirk.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[Technorati]](http://www.chrismichaelkirk.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.png)
![[Email]](http://www.chrismichaelkirk.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
