troubling times, but not without hope

these are, indeed, troubling times; 'remembering 9/11' brings up many emotions, and responses; some responses are troubling to say the least.





for instance, what good does it due for someone to burn a holy book? book burning is useless, and undignified, and only draws more attention to the issue at hand. the qu'ran is a book that holds a belief. we may not agree with everything in it -- as the christian faith does not agree on all points in the bible, but are there insights in the qu'ran worth exploring? no doubt. does burning a written history of belief make it disappear, or heal a wound, or make one feel better? i think no! we do have the freedom not to read and become aware. perhaps we might put our energy into making that choice rather than striking a match.

much in the same way, hate groups provide no redeeming qualities. such is the case happening in madera, ca; with a group targeting the muslim people, planned parenthood, the united methodist church, the sheriffs department.... as a faith people, should not our energies be better placed in working toward justice, and serving god by eliminating oppression; focusing on health, wholeness, compassion, peace, love? i know my soul is inspired when i can participate in living kindness and hope.

perhaps, the troubling times in which we live, really are about finding hope. so let me share a couple of 'hope-filled' things.





yesterday, i was invited to a cross-country race for our four community middle-schools. this picture to the right shows the seventh grade girls about to run...the ready, set and (cover your ears) sound of the gun...they're off! running by the beautiful yosemite lake near u.c. merced....what a wonderful location for healthy competition!

and i didn't notice any attitude that would interfere with 'doing ones best'. nothing but encouragement and support. and great diversity! in these troubling times, we are not without hope!

following the races -- there were six of them, i journeyed onto the u.c. campus that is growing and expanding. one of the insights i had was that if we are going to connect with students in a relational way, we have to learn how to text! without that form of communication, we'll never be able to relate to these times.

i was blessed by the wesley club on campus, hosting the missionary and photo journalist, paul jeffery. his photos tell the story of our world that is filled with hazards and vulnerability. our invitation in these troubling times, is to become aware, respond, and yes, build hope. we cannot respond to every need, but we can be involved with one area, and become better informed and actively involved! We can become empowered to empower others; we can become relational, by helping others relate. Being aware....that conflict minerals is the new conflict diamonds in africa; that solidarity can happen by becoming involved in taking a stand, as it did in a clothing factory where environmental issues were being ignored. we could watch 'charlie wilson's war', and listen to the ending that was overlooked by others.

we can educate ourselves by diving into information about the congo, the sudan, darfur, and finding out where our clothing is being made -- and by whom....children, perhaps? and by the time those middle school age pre-teens (that were racing here in merced) reach the age of 22 in another country, they are used up, and tossed out and must find new employment....at the age of 22! i'm turning 52 this week! i must be really over the hill....but no one has ever turned me out of a job because i'm useless. i can only imagine what that is like.

in these troubling times, we cannot rely only on a soundbite from the news, or a headline from a paper. when something troubles us, we need to listen to that spirit-led urging, and begin to explore. from where does our hope come? where do you find hope?

what could god possibly be saying to you in these troubling times? how are you going to respond?