Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, September 11, 2022
On this day of remembering September 11, 2001, I am reflecting on the continual injustice, national violence, and terror that continues to exist in our world.
Our initial response to injustice since the beginning of time has been to respond with violence. Unfortunately, the reality is that as long as war is an option, we will not have the creative imagination required to consider other options.
As a follower of the One who is considered the Prince of Peace, I have to believe there is another way. The way of Jesus is the way of peace. Peace cannot be forced. Justice will not lead to peace when imposed by the strong on the weak. The Sermon on the Mount in the gospel of Matthew, given by Jesus, teaches that the way of Jesus is to be meek, merciful, pure, devoted to peacemaking, and willing to suffer persecution. The follower of Jesus is challenged to reveal the character of God in the world, and that is nowhere more resolutely shown than in the teaching of Jesus on loving our enemies. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:44, 45).
I am a realist and recognize that we live in a world that assumes war and violence as viable solutions to the conflicts in our world. I also understand that the talk of “loving your enemies” and “praying for those who persecute you” sounds too religious or other-worldly for some to consider in international politics. However, I have entrusted myself to a community that teaches the way to peace and justice through forgiveness and reconciliation instead of power and aggression. In a world that is trying to justify itself by going to war, we need courageous and creative communities to live differently.
Jamey
Prayer for the week
Gracious God, you reign from sea to sea with wisdom and justice. May your peace fill the whole world. We pray for places around the globe where people are victimized, safety is threatened, freedoms are denied, and life is treated as anything less than sacred.
Please help us to be a people of vision, courage, and commitment, offering your hope and comfort to all we meet. May we be the person where compassion finds a home and love is our guide. Amen.
Pre-recorded online worship from Gainesville First UMC, Gainesville, Georgia
Light of the World: The Blind Can See
The gospel writer spends two verses on the miracle and thirty-nine on the reaction.
The blindness at the heart of the story is not the man disabled from birth but the ones who have the ability to see and refuse to take notice.
It is possible to be in the presence of the light of the world and still be in the dark.
Give thanks to the grace of God that you once were blind but now can see. Don’t be the person who once could see but has now become blind.
Five Things to Do in the Fall Instead of Ruining it With Pumpkin Spice
Visit a Corn Maze - 6 GEORGIA CORN MAZES FOR FAMILY FUN
Make Apple Butter Cobbler with Drop Biscuits - Click Here for Recipe
Make a thankful tablecloth - Read about it here
Plant some mums
Meme of the Week
Dad Jokes
What do you get when you drop a pumpkin? Squash!
What did one leaf say to another? I’m falling for you.
Photo of the Week (Photos taken by me)
Book I am Reading This Week
How Full Is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath
INTERESTING ARTICLES, PODCASTS, OR VIDEOS FROM THE WEEK
Pastor Timothy Keller Speaks to the Head and the Heart
These Veterans Have Found a Post-Service Mission: Beekeeping
DEMENTIA AND CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
‘Lifestyle migration’: Why Americans are moving
From Truth to Trust: Reimagining the Future of Christian Apologetics
Making A Difference
Orphanage Emmanuel, located in Guaimaca, Honduras, needs steel-toed work boots for their teenage students. These boots are needed for work on the farm, where students learn about being good stewards of the land, and for vocational training, where teens learn the skills of construction and agriculture. The boots can be purchased using the registry below, and all purchases must be made by September 19.
Click Here for to Purchase Boots
Weekly Blessing and/or Quotes
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” — From Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Here's a joke for you....How do you fix a broken jack-o-lantern? With a pumpkin patch.