The Christian Left

On Facebook, I am connected with a site called "The Christian Left." The following two pictures were downloaded from that site. Here is the first:

I love the sweet innocence on the child's face as she holds the poignant sign. I want to offer some commentary, but find that I am more compelled to let the picture stand on its own.

And now the other image to consider:

This was posted in relation to the battle in Wisconsin where one governor, named Scott, is seeking to bust unions and to "balance the budget" on the backs of education and teachers. I am in Florida, where another governor, who is also named Scott, is doing something similar, but taking a different approach.

The church I am attending has chosen as their mission statement: Being the face of Christ in our community." I like that statement. It challenges me to think about my own choices in life. If I am to truly "be the face of Christ" it seems that I need to be more pro-active about standing with those who are teachers and laborers, I need to "speak truth to power," I need to advocate for and provide service to those who are the targets of the powerful, be they corporate powers, governmental powers, or just brute power of people who are afraid of losing what illusion of control they are holding on to. When we stand with powerful forces in the hopes of advancing or protecting ourselves then we are standing in opposition to the teachings, ministry, and life of Jesus.

Sadly, many Christians have chosen that path.  

Honk for Education

Yesterday was a state wide rally for education as Governor Scott, of Florida, and the Florida Legislature are preparing to address what they see as needed budget cuts and using this an excuse to advance other agendas that have been itching at them for some time.
One agenda is a re-write of how we will do education in our state, and across the country. Another agenda is to dis-empower the working class unions so that they will have less of a voice (almost no voice left) in government. So, the teachers who love their work as educators, and who appreciate the collective position they have through the teachers union, gathered to show their unity and to raise awareness. It was delightful to hear so many drivers responding by honking their horns, by waving and smiling, and giving a "thumbs up."


I don't know what the answer is for improving education in our state, but I do know that when we simplify a problem we are denying ourselves the opportunity to address the real issues. Our society is much more complex than it ever was, our schools are more diverse, our communities are disengaged from all institutions, families are struggling to make ends meet and to make sense of what they are experiencing, and young people are often struggling to find where they  "fit in." And that just scratches the tip of the iceberg. But it is so much simpler to say that the problem is that we have too many teachers that are not cutting it, and if we have good teachers they can handle larger classes.

What do you think? What are the true challenges in education? What would make a real difference in providing a good foundation for tomorrow's adults? I would be interested in hearing from you.

Social Networking Experiments

There was a recent story about social networking. Ok, there have been many stories recently, about social networking. In one, particular story there was a comment about the number of people who are checking Facebook updates on their smartphones before they get out of bed, or perhaps they get onto Facebook on their computer (poor saps, with such obsolete equipment) while getting their first cup of coffee. A minister on staff of a rather large church that will use time in the morning with facebook, email, and other social networking as her time for personal meditation. This is a younger person who

A Beautiful Song and A Beautiful Singer

Waking From Dreamless Sleep

Recently, I was revisited by an experience for early in my ministry. As a young pastor I was serving in a rural/residential congregation. One of the men in the church had been a FDR Democrat, was a proud union member, a blue collar worker all of his life. He was a “man’s man.” When I knew him, he had been retired and enjoying some of “the fruits of his labors.” Then he ended up having a heart by-pass surgery.

MLiBB 2. Breakthrough with Friendships

Elementary School years were a pretty good time for me. My family moved when I was in the second grade, from Tampa, where we had been living in rental homes, to Orange Park, a “bed room” community south of Jacksonville. Our house sat at the main entrance to the school where I would attend the remainder of 2nd and continue through the 6th grade.

MLiBB 1 -- My First Break in Life

When I was in the first grade I experienced my first broken bone. It all started out innocently, enough, but isn’t that usually the case. A group of us kids from the street were at my next door neighbor’s house playing Cannon Ball. Cannon Ball is a simple, imaginative game. One person, usually a bigger one in the group, lays down with his back on the ground to be the Cannon. He draws his legs up to his chest, with feet positioned for the Ball. The Ball is a lighter kid who simply sits on the feet of the Cannon. The Cannon then launches the Ball for a squealing flight in the air, landing safely several feet away.