Experimental Theology: Liturgies of Affection

Experimental Theology: Liturgies of Affection: In yesterday's post I talked about how we need liturgies of affection, habits and practices that help us to love others in the expansive...

These Days

I haven't commented about the president 0r the state of civility in this country- or more to the point the state of my Republican friends that support the changes at hand on FACEBOOK.

To start at the beginning of the change: I suffered through George W Bush. He was our President during a difficult time after 911 and I tried to be a good citizen. I did make fun of him at times for some of the crazy things he said without thought.  But he was my President and the leader of the USA.

When Obama won and took office, I was pleased. He was the best available person for the job. But from the beginning the Republican  party openly said that they would fight against all of his ideas. And  they did!  I watched an 8 year ugly attack.  My friends said that he was not THEIR President because he was after their guns and their freedom.  It was stated freely that he was going to try to become an emperor and end democracy.  Many said that he was not legit since he was not born in the USA and they had Donald Trump to quote.  They said that he was not Christian and was Muslim.

The last 8 years of attacks were not based on facts.

Facts have become irrelevant in our new society. True is what I believe. Don't muddy it with facts.

I have 8 years of this.

Now to my great surprise Donald Trump is the President.  Funny thing is: Those that NEVER accepted Obama as President say well now we should all come together and support him. Anyone who does not is unpatriotic.  I am confused. I was taught by these people that facts don't matter and never mind that they did not support the president for eight years , its my job to do it.

Trump can joke about molesting women and I'm told "Boys will be boys" but my Facebook is filled today with photos that people are deriding President Clinton because they think he was gawking at Mrs. Trump?  Bad Guy!

Trump is my President. He Stole it fair and Square in the current "Facts". He didn't need help but if the Russians, the FBI director , and Wikileaks want to show themselves , OK.

He is my President but he has NOT earned my respect for him as a man or as a Christian.

I am frankly appalled at my Religious friends who believe that he was place their by GOD.

I know the scripture that says that God allows any ruler to govern.  He allowed Saul to be Kind even though David was his choice.  He told Samuel that the people wanting a King was there rejection of HIM- GOD.  He gave them what the wanted. The rest is History.

My point is that GOD doesn't see the world like you and I.  Donald Trump has proven his ignorance of scripture and shows no relationship with GOD.

Christians like him because he is against abortion and NOT supporting people on welfare. In their minds these items out weigh  Humble, Kind, Compassion, etc.

I enter this time with NO exceptions of a Government for the people. I hope that I am wrong, but so far I am not.

Yes, I would love to talk.

The Founder- Grinding it Out

In 1977 I read a book by Ray Kroc called "Grinding it Out" it was about the making of McDonalds.  I was amazed by it because of Kroc's ability to see an idea and look at the possibilities. Now a movie is out called "The Founder" telling the same story with additional items added.  The Movie matches the story in the book.  I would recommend these to anyone that owns a business or competes at a high level in business.

While I would never condone some of his actions, he was driven man. He was not someone you would contract with without a team of GOOD attorneys.  It does tell the story of how two brothers changed the fast food industry and how another man bought their idea and franchised it to the world.

The movie is well acted and well done.  Starring Michael Keaton as Ray Kroc (He's perfect for this) it has a great cast.

I give it **** 1/2 stars. 2017 Movie #6

Live by Night

    

I read the series of book by Dennis Lehane about Joe Coughlin. The book was a great read and the movie followed it very close. Like "GodFather" this is a crime family movie with all the violence you would expect.  Ben Affleck directed, wrote the screen play and stars. I liked the book and the movie.

I give it ***stars. 2017 movie #5

Lion

Eagerly waited for "Lion" the rue story of a small boy lost in India who finds his mother 25 years later.  This is a tremendous story that is superbly told.  I was fortunate to see an interview with the actual people of the tale.  A five year year boy follows is brother to a train station where they searched under the seats of empty cars for loose change, etc. The boy falls asleep a wakes up 1,500 miles from home in a different country.  He next gets sent to Australia and as a 30 year old man decides to find is childhood home and family.

This is a great story of adoption and of life.  it is not lost on me that two of the first movies of the year dealt with the loss of a child only to be followed by a story of adoption.  My life.

Great movie and stay for the credits to see the real characters.

2017 Movie #4    It is ***** stars.

Showing Up 4

Think of the things that you and I need to show up for where words or deeds are extra.

Showing up when:

Our Kids or grandkids perform in sports, church or school

Our friends are in the hospital.

Our friends or family has a death.

We worship.

We vote.

Think of the many things were showing up is THE MAIN THING

Showing Up 3

James Taylor says in The Secret of Life:  "The thing about time is that time isn't really real. It's all on your point of view. How does it feel for you?"

You and I say that we are so-o-o-o busy.  

I have a Christian brother who is a retired, emty-nest, no part time job guy who always says that he can't make meetings for his church family because he doesn't have time.

I hand out bulletins at our Church worship on Sunday.  I get there at 9:00am and worship begins at 9:30 am.  I have watched everyone's patterns (of current attenders). I quit passing out these programs at 9:45 am because about a third of our group gets there after 9:30!  The families that come late are consistently late at the same time each week.  They are NOT late! They attend when they want.

These include "leaders".

I went back and revisited Psalms 122 to verify that David did not say:

"Let us go up to the house of the LORD when we are good and damn ready!"

Psalms 121 "the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."