Tag Archives: Martin Luther King Jr.
Growing in Power
Good and Bad Power Growing in Power Monday, August 9, 2021 It is precisely the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest which are the indispensable ones. (1 Corinthians 12:22) How ingeniously you get around the commandment of God in order to preserve your own traditions! (Mark 7:9) The epigraphs above are… Continue Reading Growing in Power
Good Power
Good and Bad Power Good Power Sunday, August 8, 2021 Despite the many abuses of power documented throughout history, power itself cannot be inherently bad. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is described as dynamis, which means power (Acts 10:38; 1 Corinthians 2:5). Jesus tells his disciples before his Ascension that “You will receive… Continue Reading Good Power
Envisioning a New World
Prophetic Imagination Envisioning a New World Thursday, March 25, 2021 One of the most prominent prophets in recent American history is Martin Luther King Jr. Like the prophets of Israel, he saw not just what was wrong with his nation, but how it might be restored to the promise upon which it was founded. The… Continue Reading Envisioning a New World
Liberation: Weekly Summary
Liberation Saturday, January 23, 2021 Week Three Summary and Practice Sunday, January 17–Friday, January 22, 2021 Sunday The story of Israel symbolically describes the experience of our own liberation by God, which is both an outer freedom and an inner freedom. Monday Liberation requires individuals willing to stand when no one else will, to sit… Continue Reading Liberation: Weekly Summary
Love Your Enemies
The Transforming Power of Love Love Your Enemies Monday, November 9, 2020 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ But I say unto you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. —Matthew… Continue Reading Love Your Enemies
Love at the Center
Being Peaceful Change Love at the Center Friday, July 31, 2020 Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognized as children of God. —Matthew 5:9 Today many think we can achieve peace through violence. The myth that violence solves problems is part of the way we think and is in direct opposition to all great religious teachings. Our need for immediate… Continue Reading Love at the Center
Community: Weekly Summary
Community Saturday, May 9, 2020 Summary: Sunday, May 3 — Friday, May 9, 2020 How can the Center for Action and Contemplation continue to be of service, building on what God has already done with us? How can we offer something of further value that has authority and believability on its own? (Sunday) We learn… Continue Reading Community: Weekly Summary
The Third Way
Nonviolence The Third Way Tuesday, August 20, 2019 Walter Wink (1935–2012), with whom I taught at several conferences some years ago, wrote a brilliant book, Jesus and Nonviolence, on a third way between fight and flight. I can see why Jesus calls it “a narrow path,” as it’s not the ego’s default or preferred method.… Continue Reading The Third Way
Contemplation AND Action
Action and Contemplation: Week 1 Contemplation AND Action Friday, May 13, 2016 I used to think that most of us must begin with contemplation or a unitive encounter with God and are then led through that experience to awareness of the suffering of the world and to solidarity with that suffering in some form of… Continue Reading Contemplation AND Action
Diversity in Community
Community Diversity in Community Friday, April 22, 2016 Most of our churches are rather homogeneous. Yet church, of all places, should be inclusive and reflective of our diverse and complex world. Shane Claiborne describes the all too familiar scene: We are always most comfortable around people who are like us. I think that’s true of… Continue Reading Diversity in Community