the minority report on faith and culture
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Patience, people, till the Lord is come.
See the farmer await the yield of the soil.
He watches it in winter and in spring rain.
Patience, people, till the Lord is come.
You have seen the purpose of the Lord.
You know of his compassion and His mercy.
Patience, people, till the Lord is come.
Steady your hearts, for the Lord is close at hand.
And do not grumble, one against the other.
Patience, people, till the Lord is come.
This daily calendar can be used individually or as a family. It is designed to help reflect on the bounty in our lives through specific, simple daily actions that have a nominal price tag. Use a container and label it “Abundance” and leave it in a prominent place in your home. At the end of the Holiday Season, donate the money to your favorite charity.
December 1 Give $1.00 for each person for whom you buy a Christmas gift.
December 2 Cut three coupons from your grocery circular and donate the items you buy to your local food pantry.
December 3 Give $.10 for each writing instrument in your home
December 4 Give $.10 for each light bulb in your home.
December 5 Give $.25 for each pair of shoes, boots, flip flops, etc.
December 6 Give $.01 for each book you own.
December 7 Give $1.00 for every set of dishes you own.
December 8 Give $.10 for every CD/DVD you own, including downloaded files
December 9 Give $.05 for every chair you own.
December 10 Give $.25 for every kitchen appliance you own, including portable ones.
December 11 Give $.25 for each piece of fresh fruit you ate today.
December 12 Give $.25 for each fresh vegetable you ate today.
December 13 Give $1.00 for every computer, phone and electronic device in your home.
December 14 Give $.10 for every coffee/tea mug in your home.
December 15 Give $1.00 for every television in your home.
December 16 Give $2.00 for every piece of property you own.
December 17 Give $2.00 if you own a boat or recreational vehicle.
December 19 Give $.05 for each condiment/sauce/pickle jar in your refrigerator.
December 20 Give $.25 for each lawn/garden machine you own.
December 21 Give $.25 for each portable electric tool you own.
December 22 Give $25 for each source of protein in your kitchen (eggs, meat, canned beans, etc.)
December 23 Give $.50 for each pet your own
December 24 Give $1.00 for every vehicle you own
December 25 Give thanks for the abundance in your life while remembering those who have nothing. Count the money as a family and decide which charity will receive it.
Happy Holidays
Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.
When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain. Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.
In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.
Today I am grateful for you, dear readers. I appreciate your support, comments and faithfulness.
What are you grateful for today?
This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.
Traditionally Advent is the four Sundays before Christmas. Untraditionally, it is a daily spiritual practice that can help us stay grounded in the midst of what can otherwise be the busiest time of the year.
The four Sundays of Advent represent hope, peace, love and joy, which are central themes of the Judeo Christian tradition. Whether you go to church or not, Advent can be a time of rich reflection. The peace and promise of the season is to be found in that place where we embody the promises of hope, faith, joy and peace.
To encourage your reflection, I will post something each day, a reflection, music file, quote or book.
It is my hope that these small offerings will bring opportunity for a quiet moment and some reflection on the promises of the season.
Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.
When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain. Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.
In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.
Today I am grateful for the seasons and traditions of Advent. It is a season of expectant waiting, prayer and reflection.
What are you grateful for today?
This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.
Buy Nothing Day began in Vancouver, BC, in 1992 when a group of people decided to openly challenge the culture of consumerism.
Within a few years it moved to the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. Also known as Black Friday, it is one of the ten busiest shopping days of the year. Economic forecasts for the coming year are often conjectured from the shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, beginning with Black Friday.
Buy Nothing Day is now observed in 65 nations around the world by people of every religious persuasion, those of no particular religion and everywhere in between. The common commitment is to openly challenge the pervasive culture of consumerism that is degrading the environment and creating bigger gaps between the rich and the poor.
Participating in Buy Nothing Day is a concrete action that stands against the economic machine that kicks into high gear in the season known as “The Holidays.” It is a powerful reminder that can help anchor the rest of the season.
Jesus was born into a peasant family in a time when crushing poverty was the lot of most people. His message of release, justice and peace touched people at their deepest level of need. As people who celebrate the in-breaking of the kin-dom in the world, focusing our giving on those in need, and shunning mindless consumerism is a subtle but powerful witness to the true meaning of this season.
This year why not discover the surprising joy of buying absolutely nothing on Black Friday?
Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.
When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain. Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.
In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.
Today I am grateful for Native Americans who speak their truth and challenge our revisionist history.
What are you grateful for today?
This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.
Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.
When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain. Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.
In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.
Today I am grateful for my family. Today would have been my mother’s birthday. She died five years ago from complications of Multiple Sclerosis. She taught me a great deal about the grace of living with limitations. My father taught me the meaning of fidelity and faithfulness as her caregiver. My sister was my father’s right hand through it all. I cherish every day with my father and my sister as well as my extended family.
What are you grateful for today?
This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.
Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.
When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain. Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.
In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.
Today I am grateful for health insurance. I continue to believe it is a basic human right, not a privilege but in our country it is a privilege afforded to those with the means to pay. I am mindful of those who do not have access to the health care they need.
What are you grateful for today?
This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.
Every day for the month of November I will post something for which I am grateful. I invite you to join me in this exercise privately or by leaving a comment to share with others. Please share this blog with others and invite them to share this month long practice.
When we live from a place of gratitude within, our energy and being shift, neurobiologists believe it actually rewires the brain. Gratitude regulates the sympathetic nervous system, where our anxiety response is activated. By living from a place of gratitude we strengthen the mind/body connection and it causes a physiological response. . Gratitude can help relieve stress and pain, improve health over time and lighten depression.
In short, practicing gratitude can make us kinder more peaceful people.
Today I am grateful for the ability to think. I don’t always do it well but I am ever aware of its gifts and graces.
What are you grateful for today?
This blog is a safe space. The intent is to civilly engage social and political issues in a theological context. It is predicated on the inherent dignity and worth of all humanity and creation. Disrespectful, hateful and judgmental comments will be removed. Off topic comments, photographs and links to other sites may be removed at the discretion of the moderator.
The Irreverent Reverend 