Sheep Led to the Slaughter???

On my morning walk today, saw folks going into a church ...

first thought that came to mind:
"Sheep led to the slaughter."

Which reminds me,
people are willing
more than willing
to believe.

And just about anything
will do
when presented
with conviction or
authority or
whatever.

And, no doubt,
it's been a slaughter
sometimes.

The landscape of
church history
littered
with bodies.

But ...
not always ...

And I'm hopeful
that the gift
of the sheep
will always be
treated
with respect
by pastors
churches
theologians.

Who know something
of the human spirit.
The Spirit of God.

To believe.
A wonderful gift
an ability
a sweetness
"I'm ready to believe"
something - holy and
good and rich
and profound.

Something about:
liberation,
hope,
peace,
fairness,
kindness.

"I believe" are some
of the most precious words
in the world.

So treat it well.
Treat it as the
rarest of rare
treasures.

Lift it up.
Handle with care.
Bless the sheep
who come
ready
to believe!

Justice or Judgment - PCUSA Decision on Marriage Equality

This year's General Assembly for the Presbyterian Church (USA) decided that pastors living in states that have legalized marriage equality can now officiate at all marriages, without fear of sanction.

For some, this is a day longed for, a day of justice, a day sought with prayer and tears.

For some, this is a dreadful day, perhaps day of judgment, wherein God allows evil to win, for a time, to reveal the depravity of humankind.

Which is it?

Both sides prayed fervently ... citing Scripture, the Confessions, tradition and various clinical studies.

Lincoln wisely noted this in his Second Inaugural Address:

Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other.

To read how well Lincoln dealt with this matter, please read the entire address - it's a stunning example of clear-headed thought and moral review.

So, where are we today in the PCUSA?

A day of justice or a day of judgment?

For me, it's a day of justice, but for sisters and brothers of other persuasion, a day of judgment.

Will we ever know?

For sure?

History, of course, is a mess ...

What we do is move on, as best we can.

Limiting our worst instincts of either gloating in "victory" or despairing in "loss."

Finding solace in Lincoln's closing paragraph:

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.