Bread for the World

Posted on September 22, 2013 by Tom Bolton

This video from Notre Dame seems to be appropriate accompaniment for thoughts about Bread for the World. http://www.bread.org/institute/
2013 Hunger Report

The Institute’s new report — Within Reach: Global Development Goals — calls for a final push to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets by 2015. Extraordinary progress has occurred in countries around the world, and it is possible to replicate these achievements elsewhere. The 2013 Hunger Report focuses special attention on the U.S. role in achieving the MDGs by 2015.

The 2013 Hunger Report explains why partnerships among governments around the world and between governments and civil society are crucial to achieving rapid progress against hunger and poverty. It discusses the challenges that must be overcome — challenges that can be met only with strong leadership.

By 2015, leaders are expected to decide on a new set of global development goals to succeed the MDGs. The 2013 Hunger Report urges leaders at the national and global levels, civil society partners, and others engaged in the debate over what comes next to set a bull’s-eye goal: to end hunger and poverty by 2040.

Posted in Recommendations, Reflecting on Missions | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Limited Body

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Tom Bolton

upon reading Ephesians 1:22-23

     This Limited Body

This Church, this Body,
with Jesus at the Head,
each of us filled and of one body,
yet each day individual too.
All together, one body, and many parts,
what I know is so limited,
for I know only as one.
With this faith and understanding of neighbors–
a Canadian over here, Pakistanis here,
a Nigerian by me too,
and this man of Tennessee, and one of Illinois,
and Wisconsin folk all around and Texans too-–
my faith is newly enriched.
Some days I understand these others,
even as I struggle to understand me.
Some days the each or the together
lead me to Christ;
alone I could not find my way.
When I see that Christ is looking like me,
I know that my eyes have failed.
Fill me up that I may see.
Surround me with a strong body,
and I will know.
Fill me with the Spirit,
and surely I will know Him.

(C) Tom Bolton, 18 September 2013, Milwaukee Down Town

Jesus

Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Related articles
Posted in Poetry, Reflecting on Scripture | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Health Boards Video

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Tom Bolton

Important information about UMC and Health Boards!

http://www.umcmission.org/Give-to-Mission/The-Advance
Posted in Recommendations, Reflecting on Missions | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Manna this Morning

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Tom Bolton

MANNA-005S

             Manna in My Life

Not so hungry in my belly, I still love
My morning manna.
Some mornings I put nut spread on my matzoh,
and taste and texture combine to thrill me.
And better than hard rolls in the morning,
We are made to be the yeast to raise the bread.
When the flour is whole and coarse and real,
The yeast works wonders in the bread.

Not so hungry in my belly,
Still I hunger in the morning.
The Word fills me in ways I feel deep in me.              MH900400134
Deep in me, my health surges.
Deep in my gray matter, my thoughts are vital.
Deep in my soul, I am eternal.
I am blessed to be filled each day.
Thank you for my daily bread.

(c) Tom Bolton, April 24, 2012, Milwaukee

On reading John 6

Posted in Poetry, Reflecting on Scripture | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Spirits Tested, Overcome

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Tom Bolton

creation of man

The Spirits Tested, Overcome

This I know, and know full well:
I am from God, I am of God, I am a
Child of God.
The evils and the lessenings are overcome.
The Adam is in me yet
and yet I will not fall;
I set aside the lustful temptation.
Christ is in me,
and temptations fail, evil forces fail.
I shall not stand alone; I am in the Communion.
I stand bathed in the grace of God,
Renewed in a place safe and secure–new.
I leave my pride, and then
I will live by the promise of God,
Rich in fruits,
Rich in the Spirit.
Great is He that is in me.
Great is the Word.
Great is the light.
Joy in the Word!
Fruits are sweet, fresh, vital.
Fruits of the Spirit–Alive!

(c) Tom Bolton, 9 September 2013, Red Arrow Park

Words

Related articles
Posted in Poetry, Reflecting on Scripture | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Communion

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Tom Bolton

Forgiveness Mandala by Wayne Stratz

Reading Galatians 6:10

Communion

In prayer, I receive.
I receive life as I intercede.
Each prayer blesses me and encourages me.
Each prayer teaches me.
Each prayer is blessing.
Each blessing is multiplied by our Lord each day.
In prayer, I find Jesus by me.
In prayer, I am again with those I serve.
We walk together.

In serving, I give and I receive,
This active work energizing me,
This active work strengthening me.
In serving, I love, and yet I am loved more.
In serving, I walk with those,
my neighbors.
As a servant, I am richly blessed.
A lowly servant, I am a disciple.

Forgiven now, I am renewed.
Forgiven, I struggle to forgive myself.
When finally I forgive me, great weights are lifted.
Forgiven, I am new.
Forgiven, I am bright as the new day.
The light of the Word shines on me and around me.
Joy in the Word!

Forgiving, I express Christ.
Mutual in forgiving, forgiveness is good.
Mutual in grace, I am with Christ.
Knowing grace, I am fresh, lush, green.
The light is bright; it is warm.
The vine grows in Communion.

(c) Tom Bolton, 9 September 2013, Red Arrow Square.

3rd quarter of 16th century

3rd quarter of 16th century (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Related articles
Posted in Poetry, Reflecting on Scripture | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

On Word, Law and Life: L

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Tom Bolton

I am re-blogging another stanza from my exploration of Psalm 119.

Let Me Pray

Loudly I speak of you, God-of-Grace; let me
Live in your word, learning your commands.
Leavened by your word and your commandments,
Let my hope shine and show your word in me.

Listening to these words, we see that they are true;

Man reading Psalms at the Western Wall. Jerusa...
Listening, may we learn!
Lord, I pray, let your grace and mercy surround me.
Let me be comforted and be a comfort too.

Let your joy be strong and cradle my soul, and
let me be happy too.
Let me see sinners in failure when they miss the mark, and
Let not the righteous die a hundred deaths.
Lead us, as we join together to study your word,
to your comfortable place, God-of-Grace.
Let me examine my own heart,
Let me be honest and straight; fill me with real
integrity today.

(c) Tom Bolton, December 2011, Tippecanoe

Related articles
Posted in Poetry, Reflecting on Scripture | Tagged , | 5 Comments