Remembering John

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Tom Bolton

I have been remembering my old friend John.

John, in Days Gone Far Away

This John seemed like some harsh philosopher
when I first met him hiking home in sixty-nine.
In those early days, I rarely saw him smile.
But then came days when his whole head reddened
as he laughed so hard that tears flew each way.
We grew and traveled in different places as time grew slippery, Dewey-John
and days darkened and shortened,
and new commentators caught our ears
and taught us new ways.
Philosophies changed, perspectives grew, and
Paths home lengthened as brush scattered over the way,
and John told his stories, and crafted his songs,
and journaled his way home, and home afar journeyed.
Mostly I think back to days long gone,
and hair days long, and paths home simple,
and recall the days we chatted away
and said goodnight, and farewell friend.

Histories read and histories written, history rewritten and imagined again,
We are still brash youth, fiery friends,
gentle when we care to be,
and lost across the chasm of years,
Death not winning,
memories held firm.

(c) Tom Bolton, Janesville, November 28, 2012

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I Hunger

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Tom Bolton

I am repeating a poem from last August.

I Hunger

Away from the paths I usually walk,
I hunger.
My mind clear, grains green all around me,
I open my heart, my mind, my soul today.
Fill me up.

(C) Tom Bolton, Milwaukee, August 20, 2012

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Christmas Tithe

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Tom Bolton

Christmas Tithe

Jim Wallis has written this month on Christmas giving:

Religion is far too judgmental. Surveys show that many people think that, especially a new generation of young people who — more than ever before — are checking the “none of the above” religious affiliation box.

—-

A recent Harris International and World Vision poll showed that Americans plan to spend more this Christmas season on consumer gifts than they did last year, but give less to charities and ministries that help the poor. Many say they are less likely to give a charitable gift as a holiday present — a drop from 51 percent to 45 percent.

So we will have more Christmas presents this year, but less help for the poor. While retailers, economists, and politicians may rejoice at the news about higher consumer spending this year, the lower levels of support for the ones Jesus called “the least of these” should legitimately bring some moral judgments from the faith community.

Indeed, the Matthew 25 scripture that this text is taken from is one of the few and most judgmental passages in all the New Testament. About some things, Jesus was judgmental. The Gospel clearly says that how we treat the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the prisoner, is how we treat Jesus. That’s is pretty judgmental, especially when you go on to read what will happen to those who ignore Jesus in this way.

So let’s counter the results of the survey with a Christmas Tithe. Gather your family together around this, send the idea to your friends and fellow believers, take the idea to church, write letters to the editor in your local paper. Let’s all decide this Christmas to tithe a percentage of all that we give in Christmas presents directly to the poor; who were given the greatest gift at the first Christmas with a child born in a stable who promised to bring them “good news.”

His full essay can be found at the link above.

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Painted Prayerbook

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Tom Bolton

Pinted Prayerbook

Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
—Luke 21.28

I really like this blog, and the Advent retreat sounds promising.

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Make Room for Youth Dane County Wisconsin

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Tom Bolton

Foolishly, I had not thought of Dane County having much of an issue with chronic homelessness.  I guess I need to be aware that it is everywhere.

This is a well-done video on homeless youth in Madison and surrounding communities:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsoNjdLSEgk

It really is true that homeless folks are more often the victims. I am glad the speaker brought that up early in the video.

Make Room For Youth (MRFY) was formed in the fall of 2010 by a small group concerned about the safety of Unaccompanied Youth who are experiencing homelessness. Because every human being deserves a safe home, the mission of MRFY is to make a positive difference in the lives of youth by developing and maintaining housing for unaccompanied youth ages 13-21 who are experiencing homelessness in Dane County Wisconsin.

Many folks I talk with think that there aren’t really many homeless youth and children; the thought is that they are placed somewhere.  But often, these young ones are really homeless, with no safe options.

The video above is about 12 minutes, but it is worth viewing.  It is very informative.

I pray for these young ones especially.

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Posted on November 26, 2012 by Tom Bolton

This is a really good message on Zechariah.

Mark Shields's avatarThis Day With God - A Spiritual Journey

God delivers His people so we can take courage and look to a bright future because we will have the advantage and our enemies will be burdened. Some of the events as prophesized in Zechariah 12:1-13:6 have already taken place.

The man who was pierced on Good Friday is our Savior. We mourn that He had to die on the cross for our sins. The world was a broken place but Christ began the process to fix the problem. Once someone repents and accepts Christ as captain of their salvation, faith begins to show up in who they are and what they do because the Spirit flows from God to them.

There are fears that keep us from fulfilling the mission God has made us to accomplish which is to tell others the Good News. Let us pray for courage and everything good so there is a day when every…

View original post 201 more words

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Disciples Thanksgiving

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Tom Bolton

Today I am giving thanks for my Disciple Bible Study class at First United Methodist Church of West Allis.  Truly, it has been a marvelous curriculum, and I was with a wonderful group.

Disciples Act

Disciples place themselves under the power and authority of Scripture–
–Free in the Word!

Disciples know that they belong to God, that God has claim on them–
–We act on our discipleship with Jesus, eternal Word!

Disciples acknowledge their rebelliousness, and repent–
–We turn away, sometimes many times.

Disciples respond to God’s call, enter the covenant community,  express committment–
–called and shaped, sometimes many times!

Disciples hear and obey God’s call to be bearers of God’s message of deliverance–
–Listen to our cries for help. Hard to miss our calls!

Disciples keep God’s Law by doing it–
–Keep us obedient that we might find happiness in the commands.

Disciples commit to corporate worship–
–Offerings and thanksgiving, help us pass through our guilt and shame.

Disciples are Godly leaders–
–Keep Nathans in our lives. Sometimes we hate Nathans.

Disciples respect and support Godly leaders but give true allegiance only to God–
–God, bless our actions and keep us right.

Disciples listen to prophetic voices for our communities, nations, and world–
–Holy One, open our ears.

Disciples accept consequences of our sins, seek forgiveness–
–Creator, heal us, and offer us new opportunities for faithfulness–even when we fail.

Disciples choose to serve and not to despair–
–In our sinful despair, teach us to pick up the towel and wash feet.

Disciples trust God with all their thoughts and feelings–
–God, do be in us.   Joyful!

Disciples strive to live in harmony with God’s laws, even when it is costly–
–Make us servants of the Word!

Disciples trust God in the face of unexplained suffering–
–Keep our focus upward. Heal us, as we minister.

Disciples live in hope, with a vision of God’s kingdom–
–We are God’s people!

Disciples hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ in harmony with the historic people of God–
–We yearn to be with our God, held by God.

Disciples accept Christ’s call to radical discipleship–
–joyful to be radical again, show us Christ’s way.

Disciples enter the ministry of making disciples–
–Keep us vulnerable, lead us from our pretenses.

Disciples understand our ministry as a call to self-denial and suffering–
–My suffering is not FOR me.

Disciples are in mission with the least, the last and the lost–
–Keep us walking WITH those we serve.

Disciples experience life in Jesus Christ–
–Lord, I am at peace, in joy, beyond meaninglessness. I know I have purpose.

Disciples experience the inner assurance of abundant, eternal life–
–It is personal in this relationship. Eternal life!

Disciples experience the Holy Spirit–
–So much life, gifts to each of us!

Disciples witness to others in order to lead them to Christ–
–Let my whole life be real witness, a Psalm of the Gospel!

Disciples receive and accept the forgiving Love of God in Jesus Christ, and serve out of love and gratitude–
–Trust and grace in our lives today!

Disciples love–
–Simply difficult!  Just do it?

Disciples experience and express freedom as loving God and loving neighbor–
–Freedom again! Keep us free!

Disciples seek sound teaching–
–Train us each day, even when we are too bold to know we are off-track.

Disciples accept God’s forgiveness–
–as hard as we try to forgive ourselves, we feel God’s grace as we serve.

Disciples know themselves as distinctive, peculiar people bearing the mark of Jesus–
–Mark our character deeply, our outward selves marked with compassion–
–Keep us Holy!

Disciples remain faithful to God in the midst of persecution and suffering–
–Holy One, strengthen my faith as I lose my temper around suffering souls.

Disciples exercise their gifts in ministry to others–
–Direct our eyes and our souls outwardly each day!

Disciples commit their lives completely to God to serve as God wills–
–Keep our memory vital!

For me it is right to conclude with John Wesley’s  Covenant Prayer:

I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put met to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by you or laid aside by you,
enabled for you or brought low by you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
you are mine, and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.

Thanksgiving Blessings to all who have come here today!

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