the drum|rob fairbanks

Cry for Peace

Honestly, it seems like there are a millions things on the minds of Americans right now and the potential of entering into another war seems like a strange little (and inconvenient) “gnat” only mildly clouding our attentions. We have been in international conflict for so long, for some it just seems like a "same old, same old” thing.  I can remember not long ago that when our country was on the precipice of a international conflict (war) people would freak out.

Have we become that desensitized? Are we that callous? Does it not alarm you that our country is about to drop more bombs…on a different country?

Christ have mercy.

With Pope Francis, I say, "Let the cry for peace rise up across the Earth!"

Why Do We Call Him Lord (HT - McKnight)

I came across this today and felt like posting it, particuuarly as our country continues in its warring posture and stands on the precipice of another engagement.

We call a poor man “Lord” and in his name determine friends and enemies on the basis of who has oil for us.

We call “Lord” a man who told us to love our enemies but in his name make enemies to promote our values.

We call a peaceful man “Lord” and then favor those who divide in order to conquer.

We call “Lord” the one who gave us a vision for life that will not succumb to broken realities and we chose instead to use pragmatic justifications.

Why do we call him “Lord” and not do as he says?

Yoder's, The Priestly Kingdom, 195. (HT - Jesus Creed)

Christ have mercy...

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The Church and the Tucson Shootings: Prayers, Sermons, and MLK

This is a short excerpt from my dear (and brilliant) friend, Al Tizon (you can find him at Word and Deed or on FB at Evangelicals for Social Action):

What is the role of the church in the face of national crisis in general and the recent Tucson
shootings in particular? The answer is multi-dimensional, but it always includes offering hope to a traumatized nation by way of prayers, sermons, and honoring those whose lives were lost. Churches around the state of Arizona did just that in their Sunday services after the rampage. And not just in Arizona, but around the nation. Churches in Houston, for example, united for a day of mourning the dead, praying for those who were still fighting for their lives and for the health of the nation. Along these lines, an article appeared in the Yakima Herald that aptly remembers a sermon-speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the wake of the senseless deaths of four young black girls as a result of a church bombing. In the face of yet another national tragedy, the words of Dr. King—"God still has a way of wringing good out of evil"—defines the church’s message to the hurting, the injured, the needy, and the poor.

National Budget Sense?

Ok, this guy makes some sense.  I don't venture into this topic frequently on this blog, but listening to this interview this morning gave me a glimmer of hope that there are still a small number of sensible people in the world...not many, but a few.