Letter from Birmingham Jail

It is now my practice to post in full MLK, Jr's famous letter he composed to his "fellow clergymen" while imprisoned in the Birmingham jail. It is a long read, but well worth your time and is as relevant was ever.

I hope you take some time today or this week to read and reflect upon his words.

___

April 16, 1963

MY DEAR FELLOW CLERGYMEN:

While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities “unwise and untimely.” Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer your statements in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.

Gifts Given by the Spirit

The camera takes a couple of minutes to follow me. Please be patient.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

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A Litany for Our Time

Gracious God, we ask that you would hear our prayers this day for the many needs in our world.

For leaders whose decisions affect real people in real times and real places. Lord in your mercy…

Hear our prayer.

For children who live amidst the rubble of concrete and burned out homes and who cower in fear more than they laugh and play. Lord, in your mercy…

Hear our prayer.

A New World Not of Our Making

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

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Big Picture Thinking Is Difficult

In an episode of Star Trek, "The Immunity Syndrome," Mr. Spock responds to Dr. McCoy: "You find it easier to understand the death of one than the death of a million. You speak about the objective hardness of the Vulcan heart, yet how little room there seems to be in yours." (video below)

Epiphany and Insurrection

Since last January 6, 2021, two events are inextricably linked in American culture-- Epiphany and the storming of the U.S. Capitol in a failed attempt at insurrection. There will be those who think that the latter event will forever tarnish the former, and it will be so if Christians allow Insurrection Day to eclipse Epiphany. However, I believe that if we allow Epiphany to shine its light on the darkness of the Capitol riot, Christians can find guidance in understanding the Christian faith more clearly and why those Christians who involved themselves in the insurrection have embraced a distorted understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.

Life-Giving Light

John 1:1-18

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A Prayer to Begin a New Year

 

Have a Blessed New Year!