Opportunity, opportunity, opportunity.

I don't think there is a more hopeful word than opportunity. And that, dear friends, is what we have for the next four years--opportunities to change the motion of this country;opportunities to change the attitude of this country toward immigrants and toward the countries who used to be our allies which we have successfully run off; opportunities to work together to make our country stronger, healthier, more focused on sharing than greed; opportunities to herald bipartisan cooperation and truly make the Congress work; opportunities for the Great Society that LBJ envisioned in which we all are truly equal; and the opportunity to once again lead the world to peace. Can it be done? I pray that it will be.

I believe our next great adventure should be implementing term limits in the Congress.

I have been off line for the last seven days--computer trouble--felt like I lost my left leg!

It is an historic time and one I am glad I lived to see it. The interviews of those who participated in the Civil Rights marches have been poignant and inspiring. I loved Pres. Obama's tale about the 106 year old woman.

Perhaps one of the things which we will see come out of this is an articulate and motivating President.

Escaping Our Past

In this week's Nashville Scene Jeff Woods writes an article entitled "Christers at the Gate" about two people running for office in Nashville who are members of the Church of Christ. He recounts the horrors that might occur should they win. The article ends by saying, "Let us all pray for deliverance."

Besides calling my fellowship a "quirky collection of rigid fundamentalists", he goes on to attribute attitudes long ago softened by grace. There may still be some of us who believe that we are the only ones going to heaven, but the majority of us have long left that idea as we have gained a better understanding of the Way. We also celebrate Christmas, often have Christmas trees in the sanctuary, and do no longer believe that the piano is the devil's instrument (see what I mean about his diatribe?).
In fact, many of our congregations have instrumental services.

So I think I will go ahead and vote for Buck Dozier, whom I understand has many qualities of leadership. If Carolyn Baldwin Tucker is opposed to funding for the arts in Nashville (but who can believe what Woods says?) then I will not vote for her.

Oh, Father, when we will ever escape from the mistakes of the past? Fill us with your grace so that we can graciously bless those who continue to malign us.