Martin Luther King: "A Christmas Sermon On Peace"

This is my last post of 2012.  I may return at some point in 2013... Not sure when. You know I'll be in touch.. I always am. Sending good vibes and prayers your way.. Now and forever. May the new year bring you good health, hope, prosperity and peace. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

( Click play button to listen)

1967 "Peace on Earth..."

"This Christmas season finds us a rather bewildered human race. We have neither peace within nor peace without. Everywhere paralyzing fears harrow people by day and haunt them by night. Our world is sick with war; everywhere we turn we see its ominous possibilities. And yet, my friends, the Christmas hope for peace and good will toward all men can no longer be dismissed as a kind of pious dream of some utopian. If we don't have good will toward men in this world, we will destroy ourselves by the misuse of our own instruments and our own power. Wisdom born of experience should tell us that war is obsolete. There may have been a time when war served as a negative good by preventing the spread and growth of an evil force, but the very destructive power of modern weapons of warfare eliminates even the possibility that war may any longer serve as a negative good. And so, if we assume that life is worth living, if we assume that mankind has a right to survive, then we must find an alternative to war and so let us this morning explore the conditions for peace. 

Let us this morning think anew on the meaning of that Christmas hope: "Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men." And as we explore these conditions, I would like to suggest that modern man really go all out to study the meaning of nonviolence, its philosophy and its strategy. We have experimented with the meaning of nonviolence in our struggle for racial justice in the United States, but now the time has come for man to experiment with nonviolence in all areas of human conflict, and that means nonviolence on an international scale.

"Tragedies Must End"...

"Obama's Complete Speech At Interfaith Vigil In Newtown, Connecticut"

This Sunday's Great Minds Movie Pick is: "A Glimpse of Heaven"...

I really enjoyed this film. It shows that regardless of someones faith, basically we as human beings have the same wants and needs. I love the idea of people from different religious backgrounds working together. This is proof that religion isn't the problem, man is the problem.

Synopsis: "Journey into the heart of the City of Lights to discover the first American church established on foreign soil and ultimate symbol of the United States in Europe. Affectionately known the world over as "ACP," the American Church in Paris is not only a melting pot like no other but has earned the appellation: "God's own United Nations."

Experience true-life stories of people such as a refugee from Nigeria; an expatriate who feared ending up in a mental institution; and many more. There are multinational couples, lonely students, residents of Paris, plus scores of visitors who found help, hope and better lives through ACP. A multi-faceted mission with many outreach programs, including one that serves lunch to the homeless and another that helps refugees seeking asylum, The American Church in Paris is also a major community center. It provides space and resources for an impressive variety of international community activities and groups. More than 2,000 people use the facilities each day. From among the 54 nations and 35 different denominations that make up the congregation of ACP, parishioners from all walks of life finally reveal what they have found in this large, beautiful sanctuary along the river Seine. 

If heaven is going to be populated by people from every nation and tribe and culture and language on the planet, then the American Church in Paris truly does offer a glimpse of heaven. Yet, as the oldest American church on foreign soil is about to celebrate its 150th anniversary, the congregation is faced with numerous challenges: the rise in the number of parishioners; finding funds for significant renovations and maintenance; the continuing need to communicate effectively with members from so many countries and diverse cultures. The people of the American Church are prepared to meet those challenges with faith and hope so that this highly symbolic landmark with its rich history will continue to be of service to the Paris community."

Mentally ill people having access to guns is a huge problem.

 We will lose this fight if we paint all gun owners with the same brush. By all accounts the weapons used in the latest shooting, were obtained legally. We really need to look at mental illness in this country. I have a cousin who was diagnosed as being a paranoid schizophrenic, and he has committed petty crimes when he's off his meds... like breaking windows and such. He has been arrested numerous times and tossed in jail instead of being treated in a psych ward. While in jail he trashed his cell and was held in "the hole" for ten days. My aunt couldn't visit him and had no idea how he was doing.

 I contacted a mental health advocate, he contacted TPTB at the jail and told them how harmful it was to hold someone with my cousins mental problems in solitary confinement for ten days. He set up a meeting and had my cousin transferred to the psych ward after an evaluation. My aunt has tried to have him committed, but because he's an adult and hasn't harmed anyone yet, she has failed. If you look at the last few mass shootings all of the assailants had a history of mental illness. Along with gun control we need to address mental illness in America.
 Click for info on getting help for you or a loved one.

No more White Crosses!

After the shooting massacre in Aurora, Colo. over the summer, the White House said the President was going to evaluate a bill limiting online ammunition sales. Check out the  exchange I had with a few other bloggers regarding the issue.

  Rainlillie:   Jul 30, 2012  In a civilized society no one should be allowed to carry a weapon containing 100 rounds. 

 Response from Bob:  Jul 31, 2012 “Why do you think the founding fathers wrote the 2nd amendment?”

  Rainlillie: Jul 30, 2012 How many innocent people have to be killed, before the majority demand change? It's inconceivable that we're even debating this.

Response from  GB on Jul 30, 2012  “There are twice as many DUI deaths than gunshot deaths in the U.S. annually. Should we ban alcohol.....again?”

  Rainlillie: Jul 30, 2012 Tell that to the parents who just had to bury their six-year-old. My guess, is you'd be singing a different tune if you were in their shoes.

  Rainlillie: Jul 30, 2012  Are you kidding me? We don't need this stinking bill! Let's just keep burying six-year olds and other innocent victims. Tell that guy who created the white crosses to keep making them, because there are going to more tragedies to come (In case you didn't know, there is a guy who went around placing white crosses at the sites of mass shootings) Until reasonable gun-owners and those who don't own guns, come together and stop this madness! The killer in Aurora was within his rights to purchase the ammunition he purchased.. it's total madness!”

Rainlillie: Jul 30, 2012 Yes, I'm going there! Republicans and Democrats who haven't been out there pushing for gun- control can save their crocodile tears for the victims. They haven't done a darn thing to ban the type of weapons used in the shooting. Why in a civilized society should a citizen be allowed to have a weapon with that much firepower? 

 

I wonder  which elected official is going to stand up to the NRA and say, we've built too many white crosses. I wonder when are responsible gun owners going to say too many innocent lives have been lost. Something has to change. We know that putting laws on the books is just  the first step. We have to be vigilant when a loved one has some emotional issues,  and we have  firearms in the home.  My heart is heavy...

SOTD-"Celebrate Me Home" by Kenny Loggins.. In loving memory of Lumina..

Lumina touched many lives through her inspirational writing. it was through her words of wisdom, hope, and love; that I got to know her. Her message of healing and love will live on forever and ever. RIP, my dear friend.
 

This video was created by Lumina. It's  remains one of my favorite videos on youtube.  

 Did you know?
"Celebrate Me Home" is a song written by Bob James and Kenny Loggins, and recorded by Loggins as the title track of his 1976 debut solo album Celebrate Me Home.
Although not released as a single, it evolved into one of Loggins' better-known songs, especially as it became a popular staple of radio stations' Christmas music playlists due to its holiday-themed lyrics. It is included on Loggins' Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow and The Essential compilations, as well as his 1993 Outside: From the Redwoods live album. Its Christmastime presence is exemplified by its appearance on Best Buy's Sweet Tracks 2004 set.
The song was also sung by Jill Colucci for Disney Channel's 1990 Celebrate Me Home campaign, which is named after the song. The campaign was mostly featured during the channel's Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall Previews.
Ruben Studdard, winner of American Idol in its second season, recorded a cover of "Celebrate Me Home" to be used as the show's seventh season Top 12 exit song.^[1] Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Studdard's rendition omitted the song's first-line holiday mention, to give it a more general feel.^[1] The Studdard recording was made available for iTunes download starting March 12, 2008,^[1] as Loggins' original recording also prospered from new downloads.^[1] It was also currently a song played for eliminated teams in the 2008 NBA Playoffs whenever a team was eliminated on their home."

In a nutshell!

Hey Ladies, it's as easy as making "better decisions"..

According to former Bushie and current nitwit Dana Perino, all women have to do is; " make better decisions,” then they won't be victims of abuse. A lot of my fellow liberals are turning the Jovan murder/ suicide into a gun issue. 

I think he would have found away to kill his girlfriend one way or another. I don't see this as a gun issue. There are peaceful gun-owners and people do have a right to carry. No one has a right to beat another human being. Yes, we should talk about stricter gun laws and outlawing assault weapons, but I don't see this case as being a catalyst for that.

Annual "War On Christmas" post..

I say Merry Christmas to the people I know who celebrate Christmas, and I say happy holidays to people I don't know that well, who may not celebrate Christmas. It’s about being considerate to others and respecting their beliefs. Is it really going to diminish one's beliefs if a tree is called a "holiday tree," instead of a Christmas tree?

It seems that people like O'Reilly and company have forgotten what the real meaning of Christmas is. They're just like the Grinch in "How the Grinch stole Christmas." The Grinch believed that the presents and the tree were more important to the Who's than the holiday itself. Of course he realized he was wrong, after the Who's were still happy without their presents and decorations.

If Christmas trees and saying Merry Christmas were outlawed in the United States, wouldn’t Christmas still take place? Wouldn't believers still believe? 

"Secret santa gives out $100 bills to Hurricane Sandy victims '

I believe that our purpose in life, is to help make it easier for others. We don't have to do extraordinary things, it can be small things, like holding the door for someone, or letting someone cut in front of you while waiting in line.  This video was just awesome!