Interfaith Community

“The terrorist attacks against our country on September 11, 2001 alienated a great number of North Americans from Islam and Muslims. Because they learned that the terrorists operated in the name of Islam, and because they are totally ignorant of that great civilization, they condemn Muslims as a whole.

 

The one central divergence between Islam and Christianity is the understanding of Jesus Christ. All other differences are minor. On the one hand Christians may be gratified to learn that Jesus occupies a high place of honor in Islam. He is held as one of the prophets of the Almighty, and no calling of humankind is considered higher than that of prophet. According to Islam, Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and lived a sinless life of sacrificial service to his people.” – Creating Interfaith Community by R. Marston Speight

 

In 2006, 36% of the Iraqi population was Christian. Thirty-six percent. How many Iraqi Christians wanted to see their husbands and sons die at the hands of American Christians? How many Iraqi Muslims? How many peace-loving Iraqi Christians are wrestling deep in their souls the question of whether to forgive us? How many peace-loving Muslims?

 

Terrorists and extremists exist. Period. Whether they operate in the name of Islam or Christianity or Satan or the United States Marine Corps, terrorists exist. Extremists exist.

 

And now let’s look at some loving goodness, found in the Golden Rule.

 

THE GOLDEN RULE

 

Hinduism – This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.

 

Judaism – What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary.

 

Confucianism – One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct…loving kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.

 

Buddhism – Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.

 

Taoism – Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.

 

Sikhism – I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am a friend to all.

 

Jainism – One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.

 

Baha’I Faith – Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.

 

Zoroastrianism – Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.

 

Native Spirituality – We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.

 

Unitarianism – We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

 

Islam – Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.

 

Christianity – In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

 

 

Here are a few side-by-side facts:

 

 

ISLAM   Ultimate Reality: God (Allah in Arabic), the same God revealed in Jewish and Christian Bibles.   Purpose of Life: Submit to the will of God and attain paradise after death.   How to Live: Follow the Koran, Hadith (traditional law) and the Five Pillars of Islam (daily confession of faith, daily ritual of prayer, paying alms, fasting during Ramadan, pilgrimage to Mecca).

CHRISTIANITY   Ultimate Reality: God       Purpose of Life: Know, love and serve God.   How to Live: Have faith in the true God and Christ’s resurrection, do good works, participate in sacraments (baptism, marriage, holy communion/joining Jesus)

 

Given that one of the Five Pillars of the Islamic faith includes paying alms, or obligatory contribution to charity of 2.5% of one’s total assets, this woman feels a strong affinity with Muslims. Muslims worship one God and as such have a kinship with Jews and Christians. The Islamic prophets include, among others, Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

 

So we start to see a connection. Whether we know it or not, this Earth is a Global Village. We live an interfaith community each and every day.

 

“In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate, Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds, the Merciful, the Compassionate, Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help. Show us the straight path, the path of those whom you have favored, not the path of those who have incurred your wrath or who have gone astray.” – The Koran

 

Do you know people who are under the impression that President Elect Barack Hussein Obama is a Muslim? It’s not true, folks. Obama is a Christian. Given the amount of ignorant hate-filled emails I received this election campaign, I almost wish Obama was a Muslim. I voted for him not because of his political ties or his faith association, or even because I thought he was the best choice. I voted for Obama because he’s a human being, and his campaign managers used the least amount of mud-slinging (which I detest) than did McCain’s campaign managers. The world will not go to hell in a hand basket because Democrats are in power in congress and the white house. The sun will still rise every day. Puppies will continue to warm our hearts. The price of oil will continue to fluctuate. Taxes will continue to go up – when have they not? Those who live into their faith will continue to give alms, will continue to dwell in the vine, and will continue to love kindness. The golden rule is the golden rule the world over. And like Pastor Steve told me today, the Kingdom of God will reign no matter what.

 

Love and peace,
Jamie

Puppies and Babies

Have you ever had a dry spell? You know the kind of dry spell where the creative juices have ceased to flow? I seem to be stuck in a dry spell, a writer’s block. My normally active imagination has been on strike for several weeks, causing a marked lapse in my blogging.

 

Today during weekly worship, Pastor Steve used this metaphor for spiritual dryness, and I’m paraphrasing, “Is your heart so dry that you can feel the prickly cacti? Is there is a cattle skull baking in the sun?” While my spiritual life is rich and full beyond measure, for some reason I can’t seem to find a thread interesting enough to capture my attention, let alone yours.

 

Part of the problem may be due to the new puppy. Clover Sue. She lives up to her name; she’s as sweet as Clover honey and fairly mellow as far as puppies go. Puppies require a lot of attention during the housebreaking phase. Perhaps that’s one reason why I haven’t been blogging…because the puppy takes quite a bit of my time.

 

My 18 year old stepdaughter and 1 year old granddaughter have moved back home recently. And Madison, their cute but hateful cat. Stepdaughter goes to school by day, and has an evening job. Many evenings after work Dear Hubs collects our granddaughter from daycare, and attempts to navigate the waters of giving all of his attention to a mobile baby and a puppy. Simultaneously. Both require constant supervision, which can be a struggle if not carefully thought through first. But Dear Hubs easily manages baby and puppy until I arrive home (he has experience in this department). Then, it’s supper time! Oh the joy watching a one year old feed herself. Peas are one of her favorites; she takes special joy in squishing them.

 

The baby and the puppy are teething. Meaning, the baby chews on the puppy’s toys, and vice versa. Many of you will think, “gross!” but take it from a harried gramma when I say, who cares? What’s a little spittle exchange between family members, eh?

 

Bed time for baby is 8:30, earlier if Dear Hubs is at band rehearsal or a meeting. I find that bathing the baby at 7:30 and putting her down with a fresh bottle and a clean diaper before 8:00 presents no problems to the child, and gives me a little time to relax and play with the puppy before my own bed time. And put away the collective toys.

 

There is a reason babies are born to younger women. They have the energy! On the downhill side of my 40s I’ve discovered that focusing my attention on others can be physically draining without the occasional battery recharge. But it is also emotionally and spiritually rewarding, especially when my precious granddaughter falls asleep in my arms, listening to me softly sing Over the Rainbow and Sweet Dreams, Baby.

 

Perhaps my writer’s block is more of a time crunch than a dry spell. With a puppy, four cats, a baby, an 18 year old, and my 12-year old adorable stepson on the weekends, this full house contains plenty of grist for the mill. I shall endeavor to do my best to find time to post more often.

 

Love,

Gramma Jamie

Gone But Not Forgotten

She came to us on a Wednesday night, smelling like dog, all furry and gorgeous. Something took her just as quickly as she came. By Sunday night she was gone. We suspect it was a virus. The heart breaks but that’s okay. Sometimes hearts are meant to break. The few days she spent here in her new home were filled with love, words of praise and serenity.

Dear Hubs and I cannot have children together. But we had a dog.

Cinquain for Chloe

Dog

Furry Friend

Playing, Fetching, Sleeping

Forever in my heart

Chloe

Love,

Jamie

U-Turn

Earlier this month Dear Hubs, Adorable Stepson and I traveled by car from our home in Gardner, KS (suburban Kansas City) to New Orleans, LA. We spent a fun and relaxing week with “Grammie and Grampie” although Dear Hubs and I just call them Mom and Pop. We were spoiled rotten and thoroughly enjoyed soaking up the color, sounds, hospitality and heavenly aromas of the French Quarter, the Mississippi bayou, and Mom’s kitchen.

 

We took the scenic state highways from just south of Kansas City and into Memphis. From there we traveled via interstate highway through Mississippi and into New Orleans. The interstate was surprisingly just as scenic as the byway. None of us had traveled those roads before so the entire 14-hour trip was one of discovery.

 

Once in the city of New Orleans we encountered (in addition to many beautiful faces and sights) the most curious traffic signs: U-Turn. Here in the mid-section of the USA there are No U-Turn signs galore, but I don’t recall having seen any U-Turn signs. Mom explained that 4-way intersections in New Orleans are designed so that left hand turns are not possible through the intersection. Instead, turn right at the traffic light, and several yards thereafter follow the U-Turn sign to get back in the right direction. This is to aide traffic flow. And it seemed to work because I didn’t encounter any traffic snarls the entire week. I’ve been thinking about those U-Turn signs ever since.

 

Life is that way, isn’t it? U-Turn. No U-Turn. Slow. Yield. Merge. My professional life has been in a rut of sorts – comfortable, but rather stagnant. The day before my vacation the large corporation I work for laid me off. Or rather, my job was transferred from Kansas City to St. Louis. So the corporation offered me a choice of three positions in another Kansas City area location.

 

U-Turn Ahead

 

For various reasons, I wasn’t happy about the transfer of jobs. The mere thought of working in the other facility gave me a good deal of stress, and I was uneasy to be setting off for a week-long vacation without knowing exactly what my professional future would hold. But after returning home and meeting with management in my new location I quickly realized that I had been worrying for nothing. In fact, I’m looking forward to the change of scenery, new horizons and prospects for growth within the corporation.

 

Prepare to Merge

 

New Orleans was a cathartic vacation. One night I had a very odd dream in which my professional life blended with my vocation (following Jesus, being part of a church plant, and increasingly becoming involved with Youth and Missional work). I woke to the loveliest birdsong ever heard. The blinds were drawn and I was much too comfy in Mom’s guest bedroom to rise and check it out. So I laid there in the comfort of downy pillows, pondering the dream and listening to what sounded like…a parrot…outside the window. But Dear Hubs believes my mixed-up dream and the subsequent chattering/whistling/singing were signs from God. I had nothing to worry about as far as my job or my vocation. And sure enough, once I returned to work and chose a position, everything was returned back to right, in-focus, crystal clear, and right side up.

 

Yep, U-Turns will do that to a person. They take you on a path you didn’t want or ask for. But shortly thereafter you’re on your way once again, and everything is fine. So quit worrying and trust that God meant for it to happen.

 

If you have ever been in a rut, what alternative route was presented to you? And what was the outcome?

 

Love,

Jamie

 

I‘m going back someday
Come what may
To Blue Bayou
Where the folks are fine
And the world is mine
On Blue Bayou
Where those fishing boats
With their sails afloat
If I could only see
That familiar sunrise
Through sleepy eyes
How happy I’d be

                              -excerpt from Blue Bayou, Roy Orbison

The Big Easy?

Greetings from New Orleans where Dear Hubs, Adorable Stepson and I are currently on vacation, visiting and staying with my in laws.

Wow, what a place! Toured the French Quarter today, enjoyed delicious cajun food and live music, walked through the french market, gazed at the wide Mississippi, and loving every minute of it. This evening the guys headed out for an overnight stay in a true swamp cabin, and will spend tomorrow, Sunday, out on the gulf, fishing and bonding. “Mom” and I are off to Mass in the morning and then more city touring. She also promised a tour of this historic cathedral: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Cathedral,_New_Orleans

There are many street people in New Orleans. After Katrina the City wanted to “do something about” them, and opened talks between the street’s liaison and the government. The City wanted to move them into a shelter but the people said no, they would rather have their own hotel rooms. The city couldn’t agree to that, so they purchased tents for them which turned out to be a good thing because now they all live together in their large tent community in a rather prominent location, under a bridge just outside the French Quarter. As “Pop” was driving us back from our first foray into the Quarter today, we drove by this group of tent people. Dear Hubs and I plan to make a visit or two during the week, perhaps brings some pizzas or sammies. Also from the car, while waiting on a light to change green while we were still in the Quarter, I witnessed one street person get turned down and then ignored on two consecutive attempts for handouts in the span of just a few seconds. It made me realize that each second in the life of a homeless man or woman can mean the difference between eating or not, between health and sickness, between life and death.

On the road trip down here, we had our usual “emergency tuna pack meal” in the truck and were able to feed a man on an exit ramp outside Jackson, MS yesterday. Adorable Stepson was intently paying attention, especially when the man devoured a homemade cookie with a huge grin.

Soon thereafter I was gazing out the window at the beautiful Mississippi pines when there suddenly appeared a very tall cross and a sign that said simply “Enjoy God.” Must try to snap a picture on the trip back home. In smaller letters under Enjoy God was www.themission.org

More profound than the small experience of feeding one hungry person and the tall cross inviting me to Enjoy God is the amazing juxtaposition of New Orleans. In just under 24 hours Stepson has witnessed southern hospitality, colorful things, even more colorful people, how it feels to generously tip our lunchtme Blues band, really old architecture, what fried alligator tastes like (quite tender actually), extreme decadence…and the sight of the people under the bridge, extreme poverty.

Although I was looking forward to a week of relaxing and eating as much gulf bay shrimp as I could possibly stand, this vacation is shaping up to be a lesson in Mission.

More news as the week progresses. Meanwhile, enjoy God.

Jamie

Crab Lore and Enduring Love

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.

The Tropic of Cancer (think summer), represented by crab, is the northernmost latitude at which ol’ Sol is directly overhead at noon. Alternatively, the Tropic of Capricorn (think winter), represented by sea goat, is the southernmost latitude for the same scenario. Cancer and Capricornus are the two dimmest constellations in the nighttime sky. The brightest of the five dim stars of the crab constellation is Acubens, an Arabic word meaning the claws.

Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.

Our heavenly constellations were named by the early peoples of this bountiful Earth. Eventually the Greeks applied their legends. The mythological story of the Cancer constellation is thus. The goddess Hera commissioned the crab to distract her hated stepson Heracles (Hercules) while he battled the Hydra water monster. The crab pinched the toe of Heracles, but it was for naught as the demi-god crushed the creature underfoot. (That little crab didn’t stand a snowball’s chance!) For its unsuccessful but valiant attempt, Hera honored the crab by placing it in the heavens. Our little Crab, which occupies a small portion of the Beehive Cluster and is one of the Zodiak, resides just to the left and north of the Hydra Constellation.

Who by His understanding made the heavens. His love endures forever.

The sun to govern the day. His love endures forever.

And the moon to govern the night. His love endures forever.

According to astrological lore, the cancerian is intuitive, sidestepping, and crabby – be careful you don’t get pinched. Regulated by the moody moon, the crab’s emotions shift as often as the tide. This scuttling crustacean carries its shell shelter upon its back. As such, many cancerian homo sapiens I know tend to be overly protective of home, and especially of family. No, its not easy being a cancerian. Or a crab, as few could argue its unattractiveness among the animal kingdom. And several varieties are prized for their tasty flesh. My cancerian-born stepson, who currently aspires to be an Animal Cop, refuses to eat his coastal dwelling bretheren. I find that amusing and comforting.

And who gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.

My dear Hubs, my adorable stepson and I celebrate birthdays within three weeks of each other. How enchanting that three sensitive souls dwell under the same roof, especially when the moon is changing phases. We run the gamut, from animated dinner conversations to retreating within our shells. To our credit, assets include heaping hospitality, good humor, gentleness (one Fruit of the Spirit!), an affinity to nurture, and a shared love for parties. Especially of the birthday variety! Happy birthday to all fellow cancerians. Which of the following notable crabs said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”:

• Ernest Hemingway
• Helen Keller
• Dan Aykroyd (‘May I have 55 words with you?’ -Beldar)
• Nathanial Hawthorne
• George W. Bush
• Ringo Starr
• John Quincy Adams
• Mike Tyson
• John Glenn
• Nikola Tesla

Scroll down for answer. But first, a word or two from God our sponsor:

• Crabgrass
• Mr. Krabs and the Krabby Patty
• Hermit Crabs
• King Crab
• Blue Crab
• Crab Dip
• The Crab Nebula
• Horseshoe Crab
• Dungeoness Crab
• The dread Coconut Crab (a fearsome species)
• Snow Crab
• Crab Rangoon
• Crab Apples

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. -Psalm 136

Thanking God for His enduring love and for another birthday,

Jamie Crabbycakes

 

Answer: US Pres. No 6, JQA

Kansas she said…

Greetings from tornado alley,

Gardner missed a couple of whoppers this week. Neighbors to the west and to the north have not fared as well. Here are some facts, and some fun quotes to liven the day:

The Country with the Most Tornadic Activity: U.S.

The City with the Most Tornado Hits: Oklahoma City

The Biggest Known Tornado: Hallam, NE, 5/22/2004. Two and a half miles wide.

The Deadliest Tornado: The “Tri State Tornado” of MO, IL and IN, 3/18/1925. 695 fatalities.

The State Song of Kansas: Home on the Range

“We must be up inside the cyclone!” -Dorothy

“She fell from the sky, she fell very far. And Kansas she said is the name of the star.” -Glinda

“The house began to pitch, the kitchen took a slitch! And landed on the wicked witch in the middle of a ditch. Which was not a healthy situation for the wicked witch. Who began to twitch. And was reduced to just a stitch of what was once the wicked witch.” -Munchkins

“Be gone before somebody drops a house on you too.” -Glinda

“Oh dear, I keep forgetting I’m not in kansas.” -Dorothy

 

Watching my head for falling houses,

Dorothy…er, Jamie

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day for the Rest of Us

This is an ode to women and men who have yielded to the joys, trials and opportunities of stepparenthood and adoptive-parenthood. For better or for worse, I stepped into the role with open arms less than a year ago.

 

Being closer to 50 than to 40, childbirth is no longer an option in my book of life. I mourned my childlessness ages ago, and resigned myself to a childfree existence by my mid-30s. But my outstanding new husband and stepson are the biggest focus of my life now (as well as my relationship with my savior), enriching it in ways that before they came along I could only imagine. And often didn’t want to imagine. But every soul on this planet grows. We cannot stifle growth and love and learning. Being a new parent is and will continue to be a learning experience.

 

My lovely stepdaughter is a young adult living on her own with her beautiful baby girl, our granddaughter. My stepdaughter doesn’t need another mother, but we have a good relationship nonetheless. My stepson, however, lives with his father and me, and is still a school-aged kid. I am and will be his stepmom.

 

Creating a structured, loving environment for my stepson (as well as for me and my darling husband) is a top priority. When I wrote my marriage vows I included a specially worded paragraph promising to always do my best to help rear these children, and their children, with love and compassion. I tell my stepson that I’m here for him no matter what, and that I love him no matter what. His father and I do not attempt to buy his affections with the latest toy or gadget, but I know some who do. Maybe that works for them, but not in our house.

 

It’s a new family dynamic for all of us. Each have had to adapt, but the most difficult adjustments have fallen to my son. There, I said it – ‘my son.’ Yeah, yeah he has a biological mommie, but I can call him son if I want to. I pray for gentleness, wit, wisdom and patience in parenting this lamb of God. Rearing another woman’s offspring can be trying at times. But here’s the clincher: I have a family now where I once did not. It’s a blessing for which I shall be forever thankful, even on difficult days.

 

This year Mother’s Day took on a whole new meaning. At midlife I became a mom. And a grandma. That is a big deal. Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Father’s Day to all kindred, likeminded stepparents, childless stepparents and adoptive parents and grandparents everywhere.

 

Love,

Jamie

Dandelion Fun

When lit with a BBQ lighter, fluffy white dandelion heads take less than a second to blaze and snuff out. It’s great fun, give it a try! Better yet, come over to my house; mini-sparklers galore.

 

 

They also make good targets for the bb gun.

Happy Wildflower Week!  -Jamie

 

Hookless No. 2

This month marks the 95th anniversary of the zipper. It’s come a long way since its invention in the late 1800s. After two decades of flawed designs and lack of manufacturing equipment, a patent was awarded in April 1913 to Gideon Sundback for his quick closing fastener, the Hookless No. 2.

 

Gaining fast acceptance, zippers were mass produced starting in the 1930s and were used widely in the construction of men’s and children’s clothing. But they were considered inappropriate for ladies’ garments until the late 1950s. Hmm. Apparently women couldn’t be trusted when to zip or unzip.

The term zipper was coined in 1923 by the BF Goodrich Co. for their rubber overshoes featuring the hookless fastener. I’m old enough to remember those…barely.

Dad had a pair of rubber overshoes, also called galoshes (not to be confused with goulash), which fell out of fashion by the early 1970s. This was just as well. Kris and I dared not touch those semi-translucent rubbery things with the wide zipper, gaping open at the back of the coat closet like so much dead wide mouth bass.

 

We grew up wearing parkas – warm coats with big brassy zippers, outer plackets with toggles and fur around the hood. The zipper was awfully cold and uncomfortable when the parka was zipped up to the face. Thankfully today’s coats have a placket behind the zipper, and the zipper is constructed of plastic coils more often than brass alloy teeth.

 

Used mainly in trousers, outerwear and luggage, the zipper has taken its place in the modern world. Zippers are used everywhere, from avant-garde decorations to plastic bags. Integrate the word onto a triple word square in scrabble for 57 points or more. 

 

Although I have never mastered the art of sewing a zipper into a garment, I can think of other creative applications.

 

 

 

Your zipper-head friend,
Jamie