Pastor Tom's Journal

What are we saying when we say, God bless America?" Who are we blessing? What do we mean?

Alfred, Lord Tennyson, was first and foremost, a poet. It was not an avocation for him. It was his primary vocation. It was calling. He was certain of it. Even if old age, when granted a peerage which gained him admission to the House of Lords in England, he said that he accepted on behalf of literature. If he had written nothing else, this work would have made the journey worthwhile for all of us. Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar. Alfred, Lord Tennyson Reading at Poetry Foundation Biography of Tennyson

Photo by Putz Adrian on Unsplash Mark 7:31-37 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went by way of Sidon toward the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one, but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, "He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." Psalm 146 A Model for Leadership that Lasts In contrast to trust, dependence, reliance and subjugation to human leadership that always dies, even our own leadershi

  Photo by  Tim Mossholder  on  Unsplash “The labor of a human being is not a commodity or article of commerce.” — Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914. After a day of rest to celebrate the value of labor and the dignity of the laborer, it is time for the laborer to return to his or her labors. The Bible says that, “… the laborer is worthy of his reward.” (I Timothy 5:18). In another place, it refers to “… labor of love.” (I Thessalonians 1:3) After a Labor day, some years ago, I journaled: The truth is, I am a bit tired. I spent Labor Day doing various jobs in the yard and projects in the house. I went back and forth till nighttime. I am not sure I agree with Clayton entirely. I am not sure the Clayton Act agrees with itself. My labor is not commodity or article of commerce of anyone else. Futures in my work cannot be traded or used as collateral. The fruits of my labors may be purchased or rented for a price. However, my labor is my only real commodity and article of commerce for myself whe