The WELL

When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, do not glean what is left; it shall be for the alien, the orphan, and the widow. (Deuteronomy 24:21 NRSV) Here is just one example of 'sharing' in the Bible.  Interestingly enough, the guidelines and qualifications for those who might gather the leftovers are somewhat vague.   Any alien from anywhere, any orphan orphaned for any reason and any widow, no matter how cranky.  They are essentially deserving of this kindness and generosity because they are in need at that moment.  I imagine that some of the aliens took more then their share.  I am sure that some of the orphans were old enough to get jobs.  Some of the widows were probably young gold diggers who married old rich guys who were sickly.  The system just doesn't seem fair.  It would be great if this was an 'everybody does the right thing' kind of world, but it is not.  Honestly, most systems can be abused.  That should not be reason e...

Lately, I have been 'running into' vehicles that have paint on their back window.  Typically, I would expect to see "Go, Texans" or "Way to go, Bobby!" or  "Tigers, all the way to state!"  Instead, the slogan of the day: "Jesus loves this city."  And then there is some random scripture quoted which I am sure does not mention Houston, Texas or even Pearland, Texas, at all.  So what's up with that?  Simple answer: nationalism is once again confused with Christianity by 'well-meaning,' poorly theologized Christians.  I hesitate to call them Christians.  Honestly, they are not even 'wannabes'.  You have to know what the title means to really wanna wear it.  Sadly, many churches do not teach Christianity 101; instead, they skip right to Church Stuff 101.  Big difference.  How about Micah 6:8 or Isaiah 58: 5-7?  Or Mark 7: 1-9 and Luke 19: 41-43.  I John 4:7-9 really says it all.  "God is love."  And love looks li...

Vote!

As I consider the current climate in this country surrounding the political arena, I cannot help but be amused at how my 'Christian' brothers and sisters choose to use their voices.  There are hundreds of economic issues and equity issues that could be discussed, but we would rather use the political arena for personal and moral issues.  And this, in a country where people claim to hate the over-involvement of the federal government. It is fascinating how those opposing abortion never seem to get to opposing the death penalty or war.  Even more compelling is the argument for upholding the tradition of marriage, when some of the opponents of gay marriage have been unfaithful in their own marriages.  Before homosexuals pushed marriage to the top of the conversation list, all Christians should have been questioning the disintegration of the 'holy' union known as marriage. Although the Biblical principal of 'welcoming the stranger' is very clear in both the Old ...