Hooray for Buckle Shoes!

Can you remember getting new shoes as a child? It happened more often in those days, as our young feet kept growing (mine have remained the same size for some time now – which brings both relief and a twinge of regret).

I clearly remember the sorrow I felt on the day when “buckle shoes” no longer came in the size of my continually growing feet. It may have been heading into Easter, when a new dress and new shoes were imminent, and Mom had to inform me, “big girls don’t wear buckle shoes.” *gasp* (tears ensued).

Well, heading into middle age, I feel thoroughly joyful that I can again feel the giddiness of slipping on a pair of mary janes… in a much better variety of styles and colors than when I was 8! 

Hooray for buckle shoes!!

17 Days 'Til Sabbatical **Creativity as a Way of Encountering the Divine**

images by Mary Southard; written word by... me!

Faith & Politics Friday Five

Faith & Politics

        It's been a while since I've played, but here goes...

Over at RGBP, Sally writes: Well it may or may not have escaped the notice of many that over in the UK we have been awaiting the results of the General Election.... it has been the most closely fought election for many years, and the result... a hung or balanced Parliament, with no outright winner... and it has got everybody talking...

So what do you think about the mix of faith and politics:

1. Jesus a political figure: discuss...

Without a doubt – by intention or not, he engaged people in a faith that lived among, responded to and, yes, fought against the political agendas of his day.

2. Politics in the pulpit, yes or no and why?

Yes (not all the time), when used in direct relation to a theological concern, and with discernment and acknowledgement that there will be members of the congregation who disagree, and the humility that we may not always be right… even if we believe we are at the moment.

3.What are your thoughts on the place of prayer in public life…

To each her own. I pray, but I don’t need to do it where others will hear me. And yet, I will happily pray aloud in public when a situation calls for it. I still cannot pretend to know how to engage the unique differences of individuals’ styles of prayer in public forum – I would not wish to be subjected to some others’ prayers. Great question; will have to ponder more…

4.Is there a political figure, Christian or otherwise that you admire for their integrity?

Karen Armstrong jumps to mind. Have you all seen her Charter for Compassion? And Joan Chittister never ceases to amaze me.

5.I’m skipping #5 and going right for the bonus (just can’t think about it today)

Bonus- is there a song which might sum this all up?

Let It Be Me by the Indigo Girls

Sticks and stones

battle zones

a single light bulb on a single thread for the black

sirens wail

history fails

rose-colored glass begins to age and crack

while the politicians shadowbox the power ring

in an endless split decision never solve anything

from a neighbor's distant land

i heard the strain of the common man

let it be me (this is not a fighting song)

let it be me (not a wrong for a wrong)

let it be me, if the world is night

shine my life like a light

well the world seems spent

and the president has no good idea of who the masses are

well i'm one of them and

i'm among friends

trying to see beyond the fences of our own backyard

i've seen kingdoms blow like ashes in the winds of change

but the power

of truth is the fuel for the flame

so the darker the ages get

there's a stronger beacon yet

let it be me (this is not a fighting song)

let it be me (not a wrong for a wrong)

let it be me, if the world is night

shine my life like a light

in the kind word you speak

in the turn of the cheek

when your vision stays clear in the face of your fear

then you see turning off a light switch is their only power

when we stand like spotlights in a mighty tower

all for one and one for all

then we sing the common call

let it be me (this is not a fighting song)

let it be me (not a wrong for a wrong)

let it be me,

if the world is night shine my life like a light