If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases worldwide after China and the U.S... from a U.N. Report on Food and Agriculture To put it simply, that means cars and industries aren’t the only contributors to global warming.  You and I are adding more to that problem than most of us realize.  A few weeks ago in Davos, Switzerland,   [Read More …]

“When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat... Matthew 25:35– The Poverty and Justice Bible   Hunger is a worldwide problem that eats at our hearts and troubles our consciences.   While it is our responsibility to “give them something to eat,” there is no simple solution to this complex issue, but there are some things that we as individuals and families can do to increase our   [Read More …]

“It is no surprise that for many people retirement is a fearful prospect. Who are we when there is nothing to keep us busy?”                                                                                               Fr. Henri J. M. Nouwen Not so many years ago retirement meant a gold watch and a sudden end to a life filled with purpose and a reason to get up each morning.  Retirement today   [Read More …]

LISTEN:  Do you hear them?  One after another, well informed, determined young people are speaking truth to power.  Don’t write them off as too young to know anything.  They are the future and they are saying things to the powers that be that need to be said. Why?  Because the powers that be are squandering their futures to protect their own lifestyles. At the 2018 UN Climate Change   [Read More …]

Ironically, one of the most expensive gifts in the world doesn’t cost a cent. It is a gift we give ourselves, even though we think we are giving it to someone else. Hard-won and often years in coming, it is the gift of forgiveness. Whether we recognize them as such or not, the words Jesus spoke on the cross, “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing,” are meant for you and me,   [Read More …]

“Treat others as you would like them to treat you.” Luke 6:31 The Jerusalem Bible – The longest shutdown in government history has left me thoroughly disgusted with the attitude of the politicians who are totally out of touch with the untold millions of Americans who live from paycheck to paycheck. These days we tend to hear a great deal about Income inequality, but not so much about the   [Read More …]

Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, for God loves a cheerful giver.”     2 Corinthians 9:7-8 The Jerusalem Bible It’s that time: time to budget for the year; time to make a giving plan. Why? Because it is too easy to leave giving until everything else is funded, and then to give nothing because there is nothing left. Who suffers   [Read More …]

“Loving God is an intentional commitment to self-sacrifice for the well-being of others.”          Rev. Mike Slaughter 2018 was a year of uncertain times, and not just for the stock market which experienced the worst year since the recession. Certainly, that was and is the situation if your job is affected by Trump’s threatened tariffs or government shutdowns, as well as for retirees whose   [Read More …]

“After the wise men had gone, an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up! Hurry and take the child and his mother to Egypt! Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is looking for the child and wants to kill him.’”                                                 Matthew 2:13, The Poverty and Justice Bible What do you plan to give God this year? How   [Read More …]

Part 1 – The Early Years of Frank Butler’s life can be read here Part 2: Two Teachers Appear Living simply was important for both Frank and Ruth. Choosing to have a smaller home and to drive an older car, and by being generally detached from “things,” allowed a rich space to emerge from which they could give. Together they raised their three children to follow their lead. Frank related the   [Read More …]