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Listen while you read: "Lord Of All Being Throned Afar"1 (Lyrics) |
Many years ago, I received a phone call from some local disk jockeys at the radio station downtown asking me to gather up what we called a gaggle of politically active older women, to come down when their phone-in program was on air, to stage a fake break-in to the show, and to sing one of our earworm songs about the then current state of public affairs. At that time, we were parodying the tune of "There's a bluebird on your windowsill".
- There's a vulture on your windowsill
There are storm clouds in the sky
Just look around this place we love
It's enough to make you cry.
Homeless folks living in the parks
Hospital waiting lists
Privatizing public trusts
"It's okay," leaders insist.
If we want bluebirds and rainbows back
We have got some work to do
Get this party out of leadership
Before they come for you!
Of course, we were more specific, naming the party and their leaders and "this place we love". Because the actions that we opposed were egregious and because we were actually quiet, community-minded, law-abiding grandmothers, our protests were always peaceful, striving for laughter and enlightenment, never confrontation, conflict, or violence.
It seems to me that Paul laid out the ground rules for peaceful, non-violent protesting in these Scriptures:
Romans 12:9b,17-18 – Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Never pay back evil for evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honest clear through. Don't quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone, just as much as possible. (TLB)
All of this described to me what we were doing by making public fun of the deadly serious political activity that was happening around us. Paul never said, "Just be quiet and let those in authority do whatever they want without any opposition." Protest, thought through, done properly, and first, last, and always, prayerfully, is part of our commitment to being living and holy sacrifices of the kind that God will accept, for then we will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is. (Romans 12:1-2)
Prayer: Dear Father God, how the crowds must have laughed with Your Son, Jesus, when He talked about a camel trying to go through the eye of a needle or about a blind man trying to lead another. Thank You for the gifts of humour and gentle peacefulness, open-minded always towards others and the willingness to listen and see another's point of view. Thank You for the opportunity to grow and change as we walk with You today. Amen.
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Thank you.
Good advice, Rose.
Good for you Rose! Right on!
Just wanted to thank you for this devotional today!
Thank you, Rose, for sharing this devotional with us. Blessings.
Thank you for the reminder.
Blessings.
I do really enjoy reading your letters.
Thank you
Amen Rose. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings on your work and ministry.
As soon as I saw the title of this devotional. I knew who had written it. Attracted my attention immediately. Thank you for this gentle reminder in a world with too many opportunities to react negatively. Especially an important message for me.
Rose…at this point, we could use people singing at every radio station in the country! And, especially, addressing political issues and naming names! Good on you and your friends!
(ON)
Dear Rose,
What a delightful, entertaining experience, done in a Godly way to get the job done. Never a dull moment. Thank you for offering a “new to me” way of doing things and to grow in the process.
As soon as I started reading, I skipped to the bottom to see who wrote this because it so sounded like you! I think you would enjoy a book called Beautiful Outlaw, in which the author explores various actions of Jesus to reveal His personality, his humor, his compassion, his actions.
Rose:
What a wonderful meditation today. We have someone in our congregation who believes that the election is already decided. That God will lift up a righteous man or woman of integrity to lead our nation. I wish that it worked that way. Stay safe and keep well. Blessings.
Good morning. I am non-political but I found today’s devotional, from my perspective, during our Canadian election, could be interpreted as a bias toward not voting Liberal. Many are easily and strongly impacted by this website. I would be offended if it becomes a political forum.
Most days, I am touched by the messages and daily reading suggestions. Not today.
Editor’s response:
I can see where your concern lies. Please be assured that we don’t intend to be political. The opening words, “Many years ago…” were intended to remove the protest from current politics. Furthermore, this devotional was scheduled in July, long before the current federal election was called and no-one reconsidered how readers might take it. The point of the devotional is paying attention to biblical directives governing our political activities, not directing people who to vote for.
HI ROSE,
When I read your devotional today, I smiled and enjoyed the image of you and your friends…and the bluebirds, etc.
I have a photo of a buzzard on the bathtub taken by our grandson. The tub is in an old and decaying property on the back of our ranch. The grandchildren, of course, call it the haunted house.
To me the photograph is very evocative and in our current political climate I can think of several ways in which it might be used.
Your devotional writing is always thoughtful and appreciated.
(Texas USA)
Good morning Rose,
Thank you for your devotional. Protests these days are either mocked or vilified. Differences of opinion, especially about vaccines, are seen as treachery. And, as for politicians, in the end there is not much difference between them. No matter the promises, they rarely come through with action.
As I go through my study of Indigenous peoples of Canada and the profound injustices that were and are still done to them, I wonder how much more damage done to this earth will be done before people realize that the “Natives” have so much more respect for the earth than non-Natives do.
Good morning Rose,
Well, I am smiling this morning. I love your title and your song. You have definitely had a life so different from mine, but we do believe in similar actions but done in different ways. I love your humour which isn’t part of my vocabulary. I have two friends who can use humour very effectively which I admire but don’t know how to do it. I do believe in gently voicing thoughts so that others can hear different sides of a story and being willing to hear others’ opinions also.
Thank you for being willing to share your experiences and your humour with others and how it applies to your faith. May you continue to be able to motivate others to grow their faith through your humorous way of expressing things. As I join with you in your prayer, may God help us to grow and change according to His will. Blessings.
Today’s devotional sounds like you support Donald Trump. I sincerely hope not and will pray that God gives you His perspective and perception.
If only you had edited-out the line about getting the current party out of power. The USA is under a severely heightened national security warning right now because of Trump’s threats and now rallies about taking back the Presidency this month. His racist and terrorist supporters are following Trump’s lead and encouragement to blow up buildings and kill people.
Such terrible timing. I believe that you did not mean what many U.S. Christians will understand. Please pray for us and our tortured nation.
Editor’s response:
It is unfortunate that you missed several indications that today’s devotional was not about the current political situation in the USA. The opening words, “Many years ago…” and the fact that the writer is Canadian should allay your concerns.
Good morning dear Rose.
I suspected this was from you as I read through it. I can almost always tell when a text is from you. I have come to recognize your style and always appreciate your messages.
Blessings.