Piloting Faith: If ever there was a moment for a new cultural vision

A Word for the Day...

One of my favorite modern philosophers, Dr. Jean Houston, said in a presentation I attended some years ago, “The great challenge of our age is that we have developed the capacity to destroy ourselves without the wisdom to know not to do so.”

Today, our world faces crises on an unprecedented scale. We are destroying our planet through an endless consumerist culture that, as it turns out, is also killing our souls. We have developed our weapons of war to the level that we can destroy our world with the touch of a button. Global wealth distribution is creating a new class of the “haves” and the “have-nots” unprecedented in our country’s history. Our community infrastructures—schools, hospitals, citizen groups, faith communities—are struggling to survive decreases in funding while also losing participation because, in part, we are all working 60+hours a week to make ends meet. We are living in unsustainable ways, running on the treadmill of an unsustainable system, consuming our beautiful planet at unsustainable and unjust rates.

If ever there was a moment for a new cultural vision spoken and modeled by a new generation of leaders, this is that moment.

May you be such a leader.

- Rev. Cameron B. Trimble, author of Piloting Church: Helping Your Congregation Take Flight!

Prayer for the Week

God of all that is good,

Today I seek not the passing rewards of recognition, power, and wealth, but your kingdom of love and justice. I turn again from self to follow the way of Jesus.

So, Holy One, may your kingdom come - in this world and in my life.

Direct my intentions and energies to the higher, enduring reality springing up all around me, pushing back the darkness. I'm desperate to discern where your Spirit is moving.

So, Holy One, may your kingdom come - in this world and in my life.

Even as I contemplate the kingdom Jesus came to announce, I am conscious of my own weakness and need. I want to stay on your path, but it's easy to lose my way.

So, Holy One, may your kingdom come - in this world and in my life. Make me new once more in You.

Amen.

(adapted from The Prayer Wheel by Patton Dodd, Jana Riess and David Van Biema)