Thank you, once again, Rev. Cameron, for your wisdom and discernment.
A few days ago, I came across this last year's Christmas message from Brother David Steinl-Rast. I know you and your subscribers will appreciate it. It gives rise to the long view:
+ My dear Relatives and Friends,
On the night of December 7th to 8th this year, I had an unusual dream: I was writing down a short Christmas story. It was dictated to me in my dream, but I considered each word so carefully while writing it down that it had remained clear in my memory when I woke up.
Once upon a time, a cobbler and his wife were working at making shoes. God had not given them children of their own, but they had learned to cut the leather so skillfully that with every pair of shoes they made to order, they could make a small pair on the side for a poor child. As they were working together, they used to sing:
Father of us all, we pray
As we make these shoes today:
Nowhere on this earth let go
Children barefoot in the snow.
But no matter how hard they worked, there seemed to be more and more poor children in our world. With heavy hearts the cobbler and his wife used to work until late in the night, but the help they were able to offer seemed like a drop on a hot stone.
It was the holy night of Christmas, but in their sadness the two old people were not aware of it, still sewing on a small pair of shoes. Suddenly a golden light filled the workshop and a barefoot little boy came in. He took the cobbler’s wife by one hand and the cobbler by the other and led them out into the snow behind the house. Wherever he went, Christmas Roses raised their heads in his tracks, and he said with a voice like a wind-bell:
Go now and rest.
God knows best.
My reaction to this dream surprised even me. Still half asleep, I was angry and railed against "this sentimental distraction from the world's needs." I woke up disturbed. Since then, however, I've begun to ask myself: Once we, with our limited minds, have generously exhausted our abilities to patch up our poor world, may we not trust that the Great Mind that, out of sheer possibility, makes Christmas Roses bloom, knows possibilities for our future that far surpass our current imagination? May this thought give us inner peace throughout 2026 and at the same time spur us on to double our efforts in working together for outer peace. This is my fierce wish.
I found your words about power and domination not being able to solve the problems we face today an important framing for our future. Our problems are larger than the finite game where the rules as set and there can only be one winner and one loser. Whether it’s climate change, loneliness or the myriad affronts to our humanity, ours is a larger game, more infinite in nature, one where the goal is to be there another day and keep playing and serving those who need our help.
Thank you, Rev. Cameron, for your insightful analysis regarding the power that comes from two different kingdoms: the one that values violence, bombs, and fighting, and the one "not of this world," Jesus's kingdom. In the garden of Gethsemane, before Jesus is taken away by a club-wielding mob, Peter resorts violence by cutting off the servant's ear. But Jesus then heals that ear. Sometimes I wonder if our president, who sells Bibles on the side, "listens" to that type of healing power.
The old story is flailing while it is drowning. The liminal time between stories will be difficult and ripe for islands of coherence held together by a new story of relationship and connection to emerge and spread. This is the grounded hope I hold as systems fray ever faster.
Your reflections always redirect the despair and grief in my heart towards a sense of renewed hope. Thank you Cameron for inspiring us and persevering with us.
I echo the words of ClareJulian Carbone in her post this morning: “Your reflections redirect the despair and grief in my heart towards a sense of renewed hope.”
Thank you, Rev. Cameron. I’m very grateful for your generosity in sharing your strength and wisdom in these inspiring meditations.
Thank you for this reflection Cameron. As utterly diabolical as this development at the White House is, it makes me think of when I learned about gladiators and so many acts of war-violence in grade school and was astonished by the barbarism. Our descendants will be as appalled by these actions as I was.
I’m so grateful to be on this journey with you all. 🙏
Activist and author, Starhawk has written about three kinds of power:
“Power over,
Power within, and
Power with. “
I appreciate these definitions as individuals can tap into our power within even in oppressive environments. And, those of us who are able to can share power with others in serving like Jesus along with people joining together in community.
Last night, I watched Rise Up Singing on YouTube. There were No Kings events around the USA with great turnouts. That is my kind of power!! Lots of great organizations were participating.
I don’t think you ever realized it, but you were the first woman who ever showed me that being a strong woman was acceptable. I was so beat down in 2010-11 that you, Bill and VHC started shaping me into a new better version of myself. That was true strength I saw.
Also, I’d love to join the book club to discuss The Glorians by Terry Tempest Williams. I’m already rereading it, but am not available for the next 5 Tuesdays:(. It’s been inspiring to allow the beauty of life provide solace and deeper understanding.
Thank you for this profound reflective moment....May we offer each other and our hurting world community WATER BOWLS of cleansing - erasing the birthday celebration of two men fighting , crowds of people caught up in one man's self understanding .
Thank you, Rev. Cameron, for your beautiful writing about an ugly event on the grounds of a building that often has symbolized a different story of power across its history. And ours.
I’m persuaded we could use a legion of bucket brigades, water sloshing over rims as we, the people, scrub soles standing on holy ground across America for the sake of our souls. Together, only and always. Thank you.
Thank you, once again, Rev. Cameron, for your wisdom and discernment.
A few days ago, I came across this last year's Christmas message from Brother David Steinl-Rast. I know you and your subscribers will appreciate it. It gives rise to the long view:
+ My dear Relatives and Friends,
On the night of December 7th to 8th this year, I had an unusual dream: I was writing down a short Christmas story. It was dictated to me in my dream, but I considered each word so carefully while writing it down that it had remained clear in my memory when I woke up.
Once upon a time, a cobbler and his wife were working at making shoes. God had not given them children of their own, but they had learned to cut the leather so skillfully that with every pair of shoes they made to order, they could make a small pair on the side for a poor child. As they were working together, they used to sing:
Father of us all, we pray
As we make these shoes today:
Nowhere on this earth let go
Children barefoot in the snow.
But no matter how hard they worked, there seemed to be more and more poor children in our world. With heavy hearts the cobbler and his wife used to work until late in the night, but the help they were able to offer seemed like a drop on a hot stone.
It was the holy night of Christmas, but in their sadness the two old people were not aware of it, still sewing on a small pair of shoes. Suddenly a golden light filled the workshop and a barefoot little boy came in. He took the cobbler’s wife by one hand and the cobbler by the other and led them out into the snow behind the house. Wherever he went, Christmas Roses raised their heads in his tracks, and he said with a voice like a wind-bell:
Go now and rest.
God knows best.
My reaction to this dream surprised even me. Still half asleep, I was angry and railed against "this sentimental distraction from the world's needs." I woke up disturbed. Since then, however, I've begun to ask myself: Once we, with our limited minds, have generously exhausted our abilities to patch up our poor world, may we not trust that the Great Mind that, out of sheer possibility, makes Christmas Roses bloom, knows possibilities for our future that far surpass our current imagination? May this thought give us inner peace throughout 2026 and at the same time spur us on to double our efforts in working together for outer peace. This is my fierce wish.
Your Brother David
I found your words about power and domination not being able to solve the problems we face today an important framing for our future. Our problems are larger than the finite game where the rules as set and there can only be one winner and one loser. Whether it’s climate change, loneliness or the myriad affronts to our humanity, ours is a larger game, more infinite in nature, one where the goal is to be there another day and keep playing and serving those who need our help.
Thank you, Rev. Cameron, for your insightful analysis regarding the power that comes from two different kingdoms: the one that values violence, bombs, and fighting, and the one "not of this world," Jesus's kingdom. In the garden of Gethsemane, before Jesus is taken away by a club-wielding mob, Peter resorts violence by cutting off the servant's ear. But Jesus then heals that ear. Sometimes I wonder if our president, who sells Bibles on the side, "listens" to that type of healing power.
The old story is flailing while it is drowning. The liminal time between stories will be difficult and ripe for islands of coherence held together by a new story of relationship and connection to emerge and spread. This is the grounded hope I hold as systems fray ever faster.
Your reflections always redirect the despair and grief in my heart towards a sense of renewed hope. Thank you Cameron for inspiring us and persevering with us.
I echo the words of ClareJulian Carbone in her post this morning: “Your reflections redirect the despair and grief in my heart towards a sense of renewed hope.”
Thank you, Rev. Cameron. I’m very grateful for your generosity in sharing your strength and wisdom in these inspiring meditations.
Thank you for this reflection Cameron. As utterly diabolical as this development at the White House is, it makes me think of when I learned about gladiators and so many acts of war-violence in grade school and was astonished by the barbarism. Our descendants will be as appalled by these actions as I was.
I’m so grateful to be on this journey with you all. 🙏
So terribly humiliating....
Thanks for this beautiful distinction between the interpretations of distorted power and real power
Activist and author, Starhawk has written about three kinds of power:
“Power over,
Power within, and
Power with. “
I appreciate these definitions as individuals can tap into our power within even in oppressive environments. And, those of us who are able to can share power with others in serving like Jesus along with people joining together in community.
Last night, I watched Rise Up Singing on YouTube. There were No Kings events around the USA with great turnouts. That is my kind of power!! Lots of great organizations were participating.
https://www.youtube.com/live/Uxap5XA61ng?is=WsPSNbay_1d3cUhq
I don’t think you ever realized it, but you were the first woman who ever showed me that being a strong woman was acceptable. I was so beat down in 2010-11 that you, Bill and VHC started shaping me into a new better version of myself. That was true strength I saw.
High stakes, scary odds.
May we stay, stand, speak as one.
True strength in numbers.
Also, I’d love to join the book club to discuss The Glorians by Terry Tempest Williams. I’m already rereading it, but am not available for the next 5 Tuesdays:(. It’s been inspiring to allow the beauty of life provide solace and deeper understanding.
Thanks for this offering, Candace!❤️
Spectator sports is a training ground for cultish tribalism. Participation from the sidelines.
Thank you for this profound reflective moment....May we offer each other and our hurting world community WATER BOWLS of cleansing - erasing the birthday celebration of two men fighting , crowds of people caught up in one man's self understanding .
Thank you, Rev. Cameron, for your beautiful writing about an ugly event on the grounds of a building that often has symbolized a different story of power across its history. And ours.
I’m persuaded we could use a legion of bucket brigades, water sloshing over rims as we, the people, scrub soles standing on holy ground across America for the sake of our souls. Together, only and always. Thank you.
Shannan