Fighting Poverty With Faith Mobilization Concludes with Capitol Hill Briefing: The Rev. Chuck Currie

At a time when most American families are about to feast on another Thanksgiving Day meal, more and more individuals and family are are scared about where their next meal will come from, or are not able to pay their bills, or do not know when the financier will arrive to repossess their only means of transportation. And this situation is not showing any signs of improving any time soon. In fact, with all the talk of not extending unemployment insurance for millions, the present condition might just get worst.

UCC Pastor, Chuck Currie's recent blog speaks to the faith-based efforts to directly speak to, and act on, the issue of poverty; an issue which only seems to grow more drastic with each passing day. It's well worth the read, as we are about to gather around tables all across the United States, for another Thanksgiving celebration.

Only problem is that for an expanding number of Americans there are less chairs at the tables, and no celebration.

The Rev. Chuck Currie: Fighting Poverty With Faith Mobilization Concludes with Capitol Hill Briefing

From the UCC Network: Devotional for 11/24 "Let Me In ..."

Let me in … 

Excerpt from Jeremiah 7:1-15 

 “Amend your ways and your doings, and let me dwell with you in this place.”

Reflection by Quinn G. Caldwell 

The people have been telling themselves that God lives in their temple and will always do so, no matter how they act.  Enter the prophet.

Jeremiah lets loose like a good prophet: do not oppress the orphans and the widows, do not shed innocent blood, do not worship other gods, do not act unjustly with one another.  If you do (you know what’s coming here), then God will no longer be in your temple.

But get this: Jeremiah says that the reason God won’t be in the temple isn’t that God will leave, or will punish the people.  Jeremiah says that God won’t be in the temple because the people won’t let God be.  Jeremiah pictures God outside the temple, asking, “Let me in!”  It’s like Jesus saying, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”

Apparently, our behavior has something to do with whether there’s room for God in our lives—and our temples—or not.  Apparently, God won’t shove God’s way in where people’s behavior declares that God is not wanted.  Apparently, our acts of justice and worship and mercy are the very things that open the door to God.

So the question is, just how much do you want God in your temple?

Prayer 

Holy God, love me so much that I might shape a life that has plenty of room for you in it.  Amen.

About the Author Quinn G. Caldwell is Associate Minister of Old South Church in Boston, Massachusetts.

Daily Prayer

Gracious Lord, again you have brought me safely to this new day. As I share in this gift from you, help me to faithfully live it with joy, and in simple acts of kindness towards everyone whose path I may cross. 


Help my life to always be a blessing unto others, wherever I may travel, and may your love always radiate from my being, for all the world to see, and follow.


May your blessings and peace be upon us.


Amen.

(adapted from "Common Prayer: a Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals")

Rev. Michael Kirchhoff