Random Remarks, Reflections, and Readings

At the end of this post is a link to the daily scriptures for this day. First, some random remarks.

I do hate violence. I hate it enough to want to shake some sense into perpetrators . I do get the irony of that and I will not act upon the urge. Suburban. Urban. It is the same thing. Our inner city neighborhoods are terrorized though. Parents are locking their kids in. Kids are being pressured and groomed to carry out the violent intents of their handlers. Citizens are being duped into thinking counter violence is the only solution. Violence always begets violence, even in our righteous fantasy life. Something stronger, steadier, and longer-lasting rises.

Prayer is often very difficult. Connecting seems tough. Distance. Cold indifference. Lifeless words. Soulless sentiments. Mundane moments. Routine. Ritual. Obligation. Distractibility. Guilty self-flagellation longing for relaxed intimacy and immediacy. Then, in just a moment, realization. It has been about me ... even the efforts at devotion and upward focus - MY depth of spiritual sensitivity. Arrogance wrapped in self-loathing. How about a conversation about something outside of me? How about a shared concern with an Eternal Friend whose love for our common friend is calling me to intercession, even mention?

Since this is not a current issue, I will ask a question that has always puzzled me about governments interacting. Can anyone explain to me how refusing to talk to a government with whom you have serious issues is an effective form of diplomacy? Yet, it does seem effective as a political distraction at home. I am sure it will come up.

What do these three paragraphs have to do with each other? I don't know except that they were all three posted on Facebook on this day in previous years. I was reminded in my feed. One was about violence; one about prayer; one about diplomacy. None had easy answers - just feelings and questions.

If we want answers, we need to look through and beyond our musings, but we cannot avoid them.

So prayerfully and inquisitively, I come to the scriptures today and each day. In them, I find curiosity, clarity, continuity, and consolation -- and more questions.

Today, they are: Colossians 1:24-2:7, Luke 6:27-38, Psalm 119:49-72, Psalm 49, Psalm 50