The Lecture

The Professor at the front

Wandering to and for

Gesticulating with hands and face

Eloquently stating his case.

The students looking bored

Minds wandering around

Trying desperately to retain

Achieving their aim in exam.

Outside the weather is wet

The world unaware

That the people to shape their future

Are sitting up there in “The Lecture”!

January 19^th,1990, Bradford, England.

-Richard

Commercial Christmas

The tills clink as

Shoppers are rushing in the eternal haze

Grabbing what they can

In their celebration of Christmas.

Shop keepers grin

As they see their profits soar

Up in the sky

Where the Christmas lights shine.

The wine corks pop

The drink flows, the food eaten

But, where is Jesus

It is His party?

Isn't it?

Christmas 1989, Hartlepool, England.

-Richard

Lost Opportunities

Time and time

Again and again

Walking around with closed eyes

Times a-gone

The chance wasted.

Never to be given again.

You felt it,

As time passed.

A love between you growing.

Time ran out.

You had to leave

Separated by three thousand miles.

Promises to write,

Remaining friends.

But as youth passes by

Summers go on

A page gone,

Left three thousand miles away.

September 1989, Hartlepool, England.

-Richard

Something that was said during the sermon at Church today really got me thinking.  These thoughts I know will be very controversial and perhaps (should anyone read my ramblings) anger    some folk.

The subject matter was the first letter of Peter and paraphrasing about how Christians are aliens in a foreign land, or using the oft used expression "in the World, but, not of the world".    We also say the Nicene Creed which says we are part of the "one Holy Catholic Church".  So, what does that mean?  It means as Christians we follow Christ as our Leader, our number one priority.  It means that as Christians we are part of the world wide Kingdom.  It means that this Kingdom takes precedent over the earthly nations. It means that every member of this Christ Kingdom should be in every aspect be fighting for the needy, fight for the oppressed, fight for the sick and fight for peace etc....

So, where are we in the world and especially the Western World?  Our Countries take priority.  I'm an American, I'm British and that is my pride.  Our politics reflect this view pouring billions into military, greedily expanding global influence, power and monatary worth. I propose that this is idolatory placing the national flag above that of Christ's Kingdom.  It should be the other way.  This is one thing Marx understood in The International.  No national boundaries with "workers of the world unite".  He although denying God, which was his fatal flaw, did understand how a global, boundary less world really is beneficial for all.

Imagine a world were the billions and billions of dollars spent on making war were instead spent on all the people of the world so all could eat, receive medical care, live together in peace and above all live under love and not hate.

Crazy rantings?  Utopia?  Perhaps...but, it is the Progressive teaching of Christ and His Apostles.

-Richard

With everything going on last week I decided not to post my disgust on the recent vote in the Senate on the gun control act.

I am angry for a couple of reasons. The first is one of my major pet peeves. That is the fact that our elected officials cow down to lobbyist and special interests because of the perks they get despite the fact that almost 90% of the population wants background checks. In this case it was the NRA. I am so happy my vote was for these people (and the many others) and not for a Congressman or Senator.

What I can't understand is what is the big issue with background checks. It has to harder for my employees to go to job sites than to get a job. It has harder to be allowed to drive a car than to get a gun. I could go on and on. If folks are so worried about having a background check what are they afraid of.

In fact in reading The Constitution where the "right to bear arms" in a "well regulated militia", and with out debating the militia aspect we have the phrase "well regulated". Therefore, currently not having any regulations for gun sales is in definition not constitutional.

-Richard

Easter Sunday. He is Alive!!

As I sit here in Church and think of the last few days and the journey of Christ from Palm Sunday to the glorious Easter morn it is humbling, but, also as I look at the World and especially at The United States two thousand years later I feel nothing but sadness.

Why? The news is devoted to anger and hate. This is a time where the Church, the Church of Christ, The Church of Acts should be stepping up and teach love and grace and not hate and fear? Even if they something is wrong where does hate and judgement come in to it? We are all sinner, living in a fallen world. This is what the Passion week is all about. Everyone are sinners and Christ died for everyone who believes. We are so preoccupied with arguing and judging others when we should be working on the fixing the major issues that in this Century and even more so in this Country criminal: hunger, poverty, sickness and greed for starters. Let's get back to the Church of Acts and perhaps the Church with a clear conscience following Christ, not, money we can really make an impact in this world.

-Richard

Friends II

Miles away from home

From the friends I love,

Thro’ Your love

Thro’ praying to You

The gap is closed

And we’re linked together

All living in You

All as one. 

August 1989, Camp Tecumseh, NJ, USA.

-Richard