Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now. Fred Rogers

Meditation: The art of loving begins in childhood. Children are usually unconditional in their acceptance of themselves and of others. At least until they get hurt or disappointed… Self-love and loving others are usually easy tasks when we are children, as most of us come to this world with a healthy sense of self-assertion, curiosity and openness. At least until we get hurt or disappointed… As teenagers, the art of self-acceptance and of loving others needs to be learned again. Those are the years when we struggle to heal from the hurts and disappointments we have received and are still receiving along the way. It is the striving to trust others again after we have been hurt. It is the journey to find one’s self anew and to accept one’s self exactly the way one is, right here and now. This is what makes teenage years so difficult. However, if there is a lack of support or lack of emotional resources during those teen years, the search to recover our ability to unconditionally accept ourselves and others can remain a struggle for life. And for many of us, it does. And therefore I like the thought that loving is not necessarily a perfect state of caring, but that loving can remain a struggle throughout our life as to accept one’s self and others not for how we want them to be, but for how we/they truly are.

Prayer: Loving God, sometimes we wish away the hurts and disappointments of life. And yet, they make our striving and struggling to love ourselves and others so real. When we experience those moments of either truly accepting ourselves or of having somebody else truly accept us,  just as we are, in the here and now, and not how we ideally could be, we experience love. Love is an active noun. Love is a verb. Love is an experience. Loving is a striving and struggling. Thank You for being the ever providing God who is loving us unconditionally just the way we are, here and now. Amen

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)

 

Yet the obvious fact that virtually all the rampage school shooters were middle-class white boys barely broke a ripple in the torrent of public discussion. Michael Kimmel (“Angry White Men: American Masculinity at the End of an Era”)

Meditation: Within the first 48 days of this New Year there were already 18 school shootings in the USA. Basically every 64 hours another school in America is becoming an unsafe place for our children. Terrorism is real. Terrorism starts from within. And yet in form of school shootings, it is not being named as terrorism. Were the perpetrators of the killings in schools immigrants or minorities, they would definitely be called terrorists. However, as it is mainly white males who inflict the terroristic acts on children, it is merely a tragic event and possibly mental illness or lack of security are being blamed, but not the gun laws in this country that grant access to guns to minors more easily than access to rental cars. The national rifle association (NRA) is paying republican politicians millions of dollars so that they would not make any changes to our current gun legislation. Talk about corruption. Talk about our political system being undermined by lobbyists. And yet, the time will come that the public will have enough… How many more children have to die for the public to rise up?

Prayer: God, You must be sickened by certain politicians publicly praying for school shooting victims and doing so using Your name in vain, as behind the scenes they are taking millions of dollars to not do anything to prevent further shootings from happening. The screams of the victims and their families reach Heaven and they reach our hearts. They will not go unheard! God, You hear their screams for justice. We pray for an uprising of the public. We pray for an end of national white male terrorism and a removal of those who support and tolerate it. Amen

I hate all your show and pretense–the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. Amos 5:21 (NLT)

 

 

There would be no need for love if perfection were possible. Love arises from our imperfection, from our being different and always in need of the forgiveness, encouragement and that missing half of ourselves that we are searching for, as the Greek myth tells us, in order to complete ourselves. Eugene Kennedy

Meditation: The imperfections of us humans paralleled with the below mentioned imperfections of the so called “Old Testament” open both up for the need to be complemented. Only if both admit their limitations can completion be reached. And the journey towards completion is often filled with experiences of conflict, misunderstandings, authentic struggle, love, encouragement and finally tolerance of differences, and the forgiveness of shortcomings. We witnessed this experience in the early church when Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians tried to find a new theology together. If the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians had not found a way through and despite their differences, we would probably not have a “New Testament” as we have it today. And possibly Christianity would not have become a world religion, but might have stayed or disappeared as a small Jewish sect had they not complemented each other. Additionally we witness the above truth in our choices of friends and life partners. True love consciously recognizes and accepts one’s own and the others’ imperfections while striving to accept differences and forgive genuine mistakes.

Prayer: God, sometimes we want to surround ourselves only with folks who are “just like us”. We feel threatened by people who are different from us. Teach us that wholeness and completion comes from our differences and from our embracing of those differences. Thank you for the early Christians who found a way to integrate Jews and Gentiles into their young communities. Help us remain open to persons who are different from us. Help us to navigate the necessary conflict that arises from our differences. Let love, forgiveness and encouragement be the Spirit that reigns in our churches, communities and families. In Your name we pray. Amen

For if that first Covenant had been free from imperfection, there would have been no attempt to introduce another. Hebrew 8:7 (WNT)

I remember a specific moment, watching my grandmother hang the clothes on the line, and her saying to me, ‘you are going to have to learn to do this,’ and me being in that space of awareness and knowing that my life would not be the same as my grandmother’s life. Oprah Winfrey

Meditation: My grandmother was the oldest girl of several siblings, just like my mother and I. When her mother (a pastor’s wife) died when she was a teenager, she raised her four younger siblings. All her brothers got an education and became pastors. She did not get an education. Much later in life she became a social worker, but never enjoyed her work. My mother at 19 enrolled in her first semester to become a medical doctor. When my Dad who was a pastor asked her shortly afterwards to marry her, the church institution made her give up her professional dreams. She became a pastor’s wife and raised four children. Later on she became a librarian, which she enjoyed, but never was able to have her own income. I was born into this traditional German culture where gender inequality plus traditional images of what a woman is supposed to be and do (or not be and not do) were all around me. I am deeply grateful for having been born in the 60s. Even though I discovered feminist thinking much later in life, my spiritual belief in “being free to choose” gave me courage along the way to break certain patterns. Thanks to my parents supporting my long and good education, I am here today. I am working two dream jobs as a female leader in professions that I am passionate about, and I am able to model gender equality to my daughters. I am grateful for the women before me. Without their stories I would not have known so clearly what I wanted to do, wanted to become and choose. Thank you “Grossmama”. Thank you “Mama”.

Prayer: God, for all the moments when I was pulled back into traditional roles yet chose to move out of them, I want to thank You. For all the moments I was able to value and celebrate my grandmother’s and mother’s lives for what they were/are, I am grateful. For the next generation of women who don’t feel like they have to choose or sacrifice education over or against family, I am grateful. For Your Spirit who sees us all, male and female, traditional and postmodern, as one in Christ, I am grateful. Amen

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

No matter how difficult and painful it may be, nothing sounds as good to the soul as the truth. Martha Beck

Meditation: In the Christian tradition “truth” is a deeply relational term. It does not just mean “saying and believing correct facts”. But it means being in relationship in an authentic, vulnerable and trusting way. As we live truth within authentic and trusting relationships, we reach a freedom that we would otherwise not have found. In the New Testament this truth and freedom is initially found in discipleship, which means in relationship with Jesus and all that he stood for. Today, the term “truth” still applies to discipleship. However, we can find one expression of our discipleship also in the liberating power of truth in our family and friend relationships. When we live together in love and authentic relating, and even when we go through conflict at times and through difficult and painful moments as couples, family members and friends, the truthful exploration of the conflict: why it happened, what caused it and what different people experienced, in the end feels healing. Working with families in therapy and living in family relationships myself, nothing sounds and feels as good to our soul as exploring and exchanging the truth as we experienced it. When we come out on the other side (after explored conflict and misunderstandings), the found truth, no matter how painful it initially might feel, will set us free to start again. We can try again, do better next time, ask for forgiveness, forgive each other and move on… Even today, the example of Jesus relating in authentic and truthful ways is still healing and powerful.

Prayer: God, when we fail each other, let us admit so. And if we admit the truth, the truth will set us free. There is no shame in love. There is not bondage in truth. Help us practice loving and truthful relationships every day. Help us be authentic and honest through our experiences of conflict, difference and misunderstanding. Help us make space for a truth that is relational and that embraces sometimes opposite and different perspectives in love. We thank you for the relational model of truth that Jesus has taught us. Amen

So He said to the Jews who had believe Him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (ESV)

I believe today that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator. I do not see why man should not be just as cruel as nature. Adolf Hitler

Our rights are not given to us by man. Our rights come to us from our Creator. No matter what, no earthly force can take those rights away. Donald Trump

Meditation: As a theologian, it is scary to hear when politicians are calling on “The Creator” to justify their behavior. When God is being equated with “Nature” –the God of the Jewish/Christian faith actually ceases to exist. When ignoring and reducing Jesus Christ as the expression of a transcendent “Thou” into the vague category of “Nature”, all norm giving categories that make humanity human (like ethical norms as justice, moral norms as respect and spiritual norms as love or forgiveness) are being wiped away. Instead the idol called “Nature” (standing for “brutality”) or a declared “Natural Order” (standing for “survival of the fittest”) is being worshiped, and thereby  the oppression of a dominant leader or an oppressive group justified. This had been in history and is still today the perversion of religion at its most hidden and at its most brutal. Unfortunately today many Christian leaders and congregations in the US are once again falling for the masquerade when hearing the term “Creator God”. They think as long as these words are still being used, the leaders they follow must have a spiritual core. They don’t realize that these words are just being used in a political scheme lead by “wolves in sheep’s clothing”.

Prayer: God, once again we encounter leaders who pose as “prophets” promising “Heaven” to the masses in form of wealth, work or privilege. They use Your name in vain by claiming “the Creator God” to be on their side, while in reality they set themselves absolute and worship only themselves. God, we see their fruits. We recognize their scheme. We recognize them as false prophets. Open the eyes of the many, especially religious communities that are being led astray. God have mercy! Amen

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. Matthew 7: 15-17 (ESV)

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls. Mother Teresa

Meditation: How do we come into our own? How do we explore our own soul? How do we find God and explore our relationship with God? Mother Teresa states that we need silence to be able to touch our own and others’ soul. The experience of silence is different for each one of us. Some of us go into nature. Some of us meditate. Some of us just sit still and pray. Silence can help us find God and ourselves.

My daughter has fallen in love with the moon. As I am writing this, she is just now painting an art work on the back of her jeans jacket with a full moon in the center. I asked her why she likes the moon so much. She says that she loves to just look at it at nights. She feels like the moon is like a friend to her. She has begun to meditate, and the moon is like a comforting light and a focus in her search to find out who she is and who she is meant to be. On the top of her jacket she wrote “Pursuit of Happiness”. A creative teenage style of exploring and finding God and her own soul.

Prayer: God of creation and God of creativity, help us be still. In the craziness of this world, remind us to seek You in stillness of nature and in stillness of our minds. Thank You that You meet each of us in different ways. Thank You for being mindful of us and for caring for us. Protect us from our dark side, and let Your light shine upon us. Amen

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. Psalm 8: 3-5 (NIV)

 

 

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. Elie Wiesel 

Meditation: As a Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel reminds us never to forget what happened to his people. When growing up the message I received from the generation before me (who had been born shortly before or during WW II) was “never again”. My generation was raised to watch many documentaries about the Holocaust so we would be witnesses as well and would speak up against injustices like racism, religious persecution or ethnic cleansing in any form. The Neo-Nazis who have emerged in the US and in Germany are louder and stronger than in the past 70 years. Their unrestraint violence is a worrisome sign that we have not learned from the past. Having an US government that promotes the defamation of certain ethnic groups gives permission for right wing extremism. Declaring all undocumented immigrants as enemies allows the arbitrary treatment and oppression of anybody who is not a US citizen, just like everybody who was not of Arian race was declared an enemy for the Nazis. We often feel powerless to prevent the injustice that is happening. But let us not stop protesting! We are after all the generation(s) who are called to uphold the “never again”!

Prayer: God, our protest seems so small, so insignificant. However, injustice done to some of us is injustice done to all of us. We cannot remain silent! Help us use social media to unite those of us who oppose what is happening. An individual CAN make a difference. You Spirit works in millions of people. And It whispers: “Never again”. Let us speak loudly and let us protest every day: “Never again!” God, fill us with courage! Amen

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1. Corinthians 15: 16 (NIV)

 

 

 

The very first essential for success is a perpetually constant and regular employment of violence. The great strength of the totalitarian state is that it forces those who fear it to imitate it. Adolf Hitler

When somebody challenges you, fight back. Be brutal, be tough. Donald Trump

Meditation: Intimidation and violence are the principles of a totalitarian regime. Democracy at its best is built on the principle that people agree to disagree and allow the majority to make decisions in dialogue with and in consideration of the minority. Calling democrats who do not clap for him “treasonous” is the behavior of a despot and not of the president of a democratic country. While Hitler took violence to an extreme physical level, this president employs constant and regular emotional and verbal violence. He daily publicly shames certain people or organizations and bullies them in his Twitter tweets. A comedian was taken off air after she “went too far” mocking the president. When an infuriated president took to twitter, the network took her off the air fearing the President’s words of degradation. GOP members lie about what the president has said/done or did not say/do. They want to remain in good graces and fear professional retribution. And so the great “strength” of our president (according to Hitler) is that he forces those who fear him to imitate him. Even his supposedly level headed high ranking military chief of staff is beginning to use derogatory language towards immigrants. What recourse and protection does our democratic country have against the employment of totalitarian principles?

Prayer: God, we are sickened by the constant use of violence that is being strategically used by the president of this country. We laugh about the obvious lies and ridiculous behavior of his imitators, but we really feel sickened watching them. The media either promotes his violent behaviors and words or tries to overcome them by rational argument. God, show this country that democracy as an “intellectual and educated form of government” will not withstand these new principles built on pure instincts, violence and emotions. God, make us passionate about our democracy, so we can save it. Amen

Thus says the Lord: Act with justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the alien, the orphan, and the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place. Jeremiah 22:3 (NRSV)

All great movements are popular movements. They are the volcanic eruptions of human passions and emotions, stirred into activity by the ruthless Goddess of Distress or by the torch of the spoken word cast into the midst of the people. Adolf Hitler

Meditation The principles that Hitler knew and applied are being applied by Trump as well. The populist movement we are experiencing is built on the lowest instincts of humanity expressed as anger, greed and hate. The distress that this government is enjoying to create Hitler calls “Goddess of Distress” as it has a perverted religious quality to it . We witness it when the president says with a smile that he would love to see a Government shutdown, while he knows this will cause pain and distress to thousands of workers and their families. Or when twitter messages filled with venom light the media storm every day as “the torch” of destruction intentionally cast into the midst of the people. Trump knows what he is doing. It has been done before. And it is being done in many authoritarian countries across the world. Will our democracy survive this attack?

Prayer God, we feel the darkness of distress of the many who are being deported every day. And we are getting used to it. We feel the distress of the “dreamers” who are being used as bargaining chips on the altar of political fighting. And we are getting used to it. The torch of the mean and evil words of this president is burning bright. And we are getting numb to them. The president asks for a military parade in dictator style. And we don’t say anything. God, the manipulative populist movement of our time is working. It is undermining our democracy and we are getting used and numb. Just as it happened before and is happening in all oppressive regimes. God, have mercy. Amen

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. Proverbs 18:21 (MSG)