(sung by Enya, on her new album “Winter time”)
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chadfarrand
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chadfarrand
a prayer written by Shane Claiborne on Sojo.net
God of Abraham, Miriam, Hannah, Rizpah, and David…
God of Elijah, Amos, Ruth, Isaiah, Deborah…
God of Mary, John the Baptizer, Peter, Paul, Philemon and Onesimus…
God of Anthony, Ambrose, Dirk Willems, Teresa of Avila, and Francis of
Assisi,
God of Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, William
Wilberforce, and Oscar Romero
and God of love, grace, and hope…Thank you for creating a perfect world.
Forgive us for the mess we have made of it.
Thank you for creating Jubilee, gleaning, and Sabbath as patterns to
ensure that the poor are cared for, the earth rests, and inequality is
dismantled.
Forgive us for choosing the patterns of empire.
Thank you for using the weak things to shame the strong and the
foolish things to confound the wise.
Protect us from becoming too strong or too wise.
Protect us from ourselves.Forgive us…
for the groaning of creation
for the millions who die of hunger and curable diseases
for warehousing people in prisons and using them for labor
for the scandal of billions wasted in war
for worrying about tomorrow and storing up more than this day our
daily bread
for an economy that mirrors the seven deadly sins
for our Caesars and our Herods
for the violence and greed in our own hearts
Save us from ourselves.Deliver us…
from the arrogance of power
from the myth of redemptive violence
from the tyranny of greed
from the ugliness of racism
from false hope and counterfeit change
from the cancer of hatred
from the seduction of wealth
from the idolatry of nationalism
from the paralysis of cynicism
from the ghettoes of poverty
from the ghettoes of wealth
from the blood-stained pages of history
and from the legacy of slavery.
Deliver us oh God.Give us the courage…
to bless the poor in a world that blesses the middle class.
to bless the meek in a world that admires aggression.
to bless the hungry in a world that feeds the already fed.
to bless the merciful in a world that shows no mercy on evildoers.
to bless the pure in heart in a world of clutter and noise.
to bless the peacemakers in a world that baptizes bombs.Give us imagination…
that we might not conform to the patterns of this world.
that we might shatter indifference and interrupt injustice with grace
that we might choose the cross over the sword
that we might be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves
that we might consider the lillies and sparrows as they shame Wall
Street’s splendor
that we might choose the dream of God over the dreams of nations
that we might cling to the God that so loved the world, not just America
that we might allow our Jesus to change America rather than America to
change our Jesus.In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
(written by Shane Claiborne)
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chadfarrand
I’ve just returned home from viewing the movie, “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.” It is a gripping movie. For those who haven’t read the book, the movie takes place amid World War II in Germany. The main character is a boy named “Bruno” (played by Asa Butterfield) who is the son of a Nazi commandant (played by David Thewlis - who also plays professor Lupin in the Harry Potter films). The story gives us a glimpse inside this family who finds itself inside the anti-semetic, nazi ideals. Bruno reluctantly leaves his home with his family as his father is transferred to oversee a “work camp” in the country. Before they leave, there is a great party held at their home and we meet the father’s parents who are sharply divided in their political views (the grandmother is very outspoken in her anti-nazi views, which is rather a refreshing and daring from the author).
After the move, we see the ever curious Bruno becoming more and more curious about the “farm” and the “farmers” he sees out his window. This curiosity eventually draws him to discover the boundries of the camp where he encounters another eight year old boy named “Shmuel” (played by Jack Scanlon) - who wears the striped pajamas. Bruno becomes confused the more he befriends Shmuel. He is being taught that the jews are the “enemy” and are not “real people,” and yet he can find no fault in Shmuel. It is through their mutually innocent eyes that this drama really plays out.
I won’t ruin the movie for you, but let me just say that this movie will haunt you. The cruel and wicked reality of the concentration camps butts up against a torn family. This is a wonderfully sad movie that is totally worth the price of admission.
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chadfarrand
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the Michigan Poverty Summit. It started out early, way too early. I was up at 5am and left Lansing around 6am. I and my friend Amanda rode down with my mom and our family friend, Theresa. We got there at a little after 8:30, registered and walked into the main meeting room in Cobo Hall (Detroit). When we got in, Jennifer Granholm was already speaking. So, we quickly found a table and sat down to listen to her. She was awesome. She laid out some obvious challenges that we face as a state currently, but also pointed out some real positive statistics that I hadn’t heard before. She made a couple of obvious references to Barack Obama, then left to go overseas. Then, shortly after her, we heard Martin Luther King Jr. III. While not as captivating as his father, he made some good points. One that caught me is when he asked why we are still arguing over a “minimum” wage when we should be fighting for a “livable” wage for everyone. We then left and went to our first set of breakout sessions. I had chosen the Faith-Based initiative break out for Amanda and I to attend. We quickly realized that this was going to be a snoozer, and left after about 10 minutes into the talk. With a couple hours to kill, we decided to hop onto the people mover and grab lunch over in Greektown! (one of the best decisions all day!)
We went to my fav. place in Greektown, the “Little Parthenon.” I ordered some saganaki (flaming cheese) which was amazing as always. Then, for my main meal I got a Gyro platter. I could’ve passed out it was so good! We then headed back up, and onto the people mover again to make our way to Cobo. After getting back, we waited to re-connect with my mom before heading into our regional breakout session. We were placed in Region 4, but were told that our county (Ionia) was not going to be a part of this region but rather Region 3…so basically, while they would take our input, they would make “every effort” to get our suggestions over to the other region (which didn’t happen). It was really crowded, and they tried to break us into smaller groups based on topics. We choose the “Children and Poverty” subject. I for one couldn’t hear one word the people were saying because it was so loud from the other groups around us. We then left and decided to make our way home with my mom and Theresa.
On our way, we decided to take Theresa and Amanda to the star deli in Southfield. This is where I go every time I go to see my specialist down there. They are a REAL jewish deli and bakery!! They have the best corned beef, which is what we got. We got back into Lansing around 8, and got home around 9. Still recovering from the weather and all the walking, but I’m glad we went.
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chadfarrand
Ok, this has nothing to do with Vet’s day, but it’s just so cool. MuteMath in the studio, one of the most creative bands out today. If you don’t know them, you should.
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chadfarrand
Today is Veteran’s Day. So, I am thinking a lot about my Grandpa Farrand. I just found the site for the WWII Honor Roll Monument in Rochester Hills, where he lived. (http://www.rochesterhills.org/city_services/museum/wwii_honor_roll_monument.asp) If you scroll down, you’ll find his name listed there.
Grandpa was a great man. I’ll never forget him.
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chadfarrand
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chadfarrand
I just want to say, as much as I hate the BCS, Michigan State Football is now ranked 15 in the country! We’re currently tied #1 in the big ten. Am I dreaming? If he keeps this up, Mark Dantonio may just become almost as beloved as Tom Izzo…almost.
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chadfarrand
Friday, Rev. Billy Graham turned 90. What a bittersweet moment it must have been to cross this milestone without Ruth. Franklin began a cool present for his daddy on billygraham90.com where thousands upon thousands of people have been telling Mr. G “thank you” for the change in their lives through the ministry and life of this awesome guy. I’ll never forget meeting Mr. G for the first time. I never knew that he was actually taller than me! I was saving some seats at church in Montreat, and the G’s came in with their “posse” a few minutes into the service (as always). Three rows of best friends worshipping God together near their homes. Seeing Bev Shea passing around M&M’s during the responsive reading made me laugh out loud. I can’t possibly overstate or sum up the impact that Billy has had on this planet, I’ll just say this: Thanks, and Happy Birthday Mr. G!
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chadfarrand
Ok, what’s going on in Detroit. Not only do we have to put up with a 0-8 record from the Lions, NOW the Piston’s have traded Chauncey and McDyess for Allen Iverson!!! NOT CHAUNCEY!!!
boo Piston’s. Boo.
