Easy answers, instead of hard questions,
allow us to want to change others,
rather than allowing God to change us.

--Richard Rohr

Please take responsibility for the energy you bring to this space.
--Oprah

Anyone can Love People who are Lovely

In an address to West Point Cadets regarding people who are difficult to accept or respect, Nelle Harper Lee siad, " Our response to these people represents our earthly test. And I think, that these people enrich the wonder of our lives. It is they who most need our kindness, because they seem less deserving. Afterall, anyone can love people who are lovely."

If feelings fail you,
vain will be your course,
and idle what you plan
unless your art
springs from the soul
with elemental force.
--Faust (Goethe)

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumbered here
While these visions did appear.

A Midsummer Night's Dream, 5. 1

• Remember those lost to AIDS and those now struggling with it
(published Saturday, December 13, 2008 in The State)

On Dec. 1, I attended the 20th annual World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil held in on the steps of the S.C. State House.

I was reminded of the World AIDS Day Vigil held in 1988 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, just across the street from where we stood. Like then, it was a cold night. My partner and I attended that service. We didn’t know that it would be the only World AIDS Day Service he would live to attend. I thought of what that event was then and how it had changed over the course of 20 years.

Twenty years ago, a few community and spiritual leaders from different faiths gathered to pray for understanding and strength to come to grips with a largely unknown disease. A large part of the service was devoted to calming fears. Also, we prayed that science would be led to find a cure and treatment. There were prayers for those living with AIDS and for their caregivers. It was a solemn service with more things unknown than known. Few identified as having the disease.
On Dec. 1, some of that same original group were joined by S.C. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, and Richland County Councilman-elect Jim Manning. The message is different, but in many ways the same. We still seek strength and understanding. We still seek a cure and better treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS, and we pray for their caregivers. We also challenge those in leadership positions to support increased awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Participants were challenged to get tested and know their status and encourage their friends and family to do the same.

Today, there are many drugs used in treating HIV with several more in development, and we still pray for a cure. With all we know, people are still becoming infected with HIV, and people still get sick and die with AIDS.

Please remember those who fought and lost the battle with HIV/AIDS. I also ask that you lift up those now living with HIV that their lives continue to improve with available treatment.

Ask our community leaders to provide the necessary HIV testing, awareness and prevention messages in appropriate venues. Let’s continue to support access to treatment and services necessary to improve the lives of those living with HIV. Remember, everyone has a part to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

RICK FELDER
Columbia

The Servant Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_wMO5KxeAI
1.Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you?Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.
2.We are pilgrims on a journey, we are trav’lers on the road.We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.
3.I will hold the Christ-light for you in the night time of your fear.I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.
4.I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh I'll laugh with you.I will share your joy and sorrow till we've seen this journey through.
5.When we sing to god in heaven, we shall find such harmony,born of all we've known together of Christ's love and agony.
6.Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you?Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.
#307 in Hymnal: A Worship Book
Words: Richard Gillard, 1977, alt.Tune: Richard Gillard, 1977; adapted by Betty Pulkingham Text and Music copyright ©1977 Scripture in Song (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)

The irony of commitment is that it is deeply liberating - in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life.
--Anne Morriss

He, in his developed manhood, stood, a little sunburned by the glare of life.

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett

Every little trifle, for some reason, does seem incalculably important and when you say of a thing “nothing hangs on it” it sounds like blasphemy. There’s never any knowledge –how am I to put it- which of our actions, which of our idlenesses won’t have things hanging on it forever.

--Where Angels Fear to Tread
E. M Forester

Amazing Grace

"A high station in life is earned by the gallantry with which appalling experiences are survived with grace."

- Tennessee Williams

live with intention.
walk on th edge.
listen hard.
practice wellness.
play with abandon.
laugh.
choose with no regret.
continue to learn.
appreciate your friends.
do what you love.
live as if this is all there is.
-mary annradmacher

Risk

more than others think is safe.

Care

more than others think is wise.

Dream

more than others think is practical.

Expect

more than others think is possible.

-- West Point Cadet Maxim

Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.
--St. Francis