Almighty God, on this Thanksgiving Day and every day of the year, I give thanks for you. You are the creator of heaven and earth. You created, not only all of humankind, you created even me. You have given to us an earth filled with resources. Please forgive our lack of stewardship as we inhabit your world. Give us the wisdom and courage to care for your gifts and share them with our neighbors.

On this new day, I want to thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ, who is my Lord and Savior. Jesus is at the center of my life, and he holds my hand, leading me and sustaining me along life’s journey. As I thank you for Jesus, I thank you too for the new life that comes with the dawning of each new day.

Creator God, I am thankful that Jesus taught us how to pray, and what to say when we are praying. On this day, please open my eyes that I might be able to see your goodness and mercy. Open my ears so that I might be able to hear your calm, quiet voice at all times. Take my lips and enable me to speak genuine words of thanksgiving to you. How grateful I am for my friend Jesus, who bears all of our sins and all of our grief.

Every day and every moment, I realize that whatever confronts me in life, I am never alone. Thank you loving God for the hovering presence of the Holy Spirit. There are times when I do not acknowledge your presence, thinking that I am self-sufficient. With gratitude, I thank you dear God, because you have enabled me to become the person that you desire me to be in this life.

Healing God, when I was in the valley of illness, you were there. I thank you for your healing touch. I am grateful for an efficient hospital, caring nurses, skilled doctors and experienced technicians. Also, dear God, I give thanks for praying people who prayed for me, then and now. Continue to teach me how to pray, always praying in the name of Jesus.

How joyous it is to have good relationships with other people. Today I give thanks for all of my family. I give thanks for the laity and clergy who make up the West Virginia Conference family.

So, on this Thanksgiving Day, I give thanks with a grateful heart. Dear God, I am thankful for all that you have done for me, through me, and with me.

Amen!

It has been noted frequently that most Americans living at the time remember where they were when John F. Kennedy was assassinated. As one of those Americans, I remember where I was when the news came that President Kennedy had been shot.

It was a balmy fall day and I was walking across campus at Morgan State College, returning to my dormitory room from class. A student told me that President Kennedy had been assassinated. I rushed to my dorm lounge [no televisions in our rooms in those days] so that I could see the television news reports.

It was November 22, 1963 and I was a junior in college. The sixties were a turbulent decade that witnessed too the assassination of President Kennedy’s brother, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. When President Kennedy was elected, it seemed that he would be a fresh wind in the nation and the world. Many believed that he was the wind of change and transformation, so there were great expectations.

President Kennedy’s life was cut short, but the light of his dreams was not snuffed out. President Johnson was able to bring some of Kennedy’s unrealized dreams into fruition during his tenure, especially in the arena of civil rights legislation.

During the week following President Kennedy’s assassination, I was in a state of shock and wonderment. It was difficult to believe [accept the fact] that an American president had been killed by an assassin. What would the future hold for America?

This is still an appropriate question: What does the future hold for America. One thing is sure, however, and that is my belief that God holds the whole world in God’s hands [and that includes the United States].

All of us must continue to make God’s world a better place.

I recently joined with 76 colleague bishops in calling for President Obama to remove the US troops from Afghanistan. In a letter sent to President Obama on November 10, 2009 we stated: “We believe that there is no path to military victory in Afghanistan.”

We bishops are well aware that President Obama is considering a new military strategy for Afghanistan. We are also aware of the fact that our men and women are being killed in this never ending war. Afghanistan’s civilian population has been suffering from the ravages of continuing war.

I join with my colleague bishops in remembering an honoring those persons who have died or have been wounded in the war.

When I was born, World War II was raging. It was soon followed by the Korean War. At a later time the Vietnam War raged during my college days. During my life time, the US has been involved in numerous wars.

In a statement labeled “Military Service,” the United Methodist Church has declared:

We deplore war and urge the peaceful settlement of all disputes among nations. From the beginning, the Christian conscience has struggled with the harsh realities of violence and war, for these evils clearly frustrate God’s loving purposes for humankind. We yearn for the day when there will be no more war and people will live together in peace and justice. Some of us believe that war, and other acts of violence, are never acceptable to Christians. We also acknowledge that many Christians believe that, when peaceful alternatives have failed, the force of arms may regretfully be preferable to unchecked aggression, tyranny and genocide. We honor the witness of pacifists who will not allow us to become complacent about war and violence. We also respect those who support the use of force, but only in extreme situations and only when the need is clear beyond reasonable doubt, and through appropriate international organizations. We urge the establishment of the rule of law in international affairs as a means of elimination of war, violence, and coercion in these affairs.[“The United Methodist Book of Discipline, 2008]

Is there not a more peaceful solution in our quest to protect the US?

I will continue to hold President Obama in my prayers as he makes a decision about the war in Afghanistan.

From a personal perspective, religious and political, I am opposed to the death penalty as employed by many state governments in the United States.

The United Methodist Church has an official position in opposition to the death penalty. The “United Methodist Book of Discipline, 2008” clearly states the official United Methodist Church position regarding the death penalty or capital punishment:

We believe the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings. The United Methodist Church is deeply concerned about crime throughout the world and the value of any life taken by a murder or homicide. We believe all human life is sacred and created by God and therefore, we must see all human life as significant and valuable. When governments implement the death penalty (capital punishment), then the life of the convicted person is devalued and all possibility of change in that person’s life ends. We believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that the possibility of reconciliation with Christ comes through repentance. This gift of reconciliation is offered to all individuals without exception and gives all life new dignity and sacredness. For this reason, we oppose the death penalty (capital punishment) and urge its elimination from all criminal codes.This is a moral, ethical, and religious statement.

On November 10, 2009 the State of Virginia executed the DC Sniper, John Allen Muhammad. This man was a murderer, guilty of the most heinous crimes. Many people called for his execution. His execution raised again the controversy about the death penalty.

We mortals cannot usurp God’s power and authority. God has created all of humanity, breathing life into each person. What gives us the right to legally execute another human being?

I will continue to oppose the death penalty, and urge that it be eliminated from all criminal codes.

What are your thoughts on this matter?

“God’s Creation is in crisis.” This is the opening sentence of a pastoral letter adopted by the Council of Bishops [COB] of The United Methodist Church on Tuesday, November 3, 2009. This pastoral letter addresses the subject of God’s creation. The exact title of the letter is “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action”.

I was pleased to join with my colleague bishops in adopting this pastoral letter, similar to the Council’s landmark 1986 call, “In Defense of Creation: The Nuclear Crisis and a Just Peace.”

The letter declares that “our neglect, selfishness, and pride have fostered: [1] pandemic poverty and disease; [2] environmental degradation; and, [3] the proliferation of weapons and violence.” The notion that God’s creation is in crisis is no exaggeration. If this is the current reality concerning God’s creation, what does the future hold for humankind, unless we mend our care of God’s creation? Indeed, God has entrusted the care of God’s creation to all of God’s people. The critical problem that confronts us is that “we have turned our backs on God and on our responsibilities.”

The bishops said: “With a resurrection spirit, we look forward to the renewal of the whole creation and commit ourselves to that vision. We pray that God will accept and use our lives and resources that we re-dedicate to a ministry of peace, justice and hope to overcome poverty and disease, environmental degradation, and the proliferation of weapons and violence.” We bishops have pledged ourselves to the multifaceted task of helping to make a difference in the care of God’s creation.

There are three resources available to the church: [1] Pastoral Letter [2] Foundation Document (with Preface), and the [3] Pastoral Letter in Liturgical Setting. The documents will be available on the Internet in just a few days  at wvumc.org and hopeandaction.org.

Yes, God’s creation is in crisis and we must act in partnership to end this crisis.

All new cars come with certain standard equipment, with the opportunity for the prospective buyer to purchase certain optional equipment. There are two items that are never optional. Every car is manufactured with a windshield and a rear-view mirror.

The windshield usually spans from the driver’s side of a car to the passenger side of the car. The purpose of the windshield is to provide a means for the driver of the automobile to be able to have a maximum view of what is in front of the car. A car must have a clear path and the driver must be able to see that the path is free from any obstacles. When the windshield gets dirty, it behooves the driver to clean the glass, so that there is an unobstructed line of sight.

The windshield, located in the front of a car, enables a driver to move in a forward direction, while seeing everything that might be in the intended pathway of the car. Obviously, one cannot drive a car safely when the windshield is obstructed.

On the other hand, one cannot safely drive a car in a forward direction without the ability to look backward. Rear-view mirrors enable the driver of a car to see what is behind a car. It comes in handy, when the driver wants to back up the car. It is also a useful device when a driver gets ready to pass another car while driving in a forward direction.

The point is that a car needs a windshield and a rear-view mirror. These items are included as standard equipment in a new car. What does this have to do with living life?

The Christian life requires a posture of looking to the future. God led the children of Israel as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. God led these folk into a future with hope. At certain times, the children of Israel wanted to go back to Egypt. That was a rear-view mirror theology. Things look good the way they use to be, but Moses was leading them forward. Now that was a windshield theology, a practical theology.

It is important to note that the windshield is a large space, while the rear-view mirror is a small object that provides a limited view. This is more than a matter of perspective; it is a matter of reality. We do not necessarily need to see all that is behind us, but it is imperative that we see everything that is in front of us.

Think about it!

All Saints Day is a special day of celebration in the life of the Christian church. It is a time when we remember and honor the saints of the church who now rest from their labors. The saints are our loved ones. They are pilgrim disciples who have sought to be faithful to God and God’s people.

When I was a district superintendent in the Raritan District [The former Northern New Jersey Annual Conference], we had an annual district All Saints Day jazz worship service, New Orleans style. It was always a memorable celebration. The district churches would bring a list of their members who had died since the last celebration. These names were read with respect and joyful appreciation for their labors in their church.

I cannot help but remember the saints who have been a part of my life. One of those persons was Mr. Ernest Jones. He was a role model, mentor and friend. Mr. Jones, a ham radio operator himself, tutored me in preparation for obtaining my ham radio license. I have fond memories of my Saturday visits to his home where I would sit in his basement and listen to him tell stories about his experiences as a ham radio operator, answer my questions about radio theory or show me how to build a radio transmitter. He and his wife always welcomed me into his home, extending warm hospitality. He was never too busy to spend some time with me. I consider Mr. Jones to be one of the saints in my life.

On All Saints Day, 2009, the Council of Bishops [The United Methodist Church] remembered some of the saints. It is customary for the Council to begin its meetings with a memorial service. During this service we memorialized five persons: one retired bishop and four spouses of bishops. It was a wonderful celebration.

I believe that it is important and significant to remember the saints. We should know what they stood for and worked for as they labored in the church. Not only do we learn from the saints, we are inspired by the saints.

Let us give thanks to God for all the saints who now rest from their labors here on earth.

Today, I read an article entitled “The Good Life” [“AARP Magazine”, November & December 2009]. The article suggests that “older Americans are enjoying their later years with a nod toward God.” In other words, when Americans reach their senior years, there is a spiritual shift – toward God.

According to the article, 70% of people at age 75 and beyond say that religion is very important in their life. At age 65-75, it is 62%. At age 50-64, it is 61%, and 54% from age 30-49. Finally, at age 18-29 it is 44% who say religion is very important in their life. This is only one analysis, but it does have some interesting conclusions.

Are there any surprises for you? Are these statistics reflected in the community where you live and in the congregation where you worship God?

This Pew Center Research survey is titled “Growing Old in America.” The study also suggests that somehow, life gets better as one grows older. The seniors surveyed said that there is “more time with family, less stress, and more financial security.”

Now, I wonder: Why don’t churches creatively evangelize [share the Good News of Jesus Christ] among senior citizens?

The United States and the nations of the world are traveling through some extremely difficult economic times. We witness the loss of jobs and thousands of home foreclosures. There are some economists who now say that they believe the recession is starting to abate slowly. There is not unanimous agreement on this matter, so the pundits continue to engage in their unscientific forecasts.

Each day the media engages in discussions about the economic situation. Many of these debates are between Democrats and Republicans, and conservatives and liberals. Somewhere in the middle, we might here from a few moderates. So the debates rage on a daily basis.

It is rare, if ever, that I hear a spokesperson from the religious community included in the media debates. Does not the religious community have anything to say on economic matters?

The United Methodist Church has made a cogent statement about the economic community that is well worth our consideration [‘The United Methodist Book of Discipline 2008,” page 118]. Please give the following statement a careful reading:

We claim all economic systems to be under the judgment of God no less than other facets of the created order. Therefore, we recognize the responsibility of governments to develop and implement sound fiscal and monetary policies that provide for the economic life of individuals and corporate entities and that ensure full employment and adequate incomes with a minimum of inflation. We believe private and public economic enterprises are responsible for the social costs of doing business, such as employment and environmental pollution, and that they should be held accountable for these costs. We support measures that would reduce the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. We further support efforts to revise tax structures and to eliminate governmental support programs that now benefit the wealthy at the expense of other persons.

This statement is based on the Bible and the teachings of Jesus, who challenges us to care for our brothers and sisters.

You might want to share this United Methodist statement with your local congregation.

The United States Congress is fiercely debating the matter of health care. Various interest groups have their own perspective. Individual citizens have a variety of opinions about this important mater.

Do you know what the United Methodist “Social Principles” say about health care? The “Social Principles” say: We believe it is a governmental responsibility to provide all citizens with health care.

The operative word in the UM statement is “all” citizens.

The statement is contained in the “Social Principles [The United Methodist Book of Discipline, 2008, page 118].

Think about it!