My Fellow Pilgrims

What a year can bring

It's new.
It's for you.
It's a whole new year.

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
NOW is a gift. 
That's why its called the Present.

Whatever you had before,
can be let go if you need to let it go.
Let go even as it clings to you.

Give yourself the gift of grace,
the gift of peace,
the gift of true joy.
They can all be yours.
The living Christ offers it to any and all.

Take the opportunity and ask yourself,
are you ready for the year to begin?
Be intentional, fellow pilgrims,
and enjoy our next trip around the sun.

Namaste and Pax.

Timothy Kaine, Governor of Virginia

I am pleased, I must admit, that the results that just were announced were that Tim Kaine beat out Jerry Kilgore for the governor's race.  I was pleased that both men are active in their faith, and were not embarrassed to discuss it.  I as appalled, however, at the tenor of the campaign.  When Kilgore invoked the name of Hitler in an add, it seemed to be the last straw for many in the state.  At this point, the polls turned on Kilgore.
This is the first election in which I had met personally all the candidates in the race, even the third party candidate, Russ Potts.  That was cool, having a feel for who the were in their presence.
For me, I was going to have a very simple and silent election.  Because of my positions as a teacher and minister, I do not often vocalize my politics, but on Sunday at church, someone had the audacity to place anti-Kaine literature filled with exaggerations and a few lies on every windshield in the church parking lot.  I was livid.  I trust that it was an outsider to the church, but in a church the size of the one where I am on staff, you never know.   I came home and put on my bumper stickers and put out my yard sign.  Neutrality was out the window.  No matter the political beliefs of the party, when it is drug into the church on Sunday morning, it is beyond acceptable, no matter the party.
So, I am quite pleased that the former Richmond mayor won.  I think it will be good for the state, and the city.  I think it makes a tremendously strong statement against the direction of the country today.  I think it is a step in the right direction, a continued step.

Fear and Loving in Richmond

I just got a present from one of my boys.  Last week was teacher appreciation week, and I had never even heard of the event.  I got a box.  In it was a fantastic book on boys by male authors.  (I teach at a boys middle school, and this will be rich source material.)  They also gave me a movie gift certificate.  (Love the movies!!!)

The last gift struck me the most, with some looming fear, some mounting awe, but mostly dumb shock.  It was a baby outfit from the Gap.  Cute little striped pants, with a shirt that says, "I <heart> Dad."  I am going to be a Dad.  I am going to be a Dad.  I knew the whole Father thing was happening, but it was highly striking to see these tiny clothes, and the Dad proudly embroidered on the front. 

The next few months are going to be fun, once I catch my breath, that is.