I Want A Hippopatamus For Christmas

When my sister-in-law Mary Beth and I were co-workers, way way too long ago, we took a one day bus trip to New York City to shop.

Of course we went to Macy's Department Store, that was before one was on every corner in the country, and I saw this ugly green hippo in the toy department. At dusk, as we were heading back to the bus, I decided that I had to have that hippo. So there we were running I don't know how many blocks back to Macy's so I could buy my hippo. Mary Beth was so good to me that she even bought a hippo in sympathy too. The terrible thing is, like most things we think don't matter when they should, is I don't know where that hippo is. When times are meaningful keep what's important.
Merry Christmas.

Where Two Or More Are Gathered In My Name - Final Part 4

This is not a "feel good" Gospel text. The key to Christian community and Christian social justice is a world in which cooperation, community, compassion, and the charity of Christ are paramount and to which all other things are subservient.

The Kingdom of God reigns not just when the oppressed are liberated but even more when the oppressors are liberated from their insecurities and fears. In Christian social ethics we are involved in one another's conversion to justice and charity. We cannot hate, compete, compare, or dominate one another and still expect the new community of Christ to unfold. Our assurance that this is the Gospel, is that God in Christ does none of these to us!

The whole struggling world is wrestling with these issues. We are invited, challenged, and confronted to enter into this struggle. Such a struggle is one of courage and trust, rooted in our faithfulness to God and certainly God's faithfulness to us. In this one, we simply cannot remain on the sidelines. Amen.


Remaining on the sidelines, that's what I have been doing for seven long years. When we sold our house I felt I had lost my dream. It was a hard choice on my family to move to Virginia. But it was beautiful here and I had a dream. It didn't turn out perfect but I came close. I had my farm, animals and friends but at what cost. The cost of the closeness of extended family.

In 2000 we sold the house and started our economic adventure to retirement and then there also went all the friends that we made in our neighborhood, church and with our goat club. None to be replaced. It's been a lonely seven years. That's why when you have good people giving advice and sermons from the ages you should wake up and listen. It is as they say "for your own good". You don't want to go to bed at night as that miserable lonely Scrooge - reminded even more so at the holiday season. Wake up to hear what the world is telling you.

Scrooge in Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" does wake up before it's too late. Don't be stubborn, wake up, listen and read what's out there to change your life. If you do the work you will be paid in return with all that's good. You won't have bouts of regret, sadness, or ever be alone.

Steven Covey's book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is an excellent book on how to look at your life and what you need to do to make it whole. With all my Christmas Blessings.

Chris Dodd, A Man Still Working For Americans

“Today we have scored a victory for American civil liberties and sent a message to President Bush that we will not tolerate his abuse of power and veil of secrecy,” Mr. Dodd said in a statement.

“The president should not be above the rule of law, nor should the telecom companies who supported his quest to spy on American citizens,” he said. “I thank all my colleagues who joined me in fighting and winning a stay in the rush to grant retroactive immunity to the telecommunications companies who may have violated the privacy rights of millions of Americans.”


Senator Chris Dodd is a man to be more than admired. He put the rule of law ahead of politics.
Leaving his Presidential campaign in Iowa to come back to Washington and attempt to hold the Bush Administration accountable to breaking the law and abusing the Constitution. He did more for America in that moment than all the candidate's talking points combined. It's a shame that his campaign is not given the recognition it deserves by the voters or the media. Lean more about Senator Dodd at his official Senate site or support Chris Dodd for President 2008

Happy 30th Birthday Scott

My baby is 30 today. In my eyes I still see that little boy. With his silky blond hair and his cute little glasses. He looked so vulnerable. How I wish I could have hugged away all the scary things in his life.

I also see the fine young man. I love them both. More to come.............