Our "R" Decade
Explicit content warning
01/04/20 • 7 min
Today's quotation is from 1 Corinthians 10:31-33
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."
I wanted to Renew the purpose of this Podcast and Reflect on what might be next. There are three overall premises; first, that there is a clear linkage between Spirituality and Sustainability, and second, that it is our personal responsibility to work toward Sustainable Development. That only from a ground up movement can real change be possible. Changes that are both Global and God-focused. And finally, that this movement is ecumenical and inclusive, that we will walk together with all men and women of faith. That together, we will be co-creators of God kin-dom on earth.
I asked my millennial children what they think will characterize the next ten years and their answer was "Revolution". While I cannot disagree that as we leave the decade that began with Occupy Wall Street may begin with Occupy Main Street, I think there are other "R" words that can be our watchwords. Pick which ones you might personally Resonate with!
Recognition: to recognize the plight of others. To go from #metoo to #youtoo! To be empathic toward others. Walk in their shoes, drink from their cup.
Reflection: Embrace the quiet. For some, it is when you can hear the voice of God. Ponder the plight of others or plan the direction you must go. Reflection is not just what you see in the mirror!
Reconciliation: Reconcile with those you may have hurt. I recently saw the movie "The Two Popes" which is a wonderful story of reconciliation between two souls. This is a movie that brought me to tears which very few movies have been able to do.
Restoration: This is taking the next step. To plant trees, save wildlife. To put back that which has been used. To restore something to the state it used to be. It can be as simple as picking up trash that others have tossed.
Restitution: To acknowledge that some have been unfairly treated and to pay back that which had been taken away. This is justice as something that reaches both forward and backward in time.
Reconnection: Try to reconnect to something that you have moved away from. This could be personal relationships or even nature itself. Your life can be enriched through this effort to reconnect.
Review: The beginning of any decade is as good a place as any to look back and assess where you have been and where you are going.
Relevance: Some things are important, others are not. Try to determine for yourself that which is important in your life and the lives of others.
Responsibility: Understand that you are in control of your life. Your actions can and will affect others, so act accordingly. Become an ambassador for the coming age. Sometimes we are called to take a leadership position. Be ready to take that responsibility!
Resolutions: It is now time for us to make our resolutions, our action plan. Reduce -
Recycle - Reuse To live simply so other may simply live
So my closing blessing to you is that as we transition from Global Awareness to Global Shareholder, our amen to the body and blood of Christ is an Amen to the human desire to change. To Renew ourselves toward God and what, where, and who he is calling us to be. To build a new world. To boldly go forward into the future. A future that we as children of God envision for ourselves and create for our children's children. Amen.
Today's quotation is from 1 Corinthians 10:31-33
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."
I wanted to Renew the purpose of this Podcast and Reflect on what might be next. There are three overall premises; first, that there is a clear linkage between Spirituality and Sustainability, and second, that it is our personal responsibility to work toward Sustainable Development. That only from a ground up movement can real change be possible. Changes that are both Global and God-focused. And finally, that this movement is ecumenical and inclusive, that we will walk together with all men and women of faith. That together, we will be co-creators of God kin-dom on earth.
I asked my millennial children what they think will characterize the next ten years and their answer was "Revolution". While I cannot disagree that as we leave the decade that began with Occupy Wall Street may begin with Occupy Main Street, I think there are other "R" words that can be our watchwords. Pick which ones you might personally Resonate with!
Recognition: to recognize the plight of others. To go from #metoo to #youtoo! To be empathic toward others. Walk in their shoes, drink from their cup.
Reflection: Embrace the quiet. For some, it is when you can hear the voice of God. Ponder the plight of others or plan the direction you must go. Reflection is not just what you see in the mirror!
Reconciliation: Reconcile with those you may have hurt. I recently saw the movie "The Two Popes" which is a wonderful story of reconciliation between two souls. This is a movie that brought me to tears which very few movies have been able to do.
Restoration: This is taking the next step. To plant trees, save wildlife. To put back that which has been used. To restore something to the state it used to be. It can be as simple as picking up trash that others have tossed.
Restitution: To acknowledge that some have been unfairly treated and to pay back that which had been taken away. This is justice as something that reaches both forward and backward in time.
Reconnection: Try to reconnect to something that you have moved away from. This could be personal relationships or even nature itself. Your life can be enriched through this effort to reconnect.
Review: The beginning of any decade is as good a place as any to look back and assess where you have been and where you are going.
Relevance: Some things are important, others are not. Try to determine for yourself that which is important in your life and the lives of others.
Responsibility: Understand that you are in control of your life. Your actions can and will affect others, so act accordingly. Become an ambassador for the coming age. Sometimes we are called to take a leadership position. Be ready to take that responsibility!
Resolutions: It is now time for us to make our resolutions, our action plan. Reduce -
Recycle - Reuse To live simply so other may simply live
So my closing blessing to you is that as we transition from Global Awareness to Global Shareholder, our amen to the body and blood of Christ is an Amen to the human desire to change. To Renew ourselves toward God and what, where, and who he is calling us to be. To build a new world. To boldly go forward into the future. A future that we as children of God envision for ourselves and create for our children's children. Amen.
Previous Episode
Christmas Day - 25 December 2019 – Wednesday
This is the end of our Advent Season, The idea behind this Podcast is that by linking Spiritually to Sustainability, I can provide inspiration for both prayer and reflection as we work together toward a more sustainable world. A world that I believe god wants us to create.
Today's quotation is from Psalms 98:1
"Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him."
To me, this is the Canticle of a New World Order, a sustainable world built for and in the image of God and Heaven. We have been gifted with all we need to get there. But getting there is a personal decision, a decision not so much for ourselves but one made with Love and consideration of each other! We are being called today to be the right hand of God!
So this Podcast was a decision I made back in October to have a daily reflection to explain and highlight different Sustainable Development Goals. At the time it sounded reasonable and doable. Little did I know then that I would be doing this in the midst of helping my wife through and recover from Open Heart Surgery.
Also, I never have done a Podcast before. I needed to research how it was done and purchase a decent microphone and equipment to do this. Not to mention learning new software and hosting services.
In the end, I am not even sure I was able to accomplish what I intended. Were friend's put off by my proclaiming things of a spiritual nature? Did it make folks better aware of sustainability without coming across as an environmental snob?
I welcome your feedback as I now take a break from this daily task. What did you like? What do you wish was avoided? Do you even want this to continue? I would even welcome those who might like to add their own voices to mine. Do you have something to share?
I would even welcome a monetary gift to show appreciation. If every listener was able to contribute just a dollar, I would be able to cover all the out of pocket costs of putting this Podcast on so far.
Prayerful Action Items
OK, No getting off the hook today, I want YOU to do something. Either write me a message about this Podcast and provide to me some sort of feedback. How has this changed your perspective or what it has motivated you to do. Or, make a simple donation toward this work with the link below. My email address is [email protected]. Just put SDG in the subject line.
I pray that the Joy of the Day will be with you all! That you are together with those you love.
I pray that as we gather, we think of those less fortunate.
Call to action, What we can do now!
Make a commitment to give to others. Not just from our excess, but from our Talents and Treasure to make life better for all humanity now and into the future.
Closing Blessing
May you all enjoy this Green Christmas wherever you are. May the gifts we give to each other make a lasting change in our own hearts and for the entire world. Amen.
Next Episode
Leading a Resilient Life
Today's quotations are from the New International Version (NIV)
Leviticus 26 14:16
14 “‘But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, 15 and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, 16 then I will do this to you: I will bring on you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and sap your strength.
Psalm 91:3-6
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Prayerful Action Items
My friends, as faith-filled people we should know that we are not immune from harm. The Coronavirus is traveling the globe, threatening to rip apart the fabric of our society.
I am here to discuss with you all of this and hopefully provide some helpful guidance as we navigate the days and weeks ahead.
I Choose to live a life without fear. How I do that is to live a resilient lifestyle. Life is not risk-free.
Be aware of what is around you and be prepared for what could happen.
Prepare for the worst and hope and pray for the best!
While others were running around like their hair was on fire, I had a peaceful resolve knowing that I had already done what I could long before this crisis started. I surround myself with the white healing light of Christ and walk without fear.
I am actively working to bring folks together and use my God-gifted creative mind to bring safety and hope to the infected. I even invented and submitted a Patent application for a Patient Isolation, Transportation, and Care Device for the last Ebola crisis in 2014-15. Pray that this time, it might be funded for further development and deployment in the near future.
At this time of chaos and crisis, I pray for you calm. Together we can get through this and become even more connected than before.
Call to action, What we can do now!
Wash hands often - before/after eating after returning home, after using restrooms, etc. Instead of reciting the birthday song or the alphabet, try reciting a prayer while you cleanse yourself.
Practice Social Distancing. Avoid physical contact with those who are sick of anything, whether it be flu, coronavirus, or cold. But stay connected by phone or internet to those you love. We are in this together!
MASKS: Wear a face mask in public. N-95 masks, if you can get your hands on them, are good. If not, regular surgical masks work. Do not wear air-sealed masks unless you are going to be in contact with someone who has coronavirus, as they can cause oxygen deprivation.
Only eat cooked foods. The virus is suspected to come from animals, and boiling will kill it.
Wipe down surfaces with alcohol/ethanol if you suspect they could be contaminated. Alcohol can also kill it.
Avoid large crowds! This is a big one. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and therefore will spread with coughing, sneezing, and even normal breathing. Avoiding large crowds lowers your risk of infections significantly. If you are in a city with confirmed cases, especially a lot of them, do not venture outdoors unless absolutely necessary.
Tying into the last one, when coughing, sneezing, etc. pleas
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