From the Reverend Doctor's Desk

This is a first, posting something my dad wrote. The following is a excerpt from the message last Sunday. My dad addressed big issues: the poor and injustice. This is not an easy thing to do in many church settings. And frankly, a lot of people don't like hearing these answers. Love to be comfortable with them.

What are we individually and collectively to do in regards to the poor and injustice? Here are my top ten answers to that question:

· Our first act must be to repent of our distain and disgust toward the poor. We must acknowledge our self-righteousness that views all poor as welfare cheats and lazy indigents. We must confess that our prejudice toward different classes of the poor, such as illegal immigrants, is a selfish disguise for not wanting to have our standard of living disturbed.

· Second, we are called to identify with and stand for the poor because Jesus did so himself.

· Third, our response to the poor should cause us to examine how we can lead a compassionate lifestyle and constrain our greed and materialism.

· Fourth, we must share the gospel with the poor. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor” (Lk. 4:18). Along with this, we are to prayer for the poor and oppressed of the world in our daily prayers.

· Fifth, I would suggest including the poor and oppressed in your household budget. Dedicate some of your personal giving to economic aid organizations like OXFAM, Compassion Intl., Bread For The World, or World Vision that provide food and care for children, refugees and the poor.

· Sixth, pay close attention to economic and political conditions in other nations. We can’t help if we don’t know what’s really going on.

· Seventh, get to know organizations that are working for justice locally. Ex. OUR Center, Boulder County Justice, Boulder County Safehouse, Boulder County AIDS Project

· Eighth, make working for justice part of your weekly or monthly routine. Devote some time to a specific activity that personally connects you to people who are poor or disenfranchised.

· Ninth, vote your conscience. Remember that nations will be judged by the way they treat people who are disadvantaged.

· Lastly, advocate and work for a person, people or cause that you believe, one that has meaning for you personally.