Character Counts

 

ChARacTER counts!

Dear Friends

One of the highlights, if not the highlight of our road trip to the east coast a couple of years ago, was a visit to Plains, Georgia. The pictures above include the first signs we saw; Kathleen in the presidential suite, among several rooms above an antique store where we spent the night (as president and Mrs. Carter had); and me standing at the train station where “Mr. Jimmy” as he known by the locals, was welcomed back on his return to Plains.

Grace and goodness. Decency and dignity. Those were among the many adjectives I heard over and over while watching the breaking news of President Jimmy Carter’s death this afternoon. As I have said previously, character counts, character matters, especially among leaders with large platforms. Why? Because character affects one’s decisions and actions, and character affects those who listen and watch what one says and does. We should expect the best for the country we all love.

Sadly, President Carter’s death represents the end of an era in terms of what we now expect and accept from politicians and politics. The last election certainly would suggest that character has been ignored or put even further to the side when choosing a leader. But a quote from President Carter reminds us of the Great Commandment we’ve had all along and can be our guide going forward if we choose to follow it.

“You only have to have two loves in your life:

for God, and for the person in front of you at any particular time.”

Every day we have chances to live those words. We are all far from perfect in doing that, but we hope, with God’s help, that we can do our best.

Let’s hope this moment will help remind us that ChARacTER counts. 

Make character count again.

As someone has said, “Keep hope alive in 2025”.

John

Really?

 

Dear Friends

After having already driven by an overflowing parking lot at the post office three times during the past two weeks, (to purchase Christmas stamps), I finally took a chance when I saw a few empty parking places and pulled in last Friday.

Alas! The line was still way too long. But I decided to wait. Fifteen minutes later and now about 10^th in line and closer to the one postal worker (there are four stations!) I saw a crude sign hastily taped to a counter: “Sorry we are all out of Holiday Stamps. We hope to get more next week”.

My frustration mounting, I started thinking of the nicest thing I could say when it was my turn. When I finally reached the one employee on duty, I said, “It’s a shame you have to work alone.” I also asked why he was alone during this busy season. He said, “a couple of people are on vacation”. (I thought to myself, “Really? Well, that makes a lot of sense!!!) My blood pressure rising, I then suggested as politely as I could that they put the sign about being out of “Holiday” stamps at the front door!  He said that was a good idea. I haven’t driven by again to see if that happened.

In any case, I asked, “What stamps do you have?”  I said no to the flag stamp offered, and the only other choices were, and I’m not kidding, Nancy Reagan and Betty Ford!!! And then he said, “Oh, here is one more”. Hesitant, but feeling the pressure of people waiting behind me, and seeing some words about peace, liberty and safety, I said, “Okay, I’ll take some of those”.

When I got to the car I read the whole message: “12 Colonies Unite in Protest” and then “We ask for but Peace, Liberty, and Safety”. When I googled to find out what this stamp was all about, I discovered it was part of a message from the First Continental Congress to King George!

So now, how do I make a political stamp into something about Christmas? Beyond welcoming the “Prince of PEACE”, I can give thanks that for freedom (LIBERTY), Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1) and pray “Hold me up, and I shall be SAFE” (Psalm 119:117)

Clearly, I need to get on a waiting list for 2025 Christmas stamps now, and wait for a drone to deliver them. But I might check back and see if a new shipment of holiday stamps arrive.

John

 

 

 

 

It's about time

Dear Friends

I am not the “Advent Police.” You may start listening to and singing Christmas carols starting the day after Thanksgiving, anywhere and anytime except on Sunday mornings in church. 

But many of you know I was/am the “Thanksgiving Police” when it comes to stores being open on our national holiday. (Excluding some grocery stores, gas stations, movie theaters etc.)

I am happy to announce, if you haven’t heard, that after more and more stores were opening on Thanksgiving Day (and some staying open after midnight to kick off Black Friday) the pendulum is swinging back. Just look at the list in the pictures above.

While this positive trend may have been influenced by the pandemic and on-line shopping, I like to think it was only because of my efforts. Seriously, one of my proudest moments was when my letter to the editor on this subject was published in the LA Times on Thanksgiving Day, several years ago, as the lead letter (in the separate box with a picture)! One of the lines from that letter sums it up---It’s Thanksgiving Day, not Thank$getting Day. On the same Thanksgiving Day, I had a different letter on the subject published in the Riverside Press Enterprise. (You can't send the same letter to different newspapers).

So to practice what I preach, may the only stuff  I get on Thursday be stuffing.

Now excuse me while I go set up some cameras to catch any Amazon delivery vehicles trying to sneak into my neighborhood.

John

 

Thanks for you!

 

“Be joyful always, pray at all times, 

be thankful in all circumstances.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Dear Friends 

I have often reminded people that St. Paul did not say be thankful for all circumstances but in all circumstances.

It should not surprise you that I am not thankful for the results of the recent election. But it is also hard to be thankful in these circumstances, this moment in our country’s history. I suppose I can give thanks that close to half of those who voted (it was not a landslide) still believe that character counts when it comes to leaders in any position, much less the highest office in the land. I believe character is the first thing you need in a leader, because it affects every decision that is made. No one has a perfect character, but we’re talking about a deeply flawed one as evidenced by the person's own words and behavior.

While I have been, to quote Paul again, “weeping with those who weep” it is hard to “rejoice with those who rejoice.”

But as we approach Thanksgiving Day, we need look no further than the Bible, and for Episcopalians, our Book of Common Prayer and Hymnal, to find some words that can inspire and help us move forward day by day with thanks and hope. There are so many examples but here are just three which come to mind in this post-election moment.

Colossians 2:6-7

Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him. Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives in him and become stronger in your faith as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving.

Excerpt from “A General Thanksgiving” p. 836 BCP

Accept, O Lord our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us… We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone…

Darwall’s 148^th (“Ye Holy Angels Bright”, Hymn 625 v. 4)

My soul, bear thou thy part, triumph in God above

And with a well-tuned heart sing thou the songs of love!

Let all thy days till life shall end, what e’er he send

Be filled with praise.

 

And finally, as the cartoon above says, “Thanks for you.”

 John

 

Recipe for Success

                              

Dear Friends

After watching the parade and celebration at Dodger Stadium today, I was inspired to write these words (and yes, with Tuesday’s election in mind). The picture above, from today’s LA Times, also inspired this blog.

Different personalities. Different politics. 

Different countries. Different colors. 

Different strengths. Different styles.

But look what mutual love and respect, sacrificing and working together for the common good, and not worrying about who gets the credit achieved for the Dodgers this year.

And don't forget the character and intelligence of the manager, who treats his players with dignity and trust and leads with joy.

It sounds like a recipe for success our country needs right now.

John

 

 

 

Dear Friends

Following is a letter to the editor I have submitted. It may or may not be published. I don't expect my sharing it with a few hundred people who still read the paper and/or those who read my blog to make a  difference in the upcoming election. I am sharing it to record where I stood at this moment in my life. Silence can be misunderstood for, or means approval. I also called my Congressman Ken Calvert, and, not surprisingly, his office said he had no comment.

Several years ago, I accompanied my beloved adopted son to Puerto Rico where, among other things, we visited Ponce, the birthplace of his birth mother. The “joke” at the Madison Square Garden rally described that part of our country as “a floating island of garbage”. J.D. Vance said later that we need to “stop getting offended at every little thing”. I am not only offended. I am disgusted.

A Trump adviser tried to assure us that “this joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign”. A strong leader, a real “macho man” would speak for himself. He clearly is neither. By his silence, he is endorsing all the angry vile attacks that filled the arena before his entrance to the stage. And then he continued to pile on.

And he expects us to believe that he will unite this country?

John Saville

Corona, Ca.

 

Vote, Vote, Vote

 

“A vote is a kind of prayer about the world we desire

for ourselves and for our children.”

Sen. Ralph Warnock

 

Dear Friends

It’s not too soon to begin praying and voting!

While I am proud to say publicly that I have voted for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for President and Vice President, and Will Rollins for Congress, I am even prouder to share the efforts of the Episcopal Church to help prepare us for the upcoming election and its aftermath.

Among many other resources, The Rev. Shannon Kelley of the Department of Faith Formation of the Episcopal Church has offered “Prayers of the People for an Election” which I have attached below.

Further, while talking to the Dean of Washington National Cathedral during our visit last Sunday, I learned about their plans for vigils and prayer services on Election Day, the day after the election and the day after the Inauguration next January. He has said, “Whether voters choose Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, a large percentage of Americans will feel anxious, upset or fearful.  We need to find a way to heal what divides us and prayer is an important part of that healing process.”

For now, I offer this prayer from our Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

After praying, get your souls to the polls (or take your ballot to the post office!).

John

                     Prayers of the People for an Election

By Rev. Shannon Kelly, Department of Faith Formation, The Episcopal Church

Intercessor: God our creator   People: Guide us in truth and love.

Loving God, creator of this world who is the source of our wisdom and understanding, watch over this nation during this time of election. Help us to see how our faith informs our principles and actions.

We give thanks for the right to vote. Help us to hold this privilege and responsibility with the care and awareness it merits, realizing that our vote matters and that it is an act of faith.

Guide us through this election as a nation, state, and community as we vote for people to do work on our behalf and on the behalf of our communities. Help us to vote for people and ballot initiatives that will better our community and our world so it may reflect the values Christ taught us.

Help us create communities that will build your kingdom here on earth – communities that will protect the poor, stand up for the vulnerable, advocate for those who are not seen and heard, and listen to everyone’s voice.

We pray for this nation that is deeply divided. May we come together for the common good and do as you have called us to do – to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you through creation.

Help us act out of love, mercy and justice rather than out of arrogance or fear.

Lord, continue to guide us as we work for the welfare of this world. We pray for places that are torn by violence, that they may know peace.

We pray for communities who are struggling with inequality, unrest, and fear. May we all work toward reconciliation with one another and with God.

Help us to listen in love, work together in peace, and collaborate with one another as we seek the betterment of our community and world.

Intercessor: God our creator  People: Guide us in truth and love.