Seasons
Dec 22
The winter solstice signals the ending of fall/autumn and beginning of winter.
Seasons change.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
- Cities change
- Families change
- Laws change
- Politicians change
- Profits change (for businesses)
Truthfully -- due to death, disagreements, distance or personal choices -- even friends can "come and go like seasons changing."
But, just as seasons and other things in life change, some things are always in season.
Always in season?
God's steadfast love (Psalm 25:10)
Always in season?
Doing good and loving others (1 Thessalonians 5:15, Galatians 6:9)
Always in season?
Prayer and giving thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:17,18)
And bearing the fruit of the spirit? - it's never out of season (Galatians 5:22-23)
So in this season of change -- in this season of giving, we share this gift of ancient wisdom with you - wisdom that is always in season.
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https://towelandbasin.org/ancientwisdom
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A Good Day to Give Thanks
Nov 28
Here are Six Steps of Nonviolent Social Change derived from The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work and writings. When implemented, these can help overcome the Triple Evils that are barriers to the Beloved Community.
Step One – Information Gathering
To understand an issue, problem, or injustice to a person, community, or institution you must do research. Gather vital information from all sides of the argument or issue to increase your understanding of the problem and become an expert on your opponent’s position.
Step Two – Education
Inform others, including the opposition about your position. This minimizes misunderstanding and gains you support and sympathy.
Step Three - Personal Commitment
Daily affirm your faith in the philosophy and methods of nonviolence. Eliminate/confess hidden motives and prepare yourself to accept suffering, if necessary, in your work for justice.
Step Four - Negotiations
Using grace, humor, and intelligence, confront the party with a list of injustices and a plan for addressing and resolving these injustices Look for what is positive in every action and statement the opposition makes. Do not seek to humiliate the opponent but call forth the good in the opponent. Look for ways the opponent can also win,
Step Five - Direct Acton
These are actions taken to morally force the opponent to work with you in resolving the injustices. Direct action imposes a “creative tension” into the conflict. Direct action is most effective when it illustrates the injustice it seeks to correct.
There are hundreds of direct action tactics such as:
- Boycotts
- Marches and rallies
- Rent strikes and work slow-downs
- Letter writing and petition campaigns
- Property occupancy, financial withdrawal
- Political denial through voting
Step Six - Reconciliation
Nonviolence seeks friendship and understanding with the opponent. Nonviolence does not seek to defeat the opponent. Nonviolence is directed against evil systems, forces, and oppressive policies; evil and unjust acts, not against persons.
Sources:
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” in Why We Can't Wait
Affiliate Disclosure: From time to time Towel & Basin recommends products and services we believe in. If you click our link and buy Towel & Basin receives a referral commission that helps support our work of developing servant-leaders. The products won't cost any more because you click our links. In fact, sometimes we are able to negotiate better prices or add bonuses on top when you click our links. It's a win-win.
Here are the Six Principles of Nonviolence that The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., developed and implemented in his ministry. He believed nonviolence to be the most effective way to overcome the Triple Evils that are barriers to the Beloved Community.
- Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people
- It is active nonviolent resistance to evil
- It is aggressive spiritually, mentally and emotionally
- It is always persuading the opponent of the righteousness of your cause
- It is only passive in its non-aggression towards its enemy
- Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.
- The end of nonviolence is redemption and reconciliation
- The purpose of nonviolence is the creation of the Beloved Community
- Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people.
- Nonviolence recognizes that evil doers are also victims and not evil people.
- The nonviolent resister seeks to defeat evil not people.
- Nonviolence holds that unearned suffering is redemptive and can educate and transform.
- Nonviolence accepts suffering without retaliation
- Nonviolence accepts violence if necessary but will never inflict it
- Nonviolence willingly accepts the consequences of its act
- Suffering has the power to convert the enemy when reason fails
- Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.
- Nonviolence resists violence of the spirit as well as the body.
- Nonviolent love is spontaneous, unmotivated, unselfish and creative
- Nonviolent love gives willingly knowing that the return might be hostility
- Nonviolent love is active, not passive
- Nonviolent love is un-ending in its ability to forgive in order to restore community
- Nonviolent love does not sink to the level of the hater
- Love for the enemy is how we demonstrate love for ourselves.
- Love restores community and resists injustice
- Nonviolence recognizes the fact that all life is interrelated.
- Nonviolence believes the universe is on the side of justice.
- The nonviolent resister has deep faith that justice will eventually win.
- Nonviolence believes that God is a God of justice.
Sources:
Pilgrimage to Nonviolence” in Stride Toward Freedom
Affiliate Disclosure: From time to time Towel & Basin recommends products and services we believe in. If you click our link and buy Towel & Basin receives a referral commission that helps support our work of developing servant-leaders. The products won't cost any more because you click our links. In fact, sometimes we are able to negotiate better prices or add bonuses on top when you click our links. It's a win-win.
