SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER

"Be still and know that I am God."

     

                                Psalm 46:10 

       This week I wanted to share two posts from other sources and three links.  Both posts help to bring us back to our foundations as animal activists in faith communities.  For me, it is a time to take some necessary refreshment, and to return to the fundamentals.     

        The first link is to a post from the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.  10 Biblical Truths About Animals, by Barrett Duke, provides an overview of basic scriptural teachings about animals. It is a good reminder that scripture has a great deal to say about our fellow creatures.  As animal activists in our faith communities, we must be firmly grounded in scripture and we must always be prepared to explain that we are not bringing a secular perspective into our faith, but are seeking to open the eyes of our communities to the place animals have always had in the Bible so that we can more fully live into what we say we believe.  

         The second link is a post from a few months ago at Still Harbor by Rev. Steven Bonsey.  The Activist As Contemplative reminds us of the importance of stillness before God.  "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) is both scripture and prayer and it is always an important idea for activists to remember to help us avoid and overcome the frustration and burn-out that can come from working for any kind of social change.  By simply being with God silence, we allow His presence to renew and refresh us and to remind us that not everything depends on us.  By trusting God and allowing Him to work through us on His schedule, we can accomplish so much more - both for our own faith and for the cause we all cherish so deeply.

        The third link is simply to the location where you can go to sign up to receive Humane Steward, if you don't already get it.  It is a monthly e-mail from the Humane Society of the United States Faith Outreach Department with links to various items of interest for those of us interested in animal welfare as a matter of faith.  This month, for example, it provides a link to the Barrett Duke article described above. 

       And now,  may "the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."  (From The Book of Common Prayer, another excellent resource for grounding and refreshment).