Promoted by request...

The past few days, I’ve noticed folks around these parts saying “it just doesn’t feel” like the regular Holiday season, whether its due to the warm weather, our to-do lists, being in a different place this year, etc.

The first thing to really get me in the "mood" this year was Vansterdam's photos of Holiday lights during Coffee Hour last week.

So I thought: why don’t we try to jump start that feeling by having a little party and posting some of our favorite Holiday photos and recipes??

So pull up a chair (the fire’s warm), grab your favorite beverage and bring your favorite photos!  We’ve got Irish Coffee, eggnog (your choice of brandy), and sparkling cider.  Best of all, its free, and annoying relatives are not allowed :)

I'm wondering whether we can get an ongoing prayer/meditation vigil going this week for the monks in Burma and the political situation there.  Are other Prophets interested in participating?

If possible, can we put together an ongoing vigil for a peaceful resolution?
 
For those of you who haven't read about it yet, here is the story (full story at the link):

Burmese military threatens monks

Burma's ruling military junta has warned it is ready to "take action" against Buddhist monks leading mounting protests, state media have reported.

Brig Gen Thura Myint Maung, minister for religion, warned them not to break Buddhist "rules and regulations" as Rangoon saw the largest march yet.

Monks are highly revered in Burma and correspondents say any move by the junta to crush their demonstrations would spark an outcry.

But there are fears of a repeat of 1988, correspondents say, when the last democracy uprising was crushed by the military and some 3,000 people were killed.

More after the jump

Promoted by Rain until after the meditation

We'll begin tonight's Hour of Focused Intent at 5 p.m. Pacific Time / 8 p.m. Eastern

This has been a busy month, and it promises to be a busy year.  There are going to be many huge changes, many decisions made in my life over the next 6 months, and therefore I’m finding myself on edge.  This weekend, as I was preparing for tonight’s Meditation, I found myself focusing on Patience.  My life is going to be a study in patience over the next six months.  

A jug fills drop by drop.
~~Buddha

With or without a big situation in my life, I can always do well to think about and exhibit more patience.   Here are some of the thoughts, statements and scriptures I’ve run across while putting this together.  

All we need is just a little patience
~~Guns ‘N Roses

A typical day at Street Prophets...

New user crashes respectful conversation, and attempts to bait peace-loving Prophets into proving they’re not (peace-loving, that is).

As many people have noted, the Republicans seem to be scrambling for an electable candidate that can also pass muster with the religious conservatives.  

We have seen many of the media and religious leaders discussing the faith of various Republican candidates, but so far we have not seen a direct attack on a candidate's faith from another candidate.  That may be about to change.

Promoted by Rain until after the hour of meditation

We'll begin tonight's Hour of Focused Intent at 5 p.m. Pacific Time / 8 p.m. Eastern

Tonight let's focus our Meditation on Wisdom.  This issue has been weighing heavily on my mind, on many levels.  As you will see from some of the quotes and Scriptures here, Wisdom is described as a process, evolving through experience, patience and maturity.  

However, Wisdom is not just learning from your own past mistakes.  It is learning, and being open to learning, from others' past mistakes.

“A prudent question is one-half of wisdom.”
-- Francis Bacon  

“Patience is the companion of wisdom.”
-- Saint Augustine  

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”
-- Confucius

“Wisdom stands at the turn in the road and calls upon us publicly, but we consider it false and despise its adherents.”
-- Kahlil Gibran

At some point, most of us have wondered -- through all of the Bush administration's lies and cover-ups -- HOW is it possible for Bush to hold a 30% approval rating?

This question has plagued me as well.  I just could not fathom how this was possible...until I noticed the 30% figure appearing again and again in various studies and polls.

(By the way, my favorite sig line these days is from someone over at Big Orange.  A tip of the hat to her signature line:   "Satan himself had a 33% approval rating even as he was booted out of heaven."  HA!)

It is a small step, I know.  But it shows that James Dobson's efforts to have Richard Cizik (the NAE's vice president for governmental affairs) ousted due to his "liberal" positions have failed.

A major U.S. association of evangelical Christians has condemned torture by the U.S. military and reaffirmed its commitment to environmental activism, positions that highlight broader splits in a movement associated with conservative causes.

Full article here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/evangelicals_torture_statement_dc;_ylt=Av94r8tHr1v4Vfdwn38XfUqyFz4D

One of my favorite themes in life - as well as design motifs - is the "Tree of Life."  It is a beautiful concept and symbol that is loved and revered by many faiths, philosophies and cultures.  

I've been thinking about this theme quite a bit lately, but haven't had much time for diaries.  Now that spring is around the corner, signs of rebirth, growth and rejuvenation are everywhere.  So what I'm really hoping is to hear from the Prophets:  What does the Tree of Life mean to YOU, and to your faith?

You're invited beneath the fold for more:

How many conflicts (both personal and global) could be avoided through forgiveness?

I can't stop thinking about how much our little planet could use a good dose of forgiveness these days.

"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."
-- Jesus

Tonight beginning at 5 p.m. Pacific Time / 8 p.m. Eastern Time, we will join together in a group meditation - the "Hour of Focused Intent."  Tonight our focus will be forgiveness:  in the world, of each other, and of ourselves.

The past few days/weeks, I have seen some really incredible recipes floating around Street Prophets.  (OK, probably since Thanksgiving.)

A few days after Christmas, my family (parents and grandmother) are coming to stay with me -- for the past 8 or 9 years, the family has gathered at my folks' house.

Interesting essay on CNN.com today.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/13/bakker.brown.commentary/index.html

Bakker, Brown: What the hell happened to Christianity?

Editor's note: Jay Bakker, son of former Praise The Lord leaders Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Messner, is minister of Revolution Church and subject of a new documentary series, "One Punk Under God," on Sundance Channel. Marc Brown is a Revolution staff member.

NEW YORK (CNN) -- What the hell happened? Where did we go wrong? How was Christianity co-opted by a political party? Why are Christians supporting laws that force others to live by their standards? The answers to these questions are integral to the survival of Christianity.

Just got back from the East Coast and this is one of the first articles I saw this morning.  
Right now I unfortunately don't have time to do a full diary, but I wanted to post for discussion / feedback.

Thoughts?  I will be around - love to hear your thoughts...