This is St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. For the last five weeks we have come here on Wednesdays to participate in the Thorne Sparkman School of Religion that is a series of lectures on matters of faith. We have talked about religion in the public square this year and have had some great speakers talk about that heady subject. It’s been a blessing to be here at Lent where we have worshipped and fellowshipped. Thanks to our friends John and Connie for sponsoring us.
The United States is not doing its part to support Ukraine as of late. Republicans in charge of the US House of Representatives are the problem. The longer it takes to get supplies to the Ukrainian military the more Russian forces advance and capture more territory making life hard for the citizens of the war-torn country. Other countries are taking the lead and thank goodness. Ukrainians need material support and prayers to get them through this horrible time in their history.
Russian citizens are not the enemy. It’s Putin who is using the military to advance his evil aims. Every day Russians are subject to sanctions and I would think they would rather not be.
Support Ukraine now and in the future.
There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
There has been another mass shooting in America. This time it was in Nashville, Tennessee at a Christian school. Three students and three adults were killed. I talked about rest yesterday but this is something where no one can rest until something is done. There are many solutions, pick one. It’s better than doing nothing and having people still die. We should all be sick of this. How many lives must perish before something is done? Unfortunately, Tennessee’s governor is fighting culture wars that no one asked to be fought.
Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania was the center of attention today as Phil the Groundhog made his prediction of 6 more weeks of winter. The way the weather has been I can believe it. So let’s enjoy the added chill and frost and even rain. Be safe.
I support law enforcement. However, some police officers have no business wearing the uniform and carrying a gun. Better screening, better recruitment, and better training are needed. Also better pay to attract the best people who will become officers. Too many instances of what happened to Tyre Nichols, George Floyd, and others are happening. Police officers are to serve and protect or so I thought. Something must change. Change should have happened a long time ago.
The Tony Burgess Blog 