A prayer by Norris Burkes

Lord, find what I've hidden
Touch what I've hurt
Open what I have closed
Teach what I would not learn
Fill the places I've emptied
And empty what consumes me
Release what I've captured
Hold what escapes me
Invade what I defend
And defend what I have surrounded

Amen

Eschatological Laundry List

Man's inhumanity to man is not only perpetuated by the vitrolic actions of those who are bad, it is also perpetuated by the vitiating inaction of those who are good.

Dr. Martin Luther King

Scion - Brenda 1953 & Madeline 2005

Rubicon

Let my paean song be sung in a stenorian voice. It is a tantivity of sonnets and notes. May my tune be palatable to the Lord, a song of rectitude. May the notes fall on irenic ears, a symphony filed with largesse grace. May the Countenance Devine bless those who hear.

Brenda Hutchinson
January 8, 2006

New Year Child

Each second we live is a new and unique moment in the universe, a moment that was before and never will be again. And what do we teach our children in school? We teach them that two and two makes four and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all of the world there is not other child exactly like you. In the millions of years that have passed, there has never been a child like you. And look at your body-what a wonder it is! Your legs, your arms, your cunning fingers, the way you move! You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel.

And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must cherish one another. You must work - we all must work - to make this world worthy of its children.

Pablo Casals

New Years Wishes

Concerning religion, Jews, Christians and Muslims have more in common than they have differences. Jews, Christians and Muslims trace their religious roots to the family of Abraham. In the Qur'an, Muslims recognize Jesus and Moses as prophets. Muslims call Christians and Jews people of the book, because the Christian Bible and the Jewish torah are books of revelation similar to the Qur'an. Ishmael was Abraham's first son with his wife Hagar. Muhammed is a descendant of Ishmael. Mohammed is the final prophet of the Muslim religion. During his time on earth, Mohammed never renounced the Jewish or Christian faith, he only claimed to complete and perfect their teachings. Jews and Chritians trace their line of faith through Isaac the second born son of Abraham with Sarah. Jews, Christians and Muslims all trace their religious line of faith through Abraham. As members of the family of Abraham, this New Year, lets all celebrate the the family of Abraham. May Jews, Christians and Muslims enjoy peace on earth and share good will among humankind.

Written by Brenda Hutchinson 2006