The Common Good

Blog Posts By God's Politics Editor

Posted by God's Politics Editor 26 weeks 4 days ago
Our country just hit a tipping point. Leading up to the election, contentious posts filled our Facebook feeds, and bickering pundits caused more stress than is healthy. We split ourselves down the middle. But in the aftermath of the election, out of the rubble, a new consensus is forming—that we need to come together to solve the nation’s most pressing and impending problems.We believe what we need right now is to come together and have a robust discussion about the “Common Good.” It’s an old concept that’s being reinvented by a new generation. From caring for our neighbors, whether next door and across the glove, it’s also the theme of Jim Wallis’ newest book, On God's Side, set to release from Brazos Press in early February of 2012.Jim’s book is the beginning of the conversation, but he can’t have it by himself. An essential part of the common good is a multi-faceted, community-driven exploration of what that really means.This is where you come in.We’re looking for one- to three-minute submitted videos that examine what the common good means to you. We’ll send you an advance copy of Jim’s book for inspiration, and you take it from there.The best part? We’ll pay you $1,000.Afterwards, we’ll promote your video on all our platforms. You can expect nationwide publicity, and a huge bump in your viewership. Your portfolio will thank you. Here’s the process:Start applying today, November 16th. The application is HERE. It’s pretty straightforward. Submission deadline is December 10th, and we’ll let you know by the 12th if you’re 1 of 3 finalists. You send us a rough cut by January 16th, and a final cut on January 30th. January 30th comes, we get a final cut, and you get $1,000.Want in?
Posted by God's Politics Editor 26 weeks 4 days ago
The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that's the essence of inhumanity. - George Bernard Shaw From The Devil's Disciple + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 26 weeks 4 days ago
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. - James 3:17 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 26 weeks 4 days ago
Lord, keep us from following the gods of pride, stubbornness, vanity, sloth, greed, and comfort that beckon for our allegiance every day. You brought us through the night watches, you who neither slumber nor sleep. We pray to follow you along the path of generosity, humility, and love throughout this day. Amen. -From Common Prayer
Posted by God's Politics Editor 26 weeks 5 days ago
Peace is not an absence of war; it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice. - Benedict De Spinoza From Theological-Political Treatise + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 26 weeks 5 days ago
God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice. - Job 34:12 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 26 weeks 5 days ago
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: mightily spread abroad your Spirit — particularly in the Middle East today — that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one God; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen. -Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer
Posted by God's Politics Editor 26 weeks 5 days ago
James Balog and Jeff Orlowski, makers of the documentary film 'Chasing Ice' sit down with the "Morning Joe" MSNBC crew to discuss the implications of climate change and arctic ice melt. Check our our Sojo review of the film. Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Posted by God's Politics Editor 26 weeks 6 days ago
Where there is great love there are always miracles. - Willa Cather + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 26 weeks 6 days ago
The only thing that counts is faith working through love. - Galatians 5:6 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 26 weeks 6 days ago
Eternal God, your Son points us to the unfolding of your kingdom in our midst. May we become living signs of the kingdom through the love we show those around us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. -From Daily Prayer
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 2 hours ago
Christ wears 'two shoes' in the world: Scripture and nature. Both are necessary to understand the Lord, and at no stage can creation be seen as a separation of things from God. - John Scotus Eriugena + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 2 hours ago
 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for [God] will speak peace to [God's] people, to [God's] faithful, to those who turn to [God] in their hearts. Surely his [or her] salvation is at hand for those who fear [God], that [God's] glory may dwell in our land. - Psalm 85:8-9 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 2 hours ago
Thank you, Lord, for the endless ways you reveal yourself to us. We are so quick to separate heaven from earth, but you shine forth in all things created by your hand. Teach us that to delight in the beauty of the earth is another way of praising you. Amen. -From Common Prayer
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 1 day ago
Do not think that saintliness comes from occupation; it depends rather on what one is. The kind of work we do does not make us holy, but we may make it holy. - Meister Eckhart + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 1 day ago
This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty, and did abominable things before me; therefore I removed them when I saw it. - Ezekiel 16:49-50 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 1 day ago
God of the poor and the oppressed, of the marginalized and those cast aside, we pray to you as leaders in Washington debate what to do about the looming fiscal cliff. We ask that solutions might come that help, protect, and defend the least of these in the face of a world that does not. Give us the boldness to do our parts in this, your story, and to speak out for those who have not, for you call us to bring good news to the poor. Amen.
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 4 days ago
The Right Rev. Justin Welby, bishop of Durham in the U.K., has been named the new Archbishop of Canterbury, succeeding the retiring Archbishop Rowan Williams as head of the Anglican Communion.
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 4 days ago
Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope in the world? - Abraham Lincoln From Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, 1861 + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 4 days ago
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ - John 8:31-32 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 4 days ago
My pain and my joy are beyond compreshension. I turn everything over to you. All judgments I release. Emptying the thoughts of craving, fear, dislike. I know the light can then be free to shine. Your light, my light, our light. Thank you for the Life that is my journey. Let me be entirely changed, so that only clear Being remains. -A prayer by Wendy Wolters
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 4 days ago
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 4 days ago
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 5 days ago
The love of our neighbor in all its fullness simply means being able to say, 'What are you going through?' - Simone Weil + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 5 days ago
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.  - James 2:26 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 5 days ago
Your promises are more than all the stars in the sky; your mercy is deeper than the night. Lord, it will be cold. The night comes with its breath of death. Night comes; the end comes; you come. Lord, we wait for you day and night. -An African Prayer
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 6 days ago
I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. - Barack Obama -From his speech after re-election + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 6 days ago
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  - Philippians 4:4-7 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 27 weeks 6 days ago
God, we pray for our elected leaders, old and new. We pray that you would grant them wisdom and vision. Help them address the needs and issues facing this country and the world. 
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 2 hours ago
On Nov. 6, neither a Republican nor Democratic victory will bring in the Kingdom of God.  - Jim Wallis -From "Religious Consistency and Hypocrisy: Election 2012" + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 2 hours ago
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ‘Ask what I should give you.’ And Solomon said, " ... Give your servant an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?" It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.  - 1 Kings 3:5-10 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 2 hours ago
We beg you, Great God, give us the vision as a people to know where global leadership truly lies, to pursue it diligently, to require it to protect human rights for everyone everywhere. -From Let Us Pray: Prayer for Leadership by Joan Chittister
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 1 day ago
'My country, right or wrong,' is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying, 'My mother, drunk or sober.' - G.K. Chesterton From The Defendant + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 1 day ago
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. - Hebrews 13:8 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 1 day ago
Lord, if we are to be afraid of anything, let it be the fear of not committing ourselves fully to you. Let us fear that the day will pass without our having lightened the load of another. Let us fear that someone will come looking for you and find only us. Amen. -From Common Prayer
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 4 days ago
Editor's Note: Sojourners has launched this new blog series to help shed light on the nation's latest "religious" affiliation. Go HERE to read their stories. Or EMAIL US to share your own.PBS Religion & Ethics Newsweekly has wrapped up its three-part new mini-series on the rise of the unaffiliated. Go HERE to read more about this week's episode. Watch None of the Above: Religious Implications on PBS. See more from Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly.
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 4 days ago
Those who do not feel pain seldom think that it is felt. - Samuel Johnson From The Rambler + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 4 days ago
Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors? - Malachi 2:10 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 4 days ago
God, we are so used to seeing ourselves as individuals with personal destinies. Remind us that we are made in your image, the image of community. Help us to love each other and be made one as you are one. Whisper your love to us and let us whisper your love to the world today. Amen.
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 5 days ago
"Jesus designed to teach me this mystery. He set before me the book of nature; I understood how all the flowers he has created are beautiful, how the splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not take away the perfume of the little violet or the delightful simplicity of the daisy." - Saint Thérèse of Lisieux from The Story of a Soul + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 5 days ago
So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. - Matthew 6:34 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 5 days ago
God, as election season reaches its climax, we pray that you will unite Christians in love — especially those of differing opinions on politics — to further your kingdom on earth.
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 6 days ago
Accuse not Nature, she hath done her part; Do thou but thine. - John Milton + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 6 days ago
Give counsel, grant justice; make your shade like night at the height of noon; hide the outcasts, do not betray the fugitive; let the outcasts of Moab settle among you; be a refuge to them from the destroyer. - Isaiah 16:3-4 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 28 weeks 6 days ago
God, we pray for the recovery of all the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. Continue to strengthen the responders, give hope and comfort to those who are hurting, and provide for those who have lost. Amen.
Posted by God's Politics Editor 29 weeks 2 hours ago
Here I stand. I can do no other. - Martin Luther -While on trial in 1521 + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 29 weeks 2 hours ago
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  - Romans 8:38-39 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
Posted by God's Politics Editor 29 weeks 2 hours ago
Lord, we pray for all of those affected by Superstorm Sandy. Please give comfort to the families of those injured or killed. Guard those first responders who continue to enter dangerous situations to offer aid to others. And give strength to all affected as they work to rebuild. Amen.
Posted by God's Politics Editor 29 weeks 21 hours ago
According to Rolling Stone: Paul McCartney says that Yoko Ono isn't at fault for splitting the Beatles or tearing John Lennon away from the group in an upcoming TV interview with David Frost, the BBC reports. "She certainly didn't break the group up," McCartney says, countering the commonly held belief that Ono caused the Beatles' dissolution. "I don't think you can blame her for anything," McCartney says, adding that Lennon was "definitely going to leave."Read the Rolling Stone report in its entirety HERE. 
Posted by God's Politics Editor 29 weeks 1 day ago
Editor's Note: Sojourners offices, which are based in Washington, D.C., will be closed due to the weather. We pray for the safety of our staff, neighbors, and all those affected by this storm.God, we pray for all those along the East Coast in the path of Hurricane Sandy. Grant safety to all, including the first responders. We pray for all those who will lose electricity and whose homes may be been damaged. But we pray especially for those who have no homes and no shelters in times such as these. We ask that your hand would protect them and keep them safe. May our paths cross with theirs so that we might have an opportunity to love and serve them. Amen."O Lord of LIght" by the Innocence Mission