My relationship, I believe, has been good. I have been learning through the school of hard knocks how challenging it is to suffer a lack of money without incurring negative self-judgments, fear and worry. This has been a hard lesson for me. Perhaps when I learn to be at peace with this challenge, I will move onto something new.

I found Reverend Lowery's speech especially moving and thus decided to post it here along with a transcription I made for those who wish to listen and follow along. Reverend Lowery is a minister at the United Methodist Church. He was also a co-founder of the civil rights movement along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.



"God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who has brought us thus far along the way, thou who has by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray, lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee, lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee. Shadowed beneath thy hand may we forever stand, true to thee, O God, and true to our native land, we truly give thanks for the glorious experience we've shared this day.

We pray now O Lord for your blessing upon thy servant Barack Obama, the 44^th President of these United States, his family and his administration. He has come to this high office at a low moment in the national and indeed the global fiscal climate. But because we know you got the whole world in your hands, we pray for not only our nation but for the community of nations. Our faith does not shrink though pressed by the flood of mortal ills.

O you know that Lord you are able and you're willing to work through faithful leadership to restore stability, mend our brokenness, heal our wounds and deliver us from the exploitation of the poor or the least of these and from favoritism towards the rich, the elite of these. We thank you for the empowering of thy servant, our 44^th President, to inspire our nation to believe that yes we can work together to achieve a more perfect union.

And while we have sown the seeds of greed -- the wind of greed and corruption -- and even as we reap the whirlwind of social and economic disruption, we seek forgiveness and we come to spirit of unity and solidarity to commit our support to our President by our willingness to make sacrifices, to respect your creation, to turn to each other and not on each other.

And now Lord, in the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love not hate, on the side of inclusion not exclusion, tolerance not intolerance. And as we leave this mountaintop, help us to hold onto the spirit of fellowship and the oneness of our family. Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches, our temples, our mosques, wherever we seek your will.

Bless President Barack, First Lady Michelle, look over our little angelics, Sasha and Malia. We go now to walk together children pledging that we won't get weary in the difficult days ahead. We know you will not leave us alone with your hands of power and your heart of love. Help us then now Lord to work for that day when nations shall not lift up sword against nation, when tanks will be beaten into tractors, when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid, when justice will roll down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.

Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest and in the joy of a new beginning we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead man, and when white will embrace what is right. Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen, say amen, and amen."

Note: The links within the transcript above provide information and insight into the subtext of the speech: the use of  lyrics from James Weldon Johnson's "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and later, Martin Luther's song "A Mighty Fortress is our God", a Biblical reference (Matthew 25:31-46), a reference to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s prophetic final speech (the word "mountaintop"), and a reference to the closing sentence of King's "We Shall Overcome" speech ("Walk together children, don't you get weary"), and finally, a final Biblical reference (Amos 5:24).

I intend to join the global movement in support of democracy and justice for the people of Zimbabwe by fasting this Sunday, February 1st. Won't you please join too!

(From Avaaz.org):
The movement for democracy in Zimbabwe has just raised the stakes: hundreds of activists in Southern Africa, including Desmond Tutu, have begun a rolling hunger strike to press for justice. This regional demonstration of commitment is putting real and growing pressure on leaders to demand a fair settlement in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe has descended to an almost unimaginable state of desperation. Most of Zimbabwe's 11 million people eat one meal a day-or less. But as pressure rises at home, in the region, and around the world, Mugabe's grip on power may be slipping.

Join the one day global solidarity fast -(from sun up to sun down)- the more of us that fast the stronger the call for justice and democracy. Watch Kumi Naidoo's video appeal - he will deliver our global message of solidarity to African heads of state gathering in Ethiopia on Sunday, 1 February!

I am personally in favor of a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That said, I am saddened to hear that 60 Minutes' Bob Simon has come under attack for supposed "anti-Israel bias" for this past Sunday's thoughtful report on the danger that Israeli West Bank settlements pose to the possibilities of Israeli-Palestinian peace . For those of you who haven't yet seen the segment, I have posted it below in two parts.

If you are interested in sending a message of support to Bob Simon, please visit the American pro-Israel, pro-peace movement site known as JStreet.

UPDATE: Feb. 23, 2009 -- 15,000 Letters of support delivered by JStreet to CBS. See update and slide show here.

I have had many unusual psychic experiences over the years. And without fail, I am always left with a sense of wonder and awe for this amazing, magical Universe that we live in. If you are interested in a few brief examples, here is a link to a post I made about a surprising mutual dream I shared with my sister. Here is another about a funny incident I experienced regarding a sudden craving for cookies (of all things, LOL). Enjoy! And if you are left wanting more, search the tag cloud on my blog for things like coincidence or synchronicity. (I don't believe in coincidence, by the way!)