In Rev. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” most specifically in paragraph forty; King discusses some of the problems of organized religion and the civil right’s movement.  King believed that much of the church was “too inextricably bound to the status quo to save our nation and world.”  He is thankful for those in the church that stepped out of the conformity and joined the movement for civil rights.  King recognizes their sacrifices and efforts in the cause.  It is through these brave souls that King finds hope even while sitting in jail defending himself from the clergy who are criticizing his methods.
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            The problem that King faced from the clergy was that they were uncomfortable with his tactics.  The church wanted to take a less controversial approach to ending segregation.  They wanted to take a wait and see attitude, a slower less confrontational approach.  King seemed to believe that the church would rally to the cause of freedom and equality, but he was overly optimistic.  It seems that King thought that the church, as a central part of the African-American community, would willingly take part in the civil rights movement.  The church leadership however wanted to play it safe.

            King, in responding to the concerns of the clergy, sees hope in the “inner spiritual church, the church within the church, as the true ekklesia.”  Here King sees the rank and file members of the church stepping forward in faith.  While the church leadership is happy with the status quo and the power they believe that they have, the members of the congregation had seen and experienced the daily humiliation of segregation.  King is putting his hope not in the leadership of the church, but the church members.

         King is “thankful to God that some noble souls from the ranks of organized religion have broken lose from the paralyzing chains of conformity and joined us as active partners in the struggle for freedom.”  In this declaration of thanks there is also a comparison of the church leadership to those that are holding African-Americans back from all the freedoms they should be enjoying.  The use of the word, “chains,” is a reference to the chains of slavery that had bound relatives of those now fighting to be recognized as equals.

           Finally, King points out that many of those brave souls have joined the cause have suffered not only in the streets or buses or in jail, but in being “dismissed from their churches, have lost the support of their bishops and fellow ministers.”  He believes that these sacrifices are a true testimony of faith, and that, that faith can move the mountain of intolerance and hatred that was dividing the country at that time.  Where the church had frustrated and, at times, smothered the movement, these brave souls had, “carved a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment.”   

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From a college paper I wrote years ago...

            Another Memorial Day has come and gone.  Picnics were held, families traveled across the country, and words were spoken at ceremonies across the land. The rest of us complained about the weather, the cost of gas, Aunt Mable’s chicken surprise, and the long weekend not being long enough.  In the end though, the only ones who felt the true sting of Memorial Day were those that lost family members and friends in wars, past and present. 
            Perhaps it is easier to look above the rows of markers neatly placed on the green grass and focus on the distant horizon where friends and family await.  By ignoring the past sacrifices of the men and women for fought our past battles, we can forget about those that sacrifice themselves today.  Yes we fly our flags, maybe read the usual Memorial Day story and perhaps watch the news, but in the end the day is about us and our families, not those we are supposed to be remembering.
            On the Fourth of July we celebrate our country’s independence.  Veteran’s Day we remember our living service members.  Thanksgiving we celebrate the Pilgrims, as well as, all we have been blessed with in our lives. We look forward to President’s Day and time off as we recall George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and 43 other holders of the office.  Christmas celebrates a life, and Easter we celebrate new life.  New Years’ Day we party and hope for a better year.
            What do we celebrate on Memorial Day?  It seems we don’t want to remember.  The number of parades, events and attendees shrink each year.  As you take another scoop of potato salad, do you remember the soldiers that fought on Hamburger Hill, as you tan at the beach does the gentle crashing of waves cause you to reflect on D-Day and Omaha Beach, as you float at the pool do you reflect on the terror of the sailors of the USS Indianapolis?  As you look across the park at the others picnicking do you imagine the Doughboys leaving the safety of their trenches and crossing “no man’s land.”  As you lay sunbathing do you worry that you’ve left the tv on, or does the “Forgotten War” of Korea cross your mind?    As you stand over your four foot putt do either of the Gulf Wars enter you consciousness?  Probably not.
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When work gets in the way of life; it ceases to be a "career," and becomes servitude. 

Funny how people can see the karma in someone else's life, but not their own.

There are definately days when I think God hates me; like yesterday, and today...of course I know He doesn't, right?

Just because you don't like yourself; doesn't mean you have to hate everyone else. 

I could have been somebody; but I decided to be someone.

Perhaps God isn't turning away, just leading you in another direction.

I was having a blast time traveling, until I fell off my watch...