Doing an internet search, I found video that she recorded with local news immediately after her return to safety. Looking at the transcripts of the video, I notice that some of it was left out, including this pivotal interaction between the kidnapper and the woman of faith.  She had chatted with him about her young daughter whom she was planning to see the next morning at 10 a.m.  She had lost custody of her daughter because of the drug issues, and worried about her little girl who’s father had been killed a few years before:

So we went back to my house and got in the house. And he was hungry, so I cooked him breakfast. He was overwhelmed with–”Wow,” he said, “real butter, pancakes?”

And I just talked with him a little more, just about–about–we pretty much talked about God . . . what his reason was, why he made it out of there.

I said, “Do you believe in miracles? Because if you don’t believe in miracles–you are here for a reason. You’re here in my apartment for some reason. You got out of that courthouse with police everywhere, and you don’t think that’s a miracle? You don’t think you’re supposed to be sitting here right in front of me listening to me tell you, you know, your reason here?”

I said, “You know, your miracle could be that you need to–you need to be caught for this. You need to go to prison and you need to share the word of God with them, with all the prisoners there.”

Then 9 came. He said, “What time do you have to leave?”

I’m going to condense the story for the sermon, but here is her amazing tale:

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His expressions of faith seem to embrace those who differ, as well.

I was not raised in a particularly religious household.  I had a father who was born a Muslim but became an atheist, grandparents who were non-practicing Methodists and Baptists, and a mother who was skeptical of organized religion, even as she was the kindest, most spiritual person I’ve ever known.  She was the one who taught me as a child to love, and to understand, and to do unto others as I would want done.

His home-schooling in the Golden Rule comes through loud and clear.  At this morning’s National Prayer Breakfast, Mr. Obama showed respect for other major faiths, and even–as he did in his Inauguration speech–for those with no faith at all.

We know too that whatever our differences, there is one law that binds all great religions together. Jesus told us to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” The Torah commands, “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.” In Islam, there is a hadith that reads “None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” And the same is true for Buddhists and Hindus; for followers of Confucius and for humanists. It is, of course, the Golden Rule – the call to love one another; to understand one another; to treat with dignity and respect those with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth.

By “humanists”, he’s referring to non-believers.  In his morning speech he continued to talk about differences and commonalities among those with–and without–faith.

There is no doubt that the very nature of faith means that some of our beliefs will never be the same. We read from different texts. We follow different edicts. We subscribe to different accounts of how we came to be here and where we’re going next — and some subscribe to no faith at all.

I can’t recall any previous President acknowledging or including in a positive way those without faith.

One of the things I appreciate most about the United Church of Christ is its inclusion of differing opinions and beliefs, and recognition that believers and non-believers are all children of God.  The welcoming liturgy we share with new members includes this statement:

We give thanks for every community of faith which has been your spiritual home, and we celebrate your presence in this household of faith.

It’s not an “us v. them” statement; it’s an “us and them” credo.  It touched me deeply when I joined the UCC a few years ago.  It was an acknowledgement of my faith journey that made me feel very welcomed at the table.  I didn’t have to renounce my past, or stifle my differing beliefs, or “drink the Kool-Aid”.  If I had had no faith background at all, I would be welcome.

Because Christ’s love is never earned and freely given, I feel called to share that same openness and acceptance with others through the church.   I’m glad we have a President who is willing to be open and accepting in ways that may transform government.  People of all beliefs and no beliefs need respect.  Our society will be better–the Church will be stronger–when we learn to show it.

At my friend’s church, the worship leader gives a message each Sunday, backed up by a message outline in the worship folder and cool graphics projected on large screens. The whole event is captured on video so you can sit in the back of the 3,000 seat auditorium and still feel like part of it all.

Some people may wonder if an ordinary, old sermon in an ordinary, old church is relevant anymore. Some days I wonder too. Pastor Bob Hyatt talks about the sermon in a blog post that lays it bare.

Yes- At its worst, a sermon is dull, boring, impractical and just plain painful to sit through. I’ve sat through enough boring sermons to know. And here’s an insight- preaching a boring sermon is no picnic either. Trust me… we know when we are fouling one off.

But here’s the thing: At its best? It moves us, it’s used by God to change and rearrange us, and if I understand it correctly, that’s worship.

Read the full post here.

[via bob.blog]

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