tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.comments2023-05-04T04:44:40.136-05:00GRANTaMUSEdGRANTaMUSEdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10749071986457296253noreply@blogger.comBlogger549125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-30938997467791098042015-07-25T18:17:02.301-05:002015-07-25T18:17:02.301-05:00We have also lost many loved pets in our married l...We have also lost many loved pets in our married life and each time I struggle with the pain and yet remember so many good years of loving and giving to us and to them. You expressed it so well. We take that risk for love.Susan Edgecomb Wrightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-26063547059215583242015-07-25T08:50:29.886-05:002015-07-25T08:50:29.886-05:00(((Grant and Family))) We've been there many ...(((Grant and Family))) We've been there many times with our four-footed babies, and it is always difficult to lose them. Thank you for giving Maggie the life she deserved. May God's grace rest on you and your family. RIP Maggie.Sally Beautte Waltonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-83538486324386262202015-07-20T08:01:13.205-05:002015-07-20T08:01:13.205-05:00I agree with everything you have posted, Grant. Es...I agree with everything you have posted, Grant. Especially the evaluation of Donald Trump..the idiot. If he were to be elected president, I would have to leave the country. I almost left over George W. Bush and Cheney.Margie Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-60365834781817379672015-07-14T19:31:16.118-05:002015-07-14T19:31:16.118-05:00As usual....words of wisdom! Thank you, Grant for...As usual....words of wisdom! Thank you, Grant for being plain spoken and true to your words!!Joanne Chapmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-1747355248724496282015-07-14T17:46:44.170-05:002015-07-14T17:46:44.170-05:00Well written brother. I have often applied the li...Well written brother. I have often applied the life ebb and flow principle to the process of aging. As I moved into my 60's and through two shoulder replacements I struggled with the loss of once cherished physical activities. I could no longer run on my bad knees. I could no longer shoot hoops with my replaced shoulders. It seemed that aging was all about loss. And then something remarkable happened that was only possible because I have aged. My first granddaughter was born. And five years of aging later my second granddaughter was born. The presence of these wonderful children in my life has made getting older a pleasure. Spending time with Sarah and Neesa is way better than missing free throws. I know that as I grow older I will continue experience loss. But the gains that come from the hugs and smiles of those wonderful little girls more than make it worth the cost.David proenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-83687493900312319592015-06-22T11:05:25.982-05:002015-06-22T11:05:25.982-05:00Trying to make me feel guilty, Margie? :-)
Two t...Trying to make me feel guilty, Margie? :-)<br /><br />Two things...<br /><br />First, when I started the blog it was primarily for my own amusement and to provide a venue to keep myself writing, once I no longer had the requirement of churning things out for the church. I have been surprised and appreciative of hearing that others found that stuff useful. I also wanted to try some other forms of writing. I have written two short stories and am deeply into a third one. I haven't shared those very widely, since I have no idea if they're any good.<br /><br />Secondly, I recently had surgery for spinal stenosis and that has slowed me down a bit.<br /><br />Don't worry, Margie. I'm sure that something will happen soon that gets my dander up and will require me to blow off steam.<br /><br />Thanks for asking, Margie. It's nice to know someone is out there reading that blog.Grant McMurrayhttp://www.grantamused.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-8383936062240761692015-06-22T10:19:24.116-05:002015-06-22T10:19:24.116-05:00I am missing your bogs, Grant. What's the prob...I am missing your bogs, Grant. What's the problem? Have you given it up?Margie Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-33735713383359023232015-06-05T10:41:05.005-05:002015-06-05T10:41:05.005-05:00I can't agree with you more, Grant. America ha...I can't agree with you more, Grant. America has become a tragedy...one tragedy after another. How about the 12 year old boy shot almost immediately upon their arrival for playing in a park with a pellet gun? And his 14 year old sister was taken down by police for trying to get to him to help him.Margienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-29217584210820680682015-03-10T22:41:33.571-05:002015-03-10T22:41:33.571-05:00This blog caught my attention since I live in Toro...This blog caught my attention since I live in Toronto and have a good friend in Platte City, MO. So, not knowing what it contained, I sent him the link and have now read it. As you are aware, U.S. politics is far more intense and corrupt than what we generally experience here in Canada. That said, one has to consider that we have 1/10th of your population and a different history. I knew very little about Missouri since I didn't bother to inform myself about it's significant history which, as you have articulated so very eloquently, is very rich indeed. I can only hope that the rabid bipartisanship that is so prevalent in the U.S. will cause Missourians to step back to reflect upon what it was that made the state as great as it once was. Thank you so an insightful article. Toronto's loss was clearly Independence's gain.Daniellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-5185847216051833652015-02-11T12:23:11.259-06:002015-02-11T12:23:11.259-06:00Frank, I have always believed that the core princi...Frank, I have always believed that the core principles of the Community of Christ speak powerfully to the issues of our time. Our focus over the years has been on the worth of persons, stewardship of time and resources, building global inclusive community, reconciliation and diversity, and pursuit of peace. All of those principles are urgently needed in our world.<br /><br />In my experience in leadership roles for the church I found our story to be readily appreciated in ecumenical circles. I agree with you that the church has a message to share and should be "in the forefront" of those organizations seeking peace in our time.Grant McMurrayhttp://www.grantamused.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-77027247766814703512015-02-11T12:02:54.394-06:002015-02-11T12:02:54.394-06:00Jerry, the Chapin song is wonderful. Thanks for di...Jerry, the Chapin song is wonderful. Thanks for directing my attention to it. Tis indeed a balm. Your words of hope are thoughtful and encouraging. I agree.Grant McMurrayhttp://www.grantamused.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-82385289856749029892015-02-11T11:57:51.415-06:002015-02-11T11:57:51.415-06:00Wonderful piece by Czeslaw Milosz, Paul. Thanks so...Wonderful piece by Czeslaw Milosz, Paul. Thanks so much for sharing it, along with your personal comment. The support of kindred spirits is indeed a blessing. Thanks for being one.Grant McMurrayhttp://www.grantamused.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-84422468171733455762015-02-11T07:52:23.146-06:002015-02-11T07:52:23.146-06:00A Song On the End of the World
On the day the wor...A Song On the End of the World<br /><br />On the day the world ends<br />A bee circles a clover,<br />A fisherman mends a glimmering net. <br />Happy porpoises jump in the sea,<br />By the rainspout young sparrows are playing<br />And the snake is gold-skinned as it should always be.<br />On the day the world ends<br />Women walk through the fields under their umbrellas,<br />A drunkard grows sleepy at the edge of a lawn,<br />Vegetable peddlers shout in the street<br />And a yellow-sailed boat comes nearer the island, <br />The voice of a violin lasts in the air<br />And leads into a starry night.<br />And those who expected lightning and thunder<br />Are disappointed.<br />And those who expected signs and archangels’ trumps<br />Do not believe it is happening now.<br />As long as the sun and the moon are above,<br />As long as the bumblebee visits a rose,<br />As long as rosy infants are born<br />No one believes it is happening now.<br />Only a white-haired old man, who would be a prophet<br />Yet is not a prophet...<br />Repeats...<br />No other end of the world will there be,<br />No other end of the world will there be.<br /><br /> Czeslaw Milosz<br /><br />Grant, your eyes still see things as they are only this time you don't see what you can do. No wonder you are uneasy. <br /><br />Jim's tamales. Royals' miracles. Grandkids' love. Soothing balms but underneath it all is honest angst. <br /><br />Be strengthened by the support of kindred spirits.Paul Roundsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-45180730494738514342015-02-02T10:27:25.231-06:002015-02-02T10:27:25.231-06:00You speak the truth Grant and how we need that! Th...You speak the truth Grant and how we need that! Thank you so much! Don CompierDon Compiernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-42908480555976563202015-01-29T11:06:04.324-06:002015-01-29T11:06:04.324-06:00YES, this MAY appear to be the most pessimistic pi...YES, this MAY appear to be the most pessimistic piece you have authored but it ranks among the most powerful and one that deserves broader readership than your blog. You continue to utterly amaze me with your gift to eloquently and profoundly articulate the "NOW" of life---tragic, profane, humorous or "insightfully" common place. When I was privileged to serve with you as a colleague (and sometimes, confidante) your effort to level the playing field re the "prophetic" label wed to Church presidency called everyone to engage HIS/HER prophetic' responsibility to discern inequities beyond the walls of one's living room and ecclesiastical doors AND to courageously speak truth to power and act on it. This mandate was a breath of fresh air in the Church helping many to disengage prophecy from the bonds of "fore-telling" and to participate in its primary function of "forth-telling." (I confess pessimism persuades me the aforementioned breeze has quieted in recent years as increased emphasis on the unpacking and continual re-unpacking of canonized text and leadership statements (coupled with on-going interviews re-interpreting the same) place the path of the disciple, once again, on a pathway where revelatory insight is centralized). Sorry, Grant, didn't mean to bite down on a soar tooth. What I am clumsily saying, (and this is not intended as an indictment on present Church leadership) is your "prophetic" voice is still loud, clear, important, and NEEDED! Keep posting. Send in such blogs as this one as newspaper editorial, whatever!!! Oh, and by the way if your head is swelling, go out and buy a new hat.Danny Belrosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-76980235886823022802015-01-28T20:27:25.201-06:002015-01-28T20:27:25.201-06:00Grant, Harry Chapin wrote in a song
"Remem...Grant, Harry Chapin wrote in a song <br /><br />"Remember when the music<br /><br />Was the best of what we dreamed of for our children's time<br /><br />As we sang we worked, we knew time was just a line<br /><br />Gift we saved, a gift the future gave<br /><br />All the times I've listened, and all the times I've heard<br /><br />All the melodies I'm missing, and all the magic words<br /><br />And all those potent voices, and the choices we had then<br /><br />How I'd love to find we had that kind of choice again"<br /><br />I couldn't help but think of the song as you shared your feelings. You can listen to the entire song on this link. Although there is a malaise in the country, we can only hope that this brief moment in time will give way to a new stronger and vibrant generation willing to do the heavy lifting and inspired by the dreams of what a nation and world can be. <br /><br />In any event enjoy the music:<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viupdqcXvw0Jerry van Rossumnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-4669720270170089562014-12-04T15:37:47.097-06:002014-12-04T15:37:47.097-06:00Thank you for these words Grant. I agree and wish ...Thank you for these words Grant. I agree and wish for a prophetic voice that can lead this nation out of this racist bog in which we find ourselves. With a great deal of prayer I believe we are that voice. It is my opinion that until the white majority in this nation is willing to listen to those whom we have oppressed for centuries, reconciliation and healing will never occur. I would challenge the Community of Christ to begin truth and reconciliation retreats, possibly using our reunions as a place to start. I do not believe we can leave it to the political process. Can we lead the way?Frank Mendenhallnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-76942787110019088602014-11-26T11:31:34.965-06:002014-11-26T11:31:34.965-06:00The primary feeling I got out of the situation was...The primary feeling I got out of the situation was a sadness at the loss of life of another youth. Whether it was lost at the beginning when drug abuse started or lost when a good kid was shot by a police officer does not matter as much as the fact that another youth has been lost. Too many children have died for reasons that we as a society could and should have prevented.<br /><br />I agree that we are in need of another such as King to speak to creating a peaceful equality. Thank you for speaking out, and may we soon take the next step toward King's dream.David Troehnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-56078758665912835712014-11-26T10:52:48.778-06:002014-11-26T10:52:48.778-06:00Thanks for putting into articulate words what I al...Thanks for putting into articulate words what I also believe. Doesn't the black community know how badly they hurt their own cause and those of all of us when they torch automobile dealers and beauty supply stores as well as blocks of other businesses? Where is common sense in this debate? And how about the police who guaranteed the businesses that they had everything under control? Where were they when all this carnage occurred? What a tragedy! Everyone failed this crucial test!Margie Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-68213657735059688682014-11-26T08:45:15.829-06:002014-11-26T08:45:15.829-06:00Thank you for helping us discern reality.
Each of ...Thank you for helping us discern reality.<br />Each of us is hampered by the culture of our early childhood and youth to be totally objective in our personal analysis. I try to imagine prior events in order to understand root causes. It is putting into context past and present events to understand the current situation.<br />Unfortunately, I believe, there is a tinge of unconscious racism within each of us that clouds our objectivity. Dan Whittemorenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-68547549317293601982014-11-26T08:42:34.942-06:002014-11-26T08:42:34.942-06:00Where is the prophetic voice? You are it! I echo T...Where is the prophetic voice? You are it! I echo Terry and Jack comments. Somehow, we haven't been able to "Lift up (our) eyes and fix them on the place beyond the horizon to which (we) are sent." () mine. I hope, Grant, that you are not the LONE voice crying in the wilderness.GeneBeachnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-43190432935746289432014-11-26T07:54:03.547-06:002014-11-26T07:54:03.547-06:00Grant, for many you are that prophetic voice. Wel...Grant, for many you are that prophetic voice. Well written and well expressed. We all do need reassurance that all is not lost, that the journey is bumpy but love will prevail. Blessings to you my brother ~TerryFlowersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-61455895011218949272014-11-26T07:14:24.770-06:002014-11-26T07:14:24.770-06:00Thanks, Grant. This is a thoughtful, insightful m...Thanks, Grant. This is a thoughtful, insightful message at a time when such messages are rare. I have not seen the evidence so I don't have an opinion as to whether the decision is right or wrong. But I do know that if we move toward your suggestions, the world is truly a better place and we're a better people.Jack Hayhownoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-86706296688102061892014-11-01T12:47:30.531-05:002014-11-01T12:47:30.531-05:00Thank you for this insightful perspective that wea...Thank you for this insightful perspective that weaves those things that are sacred into the world of baseball. It reminds me of the wonderful way you've always had of telling a story to make a point. Thank you, Leon, for sharing so I could enjoy this... from deep in Giants' territory (across the bay from SF in Berkeley). Grant, you could be writing for the Kansas City Star!Marla Faszholznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24786508.post-86406854258432773852014-10-31T20:45:40.663-05:002014-10-31T20:45:40.663-05:00Well said...Well said...Cynthianoreply@blogger.com