As the government shutdown continues and we are seeing food insecurity problems skyrocket with SNAP not being funded, how can we help? I think by and large people want to help and don't know how. For food insecurity issues right now, donate a few dollars when you buy groceries. See what they have - whether the Thanksgiving bags or donation bins. Talk to churches in your area as many who have been involved with local agencies and pantries are stepping up to make more donations. So find ways in which you can contribute. The world needs you.

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Minor Prophet Habakkuk laments to God and shares his frustration at the wickedness he sees around him. Feels familiar. God answers that if it seems like justice has not come, to wait, for it is coming. When there are destructive hurricanes, corruption, children going hungry, and all that we lament in our world, we can cry out and like Habakkuk who stands his post and keeps watch, we can engage in active waiting on God's justice. We can volunteer, we can sow seeds of kindness, we can continue to act with justice and mercy, and we can continue to cry out to God. So this week, don't just wait, but actively wait and work for God's unfolding justice is coming.

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Thomas Cahill's book "How the Irish Saved Civilization" walks through the downfall of the Roman Empire and how in the chaos the world almost lost all of the classic literature, poetry, theology, philosophy and that once Rome fell, there were no more great buildings or master art. When chaos ensures, creativity dies.

Enter Ireland. Unconquered by Rome and a place where monks copied Scripture, poetry, theology, all of the Greek and Latin classics and thus preserved it for a later time.

In chaos, it is important that we find ways to create joy and beauty. Writing, singing, playing an instrument, reading, walking in nature are all ways in which we can fight the chaos.

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