In this early spring morning with a promise of rain and thunderstorms, keeping us weekend gardeners from pursuing our passion among budding plants, comes an interesting court decision protecting the privacy of email addresses. Although this case involved a civil rights group wanting the email addresses of township residents to publicize issues of racism in New Jersey, this court decision could also affect those constant ads we get in our emails for everything from windows to buying our homes.
In some ways it’s the obverse of a 1958 Supreme Court decision protecting persons who had joined the NAACP from having their names disclosed to the state of Alabama, which even today would invite all kinds of reprisal. We do have the right to privacy.
I’m sure many of us are hoping this Appellate Court decision will prevent commercial interests from accessing our email addresses. Many of us have to take the time to constantly delete these unwanted emails. Something nice for a new month on a rainy morning.
Prayer for the Day
Waking, we bless you, O God, even in the mist of rain in the morning,
For we know the earth waits to receive life-giving water;
Fluttering about, birds seek their morning sustenance before the storm,
And your creatures look to you, O God, for free-flowing streams.
May we give thanks for the rain, part of your cycle of life,
And work for a sustainable earth for all people.
In the name of the One who also experienced the rain,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Pansies in soft April rains fill their stalks with honeyed sap drawn from Earth’s prolific lap.
- Bayard Taylor, writer
Now the noisy winds are still; April's coming up the hill! All the spring is in her train, Led by shining ranks of rain; Pit, pat, patter, clatter, Sudden sun and clatter patter! ... All things ready with a will, April's coming up the hill!
- Mary Mapes Dodge, American writer (1831-1905)
Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.
Hosea 10: 12