Sunday, March 28, 2010

Standing Up for Righteousness?

We hear a lot these days about "standing up for righteousness." I've been thinking about this phenomenon and wondering how, in its most common context, this has come to be the main focus of so many Christians. How have a relatively few things -- abortion, gay marriage, prayer in school and others -- become such pivotal issues which elicit so much anger and shouting?

This is not about which "side" of any issue I'm on (and I'm certainly not telling anyone else which side to take), but my question is: How do we study the teachings of Jesus, within the entire context of the New Testament, and decide that certain things deserve to be the objects of our passionate rage while other things do not? How, when we are clearly told not to judge others, has judging others become the main task of so many? Even if we somehow feel entitled to tell others that what they are doing is wrong, how do we pick and choose? Why not try to get laws passed against gossip, pride, greed, strife, lying, being unmerciful or a number of other behaviors which are clearly listed as sins?

If we follow the example of Jesus, as we are commanded, we see that when a woman who was about to be stoned for adultery (a sin -- should we re-instate laws against it?) was brought before him, he did not join in with the crowd to condemn her. Rather, he uttered one of the most-quoted, perhaps least-heeded, concepts in the Bible, "Let him without sin among you, cast the first stone." There must be a lot of us who are sin-free these days, because rocks are flying around every where we turn.

Jesus tended to be far more angry at the religious folks who had done things like turn a "house of prayer" into a "robbers' den." He had a long list of "woe to you" items directed at those who do such things as put burdens on other people which they, themselves, are not prepared to take on and who "do all their deeds to be noticed by men." (see Matthew 23)

To the extent that we should not tolerate sin in our own lives, we definitely need to stand up for righteousness. When it comes to the way we treat others, Jesus said, in John 15:12, "This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." Let's consider his example when deciding who and what to condemn.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

"Senior Shower"

After my post last week regarding hoarding and simplifying life, one of my friends suggested a program where our "gently used" household items can be put to good use if we are getting rid of extra stuff. (While this is a program for the West Plains area, if you live somewhere else, you can check with your local Division of Family Services to see if there is something similar in your area.) Kathleen Aid has shared the following:

"Life is difficult after high school, especially for foster teens who do not have support from parents. To that end, members of the WPHS/MSU Associates Program are collecting items for graduating foster teens. Every item donated can help them start a new life after high school. These items will be distributed through Chaffe Foster Care Independence Program.

"Items needed include: toiletries, cleaning supplies, kitchenware, cookware, bedding, mattresses, irons, ironing boards, furniture, home décor, TVs and home appliances. Collections will be made through May 21, 2010. Donations can be dropped off at West Plains High School room 106 on Wednesdays and Fridays or other arrangements can be made by contacting Adam Chen at 274-2478, Jeremiah George at 293-7976, or Kathleen Aid at 256-6150. Please help these foster teens by donating new or gently used items!"

As I have become more familiar with the plight of foster kids through my volunteer work with the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, I see these young people as survivors, inspite of the hopelessness they feel at the prospect of having no control over their own lives. The majority are in the care of the State because they have been neglected or abused, and they long to lead a "normal" life; the olders ones want to be typical teenagers with the usual concerns of being young.

Instead, their childhood innocence has often been stolen, or they're forced to be the "grown up" in what remains of a fractured family; their lives are usually nothing approaching normal, even in the best of foster situations. The ones who "age out" of the system definitely need every bit of help we, as communities and individuals, can give. I urge you to use this opportunity as a way to show God's love by supporting this wonderful program and also to learn more about the CASA organization which provides crucial support for children in foster care.

The National CASA website is casaforchildren.org. You can go there to learn more about CASA and whether or not it is available in your area. For information about CASA in the West Plains area, visit the website 37thcasa.net.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Hoarding

Recently, there has been a spate of television shows spotlighting the plight of hoarders, who, according to the currently popular definition, are people who have no control over their urges to keep adding to their material possessions. Their homes become full to overflowing to such an extent that usually there is not even room enough to walk or move without stepping on something. Piles of clothing (many times still with price tags, never worn); dishes stacked everywhere (often unwashed); trash and goodness-knows-what-else (pets in cages in one recent episode) crowding out the families and ruining their lives.

I think one explanation for the popularity of these shows is that we can watch them, and say to ourselves, "Wow, that person really has too much stuff. I would never let that happen to me." And most of us probably won't let our belongings overwhelm us to such an extreme extent, but that doesn't mean we're not letting unnecessary things have too much control in our lives. Whether it's material possessions, emotional baggage or any number of problems, a hoarder's attitude of hanging on to too much can often creep in before we realize it. Clutter, resentment, unforgiveness, fear, worry -- whatever it is for each of us -- unproductive things and thoughts are lurking, waiting to crowd out love, peace, joy and harmony.

Another aspect of hoarders, as seen on TV, is the agitation they display when someone tries to intervene and help them rid their lives of disorder. They are not interested in giving up their stuff because they are attached to it or they perceve they will need it some day. This is one of the most tragic parts of the hoarding mentality. What we have is meant to be shared with others. In particular, material blessings and spiritual gifts are given to us so the world can be enriched, not so we can grow more wealthy and self-satisfied.

I'm reminded of the scripture in Luke chapter 12 where Jesus is teaching the importance of storing up treasures in Heaven, not on earth. In verse 15 he says, ". . . not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." What we have does not define us. It is what we give away that matters most.(One of my husband's favorite quotes is by Winston Churchill, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.)

When we see people who are overwhelmeed by material possessions, the question to ask ourselves, is not "What is wrong with that person?" The question is: What am I hoarding?

Sunday, March 7, 2010

A Genuine Rock Star

I drove to Springfield Tuesday night to see a rock star. Not everyone would call him that, but, in a perfect world, he would be as famous as any performer you could name. The man I went to hear speak is Muhammad Yunus, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. He is an economist from Bangladesh, one of the most poverty-stricken places in the world.

Dr. Yunus's claim to fame is due to the significant advances he has made in the area of "microcredit," the concept of loaning small amounts of money to people who are not "bankable," meaning they have no credit history, no collateral and often, no apparent means of repayment. Loans are made so the borrowers can purchase what they need to run a business, become self-sufficient and stop being poor. His idea has been modeled in over a hundred countries around the world, and I hope you will take the time to learn more about this remarkable man who has helped millions of people help themselves. (His website: http://www.muhammadyunus.org/)

He said a number of things which have had me thinking all week about the very real possibilities which exist for measurable change in poverty levels. But there was one thing, in particular, he said which stands out as much as anything else. He told how it became too difficult for him to go to work every day and teach lovely economic theories while people were starving to death right outside his door.

He didn't know what he could do, but he finally decided he couldn't ignore the situation any longer. Even if he only helped one person, for one day, at least that would be something. After some research (and discovering that people were becoming hopelessly indebted to loansharks over amounts that were less than one dollar), his first step was to loan, out of his own pocket, a total of $27 to 42 people. From that one small act, a worldwide movement emerged.

We cannot underestimate the significance of taking even one small step toward helping one another. Love is a powerful and mighty force. It tears down strongholds and brings freedom and hope. God alone is our rock and our salvation, but those who build on that foundation, like Dr. Yunus has, well, I don't know what to call someone like that other than a genuine rock star.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Used Prosthetics Drive

The following is from my friend Karla Bean. I am posting it on my blog so I can share it as a link on Facebook. If anyone can help, this is a great cause.

Hi Everybody: I am writing to let you know about the Used Prosthetic Drive the CCE is spearheading to help the tens of thousands of Haitian amputees resulting from the earthquake. This drive is ongoing through the month of March. More information is down below if you want to know more about it, but in a nutshell, here’s what we’re hoping you will do:

1. If you have a used prosthetic limb, or know someone who does, to donate, please call Karla Bean at (417) 256-7530.

2. Talk to people you interact with every day and mention the drive to them. If they say they may have a donation, then take down their name and number and call me and I’ll get in touch with them.

3. Print out the attached flyer and post it in your place of employment, a local business, your church bulletin board, schools, or any place you think is appropriate. Better yet, print out multiple flyers and post them everywhere you can. [Note from Terry: If you would like a copy of the flyer, contact me, and I will forward it to you.]

4. If you are a member of a local club or organization, see if you can send out an email to the member list or make an announcement at your meeting. Maybe your church will allow you to make an announcement.

5. If you own a business or know of one, in West Plains or other Howell Co. areas and are willing to be a drop-off location, let me know. As of now we have a West Plains drop-off location at Mom’s Memories, 2801 Hwy. 160 (9.5 miles from WalMart), one in Willow Springs at Willow Ann-tiques, 115 E. Main St., and in Mt. View at Sunshine Market, 208 W. 1st St. We could probably use a couple more West Plains drop-off locations – maybe one in town and one up 63.

Also, if you are willing to pick up donations in your area and bring them to West Plains, that would be very helpful. Jenny Underwood has volunteered to do the drive in Oregon County, and her number is (417) 264-7977.

That’s basically it, because getting the word out is the most essential part of the drive. The MSU-WP Student Nurses’ Association and the West Plains Lions Club are co-sponsors of this drive.

This is a project we can all be proud to be a part of. Plus, it’s easy: tell people about it and hang a flyer. We’re not asking for money, it’s not a political issue, and everyone I’ve talked to thinks it’s a great idea. Every prosthesis we collect has the power to change the life of a Haitian amputee by allowing them to live independently, earn a living, go to school, and be an active member of their communities.
In addition, it will help the healing process for the thousands who lost loved ones, their homes, their livelihoods and survived the trauma of the earthquake and now have to deal with the devastation of losing a limb on top of everything else.

If you are able to send out an email, put information into a newsletter, or make an announcement at a meeting, here’s a short blurb about the drive you can use:
Used Prosthetic Drive - The Center for Community Engagement, the MSU-WP Student Nurses’ Association and the West Plains Lions Club are teaming up to collect used prosthetic limbs during the month of March. The donations will be sent to Haiti for the thousands of Haitian amputees resulting from the recent earthquake. If you have a prosthetic limb to donate, or would like more information, please call Karla Bean at (417) 256-7530.

Physicians for Peace has had a presence in Haiti since 2005 and has experience working with its amputees. They have been providing medical education and training in Haiti for several years, particularly in rehabilitation for trauma victims through its internationally recognized Walking Free program. They will be receiving the collected prosthetic components and be responsible for distribution, managing volunteer physicians and nurses with prosthetic experience and collecting all of the necessary medical equipment for clinics where amputees will be fitted.

For more information, you can check out their website at: http://physiciansforpeace.org/haiti.htmlHanger Prosthetics & Orthotics will be accepting the donations, breaking down the components, storing them and then shipping them directly to Physicians for Peace in Haiti. We are fortunate that there is a Hanger location in Springfield and this was a deciding factor in doing a collection locally. To find out more about Hanger, please go to: http://www.hanger.com

Thank you for participating in this worthwhile cause in any way that you can - Karla