It's early morning two days before Thanksgiving. Last night the announcement was made not to indict the police officer in Ferguson, MO. Riots ensued there and across the nation. Looting, shooting and burning seem like a crazy way to complain about perceived injustice. Where is the justice to law-abiding citizens and business owners?
As I scratch my head and pray for solutions that will bring peace, I am reminded of the Scripture that says Satan came to kill, steal, and destroy. Anti-semitism, racism, neo-naziism, sexism are all fancy names for hatred. It started when Cain killed his brother Abel. As long as humans have inhabited this earth, people have felt hatred toward each other.
What causes this hatred? I heard yesterday something I have heard many times before. The opposite of love is not hate but fear. This really makes sense doesn't it? When anyone acts in self-defense, they fear what they might lose if they don't defend themselves. I am afraid to walk alone at night. I am afraid of certain neighborhoods where I know my presence is unwelcome because of my race. As an older woman, I am an "easy" target. This is a fact that causes me to take certain precautions that others might not feel the need to take.
A pastor friend of mine, who is a middle-aged black man, was lamenting the fact that as a black man in the USA, he is not safe. He posted on Facebook that the problem is with "the system" where "it is legal and acceptable to shoot and kill African Americans in this country." He and I have served in prison ministry together, reaching out to incarcerated youth, most of whom are black males. It grieves me to see him voicing these thoughts publicly.
As long as he believes this to be true, for him it is true. By declaring it publicly and in writing, he is perpetuating this. The spoken word has the power to heal and the power to kill. So rather than helping people to give and receive love, he has watered the seeds of fear and hate.
I certainly do not have any easy solutions. But I do know that "the prover proves what the thinker thinks." If we look for good, we will find it. If we look for people who care, we will find them. Conversely, if we look for injustice, we will find it. The truth is there. The question is, do we really want to know the truth and be set free, or do we want to persist in living in bondage to fear and its accompanying hatred?
Every day each of us has a choice to make. Are we going out expecting to be mistreated because we have been conditioned to feel like a victim because of our race, sex, religious beliefs, or nationality? Or will we approach each day prayerfully seeking to be a light in a very dark world. To live in fear means submission to the one who came to kill, steal, and destroy. To live in love means submission to the one who gave His life so that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
Is it safe out there? Of course not. But I'm going out there anyway because I was created specifically for such a time as this. There is a poem I have claimed as my own since I was in high school. Its author is Emily Dickinson and it reads: "If I can stop one heart from breaking, or cool one pain, or help one fainting robin into its nest again, I shall not live in vain."
Shalom
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Friday, October 31, 2014
Watermelon
No fruit conjures up more memories for me than watermelon. My home state of South Carolina is famous for growing watermelons in the summer. According to my mother, who suffered from severe morning sickness throughout her pregnancy with me, watermelon was her favorite food in the weeks leading up to my birth in late July.
When I was a young child, I loved hearing an adult say, "We're going to cut a watermelon." The fanfare surrounding such an announcement meant we were about to eat something sweet, delicious, and possibly cold, OUTSIDE. Cutting and eating a juicy watermelon inside was out of the question. As I got older, I was happy to help gather the supplies required for this event.
Outside meant a wooden picnic table, always under a nice shade tree. Next came a stack of newspapers which would cover the entire table. Then we'd gather enough table knives for each person, young and old alike, to have their personal knife. Of course we needed a "butcher knife" for cutting and dividing up the melon so that each person got a good-sized wedge. Finally there was a salt shaker. I didn't realize until I was an adult that I like it much better without salt.
I have no real childhood memory of eating watermelon inside. However, I did get out of bed late one night and found my mother eating watermelon at the kitchen table. I was probably about 4 or 5 years old. When I asked if I could have some, she replied that no, it was too late in the evening. Her reason for not sharing was her prediction that I would wet the bed if I ate watermelon this late.
More than twenty years later, a delicious watermelon made another deposit in my memory bank. Ed and I were living in Columbus, Mississippi. He was in pilot training and I was 20 weeks pregnant with our first child. The pregnancy was very high risk and I was on bed rest. It was early August of 1980 and we had one of the most delicious watermelons I had ever eaten. Although my morning sickness had essentially passed, I found that to be my favorite food, much like my mother 26 years earlier.
After eating a sizable portion of that melon, I started having abdominal cramps. I didn't want to think it was labor so I attributed my symptoms to gas from too much watermelon. In short order my symptoms worsened and I had to have an emergency C-section to save my life. At 20 weeks, there was no hope for the baby. As soon as I got home from the hospital, I asked Ed where the watermelon was. After a few days of hospital food, I was eager for some of that sweet, delicious melon. Ed responded that he had thrown it out. His words had a certain animosity so I asked him what was up. He told me that he blamed the watermelon for causing my early labor since I had mentioned such a possibility with the first cramps. To this day, watermelon is one of my favorite fruits but Ed is not fond of it at all. I once told him that he is the only person I know who holds a grudge against a fruit.
Of course as soon as I wrote that last sentence, I thought of the fruit shared by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden! Many of us have good reason to hold a grudge against that fruit even though the fruit itself was innocent, just like my Mississippi watermelon.
Here we are three decades later. Our daughters enjoy watermelon but our grandchildren are even more passionate about it than I am. Just this morning I was cutting a watermelon for them when all of these memories came flooding back. I could feel my late mother's presence in a very real and comforting way.
It's been years since our watermelon eating required a picnic table, newspapers, knives, and salt. I learned a long time ago that it's easier to remove the rind and cut the melon in pieces. These days we even eat it indoors as part of a meal! Most of our melons lately have been seedless, which sounds unnatural but they still have some seeds. This morning's melon was full of seeds. It's almost November and melons are no longer "in season." I found this one at a roadside stand here in Florida. It took me about 20 minutes to effectively cut it and remove most of the seeds.
Sure enough, my grandchildren and I thoroughly enjoyed it. And thanks to our chickens, nothing is wasted. They especially love to eat watermelon seeds!
When I was a young child, I loved hearing an adult say, "We're going to cut a watermelon." The fanfare surrounding such an announcement meant we were about to eat something sweet, delicious, and possibly cold, OUTSIDE. Cutting and eating a juicy watermelon inside was out of the question. As I got older, I was happy to help gather the supplies required for this event.
Outside meant a wooden picnic table, always under a nice shade tree. Next came a stack of newspapers which would cover the entire table. Then we'd gather enough table knives for each person, young and old alike, to have their personal knife. Of course we needed a "butcher knife" for cutting and dividing up the melon so that each person got a good-sized wedge. Finally there was a salt shaker. I didn't realize until I was an adult that I like it much better without salt.
I have no real childhood memory of eating watermelon inside. However, I did get out of bed late one night and found my mother eating watermelon at the kitchen table. I was probably about 4 or 5 years old. When I asked if I could have some, she replied that no, it was too late in the evening. Her reason for not sharing was her prediction that I would wet the bed if I ate watermelon this late.
More than twenty years later, a delicious watermelon made another deposit in my memory bank. Ed and I were living in Columbus, Mississippi. He was in pilot training and I was 20 weeks pregnant with our first child. The pregnancy was very high risk and I was on bed rest. It was early August of 1980 and we had one of the most delicious watermelons I had ever eaten. Although my morning sickness had essentially passed, I found that to be my favorite food, much like my mother 26 years earlier.
After eating a sizable portion of that melon, I started having abdominal cramps. I didn't want to think it was labor so I attributed my symptoms to gas from too much watermelon. In short order my symptoms worsened and I had to have an emergency C-section to save my life. At 20 weeks, there was no hope for the baby. As soon as I got home from the hospital, I asked Ed where the watermelon was. After a few days of hospital food, I was eager for some of that sweet, delicious melon. Ed responded that he had thrown it out. His words had a certain animosity so I asked him what was up. He told me that he blamed the watermelon for causing my early labor since I had mentioned such a possibility with the first cramps. To this day, watermelon is one of my favorite fruits but Ed is not fond of it at all. I once told him that he is the only person I know who holds a grudge against a fruit.
Of course as soon as I wrote that last sentence, I thought of the fruit shared by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden! Many of us have good reason to hold a grudge against that fruit even though the fruit itself was innocent, just like my Mississippi watermelon.
Here we are three decades later. Our daughters enjoy watermelon but our grandchildren are even more passionate about it than I am. Just this morning I was cutting a watermelon for them when all of these memories came flooding back. I could feel my late mother's presence in a very real and comforting way.
It's been years since our watermelon eating required a picnic table, newspapers, knives, and salt. I learned a long time ago that it's easier to remove the rind and cut the melon in pieces. These days we even eat it indoors as part of a meal! Most of our melons lately have been seedless, which sounds unnatural but they still have some seeds. This morning's melon was full of seeds. It's almost November and melons are no longer "in season." I found this one at a roadside stand here in Florida. It took me about 20 minutes to effectively cut it and remove most of the seeds.
Sure enough, my grandchildren and I thoroughly enjoyed it. And thanks to our chickens, nothing is wasted. They especially love to eat watermelon seeds!
Thursday, October 16, 2014
We All Need Money
While the love of money (and its power) is the root of all evil, the fact remains that money runs the world. While I am no economist, I do understand some economic principles. From early childhood, people learn that everything they need requires money. And rich people have more power, freedom, and stuff than poor people. When asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" children usually answer something that sounds fun and pays a lot of money. My nine year-old grandson wants to develop and test games for Nintendo. Isn't it human nature to desire wealth?
Now enter the charitable mindset. This is fueled by a desire to help people we think of as poor. They may be sick, lonely, or hungry. They may live in areas of the world where opportunity is limited because of political and military unrest. These situations inspire missionaries and people who love their fellow man. While desiring to help is noble, desire alone is not effective. It requires some action. The first challenge is always funding.
The reality is that goods and services are needed by everyone and paid for by someone. Some people see the world as a feast and others see only famine. Diamonds, gold, and oil are precious commodities that simply had to be discovered and then put to use. Such is our world. Until someone invented a car, television, computer and cell phone, we had no idea that we couldn't live without them.
Everyday someone tugs at my heartstrings and asks for money. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the need and feel inadequate to meet it. For example, I have a heart for orphans in India and Africa. I care about Kurdish refugees in the Middle East. I want to help America's Wounded Warriors. Medical missionaries make a huge difference in the lives of people all over the world and need my support. My spirit is fed daily by teachers in the media and they all ask for a donation. I have political interests that need money. And of course our local churches and synagogues do wonderful work and require ongoing support. When confronted with challenges like these, human beings become inspired to create solutions.
I believe with all my heart that creative inspiration comes from God. Because of this belief, which is fueled by faith, hope and love, I pray for solutions. Such was the case when my husband Ed joined with other business minded-minded people in a company that promotes online shopping. While their goal is to be profitable, most successful business people know that service to others is a higher calling than simply amassing large quantities of money for themselves. As a result this company offers a Partner program which invites other businesses and non-profit organizations to leverage their connections. As a result of this partnership, customers and supporters simply shop online at their favorite stores as usual. As a result they earn cash back on their purchases and a percentage of this revenue is channeled to the Partner organization.
Now that I have a creative solution for obtaining the funds to help worthy causes, my challenge is to effectively and simply communicate this solution to those who can benefit. And I believe that is all of us.
Now enter the charitable mindset. This is fueled by a desire to help people we think of as poor. They may be sick, lonely, or hungry. They may live in areas of the world where opportunity is limited because of political and military unrest. These situations inspire missionaries and people who love their fellow man. While desiring to help is noble, desire alone is not effective. It requires some action. The first challenge is always funding.
The reality is that goods and services are needed by everyone and paid for by someone. Some people see the world as a feast and others see only famine. Diamonds, gold, and oil are precious commodities that simply had to be discovered and then put to use. Such is our world. Until someone invented a car, television, computer and cell phone, we had no idea that we couldn't live without them.
Everyday someone tugs at my heartstrings and asks for money. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the need and feel inadequate to meet it. For example, I have a heart for orphans in India and Africa. I care about Kurdish refugees in the Middle East. I want to help America's Wounded Warriors. Medical missionaries make a huge difference in the lives of people all over the world and need my support. My spirit is fed daily by teachers in the media and they all ask for a donation. I have political interests that need money. And of course our local churches and synagogues do wonderful work and require ongoing support. When confronted with challenges like these, human beings become inspired to create solutions.
I believe with all my heart that creative inspiration comes from God. Because of this belief, which is fueled by faith, hope and love, I pray for solutions. Such was the case when my husband Ed joined with other business minded-minded people in a company that promotes online shopping. While their goal is to be profitable, most successful business people know that service to others is a higher calling than simply amassing large quantities of money for themselves. As a result this company offers a Partner program which invites other businesses and non-profit organizations to leverage their connections. As a result of this partnership, customers and supporters simply shop online at their favorite stores as usual. As a result they earn cash back on their purchases and a percentage of this revenue is channeled to the Partner organization.
Now that I have a creative solution for obtaining the funds to help worthy causes, my challenge is to effectively and simply communicate this solution to those who can benefit. And I believe that is all of us.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Ebola Raises Some Serious Questions
A couple of months ago I completed a continuing education course on Ebola. It was actually somewhat reassuring given these 2 claims: 1) It is transmitted through blood and body fluids 2) The patient is not contagious until they are symptomatic. So these sound simple enough, right? Right, if we're talking HIV or hepatitis which are not characterized by vomiting or hemorrhaging. Ebola presents with headache, vomiting, and fever. These are fairly common symptoms so what raises the flag that they can be life threatening? It's a simple matter of determining where the patient has been and who they've been exposed to over the past 3 weeks.
Therefore, if someone with Ebola vomits, bleeds, or urinates on a surface, how long does the virus remain alive? According to the CDC www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/environmental-infection-control-in-hospitals.html, the Ebola virus can remain viable on a solid surface "with concentrations falling slowly over several days." We in the medical profession are interested in "viral load." This is the amount of virus in a specified amount of blood. Some illnesses require a high viral load to be considered infectious. This does not seem to be the case with Ebola which requires a "low infectious dose" and those infected have the "potential of high virus titers in the blood." This means an infected person has lots of the viral organisms and it doesn't take a lot for someone to contract the disease.
There are reports that nurses are stating they feel their hospitals are unprepared to deal with Ebola. I can certainly understand this. And that is in medical settings with all of the PPE (personal protective equipment), disinfectant and sterilization policies, and trained staff for whom "universal precautions" are supposed to be routine. Think about the times you have been a patient in an emergency department. Was there carpet and upholstery? Were the staff and other patients outfitted in masks, gloves, gowns, and eye protection? Were you given these items? Were the people who accompanied you given these items?
Just the idea of flying on an airplane concerns me. So the airlines are screening people as to their possible contact with infected persons. They are questioning passengers about current symptoms such as fever and may even take the passengers' temperatures. Consider that you have an airline ticket you paid more than $1000 for and a trip you have been planning for weeks or months. Then you come down with a fever, headache, and possibly an upset stomach. Would you try to cover up that fact? I have heard that people are taking Ibuprofen to mask fever so they can board the plane. While these scenarios may be unlikely they are very possible.
The CDC article recommends that hospitals remove the draperies, carpets, and upholstery from rooms that house patients with Ebola. I have flown on many airplanes. They have upholstery and carpets. So do airports, medical waiting rooms, hotels, taxicabs, and rental cars. Supposedly the Ebola is considered to be enveloped, which makes it more susceptible to most disinfectants. That is good news but how confident are we that contaminated surfaces have been immediately disinfected?
It's been 38 years since I became a registered nurse. I have seen a lot of changes during that time including the discovery of HIV, and Hepatitis C, D, and E. Nosocomial (hospital acquired) infections such as antibiotic resistant staph infections have become more widespread and costly. At a time when we have more technology and pharmacology (drugs) than ever before, our risk of acquiring deadly diseases continues to be very real.
My knowledge of Ebola is not extensive and thank goodness I have no personal experience with it. However, common sense dictates that we should focus on good nutrition, good hygiene, and avoid exposure to sick people. I will not lay awake at night worrying about this but I will stay informed and alert. I pray that leaders in government and healthcare use wisdom, knowledge and courage to confront this disease. I also pray that healthcare workers ask questions and demand answers concerning Ebola now.
Therefore, if someone with Ebola vomits, bleeds, or urinates on a surface, how long does the virus remain alive? According to the CDC www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/environmental-infection-control-in-hospitals.html, the Ebola virus can remain viable on a solid surface "with concentrations falling slowly over several days." We in the medical profession are interested in "viral load." This is the amount of virus in a specified amount of blood. Some illnesses require a high viral load to be considered infectious. This does not seem to be the case with Ebola which requires a "low infectious dose" and those infected have the "potential of high virus titers in the blood." This means an infected person has lots of the viral organisms and it doesn't take a lot for someone to contract the disease.
There are reports that nurses are stating they feel their hospitals are unprepared to deal with Ebola. I can certainly understand this. And that is in medical settings with all of the PPE (personal protective equipment), disinfectant and sterilization policies, and trained staff for whom "universal precautions" are supposed to be routine. Think about the times you have been a patient in an emergency department. Was there carpet and upholstery? Were the staff and other patients outfitted in masks, gloves, gowns, and eye protection? Were you given these items? Were the people who accompanied you given these items?
Just the idea of flying on an airplane concerns me. So the airlines are screening people as to their possible contact with infected persons. They are questioning passengers about current symptoms such as fever and may even take the passengers' temperatures. Consider that you have an airline ticket you paid more than $1000 for and a trip you have been planning for weeks or months. Then you come down with a fever, headache, and possibly an upset stomach. Would you try to cover up that fact? I have heard that people are taking Ibuprofen to mask fever so they can board the plane. While these scenarios may be unlikely they are very possible.
The CDC article recommends that hospitals remove the draperies, carpets, and upholstery from rooms that house patients with Ebola. I have flown on many airplanes. They have upholstery and carpets. So do airports, medical waiting rooms, hotels, taxicabs, and rental cars. Supposedly the Ebola is considered to be enveloped, which makes it more susceptible to most disinfectants. That is good news but how confident are we that contaminated surfaces have been immediately disinfected?
It's been 38 years since I became a registered nurse. I have seen a lot of changes during that time including the discovery of HIV, and Hepatitis C, D, and E. Nosocomial (hospital acquired) infections such as antibiotic resistant staph infections have become more widespread and costly. At a time when we have more technology and pharmacology (drugs) than ever before, our risk of acquiring deadly diseases continues to be very real.
My knowledge of Ebola is not extensive and thank goodness I have no personal experience with it. However, common sense dictates that we should focus on good nutrition, good hygiene, and avoid exposure to sick people. I will not lay awake at night worrying about this but I will stay informed and alert. I pray that leaders in government and healthcare use wisdom, knowledge and courage to confront this disease. I also pray that healthcare workers ask questions and demand answers concerning Ebola now.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
How Do We Know What to Believe?
Knowing, really knowing, what to believe is a lifelong quest. If it were simple, there would be little point to reading and listening in hopes of learning something we don't already know. Isn't it crazy that things we believe so strongly one day, turn out to be wrong the next day? In a world where there are so many different religions and philosophies, how does a person know truth from lies?
Families, schools, churches including synagogues, temples, and mosques all contribute to what we believe. Every person in each of these institutions also come from families, schools, religious institutions and communities that engraved in them a system of beliefs. Getting to the roots of one's beliefs can seem almost impossible.
The books we read are full of bias. The same goes with news articles and blogs like this one. They are all written by a person with a distinctive set of beliefs. While it's easy to get swept up in the hype of what sounds good, it's important to know the underlying agenda. I just read an article about a book on global warming. Does mankind actually think he has the power to affect the climate in the world? I'm reminded of the book of Job when God asks, "where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?"
Along with global warming and environmentalism (these are all recently coined words and ideas by the way), we in America have awakened to a new education term called "Common Core." What the heck is common core and how did it come about? Good questions and we all need to research the answers.
As mentioned earlier, our beliefs are shaped by our teachers. So we must choose our teachers wisely. The world is now on the precipice of another world war. Like most wars, it is a war between ideologies. How does one decide which side to take in such a war? It may seem like our beliefs determine that decision. It's one thing for a nation to attack another out of a desire to acquire land and resources. And when the land and people are conquered, peace resumes, at least temporarily. However wars between ideologies are less well defined in a geographical sense and the "sides" are difficult to determine.
So to anyone with "ears to hear," my grandchildren in particular, my advice is to read and listen to lots of viewpoints. Ask lots of questions. And know without a doubt that your brain and your heart are your best teachers, followed by your parents and grandparents. Just know that none of us know everything, but we do our best to base what we believe on truth.
Families, schools, churches including synagogues, temples, and mosques all contribute to what we believe. Every person in each of these institutions also come from families, schools, religious institutions and communities that engraved in them a system of beliefs. Getting to the roots of one's beliefs can seem almost impossible.
The books we read are full of bias. The same goes with news articles and blogs like this one. They are all written by a person with a distinctive set of beliefs. While it's easy to get swept up in the hype of what sounds good, it's important to know the underlying agenda. I just read an article about a book on global warming. Does mankind actually think he has the power to affect the climate in the world? I'm reminded of the book of Job when God asks, "where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?"
Along with global warming and environmentalism (these are all recently coined words and ideas by the way), we in America have awakened to a new education term called "Common Core." What the heck is common core and how did it come about? Good questions and we all need to research the answers.
As mentioned earlier, our beliefs are shaped by our teachers. So we must choose our teachers wisely. The world is now on the precipice of another world war. Like most wars, it is a war between ideologies. How does one decide which side to take in such a war? It may seem like our beliefs determine that decision. It's one thing for a nation to attack another out of a desire to acquire land and resources. And when the land and people are conquered, peace resumes, at least temporarily. However wars between ideologies are less well defined in a geographical sense and the "sides" are difficult to determine.
So to anyone with "ears to hear," my grandchildren in particular, my advice is to read and listen to lots of viewpoints. Ask lots of questions. And know without a doubt that your brain and your heart are your best teachers, followed by your parents and grandparents. Just know that none of us know everything, but we do our best to base what we believe on truth.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Nana, What Do You Do All Day?
After spending 4 hours at the beach with my grandchildren, Alexa asked, "Nana, what do you do all day?" Of course I chuckled. These children are a high priority for my time. In fact, they are a major reason Ed and I decided to move to Florida just over a year ago. We wanted to be an integral part of their lives and living 8 hours away made that difficult. Like an increasing number of people today, we feel the need to be close to family. I remember studying in sociology classes about nuclear and extended families. While I grew up next door to my grandparents, our children never lived closer than a 5 hour drive to either of theirs. That seemed to be normal in the 80's and 90's. However, with the current state of social unrest in our country, I feel it's important to be close.
It is a well-known fact that how we spend our days is how we spend our lives. I have never wanted to look back with regret for not being a good steward of the time I've been blessed with. There are more "things" begging our attention than ever before. Many can be beneficial. But there is a limit to how many words I can read, how many causes I can support, and how much energy I can expend. So how do we know where to draw the line?
Being semi-retired, I work for myself and get to choose how much time I spend in this endeavor. As a result, I'm always aware of people that I may be able to help in some manner or another. With 38 years of nursing under my belt, it's pretty obvious that I like to help people. Being a force to improve any aspect of a person's life, great or small, gives me tremendous satisfaction. Network marketing fits quite well with who I am and what I consider my purpose. It allows me to be independent, flexible, challenged, and rewarded in tangible and intangible ways. So whether I am helping someone explore a new career path or the benefits of one service over another, I like the feeling that I can make a difference to someone everyday.
Staying informed about local and world events is also important to me. This takes time and discernment. With all the media bombardment these days, it's easy to get overwhelmed. However, I feel a sense of responsibility for understanding and acting on events in my sphere of influence. While I learned a long time ago that I cannot achieve world peace, I can be a voice for reason. It's easy to get swept up in the sensations of news stories. However, all stories are told from someone's point of view and often with a motive. So it takes time to evaluate such information and decide what is important and what is irrelevant, as well as what is true and what is not. So yes, I consider myself an activist. I attend conference calls on National Security. I read news stories. I attend local political meetings and I participate in rallies that I feel passionate about.
Friendships are also really important to me. I am intentional with fostering these relationships. Lunch dates, evenings out, telephone conversations, and even responding to my friends' Facebook posts are important to me. Just last week we bought season tickets to the local symphony to share this time with our friends. And whenever a friend phones me to talk or to schedule a visit, I drop everything unimportant to accommodate their request. Friends and family remain my top priority. When I was 7 years old I learned that we never know when we see someone that it could be the last time.
While these are all important ways to spend my time and my life, there remains yet "a better way." Of course I am referring to time spent in relationship with God, Who nourishes my spirit like none other. The time I spend reading His Word and communing with Him in prayer equip me to make better decisions about everything and especially about prioritizing my time. Since I became convicted about the Holiness of Sabbath, my day of worship has posed a bigger challenge. In the United States Sunday is considered the day of rest for Christians as well as most non-Christians. However, the Bible plainly states that God considers the seventh day of the week, the one westerners all Saturday, to be His Sabbath. "But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates." Exodus 20:10 NKJV So that settles it for me. Most of my family has come into agreement as well.
I thank my granddaughter for asking me what I do all day! It certainly made me take stock of my time to see where I am doing a good job and areas that need to be improved. Just as I must be a good steward of my money, I also must be an equally good steward of my time.
It is a well-known fact that how we spend our days is how we spend our lives. I have never wanted to look back with regret for not being a good steward of the time I've been blessed with. There are more "things" begging our attention than ever before. Many can be beneficial. But there is a limit to how many words I can read, how many causes I can support, and how much energy I can expend. So how do we know where to draw the line?
Being semi-retired, I work for myself and get to choose how much time I spend in this endeavor. As a result, I'm always aware of people that I may be able to help in some manner or another. With 38 years of nursing under my belt, it's pretty obvious that I like to help people. Being a force to improve any aspect of a person's life, great or small, gives me tremendous satisfaction. Network marketing fits quite well with who I am and what I consider my purpose. It allows me to be independent, flexible, challenged, and rewarded in tangible and intangible ways. So whether I am helping someone explore a new career path or the benefits of one service over another, I like the feeling that I can make a difference to someone everyday.
Staying informed about local and world events is also important to me. This takes time and discernment. With all the media bombardment these days, it's easy to get overwhelmed. However, I feel a sense of responsibility for understanding and acting on events in my sphere of influence. While I learned a long time ago that I cannot achieve world peace, I can be a voice for reason. It's easy to get swept up in the sensations of news stories. However, all stories are told from someone's point of view and often with a motive. So it takes time to evaluate such information and decide what is important and what is irrelevant, as well as what is true and what is not. So yes, I consider myself an activist. I attend conference calls on National Security. I read news stories. I attend local political meetings and I participate in rallies that I feel passionate about.
Friendships are also really important to me. I am intentional with fostering these relationships. Lunch dates, evenings out, telephone conversations, and even responding to my friends' Facebook posts are important to me. Just last week we bought season tickets to the local symphony to share this time with our friends. And whenever a friend phones me to talk or to schedule a visit, I drop everything unimportant to accommodate their request. Friends and family remain my top priority. When I was 7 years old I learned that we never know when we see someone that it could be the last time.
While these are all important ways to spend my time and my life, there remains yet "a better way." Of course I am referring to time spent in relationship with God, Who nourishes my spirit like none other. The time I spend reading His Word and communing with Him in prayer equip me to make better decisions about everything and especially about prioritizing my time. Since I became convicted about the Holiness of Sabbath, my day of worship has posed a bigger challenge. In the United States Sunday is considered the day of rest for Christians as well as most non-Christians. However, the Bible plainly states that God considers the seventh day of the week, the one westerners all Saturday, to be His Sabbath. "But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates." Exodus 20:10 NKJV So that settles it for me. Most of my family has come into agreement as well.
I thank my granddaughter for asking me what I do all day! It certainly made me take stock of my time to see where I am doing a good job and areas that need to be improved. Just as I must be a good steward of my money, I also must be an equally good steward of my time.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Compost
Most gardeners appreciate the benefits of compost. To my city friends, this may be a new word. After all, most people try to get over ripe produce, skins, egg shells, and peels out of their homes as soon as possible. To keep this stuff around can result in some disgusting sights and smells! However, we scientific types appreciate the benefits of these "kitchen scraps."
Since matter is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed, composting is an ideal way to "recycle" organic matter. When seen from a scientific perspective, we are performing an organic chemistry experiment. When seen from a spiritual perspective, composting demonstrates the miracle of life and its cyclic renewal. Besides sounding brainy and mysterious, what is the point?
As a gardener, my goal is to have healthy abundant crops in the shortest amount of time. That is why I decided that composting just makes sense. When you consider every banana, potato, onion, and avocado peel, every egg shell and apple core, as well as leaves and grass contain the building blocks for food, it's crazy to just throw it away. And for those of us with chickens, their poop is one of the most organic by-products in the world. The question then is how to transform this garbage into delicious food without having to get too up-close and personal with the whole process. For us, this starts in the kitchen with this Full Circle Natural Cleaning Solutions Fresh Air Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Collector 1.3 Gallon, Green Slate
.
Naturally we don't want things rotting under our noses. This desire has given rise to what are called compost bins. There are many varieties, both store-bought and homemade. Regardless of the type, the principles and outcome are the same. You need a contained area, open or closed, that is easy to water and aerate. A closed bin will turn the vegetation to usable compost faster than an open one. I know this from personal experience. Closing the container causes it to get hotter which speeds up the decomposition. Also, the amount of water matters. An open bin is subject to downpours of rain which will leach the nutrients from the composting matter. However, dry compost takes forever to decompose. This is why dehydrating foods preserves and hydrating causes stuff to rot faster.
Oxygen is necessary so the compost needs to be exposed to air. This is accomplished by mixing up the contents of the bin, which is one of the selling points to a barrel composter. The makers of these barrels tell you to give it a turn a couple of times a week and you're good to go. Some people even put handles on them. Aerating can also be accomplished by manually mixing up the compost with a pitch fork or rake. My sweet husband gave me the perfect tool on our last wedding anniversary. It's called an ames true temper 165117600 True Temper, 4 Tine, Forged Spading Fork,
and I use it twice a week to mix things up. Don't you love a man who knows what his wife really wants?
When I had one open bin, it seemed to take months to have usable compost. Also, I kept adding new stuff to the old so it never seemed ready. When I was planning my Florida garden, I also planned a compost bin. I wanted it close to the garden for obvious reasons. I didn't want to spend a lot of money. And I wanted it to work quickly. As you can tell by my criteria, I'm lazy, cheap, and impatient.
Here's what we used for our homemade compost bin:
1. 10 8ft untreated pine 2 X 4's cut in half
2. nails
3. wire (we used hardware cloth)
4. Tarp
We nailed the boards together in a box shape, alternating them to create openings. We then covered the sides with the hardware cloth and attached the tarp at the rear.
When adding kitchen scraps, we have a "new" side and an "old" side. I put scraps, leaves, grass clippings, egg shells, chicken poop, and wild mushrooms in one side. I continue to turn it twice a week and wet it once or twice a week, keeping it covered with the tarp otherwise. When this side is as full as I want it, I switch the "new" stuff to the other side. Meanwhile I continue to turn and water both sides. The "old" side turns to "black gold" and is ready to use in 6-8.
It makes me feel like a real Earth mother to turn something old, rotten, and smelly into something young, beautiful and delicious. Hopefully compost has now gained some new respect!
Since matter is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed, composting is an ideal way to "recycle" organic matter. When seen from a scientific perspective, we are performing an organic chemistry experiment. When seen from a spiritual perspective, composting demonstrates the miracle of life and its cyclic renewal. Besides sounding brainy and mysterious, what is the point?
As a gardener, my goal is to have healthy abundant crops in the shortest amount of time. That is why I decided that composting just makes sense. When you consider every banana, potato, onion, and avocado peel, every egg shell and apple core, as well as leaves and grass contain the building blocks for food, it's crazy to just throw it away. And for those of us with chickens, their poop is one of the most organic by-products in the world. The question then is how to transform this garbage into delicious food without having to get too up-close and personal with the whole process. For us, this starts in the kitchen with this Full Circle Natural Cleaning Solutions Fresh Air Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Collector 1.3 Gallon, Green Slate
.
Naturally we don't want things rotting under our noses. This desire has given rise to what are called compost bins. There are many varieties, both store-bought and homemade. Regardless of the type, the principles and outcome are the same. You need a contained area, open or closed, that is easy to water and aerate. A closed bin will turn the vegetation to usable compost faster than an open one. I know this from personal experience. Closing the container causes it to get hotter which speeds up the decomposition. Also, the amount of water matters. An open bin is subject to downpours of rain which will leach the nutrients from the composting matter. However, dry compost takes forever to decompose. This is why dehydrating foods preserves and hydrating causes stuff to rot faster.
Oxygen is necessary so the compost needs to be exposed to air. This is accomplished by mixing up the contents of the bin, which is one of the selling points to a barrel composter. The makers of these barrels tell you to give it a turn a couple of times a week and you're good to go. Some people even put handles on them. Aerating can also be accomplished by manually mixing up the compost with a pitch fork or rake. My sweet husband gave me the perfect tool on our last wedding anniversary. It's called an ames true temper 165117600 True Temper, 4 Tine, Forged Spading Fork,
and I use it twice a week to mix things up. Don't you love a man who knows what his wife really wants?
When I had one open bin, it seemed to take months to have usable compost. Also, I kept adding new stuff to the old so it never seemed ready. When I was planning my Florida garden, I also planned a compost bin. I wanted it close to the garden for obvious reasons. I didn't want to spend a lot of money. And I wanted it to work quickly. As you can tell by my criteria, I'm lazy, cheap, and impatient.
Here's what we used for our homemade compost bin:
1. 10 8ft untreated pine 2 X 4's cut in half
2. nails
3. wire (we used hardware cloth)
4. Tarp
We nailed the boards together in a box shape, alternating them to create openings. We then covered the sides with the hardware cloth and attached the tarp at the rear.
When adding kitchen scraps, we have a "new" side and an "old" side. I put scraps, leaves, grass clippings, egg shells, chicken poop, and wild mushrooms in one side. I continue to turn it twice a week and wet it once or twice a week, keeping it covered with the tarp otherwise. When this side is as full as I want it, I switch the "new" stuff to the other side. Meanwhile I continue to turn and water both sides. The "old" side turns to "black gold" and is ready to use in 6-8.
It makes me feel like a real Earth mother to turn something old, rotten, and smelly into something young, beautiful and delicious. Hopefully compost has now gained some new respect!
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Privilege And Responsibility
Privilege and responsibility are foundational to a meaningful life. We often call the privilege to choose our own course of action freedom. The alternative to this freedom is being told what to think, say, and do 24/7. While responsibility literally means the ability to respond, it really means taking into account the rights and needs of others, not just what we want to do at a given moment.
A good example of privilege and responsibility is driving an automobile. To achieve this privilege, one must learn the skills and rules, then obtain a license. To retain the privilege, one must demonstrate responsibility toward others by obeying the rules and laws associated with driving. All drivers know the consequences of irresponsible driving, but some choose to follow their own selfish desires anyway. At best there can be a ticket. At worse there can be loss of life.
From birth, the human tendency is to please self. Because I exercised my free will to believe and follow the God of the Holy Bible and accept His Son Yeshua (Jesus) as my LORD and Savior, I have many privileges and responsibilities. I understand, accept, and DESIRE, that my thoughts, words, and actions be pleasing to God and not just to myself. How does one determine what is pleasing to God? Well, how does one know what is pleasing to his parents, his spouse, or his employer? We ask them and they tell us, right? The same is true with God. We pray, we read His Word, and we seek the counsel of others who already demonstrate an ability to please Him.
Oh how I wish this were simple! Ever since Eve was tempted in the garden, the adversary (Satan) has successfully tempted men and women to doubt what God really said. As a result, we find reasons to question the meaning of every word in Scripture. This undoubtedly gave rise to the legal profession. After all, isn't the word "legalistic" often used to describes people who inject their own interpretation into the words? Inevitably, we have to use what we know and what has been decided in the past, to give understanding to the present meaning of words.
While privilege and responsibility sound simple, they are not. In my lifetime, I have witnessed the loss of many privileges we took for granted. The current world situation has many of us afraid of losing even more. What are we to do as responsible citizens and as Believers? First of all, we must declare our primary allegiance to God and the goal of pleasing Him. So we pray and read His Word as stated above. We are also responsible to His creation, which includes our fellow man. We must stay informed and guard against being led astray by seeds of doubt planted by the adversary. We must also join forces with other Believers to encourage each other and stand firm together.
Our failure to exercise responsibility for understanding and protecting our privileges will result in their loss. Just as Eve's lack of responsibility removed her privilege to dwell in the Garden of Eden, our decisions also determine whether we continue to enjoy God-given privileges as well those currently provided by the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. My prayer is that we all carefully evaluate popular ideas that challenge our privileges. Free Speech, the Freedom to Assemble, and the Right to Bear Arms can be taken from us unless we assume the responsibility to protect them.
The more we read and study the Word of God, the clearer this concept becomes. God clearly told His people what was required for them to enjoy the privileges associated with residing in the Promised Land. Consequences of being responsible or irresponsible are inevitable. We must remain mindful of our responsiblity as God-fearer, spouse, parent, employee, citizen or leader. There are many privileges associated with these titles. These privileges are precious. Let's all take personal responsibility to protect them.
A good example of privilege and responsibility is driving an automobile. To achieve this privilege, one must learn the skills and rules, then obtain a license. To retain the privilege, one must demonstrate responsibility toward others by obeying the rules and laws associated with driving. All drivers know the consequences of irresponsible driving, but some choose to follow their own selfish desires anyway. At best there can be a ticket. At worse there can be loss of life.
From birth, the human tendency is to please self. Because I exercised my free will to believe and follow the God of the Holy Bible and accept His Son Yeshua (Jesus) as my LORD and Savior, I have many privileges and responsibilities. I understand, accept, and DESIRE, that my thoughts, words, and actions be pleasing to God and not just to myself. How does one determine what is pleasing to God? Well, how does one know what is pleasing to his parents, his spouse, or his employer? We ask them and they tell us, right? The same is true with God. We pray, we read His Word, and we seek the counsel of others who already demonstrate an ability to please Him.
Oh how I wish this were simple! Ever since Eve was tempted in the garden, the adversary (Satan) has successfully tempted men and women to doubt what God really said. As a result, we find reasons to question the meaning of every word in Scripture. This undoubtedly gave rise to the legal profession. After all, isn't the word "legalistic" often used to describes people who inject their own interpretation into the words? Inevitably, we have to use what we know and what has been decided in the past, to give understanding to the present meaning of words.
While privilege and responsibility sound simple, they are not. In my lifetime, I have witnessed the loss of many privileges we took for granted. The current world situation has many of us afraid of losing even more. What are we to do as responsible citizens and as Believers? First of all, we must declare our primary allegiance to God and the goal of pleasing Him. So we pray and read His Word as stated above. We are also responsible to His creation, which includes our fellow man. We must stay informed and guard against being led astray by seeds of doubt planted by the adversary. We must also join forces with other Believers to encourage each other and stand firm together.
Our failure to exercise responsibility for understanding and protecting our privileges will result in their loss. Just as Eve's lack of responsibility removed her privilege to dwell in the Garden of Eden, our decisions also determine whether we continue to enjoy God-given privileges as well those currently provided by the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. My prayer is that we all carefully evaluate popular ideas that challenge our privileges. Free Speech, the Freedom to Assemble, and the Right to Bear Arms can be taken from us unless we assume the responsibility to protect them.
The more we read and study the Word of God, the clearer this concept becomes. God clearly told His people what was required for them to enjoy the privileges associated with residing in the Promised Land. Consequences of being responsible or irresponsible are inevitable. We must remain mindful of our responsiblity as God-fearer, spouse, parent, employee, citizen or leader. There are many privileges associated with these titles. These privileges are precious. Let's all take personal responsibility to protect them.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Weeds
Continuing with the theme of gardening, I will focus on weeds. This is easy right now because I just spent 45 minutes pulling some tenacious ones. When I first looked at the huge mass of weeds that seemed to have taken over the front flower bed, I was tempted to surrender in defeat. There were 3 concerns that brought this possibility to mind: 1) the sheer number and size of the weeds; 2) the heat; 3) possible critters lurking in there. Each of these is a great reason to retreat to the comfort of air conditioning.
For some reason, though, I pulled a weed at the edge. This felt good so I pulled another and another. With the removal of each weed I noticed two things. First, I could see better to pull the next one while checking for any critters in the immediate vicinity. Secondly, my progress was taking me into the shade.
There are a number of lessons in our struggle against weeds. Weeds represented unwanted things in life that hide the good and seek to choke the very life from that good. Secondly, they keep coming back. The harder we hit them, the longer it takes, but they will be back. And the sooner we take care of them when they do return, the easier it is to keep them from gaining a stronghold. Also, no matter how much we'd like them to turn into a beautiful flower or vegetable, they will always be a weed.
As I rehydrate and reflect on my success against this one patch of weeds, here is what I've learned. Weeds are not as noticeable where there are no flowers and fruit but they are still there. Calling a weed a tomato does not make it so. The only real way to stop their intrusion is to pull them up by the root.
For some reason, though, I pulled a weed at the edge. This felt good so I pulled another and another. With the removal of each weed I noticed two things. First, I could see better to pull the next one while checking for any critters in the immediate vicinity. Secondly, my progress was taking me into the shade.
There are a number of lessons in our struggle against weeds. Weeds represented unwanted things in life that hide the good and seek to choke the very life from that good. Secondly, they keep coming back. The harder we hit them, the longer it takes, but they will be back. And the sooner we take care of them when they do return, the easier it is to keep them from gaining a stronghold. Also, no matter how much we'd like them to turn into a beautiful flower or vegetable, they will always be a weed.
As I rehydrate and reflect on my success against this one patch of weeds, here is what I've learned. Weeds are not as noticeable where there are no flowers and fruit but they are still there. Calling a weed a tomato does not make it so. The only real way to stop their intrusion is to pull them up by the root.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Gardening
Gardening is one of my favorite hobbies. By doing a little research and then stepping out in faith, it's possible to participate in a miracle. How in the world can a hard little brown seed become delicious food? In the past 8 months, I have witnessed this miracle in my own garden with broccoli, beets, lettuce, tomatoes, green beans, and okra. Oh, I've had some challenges! Caterpillars, too much rain, not enough rain, weeds ... Gardening requires vigilance.
Here in Florida, the soil is not as rich as the soil in the Midwest or even in South Carolina. Sand is predominant so before I planted the first seed, I created a compost bin - 2 of them actually. Fruit and vegetable scraps, the chicken manure from our 5 laying hens, as well as leaves all go into two separate bins. Even composting requires some research and oversight. I turn the compost a couple of times a week to keep it aerated. In fact, my sweet husband gave me a pitch fork tool for our anniversary last winter to help with this. I keep the compost covered with a tarp so the process goes fast! In a couple of months I have a decent pile of "black gold." Mixing this compost with the sandy loam improves the soil a lot. And there is something spiritual about "recycling" organic matter from death back to life.
Along with the composting, we installed 2 rain barrels. The idea of sustainable gardening is very appealing to me. The LORD has blessed us with abundance but He expects us to participate in bringing it about. It's nice to know that I have stored rain water to keep plants alive when there is an absence of rain. Even though we have showers almost every day, in the heat of summer even one day without rain takes its toll.
I still have a lot to learn about gardening. Having vegetables to harvest is very gratifying. At one point I decided container gardening would be the answer so I tried it with purchased garden soil enriched with compost. The results don't seem to be any better than direct planting. It is fun to watch and make notes. While my eventual goal is to sustain our family from our vegetable garden, right now I'm enjoying the trial and error process. My dad was a wonderful gardener so I feel like I'm continuing his legacy. The most fun part is knowing that my grandchildren are watching and learning.
Here in Florida, the soil is not as rich as the soil in the Midwest or even in South Carolina. Sand is predominant so before I planted the first seed, I created a compost bin - 2 of them actually. Fruit and vegetable scraps, the chicken manure from our 5 laying hens, as well as leaves all go into two separate bins. Even composting requires some research and oversight. I turn the compost a couple of times a week to keep it aerated. In fact, my sweet husband gave me a pitch fork tool for our anniversary last winter to help with this. I keep the compost covered with a tarp so the process goes fast! In a couple of months I have a decent pile of "black gold." Mixing this compost with the sandy loam improves the soil a lot. And there is something spiritual about "recycling" organic matter from death back to life.
Along with the composting, we installed 2 rain barrels. The idea of sustainable gardening is very appealing to me. The LORD has blessed us with abundance but He expects us to participate in bringing it about. It's nice to know that I have stored rain water to keep plants alive when there is an absence of rain. Even though we have showers almost every day, in the heat of summer even one day without rain takes its toll.
I still have a lot to learn about gardening. Having vegetables to harvest is very gratifying. At one point I decided container gardening would be the answer so I tried it with purchased garden soil enriched with compost. The results don't seem to be any better than direct planting. It is fun to watch and make notes. While my eventual goal is to sustain our family from our vegetable garden, right now I'm enjoying the trial and error process. My dad was a wonderful gardener so I feel like I'm continuing his legacy. The most fun part is knowing that my grandchildren are watching and learning.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Politically Correct Versus Polite
What is the difference between being politically correct and being polite? Growing up in the South, I was taught to say "Yes ma'am, No ma'am, Yes sir and No sir" to everyone. It never occurred to us to be disrespectful to teachers or police officers. I'm trying to pinpoint when these understandings changed. For my generation, I see The Watergate Scandal as the time America lost respect for authority. The Hippie movement preceded Watergate and set the stage for marches and sit-ins to protest everything from the Vietnam War to bra wearing. The term "The Establishment" was coined during this time and referred to society's governing institutions established by previous generations.
While it's normal for adolescents to question authority, I think the generation of the 60's and 70's took this to a new level. Was this a natural development or was it contrived? While many of us thought ourselves smarter than our parents, is it possible we were indoctrinated by unseen powers with their own agenda? The film, Agenda: Grinding America Down, offers much insight into how our minds have been manipulated over the past 90 years. As Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, author of The Harbinger likes to say, "We now call evil good and good evil." This has happened in education, government, and religion. There are no easy solutions but understanding the situation and how it came about offers a lot of hope for the future. Just because a self-proclaimed expert says something doesn't make it right. We have to use our own powers of reasoning and question the motive of those who want us to change our basic beliefs.
The term "political correctness" is about 20 years old. It's basic agenda is to avoid making any judgments or negative comments about religions and lifestyles that have been outside the mainstream of western society. The proponents of political correctness seek to instill feelings of guilt and shame in those who adhere to what have been called Judeo-Christian values. This guilt and shame causes us to question what we were taught as true and good and begin to consider what we thought was abnormal or wrong as being acceptable. Some examples in religion are atheism and extreme Islam with its Sharia law. As a result, we have been told to silence our traditional Judeo-Christian, Bible-based beliefs because they are offensive. However, political correctness does not allow for the silencing of the hate speech declared by atheists and Islamic Jihadists. Anyone who suggests Islamic militants are dangerous is labeled an Islamaphobe. Similarly, homosexuality has been elevated to the point of being revered. Anyone questioning or objecting to the normalization of homosexuality in our education system or military is labeled a homophobe. To suggest that homosexuality is problematic and not to be encouraged causes one to be vilified.
Many of us were taught to hate the sin but love the sinner. With the emergence of political correctness, we became more aware of those with different opinions about what is acceptable and good and what is not. Over time, this has morphed into a judicial system that seeks to silence Jews and Christians and give a stronger voice to those who are against them. Rather than being politely tolerant of beliefs and lifestyles different from our own, we are legally forced to declare the goodness and rightness of ideas and actions that directly conflict with our Judeo-Christian faith. We are told not to be judgmental or unloving. Agreeing with things we know are wrong is not being loving. How loving is a parent who allows their child to jump off a skyscraper because they have been told that gravity is wrong and weightlessness is better?
I definitely support politeness. For a civilized society to remain civilized, people must treat each other with polite respect. However, to take that respect to a fanatical extreme and involve the courts to enforce it is tyranny. Let's continue to smile and be polite but stand up against political correctness. .
While it's normal for adolescents to question authority, I think the generation of the 60's and 70's took this to a new level. Was this a natural development or was it contrived? While many of us thought ourselves smarter than our parents, is it possible we were indoctrinated by unseen powers with their own agenda? The film, Agenda: Grinding America Down, offers much insight into how our minds have been manipulated over the past 90 years. As Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, author of The Harbinger likes to say, "We now call evil good and good evil." This has happened in education, government, and religion. There are no easy solutions but understanding the situation and how it came about offers a lot of hope for the future. Just because a self-proclaimed expert says something doesn't make it right. We have to use our own powers of reasoning and question the motive of those who want us to change our basic beliefs.
The term "political correctness" is about 20 years old. It's basic agenda is to avoid making any judgments or negative comments about religions and lifestyles that have been outside the mainstream of western society. The proponents of political correctness seek to instill feelings of guilt and shame in those who adhere to what have been called Judeo-Christian values. This guilt and shame causes us to question what we were taught as true and good and begin to consider what we thought was abnormal or wrong as being acceptable. Some examples in religion are atheism and extreme Islam with its Sharia law. As a result, we have been told to silence our traditional Judeo-Christian, Bible-based beliefs because they are offensive. However, political correctness does not allow for the silencing of the hate speech declared by atheists and Islamic Jihadists. Anyone who suggests Islamic militants are dangerous is labeled an Islamaphobe. Similarly, homosexuality has been elevated to the point of being revered. Anyone questioning or objecting to the normalization of homosexuality in our education system or military is labeled a homophobe. To suggest that homosexuality is problematic and not to be encouraged causes one to be vilified.
Many of us were taught to hate the sin but love the sinner. With the emergence of political correctness, we became more aware of those with different opinions about what is acceptable and good and what is not. Over time, this has morphed into a judicial system that seeks to silence Jews and Christians and give a stronger voice to those who are against them. Rather than being politely tolerant of beliefs and lifestyles different from our own, we are legally forced to declare the goodness and rightness of ideas and actions that directly conflict with our Judeo-Christian faith. We are told not to be judgmental or unloving. Agreeing with things we know are wrong is not being loving. How loving is a parent who allows their child to jump off a skyscraper because they have been told that gravity is wrong and weightlessness is better?
I definitely support politeness. For a civilized society to remain civilized, people must treat each other with polite respect. However, to take that respect to a fanatical extreme and involve the courts to enforce it is tyranny. Let's continue to smile and be polite but stand up against political correctness. .
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Playing it Safe
Many people go through life trying to play it safe. They are afraid to color outside the lines. Reckless behavior is not wise but neither is living in fear of what might be around the next bend. I remember the conversation I had with the pediatrician the day after our second daughter was born. We were discussing things like SIDS and I kept asking one question after another. Finally he stopped me and said, "This is the healthiest baby in the hospital. If you take a car trip across the country and constantly worry about the possibility of an accident, you will not enjoy the trip and will miss out on a lot of fun." That advice has remained with me ever since.
As I write this, a Malaysian Aircraft with 295 civilians onboard has been shot out of the sky over the Ukraine. We all know the world is not safe. In November 2012 five friends and I were scheduled to fly to Israel for 10 days when rockets starting flying out of Gaza. After prayer and consultation with experts, we decided to proceed with our trip. This was a leap of faith and a risk that all but one of us was willing to take. On our way to Dimona from Tel Aviv, we saw the Iron Dome intercept a rocket out of Gaza. We gave thanks and continued our animated conversation about our upcoming plans. The result was a very fun and educational trip with many unexpected blessings. I met with the top horticulturists in the country and made some lasting friends.
The safety of my four grandchildren is another story. I never want to see them injured in any way. The question becomes "How much protection is desirable or even possible?" The world, in spite of its dangers, is also full of fun, educational, and amazing things which I want them to experience. Three of the four are shy while the youngest never meets a stranger. My job is to temper their fears of the unknown with sensible caution. They all love the water so I insist they learn to swim and wear life jackets on the dock or boat. We have to drive places so we use car seats and seat belts. I teach them about stranger danger and help them meet new and interesting people in a safe manner.
I plan to take them and their parents to Israel one day. It's a place dear to my heart and I want to share it with my family. Like my trip in 2012, these future trips will likely be made after prayer and careful consideration. As human beings we were created to learn and grow by seeing and doing. Everyday is an opportunity for me to see and do something new and interesting. Living is risky but so is playing it safe.
As I write this, a Malaysian Aircraft with 295 civilians onboard has been shot out of the sky over the Ukraine. We all know the world is not safe. In November 2012 five friends and I were scheduled to fly to Israel for 10 days when rockets starting flying out of Gaza. After prayer and consultation with experts, we decided to proceed with our trip. This was a leap of faith and a risk that all but one of us was willing to take. On our way to Dimona from Tel Aviv, we saw the Iron Dome intercept a rocket out of Gaza. We gave thanks and continued our animated conversation about our upcoming plans. The result was a very fun and educational trip with many unexpected blessings. I met with the top horticulturists in the country and made some lasting friends.
The safety of my four grandchildren is another story. I never want to see them injured in any way. The question becomes "How much protection is desirable or even possible?" The world, in spite of its dangers, is also full of fun, educational, and amazing things which I want them to experience. Three of the four are shy while the youngest never meets a stranger. My job is to temper their fears of the unknown with sensible caution. They all love the water so I insist they learn to swim and wear life jackets on the dock or boat. We have to drive places so we use car seats and seat belts. I teach them about stranger danger and help them meet new and interesting people in a safe manner.
I plan to take them and their parents to Israel one day. It's a place dear to my heart and I want to share it with my family. Like my trip in 2012, these future trips will likely be made after prayer and careful consideration. As human beings we were created to learn and grow by seeing and doing. Everyday is an opportunity for me to see and do something new and interesting. Living is risky but so is playing it safe.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Adults Know Everything
When I was a child growing up in the late fifties and sixties, I thought adults knew everything. In fact, I looked forward to the day when I would be an adult and know everything too. My parents gave me the rules and I followed them, usually no questions asked. My friends and I had a lot of freedom to go the playground, swing on vines across the creek, and fly kites in the field behind our houses, but when my dad whistled,I immediately responded.
My parents could do everything. My dad was an expert at gardening, fishing, and hunting. He and his friends even built a wooden fishing boat in our back yard. My mom owned a successful business, taught Sunday School, dressed nicely, and was well liked by everyone. They let me know early on that they expected me to be respectful, do my best in school, and graduate from college. It seemed if I did those things, my success was assured. So I did those things. In fact, I did my best to excel in all areas.
We were faithful members of a nearby church and if the doors were open, I was there. There was church and Sunday School on Sunday, weekday church school on Wednesday, vacation Bible School in the summer, and catechism classes when I was 12 and 13. School was easy for me even though I said I hated it! I lived for holidays and summer vacation. Summer meant swimming, fishing, and long days of bike riding, playing at the park, and hide and seek after dark. In retrospect, mine was an unbelievably blessed childhood. No wonder I thought adults knew everything. They made sure my life was safe and sound.
My life felt perfect in spite of the Cuban missile crisis, which I knew about from over-hearing my parents' conversations, the 7 O'clock news, and because we had Civil Defense sirens and drills at school. It was perfect in spite of the assassinations of JFK, MLK, and RFK. To me, these were isolated events caused by crazy individuals. Even though they were sad events, they did not affect my safety and security.
My life was perfect until I was almost 13. I distinctly remember being out of school for the summer when the Six Day War in Israel started. With both of my parents working, I was free to watch TV as long as my chores were done. So I ironed clothes and watched this historic war unfold. Prime Minister Golda Meir inspired me. Israel's severe underdog status frightened me. Their miraculous victory delighted me.
After this, I saw Israel as a modern day country with heroic people, not just some distant place and time to read about in the Bible. We read "The Diary of Anne Frank" in 8th grade. Then I discovered Leon Uris and read "Exodus" and "QB VII." How could people treat other people this way? Many of the adults in these books certainly didn't know everything. I was relieved that this horrible time was past and good had defeated evil once again.
I often quote words my dad told me. When I talked to him about the things I was reading in books, magazines and newspapers, his response was always, "Don't believe everything you read and only half of what you see." He and I would debate current events like Kent State and the Vietnam War protests. He was a veteran of WWII and served in France and Germany in 1945 and 1946. We watched war movies together and he shared his views and vast love of history with me. I was young and idealistic, not wanting to believe that the world was not safe and sound. In spite of the Cold War with the USSR and the ongoing Vietnam War, I still felt safe and secure in the United States of America, even if her adults did not actually know everything.
My parents could do everything. My dad was an expert at gardening, fishing, and hunting. He and his friends even built a wooden fishing boat in our back yard. My mom owned a successful business, taught Sunday School, dressed nicely, and was well liked by everyone. They let me know early on that they expected me to be respectful, do my best in school, and graduate from college. It seemed if I did those things, my success was assured. So I did those things. In fact, I did my best to excel in all areas.
We were faithful members of a nearby church and if the doors were open, I was there. There was church and Sunday School on Sunday, weekday church school on Wednesday, vacation Bible School in the summer, and catechism classes when I was 12 and 13. School was easy for me even though I said I hated it! I lived for holidays and summer vacation. Summer meant swimming, fishing, and long days of bike riding, playing at the park, and hide and seek after dark. In retrospect, mine was an unbelievably blessed childhood. No wonder I thought adults knew everything. They made sure my life was safe and sound.
My life felt perfect in spite of the Cuban missile crisis, which I knew about from over-hearing my parents' conversations, the 7 O'clock news, and because we had Civil Defense sirens and drills at school. It was perfect in spite of the assassinations of JFK, MLK, and RFK. To me, these were isolated events caused by crazy individuals. Even though they were sad events, they did not affect my safety and security.
My life was perfect until I was almost 13. I distinctly remember being out of school for the summer when the Six Day War in Israel started. With both of my parents working, I was free to watch TV as long as my chores were done. So I ironed clothes and watched this historic war unfold. Prime Minister Golda Meir inspired me. Israel's severe underdog status frightened me. Their miraculous victory delighted me.
After this, I saw Israel as a modern day country with heroic people, not just some distant place and time to read about in the Bible. We read "The Diary of Anne Frank" in 8th grade. Then I discovered Leon Uris and read "Exodus" and "QB VII." How could people treat other people this way? Many of the adults in these books certainly didn't know everything. I was relieved that this horrible time was past and good had defeated evil once again.
I often quote words my dad told me. When I talked to him about the things I was reading in books, magazines and newspapers, his response was always, "Don't believe everything you read and only half of what you see." He and I would debate current events like Kent State and the Vietnam War protests. He was a veteran of WWII and served in France and Germany in 1945 and 1946. We watched war movies together and he shared his views and vast love of history with me. I was young and idealistic, not wanting to believe that the world was not safe and sound. In spite of the Cold War with the USSR and the ongoing Vietnam War, I still felt safe and secure in the United States of America, even if her adults did not actually know everything.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
You Are What You Eat
The phrase, "you are what you eat," has been around forever. But children have not been around forever, nor have I. So each generation has to learn and re-learn certain truths. Using a Hebraic method of interpretation, let's explore the word "eat." The simple understanding is to consume food via one's mouth and digestive system. This is a meaningful way to interpret the phrase, "you are what you eat.' The food we eat is important to our physical well-being, which also affects other aspects of our lives. I know for a fact that if I eat refined sugar, I feel tired and will eventually gain unwanted pounds. However, if I eat sensible amounts of protein, fruits, and vegetables, I have plenty of energy and will maintain a healthy weight. Simple explanation.
The second level means a hint of something a bit deeper. If the food I eat has been grown organically in good soil, then it should provide my body with the appropriate nutrients for sustenance and energy. However, if the fruits and vegetables have been sprayed with chemical poisons or the animals have been given hormones and antibiotics, my body will incorporate these and the outcome may not be as positive. Natural as well as processed and treated foods may contain the same proteins, carbohydrates, and fats but their effects can vary in some unseen ways. My oldest grandson has learned to read labels. One of the worst things for him to discover is high fructose corn syrup. He will not knowingly let this substance pass his lips! Reading labels gives us a hint of the quality of food we are consuming. It may look good and taste good, but a little investigation will reveal more of the truth.
Next is the conceptual meaning of the phrase. Let's explore the word "eat." While eating is usually associated with food, let's consider anything we consume that affects the way we are able to function. Physical food causes us to grow and stay alive. What about mental food? Some examples are what we read, the websites we visit, the movies and television programs we watch, and the people we are around. The thoughts and ideas we ingest from these sources also affect what we know and believe to be true. As a result, what we think and believe affects what we say and do. The same concept applies to our spiritual health. A steady diet of wholesome, quality time spent reading the Bible and sitting at the feet of good teachers will result in a vibrant yet, peaceful spirit.
The fourth level is a hidden meaning and often difficult to ascertain. The state of being human carries some hidden characteristics not easily understood. We have a physical body that eventually dies. We also have a mind that is controlled by a physical brain. The brain can be seen and dissected but what about thoughts, memories, understanding and reasoning? What about the soul? How is it formed? Does it grow and change? Obviously, there are some things Nana knows and some things about which Nana is clueless!
In summary, we are what we eat, especially over time. Just like eating one candy bar won't cause me to gain 10 pounds, neither will watching one evil movie cause me to become a serial killer. It's the diet I consume day in and day out, year after year, that determines the status of my health. This matters to me physically because I want to be able to enjoy life and move about freely and energetically for as long as I live. It matters mentally because I want to think clearly and rationally and be able to contribute to the world and especially to my grandchildren's world. It really matters to me spiritually because this affects how I live today and where I will spend eternity.
Israel is one of my favorite places on earth. I spent time there consuming physical, mental, and spiritual food. This food has become part of who I am forever. The same goes for the time I spend in other places - some I want to become a part of me and some I don't. The next time I tell my grandchildren, "you are what you eat," we will discuss more than the food on their plate.
The second level means a hint of something a bit deeper. If the food I eat has been grown organically in good soil, then it should provide my body with the appropriate nutrients for sustenance and energy. However, if the fruits and vegetables have been sprayed with chemical poisons or the animals have been given hormones and antibiotics, my body will incorporate these and the outcome may not be as positive. Natural as well as processed and treated foods may contain the same proteins, carbohydrates, and fats but their effects can vary in some unseen ways. My oldest grandson has learned to read labels. One of the worst things for him to discover is high fructose corn syrup. He will not knowingly let this substance pass his lips! Reading labels gives us a hint of the quality of food we are consuming. It may look good and taste good, but a little investigation will reveal more of the truth.
Next is the conceptual meaning of the phrase. Let's explore the word "eat." While eating is usually associated with food, let's consider anything we consume that affects the way we are able to function. Physical food causes us to grow and stay alive. What about mental food? Some examples are what we read, the websites we visit, the movies and television programs we watch, and the people we are around. The thoughts and ideas we ingest from these sources also affect what we know and believe to be true. As a result, what we think and believe affects what we say and do. The same concept applies to our spiritual health. A steady diet of wholesome, quality time spent reading the Bible and sitting at the feet of good teachers will result in a vibrant yet, peaceful spirit.
The fourth level is a hidden meaning and often difficult to ascertain. The state of being human carries some hidden characteristics not easily understood. We have a physical body that eventually dies. We also have a mind that is controlled by a physical brain. The brain can be seen and dissected but what about thoughts, memories, understanding and reasoning? What about the soul? How is it formed? Does it grow and change? Obviously, there are some things Nana knows and some things about which Nana is clueless!
In summary, we are what we eat, especially over time. Just like eating one candy bar won't cause me to gain 10 pounds, neither will watching one evil movie cause me to become a serial killer. It's the diet I consume day in and day out, year after year, that determines the status of my health. This matters to me physically because I want to be able to enjoy life and move about freely and energetically for as long as I live. It matters mentally because I want to think clearly and rationally and be able to contribute to the world and especially to my grandchildren's world. It really matters to me spiritually because this affects how I live today and where I will spend eternity.
Israel is one of my favorite places on earth. I spent time there consuming physical, mental, and spiritual food. This food has become part of who I am forever. The same goes for the time I spend in other places - some I want to become a part of me and some I don't. The next time I tell my grandchildren, "you are what you eat," we will discuss more than the food on their plate.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
The Art of Asking and Answering Questions
The most popular word in a young child's vocabulary is "why?" This can be frustrating to adults who suffer through trying to answer one question after another, realizing that no answer is sufficient to the mind of the child. In adolescence, the question often changes to "why not?" For example, the parent says, "No, you can't stay out until 3 A.M." And the teenager responds with, "Why not? Sara's parents said she could." Both "why" and "why not" are good questions at any age. As adults, we often stop asking either of these questions. This is sad because we were created to be inquisitive and creative throughout our lives. Children are eager to know why and to use their vast imaginations, which is why they learn so much so fast.
There are 2 very important Bible passages that demonstrate how important it is for parents and grandparents to take childhood seriously and formulate the best answers possible to the questions, "why?" and "why not?" Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is a perfect passage. "Listen! Obey, O Israel! The LORD is our God! The LORD is One! And you will love the LORD your God with all your heart, with your very being and with all your might. And these words which I am commanding you this day, will be in your heart and you will teach them diligently to your children, and you will talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they will be as frontlets between your eyes. And you will write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." ()One New Man Bible 2011
This reminds me of the number one priority in my life - God. Everything I think, say, and do must reflect my love for God. Wow! That is humbling and demanding. My second priority is my family. Every word and action witnessed by my grandchildren is more important than I ever realized. For my words to be truthful and effective, His Word must first be in my heart because there lies the wellspring of thoughts, words and deeds. I must teach these WORDS DILIGENTLY to my children and grandchildren - no haphazardness here. All day, everyday, during every activity from rising to going to bed. On my hand, they remind me of everything I do. Between my eyes, they remind me of my thoughts. And on the doorposts of my house and on my gate, they govern my coming in, my going out, and they surround all that is within my sphere of influence. A shorter, but also great, passage is Proverbs 22:6. "Train up a child in the Way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." This verse reinforces the Deuteronomy passage.
I pray the we are ever mindful of our responsibility as parents and grandparents. It is a powerful assignment. For us to know the way a child should go, we must know the way we should go. This comes from constantly asking, seeking, and knocking. "Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps asking receives; he who keeps seeking finds; and to him who keeps knocking, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8 Complete Jewish Bible When children of any age ask me "why" or "why not," I pray that I think carefully before giving a flippant answer. Words are extremely powerful. The universe was created with a spoken Word. Words have the power to build up or to tear down. They have the power to encourage creative thought or to hinder ideas and questions. I pray that my grandchildren will always feel safe asking me questions, knowing that I seek my answers from the One who truly has all of the answers.
There are 2 very important Bible passages that demonstrate how important it is for parents and grandparents to take childhood seriously and formulate the best answers possible to the questions, "why?" and "why not?" Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is a perfect passage. "Listen! Obey, O Israel! The LORD is our God! The LORD is One! And you will love the LORD your God with all your heart, with your very being and with all your might. And these words which I am commanding you this day, will be in your heart and you will teach them diligently to your children, and you will talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they will be as frontlets between your eyes. And you will write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." ()One New Man Bible 2011
This reminds me of the number one priority in my life - God. Everything I think, say, and do must reflect my love for God. Wow! That is humbling and demanding. My second priority is my family. Every word and action witnessed by my grandchildren is more important than I ever realized. For my words to be truthful and effective, His Word must first be in my heart because there lies the wellspring of thoughts, words and deeds. I must teach these WORDS DILIGENTLY to my children and grandchildren - no haphazardness here. All day, everyday, during every activity from rising to going to bed. On my hand, they remind me of everything I do. Between my eyes, they remind me of my thoughts. And on the doorposts of my house and on my gate, they govern my coming in, my going out, and they surround all that is within my sphere of influence. A shorter, but also great, passage is Proverbs 22:6. "Train up a child in the Way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." This verse reinforces the Deuteronomy passage.
I pray the we are ever mindful of our responsibility as parents and grandparents. It is a powerful assignment. For us to know the way a child should go, we must know the way we should go. This comes from constantly asking, seeking, and knocking. "Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps asking receives; he who keeps seeking finds; and to him who keeps knocking, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8 Complete Jewish Bible When children of any age ask me "why" or "why not," I pray that I think carefully before giving a flippant answer. Words are extremely powerful. The universe was created with a spoken Word. Words have the power to build up or to tear down. They have the power to encourage creative thought or to hinder ideas and questions. I pray that my grandchildren will always feel safe asking me questions, knowing that I seek my answers from the One who truly has all of the answers.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Recent Conversation with a Five Year-Old
A recent conversation with my five year-old grandson caused me to share some personal experiences and thoughts with him about who his Nana is and things Nana knows. At issue was whether there was anything wrong with the peanut butter and jelly sandwich I had just prepared for him. Since this was not our first such incident, I sought to reassure him that I can indeed be trusted with sandwich-making and other important tasks. Here are some facts I pointed out to my grandson: 1. I have been alive for a long time and have experienced a lot of things. 2. I successfully raised his mother and his aunt who are alive and healthy by the grace of G-d. 3. I am still alive and healthy so I haven't made a fatal mistake yet. 4. I, like his parents, love him very much and will do everything possible to keep him safe and healthy. 5. I am still learning new things and it's okay for him to ask questions and make suggestions.
At this point, this precious child seemed to relax a bit and even smiled. However, I know this conversation is likely to be repeated many times again. Therefore, I started asking myself some serious questions. What do I really know after almost 60 years in this body? Is there more to learn? Are there things I know to be the absolute truth? Are there things I hope to be true? Are there things I hope are not true? How much control do I really have?
Today has been relatively quiet at my home but not in the world. There is a lot of unrest everywhere right now - wars and rumors of wars, economic woes, hate crimes, and controversy at every turn. I am very aware none of this is new. However, I find myself more concerned about the future of this nation and our world than I have been in many decades. How involved should I be in national or world events? I promised my grandson, and by extension his brother and cousins, that I will do everything possible to keep him safe and healthy, beginning, but not ending, with his sandwich.
This leads me to separate things that I control from things over which I have no control. I control: 1. My thoughts 2. My time 3. My words 4. My location 5. My actions Wow! I have a lot of freedom! I do not control: 1. Anyone else's thoughts, time, words, location, or actions 2. The weather 3. The economy 4. The news 5. G-d I also have strict limitations. G-d controls: 1. His thoughts 2. His actions 3. His Word 4. Time and eternity 5. His promises concerning life, death, and creation It's comforting to know that the One who created us also loves and sustains us. He wrote a book of instructions and revealed His plan from beginning to end. G-d has no limitations but gave us the freedom to choose life or death - obedience or disobedience. This gives some clarity and definition to things Nana knows besides sandwich making. As a result, I will spend tonight praying, reading, and thinking.
At this point, this precious child seemed to relax a bit and even smiled. However, I know this conversation is likely to be repeated many times again. Therefore, I started asking myself some serious questions. What do I really know after almost 60 years in this body? Is there more to learn? Are there things I know to be the absolute truth? Are there things I hope to be true? Are there things I hope are not true? How much control do I really have?
Today has been relatively quiet at my home but not in the world. There is a lot of unrest everywhere right now - wars and rumors of wars, economic woes, hate crimes, and controversy at every turn. I am very aware none of this is new. However, I find myself more concerned about the future of this nation and our world than I have been in many decades. How involved should I be in national or world events? I promised my grandson, and by extension his brother and cousins, that I will do everything possible to keep him safe and healthy, beginning, but not ending, with his sandwich.
This leads me to separate things that I control from things over which I have no control. I control: 1. My thoughts 2. My time 3. My words 4. My location 5. My actions Wow! I have a lot of freedom! I do not control: 1. Anyone else's thoughts, time, words, location, or actions 2. The weather 3. The economy 4. The news 5. G-d I also have strict limitations. G-d controls: 1. His thoughts 2. His actions 3. His Word 4. Time and eternity 5. His promises concerning life, death, and creation It's comforting to know that the One who created us also loves and sustains us. He wrote a book of instructions and revealed His plan from beginning to end. G-d has no limitations but gave us the freedom to choose life or death - obedience or disobedience. This gives some clarity and definition to things Nana knows besides sandwich making. As a result, I will spend tonight praying, reading, and thinking.
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