Monday, February 27, 2006

Us vs.Them?

"There's nothing wrong with the Olympics. It becomes more and more important (to U.S. audiences) how the Americans do at the Olympics and how they carry themselves. It's more important now than ever before because there is no more natural 'us' against 'them'." Dick Ebersol, NBC Sports and Olympics chair

OK - why does it have to be 'us' vs 'them? Is he so sure that that's why Americans watch the Olympics? He may be right in some respects, but based on the fact that people tended to tune in for their particular premier sports and tune out for those they weren't interested in (or already knew the outcome of), I'd say that's not the whole picture.
That's certainly not what my understanding of the Olympics is. For me, if I had decided to watch this year, it would have been to see competitors from around the globe gathering to give their best to their sport and watching the best athletes win. I don't care if the Americans or Armenians were the ones to bring home umpty-gazillion medals. The 'us vs them' mentality is part of what causes so much trouble in so many other venues, adding 'us against the world' in sports is ultimately a defeatist position. As I understand the Olympics, it was intended to be a time when we put aside our nationalistic differences and just plain enjoyed competing and watching for the glory of atheletic achievement. To live up to the Olympic ideals, which each of the competitors attest to, would be to have each athlete give his/her best and let the sport itself decide who's worthy of standing on the winner's podium.
It'll never happen, but just once I'd like to see an Olympics where the winners stand up to accept their medals and the only music played would be whatever the Olympic theme happens to be for that year. No national flags dramatically and slowly raised to the playing of national anthems. Just the Olympic 5-ring flag soaring overhead. If we ever reach that point, I think we would finally have attained something of great value in the Olympics.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Glorious Day!!

Much good stuff happening today! I got the official word that my roof is functional and not about to collapse on me. I was beginning to think that day would only come with much prayer, fasting, and tearing out of hair! Having at least some sense of how to go about getting the contractor to do the work correctly was helpful. I still feel sorry for those who don't know how to work the system to get things done.

Now I've gotta get the HVAC checked out (and some minor work done) and I'll have reached the point where my volunteer crews can come in and do the interior work and painting that needs to happen. It's nice to be adopted by a couple of churches to get things done. I feel very blessed!

And This morning we started our Sister Church relationship w/First, Conroe. A whole crew of them came down and provided worship for us, followed by lunch - provided by them! It was such a nurturing service! It was the first Sunday in almost 5 months that I've not been stressed out. I had things to do, but no real pressure in any of it. And the congregation was thrilled! They had a wonderful time - new people to tell their 'tree stories' to, and new relationships started. Good stuff!

What a wonderful end to the weekend!

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Dark Ages A-Coming?

Well, I knew it was coming as soon as Alito was confirmed. The South Dakota legislature has passed a law banning all abortions, except if the life of the mother is in danger, and doctors performing them will be prosecuted ... and the governor's thinking of signing it! What is it about this issue? Do these people really want to go back to the days when abortions were done on the sly and more lives were lost and ruined as a result of the backroom procedures? *very big sigh* I just don't get it.

While I recognize that it will take time before the decision makes it to the Supreme Court, and a lot could happen along the way, it's just plain frustrating that we keep coming back to this. The decision to have an abortion is much more complex than "Oh, I don't want this baby, so I'll get an abortion." In an ideal world, it is a decision which should not be made alone, but the inability to have one if the woman determines it is necessary should not be made by legislative fiat ... and for many who have no transportation or limited income, that's what will happen in South Dakota.

In 2002, I was a Commissioner to the General Assembly where the PC(USA) revisited this issue, and served on the committee which gave the recommendation on the final report. Even within a denomination which is fairly liberal on many issues, this one generated intense discussion and had many who spoke against the grace-full language of the policy text. The final discussion on the floor of GA had a well-coordinated effort to vote down the grace-full language and insert language which was harsh, non-supportive, and declared abortion a sin. ACK!

I hate speaking in front of large groups (and there were over 1,000 people there - and, if I'd know there was also streaming video, I might have fled the room!) and there's just something slightly intimidating about speaking for the national governing body, but the issue was important enough to make me get up and speak. My fairly unique perspective was based on the experience of a skating friend of mine.

About 35 years ago, she and her husband had a severely disabled son, a child not expected to survive more than six months. He beat all of the odds and is now a 35 year old infant. They have cared for him in their home all this time, and love him dearly. Their one fear is that he will outlive them and have to go into an institution, for they don't want his younger brother to have to take over the day to day responsibility of his care. His mother said that if they'd been able to know what type of disability they might be dealing with before he was born, they would have chosen an abortion.

Of course, the Presbyterian Layman (the ultra-conservative voice of the church) chose to interpret my comments, which were written up in the GA daily news report, as advocating abortion for financial reasons, rather than the multi-layered compassionate reasons I intended.

The wisdom of the GA was that the harsh language was voted down, with about 2/3rds in favor of the grace-full language. The anti-abortion faction did not give up. The next GA the issue arose again, in mostly the same form, and again 2/3rds of the GA chose the grace-full language. Hooray, Presbyterians! The Holy Spirit seems to be consistently at work within the body of the GA ... and the majority seem to be heeding our understanding of our role as Commissioners - to listen for the guiding of the Spirit through the discussions held and then vote based on what they've discerned, not according to their preconceived opinions before the topic is addressed.

So - now we have to deal with the issue from the legislative and court perspective. I sincerely hope we don't return to the Dark Ages, but the way things are going, I'm not overly optimistic. There just seem to be too many people in positions of authority who seem determined to take us back there. *another very big sigh* ...... Let us pray!

Monday, February 20, 2006

It Shoulda Been in B!

I still don't understand why the Houston Chronicle puts Leonard Pitts, Jr's editorial column in the 'Star' section. Hard news and 'real' op-ed pieces go in Section B along with the other political pundits, don't they? HARUMPH!! Leonard Pitts belongs in Section B!!!!!

I just read his column in today's Chronicle and it's powerful, eye-opening stuff. That is, if you've been wearing blinders and need to take the darned things off. I've said all along that if we give in to the fear being generated about 9/11, then Al-Qaeda's won. The more freedom the average American is willing to give up, the more like Al-Qaeda we become. (I may get clobbered for saying that by some, but my fear is that unless more people stand up and say 'You, the government, have no right to ....', then that's where we're headed.) Their victory comes when we choose to let others make decisions for us and poke into our lives and tell us what we can and cannot do. It vindicates their own values when it comes to freedom to make decisions. If the Great Satan turns around and controls the thoughts and actions of its own citizens, then, of course, it was the right thing for the religious fundamentalists to do all along.

There is so much that technology can do in this day and age. When used in its most benign intentions, this is a good thing. Got lost? GPS assistance programs can help you find your way. (a really good thing for one directionally challenged like me!) Yet I refuse to get such a system because it can be so easily misused. I actually hated giving up my old, but less reliable, cellphone because of the locator components that are required to be installed in newer phones. The potential for abuse is too great. Not that I'm particularly likely to be targeted, but the whole Big Brother concept makes me quite uneasy. And there are so many other potential intrusions, if we do not take a stand and point out where our freedom is being so rapidly eroded.

That's why Pitts' column should have been on the op-ed page today, rather than buried in section E. It's scary stuff when, under the guise of 'Homeland Security', two officials can attempt to dictate what can and cannot be read in a public library. I'm not against putting library computers with access to internet porn in a place where children cannot have access, but, as distasteful and disgusting as I find porn to be, I cannot expect my own freedoms to be honored if I do not honor the rights of others. When it comes to porn, the place where it steps over the line is when adults and children are coerced (either economically or through force) and abused and harmed in the making of it. If adults voluntarily participate in its production, then that is the decision of consenting adults. I can choose whether to watch or not, and so can others.

It's also scary stuff when a newspaper relegates editorial commentary to the 'fluff' section. I'll admit that the comics have some powerful commentary on today's society, on both sides of the political equation. But it is often the case that people expect the real, hard-hitting commentary to be found in section B, and don't go looking for it elsewhere. Shame on you, Houston Chronicle! And hoorah!! Leonard Pitts, Jr for a well-written and powerful editorial!!!!!

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Confession

Confession being good for the soul and all that - I have a confession to make: I'm not watching the Winter Olympics this year. Actually, this is kind of unusual for me. I generally watch at least the ice skating, but I just can't get into even that this year.

I think I'm hyped-out. I get so tired of the rah-rah, "we're the best ever", super-expectations for the competitors. While the super-patriotism which seems to rear its head about this time bugs me, I think I'm more irritated at the ultra-cockiness of the competitors, regardless of country. (Now this isn't true of all the competitors, of course, but there certainly are a significant number of them who are.) And, while a fitting comeuppance isn't necessarily a bad thing, I just have no desire to watch as competitors who are at the top of their game do stupid little 'watch me' stunts and then knock themselves right out of the competition.

I'm not sure I would have watched even if Michelle Kwan had been able to compete. I've known skaters like her for years. When I roller skated competitively, there was an absolutely awesome skater named April Allen. Let her step out onto the floor and the whole room was filled with excitement and energy! She brought grace, beauty, and athleticism to a sport which generally slipped over into the power jumping and spinning mode. At nationals, the arena would absolutely fill to the brim whenever she skated ... and empty almost as fast once she was done. That is, until the tv cameras showed up! When it was absolutely the right time for the world to see such an awesome skater, the charisma left the building.

The same is kind of true of Michelle Kwan when it comes to Olympic competition. Something seems to grab hold of her and the little mouse which sometimes hides within pops out. There is a caution in even the way she takes the ice. And I just decided that this year I'm not going to watch the magic leeched out of a sport I usually enjoy.

The incredible pressure we place on competitors is more than I can handle this year. It's been creeping up on me from Olympics to Olympics ever since they began to allow professionals to compete. (OK - I know that there were countries whose 'amateur' competitors were actually professional, but at least our competitors were in it for the true love of the sport, not the money.) We seem to expect more from those with the imprimatur of 'professional' after their name, or those who are accepting endorsements for this and that under the auspices of the Olympic competition. I'm not quite sure why, but that seems to take the magic out of the event for me.

So................don't ask me about the Olympics this year. I'm not watching!

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Critters 'R Us

Gonna have fun this Saturday! We're doing a Blessing of the Animals and I'm so looking forward to it! I just love getting to do something new and creative for us. Of course, we aren't doing it at the 'traditional' time of year, but I didn't think we should wait that long.

It started when I noticed that my dog Penny was acting weirder than her usual run-of-the-mill weird. (My own run-of-the-mill weird isn't back to usual, so that's not completely unexpected.) When you get right down to it, she's in a strange place, since we're not living in our home, and her buddy the cat is still at my mom's in Houston, and everything else is topsy-turvy. We don't have a mail slot at our house, but she watches the one where we're staying very carefully day after day (even Sundays!). Over the last 2-3 weeks, she's begun biting the mail as it comes through the slot. It's encouraging to know that, if anyone ever decides to attack me through the mail slot, I'll be safe. *chuckle*

Then, I started hearing others talking about their pets (friends, companions, best buds - more than just an animal around the house), how many were dealing with various illnesses, how they had endured the evacuation along with their families or been left at home because no one expected things to get as bad as they did or were kenneled and cared for but conditions were not good, and how others were mourning the loss of pets after the storm. I got to thinking about the two firemen's dogs who stayed at the church after the storm, so they could be close to their family, safe and cared for.

It dawned on me that the animals who hold a special spot in our lives and their families might benefit from a special service recognizing what we have all been through together and what is still going on during our recovery. So, we're having a Blessing of the Animals on Saturday. People will be bringing their pets, or pictures if the travel would be too much for them or if their human companion wants to celebrate a beloved friend who's died. Haven't quite decided what all we'll do yet - but it'll be fairly short.

I did have to promise that I wouldn't bring the animals into the sanctuary (don't tell anyone, but Penny's been through on more than one occasion, but then she was the only dog present!). I haven't quite figured out what I'll do if someone brings a 'slither critter' on Saturday (that old Genesis thing about enmity may just kick in when you least? most? expect it!). Whatever the outcome, I'm planning on having a wonderful time!

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Enliven a Dinosaur?

They (whoever 'they' is) say that laws and sausage are two things one should never see being made. I think I'd add a third - church politics. That's not a blanket condemnation of the work we do together to figure out what God is calling us to be and do, but we do tend to get pretty messy about it at times.

I spent most of last week as an observer/liaison to the General Assembly Council meeting, which is in itself an oddball position to be in. Much organizational change is on the horizon and it will affect the way Presbyterians go about their ministry in the future. On the one hand, I see much potential good in the change. It seems to me that the GA Council should be somewhat like the board of a non-profit: policy-making and visioning, not micromanaging, as it apparently has been. If the Council, in conjunction with the General Assembly itself, determines the direction, and the staff doesn't implement it, then we've got something to grouse about and can take corrective action.

On the other hand, I see us slipping back into the status quo of making changes which only the retired and/or wealthy can participate in (or pastors with very understanding congregations!). The most significant change is in the makeup of the Council itself - reducing the number of members (diluting its national representation?) and, initially, not even mentioning including those with disabilities (a group which is still too marginalized in almost any venue)! There was provision made that there be three representatives under the age of 35 (mind you - 18 to 35 is considered Youth and Young Adult). However, the meeting structure is going to remain the same: 3-4 weeklong meetings during the year.

Don't know about you, but I wouldn't have been able (or, quite frankly, willing) to give up all of my vacation time (and then some until I was past my mid-30's) to go to a bunch of cerebral meetings!!! My then-spouse wouldn't have been too happy about such an arrangement, either, since it would have meant losing out on our recreation time together AND at least two-weeks worth of lost income (that is, if I didn't lose my job entirely!). Yet the current decision-makers aren't willing or able to hear such a criticism of their 'great plan' from a woman who's obviously not in her 20's-30's; nor do they seem to be willing to look at changing the way they bring people together to make policy. BAH HUMBUG!!

I realize we're humans involved in the process here and that humans have a tendency to protect turf and pet projects. HOWEVER, we're supposed to be the capital C Church, where 'the last shall be first and the first shall be last'. harumph! That ain't a-happening here! At the moment, the last are being pushed aside and marginalized again. I get so tired of being told 'well, we can't find people of thus-n-such category to serve.' A base canard! There are those who are willing to serve!! I've sent scads of names to the Nominating Committee! Yet, none have been contacted, and little changes.

There are people who grouse that the PC(USA) doesn't have certain percentages of youth/young adults or disabled members (or several other possible categories as well), and that our leadership should reflect the percentages of membership. Yet, maybe if our denomination was open to allowing those groups who have long been denied a place at the leadership table even more representation, perhaps two things would happen: (1) the winds of the Spirit would change the way we interact with the world and make us more user-friendly and (2) more might be drawn to worship and commit to a denomination that was willing to welcome them and their ideas with open arms. Now wouldn't that be a cool way to enliven a mainline 'dinosaur'?!

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! Love!

Ahhhhhhhhh....February! Love is in the air! In fact, almost anywhere you turn there are cupids and hearts and red and pink. Commercials imply that unless you spend bucks on this candy or that jewelry or some special trip or restaurant or flowers, then you've missed the boat in showing that special someone you love them. And there's the annual ritual of sharing cards and gifts with family members and, occasionally, friends. Actually, there's nothing wrong in showing one's love in that way. However, I wonder what Jesus would say about our annual one-day celebration of love.

"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31) "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them." (Luke 6:32) "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15:13)

Even Paul makes a point of saying, "And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor. 13:13) Perhaps the closest we get to this ideal with any regularity is the expectation that all elementary school students bring a Valentine's card to every member of their class, whether friend or foe. It kind of makes one wonder if we've gotten the emphasis all wrong. Instead of a one-day celebration of love annually, perhaps we should be having a year-long celebration of love, and not with cards, candy, jewelry, or gifts.

If we were to truly embrace loving God and neighbor and enemy and self in our day to day living, what effect might Christians have on the whole of society? In general, we don't seem to have a lot of experience sustaining such love for great lengths of time. Only half tongue-in-cheek, since there are usually four weeks in any month, what if we spent one week per month focusing on loving God, one week on loving self, one week on loving neighbor, and one week on loving enemy? That would give us some experience before reaching that most difficult task of loving one's enemies!

As I write this, it's amazing how difficult such an endeavor suddenly seems. It reshapes the way I think about encounters with those who come to the office seeking food, shelter, gas, utilities assistance, etc. I begin to wonder just what IS the most loving thing to do in any situation. Could the way I respond determine whether that person finally experiences the love of God in their life? Or could the most loving thing be to encourage that person to seek assistance through resources that address the cause rather than the symptom of their difficulties, instead of providing for their specific request? It reshapes the way I look at strangers and those who look at the issues we wrestle with in ways different from mine and those who believe in a faith different from mine. It even reshapes the way I look at myself; for if I think of myself as better than others or as less than others, I am reminded that Jesus has placed us as equals. We are to love neighbors AS ourselves, not better or worse than ourselves.

Yet tackling the task of living out love of God, neighbor, enemy, self on a day-to-day basis is what I believe we are called to do. Of course, we won't be perfect at it. We're human afterall. But we can make a commitment to attempt this challenging task. And there are plenty of opportunities in our path - if we're willing to open our hearts to the possibilities.

[All Scripture references are from the New Revised Standard Version.]