I was pretty amazed at the hype over Michael Jacksons death then memorial. A friend sent me a post from another man...here it is:
With no disrespect intended to the Jackson family, this sure does reveal the shallowness of our value system in this country.
This puts things into perspective:While the focus today, tomorrow and for the next God-knows-how- many-days will be the death of a pop culture icon; while many will mourn, wail and quite literally make fools of themselves over it and while as many will speak endlessly about it, allow me, if only for a moment, to remind us all that others have died this month; others whose lives were cut short; others who leave behind loved ones and whose families will dearly miss them; families who'll suffer with much more dignity and honor than we'll be exposed to on the tube in the coming days. Yes... it's true... we've suffered a great loss... but forgive me while I tell you that I'm not talking about the king of pop music.
These American military members died in Iraq this month:
Sergeant Justin J. Duffy
Specialist Christopher M. Kurth
Specialist Charles D. Parrish
Lance Corporal Robert D. Ulmer
Staff Sergeant Edmond L. Lo
Sergeant Joshua W. Soto
Captain Kafele H. Sims
Specialist Chancellor A. Keesling
And these members of our U.S. Armed Forces died in Afghanistan this month:
Sergeant Jones, Ricky D.
Specialist Munguia Rivas, Rodrigo A.
Command Master Chief Petty Officer Garber, Jeffrey J.
1st Sergeant Blair, John D.Sergeant Smith, Paul G.
Staff Sergeant Melton, Joshua
Sergeant 1st Class Dupont, Kevin A.
Specialist O'Neill, Jonathan C.
Chief Warrant Officer Richardson Jr., Ricky L.
Specialist Silva, Eduardo S.
Lance Corporal Whittle, Joshua R.
Major Barnes, Rocco M.
Major Jenrette, Kevin M.
Staff Sergeant Beale, John C.
Specialist Jordan, Jeffrey W.
Specialist Griemel, Jarrett P.
Specialist Hernandez I, Roberto A.
Sergeant Obakrairur, Jasper K.
Staff Sergeant Hall, Jeffrey A.
Private 1st Class Ogden, Matthew D.
Private 1st Class Wilson, Matthew W.
Let's remember and honor this day those whose deaths are truly impacting our Freedom and Liberty
This came from Captain Jake Cutter.....all I can do is stand up and salute these brave soldiers who have laid down their lives so we can live free. Thank you
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
America, what happened?
On this 4th of July eve eve, I am contemplating the direction of America. I try to keep this space positive, but I have seen such a sadness take over our dear country in the last few months (perhaps even the last few years) that I am confused, bewildered and more than just a little ticked off by it all. The "news" about Michael Jackson's death gets more airtime than the middle east, wars around the world, North Korea and Hugo Chavez combined. Yes the man was talented, but I thought much more of Farrah Fawcett or Ed McMahon than him.
And how is it that our beloved America is beginning to look like a communist country? Government taking over businesses is a very scary beginning to things. The welfare state that has been developing over the last 40 YEARS is more than a little scary as well. I mean, I work in the social services arena and we never have a problem giving someone a hand up, but I don't much care for handouts. My wife has a saying she repeats to all in our homeless program as well as some others. "I am here to run alongside you, but I won't drag you down the road."
I worked with many Katrina evacuees and know many who work in agencies in New Orleans. The residents of New Orleans were never taught that they need to help themselves. Everyone just went in and did it for them. There is a time when that's appropriate, but when an able bodied man stands and watches others rebuild his house, I think it's time to grab him by the shoulders and shake him awake. When a perfectly healthy young woman watches while others go in a clean her house and bring her food and yet she refuses to even look for work, it just isn't right. But I'm afraid we did that to ourselves.
I work in disasters every year. I worked hurricane Ike last year. The people of Galveston, Houston, Pasadena and Beaumont just rolled up their sleeves and got to work. We brought them (along with many others) food twice a day, and in fact while I was there, we passed our two millionth meal from that disaster. But the work went on and was being done by those who lived there, by those who had lost all or nearly all.
It used to be that neighbors helped neighbors recover from any tragedy that struck, whether it was personal or widespread. It was the Christian thing to do. Now we don't know our neighbors and we sure don't want to help them, because they may be cooking meth in their house or it might be filled with illegal aliens. We'll just let the government help everyone now, if they really need help.
I apologize if I sound a little (or a lot) depressing, angry, or whatever. I'm not really, I'm just disappointed. I didn't want it to be like this. Our founders didn't see this coming, I'm sure. This 4th of July, I'll go wave a flag, barbecue with friends, watch fireworks and do all the things that Americans do on the 4th, even if they don't know what the 4th of July means. And I'll try to pass on to my children some sense of patriotism so that at least some Americans will remember that this nation was founded by the people, of the people and for the people so that we could write blogs, read dissenting viewpoints, live, love and cherish one another until God calls us home. Maranatha!
And how is it that our beloved America is beginning to look like a communist country? Government taking over businesses is a very scary beginning to things. The welfare state that has been developing over the last 40 YEARS is more than a little scary as well. I mean, I work in the social services arena and we never have a problem giving someone a hand up, but I don't much care for handouts. My wife has a saying she repeats to all in our homeless program as well as some others. "I am here to run alongside you, but I won't drag you down the road."
I worked with many Katrina evacuees and know many who work in agencies in New Orleans. The residents of New Orleans were never taught that they need to help themselves. Everyone just went in and did it for them. There is a time when that's appropriate, but when an able bodied man stands and watches others rebuild his house, I think it's time to grab him by the shoulders and shake him awake. When a perfectly healthy young woman watches while others go in a clean her house and bring her food and yet she refuses to even look for work, it just isn't right. But I'm afraid we did that to ourselves.
I work in disasters every year. I worked hurricane Ike last year. The people of Galveston, Houston, Pasadena and Beaumont just rolled up their sleeves and got to work. We brought them (along with many others) food twice a day, and in fact while I was there, we passed our two millionth meal from that disaster. But the work went on and was being done by those who lived there, by those who had lost all or nearly all.
It used to be that neighbors helped neighbors recover from any tragedy that struck, whether it was personal or widespread. It was the Christian thing to do. Now we don't know our neighbors and we sure don't want to help them, because they may be cooking meth in their house or it might be filled with illegal aliens. We'll just let the government help everyone now, if they really need help.
I apologize if I sound a little (or a lot) depressing, angry, or whatever. I'm not really, I'm just disappointed. I didn't want it to be like this. Our founders didn't see this coming, I'm sure. This 4th of July, I'll go wave a flag, barbecue with friends, watch fireworks and do all the things that Americans do on the 4th, even if they don't know what the 4th of July means. And I'll try to pass on to my children some sense of patriotism so that at least some Americans will remember that this nation was founded by the people, of the people and for the people so that we could write blogs, read dissenting viewpoints, live, love and cherish one another until God calls us home. Maranatha!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Being a survivor
I find myself preparing for something I hope never happens. That's so sad. I've been praying intensely for America. Then I suddenly came to the realization that no matter what happens, it is all in the hands of God. (I guess that wasn't such a sudden revelation) I will continue praying, but I am concerned for those who are not ready for any contingency. We must get ready for whatever happens. Stock up on food if you can. Be ready for anything. Be a survivor.
Yesterday, one of my parishoners, an 84 year young lady was preparing to move back to Oklahoma and when she was getting ready to leave she became quite ill and was hospitalized. Her little sister (76 years) was stuck alone and afraid so my wife went to comfort her and I went to the hospital. Well family is coming to take little sister back home and it she's unable to fly, one of our church fellas and myself will drive her back home. She kept weeping, saying, "I just want to go home". In my business that can mean something quite different. Anyway she wants to go fishing in Oklahoma one more time. It's in the hands of God. I'll help if I can, and she's getting ready to go home....either way. She's a survivor.
We all need to prepare spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally for everything that comes our way, and putting preparation off won't make difficult circumstances dissipate. In fact, that will worsen the situation. I work in disasters all the time. We call those who make it through a disaster survivors, while those who don't are called victims. Don't be a victim, don't play a victim. Be a survivor.
Preparing spiritually is the easiest as far as preparation but is the one thing that gets ignored the most. We wait until we're neck deep in the flood and then cry out to God. Would have been a good idea to perhaps get yourself ready beforehand. And preparing spiritually will certainly help the other three fall in line. Be a survivor
Yesterday, one of my parishoners, an 84 year young lady was preparing to move back to Oklahoma and when she was getting ready to leave she became quite ill and was hospitalized. Her little sister (76 years) was stuck alone and afraid so my wife went to comfort her and I went to the hospital. Well family is coming to take little sister back home and it she's unable to fly, one of our church fellas and myself will drive her back home. She kept weeping, saying, "I just want to go home". In my business that can mean something quite different. Anyway she wants to go fishing in Oklahoma one more time. It's in the hands of God. I'll help if I can, and she's getting ready to go home....either way. She's a survivor.
We all need to prepare spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally for everything that comes our way, and putting preparation off won't make difficult circumstances dissipate. In fact, that will worsen the situation. I work in disasters all the time. We call those who make it through a disaster survivors, while those who don't are called victims. Don't be a victim, don't play a victim. Be a survivor.
Preparing spiritually is the easiest as far as preparation but is the one thing that gets ignored the most. We wait until we're neck deep in the flood and then cry out to God. Would have been a good idea to perhaps get yourself ready beforehand. And preparing spiritually will certainly help the other three fall in line. Be a survivor
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