thoughts on the news of the day: achilles heel

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            Tiger Woods withdrew from the Players Golf Championship today after playing only nine holes, complaining of pain in his left knee and his Achilles tendon.  He said he was having a hard time walking and left the course without completing his round. 

            Achilles heels have been the downfall of other larger than life heroes.  In Greek mythology, Achilles mother Thetis tried to make him immortal by dipping him in the river Styx.  She held him by one heel and as she immersed him, his heel was not touched by the magic water.  So that part of Achilles, his heel, stayed mortal and vulnerable.  Achilles fought heroically against the Trojans but was killed by Paris who hit him with an arrow shot from behind.  Because of this myth, any weak point in a person is called an “Achilles heel.”

            We all have our Achilles heels, those parts of our body, our personality or our soul that are weak and vulnerable to attack or manipulation.  We want to be protected from the harm that could come from our weaknesses.  In some cases, we can protect ourselves; we can lock the door, keep crisp boundaries with other’s emotions and stay grounded in a spiritual program.  But sometimes we are powerless over the weakness that we have.  In those cases, we need a higher power to keep us strong and safe. 

            I like to call that power God. 

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thoughts on the news of the day: luck

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            Today is Friday the 13^th; have you had any bad luck today? Traditionally both Friday and the number 13 are considered unlucky, so both of them combined make for a super unlucky day.

            There is a Norse myth about a dinner party held by 12 gods in Vallhalla (heaven).  The mischevious Loki walked into the dinner party to become the 13^th guest.  Now Loki set it up so that Hoder, the god of darkness would shoot the god of joy and gladness, who was named Balder the Beautiful.  Balder died, the earth got dark and everyone mourned that day.  A really bad day occurred on Friday the 13^th in 1306 when King Phillip of France arrested the Knights Templar and began torturing them, which marked the day as evil.  Supposedly in ancient Rome, witches gathered in groups of 12 – the 13^th was thought to be the devil.

            Now, the bad luck associated with Friday the 13^th is just superstition, but nevertheless, 13 continues to be avoided in certain situations.  For example, more than 80% of high rises lack a 13^th floor.  Most airports skip the 13^th gate.  Airplanes don’t have a thirteenth aisle and hospitals and hotels usually don’t have a room #13.

            My daughter bought a home last year that has 13 as its number – in her case, the home has brought her very good luck.  I understand that Taylor Swift considers 13 her lucky number because she was born on December 13 and because she turned 13 on Friday the 13^th. 

            I am not sure where I stand on Friday the 13^th being bad luck, but I do think that we make our own good luck by working hard, seizing opportunities and paying attention. Oh … and praying lots …

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thoughts on the news of the day: help and hope

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            A woman came by our church last Wednesday while the choir was in session. I was not there.   She told one of our Deacons that she needed money for gas to get to Little Rock.  She also said that she needed rent money, that her landlord had locked her out of her home and that he had all of her possessions.  Our small, but kind and generous choir dug into their pockets and gave the woman over $100 to help with her dilemma.  She thanked them and drove off in a shiny red pickup. 

            When I heard the story I was suspicious.  My radar was up; but you never know.  I hoped that the need was legitimate and that the money somewhat solved her immediate problems.  This morning I received an email from the social agency that serves as a clearing house for distribution of assistance in our community.  The agency notified us that there was a woman in town who was posing as someone in need, but was probably working the system (and us.)

            I am proud of our choir for their kindness.  Would I encourage them to act in the same manner if they are met with the same request again?  I am not sure.  But what I am sure of is that Jesus called us to help the poor and the needy, the children and the orphans and that this woman fit that profile.  I have been duped many times in ministry and have on occasion felt stupid because of my naiveté.  But the need is great, there are many souls who want our help and I pray that with wise discernment and social agencies like the Center of Hope, we can continue to work together to be God’s Hands in the world.  

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thoughts on the news of the day: fema

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            What would you do if you were given money by the federal government and later asked to return it?  What would you do if the money had long ago been spent?  Apparently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency mistakenly issued about 22 million dollars worth of aid to thousands of victims of disasters and now wants the money back.  Good luck with that.

            The vast majority of those receiving aid desperately needed it immediately so that they could repair a house that had been rendered uninhabitable by floods or storms.  They quickly used the money so that they would have a home to live in again.  These are mostly people who lost everything and are still trying to recover, so it is doubtful that they have any resources to pay back the money.

            Mistakes by agency employees are mostly the cause of the error refunds, so it is really no fault at all of the victims of the disasters.  They were simply trusting the government to do their job in giving back taxpayers money that they had paid in taxes.  But on the other hand, shouldn’t FEMA try to be a good steward of the money they were allotted and at least make a stab at trying to get the money back?

            It may be a mute question since it is unlikely that those receiving the money will be able to pay it back anyway,  but what would you do if you were in that dilemma?

            hmmm…..

           

thoughts on the news of the day: relationships

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            Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver are separating after 25 years of marriage.  They have said that they are in transition and are not sure what is next. 

            Why are relationships so hard?  Why do people have to say goodbye?  What happens to the family and friends who are affected by the goodbyes?

            I have been enjoying the beautiful scenery at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in West Little Rock, AR for the past few days.  A group of Pastors have joined together with a professor from Austin Seminary to learn more about relationships and the conclusion that I come to at the end of the day is that relationships just are – hard that is.  But in the end, they are infinitely worth it. 

            People can be annoying, that is true. It is hard to make commitments and even harder today when it is so darn easy to be independent.  That is why it is important to develop a set of tools.  Compassion belongs in the tool kit, and communication.  Selfishness does not nor does meanness not to mention cruelty.  It takes a sense of humor to live in relationship as well as good old fashioned perseverance. 

            But even with a good set of tools, sometimes it just doesn’t work out.  Sometimes all that is left is to say goodbye.    And that usually takes courage. 

            Most of all, today I know that I am grateful for the relationships that I have.  I am thankful for folks that love me even at my most unlovable.  And I know that for today, because of family and friends,  life is good and all is well.

            hmmm…..

           

thoughts on the news of the day: floods

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            Every day I try to write something about news that is happening in the world.  Sometimes it is news from faraway, like Japan or Pakistan; sometimes it is more on a local level.  Occasionally I write about a holiday or event that occurs every year on that date. I have even written about events occurring only in my church.  Seems like there is always something to write about, but today I was almost stumped.

            But then there is the story of the swollen waters of the Mississippi.  For many, many folks this will be big news today and in the days ahead.  Anticipating the coming flood waters must be terrifying, the loss of property and even lives has the potential to be devastating.  And I wasn’t sure what to say about all of that.

            So, when all else fails, I get out my Bible.  I open it up at a random spot and see what interesting and inspiring things I can read.  Today, I found myself at Psalm 46 and read this:  “God is our shelter and our strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.  So we will not be afraid … even if the seas roar and rage.”… “There is a river that brings joy to the city of God …. God is in that city and it will never be destroyed.”

            So, to the people living in cities along the banks of the Mississippi: Memphis, Helena, Arkansas City and Greenville: have faith.  Remember that God is with you and that we are praying for you.

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thoughts on the news of the day: mothers

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            Here are some of my favorite Mother’s Day quotes:

            “A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.”  ~Tenneva Jordan

            “Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.”  ~Author Unknown

            “I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me.  They have clung to me all my life.”  ~Abraham Lincoln

           

            “God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.”  ~Jewish Proverb

            “It kills you to see them grow up.  But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't.”  ~Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams

            “A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”  ~Washington Irving

            “Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”  ~Elizabeth Stone

            "Scotland, with her well-known reverence for motherhood, insists that an ounce of mother is worth more than a pound of clergy." ~ H. H. Birkins

            Tell someone you love: Happy Mother’s Day!

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