thoughts on the news of the day: candor

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            Former First Lady, Betty Ford passed away yesterday.  She was 93 years old.  When I think of her, the qualities of honesty and candor come to mind.  She thought and spoke about things that even today would not be popular for a woman in politics to say.  She advocated women’s rights, including the right to choose whether or not to give birth.  She believed that women should be drafted, if men were. She was honest and forthcoming about her breast cancer and her addiction to alcohol and drugs.  All political no-no’s in today’s conservative political climate. 

            You don’t find much candor in today’s political scene.  Most of what is said and done is measured and planned, and not very spontaneous.  Even the slightest misstep or misunderstood word is scrutinized, judged and critiqued. Because of the easy access to so much of a politician’s personal life, we make mountains out of molehills on a regular basis.

            Whether you are a very conservative voter or tend to lean toward a liberal view, you have to admit that political scrutiny has probably gone too far.  Politicians and their families have a right to their own lives, and our insistence on the right to know has deprived them of the luxury of personal space. 

            Betty Ford paved the way for women to speak out politically in America, let’s not take a step backward.  Let’s give women, and while we are at it, men, the freedom to say things with candor and honesty in the style that Mrs. Ford did.  We will all be better for it.

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thoughts on the news of the day: teamwork

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            Vacation Bible School begins at our church in two more days.  Even though in the grand scheme of things, our VBS is a rather small venture, it has required an amazing amount of teamwork.  We have spent months planning with the camp counselors who are coming from Ferncliff Camp in west Little Rock.  They will do the bulk of the interaction with the children while those of us who are volunteers from church will shepherd the children, make sure there are foods, crafts supplies and other needs available at the right time.

            In our age of such individualism, there are some things that simply cannot be done without teamwork.  Ever try playing softball without having a team that works together?  It’s not fun, in fact it’s almost impossible. Most things accomplished in successful churches, classrooms and corporations are the result of good teams planning and implementing programs together.

            I didn’t really learn too much about teamwork until I was older.  Unlike my daughter who has played on sports teams since she was in kindergarten, I had little or no opportunity to compete in sports.  Actually, most of what I experienced in grade school and even on into high school placed its emphasis on individual accomplishments and success.  It was only when I grew older that I began to understand the power of the group. 

            Today, I know that I don’t have to do it alone; that working together is much more meaningful and successful.  And besides – it’s way more fun!!

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thoughts on the news of the day: nasa

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            During the end of the 20^th Century and on into the early 21rst Century, I served a church in the Clear Lake area of Houston, TX.  It was very near the Space Center, where much of the engineering took place for NASA’s projects.  We had several scientists in our congregation who worked at the site. There was a joke we used to say to those folks:  I guess when you want to share some information, you can’t say, “Now I’m not a rocket scientist, but ….” because ….. you are one!"  They were for the most part brilliant and very dedicated to NASA, their country and their work.

            To me, NASA and space travel were magic.  I remember watching the first landing on the moon and thinking how wonderful and magnificent that feat really was.  I remarked to one of the NASA engineers one day how magical space flight seemed to be and he said, “I assure you space travel at NASA is not magic, it is a very scientific and measured system that has to be engineered to perfection.”

            But all of that is now water under the bridge.  NASA is winding down, a workforce of thousands is gearing down to 1,000 or so.  The space shuttle is being retired and no plans are in place for much space travel in the future. 

            It is sad to think that our country can no longer afford the luxury of exploring far and distant lands; sad to think that all of the useful discoveries and inventions will no longer take place.  And it’s sad to think that the good will fostered between countries with the building and maintenance of the space station will no longer be nurtured.

            Surely someone or something will fill in the gap.  After all, how else will we boldly go to places as yet unexplored?

            hmmm…..

           

thoughts on the news of the day: dust storm

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            According to the Associated Press, a huge dust storm dropped down on the Phoenix, AZ area last night, severely reducing visibility and delaying flights as strong winds toppled trees and caused power outages for residents of the valley.

            Have you ever been in a dust storm?  I remember living in West Texas in the late 90’s and driving through one on a highway between Big Spring and Andrews, Texas.  The enormity of the storm and the difficulty seeing in the midst of it impresses me even now.  Sand particles suspended in mid air make for almost impossible visibility and the fierceness of the winds cause you wonder if the paint on your car will remain. 

            I think of the Casey Anthony case as a dust storm also.  Whirling on the scene, it captured the interest of the nation and held it suspended while the trial was going on.  Did she do it?  Did she kill her own child and fail to report it for a month afterward?  The jury said no.  Well … at least they said that the prosecutor did not prove that she did.  But like dust rising into the air, clouding the vision of its surroundings, the findings of the jury only further clouded the truth. 

            So Casey Anthony will live with a dark cloud over her head for the rest of her life.  The doubt will always remain; the suspicion will whirl around her like a dust storm that never ends.  The dust will never settle. 

            And if she is actually guilty of the crime, that may be punishment enough.

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: forever young

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            Scientists are now predicting that infants born today may live to be 150 years old and that those born 20 years from now may live forever.  There may come a time when people will go to their doctors for regular "maintenance." This might include gene therapies, stem cell therapies, immune stimulation and lots of other advanced medical treatments to keep patients healthy. 

            I don’t know if I want to live forever, but I would like to stay “Forever Young”.  Lots of music artists have picked up on that phrase, but I love the original lyrics by Bob Dylan.  The first verse goes like this:

            May God bless and keep you always
            May your wishes all come true
            May you always do for others
            And let others do for you
            May you build a ladder to the stars
            And climb on every rung
            May you stay forever young

           

            Living forever does not appeal to me so much when I visit nursing homes.  The quality of life there is just not very palatable; being warehoused somewhere just to avoid death is not the way I want to be for years on end. My fear has always been that as time goes by, I would find myself sitting in a rocking chair and staring out a window all day long with nothing to do.

            But staying forever young is different.  It’s really a mind set and not a state of physical freshness.  When I reach a time when death seems closer than life, I want to still be alive and aware of all the beauty and love that surrounds me.  I want to have a positive outlook and I don’t want to bemoan today and long for yesterday as if it were some magical time of perfection.  After all today is the tomorrow that will be “the good old days.”

            So my prayer for you today is that you would stay “forever young.”

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: retirement

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            I went to lunch yesterday after church with an older couple (and by older, I mean 90+ range) and a friend of theirs who was visiting our worship service.  Their friend was right at retirement age and wanted to know if pastors had any rules for retirement.  He said that all of his life he had guidelines to go by, but there didn’t seem to be any for retirement.  I said I would think about that question, do some research on it and get back to him.

            Googleing “rules for retirement” doesn’t help a whole lot.  The majority of the sites listed are designed to sell investment programs. They suggest rules for money management, not “life after” management.  And of course, good management of resources is an important part of retirement, but it is not the only consideration.

            I thought about our congregation and the plethora of long time retired members.  It seemed to make sense that studying their lives would be a good way to establish some rules for retirement.  The most prevalent factor I saw in these retirees was their desire to serve.  One especially spry 95 year old is still volunteering at our church every Thursday.  Another 90 year old serves as a hospital volunteer.  Both of these ladies seem to have gotten something right.  We also have a 91 year old retired pastor in our midst who still makes hospital visits and jumps in whenever needed. 

            So it seems to me that the secret to a successful retirement is to be of service to someone else.  That feeling of being needed can’t be replaced by money, gifts or status.  It will keep us healthy emotionally, mentally, spiritually and even physically. 

            Do something today for someone else and look forward to a long and rewarding retirement.

            hmmm…..

thoughts on the news of the day: freedom

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            Francis Scott Key, the author of our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner” found himself in the midst of the highly unpopular War of 1812 and was commissioned to take part in a prisoner exchange attempt with the British.  While on a sea voyage to negotiate the exchange, he anxiously watched …”the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air …” and must have asked himself if our country would survive.  At the dawn’s early light, Key spotted the flag still waving boldly in the air and penned “The Star Spangled Banner” which is now sung at every sports event, political rally and most other gatherings as a tribute to our country and an affirmation of our patriotism and freedom.

            The 4^th of July weekend is a good time to remember our country’s early struggles to become free from the British and also our own struggles to gain freedom from unwanted foes that inhabit our lives.  Freedom from unhealthy eating habits, money problems, relationship difficulties all fall under the category of things from which we need to be freed. 

            So it is a good idea to remember that even though it is important to honor and revere our country and its freedoms, it is even more important to pledge allegiance to a God of our understanding.  Only by surrendering our shortcomings to God will we ever become truly free.  Celebrate our freedom as a nation; it is a good time to rejoice.  But be glad also for a forgiving God who wants us to be free forevermore.

            hmmm…..