Attitude of Gratitude

I've been reading the book "The Hole in our Gospel" by Richard Stearns.  Stearns is the president of World Vision U.S.  Stearns believes that American Christians are not putting their faith into action.  There are billions of people living in extreme poverty.  26,575 children a day die from preventable causes (pg 114).  But American Christians basically do nothing about these situations.  Near the end of the book Stearns has a section of suggested actions people can take.  One of them was to pray for people living in poverty as we go about our day.


This morning I was led by God to do just that.  This came to mind as I was preparing my breakfast.  I like to have tea in the morning so I filled up the kettle with water from the sink (clean water, indoor plumbing) and put it on the gas range to heat (modern appliance).  I went to the pantry and got a couple of Irish Breakfast tea bags (I caught a sale) and put them in my favorite mug.  When the water boiled I poured it into the mug to brew my tea.  While it was brewing I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (I had a craving).  I then took out the tea bags, added some honey (I like honey more than sugar), and a little bit of French Vanilla soy creamer (I'm lactose intolerant).  Afterwards I mindlessly said said grace for my meal.  And that's when it struck me.  I should be more grateful and truly give thanks.


You see, I complain, mentally about my situation.  I haven't had a full time job in over a year.  I've had to give up my apartment and move in with my sister and brother-in-law.  So as not to be too much of a financial burden I'm responsible for purchasing my own food.  Because my income is limited I use food stamps to buy my food.  I complain to the Lord because I think "How can I do ministry in this situation?"  Perhaps if I stopped complaining long enough I'd find out.


This is a hard time for me but I'm still very blessed.  I'm writing this in the peace and safety of my family's home.  That I can read and write is a blessing.  Millions of women cannot.  I have access to a computer and the Internet.  Many Americans don't have that.  These blessings are in addition to the ones listed when I wrote about making breakfast.


So today I will be grateful.  I will give thanks for what I have and truly pray for the one's who do not have.

Fit for leadership?

Happy Father's Day to all the dads.  :)

"When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required."  Luke 12:48 NLT

A few days ago, I over heard a debate on television as to whether Rep. Anthony Weiner should have resigned.  The argument against his resignation was that his personal life had nothing to do with how he did his job.  This is not the first time I've heard this argument.  The thinking seems to be that one's personal life and professional life are separate, and that it is possible to function like they are.


I'm not sure that's the case.  The apostle Paul didn't think so.  When describing what characteristics to look for in church leaders he says that their lives should be blameless  (Titus 1:7).  In other words a leader's lifestyle should inspire respect.  A church leader should be well thought of in his/her community.  The bible does not make the requirement of a moral life for religious leaders only.  Whoever was made king was also to live a life above reproach.

I'm not trying to be preachy or to condemn Weiner, but how he has behaved in his personal life has caused me to question how he handled his responsibilities as a Congressman.


First let's consider his response when the news of his tweets broke.  He lied, and continued to lie for a week.  Was he honest in his dealings as a Congressman?  Is he trustworthy?


Then let's consider what he tweeted.  Has he not been paying attention?  The Internet and the media are full of stories of people whose careers have been damaged or ended because of what they tweeted or posted.  Consider Gilbert Gottfried. He was fired as the voice of the AFLAC Duck because of inappropriate tweets about Japan after the earthquake.  Did he think about his colleague, Christopher Lee who resigned in light of shirtless postings on Craigslist?  Did Weiner think he was safe?  That such a thing would not happen to him?


Thirdly, Weiner is a married man.  This scandal shows that he has not been faithful to his wife.  He has not been faithful to his marriage vows.  At the beginning of each new congress, the House of Representatives and one third of the Senate are sworn into office. (click here for ref.)  Was Weiner able to keep his oath?


Finally, Weiner's actions show a lack of concern for his wife.  Bad enough to have to deal with his infidelity but to do so publicly...  And she is pregnant with his child.  Did Weiner care for his constituents or was he just as unconcerned about them?


I believe that how you live your personal life is a reflection of your values, beliefs, and character.  You bring yourself wherever you go so your values, beliefs, and character are going to affect your professional life.  I have to say that the personal life and the professional life really can't be separated.  This is especially true if you are a leader.  I don't believe the bible requires leaders to be perfect.  But I think leaders are required to be mature people with good character.  This goes for civic leaders as well as church leaders.

Choices: Or how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader

"...choose this day whom you will serve..." Joshua 24:15b

I'm a big fan of Star Wars.  I've seen all six episodes.  I've seen Episode IV (the original Star Wars movie) about three or four times.  I have a confession though.  My favorite character is Darth Vader.


Darth Vader is a classic villain.  He has such a presence when he strides across the screen.  The choice of James Earl Jones to be his voice is excellent.  And then there's the theme music.  Darth Vader is quite the villain


But Darth Vader didn't start out that way.  When we first meet him he is a kind and generous nine year old boy named Anakin Skywalker.  He lived with his mother on a far off desert planet.  Both of them were slaves. 


Anakin was a gifted little boy.  He had a knack for fixing any type of machinery.  He was the only human who could fly the racing pod.  Last but not least, the Force was strong with him.  By the end of Episode I Anakin was a padawan, a child in training to become a Jedi.

Episode II is where we begin to see the progression towards Darth Vader.  Anakin was very attached to his mother.  He was sad about leaving her.  He began having bad dreams about her which tormented him.  Finally he decided to go to his home planet and look for her.  In doing so he disobeyed an order.  He was to stay where he was and protect Princess Amidala.  Anakin found his mother.  She had been taken by raiders and beaten very badly.  She died in his arms.  Anakin in his grief used his Jedi powers to destroy the whole village.  He killed men, women, and children.  That was his first step towards the Dark Side.


The end of Episode II finds Anakin secretly married to Padme (Princess Amidala).  Jedi aren't supposed to have such attachments.  Attachments can make Jedi vulnerable to manipulation and undue influence.  So this was Anakin's second step towards the Dark Side.


The next step came in Episode III.  Anakin and Obi Wan are attempting to rescue Senator Palpatine from kidnappers.  During the struggle Anakin has a duel with Count Dooku.  Anakin defeats Dooku, having cut off both his hands.  But on Palpatine's order he kills Dooku.  This goes against the Jedi code.  Jedi do not kill someone who is defenseless.


In the course of the movie we find out that Padme is pregnant.  Anakin begins to have troubling dreams about Padme dying in childbirth.  By this time he has become somewhat close to Senator Palpatine.  During a concert, Palpatine tells a story about an apprentice Jedi  who killed his master. The master had discovered the secret of immortality.  The Jedi wanted the secret for himself.  At that moment Anakin realizes that Palpatine is a Sith.  He was the apprentice who killed his master. 


Anakin's transformation comes when the Jedi try to arrest Palpatine.  Palpatine promises Anakin that he can save Padme's life.  So Anakin pledges his allegiance to Palpatine and is renamed Darth Vader.  His first act as Vader is to go to the Jedi temple and destroy it.  Anakin kills everyone; men, women, and the padawans; the children.  Now, Anakin is definitely on the Dark Side.


As I said at the beginning, Darth Vader didn't start out as Darth Vader.  It was through a series of decisions; choices that put Anakin on the path to the Dark Side. 


I believe that our choices have a great impact on who we become.  At school we have the choice to hang with the kids that cut school or hang with kids who want to get an education.  At work we can associate with the people who are always complaining or associate with the ones who are positive.  Of course there things that come up that we have no control over.  We have no control over whether a hurricane will flood a city.  We have no control whether a tornado will tear up a neighborhood.  But we do have a choice as how we will respond to these events. 


Who we are is a reflection of our choices.  I pray we all make wise ones.