We just came back from an afternoon at our church. We hosted an ice cream social for the homeless in our back parking lot, which abuts the east bank of the Arkansas river in downtown Wichita. Several people arrived early, helping carry out tables, chairs, and food and drink. Several of the homeless also showed up early, waiting for us to complete preparations.
We had a couple of guys with guitars who sang various types of songs, mostly country and older soft rock, and a man had a car backed up to the area with a trunk full of new underwear, socks, shoes, and other things needed by folks.
One of the first things I heard was from one man who was eager for the line to form. He said something about the ice cream and all the toppings on the table, then said he thought he had died and gone to heaven. Others expressed appreciation for us and our cooperating community organization for hosting and having them.
We had besides ice cream and toppings, cookies, brownies, and various kinds of drinks, including water and coffee. I know it wasn’t a nourishing meal, as one might get in a soup kitchen, but it was a time when for awhile the folks could meet, visit, and share stories with other homeless, and with the volunteers.
We did this last year, too. That time was my first experience with something like this. I was a little apprehensive last year about it all. This year, it was different. These people were just people like me. The only difference was most of them didn’t have a home to go to tonight.
As I stood at the edge of the group, the unmistakable odor of sweat and bodies wafting my way, I looked at people who appeared to be hardened, chronically homeless as well as those who may well have only been that way for a month or two. I saw the old and young, children and grandfathers, men and women of all shapes and sizes. And the empathy I felt for each of them multiplied in that short time and after as I served coffee and bussed tables.
One man asked if he could play the guitar of one of the performers during a break. He strummed a little, and asked if the amplifier could be turned on. He did a tolerably good job of chording, although his repertoire consisted mainly of harder rock-type sub lines. The bass guitarist worked to stay with him in an informal jam session, and some of the man’s friends were obviously pleased he was performing.
I don’t know how long it had been since he had played, but the experience was well worth the price of admission for me, and I hope he went away from there with a renewed sense, however minimal, of self-worth and dignity.
There but for a few paychecks go I. That’s a lot to ponder.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Good Heritage and Great Promise
“There is nothing in this world quite the same as reminding yourself where your place in life is through a big family reunion where everyone gets along. Experiencing first hand the Christian heritage I've been given provides a place to belong, and an inner sense of peace in a chaotic world.”
A friend of mine said this recently on Facebook. He had just attended a family reunion and was expressing in words what I’m sure many who were there felt. I know much of his family and would concur that his experience was genuine and his comments heartfelt.
As a family, we feel much the same way. We try to get together annually, if possible, and seem to always enjoy each other’s company, catching up on the latest, and seeing the nieces, nephews, and others grow and develop as we siblings age. We cherish the memories of past reunions and know that there are but a limited number of reunions in our future.
I want to expand a bit on the Christian heritage part of his comment. Although families who are not religious or do not share a Christian heritage that stresses love can and do have good families, good reunions, and good relationships, it seems that the fact of that heritage and training makes the likelihood of such relationships more plausible and more frequent. We know that we are a forgiven people and that God has overlooked, so to speak, our shortcomings and has made us His adopted children. As such we tend to forgive the faults of others as we work and interact with them. We overlook, as it were, things that might cause no end of rift in another family.
Christians also believe that there will come a Day unlike no other, when we all as the family of God will be together in a wonderful, loving, and everlasting present tense, experiencing for eternity the same sense of belonging and inner peace (which passes all understanding). A taste of that happens in the here and now in venues like family reunions, gatherings of Christians to worship, fellowship or celebrate, and other ways and means. But those events and feelings, however great, are temporary and soon fade.
Christians look (or should look) toward that day, however, when there will be no temporary, no fading, and no imperfection.
A friend of mine said this recently on Facebook. He had just attended a family reunion and was expressing in words what I’m sure many who were there felt. I know much of his family and would concur that his experience was genuine and his comments heartfelt.
As a family, we feel much the same way. We try to get together annually, if possible, and seem to always enjoy each other’s company, catching up on the latest, and seeing the nieces, nephews, and others grow and develop as we siblings age. We cherish the memories of past reunions and know that there are but a limited number of reunions in our future.
I want to expand a bit on the Christian heritage part of his comment. Although families who are not religious or do not share a Christian heritage that stresses love can and do have good families, good reunions, and good relationships, it seems that the fact of that heritage and training makes the likelihood of such relationships more plausible and more frequent. We know that we are a forgiven people and that God has overlooked, so to speak, our shortcomings and has made us His adopted children. As such we tend to forgive the faults of others as we work and interact with them. We overlook, as it were, things that might cause no end of rift in another family.
Christians also believe that there will come a Day unlike no other, when we all as the family of God will be together in a wonderful, loving, and everlasting present tense, experiencing for eternity the same sense of belonging and inner peace (which passes all understanding). A taste of that happens in the here and now in venues like family reunions, gatherings of Christians to worship, fellowship or celebrate, and other ways and means. But those events and feelings, however great, are temporary and soon fade.
Christians look (or should look) toward that day, however, when there will be no temporary, no fading, and no imperfection.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Bully
I was in a business today purchasing a part for work. Ahead of me was an older lady who had an electric trimmer on the counter and was talking to the counter man about replacing the rechargeable battery in the unit, which evidently was bad. The business sold batteries but didn’t have any way to do the installation.
The woman was frustrated because she was unable to open the trimmer and replace it herself. She evidently did not have anyone else to help her with this task, which wouldn’t have taken long, but would have taken some tools.
The man sympathized with her, and told her that if she went to a place that sold batteries, most likely they would also do the installation for her. He suggested a couple of places, but it was obvious that the woman was a little unsure about something. I suspect she was really unsure whether the battery place would really install the new battery for her.
I deal with one such battery place on a rather regular basis for work. I told her that the place I patronized indeed would install the battery for her and would do a good job. We left the business together, and I also told her where the place was that I used to buy my batteries.
As we parted, she said she would go to one of the places and see how things worked out. I’d like to know how they worked out for her. I left there frustrated that some things like that seem to be almost insurmountable obstacles to older folks, especially women, maintaining their independence. It was obvious that this woman was in fairly good apparent health and probably could live on her own for some time yet.
You might think that she should just go into one of those battery places and get the work done. However, some of those places aren’t very woman-friendly, and are somewhat intimidating at times if you’ve never been there before. They generally are very masculine oriented, and the help sometimes is little more than some insolent-looking young man grunting behind the counter as the customer interrupts his lunch, his phone conversation, or his nap. They are also somewhat unkempt and not especially pleasant for those of the feminine persuasion.
On the other hand, we all have had to do things we weren’t very comfortable doing. I suspect this woman screwed up her nerve, went into one of these places, and now has a weed whacker that is charging a new battery in her garage. Bully for her.
The woman was frustrated because she was unable to open the trimmer and replace it herself. She evidently did not have anyone else to help her with this task, which wouldn’t have taken long, but would have taken some tools.
The man sympathized with her, and told her that if she went to a place that sold batteries, most likely they would also do the installation for her. He suggested a couple of places, but it was obvious that the woman was a little unsure about something. I suspect she was really unsure whether the battery place would really install the new battery for her.
I deal with one such battery place on a rather regular basis for work. I told her that the place I patronized indeed would install the battery for her and would do a good job. We left the business together, and I also told her where the place was that I used to buy my batteries.
As we parted, she said she would go to one of the places and see how things worked out. I’d like to know how they worked out for her. I left there frustrated that some things like that seem to be almost insurmountable obstacles to older folks, especially women, maintaining their independence. It was obvious that this woman was in fairly good apparent health and probably could live on her own for some time yet.
You might think that she should just go into one of those battery places and get the work done. However, some of those places aren’t very woman-friendly, and are somewhat intimidating at times if you’ve never been there before. They generally are very masculine oriented, and the help sometimes is little more than some insolent-looking young man grunting behind the counter as the customer interrupts his lunch, his phone conversation, or his nap. They are also somewhat unkempt and not especially pleasant for those of the feminine persuasion.
On the other hand, we all have had to do things we weren’t very comfortable doing. I suspect this woman screwed up her nerve, went into one of these places, and now has a weed whacker that is charging a new battery in her garage. Bully for her.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
That "gutty" Feeling
I was out back tonight as the darkness fell. It has been normal for me to have a kind of "pit in the gut" feeling at various times during the day in the past year or so. I had it again as I sat out back and just thought. Why I get these feelings, I don't know. I suspect, however, that it has something to do with the unknown future, and that a big chunk of that is employment.
To have a job in this economy that pays well is a true blessing. But that blessing can be very fleeting and fickle, and the job can be gone in a matter of days or hours. Along with losing the job comes not only losing insurance and a steady income, but also a certain dignity and identity.
I've been there and done that. So has my spouse. In fact, in the last ten years or so, it seems we have changed jobs every two or three years or so. We certainly have never been the kind who get a job at age 20 and stay with the same job and same company for 45 years until retirement. Our jobs also have never been the kind that have contractural security of any kind.
But back to the gutty feeling. As I thought more about it, I thought about what would dispel the feeling. The only thing I could think of is the unchanging nature of the God that I know. Somehow, that gave me a respite from the uncertainty of the unknown. Somehow, that provided me with a security that could not be found anywhere else.
I am not always able to dispel the gutty feeling just by thinking about God. But most of the time, He provides me with a peace that enables me to take the next breath, take the next step, go to work the next day.
One day, I won't have to have that gutty feeling anymore. I'll have no need to maintain health insurance, money in the bank, or a good credit rating. I'll not have to worry about losing my job, house, dignity, or health. All will be taken care of. All will be well. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
To have a job in this economy that pays well is a true blessing. But that blessing can be very fleeting and fickle, and the job can be gone in a matter of days or hours. Along with losing the job comes not only losing insurance and a steady income, but also a certain dignity and identity.
I've been there and done that. So has my spouse. In fact, in the last ten years or so, it seems we have changed jobs every two or three years or so. We certainly have never been the kind who get a job at age 20 and stay with the same job and same company for 45 years until retirement. Our jobs also have never been the kind that have contractural security of any kind.
But back to the gutty feeling. As I thought more about it, I thought about what would dispel the feeling. The only thing I could think of is the unchanging nature of the God that I know. Somehow, that gave me a respite from the uncertainty of the unknown. Somehow, that provided me with a security that could not be found anywhere else.
I am not always able to dispel the gutty feeling just by thinking about God. But most of the time, He provides me with a peace that enables me to take the next breath, take the next step, go to work the next day.
One day, I won't have to have that gutty feeling anymore. I'll have no need to maintain health insurance, money in the bank, or a good credit rating. I'll not have to worry about losing my job, house, dignity, or health. All will be taken care of. All will be well. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Good Lawmaking
I just came in the house from our front yard, watching unending rockets, mortars, and other assorted fireworks bursting above the homes in our division. It made for a great sight, and smoke was rather thick in the air in places. We didn’t have to spend any of our own money on fireworks, because the neighborhood adequately stocked up, it seems, for the big event this evening.
It was a wonderful display of red, green, white, gold, and occasionally blue, punctuated by booms of greater or lesser volume. The neighbors about a half block away, though, worried me some because although I couldn’t see them directly, several loud booms came from their area, but the sounds came from on the ground instead of in the air, as mortars and rockets normally do. The ambulance didn’t come, however, so I presume everything is OK, at least for now.
We also saw what we thought might have been a balloon sailing over the area. It was too dark to know for sure, and I don’t know if balloons can fly at night or not. But, that would be a great perch to observe fireworks from many square miles, and also hear many of the booms made by the fireworks on the ground.
Of course, living in Wichita, virtually all of what we saw was illegal. However, there was so much of it that the city really needs to get with it (as Sedgwick County did) and allow common fireworks. Yes, some will be irresponsible. Yes, some will mix alcohol with fireworks. Yes, there will be some injuries. But when is government going to quit being our nanny? It’s one thing to assure the safety of drugs, food, and automobiles. It’s quite another to ban fireworks because “something might happen”.
Hopefully, the Sedgwick County experiment this year will go well, and the City of Wichita will figure out that an unenforceable law (1) is of no use, (2) breeds disrespect for the law in general, and (3) encourages the populace to find ways around the law. Passing a law doesn’t make anyone safer. Passing a law that the people will obey, by and large, on their own, is the way to responsibility and safety.
It was a wonderful display of red, green, white, gold, and occasionally blue, punctuated by booms of greater or lesser volume. The neighbors about a half block away, though, worried me some because although I couldn’t see them directly, several loud booms came from their area, but the sounds came from on the ground instead of in the air, as mortars and rockets normally do. The ambulance didn’t come, however, so I presume everything is OK, at least for now.
We also saw what we thought might have been a balloon sailing over the area. It was too dark to know for sure, and I don’t know if balloons can fly at night or not. But, that would be a great perch to observe fireworks from many square miles, and also hear many of the booms made by the fireworks on the ground.
Of course, living in Wichita, virtually all of what we saw was illegal. However, there was so much of it that the city really needs to get with it (as Sedgwick County did) and allow common fireworks. Yes, some will be irresponsible. Yes, some will mix alcohol with fireworks. Yes, there will be some injuries. But when is government going to quit being our nanny? It’s one thing to assure the safety of drugs, food, and automobiles. It’s quite another to ban fireworks because “something might happen”.
Hopefully, the Sedgwick County experiment this year will go well, and the City of Wichita will figure out that an unenforceable law (1) is of no use, (2) breeds disrespect for the law in general, and (3) encourages the populace to find ways around the law. Passing a law doesn’t make anyone safer. Passing a law that the people will obey, by and large, on their own, is the way to responsibility and safety.
Saturday, July 03, 2010
The Cross Made a Difference
I was listening to an old Gaither video today. One of the songs was in memory of Rex Nelon, a bass singer who died about 10 years ago. I confess I hadn’t heard the song before. Oh, well, I may have heard it, but if I did, I didn’t pay much attention to the words. I believe, although I’m not sure, that the song was composed by Jay Rouse. Forgive me for not being sure.
The words that strike me the most in this song, and the words that prompted me to look up the lyrics on the web are the last words of the last verse…”For life can’t be sealed in a tomb.” Think about that for a moment, and I think you’ll find more than the obvious in that statement.
If what Jesus said about himself is true (I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life), then it would be only natural and logical for the resurrection to have occurred. Life indeed cannot be sealed in a tomb. And if Jesus is the Life, he could no more be sealed in a tomb than a duck can be kept from water.
Many things can change a person for the better. Philosophy, religion, meditation, and even events and other people can cause good and permanent change. However, the foundation of the change wrought by Jesus Christ is the empty tomb. Nothing can compare; nothing can compete; nothing can equate. The empty tomb stands alone as the defining reality for the human condition and the hope of the creation.
The Cross Made a Difference in Me
'Twas a life filled with aimless desperation
Without hope walked the shell of a man;
Then a hand with a nailprint stretched downward,
Just one touch then a new life began.
Barren walls echoed harshness and anger
Little faces ran in terror to hide;
Now those walls ring with love, warmth and laughter,
Since the giver of life moved inside.
There's a room filled with sad, ashen faces
Without hope death has wrapped them in gloom;
But at the side of a saint there's rejoicing,
For life can't be sealed in a tomb.
Chorus: And the old rugged cross made the difference
In a life bound for heartache and defeat;
I will praise Him forever and ever
For the cross made the difference for me.
The words that strike me the most in this song, and the words that prompted me to look up the lyrics on the web are the last words of the last verse…”For life can’t be sealed in a tomb.” Think about that for a moment, and I think you’ll find more than the obvious in that statement.
If what Jesus said about himself is true (I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life), then it would be only natural and logical for the resurrection to have occurred. Life indeed cannot be sealed in a tomb. And if Jesus is the Life, he could no more be sealed in a tomb than a duck can be kept from water.
Many things can change a person for the better. Philosophy, religion, meditation, and even events and other people can cause good and permanent change. However, the foundation of the change wrought by Jesus Christ is the empty tomb. Nothing can compare; nothing can compete; nothing can equate. The empty tomb stands alone as the defining reality for the human condition and the hope of the creation.
The Cross Made a Difference in Me
'Twas a life filled with aimless desperation
Without hope walked the shell of a man;
Then a hand with a nailprint stretched downward,
Just one touch then a new life began.
Barren walls echoed harshness and anger
Little faces ran in terror to hide;
Now those walls ring with love, warmth and laughter,
Since the giver of life moved inside.
There's a room filled with sad, ashen faces
Without hope death has wrapped them in gloom;
But at the side of a saint there's rejoicing,
For life can't be sealed in a tomb.
Chorus: And the old rugged cross made the difference
In a life bound for heartache and defeat;
I will praise Him forever and ever
For the cross made the difference for me.
Hello Again
Well, it’s been awhile. So much has happened, including a wedding in the family (niece), visit with relatives and friends, a family reunion, and a lost job. Where to start first?
The wedding was great. Nicole and Jason have started their (hopefully) lifelong relationship on a good footing and with the blessing of many friends and relatives. The setting was a bit unusual, an old theater, but the ceremonies came off without an apparent hitch, as did the reception and celebration. They are back from a short trip and are settling in to the routine of married life in this culture.
We had a family reunion during this time, and also visited with other relatives in the Hesston/Newton area one Sunday afternoon. We always enjoy those visits so much, and hope the “relations” enjoy them half as much as we.
The wife lost her job last week. Her position was eliminated, and she was let go “in good standing”. She’s looking for work now, but is also enjoying the time spent at home. And I must admit it’s nice to have someone at home. The pace just seems a bit slower, and the times just a little more deliberate when we’re not running here and there, rushing to be at work on time or getting errands done.
We don’t have an endless supply of cash, but are OK for the moment. In this job market, anything can happen. People say health care is relatively recession-proof, and I think it is. However, there are a lot of caveats in that statement, so we’ll see how this goes.
We have a three day weekend due to the holiday. We don’t have much planned, but will enjoy the time we have together and with each other. You do the same.
The wedding was great. Nicole and Jason have started their (hopefully) lifelong relationship on a good footing and with the blessing of many friends and relatives. The setting was a bit unusual, an old theater, but the ceremonies came off without an apparent hitch, as did the reception and celebration. They are back from a short trip and are settling in to the routine of married life in this culture.
We had a family reunion during this time, and also visited with other relatives in the Hesston/Newton area one Sunday afternoon. We always enjoy those visits so much, and hope the “relations” enjoy them half as much as we.
The wife lost her job last week. Her position was eliminated, and she was let go “in good standing”. She’s looking for work now, but is also enjoying the time spent at home. And I must admit it’s nice to have someone at home. The pace just seems a bit slower, and the times just a little more deliberate when we’re not running here and there, rushing to be at work on time or getting errands done.
We don’t have an endless supply of cash, but are OK for the moment. In this job market, anything can happen. People say health care is relatively recession-proof, and I think it is. However, there are a lot of caveats in that statement, so we’ll see how this goes.
We have a three day weekend due to the holiday. We don’t have much planned, but will enjoy the time we have together and with each other. You do the same.
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