Good Words Then...Good Words Now

 Good morning, and welcome!!

These days, in some ways, are not good days.  There is a lot going on that probably shouldn’t be happening.  Everything from the war in the Middle East to the fact that it’s unseasonably warm in Kansas make it seem like things are going off the rails.  And we are pretty much powerless to do something about any of it.

We see a lot in the world that isn’t as we know it should be.  We continue to see mass shootings.   We continue to see political differences turn into hatred for the other side.  We continue to see the homeless on the streets, in the alleys, and in our parks.  We continue to see the near homeless flounder as they are drawn deeper into the poverty whirlpool.

We see our churches becoming more and more empty as people abandon church families and religious organizations.  We see our children mesmerized by a screen and mini-computer they can carry in their hand.  We see the wealthy become more so at the expense of the rest of us.  And we see the erosion of the public education system as more and more  requirements, regulations, and child-rearing responsibilities are placed upon it.

If I have seemed to be in a sort of depression today because of what I’ve said, you are correct.  It has been difficult this week for me to see the good, the right, and the beautiful.  I know it’s there.  I know God works in magnificent ways to provide beauty, color, peace, and grace to his creation.

Sometimes, though, it seems that the poverty, the yelling and screaming, the greed and the selfishness are drowning out the beauty and peace...shoving them off to the side as they demand my attention…creating in me various emotions and thoughts that cause stress, grief, and sadness.  And this, I believe, is deliberate on the part of those who are doing the yelling, the screaming, the coveting, the stealing, the merchandising.

Yet out of all of this, at times the still, small voice of God breaks through with His message of love, peace, and joy.  And if I listen…really listen…I can hear that message in the singing of the robin, the wren, and the dove.  I can hear it in the stillness of the night.  I can hear it in the shouts and shrieks of children at play in the park.  And I can feel that message when one of my grands hugs me.  I can feel it when the breeze is just the right temperature and velocity.  I can feel it when I receive a firm handshake and greeting from one of my church family.

I know that if I look for it…if I block out all of the garbage…I can appreciate and enjoy what God has provided.

I am reminded of a passage of scripture that Paul the apostle wrote centuries ago.  In his letter to the Philippians, he said this:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Good words then.  Good words now.

Blessings.

A Learning Experience

 Good morning, and welcome!!

Have you ever caught yourself in some kind of reflective time where you looked back at something you said or did and thought to yourself that you didn’t display the most kind and loving attitude toward that person?  Maybe you made some kind of snippy remark toward someone because of a perceived failure on their part.  Maybe you took some action that let others know you weren’t going to allow anyone to get the best of you.

You know what I’m talking about.  Those times when, on reflection, you realize you didn’t love your neighbor…you didn’t treat others as you wanted to be treated…you didn’t allow yourself to be a servant instead of one being served.  In other words, you acted like a total heel…someone that no one wants to be around.

We’ve all been there.  I’ve been there…recently, in fact.  The latest?  I carped at an electrician who came to the church today to install some extra outlets.  I carped at him because on Monday when I made the service request, I asked the woman taking the request to let us know when we were placed on the schedule and when the electrician would be here.  So when I come to work today about 9 am, I see the electrician truck In the parking lot and the man waiting for me.  But I had no clue he was coming today because no one contacted me to let me know.

Now, I know the electrician only goes where and when he is scheduled, so he didn’t have anything to do with the lack of communication.  But he got some pushback from me anyway.  I should have apologized to him, but didn’t for some reason.  He was, however, the convenient scapegoat.

By far most of those who do work at the church let me know enough ahead of time that I can plan adequately.  This electrical service, however, even though they do great work, are really bad about not letting us know ahead of time.  Each time, I ask them to let me know.  Most of the time, just like today, it doesn’t happen.

Yes, we could find another electrician.  However, we know the quality of work this one does, and know that their rates are reasonable and their work is in accordance with code.  They are familiar with the building and the work they have done here previously.  So, most likely, we’ll keep them on and continue to hope they give us some advance notice.

Christian scriptures are filled with exhortations, examples, and stories having to do with how we relate to one-another even in difficult situations or if we believe we have somehow been wronged.  As I mentioned before, we are told to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  We are told to treat others as we would want to be treated.  We are to always let our speech be gracious.  Several places in the Proverbs speaks of our speech.  Here is just one.  “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Well, you get the idea.  Perhaps more importantly, our thoughts before, during, and after an unpleasant conversation betray the rise of our selfish, prideful selves within us…those characteristics of our old, sinful nature that we constantly battle to keep in check.  We lose the battles sometimes.  We flip back into a prior existence.  We fail to “Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.”  Instead, we say and do what feels good at the moment, regardless of the fallout that may result.

Those times when we snip at the wife, berate a child, yell at someone who cut us off in traffic or failed to use their blinker, or argue needlessly with a co-worker, we are guilty of failing to demonstrate the love and patience of Jesus.  These are the times when we need to think about how patient Jesus is with us and then share that patience and forbearance with those we encounter in everyday life and living.  As the Psalmist says so eloquently, “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion.”

It isn’t worth it.  It isn’t worth the stress.  It isn’t worth the damaged relationships.  It isn’t worth the regret after the fact.  Kindness and compassion go hand in hand with patience and yes, forbearance. I learned something from that interaction.  Hopefully, I'll also remember. May you receive a blessing this day as you demonstrate these qualities toward others.

Blessings.

Paid Parking

 Good morning, and welcome!!

For the past month, I have been working with the liaison of my Wichita council person to obtain information on the new paid parking program enacted by the city last year.  The program consists of a large swath of the downtown area parking that has been converted to kiosk or app payment rather than parking meters.  And, of course, the rates are higher in an effort to collect sufficient funds to maintain parking lots, etc.

The information I would like to see is the income, expenses, and net proceeds of the parking program for the first six months of operation…July through December, 2025.  Brooke, the liaison, pointed me to a web page that had detailed information regarding revenues received.  The information was broken down by month, method of payment, average revenue per parking stall, and other useful information.  What was NOT on the page was expenses and net proceeds.

Brooke has continued to try to get that information for me, but was twice told that I would have to file an open records request in order to receive it.  Of course, that got me to wonder why the revenues were so easily and publicly available, but the expenses were not.  So I went on down the path and contacted my city council person and mayor directly, and they have responded.  The mayor has asked the assistant city manager to make the information available to both the council and to me.  Now, she did this only a couple of days ago, so I don’t expect a response just yet.

I don’t intend to do much with the information if I get it.  I expect that expenses will exceed revenues.  That’s normal for pretty much any start-up project.  However, the reason for continuing with this is the greater issue of transparency in government.

Wichita has had issues with transparency and citizen trust for years.  There have been several decisions made over the years that not only didn’t “smell” right, but ended up being in the best interest of friends and donors to political campaigns instead of the citizenry.  The latest issue to come to a head has been the sales tax question that was resoundingly defeated just a couple of days ago.  Over eighty percent of the voting public said “NO” to a new sales tax promoted by several business partners and put to a vote quickly and without a lot of vetting.  It not only was hastily and poorly presented; it just didn’t “smell” right, and the citizens knew it and soundly trampled it down.

I understand that in running a city the size of Wichita, many decisions are made by managers of varied kinds.  Not all decisions can or should be put before the council, or even the city manager.  However, all departments and all management need to be answerable for the decisions they make.  And the citizens of Wichita need to have access to those decisions, as well as access to whatever background information that is considered to be public information that helped those managers make those decisions.

If I would have been told to file an open records request for all of the parking information…revenues and expenses…I probably would have done so without complaint.  However, to have the revenues so prominently displayed publicly, but the expenses hidden behind a KORA request seems to me to be asking the public to believe the city is hiding something it doesn’t want us to know.  The idea of transparency and trust have once again been relegated to the dumpster out back.  What else are we to think?

Hopefully, eventually, I’ll receive the information I’ve requested one way or the other.  If necessary, I’ll file a KORA request and pay any fees.  Some things I’ve learned to let go of, but I’m stubborn enough to see this through.

I do know I’ve ruffled some feathers.  The mayor has responded to me.  My council person called me.  And a council person who does not represent me but I consider to be a friend has emailed me.  So, we’ll see.  Stay tuned.

A lesson from this, however.  Don’t let things like this get you so worked up that you lose sight of the greater and better things…mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness.  Life is too short to needlessly worry and fret about things like parking revenues and expenses.  Be involved.  Be engaged.  But also be aware that all of these kinds of things are temporary and will pass away.  Give your best concentration instead on the Maker and Creator of all who loves you and wants you with Him in eternity.