Monday, November 3, 2008
Prediction
Tomorrow is the US Presidential election. Obama will carry enough electoral votes to win the election, and his popular vote will pull in many new faces to the Congress as incumbent Republicans take it on the chin--deservedly. It's a new day dawning, a new beginning. Don't believe me? Check back on Wednesday the 5th after you hear the news.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
It's The War Y'all
"Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Tuesday that the fragile economy is being confronted by "numerous difficulties" including persistent strains in financial markets, rising joblessness and housing problems — despite the Fed's aggressive interest rate reductions and other fortifying steps over the past year."--From AP, July 15, 2008
Yes, GM announced today it is slashing deeply to 'keep alive.' There's a run on banks in California, and perhaps as many as 150 more banks collapsing in the next 12 months. The federal government is bailing out Freddie Mac-Fannie Mae. The Euro is trading better than the dollar. Gas prices continue to rise, and inflation is tied with the record set 27 years ago. People are losing homes, and the stock market is sliding down about 200 points a day. Bush's appointee Bernanke sites numerous causes, except the real culprit--spending on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
How long can a country keep throwing money and lives into losing causes? Now we are seeing the folly of spending trillions overseas--the dollars are leaving the country, and we can no longer support ourselves. Admittedly, I studied political economy in England at a progressive school of thought, and learned my analysis there. I do tend to see the bigger picture. What I see is money leaving the US with no tangible result, and no fungible product resulting either.
End the war. We won WWII in 3 and half years, but this travesty goes on over 5 years now. Results? Thousands dead, a pseudo-democracy that will fail when we leave, further destabilization of the Mid East, the rise of Iran, and over burdened Americans. The economy, the quality of life back home, the banks, the markets, all of it--it's all driven or crashed due to war spending. It's the war, it's always been the war. Blame bad loans in the housing market, whatever, but the real problem is war spending.
What is to be done? Elect somebody who will end the war for one. That includes the do nothing Congress as well. By the way, what have they done for us lately? In the last 2 years? I don't like Bush, but I also don't like Pelosi and the Congress, both houses. It's time for major change. Throw the rascals out. End the war. Spend that money at home.
Yes, GM announced today it is slashing deeply to 'keep alive.' There's a run on banks in California, and perhaps as many as 150 more banks collapsing in the next 12 months. The federal government is bailing out Freddie Mac-Fannie Mae. The Euro is trading better than the dollar. Gas prices continue to rise, and inflation is tied with the record set 27 years ago. People are losing homes, and the stock market is sliding down about 200 points a day. Bush's appointee Bernanke sites numerous causes, except the real culprit--spending on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
How long can a country keep throwing money and lives into losing causes? Now we are seeing the folly of spending trillions overseas--the dollars are leaving the country, and we can no longer support ourselves. Admittedly, I studied political economy in England at a progressive school of thought, and learned my analysis there. I do tend to see the bigger picture. What I see is money leaving the US with no tangible result, and no fungible product resulting either.
End the war. We won WWII in 3 and half years, but this travesty goes on over 5 years now. Results? Thousands dead, a pseudo-democracy that will fail when we leave, further destabilization of the Mid East, the rise of Iran, and over burdened Americans. The economy, the quality of life back home, the banks, the markets, all of it--it's all driven or crashed due to war spending. It's the war, it's always been the war. Blame bad loans in the housing market, whatever, but the real problem is war spending.
What is to be done? Elect somebody who will end the war for one. That includes the do nothing Congress as well. By the way, what have they done for us lately? In the last 2 years? I don't like Bush, but I also don't like Pelosi and the Congress, both houses. It's time for major change. Throw the rascals out. End the war. Spend that money at home.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Once In A While A Great Book...
...comes along, and it's Thick As Thieves by Sherry Muolo. Highly recommended, you can find it on Lulu.com. From the book jacket: "Kieve and his ill sister, Alyssa, meet a stranger who plays a big role in their lives, especially when they need to help Alyssa get better. But is their story just a small piece of a bigger picture? Indulge yourself with plot twists, love, developed characters, and the tragedies of Thick As Thieves."
What's so special about this book, you ask? It's 183 pages long, published in hardback, and is written by a 13 year old from Silver Spring, Maryland. Did you get that--a 13 year old. Even the cover art, in anime style, is by the young author. This is her first book, but there are others on her computer. And a sequel in the works. Get your copy now, this kid's gonna be famous. Oh, she's also a good softball pitcher as well.
What's so special about this book, you ask? It's 183 pages long, published in hardback, and is written by a 13 year old from Silver Spring, Maryland. Did you get that--a 13 year old. Even the cover art, in anime style, is by the young author. This is her first book, but there are others on her computer. And a sequel in the works. Get your copy now, this kid's gonna be famous. Oh, she's also a good softball pitcher as well.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Concept of Mitzvot
What is Mitzvot? It's from the Hebrew, a tradition within Judaism that means to do good deeds. Along with it goes the idea of beautifying the Commandments, and the Word of God. By performing the mitzvot, the observant worshipper is in fact beautifying the Word, adding to Creation, and making life better for someone else, thereby making life better for all. Mitzvot is strongly rooted in 'doing justice.' This is a wonderful concept, something we all should study and act upon.
How does one do justice? First, identify the issue--ask, what is the injustice? Intuitively and instinctively most of us know the difference between right and wrong. Accordingly, it should be easy then to know when something is just plain wrong. Yet this is often hard. Why? Maybe we are co-opted by the injustice, perhaps we receive a benefit from it. Could this cause us to wear blinders at times? What else could explain the severe disparity between the haves and have-nots, between the northern hemisphere countries and the southern hemisphere countries? Why does nation war against nation? Why does starvation persist into the 21st century? Well, we identify the issue, name the injustice, and then pray for guidance as to how to approach the matter.
Then we discern--what is God calling us to do in this situation, in the face of this injustice? We publicize it, we organize around it, we take positive and constructive action. We do it out of love, and by acting in such a way, we have taken the concept of mitzvot and broadened it. We're not just doing good deeds and beautifying the Word of God, we're changing the world too! I believe this is what the Biblical narrative calls us to do. Good deeds on a small scale, or good deeds on the large scale, either way, it's for the common good. This is how people of faith live out their faith.
How does one do justice? First, identify the issue--ask, what is the injustice? Intuitively and instinctively most of us know the difference between right and wrong. Accordingly, it should be easy then to know when something is just plain wrong. Yet this is often hard. Why? Maybe we are co-opted by the injustice, perhaps we receive a benefit from it. Could this cause us to wear blinders at times? What else could explain the severe disparity between the haves and have-nots, between the northern hemisphere countries and the southern hemisphere countries? Why does nation war against nation? Why does starvation persist into the 21st century? Well, we identify the issue, name the injustice, and then pray for guidance as to how to approach the matter.
Then we discern--what is God calling us to do in this situation, in the face of this injustice? We publicize it, we organize around it, we take positive and constructive action. We do it out of love, and by acting in such a way, we have taken the concept of mitzvot and broadened it. We're not just doing good deeds and beautifying the Word of God, we're changing the world too! I believe this is what the Biblical narrative calls us to do. Good deeds on a small scale, or good deeds on the large scale, either way, it's for the common good. This is how people of faith live out their faith.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
On The Subject of Immigration....
Today in America there is a movement underway to locate immigrants here 'illegally' and to deport them. This saddens me. In fact, I really dislike the term 'illegal immigrant.' How can that made of God, with the light of God therein, be called 'illegal?' I can't help but think that this is merely racism at work--afterall, those being deported are people of color, from South America, Africa and Asia. Racism is wrong, and it's evil.
A year ago I heard a white college age person from Los Angeles--and a wealthy family--complain of the number of 'illegal immigrants' undermining health care in the area by seeking 'free' medical care at local hospitals. He explained, that in his observation, these folks were just looking for free care at his expense, and that those who 'really needed it' would not have it available because of the immigrants 'taking advantage of the system.' Where to start with this?? Well, I think it best to point out that if the so called Third World had better health care, perhaps these folks would not be seeking it elsewhere. And what of the right to health care--good health care? Should it only be available to the wealthy, or to Americans born here, or only to white Americans? Where does his specious argument lead and end?
Which brings me to a simple thought: The Parable of the Good Samaritan. You know the story. A traveler is beaten along the road, and though needing help, is passed by people who should have known better. Along comes a stranger, and the stranger helps the man, even finds a place for him to stay, paying the bill in advance! The point of the story, besides the moral imperative of humans helping humans based upon need and nothing more, is that the Samaritan who helps the stranger was helping a foreigner, and treated him as his neighbor. So, we ask, who is our neighbor? Everyone is our neighbor, and everyone is to be treated as such.
As to the rounding up and deporting of foreigners, let me remind us all that Nazi Germany did just this same thing not so many years ago. That led to much worse. When we reduce another human being to being just 'the other' and no longer see them as our neighbor, we will rationalize our actions and justify them in the name of nationalism, patriotism, and economic need (or blame), committing just about any crime against humanity. And this is wrong, and it too is evil.
The Biblical addage still rings true--love your neighbor (don't arrest and deport them). I call you my readers to speak out against this injustice.
A year ago I heard a white college age person from Los Angeles--and a wealthy family--complain of the number of 'illegal immigrants' undermining health care in the area by seeking 'free' medical care at local hospitals. He explained, that in his observation, these folks were just looking for free care at his expense, and that those who 'really needed it' would not have it available because of the immigrants 'taking advantage of the system.' Where to start with this?? Well, I think it best to point out that if the so called Third World had better health care, perhaps these folks would not be seeking it elsewhere. And what of the right to health care--good health care? Should it only be available to the wealthy, or to Americans born here, or only to white Americans? Where does his specious argument lead and end?
Which brings me to a simple thought: The Parable of the Good Samaritan. You know the story. A traveler is beaten along the road, and though needing help, is passed by people who should have known better. Along comes a stranger, and the stranger helps the man, even finds a place for him to stay, paying the bill in advance! The point of the story, besides the moral imperative of humans helping humans based upon need and nothing more, is that the Samaritan who helps the stranger was helping a foreigner, and treated him as his neighbor. So, we ask, who is our neighbor? Everyone is our neighbor, and everyone is to be treated as such.
As to the rounding up and deporting of foreigners, let me remind us all that Nazi Germany did just this same thing not so many years ago. That led to much worse. When we reduce another human being to being just 'the other' and no longer see them as our neighbor, we will rationalize our actions and justify them in the name of nationalism, patriotism, and economic need (or blame), committing just about any crime against humanity. And this is wrong, and it too is evil.
The Biblical addage still rings true--love your neighbor (don't arrest and deport them). I call you my readers to speak out against this injustice.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Biloxi and Habitat for Humanity
Arrived New Orleans early this morning, and was on the Habitat site with my Methodist friends by noon, in Gulfport. In just one afternoon, we worked on two houses in north Gulport that were gutted by Katrina flooding and winds. Still almost 3 years later the area is in need of revitalization.
We worked putting shingles on a roof, moved 13,000 gallons of paint in 5 gallon containers, and stacked sheet rock for the second house. As I write this we're sitting at the Habitat Village in Biloxi, finishing dinner. We're getting ready to head out for an evening of sight seeing.
All for now. Gotta run!
We worked putting shingles on a roof, moved 13,000 gallons of paint in 5 gallon containers, and stacked sheet rock for the second house. As I write this we're sitting at the Habitat Village in Biloxi, finishing dinner. We're getting ready to head out for an evening of sight seeing.
All for now. Gotta run!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
In the beginning...
So begins my blog and my first entry. What to say today? Well, the intent of my blog is to provide a space for running commentary from my daily adventures as the director of pastoral care at a major hospital in Montgomery County, Maryland. To this I will add my thoughts about the issues of the day, as well as describe my routine with my pup Sysco, a pound rescue I've had 4.5 years now. He is all about living in the moment, doesn't remember yesterday except the treats he had and wants again today, and doe snot worry about the future. As Jesus said, consider the lillies....Sysco is a good role model for all of us!
You ask, "Chaplain Chuck, how did you get here?" Presumably you mean my ministry at the hospital and this blog! I am an ordained elder in full connection in the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church, appointed to serve in ministry by Bishop John Schol of this Conference. I am endorsed for this work by the United Methodist Church, having completed ordination requirements (6 years minimum, including seminary, testing, reviews, lots of written work, background checks, etc.--you get the picture), and 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Level 1 and 2. I served the local church 7 years as a pastor before accepting my current position and appointment. I am a member of the Association of Professional Chaplains. I work full time weekly, and I am on call 24/7 except when on vacation and some weekends monthly.
"On call 24/7?!? How do you do it, Chaplain Chuck?" Well, it's not as hard as it sounds. Every pastor serving a church is also on call 24/7. It's a fact of life in ministry. Whether a pastor serving a congregation or a chaplain in the hospital, on call is on call--emergencies happen, people need pastoral support, and we are blessed to have the opportunity to serve them as we follow God's call on our lives. What makes a difference is balance, balance plus having systems in place to help us do our work. I may carry a pager for weeks and never have even one call, but then, as happens occasionally, there may be several nights when I am called into the hospital. These are sacred moments, a labor love, when we walk into the sacred places of peoples' lives--and sometimes their dying. We offer care and compassion, and we are the face of God to many we meet and greet. This is part of our call as ministers, our own commissioning from God, to serve the world where the world's greatest need meets our greatest gifts. Many say to serve Christ is like carrying an ox's yoke, but please remember, Christ carries it with us! With God and Christ, and the power of the ever present Holy Spirit, anything and everything is possible.
Ask yourself, has God ever given you a task and not also given you the tools and resources to carry it out? Well of course God has always provided exactly what you needed to accomplish God's ends. I liken this to the volunteer work I like to do with Habitat for Humanity or the mission trips with the United Methodist Church's Volunteers in Mission. I may help to build a house in Katrina ravaged Mississippi , or a barn in Bosnia, or perhaps a green house for the victims of civil war in some formerly East European country. But I don't do these things alone or in a vacuum. By myself I could accomplish little, but with others I can and do accomplish a lot! God is good all the time; all the time, God is good.
My goals in ministry are to serve those where God sends me, with a joyful heart, and as John Wesley pointed out 'back in the day,' the world is my parish, so I may be serving God anywhere!
Enough for now. You see what kind of blog this will be. More to come. I hope to share with you how I see God working in my life, and the life of those I serve. Ministry is a healing profession, and the minister is a healer first. So begins my blog.
You ask, "Chaplain Chuck, how did you get here?" Presumably you mean my ministry at the hospital and this blog! I am an ordained elder in full connection in the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church, appointed to serve in ministry by Bishop John Schol of this Conference. I am endorsed for this work by the United Methodist Church, having completed ordination requirements (6 years minimum, including seminary, testing, reviews, lots of written work, background checks, etc.--you get the picture), and 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Level 1 and 2. I served the local church 7 years as a pastor before accepting my current position and appointment. I am a member of the Association of Professional Chaplains. I work full time weekly, and I am on call 24/7 except when on vacation and some weekends monthly.
"On call 24/7?!? How do you do it, Chaplain Chuck?" Well, it's not as hard as it sounds. Every pastor serving a church is also on call 24/7. It's a fact of life in ministry. Whether a pastor serving a congregation or a chaplain in the hospital, on call is on call--emergencies happen, people need pastoral support, and we are blessed to have the opportunity to serve them as we follow God's call on our lives. What makes a difference is balance, balance plus having systems in place to help us do our work. I may carry a pager for weeks and never have even one call, but then, as happens occasionally, there may be several nights when I am called into the hospital. These are sacred moments, a labor love, when we walk into the sacred places of peoples' lives--and sometimes their dying. We offer care and compassion, and we are the face of God to many we meet and greet. This is part of our call as ministers, our own commissioning from God, to serve the world where the world's greatest need meets our greatest gifts. Many say to serve Christ is like carrying an ox's yoke, but please remember, Christ carries it with us! With God and Christ, and the power of the ever present Holy Spirit, anything and everything is possible.
Ask yourself, has God ever given you a task and not also given you the tools and resources to carry it out? Well of course God has always provided exactly what you needed to accomplish God's ends. I liken this to the volunteer work I like to do with Habitat for Humanity or the mission trips with the United Methodist Church's Volunteers in Mission. I may help to build a house in Katrina ravaged Mississippi , or a barn in Bosnia, or perhaps a green house for the victims of civil war in some formerly East European country. But I don't do these things alone or in a vacuum. By myself I could accomplish little, but with others I can and do accomplish a lot! God is good all the time; all the time, God is good.
My goals in ministry are to serve those where God sends me, with a joyful heart, and as John Wesley pointed out 'back in the day,' the world is my parish, so I may be serving God anywhere!
Enough for now. You see what kind of blog this will be. More to come. I hope to share with you how I see God working in my life, and the life of those I serve. Ministry is a healing profession, and the minister is a healer first. So begins my blog.
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