On "Teaching Our Children While They're Young" and Other Stuff

While missionaries in West Africa, one of the most somber things that we saw was the Muslim fathers on Fridays taking their little boys by the hands and attending Friday prayers. Most of the little boys were wearing long white robes just like their fathers. They listened to the Imman with the same fury and fascination as did their fathers.

In some ways, these Muslim fathers are just like we Christian parents are (or should be). So much of the teaching that we do is by example, by involving them in the important parts of our lives, and helping them to be exposed to the things that really matter in life. However, that is where the similarities end. In Africa and other countries (I won't speak for American Muslim families since I am not as familar with their routines), Muslim fathers desire that their sons are interjected with the same passion for fulfilling Mohammed's vendetta by fueling hatred for anyone who speaks against or opposes Islam. Believe me, it is taught at a very early age.

The above picture was taken just this week in Palestine during a celebration/memorial service of 10 years since the 100 Palestinian civilians were killed in Qana by Israeli soldiers. As you can see, it is not only grown men involved in these remembrance ceremonies. Boys with intense anger written all over their faces are also included in this. Many of them, as in the picture, dressed just like their fathers.

A sobering thought that Muslim fathers might be more faithful and proactive in helping their children remember things that are important to them more so than we Christians do with our children. If our children are going to be able to live strongly and endure in a world filled with so much passion, intensity, hatred, and complexities, we need to be doing more as parents. We need to actively teach, live, celebrate, and breath our faith, our beliefs, our convictions -- and we need to do it with our children.

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The Vatican has had its hands full for quite some time. Now, there seems to be more dissension on the use of condoms in the case of AIDs patients. While a segment of the cardinals and clergy are sticking with the traditional "anything that prohibits reproduction between a male and female during sexual intercourse is wrong in the sight of God and the Church", there is a growing sect of cardinals and priests that biting at the bit to change this thinking. Instead of me rephrasing the whole article, if you are interested, you can follow this link and read it for yourself. I just find it interesting and disconcerting on many levels. I'll watch the story and perhaps make other comments on it at a later time.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,193040,00.html

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Evolutionists will stop at nothing to attempt to prove their theories. Just recently there was a study done with about a dozen Starlings, a song bird known for its clear, musical quality. In this (in my opinion) needless, wasteful study, the birds were being observed to see if they had the evolving quality of human language by adding "words" to their complex musical discourse. I am an English major, so this article interested me. However, if you are interested in evolution, birds, or grammar, this article might interests you, too.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,193232,00.html

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Jeff is preparing for a missions trip to Brazil - this will be his first trip to South America. He's very excited about seeing what God is doing in that part of the world.

And why is it that soccer (the sport of choice for my youngest daughter) can be played in the mud and the rain and other sports can't? Don't mind me, I'm just a little disgruntled because I'll undoubtedly attend a soccer game this afternoon in just those conditions! But I am Lauren's #1 fan, so gotta do it!!

"The Interpreter"

Every once in a while, there's time for a movie, and every once in a while, we actually watch one that is halfway decent!

"The Interpreter" with Nicole Kidman (2004) is such a movie. Taking in consideration our endearing connection with Africa, it was a film that struck home to us. Even though the country in Africa is fictional, it could be the story of about one in a dozen countries. As a matter of fact, our first place of missionary service, Liberia, is reliving this story right now in some ways. Charles Taylor has been placed in custody of the International Tribunal and is being tried as a war criminal, much like Saddam Hussein.

It tugged at my heart in many ways, but mainly because of the complex loyalty and struggles Nicole Kidman shows in this political drama. She was born, had grown up in this fictitional African country and was now serving as an interpreter in the UN.

There's so many elements to this movie. It's defining and strategic, but it's also emotional and victorious on many levels.

It's one that I recommend if you are so inclined to be challenged to think and feel beyond the American mindframe!

A Near Miss

This weekend I was blessed to be able to go to my parents for a quiet, but very special Easter. My two younger daughters actually went with me which gave me some incredible quality time during the journey! However, because this was the fourth weekend in a row that I have had to go somewhere (mainly ministry opportunities), I almost was too tired to savor the blessings!

When I think of my best friend who lost her mother four years ago, I should be ashamed of myself. My mother is still vibrant and alive, beautiful and so soothing to be around. I cherish the times I am with her and my dad, who is an incredibly interesting, jovial fellow. This weekend, however, everything felt in slow motion, a little defunked, slightly off kilter. But I did try to push through it, look my parents in the eyes, smile, listen, share, and savor them.

In the car, I eavesdropped on a conversation one of my daughter was having with a close "friend" -- who happens to be a male -- and talked with both of them about silly things, random things, trying to praise them, thanked them, just being real with them. Never, ever would I want to be guilty of missing these priceless moments again.

In the past, because of the overwhelming twists and turns of ministry, I know I have missed opportunities. I have fretted and fumed through probably some very very potentially special times. I can't take those back and I don't usually go back and feel guilty about them. I have what I have now and I am going to enjoy it. Any time, any moment spend with those we love are gifts that God gives to us over and over again!

So what if my permitted daughter drove (at night) down Hwy 218 which is very rural and very windy. I survived. (twitch, twitch!) So what if I didn't have a new Easter dress this year. I survived. So what if I am dragging today and can't seem to focus on anything. I'll survive.

But the family times won't -- if we don't breath them, smell them, taste them, enjoy them!

Spring Cleaning

I've got to get this off my chest before I can move on to other things! What is the big deal about spring cleaning? Who started that anyway? I do not believe it is a biblical concept; at least, I don't see it in the Bible. When the pollen starts yellowing our cars, the birds start singing non-stop, and the lawn mowers are taken out of winter storage, somehow people get into the mode that the house must be cleaned from top to bottom!

Actually I've read the stories about how - back in the day (whatever that means) - women would take advantage of airing out quilts and other items that could not really be washed when the weather turned a little warm. Okay, I've got some quilts that I can put out on my clothesline......um....I don't have a clothesline. (When did that happen?) Okay, I could just drape them across our deck and let them "sun".

True confession time: I hate housecleaning whether it is winter, spring, summer, or fall (did that sound like James Taylor singing?). So, to say that I must be pressured by society's norm and turn my house inside out during my favorite season of the year seems cruel.

I would prefer to do this kind of aggressive cleaning in the lazy days of summer when humidity drives us to turn the a/c on and the music up. I could do it then. There's less responsibility for other things at that time. But, oh wait! Summer is to be more carefree and laid back. How can you do that if you are feeling pressured to clean, clean, clean?

Okay, I'll set my PDA for "spring cleaning" in the fall. Just when the cool, crisp winds blow and football and homecomings are sounds in the autumn nights! It's the perfect time. Humidity is down, I could open the windows, let the sunshine in, and turn on the music....and clean. But, oh wait! What about school camp? The opening of classes at the local university where I minister? The promise that I would put the finishing touches on the book I am writing? Fall is a perfect time for all that. How can I do all that and deal with the pressure of cleaning?

Well, that just leaves "old man winter" time. Why didn't I think of that before? When the breezes turn too brisk and we replace sweaters with coats, the sky is gray and the clouds omniously looking like snow (which usually never comes to where I live!). I'll build a fire, turn on upbeat music, and get to work on all those neglected spots that need cleaning. But, oh wait! There's Christmas to contend with. Baking, shopping, spending time with family, and reaching out to the needy. There's so much going on in the winter. Basketball, progressive dinners at the university, and final exams to help my daughter get through. Winter is to be a time of recharging our batteries. Somehow, it doesn't seem right to insert "spring cleaning" into such a special, dormant time!

Hmmm......well, I guess that means I'm pretty much booked up for the whole year. I'll try again next spring! Or maybe I'll just start on it today!

Creative Ministry

There's always those that attempt to shut you down when you are doing something for God. This college campus we minister on is no exception! During the summer, one of the most effective outreaches has been the SOAR program. Organizations take their places in a designated area at least 18-20 times during the summer, being available for freshmen and transfer students to glean from what is available to them on campus when they arrive in the fall. For the past two summers, we have made personal contact with over 400 students. Many of them see us, speak to us, know where they can find us, and have attended Bible studies.

This summer, a certain director of this program has rearranged things so that this will no longer happen. Jeff heard him last summer make the comment that mainly only Christian organizations were taking part in the summer program. And what's with the older people (i.e. Jeff??) sitting at the tables. Where's the students? It was obvious that Mr. Director did not like 1) that Christian organizations were about the only ones taking advantage of this outreach, 2) that older people were manning the tables, and 3) that it seemed to be effective for us for some reason.

Now, I will not judge Mr. Director and his spiritual state because of these new developments, but I can't say that I haven't tried! It's hard to believe that a Christian would want to shut down Christians from getting themselves out to the students. This summer, ONLY students can participate in certain activities during the summer. There will be NO literature tables. ONLY students (have I mentioned that ONLY students can participate?) can represent any student organization!

Okay.........so this is where we get creative. First of all, we will soon be electing officers for next year. We are praying that these will be proactive students (some who will be staying in Charlotte for the summer and can participate in these opportunities). Also, Jeff is looking into seeing if we can just set up literature tables on an independent basis around campus during the summer. We will advertise in the magazine that is mailed out to every potential and registered student during the summer. We will distribute flyers. We will hold Bible studies right on campus in open view of others.

God has given us a job to do on this campus: to shine His marvelous light onto this campus so full of darkness. Pray we'll find creative ways to do this. As Emeril Lagasse so often says, "We'll just kick it up a knotch! BAM!! BAM!!"

Too Tired to Tilt Over??

The numbness that comes with fatigue is actually not a bad thing sometimes. I'm learning that. After a "mountaintop" experience this weekend at a Ladies' retreat in Virginia, I have come home to the realities of my life and all the expectations of me! It must be exactly how Elijah felt after the Mount Carmel experience. He was completely drained, so he tucked his tail, and hid. While in his solitude, his fatigued brain starting playing tricks on him. He felt all alone in his fight to save the world, and it just didn't feel right to him anymore. Jonah had much the same reaction after running from God and then finally doing what he was supposed to do in Nineveh. Afterwards, he just wanted to die.

So, with those two wonderful examples in front of me, I am trying to analyze all my feelings today. I have come home to my wonderful family which involves dishes, laundry, dirty floors, and cooking. There's another major drama going on in one aspect of our ministry (this is not an unusual thing -- it's almost constant!), and another girl who stood me up last week for discipleship now wants to meet again......today, right away! One of my parent's closest friends (he's been like a daddy to me) is in the hospital very sick with his heart.

That's what I mean about being too tired to tilt over. All this is going on and I feel like I'm looking at it all in slow motion. The only thing that seems important to me right now is a nap. Then I struggle with guilt about all this other stuff going on. Then I remember that feeling guilty about doing anything but work is an indicator of an stress-proned person, and I remember that I do have those capabilities of being controlled by stress, which in realizing that stresses me more.

I think I will just lie down and sleep...........and wait for the ravens come and feed me. :)