Monday, January 25, 2010

WWJD - Haiti

Facebook can be a riveting social networking tool. At times I find it fascinating and uplifting; other times I find it irritating and bothersome; then there are the times I find it down right infuriating. Tonight happened to be one of those moments.

There are many “cause” posts going around on Facebook-- paste "this" to your status if you support autism; paste "that" if you know a breast cancer survivor; paste "this" if you support children with special needs. I don't have a problem, in theory, with any of these “cause” posts, other than their lack of creativity or personal voice; they do serve as a "shout out" to causes important to the poster. HOWEVER, there was one of these cause-type posts today that has me dumbfounded and yes, my “panties are officially in a wad”. Here it is:
America: the only country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed without eating, elderly going without needed meds, and mentally ill without treatment - yet we have a benefit for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations. What about the people of USA?(99% of people won't have the guts to copy and repost)
Perhaps this is because 99% of Americans plain don't agree. What confounds me most about this post is when professing Christians, those who are called to be Christlike, post this as their status.

Someone please explain to me the Biblical basis for such convictions. Why is giving to Haitians mutually exclusive from taking care of those in America who are in need? Haiti is a nation, perhaps the poorest in the world, who is experiencing a most horrific calamity. With 150,000 dead and over a million homeless, their need is greater.

This fact does not absolve us from our responsibility at home, it simply means that for this moment in time we need to shift our focus globally. We have equal responsibility to both our nation and our global community. Can you imagine if Jesus were an American, perhaps your neighbor, do you think you would hear him say “know what, we need to be helping our own, not those people in Haiti”. Seems downright silly, doesn't it? Such attitudes don' seem to pass the WWJD litmus test.

1 John 3:17-18 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.
Seems to me scripture is crystal clear. We have a responsibility to all those who are in need, WITHOUT judgment, without engaging some human filter of “who is more worthy” of our assistance, and without strings attached . It is also clear that we are to do more than talk-words are not only cheap, they don't get the job done. Which brings me to my own soul searching questions:  when was the last time I had a homeless American in my home for a dinner, worked in a soup kitchen, helped at the local shelter or even did without, so that others might have food on the table?

Prov. 14:31 Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting God who made them. To help the poor is to honor God.
My contention is that by abdicating our global responsibility and doing NOTHING for the Haitians we would be supporting their continued oppression therefore "insulting God". Shouldn't the richest country in the world be a the forefront of humanitarian aide to the poorest country? Moreover, shouldn't those who love God and are called to be Christlike; those rich in grace, who bask in the benefits of mercy be the first in line to give generously to those in need? How do we honor God? What attitudes honor God? What actions honor God? What responses honor God?

If interested there are many relief organizations that are known to be responsible stewards of the monies collected for Haiti:
American Red Cross
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries  I add this one as I know every dime donated goes directly to the Haitian relief




Sunday, January 03, 2010

Marsha's Most Memorable of 2009

Most Memorable:

Event of the Year:
Our Cruise in July―what a wonderful week.

Family Event:
Would have to have been our Christmas with Kiva. That experienced touched everyone.

Read:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and more... Set in 1947 it is a composite of correspondence between author Juliet Ashton and the folks of Guernsey island. I loved the strong wome
n and the unusual way the authors chose to present the story.

Movie:
T
he Blind Side – I didn't expect to like this one so much, but enjoyed it on a multitude of levels.

Tel
evision: House/24 – no change from last year.

Accom
plishment: Finishing the United States Air Force Half-marathon in September.

Monthly
Events: My Book Club-I am always excited for our monthly meetings.  We have experienced lots of life together since we began 7 years ago.

Music in
General: Train – Save Me San Francisco – Just the right amount of funk, soul and rock. Favorite song is Hey Soul Sister.

Classical Music:
  David Garrett: David Garrett Favorite song: Thunderstruck

Christian Music:
33 Miles  – One Life. I love the marriage of pop and country. Favorite song: I Loved You Then

Educat
ional Tool: SmartBoards:  We had them installed at school this year and now I can't imagine teaching without them.

15 Minutes of Fame:
  The Herald and Review article about Ginny and me. It was centered around a subject I would have
NEVER thought someone would write about me---running. Go figure.

Memorials:
Mamaw was missed at Christmastime especially. She went to be with the Lord in July. Nancy Cooper, a wonderf
ul friend and educator passed unexpectedly in September. I miss her every day.

Now it is your turn--share your most memorables of 2009! Don't forget to post a link or just add your list to the comments!