I've missed blogging this week. A couple of big work assignments, family and The Mission had me in over my head this week. Sorry to those faithful readers...I'll try not to let it happen again.
Did anybody see 20/20 tonight? The story was on the Appalachian Poverty Epidemic. Those who know me will understand that it was terribly hard for me to see it, hear the story and feel the pain that exuded from faces of innocent children, toothless parents, and drug infested teenagers. What a terrible shame. I was first made aware of the enormity of this problem a few years ago when American Idol did their first Idol Gives Back. Savannah and I watched as they spoke about a town in the Kentucky Appalachian Mtns. that needed books for their library. Savannah was only 4 at the time and said she could start collecting books for kids and we could mail them to Kentucky (she is her mother's daughter isn't she?) Anyway, tonight those emotions were stirred again as I watched this horrible picture of poverty on TV. People who drop out of school because for them their employment doesn't require a high school diploma. A teenage boy was living in his car because of the alcohol abuse. A young girl was molested by a relative. An 11 year old was taking care of her drug abusing mother. It broke my heart.
Most people need a reality check to know that these circumstances exist in America. Money, education, jobs, training, dental work, health care, housing, transportation, and other things are all needed to help these people get out of the pit they are in. But first they need Jesus. They need someone to show up and be Jesus. Someone with skin on. Someone who will work along side them and show them how to improve their lives. Someone who looks, smells, feels, talks and acts like Jesus. Someone who will teach with humility...not a super saving self serving attitude. Someone who will get their hands dirty...not worrying about the dirt, grime, smell, filth. Someone who will give a smile to a toothless stranger....share a bottle of water with a coal miner...and in the midst of it all share the story of how valuable they are to Jesus...how much they matter to Him....how much Jesus can fill the loneliness, the hurt, the poverty of spirit, the hole that engulfs their body and soul. After all that is all that matters in the world and the world to come.
A commentator said something like this...maybe instead of judging the poverty we need a change in the geography of our hearts. I agree.
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
American Idol
Ok...I admit it...I am addicted to American Idol. I think I have watched every episode of every season except season one. Savannah was born right before season 2 started and we were home bound until she was about 9 months. My TV habits were strange and varied and none have stuck through the years with the exception of Idol. If you are tuning in to this season then you are highly aware of "bikini girl". Warning....I need to vent....
Bikini girl has gotten excessive attention..not because of her talent, but because of her body. Simon and Randy have to wipe the drool from their mouths as she trots along the stage. It's nearly nauseating. While my frustration is partly due to the lusty element it adds to the show, I am also very dismayed that so little attention has been paid to the blind man who is HIGHLY talented. Last night's show spent minutes covering bikini girls bad attitude, language, high drama and lack of team work...but they didn't even show the guy who is beating the odds by just showing up to audition...not to mention that fact that he has an awesome voice. FRUSTRATING!
It shows me that we as a society have placed our values so low that we would rather watch a scantily clad young women, with obvious Paris Hilton type issues, walk across a stage than to watch a man, who needs assistance getting to the stage, because he is blind, but can actually sing and inspire people. Are we that shallow? Yes, we are.
Check out the audition here: http://tvblips.dailyradar.com/video/blind_man_auditioning_for_american_idol_new_season/
Bikini girl has gotten excessive attention..not because of her talent, but because of her body. Simon and Randy have to wipe the drool from their mouths as she trots along the stage. It's nearly nauseating. While my frustration is partly due to the lusty element it adds to the show, I am also very dismayed that so little attention has been paid to the blind man who is HIGHLY talented. Last night's show spent minutes covering bikini girls bad attitude, language, high drama and lack of team work...but they didn't even show the guy who is beating the odds by just showing up to audition...not to mention that fact that he has an awesome voice. FRUSTRATING!
It shows me that we as a society have placed our values so low that we would rather watch a scantily clad young women, with obvious Paris Hilton type issues, walk across a stage than to watch a man, who needs assistance getting to the stage, because he is blind, but can actually sing and inspire people. Are we that shallow? Yes, we are.
Check out the audition here: http://tvblips.dailyradar.com/video/blind_man_auditioning_for_american_idol_new_season/
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Figuring things out
I know next to nothing about most things. I'm a constant reader and made decent grades in school and college, but I still have only a surface understanding of many things and no understanding of most things. I'm not proud of that, just stating facts.
I am a bit amused these days at the amount of people who have everything figured out...an answer for everything...the last word...know it alls. These people parade around acting like they have never/will never make a mistake, a bad judgement, a wrong turn. What's funny is half the time they don't even have all the information. They don't know the details, the inner workings, the core of the problems, the issues or the laws.
With all there is to know in the world, I think I want to know more about giving people a second chance (this doesn't come easily for me) and about second impressions instead of firsts, apologies and forgiveness and helping build up instead of tear down. But most of these require not having it all figured out. They require understanding, not jumping to conclusions, thinking the best of someone before you think the worst and allowing for mistakes, blunders and wrong turns.I am working on this....because I don't have it all figured out!
I am a bit amused these days at the amount of people who have everything figured out...an answer for everything...the last word...know it alls. These people parade around acting like they have never/will never make a mistake, a bad judgement, a wrong turn. What's funny is half the time they don't even have all the information. They don't know the details, the inner workings, the core of the problems, the issues or the laws.
With all there is to know in the world, I think I want to know more about giving people a second chance (this doesn't come easily for me) and about second impressions instead of firsts, apologies and forgiveness and helping build up instead of tear down. But most of these require not having it all figured out. They require understanding, not jumping to conclusions, thinking the best of someone before you think the worst and allowing for mistakes, blunders and wrong turns.I am working on this....because I don't have it all figured out!
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