Friday, May 30, 2014

With a Little Help from My Friends

Yesterday, two friends met me at Home Depot to do what we've done the last 4 or 5 years. It's become a ritual for us to purchase 3 or 4 air conditioners to donate to a local organization. I say this not because I want everyone to know what great people we are, but to encourage others to do the same. After all, one of my favorite Biblical quotes is Hebrews 10:24: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (NIV). You have to know about the example before you can follow it.

Purchasing an air conditioner can be expensive, but when you divide it several ways, it's doable. For $135 each, we will bring comfort to 4 individuals or families. In the past, we know that an air conditioner helped a woman facing surgery who was also concerned about recuperating in a sweltering mobile home. In any case, recipients are grateful for the gift, but it is we who are blessed to give it.

I would like to acknowledge management at Home Depot for helping us by giving a generous discount because of what we were doing. Good responds with good more often than not.

As someone who is affected by the heat, I cannot imagine life without air conditioning, yet many live in that reality. In fact, heat-related deaths are a major concern for older or disabled adults and children. In the past we have even purchased fans and cooling towels. So whatever blessings and resources one has to share, there is a way.

Our donations went to the same agency as last year, but we are planning to make the donation elsewhere next year. Different organizations serve different populations and we want to reach as many diverse individuals and situations as we can.


None of us can do it all, and we can't save the entire world by ourselves, but with a little help from our friends, we just might make the world a little better place for at least some of those in need.

Monday, May 26, 2014

A Welcome Difference

Today, I see a far different attitude toward military personnel than was present during the Vietnam War, aka conflict. In the late 60s and early 70s I especially felt terribly sorry for the individuals who were drafted, made sacrifices, and then were treated with disdain upon their return to the U.S.

Even as a high school sophomore, I knew whether or not you agreed with what was happening in Southeast Asia, it was not right to look upon those who, by choice or not, served our country. In fact, for four years I coordinated an annual Christmas event to collect incidentals to ship to soldiers fighting in Vietnam. Initially it was sponsored by a young men's Christian group at school, but then later by the local American Legion. It was my way of trying to combat an injustice and let those in the military know that many people did appreciate their sacrifices. Many others felt as I and quickly joined the cause.

Thanks be to God that things have changed from contempt to appreciation of those who serve our country! On every airplane on which I've flown in the last few years, if a military serviceman or woman is present, they are met with clapping and the honor of deplaning first. I think that is most fitting.

Our local paper also includes a Memorial Day advertisement sponsored by a local bank which lists the names of the fallen from each war through Vietnam. Although citing incompleteness as the reason to omit, I still wish they would list those who have fallen in the Middle East, too. In any case, I don't think it's possible to look at the names on the list without feeling both sadness and gratitude. Most of us would not voluntarily choose to enter a dangerous situation, and we should be thankful for those who are.

A justice league has recently formed in Lawrence, made up of a number of churches. The Bible speaks of justice many times, and John 13 states: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (NIV). Although that was meant in another context, it can be equally applied to those who give their lives to keep others free.

So, on this day, I honor our servicemen and women who protect our freedoms. I will think of them as I exercise my right to vote in upcoming elections, and I vow to intercede when possible if I see an injustice being done to my fellowman. We are all  both privileged and obliged to do that.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

The Final Question

Most of us don't like to think about death, or at least until we have to do so.While the subject no longer bothers me, I have an inkling about how I might face it because of a recent event and a past dream.

From previous experience, I know how quickly things can go south when your body starts doing weird things. Last Thursday, I discovered that I again have high blood pressure. That was a surprise because I felt well and had not needed medication for hypertension for a couple of years. (Yes, I'm one of the few who has been able to go off the medication). This was discovered during a routine visit to my neurologist, and he suggested that I see my Internist this week, but watch it in the meantime.

On Friday, I became nauseated every time my blood pressure would become high, and it fluctuated greatly throughout the day. On Saturday I attended a meeting in the morning and after a while, became very nauseated again. I decided to leave and go home, but within just a few minutes, some very strange additional symptoms occurred and my friends finally called an ambulance to take me to the ER.

Although I didn't think I was dying, I knew that it could be a possibility because of the tremors, strange numbness spreading in my hands and up both arms, and breathing issues that were beginning. And, it was  still unknown what was causing the high blood pressure which now registered 214/136. So, the thought of dying did cross my mind. As I expected, it did not frighten me. I was communicating with God (like most of do in times of peril), but it was to ask for a smooth transition if it was my time. I felt myself wanting to cry, but that seems to be normal when one is really sick (but not sick enough to die). That was actually a good sign! In any case, all my affairs are in order so no worries there.

I've also had one very rare type of dream where I dreamt that I died, and all was well. Not to be morose, it just follows that a strong belief in the afterlife certainly makes one a lot more comfortable with the idea of one's demise. Now that isn't to say that I wouldn't be fearful if someone pointed a weapon at me, or if there were some type of rapidly approaching painful event like drowning or accident, but I am a bit more comforted by the fact that it doesn't seem to be the big issue that it could be.It just makes me even more grateful to have my particular Christian beliefs.

There are many religions and seemingly many paths to God that others follow, but I find more and more how important my faith is to me, and what it means. It seems our journey is rooted in a verse from the Old Testament, Joshua 24:15 "...as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." It truly does a body good!