" I thank God for keeping me alive "...

Three years ago today...the world ended. Well...for about 316,000 people it certainly did. We say that number so casual. We don't comprehend actually how big that number is especially when talking about deaths of people. So, think of it like this...the entire population of St Louis...gone, or Corpus Christi...all dead. Perhaps, this fact 40% of the top 100 cities of the US...one would be gone...forever. Shall I go on ? Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Orlando...I think you get the picture now. Each of those numbers was a person who was a part of a family and a community. A mom...a dad...a brother...a sister...a husband...a wife. Right before my local news was getting ready to come on the world came crashing down...literally. I have a very good Haitian friend that has been helping our team on the water system installation projects. He lives in Leogane which was the epicenter of the earthquake. Here are his brief words of that day:

January 12, 2010 He was 4:30 when I left Port-Au-Prince to go home. Shortly after, I heard a noise that came from far away and came towards me. My house was shaking heavily. It had a concrete roof that I had built, there was not too long. I imagined that the masons were not competent enough for the job and that was why the slab was s' crush. I hurried out to avoid that I am not a victim. I did not think it was an earthquake. I ran against the wall when I tried to get out of my room. I quickly said I was going to die, because it was for the first time I felt that way. I do not own me,my spirit away gradually. Leaving a chamber to move to another, wall had already filled the bed where I was down. The interior of the house was already white with dust blocks breaks. Arriving outside, that's where I started to understand that it was an earthquake. The house of one of my neighbors who had 3 levels was flat, 3 children was died. Many people were extended on the ground, cries for help came to me everywhere. Students of a secondary school which was very close, throwing cries of alarm under the blocs. It was unheard of. That day was the most horrible of all my life. I thank God for keeping me alive. Valdes INNOCENT.

What has been the most horrible day of all your life ? And...more importantly, did you thank God for keeping you alive ? I am sure we all have had a bad day...perhaps, some really bad. Days like January 12 2010 would surely wound your psyche very deeply. So, you take a hit...a very big hit and life goes on. It's called psychological resilience and the majority of the Haitian people have it. My good friend Valdes certainly does. This resilience is a process and not necessarily a character trait. Two of the main factors determining the ability to bounce back from adversity is being connected in a family and belief in God and again, the Haitians have got that down. It is simply unimaginable the suffering and tragedy of that day and obviously, it still reverberates in peoples lives, like many tiny aftershocks, to this very day...three years later. These serious calamities often times cause us to ponder many questions in our minds. I think the biggest question we always ask is...WHY ? I have heard many people even say “ of all the people in the world for something like this to happen to...Why Haiti”. It is just our nature for us to ask and question and have this need to know answers. In the Old Testament, when tragedy and extreme loss befell Job, who was considered a godly and righteous man. His plight certainly had many asking a lot of questions. This is what we do when we we do not understand and forget, if only for a minute or two, Gods sovereignty. Basically, God’s sovereignty means that He is the Supreme Ruler who immanently and personally rules over all the affairs of the universe—and this includes our personal lives both as individuals and as a local body of believers. Yeah, I am sure that is hard standing looking at a pile of rubble that was your home, just minutes before. Or, seeing children crushed to death in a school. I know, it's hard for me to even look at and I wasn't there. It was hard for Job. It has been hard for innumerable people in countless tragic situations. But, here's the good news... God’s sovereignty is a place of rest for the child of God, as well as a cause of worship. I can tell you that a lot of Haitians I have met certainly have got this one fact down pat. Their faith and trust in the sovereignty of a loving and knowing God is stronger than ever. Just like my friend Valdes who said, “ I thank God for keeping me alive”. Indeed...I thank him too.

The international led response to the 2010 earthquake. NGOs successfully acquired well over a billion dollars. Foreign NGOs in Haiti provided an easy way for non-Haitians to act on feelings of compassion and generosity. Unfortunately, making foreign donors feel good has done scandalously little for Haitians. A year after the quake, over 60% of the money given to private charities remained in their bank accounts earning interest. Meanwhile nearly half a million people made homeless by the earthquake remain in squalid camps. A year after the quake, only about 1% of destroyed homes had been repaired . In January 2012, two years since the quake, figures released by the United Nations show that of the nearly US$4.5 billion pledged for reconstruction projects in 2010 and 2011, only 43 percent has been delivered. Venezuela and the US, which promised the major share of reconstruction funds, have disbursed only 24 percent and 30 percent, respectively. Japan and Finland are among the few donors to have fully met their pledges. The data shows that some crucial sectors face particularly large funding gaps. In 2010 and 2011, for example, donors disbursed just US$125 million of the US$311 million in grants allocated to agriculture projects, and only US$108 million of the US$315 million in grants allocated to health projects. Only 6 percent of bilateral aid for reconstruction projects has gone through Haitian institutions, and less than 1 percent of relief funding has gone through the government of Haiti. A January 2012 Oxfam report said that a half a million Haitians remained homeless, still living under tarps and in tents. Haitians cannot vote any NGOs out of Haiti, nor do they have a government capable of regulating, or better still replacing, NGOs. Most perversely, foreign NGOs often have a vested interest in opposing Haitian sovereignty which would impose greater NGO transparency and accountability to Haitians. There are foreign NGOs in Haiti doing impressive work in a way that does not trample Haitian sovereignty. Paul Farmer’s Partners in Health is an obvious example. Please read about him and their work.

Be Kind

Be Kind

we are always asked

to understand the other person's

viewpoint

no matter how

out-dated

foolish or

obnoxious.

one is asked

to view

their total error

their life-waste

with

kindliness,

especially if they are

aged.

but age is the total of

our doing.

they have aged

badly

because they have

lived

out of focus,

they have refused to

see.

not their fault?

whose fault?

mine?

I am asked to hide

my viewpoint

from them

for fear of their

fear.

age is no crime

but the shame

of a deliberately

wasted

life

among so many

deliberately

wasted

lives

is. 

Charles Bukowski

Unexpected gifts...

I really think sometimes that we overlook the true actual meaning of Christmas and our enjoyment of it is adversely impacted by a lot of emotional baggage from many Christmases passed by. Christmas is about joy and giving and the generosity that fills our hearts during the holiday season. To truly understand the magic and subtle nuances you have to see it through childlike eyes. You really still have to believe in Santa despite every single logical and factual reason not to. We are conflicted because we want to give in and abandon the rigidity of our thoughts and ponder...if only for a second...maybe he is real. I am more convinced than ever that Santa is real and oddly enough he lives...shhhhh...in my house. You might never believe that my wife is Santa if you saw her. No white beard...no round little belly...and certainly no pipe clenched in her teeth. However, she is in fact, “a right jolly old elf”. At Christmas she transforms and becomes childlike and so filled with wonder and amazement that I can't help but to get swept up in her merriment. I have a confession...I am rather a scrooge. I sometimes get caught up in and beat down by the “other” Christmas...the crass commercial one. However, my own live in personal Santa always manages to show me something I would have missed...every single year...without fail. 

So, we have recently moved to Louisville and are living in an interesting neighborhood of a lot of little houses that many look the same. The neighborhood, from what we have observed, is pretty diverse in numerous ways. On our many trips of driving in and out, one particular house has caught both our eye and attention a lot. I honestly cannot offer a rational explanation why. I mean, I do know, but it may sound a little weird to some. At this house, all through the summer, an elderly woman sat in a rickety chair next to her dog, beside the street in her postage stamp sized back yard. We would always wave and she waved back and smiled broadly. We have met a number of our neighbors and that certainly is what we are supposed to do. Even more importantly, we show love for our neighbors by doing good for them. In Galatians 6:10 it says, 

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.". 

One thing that is plainly evident in the scripture is the benevolence of followers of Christ toward others. Jesus, of course, was certainly always benevolent in dealing with the masses who sought his help. He helped everyone whom He could help. In Luke 6:19 it records one occasion when Jesus healed all who were there. He fed, with fishes and loaves,  the massive gathered crowds when they were hungry. He spoke with deep heartfelt compassion to all that needed it. Peter summed up his masters attitude saying that we should be,"casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you." We also find this compassion and taking care of neighbors evident in many notable Christians of the first century. One example is Dorcas who was "full of good works and charitable deeds." . And there was Cornelius the God fearing Centurion described as "a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the poor…" . In Titus 2:14 it says that Christ,"gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." .The term good works would include whatever beneficial things we can do for others. When we have Christian love, we will want to help those who need it, as we are able. 

So, my little Santa casually mentioned that we should do something special for our “waving” friend, I just smiled and realized that it was already decided. I have discovered anything mentioned by my wife very “casually” and quite random is, in all probability, a direct communique from God . So, off to the store the two little elves went. What subsequently ensued was a brief cooking frenzy and some fanciful gift wrapping and much joy and laughter. The little impish one was giddy at the prospect of just walking up to some completely unknown persons door and presenting them with these unexpected Christmas gifts. I was watching and listening to her imagining how much they would enjoy what I would have enjoyed myself...well, except for the dog biscuits. Then that thing that happens every Christmas to me happened... the last remaining bit of scrooge and bah humbug was washed out of me by the tears streaming down my cheeks. We got out of the car and walked up to the door. For a brief moment I fantasized that we were the magi bearing symbolic gifts of ham, pumpkin pie and dog biscuits. I was snapped out of my reverie by an elderly gentleman opening the door. “Hi” we blurted out. “We are your neighbors from a couple of streets over” I said. He looked both confused and curious at the same time. “ I am Mike and this is my wife, Joanne and we wanted to tell you Merry Christmas” I went on. He's still looking and evaluating...”where did you say you lived ?” he asked. “A couple of streets over” I said as I offered up our gifts. He still seemed to be trying to figure out these very strange people at his door and accepted the unexpected surprise. He then said “ well... thank you very much and Merry Christmas to you all “ and turned and went inside. My little secret Santa gave me a wink and a knowing smile that said...mission accomplished. Indeed...it was and will continue to be. 

Intentions & Resolutions 2013

Resolution

                                                     1.The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.

2.A resolving to do something.

                             3.A course of action determined or decided on.

It's that time of the year...again. That time that we sincerely promise...uh,resolve...to turn over a new leaf...to give up a bad habit...or two. I love this quote from Ben Harper,

“Life is short and if you're looking for extension, you had best do well. 'Cause there's good deeds and then there's good intentions. They are as far apart as Heaven and Hell.”

We live lives of good intention sometimes...but most of the time we don't. As you can see from the definition, a resolution is based on a firm determination...and that firm determination is usually based on our individual limited will power and what we can do on our own. Apparently it is the most difficult thing because every year the resolutions are essentially the same...we long for the same things and seek some personal or hopefully, physical transformation. Sadly, every single year, the majority of us fail. In fact, here is a list of the “Top 10 Failed New Years' Resolutions”:

1. Lose Weight and Get Fit
2. Quit Smoking
3. Learn Something New
4. Eat Healthier and Diet
5. Get Out of Debt and Save Money
6. Spend More Time with Family
7. Travel to New Places
8. Be Less Stressed
9. Volunteer
10. Drink Less

I am sure that you might see some of your 2013 resolutions and maybe even ones' from years past. I certainly do. I am also sure you realize that broken resolutions are not personal moral failures but simply broken promises...some made to yourself...some made to others...some even made to God. I would imagine that a broken promise made to God carries much more weight than one I would make to myself. I would guess, however,that God might be used to that from us. He is well aware of our glaring inabilities and our stubborn determination to always do it “our way”. I think it is abundantly clear...we can have all the good intentions possible but if we do not follow up the action plan with...well, action, then it's doomed to failure. These resolutions, in effect, mirror how many of us live out our daily comfortable faith journey. In James 2: 14-17, it says,

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

It seems obvious that faith was designed, from the beginning to be a two step process...just as with your soon to be abandoned New Years resolutions. We more often travel on a tear stained trail of broken promises and surrendered dreams because of our affinity for self sufficiency. We love to sit back and admire what we have done operating under our own power. We love to make elaborate plans and set goals and spend inordinate amounts of energy on that process. As the verse from James says there's an action piece required. That action piece requires stepping out in bold and resolute faith despite any logical reason not to. God empowers us in an unexpected and extraordinary way to succeed where we are likely to fail. This, of course, glorifies God...not us. We can be very determined to get fit, eat right, improve our health all we want, but if we don't take the first step... which leads to more steps, it really doesn't matter. I have heard it said many times...faith is a verb. It is. I also have hear it said New Years resolutions never change...they don't

Christmas 2012...

For my annual Christmas blog, I have decided to revisit, revise and repost a blog I wrote in 2008 on my previous blog, On the road to Redemption. It feels as fresh and timely as ever...some things never change, I guess. Having recently returned from Haiti, this is some of what I have been thinking about...

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.... And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."— (Luke 2: 8-10-11.)

As the song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year… ” . Or is it really? The Christmas season is a paradox and each year we don’t get any closer to the understanding of this than the year before. Or do we? I find myself, many times, being torn between the crass materialism and consumption mentality that plagues many of us during the holiday season. I find myself wanting something “different” this year. I think the situation that we all find ourselves in currently, with the economy reeling and on virtual life support from the government, demonstrates the necessity to just stop this pursuit of the “right present” at the right price. I am completely disgusted by the masses of people who have turned the day after Thanksgiving shopping experience into a chaotic life threatening full contact sporting event. Sadly, someone got killed several years ago while just doing their job. This really returns us to our most primal hunting, gathering and killing roots. I can just imagine a proud shopper boasting on Christmas morning, “You like it? I had to kill for it…” WOW. Too extreme?? Is that too harsh? What have we become this season? We talk out of two sides of our mouth. We say we know the “reason for the season”. So, if we really do then why don’t we act like it? Seriously, it is time to just say ENOUGH. As Shane Claiborne says, 

“Enough to the myth that happiness must be purchased. Enough to an economy that is awarding CEOs salaries 500 times that of their workers and still manages to seduce people in poverty and wealth alike to give more money to these predatorial  corporations. Enough to the American dream that now consumes over 40 percent of the world’s stuff with less than 6 percent of the world’s resources. Enough to a dream that would need four more planets if the world pursued it … a dream the world cannot afford. Enough to the advice of government leaders who fearfully order us to “just keep shopping” after tragedies like September 11 and November 28. ENOUGH. Maybe God has another dream”.

You know what, I believe He does. I believe there is a better way and it is called the Advent Conspiracy. A couple of years ago, people who had enough of this madness, from four churches, got together and did something totally radical. They changed their spending habits at Christmas, shunned the spending mania, and gave presence instead of presents—the way Christ modeled for us through his gift of himself. They took the money they saved—nearly half of a million dollars—and gave it to Living Water International so that desperate communities could have the gift of clean water. Families from those churches are still telling stories of how Christ returned to their Christmas. Communities were renewed. Lives were changed. It was a Christmas to remember. Last year, 1,000s churches banded together for Advent Conspiracy 2011. Millions of dollars were given to the neediest people in our neighborhoods and in communities across the globe. Simply, this Christmas the idea is to worship fully, spend less, give more and love all. You too can be a conspirator. I love these words from author Alex Gordon, 

“There is no Santa Claus, no, there is something better. Every Christmas Eve a Great Spirit comes to this world and flies around it and scatters energy over the earth, and wherever that energy falls, like fairy-dust, it changes despair to hope, tears to joy, want to abundance, and when it touches a hard heart, it seeks to melt it, and when it touches a hateful soul, it seeks to change it, just like the spirits tried to change Ebenezer Scrooge. If you listen carefully, just before mid-night on Christmas Eve, you may hear this Spirit, and you will be blessed. But this Spirit is tired, and the times of its coming are few now. Time is of the essence”.

 Of course, you and I know what that “Great Spirit “is. It is the Spirit of the Lord God that has come in this season to bring hope and tidings of great joy. It is this same spirit that in Isaiah 61:1 it says,

“ The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”

 So, let’s open some prisons instead of presents, let’s bring good tidings of the redemptive and restorative power of love to someone broken and lost and let’s give presence, NOT presents, unlike any Christmas ever before. And maybe, just maybe the real Christmas will come back. Merry Christmas, y’all.