George Tiller and his wife were in church today.  He served as an usher and his wife in the choir.  In the midst of worship, someone walked up to Tiller and shot him dead.

Tiller was an abortionist.  He specialized in late-term abortions, of viable fetuses.  It has been documented that, in his twenty plus years of practice, he conducted over 8000 procedures.  Murders?  I guess it is a matter of perspective.  Now Tiller is dead, to be viewed as a cause celebre by many on both sides of the volatile issue.  I would like to give some personal perspective, before the media with voices much more gifted than mine come along to nudge my opinion.

First I consider why a man would walk into a church and kill a person.  Likely he employs the justification of civil disobedience, the Christian version being, “I must obey God rather than man.”  But here’s the problem with justifying such radical action- George Tiller also believed in God, apparently quite deeply.  And it seems his God was o.k. with his chosen vocation.  Thus, this line of reasoning leads to a war between adherents of gods who are quite different.  It becomes a religious war.  And I’m quite convinced it is never right to kill someone in the name of God, even as I realize it has been done and continues to be done by the millions.  Such is why we in America adhere to the genius of the separation of church and state.  In respect of God, we do not claim to be a Christian nation!  Or Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, or Atheist.  In a secular Democracy, God is not sacred.  Perhaps in the church, or the heart of the individual, but not in the government.  So what is sacred, to be obeyed and followed without fail?  Law.  In a Democracy, law is sacred!  We do not worship it, but we must obey it.

I am of the persuasion that late-term-abortion is grisly, hideous, and I have almost no doubt it is murderous.  It needs to be outlawed.  But as righteous as we may feel the cause, we never have the right to further this aim with a bullet.  Our weapons are to be the ballot box, courts, and most importantly our daily interaction with public opinion.  We change minds and hearts, and then we can change laws.  I know nothing about the man who killed Dr. Tiller.  But I can profile.  Likely, he is someone obsessed with a Higher Calling.  He considers a viable fetus to be a human being, worthy of protection of the law- so do I.  He sees late-term abortion to be murderous- so do I.  And he saw George Tiller as a killer needing to be stopped- I agree.  At first glance it seems but a small and logical step to his next action.  Since the law will not stop this man, it is my duty.  No.  We must fight the good fight, but not with guns.  If we cannot convince the majority of the American public to be amenable to our point of view, then we simply must try harder, and persevere.  And many of us feel so strongly about the issue that likely we would consider living under a different political entity, one that values life, even if it would mean another country or a secession from the current Union.

In horror, on the internet I have watched the video of the Taliban as they sawed off the head of Daniel Pearl, gleefully in the name of God.  Those people make me sick.  But it is really not much different than to walk into a church and shoot an abortion doctor.  I’m pretty sure the real God is sickened by the actions of both. 

May God bring comfort to the family of Dr. Tiller. 
May God bring to swift justice the cowardly perpetrator of this despicable deed. 
May God protect the rest of our houses of worship from such horror. 
May we all, with the guidance of God, take a deep breath and discern wisely...

 

He's not a weight lifter
Or boxer
Or business tycoon.
Heck, he probably doesn't have $10 in his pocket.
He's just an 18-year-old-kid to most folk,
Shy and soft-spoken.
But I will assure you-
This kid has more guts than just about anybody you will meet.
Let me tell you about him....

Mom and dad are illegals, and do not speak English.
He grew up a little boy isolated by language and social barriers.
Because of rent evictions, shuffled around to various schools and residences,
Exposed to gang culture from early age,
Numerous fights and altercations.
Dad left his family in abject poverty, hides so as not to pay child support.
Forced to be de-facto parent to three siblings.

Father tells him You're a loser.  You'll not amount to anything!
Dad’s friends laugh at him-
Often no food in the house,
No internet,
No phone.
Neighborhood crime ridden-
School with highest dropout rate in the County

The odds were stacked against him, and...
Not too long ago he almost gave in.
He needed for somebody to care.  
To care. 
Just a little…

Now he is on his way to beating the odds.
And along this journey he has earned my respect 
By showing more fortitude than anybody I have known.

Two days ago my wife and I stood, with eyes riveted upon a stage
And watched this extraordinary young man…
Receive his High School diploma!

Way to go, Alfredo!

(Alfredo & his proud mom)

This morning I went to an orthopedic hospital to visit with a lady who will be having surgery for a broken hip.  On the way out, I walked through a large, open waiting area filled with at least thirty patients.  Everyone was overweight.  While leaving I did a double-take and then wondered why?  These people are seeking treatment for bone and health problems and being overweight exacerbates such issues.  It is probable that the added stress upon their bodies can cause the health problems.  But, it can also be true that having bone and joint pain will keep a person from exercising properly, which can further lead to weight issues.

I perused: “Which is easier, to discipline oneself to diet and exercise properly, or to be burdened with the cost and pain of treating the symptoms?”

Getting into my car, I drove to McDonald’s, and enjoyed a #4: sausage biscuit, two hash browns, and a Diet Coke.  830 calories, 44 grams of fat.  I was fortunate not to break a hip as I exited the door.

In playing with Facebook, looking up oldtime friends and acquaintances, I have come across two men and former classmates who now have hyphenated last names. And I will have to admit it is a bit disconcerting.

As I remember, in College these two guys were extremely bright and also rather progressive in their thinking. So, I guess it is proper they would challenge for me the conventionality of this matter of the female spouse accepting the last name of her husband. There is no law against it. Although, I understand many states make it a difficult legal process, likely because it is still unconventional. And I must quickly admit this to be strictly the personal business of the couple themselves. If they want to combine their two last names with a hyphen, it is the right of no one else to deny the matter or persecute the decision. Actually it is a selfless gesture on the part of the husband, a clear statement of partnership and equality.

So, why does it bother me?

In this day and age, it seems to be fashionable to push boundaries, to ask why, to dare to do things differently. But I am convinced that different is not necessarily better. Conventionalities and traditions that have served us well for centuries deserve respect. Most often, it is a mistake to set them aside for the sake of what seems new, different, and better. Traditional family, which includes traditional marriage, I believe to be of bedrock importance for a healthy society. But it seems to be under relentless attack from so many directions. Especially has the nuclear family taken a hit in popular culture. Still, I would like to think there are lots of old fashioned families out there, working hard at being healthy and happy. I respect the man who takes seriously the role of provider and protector of his family. It is not an insult to his wife to love her in this way. And I also think it is healthy for a woman to be comfortable enough with her identity and femininity to encourage her husband and equal partner in this role. To me, it seems appropriate.

So, back to the hyphenated last name. The world will not come to an end because of this matter. Likely I will grow accustomed to it. And if things go according to cue, one of my kids or grandkids will probably take up the tradition. Alas!

Right now, it seems to me yet another chink in the armor.

The Third Jihad.  As pastor, I have received literature and several calls promoting the screening of this film.  Today they called again.  The secretary asked if I would like to speak to the representative?  Usually I will have her to say that I am not available.  However, these guys have been making a diligent effort to reach me, so I thought I would show respect by taking the call.

“Sir, I appreciate the ongoing effort you have made to promote this film.  But I’m not interested in seeing it.”

He asked why, a query I wanted from him.
“It’s the name.  The Third Jihad.  I have no doubt about the content of this film.  It is not the type of vehicle of communication that I want to use in my church.  I figure since you are probably making note of the response of the pastors you contact, you might want to write that down.  If you want to reach ministers and churches of a more moderate persuasion, you might want to listen.”

“But we’ve had a great response from our churches to this screening.”

I’ve no doubt that a particular type of church, and pastor, will find this film to be appealing.  But a film with this name and message will not reach your more moderate church.

I really do not like to define myself as “moderate” for it certainly does not describe me in relation to the conventional uses of the term in current politics and religion.  I meant to say “thoughtful”.  It’s a peril of communicating off-the-cuff.

But, do you not agree that radical Islam is a threat to our way of life?

Yes.  But I do not think that militancy of the church is the answer.  We’re supposed to love people.  Where is the love in your film?

By now I had gotten far off target, and this guy was debating with me.  I thought he was simply calling a list of pastors to enlist them to see his film, and I was hoping that he would make note of why I did not want to view it.  So I told him, politely, that I did not mean to engage in an extended conversation.  I realized the nature of his call, was honored that his company would make such a diligent effort to enlist me, and just hoped he might make note of my opinion.

This effort to be conservative, with a stubborn independence and some common sense, can sometimes be tiresome! 

These people call my house several times per day, including weekends.  For many weeks I simply would not answer, since I do not know anyone from Mason, Ohio.  I am pretty sure no one from there has an interest in attending my church or receiving counseling from me, and it is not on my list of places to visit.  Then one day I picked up the phone to see what was going on.  After the obligatory wait for the automatic dialer to transfer connection to a robotic-but-real human being, the person on the other end asked for my daughter.  So, this was what was going on!  Obviously my daughter owes a delinquent bill.  And they think she lives here.  I told the person on the other end of the line that she does not live with me and that I am not responsible for her debts, and to please not call again.  Without acknowledging my request, this person immediately asked for her current number.  Well, I know her current number.  But unlike my daughter, I am not going to give her number out indiscriminately.  So I asked the company he represents?  He was not at liberty to disclose that information. I asked his name?  He would only divulge a first name.  So, I queried, he wants me to disclose pertinent and personal information when he is not willing to do the same?  I reminded that I had not called him, but he had called me.  And I instructed again that I be taken off the calling list.

Next day, and the day after, they called again multiple times.  I dialed the number on the caller ID, at my expense I add, to try once again to get these people to stop their harassment.  After explaining my dilemma, I was asked if I had an account with Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s?&nbs p; Aha, another piece of the puzzle!  No I do not.  Then he asked again for my daughter’s phone number.  The easy thing to do would be to give to them her number.  But by now I do not want to reward such mistreatment of an innocent party- myself!  Again I solicit and a receive a promise not to call again.  It does not matter.  They call.

I envision a big boiler room of cubicles, manned by folk who obviously cannot find a better job, with the mission to call and harass those like myself.  Their job is to call.  They do not care about who they call, what the story may be, or even whether they are calling the right person.  If I explain and am able to provoke a promise not to call again, chances are the next day it will be a different caller with no knowledge of the previous conversation.  

A variety of tactics have been tried: 
*I am already signed up for the No Call List.  Obviously, it does not impede these people.  

*There is the obligatory explanation that what they are doing qualifies as harassment, and that I will report them to the FCC and seek grievance under the Fair Debt Collection Code.  They only laugh.  So I resort to guerrilla tactics.

*Checking the caller ID and hanging up on the call is the simplest.  But it facilitates their job, and doesn't impede the next call.

*Here was a favorite, for a while:  My polite response: "Let me go get her.  Please hold on for a minute."  Then I set the phone down for five minutes, go back and ask them to hold on for just a little while longer, and continue to repeat the procedure.  I have found that I can bait them for about fifteen minutes of wasted time.  The problem- it is also wasting my time.

*Right now I have a police whistle next to the phone.  When the person calls, I respond with a low voice.  Then, when I feel he is listening carefully for the next word, I blow it loudly.  

*Later today I will purchase a compressed air bullhorn.

As of this morning, the calls continue, although hopefully some of the harassers are having to utilize the other ear.  

Your suggestions are appreciated.

Mom
Mom is visiting with us for the weekend. She is 89 years of age and finding life to be quite challenging. There has been a major personality change in the last few years. She forgets and confuses all kinds of matters. I really struggle with her insistence upon staying home, even though she hates staying home. I know, it does not makes sense. I used a huge, unrelenting guilt trip to convince her, reluctantly, to come to my house for a few days. It's one of my gifts. So I've been trying to entertain and deftly deflect her multiple requests to go home. Earlier this afternoon we had a good conversation, honestly one of the few we've had. We are both alike in that we are very private. Now she is hard of hearing and slow to discern. But the connection seemed to click for about thirty minutes today. It was nice.

Baseball
Now we learn that Manny Ramirez has been suspended from Major League Baseball for 50 games because of substance abuse. Ramirez is an amazing athlete, the catalyst for the recent championship teams of the Boston Red Sox, and this year guiding the Dodgers to the top of the league. He took a mandatory drug test and failed. His excuse? Unintentional, innocent use of what he thought to be an acceptable medication. Yeah, right. Let's place him in the same category with other abusers, including Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens, Jose Canseco, etc. ad nauseum. They all look into the camera and offer excuses. They must think we are stupid. Ramirez excelled because he cheated. His records and his presence should be erased from the sport. His millions of salary earnings should be seized and used to compensate duped fans. Oh.... and his dreadlocks should be clipped. 

Facebook Conversation
Dr. Mark Biddle graduated with me from High School and College. He went on to be a scholar and Seminary Professor. Me? Well, I do t-Blog and Facebook. Anyhow, we've an interesting conversation developing about peace and war, in response to his post "Torture Lament" . We here at t-Blog could teach those folk on Facebook a thing or two about carry on an interesting debate!

Ice Cream Overload
I've lost 20+ pounds. Tonight, I have eaten half a box of ice cream. It was good and I could not stop. The rest remains in the freezer, and it is calling my name. Loudly.

Planting Day
Today I planted flowers and tomatoes. Here's some pictures of a very good day:

Petunias, and tomatoes.  I'll baby the tomatoes for a few weeks, and then put them in the ground.  I'm not sure what to do with the flowers.


Flower Garden in front of the house.  As the weather gets hot, these many colored petunias will grow and spread, and give months of pleasure with their vivid hues and snaky vines.


Could not have gotten it done without my two helpers, Skylar and Sponge Bob.


Finished up.  Cleaned up.  Checked the front porch, and found about twenty flowers I had forgotten.  Guess I'll plant those tomorrow!


Here's mom.  She looks pretty good to be 89!  She is wearing her Hawaii shirt in honor of my recent trip.

“God himself may draw vital strength and increase of very being from our fidelity. I do not know what the sweat and blood and tragedy of this life may mean, if they mean anything short of this. If this life be not a real fight, in which something is eternally gained for the universe by success, it is no better than a game of private theatricals…. But it feels like a real fight—as if there was something really wild in the universe which we are needed to redeem…” – William James

I am thinking quite a bit about prayer these days.  Sadly I confess that up until this time traditional prayer has not been a huge factor in my life.  Oh, I preach and teach about it.  I practice it as a religious ritual, and haltingly seek its discipline with rare comfort.  Prayer can be defined in many ways.  If it be a seeking of God, I guess I am as good about it as the next guy.  If it is communion with God, then it is a struggle.  And, if it be the rote discipline of spending a set number of minutes/hours per day in a set practice, then I am sorry at it indeed.

Much of this struggle with prayer is wrapped around my concept of God.  I regard God to be personal but also all-powerful.  So I understand He desires and even strives for fellowship with me.  Thus, the need for prayer.  But why must my conversation with God be centered upon verbalization?  A mature connection of two persons often is benefited, and even enhanced, with fellowship without words. 

But, what about intercessory prayer?  Since God is all-powerful, and since He loves me and enjoys my connection with Him, then I feel almost compelled to intervene with Him on behalf of the world around me.  Like a child asking his daddy to help a friend, so I want to approach God.  Yet, is not God all wise and all knowing?  I have been taught there are no limitations to God.  Therefore, is it not presumptuous of me to conclude that the mighty God needs my prayers to take care of this comparatively puny universe? 

Unless….  What if God, in His incomprehensible love for the human creature, has granted to me the amazing capacity of causality?  God certainly can do all miracles and right all wrongs with but the twinkling of an eye.  But He chooses to limit Himself, and to do His work through humanity.  Therefore, frail, imperfect little people like myself are allowed a marvelous partnership with God in what happens in our world.  And, thus enters the privilege and responsibility of intercessory prayer.  As I pray, so God will work.  It is not a manipulation of God, but a humble and obedient participation with Him.  There is a proper way to pray, and appropriate things to ask.  Still, prayer moves the hand of God, who moves the world.

Before me, on my desk, is a list of persons with lots of needs:
Our President certainly needs wisdom
Sick and injured need comfort, resources, and healing
Many need jobs
Scores need to know God
The list is extensive and rather specific.  Should I believe that my prayers, equally specific, will truly make a difference- then I can with confidence approach God on their behalf.
Do you believe in prayer?

We are home!  I will try to squeeze the last three days into this post.  Somewhere along the way I have lost a day and can't seem to find it.  I think it has much to do with the six-hour lapse of time between Hawaii and Georgia, which was great going out there, but brutal coming home. 

These final days were spent at Waikiki which I understand to be rated as one of the premier beaches of the world.  I agree it is a spectacular sight, the endless stretch of sugary sand against the backdrop of azure waters and baby blue skies.  We stayed at the Hale Koa, a major upgrade from my usual La Quinta or Holiday Inn.  Waikiki is a bustling, frenetic place certainly popular with the young, rich, and beautiful crowd.  If the rest of Hawaii could be compared to traveling the speed limit, then this place would equate to breaking the speed limit big time.  And it was a nice experience for a couple of days.  But were I to live on this Island, I'd take the laid-back and easygoing North Shore.  I liked the sign posted at an eatery up there, "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem".  Of course, in Waikiki the sign would likely vary to read, "No Shirt, No Bra, No Problem". 

At 11:00p.m. we walked the streets, visiting shops and bazaars as if it were mid-day.  Along the way I watched a street dancer, had my picture taken with a guy dressed in newspapers, found myself solicited by several interesting folk of the legal and not-so-legal varieties, and even saw a guy walking around painted gold from head to foot.

I will be processing this trip for months.  It has been a great time of fun and rest.  Thanks for indulging me with this string of blogs.  Soon I will be catching up with the rest of you, and look forward to great times ahead.

Here are some miscellaneous photos along with brief comments.

 

Is that Tarzan?


There is a story behind this photo.  Walking along the beach, I spotted a lady lying on the beach in her bra!  I was with my wife, and knew it was not nice to stare, but it still seemed so strange.  So, I suggested to my wife that she take a picture of me.  I eased my way next to the lady and posed.  Can you believe my wife intentionally took the photo so as to leave the intended subject out of the picture?  She did this twice!


Checking out a gun at the military museum
 

I think this thing is loaded...


Our hotel


Banyan tree.  These are amazing trees, like nothing I have seen before.


Sculpture of dinosaur, seems to be made of driftwood.  This was at the San Francisco airport.


Evening view from our porch, first 7 days.  Personally, I prefer this view to anything Waikiki has to offer.


American flag, flying proudly over the Pearl Harbor Memorial.  A powerful reminder of the glory and cost of victory.