Israel and Palestine

https://baptistnews.com/article/in-this-war-there-are-no-good-guys/ I share this news link with you in the hope you will read the article because (1) I care a lot about what happens in Israel and Palestine, not only because of my travels but, also, because of friends, Israelis, and Palestinians, who live in Israel and Jordan. (2) Mark Wingfield is an acquaintance from the time he was the editor of the Kentucky Western Recorder. He works hard to be a fair reporter and editor. I trust his reporting. (3) The headlines “there are no good guys” is accurate by my estimate. I have been to Israel several times. In the late 1970’s I went into a Palestinian refugee camp with Dr. Wayne Ward (now deceased) and visited a Southern Seminary graduate who was a Baptist pastor in Palestine. I will always remember the smell of the refugee camp where he and his family lived in a tent (much like the article’s picture) and tried to continue his ministry among the refugees. Hamas is not right in their attacks! Hamas is no representative of the Palestine government any more than the white nationalists are representatives of either Christianity or the USA government. Israel is not right in their decade’s long treatment of the Palestinian peoples! Christian churches and pastors are not right in their uniliteral support for Israel when they do not know the history! The USA is not right with their dealings in the so called “Holy Lands.” I pray for the peace of Jerusalem which is more than just a place. The word, Jerusalem, means a reality or peoples from which peace flows.

It Is All Gift

It is all a gracious gift; not what I deserve. I was graciously gifted with good physical health and a good mind. I was also gifted with an excellent family, wonderful extended family, and educational opportunities. Those incredible gifts were really gifts, not what I deserved or earned. When I see individuals in the consulting room, I am aware that what I share continues to be a gift that has been given to me. I am both honored and grateful to be able to share those gifts or whatever gifts I may have with others. When we use our time together, it is the gracious gift that flows among us as well as God. Such a wonderful vocation and opportunity is not what I have earned or deserved; it is God’s gracious gift. Thanks be to God.

An Imperfect and Wonderful Cup

I was recently gifted a marvelous cup. It is a wonderful cup. Unfortunately, there is a mistake with the cup; a significant word is misspelled. However, the mistake doesn’t diminish its purpose. In fact, it is beautiful. I really like this cup because it reminds me that even if there is a mistake, the cup still functions exceedingly well as a cup. It holds my drink. It is a large cup, so it holds a lot of the drink. This cup reminds me that nothing and no one is perfect but that does not need to keep us from accomplishing our purpose. Too often we become focused on mistakes, which all of us make, and lose sight of the purposes of our lives. Thank you, Lord, for an imperfect and wonderful cup.

What Is the Worth of a Person

On Tuesday I conducted the funeral for a long-time friend. My friend was profoundly developmentally delayed. He was not able to talk. His care givers had to clean him after a trip to the bathroom. He could, however, communicate. Often when he saw you, he would laugh as he touched your face or body and then he would clap his hands and jump up and down. He was abandoned by his birth parents. He became a foster child and later some folks in our Church became his guardians after even his extended family would have nothing to do with him. I do not believe that God had anything to do with whatever caused his developmental disabilities. To believe such a lie only makes God an evil reality. I do know that God makes use of individuals such as my friend, as well as my brother, and many others to reveal a person’s value or worth has absolutely nothing to do with their abilities, education, family, money, etc. Everyone is of great value and worth and is a child of God to be valued. It is only this world (a world full of evil) that tries to make one individual worth more than another. That valuing is usually determined by how important or helpful that person is to whoever is making the value judgement. Such an attitude is not only egotistical; it is evil. The judgements of valuing or determining someone’s worth is a reality in this unredeemed world. We may be healthy, good citizens, productive Christians, etc., but we are also a long way away from God’s Kingdom

Demolition

Today I spent some time watching an old two-story beautiful brick house being torn down by powerful equipment. The house is near the Counseling Center. Houses in our area are close to one hundred years old if not older. As I watched the demolition, I was aware of how quickly and easily some things in our behaviors and values can destroy what has taken years to establish, such as one’s reputation. The house’s demolition took about half of one day, leaving a pile of debris which will be hauled away. What a metaphor of what can happen to one’s life if we are not self-disciplined and thoughtful in our values and behaviors. A person’s character, reputation, etc. takes time to establish but easily and quickly to demolish.

A Good Day

To those who may regularly read or inadvertently stumble into this blog, I recommend gratitude. Check out Brother David Steindl-Rast’s YouTube videos about gratefulness. A significant aspect of his gratitude is the practice of opening your eyes. For example, on the morning of September 6, 2023, around central Kentucky at 7 am there was a magnificent daybreak with the colors of red and orange reflected off the clouds as the sun made its morning rise. Noticing such a wonderful sunrise helps the day to be wonderful. May you be blessed with a good day, not only this day but every day

Securely Attached

Attachment styles provide good insight into our relationships such as marital, business, parenting, friends, etc. The attachment styles are four: secure, insecure with anxiety, insecure with avoidance and insecure with disorganized (“Thanks” Bowlby and Curt Thompson). I was a planned, expected, and wanted infant. I grew up surrounded by love. My aunts have told me they argued about who would babysit me. My grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins lived in the neighborhood and the entire family as well as most of our neighbors went to the same church. In my childhood, I was surrounded by family and friends. I grew up securely attached. This is an amazing gift which I did not earn by any behavior or attitude of mine. It was a gift for which I am grateful to my immediate and extended family, friends, and neighbors. I am also grateful daily for God’s abundant love because in God’s love we have all been given the gift of being securely attached.