Last Weekend

Last weekend was very busy. We had a missions conference at church. Featured speaker was Dr. Robertson McQuilken, president emeritus at Columbia International University in Columbia, SC. A dynamic, but soft-spoken speaker. Awesome seminars, luncheons, and worship services. Our main project emphasis was World Relief Cambodia. The spokesperson was Joke (say Yo-ka) VanOpstal, a Dutch lady who is WR program coordinator. She's a dedicated single lady who has adopted six Cambodian children, and has cared for a seventh. A super weekend. More and more, I want to be in ministry again. Meanwhile, "back at the ranch..." I've worked for the past two weeks, and may work this week as well, but not today. I'm thankful for the work, but need something steady. Vocational Rehab did finally send me a denial. Do I appeal, or not? I'm always bumping into social workers at work. This one knows one of the doctor's at my church. He is a licensed neurologist, who diagnosed himself with MS. He is now a quadraplegic and has been in a wheelchair for at least 30 years. Nevertheless, he and his wife (an RN) hold a weekly clinic, even though he is in the last stages of MS. A dynamic Christian couple who say, "Marriage is a commitment, not a convenience." They should know. Anyway, the social worker at work said the doctor used to go to the stress center in his wheelchair and do evaluations on patients with physical problems. It occurred to me immediately that they would make good advisors for me in my vocational rehabilitation quest. They were at the missions luncheon yesterday. So I asked his wife about it. (He can't talk much due to a trach tube for a ventilator, which he's on at night). She does most of the talking for him. She seemed interested in them helping me, and seemed very knowledgeable herself. She said she'd talk to her husband, and we could talk later in the week. So, I am encouraged. Praise the Lord! The more I talk to people about Social Security Disability, the less I want it.

These Are Your Gods...

One way to tell what people's idols are is by how they treat people who don't have the things they idolize. It's a no-brainer that our culture idolizes money, material things, and pleasure. What many Christians don't realize is that these idols are embraced by God's people. My stint as a poor person has been an eye-opener. In the middle and upper echelons of God's Kingdom, it is almost an unforgiveable sin to be poor. Notice how activities in middle and upper class churches are geared towards people with money: catered dinners, gift exchanges, seminars and conferences with hefty price tags, retreats, trips, etc. Some churches even charge people for Bible study materials. Even churches that can afford to provide materials free of charge for all. To me, it's mind-boggling that any church would charge people to study the Word of God! That's also a violation of the Word of God! What's wrong with opening the Bible and just studying it? The choices for poor people are: stay home, or be an object of charity. Those who organize such activities mean well, but they don't think about what this means for poor people. Often , poor people can be included on an equal basis in such activities as pot-luck dinners. Rich churches often will have someone who could subsidize a catered meal for everyone, so all are admitted at the same level. Small groups are often promoted as an avenue for great fellowship in large churches. However, everyone knows who the poor people are, and they are never quite equal to people with money. And whoever heard of a wealthy church that gave leadership positions to poor people? Never mind that we read in James that "God has made the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom..." Wealthy churches have much to learn from poor people, but often they/we are treated with embarrassment. Very telling, and a clear violation of Scripture (James). I long for opportunities to share my considerable spiritual wealth with others in my church, but alas, such opportunities are hard to come by, and the price one must pay is often daunting. Of course, wealth isn't the only idol, but that is a story for another time.

In Case I Don't Get Back to a Computer This Week

Last Saturday I attended an orientation for the American Family Dinner Program at Butler University. They matched me with a young lady from Japan. I'm grateful for this opportunity to obey the Lord in the matter of hospitality. I continue to enjoy biking, which I try to do four times a week. I'm a slow, short-distance biker (two miles or less), but I find it invigorating, one of the few physically active things I do that actually feels good. Speaking of which, I had a stress echocardiogram Monday. The test itself went well, but the physical stress was a bit too much. I am just today beginning to feel human again. Challenges continue to abound regarding my health, finances, and job search. Much prayer is needed.