Reading - The Endangered Species

It’s that time of year – end of school for millions of children.  Will your children be reading any good books this summer?  Appreciation of literature is now becoming an endangered genus. Today’s generation does not enjoy reading and by extension, cannot recognize the value of literature.  Research has found that over two hundred thousand hours are spent viewing television or being exposed to some form of electronic media [or gadgets] from age five to eighteen (A Balanced Use of Educational Media). In the present culture electronic media has become an excellent baby-sitter both at home and in the classroom. Parents use it while they perform domestic duties and teachers use it while they carry out administrative tasks.

As technology improves, parts of the minds of this generation deteriorate, in large part because of lack of use. Constant bombardment of electronic gadgets creates a passive existence which requires little thinking, if any at all. Humans were made after God’s image and likeness – a little lower than the angels, with the ability to think critically and to reason. Parents can nurture this ability in their children by reading – both reading to them and with them. Reading aloud to children has been called the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for success in and love of reading. Reading aloud, with children participating actively, helps children learn new words, learn more about the world and see the connection between words that are spoken and words that are written (Ambruster, Lehr and Osborn).

As grateful as we are for electronic gadgets, they have their place. That place is not to usurp reading, but to complement it. We risk a generation that does not understand various types of writings if we fail to act now.  Please encourage your child to read!

References –

"A Balanced Use of Educational Media." Liberty University, 2007.

Ambruster, Bonie, Fran Lehr and Jean Osborn. "A Child Becomes a Reader." National Institute for Literacy 2003: 8.

Choices, Choices, Choices!

As I sat reading Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken its symbolism was not lost on me.  I was once again reminded that life if filled with choices.  As a matter of fact, it is impossible to live life without having to make choices; one cannot not choose – everything undertaken in life involves choice; choices can be as quotidian as what to have for breakfast; as traumatic as whether or not to cease life support to an ailing spouse or as eternal as whether to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior – either way, choices must be made and the effects on generations to come cannot be denied.  Right now I am exercising the choice to write this piece instead of taking a nap on this peaceful day.  

However, some choices are more critical to our survival than writing or taking naps (as important as they are).  In  this poem the traveler stands confused looking at both roads as they lay [equally] before him – both able to take him from his present situation, symbolically characteristic of myriad temptations placed before Christians on a day to day basis appearing similar to God’s way. To the reader (Christian or non-Christian) the allegorical thread beneath this fine work is evident in all stanzas – consider all aspects of the choices presented before making a decision. When faced with a decision, as humans, the natural inclination throughout the ages is to wonder “what if” and, more so after we have made it. This inclination comes from our need for certainty and predictability; the reality of this poem is still evident today in many working mothers who question their decision to work outside the home many years after the children have grown up. The poet does not disregard this human frailty, but embraces the inclination taking the readers along on this obscure journey of decision-making with choices that appear so alike.

It's my belief that when faced with a decision, we are to prayerfully consider the alternatives and faithfully make the decision. (I say faithfully becuase we must believe we've made the right choice.) While one must make choices carefully, here lies the paradox – one cannot be too hard on oneself by constantly questioning the decision which has already been made.  So, do your best and let God do the rest . . . I’m just thinking.

We've Lost that Loving Feeling

This is an election year in the USA and as political pundits and candidates take to the airwaves to convince the electorate, I am saddened by the vitriol with which the messages are delivered.

Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology Theory postulates that people are born with weak, inferior bodies which cause them to have feelings of inferiority, thus making them dependent on others. He also suggests that a feeling of unity with others (social interest) is innate, and as such is the summit for psychological health. In an effort to protect the human’s fragile self-esteem (emanating from the feelings of inferiority), Adler believed that people developed patterns of coping or Safeguarding Techniques.

On the surface, Adler’s theory appears to compare favorably with Christianity on two levels:

·       The sense of community – as seen throughout the Bible, a sense of community – social feeling/community feeling (gemeinschaftsgefuhl) is very important. The early church is a perfect example of this, the book of Acts states that the believers assembled together for prayer and fellowship. We also know that they sold their goods and shared the proceeds.

·       The search for perfection – his teleology stresses that future goals motivate present behavior. Although the Bible does not teach that Christ’s followers can become perfect, it does however, embrace striving for improved relationships with God and fellow believers. Paul says it best in Philippians 3:13-14; the goal being not perfection, but the prize of the upward call of God in Christ.

However, if we want to continue calling ourselves a Christian nation, then the way in which we treat the least among us is in need of an overhaul.  It appears to me that even as one possesses great wealth one can still possess a fragile self-esteem with a penchant to demean others.  It is sad that our public discourse cannot be on a level where we can respectfully disagree without name calling and deprecation.  As the Righteous Brothers sang years ago, “You’ve [We’ve] lost that loving feeling.” 

As a Christian nation, let’s try to regain that loving feeling before it’s gone.  We can do this by reinstating that sense of community and searching for a more ‘perfect’ way to hold our public discourse as we strive for a better nation.

I’m just thinking . . . have we really lost that loving feeling?

Got Peace?

There are numerous definitions to peace, but the one I like the most is “Freedom from disquieting thoughts and feelings.”  For purposes of this post, this definition will frame our discussion.  The Apostle Paul told the church at Philippi that if they ceased from worrying, they would experience the peace of God which transcends all understanding and it will guard their hearts and minds (Philippians 4: 4-9).  This peace as described by Paul frees us from disquieting thoughts and feelings – it allows us to be authentic beings.  This is the kind of peace that knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is all and in all.

Today people are searching for peace (although some may not know what they’re searching for) and try to replace it with prestige, pleasure, prosperity, position and popularity.  However, all the peas in the pod count for naught if there is no peace.  Another word being thrown around is – platform.  I often hear people say, “If I had a platform, I would do such and such.”  Sometimes I say to some, “You already have a platform – your life – make it count by living authentically for what you believe in.”  After saying this, some eyes would drop, others will fill with tears and upon subsequent probing I would realize that what they really want is prestige or popularity not a platform.

Please understand that nothing is wrong with prestige, popularity, prosperity or any high position, however, we can better affect others if we are at peace with ourselves.  Peace coupled with anything is like the spice which gives a dish that special umph.  I dare to propose that we all have a platform with each encounter we have with others.  A platform – an opportunity to declare our principles – can be seen each time we treat others with respect, or we stand up for justice or we accept people for who they are and what they bring to the table.  Some of us may not reach thousands, but if we authentically and consistently reach those we are in contact with, God will multiply our efforts and even broaden our platform. 

Malcolm Forbes said it best, “You can judge the character of a man by the way he treats others who can do nothing for him.”   I believe that unless we are at peace with ourselves, we cannot treat others in a respectful manner – both those who can do something for us and those who cannot.
Got peace? I’m just thinking . . .

Everybody Needs Somebody

Hi, I’m Toni and I am an Oprah’s Lifeclass Addict.  Now that we got that out of the way, let me share my thoughts with you. 

On this season of Lifeclass, I was overjoyed to see six women from the Rockville Correctional Institution in the audience via Skype.  Why am I overjoyed to see this?  My intense joy is a result of the recognition that these inmates are no different than we are – people desiring self-improvement – and that they were treated as such.  My heart was truly touched that this correctional institution was truly living up to its purpose of restoring the whole person.  The main purpose of incarceration is to restore the individual through:

·         Retribution

·         Reformation

·         Rehabilitation

However, many times our justice system restores inmates mainly through retribution and they are subsequently released without true reform and not really rehabilitated.  This error is detrimental to the society as a whole, because a ‘revolving door’ cycle ensues – the inmate is released and goes back to his/her former activities is returned to prison and so on.  It should be noted that it is often financially and emotionally cheaper to rehabilitate than to incarcerate. 

Usually, inmates are not thought of very fondly and some of us even believe that we are better than they are.  Albeit, with the right mix of circumstances, stress, mindset and/or [a weapon], any one of us could be incarcerated.  With that in mind, how do you treat an incarcerated person or someone who has recently been released?  Are you your brother’s keeper?  What do we do assist that person to improve their life situation?  What can we do?

Oprah’s Lifeclass is just one tool which can be used as we restore the whole person for reintegration into society.  These classes guide people to become the highest expressions of themselves, which begin with their own awakening.  The awakening includes being awakened to their roles in being incarcerated and the notion that they have a purpose.  Many churches have prison ministries aimed at providing tools for inmates to renter society and the one which I particularly like is Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative (TORI) – a faith based program affiliated with the Potter’s House of Dallas.  The initiative’s motto is ‘Healing the Past to Empower the Future’.  To my mind, when a person recognizes that they have potential to become their best self, and they are given the tools – training and opportunity – we have a person who is less likely to return to prison.  Some prisons also have excellent programs which restore the humanity of their inmates – for example a hospice program at Angola Prison in Louisiana. 

How can we help?  There are many great programs, but I dare say we need more.  Yes, I know that red tape abounds if we want to set up such an ambitious program, however, we can consider donating to programs which educate and prepare inmates for reentering society.  If you have the time, you can join a prison ministry in your church and teach inmates to read or help with GED preparation.  There are myriad opportunities to help others live their best lives. 

Everybody needs somebody and I try every day to be a ‘somebody’ to those I come in contact with.  Can you be somebody to someone today?

I’m just thinking . . .

God Provides!

My last post addressed thinking about others despite your own challenges and how I was able to do it.  This post seeks to address the benefits of fully sharing the hell of others close to you.

As I intimated previously I am facing myriad challenges and took the time to help others.  Well, while I was helping others, God used some others to help me.  One friend who is currently unemployed took the time to pack me a ‘goody bag’ which included among additional things, much needed items such as toilet paper, dishwashing detergent and foil.  Now this act of love just blew me away – here we are both unemployed, yet she shared what she had with me.  Another friend, who knows that I am existing on the basics, blessed me with the luxury of mixed nuts, a sweater and a belt.  Yet another friend felt moved to assist with paying my rent.  All these are miracles to me, because each of my aforementioned friends is also going through trials of their own and took the time to acknowledge my ‘hell’.  Of course these instances of love and care brought tears to my eyes, however, they also reminded me of how I am to treat others in their times of need.  God used them to help me and I have to be open for opportunities to have Him use me to bless others. 

The point of this post is simple – God provides!  When Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac, God provided a ram in the thicket (Genesis22:13).  Jesus expounded on this concept of God’s provision in His teaching about the futility of worrying over life in Luke 12: 22-34.  He said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.  For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.” (vv 22-23)

I was just thinking about the ways God has provided for me and wondered whether you have ways in which He also provided for you.  If He has provided for you, drop me a line.  As per usual, I’m just thinking . . .

It's Not [Always] About You!

 “It’s odd that you can get so anesthetized by your own pain or your own problem that you don’t quite fully share the hell of someone close to you.” Lady Bird Johnson. 

The above quote gave me reason to reflect on my actions.  Within recent times, I’ve been facing some challenges and was tempted to feel sorry for myself.  However, as I remembered a friend who was mourning the passing of her beloved father, another whose lupus had flared up and yet another thrust into the position of taking care of his 90-year old father.  In the grand scheme of things while what I was going through was traumatic, others close to me were going through situations which were just as traumatic and even more in many instances. 

The Apostle Paul gave an excellent example of putting suffering into perspective in his first letter to the church at Corinth – “The temptations (tests/trials) in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful, He will not allow the temptation (test/trial) to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so you can endure.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT)  Who better to speak to helping others while undergoing trials than Paul?  He was in prison awaiting execution, yet concerned about the wellbeing of souls of others – writing letters to his congregations and pastors.

So, what do we do when we have trials and others close to us are undergoing trials also?  As for me, I listened to my friend as she recalled memories of her father and researched some homeopathic information about lupus for my other friend, while I gave the other tips on finding a good care-giver for his dad.  We all have to be creative to let others know that we care when they are facing trials.  It might be as simple as listening (no advice necessary), sitting quietly holding the person’s hands or even crying with them.  The wonderful thing is that when we do this, we forget our own trial and it seems small in comparison to when we focus on it.  When I eventually had time to deal with most my pressing challenge, my perspective was different and I was better able to navigate towards a solution (even if not permanent).

What can you do for someone today?  Philippians 2:4 tells us “Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage.  Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” (MSG)

It’s my prayer that we do not become so anesthetized with our own concerns that we miss the tsunami in the lives of those close to us.  I’m just thinking . . .