Francisco Teaching Dan to Farm
Originally uploaded by paynehollow.
From my visit to Nicaragua...
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Uncle Sam and Bathseba
I've been following the hand-wringing over the "immigration problem" amongst many of late. And I can recognize there is a problem of sorts. Truly, we can't accept the whole of the world in to the US, at least, I don’t think we can.
At the same time, especially as it relates to Central America, it seems to me we must own up to our part of the problem. We have pushed “Free” Trade Agreements with our neighbors to their detriment.
Yes, I know they are free nations that could have refused to sign on to any agreements we’ve offered, but we must also keep in mind that the playing ground is not level. According to a couple of sources I found, illegal immigration has increased 60-80% since NAFTA.
You see, most of our Latin American neighbors are not exactly in bargaining positions. They have little choice but to accept what treaties the US offers. And, if they don't, they will be perceived to be an upstart nation like Bolivia, Cuba or Venezuela that the US perceives as a threat. Because of their real life experience with US invasions, overthrows, coups and wars in Latin America, they know that there is a clear and present danger from the US if they don't go along with our wishes.
As I thought about this, I recalled the story from the prophet, Nathan. You may remember Nathan in the Bible, who confronted King David after David had treacherously killed a faithful leader in his army so that David might take his wife, Bathsheba – adding her to his vast harem. Nathan approached the haughty and mighty king, saying:
Judge this case for me! In a certain town there were two men, one rich, the other poor.
The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers.
But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He nourished her, and she grew up with him and his children. She shared the little food he had and drank from his cup and slept in his bosom. She was like a daughter to him.
Now, the rich man received a visitor, but he would not take from his own flocks and herds to prepare a meal for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead he took the poor man's ewe lamb and made a meal of it for his visitor.
What shall we do with the rich man in this story?
In our story?
What is one to do with a bully that imposes their own (perceived) best interests on others, regardless if it's in the others' best interest?
What are you to do if you are a farmer and barely making a living selling their goods at the market, when FTA's come in and US agribusinesses can sell their produce at 1/2 the price that you can afford to sell them? Sneak illegally over to the US so that you might feed your family?
I ask, as Nathan asked, what shall we do with this rich, powerful and arrogant person?
Yes, we could say to Nathan, "Well, that poor guy can just go get another lamb!" but to say that would be missing the point of the story indeed and expose on which side we have cast our allegiance.
At the same time, especially as it relates to Central America, it seems to me we must own up to our part of the problem. We have pushed “Free” Trade Agreements with our neighbors to their detriment.
Yes, I know they are free nations that could have refused to sign on to any agreements we’ve offered, but we must also keep in mind that the playing ground is not level. According to a couple of sources I found, illegal immigration has increased 60-80% since NAFTA.
You see, most of our Latin American neighbors are not exactly in bargaining positions. They have little choice but to accept what treaties the US offers. And, if they don't, they will be perceived to be an upstart nation like Bolivia, Cuba or Venezuela that the US perceives as a threat. Because of their real life experience with US invasions, overthrows, coups and wars in Latin America, they know that there is a clear and present danger from the US if they don't go along with our wishes.
As I thought about this, I recalled the story from the prophet, Nathan. You may remember Nathan in the Bible, who confronted King David after David had treacherously killed a faithful leader in his army so that David might take his wife, Bathsheba – adding her to his vast harem. Nathan approached the haughty and mighty king, saying:
Judge this case for me! In a certain town there were two men, one rich, the other poor.
The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers.
But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He nourished her, and she grew up with him and his children. She shared the little food he had and drank from his cup and slept in his bosom. She was like a daughter to him.
Now, the rich man received a visitor, but he would not take from his own flocks and herds to prepare a meal for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead he took the poor man's ewe lamb and made a meal of it for his visitor.
What shall we do with the rich man in this story?
In our story?
What is one to do with a bully that imposes their own (perceived) best interests on others, regardless if it's in the others' best interest?
What are you to do if you are a farmer and barely making a living selling their goods at the market, when FTA's come in and US agribusinesses can sell their produce at 1/2 the price that you can afford to sell them? Sneak illegally over to the US so that you might feed your family?
I ask, as Nathan asked, what shall we do with this rich, powerful and arrogant person?
Yes, we could say to Nathan, "Well, that poor guy can just go get another lamb!" but to say that would be missing the point of the story indeed and expose on which side we have cast our allegiance.
Monday, May 1, 2006
This is my beloved daughter...
My wife, Donna, wrote a lovely essay for our daughter, Sarah Grace, who was baptized yesterday.
To beloved Sarah on the occasion of your baptism:
Today is a joyful day! Of all the decisions your dad and I get to make this is the one we would most want to make and the one we absolutely cannot. It’s been your decision to give your heart and this life you’ve been given to God. And we are way happy about that.
There are three pieces of advice I want to share with you. First, keep your eyes on God. You and I have a nighttime prayer, “I lie down this night with God and God will lie down with me. I lie down this night with Christ and Christ will lie down with me. I lie down this night with the Spirit and the Spirit will lie down with me. The three of my love will be lying down with me. I do not lie down with sin nor will sin or sin’s shadow lie down with me. I lie down this night with God and God will lie down with me.”
We had prayed one night and I noticed some weird light over your bed and was trying to figure out what weird reflection it was, and you said with mustard seed faith, “Oh, I know what that is. That is the eye of God watching over me.” Not only have you recognized God’s eye, but you have had your eye on God as well and it shows.
When you were 6 years old, you would pray sitting in your bed with your face upturned, not disrespecting God but like you wanted to talk turkey with a friend with whom you were well acquainted.
Second, let God lead you out of your comfort zone.
Another decision you made for yourself when you were about 4 was that socks were an abomination to God and human feet. You gave them up for Lent and all time beyond and declared the right of toes to be free-flowing and unrestricted. Other than a brief relapse when you first fell in love with the game of soccer, you were resolute in your no-sock living.
Then, Christmas before last, Ms. Peggy asked you to play the lead role of Gabriele in the Christmas pageant, but horror of horrors, she said that all angels should wear tights. I felt sure this was a complete deal-breaker, but you said you would do it. I watched you on the morning of the Christmas pageant, pull on the loosest pair of tights I could find in the city of Louisville (and that’s not easy – there’s a reason they’re called tights), with your face a mixture of resolute determination and a look that suggested you’d eaten 50 lemons for breakfast. I have to admit I didn’t have the faith that you could do it.
But you donned those tights, the halo and trumpet, and I said to your daddy, “my goodness, that girl sure does love Jesus, doesn’t she?” Now I don’t know if all angels need to wear tights, but I do know that there will be other instances where God will ask of you something that is difficult and I encourage you to take a deep breath and follow where God leads.
Third, listen for the still small voice of God that only you will hear. You know, because you stand over by the piano with us every Sunday we do the Lord’s Supper, that your brother came up with his own song echo. So, Cindy Weber would sing “Come and dine the master calleth, come and dine” (and Jordan would sing in that increasingly deep voice ”Come and dine”), “you can eat at Jesus’ table all the time” (“all the time”), he who fed the multitude turned the water into wine, to the hungry now he calleth come and dine (“come and dine”).
You began to sing it, too, and Diane Moten and I could never refrain from smiling at that echo. This last Christmas as you sang with the other kids, you heard your own echo and harmony part and sang it and made Miss Peggy cry with joy upon hearing it. It just came to you because you were attuned and listening.
That’s what being a part of this church family is all about: singing all together, even while doing your unique part. Learning from the faith journeys of others even while you find your own special path in following God. Your dad and I will fail you, you know that we already have and we are sorry about that, but you have this huge church family that loves you and will support and challenge you and encourage you, even on tough putting on tights kinds of days. Lean on them and love them and learn from them.
A day will come and I hope not soon when you’d just as soon your dad and I take an extended vacation to Mars or places far beyond. When that day comes, look to these much less annoying and good people to hold the Christ light for you in the nighttime of your fear. They will keep you afloat.
So, today, know how very joyful we are at this decision you’ve made! Know how beloved you are by God, by us, and by this faith family!
To beloved Sarah on the occasion of your baptism:
Today is a joyful day! Of all the decisions your dad and I get to make this is the one we would most want to make and the one we absolutely cannot. It’s been your decision to give your heart and this life you’ve been given to God. And we are way happy about that.
There are three pieces of advice I want to share with you. First, keep your eyes on God. You and I have a nighttime prayer, “I lie down this night with God and God will lie down with me. I lie down this night with Christ and Christ will lie down with me. I lie down this night with the Spirit and the Spirit will lie down with me. The three of my love will be lying down with me. I do not lie down with sin nor will sin or sin’s shadow lie down with me. I lie down this night with God and God will lie down with me.”
We had prayed one night and I noticed some weird light over your bed and was trying to figure out what weird reflection it was, and you said with mustard seed faith, “Oh, I know what that is. That is the eye of God watching over me.” Not only have you recognized God’s eye, but you have had your eye on God as well and it shows.
When you were 6 years old, you would pray sitting in your bed with your face upturned, not disrespecting God but like you wanted to talk turkey with a friend with whom you were well acquainted.
Second, let God lead you out of your comfort zone.
Another decision you made for yourself when you were about 4 was that socks were an abomination to God and human feet. You gave them up for Lent and all time beyond and declared the right of toes to be free-flowing and unrestricted. Other than a brief relapse when you first fell in love with the game of soccer, you were resolute in your no-sock living.
Then, Christmas before last, Ms. Peggy asked you to play the lead role of Gabriele in the Christmas pageant, but horror of horrors, she said that all angels should wear tights. I felt sure this was a complete deal-breaker, but you said you would do it. I watched you on the morning of the Christmas pageant, pull on the loosest pair of tights I could find in the city of Louisville (and that’s not easy – there’s a reason they’re called tights), with your face a mixture of resolute determination and a look that suggested you’d eaten 50 lemons for breakfast. I have to admit I didn’t have the faith that you could do it.
But you donned those tights, the halo and trumpet, and I said to your daddy, “my goodness, that girl sure does love Jesus, doesn’t she?” Now I don’t know if all angels need to wear tights, but I do know that there will be other instances where God will ask of you something that is difficult and I encourage you to take a deep breath and follow where God leads.
Third, listen for the still small voice of God that only you will hear. You know, because you stand over by the piano with us every Sunday we do the Lord’s Supper, that your brother came up with his own song echo. So, Cindy Weber would sing “Come and dine the master calleth, come and dine” (and Jordan would sing in that increasingly deep voice ”Come and dine”), “you can eat at Jesus’ table all the time” (“all the time”), he who fed the multitude turned the water into wine, to the hungry now he calleth come and dine (“come and dine”).
You began to sing it, too, and Diane Moten and I could never refrain from smiling at that echo. This last Christmas as you sang with the other kids, you heard your own echo and harmony part and sang it and made Miss Peggy cry with joy upon hearing it. It just came to you because you were attuned and listening.
That’s what being a part of this church family is all about: singing all together, even while doing your unique part. Learning from the faith journeys of others even while you find your own special path in following God. Your dad and I will fail you, you know that we already have and we are sorry about that, but you have this huge church family that loves you and will support and challenge you and encourage you, even on tough putting on tights kinds of days. Lean on them and love them and learn from them.
A day will come and I hope not soon when you’d just as soon your dad and I take an extended vacation to Mars or places far beyond. When that day comes, look to these much less annoying and good people to hold the Christ light for you in the nighttime of your fear. They will keep you afloat.
So, today, know how very joyful we are at this decision you’ve made! Know how beloved you are by God, by us, and by this faith family!
Friday, April 28, 2006
McMonkey
a bit of silliness...
Got a monkey on my back
his name is Ronald
A fast food monkey
and he just McTumbles me
Grumbles me
Every day he
humbles me
Going to his
happy shiny doors.
I'm a junk food whore.
Keeps me coming back for
"Special" sauce, wilted lettuce
"We're the Master, don't upset us!
We will continue to have it our way."
And, of course, I obey
There is no other way.
Must do as commercials say.
I obey.
Got a monkey on my back.
Got a monkey on my back.
Got a monkey on my back.
Got a monkey
ad nausea...
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Dan Cycling the Loveland Trail
Dan Cycling the Loveland Trail
Originally uploaded by paynehollow.
Our church youth group took a trip to Cincinnati, OH which is the southernmost point of a Rails to Trails bike/ped path that stretches from Cincy to Dayton.
Beautiful day, beautiful trail.
Steeple Rising
Steeple Rising
Originally uploaded by paynehollow.
The Branch Hill Methodist Church, just off the Loveland Bike Trail (and across from a dee-licious ice creamery).
Friday, April 21, 2006
Bike Month's A-coming!
May is national Bicycle Month and in honor of that (and just for fun) our church youth group is taking a Bike Trip tonight to the Loveland Trail, famed in story and song.
The Loveland Trail runs alonog the Little Miami River in Ohio, sort of from Cincinnati to Dayton, I believe. It is a Rails-to-Trails route, created along an old railroad track, and is reported to be quite scenic. Hopefully, I'll have some photos to post when I get back tomorrow.
In the meantime, here are some good bicycle quotes - get yours out and ready to enjoy this spring! (Get your bike out, that is, not your bike quotes...)
======
The Loveland Trail runs alonog the Little Miami River in Ohio, sort of from Cincinnati to Dayton, I believe. It is a Rails-to-Trails route, created along an old railroad track, and is reported to be quite scenic. Hopefully, I'll have some photos to post when I get back tomorrow.
In the meantime, here are some good bicycle quotes - get yours out and ready to enjoy this spring! (Get your bike out, that is, not your bike quotes...)
======
As a social revolutionizer, the bicycle has never had an equal. It has put the human race on wheels, and thus changed completely many of the most ordinary processes and methods of social life. It is the great leveler, for not till all Americans got on bicycles was the great American principle that every man is just as good as any other man fully realized. All are on equal terms, all are happier than ever before.
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.
Ernest Hemingway
Whoever invented the bicycle deserves the thanks of humanity.
Lord Charles Beresford
The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community.
Ann Strong
Ever bike? Now that's something that makes life worth living! I take exercise every afternoon that way. Oh, to just grip your handlebars and lay down to it, and go ripping and tearing through streets and road, over railroad tracks and bridges, threading crowds, avoiding collisions, at twenty miles or more an hour, and wondering all the time when you're going to smash up. Well now, that's something!
Jack London
Wheel, kindly light, along life's cycle path, Wheel Thou on me! The road is rough, I have discerned Thy Wrath, But wheel me on!
Christian Hymn
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.
JFK
I'm gonna show you a hill that would choke a mule.
President G.W. Bush on his MTB moments before losing his front-wheel traction and flying over his bars down a steep dropoff
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Easter at Jeff Street
Easter Collage
Originally uploaded by paynehollow.
We have unique traditions at my church - probably none more less-than-standard than our Easter Day Service.
See more photos at the
Jeff Street blog.
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