Alexithymia Antithesis

Giving

As I watched Idol Gives Back, I had a number of thoughts about the things I saw.

I loved watching the show tonight because you got to see life in other parts of the country and in our world.  And it made my life, concerns, job, and the things I think about so meaningless.  I've never been one to get too caught up in causes.  And so many times, I get lost in my own life, desires, and struggles.  However, the last two years of watching Idol Gives Back has touched my heart and mind.  I know I give a lot in my own way as many people do.  However, this is different.  I give to missionaries, churches, relief organizations, and goodwill but tonight was about loving and caring for another human being that you will never meet just so they can live.  I am reminded of Jesus' words to feed and clothe the poor, take care of the widows and orphans, and to mourn with those who mourn.  Tonight reminded me that sometimes life is just about loving and giving to others so that they may live another day.

I got to thinking about why we give.  Tonight, I saw actors, singers, celebrities, and pop icons giving of their time and money to help others.  As a Christian, I have heard this question asked a few times - if all good things are from God, how can people who aren't Christian do good things?  This wasn't a question I was looking to ponder tonight but it came to me as I was watching.  Here's the answer I came up with.

As humans, we are made in the image of God.  This doesn't mean that God made man to look like him on the outside.  Yet he gave man a physical presence, a soul, emotions, and feelings.  It is on the inside that we are made in the image of God.  Unlike other creatures, we have a soul, emotions, feelings, and the ability to act on our will to love or have compassion for others.  This ability to do so was given to all people.  It's what makes us uniquely human.  Many times (by our nature), we choose to turn those things back to us and live for ourselves and our desires.  But there are moments when every human has the ability to love and give to others.  It is the gift God has given us when he created us like him.  So all good things do come from God - Christian and non Christian, rich and poor, black and white, Muslim and Jew.  Anytime a person's heart is touched to love beyond him or herself, I believe God is pleased.  A good thing has come from his creation.

The show closed tonight in a rather stunning way for me.  The final 8 Idol contestants closed with the song Shout to the Lord, a bold and blatant song of praise to God.  I never thought I would see that on TV.  We have gone so far as to keep God out of everything we do now.  And while a couple of words were changed, there was no hiding the outpouring of praise for God in that song in front of millions of people.  It almost seemed like it was a 'thank you' to God for the work, the giving, and the efforts made to help his people, the poor and the widows and orphans, both here and in Africa.  It was good, really good.  I think God smiled again.

Christianity and Politics

Normally, I avoid politics like the plague.  I can't stand them.  And I have little faith that politics and government make a real difference in the world.  However, with this being a Presidential election year, it's hard to get around it.  You see it everywhere on the TV, paper, web, and radio.  So many people have various views - what is right or wrong, what the issues are, the war, poverty, thoughts on Democrats and Republicans, opinions regarding our current President, gas prices, the economy, global warming/climate change.  And I tend to avoid most of the political rants as it relates to these issues.  However, one of the biggest influences on politics today is Christianity and morality.  Should we vote for those that align with our religion?  Should Christianity, or any other religion, get involved in politics? 

Here is my answer to both of these questions - No and yes. 

My 'no' may not be a popular opinion.  However, I don't think Christianity should have an audible voice or a large presence in politics.  I think our voice and presence in politics should be a quiet one.  Maybe one in which we shouldn't even have a voice at all (an audible or public one, anyways).  My honest feeling on this is that the huge influence of Christianity in politics is the one reason many people have turned away and been turned off from the faith in the first place.  In a sense, we have lost our true mission.  And now so many people see Christians as moral superiors pushing their agenda rather than loving people offering a message of hope in Jesus.  There's no denying this.  Ask anyone "what is a Christian?" and the responses you get will almost always have some tie to politics or morals.  As Christians, we are to live morally but not shove morality down people's throats.  I don't think our agendas on gay marriage or abortion and the roles those issues in politics play will ever save a single soul or make any real difference in a person's life.  For far too long, our voice has been a vocal one telling America what is right and wrong. 

So should we have any voice at all and allow faith to play a role in the political process? 

Yes, we should be aligned with our religion IF our faith touches our hearts, minds, and values.  And if they do, we should vote with that in mind and live these things rather than taking our opinions on these issues public.  I don't want to vote for a candidate just because he is pro life or against gay marriage.  I don't want others voting just based on party lines so why should I vote strictly on religious ones?  If so, I become just as guilty as those I criticize.  I think we should vote with our hearts and mind as we are personally convicted to do so.  However, we have an obligation to vote for the best candidate for our country, even if they don't follow everything according to the Christian political agenda (the same for Democrats and Republicans as well).  There may be a time when voting for the best "Christian" may not be a vote for the best leaders of our country.  (And by saying this, it is not a reflection on any of our current leaders or future ones.)

Here's an example of a Christian issue in politics - abortion.  Many Christians believe that abortion is wrong according to God.  There are many points of discussion in this - when is a fetus a life, at what point is aborting ok, partial birth abortions, and whether it should be allowed for instances of rape or incest.  And while I agree that it is wrong (not getting into the details), you will never see me protesting at an abortion clinic or pushing any legislation that overturns Roe vs Wade.  Why?  Whether abortions are legal or illegal, there will always be women who choose to get abortions.  The legality of it doesn't matter as a woman who wants an abortion will have one, legal or not.  And here is the question I have asked myself - does making abortion legal have a real impact on a person's life or is it just a 'victory' for Christianity and God? 

I have a friend who was a devout Catholic in high school and really loved God (she ended up becoming a Christian).  Even in high school, she was strongly against abortion.  A girl she knew ended up getting pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.  I don't even remember if her parents knew but she had already decided that she was going to have an abortion.  Yet none of her friends agreed with her nor did she have any family to help her through this.  So even though my friend disagreed with the abortion, she went with her because she didn't want her to be alone and have to go through this by herself.  My friend showed love and was there for this girl.  Whether she ever became a Christian or not, I don't know but I am sure she felt something of God's love as she went through this.  And even though Christians may have looked down upon and disapproved of my friend going with her, I think this is what real Christianity looks like.

Does this mean I will now vote for someone who supports abortion?  Not necessarily as my personal convictions may not lead me to vote for this candidate because I may feel that I can't fully support them.  However, that is a personal decision.  Because my faith has shaped me, I can vote with my heart and mind.  Yet religion alone doesn't pick my candidate for me. 

As Christians, I believe our voice in politics should be a silent one as we remain in the background rather than the forefront.  If Christians want a voice, do it with their vote and speak loudly without saying a word.  If Christians want a voice, love those around them as government and politics will never save the world.  May our voice be our mission and our faith in action rather than our agenda.  And then we will speak the loudest.

Thailand - the return home and its impact

As I write this, it has been exactly 36 hours since Kristen got back from Thailand.  Since that time, we have slept a lot, gone to work, and talked.  Lots of talking.  12 hours worth about this trip alone.  And she shared all of it with me - the expectations, joys, lows, tears, frustrations, and the moments God moved.  I felt like I was there on the trip and ever since she has been back, I haven't been the same.  I have been on numerous mission trips, visited many different countries, been involved with church for years in various ways, learned many lessons through my mistakes and failures, and had the privilege of spending time with missionaries in various settings.  Yet, there is something about this trip that has affected me.  I feel like I finally get 'it'.  Maybe my reactions would have been different if I had gone (anger, frustration, overwhelming love) although I know this trip wasn't for me.  Yet it was.  I can't really the explain the get it part.  However, it's just that light bulb that goes on from the revelation you receive from something you have done a thousand times but now understand the why, how, or answer for that thing that was missing.  My response has just been to send all the money we have over to this ministry so they can get all that they need to help these women.

There are so many stories of things that happened.  Women, many from families in the country, sent to Bangkok to provide for their poor families.  Many are thrust into prostitution with no desire to be there but no other way to care for their families.  Yet there is little escape because there are no other options.  These girls lighting up when women come just to talk to them, these conversations more important than the reason they are there at night in these bars.  Seeing joy on their faces when given a bracelet.  Seeing the dedication and the really hard work this ministry of women commit to day after day in helping these prostitutes.  Being broken as you see these womens' lives and the hardship and difficulties this area brings every day.  Knowing that the government doesn't even admit prostitution exists while women are used, abused, and even killed without consequence.  Every day, this ministry sees the dark and seedy side of men who who have no idea how much they are hurting these women and themselves with their actions.  And these missionaries love on the women while their hearts break.  Sixty percent of all men who visit Bangkok come to this area to find a prostitute.  And for many of the women trying to love and help these women, it becomes a battle to not hate these men for the damage they are causing.  Struggles, some triumphs, hardships that never go away, hurting women who don't want to be there yet have no escape.  This is life every day in this small part of Bangkok.

The stories and ministry here are hard enough.  Then our team of women experienced their own set of frustrations, anger, and broken hearts from being there.  Many people are aware that we all make mistakes, have our faults and weaknesses, and commit our sins before God.  Yet you experience a place like this and you realize what God means when he says he hates sin because you learn what it means to hate it too.  Often times at our church here, there is a white rose representing someone who has become a Christian in the last week and you mildly clap and think "that's nice."  When a woman becomes a Christian from the streets in Bangkok, you know what it means to truly rejoice over a soul.  You save money by taking your lunch or deciding not to go out for dinner and you feel good that you chose to spend your money wisely.  You see that people in Thailand eat 3 meals a day on less than 3 dollars total and you realize how much you have and how often you waste money on things you didn't really need. 

Going to work for both of us was hard today.  I went to a meeting at work to discuss our team's projects and policies and news from corporate.  And all I could think about is how much I didn't want to be there and how what I am doing just seems so unimportant right now.  Being in the medical field, Kristen can seem to find more meaning in her work as she helps people.  However, a guy comes in for treatment to feel better and complains about his shoulder he hurt during a weekend activity.  And it's a struggle for Kristen to be there with all that she has just seen and experienced regarding people with real hardships.  It doesn't mean our work or our lives here are unimportant.  God has us here for a reason.  But once you get it, your eyes are opened, and your heart is touched, you can't go back.  You can only move forward, a changed person. 

I don't know what to do with this or what it means for my life.  I am scared that after a few days or weeks, things will go back to normal as I just settle into my routine again.  I know that God called the two of us specifically to 'get it.'  Now we need to figure out what to do with it.

The benefits of travel

In just a few days, I leave on what seems like my annual trip to Europe.  This will be the 4th trip there in 3 1/2 years.  On my first trip to Europe, I visited some of the popular countries - France, Germany, Italy, etc.  I had a lot of fun and loved seeing many of the big cities - Paris, Rome, Florence, Amsterdam.  It was a tough time in my life but I really loved seeing and experiencing different cultures.  I had that experience years ago when I was on a mission trip to Estonia.  But this trip was different.  I met a lot of people, was outgoing and extroverted, and just had a blast just observing other people and cultures.  However, by the end of the trip, I was lonely and discouraged.  Part of that had to do with where I was in my life.  Part of that was due to what seemed like an absence of God.  Or maybe it was just me.

I have learned a lot from my trips.  I grew up very conservative, very strict personal values and adherence to the laws and proper conduct within society.  However, in these last few trips to Europe I have learned some things and become at least a little less judgmental and more open and accepting of others.  I’ve never smoked marijuana in my life.  But I am more open to it being legalized while opposed to it morally because I see how other countries have dealt with it.  I’ve come to prefer the way other countries do things even to the way we do some things in America.  I have a greater appreciation for values I find in other countries that we have long left behind in our super saturated materialistic culture.  I am much more in favor of the world as a whole than I am of us as America.  Despite the negative viewpoints we may have here in America about socialism, I see some of the benefits of it in Europe.  This is not to say that anyone gets it right but it does say that one country doesn't always know best.  We can always learn from each other.  There are so many other things that I have observed, more than just these.  But it opened my eyes to see how others live, how different it can be from America, and how it can even be a better quality of life, in some aspects, than what we have here.

I am still conservative morally and I find it hard to go outside of the rules.  I still tend to judge others and evaluate so many people by my own standards.  But thanks to traveling, I judge people a little less frequently.  I realized that there are cultures and places in this world that do things better than us and have a better quality of life.  I have seen and experienced a different viewpoint on how to handle some of the issues that all people face.  While I may not always agree with what I see, I feel like I understand a little better.  All this has changed me a little bit.  Some would say it was due to living in California.  However, I know I have been changed by traveling.  Learning to understand others better.  Seeing ways of doing things that are different from my own experiences and culture.  Realizing that our way is not always better, just different.  And understanding that there are people and cultures that have a better quality of life than what I have here in America.  I want that.  And it is great to know it works both ways.  Other cultures can learn things from America than just our democracy, freedoms, and values.  As Europe goes through a period of immigration and racism, much could be learned from the mistakes and successes of America in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Without a doubt, I am opinionated and stubborn, always think I am right, feel like I can argue and debate any argument to show that I am right, and really have a hard time seeing a view outside of my own.  However, there are moments and times in my life where I am a little less judgmental and open and accepting of others.  When it all comes down to it, I owe this change in me to God.  But it has been travel that has been used to change me.  It is in those moments that the world isn't about me, I don't see things from my own experiences and my culture here in America, and I realize that this world is so big and made up of so many people that can learn from each other.  In these altruistic moments, I realize it is not about everyone agreeing or seeing things the same way.  It is about taking the time to listen, understand, and see where someone else is coming from.  We may not agree but there is an openness to being changed.  In the end, we can't change the world or make everyone see things our way.  But if we take the time to listen and learn from one another, the greatest and biggest step towards changing the world will start inside of us.

Read this article just to see a different perspective.  It's about social and political issues.  And while I don't agree with everything, it just opens your eyes to seeing how one person has been changed through the beauty of travel.

  http://www.ricksteves.com/about/pressroom/activism/innocents.htm

Coke or Pepsi?

To most Americans, we all tend to like Coke or Pepsi better. It is a matter of taste and preference here. But in Northern Ireland, this question can be a matter of life and death. Northern Ireland has had a history of violence and tension between Protestants and Catholics. Bloody Sunday, hunger strikes, the Brighton bomb, Sinn Fein, IRA, Ulster Volunteer Force, John Hume, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuiness, Ian Paisley, the Good Friday Peace Agreement, power sharing executive in Northern Ireland. Just a few names and bits of history from the Catholic-Protestant struggle in Northern Ireland.

Even knowing just a little about the history, many realize there have been hatred between Catholics and Protestants for years. For many of us here in America, we may not understand why.  A lot of effort has been made to bring peace between the two. And now with the agreement in March to share power in Northern Ireland, it seems things are looking a little better. But as this article points out, there is still a tremendous amount of tension. While this an article from ESPN, it highlights how sports can hopefully bring people closer together. But it also highlights how much tension there still is and how far there is to go to bring healing.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?page=espnmag_peaceplayers