We are in a funk because of economic conditions. This economic “recession,” “depression,” or “regression” is taking its toll on our optimismand depleting our enthusiasm, reducing our hopes and smashing our dreams for personal achievements.

Life for the middle class is tough (it’s that much magnified for the poor) and the outlook is more setbacks in our plans for the future. A house in our neighborhood in foreclosure, the house with the knee high weeds in the yard. Somewhere a couple has now moved on and away from this personal tragedy.

Will life for the middle class improve soon? The majority of Montgomery County residents are middle class familiesand they are being adversely affected by tooday’s sky high oil prices, falling home values, declining employment and rising prices for food and utilities.Mrs. A is an example of stress that I refer to as “our funk.” She is a single parent who quit her job in Nashville because of the price of transportation and the high cost of child care. Her salary wasn’t covering her additional and escalating expenses. What is she to do? the general public, the middle class, is overwhelmed with stress.

“More than half of Americans believe they either have not moved ahead in the past five years, or have fallen behind.”

For military retirees in the community, there is economic and psychological stress. President Bush’s budget proposed a 10% reduction in funding for Medicare and Tri-Care. This points to a funk when we have to take money from our pockets to underwrite high medical costs. There will be even further drains and demands placed upon our limited resources.

Yes, Social Security and federal retirement pensions will increase in Decmber, but the projected 4% COLA will not compensate for the economic fall of 2008.

We hold our breathe and close our eyes as the real possibilities of the future set in. In silent moments of meditation and reflection, people are upset that the prospect that their incomes or fringe benefits, pension, health and disability incomes, might vanish altogether.

We are capable in the midst of such heightened disappointment to lessen the funk of today. By caring for the community, by caring for our neighbors, by surrounding our families with understanding, we can survive this downtrurn. Definitely, the entitlements and expectations of success will be more difficult to achieve as we struggle with the economic malaise. There will be no painless remedy for our present funk. When the deliverance comes, it will be through sacrifice and discipline. 

AARP is political but non-partisan, and wields considerable influence on state and federal legislation, serving as the voice of their demographics. They do so without endorsing specific candidates and they remain issue oriented.

To educate and inform their membership. AARP publishes a monthly magazine with the largest circulation in America. the March/April edition got my attention with the cover photo of a smiling Jack Nicholson, one of the outstanding actors of our generation.

Besides an insightful article on him, the magazine from cover to cover offers articles with practical information. Two articles in particular that apply to many of us involve dealing with stress: “Riding Out a Recession” and “Finding Faith” (a search for spiritual peace).

For example, the State of Tennessee is promoting reduced taxes for seniors with annual incomes below $24,000. property taxes support city and county infrastructures. Without that income, our schools, law enforcement and social services would be on life support.

This issue gives guidance on property taxes in answer to this question:

“I just got my tax bills, and with home prices dropping, I say my house isn’t worth nearly as much as the town assessorseems to think. What can I do?”

The broad answer, if a citizen appeals, is as follows: “Don’t delay. Gather the evidence,. Hire an appraiser. Look for unique factors.” For a fuller explanation, refer to AARP (Mar/April, p 14; “Lower That Too!”)

Nuggets of helpful, realistic and utilitarian information is disseminated in these pages.

The Clarksville Montgomery County AARP invites all residents age 50 and up to their monthly meetings, which are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. at Hilldale United Methodist Church. Each meeting includes a guest speaker. Through their meetings, one hears first hand the progress in improving and protecting lives of seniors and political actions at the local, state and federal level.

Last year I got “burned” by a person who professed to be a capable contractor. He adroitly gained my confidence on a small job before cheating me out of a significant amount of money. To prevent such a pique for Clarksville Online readers, I’ll offer some guidelines for hiring a contractor. Money Advisor [Apr '08, p3] covers the subject comprehensively in a half page. Household repairs are stressful and costly, more so is the contractor is incompetent or unscrupulous. There are guideline to reduce the tension.

A popular song that goes “happy days are here again…” came to mind when we chose a competent contractor. For any job, seek several bids, and don’t select a contractor just because of a low estimate on the cost of your project. Surveys indicate that people who hire the lowest bidder get a poorer quality of work. Have a written contract that includes the scope of the job, materials and products to be used, labor costs and a timetable. You may wanted to include a down payment, but withhold the balance until the job is completed and a “punch list” of checks and balances” has been approved. Such a contract will let you sleep better at night.

Pinpointing a trustworthy contractor can be as easy as seeking the advice of good friends and neighbors, who will happily pass on the name of those with whom doing business has been a pleasure. For instance, we have a goal of improving our house with hardwood floors. There are dozens of flooring contractors in our community. Who would I choose? My first choice is a team of contractors that did a job for my friends in Sango. I respect their judgment and they gave [contractor] an outstanding rating. Six months later they are still satisfied. Before repairs are contracted, check with those neighbors and friends.

Verify the credentials and ask for local references. Such cautionary guidelines are acceptable business practices. Be aware that a business card stating what a person does or what license he holds doesn’t make it so. The young man who cheated me had such a card. Though it can be a hassle, check with the Better Business Bureau, the local or state consumer advocacy agencies, or the state Attorney General’s office. Before contracting with a contractor for lawn care to include an irrigation system, shrubbery, sod and trees, I asked for references. He lived up to his reputation as reported by my neighbor.

The next guideline I had never heard before: “Ask the contractor and supplier to give you a lien release or waiver to make sure you don’t end up with a lien on your property.” Have this written into the contract; a lien will precipitate legal problems you don’t need and will cost dearly.

In my situation with my trusty landscaper, I paid in increments for work as it was completed to my satisfaction. Contractors may need cash before starting a job. How much is reasonable? Money Advisor recommends that you follow this counsel: 30% in advance upon initial delivery of products or materials.

This information , instruction and counsel will protect you and give you confidence in hiring a contractor, and can be applied to such things as auto and appliance repair as well.

Also I regret the passing this spring of William F. Buckley, world famous conservative. Although I didn’t know him, as a personal friend as I did Georgia, his contributions impressed me. Though at opposite ends on certain controversial issues, still I saw his significance. It’s easy as I review his values to find plenty of his views to denounce, reject and object to, but he brought a measure of sanity to the conservative movement where he was a prophetic voice.

As I read about his life, his principles, his prejudices, his influence for good in his eulogies, a question rises from my subconscious: What will people say about me upon my passing? There I go, trying to avoid saying that five-letter word: death.

My own demise is an anemic nagging daily companion. At nearly 71, I realize that I have less than 20 more years — give or take — to live, according to statistics. I’m in the process of settling my legal affairs, updating signature cards in my banking, making changes in beneficiaries on my investment and saving accounts. Last week, I settled the disposition of my IRA accounts.

As to my spiritual affairs: I am quite satisfied with that area of my life. In the Church of the Nazarene, where I first integrated spiritual principles in my life, I recalled “being scared.” We were taught to be “prayed up, packed up, and ready to go.” Well, I’m “up” and prepared. I have no fear of death.

So the passing of Georgia and W. Buckley precipitated again, an analysis of my certain date with a similar event. Also, I appreciate the peace and confidence the latter’s mother demonstrated five days before her demise at a ripe old age. He son told the following story to the nation after her death:

“…the nurse brought her from the bathroom to the armchair and — inflexible rule — put on her lipstick and the touch of rouge, and the pearls. Suddenly, and for the first time since the terminal descent began a fortnight earlier, she reached out for her mirror. With effort, she raised it in front of her face, and then said, with a teasing smile on her face as she turned to the nurse, ‘Isn’t it amazing that anyone so old can be so beautiful?’ Her son concluded: ‘The answer, clearly, was, Yes, it was amazing that anyone could be so beautiful.”

The message as illustrated by Buckley is that it is our destiny to face up to life and death with peace, grace, confidence, and even humor. Beautiful is the good and the values we demonstrated to our grandchildren; the care we demonstrated to our neighbors, friends, and family. Let’s concentrate on the today and the wondrous days, however many, we have remaining.

The peace of God is with us as we age, and race to the finish line of life.

I recommend reading “William Buckley” (Newsweek 3-30-08), for more insight into this subject.

Rembrandt’s “Philosopher in Meditation”

No Buddha Required is by no means a critical, derogatory or fault-finding expose of Buddhism. Being the international city Clarksville is, there are believers in this world religion among us. I know several practicing Buddhists, productive citizens who have a depth of compassion. Their teachings are respectful of all God’s creatures.

No Buddha Required is a thoughtful, brief article on  discovering and appropriation meditation. meditation is the common thread in all world religions. It’s a frequent theme in Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ and others within the Protestant. The Catholic Church has  developed meditation as an avenue to spirituality.

Nancy Mariello is a proponent of contemplation, of deliberately budgeting time for this form of creative thinking. Even a brief time, such as a 15-minute  period, is healthy and motivational. In her experience, she perpetually states:

“All the junk, all the stimuli, are pouring out of you, so you are left with a cleaner, lighter mind and body. You feel refreshed, very relaxed, and you have more capacity to take on new things.”

Wow! With these results and benefits available, I need to meditate more frequently. My meditation is reserved for the early morning hours and when I wake up at night. In the case of the latter, I often doze off to sleep again quickly as I enter into contemplation or prayer. Minutes in this discipline in the morning does change me and raises my level of enthusiasm for the day.

Meditation, as we call it, “the quiet time,” embraces reading and praying. In the case of prayer, I reserve my 20-30 minutes in the pool for creative thoughts for my five grandchildren in Evansville and their parents, and my daughter, Dana, in Reno.

Meditation is being rediscovered as a tool for enriching and balancing our busy lives. This discipline yields “a host of health benefits from increased concentration to some relief from depression. Medical schools are including it in their training of new doctors as a treatment for themselves as well as their future patients. It’s become much more mainstream in our society.

It is of such extreme benefit for our welfare that it merits the effort to start and maintain this spiritual practice. For the person interested in discovery this ancient art on mind relaxation, there are dozens books, classes, videotapes, DVDs  and CDs for beginners. The principles are also found online. For an extended list of recommendations, check out  the local library.

Although I meditate daily, I am still a student. For my own spiritual development, advancement and progress A group experience would be healthy in realizing my inner spiritual resources. At the Madison Street Street United Methodist church I found a weekly Yoga class, with its emphasis on inner focus and concentration, beneficial.

Today at the Clarksville Athletic Club, Melvin, a friend, asked about my diet and pork. Pork is a meat that over the years I eat less of. I don’t remember the last time I ate a pork chop. It’s seldom on my menu.

One point of focus in this narrative is “fast food,” which is so readily available. As one who drives west on Wilma Rudolph from Exit 4, dozens of restaurants solicit my business. There are good reasons for eating what we now call fast food, which never existed in the lifetime of my parents. These eateries haven’t always been present in our community.

Fast food is popular. each now has added a selection of “healthy” items to their menus. I’m attracted to the dollar salads. Fast food is consistent, filling, inexpensive and attractive to children and adults alike. Even seniors discover satisfaction in occasionally eating a simple burger,a  burrito or biscuits and gravy fast food style.

Though it has appeal for all ages, it is not traditionally “healthy” food. A simple fast food meal can easily contain more calories , fat and sodium than our bodies need in a day. fast food is popular even though Americans acknowledge it isn’t a healthy diet. The restaurants aren’t to blame for their menus; these choices reflect the dietary ambivalence of their clients: the public.

There are dietary pitfalls to dining at fast food restaurants: eating at one, though, I where I occasionally “chow down.” here are strategies that guide the consumer in emerging from such places with waistline and arteries intact. A few suggestions:

• Admit that fast food is also known as fat food for a reason. Caloric count, sodium and fat content is unbelievably high. Some sandwiches contain doses of these items at over 1,000 count in a single meal.
• Realize that a diet full of meals or snacks with high fat content significantly over the long haul increase a risk of disabling and crippling heart attack or stroke. fast foods often contain high levels of saturated fats and trans-fats. [Some fast food shops are responding to customer demand and altering the menu to healthier choices and preparation processes]
• Be good to your body and improve your chances for health, longevity and quality of life by reading the readily available nutritional information. Avoid the super-sizes and larger portions
• Partake of fast food if you wish, but do it in  moderation. Your body with thank you.fast food

AU is sometimes criticized for representing and supporting individuals whose constitutional rights are being violated. Their mission is to protect Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhist Americans and others from civil and religious leaders who restrict the rights of others based on religious belief or disbelief.

Recently the AU defied tradition in two South Carolina school districts where school were allowing religious proselytizing in their schools.

How the AU responded at the request of parents demonstrates their commitment and understanding that the Constitution applies to everyone. This story illustrates their mission in protecting the rights of children regarding proselytizing.

A baptist minister began with merit to help schoolchildren by supplying shoes to the most needy. Such a project up to this point is in keeping with the teachings of Jesus and other faith founders. That’s a positive action deserving of praise. Such a distribution is a holy and sacred act. It is sacrificial compassion.

So you may ask, where is the rub? What is there to object to since good is being done?

It is the second part of the project that precipitated this imbroglio. The good Baptist pushed the give-away with foot-washing rituals as an integral part of the give-way. Remember where this is occurring: on public school property. Christian rituals have meaning in our lives, and have appropriate places for such rituals to be conducted.

This “Laces of Love” program, sponsored by the First Baptist Church of North Augusta, had the addition of a religious ritual in a dollop and measure or evangelicalism/proselytizing.

The AU gave a positive and negative interpretation of this well-meaning project. Director Barry Lynn said:

“Providing poor children with new shoes is a worthy endeavor. But the manner in which the church is doing so is blatantly unconstitutional.”

The offending schools were informed that facilitating the program with the ancient ritual of foot-washing, or providing a list of needy children, hosting the foot-washing on school time was crossing and violating constitutional rights.

The result was that the school denied knowledge of the “foot-washing” ritual when the children received their shoes.

From this incident we learn several lessons on how to approach such issues:

1. Be kind to the person who reported this violation of religion separation or abuse in our schools.
2. Inform the school board or have an attorney report those abuses.
3. Just doing something good for the children is a sacred in itself. The imposition of religious ritual is unnecessary. The Spirit will bear witness to our acts of kindness.
4. Above all, the adage “there is a time and a place for everything” applies to religious rituals too.
5. We must be alert to respect our public schools in this matter of education. They do not need distractions or disruptions of the Constitutional rights of any citizen - child or adult.

I appreciate the Americans United and their wholesome contribution to our communities.

Editor’s Note: “… before Americans United issued its report, the local paper, the Augusta Chronicle, published several references to the practice. In a November 28th story previewing the giveaway, the Augusta Chronicle reported in a caption beneath the photo of Mark Owens (above), who leads the church’s “Laces 4 Love” project: “Before the Passover, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. In two weeks, nearly 300 volunteers will follow his example and kneel before school children to wash their feet.” Other photos …published by the Chronicle also refer to and show foot-washing.” http://www.jewsonfirst.org

I was recently shocked by a headline that read Federal Funding Changes Hit DCS. As I read each paragraph of this story, I got more and upset that our needy children will be tortured emotionally by budget cuts that precipitate the loss of 160 employees of the Department of Children and Youth Services. A budget cut by the federal government, namely the Bush administration, of $73 million dollars in unconscionable.

Governor Bredesen described this financial tragedy as “visible and painful kinds of cuts” and said budget cuts will have to be made in other areas “to keep the case management system intact.”

Our values are distorted: the pressing needs of our children must be given priority.

Where can the Bush administration find the dollars for the work of caring for our children and the workers of DCS. I suggest that some money, tax dollars, are better spent for the benefit of DCS staffs across the nation.

Presently the Bush administration is channeling huge sums of taxpayer dollars “earmarked” grants of public dollars intended for religious organizations whose tenet is pro-child. Such programs are:

• A $47,000 Justice department grant intended to “bring a life-changing message of adoration of Jesus Christ to city streets” While this message is legitimate and seen compulsory by its adherents, it does not need to be funded with tax dollars.
• A $202,000 grant to a St. Louis program called World Impact, again one of its objectives is promoting religion. While this is admirable, do so with taxpayer dollars is unfair, especially when funding is needed for the nation’s children in DCS care.
• A $500,000 HUD grant to World Impact Youth program called Christian leadership, which includes “Bible studies, devotion and evangelism” in fulfilling their mission.

The list of such mismanagement in programs promoting sectarian religious beliefs on the nickle of taxpayers is an abuse of government and a misuse of faith. Currently, our society is in need of such sums to maintain our DCS programs. I pray the faithful will stand up for one of the greatest values: self-sufficiency and God’s grace, and not the government handouts of our hard-earned tax-payer dollars.

fasting is a sacrifice where a person voluntarily abstains from consuming food or drinking liquids. I grew up in an evangelical church environment that suggested and encouraged regular fasting as a means of spiritual growth.

As a teenager in St. Louis, I accepted the challenge of abstaining from one meal a week, a challenge for a 16-year-old boy with a typical appetite. For me, I purposely opted to abstain from the Friday school lunch. To heighten my appreciation for this weekly event, I retreated to a quiet place in the high school for an hour of meditation and reflection. This discipline became a spiritual growth hormone for me. This sacrifice aided my efforts to a good teen and to say no to the temptations of being a junior in high school.

Upon graduation, this act of discipline was so integrated into my spiritual nature that it continued in college. At Southern Nazarene University, I became a member of the Fasting and Prayer Fellowship meeting on Fridays, an hour of spiritual discipline. I elected the ritual voluntarily and found it to be a means of renewal and sometimes I benefited from a natural emotional high. The end result was resolve, persistence, and steadfastness to finish college and work with the Lord. I know the performance of this prescripted habit enabled me to capitalize on my spiritual resources.

Precipitating these thoughts on fasting was an article in The Upper Room [Mar-Apr 2008] describing how to make thebdiscipline even more profitable to our well-being.

The following is the verbatim experience of another person on an evangelical pilgrimage and how her fasting contributed to her enrichment. She received an epiphany on how to sacrifice even more than missing a meal:

“My 24 hours of fasting, solitude, introspection and prayer were finished. I was mentally and spiritually fulfilled but physically starved. It was time to break my fast. The food before me was one of my favorite meals, and as is my custom before eating, I said a prayer of thanks for this Bounty from God’s earth. Here was the food my body craved, now blessed and ready to be eaten. Yet I could not eat; something was missing. What was it?

“I could not define the problem for some time. Finally my mind focused , and the answer was right in front of me. What would I do with the money that I had not spent for food wile fasting? How would I spend it? What did God want me to do with it? I broke my fast by eating, and as my physical hunger subsided, I spotted a copy of The Upper Room.

“The answer was clear: take the money saved by fasting and send a subscription to The Upper Room to alleviate the spiritual hunger of someone in need of God’s guidance. This way my fast can help spread the word of God and send spiritual encouragement to someone.” — A. Brooks Drake

In college, I never had the money to donate, since I was living “on a shoestring” in my 20s. If you adopt this discipline and wish to donate to a worthy organization, the Loaves and Fishes will use that gift to feed the hungry and provide spiritual encouragement. For spiritual guidance, read The Upper Room, available at all United Methodist Churches.

I still find this advice helpful in my personal life and in my retirement. In this narrative, I have a recoomendation that you will or will not like.

I am recommending a book that may or may not be your “cup of tea,” a book you may not find agreeable. Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth. It is currently a book of the month selection on Oprah Winfrey’s television show and may be purchased for the low price of $14 (plus tax). Before spending your hard -earned cash on it, remember I do not guarantee that ‘you will like it.” The very opposite is the expected outcome because of provocative insight into our personal lives and what makes us “tick” psychologically, physically and spiritually.

It contains modern interpretations of our dilemma as children of God. Though not exclusively a book on religion, it does provide epiphanies about spiritual experiences, challenges us to a mature faith and discovery of a serendipitous depth to our personal faith.

Reading a few chapters “may or may not” contribute to the development of your theology. A word of caution: Reading A New Earth can only be accomplished through an act of discipline and with pauses every three pages or so to meditate on what was read, It takes more time to read than a popular western such as the Zane Grey novels.

A few intriguing quotes from the book include:

“I assign myself the role of victim.”

“What is commonly called ‘falling in love” is in most cases an intensification of egoic wanting or needing…”

“In the modern world, more and more people are confused as to where they fit in, what their purpose is, and even who they are.”

“The greater part of most people’s thinking is involuntary, automatic and repetitive.”

A New Earth is the text for study/discovery group at the University United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. This fellowship, meets for discussion, mediation, and spiritual renewal. If you are interested in forming such an interesting, soul enriching activity in Clarksville, e-mail a reply to me via my Clarksville Online e-mail listed below.

Read A New Earth; you may find it a stimulus to your understanding of faith. I am also interested in your opinions of Chapters 1 & 2.

Editor’s Note: The Oprah Winfrey Show is sponsoring a repeat of the ten week online course of A New Earth. Check out the website for details and registration. The book is available at local bookstores. The workbook pages for the Oprah program can be downloaded from the website.

The Iraq War, the environment, education, and taxes. It is also appropriate to look at their views on religion, especially at how it will affect their decisions is elected because religious views do influence political decisions. I still believe that a religious viewpoint is one reason behind America’s invasion of Iraq. A personal understanding of eschotology contributed to the quagmire and the deaths of thousands of our soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqi citizens.

Religion is an item discussed by the current crop of candidates on television, radio and in their speeches. We know where they go to church, how they interpret the Bible, what they pray for and other spiritual matters. It’s a major item to manipulate a portion of our religious society called the evangelicals (whom I think should be identified as fundamentalists).

Dr. Karen Armstrong in her scholarly writings differentiates between these two categories in her books, which are available at the library and at local bookstores.

To clearly understand our candidates’ religious posture, The First Freedom First Campaign (FFF) is building a formula for obtaining such information and understanding. This television ad program will feature legendary actors Jack Klugman and James Whitmore, two popular stars well over 50 years years of age.

It is our right and responsibility to be informed about such critical issues as religious liberty as enshrined in the First Amendment. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, concisely reinforces this pursuit. He states:

“All Americans whether religious or not have a right to know where a candidate stands on issues that have a real, direct impact on their lives, such as science, academic integrity and protection against religious discrimination.”

The following questions should asked as we analyze the faith views of our politicians and determine through reading and research the following:

• Candidate comments that “America is a Christian Nation.”
• Comments on the endorsement of candidates by churches
• Comments on the position on prayer in public schools
• Comments on whether creationism should be taught in public schools
• Comments on “Thou Shalt Not Kill” and an “immoral” war
• Comments on an organization that receives tax dollars to discriminate in hiring and firing based on religious beliefs
• Comments on one’s “right to disbelieve in God is protected by the same laws that protect someone else’s right to believe.”
• Comments on the torture of civilians and soldiers

Relies on these issues will illuminate, educate and enlighten us as voters and enable us to make our own decisions in the voting booth. Remember: political views of candidates does influence political policy.

While in Roosevelt High School in St. Louis, I worked at lee’s Drug Store, where prescriptions were filled , medical advice given to customers who couldn’t afford a doctor, and sundry items such as toothpaste and tobacco were sold. Lee’s had an ice cream bar where we served dipped cones to our customers. It was my job to staff this bar. I still remember the sad evening when Pat, a girl friend who ordered ice cream days before Lent, announced she was giving up ice cream for Lent. That’s a long time for the teen-aged boy who had a crush on her. That was my introduction to Lent and heartbreak.

Now Lent is taking on a more significant meaning; it is recognized as a ritual accommodating spiritual growth and activating our spiritual resources. It is a spiritual enabler for recognizing, surfacing, and activating our inner spiritual resources. It is an ally in releasing our God-like inner nature.

Laila Thompson became creative and relevant in her observance of lent. Her thinking and commitment merits attention and emulation. Following her example propels us to spiritual enrichment as individuals and as a community. What did she do that was so outstanding?

For Lent, Laila usually gives up chocolate or other indulgent sweets. but after talking with her religious leader this year she decided to slim down with something different: her carbon footprint.

Her Lenten resolution concentrated on caring for God’s creation. For the 40 days before easter, she did without plastic bags, she conserved electricity and curtailed her driving. Such sacrifices merged with meditation on the suffering of Jesus, profiting both the community and the individual.

Lent or any of the Christian seasons, are excellent times to integrate stewardship of the earth into our daily lives. This form of stewardship is contagious; there are many small ways we can “take care of God’s creation.”

Spiritual organizations, whether liberal or conservative in theology, are flying the banner of environmental responsibility as characteristic of the faithful. Even evangelicals are announcing a similar message to “abuse of the environment is against God’s will.”

I was raised in the spiritual realm of the Church of the Nazarene, and became a teenager of great faith. In this evangelical denomination, the concentration was on being saved and sanctified or filled with the Holy Spirit, and living a Holy Life. Today, their message also includes environmental responsibility.

Dr. Loren Grisham, president of Southern Nazarene University, said:

“In Genesis 2:5, man is entrusted by God with the responsibility of ‘tending and keeping’ the earth. Today the renewed charge to protect the environment is one that Christians embrace in growing numbers.”

It is not too late for us to develop and to protect our environment. In our family, we are now recycling cans, plastic bottles, boxes and newspapers, thereby casting our vote for a cleaner environment. This personal commitment. I’ll confess, is easier for us since we live within minutes of a recycling center.

Because of my present dependency upon polluting materials, technological developments and require fossil fuels, “the simple task to be stewards of the earth is a greater challenge than could be foreseen a hundred years ago.

I am delighted that my alma mater is dedicating its resources to educating youth on stewardship of the earth. Our “ecological footprints” directly produce the kind of earth we leave as a legacy to our grandchildren.

The Vatican [Rome] encourages us to be more intentional in the stewardship of the earth. Bishop Gigotti in speaking of sins says “you offend God … by ruining the environment.” Protecting it is a component of our faith.

Brother Andrew was identified as “God’s Smuggler” in the 70s, and his objective was the distribution of the Bible to communist countries, an unpopular move with officials in these sanctuaries of atheism.

Brother Andrew dropped out of the media limelight for years, but his efforts today are receiving renewed attention. He is a Dutch-born evangelist with a spirit-directed mission now concentrated on the Muslims of the Middle East and the broader Islamics of the world. Islam is now his mission.

Brother Andrew enjoys unique relationships with the Muslim leaders of Hamas, the Taliban and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). In summarizing his political correctiveness, one writer said “In the course of his work Brother Andrew befriended the founder of Hamas. This relationship subjected him to criticism and ridicule by political and church leaders of the world. he is unconditionally open to dialogue with Muslim leaders.”

Brother Andrew shares the faith and conscientiously strives to view Muslims simply as people. he is the organizer and supporter of a hospital, recruits doctors and nurses, and solicits medical equipment for a medical center at the heart of the Muslim world.

The response to his socially oriented ministry is mixed and critical. In evaluating his work and reading accounts of his contributions, he says “some Israeli friends hate me now.”

Is this prophet pro-Israel or Pro-Arab? Brother Andrew view that choice as a trap. He again gives us insight into how we can personally respond to what seems an unsolvable conflict between cultures. I appreciate his balancing act, which deserves emulating. Brother Andrew said “…just because I am for the Palestinians doesn’t mean I am against Israel — it is not about taking sides.”

In the American appreciation of Christianity and politics, there is a seemingly eternal need to have an enemy. With the interjection of the communist empire, America has held firs place on the enemies list to Islam. Brother Andrew is aware that many Christians and non-Christians in the West see Islam as “the great enemy.”

“This demonization of Muslims and Islams is particularly common among evangelized Christians.” writes Dr. Chapman. Brother Andrew’s strong faith and enthusiasm for the gospel continues to open doors to Islam. But why is he so accepted by members of that faith?

I believe the answer is in part because he respects their life and theology; he honors Jesus with his life and work; he is compassionate and non-threatening; he is admired for his honesty; he willingly criticizes the injustice in both Western and Islamic culture and politics.

Welcome back, brother Andrew. You are a role model in your quest to change the world. ‘ While meditating on this narrative, it is my goal to inspire at least a few readers to review, reexamine, and even reform their personal views and attitudes toward people of other faiths.

Brother Andrew’s commitment to dialogue and respect with Islam is in keeping with the latest thinking of a chorus of Israeli officials, academies and dissenting faiths in Arab-Israeli conflict.

Brother Andre’s tireless efforts inspire unconditional negotiations. Such dedication to this change is an option too for our own country and our personal convictions. Brother Andrew’s example is a challenge, but with spiritual strength we can alter our negative and prejudicial thinking toward people of the Islamic faith.

Brother Andrew’s strong faith and enthusiasm for the gospel

Cassie, our healthy 15-year-old Pug, is a supportive companion and she is challenging this ancient and trite platitude. Cassie, even though she has exceeded the age expectancy for her breed, is either an exception or the disproving of the trite saying.

Cassie, in the human equivalent of 105 years of age, is more mentally active than ever. Even in her senior years she is demonstrating an alertness, a “brain receptiveness” to new tricks, many of which are beneficial to the household. She is more effective than ever in communicating her needs to us with a bark, or by sitting in front of us and staring us in the eyes. For 14 years, she never barked except when visitors arrived at our door. Now she barks like clockwork at 10 p.m. or 2 a.m., whenever she need to go out and relieve herself. At this stage, she may have a gland problem that pushes her to more frequent needs to relieve her kidneys. Just like many of us senior citizens.

Only in the past year has she assumed the sentry mode in staring at us or following us throughout the house. She is completely in control of when she needs to be let outside and we are appreciative that her “accidents” are as rare as hen’s teeth — another axiom. She is learning to control us and get our attention with enough confidence to have us jump out of bed to assist her. She’s also learned to communicate with the neighbor’s Shih-tzu, Campbell, with a series of barks.

What can I learn from this adorable pet that speaks to me of my own aging process?

First, make the most of what I can. Maintain a measure of intellectual curiosity. In high school, I studied Julius Caesar but didn’t understand it. Reading this icon of literature was an insurmountable obstacle. I hated the class; it was too much of a challenge for this country boy. Now, 50 years later, I saw Julius Caesar at the Roxy Regional Theatre. In preparation for this adventure, I read a critique of this Shakesperean drama and carefully studied the plot. Though aging and so much older, I still have a passion to learn, cultivated over years of maturation, and know it wasn’t my fault for not understanding this play when I was in school.

Secondly, I am learning from Cassie that with aging there are inevitable physical changes in us. her gait is slower and her steps shorter now; she sleeps 20 hours a day and prefers staying at home to visiting grandchildren in Indiana. It takes her longer to find her food and water dishes.

Thirdly, Cassie’s physical prowess is restricted. She will not climb stairs to the bonus room where I have an office. Perhaps she’s experiencing discomfort from arthritis, or a newly developed fear of heights. She is demonstrating some of my bodily symptoms — slowing down. In the last local road race I finished near the end; I’ve never done that before. My defense mechanisms automatically blink and flashes “you’re losing your endurance.” I resist admitting that my prowess in racing is declining.

Our pets have much to teach us about living and aging gracefully and learning even as we move through our remaining years. I hope Cassie remains healthy. As long as she is she will bring a sense of encouragement, and will l serve as my teacher.

Recently I had such an experience with an unknown, unfamiliar chronic pain in my right side. After two weeks of this nagging pain, I went to my doctor. Two referrals and various tests later, Dr. Patel in five minutes not only identified the problem but prescribed a medication that brought immediate relief. Before his treatment, my imagination had conjured up thoughts of a gall bladder attack or kidney stones or even cancer.

It’s one thing to suffer from an unknown ailment; it’s another to suffer in silence. In II Corinthians 8-11, the Apostle Paul is described with an illness which he kept to himself. I recommend that this testimonial and self-revelation be read.

The most extraordinary thing about this passage is that there is no information at all about this terrible experience. I speculate this was a medical malady which was plentiful in his day due to poor diet, polluted water and lack of medical care. It seems that this malady was emotional or psychological. Paul suffered but kept the details to himself. Suffering in silence is a common choice, even today.

Veterans seldom talk about their experiences in war, especially those personally involved in carnage. While in Vietnam I saw the bodies of our soldiers in body bags, stacked up next to the [emergency room] like cords of wood. A week later no one talked about those conditions, but the memory of this loss of life remains with us.

King George the fifth voiced one of his rules of life: “If I have to suffer …. let me suffer in silence and close.”

Doug Kevilus in a devotional shared the catastrophic effects of his own suffering.

“My doctor called to tell me I had an advanced stage of cancer. My God, I thought, I’ve got young kids, a loving wife, and a rising career … At first, like Paul, I felt so unbearably crushed that I despaired of life itself; I could not even pray.”

Whatever destiny is in our tomorrow, we can be assured suffering in some form will attack us; it’s the nature of the world. It happens to the child who loses a parent in Iraq; by the high school graduate who isn’t accepted at the Air Force Academy; by the teens confronted with unwanted pregnancy… Things happen.

There are long nights of the soul, but there is are also spiritual strengths for coping and choosing the right path to follow. Contributing to Paul’s recovery were the prayers of the Corinthians. We may have little to give our friends and little we can do for the friends who are suffering, yet we can give them the priceless treasure of our prayers, understanding, and moral support, respecting their choice to suffer in silence. God our protector walks in the shadows with us.