Articulating Hope

Author: Vernon Dobelmann

  • The Path of Life–Obstacle Course or Smooth Sailing

    The Path of Life–Obstacle Course or Smooth Sailing

    How do you interpret Isaiah 40:3?  “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”  Specifically, what is our role in building up the Kingdom of God?
     Do you ever wish the path in life was laid out so neatly that it would be almost impossible to get lost?  It certainly would make it easier at times.  However, even if the path appears to be clearly marked and prepared, there are still potential obstacles along the way.  A little cactus growing close to the ground is enough to penetrate through soft-soled shoes.  A rattlesnake lurking just off the beaten pathway can bring quite a startle to the unaware passerby.  Little potholes created by animals or weather conditions can strain the unsuspecting ankle with one misstep.  Quite simply, the path is never completely free of obstacles and potential dangers.Are we going to live our lives in fear of what could go wrong, or are we going to embrace both the joys and struggles of life with vigorous hope?  Will we live the adventure that has been graciously bestowed upon us?  Sometimes there are clouds and sometimes the sun shines brightly.  Sometimes we get both at the same time.  The blessings of God can be seen in all.

  • Feeling Defeated?  Watch a Sunrise!

    Feeling Defeated?  Watch a Sunrise!

    As I get older and find it more and more difficult to sleep uninterrupted through the night, I realize that I have taken a lot of things for granted through the years.  The ability to sleep peacefully is one of those things.  I can remember back to my teenage years when it would take a lot to stir me from a deep sleep—even twelve hours into it.  Those days are obviously long gone.

    This morning was one of those times when I woke up prior to 5:00 A.M.  I quietly went into the dining room where I could sit and pray without disturbing others and watch the sun gently rise over the horizon.  Although I am typically not a “morning person” and would prefer to watch a sunset as opposed to a sunrise, the opportunity to witness this marvelous component of sacred order to our existence was just what I needed today.  A few events in recent days had led me to feel a bit on the discouraged side and that is a downward spiral I try to avoid if possible.  I would not have expected to see the virtue of hope just after 5:00 A.M., but it is hard to feel defeated in life when you witness the magnificence of the Creator in a beautiful sunrise.

    The challenges and struggles of life are present for each of us.  Some people I know are carrying huge burdens of suffering.  God blessed me this morning with a powerful reminder of the magnitude of His love and His power.  Whatever cross we find ourselves currently enduring, it is my prayer that we embrace it with the certainty of God’s love in our midst.  Take time to enjoy a beautiful sunrise or sunset, or at least stop and smell the flowers.

  • A Culture of Life

    A Culture of Life

    What is your world view?  As you look at the basic beliefs that form your world view, where do you land in regard to the contemporary Culture War?  The culture war is simply a clash of beliefs in regard to what is true.  There is no doubt that these ideas as they pertain to moral values have certainly shifted in recent decades.

    The categories or topics which fall into the realm of the culture wars are many.  We can start from the beginning and pit the Theory of Evolution against Biblical Creationism.  Furthermore, did we start with a Big Bang or is the creation narrative told in the Book of Genesis the accurate account?  If we move into the topic of sex we can take many side roads to explore.  Alfred Kinsey certainly played an instrumental role in lowering inhibitions.  The resulting consequences are rampant premarital sex, marital infidelity, divorce, contraception, abortion, and the mainstreaming of homosexuality.  How acceptable has this behavior become in our society?

    Gallup conducted research from May 8—11, 2014 about morality by asking the question, “Do you believe that, in general, the following are morally acceptable?”  Here are some of the results Gallup released:

    Birth Control                                                                         90%

    Divorce                                                                                   69%

    Sex between an unmarried man and woman               66%

    Having a baby outside of marriage                                58%

    Gay or lesbian relations                                                     58%

    Doctor-assisted suicide                                                      52%

    Abortion                                                                                   42%

    Pornography                                                                           33%

    Sex between teenagers                                                       30%

    Married men and women having an affair                       7%

    The statement I hear more and more frequently from Christians is that we have lost the culture war.  Traditional beliefs are no longer the majority opinion in society and the subsequent consequence is a loss of the freedom of religion.  If you don’t believe that freedom of religion is being taken away in the process of the persistent sexual indoctrination, ask the bakers who refused to bake a wedding cake for a same sex couple wedding.  Ask the businesses being forced to comply with the HHS mandate to provide contraceptives to their employees even though it contradicts their religious beliefs.  The culture wars have exacted an immense toll on our country and the ripple effect is only beginning to be seen.

    Someone asked me last week, “Where is the Church?”  That is an interesting question.  Obviously, there have been times when Church leadership has probably failed to teach effectively the fullness of the Truth.  There may have been times when the Gospel message was watered down to make it more palatable to the hearers.  Human failures in being faithful to the proclamation of Jesus Christ can be traced back all the way to the apostles.  This is nothing new.  It is also nothing new for members of the Church to ignore the teaching of the Gospel and to reject the moral guidance of the Church.  It is called “free will.”

    There is plenty of blame to go around for those of us who believe that American society is in steep moral decline.  Pointing fingers and accusing others of being the problem will not help us reach a solution as to how we are going to turn the tide.  Let’s face the facts.  American society has accepted the culture of death as the mainstream of life.  It sounds like a contradiction in terms.  However, if we look seriously at the Gallup results there is no denying that the statistics point predominantly toward death.  Let’s take a look at some of the topics listed above and ask the question, “Is it life giving?”

    Birth control may be looked upon as an avenue of freedom to enjoy sexual relations without the “consequences” of a resulting pregnancy.  Is it life-giving?  Certainly not!  It is strategically designed to prevent life from emanating through the conjugal act.  This is not freedom.  It has simply given license to use people as objects for the purpose of self-gratification.  The shocking component of this is that 90% of people apparently agree that this is okay.  The resulting promiscuous behavior (made possible by the pill) repeatedly brings heartache and devastation into the lives of many people.  The sadness and brokenness is frequently palpable.

    Divorce has taken a huge toll on our society.  If you have experienced a divorce yourself, or walked the journey of healing with someone else who has divorced, you understand the consequences of this action.  There is enough pain and suffering in the process of a divorce to last a lifetime.  This does not just impact the husband and wife who are parting ways, but the traumatic and emotional impact on the children is nothing short of heart-wrenching.  The bitterness and anger that frequently accompanies the divorce process has a ripple effect on the extended family as well?  Is this life-giving?  Certainly not!  Yet, 69% of people think this is a morally acceptable thing to do.  

    I was grateful to see lower numbers (though still too high) in regard to the acceptance of pornography (33%) and sex between teenagers (30%).  Sexual promiscuity is apparently okay as an adult if you are not viewing pornography.  Sex between an unmarried man and unmarried woman is acceptable by 66% of those surveyed.  Unfortunately, the lack of commitment and stability that is evident in the “hook-up” culture has some long-term effects for the stability of society.  Pregnancy outside of wedlock (58% think it is acceptable), higher likelihood of poverty, and other social concerns are intertwined to the noncommittal nature of these types of relationships.  Is it life-giving to have a high percentage of adults engaging in sexual relations outside the bond of marriage?  Some would argue that it is.  Birth control has obviously encouraged that point of view.  Looking at the procreative and unitive component of the Sacrament of Marriage in the context of Christianity would express a very different point of view.

    Abortion has been viewed as a major aspect of the culture war since 1973.  According to Gallup 42% of respondents think abortion is acceptable.  This is something I will never understand.  As ultrasound technology continues to improve and we get a clearer and clearer picture into the womb, it is beyond my comprehension as to how society has become okay with snuffing out the innocent life of a child.  An ultra-sound guided abortion is what prompted abortion clinic (Planned Parenthood) director Abby Johnson to become pro-life.  In her testimony she reveals the horror she experienced as she watched (via ultra-sound images) the baby struggling to escape the suction machine designed to terminate the pregnancy.  These images reveal clearly more than a “blob of tissue” or a “fetus”.  The jargon or terminology concocted will never conceal the fact that it is a baby present in the womb of the mother.  We have allowed the discussion about abortion to be hijacked by those with a very specific agenda.  Pregnancy became a disease to be cured rather than a miracle of life to be celebrated.  Is abortion life-giving?  That seems like a pretty easy question to answer, and yet, 42% are morally okay with this horrendous procedure.  How many lives have been lost through abortion?  How much heartache and grief has been experienced by the parents after the fact?

    It has become politically correct to be in favor of gay and lesbian relations.  If a person dares to disagree with this lifestyle, he/she will be immediately taken to task.  We not only have to be tolerant of this lifestyle, we have to condone and even celebrate it.  If we choose to speak against it as morally unacceptable, we are labeled as engaging in hate speech.  The owners of the bakery in Colorado were hauled into court for not compromising their values and refusing to provide a “wedding cake” for a same-sex couple.  Business executives and owners have suffered severe repercussions for not embracing and celebrating the gay and lesbian lifestyle.  If we look at gay and lesbian relations from the point of view of natural law, it is difficult to even phrase the question, “Is the relationship life-giving?”  Some would obviously argue that it is, but if we look honestly at the nature of the relationship and the biological make-up of a man and a woman, it would be very difficult to prove the physical life-giving component of the relationship.  However, 58% are okay with that.

    What does this mean for today’s Christian?  It means that we have allowed our church congregations to blend into society to such a degree that we have faded out of moral relevance.  The secular culture is now dictating the moral values of society rather than the Church.  Will the Church rebound from this dilemma and once again become a prominent player in the shaping of contemporary culture?  I don’t know.  One thing is for sure—the road ahead is not a smooth one.

    Christians are going to experience a profound shift in what it means to be a follower of Christ.  Blending into culture and fading out as a real influence from the Christian moral perspective is no longer an option.  It is time for Christians to be a relevant and faithful witness to Jesus Christ.  A comfortable Christianity does not exist in modern times.  There will be a price to pay for following Christ, and we have already begun to see the beginnings of persecution.  If the signs of the times are any indication, we are only in the early stages of a dramatic shift in our lifestyle.

    Do you need other examples outside the sexual realm to believe this is happening?  What will be the role of marijuana in society as it becomes legal on a more widespread basis?  How does physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia impact the value of life?  Who ends up determining the value of a life based upon its functionality?  Will that be the role of government in making these determinations??

    The moral and ethical questions are mounting almost on a daily basis.  Frequently, it appears that all viewpoints are welcome into the conversation except those of the Christians.  This Gallup poll reveals that we are in for some difficult days ahead.  The martyrdom of Christians throughout history shows the price that is sometimes exacted for being a believer.  We may have never considered that it could enter our time and location in history, but I think it is beginning to enter upon our doorstep.  How will we respond?    

  • Come, Holy Spirit!!!

    Today begins the nine days of prayer between the “Ascension of Our Lord” and the “Descent of the Holy Spirit” at Pentecost.  This is the original novena, and I am hopeful that we will not let these days pass by without imploring the Holy Spirit to refresh and renew the fire within us.

    I would encourage you to read chapter 14 of John’s Gospel each day of this novena.  Let these words of Sacred Scripture seep into the very depths of your heart and permeate every fiber of your being.  Pay attention to verse 12 in particular.  The question is, do you and I trust in the words of Jesus?  If so, let’s live like we believe!

    “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.  And kindle in them the fire of your love.  Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and You will renew the face of the earth.  Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit You have taught the hearts of Your faithful.  In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in Your consolation.  We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

  • The Power of Ritual

    Let’s talk about death and dying.  Yes, I have appreciated the work of Elizabeth Kubler Ross and others dedicated to this field of study and ministry.  Death is a fact of life, but it seems to be something we don’t care to freely discuss on a routine basis.  It doesn’t generally create an atmosphere for a casual and pleasant conversation.

    The particular lesson that I learned this past week was the value of ritual.  I was reminded of its value when the ritual wasn’t present at a time in which I was accustomed to having it at the front and center of events.  There was something missing and I felt uneasy about moving forward.  Quite simply, I realized that rituals have helped me during my entire adult life to say good-bye to relatives and friends who have died.  The experience this week of the absence of ritual was both disconcerting and enlightening at the same time. 

    The Catholic funeral rites have three main “stations”: (1) the visitation, (2) the funeral liturgy, and (3) the burial.  As a life-long Catholic I have become extremely comfortable with this solemn ritual.  It is how we grieve; it is how we pray; it is how we say our farewell.  This process gives us hope in the resurrection as we express our trust in Jesus Christ.  We can still grieve, pray, and say good-bye without the ritual, but the solemnity of the funeral rites are a bountiful treasure indeed. I, for one, am grateful for this blessing of the Church.

  • Memorial Day Weekend

    Memorial Day Weekend

    Memorial Day Weekend brings out barbeque pits, lawn chairs, and the unofficial start to summer.  The question that enters my mind each year at this time is a simple one.  Does this weekend bring us to our knees in prayer?  Memorial Day is an opportunity to reflect upon the gift of peace and the gift of freedom.  Do we give thanks to God for these blessings?  Do we give thanks to God all those who have sacrificed their lives to so that we may live in freedom and tranquility?

    On May 23, 1920 Pope Benedict XV issued the encyclical, PACEM, DEI MUNUS PULCHERRIMUM (On Peace and Christian Reconciliation).  I would like to quote his entire first paragraph to put into perspective his thoughts following the end of World War One.

    “Peace, the beautiful gift of God, the name of which, as St. Augustine says, is the sweetest word to our hearing and the best and most desirable possession; peace, which was for more than four years implored by the ardent wishes of all good peoples, by the prayers of pious souls and the tears of mothers, begins at last to shine upon the nations. At this We are indeed the happiest of all, and heartily do We rejoice. But this joy of Our paternal heart is disturbed by many bitter anxieties, for if in most places peace is in some sort established and treaties signed, the germs of former enmities remain; and you well know, Venerable Brethren, that there can be no stable peace or lasting treaties, though made after long and difficult negotiations and duly signed, unless there be a return of mutual charity to appease hate and banish enmity. This, then, Venerable Brethren, is the anxious and dangerous question upon which we wish to dwell and to put forward recommendations to be brought home to your people.”

    There is no doubt that tensions and violence remain a significant component of life for many people throughout the world.  This realization should compel Christians to live as an example of sincere love and charity so that we may effectively banish enmity.  However, if the Church as a whole finds itself stuck in complacency and apathy, what are the chances we will ever experience true peace and tranquility?  As members of Christ’s body we each have a role to play in bringing the transforming love of God to others.  Do we care enough to put on the armor of God and get to work?

     In his book, Secrets of Super Achievers, Philip Baker states the following:

    “The truth is, however, most people are not lazy; they are simply uninspired.  Motivation comes from having a goal that is inspirational.  This, in turn, causes us to focus our lives even more and gives us the energy with which we can accomplish our dreams.”

    When I studied that statement from Philip Baker the question that popped into my mind was this:  Are Christians uninspired?  How could it be that a relationship with almighty God is not a sufficient enough goal to generate motivation within us?  If that is indeed the case, what changes do we need to make in our individual lives as well in our religious institutions?  If enthusiasm, zeal, and motivation are not bursting at the seams within our church congregations, what is wrong?

    History has taught us some things in regard to maintaining peace in the world.  Will we pay attention to the lessons?  Let us not only yearn for peace when we are in the midst of war, but let us yearn for peace each and every day of our lives.  May we never be content with an attitude of indifference or satisfied with mediocrity!  Let pious souls pray fervently and live faithfully to light the way for a world that is sometimes enveloped in darkness.  Quite simply, let’s live inspired lives!  

    Give thanks to God this weekend for the gift of freedom and the gift of peace.  Pray for all of those families who have sacrificed in the past to give us this gift as well as those currently serving our country.  Pray for all those affected by the ravages of war.  Pray for our veterans and their families.  Pray for our government to have good leadership and function well.  Pray that the issues at our VA Hospitals will be straightened out and quality health care will be provided to those who have served.  Most importantly, pray for our country that we may truly become what we pledge to be, “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

    I offer one word of encouragement as you offer your prayers.  Pray with an immense amount of gratitude.  It is easy to focus on everything that is wrong and lose the hope that we find in God.  Today, focus on what is right and good and demonstrate abundant gratitude in the process.  I leave you with these quotes to ponder for this Memorial Day Weekend.

    “It’s a sign of mediocrity when you demonstrate gratitude with moderation.”
    ~Roberto Benigni 

    “There is real magic in enthusiasm.  It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.”
    ~Norman Vincent Peale

    “People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents.”
    ~Andrew Carnegie

    “Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.”
    ~Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

  • Thank You Catholic School Principals & Teachers

    Thank You Catholic School Principals & Teachers

    As another academic year draws to a close I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to all of those dedicated individuals working in the field of education.  I am repeatedly amazed at the creativity and commitment of so many teachers and administrators in the educational system.  Your professionalism and expertise is truly appreciated.

    I send a special word of congratulations to the administration, faculty and staff at Holy Name School in Sheridan, Wyoming.  As your institution celebrates its 100th anniversary, please know of my continued prayers for your success.

    I have had the privilege to be involved and connected with Catholic schools for quite a few years now.  This has consisted of serving in a number of roles.  I have been the Coordinator of Religious Education, a high school theology teacher and campus minister, principal of a K-8 school, and now the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Cheyenne for the last four years.  I continue to learn and grow with each new experience and with each passing year.

    These last four years have provided an opportunity to see Catholic education from a vantage point which I had not previously considered.  Being involved with more than one school at a time creates a perspective not as easily realized when confined to one parochial institution.  It has enabled me to witness the successes and the struggles of the various educational institutions and put it into the context of the universal Church.  We are all working toward the goal of educating our children in light of the faith, but the way that is accomplished is varied indeed.

    A school with fifty students functions differently than the school with over three hundred students.  The school with a leaning toward the Classical Curriculum has a different flavor than the one which does not have that direction.  Some schools may have a more vibrant athletic program than their counterparts, but others may be stronger in areas of music, speech, and drama.  The end result is still the desire to provide an academic education enveloped in the faith of Jesus Christ and His Church.

    Principals and administrators—thank you for your leadership.  You set the tone for the school.  Your ability to model the faith and provide excellent spiritual and academic leadership for the school is essential to its success.  Author John Maxwell says an institution will rise and fall in connection with the leadership at the top.  Each of you bears an immense amount of responsibility for the success of your school.  I offer a special word of gratitude to each of the Catholic school principals in Wyoming.  Your task is not an easy one, but your effort and dedication is truly appreciated.  This superintendent certainly appreciates your work.

    Teachers continue to amaze me at what they are able to accomplish each year in their classrooms.  The environment of education has changed immensely over the years—and not always for the better.  However, our teachers continue to adapt and change to the times.  Keeping up with technological changes is one thing, but keeping up with the changes in cultural norms and expectations is a whole different story in and of itself.  Your skills, your flexibility, and your commitment to education are truly honorable.  Thank you for the sacrifices you make to help our children learn and grow into mature Christian adults.  Your work has eternal consequences, and for each of you striving to do it well, I simply say, THANK YOU.

    The support staff keeps the wheels of the institution turning.  Thank you to each of you as well.  Paraprofessionals add a huge dimension to the success of our schools.  The bookwork and record keeping is no small task.  Keeping the facilities in tip-top shape, sometimes on a very limited budget, is not something we can take for granted.  The meals provided to the students in our cafeterias gets to be more difficult all the time.  Following the federal guidelines is a daunting task all by itself.  In each of these supportive roles, I simply say, THANK YOU.

    Parents and volunteers, financial benefactors, and community business owners who support the endeavors of the local Catholic schools, THANK YOU.  Your generous support is essential for the future of our institutions.  I realize the immense sacrifices that parents make to send their children to Catholic schools.  The financial resources and the volunteer hours you provide for the upkeep of the school is truly appreciated.

    As we prepare to enter into summer vacation, I extend my best wishes to all of the students for a joy-filled and safe summer.  Likewise, I pray that all of the administrators, teachers, and support staff find time for rest and relaxation as well.  May God bless each of you abundantly!

  • Where Is The Truth?

    Are you a liberal or a conservative?  The Synod taking place in Rome certainly has the blogosphere lit up with opinions and commentary regarding the mid-term report.  Although it is considered a “working document” conservatives are extremely concerned about the ramifications of the contents.  Liberals are filled with expectation that Church doctrine will be changing to accommodate those in “irregular” lifestyles.  Archbishop Kurtz simply invited all of us to calm down and take a breath.

    I realize that the vast majority of Catholics are probably only getting a snippet of information regarding these deliberations on the evening news or from a brief article on the internet.  The interpretations of the events seem to be quite diverse depending upon which news source you consult for your information.  One thing is for sure.  The Synod has created an opportunity for agenda-driven individuals and groups to get their message out to the public.  Furthermore, Cardinal Kasper and Cardinal Burke demonstrate the great divide that exists even among the highest echelons of leadership within the Church.

    I have frequently heard it said that politics is simply a reflection of the contemporary culture.  In the United States we see that accurately played out in a variety of venues.  There is no doubt that our politics are deeply divided and extremely partisan with very little concern for the common good.  Our culture seems to exhibit great divides as well.  A few examples would be the racial tensions in Ferguson, Missouri which is twofold—the divide between black and white as well as between the citizen and the police (authority figure), the tension between the LGBT community in Houston (in union with the mayor) against the local pastors, and from an economic perspective the distance and divide between the salary of a CEO and the hourly worker.

    Are politics an accurate reflection of contemporary church culture?  It would certainly appear to be so, at least as it is being lived out in the United States of America.  Obviously, the happenings in Rome impact the Catholic Church around the world.  However, the same divide that exists in American politics seems to be reflected in the divide in the Church.  Look at the liturgy.  Do you prefer Mass in Latin or in the vernacular?  What happens if the congregation is made up of a couple of prominent cultures?  Do you prefer a bi-lingual Mass?  How do you like your music at the Eucharistic celebration—organ or guitar with drums?  Are you pro-life or are you a social justice person?  Do you want the Church to get with it and start accepting things that the culture is accepting or do you want the Church to be counter-cultural?

    These are questions relevant to the wider discussion.  As church attendance continues to decline and participation in religious education programs dwindles at alarming rates, the question must be asked, “WHY?”  Is it simply that the cultural values have usurped the values and morals taught by the Church subsequently making religious convictions obsolete or irrelevant?  If so, why has the culture been more effective at transmitting a message of self-gratification as opposed to the Church which has the message of everlasting life?

    It seems to me that there is a grave necessity in our churches at the local level to do some soul-searching.  That means there is a need to do some real self-evaluation of the church community.  I don’t mean a simple evaluation of programs at the church.  I mean an evaluation of the programs and processes in light of the impact that the church community is having on its own members as well as the wider community.  Do we witness a sincere growth in holiness that is overflowing into the community beyond the church walls?

    There are many tools available to evaluate “success” at the local level.  I’ll let you describe and define success for your local parish.  Here are some questions to get you started thinking.

    1.      Are the Eucharistic liturgies spiritually moving and prayerful?

    2.      Are the homilies well prepared, well delivered, substantive and inspiring?

    3.      Does your parish call people to a deeper faith in God?

    4.      Does your parish offer multiple opportunities for spiritual growth?

    5.      Does your parish do a good job of welcoming guests and new parishioners?

    6.      Does your parish invite and encourage non-practicing parishioners to return?

    7.      Are parishioners kept informed of parish activities?

    8.      Do you get a sense of warmth and hospitality in your parish?

    9.      Do you have an effective religious education program for all age levels?

    10.  Is youth ministry a priority in your parish?

    11.  Are there meaningful social activities for adults and senior citizens?

    12.  Are your facilities easily accessible to all?

    13.  Does your parish provide outreach to the poor in the local community?

    14.  Do your parishioners actively cooperate and work with neighboring parishes?

    15.  Does your parish provide adequate training for parish ministers and parish staff?

    16.  Is your pastor readily available to the people?

    17.  Overall, how does your parish impact the world?

    We all have a role to play in being the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  How brightly is your light shining right now?  Do people encounter Jesus Christ through you and in you?  The world needs faithful witnesses in a desperate way.  Will you make a commitment to be a person of prayer, study, and action?  I hope you will.  Tough times are ahead for Christians; we are only experiencing the tip of the iceberg right now.  The events in Houston will be lived out with greater frequency and growing intensity in the weeks, months, and years ahead.  Let us put on the armor of Christ!

  • Show Me the Money

    Show Me the Money

    Our culture has certainly been shaped by the media over the course of time.  Think about the many ways our lives have changed since the invention of the television set.  Consider also the desensitizing process we have undergone since we first started watching the TV screen.  Things we may have found objectionable forty years ago are now easily accepted and welcomed into our hearts and homes.  Whether we like it or not, our lives have been influenced by the Hollywood elite.

    For instance, according to www.brainyhistory.com, it was on this date (May 14) in 1998 that the last episode of Seinfeld was on NBC.  Commercials were selling for $2 million each!  That may look like a bargain compared to Super Bowl advertisements in 2014, but that is a chunk of change for attempting to market one’s product.  What does the cost of advertising on TV during a particular show or sporting event say about us as a culture?  What impact did the show Seinfeld have on our society?  It is probably difficult to quantify the response to such a generic question, but we can be assured that many people were tuned into the show to draw that level of advertisement revenue.  The characters on Seinfeld influenced American culture.

    Another example listed on www.brainyhistory.com marks an anniversary tomorrow.  It was on May 15, 1989 that Maxwell House Coffee ran advertisements during the “Roe vs Wade” movie despite the threat of a boycott by pro-life individuals and organizations.  Cultural and moral values, or a lack thereof, are sometimes highlighted during a controversial topic being addressed in a TV program or movie.  As we watch the continued escalation of sexual promiscuity, profanity, and a belittling of Christian values in contemporary programming, it is little wonder that we are faced with many of the social problems that are plaguing our communities today.

    The questions I pose to you are simply these:  
    1. What is the predominant factor shaping the moral values in your life?  
    2. Which is more influential in your life–the cross of Christ or the television set?
    3. What gets more time–prayer or TV watching?

  • National Hospital Week

    National Hospital Week (May 11—17, 2014) has been celebrated since 1921 and it is the nation’s largest healthcare event.  The theme for 2014 is, “Compassion, Innovation, Dedication: The Commitment Continues.”

    I learned a great deal through the process of being diagnosed with a serious illness, having surgery, and going through months of chemotherapy treatments.  I teamed up with one of the hospital chaplains to begin a support group for individuals and families coping with a life threatening illness.  One thing led to another and eventually I found myself employed as a part-time chaplain.  I could not believe that I was actually agreeing to do this.  During my lengthy stay in the hospital as a patient, I just wanted out.  Now I was voluntarily going back in as an employee.

    Seeing first-hand what goes into the care of a patient from multiple avenues was enlightening.  The skillsets that are present in a hospital are simply amazing.  It isn’t just the doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, and other high profile personnel that make the hospital run.  It is a long list of other highly dedicated and competent individuals who make hospitals what they are.  I want to give a personal “shout out” to the phlebotomists who have drawn my blood literally hundreds of times.  I do not like needle sticks so when you do it well I am extremely grateful for your expertise.

    Hospitals in smaller communities sometimes struggle with a lack of resources available to some of the larger metropolitan hospitals.  I can understand the frustration that this brings, but I am also grateful for what local hospitals are able to bring to the table.  County and regional hospitals don’t simply provide treatment and comfort to the sick; these hospitals are part of the local community and represent hope.  It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I extend my sincerest best wishes to all those in the medical community serving in hospitals all across our nation.  Have a wonderful week!

    National Hospital Week–“Compassion, Innovation, Dedication: The Commitment Continues!”