This past Saturday, I was presented with an awesome opportunity to meet and serve some members of a valuable, yet under-noticed profession. Our church was granted the privilege of sponsoring a picnic for the San Antonio District office of Texas Parole Officers. These wonderful ladies and gentlemen do the often thankless job of supervising parolees, helping them transition back into society and assisting in their continued rehabilitation after their conviction.
As I understand it, the parole office structure has recently undergone a fairly notable shift. The chaplaincy is a newly created position within the district office. Jim, the wonderful gentleman who has been hired into this role, has done an outstanding job of hitting the ground running in his efforts to support and encourage the men and women in the San Antonio branch of the district office. I hope his efforts will be as fruitful as he expands his efforts to offering the same services to the other cities and towns within his district.
Jim first met our pastor at a small church conference, which Jim did not even really want to attend. His reluctant attendance opened a door for our church, when the two happened a strike up a conversation and an exchange of contact info. Further meetings between Jim and some of our leadership team evolved into an opportunity to serve in a small capacity by sponsoring their appreciation picnic. While at the picnic, I was impressed by the friendliness and appreciation of a group who probably get little to no recognition and thanks in their daily jobs. Looking ahead, I am excited for the opportunity to serve these wonderful people in a further capacity, and to develop a closer relationship between their office and our church.
I am frequently awed by the intricacy and subtlety of God's work. There were a number of small steps that had to be taken, and a multitude of small blessings and nudges required to put our two groups in alignment. For all of that, I'm very hopeful that this will not be a one-time event, and we will have many further chances to serve and minister to these folks.
A small aside here - While at the picnic, several of our group had a chance to talk a little with Mike, the district director. He told us how in the early 90's, the recidivism rate in the state of Texas used to be around 58%. To translate, 58% of parolees used to turn back to crime, and usually end up back in prison, due to any combination of factors and influences. In or around 1994, then-Governor Bush initiated a faith-based initiative to offer a different path to help parolees reintegrate into free society. Since the implementation of this faith-based program, the recidivism rate in Texas has dropped to around 28%.
What is immediately clear is that these people are doing God's work, and doing a fine job of it. What also becomes apparent at closer inspection is that for all that they pour out, they need and deserve to have more poured into them. I heard a great description of the Christian life tonight. It was said that we, as followers of Christ, need to be like rivers. As we are fed and poured into by many different sources, so we need to pour forth of ourselves, continuing to give the water of life further down the line. In looking at the lives and jobs of these parole officers, it is clear that they live this way, as they pour their lives into people who are desperately in need of it. Even granting what an awesome job they already do, how much better could their service be if their river is more amply fed by heartfelt service and ministry?
I'm so thankful for the small glimpse I got on Saturday into this previously unnoticed niche of our community. I look forward in the future to finding many more opportunities to share in their lives.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The long and short of it
Over the last week, I've become acutely aware of an odd paradox taking place in our communications.
On the one hand, individual communication is becoming increasingly clipped and shortened. Between such quick fire mediums as e-mail, texting, and Facebook updates, grammatically correct and complete written interchanges are becoming a thing of the past. The phenomenon has been kicked into warp speed by the massive and viral growth of Twitter as a communications medium. It is disconcerting to see the dwindling of written eloquence in everyday communication. Our entire culture seems to be shifting in this direction. It's been rehashed over and over, but the truth remains - we're becoming an ADD society. If you can't sell your idea in 10 seconds flat, you're likely to lose your audience altogether.
On the other end of the spectrum are the "big" ideas of government, and the absurdly complex legalese and verbosity coming from those who purport to be the champions of these ideas. Just take a look at a few big legislative items that have recently passed or are currently being debated. Stimulus was an 800? page bill. Cap and Trade was, I believe, around 1,600 pages, and that included "placeholders" where the legislation would be more fully fleshed out at a later date. Healthcare reform is another several thousand pages long, and seemingly growing by the day.
I reread a passage from Ecclesiastes a few nights ago that seems particularly apropos in this regard:
Ecc 6:11 - "The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?"
So why the disconnect? How has a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people" evolved to the point where the way government thinks and operates is so antithetical to the lives and styles of the people it aims to represent? I have several theories, some conspiratorial, some innocuous, and some outlandish. But they don't matter a whole lot. The actual reasons for the disconnect are ultimately only marginally important. What is more important is how to bridge that gap and bring the two more closely in line.
I claim no feel-good answer to this. As I see it, there is no quick fix, only a difficult commitment. That commitment is to the task of reengaging and reining in our government. Of course, it would take more than a few activists, as small-scale activism combined with large-scale nonchalance is what has gotten us into this situation in the first place.
So I make this plea to everybody. Get involved. Take time to understand the issues. Demand honesty, trasnsparency, and simplicity. Question everything. Engage people about the issues. Discuss the problems, not the soundbites. Forget about the D, R, L, I, or whatever next to somebody's name. We need to pay more attention to what people believe, and less to whose side they're on.
On the one hand, individual communication is becoming increasingly clipped and shortened. Between such quick fire mediums as e-mail, texting, and Facebook updates, grammatically correct and complete written interchanges are becoming a thing of the past. The phenomenon has been kicked into warp speed by the massive and viral growth of Twitter as a communications medium. It is disconcerting to see the dwindling of written eloquence in everyday communication. Our entire culture seems to be shifting in this direction. It's been rehashed over and over, but the truth remains - we're becoming an ADD society. If you can't sell your idea in 10 seconds flat, you're likely to lose your audience altogether.
On the other end of the spectrum are the "big" ideas of government, and the absurdly complex legalese and verbosity coming from those who purport to be the champions of these ideas. Just take a look at a few big legislative items that have recently passed or are currently being debated. Stimulus was an 800? page bill. Cap and Trade was, I believe, around 1,600 pages, and that included "placeholders" where the legislation would be more fully fleshed out at a later date. Healthcare reform is another several thousand pages long, and seemingly growing by the day.
I reread a passage from Ecclesiastes a few nights ago that seems particularly apropos in this regard:
Ecc 6:11 - "The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?"
So why the disconnect? How has a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people" evolved to the point where the way government thinks and operates is so antithetical to the lives and styles of the people it aims to represent? I have several theories, some conspiratorial, some innocuous, and some outlandish. But they don't matter a whole lot. The actual reasons for the disconnect are ultimately only marginally important. What is more important is how to bridge that gap and bring the two more closely in line.
I claim no feel-good answer to this. As I see it, there is no quick fix, only a difficult commitment. That commitment is to the task of reengaging and reining in our government. Of course, it would take more than a few activists, as small-scale activism combined with large-scale nonchalance is what has gotten us into this situation in the first place.
So I make this plea to everybody. Get involved. Take time to understand the issues. Demand honesty, trasnsparency, and simplicity. Question everything. Engage people about the issues. Discuss the problems, not the soundbites. Forget about the D, R, L, I, or whatever next to somebody's name. We need to pay more attention to what people believe, and less to whose side they're on.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Baptism
For those of you who know me, but were not aware, my wife and I were baptised this weekend. My pastor had told us that each of us might be expected to say a little bit to our assembled friends and family as part of the celebration. That opportunity did not present itself, and as I am somewhat gunshy when it comes to talking publicly, or off the cuff in those types of situations, I let it pass.
But as I sit here tonight, I feel a renewed urge to say what I intended to say on Saturday afternoon. So here it is, more or less. (I'll omit the stammering and verbal pauses for the sake of you, dear reader)
I understand my commission as a follower of Christ, but I so often fall short of that task. From my short amount of study, I feel woefully unprepared to present or discuss the Scripture. I know so many of my own shortcomings that I feel meek in opening myself up to examination. As a result, I have in the past shied away from discussing matters of faith with non-believers for fear of being "exposed".
In reading and praying on baptism, I have come to understand two things that have had a powerful impact on my faith and courage. The first is that baptism, as with the commission, is an act of obedience. By my baptism, I am making an outward declaration that Christ dwells inside of me. With that indwelling, I gain His strength, courage, and glory. When speaking for Him, I am really a mouthpiece, saying what He would have me say. For how can I truly fail when He is leading?
Secondly, I understood that no amount of reading, or memorization, or biblical knowledge, can adequately prepare me for baptism. Baptism is not a culmination of my knowledge, but a declaration of my faith. My growth in the knowledge of the Word will continue so long as I continue to read the Bible and seek understanding with an open mind. Likewise, my faith in Christ will continue to flourish so long as I am obedient to His will. His Will is clearly that I, as should all of his followers, be baptised. How can I deny His will, when it is so clearly placed upon my heart?
But as I sit here tonight, I feel a renewed urge to say what I intended to say on Saturday afternoon. So here it is, more or less. (I'll omit the stammering and verbal pauses for the sake of you, dear reader)
I understand my commission as a follower of Christ, but I so often fall short of that task. From my short amount of study, I feel woefully unprepared to present or discuss the Scripture. I know so many of my own shortcomings that I feel meek in opening myself up to examination. As a result, I have in the past shied away from discussing matters of faith with non-believers for fear of being "exposed".
In reading and praying on baptism, I have come to understand two things that have had a powerful impact on my faith and courage. The first is that baptism, as with the commission, is an act of obedience. By my baptism, I am making an outward declaration that Christ dwells inside of me. With that indwelling, I gain His strength, courage, and glory. When speaking for Him, I am really a mouthpiece, saying what He would have me say. For how can I truly fail when He is leading?
Secondly, I understood that no amount of reading, or memorization, or biblical knowledge, can adequately prepare me for baptism. Baptism is not a culmination of my knowledge, but a declaration of my faith. My growth in the knowledge of the Word will continue so long as I continue to read the Bible and seek understanding with an open mind. Likewise, my faith in Christ will continue to flourish so long as I am obedient to His will. His Will is clearly that I, as should all of his followers, be baptised. How can I deny His will, when it is so clearly placed upon my heart?
Monday, July 6, 2009
Running ahead of God
(note - this post was started on 7.6, but not posted until the night of 7.12)
I am often amazed by the obstinance and rebellious attitude of the human mind. It is so easy for people to claim to want to do something grand and helpful. Yet when given the opportunity, they immediately veer off course, whether via distraction, poor understanding of the situation, or misrepresentation of their original intent. I am, of course, referring to this blog experiment.
I began this blog upon the urging of God to explore the philosophies of His kingdom. Within a week, I had already diverged from that path, and re-branded this as MY blog. It took all of 6 posts before I began to acutely stray from the original intent, which was to post based the philosophies and ideas which He wants me to consider. I felt my own stirrings to set up rules - I want to post x number of times a week. No politics (a "rule" which I immediately broke). The first thing I did every time I logged in was to check for new followers, and then check for new comments. When I didn't find either, I took it as a sign of discouragement that nobody was reading, or cared what I thought.
And the worst thing was that I lost all sense of direction. The urgings and ideas that had been swarming around became faint, muddled, and eventually unintelligible. In very short order, I went from clarity of vision to blindly grasping. At that point, I felt that I needed to forge ahead anyways. After all, I had to meet my quota. And surely new ideas would come.
I was given a small revelation last weekend. Turns out I had run off ahead, and lost the path that God laid out for me. I started to write this post that night, but was uncomfortable with posting it, for whatever reason. A week of prayer followed, along with consideration and meditation on the direction forward. I hope that I've now rediscovered that path.
I always look for a central point when I post. As far as I can tell this time, it is this. Always be aware of your place in your journey. If the next step is not illuminated right now, resist the urge to charge blindly ahead. The path will become clear on His timing, not yours. If you take off on your own direction, you will more than likely lose the path that He desires for you, and you may be unable to recover it at all.
I, for one, am thankful for the small lesson in this regard, and can only hope that I remember as the larger journey continues to unfold.
I am often amazed by the obstinance and rebellious attitude of the human mind. It is so easy for people to claim to want to do something grand and helpful. Yet when given the opportunity, they immediately veer off course, whether via distraction, poor understanding of the situation, or misrepresentation of their original intent. I am, of course, referring to this blog experiment.
I began this blog upon the urging of God to explore the philosophies of His kingdom. Within a week, I had already diverged from that path, and re-branded this as MY blog. It took all of 6 posts before I began to acutely stray from the original intent, which was to post based the philosophies and ideas which He wants me to consider. I felt my own stirrings to set up rules - I want to post x number of times a week. No politics (a "rule" which I immediately broke). The first thing I did every time I logged in was to check for new followers, and then check for new comments. When I didn't find either, I took it as a sign of discouragement that nobody was reading, or cared what I thought.
And the worst thing was that I lost all sense of direction. The urgings and ideas that had been swarming around became faint, muddled, and eventually unintelligible. In very short order, I went from clarity of vision to blindly grasping. At that point, I felt that I needed to forge ahead anyways. After all, I had to meet my quota. And surely new ideas would come.
I was given a small revelation last weekend. Turns out I had run off ahead, and lost the path that God laid out for me. I started to write this post that night, but was uncomfortable with posting it, for whatever reason. A week of prayer followed, along with consideration and meditation on the direction forward. I hope that I've now rediscovered that path.
I always look for a central point when I post. As far as I can tell this time, it is this. Always be aware of your place in your journey. If the next step is not illuminated right now, resist the urge to charge blindly ahead. The path will become clear on His timing, not yours. If you take off on your own direction, you will more than likely lose the path that He desires for you, and you may be unable to recover it at all.
I, for one, am thankful for the small lesson in this regard, and can only hope that I remember as the larger journey continues to unfold.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Follow-up to Monday's item
As I accused our President of prevarication in my Monday item, I wish to clarify my statement.
During the president's press conference, he stated that California residents used 40% less energy per capita than the US average. According to this table - http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/esr/table5.html - the statement was truthful, and not in and of itself a prevarication.
In reality, CA's low per capita usage is likely due to a combination of several factors, none of which are directly applicable, and only the first of which might be desirable in the rest of the US. 1 - The CA climate is far more temperate during the summer and winter months than most of the rest of the US. They don't get the frigid winters seen in MN and MI, for example. For a large portion of the state, they don't see the heat of summer found in places like TX and AZ. 2 - As mentioned in the original post, rolling blackouts have been a problem in previous years, and when the energy isn't flowing, usage typically stays at or very near 0. 3 - At the high usage rates mentioned below, there is an added incentive to cut back wherever possible.
From that same report, the next column over provides the average retail price per kw-hr. This is what Californians 'pay' for their electricity relative to the rest of the US, and is therefore a more relevant and applicable data set. Here, we find that CA pays, on average, 14.42 cents/kw-hr, which ranks as the 7th highest rate in the contiguous 48 states (I don't include AK and HI, as they have unique energy requirements and circumstances owing to their geographical isolation from the rest of the US). It is also 35% ABOVE the national average.
So, while the President's statement was factually true, it was either grossly intellectually dishonest, or representative of a terrible misunderstanding of reality with respect to the rest of America. Either way, I would hope that the President of the United States would be held to a higher standard when it comes to presenting factual, accurate and intellectually honest data to the American People he was elected to represent.
I realize that this is a second politics related post in three days, but I feel that this one is more in-line with the intent of my blog. Among other goals, I seek to urge people to reclaim honesty, integrity, and accountability in every day life. But more than that, I want people to hold their neighbors, friends, colleagues, and leaders to that same elevated standard. And that goes all the way up to the President, if he can be demonstrated to fall from these ideals.
During the president's press conference, he stated that California residents used 40% less energy per capita than the US average. According to this table - http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/esr/table5.html - the statement was truthful, and not in and of itself a prevarication.
In reality, CA's low per capita usage is likely due to a combination of several factors, none of which are directly applicable, and only the first of which might be desirable in the rest of the US. 1 - The CA climate is far more temperate during the summer and winter months than most of the rest of the US. They don't get the frigid winters seen in MN and MI, for example. For a large portion of the state, they don't see the heat of summer found in places like TX and AZ. 2 - As mentioned in the original post, rolling blackouts have been a problem in previous years, and when the energy isn't flowing, usage typically stays at or very near 0. 3 - At the high usage rates mentioned below, there is an added incentive to cut back wherever possible.
From that same report, the next column over provides the average retail price per kw-hr. This is what Californians 'pay' for their electricity relative to the rest of the US, and is therefore a more relevant and applicable data set. Here, we find that CA pays, on average, 14.42 cents/kw-hr, which ranks as the 7th highest rate in the contiguous 48 states (I don't include AK and HI, as they have unique energy requirements and circumstances owing to their geographical isolation from the rest of the US). It is also 35% ABOVE the national average.
So, while the President's statement was factually true, it was either grossly intellectually dishonest, or representative of a terrible misunderstanding of reality with respect to the rest of America. Either way, I would hope that the President of the United States would be held to a higher standard when it comes to presenting factual, accurate and intellectually honest data to the American People he was elected to represent.
I realize that this is a second politics related post in three days, but I feel that this one is more in-line with the intent of my blog. Among other goals, I seek to urge people to reclaim honesty, integrity, and accountability in every day life. But more than that, I want people to hold their neighbors, friends, colleagues, and leaders to that same elevated standard. And that goes all the way up to the President, if he can be demonstrated to fall from these ideals.
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