The Wheelchair Minister

Speaking in tongues

If you ever want to start a heated theological discussion, just bring up the subject of “speaking in tongues” and there will likely be no lack of conversation.  It can be very controversial.  To discuss the merits for or against the Biblical concept of tongues is NOT the subject at hand.  I merely want to start your thinking for what is below.

This week our pastor was talking about a visit he made early on in ministry.  The visit was to a facility that cared for the severely disabled. He wanted to see it because he had heard such good things about their care for people who could not care for themselves.

A good number of the residents were bed-ridden, or at least limited in their mobility.  Many of them required constant care throughout the day.  That was their life.

The administrator who was conducting the tour relayed a story of one wheelchair bound resident.  This person was non-verbal except for some unintelligible sounds.  But he had a routine that he performed every night.  He would start at one end of the facility and visit each resident’s room, place his hand on their arm, and make those gutteral sounds for about 30 seconds, then move on to the next room.  This was his way of connecting with each person there.  The administrator said that he had most likely learned this from a visiting chaplain sometime that had done this for him.  It must have made such an impression that it started this “ministry” to the residents.

Neither the staff nor the resident  visited ever knew what was being said.  And I won’t try to convince you that this was a “prayer” in the traditional sense.  But, just the same, this man confined to a wheelchair was doing a service for each one of his housemates.  It was his way of bringing them comfort.

Speaking in tongues?  Maybe yes, maybe no.  

But it does make one think, doesn’t it?  If this person of such limited ability can provide this example of love for others, how much more could we do with our abundance of abilities.  It humbles me to think that I do even a fraction of what he is doing for his neighbors.  

1 Cor 13:8 says “Love never fails.”  May it be so with me.

Searching for Janet or William Schulz

Need some help here - in an investigative way.  I'm trying to deliver a long lost letter.  But in order to do that, I need to locate either one of the people below.

Here's the story.  I purchased a used book in a bookstore (Exodus, by Leon Uris if it makes any difference) several years ago.  In the book was a letter that had been written but never mailed.  The only date was 16 Sep, no year given.  All it said on the envelope was Miss Janet Schulz, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The Air Mail postage was 10 cents, so it likely was 1980’s or earlier.

It appears to have been written by her brother, Bill (very likely William Schulz) a First Lieutenant on special duty in the military and probably stationed overseas.  He may have been (?) in a protocol position,  maybe embassy duty even, or maybe any unit when he just "drew the short straw" as he talks about setting up an itinerary for a General Officer visit.  He expected to make Captain in Feb.  I don't even know which military service this would have been.

There are references to a Volkswagen (Janet’s, maybe).  Janet may have been teaching at the time. 

I did a whitepages search on the internet for both of those people, and could find nothing linking them together (known associations, etc.)  And, Wisconsin may have been only a temporary thing for one of both of them.  I don't really know.

That’s about all I’ve got.  Any help from anyone here? 

Reply to @computer7th on twitter, or leave a comment below.

(Lack of) Accountability for the Judicial Branch

I wonder sometimes where we are headed - as a country, I mean.  From the perspective of a country-boy growing up in the 1950's until today, I see such changes that literally boggles my mind.

Times back then were relatively simple.  Everyone knew generally what to expect from each other, and from those who were put into power to make decisions for us.  Citizens were given arguments - sometimes very heated ones - and then the vote decided whose argument held the most weight. Once decided, our elected and appointed officials would pretty much toe the line to fulfill those decisions.  Any Constitutional issues were most likely detailed up front for consideration BEFORE the vote.

Back then, the citizen's vote really meant something.

Two of the three branches of our government are subject to election by the voters.  Every two, four, or six years, voters are asked to "tell" their elected officials how they are doing, and either vote them back in or replace them.  Whether you agree or disagree with who is ultimately elected, you have a voice in every election.  There is some accountability, at least once in awhile.  If someone REALLY messes up, accountability can be more swift, but instances like that are rare.  That two thirds of the government will ebb and flow, but still are relatively responsive to the citizenry.

The Judiciary branch of government, however, appears to have NO accountability to it's citizens.  What's up with that?   They become an extension of the other two branches, which makes them isolated from the people they are meant to serve.  Whoever wields the most power at a given time can put in place like-minded people in the courts - and they stay there.  The problem is, though, they don't listen to the people.  They do whatever they want, and answer to NO ONE. 

We are constantly hearing stuff like 

     “Oh, so most of you think marriage is only a man and a woman - Sorry - not going to happen.”  and “What - you want gender specific bathrooms?  Why would you possibly want that?”  

     “Ten Commandments? That might offend someone.” 

     “Constitution?  I don’t care how it’s written, I interpret it THIS way!”    

Then, once it’s been said (establishing a precedent,) it’s there to stay.  That precedence becomes the rule by which everything later will be measured.  It is much akin to introducing a pollutant into a water supply - it’s easy to get it in but it’s a devil to get back out!  

So, where’s the “hook?”  How do we pull the "stooge off the stage” when we don’t want to watch his / her performance any longer?  Term limits?  Periodic reconfirmation?  Make each one subject to Election?  That’s a tough one, alright.  

Whatever the method, we need to find a way to turn this situation around!  It’s only going to get worse.  Somehow, we need to make the Judiciary branch accountable to the people, as our founding fathers surely intended.    

I wonder what the courts would say about that????

A Mission Statement for a School District

To give credit where credit is due, this is based on http://www.gktw.org/about/mission.php

I was visiting the site because our grand daughter (3 years old) just took benefit of their generosity during a "Wish Trip" to Orlando and the Disney Park.  The family stayed at "Give Kids the World" resort located there.  I was impressed with their mission statement, and it made me think about how it could be applied to me and my role as an educator.

Note that with only a few select changes, this works well with what we do in education.  What a template for a mission statement for a school district!

Replace “Give Kids the World” with your school name

Replace guest with student

Replace corporate partners / supporters and donations with families and tax dollars.

At Give Kids The World, we have adopted the following core values to help guide our everyday actions as we strive to fulfill our mission. Our core values are upheld by the entire Give Kids The World family, including our staff members, volunteers, and corporate partners. We put first priority on the needs of the children and their families. We reach out to all of our guests to make them feel like members of our family and help create magical memories. We do whatever it takes to provide a joyful and quality experience for every guest. We always do our best, individually and collectively. We earn and maintain the complete trust of our corporate partners. We use all donations effectively and efficiently to achieve our purpose. We protect the interests of all supporters. We always try to do the right thing. We are honest and straightforward with each other and with our sponsors. We admit mistakes and do our best to correct them. We focus our energy and resources on the children we serve. We help each other and feel collectively responsible for achieving our mission. We are individually accountable for our roles and commitments. We ask for help when we need it, and provide help when needed.