Think About It

In my thought for yesterday I mentioned a social issue that is facing our nation – homelessness – and challenged us to do what we can to make a difference in the lives of the people who need us.   As I thought about this challenge, it got me to thinking about something else, loneliness.   If homelessness is a silent problem, loneliness is a hidden problem.   By their very nature, people who are lonely are typically ignored.   It’s not that they (necessarily) bring it on themselves, they just feel it more intensely.   Whether they want to be around people or not, they haven’t found a way to connect in meaningful relationships.   So, what can we do to help the lonely? 1.   Talk to people – especially those you don’t know .   When we take the time to have genuine interactions with people, we can help them feel valuable.   Often, just a simple (but sincere) conversation with someone can leave them more confident and engaged with life. 2. ...

Even though it is still quite warm in many parts of the nation, autumn is not too far away.  While many of us look forward to the cooling temperatures, some of our neighbors lament the changing seasons because the cold, damp weather is especially difficult on the homeless.  Homeless is often viewed as a silent problem in our nation – we know that it exists, but we just don’t like to talk about it.  It can appear to be overwhelming ... often involving complex social, physical, fiscal and mental health components.  More often than not, it is easy to relegate this issue to our government and social services, but is there something that we can do help the people who have no place to turn?  Here are a few practical suggestions: 1.  Get involved in being a part of the local solution .  Most of our medium to large communities have organizations to help care for the homeless.  If we want to make a difference, this might be the best place to start....

September 11 has become a date that will live in infamy for our generation.   Just like December 7, 1941 changed our nation’s history (and perception) so did 9/11/01.   A lot of people will be thinking back on the day eighteen years ago when planes were used a weapons of mass destruction that not only took thousands of lives, but sent the United States into an international conflict that continues today.   The events of that Tuesday morning changed minds, altered lives and disrupted families – not just for those most intimately impacted, but for thousands of others who were influenced by its waves and ripples.   As I think back on this day, I am well aware of how it has created not only change, but also national and international uneasiness.   Air travel, military service, international relationships, religious conflict and public safety are just a few things that have changed since that day.   Yet, one more thing that I have noticed since that day is ho...

Where were you eighteen years ago?  Many of us were carrying on with our lives without much thought about what the future held.  I know I was worrying about how to deal with a high school’s homecoming (in the midst of a major event in town) and having to work all weekend.  The people of New York City were preparing to go to the polls to select their local government.  I imagine those working the Pentagon were fussing about the Washington D. C. traffic and some farmers in rural Pennsylvania were probably discussing the weather.  Then, in a matter of minutes on the next day our lives changed.  The morning of September 11 had an impact on individual lives and changed our nation for the rest of this generation.  Not only were those in Manhattan, Arlington or Shanksville impacted; our whole nation was rocked. As I think back to 2001 I am reminded of a Bible verse, “ Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a...

I don’t remember what year it was, but I do remember that I was in the Washington D. C. area the first time the NFL came up with this Monday night double-header.  The reason it is so fresh in my mind is that, like this year, my Denver Broncos were scheduled to play the Oakland (or was it Los Angeles) Raiders.  What made the match up so distinctive is that I was scheduled to fly back home early the next morning.  I remember having to make the decision – would I give up a few hours sleep to watch the game or give up the excitement for opening day to get my beauty rest?  If I recall correctly, the decision ended up being an easy one for me because the Broncos were way behind at the end of the first half and had no chance at coming back – so, I went to sleep.  Now, the reason I bring this up is that this is the scenario plays out again tonight, however I do not feel any angst – I will be in bed shortly after the 10:20 p.m. kickoff!  My priorities have changed ...

Several things have happened over the last few weeks that have reminded us that words have meanings and consequences.   Things have been said in jest or in a flippant manner – even on a national stage – that have carried with them some unintended consequences and have even had some hurtful meanings.   Now, typically, this discussion introduces us to some inappropriate racial comment, or a derogatory word used to describe a person’s gender or sexual preference; but I want to put a little different spin on it.   You see, while it has become taboo to make certain comments, it somehow seems to be okay to deride others and be shocked when they take offense to it.   Many people think nothing of calling someone “phobic” when they profess a belief that certain lifestyles are unscriptural.   Others attribute a person’s success to “privilege” while discounting a life lived with hard work and purpose.   Some people are quick to call others “prejudiced” when it is mer...

I had a really bad nightmare the other night.  This one was not one of my usual nightmares (the ones where I am falling off of a cliff or in a shootout with a bunch of bad guys).  In this nightmare I found myself involved in activities that – if I had been found out – would have ruined my reputation.  I remember thinking in my dream that what I was doing could have some incredibly damaging consequences.  I was never so glad as I was when I woke up and realized that I was going to be okay.  When I was laying there replying the scenario in my mind I got to thinking about what would I have done if it hadn’t been a dream?  How could I live with myself if I had done it in real life? As I look back on this dream a few things come to mind:  First, it reinforced in me the need to make good choices with my life.  Not only are there personal consequences to choices, they can also have ripples throughout every aspect of our lives.  Second, it gave me...