Call Me Heartless

Is anyone else sick of hearing about Natalee Holloway? Day 80 and every night time news show on every channel is talking about it. People are bashing Cindy Shehan(the mother of a fallen soldier picketing in Crawford TX) for being a publicity hound, but what about Natalee's mom, Mrs. Twitty?

Both women are hurting. I think both are asking for extra special treatment above and beyond the norm. The Twitty- Holloways are getting it and so is Cindy Shehan.

But what about the hundreds of other missing persons? Or the hundreds of fallen and injured soldiers? In the mean time one insults a whole nation and people, the other insults our president. Both asking for special treatment all the while.

Maybe since the people who decide what is"news" focus on these individuals, that may explain why nobody knows what or who Darfur is?Or why is gas $2.45 a gallon? We are fed fake news, while other tragedy's affecting more people go unnoticed. (I know I just equated high gas prices with human life, but if you believe Michael Moore the two are connected in Iraq)

It is these women's right to voice their opinion, but do we have to have a microphone and camera on them 24 hrs a day? I had to watch Bill Maher to hear any discussion on current events tonight. That is a sad day when comedians like Maher and Jon Stewart discuss more issues than our national news outlets.

So if I sound selfish forgive me and remember, at least I am not on every news show every day of the week. Check out:costas walks

What, if anything, can we learn from BTK

The horrors of the Wichita serial killer, known as BTK, were recounted today in the media, as he was sentenced. After his arrest the media made it known that he was "President of his Lutheran church" and some even incorrectly stated that he was a pastor.

I am sure a person in his position knew a lot about the Bible. I'll bet he knew how the politics of the Lutheran church worked. He knew right from wrong. So people who know a lot about God and the church are not neccessarily Christ followers. There ain't no way this guy was saved no matter how many times he said the sinners prayer. Now as long as he lives he could repent and become a true believer as I feel others who have committed horrible crimes have done, but people who repeatedly commit atrocities like his were not at the time of their crimes.

I could go on and on about how are churches are filled with people who have not experienced the transformation into new creatures, but I learned something today about forgiveness.

As I watched victims and family members speak today I could not help notice how their hatred for this man had affected their lives. Forgiving him would be impossible for most of us, but I think the reason Christ wants us to forgive is for our benefit. If we forgive we are free from the anger that can overwhelm us.

I cannot comprehend their pain and sorrow, but I could see how 30 years of anguish had not been healthy for them.

Cultural Ramifications of Architectural Modifications

Dr. Todd mentioned tonight in our Bible Study, the fact that our homes no longer have front porches.

I was reminded about my Grandma's front porch. Everyone met there when the weather permitted. When you saw some one out there you had to stop and say hello.

We tore down that old house about 24 years ago. We built her a new one.....without a front porch. Something about those old front porches that just said come on in.......or sit and wait till we get home.

Todd also mentioned to me the fact that courting used to take place on the front porch. It seems like a much safer place for adolescent hormones to abide, than the inside of a car.

Speaking of which (a car), our society is so wrapped up in our automobiles that we not only commute in them, we seem to spend nearly what we used to on housing for them, if not more. We eat in them. At least when I was a kid you had to stay parked to eat at a drive-in. Now it is go through the drive thru and eat on the run. You can talk on the phone, watch TV, do your makeup, do banking transactions, make dinner reservations and even ask for directions without leaving the comfort of your automobile.

What are the ramifications for both of these changes (architecture and drive thru service)?
We spend too much time alone, we don't forge relationships. Even the simplest of relationships that might be forged by going into a business to buy a cup of coffee is avoided by our fast paced lifestyle. Try having a conversation in a long line of cars at Micky Ds some day and see what happens. Either horns will honk or the poor guy or gal your talking to will get in trouble for holding up progress.

So if you drive by our house and can spare the time, "come on in and sit spell" as my other Grandmother still says. Maybe those were the good old days after all? Or am I just getting old?