Something on my Mind: Too Good to Help?

You have heard of Yale and Harvard, of course. They were once stalwart Christian seminaries, solid hallmarks of biblical academia. However, somewhere and somehow they succumbed to the pressures of the day—both from within and without—to become mere secular universities and graduate schools.

I don't know exactly how—I'm not that old, cousin Reggie—but something was either introduced or willingly allowed that brought them to a different place. For your information, we're talking just under 400 years ago.

You may or may not know that the “Y” is one abbreviation for another abbreviation, namely, the YMCA. The full title is Young Men's Christian Association, with “C” standing for the word “Christian.” It was an outreach programme for men, started by an entrepreneurial Christian businessman. He saw the need to help young men in his native Chicago. While it is no longer Christian, per se, it is still doing a good work all over North America.

Again, I suggest to you that a shift in basis became a shift in focus, which became a shift in style.

By the way, one person influenced by the YMCA was a gentleman by the name of Henri Dunant. Between seeing the hands-on, practical Christian faith in action, coupled with the needs of wounded soldiers, he introduced a medical mercy institution that is still active globally.

You may not have heard of him, but you may have heard of what he was instrumental in co-founding: the Red Cross.

But in today's culture, of course, because these parties held to a traditional, historical view of marriage, they would be branded as intolerant bigots. Thank goodness they got a head start a century or two ago before our culture became “enlightened.”

Now even closer to home: Ever heard of the Samaritan's Purse? That's the organization that distributes thousand of toys and packages all over the world, to needy children, regardless of race or religion, creed or colour. It's a Christian organization, you know.

Even as I write this, they are serving in cyclone-ravaged Vanuatu. Maybe we should shoo them away because of their alleged intolerance.

Are they the next movement to lose its effectiveness in the community by the naysayers? Will they forced to compromise or even shut down because they hold to a traditional, historical view of marriage?

But they are more than Christmas gifts and disaster relief overseas. The people in High River, I'm sure, recognize the good that Samaritan's Purse has done for their flood-ravaged friends.

Well, not exactly “friends”: They are complete strangers, but nevertheless it's the Christian thing to do.

What about Habitat for Humanity, another faith-based operation? I went to their website and was pleased to see their claim to be a Christian-based operation. You should do the same. You'd be amazed, as I was, to see where they are, who they build free houses for, regardless of (here we go again) race or religion, creed or colour.

The same can be said about the global impact of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, another Christian organization? Their subtitle says, “A Christian Response to hunger.” As usual, space forbids to discuss the good that Mennonite Central Committee does all over the world.

Do you get the picture so far? The vision and initiative of Christian men and women, helping their fellow-citizens in regular, practical ways, with no government assistance and no strings attached. It can't get any better than that.

But there are days that I fear that a certain vocal element will worm their way into these (and many other) humanitarian services, and destroy them for their differing views of morality.

Will these wonderful organizations become compromised like Harvard and Yale, sued, then shut down like some bakeries in the States, all for want of a difference of conviction? Where's the “agree-to-disagree” principle? Where's the “live-and-let-live” rule of thumb? Where is the true tolerance?

Are thrift stores with religious roots, such as Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and Bibles for Missions, the next target? Are the soup kitchens and many programmes provided by Union Gospel Mission in the cross hairs of these people?

If people don't appreciate or value the good work done by these institutions, they should start their own services to the poor and needy, the under-nourished and illiterate, the destitute and marginalized.

After all, it would be the Christian thing to do.

 

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Something in my Mind: Life's Highway

(This is an open letter to my distant relative, Maurice. You can read along, if you so choose.)

Maurice, old buddy, old pal, old friend of mine--how's life? I heard via the grapevine that one of your kids (that would be Maurice Jr.) is getting his driver's license. I have taken it upon myself to pass along a few bits of counsel from things that I have learned along life's journey.

Most of these have come from driving for over forty years, some of it from living for sixty. You know, Maurice (and MoJo), that driving is a lot like life: What you learn in one you can apply to the other.

Think about the following:

1. Stay in your own lane. Whether there's only one lane or three, stay where you are. Don't mess with people's heads by wandering here or weaving there. That throws off every driver around you. But if you must switch lanes, do it with all the courtesy you can muster.

That's a good rule for life, too: Stay focused and committed to where you are. Don't harass or bother other people. Don't mess with their heads, hands, or hearts. If you must shift for reason, be a really courteous, well-mannered person while you're at it.

2. Follow the rules of the road. That means all of them, not just some of them. Go the right speed; stop when you're suppose to stop; be kind to other drivers. You can't control that moron coming at you, driving that dumpy Dodge (or is that redundant?), with his music blaring his music or his high beam blinding. You can't control his driving habits, just yours. And if we all did that, there would be very few problems on the road.

That's a good rule for life, too: Do your part to keep your nose clean. Be nice but not too nice; bother with people but don't bother them (a big difference). You can't be responsible for other people's problems, but you are for yours.

3. Don't cut corners. You can take that both literally and figuratively. In other words, slow down when you come to a yellow light. Stop at a "stop" sign. Don't dash off recklessly when you're late. Keep off the sidewalks.

That's a good rule for life, too: Do a full day's work; eight hours means an honest eight hours. Tell the truth. Don't cut corners in details, facts, and emotion. Don't promise one thing but deliver something else. Be real and open in all relationships. Anything less is cutting corners.

4. Keep your vehicle well maintained. If you're as useless as I am when it comes to mechanics, get someone else to do it. There's no harm in not knowing, but there is plenty of harm in not doing. A regular oil change and tire maintenance, for example, seems so trivial, yet it's so crucial to the longevity of the car.

That's a good rule for life, too: Regular rest, good eating habits, productive hobbies, no vices are what some wag like me would call "regular tune-ups." Whether it's a car, relationship, or a body, ongoing maintenance is essential

5. When it comes to driving, just drive. That may garner a "duh?" response from a certain element of people, so let me explain. People are too often texting and talking on their phone, doing their make-up, shaving, or even eating breakfast. The Lord knows what else they might be doing.

(Question: Does fast food mean eating a takeout while breaking the speed limit? Just wondering.)

That's a good rule for life, too: There is some (but very little) merit with being clever at multitasking. For all the good that phoning, dictating, composing, and administering at the same time accomplishes (or cooking, baking, cleaning, sewing, or whatever), is it really necessary?

Too many irons in the fire means too many at the same time. There is nothing wrong with initiative and drive, a lifestyle that's active and productive. But if those add up to losing focus, ie., not giving any one project one's undivided attention, some things should go.

The simple pleasure of driving from Point A to Point B, enjoying the sights and sounds along the way is a great way to travel. Likewise, enjoying life one day at a time, cherishing the relationships and the experiences on a daily basis should be the main focus.

So, Mo and Little Mo, I trust these lessons are a help to you both. Maurice, you're training him every day, whether it's driving or living. And Little Mo, learn these lessons quickly and early: They'll stand you in good stead for the many miles to come.

Oh, one last tidbit, Mo: Make sure MoJo's first and forever purchase is a Ford. Nothing "runs like a Ford."

Something on my Mind: So This is Education?

One of the keenest passions of my heart is education, up there somewhere with writing. I'm sure you've gathered that, if you've read this column for any length of time. My vision for education has been fueled by the fact that I am a father of nine, a teacher for more than two decades, and a taxpayer.

I would also add that I am a consumer who gets served by products, er, students of every educational model, a faith-based adult who (thinks he) has a balanced and broad perspective on what true "education" really is, and a citizen who sees current educational trends that give me the heebie-jeebies.

While we're hanging out here, let me throw a few of these trends that alarm me, sans any significant detail: Common Core (in the States), sex ed (in Ontario), homeschooling attacks (in the States, but maybe coming to a province near you). Call them what you like—trends, movements, laws, reality: They are absolutely fraught with problems, present and potential. That's why I've lumped them together.

I would challenge you to look at the Common Core chaos on your own. You may not be motivated because it's in the States. That would be shortsighted, of course, on your part: Canada is always a step or two behind our friends to the south, so it's just a matter of time before this flawed approach to foundational instruction creeps up here.

In terms of sex ed in Ontario, I'm horrified at every level. Parents, not public institutions, have the sole right and responsibility (those two words always go together, don't they?) for this task. If the government has been ordered to stay out of the bedrooms of the nation, shouldn't the schools do likewise? The growing reality that sex ed is going to be taught to some degree—from high school down to the primary level--is incomprehensible.

And select homeschooling families are being split apart (ie., kids ripped out of the home ) over some allegations from snoopy neighbours. Maybe they should arrest the neighbours. Homeschooling is a viable option for many, and we need to respect the right that parents' right in this matter.

Education, like religion, can be a very divisive issue, and I have no intention of resolving the contention here. You know my standard excuse—space and time forbid. If I can't do it justice, I won't even start it.

Suffice to say, our choices, content, and curriculum must be good for the kids and the future of the nation.

I'm sure you'd agree that education is more than books, more than a piece of paper, more than a brick and mortar building. It may include any one or all of these, but we have been duped if we limit education to any one of those..

There is more than a nuanced difference between "school" and "education." For example, we can say that Student X has been to school, but has he been educated? Student Y may have her grade twelve diploma, but is she prepared for the real world? Students may (or may not) have head knowledge about certain facts, but how's their heart (character) and their hands (skills)?

Basic academic skills should be learned by all students. Beyond that, vocational, moral and social skills should be part of the curriculum. It's great when many of these are taught at home, of course.

The question begs: What are we producing through our present system?

Makes one wonder what education is, after all.

If education becomes the process of ignoring or revising the facts of the past, and staggering towards the future, we have failed. If education is wrapped up in pressing a keyboard, but fails to teach the ability to handle simple transactions at a counter, we have failed. If education is all seat work (and I use the word "work" loosely), but no real acquired, practical skills, we have failed.

Education must build character and skills to be effective. Also, facts acquired are good; but facts applied (in a real life context) are better.

When the literacy rate is going down on a regular basis, confirmed by neutral educational agencies, that alarms me. There is no one villain here in this discussion, but there could be a few co-conspirators. The breakdown of the traditional family is an obvious one: Less and less accountability from mom and dad. Seldom are parents working together with the school in areas of behaviour, truancy, and homework.

Electronic toys would be another. Thinking by clicking just doesn't cut it.

Common Core, sex ed, and anti-homeschooling are massive steps backwards. Preparing for the future is not done by revising the past or skirting the present.

We need to get back to the A's and B's, not the birds and the bees.