It's official: I have a mild case of gift-envy. To you natural encouragers...you friendly optimists...you tender compassion-feelers... I wish it came easier to me.
A few days ago, I realized I'm fulfilling prophecy and obeying Christ when people insult me due to my faith. And, when my dad and husband both remarked that I'm a "gifted" communicator, using my "talents" to shine a little light on the world, I felt a surge of pride. God says each of us was created with a purpose, so discovering part of mine is exciting.
Exciting, at least, until I think too much about other people's talents, and how theirs seem to come with "perks" mine do not. For example, everybody loves my husband, who is a God-equipped listener and gift-giver. He can take a thoughtful little trinket, and make even the most insecure person feel important. He enjoys treating people. He's good at responding to needs. And who wouldn't want to hang out with him as much as possible?
Then I think of a dear friend, who is a self-proclaimed "conflict-avoider." She just wants everybody to be happy, and she'll do anything to keep the boat from rocking. Like my husband, this girl is impossible to dislike--because she is always ready-to-agree. I'm convinced, the ease with which she "lives at peace with everyone" comes from God.
[Enter pouty, devil-on-shoulder] And how do many people respond to someone like me, who habitually speaks the Truth in an unapologetic fashion? Well, 2 Corinthians says prophets "smell like life" to somebody who is saved--but I "smell like death" to somebody who is perishing.
If my gift is pointing out where the lost (or backsliding Christians) have missed the mark, that means I STINK!
The stuff I talk about incessantly gets fairly gritty and personal. I imagine most people can only handle me in small doses--and that's difficult to accept without envying the friendliness and compassion that comes naturally to others. I don't have a knack for making people feel warm and fuzzy. I'm driven to hammer on about responsibility, consequences, obedience, etc. etc.
I mean, it's fulfilling work on one level, because I've been called to do it. I'm equally unhappy when I'm NOT writing about selfishness and service as when I realize it may leave me pretty unpopular. Conviction flows from me as easily as sweetness radiates from my husband.
But, sometimes challenging others with a well-turned phrase really stinks...
----
Addendum: I'd hate to ruin a perfectly good rant, but I feel I need a disclaimer to explain that this is just a rant. I'm absolutely whining and questioning things over which I have no control, just because I'm in a feel-sorry-for-myself kind of mood. Please don't be offended by it because--unlike in other posts--I'm not trying to make anyone change behaviors and feel conviction about some deep spiritual truth. I'm just jealous, and I'll get over it. :)
Addendum #2: I explained my theory about how "I stink" to Luke, and he said something along the lines of, "I'm proud of you, and you're doing a good job, and you're the queen of the world." Okay, that's not a direct quote, but my point is, who doesn't want to hang out with this guy?! HE SMELLS GREAT!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
When Insurance Becomes Entitlement
The insurance system depends upon lots of people paying into it--and only a few needing it. Each person within the group parts with a little money, which gets added to a pool (of sorts). Then, this reserve is available to just a handful of people, who run into bad luck.
Throughout history, the biggest "benefit" of insurance was not a fat check or a drug plan or a hot rental car...it was peace of mind. In fact, if you didn't get compensated during the year, or decade, or even your whole life, you were happy. It meant you avoided tragedy, and your money went toward the less-fortunate members of your pool...
But if everybody needs compensation at the same time, the whole system collapses. Economics 101 says, "when all of us demand more than we contribute, there will not be enough to go around." To be clear, society's current interest in guaranteeing free stuff for everybody is not "insurance." This is the debt-encouraging, selfishness-inspiring system of "entitlement."
The latest Rally Cry of Entitled Citizens, of course, is that the government, insurance companies, and the Catholic Church "have no business telling me how to prevent a baby," which would be a great point if it had anything to do with the new government mandate regarding birth control.
However, the question is not whether I should be allowed to use contraceptives. It's "Who should pay for it?"
And, I think forcing the other pool-members, or your fellow tax-payer, or your Catholic employee to foot the bill is a little--um--selfish.
Some might argue: "But, Amanda, I pay for that health insurance policy," either because they genuinely don't understand what I said in the first paragraph, or they hope others don't. For those legitimately confused, I'll explain one more time: If you don't pay for the full cost of your service (dental cleaning, surgery, drugs, or whatever), then somebody else has to cover the difference.
Just because your copy of the bill says "$0" does not mean it's free. And just because a politician seeking reelection says the church is trying to "take away" your contraception, does not mean that's the truth. The only issue is, should others buy said contraception for you, just because you bought the talking points of other Entitled Citizens?
---
Miscellaneous Thought of a Related Topic #1: I recently saw another Rallying Cry on a message board which said, "People who can't afford birth control certainly can't afford a child!" I'd like to offer my regular readers the opportunity to respond to this before I do. :)
Miscellaneous Thought of a Related Topic #2: Contact me privately, if you're a married woman struggling to afford birth control and you want references for clinics willing to work with you. (They are funded through volunteers who are happy to help--not compelled by government mandate.)
Throughout history, the biggest "benefit" of insurance was not a fat check or a drug plan or a hot rental car...it was peace of mind. In fact, if you didn't get compensated during the year, or decade, or even your whole life, you were happy. It meant you avoided tragedy, and your money went toward the less-fortunate members of your pool...
But if everybody needs compensation at the same time, the whole system collapses. Economics 101 says, "when all of us demand more than we contribute, there will not be enough to go around." To be clear, society's current interest in guaranteeing free stuff for everybody is not "insurance." This is the debt-encouraging, selfishness-inspiring system of "entitlement."
The latest Rally Cry of Entitled Citizens, of course, is that the government, insurance companies, and the Catholic Church "have no business telling me how to prevent a baby," which would be a great point if it had anything to do with the new government mandate regarding birth control.
However, the question is not whether I should be allowed to use contraceptives. It's "Who should pay for it?"
And, I think forcing the other pool-members, or your fellow tax-payer, or your Catholic employee to foot the bill is a little--um--selfish.
Some might argue: "But, Amanda, I pay for that health insurance policy," either because they genuinely don't understand what I said in the first paragraph, or they hope others don't. For those legitimately confused, I'll explain one more time: If you don't pay for the full cost of your service (dental cleaning, surgery, drugs, or whatever), then somebody else has to cover the difference.
Just because your copy of the bill says "$0" does not mean it's free. And just because a politician seeking reelection says the church is trying to "take away" your contraception, does not mean that's the truth. The only issue is, should others buy said contraception for you, just because you bought the talking points of other Entitled Citizens?
---
Miscellaneous Thought of a Related Topic #1: I recently saw another Rallying Cry on a message board which said, "People who can't afford birth control certainly can't afford a child!" I'd like to offer my regular readers the opportunity to respond to this before I do. :)
Miscellaneous Thought of a Related Topic #2: Contact me privately, if you're a married woman struggling to afford birth control and you want references for clinics willing to work with you. (They are funded through volunteers who are happy to help--not compelled by government mandate.)
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Passive Income
When teaching his writing students how to make a living with their craft, one of my college professors talked a lot about "passive income." Money earned from already-published books is "passive" because the books don't require any more work, but the author receives royalty checks whenever they sell: "I might have a slow writing week--or maybe just take a vacation!!!--but those books are out there, generating passive income for me!!!"
-----
Two days ago, my dad and I--somewhat accidentally--found ourselves in the middle of a classic internet-poop flinging showdown, at the mercy of individuals who believe they are related to apes.
Dad shared a quote from a website* on his Facebook page and didn't realize it would link his wall--allowing (atheist) strangers to misunderstand the joke he was making and rip him apart. I also commented on the link, so I started getting splattered with nasty remarks as well...
A few times, it actually looked as though somebody wanted to discuss rationally. But, for the most part, Dad and I talked only to each other, while others regularly injected their observations of what "ignorant" "dumb asses" we are for respecting the Bible. (Pause to inject my own observation: The Bible tells the story of the only NOT "dumb" ass that ever lived.) Anyway, after 125 comments, Dad finally removed the link from his wall so--at least--he wouldn't be notified every time he disappointed the college kids who visit lolclicks.com.
...When we stopped participating in the conversation, there were two or three comments in a row, directed specifically at me--saying: "Jesus said to love and be merciful! Christians are the most hateful of all!" It's not the first time I've been told I shame the God that doesn't exist. But, usually it makes me depressed when I'm unable to reason with the "make-me-laugh" lost souls. Instead, for the first time in...maybe ever, I felt that feeling of "rejoicing" and "being glad" that Jesus mentioned in the sermon on the mount.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12
The conversation was so ludicrously emotional--on the part of my critics--that it made me think of the end times. It's almost eerie how out-of-control and irrational the world is becoming, even though Scripture predicts it. But, as I mused yesterday, "For me, one of the most convincing proofs of God's existence is how unreasonable angry His name makes nonbelievers." So, finally, being insulted and falsely accused of wrong carries an element of excitement. I'm part of prophecy, people! And Jesus is coming!
Further more, that thread is still available on the original website, which means--in all likelihood--people are continuing to mock and ridicule, without requiring Dad and me to do any further work. You might say even if we went on vacation, the godless trolls would be earning Heavenly blessings for us, in our absence.
I agree with Dr. Hensley. Passive income is something to smile about.
----
*To anyone interested in what the website quote said: "Suppose that every memory, written word, and piece of technology on earth was destroyed all at once, leaving humanity to start completely from scratch. Everything we have come to know about science would eventually be discovered again. Given a few thousand years, people would figure out chemistry and rediscover all of the same elements we know about now. People would once again understand biology, including its evolutionary origins. People would eventually see the motions of other galaxies in the sky, and work out the details of the Big Bang. This is the glorious part about science; it can and would all be replicated. I can assure you, however, that your story about the talking snake would be gone forever."
My statement to Dad: "If I were God, this guy's statement would be totally true... In the event of a worldwide brain-wipe, I would NOT reach out in love a second time to rescue blind, pseudo-intellectual asses like him." Then...we encountered heaps of pseudo-intellectual fury.
-----
Two days ago, my dad and I--somewhat accidentally--found ourselves in the middle of a classic internet-poop flinging showdown, at the mercy of individuals who believe they are related to apes.
Dad shared a quote from a website* on his Facebook page and didn't realize it would link his wall--allowing (atheist) strangers to misunderstand the joke he was making and rip him apart. I also commented on the link, so I started getting splattered with nasty remarks as well...
A few times, it actually looked as though somebody wanted to discuss rationally. But, for the most part, Dad and I talked only to each other, while others regularly injected their observations of what "ignorant" "dumb asses" we are for respecting the Bible. (Pause to inject my own observation: The Bible tells the story of the only NOT "dumb" ass that ever lived.) Anyway, after 125 comments, Dad finally removed the link from his wall so--at least--he wouldn't be notified every time he disappointed the college kids who visit lolclicks.com.
...When we stopped participating in the conversation, there were two or three comments in a row, directed specifically at me--saying: "Jesus said to love and be merciful! Christians are the most hateful of all!" It's not the first time I've been told I shame the God that doesn't exist. But, usually it makes me depressed when I'm unable to reason with the "make-me-laugh" lost souls. Instead, for the first time in...maybe ever, I felt that feeling of "rejoicing" and "being glad" that Jesus mentioned in the sermon on the mount.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12
The conversation was so ludicrously emotional--on the part of my critics--that it made me think of the end times. It's almost eerie how out-of-control and irrational the world is becoming, even though Scripture predicts it. But, as I mused yesterday, "For me, one of the most convincing proofs of God's existence is how unreasonable angry His name makes nonbelievers." So, finally, being insulted and falsely accused of wrong carries an element of excitement. I'm part of prophecy, people! And Jesus is coming!
Further more, that thread is still available on the original website, which means--in all likelihood--people are continuing to mock and ridicule, without requiring Dad and me to do any further work. You might say even if we went on vacation, the godless trolls would be earning Heavenly blessings for us, in our absence.
I agree with Dr. Hensley. Passive income is something to smile about.
----
*To anyone interested in what the website quote said: "Suppose that every memory, written word, and piece of technology on earth was destroyed all at once, leaving humanity to start completely from scratch. Everything we have come to know about science would eventually be discovered again. Given a few thousand years, people would figure out chemistry and rediscover all of the same elements we know about now. People would once again understand biology, including its evolutionary origins. People would eventually see the motions of other galaxies in the sky, and work out the details of the Big Bang. This is the glorious part about science; it can and would all be replicated. I can assure you, however, that your story about the talking snake would be gone forever."
My statement to Dad: "If I were God, this guy's statement would be totally true... In the event of a worldwide brain-wipe, I would NOT reach out in love a second time to rescue blind, pseudo-intellectual asses like him." Then...we encountered heaps of pseudo-intellectual fury.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Smart Service
The majority of my readers spend their service-hours in their own neighborhoods, churches, and families--as opposed to working abroad as missionaries in foreign countries. But, I also believe most of us give regularly from our pocketbooks, to support those who do serve overseas. And, that is why I wanted to share an article about unwise foreign aid systems... I want us to begin practicing smart service.
The underlying message in "Seven Worst International Aid Ideas" is that good intentions do not always translate into good results. For example, the author cautions that sending trucks loads of free things to a needy country may hamper its economy further, by taking away the opportunity for local employment. In another section, the author reminds us, "Donating a pair of shoes (or shirts or Christmas gifts) helps shoelessness, [but] it does not help poverty."
I never thought about this stuff....have you?
If we're serious about helping our fellow man--either in the U.S. or abroad--we must have intelligent strategies. In a previous post, I discussed that fine line between loving someone and enabling him. But entire organizations with misguided-efforts create a whole new concern. Be sure your help is helpful!
I intend to do extra research before donating to future organizations, because I want to serve with my heart and my brain.
The underlying message in "Seven Worst International Aid Ideas" is that good intentions do not always translate into good results. For example, the author cautions that sending trucks loads of free things to a needy country may hamper its economy further, by taking away the opportunity for local employment. In another section, the author reminds us, "Donating a pair of shoes (or shirts or Christmas gifts) helps shoelessness, [but] it does not help poverty."
I never thought about this stuff....have you?
If we're serious about helping our fellow man--either in the U.S. or abroad--we must have intelligent strategies. In a previous post, I discussed that fine line between loving someone and enabling him. But entire organizations with misguided-efforts create a whole new concern. Be sure your help is helpful!
I intend to do extra research before donating to future organizations, because I want to serve with my heart and my brain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)