Articulating Hope
  • Home
  • Deacon Vernon's Blog
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Book Discussion Guide

That's My Last Nerve--And You Are Standing On It

4/30/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
The brokenness of our world has been evident since nearly the beginning. We are in need of healing, and finding that healing as the world seems to become more  chaotic by the day can be a real challenge.

I spend more time on social media than what I should, but it is something that keeps me informed about the "culture of the room."  Facebook has a particular audience.  (Young people say us old folks ruined Facebook.  Should the elders take over Instagram next?)  Twitter is in a world all its own.  Now we have alternative sites that tried to replace Twitter before Elon Musk stepped into the picture.  LinkedIn is supposedly business oriented in nature, but it is also a place where people simply tell you how magnificent they are.  (To be fair, it also contains a lot of frustrated job seekers as well.)  TikTok inspires people to seek for something that will go viral.  On and on it goes.

What is one thing they all have in common?  They have stories.  Each person has a story.  The format changes and adapts for the particular venue, but someone beating cancer gets celebrated on any site.  That shows me there is hope for humanity.

The last two years have worn us down.  The division in the way things are viewed has also taken a toll on us.  Here are a few examples of divergent opinions:
Get vaccinated.                               Vaccination is dangerous.
Wear a mask.                                    The mask does no good.
Stay home.                                          I live in a free country.
Follow the science.                        Whose science?
Close your business.                     I need to make a living.
Government handout.                 Printing billions of dollars will cause inflation.
You don't care about people.   Government dependence is not good.

This could go on and on, but you get the point.

I invite you to do a little research about the Asch Conformity Experiment.  What have the last two years revealed about us as a society?
www.simplypsychology.org/asch-conformity.html

Then we get into the name calling.  I won't go into all of them, but unless you have been living in a cave, you know what the names are.

I will touch on one that has been tossed my way a time or two.  "You are a conspiracy theorist."  No. I just find that things don't add up very well from the appointed bureaucrats and their mainstream media lapdogs.

Why were doctors silenced who had a different viewpoint about the virus, and the narrative being pushed by the politicians?  Why were all the vaccine injuries recorded on the CDC website never addressed with any real honesty, research, and transparency?  Why were studies by major pharmaceutical companies being kept hidden until lawsuits forced their release?  Is anyone ever going to tell the truth about the role of the USA government in bio labs throughout the world?

Was inflation intentional?  Is the stock market crash being orchestrated by elites striving for a new world order?  Do we want more people dependent upon the government for their very survival?  Is there a desire by the elites to force a social directory to track people on almost every aspect of their lives?  Is there a true drive to push for a cashless society so every transaction can be followed?  (If you think the advertisements that appear on your Facebook page after a conversation in your household about a particular product is a bit spooky, just wait.)

These aren't conspiracy theories.  These are legitimate questions being asked by people because of the observations being made in society.  Is it easier to label people conspiracy theorists rather than answering the questions?

On another note:  Is there a reason to be concerned as our food processing plants start to burn down on a regular basis all across the country?  Thankfully, according to Politifact and The Daily Beast, there is no need to be concerned.  Here is the title from The Daily Beast. "The Right's New Conspiracy Theory: Kamikaze Planes and Food Fires."  Rest easy folks.  Nothing to see here. 

americanfaith.com/food-processing-plants-burning-across-u-s-threatening-meat-supply/

However, doesn't 18 different fires at plants all across the country make you scratch your head just a little bit?

www.eviemagazine.com/post/18-food-processing-plants-have-burned-down-in-the-last-several-months-wonder-what-is-going-on


What is the point of all of this?  Daily life has enough challenges on its own. Whether you are facing a serious illness, a  broken relationship, a job loss, financial ruin, the death of a loved one, a serious accident, or a lengthy list of other calamities that can surface, it requires strength to carry on from day to day.  A lot of people are seriously at their breaking point.  Throw in all of these other components being thrust upon us by external circumstances beyond our control, and it is easy to see why so many people are struggling.

There are no easy answers to the difficulties that confront us.  Today, I simply want to encourage you to keep going.  Take it a day at a time--sometimes, a moment at a time.  You will find the strength you need!

As for now, my last nerve that you are standing on--GET OFF!

Have a fantastic weekend.

0 Comments

How Do You Find Your Inner Peace?

4/29/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
The sign on the interstate entering Wyoming this morning said, "Expect wind gusts of 60+ mph."  When I went out for an appointment this afternoon, I found out that the forecast was accurate.  Wow!

As the month of April slowly draws to a close, it is exciting to begin anticipating warmer days.  There are glimpses of new life as grass turns from brown to green.  A few of the trees in our area have started to bud.  Will a heavy wet snowfall still come?  It certainly is a possibility.  Mother's Day in 2014 brought over a foot of snow.

As I look back at this photo (top) of the dolphin swimming , I miss my space on the dock in Spanish Wells on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  The warmth, the sun, the ocean--what a great place to pray.

How will you re-energize yourself this weekend?

St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us!
Picture
May 12, 2014 in Cheyenne, Wyoming
0 Comments

Wyoming Workers Memorial Day

4/28/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
This was a very impactful service. We remembered the workers who died on the job, and their family members left behind.  Thanks to my friend Deacon Mike Leman for offering a beautiful prayer at the service.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Sears Hometown Cheyenne Ribbon Cutting

4/28/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
It is great to see Sears return to Cheyenne.  The retail industry has certainly changed through the years.  If you are older, do you remember how we would receive all the huge catalogs from major retailers?  This was especially fun leading up to Christmas. Times have changed with the click of a mouse.

Congratulations to Sears Hometown Cheyenne!  Best of luck in your new location!

Picture
0 Comments

Family Promise of Cheyenne

4/27/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
What good work goes on in your community?  As I continue to grow in knowledge about the challenges facing many folks in Laramie County, I am also growing in knowledge about the many organizations trying to serve those who are hurting. Yesterday, I had the privilege of visiting Family Promise of Cheyenne.

According to the homepage of their website, "Over 200 children experience homelessness each year in Laramie County."  Family Promise strives to address the needs of those families.  I invite you to take a look at their website.

familypromiseofcheyenne.org/
0 Comments

If You Don't Have A Nice Patio--Chill On The Roof

4/26/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Is this a good vantage point from which to watch a parade? It could be--if there was a parade!  This was simply a house located a short walk from the college campus.  The creativity of these individuals did make me find a place to park so I could walk back and get a photo. I kept wondering if the beer cooler was located behind the chimney.

My reflection questions for today are varied:

1. Have you lost your sense of adventure? Describe why or why not.
2. Do you find joy in the ordinary things of daily life?
3. How does your spirituality impact your work (or your retirement) endeavors?
4. Finally, where is your favorite spot to rest and relax?  Why?
0 Comments

Doing The Necessary Prep Work To Launch

4/25/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Doing diligent prep work and maintenance on a ship can help ensure smooth sailing.  It diminishes the dangers that the mighty waters can present in the midst of a storm.

Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.  How are you caring for this sacred vessel?

The journey of life begins fresh with the dawn of each new day. How do you prepare?

What part of your life needs the most attention right now?
* Spiritual
* Physical
* Mental
* Emotional
* Relational
* Financial
* Other...

​Okay. What will you do to promote growth and healing in your life?

0 Comments

Divine Mercy Sunday--Blessings To Each Of You

4/24/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Octave of Easter draws to a close on the Second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday. My prayer is that each of you will experience the profound depths of the mercy of God.

"For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."
0 Comments

Nonprofit Leadership--The Thrills and Chills Of It All

4/22/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
I am almost 11 months into my role as executive director of a secular nonprofit organization.  How is this different from exercising leadership in religious institutions? How is it the same?  What are some similarities and differences of leadership between a secular nonprofit and a for profit business?

First of all, strong leadership is needed in both church related institutions and secular nonprofit organizations.  If we are going to serve people well, it requires processes and methodologies that make the most of every dollar.  If we are attempting to care for the needs of people on a fairly large scale, there are systems that can help us be efficient and effective.  Effective leadership is vital for success. 

As I look at the photo of the people whitewater rafting, it makes me think of teamwork. How can we all work together to miss the boulders, keep the raft upright, and safely navigate to our destination?  That is leadership in a nutshell.  The executive director, the staff, the board of directors, the volunteers, and the financial donors all join in the mission of achieving the mission of the organization.  Then, as we reach out and collaborate with other nonprofit organizations, local businesses, local government entities, the health department, the school districts, the churches, charitable foundations, philanthropists, and anyone else having a desire to be included, we can quickly see that steering the raft in a unified manner is not as simple as it may appear on the surface.

A number of people asked me why I left ministry to take on a role in a secular nonprofit organization.  I don't feel that I left ministry.  I am simply pursuing it in another way. The deacon is called to have one foot "in the sanctuary" and one foot "in the world".  We are that bridge between the secular and the religious.  Leading a secular nonprofit organization has put my foot more firmly "in the world" versus my foot "in the sanctuary."  However, my preaching and teaching "in the sanctuary" is enhanced because of my deeper understanding of the pain and suffering of God's people because of my foot "in the world".

Someone asked me if my organization supports any endeavors that are in conflict with my conscience.  Obviously not.  I would not have accepted the leadership role if I had to compromise my convictions.  We need people of faith in leadership roles at secular institutions to help guide processes and endeavors with integrity and a solid moral code.  

The similarities of a religious organization and a secular nonprofit are numerous.  Here are a few items that jump right to the forefront.  You typically work with limited resources.  You rely on volunteers.  You have boards or committees of one kind or another.  You are in perpetual fundraising mode.  Good times!  Right?

What is the most significant difference for me in working for a secular nonprofit versus a church related organization?  In the church setting, every meeting began with prayer. I was frequently the one called upon to lead that prayer for the group.  In a secular nonprofit, we don't start the meeting with a public prayer.  However, I still quietly pray for everyone sitting around the table and for all of the people that we serve.  Once again, it didn't change what I do; it just changed the manner in which I do it.

How is running a nonprofit different from running a for profit business?  In my opinion, it is easier to track success in a "for profit" arena.  The numbers tell the story.  You can look at revenue and expenses and quickly draw conclusions from the bottom line.  You can track sales, number of contacts with prospective clients, etc.  These can all paint a picture of how well the business is doing.

A nonprofit organization can track certain pieces of data, but it may be more challenging to draw specific conclusions from that data.  If you are tracking your organization's impact on high school graduation rates, but your agency is only working with early childhood education, how do you specifically measure your particular impact?  The outcomes can be a bit more vague than the for profit business.

Having one foot "in the world" and one foot "in the sanctuary" helps keep my mind observant to see how we can bridge gaps in society.  How do government agencies, businesses, churches, nonprofit organizations, healthcare institutions, schools, and philanthropists all come together to make a positive difference in the community?  It requires a commitment from the leadership of all these institutions to work in a collaborative manner.  A charismatic leader or two in that mix can certainly help move the process along in a positive and productive way.  If my particular role in leading a secular nonprofit organization can impact that endeavor a little bit, my time will not have been wasted.

This Sunday, the Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday.  We seek forgiveness and mercy from God for our failures and shortcomings.  Let us remember to also be ambassadors of God's mercy to others.  How can we lift someone up who is hurting? 
0 Comments

The Storms of Life and Our Response To Them

4/21/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Maintaining a glimmer of hope can be challenging when you are walking through a major storm in life.  This is especially true when ill health strikes you or a loved one. We quickly grow to understand the value of good health when it is no longer present.

I will ask three different reflection questions based upon which social media outlet led you to reading this blog post.

For my business connections on LinkedIn:
1. How can your company care for its employees and their families more effectively when serious illness enters into the picture?

For my Facebook connections:
2. How do family and friends factor into healing  and wholeness when a member of the family is diagnosed with a serious illness?

For my Twitter followers:
3. Have you seen people post pictures of family members laying in the hospital bed? Are they really seeking support, or are they simply seeking followers?  Is that a cynical question? Yes. But it is one I ask based upon my observations.

In all seriousness, today I simply want to encourage you to lift up the people around you.  Many times, we do not even know about the storms of life people are enduring. Make someone's burden a little lighter today with a kind word  or gesture.

​Blessings and peace to each of you!

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    Author

    This is my personal blog.  The opinions expressed are those of Deacon Vernon and the blog's readers.  This site operates independently and is not affiliated with any other entity. The information I provide is on an "as-is" basis. I make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information on this blog. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information. Furthermore, I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use.

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.