Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

May This Memorial Day Inspire Us To Grow In Wisdom

5/30/2022

“Wisdom is an equal measure of experience plus reflection.”

~ Aristotle

Memorial Day is certainly a time for reflection. How does our personal experience of life in the United States of America impact the path of our reflection? What is right and good about our country? What are some areas in which we can improve? How do we honor those who sacrificed everything to give us this opportunity to grow in wisdom?

Our country is experiencing some difficult times right now. There have always been divisions within the country. That is a normal expectation when you have freedom of thought and expression. However, those divisions in the modern age do not generate dialogue and healthy debate. There is no pursuit to reach the common good. Divisions today generate hatred for the other, labeling and name-calling, character assassination, and it frequently seems that the ultimate goal is to cancel out the other.

At some point, we need to recognize that none of us will come out winners in this scenario. You may have millions of followers on Twitter, the most professional and stunning profile page on LinkedIn, and your Instagram photos show that you are living the dream. My sincere hope is that you are living your best life.

Today, in the pursuit of wisdom by reflecting upon experience, I simply ask this question. How are you building up others up in your day-to-day life?

Fame is what we do for ourselves. Greatness is what we do for others.

NEEDS Food Pantry--Red Carpet Ribbon Cutting

5/27/2022

Congratulations to NEEDS Inc. for a fantastic celebration yesterday at the Red Carpet Ribbon Cutting ceremony. Your new coolers and walk-in freezers are a great addition to your facility. I am sure this will be a huge help to you as you continue to serve more and more families in Laramie County.

My afternoon and evening were filled yesterday. I started off at Black Tooth Brewing Company getting ready for the United Way of Laramie County "Pint Night" fundraiser and online auction. This event was scheduled from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. I slipped out just before 4:00 pm to head over to NEEDS for their ribbon cutting. I then went back to our fundraiser for the remainder of the evening. My team finally got to call it a day about 9:00 pm. I am extremely grateful to be surrounded with a top-notch team.

Our Nation Mourns Yet Again

5/25/2022

Describe the lens you use in which to view day-to-day life. What is your worldview? How does that influence your perception of current events?

It might be good to start with a few basic definitions.

Psychology—Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. This can encompass biological influences, environmental factors, or social (peer) pressure. These factors may all affect the way a person thinks, acts, or feels.

Sociology—Sociology is the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society. There tends to be a lot of focus on the study of social problems, so it studies dysfunction quite thoroughly.

I would recommend reading this summary of Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

https://sociology.unc.edu/undergraduate-program/sociology-major/what-is-sociology/

Theology—Theology is the study of the nature of God and religious belief.

What happens when a society tries to use those first two “ologies” without utilizing the last one? How will that influence decisions and programming related to almost any topic impacting our daily lives?

Psychological and Sociological studies devoid of any Theological component will surely fall short in understanding the trials and tribulations facing an individual in crisis. This is compounded significantly at the societal level when we refuse to acknowledge the role of theology or philosophy in helping to shape the norms and morals for contemporary society. Will anyone in the political sphere be able to stand up and acknowledge the detrimental impact of the last sixty years as we witnessed our legislators and judges stripping away the moral code of society one piece at a time?

I have heard it said that politics is simply a reflection of our culture. Our culture is broken, and it is obvious that our political system is broken as well. Sadly, we as a society, are reaping what we have sown.

Media pundits and politicians are babbling on and on about their usual pet projects or issues. They are very good at never allowing a crisis or tragedy go to waste. That is one consistent behavior we see among the elite.

Which issues are we sure to hear about from one side of the aisle or the other?

We need more gun laws.
We need better mental health services.
We need better security at our schools.
We should arm the teachers.

The unified lament will be, “I am so tired of people offering thoughts and prayers. That doesn’t change anything.”

Let’s back the train up, even though there is no getting it back into the station. We need to understand how we reached this point in history before we can ever hope to promote common-sense solutions for moving forward in a more productive way. Although we could go back to World War II for even more context, let’s use 1960 as a starting point.

The era of “free love” was upon us. There would be many aspects of the “Leave it to Beaver” way of life that would soon be abandoned. The traditional home portrayed by this show and others had to be replaced with more liberating ideas and values. What are some of the attributes pushed at this juncture?

Sex outside of marriage
Contraception
No-fault divorce
Drug usage
The Vietnam War then brought additional components into the scenario

Do you remember watching a television show in which the Sheriff of Mayberry didn’t carry a gun? In real life, I went to high school in the seventies. It was nothing to see pick-up trucks in the parking lot at school with shotguns and rifles mounted against the rear window. Many of these vehicles were not even locked. The school doors were not locked, the vehicles were not locked, guns and ammunition were accessible, and yet we remained safe. What has changed?

The world has obviously grown more complex. Communication has played a huge role. How has Hollywood influenced the whole world, not just our country? Which shows and movies produced by Hollywood pushed the envelope in regard to our acceptance of "drugs, sex, and rock-n-roll"? Video games with extreme violence became popular. The information superhighway known as the internet came about. Watching hard-core pornography, or watching how-to videos on just about anything sinister you can imagine, all became available at the click of a mouse.

Divorce has fractured many families. Even families that remain intact, both parents are likely working now. (The June Cleaver lifestyle was deemed obsolete.) Financial strain requires two incomes to maintain a certain standard of living. In the midst of it all, the children are being raised by whom?

Bullying at school and at home becomes even more prevalent in a digital world. Anonymity of the aggressor can add to the stress of the victim. Screen time replaces actual human interaction. On and on it goes.

Court decisions like Roe v. Wade in 1973 are celebrated by those who utilize the first two “ologies” without considering the Theology. From a Theological point of view this act encompasses a multitude of factors which require consideration.

What is the purpose of marriage and the sexual act?
How does contraception and abortion encourage infidelity?
How does the violence in the womb translate into the rest of society?
How does contraception and abortion enable human traffickers to get away with their trade more easily?

All these major transitions in the accepted moral code were happening in society throughout the decades, and we kept removing God further and further from the midst of our daily lives. What did we expect was going to happen?

These are simply a few of the moral norms that were eroded away little by little over the last six decades. This does not include any considerations about the economic challenges that influence behavior. Poverty, crime, and the devaluation of human life get all rolled up into some of these dynamics as well.

Short-term fixes will not bear long-term fruit. At some point, we are going to need some serious spiritual growth. Call it old-fashioned or whatever you want, but we need Christian people to start stepping up and living lives that reflect a sincere desire to be a saint. Right now, the culture is transforming the Church. It is time to reverse that order to what it should be. The Church transforms the culture.

To the families impacted by this latest shooting--you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine the devastation you must feel. If my message of condolence seems trivial or trite, I assure you I will continue my mission to proclaim the Gospel message to the best of my ability. Accepting the message of Jesus Christ is our only answer to moving forward in a more just society. Jesus is "The Way, The Truth, and The Life." Until we acknowledge and accept that premise, we will continue to suffer needlessly as a society.

I have seen a number of posts on social media that state, "We have become desensitized to the violence." I would take it much further than that. We have simply become desensitized to sin.

"'Forty years I endured that generation.' I said, 'They are a people whose hearts go astray and they do not know my ways.' So I swore in my anger, 'They shall not enter into my rest.'" (Psalm 95: 10-11)

The Outlaws of Wyoming

5/24/2022

Cheyenne is a great place to visualize a variety of stories on the decorative cowboy boots around town. I stopped recently at the Art Gallery to examine their boot a little more closely.

Yes, that is Butch Cassidy listed there.

I hope you are never featured on a boot like this. May your deeds be righteous!

Dedication, Determination, and Discipline

5/23/2022

Crossing the state of Nebraska over 100 times in the last 14 years has made it a bit tedious. Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, my mind needed a break from the monotony of Interstate 80, and my body needed some movement as well. I decided that a stop in Kearney would be good.

Other than the Archway Monument across I-80, I knew nothing about Kearney. I don't recall ever getting off of the highway and venturing too far into town. During yesterday's adventure I was surprised at how big the the town is and the number of restaurants from which to choose. I also saw a sign for the University of Nebraska at Kearney, so I asked my faithful GPS how to get to it.

I stopped to look at the Ron and Carol Cope Stadium. It is a beautiful stadium. What really caught my attention was the lone athlete striving to improve. How will that type of dedication, determination, and discipline pay off? Time will tell.

My days of being an athlete are over. However, this individual working out at the stadium prompted my thinking about other areas of my life in which dedication, determination, and discipline could still play a huge role in my accomplishments. Regardless of our age and state in life, maintaining focus on a few key items will keep us sharp and moving forward. These are a few of the questions I pondered in light of my dedication, determination, and discipline, or lack thereof.

1. What would my spiritual journey look like if I pursued it with vigor? In what ways can I grow in my prayer life? Can dedication, determination, and discipline play a significant role in a person's pursuit of holiness?

2. How would my authorship of the next book be progressing if I had a little more dedication, determination, and discipline in my writing habits?

3. What impact would I have on my little corner of the world if I exhibited more diligence in my dedication, determination, and discipline in my work to add value to other people's lives?

My encouragement for you:

Be Your Best Self Today!

The Pain of Discipline--or--The Pain of Regret?

5/18/2022

Do you typically experience the pain of discipline, or the pain of regret?

Pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps is part of the American culture, especially in the West. I stopped in at City Hall recently in Cheyenne, Wyoming for a meeting and noticed the decorative boot outside commemorating the 150th anniversary of Cheyenne back in 2017. What has changed for the city in the last five years since that celebration? Were any goals set and achieved?

Making it more personal, how have you and I grown as individuals in the last five years? Did we set goals, or have we just lived day-to-day wishing for better outcomes? Have we experienced the pain of discipline (and the accompanying successes connected to it), or the pain of regret?

What Strategies & Moves Are You Discerning in Life?

5/17/2022

Discernment is a process. The process may vary from one individual to another.

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When confronted with making a big decision, some will start with prayer and meditation. Then, they may make a list of pros and cons regarding the situation. Others will start the discernment process by consulting his/her spouse, a trusted friend, or a mentor in the field. Gathering information, analyzing the available data, and making projections based upon that data can be a key determinant in the process. Finances, relocation, and a myriad of other issues can all play into these scenarios.

These things will impact your logical thinking, your analysis, your emotions and feelings connected to the decision at hand, and will cause a certain level of stress depending upon how many complicating factors are involved in the decision-making process.

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What strategies and moves in life are you feeling prompted to make through your discernment process?

Walden, Colorado--Two Visits--No Moose in Sight

5/16/2022

A guy at the local gas station said the moose hang out in town in people's yards. I drove all through town looking. I drove out to the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge. I saw pretty scenery, but no wildlife of any kind. The signs on the road kept reminding the drivers that we were in the territory of "Game Crossing." Yeah right!

There was a moose sculpture at the Moose Visitor Center. It is the only one I saw.

The wildlife viewing was nonexistent, but it was a scenic and pleasant drive.
This was my second visit to Walden in ten years.
Probably my last.

Happy Ten Year Anniversary To These Deacons

5/15/2022

It has been nearly 23 years since my ordination to the diaconate. As I look back and think about this particular moment in the ritual, I really had no idea what would be in store for me as I placed myself at the service of God and His Church.

Thank you to each of you for your service to God's people. Happy ten year anniversary!

I miss Deacon Frank immensely. It was a pleasure to serve with him at the cathedral.
My prayers are lifting up his family today as they mark this milestone in his absence.

Congratulations Maria--Master of Arts Degree

5/14/2022

I went to school for five years back in the 1990's when I was studying to become a deacon. I know the challenges of keeping up with the demands of life and then adding on the pursuit of academic studies on top of it. It is no small task. I congratulate all those who are celebrating these types of milestones.

Today, I wish I could have been in Standish, Maine. However, I had to be content with watching my daughter receive her Master of Arts Degree via livestream. Maybe I will be able to attend a doctorate ceremony down the road?

Congratulations Maria on the achievement! Thank you, Tyler, for helping make this day possible. Your support of her endeavors is appreciated. May God bestow abundant blessings on you both for your commitment to build the Kingdom of God!