A more deadly virus

Does it strike you as strange that Congress gets hysterical about 5 people dying from faulty air bags but ignores a far more serious public health crisis that can strike so swiftly

Unlike those infected with Ebola or exotic flu strains, this virus rarely exhibits any outward signs of illness such as a fever that could warn us of impending danger. Yet our nation remains at best apathetic to the ghastly spread of this gun virus, and when concerned citizens, health or law enforcement officials appalled by the spread of this deadly virus raise an alarm or suggest measures to curb its spread, they are accused of fear mongering and using tragedy to assault individual freedoms!

Ironically, this bullet borne virus, which carries a far higher death toll than Ebola, air bag or ignition related deaths remains largely ignored. At last count, only a handful have died within the US of Ebola though close to 6,000 Ebola victims have died world wide, each death indeed tragic. But this other virus has infected every part of our nation and continues to kill our citizens engendering, at best, spotty or complacent responses. While state and federal legislative bodies are determined to protect the rights of unborn children, little is done to protect these same children from this terrible violence ridden infection once they are born because in our capitalistic system property and profits are deemed more important than people.

Over and over again concerned citizens who have tried to curb the spread of this deadly virus are attacked as unpatriotic, their efforts an attack against the American constitution! Even when more that 32,351 deaths were reported in 2013 alone according to the Centers of Disease Control. 32,351 in just one year! Tragically, these statistics are incomplete because the gun lobby has succeed in getting laws passed that make it illegal for researchers to gain the information needed to do accurate studies on gun related deaths!

Isn't it ironic that we get so panicky about Ebola or ignition switches or air bags or ecoli or lead paint but the NRA is free to promote the spread of unregistered, uninsured, unidentified guns? Why do we forbid smoking in public places and curb tobacco sales because those are “a public health hazard” but as soon as common sense measures connected to guns are suggested legislators rush to pass laws that go to the opposite extreme. Something is wrong when elected officials are more concerned about getting re-elected and catering to the gun lobby than protecting the welfare of their constituents! Help me understand how measures designed by municipalities and law enforcement to enact realistic measures designed to register lost or stolen guns go against the 2^nd amendment? And why is it all right for us to register and insure our cars but not guns? No one took our cars away after we required drivers licenses, insurance, and car inspections.

How many more must perish from this deadly gun virus before we as a people say, “enough is enough!”

Joyce M Shutt is pastor emeritus of the Fairfield Mennonite Church. 

What If?

What if?

There are many ways to view our world. Two are scarcity and abundance. The scarcity model is about acquiring and keeping as much for oneself as one can. The abundance model focuses on improving distribution and building cooperative relationships.

Currently our economics and social structures are based on the scarcity model. Winning or losing. Who's right. Who's wrong. Our religions teach that God has only a limited supply of love so we'd better make sure we're the ones getting chosen. Most of us believe there simply is not enough love, food, money, stuff, power to go around. So, rather than focusing on the many ideas/ways/things we have in common we focus on building fences to keep others out. How tragic. In a universe of vast abundance, a universe created to keep evolving, reproducing, and recycling its rich resources, we, in our greed and selfishness, artificially limit supplies, hoard our wealth, even destroy valuable resources so others cannot flourish!

What if we intentionally chose the abundance model since we really do have a choice? What if we actually took Jesus, and the essential teachings of all major religions seriously? What if we actually chose to live as they taught? Loving our enemies. Feeding the hungry. Blessing those who curse us, Clothing the naked. Healing the sick. Forgiving those who persecute us. Visiting the imprisoned. What if?

When one gets right down to it, a truly sustaining faith is not about participating in a specific religion and blindly adopting the rules and doctrines taught to preserve the fences, but choosing to trust. Trust in a world of abundance. Trust that what we do truly matters. Trust that there is enough to go around. Trust that God is love.

I believe that it matters if we trust in an inherently good world and a good God. It matters if we trust in the basic worth of everyone. It matters if we trust that the Golden Rules is not pie in the sky by and by but a basic truth reflecting the very foundation of abundant living. That treating others with the same respect and dignity we want for ourselves brings abundance back to us.

Success in the abundance model is not about how much money, stuff, or power we have, but the many large and small ways we help others improve their lives.. It's about the relationships we build. In a world of abundance there is no failure, only lessons that enable us to become more attentive, more aware, more sensitive, more open, more willing – to do, see, and listen in new ways. When we operate from the abundance paradigm, faith, hope and trust are what's celebrated, not wealth or power. In the abundance paradigm the focus is on new ways of sharing information, technology, expertise, income, skills, abilities, insights, love, resources, friendship, compassion.

In the end, education is not about memorizing information or getting high test scores, but freeing everyone to ask the questions enabling them and us to move into God's open future. Study after study document that money, power and stuff doesn't bring happiness by themselves. Caring and sharing it does. When we focus on abundance we all flourish.

Joyce Shutt is pastor emeritus of the Fairfield Mennonite Church. 

The Way we Think

There is a life law stating “The way we think, brings the results we have in life. Consequently, if we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.” That same insight is reflected in the 12 step program's definition of insanity: ”Doing the same thing over and over again but each time expecting a different result.” The drunk thinks that this time he can safely drive drunk, the diabetic eat high calorie foods without going into shock, the dieter binge on super sodas and French fries without gaining weight, etc. Each time I listen to the news, especially relating to the fiscal, immigration, healthcare, or gun debates I find myself reflecting on these truisms and just how insane our actions and attempts at problem solving often are.

Successful people and businesses are successful precisely because they are willing to look at current results to find the insights needed to make positive changes. They are not locked into a specific ideology or way of doing something. They are not only willing to accept what is actually going on as a result of their thoughts and practices, but they then choose to change the way they approach and think about challenges them. They seek to reframe their problem using completely different paradymes so that the challenges can be approached from entirely new perspectives. They start with a desired end result (increased sales, increased safety, more innovation) and then work backward instead of defending current practices and specific belief systems. We need to do the same thing regarding family conflicts, social issues, financial challenges, political stalemates.

For instance, if a stream is polluted and the source of pollution is defined, it is illogical to expect that stream to clean up that stream by adding more pollution. If a specific medication causes specific side effects, things will not improve by increasing the dosage. Yet when it comes to gun violence a commonly argued solution is adding more guns to the population. Perhaps we could find some common ground if we chose to reframe the issue by looking at gun violence as a health issue, by looking a guns as possessions similar to cars that require licenses, special insurance, and training.

There is a life law stating “The way we think, brings the results we have in life. Consequently, if we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.” That same insight is reflected in the 12 step program's definition of insanity:”doing the same thing over and over again but each time expecting a different result.” The drunk thinks that this time he can safely drive drunk, the diabetic eat high calorie foods without going into shock, the dieter binge on super sodas and french fries without gaining weight, etc. Each time I listen to the news, especially relating to the fiscal, immigration, healthcare, or gun debates I find myself reflecting on these truisms and just how insane our actions and attempts at problem solving often are.

Joyce Shutt is pastor emeritus of the Fairfield Mennonite church.

Life lessons

Over the years, life has taught me many lessons. Because these insights are so critical to my daily contentment I am choosing to work on them instead of making new resolutions. Among these are:

--Not comparing myself to others. We are all unique and have different gifts and abilities.

--Because life is unpredictable, I choose to live one day at a time, enjoy one moment at a time, and accept hardship as the pathway to peace of mind.

--Letting go of worry about the future or stewing about the past with all of its disappointments, failures and heartaches frees me to enjoy today.

– Instead of saving good manners for company, my family and friends deserve my respect and thoughtfulness.

--Since pain in life is inevitable, and suffering is optional, I get to choose my responses.

-- The only times I fail is when I quit trying.

-- Taking chances and struggling to master a new skill teaches me to be braver, more creative, and more trusting.

--Eating smaller portions, more fruits and vegetables, and less sugar, plus walking every day helps me feel better physically and emotionally.

--In most situations less is really more. Getting too attached to my “stuff” makes me more fearful, distrustful, and suspicious.

--Facebook or text messages can't substitute for sitting across a table and talking with someone I love.

--Heartbreak and difficulty often bring out the best in us. Recognizing that all of us are broken motivates me to be more tolerant and gracious toward others and to give up my need to be right.

--Random acts of kindness make a fantastic difference!

--What is best for others is ultimately best for me. Life is not about “me” but “we.” Living by the Golden Rule enriches my life.

--Accepting that those I love will inevitably disappoint, hurt and betray me at times, allows me to let go of my unrealistic expectations. As the popular saying puts it, “the quickest way to receive love is to give love. The quickest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly. The best way to keep love is to give it wings.”

--To be without hope is to be without purpose. I can be just as happy as I make up my mind to be.

--Life is not a race or something to be endured. Life is a journey to be savored each step of the way. By looking for the positive and being grateful for the small mercies of each day I am more able to learn the lessons life tries to teach me.

--Gratitude is the secret ingredient of a joyous, contented life. I choose to intentionally practice gratitude every day no matter what is happening.

--It's when I feel most broken and alienated that I try to remind myself that I am a beloved child of God because “God don't make no junk.”

--The most profound answer to my prayers is not having things go my way or getting the answers I desire but resting in the quiet assurance that God is love.

Joyce Shutt is pastor emeritus of the Fairfield Mennonite Church.

Grieving our way into hope

Life is filled with loss. Death, divorce, abuse, poor parenting, moves, jobs, kids leaving home, pets dying, long term friendships ending. Much of our political polarization stems from the “technological revolution” we're living in with all the changes that implies, including job losses, the communication revolution, unfunded wars, the Wall Street debacle, gun violence. Such change/loss is overwhelming. Too many of us respond with some form of addiction, be it drinking, perscription drugs, street drugs, smoking, hoarding, compulsive exercising, scapegoating. Scapegoating the President, Democrats, Romney, Republicans, Muslims, illegals, the schools, even God. We are a people in grief.

Grieving is hard work. Grief always unearths unresolved issues, regrets, guilt, good and bad memories, that painful stuff we stuff. But denial is not the answer. Unless we do the hard work of grieving, we will just get sicker, more dysfunctional, more polarized. The rise of mental illnesses, cancer, auto immune diseases, etc. inevitably follows major tragedy, trauma, and conflict. Especially when unresolved bitterness, anger, and resentment is so pervasive. It's been said that bitterness or resentment is pouring a cup of poison for someone else then drinking it yourself.

One of life's great illusions is that we can control what happens to and around us. We think, “if others would just to do things my way, I'd be happy.” Not so. Being control freaks simply sets us up for more failure and dysfunction, leading to more catastrophic consequences, death and loss. What are we to do? Grieve. Grieve our way into hope.

There are specific steps in the grieving process which apply to all forms of loss. Kubler-Ross identified them as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Elaborating a bit, denial masks the anger and blame that defines how we relate to others and ourselves when in pain. Owning our anger, we can identify the deep hurts and fears that subconsciously control our lives. But letting go of the anger also means reliving the pain of loss and loneliness.

For a time we may try to bargain away those painful feelings by saying “if I/we do this, then...” but eventually we must feel the hurt that comes with loss and loneliness. Feeling the loss and loneliness allows us to work through the insecurity, fear, and anxiety that is so much a part of change, death, loss. Owning such feelings develops awareness of how those feelings make us feel inadequate, helpless, worthless.

As we recognize our feelings of helplessness we can identify the many dysfunctional ways we use to gain some sense of control in our work, family, and social systems. We can then stop blaming others. We can accept what is, that we can't change the past. We can start focusing on now, finding new ways to behave, react, adapt rather than obsessively trying to control and change others. And by accepting that we can't control most of what happens in life, that loss is a part of life, we are freed in amazing ways. For instance, many re-discover God, not as one who can prevent pain or difficulty if we are “good”, but as a loving presence that helps us embrace and deal with life's uncertainities and loss.

Joyce Shutt is the pastor emeritus of the Fairfield Mennonite Church.

What if?

What if?

As a pastor, death has been no stranger to me, but two experiences stand out. I watched one friend break out in a radiant smile, lift her arms as if to reach for someone and died, leaving the room filled with the most incredible "presence." Another friend's husband pointed to the ceiling. "Look. There she goes!"

I suspect we fear death because we rarely have the chance to share that final experience with the ones we love since many die in the hospital away from us rather than at home. Because we fear the unknown, we seek to prolong life regardless of the human, emotional or financial costs. In the old days the family cared for the sick, held them as they died, "laid out the body," made the casket, dug the grave. This gave the families tangible ways to say "good bye."

Thanks to Hospice, I got to share in both of my sisters' deaths. Both times, (one local and the other in Indiana), I found Hospice to be incredibly kind, supportive, helpful, and grounded. They helped us realize the difference between medical treatment which is designed to prolong life, and hospice care that is designed to keep the terminal person pain free and comfortable. Both of my sisters came home with less than 2 weeks to live. Both lived several months, with good quality, in large part due to the ways Hospice managed their pain and care. Hospice provided all of the equipment and medication. They were on call 24/7. They helped us recognize the stages of grief and impending death so we could let go and allow my sisters to die gracefully and peacefully.

In Final Gifts, a book written by Hospice nurses, the authors spoke of a conscious state that dying people often experience, an alternate reality. My one sister described it as "being in a story that's being acted out in another place" or "being caught between two worlds without knowing where I belong." At times she'd ask, "Is someone here? Who just came into the room?" I'd see no one. Once she said, "there are three people sitting at the foot of my bed." Another time, "someone standing by my left shoulder." One afternoon when she was very weak she told us, "I was going down this long hallway, but when I got to the end there wasn't a knob on the door so I came back." Hospice helped us understand that these were not hallucinations but experiences that were very real to her.

For those who can't care for their loved ones at home, hospice provides similar services in nursing homes and hospitals. As with most experiences in life, the one who helps gets as much or more out of the experience as the one who is helped.

In spite of being a pastor, I have my doubts about an afterlife. The world is very much with me. I used to watch "Touched by an Angel" and snicker, thinking it pretty far fetched that angels took the dying "home." Having shared my sisters' experiences, I now find myself wondering. What if that actually is true? What if we do entertain angels unawares?

     

All I want for Christmas

All I want for Christmas is a grateful heart. Not something that occasionally spills out in spontaneous feelings, a thank you note or an act of generosity, but a day in, day out ethic of gratitude. An ethic that leads me to intentionally seek the best in every situation or person, an ethic that allows room for “the other,” an ethic where the God of my understanding is not something or someone out there waiting to trip you or me up, but that divine source that creates everything and everyone for good, that source which loves everything and everyone, unifies everything and everyone, whose creative impulse is not to divide choosing some and rejecting others, but whose ultimate design is to bring us together as a unified whole.

All I want for Christmas is a grateful heart, each beat reminding me that our lives are not our own and that life is a precious gift, that the driving goal of life is being gratefully aware of all that is given to us lies outside of our ability to create or control, or even deserve. Gratitude feeds gratitude thus creating this wonderful spiral of abundance and joy.

An ethic of gratitude increases my awareness of all that lies outside my control allowing me to exist and be: the trees that give me the oxygen I breath, the streams and rivers providing the water I drink, the plants and animals that feed me. An ethic of gratitude allows me to care about all those hidden people whose work allows me to be relatively safe, secure, and comfortable, who create the clothes I wear, the cars I drive, the food I eat, the energy I consume, the protections I enjoy. All those who both past and present, living and non-living, remembered or forgotten have gone before. For me, Advent and Christmas is not about shopping or parties or baking or decorations, it's about being intentionally grateful, of using less so that others might have more. The shortened days and longer nights remind me that each of us is born with the same promise and potential as the Christ child who did not come to validate shopping sprees or greed but to bring peace on earth, good will to men. We are each born to love and be loved, to give and forgive, to live lives of quiet, profound grateful integrity.

It's easy to lose sight of the many gifts each day brings, especially when things don't go the way we've planned. But when one intentionally seeks the good in life, each day brings multiple reminders of what is transcendent and positive allowing us to see the reality of a wider world and our connection to everything, so that we become aware that not only is something better possible, but we are each called to help make it so. Fortunately we don't have to understand this mystery we call God, life, hope, gratitude. We need only embrace it. So this Advent season, liturgically a time of waiting for the hope to come, I already have everything I need; I have a heart opening to gratitude.

Joyce Shutt is pastor emeritus of the Fairfield Mennonite Church. You can read her blogs by going to 606 thanksliving.blogspot.com