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E-ZINE: December 19, 2007
TODAY IN SCRIPTURE: Comfort, oh, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.
Isaiah 40:1-2
(NIV)
My debt is paid is, I’m told, the literal meaning of the word Jesus uttered on the cross when he said, “It is finished”. It’s the Greek word that was stamped on bills in ancient times the same way we stamp them as paid.
It always takes a bit of time for me to get into the holiday spirit. Decorating doesn’t help and most of the current Christmas music on the radio should never have been written, let alone sung, in my humble opinion. Even Christmas in Washington, the President’s Christmas Concert with the Marine Corps trumpets, was a bummer this year. As always, the trumpets heralding Joy To The World were great but the rest of the program was not to my taste. Something tells me the President struggled with it too.
But two things have really helped me this year. First, buying gifts for friends and family has been a real joy. My father always said that it’s not what you get at Christmas that makes a merry Christmas, it’s what you give. I’m sure you all know that, you give and give all year long.
The second thing is the cards, and mostly the letters, we’ve received from friends and family. The letters this year, in particular, were very candid. One letter began quoting Dickens, ”It was the best of times and the worst of times”. I read as they wrote of loss, illness, death, disappointment; noting that we still live in a world that’s far from perfect, and in fact, can be quite dangerous. Jesus doesn’t take us out of the world but he has paid the price for our admission into the new world. A word of comfort needs to be shouted: MY DEBT HAS BEEN PAID! Now that’s Good News!
The following selections are a few things that have been particularly meaningful to me this year:
A Poem by Roy Lessin
He was unlimited by time, yet He came in the fullness of time.
He was unlimited by space, yet He dwells among us.
He was limitless in majesty, yet He took human form.
He was limitless in authority, yet He became a servant.
He was matchless in holiness, yet He bore our sins –
He did it all out of a heart of ceaseless grace, endless mercy, and everlasting love.
Words by Phillip Yancey
Jesus likened prayer to a child approaching the Father. A child who crawls into her father’s lap with a fantasy Christmas list may not get everything she desires. But the very fact that she crawled into his lap, making known her deepest desires, helps cement the bond of love the father cherishes above all else.
Lyrics From The Traditional English Christmas Carol God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Now to the Lord sing Praises,
All you within this place.
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace.
This holy tide of Christmas
All others doth deface:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy.
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Joyeux Noel
Steve
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E-ZINE: August 24, 2007
TODAY IN SCRIPTURE: Jesus said, Let the little children come to m, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
I have mixed feelings about sharing the following article. It does not reflect my political sentiment. Yet its focus and message both inspire and convict me. William Blackaby, in his book Experiencing God, makes a profound statement. “Find out where God is working and join Him there.” I believe that God is at work in Baghdad and in what Capt. Jon Powers is seeking to do through War Kids Relief. It trust you'll find this article equally profound.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Bob Francis: Bring 'Em On
Earlier this month marked four years since President Bush issued the following brazen pronouncement about our presence in Iraq: "There are some who feel like that the conditions are such that they can attack us there. My answer is, bring 'em on. We've got the force necessary to deal with the security situation." U.S. troop casualties at that time were about 200; now they stand at over 3,600, with thousands more injured and estimates of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi casualties, many of them children. And there is no end in sight.
One of the troops who knows all too well the real security situation in Baghdad is Capt. Jon Powers. As an artillery platoon leader in the Army's 1st Armored Division, and later as the Battalion Commander's Adjutant in Baghdad and Najaf, Capt. Powers led his soldiers through one of Baghdad's most volatile sectors. It was there that he saw four friends die, and it was there that he "witnessed firsthand the devastation and lost opportunities that resulted from the Bush Administration's mismanagement and lack of planning for post-invasion Iraq. He saw how his and his fellow soldiers' idealism, dedication and patriotism were dishonored by a government that sent them to war without proper equipment, training or forethought." It was also there that he saw, all too closely, the effects of this war on its most vulnerable victims—Iraqi children.
Rather than remaining paralyzed by inaction or apathy, Capt. Powers decided to do something about what he saw. He founded War Kids Relief, a non-profit dedicated "to help the children of war-torn nations recover from the disruptive effects of war and give them hope for a better future." They seek to do this through a variety of initiatives, including creating a network of safe havens with existing orphanages, launching a family program to reintegrate children into family programs, improving education and training, and empowering the children's caretakers. And they are also focusing some of their efforts here at home by "developing a curriculum on Iraqi culture and youth that will be based on the current national standards for geography to be introduced into American schools this fall."
Jesus confounded his disciples in Matthew 19 by calling for the children to be brought unto him despite the disciples' rebuke of those who brought them. Capt. Powers models this in his work with War Kids Relief, and I hope that we as a nation also model this when we draw up our budgets to help rebuild and repair what we have destroyed in Iraq. This is the sort of "bring 'em on" that we need from our highest leaders—bring on the hurting, the broken, the forgotten, the injured. We don't need pronouncements of arrogance—we need to ask for the needy and damaged to come, and then we must do what we can, responsibly and respectfully, do to make things right.
Say what we will about the justifications or lack thereof for this war, we must acknowledge that many innocent lives have been damaged and lost. Make no mistake: We have destroyed much, and it will be on our heads as a nation to repair and heal much, just as Capt. Powers does in his own small but powerful way.
It is refreshing to me that Jon is taking responsibility for the damage that our nation has done and trying to bring healing, hope, and a future to kids caught in a war they did not start. But what's more, Capt. Powers has also taken personal responsibility: "If I can go back there and I can make a positive influence on a country that I helped partially destroy, then maybe I can sort of regain the whole reason that I went."
So much in Iraq has already been tragically undone, but may we follow Capt. Powers in our efforts to make right. His example of honesty, humility, and healing action is one our administration would do well to imitate.
Jon's work with War Kids Relief was featured on NBC Nightly News' "Making a Difference" series and in a recent Newsweek cover story.
Bob Francis is the organizing and policy assistant for Sojourners/Call to Renewal.
Housekeeping
 HR 2015: HR 2015 was referred to the House Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties (Judiciary Committee) on May 4, 2007. As of August 24, 2007, there has been no action on the part of the subcommittee to review the bill. We’ll keep you appraised.
SAVE THE DATE: NACCFA’s FALL LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE. OCTOBER 26-27, Anderson, IN (40 miles NE of Indianapolis Int’l Airport). Focus: The Feasibility of Risk Pooling and Group Insurance Negotiating Block for NACCFA Members. Resource: Kevin Thompson; Attorney and Risk Management Specialist; Plews, Shadley, Racher, & Braun, LLP of Indianapolis. More information to follow.
We’re Better Together
Steve
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E-ZINE: JUNE 18, 2007
TODAY IN SCRIPTURE: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. But the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it”
(Matt. 7:13-14 NRSV).
While visiting a church on a recent Sunday, I stepped into the adult Sunday school classroom and entered a delightful discussion about the meaning of the above text. The teacher only cautioned that the readers consider the passage in its contexts—literary, historical, cultural, even theological. Some shared their struggles with rigid teachings in their past on the “plan of salvation” and the inevitable debates on who was in and who was out. Finally, one woman shared her view that this passage seems to be a summary of all the teaching that comes before it in the Sermon on the Mount. Many in the class nodded as they considered her words. I wanted to cheer, because her words echoed those of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his classic work, The Cost of Discipleship. That’s pretty good company. The following words are found in the section entitled “The Great Divide”:
“A little band of (people), the followers of Christ, are separated from the rest of the world. The disciples are few in number, and will always be few. This saying of Jesus forestalls all exaggerated hopes of success. Never let a disciple of Jesus pin his hopes on large numbers. ‘Few there be . . .’ If we behold Jesus Christ going on before step by step, we shall not go astray. But if we worry about the dangers that beset us, if we gaze at the road instead of at him who goes before, we are already straying from the path. For he is himself the way, the narrow way and the strait gate . . .” --Bonhoeffer, Dietrich (1937), The Cost of Discipleship.
Forgive me for engaging in some cheerleading. The words of Bonhoeffer and the woman in Bible class make me think of our vocation as Christians in social work. It seems to me that Christians in social work are on a narrow way. If those who are poor, those who mourn, and those who are meek are blessed, surely others who encourage and empower them are blessed as well. Do you want to find those who are merciful and peacemakers? Those who reflect the light of the world? Those who are slow to anger and slow to judge others? Those who are true to their word? Those who find value in others with whom they differ, even the enemy? Do you want to find those who give generously while expecting nothing in return? Those who practice their spiritual disciplines in secret? Do you want to rub shoulders with those who find the cost of living rising faster than their salary increases, who therefore have difficulty even thinking about storing up treasures on earth? You have come to the right place. At least I hope so.
As Jesus turned his face toward the cross, Thomas wondered aloud that he and his friends did not know where Jesus was going and therefore could not know the way. That’s when Jesus explained that He was the way. As we proceed along the paths of our vocation, may we look more to Him who has gone before us and less to the dangers of the road.
David Fritz
Catalyst Writer
The preceding article is from Catalyst, the newsletter of the North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW). It spoke to me and perhaps it will speak to you as well. May your day be blessed and remember:
We’re Better Together
Steve
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E-ZINE: May 28, 2007
TODAY IN SCRIPTURE: Remember me with favor, O my God, for all I have done for these people.
- Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:19)
It’s Memorial Day in the United States; a time when we remember those who have given their lives for our country and our freedom. It’s a day when we also remember our family members and loved ones who have already departed this world. It can also be a time when we remember what we, ourselves, have done and take pause to be thankful and perhaps a bit gratified.
It seems to me that when we remember people our memories focus what they did, not just who they were. More personally, it’s also important who remembers me (us). In Nehemiah’s prayer, he asks God to remember him; not because he’s a Jew, not because he’s an exile returning to Jerusalem, but because of the leadership, risk, advocacy, and efforts he performed on behalf of others.
Just like Nehemiah, I want God to remember me and I thank Him for His grace, which saves me. But I also want to be remembered for what I’ve done. I want to be remembered as an available, useful vessel for His use. Then when I stand before Him, He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. And perhaps those who remain in this world will remember me and say “We’re better because we knew him”.
Have a blessed holiday and remember:
We’re Better Together
Steve
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E-Zine: April 27, 2007
TODAY IN SCRIPTURE: “Show me the coin used for paying the tax. Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s”, they replied. “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Jesus’ interchange with the Pharisees (Matt. 22:10-21)
Pick up on Jesus’ critical tone? He wasn’t as irritated with the government that day as he was with the religious leaders. Notice He didn’t say, “Don’t pay taxes”. Rather, He raised questions about who we are and to whom we belong. When we pay our taxes and follow governmental regulations we comply with the expectations of the governmental image (money, taxes, etc.) and public inscription (regulations, laws, ordinances, etc.), which is our “reasonable service” to governmental authority as citizens. But Jesus, as is His nature, goes much further instructing us to “give to God, what is God’s”. We are made in God’s image and, as such, God’s image is on us: through our character, behavior, ethics, and practices. And His inscription is in us. His words are written on our hearts. His counsel is present in our hearing from other believers. And his wisdom is present as we pray and raise our concerns to Him. In this world, we are aliens and thus are subject to the authorities of this world. But we are citizens of a far greater kingdom beyond this world, one that we will inherit in time. But for now we are to obey the laws of the land in which we live as well as the officials who govern it, as Paul instructs us in Romans 13.
This brings us to the substance of the NACCFA Leadership Gathering a couple of weeks ago. One of the foundational principles on which America was established is the freedom to practice religion and worship as one pleases. I’m not sure the founding fathers ever considered the possibility that religious organizations would contract with the government to provide services of varying sorts. Here’s where things start to get murky. How does the government obtain quality services for citizens without either discriminating against religious providers or encouraging a particular religious practice?
Since the public school prayer issue, a conflict has raged between various groups over the interpretation of the First Amendment with the Free Exercise clause and the Establishment clause being the central points of disagreement. Two pieces of legislation have been passed in the last ten years with broad, bi-partisan support in an effort to clarify the intentions of the First Amendment and to provide guidance for regulatory bodies and service providers with religious practices and affiliations. These two pieces of legislation are the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, (H.R.3734), and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized People Act, [CITE: 42USC2000cc]. The links are provided for your benefit and convenience (I hope they work!). The rluipa.com site is easy to access and very user friendly. However, the Charitable Choice information was not so easy. You can “google” charitable choice and go to the Health and Human Services (hhs.gov) site. There’s a really good summary and you can link to the text of the Act, which is Sec. 104.
Lending expertise to our discussions at the Leadership Gathering were Mark Bucci, counsel for Teen Ranch in their appeal regarding the State of Michigan’s action to remove their placements and close referrals to the agency. Mr. Bucci walked us through the process that Teen Ranch used to come to their present status. The basis of Teen Ranch’s claim is that the State of Michigan violated the provisions of Sec. 104 of H.R.3734. Mr. Bucci provided several compelling arguments suggesting that lower court and the 6th Circuit’s decisions were outside of the decisions made by other circuits in similar cases. In a companion case, the on-going litigation involving Sunrise Children’s Services (formerly KY Baptist Homes for Children) mirrors, to some extent, the same issues confronting Teen Ranch.
Clayton Wood, staff-counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), also joined us and provided insight into the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized People Act. This legislation is of particular interest to Lost and Found, Inc. of Denver, CO. The agency has purchased a 100 + acre parcel of land in an affluent area north of Denver. Local landowners and politicians have aggressively tried to block the sale and the development of the land, which will become the agency’s residential campus. Harl Hargett, CEO shared the current status of the matter and Mr. Wood offered insight and support.
It is critical that agencies recognize their rights under both these provisions and be prepared to engage authorities if necessary. The ACLJ is particularly knowledgeable regarding RLUIPA. For those agencies receiving public funds, it is imperative that they keep detailed records of the public dollars as well as the private dollars they receive and how each are used, assuring that no public dollars are being used for worship or evangelism.
Also, the client and/or the client’s family have the power of choice. The agency’s faith and practice positions should be well articulated so that any public referral is aware of the expectation for religious activity in the context of the program. It is not the agency’s responsibility to protect the client’s rights, as I read the legislation. It is the responsibility of the placing authority. Therefore, the agency’s religious activities and expectation should be clearly explained. It is my understanding that once a client is placed, with the full understanding of the religious activities and expectations, the client may not be removed solely because of conflicts concerning religious activities and expectations.
In short, we do not need, nor should we attempt to “fly under the radar” concerning our spiritual activities and expectations. However, religious activities must be funded by private dollars and a clear accounting trail illustrating the source of those funds needs to be in existence. In the same respect, public agencies may not withhold contracts or refuse to place clients in a program solely on the basis of the religious affiliations, beliefs, and/or practices of that organization unless the client or client’s family objects. In addition, public regulatory personnel cannot require that agencies remove religious symbols or articles including scriptural references.
There have been subsequent pieces of legislation, which further expand the charitable choice provision, the last of which was in 2004. In any event, these are very important pieces of legislation and public law, which can be assets for us as we move further into the “age of litigation”. Even in the midst of all this conflict and struggle.
Have a Blessed Day
HOUSEKEEPING
Congratulations are in order for Children’s Ark, Green Mountain Falls, CO. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) recently accredited Children’s Ark for a three-year period for its residential, community-based, day treatment, and educational programs. The latest accreditation is the second consecutive accreditation and first three-year accreditation outcome that the international accrediting commission has awarded to Children’s Ark. For those of us who have been through the accreditation process, we know full well the effort involved in achieving this lofty goal. Hats Off, Kudos, and Blessings to Eric West and his staff for this outstanding achievement.
We’re Better Together
Steve
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E-ZINE: March 22, 2007
TODAY IN SCRIPTURE: Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life.
(Proverbs 4:23 ESV)
Most of us are well aware that in Hebrew thought the processes of the mind – reasoning, motivations, attitudes, and so forth – are described using the term heart. Jesus spent a great deal of time speaking about attitudes, saying that these are the sources of actions. I’ve thought much about this most of my life, but only recently have I recognized that the mind is not only a place that should be guarded from the penetration of sinful thoughts, it’s also the place where positive thoughts begin. As Solomon says, “from it flows the springs of life”.
Recently, I started as subscription to a personal growth service. A couple of things in this week’s edition struck a cord and prompted me to share them. They involve “self-talk”, the conversations we have with ourselves in our minds. We all have these conversations; some are more verbal than others. Below are a few words of wisdom that I found particularly meaningful:
"The most important conversations, briefings, meeting, and lectures you will ever have will be those you hold with yourself in the privacy of your own mind." -- Denis Waitley
"Take complete control over the messages you allow into your conscious mind."
— Brian Tracy
"If your sunshine wants far outstrip your cold morning desire, have a talk with yourself. Then have a lot more talks with yourself. Convince number one that you can succeed— and you will succeed. If you don't believe in you, why should anyone else?"
— Tom Hopkins
"You become what you affirm; positively affirm your greatness, genius and fullest potential."
— Mark Victor Hansen
“You become what you think about.” -- Earl Nightingale
The Holy Spirit convicts us of the sin in our lives and certainly our sin needs to be confessed and a change needs to take place in our behavior. But Jesus also said, “God sent His son into the world not to condemn it but to save it” (John 3:17 paraphrase). God hasn’t called us to self-condemnation but to self-confidence and success in Him, for His honor and His glory.
Housekeeping
SPRING LEADERSHIP GATHERING
Information on the Spring Leadership Gathering at Wears Valley Ranch, Sevierville, TN was sent out earlier this week. The focus of our discussion at the Gathering will be on the First Amendment/Establishment Clause, which is at the core of two lawsuits currently being fought by NACCFA members. We’ll be discussing the issue and strategies. Dates are April 13-15 (Friday evening through Sunday morning). Make plans to be there and contact me if you have questions.
FREECONFERENCE.COM.
For more than a year now the NACCFA Board and some committees have used freeconference.com as an excellent and inexpensive way of communicating through conference calling. In a recent email from freeconference.com, the following was stated:
We have recently been in touch with many of you about an illegal assault on our business by AT&T/Cingular, Qwest, and Sprint, who are abusing their market power to block a small set of numbers to one of our many conferencing bridges. I want to assure you that despite these actions, we are running our business with minimal interruptions. If you are experiencing any difficulties, just contact customer support for quick resolution.
If you use this service and experience any difficulty, go to www.freeconference.com and click on the Customer Service tab. You’ll receive assistance there. I have a Sprint cell phone and tried accessing the number the NACCFA Board uses. I had no difficulty accessing the conference call area. However, if you have a call scheduled, I’d suggest you check out the access before convening it.
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS GROUP IN NEBRASKA
he Children’s Rights group that has sued several states over the residential and foster care systems in these states has met with significant resistance in Nebraska. In fact, a U.S. District Judge has dismissed their case. Gregg Nicklas, from Christian Heritage Children’s Homes in Lincoln sent the following article:
HHS Lawsuit:
Class-action foster care suit dismissed
1/20/2007
NATE JENKINS/The Associated Press
A class-action lawsuit alleging that the state Health and
Human Services system endangered 6,000 Nebraska children in the foster-care system was dismissed Friday by a judge.
U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf dismissed the class action
suit that alleged the state endangered children with an understaffed,
under funded and unresponsive foster-care system. It was filed in 2005 by New York-based Children's Rights, the Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest and several private law firms.
"This decision consigns Nebraska's most vulnerable children
to an empty promise that the courts will protect them," said Jennifer
Carter, staff attorney for the Appleseed Center. "This is just closing the best avenue for legal relief for these children."
The center and other plaintiffs could appeal the decision to
the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Carter said a decision has not yet been made.
Court precedent that says relief provided by federal courts
should not interfere with the action of state courts was a basis for the decision. Children in foster care are involved in ongoing state court cases.
"Federal court injunctive orders against HHS would undermine
and interfere with the Nebraska juvenile court's ability to exercise the full extent of its authority over juvenile court proceedings," the ruling says.
The lawsuit helped prompt state action to improve the system, including a series of directives issued last year by Gov. Dave
Heineman. The ruling pointed out that the state is making efforts to
improve the system.
The directives from Heineman focus on decreasing the length
of time children spend in the system by achieving permanent placements
earlier - particularly for young children - and freeing up resources to
allow workers more time to focus on high-priority cases.
"The state has been making steady improvement from the end
of the Johanns administration into this administration," said Aaron
Sanderford, Heineman's spokesman. "We'll continue to make progress."
Problems in foster care partially revealed the need for a
more nimble and accountable Health and Human Services system, now being
sought by Heineman through a reorganization of the state agency, Sanderford said.
Nebraska continues to have one of the nation's highest rates
of out-of-home placements per thousand children. In 2003, Nebraska had a rate of 13.8 children per 1,000 in out-of-home care, compared with the national average rate of 7.2 per 1,000, according to the Child Welfare League of America.
The lawsuit alleged that the state failed to address long-standing systemic problems such as a drastic shortage of foster homes,
dangerously high caseloads for caseworkers assigned to monitor child
safety, a lack of critical mental health services, the lowest "per diem" payments to care for foster children of any state in the nation and a lack of services and resources to get children adopted.
"The child welfare system is failing the children it is
legally obligated to care for," Carter said.
Let’s hear it for sanity in Nebraska! Have a blessed day and remember:
We’re Better Together
Steve
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E-ZINE: February 26, 2007
TODAY IN SCRIPTURE: Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old, I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:18-19)
This verse begins the final chapter of Jim Wallis’ book God’s Politics. Although I found the book to be wordy and frequently redundant, this final chapter was riveting. I would commend it to you, if nothing more than for reading his conclusion. The chapter is entitled The Critical Choice: Hope Versus Cynicism.
As I researched the scriptural passage I found that Isaiah probably wrote these words during or shortly after Assyrian king Sennacherib’s siege of Jerusalem, which is recorded in II Kings 18 and 19. You will recall that against overwhelming odds, God delivered Israel by causing Sennacherib to think that the Egyptian army was advancing toward him. During the night the angel of the Lord put 185,000 Assyrian soldiers to death in their camp. Sennacherib then withdrew to Damascus, his capital, and there was killed by two of his sons while worshiping in the temple of his god. Perhaps it was Israel’s miraculous deliverance that prompted Isaiah to write chapters 42 through 66 of his book.
But let’s get back to God’s Politics. Wallis suggests that cynicism is the place of retreat for smart, formerly idealistic people who are now trying to protect themselves. They’ve engaged in efforts to foster change and have invested their lives in noble pursuits for the benefit and welfare of others. Most have a sense of “calling” or mission that transcends the mundane. They know they’re in a battle and the odds are against them but they thought there would be more victories and the losses would be less painful. They struggle with the toll the mission has taken on their families and other relationships. When success has been questionable and things got worse, they got weary.
Sound familiar? Many of us have, on occasion, retreated to cynicism as a refuge from commitment. Wallis writes further, “Cynicism does protect you in many ways. It protects you from seeming foolish to believe that things could and will change. It protects you from disappointment. It protects you from insecurity because now you are free to pursue your own security instead of sacrificing it for a social engagement that won’t work anyway.”
And yet, God is doing a new thing. He is calling us to forget about former things and not dwell in the past. In some ways, this idea is counter to the therapeutic process. Frequently, we as counselors spend so much time in the past with our clients that we make them sicker instead of better. God is saying to us “forget the failure, don’t go there again. It’s over. I’m doing a new thing and want you to be a part of it”.
Barack Obama has written a book entitled The Audacity of Hope. I’ve not read it but the title intrigues me. God is calling us to HOPE AUDACIOUSLY. He hasn’t changed his plans. He’s still the champion of the poor, the lonely, the downtrodden, the orphan, the widow, the disenfranchised and more. He’s calling us to renew our faith. He’s calling us to refocus our mission. He’s saying to us, “seek My Kingdom and My righteousness first. All these other things will be added. I’ll take care of it. I promise”. God is calling us to hope again even when the light on the horizon appears to be an oncoming train.
In this world where we’re constantly barraged with employment problems, regulatory issues, funding concerns, and other weighty matters, it’s easy to lose perspective and become cynical. The Apostle Paul said, “Forgetting the past, I press on toward the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
The new thing is springing up. Can you see it?
Housekeeping
MARK YOUR CALENDARS. The NACCFA Spring Leadership Summit will be held at WEARS VALLEY RANCH, Sevierville, TN (in the beautiful Smokey Mountains), April 13, 14, and 15.
SENATE BILL ON HOUSEPARENTS. Senator Mel Martinez of Florida has sponsored a bill called “The Fair Minimum Wage Act” which basically gives single houseparents the same exemptions as are provided for married houseparents. Attached to this E-zine are the bill narrative and a list of senators on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee. This bill hasn’t made it out of committee because it is perceived by several senators to be only a Florida issue. Contact with various senators (particularly those from your home state) would show support for the bill and certainly indicate that it has impact in many of our organizations across the country. Our colleagues in Florida have worked very hard to get the bill this far. As NACCFA members, let's show our support for this bill by making some calls.
We’re Better Together
Steve
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E-ZINE: January 14, 2007
TODAY IN SCRIPTURE: These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever. Joshua 4:7b
Most of you know what the stones in this scriptural passage represent. They’re the stones from the middle of the Jordan River used to build Joshua’s alter after the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land. They became a monument for future Israelites to remember all the miracles and blessings the Lord had given them in their escape from Egypt and their 40-year trek in the wilderness.
Several weeks ago, I was challenged by a friend to write down the top ten things I had done professionally that I was most proud of; my top 10 accomplishments. I found it hard to do. I worked on it for several days, in fact. I was tired when I finished, but I experienced a great deal of satisfaction.
Memories and accomplishments are much like the stones the Israelites brought up out of the Jordan. Viewed by themselves they’re just rocks. They really don’t amount to much. But together, they form a monument, a benchmark for future reference.
We’re all humble people. We do things all the time that some think are highly heroic. Yet, for the most part, we simply view them as routine. They’re the things we do in the course of our jobs. Never mind that we put ourselves (and frequently our families) on the line for the welfare of other people or for the sake of the cause. Even with these
incredible sacrifices and achievements, our self-talk is frequently negative. We are highly critical of ourselves and minimize the importance of our performance.
As we begin this New Year, take some time and write down your Top 10 Professional Accomplishments. You’ll be amazed at what you recall and the impact those accomplishments had on individuals, your agency, and the community as a whole. You may find it difficult. Ask your spouse or a trusted friend who has known you for a long time to help with the process. When you’ve gotten them written, post them in a place where you can see them frequently. Together, they become a monument from which you can gain strength and find affirmation.
As important as goals are for future growth and development, so is a track record. Our personal histories contain experiences and accomplishments, which give us the wisdom and confidence to do even greater things.
HOUSEKEEPING
2007 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE DUE! If you haven’t sent in your dues, please do so as soon as possible. We will extend the early renewal price through January 31, 2007.
CEO evaluation instrument: If anyone has a CEO evaluation instrument that they would be willing share, Robbie Smith at Safe Harbor Boys Home in Jacksonville, FL is doing some research and would like to have it. You can email it to Robbie at [email protected] or send it to her % Safe Harbor Boys Home, 4772 Safe Harbor Way, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Have a wonderful 2007 and remember:
We’re Better Together
Steve
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