06 06 11 Think On These Things

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• Publié par: Assa
• Nombre de lectures: 9
• Langue: English

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“Think On These Things”  June 11, 2006 As indicated earlier, I join with area pastors this morning in speaking to violence that has been a growing reality in our communities especially among our youth. Why am I doing this? I am convinced that violence in a community is the problem of everyone in that community, and seeking solutions is everyone’s responsibility. There is no us and them. There is only us. But how do I speak to something as complex as the causes of and solutions to violence without sounding naïve and simplistic?That’s what I’ve wrestled with.One thing I know for sure – this message will not be an answer to violence.You can’t preach at it and make it go away.It’sonething that can be done – should be done – but by itself, preaching will prove woefully inadequate. In my struggle, it struck me that one often cited root cause of violence among our young people is the lack of positive, responsible adult role models. Who are our kids’ heroes today?Too often it is an antihero. Today it’s a music or sports celebrity. And this is not to say that there aren’t positive role models in that crowd, but those who have most captured the adulation of our youth are the ones who are ALL ABOUT THE DOLLARS, ALL ABOUT ME, WHAT I CAN GRAB FOR ME, ALL ABOUT THE SHORTCUT and THE QUICK FIX, ANY MEANS TO JUSTIFY THE END OF WHAT’S GOOD FOR ME.. I decided for my contribution to the chorus of pastoral voices to lift up to your attention people who, whether they know it or not or name it as such, are living examples of those qualities we would want our young people to imitate. Their example not only could instill in our young people values that are honored in the sight of all, but could also give youth a healthy sense of themselves.You’ll meet in a moment two who were able and graciously willing to spend some time with us.First, I want to set my comments in the context of these concluding words of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians: Summing it all up, my friends, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise – think on these things. And put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and what you saw in my example.Do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians4:89 ** Here I will interview:Charles Hall of Starbucks  LindseyHohlt, volunteer at Windridge  TBCrayton – transporter at GSMC Charles Hall PF: OK,Charles, I’ve set you up for this by telling them where I met you and how you boost my  spirits.So – would you give them a sample of what I’m talking about? CH:Sure. "Hello,How can I helpwelcome to Starbucks. Are you having a great day? you?”  Thedirection of the conversation is based on their response. PF: Howlong have you been with Starbucks? CH:I have worked for Starbucks Coffee Company for 2 years. We have a mobile  detailingbusiness that we have owned and operated for the last 4 years. PF: HasLongview always been your home? CH: No,I am from Gilmer, but I believe any where the Lord is is my home. I have lived in  Longviewover the last 20 years. I also have a sweet and loving wife that the Lord  blessedme with 7 years ago. Her name is Timberly and I have three boys Charles Jr.,  JonathanDavid, and Caleb Antony Hall. PF: Charles,I’m certain your friendliness isn’t just Starbuck's policy. You convey a genuine  positiveregard, and it makes people want to come back for more  of you. How is it that  younever meet a stranger, that you extend the same grace to everyone? CH: Wehave to always remember that all people are human and everyone is looking for  love,friendliness and honesty.The key is to motivate yourself to be positive so that  youcan promote others to be positive as well.I always remember that most things  thatlook bad have an element of good in them.It is our jobs as humans to find it.

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PF: Howdid this genuine positive regard for others develop in you?What or who have been the  influencesin your life that have shaped you into a living definitionof “love your neighbor  asyourself?” CH: Iactually can’t say that there were specific mentors who taught me that. I believe it is something that God has given me and I have developed it through life's circumstances and experiences.In addition, Starbucks has played a key role in my professional development.At Starbucks we have guiding principles that help to enhance our personal lives. Starbucks purpose is to provide an uplifting experience that enriches people's daily lives. PF: Charles,Starbucks would be very proud of you and, I’m certain, very happy for the  commercial!We too are grateful for the gift you have given us this morning in sharing the  kindnessof your special spirit. Lindsey Hohlt At a young age, Lindsey Hohlt from this congregation, is already a veteran modeling virtues that are honorable in the sight of all. Lindsey please come. PF: Lindsey,you are a college student home for the summer, is that right?(Answer)  Wheredo you attend college?Texas A & M PF: Andyou aren’t just sitting around, I understand. You are volunteering your time,  6days a week, in fact, at Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center.Tell me  whatWindridge is about. (Brief description of the purpose of Windridge. ) PF: Andwhat do you do as a volunteer? (cleanstables, maintain equipment, sidewalk, working to be a student instructor by teaching different riding skills.) PF: Ofall your tasks, which brings you the most sense of accomplishment? Working with the students. PF: Ididn’t think you would say, “Cleaning stables.”And what is so rewarding about working with students? Seeing the students get excited when they discover that they actually ARE capable of doing something that they might have once considered impossible.No one is telling them they CAN’T. We are there to tell them they CAN and show them how. That’s the greatest thing. PF: Itseems that through your work you have discovered a real sense of purpose and life’s greatest good. Yes. I have to admit that I first volunteered at Windridge ___ years ago because I loved horses. But there is a saying among the staff there that is true of me:“You may come for the horses, but you stay for the people.”I have come to love people more than horses. PF: Havingknown you for more than 15 years, I think I can say that a love for people  waspart of who you werebeforehas something to do with yourWindridge. It  outgoingpersonality, but it also is the result of some mentoring examples in our life.  Whoare some of those people? I guess I just “picked up” the importance of loving people from the unspoken example of others throughout my life. I learned from my mom in particular.There has also been Karen Cathey, who was an awesome Sunday School teacher. And I truly believe that none of what I do would be possible without the example of Jesus who gives me the desire to do what I do and the ability to carry it out.

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T.B. Crayton Let me introduce to you one of those living sermons. Mr. T.B. Crayton.T.B. please come and stand with me. Some of you may recognize T.B. His is a pretty familiar face in a certain place in Longview.If youdon’t recognize him like this, perhaps if you were to lay down and look back like this you might remember him. If you’ve had surgery at GSMC, TB may have been your “driver”, pushing your bed to and from surgery. PF: TB,how long have you been with the hospital?(25 years) PF: I’vebeen seeing you there and exchanging a few words with you for 15 years. I always  leavethere saying,, “Man, that TB Crayton is one of the most consistently positive people  I’veever met. When I grow up, I want to be like him.” When people have been around you  theycan’t help but know that they have received a blessing. Where does all that joy come  from? (My relationship with Jesus Christ…. I just try to reflect the love of Christ who lives in me… I have been blessed so that I can be a blessing.) PF: AndT.B., what has impressed me so much beyond that is how you share that spirit with  everyone– whatever their age or skin color or position.And you are so genuine in  doingit. I have watched you and I can tell you truly care for the person on that bed.  Tellme about that. One of the most important things I have learned in my Christian walk is that God wants me to look at people and see them the way He sees them. If I can do that, I can love anyone. PF: Whenyou and I talked the other day, I got the impression that your walk with Christ has been a continuous growing process.Isn’t it great that as old as you and I are, God can still teach us a thing or two, show us something we didn’t know already?You have been a life long student in your relationship with Christ.And, you said that you learned much from the example of your parents.Would you tell me again about the influence of your parents. My parents were very influential in my life. They love God and love Jesus and it  shows. Theyare very giving people – they think of others first. They always taught  meconcern for others before self. PF: TB,you shared with me a quote of your father’s that you carry with you all the time and it  helpsyou remember who you are. What is that quote? “It’s good to be good.” PF: Ithink that’s pretty much what the apostle Paul is saying in our focus text – “It’s good to be good.” Thankyou, TB, for sharing yourself Well, I think we put a “face” on nonviolence today.We must also put a face on violence, see violence as real people – victims to be sure, but also the victimizer – especially the young whose lives are caught in the web of violence. The picture is not complete until we have taken the best of what we are and extended it to those most in need of our mentoring. How do we do it? Let me tell you how “the dark side” does it.I watched an interview with a “gangbanger” and drug dealer from Detroit.He was asked, “How do you bring young people under your influence to the point that they would do anything for you?”He answered, “It’s simple.I’m there for them. When Johnnie goes to play hoops with the boys, I’m there. When Johnnie comes home to an empty house after school, I’m there.When Johnnie goes to the store for a loaf of bread, I’m there. When Johnnie needs to talk about his problems, I’m there. When Johnnie gets into a little trouble, I’m there. And sooner or later, Johnnie is mine.” Could part of the answer to violence be the realization that all the Johnnies are mine too?In the same way that people who are escorted to surgery and customers who come into Starbucks and students who ride horses at Windridge become real people, could the children of violence become real too? Could they become for us people to be loved and not problems to be solved? Belinda Walenta, also from this congregation, would give us a rousing “Yes” at this point. Belinda couldn’t be here today. But some of you will remember her comments in a recent editorial.

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 I’ma 12the grade counselor.I wish you could have seen how everyone in our school worked together for the common good of our students. It was the last full week of classes. I wish you could have seen the teachers who volunteered without pay time to help students pass the next TAKS test.I wish you could have seen our secretary work to help a senior finish a correspondence course.I wish you could have seen the librarian help a student solve the problems he was having with the video equipment he needed to finish an assignment.I wish you could have seen the nurse who never slows down in her efforts to see to our students’ needs.I wish you could have seen the cafeteria staff notice when a student was not eating lunch.I wish you could have seen the attendance clerks call students in to remind them about having to many absences and encourage them to be regular. I wish you could have seen the bookkeeper go to extra lengths to create a payment plan for students who owe money. I wish you could have seen the bus drivers who see firsthand where the students live and relay information when it might be helpful. I wish you could have seen the housekeeping staff who maintain a clean environment and even give the students a hug when needed. I wish you could have been at my high school last week.I wish you could see the teamwork.It takes all of us. How do we impact the ones who are mine and yours with the best of who we are?I don’t have all the answers, but today I challenge this congregation to be part of the continuing conversation in our community. More practically, I ask you to be ready, individually and as a whole, to go where we are needed and do the work that needs to be done. It will take all of us. Amen.

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