Kirjahaku

Time and time again we help people who are struggling by giving money or food or a ride. Time and time again they turn away from the people who helped them, away from God, and away from the church that paid their water bill and go right back to the lifestyle which enslaves them. Are people actually comfortable in their poverty? Is there nothing that we who have been blessed with abundance can do to fix the problem? The problem is that we try to fix the problem without ever addressing the problem. There will always be poverty so long as there is exclusion. Most of the time that we have donated food or money, we have also helped people in need continue to worship their false gods, be they self pity, a mindset of entitlement, or belief that they are a victim. The most valuable thing we can give is the bread of life and living water, and inclusion in the family of faith. In true Christian fellowship there are no outsiders. Finding abundance in this century is centered upon inclusion.

Tell it to the Marines In 1664, King Charles II had been told strange stories of fish that could fly. Before dismissing this story, he summoned an officer of the Royal Marines to his court and the officer verified the existence of such creatures. The king then declared that in all such matters, these stories should be told to the Marines as they have surely been everywhere and seen everything. Since that time Marines have heard some tall tales, verified as many as they have dismissed, and told quite a few of their own. When it's a Marine's turn to tell an unusual tale, it's generally called a sea story. Sea stories distinguish themselves from the ordinary yarn by two basic characteristics. First they are told either by a Marine or a Sailor. Second, their veracity is introduced as incontestable by use of a colorful Aristotelian metaphor, with emphasis on the colorful. Sea stories encompass every variety of experience from stories in a combat zone to events in the home, but are usually marked by humor or an unusual insight. The sea story is a right of passage for a Marine. Enlistment, boot camp, and graduation are all significant events for a young man or woman, but these new Marines know they have joined an elite club when they tell their first sea story. Sea stories sometimes contain what euphemistically might be called colorful language. These stories are told in the full spirit of the events described without most of this language but with the full sea-going color you would expect from a Marine. I hope you will enjoy them.

Joey Summer is a boy who loves baseball. Joey challenges ideas that his friends think are unchangeable. Joey believes that he can compete against the older boys. Faced with few places to practice, an older taunting sister, and a passion for the game not shared by his friends, Joey sets his sights on hitting the toughest pitchers in the league. Encouraged only by his silent companion, Tacos the family dog, Joey discovers that he might just have a little more support than he realizes. Tough Day at the Plate is a great read for baseball lovers or anyone who believes that hard work does pay off.