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Another Way | Article: What Waitressing Can Teach You
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After I read the post about 'wait staff', I went off to do some Bible study and I got to thinking about my experience of waiting tables. At the time I was 17 -18, in '74 -75, and I was in the regular Army, (I did not know about anabaptists or mennonites back then -the Regimental Padre told me it was OK to be a Christian and a Trooper). Anyway, when our Regiment(1 Armoured Regiment) was not in the field we were back at the barracks, mowing, painting and so on. Some how I always got picked to work in the Officer's mess as a Steward (waiting tables for officers and their wives - well I assumed they were their wives). Well, back then, when I got nervous around officers, I was a bit of a walking disaster/Jerry Lewis personality (Jerry Lewis and I share the same birthdate). During my leave I used to go to restaurants and I was always in awe of those young ladies who could serve meals, take orders, and carry well balanced plates all at the same time. Well, one day when I was serving in the officer,s mess, I thought I would have a crack at it. Well, all was going well, I was balancing plates, and serving the meals, when, BANG! - down went a tray of desert - cream, icecream, and jelly, right down the back of a captain's pretty partner's dress, Of course, in my panic, I offered to clean up the mess (I was quite naive back then), and the Captain, saying no, no it's Ok -no problem, while shooing me off his wife (I got off pretty lightly I reckon) When I made my weak excuses and retreated to the kitchen I found -to my horror - the cook, waiting for me with a meat cleaver, (no kidding). I got chased out of there real quick I can tell you!
Another time, I was put in charge of getting the 'happy hour' ready. Everything was worked out to clock work. Tea and coffee, snacks and drinks were ready - every made perfect. I was minding my own business when in walks Colonel Phillips,who sidles up to me and says in a low voice, 'Trooper, the tea is a bit weak', Yes Sir, I'll fix it right away Sir!!!. In a layer of sweat I grabbed the rather large urn (ouch!) and struggled it into the kitchen and guess what?-I had not put any tea in the urn. Guess who was standing behind me?, yep, you guessed it - the same cook as before, shaking his head. It's strange you know,I could never understand it, if I wasn't in my tank out in the bush (I was safer in my gunner's seat), I was in the Officer's mess waiting tables! I reckon those Officers were gluttons for punishment! When it was my turn to become an Officer I was always on the look out for poetic justice from a bloke who was serving me my tea(supper)!
p.s: look out everyone! - I am a 14 month old Mennonite -so anything could happen!
Eric
Australia
Another Way | Article: The Man Behind A Mighty Fortress
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You ask the question- "was he a hero or a bad guy?"
In all truth I would consider him to be both.
He's a hero because he started much needed reform in the church, but then became a victim himself who needed reform for not following the message of Christ. Here's my reasons for saying this.
1. Luther recommended harsh action against the Anabaptists including the death penalty. He wanted this group stamped out because he was afraid they might rival his own Lutheran group, according to some historians.
2. Luther expected that the Jewish folk would return to a belief in Christ. When they did not, he lost patience and recommended that their houses and synagogues should be burned down. There are historians who credit Luther with sowing the seeds of the holocaust.
In 1984 my wife and I attended the Mennonite World conference in France. A delegation of Lutheran leaders came to the conference and made an open apology for the way Lutherans treated Anabaptist in the 16-17th century. I found that very encouraging.
Thank you for your good work
Joseph Yoder
Director of Menno-Hof
Another Way | Article: The Man Behind A Mighty Fortress
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I had seen a very good movie some years ago on Martin Luther, father of the Reformation.It was called "Luther" and starred Ralph Feinnes I believe. I am Roman Catholic and an "apologetic" this spurred me to look into this man who started the Reformation.As I looked into his story I was thankful for the door he opened for the Bible to be translated as well as his challenge to the Church regarding indulgances etc.Though some of his later writings got a bit hostile and I think more from his humanness, I was glad to see him recognized in a Catholic book regarding saints (many of the changes in the Catholic church were due to saints who "called the Pope" on their wrong doings). His contributions to the Church were recognized.I pray that as Christians we, both Protestants and Catholics can find the common ground we share- Christ our Loving Savior and God's Holy Word in the Bible.
In the end don't we all believe He is a Loving God?
usa
Another Way | Article: Facebook, Texting, and What's Next
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This has been a definite issue in my family.It's terribly hard for me, as my husband is not a follower of the faith and doesn't set a good example regarding limits on computer time (he's a grown man, but I have heard from other people how this age of instant media and internet has caused families to be pulled apart).I have to be the "mean one" who sets the limits. And kids and young adults come across like it is their "right" to spend time with their friends on the computer. Are we aware of how even with filters our kids are meeting people online everyday. I am always asking my kids "Who ya' talking to?" and "What's the topic of the day" to try to keep myself in the information loop of who their friends are (just as if they were leaving the house and going to meet friends).We have had people at my daughter's school talk about online safety and making them aware of how easy it is for them to slip and give too much info (I have been guilty of that myself) as we never really know the intention of others who are posting.At my children's ages what we say and what they hear are two different things.We just have to stay vigalent to stay in the loop.
And pray.Pray ALOT.
Another Way | Article: Always a Parent
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It's funny how today's world seems to be placing more and more barriers between parents and children. All, supposedly for our protection (from
terrorism) or our children's protection when they are in school (protecting kids from abuse- which the system really hasn't done). It's put a barrier between the parent /child relationship early on. I pray for my children as they grow up and head out into this world. The Pope in his message to the bishops aptly put how we must all protect the children. And how difficult it is when there is so much pornography at the ready through the media and just about anything that was formerly unacceptable is now permissible ( he said it more eloquently).
My mother had scolded me many years ago when I hadn't called her in a while. This was before I had children and was living on my own far away.
She
said "Just because you are grown does not make me any less worried about you".
That is our love for our children. Like you said, we pay dividends of love for many years to come. I just hope we are able to convey this to them in a world too eager to separate families.
I thank you for the insight you convey in your column.
Carla Mitchell
Another Way | Article: The Man Behind A Mighty Fortress
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I admire Luther’s courage to stand up for his convictions against the powers of the day. Though I am a Catholic, I am glad that Luther took his stand. I am fairly sure he did not see how far his “revolution” would go. The problem we are left with is the same problem Luther wrestled with: authority to interpret scripture. Which interpretation of scripture is correct? The Church of the day came to some “curious” conclusions. Some Protestants, post-Luther, arrived at some equally “unique” interpretations. Sometimes these interpretations lead to some decidedly “un-Christ-like” results. Luther’s ideas coincided with the blossoming of mercantilism/capitalism and scientific thought, all of which often reinforce a self-centered, first person view of the world. It is a credit to the Anabaptist traditions that concern for others has not been lost within the tide of this individualistic “modern” perspective.
John
U.S.
Another Way | Article: The Man Behind A Mighty Fortress
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Luther certainly had his foibles and faults,His views and dealings with AnaBaptists show a lack of grace and love,as reflected in his writings and indeed in part of the Augsburg Confession. But I am also reminded that he was conscious of his own sins and failings as he recorded about a dream in which the devil came to him ,and read out all of his sins and failings. Luther told the devil yes that is true but 'take and write in red "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses me from all sins" Luther says that the devil fled. He is an enigma but in his exercising of his conscience and faith he enabled others to follow.
Mitcham,, Victoria Australia
Another Way | Article: Crunching Garbage
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Your mention of the Russian that visited you reminded me of an Indian Pastor that visited us for about a month. My pastor and I had been in NE India on a mission trip and befriended Shanpur. He was a young pastor in a church that would actually seat about 5,000 people. Keep in mind; this was in Meghalaya, near Assam, out in the boonies! People had no transportation, so they would walk for hours to get to church. Their services were not an hour in length but would last 3 and 4 hours.
Anyway, Shanpur came to visit and stayed with our pastor and his wife. She taught him how to do laundry and almost everyday, he would stand with the lid on the washing machine open, holding the little switch so it would keep running and watch the entire process while a load of laundry went through the cycles. This was too much for his mind to comprehend.
We took him to the beach and there were five of us that were into scuba diving and he was totally blown away that we would/could go out into the ocean and disappear under the water. He was amazed to say the least.
When we left the beach, we all went to our house and decided to run to the local Pioneer Chicken restaurant and grab some food. There were about 20 people at the house, so when we came back in about 15 minutes with food for everyone, already cooked, his mind almost shorted out. He said, "I can't believe this. At home we would have to catch the chicken, kill it, clean it, cook it and then eat it. And we certainly wouldn't have enough to feed many guests. Here you just drive off and come back with a banquet!"
Yes, there has to be a compromise, but I certainly don't know where to draw the line. We do our best to conserve and recycle, but I miss the days when life was much simpler. Can you imagine what life for our grandkids will be like in another 20 years? They'll probably just swallow a pill or two each day for their nutrition and not have to worry about any trash created by empty containers.
The good news is that when we get to Heaven, I don't think we are going to have to be concerned about what to recycle, or the landfills. We'll be too busy worshipping our Lord.
John
Oregon
Another Way | Article: Remembering Mother Teresa
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I loved your article on Mother Teresa. I have been reading a book on her writings call "Come Be My Light- the private writings of the St of Calcutta". She is a truely inspiring figure we have been fortunate to have witnessed. Some have guestioned the publishing of her writings because of the dark times of her life they show.However, I feel that they are an inspiration to us, since we all face dark feelings or dark thoughts. These interior struggles did not stop this tiny lady from doing miraculous things.To spite whatever interior darkness she was feeling she personified Christ's love.I had the pleasure of meeting a few of her sisters- and it's funny- they all dispaly a beauty and a joy that you don't see in the world.It is a glow.It can only come from God.
Oneco, CT USA
Another Way | Article: Giving Up Gossip for Lent
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Yep, you are right there. My Mum was always saying to us when we were kids, 'if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all'. Gossip can really hurt and destroy good working relationships. Thanks for the timely reminder.
Eric
Australia
Another Way | Article: Sayings From Children: 2008
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My daughter -now 17- when she was 8 heard the expression " Rome was not built in a day". She turned to me and in all seriousness asked " Did they have to build Rome at night then ?"
Mitcham,, Victoria Australia
Another Way | Article: Hope for Recovery: Drugs and Alcohol
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I just got home from a 9 hour shift at a residence for people with a dual diagnosis. A dual diagnosis is a mental illness diagnosis and addictions. A colleague and I were talking about a resident who has such a diagnosis. This person is 27, and although this person has been through several dual diagnosis programs and addiction programs this person has not made any significant changes. The concern is that while this person has not run afoul of the law, at 27 this person is still 'young enough' to miss up their life. In Oregon the state has a review board that deals with people who have a mental illness and have run afoul with the law. In certain circumstances people can be under the review board's control for life. It is like being in jail but housed in the community. You have few freedoms. In most cases it is a matter of drug or alcohol abuse coupled with mental illness. There is no combination more devastating and harder to recover from. Sadly, many people who have mental health issue turn to drugs and alcohol. Drug and alcohol use can make mental illness worse; and drugs and alcohol can cause damage to the brain that results in mental illness.
Melodie, you are so right that it is an emotional wringer. And while I do not want to dispel hope, while many 12 step programs help many addicts, those with a mental illness diagnosis do not have a good success rate in those programs. The best cure is not to start the drugs and alcohol in the first place.
My colleagues and I do this work not because we think we can cure, but because we hope to give the residence the best life possible. It is the moments of insight and joy that we work for. And while they are fleeting, they keep us going. As do prayers, which I covet daily.
Eugene, OR USA
Another Way | Article: Aftermath of Moving
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I moved back into the Chicago area in March. I had retired in 2001 with my husband to Oklahoma which was the state of my birth. In 2006 my husband after a 24 yr. illness of heart disease was diagnosed with lung cancer. He passed away Nov. 24,2006 and then I came back to Chicago to where my siblings and yougest child lives.
I have been with family since March and yes, I am lonely even in a crowd. My only consolation is that I know Jesus walks with me every step and has gotten me this far. He never leaves me. He is the best friend I have.
streamwood, Il USA
Another Way | Response to eric: A War Angel of Mercy
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Re Eric's comment regarding as to which particular denomination's agenda would assist the world to seek the Prince of Peace, i can only think of what Corrie Ten Boom said regarding her experiences in Ravensbruck concentration camp ,when the Shadow of death was ever present,and the various positions on the Return of Christ held by her fellow Christian inmates,and that was -and I am paraphrasing her- it did not matter what one's views were,the main thing being Belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and in His Death and Resurrection,and to live more like Him.
MITCHAM, victoria AUSTRALIA
Another Way | Article: A War Angel of Mercy
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The description of the War Angel of mercy was a graphic depiction of war bringing out the best in people. I hope that Sgt Kirkland's action is always remembered long after the sabres have stopped rattling.
In World War One my country- Australia was the only "Allied" country not to have a conscript Army. 61000 of my fellow countrymen-out of an army of 323,000 lie buried on the battlefields of that war,the so called War to end all wars.
If people truly want peace,they must go to the Prince of Peace.
Mitcham,, VICTORIA Australia
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