I read The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide every day.  Today the author pointed out how common it is for us to pray for victims of crime with no thought of praying for those who have performed the crime.  Our first instinct is to look for justice and a way to even the score.

Scripture and the example of Christ point us toward a different way.  While it is great to pray for the victim of a crime we also need to pray for the offender.  Whether we like to realize it or not, the offender’s life is just as much a creation of God as the person who bears the burden of the crime.

All this is not to say that a criminal should not be punished or make restitution.  But Christ himself says we are to love our enemies.  I know it is hard work for me and I see it is hard work for others.  When I think about it, I really don’t like to have mandate to forgive enemies.  But on the other hand I want to be the best person I can be with the strength of Jesus supporting me.  So with this new encouragement from the devotional guide, I will work on praying for those I have up to this point been unwilling to lift before Jesus in prayer.  I am not sure where this prayer journey will take me.  But I do offer you join me in this prayer journey.  Please post your experience in praying for enemies as comments to this post.  Perhaps reading and praying together we all learn better how to pray when it is not our first instinct.  Be well, and i pray it is well with your soul today!

I read a post on another site yesterday that gave the meanings of the colors used in the U.S. Flag.  I began to research the flag and realized the information I had originally read was popular myth rather than truth.  The funny thing is the colors meaning the article said pertained the U, S. Flag in reality belong to the Seal of the USA. (Pictured above)

The flag is a much more common image of our nation than the seal.  But since there is confusion about the meanings of the colors I thought I would help clarify the confusion.

This is how the colors for the U.S. Seal were determined:

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee to devise a seal for the United States of America.

“The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice.”

Chaplains often have to learn to distinguish the difference between what people think is true and what real truth is in various situations.  I thought I would share this example from a non-health care setting so we could see together the wisdom of verifying facts and searching for the meaning behind what we see.  I wish you well on this weekend and hope that you do something to show your thanksgiving for the life we lead here in the USA!

A clergy friend of mine writes a blog daily.  In one of his posts this week he wrote about hearing through his network that those that who work in the hospitality industry find church groups to be most difficult to deal with because the complain a lot more than any other group.

This statistic sounds incompatible with the descriptions that Scripture gives us of what the church and its members should be.  So why do church groups leave the impression that we complain too much?  First, I am sure it is unintentional.  Second, I hold the assessment of the staff member that told my friend about the impression the church conventions make on those who serve them is correct.  The workers do feel there are too many complaints whether those who complain realize they are being a burden.

So how could we change to make a better impression when the
church gathers for conventions?  I think it is simple: treat every worker you meet the way you would if you were trying to get them to join your congregation.  You would do these things:

• Be kind in your speech.
• Smile and say customary “please” and “thank you” when appropriate.
• Show grace when something does not meet your expectations and if you need to report it, do so in a kindly fashion.
• Call them my name.  It only takes a moment to read their name tag.

We have the power to change the impression we leave wherever we go.  The question that remains is do we have the resolve to take the time to make a better impression?  I hope more people begin to say “YES” to this question!

Today I received a call from a church secretary who was trying to track down one the members of the congregation.  The pastor was out of town on a missions trip and the pastor covering the church did not know the congregation’s code in our census system to find the member he needed to visit.  The secretary was newly hired and had no idea what process was in place to locate church members.

I was able to connect her with the information she needed and provide for her the sequence she would need to follow to get the information she needed in the future.  Throughout the phone call she kept thanking me for helping her.  During our conversation I realized she needed affirmation that learning a new job as a church secretary is difficult and even made more difficult when the pastor is not there to help you through procedures the first time.

At the end of our phone call I told her I appreciated her dedication to her job,  I also reminded her that there are many different ways to do the same thing in a congregation and for a year she will learn this particular church’s habit as each season of the church year comes along.  She appreciated my noticing her excellent drive to do the best she could and wishing her blessings as she begins this first year learning cycle in her new job.  Even though we did not meet in person I felt like I had met a new friend today.  Keeping positive relationships with local congregations is one way our Pastoral Care Department utilizes to build relationships with the congregations in our area.  I know the congregation involved indeed has a great employee they are in the process of on-boarding and the fact that I could help even a little bit in that process was my pleasure.  I hope this one phone call will build bridges that will help our interaction in the future.

First I want to apologize for not writing for several days.  I just had so many irons in the fire I was not able to get to the computer while my brain was functioning well enough to write proper sentences.

Today at the hospital we had a Continuing Education event which was a case study about a shooting at a hospital in Maryland in 2006.  The case study examined what happened from all perspectives and those of us in the room were able to see what we could and should do if this frightening event were to happen at our hospital.  The case we examined involved an inmate who was able to get the correctional officer’s gun from him, murder the officer and then flee the hospital.  During his escape attempt he took hostages.

These are the entities that played a role in the event:

• The Hospital
• The Prison
• The 911 Command Center
• City, County and State Police

Everyone in the room was saddened as we learned how the events unfolded that fateful day back in 2006.  All of us very much want to be prepared as well as put in place precautionary procedures so an inmate could not get a weapon from the officer who is guarding him,

Coming away from watching the case study I could relate to the family of the officer who was killed, the people who were taken hostage and their loved ones, and the hospital staff who worried for their safety and the safety of the patients entrusted to their care.

My own take away from this event is that as a chaplain I have no business trying to secure an inmate.  This is because I am not a highly muscular person and would more likely get injured than prevent the inmate from moving.  If this event did happen though I could have several important roles.

If I was a witness to the event getting an accurate and thorough description of what the inmate was wearing and what direction he or she was headed would great aid in the search.  Using the appropriate code system I could and should summon help.  For the staff and patients who are traumatized by the event I could offer them comfort and support and a forum to discuss their feelings.  These conversations would have to take place in cooperation with law enforcement so my conversation would not play any role in creating inaccuracy in their statements.  So I would wait for conversations until I had permission.  I could offer a hug and emotional support to them while they were waiting to be interviewed as long as I did not play the role of unofficial investigator.

With the rise in recent years of shootings in schools, malls, hospitals and other public places; we all need to be vigilant to be aware of surroundings and notice and report with accuracy anything or anyone who seems out of place.  A proactive approach could very well interfere with those who are planning violence.  Wouldn’t that be a blessing, to help keep tragedy from happening?  I know I am committed to the cause!

While in DC I did many things.  One of my last stops was in Rockville MD to eat brunch at the Mosaic Cafe.Here you see the inside of the dining room.  The cafe was the creation of a family originally from Lyons France.  It is rated as one of the best places to eat in the DC area and it is reasonably priced.  They are famous for the waffles, and being someone who LOVES waffles I can tell you these waffles are worth driving for!  I’m just lucky I could go 2 hours for them instead of having to go all the way to France.

While I was there I struck up a conversation with the couple at the table next to me.  They had no sweetener container on their table and I shared the one on my table.  As we talked the topic of conversation moved toward my occupation.  When I said I was a hospital chaplain, I was asked, “What branch of the military had I served in?”  The couple was shocked when I said I had no military service.  They asked how one could be a chaplain and not be in the military.  So that started a conversation about the training needed for chaplaincy and that military service is not a required component.  Military service is just another specialization of chaplaincy just like health care is a specialty.  The conversation was still on a very friendly tone, then I as asked about my  denominational affiliation,  When I said I was United Methodist their was a change in attitude in the air.  So I asked the couple what was their denominational affiliation.  They said they were AME Zion.  Then I knew what the tension was about.  During the that slavery took place in our country the Methodist denomination treated black people as second class citizens.  That second class status continued long after the Civil War was over.  So I spoke up and said I felt how black people were treated historically by the Methodist denomination was wrong and I am glad we have moved past that painful period of history.  My comments lifted the weight that crowded into our conversation and we had a delightful time during the rest of our meals.

Meeting people and listening to them with both what they say and how their body language communicates is the key to building a relationship with them.  Without even realizing it during the meal I was practicing some the components of chaplaincy as I developed the relationship with them.  We met as strangers and parted on a friendly basis.  What a productive meal, enjoying my favorite waffles and teaching about chaplaincy and applying the tools of chaplaincy all at the same time.  I hope this encounter motivates you to speak with strangers as you have opportunity.

I am blogging to you today from the lobby the Capital Hilton in Washington DC.  DC by its very nature is a city of change.  Already two of my favorite places to kill time have either closed or changed hands and are operating under a different brand.  Did I know these changes were coming? No.  Did I even suspect these changes had taken place? No.  But I have to react to change rather than being defined by it.  That is really what all of us have to do whether it is a change in a business we are seeking or something more essential in life.  As I have been using my GPS to deal with these changes I am reminded that the guidance system any of us can use is God’s Providential Spirit.  God always there and always willing to lead.  The question for us is: “Are we ready to follow?”  I pray we can always answer an enthusiastic YES to this question!  Be blessed today and always!

Today, June 5, 2014 is designated as the first ever “Reset the Net” Day!  This is an organized effort to place emphasis on our Congress (House and Senate) that US Citizens do not want the government tracking and storing our data just because they may need it some time to solve some yet to take place crime.  The program supports warrants of surveillance being issued upon evidence approved by a judge that there is reason to suspect that specific data may solve a crime or prevent a crime in the planning stages from taking place.

Freedom from government encroaching unnecessarily in our lives is part of why our founding fathers formed our nation.  At the Constitutional Convention privacy and protection were key fundamental principles that they sought to protect for all generations.  Now is the time for Congress to act in the same spirit as the Constitutional Convention and establish workable protections that serve the needs of law enforcement and protect the privacy of law abiding citizens.

If you agree with this perspective on the net (including cell phones, text messages, Internet posts, and blogs like this one) let your Representatives and Senators know how you feel.  The only way laws will be enacted is if pressure is placed on our leaders to draft and enact them!

Today while making visits one of the employees engaged in a conversation about her daughter’s high school graduation, her being runner up in a beauty pageant, and the selection she had made for the college she wants to attend in the Fall.  I was able to see pictures of her daughter dressed for the pageant and I have to admit she looked adorable.

As I left our encounter I was reminded that as employees we are a “community” dedicated to the common cause of providing health care in the best fashion possible.  Another part of being in community with each other is listening when staff members have life experiences they want to celebrate.  After looking at the photos and engaging in the conversation I felt more connected to this employee than I had for awhile.  Then it hit me, we had not seen each other with an opportunity to talk with each other for about a month.  Our conversation was more than talk, it was a reunion and renewing of our common bond.  These opportunities to bond generally happen on a spontaneous basis rather than in a planned way as appointments are normally scheduled.  I am thankful for these times to strengthen bond and share joys.  What a blessing we have when we share!

Typically when I am not at work or On-Call I consider myself off duty.  When I am off duty I don’t engage in shameful or illegal activities but I am more relaxed than when I am on duty.  I was reminded today that for those who only know me as a chaplain where ever they see me, they view me as a chaplain.

I was out in local stores and a restaurant today and people who were previously patient’s I provided care to stopped and talked to me.  They were glad to tell me they were feeling better.  I was a little uneasy because even though they recognized me immediately, I did not remember them until the spoke to me.  One patient told me she was going to tell her husband when she got home that she had seen me, “buying apples just like a regular person”.  I smiled as she said the comment.  After we parted ways I reflected on the conversation and was caught by the fact that I was buying apples was interesting.  I was glad she caught me buying apples then engaging in some activity that would make me feel embarrassed being “caught in the act”.

So now I have two reasons to obey God: 1 – because God is watching and 2 – because others are watching and will judge my integrity by how I conduct myself both when I am on and off duty.  This encounter was a good reminder for all of us who want to recognized as a person who follows and serves God.