The World Today

Friday, March 11, 2011


Earthquakes, tsunamis, war, protests,  hunger, NFL contract negotiations, IPad 2, Charlie Sheen, and Kate Middleton's weight; most of us woke up this morning to the news of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit Japan and its far reaching effects.  Still others heard the news as they waited in line to be one of the first with a new IPad.  As midnight EST approached, greed threatened the upcoming football season.  Charlie Sheen continues to suffer from verbal diarrhea and yet more people use Charlie-isms, but couldn't explain what is happening in Libya if they could even find it on a map. 


My entire day was a study in contrasts and extremes.  This morning I woke up and learned that Japan had been rocked by an earthquake and then battered by a tsunami.  The first project of the day at work was to auction off art work to raise money for Feeding America.  I checked to see how Hawaii had fared and then I manned a table at a tag sale to raise more money for Feeding America.  In the afternoon I prepped payroll for a company where the majority of employees live paycheck to paycheck and now must combat rising gas prices to continue to make ends meet.  On my drive home I learned that the negotiations between the players in the NFL and the owners have dissolved and the  upcoming season is in jeopardy.  All this happened as unrest continues to rule the Middle East and Africa, our soldiers are still defending our country, and Apple released a new IPad.  


In 2009, 50.2 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 33 million adults and 17.2 million children


We need perspective.  Let's do a study in contrasts.  Food insecurity is as simple as one not knowing where their next meal is coming from.  It means that Joe is struggling with the decision to feed his family or pay his mortgage.  Sue isn't sure where the money will come from to provide formula for her newborn.  The new Apple IPad's price tag starts at $499.  The value of $500 is astronomical when put into the right hands.  An Apple enthusiast might possess one shiny new IPad, but "a $500 contribution will allow 100 volunteers to package 2,000 meal 2,000 meals in less than an hour."  2,000 meals!  


In 2009, 43.6 million people (14.3 percent) were in poverty


The National Football League consists of two sides - owners and players.  It is according to published reports a 9 billion dollar industry.  Apparently NFL owners want to take $2 billion off the top instead of the $1 billion they are receiving right now to offset the cost of having teams and games.  Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots, is currently the highest paid player.  His contract extension  for four years was $72 million dollars.  The Indianapolis Colts have guaranteed that their quarterback, Peyton Manning, will be the highest paid player.  


In 2009, 24.7 million (12.9 percent) of people aged 18-64 were in poverty


The average cost of an NFL ticket is $252.  Minimum wage currently is $7.85/hour.  If someone was only receiving minimum wage they would need to work just shy of 33 hours (with no tax taken out) in order to buy one ticket to the average NFL game.  The NFL owners claim they have enough money to go two seasons without a game being played before they'll feel the financial burden.  


"The median household income in the United States is $46,326."


It would take the average family 1,554 years to make Brady's $72 million.  That is of course his football money.  Beyond that is endorsement deals, free cars, and appearance fees.  To be fair not every player is making half of Brady's money.  Still is anyone really worth $72 million over four years to throw a ball?


"Finally, people should remember this won’t be over tomorrow. This will not go away in six months. Too often, cameras rush in for two weeks after a crisis and then leave.  But recovery is a marathon that starts with a sprint; have no doubt, this will be a very long marathon."  Robert Jensen on the road ahead of Japan.


The people of Japan in 24 hours have lost nearly everything - homes, vehicles, loved ones.  They will spend the next year or two rebuilding to reach where they were moments before the earthquake.  If we have learned anything from prior catastrophes is that life doesn't return to normal the minute the water recedes.  The effects will be felt long term and around the world.   In a few weeks we will cease to hear about Japan as military conflict arises in another country.  Other natural disasters will take shape.  How are the people of Haiti and New Orleans?  We probably can't recall the story that moved us to tears days after the event, but we can quote Charlie Sheen in all his witless blubbering.  We'll forget about political struggles  (anyone remember Egypt?) but the internet will be abuzz with debate as to if Kate is too thin during her wedding to Prince William.  


Still we wonder why our world is fubar.  We refuse to recognize our contributions to the lopsided and often misguided issues at hand.  We'll follow Charlie Sheen on twitter to be the first with the gossip at the water cooler.  We argue Brady vs. Manning, but we won't know Wes Leonard or Brad Rhoades' names.  We over pay athletes and celebrities and then act shocked when they get caught up in scandal.  We run out to be one of the first to play with Apples new toys while passing the homeless on our way to play with it.  We buy items hawked to us by pretty faces and famous names because "this season" demands we stay in stride with the changing tides.   


I love football.  I have shiny toys.  I know about Charlie Sheen and his fallen-too-far-into-the-deep-end antics.  I'm not immune nor do I confess to be above celeb gossip.  I try to keep it all in perspective though.  I'm a Patriots fan and feel blessed that Tom Brady is our quarterback.  Yet what I want to ask professional athletes when they get ridiculous contracts is simply, "do you have no skill set beyond playing a game for when this is all over?"  I want to ask the owners "what happens when the fans stop buying tickets?"  Charlie Sheen made easy money mocking what turned out to be his life.  He did it on camera and got overpaid to act a fool.  Now he acts a bigger fool and the world will pay more attention.  Who cares who is cheating, who is pregnant, who is sober, who isn't, who just made another movie.  Their actions exist in a realm outside of where 95% of the population lives.  I don't care who is carrying a Coach purse, I refuse to buy a purse that leaves my wallet empty.


The reality in life is simple.  You won't be taking it with you.  You have a choice to leave behind a legacy that improves life for those who follow behind you.  It is a concentrated effort that is exerted into every decision.  Is the world a worse off place because I read that Justin and Jessica broke up?  No, but it isn't a better place because those three minutes didn't contribute anything.  There are still entirely too many children homeless and hungry.  Too many soldiers are fighting for my freedom to post my opinion online freely and dying in the process.  Too many people are dying neglected and alone. 


The world I live in today is not one that I want to leave for those who follow behind me.    

The Atonement Child

http://francinerivers.com/

The Atonement Child will ask you to answer questions about yourself that you may not want to confront.  Dynah Carey's life is on track.  She's attending Bible college and engaged to a future pastor.  Her life is torn apart one night when she is raped.  After speaking to the police and seeing a doctor, she chooses to ignore what happened.  A few weeks later she realizes that she can't ignore that night.   She's pregnant with a rapist's baby.  Suddenly the preacher she's engaged to is asking her to get an abortion.  Her roommate is pushing her to do the same.   The college asks her to leave because unless she broadcasts that she was raped she is portraying an immoral image.  She eventually returns home where things aren't easier.

Dynah's mother has a secret of her own that is threatening to tear apart her marriage.  As Dynah's parents disagree on whether an abortion is the right answer to Dynah's situation, Dynah must decide what is right for herself.

Is abortion ever the right answer?  Do certain situations call for abortion?  Is God's will perfect even when we can't see it?  All these questions arise through the pages of this book.

Rivers crafted an amazing book that will challenge any reader.  Do we forgive past sins?  Can we be faithful to God through the good times and the bad?