The Power of Unity- It Matters this Fourth of July

 bob-maclafferty  No Responses »
Jul 042020
 

unity americaAlmost two and a half centuries ago, thirteen diverse colonies discovered the power of unity. They changed the world by giving of themselves to create something unique, something new, something united.

On this July 4, 2020, we have the opportunity to celebrate the freedom and opportunity that the states, united across America, provide for us. And yet, weakened and distracted by COVID-19, we have allowed another crisis to develop. As it burns through our cities and towns, it brings separation and fear, rather than courage and unity. Voices cry louder and angrier, calling for the destruction of the very country we claim to celebrate today! What are we to do?

The greatest sports teams are not simply a collection of superstars, but a group of team players who have the vision to understand that they are victorious through submission to the whole, winning through unity. In a 2010 Oklahoma/Oklahoma State football game, one player leapt out of bounds, and in the air, tipped the ball to a teammate for an interception. He sacrificed himself for the good of the team. He knew the power of unity.

In the best work environments, team members understand the value of their department’s service or product. They give to each other, helping each other do what they do best every day. Great companies are full of team members who see success, not through personal stardom, but through the power of unity.

Jesus-followers know that selfishness is their greatest enemy. They also know that unselfishness leads to a unity that is the very best proof of their faith.

“…be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren…” -1 Peter 3:8 KJV.

Are we to ignore our shortcomings and faults? Ours? Did I mean to say our country’s faults? Our country is made up of us. So yes, they are OUR shortcomings and OUR faults. And no, we should not ignore them. We should strive to fix them, taking individual responsibility for doing right in our communities.

Is that all? No. We should admit and believe that a country, our country, America, is far greater than simply the sum of its faults. We should realize that something imperfect can still be great. Then we are free to build up rather than tear down. We are free to lift America up even when it isn’t at its best for any one of us.

Today, as we celebrate, worship, thank, eat, visit, and enjoy fireworks, let us re-pledge to the flag, to America for which it stands, and to each other. May we find the power of unity in one nation, under God. May we be indivisible. May we work to provide liberty and justice for all. God Bless America!

What Matters Most?

 bob-maclafferty  No Responses »
Jun 062020
 

I woke up staggering and dizzy early this morning. A fair mirror of the confusion and insanity this last week has brought. A single murderous act was multiplied into multiple murders, assault, arson, and countless acts of vandalism and terror. This is not new!

The Biblical Jacob had a daughter named Dinah. A local ruler’s son, a man of another faith, was attracted to her and took her without permission and marriage. Dinah’s brothers were furious! When the ruler came, asking for mercy and understanding, he promised any gift they asked, if only his son could have Dinah in marriage. The brothers stated that she could not be married to an uncircumcised man. They asked that all the men of the small city be circumcised. While the men were recovering from this painful experience, Dinah’s brothers entered the city, murdered all the men, took their sister back, and then looted the city, taking possessions, animals, and women. Jacob had to move his entire family, belongings and business to another region to escape the ruined relationships and hate.

Does this sound familiar? A single criminal act. A reaction cloaked in righteous indignation that was several orders of magnitude beyond the original act. A poisoning of relationships that will not disappear any time soon.

Across our country, we have worked to devise boxes and stereotypes and this has done nothing but create lines and division. So many negative stereotypes… cops are corrupt, blacks are violent, whites are evil. Maybe, just maybe the truth is that we ALL are evil and violent and corrupt. We all bleed and heal the same.

What matters most?

We focus on black lives, blue lives… fine, but please don’t use this focus to further divide us!

We refer to people of color, either with concern or prejudice. Remember that we are ALL people of color! Some darker, some lighter, all valuable and special.

We treat those who have committed crimes as second class citizens, thinking that their errors define them completely, forgetting that we all are guilty.

We scream and shout things like privilege and prejudice and brutality, using them to classify arbitrary groups of us.

Is it okay to pay extra attention to an individual or group that are hurting? Of course! Is it okay to pay that attention to such an extreme that it hurts others? Think about it.

Do we excuse or condemn others because of race or circumstance instead of seeing and defining evil and good no matter the source or cause? Read that again.

Do our words and actions bring unity or division? Do they promote hate or love? Do they bring us together or drive us further apart?

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. -Romans 12:17-21 (NIV).

As we end this week and prepare for the next, I challenge you to think about what matters most. I suggest that we hold each other accountable, all of us, to do good, not evil. I ask that we examine our voice and volume and action, channeling them in ways that bring not only justice, but peace and community, kindness and compassion. What matters most? No matter your color or language or background…. What matters most? You… and you…. and you… and….

Tornado Brings Out The Best And The Worst

 bob-maclafferty  No Responses »
Apr 272020
 

best and worst On Easter night, seven tornadoes tore through East Chattanooga and neighboring areas. Still struggling through the threat of COVID-19, this was hard to take. Crises seem to bring out the both the best in people and the worst.

That Monday morning, our family grabbed gloves and a chainsaw and jumped in the truck to find ways to help. We were able to clear several trees blocking roads and help several families with trees blocking driveways and front doors. At one location, a large tree had almost completely blocked the road. As our family worked to clear it, a strong, young man showed up and immediately began grabbing cut limbs and logs to help us. He had been on his roof to assess damage and had heard our chainsaw. He immediately came down the road to see who needed help. What a great guy!

Meanwhile, we noticed others driving and pushing carelessly by, heedless of our clearing efforts. Later, we heard local stories of some looting and unscrupulous roofing contractors. We also noticed some vendors inflating prices of recovery products, taking advantage of people in crisis.

The best and the worst. Maybe extreme circumstances bring out extreme reactions, both good and bad. Carbon turns to either coal or diamonds under pressure. Companies that truly value their team members repurpose and keep them in a crisis rather than dumping them. The best contractors find ways to serve and conduct business with sensitivity. The worst gouge and grab, using the crisis to take advantage of customers who are at a disadvantage.

As crisis piled on top of crisis in our region, what have they brought out in you? The best or the worst? Do hard times make us turn inward, isolating and complaining? Or do they help us to recognize our blessings and then reach out to others hurting around us? No matter what your faith walk is, during prayer or a meditative moment, dig deep and resolve to find a way to help someone this week who has a greater struggle than your own. Let these crises make us thank more, volunteer more, empathize more, grow more. Yes, we’ll continue to see the best and the worst come out in those around us.

I challenge all of us to look for the best in us, and when we find it, to offer it liberally and joyfully to those around us!

#wonderwomenof7North#COVID-19

Victory Before the Win

 bob-maclafferty  No Responses »
Apr 222020
 

VictoryWe won! We won! We are used to hearing this cheer at the end of a kid’s baseball game.  But victory often comes well before the game is won! I would like to suggest that victory comes while the sky seems the darkest and when hope is all but gone.

Londoners were victorious long before V-E day, May 8, 1945. The experienced victory before the win as they rallied to fight fires across the city and as they hurled their last and best pilots across the channel in defense. Victory was in the forging of a country united against a common foe, each doing their part.

Firefighters on 9/11 were victorious with their first step into the fated towers, even more than when victims were saved and their own lives often lost.

TobyMac, a contemporary Christian artist, in his song “Till the Day I Die” sings the following words:

‘Til the wheels fall off
‘Til the spotlight fades
I will lift your banner high
I will lift your banner high
And ’til the walls crash in
For the rest of my days
I’ll lay it all on the line
‘Til the day I die.

Even Paul focuses on the way the race is run… well before the end is in sight.

Run in such a way as to get the prize. -1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV.

As I look back on the recent Easter Sunday, I’d like to suggest that Jesus was victorious well before He was raised from the dead that Sunday morning. I believe He was victorious as He chose, moment by moment, to stay hanging on the cross for your sins and mine.

As the weeks go by in our fight against COVID-19, I see the new case numbers starting to slow down. I wonder how long it will take to see no new cases from one day to the next. But then I realize that long before we win that achievement, we are victorious. We work victoriously together to Do Your Part. Stay Apart. We see victory when we are unselfish instead of hoarding. We live victory as we continue to restrict ourselves, battling against the virus spreading. We can experience victory right now, as we do the right things to keep our families and communities safe.

On that great day, when this enemy is behind us, we’ll be winners alright, but remember that we found victory well before the win!

#wonderwomenof7north#victory

Being Thankful in the Midst of Pandemic

 bob-maclafferty  No Responses »
Apr 112020
 


ThankfulAre you weary of the negativity, the fear, the accusations, the conspiracy theories, the profiteering? While the fight rages on and we lose family members and friends to COVID-19, our focus drags us down, down, down to defeat. Have you thought of being thankful?

I am thankful that Danielle, a family member, has conquered the virus and is back home with her family, all in the span of a week from home to ICU and back. Thank God!
I am thankful that no other family members are ill.
I am thankful that the number of those who have recovered from this virus is growing day by day!
I am thankful for Memorial Hospital’s wonder women of 7North, still on the front lines screening all who enter there.
I am thankful for all those in healthcare just now, from physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists to clinical laboratory scientists, environmental service team members, and patient access folks.
I am thankful for law enforcement officers, store checkout staff, gas station operators.
I am thankful for my phlebotomist who served me with a painless blood draw through my car window outside my physician’s office. She did it will a happy mix of sass and service! (Thank you, Dr. Moody and crew!)

I thank my God every time I remember you. -Philippians 1:3 NIV.

I am thankful for the team members at Lowe’s who keep a stash of wiped down shopping carts close to the entrance and package orders in advance for curbside pickup.
I am thankful for the growing numbers who are following our Do Your Part. Stay Apart. program.
I am thankful for the companies in our area who are finding ways to re-purpose team members rather than letting them go.
I am thankful for companies who have melded creativity and spirit to find new and safe ways to serve their customers.
I am thankful for the strength and peace my Heavenly Father gives to all who ask, especially powering up those who struggle with isolation.

As we come to the close of another week, I challenge you to join me in being thankful for so many things around us. And then, take it one step further and express that thanks to someone every day. It could be a quick text or email to your pastor, a heartfelt thank you to the pickup person at Walmart, appreciation expressed to the pharmacy assistant who fills your prescription.  Yes, these are trying times. But regardless of your faith choice, there is wisdom in the advice to be thankful always!

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV.

Tennessee Volunteers

 bob-maclafferty  No Responses »
Apr 042020
 

volunteer Tennessee the Volunteer State is known for, you guessed it, volunteering! During the Mexican-American war in the early 19th century, President Polk called for 2600 volunteers. 30,000 Tennessee Volunteers showed up! Over ten times what was requested! Even as  guidelines become stiffer, our Governor Lee is still counting on Tennesseans volunteering to “Do Your Part. Stay Apart.” without the mandatory restrictions used in other places.

As I drove back from the hospital at 0500 this morning after delivering my nurse daughter yet again for her shift at the hospital, I thought about how we often do just the minimum, or comply my performing no more than the required duties. What if we lived up to our name as Tennesseans? The wonder women of Memorial’s 7North continue to accept shifts screening staff for illness, standing in and out of the door to keep our hospital safe. My wife and I have signed up for various volunteer opportunities in our church and community. I drive my daughter to work regularly to reduce her stress and lend my support (safely) to her.

What if we didn’t wait for more restrictions, but embraced the guidelines already laid down and took them one step further? What if we all actively searched for ways to help neighbors in our communities?

The biblical Israelites were instructed to build a temple for worship. They were asked to bring precious metals and stones as well as other valuables to be used in its construction. They brought so many gifts that finally the architect asked for them to stop giving!

“The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.” -Exodus 36:5

What would our state look and feel like if the Governor said, “Folks! stop returning masks to hospitals. They have more than enough!” What if he said, “Churches can re-open now because we have not only flattened the curve, but stomped it!” What if he said, “Please go ahead and buy toilet paper. Stores are getting overstocked!”

What if daily news was filled, not with complaints of this or that group of people being allegedly under-served, but instead carried stories of volunteers stepping forward to fill gaps in services as they became visible?

What can you do? If you are elderly or in poor health, stay at home, call neighbors to stay in touch, and pray for those around you. If you are a retired or unemployed healthcare worker, volunteer on Tennessee’s Unified Command page.  Get creative! Drop off food for neighbors. Help the tech-challenged to place orders online for pickup or delivery. Think of someone in your neighborhood that might fall through the cracks. If you haven’t already, join us in finding ways to volunteer starting today! And yes, you can do that even if you aren’t blessed to be a Tennessee Volunteer!

Tennessee Tough Volunteers

 bob-maclafferty  1 Response »
Mar 282020
 

Tennessee Tough volunteersMarie Williams, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner, wrote and op-ed piece yesterday about Tennessee’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. She quoted legendary Lady Volunteers coach Pat Summit in stating that we are “We are Tennessee tough, Tennessee strong, and Tennessee true.”

As we see the case numbers climb, it is easy to succumb to fear and selfishness. While part of me has wished for more mandated restrictions across the Volunteer State, I am proud of what many Tennesseans have chosen to do, simply because it is the right thing to do to protect our state and the loved ones around us.

At 0430 this morning, I had the privilege of driving my daughter, an RN at Chattanooga’s Memorial Hospital, to work. Today, she is not working her floor, but joining several colleagues in screening team members and visitors alike [for COVID-19 symptoms] to ensure that the hospital, and the community it serves, stays safe. The wonder women of 7 North are truly Tennessee Tough volunteers as they step into harm’s way to keep us safe.

I had the privilege of affirming them for a couple of minutes this morning as they stood outside the hospital. They voluntarily risk exposure for twelve long hours, submitting to abuse by angry visitors and sometimes even from stressed team members. They exhibit grace and strength and humor as they willingly stand in the gap to keep our sick patients and health care professionals and us safe.

You might be thinking, “But that’s their job!” Yes it is. But rather than calling in “sick” or refusing to serve in this way, they choose to take this often thankless job to help keep us safe. Once, long ago, a man voluntarily stepped into harm’s way to save me and to save you. Not because we deserved it, but because of love for us:

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8 NIV.

Just as Jesus did, our 7 North wonder women volunteer to protect and care for us, even if we are never thankful or deserving. I challenge you to join me in two things this morning. First, thank someone around you who is working to help you or your community. It could be a nurse, a clinical laboratory scientist, a grocery checkout person, or a restaurant drive-through window team member. Second, join the volunteers in your community who are not waiting to be required, but are choosing to social distance, volunteering to restrict buying scarce supplies, and willingly not buying the masks and gloves so that are so vital to health care workers.

I believe that the COVID-19 case numbers in Chattanooga are lower than in other metro areas, not because of ordered restrictions, but because of volunteers who choose to do their part to keep their communities and loved ones safe. Tennessee is living up to its nickname as the Volunteer State! Will you join them and me today! Please Share!

Click for CDC’s simple wisdom about how to protect yourself and those around you

Scavenge Buying: Say No To It!

 bob-maclafferty  No Responses »
Mar 212020
 

Scavenge buyingHave you been grocery shopping in the last couple of days? You can feel the frantic energy in the air as people are scavenge buying things they would normally never buy.

One of our favorite stores, Aldi, imposed a four can restriction on any single canned vegetable product. I grabbed up 4 cans of kidney beans to ensure I got my “fair share”. As we put our groceries away, my sweetheart said, “Oh! You got me some canned garbanzo beans!” She loves ’em and I think we shouldn’t eat anything that sounds like gravel when they hit the plate! My bad. In my haste to get my four can maximum, I grabbed up a can of garbanzos by mistake.

The temptation to grab and grab is real. The scavenging frenzy is more contagious than COVID-19! A hundred people were waiting outside our local Walmart when it opened yesterday. As I walked around the store, the scavenge frenzy reminded me of how the store feels the day before Thanksgiving as people rush around to get the last cans of pumpkin pie filling and other traditional favorites.

One thoughtful checkout professional, when blasted by a woman for her favorite products being out of stock, said “What a great time to try something new!” The shopper looked at her with complete disbelief and a total lack of comprehension. I heard another shopper frantically calling a family member because she had gotten only two RiceARoni’s, the last two in the store.

It is a human tendency to push to get our “fair share”. But little in life is fair. Is it fair that my schedule flexibility makes it easier to get to the store for my own scavenge buying? Is it fair that the out-of-work service person from the local diner can’t afford to buy much at all? Is it fair for someone who didn’t get their allotted maximum to “borrow” from an elderly shopper’s cart when they aren’t looking?

I will admit that I have spent too much energy on more than one occasion over my lifetime, overly concerned about what’s fair… or at least what I “think” is fair for me. Jesus shared the following story:

“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ -Luke 14:8-10. NIV.

I challenge you [and me] to say “NO!” to scavenge buying, say “NO!” to pushing and shoving, say “NO!” to getting the last [state your favorite food here]. Instead, say “YES!” to leaving something on the shelves for others, say “YES!” to letting an elderly shopper get in line ahead of you, say “YES!” to helping a stressed mom get the bag of flour I am reaching for. Let’s not wait for stores to restrict us. Let’s restrict ourselves! Then, instead of hearing “I’m sorry sir, you can only have four canned garbanzos” we can hear “You know you can take another can. We have plenty!”

God bless us as we keep our hands and hearts clean. Stay healthy!

Click for CDC’s simple wisdom about how to protect yourself and those around you

The Spirit of Fear

 bob-maclafferty  No Responses »
Mar 142020
 

Handwashing. Anti Corona virus strategyWhat a week! Fear of becoming infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) is the primary topic in the news and social media. We are creating a spirit of fear! A close second is the new recreational pastime of bashing leaders for doing something different than what today’s fickle hindsight might indicate.

Instead of coronavirus fear, let’s fear the risk of ignoring a young, struggling family with little food and no child care now that schools have closed.
Instead of hoarding 96 rolls of toilet paper, let’s fear for the elderly neighbor on their last roll.
Instead of clogging social media with leader bashing, let’s fear ignoring the parent of a sick child next door who is running low on prescription meds.
Instead of joining the online noise that increases hysteria, let’s fear the selfishness that makes us take the last canned goods from grocery shelves.
Instead of driving bloated SUV’s filled with grocery store plunder, let’s fear for those relying on public transportation for jobs and healthcare who could use a lift.
Instead of letting a crisis define America as selfish, critical, fearful, and negative, let’s meet this crisis with unselfishness, forgiveness, courage, and hope.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV.

I say no to hoarding, no to suspicion, no to fear and paranoia.
I say yes to sharing, yes to hand washing, yes to courage and hope, yes to caring for the sick around us, yes to helping those in need in our neighborhoods.

I challenge you to share this and any other positive message!

Click for CDC’s simple wisdom about how to protect yourself and those around you

Microthanks

 bob-maclafferty  1 Response »
Nov 282019
 

shower thanksIf you share thanks around the table today, and I urge you to do so, what kinds of items will you share? Large themes like freedom, country, or family? What about small things? Being thankful at the micro-level may be a new experience. Let’s try some microthanks!

We moved into a different house this month and one morning I was complaining to my sweetheart about how the shower head in the master bath was so low. I cracked my head on it several times. It’s just right for her, but I could use another foot of height. As soon as I got through griping, I said to my self, “Self! You ungrateful grouch! Aren’t you thankful for anything about this?” Yes, yes I am! I am so thankful for the blessing of a warm shower. That magical blessing of continuous warm water coming down from above me (well, it’s above me when I crouch!), making it easy and refreshing to become clean!

If you haven’t said it, you’ve heard it. Thankful for the roof over your head, yada, yada. But are you really? I remember a time when we spent winter months with little to no heat, bedroom temps dipping into the upper 30’s at night. I’ll tell you that I was very specifically thankful for the roof. We may have been cold, but we were dry. Cuddling under a pile of blankets is a whole new experience when it’s 37 degrees on the outside of the blanket pile!

As I write this, I’m thankful for my office chair! It has too many levers to count, but it is comfortable for keyboarding and leans back nicely for casual reading. What a blessing!

I’m thankful for garden hose washers. You know the flat rubber thing inside the end of the hose you screw onto the faucet? It keeps water from spraying everywhere. I buy them a bunch at a time. I was able to share one with a neighbor a couple of days ago.

I’m thankful for the crisp, brown leaves that cover our lawn. So great to kick and crunch through. And just think, each one is a disposable solar panel and ventilation system that replenishes the soil each year. Talk about intelligent design! Thank you, God!

I’m thankful for sarcastic humor that I get from colleagues and certain family members- you know who you are!

I’m thankful for Pilot G-2 07 pens! Smooth, comfortable writing.

I’m thankful for the feel of a good, well-fitting pair of leather gloves when there is a hard job to perform.

Yeah, I know some of you are thinking I’m being a bit silly about this. But I challenge you to try some microthanks today. Yes, share the big things, but let thanks for specific, little things fill your heart and mind with wonder and a new appreciation that you can experience each and every day.

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