Okay. This

is the last time, I promise. John's column was "stolen" from

me again because it pertained to current happenings and I have once more

been chosen as stand-in. I was almost expecting it this week so I began

searching early in the day through the various newsletters and bulletins

we receive each week. Although I usually lean toward humor, something

in one of the bulletins really struck a chord in my heart and this week's

writing will be on a more somber note.

I have been

disturbed for the past few years at the growing anger and frustration

in my own heart about the way the world is run these days. I just chalked

it up to my becoming a senior citizen and perhaps being a grumpy old lady.

Aren't all old people grumpy? I think it's expected of us.

I get angry

when I get junk mail trying to sell me something I don't need. I get angry

at telemarketers. I get angry when I see our government (both local and

national) trying to put one over on us. I get angry at people killing

people for no reason. And I REALLY, get angry when they claim insanity

and our courts set them free. I get angry when I realize that greed and

power rule the world today and everybody thinks that's okay. I get angry

when I see food wasted and thrown away when there are so many out there

starving. When I was growing up, the motto at our dinner table was, "Take

all you want but eat all you take." A simple lesson that said, "Don't

be greedy. Take only as much as you need." Excuse me, does that not

apply anymore?

Most recently,

my anger is with the mega-corporation that took over my small community

bank. Since what little money as may be gleaned from my meager accounts

is now going into the pocket of some fat executive who lives in his retirement

home in Phoenix (or wherever), I am moving my account to another community

bank where all money goes back into my community. All the propaganda in

their slick pamphlets was wasted on me. What? Of course I know they're

still maintaining the office with local employees. Do they think I'm stupid?

Why would they send poeple from North or South Carolina to work in Newnan?

Duh! But the bottom line for the change remains more money ... and more,

and more, and more ...

I could go

on and on ... but, as you can see, I get angry a lot.

Well, although

he didn't sound angry about it, Doug Burrell, pastor of Inman United Methodist

Church, wrote a piece in the church newsletter that really went straight

to my heart. The title is "May is Christian Home Month," but

this article says much more than that. I hope you agree with every word.

Doug writes:

"Perhaps the most important work done by the church is the work of

providing support and resources that help in the development of healthy

families. Character and values developed in the family will provide the

framework and foundation on which each of us will construct our lives.

Yet, forces exist today which are decimating the sanctuary of family nurture

and personal spiritual nourishment and development.

"I do

not say that these forces are particularly aimed at destroying the family.

It's more complicated than that. I dare say there is no 'media conspiracy'

or 'liberal agenda' to 'get us.' That would be much easier to identify

and to target.

"The fact

is that we are coconspirators with forces that break down the atmosphere

in which families can thrive. And, please notice that none of us are unaffected

and not one of us should call ourselves victims. No, we are not victims,

but participants.

"In our

desire for convenience, instant gratification and our perceived entitlement

for greater wealth, better information, higher grades and greater achievements,

there are unseen and dangerous implications which impact our families.

In a way we are victims of our own so-called success. Individually and

corporately, we are infected with a disease so sinister that we have become

blind to its abnormality. In fact, we have embraced our illness as a sign

of prosperity and health.

"I believe

the church is called to stand up with a prophetic voice that calls us