Ethnocentricity

Ethnocentricity. I'm seeing a lot of that post-earthquake in Haiti.

I doubt any of us would say, "Our country and its citizens are far superior to other people and other cultures in the world!" but that's the attitude I'm seeing on television coverage of the Haiti disaster.

Today a set of parents whose college-age children are missing in Haiti were featured. Although my heart breaks for them, the attitude they had was that the US was not doing enough to find American citizens and that the government needed to get more help to the hotel where their daughters were staying. As the interview goes on, you find that it is one of the hotels were international search and rescue teams have been since the beginning. Meanwhile, most of the Hatians have been left to dig out their own survivors without the aid of international agencies to bring equipment and expertise to help out.

One of the dads went on to say that the US needed to stop providing aid and continue to focus on search and rescue. Meanwhile, there are people who did survive the disaster who are dying of thirst and infection due to not having the aid they need.

Of course, Dr. Phil says, "No matter how thin you make a pancake, there are always two sides." While I recognize these parents are speaking out of frustration, emotion, fear and helplessness, I am saddened that our media focuses on these stories that continue to paint Americans as ethnocentric people who care only about the needs of the wealthy Americans when disaster strikes.

I suppose there is a bit of truth in that though. We live in an ethnocentric country and an egocentric society.

We all have within our power to help those who cannot help themselves. If you haven't already, check out what Samaritan's Purse is doing and consider a financial donation to help out the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Independence Day

Family. Fireworks. Picnics. Parades. If you are lucky, it is really hot out and the sprinklers will be turned on! It isn't just a 3 day weekend. This is the one day a year we celebrate the birth of our country. Happy Birthday, America!

Here are some fun America trivia for you as you prepare for your festivities!

• Besides John Hancock, can you name one of the other signers of the Declaration of Independence? I can! I'm related to John Morton, one of the signers from Pennsylvania.
• Do you know the name of the famous American symbol of freedom across the street from Independence Hall in Philadelphia? I do because my father and grandfather both took their oaths of office for the military there!
• What town has the oldest continuous celebration of Independence Day?
• This year (2009) is the ________ anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
• What year did July 4th become a paid holiday for federal employees?
• Where can you go to view the Declaration of Independence?

Esther and Obama

I am in the Beth Moore study of Esther. So far, we have only completed the first lesson which is an introduction to the book of Esther. If you have a moment, check out what my friend Christy has to say about the Esther study. (Oh, and the "dear friend" she refers to is my Mom!) I was surprised to learn, despite having a minor in Bible from Moody Bible Institute, that the book of Esther has no mention of God's name in it at all. *jaw dropping to the floor* Despite that, we can still learn a lot about the character of God through this story. For example, isn't it just like God to choose someone weak through which He can show His strength?

Obviously, Esther was a woman. Back in Old Testament times, that didn't afford her the same opportunities that women get today (like voting and equal pay for starters). People of that time saw women as powerless. Secondly, she was Jewish. In the kingdom of Persia, the Jewish people were outsiders, aliens in the country. She was a foreigner. Although she was probably acclimated to the customs and language of the land, she still was seen as being a non-Persian, a second class citizen. Yet, God used this woman to change the course of history. God can control the outcome of any situation. He holds the hearts of kings in His hand and can turn them wherever he wishes.

We are on the verge of a new ruler here in America. Regardless of how you personally feel about our president and our president-elect and regardless of how you cast your vote, you can rest assured that God is in control of the office of the Presidency and nothing that our new President Obama plans to do or will do will surprise God or thwart His plans. Whenever he wishes, God can go and stir the President's heart to turn this way or that.

Isn't it comforting to know that God is in control of human affairs?