HEALTH CARE REFORM

Our country is in the grips of one of the most heated domestic debates that has occurred since the Civil Rights era. It is a debate that has caused a myriad of reactions ranging from heated discussions to downright mean and vicious comments. The debate has brought out the worst and the best of us as a nation as we wrestle with the issue of providing health care to the people of our nation.

Health care reform seems to have developed emotion that is wrapped up around several concepts, taking in to account foreign health care systems:

• It is socialized medicine.
  


• We will end up like other countries with nationwide health care, rationing through limited choices, and long lines to receive health care.
  


• Foreign health-care systems are inefficient, bloated bureaucracies.
  


• Cost controls stifle innovation.
  


• Health insurance has to be cruel because it is impersonal.

In addition, there are claims that we will, if not directly then indirectly, develop a practice of euthanasia. I don’t believe that, but the issue is whether you do.

As responsible citizens, when we hear these comments, we need to find out for ourselves to what extent, if any, they are true. We need to determine for ourselves the responsibility of this country for all of its citizens. Politicians, no matter what side of the fence they are on, will paint a picture favorable to their perspective.

There are deep concerns about the overall cost. Those concerns are real and need to be honestly evaluated by our national leaders.

At its recent Church-wide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the assembly approved the following resolution: RESOLVED, that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in Assembly, commit this church in all of its expressions to the premise that “each person should have ready access to basic health care services that include preventive, acute, and chronic physical and mental health care at an affordable cost.

This is a commitment we can make. As the ELCA believes, adequate health care for the wealthiest country in the history of this world is a right, not a privilege.

TELLING BIBLE STORIES

Beginning a new mission is not just knocking on doors and attempting to identify prospects for the new mission. Of course, that’s the primary purpose. However, there are other areas to focus upon. One of those is to serve where God has called.

Several months ago, when I returned to Jonesborough to live full time, I was asked by Wellington Place, an assisted living community, to teach a Bible class to Alzheimer residents with other residents participating. I said to myself, “O God, what should I do?” Well, I agreed to do it. Subsequently, I decided to tell stories. (After all, we live in Jonesborough.) I use PowerPoint and images from the internet.

Since we began this story telling in Lent, I began with the passion of Christ. Then, we moved to Jesus’ resurrection. Afterward, we went back to the beginning. We started with creation. We have now finished Joshua and the Judges.

It’s been a joyous experience for me. Yes, some are Alzheimers “victims.” Some have various stages of dementia. Then, there are those who are residents for one reason or another who cannot take care of themselves. They all enjoy the stories. The images presented by PowerPoint provide a focus for the residents as the story unfolds. I enjoy telling them.

My major theme is that God loves us. I always attempt to remind those present of that love through the stories that are told. We always end singing, “Jesus Loves Me.”

What began for me as a fearful request has ended as a blessing.