Sense of humor

A man enters a strict monastery. On his first day the abbot says, "You'll be able to speak only two words every five years. Do you understand?" The novice nods and goes away.
Five years later the abbot calls him into his office. "Brother," he says, "You've done well these last five years. What would you like to say?"
And the monk says, "Food cold!"
"Oh, I'm sorry," says the abbot. "We'll fix that immediately."
Five years later the monk returns to the abbot.
"Welcome, Brother," says the abbot."What would you like to tell me after 10 years?"
And the monk says, "Bed hard!"
And the abbot says, "Oh, I'm so sorry. We'll fix that right away."
Then after another five years the two meet. The abbot says, "Well, Brother you've been here 15 years. What two words would you like to say?"
"I'm leaving," he says.
And the abbot says, "Well, I'm not surprised. You've done nothing but complain since you got here!"
In a book I'm reading, "Between Heaven and Mirth" the author, a Jesuit priest emphasizes that God loves people with a sense of humor, if they apply it in a mirthful way.
Sometimes we attach stiffness of purpose and a lack of a sense of humor to the religious.
As the Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, "Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God."
Or  as the Protestant theologian Karl Barth said, "Laughter is the closest thing to God's grace."
It's one of God's enjoyments I'm sure to see Christians and Jews laughing and having fun.
So, as we all will be very solemn during the upcoming Passion week we must also keep in mind that a little humor can ease the pains and sorrows we sometimes must endure.
I've found another joke to share tomorrow.

How does it feel?

During my research and composition of my series of articles on the psychological feelings and exposition of the conflicts one experieces while not living in a stable environment, I now must confess, it's dangerous being a camper.
Two campers have been severely assaulted this year.
One, Michael Phipps, suffered burns to 45 percent of his body and he lost his prized possession, his fingernails which enabled him to play the guitar and make money to survive.
Another, who shall remain anonymous, to protect his privacy, was so beaten up in his tent that he went into a coma and doesn't remember what happened.
He spent a week in ICU and then called Human Services which helped him stay in a motel in Fayetteville for a week. Then his daughter helped him get another week's lodging in a motel.
His next game plan is to go the Salvation Army which he vowed to never go to again.
He told me he developed foot fungus there once while showering and never wanted to experience that misery again.
So, what's the moral to these sad sagas?
It's tantamountly urgent that these campers have a safe refuge to live in.
A homeless shelter would provide the missing link to survival.
So, it's my adamant goal to help solicit funding for the foundation of a homeless shelter in Northwest Arkansas. I know enough campers who would gladly provide their construction experience in building or remodeling an existing facility.
If anyone desires to participate in the steering committee which is currently meeting let me know via e-mail at davidlanier.lanier1951@gmail.com.
About all I can personally do is buy lotto tickets and pray I can win some money.
Otherwise, pray and seek further assistance.
Lives may hang in the balance.

Don't meth around

Hugs are better than drugs.
Two news items prompted this blog.
"Maggie Jean Wortman, 27, a Humboldt County, Calif., woman whose 6-week-old son died of methamphetamine toxicity after drinking her breast milk, has been sentenced to six years in prison."

Wyatt Gungoll, 24, of Enid, Okla., and his girl friend have been incarcerated after the girl called 911 to report a medical emergency.
Her two-year-old child had vomited a baggy and ingested meth.
Responders found three meth labs in the vicinity of the boy and other pharmaceuticals.
The baby was rushed to the emergency room with a heart beat of 210 per minute.
Both the male and female are not in custody and the baby has been turned over to human services.

These are two of the most despicable news items I've ever had the displeasure to read.
The careless and inhumane treatment of these two innocent boys is indescribable.
Anyone who can't take care of a child and prefers to do their own thing -- meth -- have no sympathy from me.
To be so careless and permit their baby to die from meth milk deserves punishment both now and in the hereafter.
And to carelessly let a baby swallow a meth baggy deserves punishment now and in the hereafter.
Hugs are better than drugs.