We are living in stressful times that leave us all with very unsettled feelings. The church in our country seems to be lost. It no longer has the certainties of Modernism nor the wealth and power of the late 19th and first half of the 20th centuries. so it's grabbing at anything it can to give it a sense of direction. The old modes of worship aren't working as effectively as they used to and some new ones, that ignore the wealth of the history of the body of Christ, are taking off like wild fires. So the place that would normally be a refuge is just as confused and anxious as the society in which we struggle.
As Orlando Costas says in "Christ Outside the Gate"; "the dominant symptoms of this situation of alienation are fear, anxiety and distrust at the personal level, and racism, classism, and sexism at the social level." How is a church to survive in an environment such as this? It seems to me like the churches who are surviving and even thriving in this world are the ones offering extremes.
The first set reminds me of the tall, thick impenetrable walls of the castles of the middle ages. These churches are bastions of a particular class of faith and nothing can shake them! They are guarded by well armed and skilled soldiers who are ever ready for the fight and rarely ever are without their "sword". It should not be very difficult to surmise the appeal of a place such as this in the midst of an uncertain world full of threats and insecurities. So people flock to these places and are willing to agree to tough and clear cut rules in order to live in the shelter provided by these castles. Independent thought is actively discouraged in favor of tried and true strategies that are handled and held by a few leaders who guard their authority jealously. Authority is placed in few individuals and like the aristocracy of the middle ages it is only handed down through familial relations or to those who have shown unflinching loyalty over time. That small group of aristocrats are jealously guarded by their knights who obey without question and keep the status quo.
The second set of churches who are thriving in the midst of all this uncertainty are the ones more akin to city states, these are places where the new takes precedent over the old and "obsolete". These city states are flushed with funds as a result of shrewd business practices and more often than not the charisma of its leader. Like the city states of old they are dominated by a few names that command authority based on their charisma as well as access to seemingly unending funds. They do all in a big way and their "homes" are glittering examples of all that is new and state of the art. They draw people not as a safe refuge with restricting walls but rather they do so as glittery places that offer comfort, entertainment, and an overall sense of escape from the gloomy world outside. Unlike the stern castles these places do not require much beyond regular contributions, which fund the leadership as well as the grandeur of the city.
I may have taken my analogies a bit too far but bear with me, these are the places where people are flocking. It seems like "thriving" church options are either conservative movements unwilling to yield and with very narrow definitions/understanding of the Gospel message, who offer certainty at the price of thought and freedom. Or glittery, fancy, state of the art mega churches that have a feel good message, packaged in unparalleled quality entertainment that require very little from its audience beyond funds.
Both of those sides look at small, local congregations as failures at best or opportunities for additional funds or space at worst. I as a new pastor with the pressures of a struggling church sit facing those two options. I know people from both those sides and they are gracious enough to offer to help me "succeed". Should we take choice away but offer certainty and security in an uncertain world? Should we take away commitment and the tough work of inner transformation but offer feel good experiences and entertainment possibilities such as "missions tourism"?
So far we have resisted both and have decided to steer through the middle. We look for the Shelter God is, in active ways (2 Samuel 22:3). While at the same time we seek to call those who come, to explore their faith in deep,transforming ways by challenging assumptions and exploring Scripture in deeper ways. (Matthew 19:16-26 who is the young ruler?) Our "growth" is not as numerically heavy as "success" would tell us it should be. But I feel we follow the leading of the Spirit best by seeking transformation (Romans 12:2) so that in due time we may become a church that is perhaps not important by current success standards, but certainly one that is relevant to those within its walls, the community that surrounds it and the world at large.
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Interesting quote
I was spending time in google reader recently and came across the review of a British book, "The Progressive Patriot: a search for belonging" by Billy Bragg. Below is the quote that grabbed my attention:
Now, more than ever, "we need to challenge the Right's monopoly on patriotism - not by proclaiming our blind loyalty to our country, right or wrong, but by developing a narrative which explains how we all came to be here together in this place".
I too have wondered why it is that it seems like only one side of the immigration argument seems to have taken a near monopoly of the definition of a Patriot. (capitalized intentionally) We've all heard things like, "the real Americans" and other catch phrases that do nothing but create discord and a very small, homogeneous definition of American and especially a "patriotic American". To be in favor of a just, comprehensive immigration legislation is, absolutely, not evidence or proof of one's hate for our country. The vicious attacks from these so called patriots need to to have a reasonable, respectful and loving answer. We must not engage in the same type of vitriolic attacks that are hateful and violent. The cycle of accusations hurled at people who's only wrong doing has been to have an opinion different than yours is counter productive in this conversation. Violence will only create more violence.
So why don't we try conversing with each other? Heated, sure! As long as you are willing to listen, respectfully, to someone state their opposing case as passionately as you have done yourself! Even further than that, perhaps be willing to concede that your interlocutor may be making a reasonable argument that can contribute to the discourse and maybe even the answer to the problem!
Now, more than ever, "we need to challenge the Right's monopoly on patriotism - not by proclaiming our blind loyalty to our country, right or wrong, but by developing a narrative which explains how we all came to be here together in this place".
I too have wondered why it is that it seems like only one side of the immigration argument seems to have taken a near monopoly of the definition of a Patriot. (capitalized intentionally) We've all heard things like, "the real Americans" and other catch phrases that do nothing but create discord and a very small, homogeneous definition of American and especially a "patriotic American". To be in favor of a just, comprehensive immigration legislation is, absolutely, not evidence or proof of one's hate for our country. The vicious attacks from these so called patriots need to to have a reasonable, respectful and loving answer. We must not engage in the same type of vitriolic attacks that are hateful and violent. The cycle of accusations hurled at people who's only wrong doing has been to have an opinion different than yours is counter productive in this conversation. Violence will only create more violence.
So why don't we try conversing with each other? Heated, sure! As long as you are willing to listen, respectfully, to someone state their opposing case as passionately as you have done yourself! Even further than that, perhaps be willing to concede that your interlocutor may be making a reasonable argument that can contribute to the discourse and maybe even the answer to the problem!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
response to a question
Anonymous said...
Wouldn't they use the same criteria that the Federal government uses since this just adds more people to enforce the existing law?
Interesting question though It does not acknowledge the "federal/State" jurisdiction question. Some anti-immigration groups try to get around this and the Constitutionality question by claiming the current situation to be an invasion. Someone like Alan Keyes (http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=147457) needs to call our current situation an actual invasion as he is citing article I Section 10 of the constitution to defend his position. The problem is that we are not being invaded. There is no intentionally belligerent action against Americans by an invading army. No soldiers have crossed our borders with intent to capture territory and/or overthrow a rightful American government. So, in the absence of Constitutional support for this position it becomes necessary to call what is happening an invasion. Enough of that red herring...
The problem I see as an American Citizen is that this law endangers the basic freedoms of some Americans, which as the Constitution clearly states it is some too many. Article 1 of the 14th amendment states those basic freedoms. So the question revolves around the issue of local enforcement officials being able to tell who is and who is not an illegal immigrant. Even more concerning is the issue of being guilty until proven innocent. Someone who looks like I do in our current society would begin with being guilty! I do not want to live in a country where I could go to jail for forgetting my wallet at home. I've gone out and left my wallet at restaurants, then the next day I have driven back to get it. If I were to be pulled over during my ride back I would be detained, and have my car impounded. Would the town in which this happens be responsible for refunding to me the money I would have to pay the towing company to get my car back? How about the time lost for me and someone I know to come to what ever detention center I am held at with my ID?
Wouldn't they use the same criteria that the Federal government uses since this just adds more people to enforce the existing law?
Interesting question though It does not acknowledge the "federal/State" jurisdiction question. Some anti-immigration groups try to get around this and the Constitutionality question by claiming the current situation to be an invasion. Someone like Alan Keyes (http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=147457) needs to call our current situation an actual invasion as he is citing article I Section 10 of the constitution to defend his position. The problem is that we are not being invaded. There is no intentionally belligerent action against Americans by an invading army. No soldiers have crossed our borders with intent to capture territory and/or overthrow a rightful American government. So, in the absence of Constitutional support for this position it becomes necessary to call what is happening an invasion. Enough of that red herring...
The problem I see as an American Citizen is that this law endangers the basic freedoms of some Americans, which as the Constitution clearly states it is some too many. Article 1 of the 14th amendment states those basic freedoms. So the question revolves around the issue of local enforcement officials being able to tell who is and who is not an illegal immigrant. Even more concerning is the issue of being guilty until proven innocent. Someone who looks like I do in our current society would begin with being guilty! I do not want to live in a country where I could go to jail for forgetting my wallet at home. I've gone out and left my wallet at restaurants, then the next day I have driven back to get it. If I were to be pulled over during my ride back I would be detained, and have my car impounded. Would the town in which this happens be responsible for refunding to me the money I would have to pay the towing company to get my car back? How about the time lost for me and someone I know to come to what ever detention center I am held at with my ID?
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
First they came for the Jews...
The following is a first draft reaction to news I read about today....
Pastor Martin Niemoller said the following,
In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
I am not comparing the current attempts at dealing with our immigration issue in places like Arizona with Nazism. However, I do want to stress the importance of speaking out at the beginning of what can be the initial step of rampant profiling that can and will legitimize abuse. How does one identify an "illegal" person? Can a human being be illegal? What makes a person suspect of being in this country illegally?
I am very curious to see what Arizona develops as their criteria for identifying these people. I for one know that I will not be travelling to Arizona if this law takes effect. Would being lost and trying to find your way around in a strange place be considered suspicious? I would def. not go hiking anywhere in that state! unless a "hispanic" looking guy with water and a backpack is not suspicious enough for authorities to approach and detain.
Of course people may say that I will be fine as long as I have my documentation with me, and they will be correct. Then again, am I free if I have to make sure I have my "papers" with me on pain of detention and Jail! who brings a wallet when running? I love mountain biking, usually I leave my wallet in my car, etc. I cringe at the thought of driving through several different towns and counties in a state with such draconian laws! How long would my journey be if every time I get to a new area there will be a police officer, under pain of a suit if he does not, who could easily find a reason to pull me over (26 on a 25 anyone?)? I will then have to sit there, wait for the second patrol car to get there, hand my license over, have it checked, returned. Never mind if there are other people in my car with me!
friend: hey! haven't seen you in a while. You should come visit, oh! Bring Jose he lives by you, I want to her about your trip to Europe, I wish I'd gone with you guys.
ME: No I can't bring Jose with me and be back the same day! you live 5 towns and two counties away! One of us may get through some of those towns w/out being pulled over, two of us, never!
the previous imaginary situation may seem ridiculous to you but think of it this way; Anyone who looks like me (hispanic/latino) would have to avoid anything that would give any officer a reason to pull one over if one wants to get anywhere within a reasonable amount of time. That means obeying all laws, yeah 25 on a 25, can you remember the last time you did the speed limit for an entire drive anywhere?
I cannot stay silent about this especially since a representative from my state (PA) just introduced legislation like the Arizona one.
Single sided opinions are more often than not disingenuous and deceiving. Rep. Metcalfe rattles off a series of numbers about how much "they" cost our wonderfully free state. However, he does not cite anything about how much they contribute to our economy, where's the balance? by only speaking of the expenses this person places the blame on our immigrant population for the state deficit! As if these people just come here and sit around, taking "OUR" hard earned money! They work, buy stuff (sales taxes) pay for a place to live (property taxes), have payment plans at the hospital paying premium prices for the antibiotics they had to get from the ER because they can't have health insurance, etc.
these totalitarian measures are nothing short of racial profiling and unconstitutional. What is reasonable suspicion of being in this country illegally? Speaking another language? wearing flip flops? looking foreign? looking lost? We have a problem in this country with immigration, totalitarianism is not the answer!
I had a conversation recently,
Me: hey, haven't seen you in a while
friend: I was on vacation. Arizona, it's beautiful there, you should go there!
m: eh, not sure I want to
F: oh right! But wait, you're legal right? so it's cool...
NO WAY IT IS NOT COOL!
It was then than Pastor Martin Niemoller's quote, with which I started this post, came to mind. Freedom is a gift for which we have paid dearly. That freedom has always been for everyone and these laws do not affect just the undocumented, we will all see our freedoms limited by an over reaching state. Interesting how the people proposing these laws are the same ones crying out against an over-reaching state! I guess over-reaching is good as long as it goes along with their opinion. so no I CANNOT STAY SILENT!
One last thing, a while back I was in South Africa. one day I was chatting with one of our hosts who is Indian. He told me a story about his life prior to the end of apartheid. he says that one day he finished work late so he left in a hurry as he couldn't be in town after sundown. In that hurry he left his id card in his jacket in the office. As he was rushing to the bus he was stopped by the police, they had reasonable suspicion since he was in a hurry to get somewhere and not white. as he reached for his papers he realized he had left them in the office. SO, they detained him and he had to spend the night in jail. His family couldn't come get him as it was in town and after dark. He couldn't leave there until his wife could go to his office, retrieve the documents and go to the police station to get him.
I remember thinking how CRAZY that sounded to me and how glad I was to be a US citizen. If this law passes in PA I may find myself with a similar story in 20FREAKIN10, in the land of the free!
Pastor Martin Niemoller said the following,
In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
I am not comparing the current attempts at dealing with our immigration issue in places like Arizona with Nazism. However, I do want to stress the importance of speaking out at the beginning of what can be the initial step of rampant profiling that can and will legitimize abuse. How does one identify an "illegal" person? Can a human being be illegal? What makes a person suspect of being in this country illegally?
I am very curious to see what Arizona develops as their criteria for identifying these people. I for one know that I will not be travelling to Arizona if this law takes effect. Would being lost and trying to find your way around in a strange place be considered suspicious? I would def. not go hiking anywhere in that state! unless a "hispanic" looking guy with water and a backpack is not suspicious enough for authorities to approach and detain.
Of course people may say that I will be fine as long as I have my documentation with me, and they will be correct. Then again, am I free if I have to make sure I have my "papers" with me on pain of detention and Jail! who brings a wallet when running? I love mountain biking, usually I leave my wallet in my car, etc. I cringe at the thought of driving through several different towns and counties in a state with such draconian laws! How long would my journey be if every time I get to a new area there will be a police officer, under pain of a suit if he does not, who could easily find a reason to pull me over (26 on a 25 anyone?)? I will then have to sit there, wait for the second patrol car to get there, hand my license over, have it checked, returned. Never mind if there are other people in my car with me!
friend: hey! haven't seen you in a while. You should come visit, oh! Bring Jose he lives by you, I want to her about your trip to Europe, I wish I'd gone with you guys.
ME: No I can't bring Jose with me and be back the same day! you live 5 towns and two counties away! One of us may get through some of those towns w/out being pulled over, two of us, never!
the previous imaginary situation may seem ridiculous to you but think of it this way; Anyone who looks like me (hispanic/latino) would have to avoid anything that would give any officer a reason to pull one over if one wants to get anywhere within a reasonable amount of time. That means obeying all laws, yeah 25 on a 25, can you remember the last time you did the speed limit for an entire drive anywhere?
I cannot stay silent about this especially since a representative from my state (PA) just introduced legislation like the Arizona one.
Single sided opinions are more often than not disingenuous and deceiving. Rep. Metcalfe rattles off a series of numbers about how much "they" cost our wonderfully free state. However, he does not cite anything about how much they contribute to our economy, where's the balance? by only speaking of the expenses this person places the blame on our immigrant population for the state deficit! As if these people just come here and sit around, taking "OUR" hard earned money! They work, buy stuff (sales taxes) pay for a place to live (property taxes), have payment plans at the hospital paying premium prices for the antibiotics they had to get from the ER because they can't have health insurance, etc.
these totalitarian measures are nothing short of racial profiling and unconstitutional. What is reasonable suspicion of being in this country illegally? Speaking another language? wearing flip flops? looking foreign? looking lost? We have a problem in this country with immigration, totalitarianism is not the answer!
I had a conversation recently,
Me: hey, haven't seen you in a while
friend: I was on vacation. Arizona, it's beautiful there, you should go there!
m: eh, not sure I want to
F: oh right! But wait, you're legal right? so it's cool...
NO WAY IT IS NOT COOL!
It was then than Pastor Martin Niemoller's quote, with which I started this post, came to mind. Freedom is a gift for which we have paid dearly. That freedom has always been for everyone and these laws do not affect just the undocumented, we will all see our freedoms limited by an over reaching state. Interesting how the people proposing these laws are the same ones crying out against an over-reaching state! I guess over-reaching is good as long as it goes along with their opinion. so no I CANNOT STAY SILENT!
One last thing, a while back I was in South Africa. one day I was chatting with one of our hosts who is Indian. He told me a story about his life prior to the end of apartheid. he says that one day he finished work late so he left in a hurry as he couldn't be in town after sundown. In that hurry he left his id card in his jacket in the office. As he was rushing to the bus he was stopped by the police, they had reasonable suspicion since he was in a hurry to get somewhere and not white. as he reached for his papers he realized he had left them in the office. SO, they detained him and he had to spend the night in jail. His family couldn't come get him as it was in town and after dark. He couldn't leave there until his wife could go to his office, retrieve the documents and go to the police station to get him.
I remember thinking how CRAZY that sounded to me and how glad I was to be a US citizen. If this law passes in PA I may find myself with a similar story in 20FREAKIN10, in the land of the free!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Welcoming a a changed friend...
We here at Calvary are in the midst of Regeneration and Reconciliation. We have gone through more changes in the past few years than a lot of other places experience in years, especially churches. I do not need to enumerate for you the feelings that come with living through these times of change here. In some ways our life now makes me think of the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Most of the time we are preached the prodigal son passage from the perspective of the son returning home. Or perhaps a limited view of the father who welcomes him with love. I say limited because it seems like those times all we hear is the scene where the father sees the child from far away and runs to embrace him, and leave it there. But what about the feelings the father is feeling inside, the brother we often portray as mean even though he is asking reasonable questions?
So, let us look at the prodigal son story from the receiving end. What about that son who remained faithful the whole time, who worked hard, suffered, gave it all for that place? What about those servants who saw the young man take a fortune they will probably never see in their life time and waste it all away, and now they have to serve him!? They are being ordered to give him the best clothes, the biggest rings, the fattest calf! It is in those receiving the estranged son that regeneration and reconciliation become something more than just words. How do those who have remained faithful and worked hard, receive those who have not? How do those who’ve stayed, worked hard, and continue to work hard, simply hand over the fruits of their labors to someone who has not earned it? Reconciliation is tough.
Let’s bring this story bits closer, we here have a kind of returning child with which to contend. There was a time we were deeply involved in this community, people would walk to church. We knew what was going on in the neighborhood, we lived Norristown. We were part of the fourth of July parades, business owners were members here, we had concerts on our porch, children from the community lived here! Then gradually all of that seemed to have trickled away.
How well do we know our surrounding community now? Is Calvary still living and breathing the west end of Norristown? Or do we have a distanced relationship to mend? Some of that community is coming here and we have welcomed it with open arms, amazingly so. But how has it changed? This new west end is still the west end but it has changed in many ways since we knew it. I wonder if the father of the prodigal son experienced something similar. It would be very difficult for someone to live through what the prodigal son lived through and not be changed. I wonder how the father dealt with his changed son? It was probably easy the day of the embrace, or the party etc. But what about later, in the ordinary events of life, when all have started to settle into their new life? Scripture does not take us there, but could it be that the father knew he had chosen reconciliation so the “problems” that I'm sure came were "just part of life", not obstacles that make him doubt his choice?
Where do you see yourself in the process of reconciliation and regeneration? As we, as Calvary, receive the neighborhood again where do you see yourself in the process of reconciliation with this returning, and different child?
So, let us look at the prodigal son story from the receiving end. What about that son who remained faithful the whole time, who worked hard, suffered, gave it all for that place? What about those servants who saw the young man take a fortune they will probably never see in their life time and waste it all away, and now they have to serve him!? They are being ordered to give him the best clothes, the biggest rings, the fattest calf! It is in those receiving the estranged son that regeneration and reconciliation become something more than just words. How do those who have remained faithful and worked hard, receive those who have not? How do those who’ve stayed, worked hard, and continue to work hard, simply hand over the fruits of their labors to someone who has not earned it? Reconciliation is tough.
Let’s bring this story bits closer, we here have a kind of returning child with which to contend. There was a time we were deeply involved in this community, people would walk to church. We knew what was going on in the neighborhood, we lived Norristown. We were part of the fourth of July parades, business owners were members here, we had concerts on our porch, children from the community lived here! Then gradually all of that seemed to have trickled away.
How well do we know our surrounding community now? Is Calvary still living and breathing the west end of Norristown? Or do we have a distanced relationship to mend? Some of that community is coming here and we have welcomed it with open arms, amazingly so. But how has it changed? This new west end is still the west end but it has changed in many ways since we knew it. I wonder if the father of the prodigal son experienced something similar. It would be very difficult for someone to live through what the prodigal son lived through and not be changed. I wonder how the father dealt with his changed son? It was probably easy the day of the embrace, or the party etc. But what about later, in the ordinary events of life, when all have started to settle into their new life? Scripture does not take us there, but could it be that the father knew he had chosen reconciliation so the “problems” that I'm sure came were "just part of life", not obstacles that make him doubt his choice?
Where do you see yourself in the process of reconciliation and regeneration? As we, as Calvary, receive the neighborhood again where do you see yourself in the process of reconciliation with this returning, and different child?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
problem solving
This past Monday I found myself with the problem of a car still stuck in snow. I hadn't moved my car since the weekend snow storm so I knew it was time to get to work on getting it out. I hadn't gone by my car since Sunday but I was sure it was still stuck so I came out of my building with the shovel ready for the task. Sure enough as I approached the front of my car it was clear that it was still surrounded by snow. Some snow had melted but overall it still looked the same from the front so I set to work right away.
I felt a small bit of relief to see that some snow had melted as it meant I had less work ahead of me. Unfortunately my hopes were crushed as soon as I started to shovel and realized that some of that snow was now ice. However, I kept on shoveling and as there was less snow/ice it wasn't long until I had done enough to be satisfied that I was going to be able to drive my car out of its ice enclosure.
Once my work was done I walked to the side of my car with the intention of putting the shovel in the back seat, drive out of the spot and around the back to return the shovel. However, for some reason I thought better of it and kept walking to the back of my car towards the entrance of the building in which I live.
Up until now there hasn't been anything out of the ordinary in my story. However, as I gaze moved from my car door to the back of my car I realized something that changed this whole everyday experience. Standing there, with shovel in hand, I noticed that the whole back side of my car, and the two parking spots behind it, had been cleared of snow completely! If I had only bothered to walk around my car once I would have realized that all I needed to do to get my car out was put it in reverse.
So, I spent about half an hour shoveling snow and ice because I was prepared for the problem and was able to deal with it efficiently! See, I knew what the problem was and once I knew that I did not bother to look back, I gathered the tools I needed and went at it. As I sit at home now I wonder if this is the way I approach problem solving in my life? that is to say, once I feel I have a grasp of the problem I gather the tools I need and, without looking back, get to it. am I wasting time by skipping a step?
I felt a small bit of relief to see that some snow had melted as it meant I had less work ahead of me. Unfortunately my hopes were crushed as soon as I started to shovel and realized that some of that snow was now ice. However, I kept on shoveling and as there was less snow/ice it wasn't long until I had done enough to be satisfied that I was going to be able to drive my car out of its ice enclosure.
Once my work was done I walked to the side of my car with the intention of putting the shovel in the back seat, drive out of the spot and around the back to return the shovel. However, for some reason I thought better of it and kept walking to the back of my car towards the entrance of the building in which I live.
Up until now there hasn't been anything out of the ordinary in my story. However, as I gaze moved from my car door to the back of my car I realized something that changed this whole everyday experience. Standing there, with shovel in hand, I noticed that the whole back side of my car, and the two parking spots behind it, had been cleared of snow completely! If I had only bothered to walk around my car once I would have realized that all I needed to do to get my car out was put it in reverse.
So, I spent about half an hour shoveling snow and ice because I was prepared for the problem and was able to deal with it efficiently! See, I knew what the problem was and once I knew that I did not bother to look back, I gathered the tools I needed and went at it. As I sit at home now I wonder if this is the way I approach problem solving in my life? that is to say, once I feel I have a grasp of the problem I gather the tools I need and, without looking back, get to it. am I wasting time by skipping a step?
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