Injustice Anywhere Is a Threat to Justice Everywhere

The following is a quote posted in the daily briefing from Family research council: It seems appropriate that on a day honoring Dr. King to post some information about him:-)

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we pay tribute to a powerful visionary for equal rights--a man who electrified the nation with his dream to work for a more just nation. As we fight to roll back the modern tides of injustice against the unborn, we too must take a righteous stand, despite the personal and political cost. In his letter from the Birmingham jail, Dr. King reminds us, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny... Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be co-workers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation. We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right. Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy and transform our pending national elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood. Now is the time to lift our national policy from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of human dignity... and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty."
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Free Hugs Campaign - Inspiring

Original from Youtube - http://youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION: Sometimes, a hug is all what we need. Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, A man whose sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives. In this age of social disconnection and lack of human contact, the effects of the Free Hugs campaign became phenomenal. As this symbol of human hope spread accross the city, police and officials ordered the Free Hugs campaign BANNED. What we then witness is the true spirit of humanity come together in what can only be described as awe inspiring. In the Spirit of the free hugs campaign, PASS THIS TO A FRIEND and HUG A STRANGER! After all, If you can reach just one person... There has been thousands of emails from all over the world by people seeking to participate in the Free Hugs campaign and asking for permission. You do not need permission. This is the peoples movement, this is *your* movement. With nothing but your bare hands you can make THE difference.

Overdriving conditions

When we were driving back from celebrating Christmas with family, we ran into some bad weather on I 90 between Mitchell, SD and Wall, SD.

First, the rain fell. Then, as things got colder, ice and snow came.

We tried to adjust our driving according to the weather. Some others on the road did too!

However, several vehicles went off the road and needed assistance. I think that we saw about 6 vehicles off the road. All of them had assistance at hand and didn’t need other help.

A thought occurred to me during the drive.

Often, on our trips, we hit bad weather. Many times, vehicles hit the ditch or the median. Looking back, the vast majority of those seemed to be 4 wheel drive vehicles – trucks or SUVs.

What is it about owning great “all-weather vehicles” that makes people think they needn’t worry or adjust? They overdrive road conditions and get into trouble.

But it seems we sometimes approach life in the same way. Just a thought.

Family matters

It was great to spend time with family over the holidays! Heather was back from college in Indiana. Jason was back from school in Miller, SD. Christy was off from Rapid City Christian. We had a blast together.

We celebrated family Christmas on Saturday, December 23rd. It's still a rush to see family open presents!

We got Heather an I-Pod. Jason got a djembe (African Drum - you can see the exact one at Musician's Friend website:-) Christy got a cell phone with pre paid minutes.

It seems that ALL the gifts were hits this year! Oh yeah, Reva and I got a computer for the home and signed up for high speed Internet:-)

Mainly, we thank God for the gift of Himself, in Christ. We also deeply thank Him for health and the love of family!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Holidays

We had an awesome time with family over the Christmas holiday. We traveled to Madison, Wisconsin on Christmas Day. Then, on Tuesday, we traveled to Lafayette, Indiana. We celebrated Christmas with the Hoover family on Tuesday evening. WHAT A BLAST TO HAVE NEARLY 30 FAMILY MEMBERS THERE!

On Wednesday, we drove over to Marion, Indiana and saw Reva's grandma Hoover. She's 97 and lives with aunt Ruth and Uncle Eldine. She's an amazing woman - sharp mind and quick wit even at age 97.

We stayed long enough to have dinner and then traveled up to Detroit, Michigan to spend Christmas with my side of the family. My sister and her family weren't there, and we missed seeing them. Still, we had a wonderful time!

Friday morning, we left for Madison, Wisconsin again. Made great time through Chicago, and made it in time to have dinner with the Bickels. We always enjoy spending time with them. What a treat that Brent, Laura Beth and Brice were all there too!

Saturday, we tackled the final 11-12 hour leg of our trip home so that we could arrive in time for worship team at 7:30 PM on Saturday night!

We praise God for family and for safe travels. Roads were cruddy from Mitchell to Wall - in South Dakota. Snow and ice with several cars (SUV's) in the ditch. We made it fine - but tired.