Neighborhood Makeover
INDIANAPOLIS: As many of you are aware, ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover is in town this week to build a home for a local teacher Bernard McFarland (click here for previous article by IndyChristian ). Consequently there has been a reawakening to the idea of neighbors helping neighbors to better our community.
(photo from WRTV; link is below)
It seems peculiar to me that it so often takes a force from outside the community to come in to motivate people to help each other right here. So many local vendors and businesses are donating materials. Those resources and the volunteers were here all the time. It just took the spark of a national TV show to fan the flame of community action? Why is that?
Hoosiers are known for their “Hoosier Hospitality,” yet I have to admit that sometimes I don’t understand why it is that it is so hard for people to treat their neighbors as well as they treat visitors.
Though, I still don’t understand why this is, it reminds me of what Jesus says in the Bible about a prophet not being as well received in his own home town as he is elsewhere: Luke 4:24 (New American Standard Bible)”And He said, “Truly I say to you,no prophet is welcome in his hometown.” Perhaps we are simply so accustomed to the status quo that it takes outside inertia to get us to become fully aware of what is already all around us.
Do we believe that we are simply “too busy” to take a little time to get familiar with our neighbors? We may have become so focused on striving for the “newest, greatest and best,” that we become blinded to the needs of others. People may think they don’t have enough time or money to offer to help others. How do we know unless we at least endeavor to find out? So often, what seems as a very trivial thing to us, means the world to someone else.
By being thankful for the many blessings that we already have, we can see that we DO have something to offer. We can make an impact on the world around us… and not just the physical environment either. More importantly, we can show people that we value them; each and every person matters.
So, while Indianapolis is all abuzz with the happenings of a national TV show taping in our midst, I want to encourage you… that is you reading this article… to keep the ball rolling. Those of you who have tried volunteering or seen for the first time how very much can be accomplished when people work together for good, be encouraged. See what a mighty thing can happen when we come together in love and caring for others.
Practical application: some thoughts on how to makeover the neighborhood.
1. Take a Walk. So many of us are bustling from here to there by car, or bus, barely making it to our destinations on time, that we do not “stop and smell the roses.” Have you considered taking a walk with your family after supper? Make a game of it by asking the kids to see how many people they can get to smile or wave back at you, how many dogs bark as you pass, take a few trash bags and collect litter as you go, etc.
2. Get to know your neighbors. How many different neighbors could you tell me about right now? What do you really know about them: kids, pets, career, school, church, or are they a gardener, might they pair up with you for exercise class or walking or like to golf?
3. Ask Questions. How have you been? Is there anything I can do to help? How can I pray for you? Would you like to join us for a bar-b-que Saturday afternoon?
4. Just be available. Everyone needs to feel valued and you can help that happen for someone. By simply flashing someone a smile or wave, you have acknowledged them, and done something of value yourself. How cool is that? By saying something like, “I am going to the store, do you want me to pick anything up for you? I am going to be there anyway,” you have let the other person know that you are happy to be of service to them.
You see, it doesn’t really take much to makeover our neighborhood. Let us not rely on outside forces to bring to our attention that we have within us the ability to make our community a better place to live. May God spur our hearts into action by helping us be more aware of those around us and any needs that we may help meet.
You can follow updates of Twitter: EstridgeHomes
Here is a link to the local ABC News affiliate WRTV Ch.6
What’s Your Favorite Color?
The question of the week from a friend is
“what does your favorite color say about you?” My answer is PURPLE. That is my favorite color. A deep royal purple along with a vibrant fuschia are my very favorite colors.
I don’t know what it really says about me. I know that many people feel that purple is the color of royalty, but I don’t consider myself to be especially aristocratic or even comfortable with snobbery.
I do think it is interesting that purple is made from the combination of red and blue. Ever since I can remember I have been artistically interested in the way in which colors are made. Red is a hot color and blue a cool one, so if you mix the two you get this lovely “I can be both! ” That is one way of looking at it I suppose.
Purple is found in grapes, beautiful mountain scenery, and the crocus flowers which emerge from the still falling snow to testify to the promise that Spring is not far away. Amathyst is a purple stone that is assigned to my February birth month. A deep purple velvet shows off sparkling jewelry like brilliant stars against a God’s velvety night sky. Purple can be soothing like lavender or bold like a banner.
Yes, purple is my favorite color and I think it says that I am flexible. Neither the hot-tempered demanding red, or apathetic cold blue… I am understanding and approachable; a caring, passionate purple : )
How’s that for an answer JoJo? If you are reading this, will you please comment on what is your favorite color and what does it say about you?
Seeking to Understand
For a little over a month now, I have been doing some graphic arts communication work for a local author. I am learning a lot as a result of copy-editing work that I am doing to manuscripts of books that he has already published.
Communication is my passion!! Communication that is utilized to enrich the lives of others with understanding and love, especially as it relates to the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives my life meaning.
So it is that I have spent a good deal of time editing these books that focus on cultures of black Americans. Though I grew up in the city with some of my best friends being black, I did grow up in predominantly white populated areas. I grew up in the city until I was age eight. Then we moved to a rural farm in another town. What a change!
I remember being perplexed as to why family friends that were an inter-racial couple would not come to the company picnic hog roast that Dad held on our farm. Other black friends were afraid to travel out to our farm as well. Only years later did I learn of the Klu Klux Klan’s place in history in the county where our farm was located.
Author Clyde Nickerson Bolden’s two books are:
1) Bridging the Gulf: Understanding and Ministering to Hip-Hop Youth, and,
2) Indiana Avenue: Black Entertainment Boulevard.
It has been interesting learning of black American cultural issues from the writings of this black American author who spends his time working with youth. I can see in his writings the potential for some cross-cultural discussion. This would be especially beneficial to the understanding of different cultures IF we sat down as brothers and sisters of the One true God. Our Creator did not create us to focus on our differences in such a way as to think ourselves more important than another. Rather, to live in an understanding way, giving service and love to those in need. For ALL of us have sinned and are in need of the Savior’s redeeming grace.
At this point I have completely read one of Nick’s books and am about half-way through the other. I can say that I have seen many areas were there needs to be better communication. Sometimes, it seems, people just don’t know how to get the message out. Yet, here is Nick, striving to get out his thoughts on what he believes historically shaped local black American culture. He has a lot to say as to what he believes deteriorated the Indiana Avenue area of near north Indianapolis.
While I am reading Nicks book about Hip-Hop; it strikes me that even though I am about half way through the book, I am still not sure what “Hip-Hop Youth” are.
I always thought that hip-hop referred to a musical style. So I continue reading in hopes of gaining a clearer understanding.
In addition to reading Nick’s book about Hip-Hop Youth, I am also doing a fair amount of personal research on the subject. I want to understand how to better communicate in a spirit of reconciliation. I am a good copy-editor to be reading Nick’s book because I am a white female reading this book written by a black male about a predominantly black male culture. I bring NO presuppositions into my editing. If Nick wants to reach people with no understanding of the topic, then I think he found a good person to test the effectiveness of that communication.
Someday I will write again about this topic. Someday, when I have a better understanding of what I do not comprehend now, I will post what I’ve learned. In the meantime, I hope that you will enjoy a video I found online and posted below about Hip Hop Culture.
Heaven’s New Tenant
Today I learned of a dear friends sudden homegoing. Although we are both strong Christian sisters, I find it very difficult to do other work today. Therefore, I write this blog entry in her memory.
Okay… so the tears are flowing! I feel the sorrow of knowing I won’t hear “you look like such a cute little ol’baby doll” in that sweet southern drawl when we speak together at the UBCafe every Saturday. I cry in remembrance as I am hearing her voice, feeling her soft “Palmolive” dish-washing hands, and teasing her to smile for the camera.
Marie was one of the reason’s I enjoyed going to the Unleavened Bread Cafe for Ask Anything Saturday ministry. I could get pretty busy doing things with other people, but would never miss the opportunity to connect with her each time.
Since Ms. Marie was the main dishwasher at the UBCafe, I would sometimes take my dishes straight back to where she was working behind the kitchen. Then I could hug her from the back while she was elbow deep in dishwater. She would flash me that beautiful smile that she hid from the camera. Yes, the ivories were crooked, but they were as bright as diamonds, and I regret having not been able to catch that genuine smile on film.
Ms. Marie could be a playful imp from time to time. I know that one of our favorite “games” was trying to keep Neil Cox’s half-emptied coffee cup from being escorted back to the dishroom along with other dirty dishes that Marie collected. She made us laugh when she got into that “you better not turn your back or that dish is ‘mine’” mood.
I sure am going to miss my beloved Miss Marie… the hole in my selfish heart is oozing pain. Evenso, I rejoice to know that my sweet Miss Marie is going to be there to party with me in the sky when the trump sounds and we meet our Savior in the air along with all the other saints! And we will be singing praises to our LORD and Savior forever, and ever. AMEN!
Heaven’s New Tenant
Today I learned of a dear friends sudden homegoing. Although we are both strong Christian sisters, I find it very difficult to do other work today. Therefore, I write this blog entry in her memory.
Okay… so the tears are flowing! I feel the sorrow of knowing I won’t hear “you look like such a cute little ol’baby doll” in that sweet southern drawl when we speak together at the UBCafe every Saturday. I cry in remembrance as I am hearing her voice, feeling her soft “Palmolive” dish-washing hands, and teasing her to smile for the camera.
Marie was one of the reason’s I enjoyed going to the Unleavened Bread Cafe for Ask Anything Saturday ministry. I could get pretty busy doing things with other people, but would never miss the opportunity to connect with her each time.
Since Ms. Marie was the main dishwasher at the UBCafe, I would sometimes take my dishes straight back to where she was working behind the kitchen. Then I could hug her from the back while she was elbow deep in dishwater. She would flash me that beautiful smile that she hid from the camera. Yes, the ivories were crooked, but they were as bright as diamonds, and I regret having not been able to catch that genuine smile on film.
Ms. Marie could be a playful imp from time to time. I know that one of our favorite “games” was trying to keep Neil Cox’s half-emptied coffee cup from being escorted back to the dishroom along with other dirty dishes that Marie collected. She made us laugh when she got into that “you better not turn your back or that dish is ‘mine’” mood.
I sure am going to miss my beloved Miss Marie… the hole in my selfish heart is oozing pain. Evenso, I rejoice to know that my sweet Miss Marie is going to be there to party with me in the sky when the trump sounds and we meet our Savior in the air along with all the other saints! And we will be singing praises to our LORD and Savior forever, and ever. AMEN!
Mayor delivers State of the City Address
On Saturday, February 21st, Mayor Greg Ballard delivered his State of the City address at Christel House Academy on Indianapolis’ south side. Despite the blustery snowfall outside, there appeared to be approximately four hundred people assembled in the charter school’s gymnasium to hear what the mayor had to report.
