“Our once great western Christian civilization is dying. If this matters to followers of Jesus Christ, then we must set aside our denominational differences and work together to strengthen the things that remain and reclaim what has been lost. Evangelicals and Catholics must stand together to re-establish that former Christian culture and moral consensus. We have the numbers and the organization but the question is this: Do we have the will to win this present spiritual battle for Jesus Christ against secularism? Will we prayerfully and cooperatively work toward a new Christian spiritual revival ― or will we choose to hunker down in our churches and denominationalisms and watch everything sink into the spiritual and moral abyss of a New Dark Age?” - Mark Davis Pickup

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

FAMILY A SOURCE OF PROTECTION, IDENTITY AND SECURITY

Family is the greatest support and protection for humanity -- particularly in a world where a tide of migration has involved an estimated 65 million displaced people. Governments are often the problem not the solution. 


It is the cohesion of  inter-generational families that can provide the only sense of stability in a dangerous world that seems ever so unstable and tenuous for the most vulnerable: Elders, children and particularly family members with disabilities. Governments will come and go. The family unit remains.

I mentioned families with elders, children and disabilities. I know
The embrace of a grandson
first-hand the critically important role family plays in the lives of children and those who live with disabilities. I have been seriously disabled with aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS) for more than half my lifetime. My greatest support has been my family spanning four generations. This family dynamic has been the single most important feature to me. While welcome and needed, government support in the form of health and home care, have played a secondary role. It is with the family unit that I have been protected, loved, encouraged and found my identity and sense of self-worth. This must not be discounted or overlooked. My family understands this: My daughter and her husband are in the throes of adopting a child from Haiti. 


The proper role of government is to support families -- not replace them.