Thankful Reflections
By Jennifer McClure | March 11, 2008
One hundred years ago, on March 8, 1908, an estimated 15,000 women participated in the garment workers’ strike in New York, protesting against working conditions and demanding economic and political rights. In 1987, Congress declared the month of March to be Women’s History Month.
In light of this, I think it’d be good to reflect on how far we’ve come and some of the privileges we, as women, now enjoy that our great grandmothers did not share.
We are free and even encouraged to further our education and exercise our right to vote in political elections. And though some would debate this, compared to the past, we do enjoy equal opportunity in the workforce. And on a lesser end, we are very blessed to have some of the wonderful modern advances to help with what were once very labor-intensive and time-consuming chores.
Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list. But take a few moments to look back and give thanks for the freedoms we have today. Feel free to share your thoughts of particular things – freedoms or inventions even – that have come about in the past 100 years.
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March - A Month of New Beginnings
By Jennifer McClure | March 5, 2008
When you think of March, you probably don’t think of wishing someone happy New Year. But for the ancient Romans, it made sense that the year would begin with spring. So March for some time was the first month in the ancient Roman calendar. Some historians believe even the calendar in Russia began with March 1 as late as the 15th century. So historically and seasonally, this month is one of new beginnings.
Thinking upon this, I began to realize all the new beginnings this month has brought to my own life in recent years.
Four years ago today my husband and I officially commenced our dating relationship. A few years ago yesterday my sister-in-law joined our family. It was also in the month of March that my husband and I moved into our first house and purchased our first car together.
This year, the month continues to live up to its reputation, bringing the start of a new career for my husband and the highly anticipated season of spring. Also, it just so happens that Easter falls in March this year, just days after the first day of spring. What a beautiful picture of new beginnings, bringing hope of new life.
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Making News Coughing
By Jennifer McClure | February 26, 2008
They say to write what you know. Well, for me right now that’ll have to be the flu. Last week I joined the thousands in the U.S. who have made this year’s flu season one of historic proportions.
Lying on my couch at home watching the evening national news, I felt like a feverish heap of gray matter that in some small way was not only watching the news but also making it. That thought helped me not feel entirely worthless — I was helping make history.
Though the worst part of the sickness is behind me, my poor co-workers have to put up with me disturbing the peaceful hum of printers and clicking of keyboards with my cough every five minutes. But hopefully that’ll be the extent of how they are affected by my sickness.
So stay well, and remember: spring is just around the bend.
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The Heart of the Holiday
By Jennifer McClure | February 18, 2008
Valentine’s Day 2008 has come and gone, but the chocolate hearts and candies with messages of love will linger on the clearance aisle for a little while still.
Though I’m married now, it wasn’t that long ago that I was a single adult in college. Valentine’s Day wasn’t my favorite holiday nor that of my fellow single friends. In our minds, it was a day for the universe to remind us we were “lacking,” for romantic couples to be gushy in public, and for the card, flower and candy companies to cash in.
I know the first half of this month is all about love and most-often romantic love, but I want to use up some cyberspace to address any in the proud-to-be-single crowd who may struggle with their marital status during this particular season more than other times.
I’m not going to preach how God has a plan for your life, and if marriage is included in that, He’s preparing the right person for you and the right timing for you to come into knowledge of His plan. I simply want to focus on the amazing honor we have in being offered the most perfect and greatest Valentine ever and the call Christians have to be a Valentine to others.
So what is this great Valentine? I’ll give you a hint, the outside of it says something like: “To: Mankind; From: Your Father, God.”
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The Future is Now!
By Jennifer McClure | February 5, 2008
In my last post I made mention of predictions that cars would be able to drive themselves by the time I was 16. Well, though it didn’t happen by then, it’s happening now! Check out this video of a Chevy Tahoe that drives itself! Named “Boss,” the self-driven vehicle safely navigated 60 miles in urban traffic and came in first place at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Grand Challenge competition. It uses a combination of LIDAR, (light detection and
range sensing), radar, vision and mapping GPS systems to calculate road
geometry, perceive traffic and avoid obstacles.
In the video, GM seems pretty convinced customers will want cars to drive them around in the future and believes vehicles that drive themselves will improve safety on the roads. I think if and when cars that drive themselves hit the road, car makers will also continue to produce cars that need drivers. What do you think?
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Past Predictions, Present Actions
By Jennifer McClure | February 1, 2008
Sometime before my tenth birthday, my best friend and I had a discussion about what the world would be like when we were old – specifically when we turned 16. Somewhere she had heard that by the time we were 16, cars would be able to run on autopilot – navigating to and from with little assistance. This, of course, was very disappointing news for two little girls who imagined their bikes as cop cars and getaway vehicles. Thankfully, when it came time for us to become licensed drivers, cars still needed people to operate them.
Not surprisingly, that wasn’t the only thing that didn’t come to pass. No one has permanent residence on the moon. Kitchens are not equipped with a device that pops out your requested meal at the push of a button. And Jesus hasn’t come back yet.
But of all those childhood expectations, there’s only one real guarantee: Jesus will come back — someday (Acts 1:11).
When time came for me to learn how to drive, I of course didn’t refuse to get my permit because of a past projection about cars not needing drivers by the time I turned 16. In the same way that I moved forward in accomplishing my goal of becoming a licensed driver, I, as Christian, need to do my part in reaching the world for Christ regardless of predictions or expectations of when He’ll return – whether sooner or later. I shouldn’t freeze up like the man in the parable of the talents who just buried the coin his master gave him (Matthew 25:24-25). Nor should I sit back in my spiritual recliner expecting to have all the time in the world before His return.
Whatever amount of time I have between now and when I enter eternity (whether by means of death or rapture) I need to use the gifts God’s given me to share the love of Christ with others, plant the seed of His Word and actively pursue a spiritual harvest. If you’re a Christian, I trust you share this desire and goal.
For more information about Christianity, check this out. For further discussion about why the second coming of Christ seems to be taking so long, visit Answers.
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Pregnancy Care: Reaching Beyond the Crisis
By Jennifer McClure | January 25, 2008
This article by Jennifer McClure appeared in the Jan. 20, 2008, issue of Today’s Pentecostal Evangel.
About a year ago, Mariesa Ho was 5-months pregnant with their second child when her husband moved out. With a decline in household income, two months away from college graduation and a minimum-wage job, Ho ran low on funds.
Phone calls from her parents, serving as Assemblies of God missionaries in the Netherlands, provided comfort, but didn’t help with the immediate assistance she needed.
Then the Pregnancy Care Center in Springfield, Mo., gave her food, diapers and crisis intervention. Right before her bank account hit empty, a Care Center mentor connected Ho with a better paying part-time job.
“God used Pregnancy Care Center to assure me, I’m here with you, I see you, and I will provide for you and take care of you,” Ho says.
Nationwide, many pregnancy care centers are expanding beyond crisis intervention counseling to also provide medical services, material assistance, parenting programs, postabortion ministry, men’s ministry and more. Such extra services helped Ho survive her crisis financially, spiritually, physically and emotionally.
“We look at it as holistic care — caring for the mother’s physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual health,” says Peggy Hartshorn, founder and president of Heartbeat International, a resource network for pro-life centers based in Columbus, Ohio. “When all those things are supported, then she makes the decision for life.”
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Sanctity of Life
By Jennifer McClure | January 21, 2008
This week’s TPE is all about the sanctity of human life. For this issue, I wrote an article about pregnancy care centers embracing holistic care. (Read my article here.) One thing I wasn’t able to include in the article was OptionLine, a hotline for those in crisis pregnancy situations. Started about four years ago by Care Net and Heartbeat International, the 24/7 call center, located in Columbus, Ohio, now handles 15,000 to 20,000 calls, e-mails and instant messages a month, according to Dr. Peggy Hartshorn, president of Heartbeat International. Trained staff members answer phone calls, e-mails and instant messages from people in crisis pregnancy situations or needing postabortion help. In addition to counseling, one of the primary objectives for OptionLine is to connect people with care centers in their areas. When I spoke with Dr. Hartshorn, she said more than 70 percent of their contacts each month are abortion minded or at high risk of having an abortion. Personally, I think OptionLine is a great example of how technology is being used to reach out and help the hurting who initially may be too scared to seek help or advice.
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Stuck in a Rut During a Tornado
By Jennifer McClure | January 14, 2008
On Jan. 2, “normal” became like a bad taste in our mouths when we were thrown from the holiday blitz into our typical Wednesday routine. All the excitement (and stress) of the holidays was suddenly gone. There were no more parties or get-togethers to look forward to or prepare for. There was no more reason to get out and go shopping with the masses at the mall. And the Christmas tree and other decorations were no longer in sight at home. By the end of the week, an unexpected boredom with life set in. I realized we were in a rut.
But ruts aren’t always that bad. Their familiarity and even predictability is comforting. But I guess sometimes it takes some excitement for us to re-appreciate them.
The excitement we thought we were missing came a week ago tonight when a train of severe thunderstorms pushed through our region, bringing tornadoes, hail, heavy rain and strong winds. From 5:30 to 11 p.m. I studied the weather maps and listened attentively to the meteorologists on TV as about five storms came through, one right after the other. I was glued to the TV for nearly six hours, only breaking away a couple times to take shelter in our bathroom just in case the unthinkable happened. Thankfully, we experienced nothing beyond possible hail damage to our roof and a loss of sleep when a noisy and powerful storm woke us up at 2:30 Tuesday morning.
If you live in a region affected by last week’s storms, feel free to post a comment and share your own storm story. Also, my friend and co-worker Scott Harrup actually blogged during the storm. You can read it here.
But I don’t want to mention all this without saying thank you to God for His protection. How great is our God. Even in the storm, He’s in control.
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A Highlight From 2007
By Jennifer McClure | January 5, 2008
When he called, he simply introduced himself as “Dave.” He had recently returned from a trip to Africa with a dream for a new ministry. I enjoyed listening to him talk about his desire to make a difference in Africa, but the purpose of our phone call was to discuss the makings of his book, The Cross and the Switchblade.
Rev. David Wilkerson, founder of Teen Challenge, is a hero of the faith for many Christians and for me personally. Reading The Cross and the Switchblade when I was 12 or 13 challenged and encouraged me in my faith. The crazy things Wilkerson did in obedience to God, the miraculous transformations that took place in the lives of gang members in New York, the way God started the ministry of Teen Challenge — it was all so wonderful to read. Knowing some of the characters in the book are still alive, it validated the stories and made the power of the gospel become real for me.
Needless to say, I count it an honor to have spoken with “Dave.” To read my interview with him and Elizabeth Sherrill (who with her husband, John, co-authored many bestsellers, including The Hiding Place and The Cross and the Switchblade) visit the June 10, 2007 issue of Today’s Pentecostal Evangel and open the PDF under “The Cross and the Switchblade.”
On a side note, this year marks the 50th anniversary of Teen Challenge, an event which will be celebrated in June in New York City. Look for a news item in TPE closer to date.
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