My Response

Ray wrote a blog post with a subject matter that I am passionate about and I thought I'd share with everyone my response. The subject of his blog was hunger here in the US.

Ahh, a topic near and dear to my heart. 

The fact that there are families in this country that haven't a clue where their next meal is coming from infuriates me. When we talk about basic human rights, free speech, bearing arms, due process, trial by jury, suffrage, etc, why isn't a daily meal included? Our government has decided what we can't have, drugs, alcohol (even though they changed their minds on that one)high powered firearms, but what about things we should have; what about basic needs being met? I have to wear my seat belt when in the front seat of a vehicle, even though if I'm in a wreck the only person that will be injured because of my lack of seat belt is me. They're so worried about things like this, but not something so basic as a meal. 

Now, for my real stand...

The problem isn't our government, It's the Church. I'm not talking about the buildings, I'm not talking about the people who show up on Wednesday, Sunday, Christmas and Easter. I'm talking about the Body of Christ. The body of Christ is the problem. As a whole we are not doing our job. We are not following the second greatest commandment. We are not loving our neighbors as ourselves. We are not assisting "the least of these".

We have fallen so deeply into the pit of the world that we have actually forgotten, as a whole, what we are supposed to do, what we have been commanded to do.

I am thankful for the family that was put in my life as a teen. If it weren't for them being in my life, I don't know if my relationship with my parents would have improved, ever. It took years, but I finally figured out what it meant to honor my parents. It's the only reason those relationships still exist. It's the only reason that I can consider moving back home. And for anyone that might read this and not know my background, yes, hunger played one of many parts in the gross dysfunction of my family.

So no, I don't blame our government. And no, I don't think the government is the one who is failing. I blame the church as a whole. We are failing in so many areas, but this is one that is inexcusable. 

I don't know why food and shelter are not basic human rights in our country or any other country, but it should be a priority of the Church.

I know we have a need to spread the gospel around the world to those who have never heard the name of Jesus, but we need more people "staying home" and fighting the good fight on our home front. We need the Church to take care of their communities, their neighbors, each other.

Mediterranean Chicken Salad Pitas

These are really very good. It's a different twist on chicken salad. It all works together very well and is very filling.

I hope you try it and enjoy.

Ingredients:

3 cups   Cooked, chopped chicken

1 cup     Plain Greek yogurt

2 tbls     Lemon juice

½ tsp     Cumin

¼ tsp     Crushed red pepper

1 cup     Chopped red bell pepper (1 large)

½ cup    Chopped pitted green olives (about 20 small)

½ cup    Diced red onion

¼ cup    Chopped cilantro

1 can     Chickpeas, rinsed and drained

6           Whole wheat pitas, cut in half

6           Slices tomato, cut in half

12         Bibb lettuce leaves

Directions:

1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl; set aside.

2. Combine chicken, red bell pepper, olives, onion, cilantro, chickpeas in a large bowl.

3. Add yogurt mixture to chicken mixture; toss to coat.

4. Line each pita with lettuce and tomato

5. Add ½ cup chicken mixture to each half pita

Calories: 404

Fat: 10g

Carbs: 46g

Fiber: 6g