The human element

If you Google "the human element" the www will transport you in two or three directions. Yes, there's a digital multi-player video game that didn't make it, and an entire workplace philosophy with books and articles about design, productivity, and relationships on the job. In another dimension "the human element" is a metaphor-like phrase portraying a person from a chemical perspective. Wikipedia tells us that the idea originated with American engineer William Fairburn in 1914. French philosopher Pierre Teilhard used the image in a scientific sharpening of the evolution axe in the 1940's. In 2006 Dow Chemical resurrected the idea of "the human element" in a celebrated advertising campaign tagging "the human element" as the missing ingredient in life. The Dow approach was to focus attention on harnessing the human touch in addressing the many complicated issues of life. In a manner of speaking their use of "the human element" promotes an egocentric worldview with the brain power of "the human element"--- in all it's diversity--- as the solution for most world problems.

As a biblical creationist holding a Christian worldview my predominant linkage to "the human element" takes another slant. It is the simple truth that God intended for us to live this life in sync with other humans. That being true, along with the total depravity of human nature, "the human element' is raised to a prominent position in our personal priority system. Other people will be our central earthly connection. Just the same, other people will be our most puzzling life dilemmas, and in the next breath, our greatest life blessings. Learning to live with other people may be our most difficult lesson. It is a laboratory of messiness, the toxic poisons of human nature, the explosive ignitions of human emotions, and the praxis of history, often reality commentary on both the negatives and positives of God's most delicate creation.

There must be spiritual occasion for consideration of "the human element". Great sections of Scripture address the connections we have with others---

1. There are around 59 specific Bible verses about how Christians should

interact with other Christians. You can click here if you'd like to visit the

Christianity Today Bible Study portal to review them.

2. In the same way, Scripture teaches about every other dimension of personal

human relationships---within marriage, toward perceived enemies or

persecutors, interaction with unbelievers, correction of tensions with others,

appropriate response to those who wrong us, just about every relational

element within the immediate and extended family, to our teachers,

government authorities, business partners, friends, neighbors, those across

every conceivable human distinction (race, gender, age, class, education,

political affiliation, geographical choice) and acquaintances. Whew!

3. More significantly, our relationship with "the human element" is a test of faith.

That is, how we relate to others either confirms or negates the genuineness of

our relationship with God.

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with

all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And

a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two

commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22:37-40, ESV

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does

not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

1 John 4:20, ESV

Even these three very elemental considerations of "the human element" give me pause as we begin to think about normalcy after the Covid-19 pandemic. My 70 year old eyes have never seen the nation divided like it is right now. Even more, there's never been a time in our history when we've been less prepared to deal with these factions. As a sidebar, the church seems impotent to bring the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) to impact these relational ills. Instead, the works of the flesh appear to prevail---

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,

idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions,

divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned

you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21, ESV

Note how many of these works are interpersonal dynamics.

As a result, I'll be addressing four of the missing interactions of "the human element" this week in the blog: mutuality [Mu], responsibility [Rs], accountability [Ay], and protection [Pr]. Please read carefully and share when you have the occasion.

Blessings for the weeks and months ahead!

The above image is the trademark of Dow Chemical Company for chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, and polymers. The trademark was abandoned January 31, 2011.

School days, school days.

Isolation and stay-at-home orders turned the normal household into an office, a gym, restaurant, beauty salon, barber shop, local bar, dry-cleaning and laundry, and a school house. Moms and Dads working from home became teachers, principals, counselors, coaches, librarians, attendance clerks, lunchroom personnel, and janitorial staff. It was a natural fit for the families already in home-school mode. For the many others, a majority of the population, it was doomsday, perhaps the tribulation period, or maybe just you-know-where right here on earth. It's also been the source of much laughter. The memes and cartoons and jokes posted by the new teachers around our nation have given us a whole new comic book of fresh opinions.

It's certainly been an adjustment for our professional educators as well. On campuses around the nation teachers, instructors, professors, and support staff have learned the disciplines of on-line teaching, testing, and reporting. Zoom, Blackboard, and many other cloud platforms have provided ways to educate at a distance, enabling many students to continue their study during the quarantine period. The other day our governor announced that South Carolina Schools would remain closed through this school year. Many colleges and universities are completing semester classes this week. Learning via computer audio-visual systems has enabled most student to complete their program of study for the year. Sadly, few graduating seniors will be able to celebrate in a ceremony at this time. Most schools will plan something at a later date. So, these sentences were an expression of gratitude to them all. Thank you.

Now, back to the humor part. It's been hilarious at points. Here's a very brief sample---

Telling my 6 year old about homeschooling for the next couple months. He asked if

I had to do that when I was a kid. I said no. Then he asked if chairs were even

invented yet. I think the first thing we’ll study is his blasted attitude.

We’re having our own “Spirit Week” at home since there’s no school for the kids.

Today, we’re kicking it off with “Meltdown Monday”.

Homeschooling is going great. Two students suspended for fighting, one student

in detention for talking back, one teacher fired for drinking tequila on the job.

I'm not saying I'm going to fail at homeschooling my kids. But my daughter just

asked "Dad, what's a synonym?" And I replied "It's a spice".

We‘re done with homeschooling. We do anger management now.

And, I thought the teacher was the problem.

If you see me talking to myself this week, mind your business, I'm having a parent-

teacher conference.

The other day I saw my neighbor taking the bumper sticker off her car that read

"My child is an outstanding student at Pleasant Valley Elementary School"

MOMMAGEDON ACADEMY, 2020.

There are, of course, many more, some of them much funnier than the ones presented. Many are copy-righted and cannot be reproduced without a lengthy approval process. They are funny, however, because they portray our changing circumstances and how we respond to them. The jests aren't about education, teaching or the ones who fulfill a calling to teach. They are about us humans and how we face challenging circumstances. In the backdrop is a deep appreciation of those prepared and willing to step into the classroom every day. Each comic sentence is a salute to their courage and ability. And, the challenges any of us would experience in seeking to fill their shoes.

Gratitude and appreciation may be the word of the day. I am always moved by words of thanks exhibited in Scripture---

Now may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to

you because you have done this thing.

2 Samuel 2: 6, ESV

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be

gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Numbers 6: 24-26, ESV

School days, school days. They challenge us and we laugh at our ways. It's good medicine in uncertain times, because we're usually the learners.

Humor Pill for the Day

It takes a village to raise a child.

It takes a distillery to homeschool one.

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The Baby Boom!

So, the prophets around us are predicting a baby boom nine months after the Covid-19 isolation ends. It's provided some comic relief in recent weeks. Our minds do go in some predictable directions when busy lives slow down. For baby-boomers like me, and many of you, now in our geezer-hood, they are warm memories. And, yes, we do know there's more to the home-fires thing than logs blazing on the hearth. More to the point, most of the population and birth experts anticipate at least a baby-blip nine months forward. Few expect a genuine boom. Still, the prospect has been a source of humor during this stay-at-home period.

Let's quickly acknowledge that jokes about a baby boom nine-months hence aren't

humorous to everyone. Covid-19 has interrupted many pregnancies and births and

families are experiencing grief and loss. We should remember them and be sensitive to

their special needs.

Of course, much humor strikes our funny bone because it smacks of truth. The isolation and stay-at-home decrees have given us rare opportunities for home repair, yard work, family time, and, yes, romance. Our comic geniuses have produced humor about each of those quarantine boredom solutions. I mean, how many puzzles can we assemble, how many times will we watch The Price in Right, or play children's board (or bored?) games. And, it's humorous, the unspoken things that happen behind closed doors. I mean toilet paper jokes are still ringing our bells!

Perhaps sensitivity about a baby-boom has lowered he bar on this brand of humor. I haven't seen any new ones this week. Most are older, and ones that you have no doubt read with a well-meaning chuckle. A sample???

They've already been named---the Coronials.

Thirteen years later they will be called the Quaranteens.

Babies conceived during the pandemic will be called Baby Zoomers.

Meet the child conceived in March, 2020. Her name is Kyron A. Viries.

I mention them today to introduce a prominent laughter episode in Biblical history, the epoch of Abram and Sarai. You know the story. God called Abram (this name meaning "exalted father') to a covenant relationship. He told Abram that he would become a great nation. So Abram and his wife went to Canaan as God had commanded under a second promise that God would grant the land to Abram's offspring. There's much more detail about their travels---a famine in the land, their sojourn in Egypt, a good bit of family intrigue, and doubts about what God had promised---a nation and land. You see, Abram and Sarai remained childless. When Abram mentioned their childlessness to God, a new covenant was issued and God renewed his promises. Soon, while still without children, Abram had relations with Sarai's servant Hagar. A son was born, name Ishmael. In their new covenant Abram's names was changed to Abraham, meaning "father of many". In a powerful denouement God promised Abraham and Sarah they would give birth to a son (see Genesis 17: 15-21). Abraham was 100 years old at the time. Sarah was 90. When told, Abraham fell on his face and laughed (Genesis 17: 17). Later, three angels of the Lord appeared and told Abraham that in one year Sarah would be pregnant and give birth to a son. Sarah heard this promise and laughed to herself (Genesis 18: 12). Of course, this old couple did produce a son, and they named him Isaac, meaning "he will laugh". His birth was a miracle, what was unbelievable to them. People must have smiled at Isaac his entire life.

That's a long story cut way short. It reminds us not of Abraham and Sarah's prowess or fertility. This story is about the miraculous, almost unbelievable acts of God, our God doing something that was impossible to men. They laughed, and Isaac carried the image of that laughter throughout his life.

Baby boom? Yes, for certain. Out of that birth came the nation of Israel, God's chosen people in the Old Covenant. It brings a smile even today.

Humor Pill for the Day

When all of this is over,

what meeting will you attend first...

Weight Watchers or AA?

---from the FaceBook Post of friend Libby Grunewald

Friend Jenny King added "anger management".

I wrote in "marriage counseling".

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