Rick Aguirre Contributions

Though The Book of Martha is a fictional story, the idea and belief that one’s actions can bring people together is shown throughout our community. In the short story, The Book of Martha, Martha is tasked with coming up with a solution to make humanity better than they currently are. Her solution to this task is unrealistic yet made possible through the power of God. In our community, we see ways in which people come together and contribute to a cause. I asked Father Jesus de la Tapia what

At church, in addition to my participation in the worship services, I volunteered at our church’s soup kitchen, medical camps and elementary school for underprivileged children. These experiences opened my eyes to the deprivation of love and care in the world and a dire need of God’s grace for people at large so they could receive forgiveness, healing and restoration in their lives.

Why does bad leadership exist? Bad leadership indeed exists in the US Border Patrol is a question that I have wondered about for many years. What has been done to fix the problem and if any programs have been created to develop good and efficient leaders for the future. This paper sought a definition of bad leadership, and compiled a taxonomy of eighteen types of poor leaders. This research serves as a review of poor leadership in the US Border Patrol. Why does it exists, why it is tolerated and what impact positive leadership may have on this problem.

Julia, a Hispanic EX-prisoner, works as a Janitor in a marketing company for about 4 months. When she is about to leave work and go home to celebrate her son's birthday. Her colleague and boss secretary asks her to talk to the new Director of Personnel in the company, Terry. Julia feels a bit worry about meeting the new boss plus she can’t be late to her son’s birthday. Then, Julia breaks the worry and goes to the boss office.

Enrique decides to make his first effort at crossing the border on his sixteenth birthday. Unfortunately, he is robbed and arrested by Mexican immigration officers, la migra. Enrique’s experience is not unique—many times police officers treat

Reverend Young addresses Christians about wealth inequality as he states that Jesus cared for the poor and consequently, followers of the faith have an obligation to do the same.

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. ― Muhammad Ali. Being successful doesn't make you great, but helping other does. In the fictional story, “Abuela Invents the Zero,” by Judith Ortiz Cofer illustrates the idea of helping and caring others through the story of Constancia(Connie) and Abuela(Grandmother). In a brief overview, Abuela comes from Puerto Rico to visit her family for the first time to the U.S.. Abuela decides to go to the church this Sunday while deciding to take Connie with her. While in the church, Abuela gets lost and Connie fells humiliates by the way she acts in the church, but later learns but later learns from her mother the importance of her Abuela and the impact she had on her life and that you should highly respect and help others when in need of help because if it wasn't for them she wouldn’t be there.

Christians should set up programs to help the poor become competent instead of dependent on government welfare. Although government training programs may transmit specific skills, they cannot provide the moral habits of reliability, hard work and commitment that make good workers. As the welfare reform reduces the government's role in helping the poor, the Church has a perfect opportunity to step into the gap. A Christian worldview can provide the basis for a welfare system that is compassionate and morally challenging. This reinforces the recipient's dignity and self-respect (Colson, Chuck and Pearcy).

Acts 20:35 says, “ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

In the first document of Good News for the Poor, which was created by Edna Lee de Gutierrez, she informs us on her life growing up in Mexico City. She explains to us that her family was financially sound, but sickness, injustice and other factors led to them being in poverty. Though this happened she had a very happy childhood and many sweet memories. Gutierrez tells us that her parents were committed Christians and that she was raised in an atmosphere of understanding. I love that she says “The Good News in Jesus Christ is ours. The Good News can make the whole and decisive difference in the life of any person. Once we belong to the kingdom of God, we have a new attitude towards life and find renewed strength to face our problems and adversities.” I like this because God does help you find strength to face your problems. When you feel alone, know that you are not alone, because God is right there with you. Gutierrez goes on to talk about The Poor. She informs us on the common problems that the poor face. The poor face hard conditions such as unsanitary living conditions, sickness, no food, etc. Gutierrez tells us that the poor have different attitudes with poverty. There are the resentment attitude, self-destructive attitude, and the favorable attitude. “Good news for the poor” is an immense challenge that Christians face. She says that Christians must make the best use of any and all resources to achieve their goal. It caught my attention even more when she explains that

Serving others is one of the most essential aspects of our faith in God. But before we convince ourselves that working for three hours a week at a soup kitchen is more than

Our assigned reading supports the argument of, we all have an obligation to assist others – but – only if by doing so we do not sacrifice anything else – or make matters worse. Our reading goes on to state that all poverty is bad – and we, as a people should prevent poverty by any means necessary – without sacrificing anything else – of course. I cannot help but be reminded of Proverbs 31:8-9, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” [Bible NIV], for it reminds me of the clearly stated argument of, we all have an obligation to assist others.

Though it was hard for Jesus to give his life (Matthew 26:39), Jesus knew he had to sacrifice himself for the sake of the world. Jesus was able to fill that place because his ultimate goal (to save us from our sins) lined up with that of his father, which in turn saved the world. In John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, the “Weedpatch” government camp was a very structured community. In the weedpatch, there was a “camp committee” that led the residents of the camp – they were essentially the camp’s government, or backbone (286). To contribute to the camp, weedpatch natives were asked to perform common chores like “carrying the garbage” or “keeping the camp clean” (287). However, citizens of the camp had to provide for their families as well. They were able to do that by “…workin’ an’ gettin’ [their] pay…” (291). The main goal of the weedpatch government camp was to allow camp civilians to have a safe and clean home while getting back on their feet. Therefore, when these residents found jobs and were able to provide for their families, the goals of the individual and the community were aligned. Jesus Christ and residents of the weedpatch government camp represent one’s contribution to society by one’s goals lining up with those of society.

We have seen people visit the most wretched and appalling of circumstances that some of the poorest of the poor live in, and come home totally won over to reaching them for Christ. Conversely, some remain unmoved. Overall, exposure to injustice, poverty, and need lights people up and shifts their passion meter. However, greater, lasting,

Author provides the reasons to help those in need. Throughout the three chapters, he is convinced that helping the people in poverty is what God wants us to do, but the church has failed to help out the people in need. Blue states that “the Lord himself is found among poor” (p. 18). The author provides many different supports from the Scripture. In addition, “Jesus is very clear that concern for those in need is a litmus test of faith, not to be failed by any who hope to enter his kingdom” (p. 23). The reason why Jesus came is “to bring good news to the poor” (p. 26). God “has not forgotten about the poor,” and “the kingdom of God is not just about us” (p. 23). The Bible is clear on helping the people with need is a “personal responsibility, it also affirms our corporate responsibility to help one another” (p. 26). God wants us to live “according to his word” (p. 35). God is “interested in our being of practical help to those in need and destroying the things that oppress people” (p. 36). Isaiah 58 “tells us that the Lord wants us to share our bread with the hungry, bring the homeless poor into our homes, share our clothing with those who need some and not hide ourselves from the rest of humanity” (p. 43). For these reasons the author believes that Christians are called to serve the people in poverty.