Who is my neighbor? -- With special reference to the (now) former Bay City resident (Marvin Schur) and his tragic death (2/1/09)

NOTE: The following message and the related Scriptures below, can be utilized along with: A Suggested Format for Home Worship

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters….” [Isaiah 55:1-2]

The recent course of sad events have thrust this local small town community into a state of shock, bewilderment, frustration and anger over the needless and preventable death of one of our own senior citizens, whose 93 year old WWII Vet body, essentially “froze” to death because of a flawed and / or, [obviously] failed City Hall policy.

The news of Marvin Schur’s untimely and horrible death did not hit the national news circuit until at least a week after his actual hypothermia induced death, as was determined by a Michigan coroner.

Note: Please reference the following local commentary the same day of the first comprehensive public news of Mavin Schur’s death:
Bay City “Manager” fails to own up to his responsibility – blames others for WWII senior citizen’s untimely and horrible death (1/26/09)

City Hall damage control was quick to follow once some facts were divulged about Marvin’s death:

Bay City’s City Manager, Robert Belleman was quoted in the local Bay City Time’s newspaper as pointing the political finger at Chilson St. residents for not being neighborly enough to prevent Mr. Schur’s terrible death. As the knowledge of this WWII Vet’s health and circumstances began to unravel – and the [intended punitive] use of a local [city controlled] electric gismo type “Limiter,” became known, City Hall damage control quickly scrabbled to remove such other limiters from other city residents’ dwellings. One news report stated that [anonymous] “city officials” were going to review the present certain city policy so that a tragedy of this magnitude would never happen again.

It has also been said that Marvin may have suffered from some degree of dementia, and was hearing challenged. Someone stated that Marvin had recently suffered the loss of his wife who took care of paying the couple's bills. Added to these neighborly known realities, was that Marvin was not lacking the financial resources to make the back payments, as cash was supposed to have been found along side city bills, within his home.

This Christian pastor was greatly distressed and sickened by a death that need not have happened in the time and manner in which it did:
Upon looking at the mlive.com Bay City Times news report of 1/26/09 and reading how our [top paid] city manager was essentially laying the responsibility for Marvin’s death upon his neighbors, I pounded out the following local commentary. I then sent emails to the City Manager, Robert Belleman; nine Commission members; and, our Mayor, Charles, Brunner. My email was very short, as I included a link to the commentary [below] and strongly suggested that they take responsibility:

Local Commentary -- Bay City “Manager” fails to own up to his responsibility – blames others for WWII senior citizen’s untimely and horrible death (1/26/09)

“Who is my [our] neighbor?

The mlive.com town talk forum has [in part] been a place for city residents and others to vent their frustrations and anger over Mr. Schur’s death. One forum participant pointed out that our city manager on the one hand was blaming Chilson St. neighbors for Marvin’s preventable untimely and tragic death while not realizing that he was, also, [in a certain sense] Marvin’s neighbor. This person’s comment made not only common sense, but also, reflected Scriptural realities.

“…….The City Manager states that neighbors should have looked out for Mr. Schur. If this is a small community as is reported, then Mr. Belleman, you are a neighbor……” [Paraphrase]

I then chimed in with my forum response:

I hear you and share your sentiments. I remember in one of my sermons explaining the term: “Neighbor.” I went on to explain Christ summing up the Ten Commandments by saying: (1) ”Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind;” (2) “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [Paraphrase -- Gospel of Matthew 22:36-40]

I continued to say that our neighbor was that person who was within our grasp to help. Everyone can relate to Christ’s parable of the Good Samaritan. [Luke 10:25-37] And, as you so aptly remarked, our city manager was also Marvin’s neighbor. And, I would say, even more so than others, in that he is the “Manager” of the city -- he had even more opportunity to be this man’s “neighbor.” In his top notch highly paid, office, he had the time to see to it that an apparent out-dated and inhumane policy did not allow for particular extenuating [human] circumstances, such as sadly resulted in this WWII senior’s untimely, horrible and tragic death.

The poor man was 93 years of age. Someone said on this forum that his wife recently died and she took care of the bills. Someone also intimated on one of the news piece mlive.com Bay City Times’ articles that he could have been hard of hearing. Obviously he was homebound and didn’t spend the money that he was supposed to have had. And, he would not go out in the freezing cold to reset an electric type gismo.

The (often) failure of local [state & federal] “government” to not only reflect, but to effect genuine love for one’s neighbor:

I dare say that most politicians have no idea of Webster’s original meaning of “politics” because they have been so roily influenced by manipulation, money and lobbying, originating from special interest entities. Often the masses and disadvantaged are left out of government ethical consideration because certain influential personalities have learned to be adept and highly masterful in pulling politicians’ personal pandering strings. [Note: "Political Extortion" -- 2/19/07]

Also note: “Compassionless government is appalling government – And, what then, can be said of some Bay City government politicians & special interest personalities who fail to consider the poor?” (2/24/08)

In my lifetime I have witnessed a convoluted mixture of negative politics, -- so much so, that the following original Webster definition appears almost strange and Neanderthal. But nevertheless, this definition in my estimation is the (standard) route that current and future politicians should follow, if they have any intention of being honest and forthright in their quest to be genuine public servants:

POL'ITICS, n. The science of government; that part of ethics which consists in the regulation and government of a nation or state, for the preservation of its safety, peace and prosperity; comprehending the defense of its existence and rights against foreign control or conquest, the augmentation of its strength and resources, and the protection of its citizens in their rights, with the preservation and improvement of their morals. Politics, as a science or an art, is a subject of vast extent and importance. [Webster’s original dictionary]

Notice that I highlighted the parts of Webster’s definition that has to do with government’s responsibility for the safety and preservation [care] of its citizens. Our Bay City WWII Vet resident wasn’t afforded that! A taxpayer all his life, and Marvin came out on the short end of the exercise of local politics’ unethical practice of its designated responsible task to preserve and protect his very existence!

Human error and irresponsibility often is cited as “the” cause for accidents and death – But “what” is the ultimate “cause” for accidents, disease and death?

The ultimate cause of sin and death, disease and accidents is human sin. [Romans 5:12] That cause is well established and recorded in the pages of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. So often we flawed and sinful humans become so focused on direct “causes” that we fail to see the forest [ultimate] cause though the blame game trees. “Blame,” “responsibility” and root (ultimate) “cause” are, various descriptions and distinctions. And then, we could talk for hours upon hours, about the difference between the “Perfect” will of God and, the “Permissive” will of God.

We know from Scripture mankind’s fall into sin [Genesis 3] and that human sin separates us from the present and eternal love of God. [Romans 3:23] We also know that sin, as a highly infectious disease, has spread to all of humanity. [Romans 5:12] But thanks be to Creator God that he sent His only begotten Son to be the Savior for human sin. [John 3:14-21] Thank God that Christ came to be born a human being, and that by his birth, life, suffering, death and resurrection from the dead, He makes possible the forgiveness of sins before a holy, just and punishing God. [1 Corinthians 15 ; Acts 26:18 ; Colossians 1:14] May those of humble and repentant heart have ears to hear. [Matthew 7:13-29 ; Luke 15 ; Luke 18:9-14]

Finally:

Time has cut short this message about “Who is our neighbor,” and our responsibilities to our neighbor. In view of that and this last sad week, in Bay City’s history, I am thankful that our City Manager, Robert Belleman, Mayor, Charles Brunner and others at City Hall have instituted a safety net program via post office letter carriers, to keep watchful eyes over designated residences of those who need our neighborly and loving care.

To be sure, our City Manager is correct in assuming that neighbors should assist their [needy] neighbors in caring for themselves. However, I am sure that I am not alone as I would like to witness our City Manager taking some portion of moral personal responsibility for the sad and tragic death of one of our senior citizens.

Our City Manager may avoid personal responsibility by skillfully saying that “the ‘city’ takes responsibility.” He may try all he may, to hide behind a State Police investigative report and a city employee liability insurance plan. But that reclusive action, I am convinced, will not bode well (with city residents) for a continued city manager’s future here in Bay City. He should either step up to the plate, and at least take on some personal responsibility, or step down from his office and, resign.

Note: The above message and related Scriptures (below) may be utilized in: "A Suggested Format for Home Worship"

This Sunday’s Message, Related Scriptures:

Old Testament:

Deuteronomy 6:5 – The command to love God

Leviticus 19:18 – The command to love one’s neighbor

New Testament:

Mark 12:28-34 – Christ’s answer about priorities

Luke 10:25-37 – Christ answers the question: “And who is my
neighbor?”

James 1:27 – Some caring principles of pure religion -- Also Note: Proverbs 31:8
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Note for further reference and understanding:

PART 1: The Christian Faith – What is meant by “Believing” and / or, being, “Saved?” (10/12/08)
PART 2: The Christian Faith -- How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place (10/19/08)
PART 3: The Christian Faith -- What are the tell-tale signs that a person has been “saved” [is a Christian believer]? (10/26/08)___________________________________________________
Complete list: Links to all the "Words in Season" topical messages
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Please note: http://christianhomeworship.blogspot.com/ is not intended to discourage Christian worship at another place and / or, particular [formal] denominational churches of worship. As its author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find it, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
Rev. Nathan Bickel