Terri Schiavo: Will You Help to Wash Her Feet?

Update 3 02-23-05 Judge extends stay of execution by another 48 hours, with interesting reasons. Links and details in Part 3: Terri Schiavo: Loved Around the World

Update 2 02-22-05 Just in from Blogs for Terri Judge Greer has issued a temporary stay until 5.00pm tomorrow, 23 February:

"Attorneys for the Schindlers have just been notified that Judge Greer has granted their Emergency Motion for a Temporary Stay. The new Stay will hold over until after tomorrow's hearing and by its terms will remain in effect until 5:00 pm, February 23. In the meantime, Terri is being fed. Her family is with her and she is doing well."

There has been some previous misreporting in the media. Reports were that there was a Stay given on Monday. That was incorrect, and it was only just now this afternoon that Terri's parents, the Schindlers, received a temporary reprieve for their daughter. Note: I am not adding anymore new links to this post now but people are still blogging on this.

Update 1 02-22-05 The New York Times reports on Terri's situation.

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I have never requested other bloggers to write on a particular issue. Not that there's anything wrong with suggesting topics or issues to each other - I've just never done it. This post follows from my previous post Terri Schiavo: Who Crushes a Butterfly with a Hammer? (or see the post below this). The news today is that Terri's parents have lost their appeal to delay removing her feeding tube while they have medical tests conducted. This means that she may begin dying of starvation and dehydration tomorrow, 22 February. Here's an important point:

"But, in the past, the Schindlers have succeeded in delaying or reversing the removal of that tube with a flurry of last-minute appeals. In October 2003, they also scored an unprecedented victory in the court of public opinion. That's when, reacting to an avalanche of calls and e-mails to his office, Gov. Jeb Bush pushed through a law that empowered him to step in and order the tube re-inserted. But Terri's Law was struck down as unconstitutional, however, and the Schindlers' options appear to be running out."

They haven't given up and are continuing to use the legal process and publicity to try and prevent the execution of their disabled daughter by slow starvation.
Apparently Jeb Bush's hands are not tied either, although he has yet to intervene this time. See this article Jeb Bush Could Save Terri Schiavo's Life...If He Wanted by Florida Radio Host Doc Washburn.

Just before I came to the computer I was thinking about the nature of Jesus, and the privilege I have of being able to communicate internationally with people on matters that have an eternal significance. There has been a lot of discussion lately on the Simple Gospel. What is it? Is it being reduced or is it more complicated than we thought? Likewise I have read some posts discussing, in essence, whether we should "be" or "do" Christianity. All good thought provoking stuff. This post from Adrian Warnock reminds us we are justified by faith, and also points out that God can induce a change of heart for those whose hearts are hardened to the truth. We Christians know that our faith is evident to the world through our actions - and thus being and doing are not either/or states of relationship with God but flow together from Him. Which brings me to this:

"Then the King will say to those on his right hand, 'Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me'."
- Matthew 25:34-36

It seems to me that we have a an opportunity to put this into practice, and I know many people have already. I would like to suggest some things we can do to show our love for God and to reflect His love for Terri Schiavo:

1. Would you blog a post about Terri Schiavo. It can be background information, or a link to some-one else's post, or your own opinion. You might like to link to and comment on the news story I have linked to in this post. It doesn't have to be long. Many mentions of Terri on the internet means that it is more likely the major media will take notice. It also gets the word out from pocket to pocket of different communities of people across the web. I have listed some posts at the bottom of this one that you can read and link to.

2. Email Jeb Bush. Here's a good way to do it - blog a post and then email it to him. I emailed mine to him. I'd like to think he'd read it. If you are a Blogger user you will see a little envelope icon at the bottom of posts - click on that and you can email the post. Or grab the link and send it in an email. Takes two minutes. Here's his details:

Jeb Bush
jeb.bush AT myflorida DOT com
850 / 488-4441
850 / 487-0801 (fax)
Executive Office of the Governor
400 S. Monroe Street
The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001

"Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God, and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside his garments, took a towel and girded himself. After that he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded."
- John 13:3-5

Will you use your computer to help wash Terri Schiavo's feet? I once heard some-one say that you don't have to be anyone to wash feet. You just have to be willing to serve. It does mean getting our hands dirty. It does mean that this may not fit with our usual blog theme. Yet what small discomforts are those compared to this woman's situation. If you post after seeing this I will add your post link here. Please don't put links in the comments - there is a box in comments for your homepage link and I can find you from there. I know some people are blogging every day - I'm really looking for links from people who have not posted on this before or haven't posted much. Thanks!

Update: Posts now on the radar from: Blogotional, 21st Century Reformation, Dervish, Maobi, Every Thought Captive, The Sunnye Side, Daddypundit, lucid moments, Dogwood Blue, Sharing Life, Office Hours, Desperate Vision, Stones Cry Out, promptings, Transforming Sermons, The Anchoress, La Shawn Barber's Corner, Amy's Humble Musings, The Grey Shadow, Okie on the Lam, The Lord My Dad, Borgard Blog, Worthythinking, Semicolon, The Upward Call, Two or Three, rooftop blog, Beyond the Rim, Palm Tree Pundit
I've closed this list now.

Here are some blog posts on Terri Schiavo that are up since I posted Terri Schiavo: Who Crushes a Butterfly with a Hammer?:

Blogotional describes how he changed his mind on blogging about Terri Schiavo in OK, This is a CRIME
Crossroads picks up the historical parallel and explains it further in Terri Schiavo
quasifictional has background on the story and links to some good sources too in Should Terri Schiavo Die?
Dogwood Blue has a clear analysis and a personal story in A Cruel and Unusual Mercy?
Agent Tim looks at God's perspective and stands up to be counted in Saving Life

Other Roundups
Wittenberg Gate has Bloggers' Best for Terri Schiavo, in which 40 bloggers best posts for Terri are featured.
Pajama Hadin has a good round-up of other posts at Post Details: Terri Schiavo
Life Matters has picked out his Best from Bloggers Best for Terri.