2. If we were to tell the truth, we would acknowledge our belief in a wealthy god who has everything he wants. Our Heartland god loves the rich and encourages the poor to "change things". He especially loves those who earn or save lots of money. He looks to the poor as those children who just didn't try. Our Heartland god wants everyone to excel financially and then Tithe. Then, maybe, help a few Heartlanders cautiously.
3. Good Heartlanders know their statistics, odds and public opinions. We prefer helping others with objects, gifts and opportunities. We rarely help with cash. We make our decisions based on numbers rather than the feelings of others....consequently we use answer machines, screening recorders, computers...and, then, we call back if and when we're ready..
4. We don't expect to be loved by our neighbors any more...but, we don't fight much here in the Heartland . We sue. We threaten. We reject. We ignore. But, most of the time, we just create our own world and stay in it. It's a new age. It's a time that calls for new rules and a cautious heart. It's a time to protect our own. It's a time for family, for blood, for childhood friends who share our values.
5. We have dumped "service to others". We live for "profit" now. We use "cut budgets" as justification in government agencies to serve friends first. Politicians and entrepreneurs are often sought as personal friends but rarely do they recognize us when we come calling. Money is power here in the Heartland. If you don't have money, you get water, flavored crushed ice, pop corn and Sliders. Lots of poor folks are fat since low-fat foods cost "big bucks".
6. Our Heartland environment is crumbling with pesticides in the water, pollutants in the air, "lack of interest" in the neighborhood and the dirt is wearing out. We pray about these problems often and are expecting results from our government and neighbors soon. Some folks think we have not been good stewards of God's gifts. But the truth is, we tried. We only did "a little harm" when we were threatened with financial loss or saw a chance for great profit. Sometimes we had "accidents" when "ol' man laziness" had a hold of our minds. The truth is, we don't understand what happened. It seemed like one day our environment was "shot". We need to work on this pollution problem just as soon as our schedules will allow!
7. We ring our church bells on Sunday morning. We sound our sirens when a Tornado closes in. We blow the car horn when the old lady doesn't see her green arrow. But our neighbors no longer ring the dinner bell in the evening; stranger's don't ring a door bell without calling first; and, we almost never hear a cry for help.
Visit us
and you'd swear you were with friends.
Live with us, and you experience the code of the Heartland...
We hope you'll come and visit.
