Think About It

What do you imagine our forefathers would think if they could look upon us and see what this nation has become?  I think the ones who valued freedom would smile at how we live in a time and place where people are unrestrained in their ability to express their thoughts (no matter if their opinions are popular or divisive).  Those who fought and died for the liberty of all citizens from all races and genders would have to be pleased at the freedoms we have today.  No, we aren’t perfect, but we are a lot closer to where we should be than we were 150 to 200 years ago.  I can’t speak for all patriots of all time, but I think that many of them would think that the sacrifices they made are continuing to pay dividends into the 21 st Century. This weekend we will take the time to remember all of the veterans who have served this nation.  As we stop and reflect, I would like us to do a couple of things:  First, if you personally know a veteran, thank them for the...

Some of us didn’t grow up with Mr. Rogers – for us, our favorite authority figure was Captain Kangaroo.  Bob Keeshan helped raise generations of children with the assistance of Mr. Green Jeans, Mr. Bunny Rabbit and Mr. Moose.  I recently came across a quote by Keeshan who observed, “ It is my contention that most people are not mugged every day, that most people in this world do not encounter violence every day.  I think we prepare people for violence, and I think it just as important that we prepare people for the definition of being gentle. … for so many years gentle has been equated with weakness but it requires more strength to be gentle. So it's the everyday encounters of life that I think we prepare children for and prepare them to be good to other people and to consider other people. ”  As I reflected on this observation I realized that we spend a lot of time working with our children preparing to be live in an adversarial world, but what would happ...

As we begin to think about the holiday buying season there are a few phrases that we will soon be seeing.  Of course the one we look for the most is “on sale”, but there is something almost as intriguing – “free gift with purchase”.  I have become a bit jaded to this sales ploy because, often, the promised gift isn’t anything that really interests me, but those words still get my attention. Have you ever thought about the application of the “free gift with purchase” when it comes to spiritual living?  Now, first, I need to define this concept of “purchase”.  While we have been “purchased” by God through the sacrifice of His Son, when it comes to our response we have the opportunity to participate in a buy-in.  We can buy-in to what God is willing to do for us.  We can invest ourselves into His plan.  We can be “all in” when it comes to accepting Him as Lord of our lives and committed to obeying His will.  Now that we have identified our purchas...

We live in a land of freedom.  (Now, before we go any further, I believe that we need to periodically stop and thank God for the freedom we have in this nation.  Yes, it can produce some challenges, but it truly is a blessing.)  However, having said that, freedom is not a guarantee of success.  In fact, we have just as much freedom to be wrong as we do to be right.  Just because someone has the right to say what is on their mind doesn’t mean that what is on their mind is true or beneficial.  A common phrase being bantered around these days is “fake news”, but “false opinions” are just as dangerous.  Additionally, just because we have the right to “color outside the lines” doesn’t mean that the picture we paint is a true and accurate description of reality.  Freedom is great – but, the opinions we hold must not automatically be accepted as reality.  Freedom of expression does not automatically produce truth. While we should be thankful for ...

The other day I was reading a news story about a town in the North Central Plains of the United States that was dealing with methamphetamine use.  I almost had to do a double-take because I remember waging war on this scourge almost twenty years ago.  Money was allocated and enforcement efforts were increased to address the issue.  Now, less than two decades later – it’s back!  The same can be said about the presence of opioids and, in particular, heroin.  Back in the day, our nation did a pretty good job of defining the downside of heroin abuse and it seemed like we had a handle on it; but, we find ourselves having to deal with it all over again.  You would think that new generations would learn from the travails of their forefathers, but, I am not sure that assessment is accurate. As I reflect upon these and other social issues that seem to be returning I have come to realize a couple of things:           ...

When the Apostle Paul offered a mini-series on the family he didn’t pull any punches.  After outlining the relationships between husbands and wives he taught, “ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.   Honor your father and mother  (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth .  Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”.  (Ephesians 6:1-4)  While the teaching seems to be pretty straight forward, we have spent centuries trying to define the specifics of these roles.  Even though these relationships will look different within each family, there are certain core concepts that must be present – one of which is simple “communication”.  Growing up in the Sixties and Seventies when we used the phrase “Communication Gap” but what does it mean and, more importantly, how do we fix it...

Our world if filled with time-saving devices.  When I look back at the amount of time it used to take to do some common tasks such as boil water, wash the car, sign onto the internet or mow the grass I am thankful that we live in today’s technological and mechanical age.  Yet, if we would really like to save time, there is another tool that is vital – our brains.  By using wisdom and common sense we can save a lot of time and heartache.  Just think about how seamless our relationships would be if we used our wisdom to avoid making a harsh comment to our spouse (and spending all that time arguing, justifying or apologizing).  Imagine how much time we could save by not having to undo the negative publicity for making a crude comment in the office.  How much free time would we have if we used our good judgement to avoid bad choices or stay out of the wrong places at the wrong times?  How carefree would our lives be if we did the right thing in the beginn...