Politically correct.

"Political correctness is just tyranny with manners,  so I wish for you to be un-popular.  Popularity is just history's pocket change.  But courage... courage is history's true currency".
- the late Charlton Heston addressing the Arizona House of Representatives

Good, Gracious, and Grateful

I love these three ideals:

As defined by The American Heritage Dictionary (1976)

Good adj. -1. having positive or desirable qualities. 2. Not spoiled or ruined. 3.Superior to the average. 4. Of high quality. 5. Attractive 6. Beneficial. 7. Valid or true. 8. Pleasant; Enjoyable 9. Favorable 10. Of moral excellence; upright 11.Benevolent;kind 12.Valuable 13. Loyal 14. Well-behaved; obedient. (from the Middle English- god)

Gracious adj.- 1. Characterized by kindness and warm courtesy.  2. Characterized by tact and propriety.  3. Of a merciful or compassionate nature. 4. Characterized by charm or beauty. 5. Characteried by elegance and good taste. 5. Fortunate or prosperous.  (from Latin, agreeable, or good will)

Grateful adj.-1. Appreciative of benefits received; thankful. (from Latin- pleasing)

What are your ideas on promoting these in your family?

A house divided...

Dear Children:

It's Thanksgiving time again.  I am really looking forward to spending time with all of you.  You are great kids. 

This time of year brings some sadness for me too.  I remember other Thanksgivings with extended family.  As a child I loved Thanksgiving with my mother's extended family.   That is all gone now.  Most family members that were on my side of the family are dead or have simply moved on.  There were lots of tensions in the family.  I really don't know what those tensions were about, however, as a child I greatly enjoyed being with my cousins and playing on Aunt Marie's back porch.

After I was married, we enjoyed being with both sides of our family... sadly that has gone by the wayside too.  As a child of a small family I find myself really missing being a part of a larger extended family.  Despite our efforts and consideration of our extended family it seems that no one wants to come out and play anymore. 

I really want you children to be friends going forward.  I pray that God will bless us with a bond that will last for many, many generations.  As your Mother that is my goal!

Both sides of the family have a great deal of brokenness.  Divorces, money problems, bad decisions that have had some big consequences, death, enabling, deceit all contribute to the mess.

I believe that the real problem is not any individual's particular issues, it is a lack of moral consensus within the extended family.  Family members want a pass on whatever they choose to do.  We have become a house divided.
"In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as his saw fit".  Judges 17:6

Here is my thought.  All families have problems.  Death and divorce occur.  However if we as a family uphold a shared moral code of honoring marriage, holding children accountable, and being honest with each other things should go pretty well long term.  Please do not misunderstand me.  This does not mean that when things go wrong (like a divorce) you will be thrown out of the family.  It means that we share upholding the institution of marriage (and the Ten Commandments) while understanding that we live in a fallen world and things go wrong.  This is holding a shared vision of what Christ would have us be. 

I think this very thing is the root of the United States of America problems.  We as a nation do not share a moral consensus of upholding marriage or the Ten Commandments.  If we agree that the home and the Ten Commandments are the blueprint for an orderly society then we know where we are going as a nation. Sadly, the family problems are a reflection of our country's cultural problems. 

I love you all and this is my prayer...
""But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations".
Psalm 33:11

How to change the world.

Our church hosts Kid's Camp every year.  We have 130 inner city youth come for a weekend of rural fun at our small town church.   We swim, canoe, hike, and pet farm animals.  We serve up lots of delicious food with a large helping of love.  Friendships form across cultural lines as our church's young adults serve as councilors.   Our church and community work hard to host this huge group.  We do all this because we want to share what Jesus has done for us.  When Jesus is discovered as Lord and Friend lives are transformed.  How do you change the world?  WE don't change the world... Jesus changes the world.  We are to introduce our friends to Jesus the World Changer.
"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Alighty".
Zechariah 4:6

Tell me about how Jesus is changing your world.

Make someone's day.

I recently went to Wal-Mart bought a huge cart load of stuff.  I got in line behind a acquitance of mine who also had a huge load of stuff.  We chatted while we unloaded our carts... it was a lenghtly process.  After I had unloaded my stuff I then realized that the poor guy behind me had less than ten items in his cart and a very patient 2 year-old in the cart.  I quickly apologized.   He patiently answered that it was OK and so on.  When I finished my order I took (with his permission) his milk and put it on my bill.  He thanked me and I thanked him for his patience.  As I pushed my cart away I over heard him and the clerk saying" I've never seen that happen before".  I smiled... it made my day.

I cannot take credit for this random act of kindess.  I actually learned this from a youth minister, Pastor Mike.  Pastor Mike was known and loved for his great road trips.  When Pastor Mike unloaded about a million teenagers at McDonalds he often bought the people who rolled in behind our group their meal.  I always admired his consideration.  To me that is what being a Christian is about.  Others before self.  Thanks Pastor Mike for teaching me!

Please share random acts of kindness here:

Good thought...

"Influence is a local phenomenon"
Josh's graduation speaker... May 12, 2012  Northwestern University, Orange City, IA

How do you rock your world for the "common good"?

Definition of Spoiled...

"She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy."
Ezekiel 16:49