All I could think this week, when I watched the news, is how much the American public reminds me of sheep. Human beings, sadly, remind me of sheep lately. This is not a compliment to the American public. It seems gone is the generation that cared enough to be informed and stand up for what they believe. Gone is a generation that thinks, reads and becomes informed. Instead we have become a nation of followers. We follow each other in a orderly line straight off the edge of a cliff. Sheep are really unintelligent animals. Sheep tend to be somewhat curious about their surroundings. This curiosity along with a lack of intelligence often leads to problems. It is not uncommon for a wandering sheep to find itself caught in a thorn bush or stuck in a hole or falling off some hillside cliff. Sheep are not capable of finding food and water on their own like other grazing animals. Sheep are unable to find their way back home even if they can clearly see their sheep fold.
I think down deep a lot of Americans think that this economic stimulus bill is wrong. Some have looked deeply enough into it to understand that a very small percentage of the bill would have any positive effect on hard working American families. Over the long haul it is going to hurt American families. Most of it is loaded with government garbage (pork) and earmarks. If we taxed every person in America that earned over $500, 000 a year at 100% it would not cover the cost of this bill. Yet, we have a president vowing to knock down half of the deficit in the first four years of his presidency. What!?! Are you kidding me?? The math doesn't work!! You CANNOT spend your way to prosperity.
People are willing to believe ANYTHING and I mean ANYTHING the man says. President Obama has won the heart and adoration of the majority of the American public. Personally, I think they have been duped by charisma, personality and inflated promises that have no possibility of coming to fruition. He has said all the right things, but if you really pay attention not a lot of it adds up. We live in a nation that worships, yes I said worship, entertainers. This is undeniable.
Tonight I was watching Glenn Beck's program on FOX News and he was interviewing Bernard Goldberg author of the new book A Slobbering Love Affair. Mr. Goldberg made the statement that we are "The United States of Entertainment." I agree with him completely. We have elevated entertainers to the positions of earthly gods. The mindlessness of the crowds and mobs that have elevated President Obama to such a level in the very same manner is staggering to me.
So, like sheep, we are looking to a shepard, President Obama, to find food for us, water for us, shelter for us and lead us back home to safety. We are naive if we think even for one minute he is our solution. If we do not stand up, take responsibility for our own choices, and do this very soon, we might very well march off the end of a cliff right with our delusional shepard. Government has never been, nor will it ever be the solution. We must be a people that think and don't just blindly follow. Government should be by the people and for the people! We need to stop being a bunch of brain dead sheep and take responsibility for our choices.....lest we be led to our slaughter.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
China Doesn't Like Us........Really
Now you might think I am a bit crazy when I say this....but I don't think China cares too much for the United States. I have suspected this for a long while. I don't think I am the only one who feels this way. Maybe it is coincidental? Maybe not. China poisoned our dogs, some think it was intentional. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=3058844 Who poisons someones dog? Maybe they are not real animal lovers over there? Then toys and other products sold in the United States were being tainted. http://www.unmadeinchina.org/contStd.asp?lang=en&idPag=33 Hmmm, I don't know but something isn't right. Recently, I even heard of baby formula poisoning children. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-09-11-tainted-formula_N.htm. If someone did those things to me personally, I might get the impression that they don't care for me very much. Maybe it is just me.
Now please don't get me wrong. I love the Chinese people. I have nothing against the people. Frankly, I hurt for the Chinese people and the oppression they live under in a communist regime. It is the government that unsettles me and the fact that soon they may very well be "buying" our debt and in turn buying our country. Who owns your mortgage, the bank or you? When you still have a mortgage your property is not yours. Honestly it isn't. We pretend it is, but it really isn't. If you don't make your house payment the bank will take your property. It isn't truly yours until you pay for it completely. So that brings up a question, if we sell our debt to China who does the United States belong to, really? Mrs. Clinton was over there this last week negotiating the deal. Thanks Hilary. So the plan is to sell our debt to a communist country who doesn't like us.... not brilliant. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/20/clinton.china/index.html China has a long history of human rights violations under their current form of government. Just a hunch, but I don't think Hilary brought that up during her visit. Her mission was a mission of desperation.
So if you are still not convinced we are making a deal with the devil please read the following quote. Mr Luo Ping, a director-general at the China Banking Regulatory Commission said "We hate you guys. Once you start issuing $1 trillion-$2 trillion [$1,000bn-$2,000bn] . . .we know the dollar is going to depreciate, so we hate you guys but there is nothing much we can do." China is already so invested in the US economy that they really don't have much of a choice but to bail us out, but do you really want China to own the United States? I kind of feel like we are selling our souls to a government that completely opposes our way of life and our freedom.
Please, please wake up America! In the last 30-50 years we have walked around like a bunch of sheep unaware that we were being led to the slaughter. We just do what everybody else does or what is popular at the time. Our political leaders, like the pied piper, are making decisions that have the potential to "poison" our society and bring it to an end as we know it. Like the rats in The Pied Piper of Hamlin we gleefully dance to our end. It won't be dog food, toys or milk that will lead to our demise but our compromising leaders and communist owner, China.
Now please don't get me wrong. I love the Chinese people. I have nothing against the people. Frankly, I hurt for the Chinese people and the oppression they live under in a communist regime. It is the government that unsettles me and the fact that soon they may very well be "buying" our debt and in turn buying our country. Who owns your mortgage, the bank or you? When you still have a mortgage your property is not yours. Honestly it isn't. We pretend it is, but it really isn't. If you don't make your house payment the bank will take your property. It isn't truly yours until you pay for it completely. So that brings up a question, if we sell our debt to China who does the United States belong to, really? Mrs. Clinton was over there this last week negotiating the deal. Thanks Hilary. So the plan is to sell our debt to a communist country who doesn't like us.... not brilliant. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/20/clinton.china/index.html China has a long history of human rights violations under their current form of government. Just a hunch, but I don't think Hilary brought that up during her visit. Her mission was a mission of desperation.
So if you are still not convinced we are making a deal with the devil please read the following quote. Mr Luo Ping, a director-general at the China Banking Regulatory Commission said "We hate you guys. Once you start issuing $1 trillion-$2 trillion [$1,000bn-$2,000bn] . . .we know the dollar is going to depreciate, so we hate you guys but there is nothing much we can do." China is already so invested in the US economy that they really don't have much of a choice but to bail us out, but do you really want China to own the United States? I kind of feel like we are selling our souls to a government that completely opposes our way of life and our freedom.
Please, please wake up America! In the last 30-50 years we have walked around like a bunch of sheep unaware that we were being led to the slaughter. We just do what everybody else does or what is popular at the time. Our political leaders, like the pied piper, are making decisions that have the potential to "poison" our society and bring it to an end as we know it. Like the rats in The Pied Piper of Hamlin we gleefully dance to our end. It won't be dog food, toys or milk that will lead to our demise but our compromising leaders and communist owner, China.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Where Are We Going?
Where are we going?
What is socialism?
Socialism is:
Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
The stage in Marxist-Leninist theory intermediate between capitalism and communism, in which collective ownership of the economy under the dictatorship of the proletariat has not yet been successfully achieved.
The word Socialism was first used early 1830s by the followers of Owen in Britain and those of Saint-Simon in France. By the mid 19th century socialist reformist ideas where being explored in Britain, France and The United States. The desire was to transform society from a capitalist system to a more egalitarian system where as the pursuit of personal accomplishment, personal achievement and personal success would become subordinate to values as association, community, and cooperation. These were the first community organizers. This is where redistribution of wealth got it's start! It was thought that this system would eliminate conflict, instability, and upheaval. Good intentions.
There are some serious problems with this kind of thinking. First and foremost history has shown that socialism has never been successful. You could argue this point and many do. There are different kinds of methods and types of socialism. Maybe there is one that works better than the others? Modern socialists argue these things all the time. Of course they have their own versions of success and most dictators count themselves successful if they have subdued the people. I don't think the people feel that way and most people that I know who have grown up and lived in a socialist country fought hard to leave and never want to go back. For the citizens involved I wouldn't count that as successful.
So lets take a look at what life would be like if we were living in a socialist nation. The banner will be Solidarity and Common Good. Does that sound familiar to you? Ok, lets look at Solidarity first.
Solidarity: diverse people trained to find "common ground." (The "diversity" is needed to erode the old values) The "common vision" and new values required for this planned solidarity are most effectively planted in minds through strategic propaganda and facilitated group dialogue blending opposing views into an evolving consensus.
Sounds kind of "Hitler ish" to me. Lets meet on a common ground so we can do away with old values and attain a common vision and lets spread that information through strategic propaganda and then get together and come to a consensus. Really think about what that means. Give up your old values and think like us. Do what we do. Think like we think. Believe what we believe. Evolve. Do not think for yourself. We will facilitate your thinking for you and guide you in the right direction thinking like everyone else thinks. Reminds me of a bunch of sheep with a herd mentality.
Common Good: The driving vision of solidarity. American individualism must yield to collective thinking and action. Personal "good" must yield to the "good" of the collective -- including redistribution of resources. Though it sounds compassionate, this process destroyed both Russia's middle class and personal incentive. It left everyone equally poor -- except the elite rulers who controlled everything.
Lets dissect Common Good a bit more. If you are working toward the common good it does not matter how hard you work, you will never become anymore successful than you all ready are. You will probably be poor just like everyone else. There is no need to try, improve yourself or strive for anything better. Your poverty will probably cause you to become depressed. Your creativity will dry up. Since you probably have no other moral compass except state solidarity and you have given up all those old values, your relationships will suffer as you become frustrated at all your suffering for the sake of the state. The likely result would be conflict, crime and immoral acts. Basically the former USSR, only here.
We are currently a free capitalistic society. If you work hard and pay your dues you can accomplish things that people in other countries can only dream of. Conversely, if you don't work hard, if you squander your wealth and are irresponsible you shouldn't be as successful or be compensated equally as someone who has made good choices. The kind of country that President Obama envisions is more of an egalitarian society where wealth is distributed rather than earned or worked hard for. This is very concerning. Fear is the catalyst that is being used to bring about this change and it is unfortunately becoming successful. In addition he would very much like to silence anyone who doesn't agree with his way of doing things, hence The Fairness Doctrine.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Regulation/EM368.cfm
People from across many seas have risked their lives to come here and live the American dream. Many of our forefathers have died to protect what we enjoy today. With the passing of the stimulation package today, the second one, I have to wonder how much longer we will be able to live in a free society. Large government that is controlling and managing our nation's wealth is a risky venture and one I believe will be very destructive to our nation and our way of life. We are risking our freedom and it is a gamble we might very well regret.
Ronald Reagan said:
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."
and
"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help."
God bless.
What is socialism?
Socialism is:
Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
The stage in Marxist-Leninist theory intermediate between capitalism and communism, in which collective ownership of the economy under the dictatorship of the proletariat has not yet been successfully achieved.
The word Socialism was first used early 1830s by the followers of Owen in Britain and those of Saint-Simon in France. By the mid 19th century socialist reformist ideas where being explored in Britain, France and The United States. The desire was to transform society from a capitalist system to a more egalitarian system where as the pursuit of personal accomplishment, personal achievement and personal success would become subordinate to values as association, community, and cooperation. These were the first community organizers. This is where redistribution of wealth got it's start! It was thought that this system would eliminate conflict, instability, and upheaval. Good intentions.
There are some serious problems with this kind of thinking. First and foremost history has shown that socialism has never been successful. You could argue this point and many do. There are different kinds of methods and types of socialism. Maybe there is one that works better than the others? Modern socialists argue these things all the time. Of course they have their own versions of success and most dictators count themselves successful if they have subdued the people. I don't think the people feel that way and most people that I know who have grown up and lived in a socialist country fought hard to leave and never want to go back. For the citizens involved I wouldn't count that as successful.
So lets take a look at what life would be like if we were living in a socialist nation. The banner will be Solidarity and Common Good. Does that sound familiar to you? Ok, lets look at Solidarity first.
Solidarity: diverse people trained to find "common ground." (The "diversity" is needed to erode the old values) The "common vision" and new values required for this planned solidarity are most effectively planted in minds through strategic propaganda and facilitated group dialogue blending opposing views into an evolving consensus.
Sounds kind of "Hitler ish" to me. Lets meet on a common ground so we can do away with old values and attain a common vision and lets spread that information through strategic propaganda and then get together and come to a consensus. Really think about what that means. Give up your old values and think like us. Do what we do. Think like we think. Believe what we believe. Evolve. Do not think for yourself. We will facilitate your thinking for you and guide you in the right direction thinking like everyone else thinks. Reminds me of a bunch of sheep with a herd mentality.
Common Good: The driving vision of solidarity. American individualism must yield to collective thinking and action. Personal "good" must yield to the "good" of the collective -- including redistribution of resources. Though it sounds compassionate, this process destroyed both Russia's middle class and personal incentive. It left everyone equally poor -- except the elite rulers who controlled everything.
Lets dissect Common Good a bit more. If you are working toward the common good it does not matter how hard you work, you will never become anymore successful than you all ready are. You will probably be poor just like everyone else. There is no need to try, improve yourself or strive for anything better. Your poverty will probably cause you to become depressed. Your creativity will dry up. Since you probably have no other moral compass except state solidarity and you have given up all those old values, your relationships will suffer as you become frustrated at all your suffering for the sake of the state. The likely result would be conflict, crime and immoral acts. Basically the former USSR, only here.
We are currently a free capitalistic society. If you work hard and pay your dues you can accomplish things that people in other countries can only dream of. Conversely, if you don't work hard, if you squander your wealth and are irresponsible you shouldn't be as successful or be compensated equally as someone who has made good choices. The kind of country that President Obama envisions is more of an egalitarian society where wealth is distributed rather than earned or worked hard for. This is very concerning. Fear is the catalyst that is being used to bring about this change and it is unfortunately becoming successful. In addition he would very much like to silence anyone who doesn't agree with his way of doing things, hence The Fairness Doctrine.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Regulation/EM368.cfm
People from across many seas have risked their lives to come here and live the American dream. Many of our forefathers have died to protect what we enjoy today. With the passing of the stimulation package today, the second one, I have to wonder how much longer we will be able to live in a free society. Large government that is controlling and managing our nation's wealth is a risky venture and one I believe will be very destructive to our nation and our way of life. We are risking our freedom and it is a gamble we might very well regret.
Ronald Reagan said:
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."
and
"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help."
God bless.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The Son Is Visible Beyond The Smog
God has an order. Take a good look around you. You see His hand in nature. The way He designed things. Seasons, death, new life.....it is all very ordered and intentional. He is the author of it all. When we try to buck the system things go awry.
Chinese scientists this last year attempted to change the weather launching chemical filled rockets in the air. I had to chuckle a bit. Such irony. China has some of the worst chemical pollution in the world and they are trying to alter the atmosphere with more chemicals. I was talking to a friend who works in international trade and is in Beijing frequently and he told me of the dreary weeks with no sunlight over there. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23397205/ The sun is out, just not visible because of the heavy pollution. There are not any standards there to deal with pollution or chemical waste. It seems they don't even care. Those people are trying to mess with God's creation and it is biting them in the tail. I am not a staunch environmentalist and honestly I believe this global warming stuff has come a bit off the chain, but that being said I do believe we need to be good stewards of the world God has given us to live in. I believe we need to be a good steward of everything in our lives most importantly our relationship with God, then our marriages and our families.
The breakdown of the family is having a ripple effect throughout our nation that is unparalleled to anything we have ever seen. There is an intense clouding over what is right and what is wrong. It is so thick, like the smog that covers the sky in Beijing, that many people just can't see clearly anymore. Sin is easily rationalized and excused in the emotion filled smoke we have created for ourselves. We are a people living life according to our own defined order and reason. We base that order and reason on our emotions which change like the wind and are not rooted in truth. Like the pollution that covers the sky in China our own order and reason is poisonous and deadly and will lead to an untimely death. This death may be physical, spiritual or in our relationships or all of the above.
Proverbs 14:12:
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
When we seek to usurp God's plan and order for our lives we have put ourselves in a position of little gods here on earth. We are not God. We are made in His image. We are made to worship Him. We were made for His pleasure. We were made to have relationship with Him. He took pleasure in designing us and there is way we are meant to operate and function. The owner's manual is the Bible and it isn't open to picking what you want to do and what you don't want to do. If you treated your vehicle that way it wouldn't run well or very long would it? I think I will check the oil, but I don't want to change it. I think I will throw some water in my gas tank instead of gas. Preposterous! The engineer that designed your vehicle knows exactly what will help your car to run and what actions will ultimately destroy it. He gave you instructions on what to do and wisdom is following those instructions.
There are people in our nation that seek to "redefine" that which has been designed by God. The come up with their own definition of marriage, their gender and the very gift of life. They seek to do these things to justify their own emotionally led agendas and quite frankly their sin. It is out of God's order and design. The ramifications of such choices will not send us as a nation down a good road. As believers in Jesus Christ though, we are on a different road. That is the good news. Our road leads to life. We view this place as a temporary stop on the journey and while there is work, trials and tribulation here, it is not the final destination.
Psalm 34:19:
The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
God has put forth an order for living that for believers will bring blessing. We mustn't redefine what is right based on the principles of this dying world or our emotional hurt. We must submit to God first and then to the order He has put forth. This order is not there to enslave us or cause us to lose out on having fun or entertainment, but to provide a structure that will protect us and keep us in His safety. Don't let your vision be clouded. Yes, the smog is getting thick out there, but the Son hasn't gone away! He is there for you and for me.
Ephesians 6:14:14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
God bless and be encouraged!
BTW, If you have never made Jesus Christ Lord of your life and you would like to click here:
http://www.jesussaves.cc/prayer_salvation.htm
Chinese scientists this last year attempted to change the weather launching chemical filled rockets in the air. I had to chuckle a bit. Such irony. China has some of the worst chemical pollution in the world and they are trying to alter the atmosphere with more chemicals. I was talking to a friend who works in international trade and is in Beijing frequently and he told me of the dreary weeks with no sunlight over there. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23397205/ The sun is out, just not visible because of the heavy pollution. There are not any standards there to deal with pollution or chemical waste. It seems they don't even care. Those people are trying to mess with God's creation and it is biting them in the tail. I am not a staunch environmentalist and honestly I believe this global warming stuff has come a bit off the chain, but that being said I do believe we need to be good stewards of the world God has given us to live in. I believe we need to be a good steward of everything in our lives most importantly our relationship with God, then our marriages and our families.
The breakdown of the family is having a ripple effect throughout our nation that is unparalleled to anything we have ever seen. There is an intense clouding over what is right and what is wrong. It is so thick, like the smog that covers the sky in Beijing, that many people just can't see clearly anymore. Sin is easily rationalized and excused in the emotion filled smoke we have created for ourselves. We are a people living life according to our own defined order and reason. We base that order and reason on our emotions which change like the wind and are not rooted in truth. Like the pollution that covers the sky in China our own order and reason is poisonous and deadly and will lead to an untimely death. This death may be physical, spiritual or in our relationships or all of the above.
Proverbs 14:12:
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
When we seek to usurp God's plan and order for our lives we have put ourselves in a position of little gods here on earth. We are not God. We are made in His image. We are made to worship Him. We were made for His pleasure. We were made to have relationship with Him. He took pleasure in designing us and there is way we are meant to operate and function. The owner's manual is the Bible and it isn't open to picking what you want to do and what you don't want to do. If you treated your vehicle that way it wouldn't run well or very long would it? I think I will check the oil, but I don't want to change it. I think I will throw some water in my gas tank instead of gas. Preposterous! The engineer that designed your vehicle knows exactly what will help your car to run and what actions will ultimately destroy it. He gave you instructions on what to do and wisdom is following those instructions.
There are people in our nation that seek to "redefine" that which has been designed by God. The come up with their own definition of marriage, their gender and the very gift of life. They seek to do these things to justify their own emotionally led agendas and quite frankly their sin. It is out of God's order and design. The ramifications of such choices will not send us as a nation down a good road. As believers in Jesus Christ though, we are on a different road. That is the good news. Our road leads to life. We view this place as a temporary stop on the journey and while there is work, trials and tribulation here, it is not the final destination.
Psalm 34:19:
The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
God has put forth an order for living that for believers will bring blessing. We mustn't redefine what is right based on the principles of this dying world or our emotional hurt. We must submit to God first and then to the order He has put forth. This order is not there to enslave us or cause us to lose out on having fun or entertainment, but to provide a structure that will protect us and keep us in His safety. Don't let your vision be clouded. Yes, the smog is getting thick out there, but the Son hasn't gone away! He is there for you and for me.
Ephesians 6:14:14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
God bless and be encouraged!
BTW, If you have never made Jesus Christ Lord of your life and you would like to click here:
http://www.jesussaves.cc/prayer_salvation.htm
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Reverse Sexism. Don't Be A Man Hater!
My high school aged son came home today telling me of a tendency of one of his female teachers to make statements that are derogatory to males. Some of these statements consisted of "Oh, that is just like a man, "and "Well, of course you wouldn't understand that you are just a guy" etc. etc. She would say these things out of frustration when he and his other male classmates would make a mistake or not understand a concept she was trying to get across.
I don't know if you have noticed, but in the media men are portrayed very negatively. There are many programs on television that show them as weak, ignorant or morally inept. Movies are even worse. They put out a message that it is not OK to be male or behave in a masculine manner. I am frankly really tired of it. I would imagine many men are very tired of this as well. Especially men who are trying very hard to be good husbands and fathers. I have sons and this isn't helping them. It is demoralising and emasculating. It is wrong.
I can remember growing up in the 70s and 80s, when I was a young girl, men calling women all sorts of names. "Dumb broad" was one of those names, among others. It wasn't even aimed at me at the time. It was a generalization. It devalued me as female and it was very damaging to me as well. It made me look at my femininity as if something was wrong with being female! You can change your clothes, shoes and makeup but you cannot change your God given gender. I think the pendulum has moved to the other extreme at this point and you can see the vengeance in the attitudes of the media and woman-kind as a whole. As a society we view males in a very negative light. Masculinity is something to be scorned. This a dangerous move for our society. It causes havoc in marriages, in the family and in the lives of young men struggling to find out who they are and if who they are is OK. It causes a great deal of confusion in an already struggling young generation.
Men are wonderful. There is nothing wrong with being male or having male attributes. I admire their strength, courage and fire. I love that men love women! This is the way God made them. Those are all good qualities. I don't want men to stop being manly. As a society we lose when we force someone to be ashamed of their God given gender.
As a people whenever we stereotype or make blanket statements about the other gender it is very wrong. Yes, even if you are a woman! We don't get a free pass to act disrespectful because we were mistreated in the past and maybe even now. It won't make it better. If further widens the gender gap. God intended men and women be one in marriage. How can you be one with someone whose gender you despise? That can not happen.
My husband gave my son some very good advice regarding the incidents with his teacher. He told him to not get offended and offered up an explanation as to why she might behave that way. He said maybe she is having problems in her marriage or with a son. Perhaps she was mistreated by another male, maybe a male authority figure (which is probably pretty likely). He said "whatever the case may be do not get offended with her but ask her if he had offended her in any way." Maybe then she would think more carefully about her words and that they have the ability to damage these young men she is teaching. I wondered to myself if it had been a man making derogatory statements about women to my daughter would I have been so full of grace and forgiveness as my husband was? If it was a male teacher he would probably be reprimanded, maybe even fired. Since it is acceptable in our culture to "male bash" nothing will probably be done about this matter. However, I was really impressed how my husband handled the situation encouraging my son to give the woman grace.
There is a way human beings are supposed to relate. Specifically, there is a way men and women are supposed to treat each other.
Titus 2
1But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior,not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
Our mouths are powerful things. With them we can give life or we can bring death. I think the old sayings are the best. Previous generations had some simple truths that contained the most profound wisdom. If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all. We need to stop tearing down people, specifically men. Maybe if we spent more time building people up and using our words to encourage others this world would be a much different place. As women we truly need to not return evil for evil. It won't accomplish what we are hoping for. I don't know anyone who is motivated to be better with harsh put downs and criticism, do you?
Proverbs 18:21:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Lets get past what is "acceptable" in our culture and do the right thing. Male bashing is just as bad as female bashing. It is all hate. As Christians this is not an acceptable standard. As a mother it is heartbreaking.
God bless and Good Night.
I don't know if you have noticed, but in the media men are portrayed very negatively. There are many programs on television that show them as weak, ignorant or morally inept. Movies are even worse. They put out a message that it is not OK to be male or behave in a masculine manner. I am frankly really tired of it. I would imagine many men are very tired of this as well. Especially men who are trying very hard to be good husbands and fathers. I have sons and this isn't helping them. It is demoralising and emasculating. It is wrong.
I can remember growing up in the 70s and 80s, when I was a young girl, men calling women all sorts of names. "Dumb broad" was one of those names, among others. It wasn't even aimed at me at the time. It was a generalization. It devalued me as female and it was very damaging to me as well. It made me look at my femininity as if something was wrong with being female! You can change your clothes, shoes and makeup but you cannot change your God given gender. I think the pendulum has moved to the other extreme at this point and you can see the vengeance in the attitudes of the media and woman-kind as a whole. As a society we view males in a very negative light. Masculinity is something to be scorned. This a dangerous move for our society. It causes havoc in marriages, in the family and in the lives of young men struggling to find out who they are and if who they are is OK. It causes a great deal of confusion in an already struggling young generation.
Men are wonderful. There is nothing wrong with being male or having male attributes. I admire their strength, courage and fire. I love that men love women! This is the way God made them. Those are all good qualities. I don't want men to stop being manly. As a society we lose when we force someone to be ashamed of their God given gender.
As a people whenever we stereotype or make blanket statements about the other gender it is very wrong. Yes, even if you are a woman! We don't get a free pass to act disrespectful because we were mistreated in the past and maybe even now. It won't make it better. If further widens the gender gap. God intended men and women be one in marriage. How can you be one with someone whose gender you despise? That can not happen.
My husband gave my son some very good advice regarding the incidents with his teacher. He told him to not get offended and offered up an explanation as to why she might behave that way. He said maybe she is having problems in her marriage or with a son. Perhaps she was mistreated by another male, maybe a male authority figure (which is probably pretty likely). He said "whatever the case may be do not get offended with her but ask her if he had offended her in any way." Maybe then she would think more carefully about her words and that they have the ability to damage these young men she is teaching. I wondered to myself if it had been a man making derogatory statements about women to my daughter would I have been so full of grace and forgiveness as my husband was? If it was a male teacher he would probably be reprimanded, maybe even fired. Since it is acceptable in our culture to "male bash" nothing will probably be done about this matter. However, I was really impressed how my husband handled the situation encouraging my son to give the woman grace.
There is a way human beings are supposed to relate. Specifically, there is a way men and women are supposed to treat each other.
Titus 2
1But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior,not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
Our mouths are powerful things. With them we can give life or we can bring death. I think the old sayings are the best. Previous generations had some simple truths that contained the most profound wisdom. If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all. We need to stop tearing down people, specifically men. Maybe if we spent more time building people up and using our words to encourage others this world would be a much different place. As women we truly need to not return evil for evil. It won't accomplish what we are hoping for. I don't know anyone who is motivated to be better with harsh put downs and criticism, do you?
Proverbs 18:21:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Lets get past what is "acceptable" in our culture and do the right thing. Male bashing is just as bad as female bashing. It is all hate. As Christians this is not an acceptable standard. As a mother it is heartbreaking.
God bless and Good Night.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Don't Let Government Drive Your Car
If you do something for someone long enough they will soon forget how to do it for themselves. I notice this when we drive certain places. If I am not the one driving chances are I will not pay much attention to how got there or how to get back home. I just coast along in the passenger seat enjoying the scenery, taking it all in, but not really noticing street names or landmarks. I am just chilling out. I am not responsible, the driver is. I am just along for the ride.
Already we have surrendered many of our responsibilities to a government that is more than willing to hop in the driver's seat. The educational system is an example of just one. A lot of parents leave it up to the school system to discipline and train their children. Schools are not equipped to provide the time and attention a child needs. These teachers do the best they can. The parent's irresponsible behavior not only impacts their own children but impacts the class in which the student is a part of. We keep pouring money into this system and programs thinking that somehow that will help, but really it is the families inability or refusal to get involved that is at the root of the problem. They are not made to take responsibility and maybe the kid gets some special label or diagnosis. Then they really have an excuse, a medical one at that, to let the experts handle little Johnny. Parents are responsible for disciplining and training their children. It effects society as a whole when they do not. It tends to travel through the generations as well. Grandpa did time, daddy did time and now little Johnny just got picked up for shoplifting. Could there be something to teaching some boundaries and limitations? It isn't the school's responsibility. It starts at home.
Proverbs 22:6:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
I don't want to be along for the ride. I want to drive my own car. I want the American dream. I want that sense of accomplishment that I have when a job is well done. I want that for my children. I would prefer we equip people and not do it for them. At the end of the day how can you look at yourself in the mirror knowing that you have given the government that much power and control in something as personal as your family or your finances?
For those of you that are old enough to remember think about the former USSR. Did those people look happy? Their families fell apart. Poverty was and is still rampant. The divorce rate was and is still huge. The orphanages over there are full of abandoned children even today. The crime rate was and still is unbelievable. The devastation to families that a communist society caused will continue for generations. That is BIG government. Take away a sense of accomplishment, make everyone equal (no matter how hard they work) and the very minimum they need to exist. Is that the answer? Well, you saw the experiment over there. How did it work out?
Do you like your freedom? Did we learn any lessons from communist Russia? Big government does not solve things.
Drive your own car. Pay attention to where you are going and how to get home.
God bless.
Already we have surrendered many of our responsibilities to a government that is more than willing to hop in the driver's seat. The educational system is an example of just one. A lot of parents leave it up to the school system to discipline and train their children. Schools are not equipped to provide the time and attention a child needs. These teachers do the best they can. The parent's irresponsible behavior not only impacts their own children but impacts the class in which the student is a part of. We keep pouring money into this system and programs thinking that somehow that will help, but really it is the families inability or refusal to get involved that is at the root of the problem. They are not made to take responsibility and maybe the kid gets some special label or diagnosis. Then they really have an excuse, a medical one at that, to let the experts handle little Johnny. Parents are responsible for disciplining and training their children. It effects society as a whole when they do not. It tends to travel through the generations as well. Grandpa did time, daddy did time and now little Johnny just got picked up for shoplifting. Could there be something to teaching some boundaries and limitations? It isn't the school's responsibility. It starts at home.
Proverbs 22:6:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
I don't want to be along for the ride. I want to drive my own car. I want the American dream. I want that sense of accomplishment that I have when a job is well done. I want that for my children. I would prefer we equip people and not do it for them. At the end of the day how can you look at yourself in the mirror knowing that you have given the government that much power and control in something as personal as your family or your finances?
For those of you that are old enough to remember think about the former USSR. Did those people look happy? Their families fell apart. Poverty was and is still rampant. The divorce rate was and is still huge. The orphanages over there are full of abandoned children even today. The crime rate was and still is unbelievable. The devastation to families that a communist society caused will continue for generations. That is BIG government. Take away a sense of accomplishment, make everyone equal (no matter how hard they work) and the very minimum they need to exist. Is that the answer? Well, you saw the experiment over there. How did it work out?
Do you like your freedom? Did we learn any lessons from communist Russia? Big government does not solve things.
Drive your own car. Pay attention to where you are going and how to get home.
God bless.
Why So Offended??
I am beginning to notice a trend. Everybody is angry. Everyone is up in arms about this and about that! Good grief. Try to have a discussion with anyone anymore. You must agree with everything they say or there will be a war!
Now there are some things to be angry about. For example- the mass slayings of people in the Sudan, murders and abuse of young children, genocide in the middle east, racism, sexism....and the list could go on. If the anger produced from those sorts of horrendous things spurs you to speak up or take action in a civil way that produces change that is great! If seeing other people suffer makes you want to help them, that is wonderful. That kind of anger is a good thing. It is productive. That kind of anger isn't anger at an individual but at a situation that is harmful. Jesus was angry when he came into the temple and saw it being desecrated by the money changers. This was His house and it was supposed to be a house of worship. How would you like it if you came home and someone was doing some vile thing in your house? He got mad. He took action. He didn't kill anybody, but He had them scrambling to pick up their things and get on out of there. You go Jesus!
John 2
13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
Now the kind of anger I am referring to is different. It is the kind of anger we experienced as kids when no one wanted to play the game we wanted to play so we got all snotty, took our ball and headed home. Hmmm....we thought, see if I ever play with you again! Come on now, you know we all did it. Ok, maybe it was just a few of us, certainly not you. That is a sinful, immature kind of anger and it is very unproductive. It produces no positive change.
People are going to disagree with me. Since I am a rather opinionated individual I experience this now and then. That doesn't give me the right to become offended and disrespectful towards you. You don't have to be on the same page as me for me to be ok with you. I hope I don't have to agree with you for you to still love and respect me. I have a responsibility as a believer in Jesus Christ to forfeit my right to offense. This was an incredibly hard concept for me to grasp when I first became a christian. I have also never been real fond of the word forfeit. I kinda like winning. Wow! I have no rights. I could feel my neck stiffen this first time I heard this. Ouch. I had grown up being all about my rights. Now you are telling me I have none. I could hear a small voice in my head (you may know that Voice) saying "it is time to grow up girl."
2 Corinthians 8:9:9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
If I am sold out to Christ and I am to be "Christ-like" I need to be poor in the sense that I don't hang on to anything or anyone but Him. That includes my rights. Wow, what a concept. He gave up his rights hanging on that cross. He had an opinion, he voiced it, people didn't like it. Many say it was that opinion that put Him up on that cross. It was, but much more than that. However, looking down on those people that were crucifying Him He forfeited His rights and said Father forgive them.....
Luke 23:34 And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Why did Almighty God forfeit His rights? Simple........LOVE! He loves us even in our most ugly moments. Boy I have had some ugly moments. That is a topic for another time. Maybe.
So there is this tidal wave of thought out there. It goes something like this, "You don't agree with what I am doing or what I believe or what I think so I think you are being mean to me. You are being intolerant and insensitive! You are being politically incorrect! You are not doing it my way, so I am going to be angry at you." This was not the Jesus kind of righteous anger. This is a selfish anger. It is control and manipulation.
We are just people aren't we?! As people we are going to mess up. I am so grateful for His grace.
I won't be giving up my opinions in an effort to make anyone like me. I don't bow down to approval. However, just know that if you don't agree with me it is alright. I won't get offended. I hope you don't either.
God bless and good afternoon to you!
Now there are some things to be angry about. For example- the mass slayings of people in the Sudan, murders and abuse of young children, genocide in the middle east, racism, sexism....and the list could go on. If the anger produced from those sorts of horrendous things spurs you to speak up or take action in a civil way that produces change that is great! If seeing other people suffer makes you want to help them, that is wonderful. That kind of anger is a good thing. It is productive. That kind of anger isn't anger at an individual but at a situation that is harmful. Jesus was angry when he came into the temple and saw it being desecrated by the money changers. This was His house and it was supposed to be a house of worship. How would you like it if you came home and someone was doing some vile thing in your house? He got mad. He took action. He didn't kill anybody, but He had them scrambling to pick up their things and get on out of there. You go Jesus!
John 2
13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
Now the kind of anger I am referring to is different. It is the kind of anger we experienced as kids when no one wanted to play the game we wanted to play so we got all snotty, took our ball and headed home. Hmmm....we thought, see if I ever play with you again! Come on now, you know we all did it. Ok, maybe it was just a few of us, certainly not you. That is a sinful, immature kind of anger and it is very unproductive. It produces no positive change.
People are going to disagree with me. Since I am a rather opinionated individual I experience this now and then. That doesn't give me the right to become offended and disrespectful towards you. You don't have to be on the same page as me for me to be ok with you. I hope I don't have to agree with you for you to still love and respect me. I have a responsibility as a believer in Jesus Christ to forfeit my right to offense. This was an incredibly hard concept for me to grasp when I first became a christian. I have also never been real fond of the word forfeit. I kinda like winning. Wow! I have no rights. I could feel my neck stiffen this first time I heard this. Ouch. I had grown up being all about my rights. Now you are telling me I have none. I could hear a small voice in my head (you may know that Voice) saying "it is time to grow up girl."
2 Corinthians 8:9:9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
If I am sold out to Christ and I am to be "Christ-like" I need to be poor in the sense that I don't hang on to anything or anyone but Him. That includes my rights. Wow, what a concept. He gave up his rights hanging on that cross. He had an opinion, he voiced it, people didn't like it. Many say it was that opinion that put Him up on that cross. It was, but much more than that. However, looking down on those people that were crucifying Him He forfeited His rights and said Father forgive them.....
Luke 23:34 And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Why did Almighty God forfeit His rights? Simple........LOVE! He loves us even in our most ugly moments. Boy I have had some ugly moments. That is a topic for another time. Maybe.
So there is this tidal wave of thought out there. It goes something like this, "You don't agree with what I am doing or what I believe or what I think so I think you are being mean to me. You are being intolerant and insensitive! You are being politically incorrect! You are not doing it my way, so I am going to be angry at you." This was not the Jesus kind of righteous anger. This is a selfish anger. It is control and manipulation.
We are just people aren't we?! As people we are going to mess up. I am so grateful for His grace.
I won't be giving up my opinions in an effort to make anyone like me. I don't bow down to approval. However, just know that if you don't agree with me it is alright. I won't get offended. I hope you don't either.
God bless and good afternoon to you!
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