From My Perspective - - -

There are some interesting thoughts in the Epistle of James. He enjoins that we be “slow to speak” – be accurate (1:19);“speak carefully” (2:12);and “do not speak negatively” (4:11).One’s task is to communicate, wisely, clearly, factually so that another individual will be able to discern the intention and the ramification of what has been communicated. Communication seeks to pass along information and/or instruction to gain a positive response that will be demonstrated by an action that ensues.  

Consider these things with me and let us be defined and be like those in Malachi 3:16, “Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.”

From My Perspective - - -

Words such as Failure and Disqualified have a heart-piercing affect upon one. The other side to this is the thought – Is All Failure and Disqualification Final? Is there any possibility of one having hope of being reinstated and/or having a second chance? Businesses on occasion file for Bankruptcy and seek for time to Reorganize. Many companies have come out of Bankruptcy and were viable once again. Can a person who tried and failed have hope of being “reorganized” and becoming useful and profitable once again?  Can one who was Counsel to the President of the United States and who was sentenced to prison for a crime committed be recovered and restored to a constructive and useful life and ministry? Can one who tried to minister and failed be relegated to oblivion or can he be recovered and granted a new beginning for constructive and vital ministry once again?

In his Breakpoint Devotional, Chuck Colson writes about “Admission of Failure” with a sub-title “Corrections In Crisis”: “Thirty-three years ago, after serving seven months for my role in the Watergate scandal, I walked out of prison a free man. Not entirely free however, because I just could not get out of my mind the men I had met in prison-the hundreds of thousands like them in prisons across the country.  So, in 1977…I started Prison Fellowship. Little could I have imagined back then that Prison Fellowship would one day be the largest Christian outreach to prisoners in the world….”  Chuck Colson pondered further: “Why was the United States a virtual Petri dish for growing criminals? It was not until I read the landmark 1977 study called The Criminal Personality that I was able to begin to fully appreciate what was going on. The study's authors…rebutted the conventional wisdom that crime was caused by environment-like poverty and racism. It was caused, they said, not by that, but by individuals making wrong moral choices. So the solution to crime, they said, was "the conversion of the wrongdoer to a more responsible lifestyle." Then it hit me. Our entire penal system was seeking an institutional solution to a moral problem…” Most are aware that Prison Fellowship has had an effective ministry in providing a message of hope for the hopeless and seeing failures become successes by the grace of God.

In I Corinthians 9:24-27, the Apostle Paul writes: “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” Disqualified is such a harsh and painful word. I can still visualize our son in High School Swimming Competition trying hard to win – but – he had trouble with the turns in the pool. The judge’s whistle blew and a finger was pointed and the sound was “DQ” – disqualified. But that was one event in many! Were there other whistles, finger pointed and the “DQ” heard? Yes!  But with renewed effort, there came the day when the whistle was not blown, and the finger was not pointed, and the “DQ” was not heard.  Instead, he and three other swimmers had set the Relay Team Record – a record that has stood for many years.

What if at the first “DQ” our son was removed from the swim team? What if he had never been given another opportunity to try again? What if there had been condemnation for his failure and disqualification? What if there had been no second chance? What if people only remembered his failures and critiqued him on his past effort? What if he had been denied a New Beginning? But – the coach worked with him and his failure became a success. Isn’t that what we should do with one another – not magnify Failure – but – give ourselves to help one get a New Beginning – moving from Failure to Success!

Consider these things with me - - - and let us help others regain their footing with a new beginning as they move from Failure to Success. That’s what I want to do for others!  Will you do likewise?

From My Perspective - - - -

An important Biblical narrative regarding the acceptance of responsibility pertains to the conduct of David when he had committed adultery with Bathsheba and then arranged for the murder of her husband in battle. As much as he tried to avoid responsibility for his actions, he was internally afflicted and conflicted. One can only imagine the agony of soul experienced by David as he struggled with his disobedience and awful behavior. In both Psalm 32 and Psalm 51, we have a brief glimpse of that inner struggle and the resolve that was finally sought. In Psalm 32, it speaks of the soul’s anguish and the pain within his bones when he tried to remain silent about his sin and admitting the same to God.

In Psalm 51, David finally arrives at the point where he cries out to God: “Against You – You only have I sinned and done this evil in Your sight!” As the Psalm progresses and as he seeks the mercy and forgiveness, David makes certain requests in Psalm 51:7 through 14, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.”

It is a regrettable observation that in the Church one will often find turbulence rather than tranquility, factions rather than unity, self-centeredness rather than yieldedness, conflict rather than peace. The Book of Revelation (Chapters 2 and 3) pictures Jesus Christ walking in the midst of Seven Churches and stating what he is observing. Out of the seven, only one receives almost complete approval. If Jesus Christ walked in the midst of our Churches in the United States today – what would He observe? What would He indicate needs to take place? Would He point His finger directly at the Church one belongs to and categorize what He sees wrong? Would He state – and would we heed – Repent! Return to your first love! – or else you will be removed from any further Kingdom opportunity and meaningful representation? Could that be why one can observe so many churches that seem to be “going through the motions” while actually going nowhere?

Consider these things with me and accept responsibility to be different and to do differently - - -

From My Perspective - - - -

It is becoming more evident that both punditry and polls/statistical analysis are muddying the political landscape. It is becoming a Daily Distraction as well as an Annoyance. Those who make their living in such areas fail to factor in that any number of people (a) believe their preferences are a private matter; (b) people will give the “politically correct” response to avoid being labeled as liberal, conservative, moderate, racial, gender-biased, etc.; and (c) some people will just “lie” in order to confuse and blur the true sentiment in terms of Poll Results. The pundits are now citing the “Bradley Effect” (Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, an African-American Democrat, in 1982 unexpectedly lost his candidacy for governor of California. His defeat followed voters telling pollsters they prefer a black candidate and then voting the other way) possibly being in play and affecting the results of the Tracking Polls. It is almost like a “game” being played with Pollsters.

Distractions occur in many areas of life and can blur the Purpose and Goals in given situations. A Classic Example of the various Distractions one can encounter in life are summarized somewhat in the Christian Allegory entitled, Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. A man named Christian purposes to leave the City of Destruction (Earth) and journey toward the Celestial City (Heaven). As he sets out on that journey, the many Distractions begin. The first ones to call to him are his family members pleading with him to remain with them. He stops his ears to block out their voices. He will also have to encounter his neighbors and their ridicule and criticism most notably by Mr. Obstinate and Mr. Pliable. His only encouragement comes from the one called Evangelist who instructs him to head toward the Shining Light and to stay in the center of the path that will lead to the narrow wicket gate. There are others who will try to dissuade Christian – people like Mr. Worldly Wiseman, Mr. Legality and his son Civility – who attempt to get him to join them in the city of Morality. Do these Distractions sidetrack Christian and divert him from his Goal? At times, Yes! He lets himself be enticed to go to Legality’s home. However, Evangelist meets the wayward Christian where he has stopped before a life-threatening mountain, Mount Sinai, on the way to Legality's home. Evangelist shows Christian that he had sinned by turning out of his way, but he assures him that he will be welcomed at the Wicket Gate if he should turn around and go there. Christian, wisely, changes his course and gets back on the path that will lead him to the Wicket Gate.

All of us are confronted daily with Distractions of every sort. Some things seem so appealing and enticing that we divert from our Goals and Purposes and succumb to the diversionary distraction. A worthy role model for all of us is Nehemiah. He felt compelled by God to rebuild the Walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah appeals to King Artaxerxes for permission to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild. He is granted permission. However, as the Wall is progressing, Distractions arise. In Nehemiah 4:1-3, we read the initial ridicule and attempt to Distract – “Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that? Tobiah...said, Yes, what they are building if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” The words could have easily discouraged Nehemiah and been a Distraction that could halt the project altogether. But they kept on with their effort – with spear in one hand and building with the other – “because they had a mind to work” – and the project was successfully completed.

There are times and moments when we all are confronted with Distractions and are almost overwhelmed by the opposition or discouraging words. At such times, we need to remind ourselves Who we serve and what He will do. We must remind ourselves of Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Consider this with me and let us keep on keeping on - - - -

From My Perspective - - - -

Those who love to “crunch numbers” can arrive at almost any conclusion based upon (a) a set sample group that is surveyed, and (b) the data that is considered. Sound Statistical Results can often be ignored, such as, almost 80% of the American people want this country to begin drilling for oil in our own nation and territory. However, the Congress of the United States pays no attention to that statistic and goes home for a month of vacation without taking a vote on the people’s business. There are other times one can observe the “findings” and poll results and muse, “where did they come up with that idea?” It appears that from now until the USA National Election Day (approximately three more months) we’ll have to be subjected to Opinion and Tracking Polls, and the Self-Serving Statistics and Punditry of the Media.

There is a current set of statistics pertaining to The Church and the variant data that are used. A partial book review in The Pastor’s Weekly Briefing is the following: “…A book by David T. Olson entitled, The American Church in Crisis…indicates: "The American church needs to be 'forever building.' Building is the church's response to God's missional promptings. But the greatest need of the church is 'being restored,' which is a spiritual and supernatural act of God… Mr. Olson refutes the church attendance research of both Barna and Gallup. He does not believe between 37% and 43% of Americans go to church each week. His research of nearly 300,000 churches gives evidence that the total attending services is closer to 52 million each week (versus over 100 million), and that instead of 40% attendingeach week, it is more like 19.5%. With regard to the evangelical church, he reports 26.7 million attended church on a given weekend in 2005 — 9.1% of the American churchgoers are connected with the evangelical church…Each year from 2000 to 2005, an estimated 4,000 new churches were started — but each year…3,700 churches closed or a net gain of 300. To keep up with the population growth, 2,900 more churches would need to be started each year, or a total of 6,900…”

If the data were analyzed more fully, one would probably discover the aging of the church that is occurring as well. Just randomly walk into any church when a Worship Service is in process and see how many families are in attendance. Wander around the premises and see how many babies are in the Nursery or children in a Junior Church Assembly. Most of the people attending are 55 or older, and more women are attending than men. A statement embraced in the above book based upon a study done in Switzerland indicates: "If a father does not go to church, no matter how regular the mother is in her religious practices, only one child in 50 becomes a regular church attendee." If that is true, what does this mean for The Church in the future? Why is it that men don’t seem to care any more? Is this the model they want to have before their family and neighbors?

Many Biblical passages could be referenced, but Ephesians 6:1 through 4 states the case well: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” In The Message Translation, verse 4 states: “Fathers… your children - Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.” This requires a lifelong commitment and diligence. There is no immediate tracking poll to measure the success-failure ratio. One only has the statement of challenge and assurance in Proverbs 22:6 (From: The Message), “Point your kids in the right direction - when they're old they won't be lost.” It’s not an easy task but it is rewarding when one “hangs in there”, and with prayer, persistence, example, and consistency implements the Biblical guideline and instruction, the positive result will be achieved.

Think about this with me - - - -

From My Perspective - - - -

One has to wonder at times whether or not the USA is losing its way. There seems to be a growing absence of logic in thought and proclamation, whereas there is a more evident bloviation (one who discourses at length in a pompous or boastful manner) and reaction response (counter-point) present on-stage every day. One of the candidates for the Presidency personifies what it means to be pompous and arrogant. His supporters would say it is “confidence” but the casual observer would disagree. In a June 26^th, 2008 article in the Wall Street Journal, Karl Rove writes the following: “It's All About Obama - Many candidates have measured the Oval Office drapes prematurely. But Barack Obama is the first to redesign the presidential seal before the election. His seal featured an eagle emblazoned with his logo, and included a Latin version of his campaign slogan. This was an attempt by Sen. Obama to make himself appear more presidential…" Also - "Consider his treatment of Jeremiah Wright. After Rev. Wright repeated his anti-American slurs at the National Press Club, Mr. Obama said their relationship was forever changed – but not because of what he'd said about America. Instead, Mr. Obama complained: I don't think he showed much concern for me.”

However, it’s not just in the Political Arena where arrogance and pomposity is present. Consider this appeal reported in the Boortz Report: “In May an illegal alien by the name of Joel Sanchez-Jacobo was found guilty on two counts of aggravated murder and one count for soliciting two murders. In other words ... this illegal alien came into this country and got involved in drugs and murdered people as a result. Now Joel Sanchez-Jacobo is complaining that his constitutional rights have been violated…Through an interpreter, Sanchez-Jacobo told the judge that the only reason he is on trial is because "the American justice system has failed to protect my rights." He claims he was denied his right to an impartial jury because Mexican-Americans were excluded from the jury. He also cited violations to his constitutional rights to due process, a fair trial, his right to testify on his own behalf and a full disclosure of information to be presented in court. And finally, his right to counsel was violated because the government appointed attorneys didn't speak Spanish. And if that isn't bad enough, he complained that the jail's law library books weren't written in Spanish, therefore he couldn't do his own legal research…After presenting this information to the judge, Sanchez-Jacobo was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole for the first murder and life in prison with a minimum of 25 years for the second murder…”

And someone wrote this letter expressing frustration with the system by which redistribution of money takes place regularly in this nation. He writes: “Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem. What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass this test in order to get a public assistance check?”

In Jeremiah 9:23-24, we read: “Thus says the Lord - Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”  Love, Justice and Righteousness in the land – where can we look for it? Where will we find it? The context of Jeremiah 9 indicates it is not in an outward action of the flesh but through an inner yieldedness of one’s heart to the Lord God. Anything less than that perpetuates the Pomposity and Arrogance that is on display in our culture.

Think about this with me - - - -

From My Perspective - - -

In current times, the number of both Foreclosures and Bankruptcies has been steadily rising. To be Bankrupt means: “(Law) A debtor that, upon voluntary petition or one invoked by the debtor's creditors, is judged legally insolvent. The debtor's remaining property is then administered for the creditors or is distributed among them.” There are six types of bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Code, located at Title 11 of the United States Code: (1) Chapter 7: basic liquidation for individuals and businesses; (2) Chapter 9: municipal bankruptcy; (3) Chapter 11: rehabilitation or reorganization, used primarily by business debtors, but sometimes by individuals with substantial debts and assets; (4) Chapter 12: rehabilitation for family farmers and fishermen; (5) Chapter 13: rehabilitation with a payment plan for individuals with a regular source of income; (6) Chapter 15: ancillary and other international cases. The most common types of personal bankruptcy for individuals are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. (As much as 65% of all U.S. consumer bankruptcy filings are of the Chapter 7 variety.) Corporations and other business forms often file under Chapter 7 or Chapter 11.

If you are the Federal Government, how would you view the condition of Bankruptcy? The solution is simple: (1) print more money (which devalues the dollar in world markets); or (2) increase the National Debt Level (let those who govern in the future pay the Debts being accrued today). Interestingly, this is what the Congress of the United States has just enacted. Housing Legislation was passed that proposes to do some of the following: “The legislation…aims to spare an estimated 400,000 debt-strapped homeowners, many of whom owe more their houses are worth, from foreclosure by allowing them to get more affordable mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration. The FHA could insure $300 billion in such mortgages (Banks would first have to agree to take a large loss on the existing loans in exchange for avoiding an often-costly foreclosure)…The Treasury Department gains unlimited power, until the end of 2009, to lend money to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac or buy their stock should they need it… Democratic leaders, recognizing that the measure could be one of the last items to become law during what's left of their abbreviated election-year schedule, tacked on an $800 billion increase, to $10.6 trillion, in the statutory limit on the national debt.

 
The nation will now have a National Debt of almost Eleven (11) Trillion Dollars. To understand what One Trillion is equivalent to, “If you had gone into business on the day Jesus was born, and your business lost a million dollars a day, day in and day out, 365 days a year, it would have taken you until October 2737 to lose a trillion dollars.” Our Government (US Senate) increased the nation’s debt by almost One Trillion Dollars this past Saturday. Our current Total Income Taxes cannot service the Interest on the National Debt. Our nation is fiscally Bankrupt!

The Word of God warns about carelessness with ones finances: Proverbs 22:26-27, “Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts.  If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?” And then, the rhetorical questions in Proverbs 6:9-11, “How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” As tritely as it may sound, if one wants to be totally responsible and fully blest by God, there are certain Financial Factors one needs to have in place: (1) Tithe no less than 10% of one’s Gross Income on a regular basis; (2) Save 10% of the Gross Income in an Interest Bearing Account in an FDIC Bank; (3) Budget the Balance of the Income in a regimented and frugal way for housing, utilities, food, medical, transportation, et. (And try NOT to exceed the designated amounts); (4) care for the genuinely poor and needy in a charitable manner (invite them to share a meal in your home; or bring them a meal rather then send them to a restaurant – this is called in Scripture: “Show Hospitality!)…

Think about this with me - - -

From My Perspective - - -

What if there was no such thing as second chances? What if we had to have it right from the beginning and there was no room for error? How many of us would survive? How many of us would be doing what we are doing today? Have we ever had a second chance? I would like to think there are certain things that are operative. It is chilling and sobering to read in Ecclesiastes 7:20, “…there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” This indicates that all of us in one way or another exhibit inconsistencies, foibles, and failures. When that occurs, I hope there are those who would come alongside and lift up the fallen; show compassion to the one who has floundered and failed; encourage the one who has faltered -  and show that God’s Grace is able to enfold such a one and grant a second-chance.

Sometimes there are mitigating circumstances that were never part of ones psyche or goal – “stuff” just happened – insufficient skill; lack of funds; no support group; no accountability; strong-will; a determination  of “my way or no way”; etc. Sometimes it’s just plain stubbornness and/or stupidity. It’s always good to know what one does not know! Life’s journey should not just be an on-going experiment – there ought to be achievable and realistic goals, as well as a sense of accomplishment and accountability. We need more men like the servant Barnabas who was willing to run the risk of reaching out and attempting to help those who were suspect, and some who had failed. Barnabas is known as “the man of encouragement” – the man who came alongside Saul of Tarsus to get him on the right track; and who later would take John Mark and help shape and hone his life so he would be more useful for ministry.

If the Lord God operated the way we sometimes do, no one would have a second-chance. We would zap them all! After all – they didn’t do it “our way”; or they were disgustingly human and failed! It’s so easy to set standards for others and to measure people by a standard before which we ourselves falter and fail. I think of King David and the odyssey of his life. The Bible states he was “a man after God’s own heart” and that he and his heirs would reign over God’s people. And yet – David failed miserably! By our standards, he would be finished! We’d say – “you had your chance and you blew it – now you’re done!” I love these phrases in II Peter 3:9 (The Message), “God isn't late with his promise…He is restraining himself on account of you…He's giving everyone space and time to change.” The words – “space and time to change” are like music to ones ears. There is the potential and possibility of a new day and new opportunity. God has given me opportunity to learn from my past inconsistencies, foibles, failures. Just as Jesus said to those whom he called to be disciples – “I will make you…” – he is still remaking and remolding and recycling those who have stumbles and fallen. I’m thankful for the second chances extended to me.

Someone shared the following thoughts with me: “Seeing how God has humbled a man though his first experience…and how this man has reacted by God’s grace - having learned fundamental lessons en route, I think that he is a much safer choice (for ministry) than someone who is untried.  Ministry is not for sissies or those who are full of themselves; it is tough and requires full dependence on God’s grace in humility.”  It’s difficult to have a second chance. Some love to hold another down and measure that one only by a past failure. It behooves us to reach out to those who have tried and failed – and especially to those who have learned valuable lessons as a result – and grant them an opportunity to be restored and to have a second chance. In 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, Paul shares these brief words of testimony: “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God (a second chance) that is with me.” Second Chances – we’ve all had them!

Think about this with me - - -

From My Perspective - - -

Every older generation looks at the current generation with considerable subjectivity, namely, “what’s happening with the youth of today…we never got away with that…etc.” Maybe we need to become more introspective and ask why we haven’t been a positive, assertive and responsible example to the children we birthed and are in process of shaping.

A recently published book: Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World, copyright 2008 by Jill Rigby states some ways children can be raised today to prevent them from becoming self-absorbed and self-centered. Here's how you can raise unselfish children in a self-absorbed world:
REPLACE A MIRROR WITH A WINDOW. Help your kids see beyond themselves to other people….Aim to raise your kids to become selfless adults who function well in the world because they have self-respect, rather than self-absorbed adults who can't function well because they feel entitled…
TAKE A HARD LOOK AT YOURSELF. You're an important role model for your children. Honestly evaluate in what ways your own lifestyle is either selfish or selfless….
ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND MAKE A PLAN. Take full responsibility for your parenting so far -- and how that has affected your kids -- instead of blaming others like your children's friends, teachers, or neighbors; the media; or society…
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR KIDS. Realize that children need parents who make decisions for them until they're mature enough to make decisions for themselves…
MEET ALL OF YOUR CHILDREN'S NEEDS, BUT NOT ALL OF THEIR DESIRES. Refuse to overindulge your kids in ways like: doing for your kids what they can do for themselves, buying them too much stuff, not expecting them to do chores, not having clear rules…etc.
ENCOURAGE YOUR KIDS TO PLACE THEIR CONFIDENCE IN GOD RATHER THAN IN THEMSELVES. Help your kids know who they are and Whose they are, learn not to think more highly of themselves than they should, choose to be obedient to God regardless of what it costs them…

CULTIVATE COMPASSION IN YOUR CHILDREN. Fill your kids' hearts with love so that, secure in the knowledge that they are loved themselves, they'll be able to love other people…Help your children learn to look at situations from other people's viewpoints. Teach them to love others. Practice hospitality,,,
BUILD FAMILY TOGETHERNESS. Strengthen your family's relationships to help your kids increase their sense of security, which will give them the confidence to reach out to others in love. Let them learn from their experiences in your family -- through good and bad -- that love is choice rather than just a feeling…
HELP YOUR KIDS LEARN HOW TO FORGIVE. Teach your children how to show remorse, repent, and apologize to others they've wronged. Forgive your kids when they do wrong. Forgive others when they offend you. Ask your kids for forgiveness when you wrong them.
CULTIVATE GENEROSITY AND GRATITUDE. Help your kids learn how to live with open hands and open hearts by giving them plenty of opportunities to give to others. Nurture gratitude in your children…
GIVE YOUR CHILDREN OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY. Incorporate community service into your lifestyle on a regular basis…Consider participating in projects like: hosting a neighborhood Bible club, collecting and delivering needed items for a homeless shelter, visiting elderly people in your area who have difficulty getting out…
PARENT WITH ETERNITY IN VIEW. Remember that it's not your job to make your kids happy, but it is your job to point them to the One who can make them holy.  

Proverbs 22:6 [NLT] is central and vital: You must “Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.” Training up of a child is an adult decision!  Be involved in this teaching process and leave a godly imprint in the child’s life. Don’t rationalize or compromise - Just Do It!

Think about this with me - - -

From My Perspective - - -

USA Today projected a financial reality in October, 2004 as it pertains to 2008. The authors, Dennis Cauchon and John Waggoner state the following: “The long-term economic health of the United States is threatened by $53 trillion in government debts and liabilities that…come due…when baby boomers begin to retire. The ‘Greatest Generation’ and its baby-boom children have promised themselves benefits unprecedented in size and scope. Many leading economists say that even the world's most prosperous economy cannot fulfill these promises without a crushing increase in taxes — and perhaps not even then. A USA TODAY analysis found that the nation's hidden debt — Americans' obligation today as taxpayers — is more than five times the $9.5 trillion they owe on mortgages, car loans, credit cards and other personal debt. This hidden debt equals $473,456 per household, dwarfing the $84,454 each household owes in personal debt….”

This projection is frightening when one considers the Mortgage and Investment Meltdown occurring in the markets. Escalating Food and Fuel Costs are only the tip of the iceberg. Some banks are closing and people have been lined up to withdraw their funds. Uncertainty will always stir a measure of panic. There is an interesting presentation by Steve Scalici is a Certified Financial Planner. He highlights some unexpected events of the past decade that result in economic uncertainty…
2000 -- Tech bubble bursts in March, 2000

2001 -- World Trade Center attacks on 9/11.

2002 -- Enron, Arthur Andersen, Tyco, Qwest, Global Crossing, ImClone, and Adelphia-- hiding debt and misrepresenting earnings

2003 -- War waged by the U.S. and Britain against Iraq begins; North Korea withdraws from treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons

2004 -- Spain rocked by terrorist attacks; UN Atomic Energy Agency tells Iran to stop enriching uranium

2005 -- Hurricane Katrina; Rising interest rates  

2006 -- Political corruption scandals; Interest rates rise; Housing market starts to slump

2007 -- Housing market meltdown  

2008 -- Credit crisis hits financial sector, oil prices drastically rise…

Steve Scalici goes on to state some principles of personal management that should see most people through the various crises that may arise…”. I have found that there are five basic principles that you can apply that work in any economic environment – (1) Spend Less Than You Earn; (2) Avoid The Use Of Debt; (3) Save Money For Provisional Purposes; (4) Set Long-Term Goals; and (5) Believe That God Owns It All. He also shares some basic Biblical Principles and Guidelines: Proverbs 6:6-8, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!  It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” A basic truism is found in Proverbs 22:7, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”

Many years ago, someone stated: “If your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall.” One would be wise to follow the Biblical principles of stewardship. At the end of the day – if these principles are embraced and implemented – one should be able to identify with The Psalmist and echo his words in Psalm 37:25-29, I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing…For the Lord… will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever…The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.” God is always faithful – He can and will do this for you.

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We are witnessing an interesting phenomenon today in the political arena, namely, the public persona of one candidate for the office of President of the United States. It is sometimes near cultic dimensions in terms of the response. It causes one to ponder the degree to which this becomes egocentric (having little or no regard for interests, beliefs, or attitudes other than one's own) and/or narcissistic (inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; vanity. In Psychoanalysis, narcissism means erotic gratification derived from admiration of one's own physical or mental attributes, being a normal condition at the infantile level of personality development). Could it be that we are allowing ourselves to be duped by personality rather than informed and persuaded based upon content?

In today’s issue of The Wall Street Journal Online, John Fund has a column entitled: “Congress's Edifice Complex”. It lists some of the political figures who secure earmark funds so buildings can be named for them in their districts. For instance, he mentions: “Now it seems almost every committee chairman gets some "Monument to Me" named after himself with the tab going to the taxpayer. There's a navigation lock in Pennsylvania named after Rep. C.W. "Bill" Young, the former GOP chair of the House Appropriations Committee. He represents St. Petersburg, Fla. -- his only connection to Pennsylvania is that he happened to be born there…. Indeed, the NIH campus is replete with monuments to the congressional patrons who shoveled cash to it. Buildings there honor still-living pols such as Mark Hatfield, Louis Stokes and Lowell Weicker. Attempts in 2006 to have the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta name its "Global Communications Center" after Sen. Tom Harkin (D., Iowa) and its operations center after Sen. Arlen Specter (R., Pa.) were blocked at the last minute by Congressional grinches such as Jeff Flake (R., Ariz.) and John Campbell (R., Calif.)… If longevity in Congress is linked to the number of projects named after a living member, the Immortality Prize clearly goes to Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia. John Stossel of ABC News found the Democrat's name attached to three dozen taxpayer-funded entities in his state, including a highway interchange, education and technology centers and even a telescope… Indeed, Mr. Byrd is unrepentant, telling Congress in 2001: "Pork has been a good investment in West Virginia, if you look around and see what I have done." Taxpayers for Common Sense notes it's easy for him to say that when he's spending other people's money, and asks what's next: rechristening the state "West 'Byrd'ginia?"…”

The amazing thing is that as appalled as we say we are about this type of spending, we still elect these same people to continue their extravagant and narcissistic ways – which the taxpayer is funding! And now, there is an apparent stampede toward a person who is totally inexperienced at worst and basically elitist at best. We are caught up in the web that is being woven…

We can easily critique the political arena and project outwardly but what would we discover if we were to critique ourselves spiritually and project inwardly? It would be good if we found a good measure of humility and some degree of self-abasement. One is reminded of the focus and commitment of The Apostle Paul when he wrote in Philippians 3:7-8 [The Message], “The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash - along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant - garbage. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ…” It would be good if this was our persuasion and motivation. The theme of our lives being the words of a Hymn – “Not I But Christ, be honored, loved, exalted; Not I, but Christ, be seen be known, be heard; Not I, but Christ, in every look and action, Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.”

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In both political and religious circles, we hear the similar designation of one being either Liberal or Conservative (there are other designations such as Libertarian. Moderate, etc.). In the religious circle one can be a Denomination affiliate (Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, etc.).  And within that generally defined circle, one can be an Arminian or Calvinist; Charismatic, Holiness, etc.  There are so many refinements to “Who” we are and “What” we believe that a clear identity is blurred at best.

When Abraham Lincoln wanted to clarify political issues and camps, he stated: “But you say you are conservative - eminently conservative - while we are revolutionary, destructive, or something of the sort. What is conservatism? Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried? We stick to, contend for, the identical old policy on the point in controversy which was adopted by “our fathers who framed the Government under which we live;" while you with one accord reject, and scout, and spit upon that old policy, and insist upon substituting something new. True, you disagree among yourselves as to what that substitute shall be. You are divided on new propositions and plans, but you are unanimous in rejecting and denouncing the old policy of the fathers.”  Abraham Lincoln drew the line of sharp distinction clearly. No vagueness! No blurring of identities!  Too much was/is at stake for vagueness and vacillation!

In the current political debate, there is the suggestion and accusation regarding one candidate or another “flip-flopping”!  One who “flip-flops” can mean many things, but the intention of the charge is to have one believe about another candidate that he/she is: “making a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy; to execute a backward somersault.” Is it possible that political candidates would succumb to such an action in an attempt to deceive you and to secure your vote? Say it isn’t so (a lot of tongue in cheek here)! Only the naïve would be duped! There is no way that a candidate who is known to have the most liberal voting record up to this point would suddenly have a conversion experience to become a Moderate/Conservative.

There is a fascinating Biblical passage – II Peter 2:17-22 – that describes the possible state of many political types (and religious ones as well).  Peter writes: “These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity…If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: A dog returns to its vomit, and, A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

Gullibility and Naiveté should not be ones DNA. We are to give prayerful thought to (a) what the Word of God requires of us, and (b) make consistent application of it in all areas and arenas of ones life.  Flip-Flopping should be far removed from any person of character and integrity. Abraham Lincoln framed the issue correctly when he asked: “Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried?” Our Foundations should be forever! Tampering with the Foundations will always compromise and jeopardize the structure. Note Ephesians 2:19 through 22, “…you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Don’t tamper with or attempt to alter this foundation!

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The American Heritage Dictionary gives an apt definition for the word, Manipulation: “Shrewd or devious management, especially for one's own advantage.” This tends to be very prominent in the Political climate of our times. Some speak of it as “talking points”, whereas others indicate it is a more blatant “spin” (or intended to make one believe something is true when in fact in may contain a deliberate partial truth). We see this in professional sports and people who are professional actors. Their “handlers” publicize what they want the public to know and think. It is particularly appalling when manipulation occurs within religious groups and denominations. It is especially painful to witness and experience manipulation – the shrewd or devious management as details are blurred and a rationale for actions taken fails to conform to defined procedures and practices – rules and regulations are set aside and personal preferences are substituted.

One of the many problems with Manipulation is that it tends to be dominated by the “devious”. It was Sir Walter Scott who is credited with writing: "Oh! What a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive." Devious is defined as: “not straightforward; shifty or crooked, insincerity or deceit; evasive, indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading…” It is an effort to paint a picture that is less than accurate regarding a person, place, thing, historical event, etc. To get a sense of this, all one needs to do is read the Daily Newspaper objectively and logically (maybe even skeptically) – and it will become very obvious that opinion has replaced fact, as well as redefinition replacing historical narrative and accuracy.

We get a picture of the devious and manipulation in I Samuel 15. The Word of the Lord is clear to King Saul regarding the Amalekites, namely, “Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.” It’s difficult to understand the modification Saul allows for the very clear directive: “But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction.” 

Saul’s approach was not the best “spin” because he stated to Samuel: “Blessed be you to the Lord. I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” Of course, there was a twofold matter that had not entered into the calculation of Saul, namely (1) the perception of Samuel, and (2) the immediacy of evidence to the contrary. Saul’s explanation for his modification and the contraband was: “And Samuel said, What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear? Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have devoted to destruction.” The only way to deal with the “spin” and the “devious” is to do what Samuel did: “Then Samuel said to Saul, STOP! I will tell you what the Lord said to me this night.” Samuel then asks: “Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?” Saul begins to manipulate and spin: “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” Basically, Saul was told he compromised his integrity and he would no longer be King over Israel.

What a sad ending because of the devious and manipulative! What kind of tangled web have you allowed to be woven in terms of your life? Is your life lived with integrity and forthrightness? It would be best to change before it is too late!

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Last week, our nation celebrated the 232^nd Anniversary of its Declaration of Independence. As our nation has evolved, How “free: and how “independent” are we today? Are we a government “of the people, for the people, by the people” or have we relinquished our freedom and independence for self-gratification purposes?

In his Breakpoint Devotionals, Chuck Colson shares about a friend who was trying to develop a camp program for needy children, with this observation: “In order to proceed with the camp, numerous permits, clearances, and approvals were required by an astonishing number of government agencies. These ranged from a County Planning Commission to the state's Historical and Museum Commission to the Environmental Protection Agency to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers…My friend was required to get a permit to cross a "wetland" with a truck. This "wetland" was a damp area some 18 inches wide…In the end, the various government bodies delayed the project for two years and cost my well-meaning friend millions of dollars….This was a case-all too common today-of regulatory agencies making it almost impossible to do anything because they have overlapping jurisdictions.” Colson summarizes: “…There is a profound Christian question at stake here. Scripture says government has just two objectives: to preserve order and do justice. How did we get from that simple function to a government that requires 18 different permits before you can build a new bathroom-or expand a campground for needy, inner-city kids?...We need to work to keep government doing its right roles and no more, because if we do not, it will eventually cease to function at all.”

Someone humorously wrote about the difficulty if Noah was given the assignment to build the Ark within one year. The parody states: “…Exactly one year later…The Lord saw Noah sitting in his front yard weeping. Noah. He shouted, Where is the Ark? …I did my best but there were big problems. First, I had to get a permit for construction and your plans did not comply with the codes. I had to hire an engineering firm and redraw the plans. Then I got into a fight with OSHA over whether or not the Ark needed a fire sprinkler system and floatation devices…my neighbor objected, claiming I was violating zoning ordinances by building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance from the city planning commission…The Fish and Wildlife Service won't let me catch any owls…The carpenters formed a union and went out on strike. I had to negotiate a settlement with the National Labor Union. Now I have 16 carpenters on the Ark, but still no owls. When I started rounding up the other animals, I got sued by an animal rights group…Just when I got the suit dismissed, the EPA notified me that I could not complete the Ark without filing an environmental impact statement on your proposed flood…Then the Army Corps of Engineer demanded a map of the proposed new flood plain…I am trying to resolve a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that I am practicing discrimination by not taking godless, unbelieving people aboard! The IRS has seized all my assets, claiming that I'm building the Ark in preparation to flee the country to avoid paying taxes. I just got a notice from the State that I owe some kind of user tax and failed to register the Ark as a 'recreational water craft.' The ACLU got the courts to issue an injunction against further construction of the Ark, saying that since God is flooding the earth, it is a religious event and therefore unconstitutional… The sky began to clear, the sun began to shine and the seas began to calm. A rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up hopefully - You mean you are not going to destroy the Earth, Lord? No, said the Lord sadly - The government already has!"

In the Christian Community and ministry effort, we are almost as complicated. Matthew 28:19-20 states: “Go…Make Disciples…Teach them God’s Law/Word…” It would be perhaps as difficult – or more difficult - for a William Carey, Martin Luther, Mary Slessor to be appreciated and approved for Christian endeavor today. We would still have people in the Churches who would not be engaged in the task to: “Go…Make…Teach…”

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We all see warning signs every day.  In some instances, those signs are so ordinary and common place that we hardly notice them any more.  For instance, Railroad Crossings used to have this warning: “Stop, Look, and Listen.”  We don’t have as much railway traffic as in previous years and the only thing that modifies our speed at such crossings is the uneven terrain when crossing the tracks. Another sign one often sees when driving is: “Watch Out For Falling Rocks”.  I doubt anyone pays much attention to that warning of possible danger. Few slow down for Curves; many do not make a complete Full Stop at an intersection. We just don’t take Danger Warnings seriously.

Regrettably, the matter-of-fact attitude permeates our culture, and with that attitude, detachment from the realities and lurking dangers. I think of two areas in our nation currently. First, economic instability.  The following report should serve as a Major Warning of Danger: “The total unfunded liabilities for Social Security and Medicare amount to $41 trillion dollars. Our government has promised $41 trillion dollars to Social Security and Medicare recipients without any plan to raise the needed money. So... just how much is a trillion? Have you ever asked for something from someone and had them reply "Just give me 5 minutes." Fine --- but what if he says "Just give me 1,000 minutes...or a million? Or a billion?" Here's the breakdown: 1000 minutes would equal just less than 17 hours. You'll get what you asked for before the day is out. 100,000 minutes would be almost 70 days. One million minutes? Look for whatever you need in just less than 2 years. One billion minutes? Try 1,900 years. One trillion minutes? Well, today is 2008. Your wishes will be fulfilled in the year 1,903,377. That's 1,901,369 years from now.” One wonders about the devalued dollar; the higher price of gasoline, the increasing costs of basic necessities – the basic truth is our outgo has greatly exceeded our income – therefore – our upkeep as a nation is leading to our downfall!

Secondly, the very considerable realities of terrorism.  Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of American Center for Law and Justice writes: “Christians are under attack. In Iran, a couple is tortured for reading the Bible.  Two men are tried and convicted for possessing Christian books in Algeria. This is serious.  Right now, there is a radical proposal being pushed before the United Nations that will make expressing your faith an international crime. Speak out for Christianity and you might face the death penalty. In countries around the world, Christians are under attack as never before. There are examples of a growing global crisis - Christians targeted, facing the harshest of penalties - often death.  Why?  For simply sharing their faith or even reading a Bible! Now, one of the largest organizations inside the United Nations has made a bold move. The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) at the U.N. is pushing a dangerous resolution - making speaking out against Islam - including proclamation of Christianity - an international crime. It's an anti-Christian measure and it clearly endorses what's taking place in many Muslim countries - where those who even speak out about Islam are severely punished with imprisonment and even death. I firmly agree with Justice Scalia who said in his recent dissent on the Supreme Court ruling on Guantanamo Bay, ‘America is at war with radical Islamists’.”

Despite these very real dangers, we read in I Peter 3:14 that must learn to cope with the degrading circumstances and press onward. Peter writes: “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." No fear!  No fright! We must function responsibly. We must live and model righteousness in the midst of chaos and darkness around us.

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