What the…manners?
I saw something last Saturday that made me laugh so hard my sides hurt.
Took the children to T-Ball and cheered my guts out. During the game, two children, a boy and a girl on the opposite team had the ball drop right smack between them. Everyone’s screaming and pointing at them as my daughter runs to first base. Yet these two paused each time the other bend down to pick up the ball. I could hear their faint voices above the roar as I sat on the side lines.
They were offering the ball to each other!
My daughter made it to first base without a hitch and the grownups around me screamed in frustration as I stopped laughing.
Those sweet little kids actually had manners. True blue, honest to goodness manners!
That stuck with me for the rest of the day and up to now a I pondered and smiled, realizing that there are still parents out there (at least two families I know of now) that are still committed to teaching their children the importance of manners and good social graces. Hey, we won’t always be playing baseball, but I assure you those two little kids will always be impressing the parents.
Read MoreChildren Learning: Calm Accountability
I’m getting slower and developing more patience the older I get. Not slower moving, though that seems to be creeping up, but rather slower to anger. My mind sees more, understands more and when I talk with my children, I find myself a councilman more than laying down ‘The Law’.
Kids (the non-goat type) get to a certain age where no matter what you tell them, there’s a break in the wiring between their ears and brains. It somehow reconnects itself as they mature, but for a few years you’re left with a virtual rebellious/semi-retardation stage.
Well, I found a neat little system that seems to work on bringing a child’s attention to their monstrous behavior. It’s called calm accountability. Here’s how it works.
Your kids argue. Calmly, quietly, ask them to stop arguing. At least in my house, the arguing will come to a climax and most kids will seek for favoritism of a parent to back their position of bad behavior. This is when you simply ask them questions. Have them enact/repeat what they have done and then ask one, simple question:
How does acting that way make sense?
I found it forced their little rebellious minds to contemplate and blow out the lazy cobwebs between their ears and look at themselves in a light they don’t always like, but they have to admit.
Try it on your kids. It may not work perfectly…but it is fun to use as a parent.
**grin**
Read MoreThe Two Pillars
Dear Children,
The nation has caused me to ponder issues which affect our family. The country is run by the corrupt, causing the people to mourn, yet it was the people who allowed this to happen in the first place. In the case of our current President, I am not convinced people truly believed in him so much as burned with an obsession to be a part of history. To be one who helped this nation ‘change’ in a radical fashion. Some now regret their choice. I’m not certain many realized the actual change would be the undoing of this country, its liberty and its freedom.
What troubles me is the lack of unity. So many shouting their opinions, grabbing what they can, suggesting twisted versions of the problems already in play. There are a few who are working to awaken the people to the original principles of the Constitution, but it’s an uphill battle. Too many are asleep.
This is why I thought it important to share something I feel, as your father, you should know. Principles which I ask you to study out in your minds—to find the answers for yourself. It’s critical for you to stand upon your own beliefs. I want you to own your knowledge and not rely on being spoon fed by those around you.
In my opinion, this nation can never stand without two vital pillars: Truth and Virtue.
The country and its political systems are now run by those who depend upon secrecy and deception to perform their labors. They wave their right hand in our faces as the left hand breaks our laws and violates our Constitution. Try and find a man or woman who says what they mean and mean what they say. It can hardly be done, if at all, within the public offices of this country. Where are the good men? Where are the wise men? Where are the men of integrity and service? They have all gone the way of the grave or have been labeled the outcasts of society. They are mocked, spat upon and deemed of no value. In their place reside the vipers who weave their forked tongues of mischief, speaking and shaking hands behind closed doors, accepting stolen monies for deeds any good society should punish to the fullest extent the law allows.
This is what you have inherited as your future.
We value a piece of paper we call a degree more than knowledge that is learned. We favor men who’s sole purpose it to interpret the law to fit the demands of their lusts and the lusts of their taskmasters, rather than the honest, open and hardworking citizen who cares for the welfare of his neighbor.
Shame on us.
We must value truth to love it. Only when the truth is loved will it become important. Only when it becomes important will the evil be exposed, for lies all eventually come to light if you introduce the truth. Lies cannot stand and only those who demand the truth of all things will have the passion, the courage, the boldness to stand against the evils of the men who lead and direct this nation.
Children, learn to love the truth. Embrace it. Live by it and cleave it to your breasts. It will protect you in dire times and in the midst of darkness. Nothing is sweeter than the truth. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Talk true and open with your fellow men and let come what may. Do not fear the consequences of truth. Weak hearts waver in the presence of a bold truth when they are guilty or harbor evil intents. Support those who speak the truth. Seek out those who live by truth themselves. Watch for the fruits of their labors, because in this will you know the hearts of men. Good fruit cannot come from a bad tree.
Live a life of Virtue. The world we live in is saturated with immorality and perversions greater than the Earth has ever known. You will have people question the validity of this essential attribute of any good society that hopes to last. Some will interpret its definition and seek to create a compromise. We live in a nation that murders its children and holds the violation of a woman as nothing more than an inconvenience. Those guilty will not escape judgement, whether in this life or in the next. There is only one standard for virtue and that is God. There is no compromise. Search the Bible, as did our founding fathers, and know that only a nation which supports virtue will be supported in turn by their Maker. We can be blessed to be sure, for God loves all his children, but we cannot hope to have the blessings or protection he reserves for those who love Him and keep his commandments.
This nation has supported and loved men of foul dispositions and immoral character. Men who violated the sanctity of marriage with harlots and consider it of no consequence. So I ask you to ponder this: how can we honor a leader who does not honor his own flesh? If he will cast aside the most intimate of promises, the vows he makes of his own free will and choice to his own wife in the presence of God, angels and witnesses…then why would he hold to the vows of his public office? Though the matter may be a private one, the habits, intentions and heart are also used in public.
He cannot be trusted.
Our country and communities are sick. The future is in your hands. Make a stand. Search your heart and know what you believe. Know that if you do the right things for the right reasons, loving God above all, He will preserve and protect you. If this country is to be saved, it will be through those who hold these two pillars as part of their foundation.
May God bless you and preserve you,
Your Father.
Read MoreEvil Has No Limits
I have always tried to be a person who respects the views of others. I may not agree with them, but I believe in and support the right to have views, even if they are contrary to my own. None of us will agree on everything. However, in the same stride, I also reserve the right to stand up and speak against things that I believe are incorrect or inherently evil.
This, unfortunately, is one of them.
Of all the things in this life, the two most special to me is my religion and my family. I love them both more than life itself. That specifically holds true to my beliefs in Jesus the Christ and his dying sacrifice for my sins and the sins of the world.
There are a fair measure of people who don’t believe in Jesus. That’s fine. There are people who hate Jesus. That’s their right as well. There are even those who simply see the Savior of Mankind as a meal ticket. That’s their choice.
However, it seems this world is aggressively bent on degrading and demoralizing anything and everything which is good to satisfy an inner burning to justify their own lusts, sins and abominations. I am speaking of an email I got from a young friend of mine who was very concerned about a play which has been around since 1997: Corpus Christi — a modern day retelling of the story of Jesus’ birth, ministry, and death in which both he and his disciples are portrayed as homosexual. Now he tells me there are people working to have this made into a film, to be shown here in America this year.
Just the thought of the Son of God, being mocked in such a vile way turns my stomach and my anger swells to defend that which is divine and most holy: My Savior.
Is this something we want our families to hear about? Is this something we want to have in our neighborhoods and talked about among our youth as our local theaters show extreme sacrilege, corrupting the minds and souls of whats left of a decent community?!
Here are my personal feelings on the matter: I am wholly and entirely against Homosexuality. In it’s every form and implication. It is a sin and abomination against God and any good, decent society where wholesome thoughts and feelings dwell. I do however believe in someone’s right to live as they choose, so long as they do not force themselves upon others.
‘Oh,’ says one, ‘you can always choose not to see the film.’
You’re right, I can choose to stay home and not watch your film.
I can wait as you bring your filthy thoughts, filthy beliefs and abominable lifestyles and plant yourselves around me and my community and my very home. I can wait until you have infested and corrupted the school systems and force your anti-family sexual sins as a ‘required’ alternative lifestyle choice, against my wishes, against my teachings, against all I believe in and teach my own children. I can wait for you to infiltrate the churches and the workplace with your innuendos, claiming your ‘rights’ to speak as you will and with no shame as to your public conduct, again, in front of the innocent eyes and hearts of my children. I can choose not to see your film and stay at home, but we both know you have no intention of ever staying at home yourself or allowing me the peace to walk and talk in quiet freedom of my own beliefs. Yes, I can choose to stay at home.
But for the first time, I choose not to.
No. This is my home, my community and my life. I choose to stand and speak against your your corruption, holding my Bible as a guide and as a standard. I’m not interested in your ‘rights’ once they have forced my own beliefs to take a seat in the shadows. I am not interested in your way of life or how it promotes death and decay, without ability to procreate or sustain a family organization as God intended. I am not interested in sitting idly by as you twist and tempt good, innocent children into believing their loving Father in Heaven actually created them to be at odds with his plan of happiness in living within the framework of His morality.
You may ‘know your brother’, but I do not want to know you.
This has gone on long enough. I ask all good, decent people to make your stand. To choose what is right, because it is right and not because it is politically correct. If something is wrong, speak out. If your community is broken, fix it. Find others of like minds and band yourselves together and make a difference. As for me, I will talk with and boycott any film of this ilk that even hopes to come to my community.
What did others do when the play Corpus Christi opened?
When the play opened, the theatre was besieged by almost 2000 protesters, furious at what they considered blasphemy. When Corpus Christi opened in London, a British Muslim group called the Defenders of the Messenger Jesus even went so far as to issue a fatwa sentencing McNally to death. On January 19, 2008, Robert Forsyth, Anglican bishop of South Sydney condemned “Corpus Christi” (which opened for February’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, a play depicting Judas seducing Jesus): “It is deliberately, not innocently, offensive and they’re obviously having a laugh about it.”
You have an opportunity to side with God in these issues that surround you. You can no longer turn an idle eye, hoping not to be ‘involved’. For evil to win, a good man only needs do nothing. Stand up for what’s right and good and true.
…or you deserve your fate.
I have finally learned that evil has no limit.
Holy Hannah My 3 Yr Old Can WHINE!
Anyone who knows my three year old Simon adores him. There’s no reason not to. He’s funny, wired and dangerously smart. His recall and comprehension levels are off the charts. Good thing is, he has a great heart: loves his family, loves people, obeys his father.
Any parent knows God has a marvelous sense of humor. We get many things we pray for. However, there’s always a trade off. He supplies your wants in exchange for some unique challenges.
I prayed for Simon to be bright, to be hyper for his brothers and father to play with him (we had suffered without more testosterone in the house for tooooooo long), and I wanted him to have a good heart. What I didn’t cover was his sick face. You know what I mean–the face all kids get when they have a fever or upset stomach. Some loud childen become peaceful when they’re sick and just want to cuddle of be held. Some children, who are soft and peaceful show that they have one foot in the burning underground. Their heads start spinning around and fire leaps from their mouths.
Yeah, Simons one of those.
The hard part is, he’s child #9 and I have yet to figure out HOW to help him calm down and chill out when he’s ill. I’m willing to help him in any way possible, but he simply won’t stop freaking out. Three days of that as long as he’s awake can wear the nerves of any adult!
So this is a call of mercy, out to any of you parents who have a child who may be a challenge when they’re sick. How do you help sooth the heart of a screaming banshee??
Read MorePlease Don’t Let My Baby Die.
I was talking with a good friend I have never met. Lafe Langford. Good man, great father and an inspiring example of faith and life in general. We were talking about Mexico, where he lives, the wildlife there and the fun it would be to come down there for some R&R.
We got to talking and he sent me a link to his site, where I read a heart warming story about his experience with his infant daughter Amanda and her life threatening challenge with a bad heart. I recommend this article if you have had struggles with hospitals or health providers. It reminded me of when Cesilea, my oldest, was just an infant herself.
We had moved to West Valley City, Utah and Ditto was just three months old. She had health struggles from the moment she was born until just over a year old, especially with fevers. It was always a challenge to get her temperature down, even with the medicine the doctors gave us. One day I came home from work and Kathi was in a state of panic. Cesilea’s temperature simply would not drop. We did everything we had been taught by the physicians and even our own parents. Nothing worked and as new parents we did what all inexperienced new parents would do: We put the baby in the car and sped off to the closest Hospital.
It was zoo day. The lines were so long, the waiting lines just to get your admission paperwork done zig-zagged through the lobby and out the front doors of the Hospital itself! They had a guard in the lobby making everyone wait their turn, the old women behind the desks shouting out numbers. I didn’t see a single child in line, it was wierd. Within three minutes Cesilea’s breathing had become so shallow, I couldn’t tell if she was breathing at all. Her skin had become so hot it was uncomfortable to hold her. Her body went completely limp.
I remember looking at Kathi and saying “Follow me.” I was determined to make someone listen to me.
I held Cesilea tight against my chest and turned my shoulder into the crowd, pushing my way through. I remember coming up to the guard who blocked my way, people snapping and cussing at me as I cut in front of them. I looked at the guard and opened my arms to reveal my lifeless looking baby and growling, “Move“. He just nodded and held his arms out to clear the way for Kathi and I to get into the main lobby.
Striding up to the counter, I stepped in front of the man sitting in the administration chair and leaned over the counter, placing Cesilea directly into the arms of the grumpy old woman who shouted at me to get back in line.
Her reaction was shock as Ditto’s hot flesh touched hers. The change in her expression was instant as she looked back at me, tears now flowing into uncontrolled sobs.
“Please,” I pleaded, “Please don’t let my baby die.”
Her wrinkled little hand whipped out and hit a button on the wall, yelled something I can’t for the life of me remember, but within moments there were 2 doctors, 3 nurses, and a cart there to take Kathi and Cesilea into the back. In under 10 minutes they had the baby’s fever down as I sat with the woman and did the paperwork–the older gentleman giving me his chair.
When I apologized for my actions, the woman reached over and grabbed my hand.
“My dear, there are days when I forget why I’m here. You did the right thing, in the right way.”
Between you and me, something happened in that experience. I had pushed past the guard at the prompting of the spirit in my heart. “Open your mouth, I will fill it.” was what I heard in my mind, yet when I reached that grouchy woman and opened my mouth, I had never felt so helpless in my life. My whole heart reached out to her in that instant…and regardless of what she was experiencing that day, love met need and my daughter was saved.
That’s my belief, anyway.
Read MoreMy Latest Book
