Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Grandchildren Are Mysteries
One of the greatest mysteries of life is how the boy who wasn't good enough to marry your daughter can be the father of the most amazing grandchildren in the world.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
We Disagree!
A casual observation of human nature will reveal one common characteristic, WE DISAGREE.
Some of us will agree on most things. Others will agree on some things. But none of us will agree on everything! Why can't we accept that truth? Why can't we disagree agreeably, rather than lashing out at those we disagree with. What is wrong with us?
As a whole, Christian people are no better at this than the rest of the population. When we don't get our way we try to punish the people we hold responsible. We move to another church or we withold our contributions, or worse yet, we viciously attack (slander) the person or group we disagree with.
There have always been those with the childish attitude that says "if I can't be the quaterback, I'll take my football and go home". But we seem to have escalated to the point where now, not only do some want to take their football and go home, they want to burn down the stadium as well!
Some of us will agree on most things. Others will agree on some things. But none of us will agree on everything! Why can't we accept that truth? Why can't we disagree agreeably, rather than lashing out at those we disagree with. What is wrong with us?
As a whole, Christian people are no better at this than the rest of the population. When we don't get our way we try to punish the people we hold responsible. We move to another church or we withold our contributions, or worse yet, we viciously attack (slander) the person or group we disagree with.
There have always been those with the childish attitude that says "if I can't be the quaterback, I'll take my football and go home". But we seem to have escalated to the point where now, not only do some want to take their football and go home, they want to burn down the stadium as well!
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Freedom Mr. President?
In late 2006 our daughter Rachael and her husband Robbie set out on a journey that will ultimately lead them from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to China. The journey I refer to is actually the adoption process for their daughter and my granddaughter, Emma. The trip originally was supposed to take about fifteen months. Now almost four years later, we are still waiting and it could be as much as two more years before their journey is complete.
Due to some changes in adoption regulations, they have received permission to pursue a domestic adoption concurrently with the international adoption and they are now in that process as well. That too has proven to be a challenging endeavor. To say this has been roller coaster ride of monumental proportions would be a gross understatement!
This situation is not unique to our family only. Literally thousands of couples have traveled this road before and thousands are on this road, littered with pot holes and detours, now. Some, finding the experience too difficult, turn back and give up. Yet many more doggedly keep moving on, faith exhausted, hearts aching, but determined as ever to bring their children home.
Since governments (domestic and international) and often politics play a role in all this, perhaps President Obama could help. If only he was as committed to adoption as he is to abortion. On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade he said "we are reminded that this decision not only protects women's health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle; that government should not intrude on our most private family matters". What about forcing people to buy health insurance. Isn't that intrusion in a private family matter.
Abortion is wrong and unnecessary on several levels, one of the most obvious being that there are families who would love to open their hearts and homes to these inconvenient children. Childless couples who are in a constant state of grief over the child they've never had nor held would give anything and everything to have and love these unwanted innocent babies.
Freedom Mr. President? What about freedom for the pre-born. Please search your soul and realize they need protecting most of all. Intrusion Mr. President? Isn't being literally torn from the sanctuary of your mothers womb the ultimate intrusion!
Who will defend the world's unwanted and defenseless children (born and pre-born)? Who will help and support the thousand of families and childless couples who desperately desire to give a loving home to every one of them?
November is National Adoption Awareness Month. Contact the President, your Senator and House Member. Find out what they are doing in this effort and ask them to do more!
Due to some changes in adoption regulations, they have received permission to pursue a domestic adoption concurrently with the international adoption and they are now in that process as well. That too has proven to be a challenging endeavor. To say this has been roller coaster ride of monumental proportions would be a gross understatement!
This situation is not unique to our family only. Literally thousands of couples have traveled this road before and thousands are on this road, littered with pot holes and detours, now. Some, finding the experience too difficult, turn back and give up. Yet many more doggedly keep moving on, faith exhausted, hearts aching, but determined as ever to bring their children home.
Since governments (domestic and international) and often politics play a role in all this, perhaps President Obama could help. If only he was as committed to adoption as he is to abortion. On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade he said "we are reminded that this decision not only protects women's health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle; that government should not intrude on our most private family matters". What about forcing people to buy health insurance. Isn't that intrusion in a private family matter.
Abortion is wrong and unnecessary on several levels, one of the most obvious being that there are families who would love to open their hearts and homes to these inconvenient children. Childless couples who are in a constant state of grief over the child they've never had nor held would give anything and everything to have and love these unwanted innocent babies.
Freedom Mr. President? What about freedom for the pre-born. Please search your soul and realize they need protecting most of all. Intrusion Mr. President? Isn't being literally torn from the sanctuary of your mothers womb the ultimate intrusion!
Who will defend the world's unwanted and defenseless children (born and pre-born)? Who will help and support the thousand of families and childless couples who desperately desire to give a loving home to every one of them?
November is National Adoption Awareness Month. Contact the President, your Senator and House Member. Find out what they are doing in this effort and ask them to do more!
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Animals in Heaven?
A member of our family passed away on Tuesday afternoon, November 3rd. Winnie came to live with us about thirteen years ago when she was little more than a kitten. It was supposed to be a temporary arrangement. Just until our daughter could find an apartment that allowed pets. But she and my wife quickly bonded and Judy refused to give her up.
Next to me, she was my wife's best friend. Well, that is probably wishful thinking on my part. The truth is I was most likely number two and I think Winnie knew it.
She was just as much a part of our family as any human member. I know that is hard for some people to understand unless you are empty nesters like my wife and I. Winnie helped fill the void left when all the kids moved out of the house and two states away. She joined our family before the grandchildren were born and they have never been in our house without Winnie there.
It is amazing how you can get so attached to an animal.....or is it really. After all, they give you countless hours of companionship, unconditional love and absolute loyalty and all they ask in return is water in their bowl, a little food in their pan and an occasional well placed scratch behind the ear.
We buried Winnie in the back yard, under the steps leading up to the tree house, where the Little Girls have spent so much time playing. She had a good time out there earlier on that last day of her life, swatting at butterflies and chasing a young curious squirrel until she was exhausted. I think she would be pleased.
Children often ask if there will be animals in heaven, especially dogs and cats. I don't know, but I can't imagine it any other way.
Next to me, she was my wife's best friend. Well, that is probably wishful thinking on my part. The truth is I was most likely number two and I think Winnie knew it.
She was just as much a part of our family as any human member. I know that is hard for some people to understand unless you are empty nesters like my wife and I. Winnie helped fill the void left when all the kids moved out of the house and two states away. She joined our family before the grandchildren were born and they have never been in our house without Winnie there.
It is amazing how you can get so attached to an animal.....or is it really. After all, they give you countless hours of companionship, unconditional love and absolute loyalty and all they ask in return is water in their bowl, a little food in their pan and an occasional well placed scratch behind the ear.
We buried Winnie in the back yard, under the steps leading up to the tree house, where the Little Girls have spent so much time playing. She had a good time out there earlier on that last day of her life, swatting at butterflies and chasing a young curious squirrel until she was exhausted. I think she would be pleased.
Children often ask if there will be animals in heaven, especially dogs and cats. I don't know, but I can't imagine it any other way.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Bizarre Times
The Southern Baptist Convention has sets aside the month of January as Sanctity of Human Life Month. Southern Baptist churches across the nation will recognize this event in a variety of ways. However, simply setting aside one month a year is not nearly enough. We should use every peaceful means possible to stop this most horrible act of violence against the most innocent and helpless among us. If not, then we (and that includes all Christians) have blood on our hands as surely as those who work in and support the abortion industry. The most powerful weapon we have in the fight for life is our vote. Yet most professing Christians vote their wallet rather than biblical principles. Our 401K is more important to us than the life of these defenseless children.
Minority groups in our nation want more legal rights. The unborn want only one right. Gay couples want the right to same sex marriage. The unborn only want the right to live!
These are bizarre times when those who march in the parade to save the whale are also saying kill the baby. Nazi Germany's mass murder of 6,000,000 Jews under Hitler pales in comparison to the more than 50 million babies aborted since 1973 in the United States. Truly, we have lost a generation through mass murder, infanticide or more correctly, convenience killing of the unborn.
How can we answer the call of our nation to fight terrorism if we ignore the greatest act of terrorism in all of history, 3,846 abortions daily. The most dangerous place in America is in the womb. And everyone knows it!
Minority groups in our nation want more legal rights. The unborn want only one right. Gay couples want the right to same sex marriage. The unborn only want the right to live!
These are bizarre times when those who march in the parade to save the whale are also saying kill the baby. Nazi Germany's mass murder of 6,000,000 Jews under Hitler pales in comparison to the more than 50 million babies aborted since 1973 in the United States. Truly, we have lost a generation through mass murder, infanticide or more correctly, convenience killing of the unborn.
How can we answer the call of our nation to fight terrorism if we ignore the greatest act of terrorism in all of history, 3,846 abortions daily. The most dangerous place in America is in the womb. And everyone knows it!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Elections
"Elections belong to the people. It is their decision. If they decide to turn their backs on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters".
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
LIFE or DEATH
The Sanctity of Human Life (Pro-Life) is a Biblical, Spiritual, Moral Issue, not the agenda of any particular political party or group. It is not a matter of liberal or conservative. It is a matter of LIFE or DEATH! It is a cause around which all Christians (Democrat and Republican) can and should unite.
Southern Baptists set aside the month of January as Sanctity of Human Life Month !
Southern Baptists set aside the month of January as Sanctity of Human Life Month !
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