In my job I see lots of "beautiful" women.  I am sure most of you guys do too.  It doesn't take much to see women who are, at least by the world's standard, beautiful.  You know the stereotype, long blond hair, blowing in a breeze, long legs, short dress, large... you know..., low blouse and puckery lips.  That's right, that's our society's definition of beautiful.  Men drool over those pictures of those women, ladies panic that they don't look like it, boys fantasize about it and girls try to become it.  Beauty???  I want to stand up and say "NO, NO, NO and NO"  This Valentine's Day, let me tell you what I see as truly beautiful.

True beauty is in the smiling face I greet when I woak in the door tired after a full day of work.  She's tired too, after all, in many ways, she probably worked harder than I did, but I still see the smile, not only on her lips and in her cheeks, but in her eyes too.  True beauty is the loving mother giving a two armed bear hug to a tired child who cralwed up on her lap just before bed, thumb in mouth, and head on her shoulder.  Beauty is snuggly, cute sweatshirt and denim skirt that makes me jst want to put my arm around her and pull her close.  Beauty if waking up beside her in the morning, with her beautiful, long hair strewn over her cheek and pillow as she lays on her side sleeping soundly.  Beauty is a wife who puts up with my hassels and my annoyances with a smile and joy.  Beauty is a wife who does her best to honor God and honor her husband.  Beauty if a wife who loves her children and does what is best for them, without complaint.  Beauty is a wife who is willing to sit and snuggle with me on the couch, for no reason other than to want to be close to me (go figure).  Beauty is a wife who will not just say "I'm sorry", but will repent for her mistakes and strive to do better. 

I get fed up with the phoniness of beauty as defined by the world.  Give me the inner  beauty of  my wife any day!!!!  Now, don't get me wrong, my wife has inner beauty, but she is also just plain gorgeous on the outside.  But, that ouside beauty is caused by what happens inside, it's NOT fake. 

It is interesting when you think about Proverbs 31.  It talks a bout a woman whose value is far above rubies.  Rubies are a pretty stone, but it is their value, their inner value that enhances their beauty. There are plenty of pretty stones out there that are worthless.  That's what makes my wife special she is beautiful with an inner value that shines all over the place.  Happy Valentines Day My Love.  I thank God for you and for all you do.  You are truly a blessing

I wrote last time about some thoughts I have been having about Deut. 6.  Before you read my thoughts here, I would recommend reading my last post (Sorry it is so long).  The short story is, what would my life look like if I really lived Deut. chapter 6.  What if I had a more discipleship approach to my children, instead of a more, "do it because I said so" approach?  What would that look like?

Dear Lord,

As I pull into my driveway, help the short distance from the road to my house be a reminder of the buffer that is between my home and the world.  May I leave the problems that need to remain outside my home, outside my home.  May I remember that those problems are like the dust of the gravel.  Here and annoying for a moment and soon driven away by the wind.

As I stand on my front deck, between the outside world and the home I have inside may I remember that I am your ambassador on a daily basis between the outside world and Your world, and may I remember that I am also an ambassador of my family.  Sometimes I protect, sometimes I defend, sometimes I just watch and smile, but it is my job to stand between the world and my home.

As I put my hand on the door knob, ready to enter my home, let me remember that you are truly Lord of my heart, and let my door always be open to You, Your direction, Your leading, and Your plan.

As I enter my home to greet my family, Lord, please help me to be an encouragement to them.  You never tire of seeing me or hearing from me.  You have never had a day so bad that you didn't want to hear about mine.  Please let me be that for my family.  Let me  hug, let me kiss, let me dry tears, and let me just enjoy being being a father, whether the specifics are pleasant or not.

As I smell the wonderful aromas of my wife's delicious meal, let me remember that every action, every thing I do is an aroma to you, please let it be pleasant, not a stench.

As I sit down to dinner with my family, and we fill ourselves with all the good things to eat, please, please, please Lord, help me to fill my family with your Word.  Let our table not only be a place to each physical food, but a place for discussion to fill their mind with knowledge about your world and your Word.

As we are in our Family room, let this room be an inviting room to all, whether family, friend or stranger, for now.  Let this be a place where family memories are built, and good times are remembered.  Let this be the place that truly earns the name "Family Room".

As we sit before our woodstove on this cold night, let me remember that you are a fire.  Please be a fire within me that warms and comforts those who need it, but let me never forget your raw power and strength that will also burn and consume.

As I look out my window at our property, our trees, our creek, our yard, help me remember that it isn't really mine.  You created it, you made it and you are letting me care for it, much as you are letting me care for your children who are in my care, even when they are hard to deal with.

As I watch my children play with their toys, help me to remember that all I own is simply that, a child's plaything to you.  It has no lasting value.  You are the only thing in my life that has value, You and the family you gave to me that I desire so much to be with me forever in your Heaven.

As we get ready for bed, help me remember that someday I will pass from this earth, and this "day" will be done.  Please help me to live in such a way and touch my children's lives in such a way that I will have no regrets when I am in the sunset of my life.

As I sit on my children's beds and look out the window help me remember that you are also the Lord of the night, nothing happens that You don't know about.

As I pray with my children I ask you to help this time be a sweet memory for them, a memory of their father teaching them to talk to his Father and making Him their Father as well.

As I tuck them in, help me to remember that even on their worst day, they have never done anything to me so evil as what I did to You when I nailed you to Your cross, spat on you, rejected you, reviled you and hated you.  Yet you loved me.  Help me also remember that these children are both a gift and a loan.  Please help me to train them so  I can spend eternity with them

As I spend a few precious moments with my wife, help me to be thankful for this gift, whether she needs a laugh, a hug, comforting, or just my presence.  What a gift!

As I prepare for bed and to end my day, help my bedroom to remind me first of my sacred vow to my wife and the holiness of it.  Help my bed to remind me that your mercies are new every morning.  I have never sinned so badly that You won't forgive me.

Help my home to reflect you in ever way.

In Jesus name

Amen

It has almost become the "theme verse" for homeschooling.  Deut 6:7

and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up

However, in my current thoughts on discipleship, I was thinking about the whole context.  Here it is, in part

Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah: ⁵ and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. ⁶ And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; ⁷ and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. ⁸ And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes. ⁹ And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates. 10 And it shall be, when Jehovah thy God shall bring thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee, great and goodly cities, which thou buildest not, ¹¹ and houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and cisterns hewn out, which thou hewedst not, vineyards and olive-trees, which thou plantedst not, and thou shalt eat and be full; ¹² then beware lest thou forget Jehovah, who brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ¹³ Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; and him shalt thou serve, and shalt swear by his name. ¹⁴ Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples that are round about you; ¹⁵ for Jehovah thy God in the midst of thee is a jealous God; lest the anger of Jehovah thy God be kindled against thee, and he destroy thee from off the face of the earth....²⁰ When thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Jehovah our God hath commanded you?  ²¹ then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt: and Jehovah brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand; ²² and Jehovah showed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his house, before our eyes; ²³ and he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. ²⁴ And Jehovah commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear Jehovah our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as at this day.

As I re-read this familar passage I can't help but make a few quick observations.

1. Scripture is always before them, and this is a people who don't have printing presses or internet.  God commanded His Word to be before them.  On their hand and on their forehead.  How much more in front of you all the time does that get.  It is to be on your gates and door posts of your house.  I wonder if on your hand would symbolize all you do, on your forehead, all you think, on your gate, all who leave your home, while they are outside the home, and on the door post all who come into your home while they are in your home.  In other words, there isn't a time, place, or activity that isn't bathed in Scripture.  It is in this context that we begin to talk to our children and work with them in discipleship
2. I also couldn't help but notice the similarities between the wealth described for the Jews and the wealth we have in this country.  In the midst of all this wealth we are warned not to forget God.  In the midst of all this weath, even with God's Word everywhere in our lives (hand, head, gate, doorposts), we are still warned not to forget God. 
3. They were commanded to be ready to answer their children's questions about the Law.  God didn't tell them to tell their children, "Because I said so", but to give a detailed explaination as to why they were to obey God.
4. Their children asked "Why are there all these rules and regulations" too, but the Jews had a good answer for them, instead of the cop out answers we sometimes give.

So, what does this mean.  What would does my life look like, and what would it look like if I lived, and I mean truly lived this passage.

I come home from work, and I see the bike (or this time of year) the sled that was left out.  I pull into my driveway, sigh and gear up to go inside.  I am greeted by loud, but happy children (sometimes), or, I am greeted by the problems of the day from the broken hinge to the clogged sink, to the child who disobeyed who needs "Dad's attention".  We eat dinner together as a family, with plenty of fussing about good manners.  Maybe the same happens at your house ("sit straight in your chair", "Don't eat with your fingers", "We pass the potatoes, not reach across the table for them").  After dinner we have family worship, again with plenty of correction about sitting still, paying attention, being sure to sing, not kicking your sister, etc., etc., etc.   Next I complain about their room, and how it isn't clean, and then about how the living room isn't clean, and stay on them until they both are.  Finally, after a little visiting, or playing off to bed.  Now, we have done some things to bring more Scripture into our house.  For example, on our old front door, my lovely wife painted it with the fruit of the Spirit.  We have scripture hanging in our home, including our family "theme verse" of Philippians 4:8.  We do family worship.  The children go to sleep listening to Scripture CD's, but do I really live this verse?  I got to wondering what my evening would look like if I were to apply this passage.  HMMMM.  I have gone long enough here already.  Next post I will tell you what I think it might look like

I have been wondering about something, especially as I train my children.  Maybe its something all of you have already thought of, maybe it's old hat, but it's nothing profound, but it is something that has been going through my mind for a little while now.  Here it is

Is it better to have a strong relationship with a child, or is it better to have obedience from a child?

Now, granted these two things are pretty closely related, and in real life it is seldom that you have to exclusively choose one or the other, but there have been a few instances where I have felt like I was making a choice between having a relationship with them, or having them obey me.  Have you ever been there?  I have won the battle.  My child has obeyed me, I have exhibited my power and control as a parent, and the relationship, at least temporarily has been damaged.  So, which was most important, was the damaged relationship worth winning the battle to get them to obey.  This is especially a pertinent question with my boys.

It seems that maybe, and these are some random thoughts, but just maybe this is the difference between the Hebrew method of raising children and the Greek method of raising children.  The way the ancient Hebrews worked with and raised their children was very much a discipleship approach.  They did things with their families (Deut. 6).  They taught as they walked, laid down, rose up, etc., etc., etc.  the Greek method, currently in use today in most educational institutions, including the church, involves giving facts to a group of students.  So, maybe when all I demand is obedience, I am only giving the facts, and expecting a response, instead of building that relationship.

In other words, maybe my boys clean their room, but how clean is their heart if that's all I get.  Is their heart damaged and hurt when I go in and fuss at them for having a dirty room.  Maybe their school work gets done, but only after tears, hurt feelings and a fear of getting the answers wrong.  Maybe we made it through family worship, but everyone is miserable and frustrated because I forced everyone to sit still after a long day of being cooped up, instead of realizing that my boys will fidget some, and amy not think the same way I do.

So, am I advocating that we not make our children to things they don't like?  NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT.  Honestly, I am not sure I completely know the answer to this, but I do know it is something I am puzzling over.  But I think the answer lies somewhere in what my expectations are, how I tell my children what those expectations are and how I expect them to be fulfilled.  In other words, have I communicated clearly what I want.  Not just, go clean you room, but the idea that having a clean room shows order, similar to the order that God created in the universe and by cleaning our room, we can honor God.  We can also honor God by being a good steward of the things he gave us, and that means taking care of them, not throwing them on the floor.  And then maybe helping them with a plan to organize.  giving them something to do to organize their room, maybe even making it a game.  And finally helping them see that it isn't having a clean room because it drives me crazy when it's not, but that having a clean room will help them be better fathers and husbands when they grow up. 

In the past it seems the church has taught that obedience is the main thing for children, make sure you win the battles.  Maybe, and I would really like to hear your thoughts, but maybe we should look at it as having our children work with us as a family to battle the Evil One, rather than us battling each other.

So, what do you think.  Am I way off, or headed in the right direction (and yes, I know, these thoughts are incomplete, but they are a start).

I guess I should somehow feel honored, because "Anonymous" stopped by and left a rather scathing comment.  I would typically remove a comment made by someone who would not leave their name, but instead I would like to respectfully comment on their comment.  I don't want to degrade this person and I certainly don't want to insult them, thus if this post, in any way, sounds that way I truly apologize.  I will say, however, that I do believe their comment to by symptomatic of our culture.

Several months ago I made a post about a "Wedding Ring Coffin".  This is a "joke" that you can put your wedding ring to "Rest In Peace" when you get a divorce.  I commented that it wasn't very funny, and a sad commentary on our culture.  Here is what Anonymous had to say in response

How Uptight can you get? 

So, do you actually think that if this Wedding Ring Coffin didn't exist, the people who are becoming divorced would stay married. Divorce happens, and if this little coffin shaped jewelry box can bring a bit of closure to a sad chapter in one's life, I'm all for it.

First of all, I must agree with him that Divorce does happen.  But the rest of it, especially for us guys I think misses the mark. 

I don't know Anonymous expected an answer to his (I will refer to Anonymous using male pronouns, but realize this could have been a woman as well) question, but I will answer it anyway.  i do not think that if this coffin suddenly ceased to exist it would stop all divorce.  However, I am saddened that the covenant of marriage has been so cheapened that we make a joke of something as devestating as divorce.  I would respectfully ask "Anonymous" if he believes that the makers of this coffin were really doing it out of the goodness of their hearts to bring closure to people in hurting relationships, or was this a money making proposition.  If it is the latter, the maker must believe there is a demand, and that is what I am upset about.  While we are on the topic, I am also upset about the speed with which one can obtain a divorce, the countless books on "Christian divorces", even a "Christian divorce attorney" that advertises on our local Christian radio station.  Do I think all these things should be eliminated or that if they were it would end all divorces.  Of course not!  These are simply systematic of our culture that glorifies divorce. 

In logic, this argument is a red herring.  I was making a point about culture, and Anonymous took something unrelated (If this coffin didn't exist would all divorces end), and tried to make that the issue.  This is a logical fallacy.  But, since that can of worms was open, I will say this, I do believe that items such as this contribute to a cavalier attitude of divorce.  Cause it?  No!  Add to it?  Absolutely.

Finally, his last statement was "...and if this little coffin shaped jewelry box can bring a bit of closure to a sad chapter in one's life, I'm all for it. "

This is an argument by justification, or utilitarianism.  In other words, "the end justifies the means"  If some good comes out of this item, then I am all for it.  Also know as an (are you ready for this, this is original), and "If, then" statement.  First of all, one does not bring about the other.  Secondly, utilitarianism is the same argument that has justified such atrocities as abortion, euthenasia, even the holocaust.  For each item, a good end was anticipated, thus the means was justified.

However, even if the end was justified, I would disagree with its accuracy.  A little coffin will not end the breaking of a vow before God and man.  It will not put the pieces of a devestated child's life back together.  It will not cure the nighmares, or the emotional scars that this child will carry into their own marriage.  It will not heal the pain and betrayal felt by the wronged spouse.  It will not put the child in a 2 parent home again, and it will not end the "I'm not in love anymore, so I'm outta here" mentality of our culture.  So, no, it won't bring closure.  Only God can bring healing, which is what is truly needed when someone goes through a divorce, not just closure on a sad chapter.

As I said I must agree with Anonymous that divorce happens.  I must also agree that it is sad.  However, God alone can bring the healing, both for the victims of divorce, as well as for a culture who is addicted to divorce.

Finally, why did I bother writing a response to this.  Let me explain.  We live in a culture, especially with the prevelence of the internet, where accusations, and logical fallacies can be thrown around without thought.  I believe, especially as men, called to defend, we must be prepared to do more than simply throw an insult back.  We must be prepared, now more than ever, (and be training our sons and daughters to do so as well) to defend what we believe and why both logically and Biblically.  In a post Christian culture, it is difficult to start with the Bible.  Most don't accept it.  We must start with God's moral law, as well as his natural law.  God created logic, God created order.  We must use those tools to begin to help people understand why we believe what we do.  As we use God's created tools, we can bring them back to God's word, and work from there.  This is often what the Puritans did, and throughout history, those with a Reformed mindset have done.  Another way to put it is how it was put in Proverbs 21:31

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord

We need to prepare our horses for when we go up against the culture (logic, worldview, apologetics, etc., and training our children in these areas), and let the Lord bring us the victory.

Finally, Anonymous, I would love to continue this dialogue is you would like.  Please identify yourself.  I have no intention of insulting you or belitting you, as long as you want to dialogue and learn from each other.  I do ask that you refrain from the same and maybe, just maybe in our discussion we can teach each other something.

I got a wonderful book for my birthday in July, titled Day by Day with the English Puritans.

Since it starts in January 1, I had to wait until 2 weeks ago to start it, and I have already been very blessed by it.  (Incidentally, it is available at one of my favorite websites, monorgism.com.  The book is at this link).

These were men who truly suffered and died for their faith.  These were also men who lived their faith daily.  This was not a convenience faith, but a faith that "had legs".  As best as they humanly could, their thoughts, actions, attitudes, the way they treated their families, the work they did, the way they reared their children, etc., etc., etc was a reflection of thier belief, not what they wanted, or what was convenient.

Anyway, the reading for today pointed out a verse that I know I have read, but missed, and was a great encouragement to me today.  It is Psalm 34:19.  "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."  The next verse if the prophecy about non of Christ's bones being broken on the cross.  " He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken." (ESV).  David wrote this Psalm during a low point in his life.  The Psalm opens saying "Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out and he went away."  In the midst of this low point, he knew God Delivers.

David doesn't mince words.  He doesn't say "if" the righteous are afflicted.  He doesn't even say "When".  He says "Many".  The afflictions of the righteous are many.  David lived in a culture that believed in God.  They weren't always faithful, but the Israelites were God's chosen people, and David said the afflictions of the rightous are many.  He also said the Lord delivers him, and he could have stopped here and been fine, and that would have been an awesome promise, but almost as if for emphasis he adds, "out of them all."  We are removed from "ALL" afflictions. 

Talk about dealing with afflictions, these Puritan men sure knew what dealing with afflictions was.  They knew what Many afflictions were, and they looked to God to deliver them.  Forgive me, Lord for even daring to call my problems afflictions.  Then again, David said "many are the afflictions of the righteous"

What afflictions are you facing?  Tough Job?  Kids who are being rebellious?  Sick Kids?  Problems at church?  Financial struggles?  Marriage struggles?  Homeschooling woes?  Not enough time in the day?  Something else?  Are the afflictions Many.  David said they would be.  He also promised deliverance.  He didn't say when, he just promised it.  As dad's, our tendancy is to "fix things".  God has promised to fix the afflictions.  We just have to wait.  It may be now, it may be later, it may be in heaven.  However, they will be fixed.  Your job?  God will deliver!  Your rebellious children?  God will deliver (them and you).  Sick kids?  God will deliver.  On and on it goes. 

Please don't misunderstand.  I am not taking a happy go lucky, name it and claim it kind of stand here.  I am not pasting on a smile and forcing myself to say,  God will deliver me.  RAther, I am taking the position I want my children to take.  "This is big, this is a problem, I am dealing with a lot, but my Father can take care of it.  I will let Him."

Som eof our children have a hard time with this, being adopted.  They have learned not to trust, and we have to build that trust, one brick at a time.  When they can finally lean back, and say I trust you to take care of it Daddy, and let me, I know they trust me.  We also have been adopted, and we also may not how the how, but we can know the fact that God will deliver.

So, Many are the afflictions of Shane (assuming I am a Christian who is righteous through Christ), but the Lord delivers him out of them all. 

AHHHHHHH.  I feel better already.  My Father is in charge

It seems like I have so many thoughts floating around in my head that I would love to get on paper, not just for others to read, but more than anything for myself.  I would love to tell you about a wonderful Christmas that we had in our home, even share with you some of our traditions, but it's a little too late for that (who knows, I might do it anyway).  I have some thoughts and some ponderings on the elections, there are some things I have been thinking about as relates to the culture, etc.  Of course, all of this and more as relates to being a dad.  Plus, I am having a hard time sorting out exactly where I fall as relates to Covenant and New Covenant Theology, especially as pertains to the familial covenant, the Adamic, the Noahic and the Siniatic covenant in relation to our covenant with Christ (I know that's confusing just typing it out). 

Plus, to add to everything, this is one of the busiest times of the year for me at work.  Oh well, as usual, I will write what I can, when I can.  If it interests you enjoy taking a peak into my mind and how it works (and if it doesn't frighten you too much).  Well, back to the grind stone.  More to come soon.

It's not a big deal I know, but there is something that annoys me, and has annoyed me, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out why.  Now, I think I have it figured out.

These sayings drive me nuts, "Prayer changes things", and "I believe in the power of prayer".  Don't get me wrong.  I am a praying person.  I believe we are commanded to pray, I believe it is a priviledge to pray.  I love prayer, and all it implies, but these 2 sayings drive me crazy.  Now, after analyzing it, I think I understand why.

Saying this doesn't give the credit to God, it gives the credit to me.  the quotes imply that prayer is what changes things, and if prayer changes it, the pray-er must be the one who initiates it.  Also, if there is power in prayer, the power resides with the one praying.  Thus, it isn't God who changes things, or the power in God, it is I who changes things. 

So, there it is, that's why they drive me crazy.  Now, I know a lot of folks who say this, and I know what they mean.  Fact is, as I hear this around, I will probably never say anything.  It is just that now I know why it drives me crazy

This was a busy weekend for us.  Saturday was our traditional "put up the tree day".  All day you ask.  Yes, all day.  Here's why.

You can't just put up the tree.  First of all, you have to test the lights and see if you can figure out why some blink and some don't.  Then you have to run to the store for chicken food (unrelated, but necessary).  Then, because the new puppy can't figure out that the cold outdoors is for the bathroom, you have to shampoo the carpet.  Then, the carpet cleaner leaks, so you have to get out the wet dry vac and go back over the area so it's not too saturated.  Then you have to put up the tree. 

Thus, a short project becomes an all day affair (typical for my projects).  Anyway, we got the tree all up, all the special ornaments put on, including the ones we got in Boston this year, the lights on (with half of them blinking and the other half not), and it actually looks pretty good.  Then we had my cooking, followed by watching White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye.  This has, quite by accident, become our annual tradition.

Then last night, we started what has become very, very dear to me, and that is our Advent season.  Every night we light the advent candles (The first Sunday we light one, and every day of that week.  The second Sunday we light 2, and every day that week, etc.,etc).  We have a Scripture reading, sing a Christmas carol and pray.  It is a sweet time and for some odd reason, the candles seem to hold the boys' attention, so it isn't such a struggle for us to have family worship.  This has become one of the family favorites when it comes to traditions, and it has truly been a blessing.

If Christmas is offensive because it has CHRIST in it, then why...

• aren't Christians, as well as other religions offended by the days of the week, named after diety
• aren't Christians, as well as other religions offended by the months of the year, named after Roman diety
• aren't Christians, as well as other religions offended by the names of stars and planets, named after Greek and Roman gods

For many, Christmas has no Christ in it anymore.  If Christianity is a fairy tale, as many say, why is it any more offensive for us to celebrate it, than for Christians to enjoy their birthday, marked by a month of the year named after a Roman Diety.  Could it be that the offense is the Cross.  I just encourage us, this Christmas season, to let the offensive be Christ and the cross, not us.

I haven't posted in quite a while, I know.  Life has been very busy, and quite honestly, I considered closing this blog.  Of course, there are a variety of reasons, including life being quite busy, and even a little discouragement setting in, but a couple of things happened to encourage me to give it another shot for a while. 

I was asked by a good friend of mine if I had posted, because he hadn't see anything in a while.

Secondly, my wife suggested I start posting again, actually, she said "You NEED to start blogging again."  Not sure why I need to, but so often she sees things and knows things that I miss, that when she encourages me to do something like this, I don't take it likely.

Finally, this weekend I got 2 comments.  I haven't posted since August, but I got 2 comments.  I don't know if anyone out there is reading this.  Maybe, maybe not.  But at least 2 people stumbled on this blog.

Maybe I will post on exactly why I started blogging, maybe I will post on what my avatar means.  Maybe I will just post some of my thoughts on things, but, whatever it is, I will try to post more often.    But, in the meantime, one of my main goals is to help men be real men for God.  Somtimes this is posting my thoughts on something, somtimes it is asking a question for something I don't know, sometimes it is talking to wives about how they can help us men be better husbands, fathers and most importantly Christians, somtimes it is my thoughts on how to raise our boys to be men, and since my children are still young, my failures on how to raise my sons to be men, but overall I want to help men, especially homeschool dads, be real men.  Until next time.

Be a real man.

I was looking for something to put on today's Friday's Funnies and I found something, but after I took a look at it, I found myself doing anything but laughing.  this i

This is a wedding ring coffin, available at www.weddingringcoffin.com.  Now, instead of simply tearing apart people's lives, and destroying children in the process, doing something God hates, and taking it casually, we make a joke out of it.  I guess this goes with the culture.  Let's make light of our vows, and make fun of them. 

As a man, who works very hard to not only keep his marriage together, but active, fun, enjoyable, and strong, I find a lot to be offended about here.  I'm sure someone meant it as a joke.  Somehow, however, today's Friday Funny just isn't.

I love baseball.  I used to really enjoy watching it, now, it's just when I have time and a chance, but I do love the sport.  However, Barry Bonds just passing Hank Aaron's has left me very disappointed.  This isn't so much because of baseball, but because of the culture.

We don't know whether Mr. Bonds used steriods or not, but it is generally accepted that he has.  However, there has been no challenge to this record, no checking whether he gained it legitimately.  He just did it.  It makes me wonder what we are teaching our children, especially our sons.  Are we teaching them that it doesn't matter how you succeed as long as you do?  That's what has happened with Mr. Bonds.  ARe we just telling our sons that cheating is ok.  It didn't matter how he got there, he just did.  That's why I am disappointed in this record.

This may be a repeat.  If it is, oh well.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

You know stuff about military tanks.

A five day vacation requires only one suitcase.

You can open all your own jars.

You go to the bathroom without a support group.

You can kill your own food.

You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

If someone forgets to invite you to something, he is still your friend.

Your underwear is $10 for a six-pack.

Three pair of shoes are more than enough.

Car mechanics tell you the truth.

You can quietly watch a ball game with your buddy for hours without ever thinking, "He must be mad at me."

If another guy shows up at a party in the same outfit, you usually become life-long friends.

You do your nails with a pocket knife.

You�re not expected to know the names of more than five colors.

The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.

You don�t have to shave below your neck.

At least a few belches are expected and tolerated.

One wallet and one pair of shoes - one color, all seasons.

You have freedom of choice when it comes to growing a mustache.

Dads,

When I heard about the tragedy with the bridge collapse in Minneapolis, my first thought was wondering about all the Dad's who wouldn't make it home from work that day, then wondering how they left their children the last time they saw them.  Were there cross words, or loving words.  What was the last memory these children will ahve of their dads.

If, God forbid, something happened to me on the way home from work tonight.  What have I given my children and my wife to remember, pleasant memories, or memories of a grumpy, grouchy, too busy guy who has better things to do than spend time with his family?!?

By now I am sure you have heard about the lady who appearantly adopted children simply to get the money each month and kept the children tied up and handcuffed.  Of course, a story like this should and does outrage us.  However, there was one line in this story that also bugged me.

It appears that the state can't accept responsibility.  It has been my experience that children in state's custody are often emotionally damaged, as much by the situation from which they were removed, as the instability offered by the state.  But, in this situation, the state refused to take any blame for continuing to place children with this lady.  The line in the article states.

Potential adoptive parents must meet strict requirements in order to adopt a child and Leekin would have needed as many as three witnesses per adoption to testify to adoption agencies about her character and parenting abilities.

An ACS spokesperson told ABC News that these witnesses are being probed by authorities.

So, it isn't the state's fault for not following their own policy, it is the witnesses fault.  I don't get it. 

This reminds me of the education system.  The state continues to mess things up, drop our rates go up, reading rates go down, our quality of education declines, but it isn't the system's fault, it's yours, because you don't pay enough taxes, you aren't involved enough, you don't care enough, you take the best and brightest out of the school and homeschool them, yada, yada, yada. 

I have just one thought.  If it's broke, fix it.  If it can't be fixed, get rid of it!!!!