Many parents have the mistaken idea that a child's personality will determine his ability to be thankful. Thoughtfulness and kindness are NOT genetic traits. A child must be taught to be grateful.
Even before a child can speak "YOU" should begin the path to manners by saying "Thank You" and "Please" whenever you can. As soon as they can baby talk, begin requiring at least an attempt at please before responding to their requests. As soon as they can sit up and grasp an item, you can purchase Mommy's present, wrap it and then allow your child to at least hand it to her when it's time.
Daily reinforce giving with a quick game of give and take. When your child is playing with a toy simply say, "May I please have that toy? Thank you." Hug it and immediately return it to the child. This will reinforce the action of letting go of something they want or like.
By 18 months you should be able to begin talking with your child about how special it is to give gifts to others. Take your child to help purchase Daddy's gift and guide him in making a reasonable choice.
At age three your child should be required to purchase, wrap and be totally involved in gift giving. Stress the importance of the thought rather than than the money spent. Don't take little Johnny to buy Daddy a new TV for his birthday. Instead, give him two dollars and guide him through the process. Help him understand that Daddy needs candy for his desk at work. Help him pick out packages of gum or bags of candy. In other words, let him experience gift giving on his level rather than on your level with your finances. A huge plus would be to also insist that he do some chore to earn the money!
It is also important that he learn to give of himself by making the card. There were some years that my children not only made the card but the gift as well. They liked to make coupons. The coupons were as simple as bringing Daddy a cold glass of water or helping him pick up sticks in the yard. The coupons were always something the children could easily do but would be helpful to Ron.
Daddy needs to be very careful about expressing his gratitude. He needs to let his child know that many people are enjoying his candy or how many times a day he thinks of his son while eating the candy. It is a must that Daddy remembers to use the coupons. This will reinforce the joy of giving all year long.
REMEMBER: Your child will only be thoughtful if you are a thoughtful person. It's very difficult to teach something to your child when they don't see it practiced at home.
When children are taught how to give and be thankful, not only will the receivers enjoy the gift but your child will experience contentment and joy.
Mother's Day is May 13th.
God loves you,
Debbie
Monday, April 30, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Family Etiquette
I hope you are having a wonderful Saturday. I've had a fantastic three days with my son, Ken! He surprised us with a visit and it's been wonderful to catch up on news and hugs.
If all goes well, on May 7th, I will be posting a new page on the website that I hope will help everyone. Several of you have been concerned about raising "close" families. So many children are raised not only to leave the nest but to abandon family relationships as well. What exactly can a parent do to strengthen those bonds so that when children move out the relationship simply switches from child to adult without breaking the love and interaction you shared?
You will be able to find my new page at the "Articles" tab under Family Etiquette. The advice will be short and to the point. I'll deal with issues from babies through young adulthood as well as between spouses and in-laws. I'll try to save reading time by only posting short "lessons". If you need more information you are welcome to contact me through my e-mail.
We all long for close family ties. Coming from a good family will give you wings to soar into your dreams. Dealing with hurts from your family can leave you with improper guilt and self-esteem issues that will prevent your enjoyment of success no matter how talented you are.
Just because someone is related to you doesn't mean they automatically love you. Love can be destroyed. You can allow time and circumstances to build walls between you and anyone in your world. Just like other needs, families require effort to be strong. Follow the rules of family etiquette - cover it with love and you will have a winning formula for a better life.
Teaser: If you treat your friends or co-workers better than you do your family, you are headed for trouble. Instead, you should give more breaks and more love to family members.
If some people I know treated their family members with the same respect they gave to their friends, there would be no strife at all in their family.
Would you scream at your friend and tell them to get out of your life? Would you say no to a co-worker because you didn't want to be bothered helping them with a new project? Would you tell your best friend you hate her and yet still expect her to call you for lunch?
Why then do people scream "I hate you" at their parents or other family members and wonder why things are so hard at home? How can you go out of your way to do favors for people at work who can help you, yet complain because your family asks you to pick up milk on the way home? When frustrated parents yell at their adult children and admit they wish they would leave; why are they surprised when two years later that same child hasn't called or been home?
Look into the future...see how your actions today will change the feelings of those around you. If you can hold your temper with friends -- you are capable of holding it with family. And if you can't hold your temper with friends....Get Some Professional Help. Explosive anger will ruin your life.
Homework for today: Go to everyone in the house and tell them one thing you like about them. Give them a kiss and a big hug. Smile and walk away happy. You have just started a new trend of love.
God loves you
Debbie
If all goes well, on May 7th, I will be posting a new page on the website that I hope will help everyone. Several of you have been concerned about raising "close" families. So many children are raised not only to leave the nest but to abandon family relationships as well. What exactly can a parent do to strengthen those bonds so that when children move out the relationship simply switches from child to adult without breaking the love and interaction you shared?
You will be able to find my new page at the "Articles" tab under Family Etiquette. The advice will be short and to the point. I'll deal with issues from babies through young adulthood as well as between spouses and in-laws. I'll try to save reading time by only posting short "lessons". If you need more information you are welcome to contact me through my e-mail.
We all long for close family ties. Coming from a good family will give you wings to soar into your dreams. Dealing with hurts from your family can leave you with improper guilt and self-esteem issues that will prevent your enjoyment of success no matter how talented you are.
Just because someone is related to you doesn't mean they automatically love you. Love can be destroyed. You can allow time and circumstances to build walls between you and anyone in your world. Just like other needs, families require effort to be strong. Follow the rules of family etiquette - cover it with love and you will have a winning formula for a better life.
Teaser: If you treat your friends or co-workers better than you do your family, you are headed for trouble. Instead, you should give more breaks and more love to family members.
If some people I know treated their family members with the same respect they gave to their friends, there would be no strife at all in their family.
Would you scream at your friend and tell them to get out of your life? Would you say no to a co-worker because you didn't want to be bothered helping them with a new project? Would you tell your best friend you hate her and yet still expect her to call you for lunch?
Why then do people scream "I hate you" at their parents or other family members and wonder why things are so hard at home? How can you go out of your way to do favors for people at work who can help you, yet complain because your family asks you to pick up milk on the way home? When frustrated parents yell at their adult children and admit they wish they would leave; why are they surprised when two years later that same child hasn't called or been home?
Duh!?!
Look into the future...see how your actions today will change the feelings of those around you. If you can hold your temper with friends -- you are capable of holding it with family. And if you can't hold your temper with friends....Get Some Professional Help. Explosive anger will ruin your life.
Homework for today: Go to everyone in the house and tell them one thing you like about them. Give them a kiss and a big hug. Smile and walk away happy. You have just started a new trend of love.
God loves you
Debbie
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Snippets of Greatness
"It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped!"
I'm not sure who made the quote but it is historically true. A beautiful young girl stands at the precipice of her future. The beauty of her future rolls in front of her like a lush garden. All the education is in place, all the business colleagues point the way to success, she is beautiful, she is talented and she is on her way. All she needs is to take one step into the lush green grass and the world of success will bow at her feet. In a moment of vulnerability she is beckoned by an unscrupulous man. She loses focus and turns for what she thinks will only be a passing thought. Unfortunately she is derailed by unwanted passion and an unwanted child.
A young man runs a tough race. He is not one of the elite yet he is strong and determined. He runs past drugs and around ignorance. He studies hard, works hard and finds favor. Just before he gets to the end of this race, he is cheated. Cheated by someone he trusts and belittled by someone he loves. In a moment of deep despair he gives in to drinking, not knowing that the drive home will end his race forever.
We must never let our guard down. Life is not an endless list of tasks divided by moments of comfort and ease. Life is a daily choice determined moment by moment by the decisions we make. Relationships are determined by conversation. Job opportunities are determined by choices we made at college. Evangelism is determined by our love for others. Think of the decisions you make everyday and diagram their outcomes. Concentrate on the little decisions. Was it really necessary to make little Davey wear the blue outfit rather than the green one? How did that make him feel? Would he have had a better day if only he could have worn his favorite? What about the salesgirl at the store, did you make her day better when you fussed about how long she was taking? Was she sick? Was there some problem at home? How did you change her life?
A dear friend of mine sent me this e-mail yesterday. It's a powerful story of how we change lives with simple decisions. I encourage you to make a difference in your life with your "snippets of Greatness".
A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their flight.
All but one! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.
He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife and explain that he was taking a later flight. He returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.
He was glad he did. The 16-year-old girl was totally blind. She was softly crying. Tears running down her cheeks in frustration, she helplessly groped for her spilled produce. The crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples and put them back on the table as he organized her display. He set the battered and bruised apples to the side in another basket. When he finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you Okay?"
She nodded through her tears. He continued on with "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly." As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out, "Mister..." He paused and turned to look into that innocent face, "Mister...Are you Jesus?"
What will be your snippet of greatness today. You may not think it's much, but even the smallest decision can make a difference in another person's life.
God loves you,
Debbie
I'm not sure who made the quote but it is historically true. A beautiful young girl stands at the precipice of her future. The beauty of her future rolls in front of her like a lush garden. All the education is in place, all the business colleagues point the way to success, she is beautiful, she is talented and she is on her way. All she needs is to take one step into the lush green grass and the world of success will bow at her feet. In a moment of vulnerability she is beckoned by an unscrupulous man. She loses focus and turns for what she thinks will only be a passing thought. Unfortunately she is derailed by unwanted passion and an unwanted child.
A young man runs a tough race. He is not one of the elite yet he is strong and determined. He runs past drugs and around ignorance. He studies hard, works hard and finds favor. Just before he gets to the end of this race, he is cheated. Cheated by someone he trusts and belittled by someone he loves. In a moment of deep despair he gives in to drinking, not knowing that the drive home will end his race forever.
We must never let our guard down. Life is not an endless list of tasks divided by moments of comfort and ease. Life is a daily choice determined moment by moment by the decisions we make. Relationships are determined by conversation. Job opportunities are determined by choices we made at college. Evangelism is determined by our love for others. Think of the decisions you make everyday and diagram their outcomes. Concentrate on the little decisions. Was it really necessary to make little Davey wear the blue outfit rather than the green one? How did that make him feel? Would he have had a better day if only he could have worn his favorite? What about the salesgirl at the store, did you make her day better when you fussed about how long she was taking? Was she sick? Was there some problem at home? How did you change her life?
A dear friend of mine sent me this e-mail yesterday. It's a powerful story of how we change lives with simple decisions. I encourage you to make a difference in your life with your "snippets of Greatness".
Are you Jesus?
A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their flight.
All but one! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.
He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife and explain that he was taking a later flight. He returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.
He was glad he did. The 16-year-old girl was totally blind. She was softly crying. Tears running down her cheeks in frustration, she helplessly groped for her spilled produce. The crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples and put them back on the table as he organized her display. He set the battered and bruised apples to the side in another basket. When he finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you Okay?"
She nodded through her tears. He continued on with "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly." As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out, "Mister..." He paused and turned to look into that innocent face, "Mister...Are you Jesus?"
Thank you Pastor Wilburn Fisher for sending this.
What will be your snippet of greatness today. You may not think it's much, but even the smallest decision can make a difference in another person's life.
God loves you,
Debbie
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Who do you trust?
If you've read my story you know that I like to dig into situations and problems and find the solution. You have probably guessed that I try to be logical, consider all sides, find the meat, search out the truth....I try to be honest in every situation.
I love a good joke and I like being silly. I've been known to throw snowballs, play horsey with a two-year-old, make faces when I'm supposed to be serious and yes, once and only once (mainly because the mess was just too much to clean up) we had a family water fight in my kitchen. My children were always playing practical jokes and having a good laugh usually took precedence over doing necessary chores.
While having fun is important - being smart is paramount. I feel God calling me to be a beacon of light that will shine the way for others to enjoy life in the same way I have. It's not hard. It's just a matter of being open to making choices that help our lives and avoiding choices that will "ultimately" hurt our lives. ("ultimately" is the operative word here) Some things may seem good right now yet will ruin our futures.
I've been chewing on an issue that bothers me but couldn't get a handle on how to express it to others. I have a problem when people want to use success to gage right or wrong. My youngest son lives in Texas and surprised me last night with an unexpected visit. (Wow! thanks Ken) This morning we were sitting at the table chit chatting. We were talking about pet peeves and he remarked that American Idol really bothered him. "Evaluations about talent should be made by those who can recognize all the necessary elements of truly remarkable talent. That decision should not be left up to the public. Doing so somehow degrades the process."
Thanks Ken. I finally knew how to explain my concerns over anyone willing to judge "right or wrong" by a popularity contest. I don't believe that our forefathers meant for our political process and the future of this country to be decided by popular vote. Popular vote is for electing someone we believe in and trusting him to lead the country into "WHAT IS BEST" for the country. Leading by popularity opens the door for future disasters because popularity doesn't consider long range plans.
I am reminded of an illustration in one of Dad's sermons. "Democracy can only be used in certain situations. It isn't proper to use it everywhere. For example, The democratic process in this country is what allows people to board an airplane. Each passenger has used his freedom to determine when he would leave, what airline he would choose, how long he would stay at his destination and when he would return. That's democracy. We voted for freedom to travel and everyone on the plane is exercising his freedom. But democracy should not be used to fly the airplane. Can you imagine the chaos if the pilot announced that this would be a democratic flight? How crazy and how long would it take to get going if he sent out ballots to determine when and if he was allowed to turn the engines on? Then he sent out another ballot asking which runway to take. And another asking if he should pull back on the wheel at 150 mph or wait until 175mph. And who would want to be on a plane if he sent out ballots saying that we were going to crash into a mountain and do we think he should try to fly around it?"
It is important that we have the ability to trust others. There are some things in our lives that need the expertise of a talented person and we need to let go - trust them and let them do their job. The real problem for Americans is that we don't trust the people around us. And because we haven't made good decisions about the people we've put in control, we spend hours trying to watch over them or worse do their job for them.
Why am I talking about something obviously political rather than dealing with relationships? Because this also speaks to our everyday lives. Do your children trust you? If they don't you can expect trouble as they grow. Most of teen rebellion is due to the fact that teens simply don't trust parents to tell them the truth. Does your spouse trust you? How about your boss? Can your pastor rely on the fact that you will always make decisions in light of your faith?
I spoke with one pastor that was frustrated with the fact that he had to spend just as much time discussing right and wrong with people in their 40's-50's as he did with teens. "By that age shouldn't they have learned something? I need a foundation of strong believers in this church and I don't have it."
Whoa. Trust is important. And like Ken said, some things cannot be decided by amateurs. We live in a country where many lifestyles are based on what feels good rather than on what will make this country stronger. We need strong Christians who are grounded in a desire to find truth. Strong Christians who can spot an unchristian motive and not be moved from their stand for faith. We need strong parents that are determined to raise a family that will illuminate the body of Christ. We need strong individuals who will make decisions based on right and wrong and not just on what's popular or easy or financially profitable. And we need individuals that are determined to be honest, logical, seekers of truth. I want to be friends with that kind of person. I want to know that's a description of my family and I want to put that person in power.
Who do you trust?
God loves you
Debbie
I love a good joke and I like being silly. I've been known to throw snowballs, play horsey with a two-year-old, make faces when I'm supposed to be serious and yes, once and only once (mainly because the mess was just too much to clean up) we had a family water fight in my kitchen. My children were always playing practical jokes and having a good laugh usually took precedence over doing necessary chores.
While having fun is important - being smart is paramount. I feel God calling me to be a beacon of light that will shine the way for others to enjoy life in the same way I have. It's not hard. It's just a matter of being open to making choices that help our lives and avoiding choices that will "ultimately" hurt our lives. ("ultimately" is the operative word here) Some things may seem good right now yet will ruin our futures.
I've been chewing on an issue that bothers me but couldn't get a handle on how to express it to others. I have a problem when people want to use success to gage right or wrong. My youngest son lives in Texas and surprised me last night with an unexpected visit. (Wow! thanks Ken) This morning we were sitting at the table chit chatting. We were talking about pet peeves and he remarked that American Idol really bothered him. "Evaluations about talent should be made by those who can recognize all the necessary elements of truly remarkable talent. That decision should not be left up to the public. Doing so somehow degrades the process."
Thanks Ken. I finally knew how to explain my concerns over anyone willing to judge "right or wrong" by a popularity contest. I don't believe that our forefathers meant for our political process and the future of this country to be decided by popular vote. Popular vote is for electing someone we believe in and trusting him to lead the country into "WHAT IS BEST" for the country. Leading by popularity opens the door for future disasters because popularity doesn't consider long range plans.
I am reminded of an illustration in one of Dad's sermons. "Democracy can only be used in certain situations. It isn't proper to use it everywhere. For example, The democratic process in this country is what allows people to board an airplane. Each passenger has used his freedom to determine when he would leave, what airline he would choose, how long he would stay at his destination and when he would return. That's democracy. We voted for freedom to travel and everyone on the plane is exercising his freedom. But democracy should not be used to fly the airplane. Can you imagine the chaos if the pilot announced that this would be a democratic flight? How crazy and how long would it take to get going if he sent out ballots to determine when and if he was allowed to turn the engines on? Then he sent out another ballot asking which runway to take. And another asking if he should pull back on the wheel at 150 mph or wait until 175mph. And who would want to be on a plane if he sent out ballots saying that we were going to crash into a mountain and do we think he should try to fly around it?"
It is important that we have the ability to trust others. There are some things in our lives that need the expertise of a talented person and we need to let go - trust them and let them do their job. The real problem for Americans is that we don't trust the people around us. And because we haven't made good decisions about the people we've put in control, we spend hours trying to watch over them or worse do their job for them.
Why am I talking about something obviously political rather than dealing with relationships? Because this also speaks to our everyday lives. Do your children trust you? If they don't you can expect trouble as they grow. Most of teen rebellion is due to the fact that teens simply don't trust parents to tell them the truth. Does your spouse trust you? How about your boss? Can your pastor rely on the fact that you will always make decisions in light of your faith?
I spoke with one pastor that was frustrated with the fact that he had to spend just as much time discussing right and wrong with people in their 40's-50's as he did with teens. "By that age shouldn't they have learned something? I need a foundation of strong believers in this church and I don't have it."
Whoa. Trust is important. And like Ken said, some things cannot be decided by amateurs. We live in a country where many lifestyles are based on what feels good rather than on what will make this country stronger. We need strong Christians who are grounded in a desire to find truth. Strong Christians who can spot an unchristian motive and not be moved from their stand for faith. We need strong parents that are determined to raise a family that will illuminate the body of Christ. We need strong individuals who will make decisions based on right and wrong and not just on what's popular or easy or financially profitable. And we need individuals that are determined to be honest, logical, seekers of truth. I want to be friends with that kind of person. I want to know that's a description of my family and I want to put that person in power.
Who do you trust?
God loves you
Debbie
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
A Merry Heart
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. (Proverbs 17:22)
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance. (Proverbs 15:13)
He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:15)
An elderly woman decided to prepare her will and told her preacher she had two final requests. First, she wanted to be cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes scattered over Wal-Mart."Wal-Mart?" the preacher exclaimed. "Why Wal-Mart?"
"Then I'll be sure my daughter will visit me twice a week."
After booking my 80-year-old grandmother on a flight from Florida to Nevada, I called the airline to go over her special needs. The representative listened patiently as I requested a wheelchair and an attendant for my mother because of her arthritis and impaired vision to the point of near blindness. My apprehension lightened a bit when the woman assured me that everything would be taken care of. I thanked her profusely.
"Oh you're welcome," she replied. I was about to hang up when she cheerfully asked,...
"And will your grandmother need a rental car?"
A husband and wife were arguing over who should brew the coffee each morning. The bickering went back and forth until the wife finally said, "You should do it, because it's in the Bible that the man should make the coffee."
"There's no way the Bible says that," the husband argued.
Without another word she opened the Bible and pointed to the proof printed at the top of several pages Hebrews. (he-brews)
A painter, out of work for many months, finally was contracted to repaint a nearby church. To boost his profit margin, the painter watered down the paint. As he was applying the thin mixture to the old church, the sky darkened, there was a clap of thunder, then rain. The watered-down paint was washed off the building.
Then a voice from the sky thundered, "Repaint....and thin no more."
Smile - God loves you
Debbie
Monday, April 23, 2007
Christian view of Martyrs
When is it right to be a martyr? Is it always right? Is there a time when the proper Christian response is to fight?
Virginia Tech, Columbine, the war in Iraq, a mugger, an employer high on his own feelings of power, a child whose bullied at school or even a situation where you know someone is being abused. When is it right for a Christian to step into an evil situation and fight?
The good Christian is taught on a regular basis that any anger or strife is bad. We are taught that all words must be filled with soft tones and that it is wrong to bring hardship on an evil person.
"A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)
"The discretion of a man defereth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression." (Proverbs 19:11)
"Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man thou shalt not go; Lest thou learn his ways and get a snare to thy soul." (Proverbs 22:24, 25)
Good stuff....if taken in context. Bad theology if used as a way of life.
If you take a step back and study theology as a whole unit, you will come to the conclusion that the Bible supports that we are here for a purpose. Our main purpose as Christians is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and to stand up for what we believe in. Standing up for truth - the truth of God - is going to put us in direct opposition to many people. We will find that our light becomes a spotlight to the evil that lives around us. And guess what? They will hate that spotlight. They will want to destroy the spotlight. And if we simple turn it off ---we are then hiding our light under a bushel.
We have been commanded to let our light shine before men. "Ye are the light of the world!" (Matt. 5:14) And if we hide it we are breaking a huge Biblical commandment.
But if we let it shine, we will be attacked. "Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:20)
And the most alarming problem is that if we remain quiet, if we choose not to fight with evil - evil will then have an easy path to success. With no one to fight, they will take over and spread their evil ways to the ends of the earth - killing Christianity in the process.
Looking back at scriptures on anger I am convinced that those scriptures are encouraging us to not be a hot head. Don't call people names. Don't run around trying to get people fired for not putting lettuce on your hamburger. Don't make foolish demands on obviously overworked employees and don't hurt the innocent around you. In all of your dealings try to see both sides and do what you can to deal with the situation with the love of God.
But just like God, when we see a situation that is definitely evil and will cause harm to others -we must take action. Stand up for what is right. Put on the whole armor of God and go to battle. It is possible to fight without being a hot head.
Practical application :
Parents - do not be timid when it comes to the safety of your child. Again, don't call people names or get so red in the face that you look like you will explode. But do stand firm and strong and using a solid tone of voice - demand that your child will be taken care of. You have that God given right and the law of the land supports that right.
I know of a situation right now where a child is being threaten at school. She has received a note from another 11-year-old that expresses her desire to - "cut you up in little pieces and watch you die." The mother in this situation doesn't want to call the police because she doesn't want to make the other parents and the offending child feel bad. "We are just going to pray about this and let God handle it."
I am certain that God has cupped his hands around his mouth and is yelling from heaven..."NO! You handle this. You take the proper steps to protect your child. I will help you." And unfortunately her misplaced kindness will not be well received, she will still be hated and the offending child will never receive the help she desperately needs. In the process her own child will be hurt mentally, possibly physically and if God chooses to wait on the mother rather than healing the situation - then her own child will suffer spiritually because of conflicting opinions about God's intervention. In other words, refusing to handle the situation will only make it worse.
No woman should ever endure abuse by her husband in order to stay married. Leave him, get out, protect yourself and your children.
No man should run from a fight or turn and look away when someone is being abused. Stand up and be the protective man God called you to be. Don't let evil succeed. Ron (my husband) tells a college story about him and his best friend Dwayne driving through town. They stopped at an intersection and saw a man beating a woman. Without so much as a thought they left the car running, jumped out and intervened in the situation. That was a Godly thing to do.
"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-97)
We cannot use our Christianity as an excuse so we won't have to deal with a difficult situation. God has called us to be strong Soldiers not wimpy victims.
When we can apply the love of God to any situation - we should. But don't sacrifice yourself when it is not necessary. Stand up in God's power and fight the good fight. Protect your family, your own life, your church, your city and your country so you will be able to continue to share the good news. Shine your light. And when evil is exposed - do whatever is necessary to
remove that evil so your light will continue to shine.
Don't be afraid. God is on your side. "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and love." (2 Tim. 1:7)
What do you think?
God loves you
Debbie
Virginia Tech, Columbine, the war in Iraq, a mugger, an employer high on his own feelings of power, a child whose bullied at school or even a situation where you know someone is being abused. When is it right for a Christian to step into an evil situation and fight?
The good Christian is taught on a regular basis that any anger or strife is bad. We are taught that all words must be filled with soft tones and that it is wrong to bring hardship on an evil person.
"A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)
"The discretion of a man defereth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression." (Proverbs 19:11)
"Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man thou shalt not go; Lest thou learn his ways and get a snare to thy soul." (Proverbs 22:24, 25)
Good stuff....if taken in context. Bad theology if used as a way of life.
If you take a step back and study theology as a whole unit, you will come to the conclusion that the Bible supports that we are here for a purpose. Our main purpose as Christians is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and to stand up for what we believe in. Standing up for truth - the truth of God - is going to put us in direct opposition to many people. We will find that our light becomes a spotlight to the evil that lives around us. And guess what? They will hate that spotlight. They will want to destroy the spotlight. And if we simple turn it off ---we are then hiding our light under a bushel.
We have been commanded to let our light shine before men. "Ye are the light of the world!" (Matt. 5:14) And if we hide it we are breaking a huge Biblical commandment.
But if we let it shine, we will be attacked. "Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:20)
And the most alarming problem is that if we remain quiet, if we choose not to fight with evil - evil will then have an easy path to success. With no one to fight, they will take over and spread their evil ways to the ends of the earth - killing Christianity in the process.
Looking back at scriptures on anger I am convinced that those scriptures are encouraging us to not be a hot head. Don't call people names. Don't run around trying to get people fired for not putting lettuce on your hamburger. Don't make foolish demands on obviously overworked employees and don't hurt the innocent around you. In all of your dealings try to see both sides and do what you can to deal with the situation with the love of God.
But just like God, when we see a situation that is definitely evil and will cause harm to others -we must take action. Stand up for what is right. Put on the whole armor of God and go to battle. It is possible to fight without being a hot head.
Practical application :
Parents - do not be timid when it comes to the safety of your child. Again, don't call people names or get so red in the face that you look like you will explode. But do stand firm and strong and using a solid tone of voice - demand that your child will be taken care of. You have that God given right and the law of the land supports that right.
I know of a situation right now where a child is being threaten at school. She has received a note from another 11-year-old that expresses her desire to - "cut you up in little pieces and watch you die." The mother in this situation doesn't want to call the police because she doesn't want to make the other parents and the offending child feel bad. "We are just going to pray about this and let God handle it."
I am certain that God has cupped his hands around his mouth and is yelling from heaven..."NO! You handle this. You take the proper steps to protect your child. I will help you." And unfortunately her misplaced kindness will not be well received, she will still be hated and the offending child will never receive the help she desperately needs. In the process her own child will be hurt mentally, possibly physically and if God chooses to wait on the mother rather than healing the situation - then her own child will suffer spiritually because of conflicting opinions about God's intervention. In other words, refusing to handle the situation will only make it worse.
No woman should ever endure abuse by her husband in order to stay married. Leave him, get out, protect yourself and your children.
No man should run from a fight or turn and look away when someone is being abused. Stand up and be the protective man God called you to be. Don't let evil succeed. Ron (my husband) tells a college story about him and his best friend Dwayne driving through town. They stopped at an intersection and saw a man beating a woman. Without so much as a thought they left the car running, jumped out and intervened in the situation. That was a Godly thing to do.
"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-97)
We cannot use our Christianity as an excuse so we won't have to deal with a difficult situation. God has called us to be strong Soldiers not wimpy victims.
When we can apply the love of God to any situation - we should. But don't sacrifice yourself when it is not necessary. Stand up in God's power and fight the good fight. Protect your family, your own life, your church, your city and your country so you will be able to continue to share the good news. Shine your light. And when evil is exposed - do whatever is necessary to
remove that evil so your light will continue to shine.
Don't be afraid. God is on your side. "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and love." (2 Tim. 1:7)
What do you think?
God loves you
Debbie
Sunday, April 22, 2007
God is showing off again!
My Dad, Rev. Ken Crocker, loved to tell stories about children. They can shock you as well as tickle your funny bone. More often than not, their pure honesty will reveal some theological truth that we all need to hear.
Today is a beautiful sunny day. I've prayed for this day. I have arthritis. Gloomy days not only pull at my upbeat spirit but also leave my bones aching. On those days my thoughts are filled with prayers and wishing for the sun.
I'm enjoying the birds singing and the swaying of bright tulips in the front yard. If only, I could also smell my mother making fried chicken and strawberry pie - my day would be perfect.
I am reminded of a story my Dad tells about a young mother looking out her kitchen window and fussing about what a horrible day it was. Rain was pelting the window and dark clouds rumbled in the distance. Her young son looked up from his crackling cereal and said, "Never judge a day by the weather. The sun is shinning somewhere."
Out of the mouth of children......
Another Minister used to start every sermon in the summer by announcing to the audience. "Isn't it beautiful outside. God is showing off again."
We should all remember that there is more to our faith than praying for gloomy days to disappear. We should also look around and thank God for all the wonderful blessing we see, smell, hear, taste and touch.
God loves you
Debbie
Today is a beautiful sunny day. I've prayed for this day. I have arthritis. Gloomy days not only pull at my upbeat spirit but also leave my bones aching. On those days my thoughts are filled with prayers and wishing for the sun.
I'm enjoying the birds singing and the swaying of bright tulips in the front yard. If only, I could also smell my mother making fried chicken and strawberry pie - my day would be perfect.
I am reminded of a story my Dad tells about a young mother looking out her kitchen window and fussing about what a horrible day it was. Rain was pelting the window and dark clouds rumbled in the distance. Her young son looked up from his crackling cereal and said, "Never judge a day by the weather. The sun is shinning somewhere."
Out of the mouth of children......
Another Minister used to start every sermon in the summer by announcing to the audience. "Isn't it beautiful outside. God is showing off again."
We should all remember that there is more to our faith than praying for gloomy days to disappear. We should also look around and thank God for all the wonderful blessing we see, smell, hear, taste and touch.
God loves you
Debbie
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Understanding others
If you find it hard to put yourself in the shoes of others, try renting the movie "The Pursuit of Happiness" with Will Smith. I don't recall anything that would disturb Christians or young children. The entire movie will tug at your heart and it will disturb the way you look at poverty.
Will Smith plays Chris Gardner a struggling salesman trying to take care of his family while his wife worked double shifts to support their young son (Will Smith's real son played the part). Chris is presented with a possible dream and begins a six month non-paying internship for one position as Stock Broker for Dean Whitter. His wife leaves him and the test for strength begins. He faces homelessness, jail, wage garnishment and a long list of major and minor trials. Yet, he continues his quest for the job. I was impressed with the lack of blame. The character cried, but never gave up or blamed anyone for his problems. He remained refreshingly responsible through every discouraging event. The end is a wonderful surprise and left me in tears.
This movie is clean, engaging and extremely philosophical. He should have won an Oscar. It was difficult to watch some of the scenes because my heart was breaking for the character. I finally decided I felt that way because I've experienced similar times of complete desperation. When the movie finally found a resolution, I felt like my emotions were just floating in my throat somewhere between not breathing and gushing. When my emotions began to flow, I felt spent. I was exhausted from last night's ride - but what a ride!
The best part.....was in the ending credits. This movie is based on a true life story. WOW!
And while I'm on movies, I'm glad to see that some people in the industry are understanding the need for more affirming clean movies. You must watch "Facing the Giants". It's especially great for teens or anyone needing to see the hand of God in daily circumstances. It was made entirely by a church in Georgia. Since no professional actors were used, some of the acting is a smidgen stiff, but it is a must see. Sony pictures was so impressed that they picked it up for distribution. Your local video store should have copies. The message is wonderful and the end had me in tears. It's a football movie with a huge Christian impact and everyone that I talk to loves it.
God loves you
Debbie
Will Smith plays Chris Gardner a struggling salesman trying to take care of his family while his wife worked double shifts to support their young son (Will Smith's real son played the part). Chris is presented with a possible dream and begins a six month non-paying internship for one position as Stock Broker for Dean Whitter. His wife leaves him and the test for strength begins. He faces homelessness, jail, wage garnishment and a long list of major and minor trials. Yet, he continues his quest for the job. I was impressed with the lack of blame. The character cried, but never gave up or blamed anyone for his problems. He remained refreshingly responsible through every discouraging event. The end is a wonderful surprise and left me in tears.
This movie is clean, engaging and extremely philosophical. He should have won an Oscar. It was difficult to watch some of the scenes because my heart was breaking for the character. I finally decided I felt that way because I've experienced similar times of complete desperation. When the movie finally found a resolution, I felt like my emotions were just floating in my throat somewhere between not breathing and gushing. When my emotions began to flow, I felt spent. I was exhausted from last night's ride - but what a ride!
The best part.....was in the ending credits. This movie is based on a true life story. WOW!
And while I'm on movies, I'm glad to see that some people in the industry are understanding the need for more affirming clean movies. You must watch "Facing the Giants". It's especially great for teens or anyone needing to see the hand of God in daily circumstances. It was made entirely by a church in Georgia. Since no professional actors were used, some of the acting is a smidgen stiff, but it is a must see. Sony pictures was so impressed that they picked it up for distribution. Your local video store should have copies. The message is wonderful and the end had me in tears. It's a football movie with a huge Christian impact and everyone that I talk to loves it.
God loves you
Debbie
Friday, April 20, 2007
Wisdom vs. age
How old do you have to be in order to be wise?
I'm not exactly a spring chicken anymore and lately I've had a lot of other clucks talk to me about how difficult it is to get older. While some problems are solved - like acne and nervousness around certain personalities - other problems seem to escalate. We find that it takes us longer to do chores that were a snap when we were younger. We have a hard time being tolerant of "new and improved". We wish we had more money and why don't they have padded seats at the mall food court?
Even when we voice our opinions, we can make jokes and laugh at the little things like a woman's power surge (hot flash) and wondering if we will ever find that second set of keys. Unfortunately too many older people suffer in silence with the big stuff like arthritis, cancer and feeling alone. We try to hold on to life as it was, but sadly we watch as youth speeds away from us. We continue to rattle along in our outdated car in the back of the crowd.
Today's child has not been told about the greatest invention in the history of the world.
Learn from your past or you will continue to re-invent the wheel!
Wisdom tempered by age is one of God's greatest gifts. A young person can be mature "for his age" and "wise beyond his years". But his frame of reference can alter any wisdom he may have. My father tells a story of being a young pastor and holding the hands of an elderly woman before she was to go into surgery. When she admitted she was afraid he smiled and quoted all the statistics and facts of encouragement he could. She was not relieved. He prayed and sent her down the hall to surgery. Several years later, he reached out for a comforting hand before he was to go to surgery. His family prayed with him. He was sure he had all the knowledge needed to face this surgery. Yet, as the surgeon smiled at him and said, "Ready?" My wise father felt fear grip his heart. His only response......"Don't cut on me until I'm out!"
There is something deep and profound about the wisdom of experience. It takes many years and experiences to blend with the facts of life and produce a wisdom that will properly guide us on our journey through life.
Recently I was talking with a very young publisher. He was not kind in his evaluation of the need for books on "parenting" information. "People of your age need to realize that my generation doesn't want to parent. We have more fun things to do like video games and we are not going to give them up for anyone - not even our children. We believe that all a child needs is a hug and their basic needs met. Training just isn't something we want to do."
No, I didn't hit him! I starred at him in disbelief and honestly wondered how he achieved his position. I am sure he didn't pass the literature class that included the classic "Lord of the Flies" and he probably doesn't turn off his video games long enough to listen to the news. I snapped back to reality when he informed me he had just adopted an 11 month old baby. I smiled, said thank you and found a quiet place to pray for that child.
This uninformed young professional probably thinks he is wise. But when that child reaches those difficult teen years and hasn't had the benefit of wise instructions - he will find out how wrong he was. Not only will his child suffer, but the father will live with a broken heart.
Life is tougher in old age because that's when we see the consequences of life. We stand on the edge of eternity and look back to see the full effect of our decisions. We can see all the results of those decisions and how they impacted the lives, relationships, spirituality and love of those we came in contact with. That can be very painful. And out of that pain we want to share. We want to tell those around us what we did wrong and beg them to make their lives better.
All of us can find true wisdom by forgetting the generation gap and learning to ask questions and listen to the wisdom of our elders that has been fired by the experiences of life. You don't have to act on everything that is said - but listening will broaden your ability to make good decisions.
We need to train our young children now to value time spent with the older generation. It is a must in raising good children that we teach them to love and respect those who have gone so far in this human journey. Loving and respecting others will always make us wiser no matter what our current age.
God loves you.
Debbie
I'm not exactly a spring chicken anymore and lately I've had a lot of other clucks talk to me about how difficult it is to get older. While some problems are solved - like acne and nervousness around certain personalities - other problems seem to escalate. We find that it takes us longer to do chores that were a snap when we were younger. We have a hard time being tolerant of "new and improved". We wish we had more money and why don't they have padded seats at the mall food court?
Even when we voice our opinions, we can make jokes and laugh at the little things like a woman's power surge (hot flash) and wondering if we will ever find that second set of keys. Unfortunately too many older people suffer in silence with the big stuff like arthritis, cancer and feeling alone. We try to hold on to life as it was, but sadly we watch as youth speeds away from us. We continue to rattle along in our outdated car in the back of the crowd.
Today's child has not been told about the greatest invention in the history of the world.
Learn from your past or you will continue to re-invent the wheel!
Wisdom tempered by age is one of God's greatest gifts. A young person can be mature "for his age" and "wise beyond his years". But his frame of reference can alter any wisdom he may have. My father tells a story of being a young pastor and holding the hands of an elderly woman before she was to go into surgery. When she admitted she was afraid he smiled and quoted all the statistics and facts of encouragement he could. She was not relieved. He prayed and sent her down the hall to surgery. Several years later, he reached out for a comforting hand before he was to go to surgery. His family prayed with him. He was sure he had all the knowledge needed to face this surgery. Yet, as the surgeon smiled at him and said, "Ready?" My wise father felt fear grip his heart. His only response......"Don't cut on me until I'm out!"
There is something deep and profound about the wisdom of experience. It takes many years and experiences to blend with the facts of life and produce a wisdom that will properly guide us on our journey through life.
Recently I was talking with a very young publisher. He was not kind in his evaluation of the need for books on "parenting" information. "People of your age need to realize that my generation doesn't want to parent. We have more fun things to do like video games and we are not going to give them up for anyone - not even our children. We believe that all a child needs is a hug and their basic needs met. Training just isn't something we want to do."
No, I didn't hit him! I starred at him in disbelief and honestly wondered how he achieved his position. I am sure he didn't pass the literature class that included the classic "Lord of the Flies" and he probably doesn't turn off his video games long enough to listen to the news. I snapped back to reality when he informed me he had just adopted an 11 month old baby. I smiled, said thank you and found a quiet place to pray for that child.
This uninformed young professional probably thinks he is wise. But when that child reaches those difficult teen years and hasn't had the benefit of wise instructions - he will find out how wrong he was. Not only will his child suffer, but the father will live with a broken heart.
Life is tougher in old age because that's when we see the consequences of life. We stand on the edge of eternity and look back to see the full effect of our decisions. We can see all the results of those decisions and how they impacted the lives, relationships, spirituality and love of those we came in contact with. That can be very painful. And out of that pain we want to share. We want to tell those around us what we did wrong and beg them to make their lives better.
All of us can find true wisdom by forgetting the generation gap and learning to ask questions and listen to the wisdom of our elders that has been fired by the experiences of life. You don't have to act on everything that is said - but listening will broaden your ability to make good decisions.
We need to train our young children now to value time spent with the older generation. It is a must in raising good children that we teach them to love and respect those who have gone so far in this human journey. Loving and respecting others will always make us wiser no matter what our current age.
God loves you.
Debbie
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Who does God love?
Someone wrote and asked how can you tell if God loves you. That's easy. I'm not a minister - at least not yet - but I can answer that with great assurance. God loves everyone! Period!
For the sake of theological debate, I do understand your line of thinking. We all have moments in our lives when we are aware of the total purity of God. In those moments we wonder if there is any way that a "perfect" God can forgive our disobedience and love us back to righteous living.
Again I can restate with great assurance....Yes He can!
God's love for us is never based on our actions. His forgiveness for those actions may at times be based on our "motive". And that's where we get confused. Let me explain.
Everyone that comes to the Father with an open and broken spirit realizing and accepting that what they have done was wrong - those individuals will received all of God's mercy and all of his forgiveness. There are no qualifying factors. There are no ifs, ands or buts. It is simply God's open arms, smiling face and total love for us that forgives, loves and is completely excited that we have returned home. Hence - the prodigal son story, King David, the third man on the cross and hundreds of Biblical stories of forgiveness.
What hurts us and keeps us confused is that we want to add our "critical" minds and our ability to never forget to the mind of God. That is wrong. We can't do that.
It's true. There are times when God gives people up to "their reprobate mind". But only when he can see their motives and when he knows their heart will never bend to the will of God.
When there is no other motive than complete submission to Christ, when there is no hidden agenda except the knowledge that you have sinned - God Forgives....period!
So don't hold back. Don't slink into the back of the room and think that you are so bad that God will never love you again.
God Loves you.
God will always want you to come home.
God will always forgive a truly repentant heart.
God Loves you.
God's love does not want to lose you. He wants to keep you close and love you forever.
George Matheson was only a teen when he learn he was going blind. He never gave up and entered Glasgow University with the help of his sisters. No matter how hard the path he pursued his goals until his fiancee devastated him by breaking their engagement and admitting she simply could not be married to a blind man. George never recovered from the pain of that rejection. He consoled himself by remembering that God's love is never limited, never conditional, never withdrawn and never uncertain. On June 6, 1882 he wrote
Oh Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee.
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths it's flow,
May richer, fuller be.
Oh Joy that seekest me through pain,
I can not close my heart to Thee.
I Trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
The beautiful part of this story is that he went on to become a powerful and popular preacher in the Scottish village of Innellan. He was facing low attendance and empty chairs one evening but did his best. A visitor for the large St. Bernard's Church in Edinburgh was in attendance and looking for a pastor. As a result of that sermon, in 1886 he was called to St. Bernard's where he became one of Scotland's favorite preachers.
"Make every occasion a great occasion," Matheson later said. "You can never tell when somebody may be taking your measure for a larger place."
God's love is like a great waterfall. He pours it over us on a daily basis and changes the outcome of our lives.
God loves you,
Debbie
For the sake of theological debate, I do understand your line of thinking. We all have moments in our lives when we are aware of the total purity of God. In those moments we wonder if there is any way that a "perfect" God can forgive our disobedience and love us back to righteous living.
Again I can restate with great assurance....Yes He can!
Romans 8:38
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.God's love for us is never based on our actions. His forgiveness for those actions may at times be based on our "motive". And that's where we get confused. Let me explain.
Everyone that comes to the Father with an open and broken spirit realizing and accepting that what they have done was wrong - those individuals will received all of God's mercy and all of his forgiveness. There are no qualifying factors. There are no ifs, ands or buts. It is simply God's open arms, smiling face and total love for us that forgives, loves and is completely excited that we have returned home. Hence - the prodigal son story, King David, the third man on the cross and hundreds of Biblical stories of forgiveness.
What hurts us and keeps us confused is that we want to add our "critical" minds and our ability to never forget to the mind of God. That is wrong. We can't do that.
It's true. There are times when God gives people up to "their reprobate mind". But only when he can see their motives and when he knows their heart will never bend to the will of God.
When there is no other motive than complete submission to Christ, when there is no hidden agenda except the knowledge that you have sinned - God Forgives....period!
So don't hold back. Don't slink into the back of the room and think that you are so bad that God will never love you again.
God Loves you.
God will always want you to come home.
God will always forgive a truly repentant heart.
God Loves you.
When I suffer with self doubt or feel like somehow I've let God down, I love to play the song -
OH Love that wilt not let me Go!
George Matheson was only a teen when he learn he was going blind. He never gave up and entered Glasgow University with the help of his sisters. No matter how hard the path he pursued his goals until his fiancee devastated him by breaking their engagement and admitting she simply could not be married to a blind man. George never recovered from the pain of that rejection. He consoled himself by remembering that God's love is never limited, never conditional, never withdrawn and never uncertain. On June 6, 1882 he wrote
Oh Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee.
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths it's flow,
May richer, fuller be.
Oh Joy that seekest me through pain,
I can not close my heart to Thee.
I Trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
The beautiful part of this story is that he went on to become a powerful and popular preacher in the Scottish village of Innellan. He was facing low attendance and empty chairs one evening but did his best. A visitor for the large St. Bernard's Church in Edinburgh was in attendance and looking for a pastor. As a result of that sermon, in 1886 he was called to St. Bernard's where he became one of Scotland's favorite preachers.
"Make every occasion a great occasion," Matheson later said. "You can never tell when somebody may be taking your measure for a larger place."
God's love is like a great waterfall. He pours it over us on a daily basis and changes the outcome of our lives.
God loves you,
Debbie
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Skip Intro
Thanks Jamie ! He fixed the intro so you can skip it and go directly to the site.
I am very grateful. Jamie has been a wonderful help in getting the website up and running but I know he is beginning his busy season, so I'm trying to do more by myself. Jamie is a fantastic photographer and the majority of his business is weddings and senior pictures. He is truly an artist and can make anyone look good - even his Mom!
If you live in the North Canton, Ohio area and you need pictures - do yourself a favor and call him. If you live outside the area he will travel. His website is www.jamiejansenphoto.com
Also, Pete Flaherty designed my business cards and all my brochures. Many of the pages on this website are Pete's design. He's a graduate of Evangel University and a wonderful artist and Christian. If you would like him to design something for you, you can contact him through e-mail peterflaherty@sbcglobal.net
You won't go wrong with either of these fine Christian men.
I am very grateful. Jamie has been a wonderful help in getting the website up and running but I know he is beginning his busy season, so I'm trying to do more by myself. Jamie is a fantastic photographer and the majority of his business is weddings and senior pictures. He is truly an artist and can make anyone look good - even his Mom!
If you live in the North Canton, Ohio area and you need pictures - do yourself a favor and call him. If you live outside the area he will travel. His website is www.jamiejansenphoto.com
Also, Pete Flaherty designed my business cards and all my brochures. Many of the pages on this website are Pete's design. He's a graduate of Evangel University and a wonderful artist and Christian. If you would like him to design something for you, you can contact him through e-mail peterflaherty@sbcglobal.net
You won't go wrong with either of these fine Christian men.
Va. Tech, America, the war, our Freedom, Christianity
That's a lot to cover in one post. But actually as I read through proverbs (especially Proverbs 16) thinking about the state of the world - it's all related.
Proverbs 16:16-17 in the NIV states, "How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! The Highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life."
America has become a nation of "reactors". We no long plan for a better future, but rather we react to the present. And perhaps there are so many negative influences and so few truly honorable people that time constraints make it difficult for the honorable to take the time to make a plan.
Let me put that on a level that we all can relate to. If parents do not take the time to make a "family" plan and a "parenting" plan, they will face the consequences. This is important - there is no perfect child and no perfect parent. We will all make mistakes. But it is also important to make our plan so that we can avoid the big mistakes and deal with the small ones.
What many families are prone to do however, is to react to the present problem. Johnnie pitched a fit. It's been a busy day at work and everyone is busy getting ready for supper. Temper tantrums, selfishness, anger issues - receive little more than a time out. Parents don't realize that those are the same issues that will turn ugly when the child becomes a teenager. If those issues are not explained and overcome at three they will be insurmountable at 17.
Likewise on a larger level, America is so concerned with freedom and freedom of speech that we have produced a magnitude of manipulators that are not men and women of honor but rather are the products of selfishness and illogical thinking. Many simply want a forum for their own desires and views regardless of what that does to others. For example, many politicians and celebrities are not concerned with the healing of America. They don't really care if this world is better for the masses. All they are concerned about is that the masses vote for them, put them in office and allow them power. Since that is their motive, they become illogical. They promote issues that don't allow progress, but simply soothe the deviant behavior of someone with money and power so they will once again elect them or allow them to stay in the limelight.
What we need are leaders who are more concerned about making America better and doing what is "right" not what will save their job. We need heroes in our everyday lives. Someone - somewhere needs to take a stand and "instruct" American on how to live better lives. Our politics, our homes, our schools will never be better than the people that inhabit them. So how is that accomplished?
While there are many authors and speakers that are trying to address the problem, we must be wise about our freedoms. America's freedom should be treated like Kudzu. Kudzu was brought to this country from Japan as a conservation tool. It's a leafy plant that was used to help farmers in the south replenish the nutrients in the soil and to conserve the erosion of soil on highway banks and coverts. For a while the southern people were happy and liked the way the Kudzu vine would wrap around anything, grow as much as 12 inches in a day and made the landscape look lush and green. The love affair with Kudzu ended when it became apparent that Kudzu was an extremely destructive plant. When planted by the side of the road in only one summer Kudzu would cover all surrounding bushes and trees and would kill saplings. Over the course of a few summers, Kudzu could topple and kill even large Georgia Pines. Once it gained a foothold, it would take years of chemicals, mowing and aggressive manipulations to kill Kudzu.
Why is America's freedom like this destructive plant?
Freedom can only be enjoyed when it is controlled.
We must decide what America is going to be and then cut, prune and eliminate until we achieve that plan.
Freedom cannot be all inclusive.
Let me say that again. Freedom cannot be all inclusive. Leftist don't want to hear that. They are promoting that we can have freedom for all views and all people regardless of their beliefs and lifestyles.
But it simply doesn't work that way. The old saying "Your freedom stops where mine begins," needs to be reinforced. If we want a country that has the same quiet communities and patriotic values that we had in the 50's, then we must insist that some things will not be allowed. Go back with me to the little town of Marion, Indiana. I grew up in that small Mayberry-Andy Griffith type town. Were there people that didn't live good lives there? Of course. There will always be crime and deviant behavior. But that town would have had no problem asking a pornographer to leave. That town would have had no problem requiring a gang or a pimp to leave or be arrested whether they had committed a crime or not.
What I'm trying to pose to you is a deeper philosophical question. Societies cannot function properly without structure and that means some thoughts and lifestyles will be excluded. If a society does not become structured - the end result will be that evil conquers! Why? Good does not need to be structured. Good will be compassionate and kind and willing to bend. Evil Conquers. Evil will rise to the top and demand that it is given power. Evil exists to conquer.
The only perfect response from those who want a free and happy America is that we must go to war against all evil. Otherwise, like Kudzu when evil is given perfect freedom - it will destroy us.
Regardless of all the talk about why Cho did what he did at Virginia State, we must realize that there are hundreds of reasons. Many of those reasons may involve his family life, medications or lack of, his dreams, his faith or lack of and his extended family and friends. But many of those reasons may also involve American laws that allow makers of violent films, video games and music to exist.
Don't scream at me! I understand the freedom of speech. But I also think there should be limits on that freedom. You should have the freedom to say that you are angry, to let others know that you are upset with certain situations. But do it through proper channels. Write those you are angry with. Sit down with those that upset you. Ask for help with those troubling situations. DO NOT fill the airways, movies and game rooms with enough violence to anesthetize anyone to taking lives.
I understand the freedom of speech and how we all have the right to do whatever we want with our own lives. But you should not have the right to inflict a destructive viewpoint or way of life on unsuspecting good people. You do not have the right to place pornography where it will attract small children who have not had time to be properly trained by parents. It should not be allowed on the web and it should not be allowed in stores. Americans are allowing destructive people to become millionaires by taunting the weak and pulling them into a destructive lifestyle.
Read my post My Oh My - that's mine. This country is YOURS and MINE. This is MY AMERICA. You may not agree with my viewpoints and that's fine. But what do you agree with? And how are you going to accomplish a society that reflects your viewpoints? America has gotten more dangerous and our children are more at risk. WHY?
What are YOU going to do to change the situation. Gun control will not stop campus violence. A person bent on hurting others will simply find another way to do it. The answer is in making sure that our society helps honorable intelligent people rise to the place of power. The answer is in creating a society that supports good people and eliminates the path to power for those that are not honorable.
America should no longer tolerate dishonorable behavior from it's politicians, it's clergy, it's newscasters and it's homes. It is not the president of Virginia Tech that is responsible for safety in this country and on campuses - it is all of us.
I am heartbroken for our country and the future of our children, America, Soldiers, Christianity and most of all Freedom. I sat yesterday and cried for the victims and their families. It hurt me deeply to think of their pain. Yet, while hearing newscasters calling Cho names, I prayed for his parents as well. I thought of their embarrassment and the guilt they must feel. I wondered if Cho's mother was holding his baby picture and wondering what happened.
I closed my eyes while hearing Nikki Giovanni's speech and saw an outline of America and all the inhabitants were hurting. Maybe not everyone cries for Virginia Tech, but like Giovanni's speech, there is pain everywhere. Innocent people are being hurt on a daily basis. Some are being hurt by truly evil people and some are being hurt by those they trust. What can we do?
I am here. I am here to love you, to commit my life to helping you. I am here to take a stand for honor and justice and Christianity. I am here to say to all, "Debbie Jansen wants to make this world a better place." I am here to pray for you. I am here to comfort you. I am here to administer compassion for all situations and instructions to put us on the road to healing. I am here.
I pray God's blessings on you all. Together we can make a difference.
God loves you.
Debbie
Proverbs 16:16-17 in the NIV states, "How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! The Highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life."
America has become a nation of "reactors". We no long plan for a better future, but rather we react to the present. And perhaps there are so many negative influences and so few truly honorable people that time constraints make it difficult for the honorable to take the time to make a plan.
Let me put that on a level that we all can relate to. If parents do not take the time to make a "family" plan and a "parenting" plan, they will face the consequences. This is important - there is no perfect child and no perfect parent. We will all make mistakes. But it is also important to make our plan so that we can avoid the big mistakes and deal with the small ones.
What many families are prone to do however, is to react to the present problem. Johnnie pitched a fit. It's been a busy day at work and everyone is busy getting ready for supper. Temper tantrums, selfishness, anger issues - receive little more than a time out. Parents don't realize that those are the same issues that will turn ugly when the child becomes a teenager. If those issues are not explained and overcome at three they will be insurmountable at 17.
Likewise on a larger level, America is so concerned with freedom and freedom of speech that we have produced a magnitude of manipulators that are not men and women of honor but rather are the products of selfishness and illogical thinking. Many simply want a forum for their own desires and views regardless of what that does to others. For example, many politicians and celebrities are not concerned with the healing of America. They don't really care if this world is better for the masses. All they are concerned about is that the masses vote for them, put them in office and allow them power. Since that is their motive, they become illogical. They promote issues that don't allow progress, but simply soothe the deviant behavior of someone with money and power so they will once again elect them or allow them to stay in the limelight.
What we need are leaders who are more concerned about making America better and doing what is "right" not what will save their job. We need heroes in our everyday lives. Someone - somewhere needs to take a stand and "instruct" American on how to live better lives. Our politics, our homes, our schools will never be better than the people that inhabit them. So how is that accomplished?
While there are many authors and speakers that are trying to address the problem, we must be wise about our freedoms. America's freedom should be treated like Kudzu. Kudzu was brought to this country from Japan as a conservation tool. It's a leafy plant that was used to help farmers in the south replenish the nutrients in the soil and to conserve the erosion of soil on highway banks and coverts. For a while the southern people were happy and liked the way the Kudzu vine would wrap around anything, grow as much as 12 inches in a day and made the landscape look lush and green. The love affair with Kudzu ended when it became apparent that Kudzu was an extremely destructive plant. When planted by the side of the road in only one summer Kudzu would cover all surrounding bushes and trees and would kill saplings. Over the course of a few summers, Kudzu could topple and kill even large Georgia Pines. Once it gained a foothold, it would take years of chemicals, mowing and aggressive manipulations to kill Kudzu.
Why is America's freedom like this destructive plant?
Freedom can only be enjoyed when it is controlled.
We must decide what America is going to be and then cut, prune and eliminate until we achieve that plan.
Freedom cannot be all inclusive.
Let me say that again. Freedom cannot be all inclusive. Leftist don't want to hear that. They are promoting that we can have freedom for all views and all people regardless of their beliefs and lifestyles.
But it simply doesn't work that way. The old saying "Your freedom stops where mine begins," needs to be reinforced. If we want a country that has the same quiet communities and patriotic values that we had in the 50's, then we must insist that some things will not be allowed. Go back with me to the little town of Marion, Indiana. I grew up in that small Mayberry-Andy Griffith type town. Were there people that didn't live good lives there? Of course. There will always be crime and deviant behavior. But that town would have had no problem asking a pornographer to leave. That town would have had no problem requiring a gang or a pimp to leave or be arrested whether they had committed a crime or not.
What I'm trying to pose to you is a deeper philosophical question. Societies cannot function properly without structure and that means some thoughts and lifestyles will be excluded. If a society does not become structured - the end result will be that evil conquers! Why? Good does not need to be structured. Good will be compassionate and kind and willing to bend. Evil Conquers. Evil will rise to the top and demand that it is given power. Evil exists to conquer.
The only perfect response from those who want a free and happy America is that we must go to war against all evil. Otherwise, like Kudzu when evil is given perfect freedom - it will destroy us.
Regardless of all the talk about why Cho did what he did at Virginia State, we must realize that there are hundreds of reasons. Many of those reasons may involve his family life, medications or lack of, his dreams, his faith or lack of and his extended family and friends. But many of those reasons may also involve American laws that allow makers of violent films, video games and music to exist.
Don't scream at me! I understand the freedom of speech. But I also think there should be limits on that freedom. You should have the freedom to say that you are angry, to let others know that you are upset with certain situations. But do it through proper channels. Write those you are angry with. Sit down with those that upset you. Ask for help with those troubling situations. DO NOT fill the airways, movies and game rooms with enough violence to anesthetize anyone to taking lives.
I understand the freedom of speech and how we all have the right to do whatever we want with our own lives. But you should not have the right to inflict a destructive viewpoint or way of life on unsuspecting good people. You do not have the right to place pornography where it will attract small children who have not had time to be properly trained by parents. It should not be allowed on the web and it should not be allowed in stores. Americans are allowing destructive people to become millionaires by taunting the weak and pulling them into a destructive lifestyle.
Read my post My Oh My - that's mine. This country is YOURS and MINE. This is MY AMERICA. You may not agree with my viewpoints and that's fine. But what do you agree with? And how are you going to accomplish a society that reflects your viewpoints? America has gotten more dangerous and our children are more at risk. WHY?
What are YOU going to do to change the situation. Gun control will not stop campus violence. A person bent on hurting others will simply find another way to do it. The answer is in making sure that our society helps honorable intelligent people rise to the place of power. The answer is in creating a society that supports good people and eliminates the path to power for those that are not honorable.
America should no longer tolerate dishonorable behavior from it's politicians, it's clergy, it's newscasters and it's homes. It is not the president of Virginia Tech that is responsible for safety in this country and on campuses - it is all of us.
I am heartbroken for our country and the future of our children, America, Soldiers, Christianity and most of all Freedom. I sat yesterday and cried for the victims and their families. It hurt me deeply to think of their pain. Yet, while hearing newscasters calling Cho names, I prayed for his parents as well. I thought of their embarrassment and the guilt they must feel. I wondered if Cho's mother was holding his baby picture and wondering what happened.
I closed my eyes while hearing Nikki Giovanni's speech and saw an outline of America and all the inhabitants were hurting. Maybe not everyone cries for Virginia Tech, but like Giovanni's speech, there is pain everywhere. Innocent people are being hurt on a daily basis. Some are being hurt by truly evil people and some are being hurt by those they trust. What can we do?
I am here. I am here to love you, to commit my life to helping you. I am here to take a stand for honor and justice and Christianity. I am here to say to all, "Debbie Jansen wants to make this world a better place." I am here to pray for you. I am here to comfort you. I am here to administer compassion for all situations and instructions to put us on the road to healing. I am here.
I pray God's blessings on you all. Together we can make a difference.
God loves you.
Debbie
Monday, April 16, 2007
The Lord is My Shepherd
I was shocked and saddened to hear about the tragedy in Virginia. I've spent most of the day (in between chores) watching TV, crying and praying for the victims and their families and friends. My mind is swirling. First with the pain and sorrow, then with horror and disbelief and finally with anger.
While there is much that I could say, I think that now is the time to pour all of our love and prayers over this situation. Please join with me today to pray for those involved in this tragedy. Visit me tomorrow and we will discuss some of my thoughts on the situation.
BTW I'm working at finding out how to put a "skip intro" on my first page. If you have any information about how to do that - let me know.
God Loves You
Debbie
While there is much that I could say, I think that now is the time to pour all of our love and prayers over this situation. Please join with me today to pray for those involved in this tragedy. Visit me tomorrow and we will discuss some of my thoughts on the situation.
BTW I'm working at finding out how to put a "skip intro" on my first page. If you have any information about how to do that - let me know.
God Loves You
Debbie
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Help me find a new word!
Does anyone else have a problem with the word "blog"? Today was a beautiful day at church. Good music, good sermon and wonderful friends. Everyone was asking about "my blog". I heard someone say....."So, how do you like blogging?"
I wrinkled my nose at him not because I don't like talking with you all but because it just sounds funny to talk about a blog. I keep thinking of that old movie The Blob. I imagine someone sitting at a computer and oozing out in all directions. Oh ick!
On a more serious thought, how many words make you cringe? Do your children stiffen when you yell some nasty comment about their behavior. Does your husband turn and walk away when you bash him with a word that isn't exactly offensive or cruel but scratches at his self-esteem just the same. Maybe while we are b-l-o-g-g-i-n-g we should try to rid our speech of words that fail to leave a "comforting" impression on those around us.
Until we get that accomplished can someone out there help me come up with a new word for blog?
God loves you.
Debbie
I wrinkled my nose at him not because I don't like talking with you all but because it just sounds funny to talk about a blog. I keep thinking of that old movie The Blob. I imagine someone sitting at a computer and oozing out in all directions. Oh ick!
On a more serious thought, how many words make you cringe? Do your children stiffen when you yell some nasty comment about their behavior. Does your husband turn and walk away when you bash him with a word that isn't exactly offensive or cruel but scratches at his self-esteem just the same. Maybe while we are b-l-o-g-g-i-n-g we should try to rid our speech of words that fail to leave a "comforting" impression on those around us.
Until we get that accomplished can someone out there help me come up with a new word for blog?
God loves you.
Debbie
Saturday, April 14, 2007
My Oh My - that's mine!
Please be patient with me. I'm still working on website information. Check back regularly. There will be new articles, personal items and of course more pictures!
I was looking over the information for the website and I noticed a theme that might trouble some readers. On the home page the first two tabs start with "my". I would have had all of them start with "my" but there isn't enough room. Am I just terribly possessive or is there a reason?
One of the saddest problems with many forms of parenting is that some parents (sometimes innocently) don't connect all the pieces of parenting. Most any psychologist will agree that the "whys" of our actions can sometimes be more important than our actual actions. Understanding why can change the focus of any discussion or problem. For example, a child crying because he doesn't want to go to bed shouldn't be punished if you find out that he's allergic to the detergent you use to wash the sheets and though there's no rash - his entire body feels sore and hurts.
Finding out the whys of parenting is an important part of making sure our child can navigate in this world. So why do I use "my" so much? I was taught to have a world view. In other words - to think about others and how I can help make this world a little better. But having a world view and wanting to help doesn't come entirely from sharing. It comes from a feeling of responsibility. And in order to feel responsible you must first "own" the situation or thing.
While riding and observing with a protective services agent, the missing link for most of the parents we interviewed was not that they felt guilty - but rather that they didn't feel a sense of ownership of the child or to the problem. In counseling with hurting parents, the first important step is when they accept responsibility for their actions and "own" their children.
As parents we should encourage our children to "own" their problems and situations. Once they've done that, then we can teach them about love, caring, sharing and reaching out. Owning their situations also helps produce responsibility and helps them to define their place within the family. Imagine children who are able to say, "I have trouble being late, but I'm working on it. My goal is to have it conquered by August." Don't get discouraged - it can happen. When you allow your children, husband, friends...to "own" their lives you set them free and it won't be long until they will see every problem as a chance to improve.
If everything in your house belongs to everyone and every situation is all inclusive, your child will tend to be fussy and even more possessive and intolerant. Why? He will feel that he needs to "fight" for the right to participate or to use an item. Generic and all inclusive does not produce sharing and caring. After all, if it belongs to everyone - who is responsible for it's care? If I'm always going to be included, why should I work to maintain a good relationship? Generic and all inclusive does not produce responsibility or a healthy world view.
MY tip for today. Teach your children that it is okay and proper to have things that are off limits to others. Once you agree that little Johnny has the right to say no to Sally's demands to play with his toy - then you can teach them both the value of sharing from the heart!
So, here's to my family and my story and my website. I am totally responsible.
What do you think?
Debbie
I was looking over the information for the website and I noticed a theme that might trouble some readers. On the home page the first two tabs start with "my". I would have had all of them start with "my" but there isn't enough room. Am I just terribly possessive or is there a reason?
One of the saddest problems with many forms of parenting is that some parents (sometimes innocently) don't connect all the pieces of parenting. Most any psychologist will agree that the "whys" of our actions can sometimes be more important than our actual actions. Understanding why can change the focus of any discussion or problem. For example, a child crying because he doesn't want to go to bed shouldn't be punished if you find out that he's allergic to the detergent you use to wash the sheets and though there's no rash - his entire body feels sore and hurts.
Finding out the whys of parenting is an important part of making sure our child can navigate in this world. So why do I use "my" so much? I was taught to have a world view. In other words - to think about others and how I can help make this world a little better. But having a world view and wanting to help doesn't come entirely from sharing. It comes from a feeling of responsibility. And in order to feel responsible you must first "own" the situation or thing.
While riding and observing with a protective services agent, the missing link for most of the parents we interviewed was not that they felt guilty - but rather that they didn't feel a sense of ownership of the child or to the problem. In counseling with hurting parents, the first important step is when they accept responsibility for their actions and "own" their children.
As parents we should encourage our children to "own" their problems and situations. Once they've done that, then we can teach them about love, caring, sharing and reaching out. Owning their situations also helps produce responsibility and helps them to define their place within the family. Imagine children who are able to say, "I have trouble being late, but I'm working on it. My goal is to have it conquered by August." Don't get discouraged - it can happen. When you allow your children, husband, friends...to "own" their lives you set them free and it won't be long until they will see every problem as a chance to improve.
If everything in your house belongs to everyone and every situation is all inclusive, your child will tend to be fussy and even more possessive and intolerant. Why? He will feel that he needs to "fight" for the right to participate or to use an item. Generic and all inclusive does not produce sharing and caring. After all, if it belongs to everyone - who is responsible for it's care? If I'm always going to be included, why should I work to maintain a good relationship? Generic and all inclusive does not produce responsibility or a healthy world view.
MY tip for today. Teach your children that it is okay and proper to have things that are off limits to others. Once you agree that little Johnny has the right to say no to Sally's demands to play with his toy - then you can teach them both the value of sharing from the heart!
So, here's to my family and my story and my website. I am totally responsible.
What do you think?
Debbie
Friday, April 13, 2007
Mt. Hermon Conference
March 27th I boarded a plane and headed for Santa Cruz, California. I was both anxious and excited. I was finally going to begin my new career. For most of my life I've used a pen to express my emotions and beliefs. But now, there would be purpose. Now I would allow my voice to be heard by others. Now I would discover the proper way to manipulate words so they could touch the hearts of others.
At least, that's what I hoped. After a few smiling faces greated me, my schedule went into overdrive. It was exhilarating! I was nervous, but the old college energy rushed to
the surface and I had a ball.
Cindy Woodsmall and I quickly developed a friendship. You must read her new book, When the Heart Cries - it's wonderful! And best of all....she's a Georgia peach as well. www.cindywoodsmall.com
I attended two classes with Barbara Curtis and was fortunate enough to schedule an appointment for a nice chat. She is darling! She's real and funny and sweet and wonderfully talented. You must check out her website at www.barbaracurtis.com
I also had a chance to talk with Judi Perry from Beacon Hill Press and was able to take one of her classes. What a help she was! She is so fun to talk to and has a way of making you feel that you've been friends for years.
Congradulations go out to Vicki Crumpton on her marriage. I can't believe she teaches sea kayaking.
I took Jim Denney's major morning sessions on "The Business and Holy Calling of Christian Non-Fiction. It was wonderful! I learned so much. If you want to be a writer, check out his website at www.dennybooks.com
And of course you must check out www.exclaimentertainment.com Boz is a terrific character for your preschooler. Congradulations Cindy! Boz is a hit!
If I named everyone that touched my life within those 5 days, this blog would probably fill up completely. Thank you to everyone I met and to all those special friends.
And a big thank you to Holly Miller. What a wonderful friend you are and I can't thank you enough for suggesting the conference. Not only was it wonderful for my writing - but it was great being there with you! Holly is one of the best teachers I know and she has been a dear friend. She's the pretty one in the picture.
Debbie
At least, that's what I hoped. After a few smiling faces greated me, my schedule went into overdrive. It was exhilarating! I was nervous, but the old college energy rushed to
the surface and I had a ball.Cindy Woodsmall and I quickly developed a friendship. You must read her new book, When the Heart Cries - it's wonderful! And best of all....she's a Georgia peach as well. www.cindywoodsmall.com
I attended two classes with Barbara Curtis and was fortunate enough to schedule an appointment for a nice chat. She is darling! She's real and funny and sweet and wonderfully talented. You must check out her website at www.barbaracurtis.com
I also had a chance to talk with Judi Perry from Beacon Hill Press and was able to take one of her classes. What a help she was! She is so fun to talk to and has a way of making you feel that you've been friends for years.
Congradulations go out to Vicki Crumpton on her marriage. I can't believe she teaches sea kayaking.
I took Jim Denney's major morning sessions on "The Business and Holy Calling of Christian Non-Fiction. It was wonderful! I learned so much. If you want to be a writer, check out his website at www.dennybooks.com
And of course you must check out www.exclaimentertainment.com Boz is a terrific character for your preschooler. Congradulations Cindy! Boz is a hit!
If I named everyone that touched my life within those 5 days, this blog would probably fill up completely. Thank you to everyone I met and to all those special friends.
And a big thank you to Holly Miller. What a wonderful friend you are and I can't thank you enough for suggesting the conference. Not only was it wonderful for my writing - but it was great being there with you! Holly is one of the best teachers I know and she has been a dear friend. She's the pretty one in the picture.
Debbie
Welcome yawl
Thanks to my wonderful son, I now have a blog. We are working on getting the entire website up and running. Unfortunately, Jamie is faster at what he's doing than I am at writing the copy. While waiting for me to finish all the copy try visiting his website at www.jamiejansenphoto.com.
I look forward to hearing from all of you.
Debbie
I look forward to hearing from all of you.
Debbie
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