I am not a difficult older woman who hates young people and their ideas! I love children, teens and young adults.
What I do hate is waste. I hate to see lives wasted and opportunities missed. As a true Mommy Detective, I've spent my life trying to dig through the facts and discover the Truth of any situation. Truth isn't always easy. Sometimes Truth can hurt our feelings or make us feel bad. Sometimes Truth demands that we change a habit that we've become comfortable with. Sometimes Truth means we have to get off our butt and work to change for the better. But Truth usually does not leave us where we are and it moves us to making something wonderful out of our lives - and that is always worth the work!
It is human nature to resist change. We get comfortable in our misguided or unintentional mistakes and we fight to stay the same. Even with the best intentions and the greatest desire to change - every one of us will feel a resistance to change.
Yet....if we are to be the best that God created us to be - we must change. And unfortunately, in my entire life - (dare I say in all of history?) I have never heard anyone say this: "My life is great! Everything is going good for me. I have everything I want. I think I'll change."
When life seems to be okay - or when we've accepted the life we have - it's un-natural to want to change it. Instead we hold our breath and hope that nothing disturbes the way things are.
YET.....Again.....if we are to be the best that God created us to be - if we are to change our world and make it better than it ever was....WE MUST CHANGE.
CHANGE is good. Change moves us along. Change helps us reach for the gold.
CHANGE CAN also BE BAD....What if I make a wrong choice? What if my change makes things worse not better? Can I go back to what I was? And if I can't go back will I regret this change for the rest of my life?
I believe that Change is good but it demands a committed responsibility to finding TRUTH. If you ignore the facts in any situation you will regret your change.
A great example of this is our country. We have made change our God. We encourage people to change, to be edgy (never understood this term - have mental picture of someone about to fall off a cliff - why is that desirable?), to be different for the sake of being different. Young children grow up feeling as though the only way to have a successful life is to be seen as "different" - yet at the same time they try to look like everyone else that's following the stupid looks and behaviors of superstars.
Can I just take a bunny trail here? Why would anyone care what a movie star or music star has to say about anything? They are not thinkers. Their main focus in life is self and doing what a director or writer tells them to do. Hum....they are just followers. What our youth needs is someone who will "teach" them to be thinkers, entrepreneurs and inventors. We need youth that are determined to find answers to societies problems. We don't need more followers....we need more leaders!
Okay....back on the main trail here.
When you are considering change you must have all the facts....you must consider every side and check out all the details of your change. If you don't, you will be in the middle of change only to find because of some new information that you've made the wrong move.
Let's look at one example. Back in the 60's, our country bought into the nonsense that the way to protect your child's self-esteem was to never say no. Saying no would hurt little Johnny's psyche so we have to protect him. Now those children are adults. These are the people in our society that want to put down every attempt to "control" the evil in our society.
If you are raised believing that every thought, every whim, every desire you have should be explored - regardless of what it does to others.....then any attempt to say "no" to you will cause a fight. Every contradictory thought would be an attack. That's why some childish people can't stand to look at a religious symbol. That symbol isn't hurting them. They have the choice to look away or do the same thing I do when some evil is portrayed on TV - I turn it off and try another channel I believe in. Only a childish spoiled brat whose never been forced to have boundaries would want to force others to cater to his own selfish desires. I believe this is why America is so involved in catering to criminals and shifting our focus from caring for decent people to the elevated rights of criminals.
Here's the problem with that philosophy. Catering to someone who is doing wrong does not make them change. He's getting what he wants. He's receiving respect even though he's a killer or a rapist. He's allowed to go on functioning in society even though he's mentally or physically abused a child. He's allowed to hold on to every stupid excuse he can fine to avoid change. Why would he change?
I was appalled by the actions of the University of Arizona. If I had been a relative of one of the victims, I would have left the building. Why? Because none of the people there were had respect for the grieving and the dead. Clapping and cheering for someone who was murdered is not showing respect. Hadn't any of those animalistic attendees ever been to a funeral? I heard one commentator say, "Perhaps this was just what the crowd needed. After three days of gloomy news, maybe they needed a release."
That comment made me furious. I had just sent an e-mail to Bret Bair and explained how awful I thought the pretend memorial service was.(perhaps I'll post my comments to him) But then to hear a commentator excuse their actions - well that just infuriated me more. I was not mad at the commentator but at the sentiment and belief that all we can expect from our children - from those that hold the future of this country in their hands - all we can expect from them is selfish animalistic behavior! We can and should expect much more. We can and should expect our youth to have some class and respect for others.
Those spoiled students didn't have to walk into the bedroom of their loved one and know that they will never return. They didn't have to pick out the casket or make burial arrangements. Remember - this was only three days after the shooting. Most funeral services hadn't happened. And while these poor victims were still in mourning, they were fooled into attending an emotionally difficult situation by misrepresenting a political pep rally and calling it a memorial service.
I've stood beside a casket and looked at a relative that's passed on. Even as a Christian and knowing that they were with Jesus and someday I would see them again - my heart was broken. Every thought of them took my breath away. Every moment was filled with pain, anger and yes some guilt. I felt guilty every time I smiled - knowing that they couldn't smile. It takes time - lots of quiet time - to get over that feeling. It takes reflection and hugs and peaceful contemplation.
At the pretend memorial services in Arizona, the University President allowed ill-mannered, selfish, animalistic children to hurt the victims of the shooting. It seemed as though he was seeking his own moment of fame by issuing T-shirts and encouraging the crowd to be rowdy. Mr. Obama is also to blame. While he may have been caught off guard, where was his leadership? Why didn't he simply address the crowd with an off scripted reprimand? Why didn't he take control of the situation and defend the victims? Instead he joined in the disrespectful display by saying nothing. (Which again speaks to Mr. Obama as a president. He's not a leader. He's a follower. He bows and apologizes and follows. He doesn't lead.) And I'm sorry. I do not agree with all the commentators that say his speech was comforting. Poppycock! It was filled with political overtones. If it had truly been a memorial service it should have pointed only to the victims and their families. Mr. Obama should have only been a vessel spotlight pointing to the victims. He should have resisted any attempt to point the spotlight on himself or any political agenda. Instead his speech was heavy with political rhetoric overtones. Instead it spoke to a pep rally for America and Obama's political stand.
The TRUTH is....Someone at that ridiculous pep rally should have taken the mike and defended the "grief stricken" families. Would that have been difficult and hard? Yes. But would it have been proper and right? Yes. Would it have taught some of those in attendance about good manners and unselfish behavior? Perhaps. Would the victims have felt vindicated in their grief? Would they have felt like someone truly understood their pain? Would they have avoided the problem of leaving the building and feeling guilty because they didn't want to clap but rather wanted to cry? Yes!
What the TRUTH in this situation would have done is open a conversation about good manners and appropriate behavior. And change? Maybe we should think about the way things used to be and realize that selfish - my desires and needs first - was not a "good change". Maybe we should consider how we can help our children have a good self-esteem without become animals bent on having what they want at any cost. I feel sorry for the victims of Arizona. They were betrayed by that University, the university president and staff, Mr. Obama and those spoiled brat attendees. I am saddened that they had to be hurt again. No handshake by a passive president can make up for the pain they will feel over the next few weeks knowing that the crowd was more interested in politics than in their dead relative.
Class and respect is a wonderful comforting virtue. When it is absent it leaves the heart feeling sick and alone.
God loves you,
Debbie
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer
Brought to you by American Minute
On OCTOBER 3, 1789, from the U.S. Capitol in New York City, President George Washington issued the first Proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer to Almighty God, as just one week earlier the first session of the U.S. Congress successfully approved the First Ten Amendments limiting the power of the Federal Government.
The First Amendment begins:
"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
In his Proclamation, President Washington stated:
"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God....we may...unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations..."
Washington continued:
"and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our...duties properly...to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws...and to bless them with...peace and concord...and the increase of science...and...to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best."
How can anyone state that this is no longer a Christian nation without looking and feeling like a fool? More and more we are learning how deep our Christian heritage is. This country was built on Christian principles and it's success is based on the observance of God. Any man that tries to remove Godly attitudes from this country will kill our freedoms and our future!
God loves you,
Debbie
The First Amendment begins:
"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
In his Proclamation, President Washington stated:
"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God....we may...unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations..."
Washington continued:
"and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our...duties properly...to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws...and to bless them with...peace and concord...and the increase of science...and...to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best."
How can anyone state that this is no longer a Christian nation without looking and feeling like a fool? More and more we are learning how deep our Christian heritage is. This country was built on Christian principles and it's success is based on the observance of God. Any man that tries to remove Godly attitudes from this country will kill our freedoms and our future!
God loves you,
Debbie
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Arnold Joseph Toynbee - historian
Brought to you by American Minute
Historian Arnold Joseph Toynbee died OCTOBER 2, 1975.
Providing foreign intelligence for the British during World Wars I and II, Toynbee was a delegate to the Paris Peace Conferences.
Educated at Oxford "almost entirely in the Greek and Latin Classics,"
Toynbee taught at King's College of London, the London School of Economics, and the Royal Institute of International Affairs.
His 12-volume "Study of History," 1934-1961, described the rise, flowering, and decline of 26 cultures from Egypt, Greece and Rome to Polynesia and Peru.
"Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder," argued Toynbee, who saw religion as a prime motivation in history.
"When I started, religion was not a prominent feature...In writing my study, I have been constantly surprised to find religion coming back to fill an even greater place."
Toynbee continued:
"So what does the universe look like?..It looks as if everything were on the move either toward its Creator or away from Him."
Arnold Toynbee wrote:
"The course of human history consists of a series of encounters... in which each man or woman or child...is challenged by God to make the free choice between doing God's will and refusing to do it.
When Man refuses, he is free to make his refusal and to take the consequences."
What a wonderful observation by an intelligent and dedicated man. How well have you been able to explain this philosophy to your children? They deserve to know that others believe in God and His will.
God loves you,
Debbie
Providing foreign intelligence for the British during World Wars I and II, Toynbee was a delegate to the Paris Peace Conferences.
Educated at Oxford "almost entirely in the Greek and Latin Classics,"
Toynbee taught at King's College of London, the London School of Economics, and the Royal Institute of International Affairs.
His 12-volume "Study of History," 1934-1961, described the rise, flowering, and decline of 26 cultures from Egypt, Greece and Rome to Polynesia and Peru.
"Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder," argued Toynbee, who saw religion as a prime motivation in history.
"When I started, religion was not a prominent feature...In writing my study, I have been constantly surprised to find religion coming back to fill an even greater place."
Toynbee continued:
"So what does the universe look like?..It looks as if everything were on the move either toward its Creator or away from Him."
Arnold Toynbee wrote:
"The course of human history consists of a series of encounters... in which each man or woman or child...is challenged by God to make the free choice between doing God's will and refusing to do it.
When Man refuses, he is free to make his refusal and to take the consequences."
What a wonderful observation by an intelligent and dedicated man. How well have you been able to explain this philosophy to your children? They deserve to know that others believe in God and His will.
God loves you,
Debbie
Destruction of God's Creation
God values every human. In Matthew 10 Jesus was talking about not being afraid of your enemies. In verse 29 he let us know how important we are and that He watches everything that is done even to the least of his creations. In verse 30 he confirms our importance..."And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
The question then is....If God values you life so much that he even numbers the hairs on your head (which for me may take several angels just to keep the record straight) - how will he react when someone destroys His creation?
People rarely think about this side of the issue. Most Christians are taught to go the extra mile, give the last penny, suffer for Christ and give 100%. After all, the man we follow gave his life for all of us. He was the ultimate sacrifice. Do we need to do all that? Of course!
The problem is that while we study about giving and sacrifice - we must understand that there is a balance. Jesus sacrificed in order to accomplish a goal. He asks us to sacrifice in order to accomplish a goal. Sacrifice or destruction just for the sake of destruction is actually a sinful act. It's the same a suicide. It destroys God's creation and we are not allowed to do that!
For example....We do not have the right to destroy someone physically and we do not have the right to destroy a person mentally or emotionally. God is not about destruction!
So....what will he say on the day of judgement when we stand before him and he asks..."What did you do with the talents I gave you?"
Let's suppose some talented young man gives this answer....."Well, God....it's like this. I know you gave me a singing talent but my wife wasn't on board with that. She didn't like me in the spotlight and well...she wanted a more normal life. I tried talking with her but it escalated to arguments and finally she said she would divorce me if I didn't get a normal job. And you know....you said that you hated divorce, so I quit my pursuit and love of music and I got a job so I could save my marriage."
Let's look at scripture for this one. In Matthew 25: 14-30 Jesus told a parable about three men whose master gave them talents (money) before he left on a journey. Two men did their best to increase the money. The third man wasn't a bad man - he was a frightened man. He knew the owner was hard to deal with and he was afraid that if he tried to increase the money and instead lost it that the owner would be angry. So...he took the money and hid it in the ground. In verse 26 Jesus showed no compassion for this man.
*Remember parables are just stories Jesus made up to prove his points and to share his understanding of God's laws.
In verse 26- 30 Jesus was incredibly hard on this man. "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant!...Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents....And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Whoa! That's really harsh. Jesus is not compassionate with people who destroy the talents he has entrusted to them. That poses an important question for victims of abuse, victims of mental stress and victims of past experiences. If God has placed certain talents within you, which is more important....to stay in a destructive situation or to get out where you can actually promote your God given talents?
Do you have a friend that constantly puts you down and makes you feel so defeated that you wouldn't dare share your talents with your Sunday school class?
Do you have a pastor who wouldn't let God share a testimony in the pulpit unless he presented references and went through a vetting process? You feel like you have a talent but wouldn't dare offer it to your pastor.
Do you have a God given talent that you want to pursue but your spouse keeps your self-esteem so low there's no way you would ever cross them to take a stand for truth?
Does your job provide a great salary but limits your ability to pursue your talents?
Why are you so afraid of leaving those situations in pursuit of God's will for your life? Will you be punished at the judgement for turning away from or hiding the talents God has given you?
God has a purpose for your life! God gave you talents that are different from everyone else in the world. God demands that you protect and promote those talents. God must come first! In Matthew 10:37 Jesus said, "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
In other words....nothing in this world should come between you and God. And....nothing in this world should keep you from promoting the talents God has given you. Every Christian should be aware that the destruction of your talents is not right. We must all work together to assure that every individual within the body is doing what God created him/her to do.
God loves you,
Debbie
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
John Peter Muhlenberg
Brought to you by American Minute
"In the language of the Holy Writ, there is a time for all things. There is a time to preach and a time to fight."
Thus ended the sermon of 30-year-old pastor John Peter Muhlenberg as he removed his clerical robes to reveal a uniform in the Continental Army.
After church, 300 men of his congregation rode off with him to join General Washington's 8th Virginia regiment.
Born OCTOBER 1, 1746, John Peter Muhlenberg died the same day in 1807.
After hearing Patrick Henry speak the famous words, "give me liberty or give me death," John Peter Muhlenberg approached General Washington and enlisted.
Promoted to Major-General, he endured the freezing winter of Valley Forge and fought at Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Stonypoint and Yorktown.
John Peter Muhlenberg was elected Congressman and Senator.
John's father, Henry Muhlenberg, was a founder of the Lutheran Church in America.
John's brother, Frederick, also an ordained minister, was elected the first Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Both John and Frederick served in the first session of Congress which passed the First Amendment.
In 1889, Pennsylvania placed a statue of John Peter Muhlenberg in the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall.
It's time to talk about the fact that the best of this country came from devoted Christian backgrounds. We would not have the freedoms or the advances in this country without the great men who lived in the honor of Christianity. To deny that those men contributed so deeply to our country will strip us of our heritage and our strength! So...teach your children about the men presented in these short history lessons.
I hope you choose to sit with your children at supper and discuss these lessons. Here's a little more information I found on this great man.
"Brethren, we came to this county to practice our religious liberties, and if we don't get involved, we're going to lose them." John Peter Muhlenberg 1777 (Good advice for today)
The Black Robe Regiment arose from the pulpits across the colonies during the Revolutionary War. The movement had its beginnings with Reverend Peter Muhlenberg in 1776 concluding his Sunday sermon declaring "In the language of the holy writ, there was a time for all things, a time to preach and a time to pray, but those times have passed away. There is a time to fight, and that time is now coming!" Muhlenberg then removed his black robe reveling a full military uniform. Marching to the rear of his church he declared "Who among you is with me? On that day 300 men from his congregation stood up and joined Muhlenberg in the fight for liberty.
Dear God, please help me to have the same courage as our forefathers!
God loves you,
Debbie
Thus ended the sermon of 30-year-old pastor John Peter Muhlenberg as he removed his clerical robes to reveal a uniform in the Continental Army.
After church, 300 men of his congregation rode off with him to join General Washington's 8th Virginia regiment.
Born OCTOBER 1, 1746, John Peter Muhlenberg died the same day in 1807.
After hearing Patrick Henry speak the famous words, "give me liberty or give me death," John Peter Muhlenberg approached General Washington and enlisted.
Promoted to Major-General, he endured the freezing winter of Valley Forge and fought at Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Stonypoint and Yorktown.
John Peter Muhlenberg was elected Congressman and Senator.
John's father, Henry Muhlenberg, was a founder of the Lutheran Church in America.
John's brother, Frederick, also an ordained minister, was elected the first Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Both John and Frederick served in the first session of Congress which passed the First Amendment.
In 1889, Pennsylvania placed a statue of John Peter Muhlenberg in the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall.
It's time to talk about the fact that the best of this country came from devoted Christian backgrounds. We would not have the freedoms or the advances in this country without the great men who lived in the honor of Christianity. To deny that those men contributed so deeply to our country will strip us of our heritage and our strength! So...teach your children about the men presented in these short history lessons.
I hope you choose to sit with your children at supper and discuss these lessons. Here's a little more information I found on this great man.
"Brethren, we came to this county to practice our religious liberties, and if we don't get involved, we're going to lose them." John Peter Muhlenberg 1777 (Good advice for today)
The Black Robe Regiment arose from the pulpits across the colonies during the Revolutionary War. The movement had its beginnings with Reverend Peter Muhlenberg in 1776 concluding his Sunday sermon declaring "In the language of the holy writ, there was a time for all things, a time to preach and a time to pray, but those times have passed away. There is a time to fight, and that time is now coming!" Muhlenberg then removed his black robe reveling a full military uniform. Marching to the rear of his church he declared "Who among you is with me? On that day 300 men from his congregation stood up and joined Muhlenberg in the fight for liberty.
Dear God, please help me to have the same courage as our forefathers!
God loves you,
Debbie
America - a confusing place for our youth
Wisdom is the merging of all thought and the ability to discern the nuggets of truth in that thought.
America has always stood for the freedom of the individual. This is a good thing.
America promotes education and information. This too is a good thing.
America stands for free speech and freedom of thought and freedom of religion.....but for how long?
I've thought about this post for two days now. Those of you who can follow logical reasoning and proper transference of information won't have a problem with my point. Those who are incapable of seeing all sides or judging a situation based on "all" facts will probably give me grief about this post.
I just don't understand how "supposedly" intelligent people can tell lies with a straight face. To me, a lie is not only misrepresenting the truth - but it's also when you refuse to look at "all" the facts or truths. Lying also applies to a person who does the same thing you are doing but will twist it to make you look like you are in the wrong while their improper actions are somehow void of wrongdoing.
This last week-end we had a horrible tragedy. A deranged man walked into a crowd of innocent people and took lives. There is no punishment too awful for this man. When I read about the victims - especially the nine year old girl - I cried and then I was enraged! This is a horrible act and we should find a way to stop this kind of insanity.
BUT....HOLD ON LIBERALS AND GOVERNMENT! It's impossible to legislate good/honorable/productive/proper behavior! Trying to legislate good behavior is like putting a band-aid on a man who's leg was cut off. He's bleeding to death and you stick a band-aid on the side of his leg, smile and walk away proudly announcing - "I fixed the problem with my band-aid". NO - idiot! You didn't fix the problem you just like to brag and think you did.
Legislation is not the problem. We are already legislated to death. Here's the real problem....
1. For years lawmakers and businessmen and psychiatrists have told the American public that violent movies, violent games and violent - raging - music can't be held accountable for "weak" people who may be affected by the Art.
If you are going to believe that nonsense (I have a lot of proof against this) - then someone verbally raging against a politician or anyone else - can't be held accountable for the action of the crazy. If violent movies, violent games and violent music can't control a man's mind - what his neighbor or the tea party or a telelvision commentator says won't change his mind either.
2. For years psychologist have told the American public that bad parenting, non-involved parenting and dysfunctional homes can't be held accountable for the actions of children within those homes.
If parents who know what's going on with their children can't be held accountable - why would it matter what some television commentator says?
3. For years medical know-it-alls have told us that marijuana doesn't lead to hard drugs and doesn't impair a person's mental or emotional state of mind.
Why then are these same people so concerned about drinking and pregnancy, obesity, smoking, over the counter medications, etc? I found a new study they are doing that suggests chemicals in our water, our foods and our polluted air are causing all types of problems - including mental illness. If these things can affect us - why not marijuana?
4. For years the American public has been told that it doesn't matter what happens in public schools. Bullying will make your child tough. Reading unacceptable material will open your child's world. Teaching them about different lifestyles will help them to be tolerant. And yet....as every year passes our children become more confused about their world and about their own individuality.
If our children spend 70% of their time at school during any one week - why is there no accountability for what they are being taught. Why doesn't the school curriculum share some of the blame.
4. If you look back in history, there have been some awful times for this country. Times when people had to face horrible dangers on a daily basis. The problem for me is that if you take an "honest" look at history - you will discover six important truths.
A. When God is a central part of a society, individual freedom is stronger and it is accompanied by a better way of life.
B. Like Back to the Future Part II, when evil is allowed unlimited freedom - society suffers and individual freedom is almost non-existent. (Socialist - Hitler times)
C. When a country refuses to define what they stand for, they open the door for evil to rise to the top and conquer. Evil and Good can NOT co-exist.
D. There is always a fight between good and evil. If you try to make evil good and accept evil unconditionally - evil will conquer! It's their nature and it will happen. The only way to stop it is to define and punish evil.
E. The heart of a good man can never be turned by evil. The heart of an evil man has only one hope - God. Evil never gives up control easily. It will take more than normal teaching or simple legislation to change an evil heart.
F. You can't regulate or legislate good. Your only hope is to "grow" good men and women. Governments can only reward good behavior and punish bad. They can't change the hearts of men.
Having said all that, this discussion about who said what and caused some crazy lunatic to pick up a gun becomes the rantings of idiots who don't understand human nature or sociology.
When someone takes the time to look at the gunman's life, you will find that his environment and habits had a lot to do with this senseless act. If his parents didn't take the time to show him how to properly deal with his anger - that's a huge part of why he felt it was necessary to pick up a gun. If his parents didn't work to build his self-esteem - that's a huge part of why he felt a need to be noted even if it was for an evil act. If his parents didn't show him "the way to a good life" (yet he watches others obtaining a good life) his frustration at not knowing how to achieve it would cause him to act in a violent way. If he took drugs or was a regular user of marijuana his brain would not be able to process information properly. If he was a regular listener of raging music (dare I call it music) or watched horror films - he would see their solutions to life as his own.
The truth is this.....
Your brain is a delicate organ. It must be protected. It must also be stimulated with "good" information or it can become depressed and dysfunctional. It needs to be stimulated by soothing...good...input. It needs to have logical information that doesn't disappoint. It needs to have in place all the "necessary" components for a healthy life as laid out by Maslow. And....you must be taught how to be a responsible person and that your success in life will be determined by the decisions you make.
I think the Bible said it best. Philippians 4 is a great study of Peace in life. But, for now, look at the great teaching in Philippians 4:8-9.
"Finally, bothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
That kind of says it all doesn't it. If our government would spend more time promoting the Bible and Christian teachings - America would grow generations who would naturally come to be a society of peace. While I hate the thought of book burnings or bans on movies or music - I do think parents should be taught that these things will hurt your child. As responsible parents begin to refuse to purchase those items and also begin to properly administer discipline (per my book Discipline Exposed) the money for those items will diminish and the greed of producers will send them running to find "inspiring" entertainment.
Not buying it? Look again at history. From the late 1800's until the mid 60's there were more peaceful towns and more good people than ever before. Why? The great revivals. People were concentrating on living a godly life of sacrifice. And don't try to tell me they don't exist! I lived in several of those small towns and Andy Griffith's Mayberry did exist!
When new parenting philosophies began to emerge (early 50's) and children were no longer required to have boundaries - things began to change. Add to the spoiled brat era - the fact that families became more concerned about money and possessions and less concerned about living a good life. At that point we had spoiled brats who couldn't accept the word "no" - and who had access to even more money. Soon they saw money as a barrier to family relationships so they rebelled. The hippies were born. Their drugs soon moved their generation from peaceful nonsence to frustration, anger and rage. Parents were angry at their children and those children hated their parents. Parents decided that their lives were ruined and they fell into the same practices of drugs and alcohol that their children were experiencing.
Now begins the legacy of generations that have no connection to good examples of honorable, decent lives committed to living the good life. Even if these bratty children wanted to return to the good life - their parents don't have the information needed to get them there.
Enter the arts and movie industry who was glad to cater to a raging generation as long as they could depleate them of their money. It didn't matter that they were helping to create a generation that felt anger, bulling, sex and extreme violence was simply a way of life - as long as the money continued to flow - the mental health of young children didn't matter. Now we have terror in our schools and on public streets. We have young children losing their talents, their abilities and the hope of a better future - all because we have allowed evil to rise to the top and conquer. (Does anyone else despise reality shows that highlight ignorant, violent, low class behavior?)
It took several generations to turn out men like the mass murderers we have today. It did not come from the recent resurgence of men and women who want to return this country to it's Godly peaceful roots. Evil didn't just happen because a few good men voiced their distaste for the men and women who promote evil. It took a long time for this evil to rise and it will take a long time for dedicated honorable people to "grow" new generations of hope and peace.
I do hope others will also rise to the top and begin the conversation about "training" our generation and the next on how to have a good life. That's why I offer so many classes. I will come to your church or organization and train you and your people on the specifics of family dynamics. Don't be fooled into accepting the current way of life. There are answers! You and your family can live a better life filled with hope and peace.
God loves you,
Debbie
To receive an autographed copy and a packet of information, you can purchase this book at my Store
America has always stood for the freedom of the individual. This is a good thing.
America promotes education and information. This too is a good thing.
America stands for free speech and freedom of thought and freedom of religion.....but for how long?
I've thought about this post for two days now. Those of you who can follow logical reasoning and proper transference of information won't have a problem with my point. Those who are incapable of seeing all sides or judging a situation based on "all" facts will probably give me grief about this post.
I just don't understand how "supposedly" intelligent people can tell lies with a straight face. To me, a lie is not only misrepresenting the truth - but it's also when you refuse to look at "all" the facts or truths. Lying also applies to a person who does the same thing you are doing but will twist it to make you look like you are in the wrong while their improper actions are somehow void of wrongdoing.
This last week-end we had a horrible tragedy. A deranged man walked into a crowd of innocent people and took lives. There is no punishment too awful for this man. When I read about the victims - especially the nine year old girl - I cried and then I was enraged! This is a horrible act and we should find a way to stop this kind of insanity.
BUT....HOLD ON LIBERALS AND GOVERNMENT! It's impossible to legislate good/honorable/productive/proper behavior! Trying to legislate good behavior is like putting a band-aid on a man who's leg was cut off. He's bleeding to death and you stick a band-aid on the side of his leg, smile and walk away proudly announcing - "I fixed the problem with my band-aid". NO - idiot! You didn't fix the problem you just like to brag and think you did.
Legislation is not the problem. We are already legislated to death. Here's the real problem....
1. For years lawmakers and businessmen and psychiatrists have told the American public that violent movies, violent games and violent - raging - music can't be held accountable for "weak" people who may be affected by the Art.
If you are going to believe that nonsense (I have a lot of proof against this) - then someone verbally raging against a politician or anyone else - can't be held accountable for the action of the crazy. If violent movies, violent games and violent music can't control a man's mind - what his neighbor or the tea party or a telelvision commentator says won't change his mind either.
2. For years psychologist have told the American public that bad parenting, non-involved parenting and dysfunctional homes can't be held accountable for the actions of children within those homes.
If parents who know what's going on with their children can't be held accountable - why would it matter what some television commentator says?
3. For years medical know-it-alls have told us that marijuana doesn't lead to hard drugs and doesn't impair a person's mental or emotional state of mind.
Why then are these same people so concerned about drinking and pregnancy, obesity, smoking, over the counter medications, etc? I found a new study they are doing that suggests chemicals in our water, our foods and our polluted air are causing all types of problems - including mental illness. If these things can affect us - why not marijuana?
4. For years the American public has been told that it doesn't matter what happens in public schools. Bullying will make your child tough. Reading unacceptable material will open your child's world. Teaching them about different lifestyles will help them to be tolerant. And yet....as every year passes our children become more confused about their world and about their own individuality.
If our children spend 70% of their time at school during any one week - why is there no accountability for what they are being taught. Why doesn't the school curriculum share some of the blame.
4. If you look back in history, there have been some awful times for this country. Times when people had to face horrible dangers on a daily basis. The problem for me is that if you take an "honest" look at history - you will discover six important truths.
A. When God is a central part of a society, individual freedom is stronger and it is accompanied by a better way of life.
B. Like Back to the Future Part II, when evil is allowed unlimited freedom - society suffers and individual freedom is almost non-existent. (Socialist - Hitler times)
C. When a country refuses to define what they stand for, they open the door for evil to rise to the top and conquer. Evil and Good can NOT co-exist.
D. There is always a fight between good and evil. If you try to make evil good and accept evil unconditionally - evil will conquer! It's their nature and it will happen. The only way to stop it is to define and punish evil.
E. The heart of a good man can never be turned by evil. The heart of an evil man has only one hope - God. Evil never gives up control easily. It will take more than normal teaching or simple legislation to change an evil heart.
F. You can't regulate or legislate good. Your only hope is to "grow" good men and women. Governments can only reward good behavior and punish bad. They can't change the hearts of men.
Having said all that, this discussion about who said what and caused some crazy lunatic to pick up a gun becomes the rantings of idiots who don't understand human nature or sociology.
When someone takes the time to look at the gunman's life, you will find that his environment and habits had a lot to do with this senseless act. If his parents didn't take the time to show him how to properly deal with his anger - that's a huge part of why he felt it was necessary to pick up a gun. If his parents didn't work to build his self-esteem - that's a huge part of why he felt a need to be noted even if it was for an evil act. If his parents didn't show him "the way to a good life" (yet he watches others obtaining a good life) his frustration at not knowing how to achieve it would cause him to act in a violent way. If he took drugs or was a regular user of marijuana his brain would not be able to process information properly. If he was a regular listener of raging music (dare I call it music) or watched horror films - he would see their solutions to life as his own.
The truth is this.....
Your brain is a delicate organ. It must be protected. It must also be stimulated with "good" information or it can become depressed and dysfunctional. It needs to be stimulated by soothing...good...input. It needs to have logical information that doesn't disappoint. It needs to have in place all the "necessary" components for a healthy life as laid out by Maslow. And....you must be taught how to be a responsible person and that your success in life will be determined by the decisions you make.
I think the Bible said it best. Philippians 4 is a great study of Peace in life. But, for now, look at the great teaching in Philippians 4:8-9.
"Finally, bothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
That kind of says it all doesn't it. If our government would spend more time promoting the Bible and Christian teachings - America would grow generations who would naturally come to be a society of peace. While I hate the thought of book burnings or bans on movies or music - I do think parents should be taught that these things will hurt your child. As responsible parents begin to refuse to purchase those items and also begin to properly administer discipline (per my book Discipline Exposed) the money for those items will diminish and the greed of producers will send them running to find "inspiring" entertainment.
Not buying it? Look again at history. From the late 1800's until the mid 60's there were more peaceful towns and more good people than ever before. Why? The great revivals. People were concentrating on living a godly life of sacrifice. And don't try to tell me they don't exist! I lived in several of those small towns and Andy Griffith's Mayberry did exist!
When new parenting philosophies began to emerge (early 50's) and children were no longer required to have boundaries - things began to change. Add to the spoiled brat era - the fact that families became more concerned about money and possessions and less concerned about living a good life. At that point we had spoiled brats who couldn't accept the word "no" - and who had access to even more money. Soon they saw money as a barrier to family relationships so they rebelled. The hippies were born. Their drugs soon moved their generation from peaceful nonsence to frustration, anger and rage. Parents were angry at their children and those children hated their parents. Parents decided that their lives were ruined and they fell into the same practices of drugs and alcohol that their children were experiencing.
Now begins the legacy of generations that have no connection to good examples of honorable, decent lives committed to living the good life. Even if these bratty children wanted to return to the good life - their parents don't have the information needed to get them there.
Enter the arts and movie industry who was glad to cater to a raging generation as long as they could depleate them of their money. It didn't matter that they were helping to create a generation that felt anger, bulling, sex and extreme violence was simply a way of life - as long as the money continued to flow - the mental health of young children didn't matter. Now we have terror in our schools and on public streets. We have young children losing their talents, their abilities and the hope of a better future - all because we have allowed evil to rise to the top and conquer. (Does anyone else despise reality shows that highlight ignorant, violent, low class behavior?)
It took several generations to turn out men like the mass murderers we have today. It did not come from the recent resurgence of men and women who want to return this country to it's Godly peaceful roots. Evil didn't just happen because a few good men voiced their distaste for the men and women who promote evil. It took a long time for this evil to rise and it will take a long time for dedicated honorable people to "grow" new generations of hope and peace.
I do hope others will also rise to the top and begin the conversation about "training" our generation and the next on how to have a good life. That's why I offer so many classes. I will come to your church or organization and train you and your people on the specifics of family dynamics. Don't be fooled into accepting the current way of life. There are answers! You and your family can live a better life filled with hope and peace.
God loves you,
Debbie
To receive an autographed copy and a packet of information, you can purchase this book at my Store
Monday, January 10, 2011
George Whitefield & Ben Franklin
Brought to you by American Minute
Seven times he preached in America to crowds of 25,000, spreading the Great Awakening Revival, which helped unite the Colonies prior to the Revolution.
Ben Franklin wrote in his Autobiography:
"He preached one evening from the top of the Court-house steps...Streets were filled with his hearers...
I had the curiosity to learn how far he could be heard by retiring backwards down the street...and found his voice distinct till I came near Front-street."
Franklin was describing George Whitefield, who died SEPTEMBER 30, 1770.
Franklin wrote of George Whitefield:
"Multitudes of all denominations attended his sermons...It was wonderful to see."
Ben Franklin printed George Whitefield's sermons and financed construction of the largest building in Philadelphia for his meetings, which later became the first building of the University of Pennsylvania.
Franklin wrote to George Whitefield:
"I sometimes wish you and I were jointly employed by the Crown to settle a colony on the Ohio...a strong body of religious and industrious people!...
Might it not greatly facilitate the introduction of pure religion among the heathen, if we could, by such a colony, show them a better sample of Christians than they commonly see in our Indian traders?"
This shows the evangelical desire of Ben Franklin. How cool is that?
God loves you,
Debbie
Ben Franklin wrote in his Autobiography:
"He preached one evening from the top of the Court-house steps...Streets were filled with his hearers...
I had the curiosity to learn how far he could be heard by retiring backwards down the street...and found his voice distinct till I came near Front-street."
Franklin was describing George Whitefield, who died SEPTEMBER 30, 1770.
Franklin wrote of George Whitefield:
"Multitudes of all denominations attended his sermons...It was wonderful to see."
Ben Franklin printed George Whitefield's sermons and financed construction of the largest building in Philadelphia for his meetings, which later became the first building of the University of Pennsylvania.
Franklin wrote to George Whitefield:
"I sometimes wish you and I were jointly employed by the Crown to settle a colony on the Ohio...a strong body of religious and industrious people!...
Might it not greatly facilitate the introduction of pure religion among the heathen, if we could, by such a colony, show them a better sample of Christians than they commonly see in our Indian traders?"
This shows the evangelical desire of Ben Franklin. How cool is that?
God loves you,
Debbie
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