Time for civility requires discernment through the hyperbole. When 150,000 folks decide to protest something, they are practicing their right to “peaceably assemble” but only represent about .05percent of the nation’s population. If or when one percent of those protestors turn to violence, the radicals represent less than .0005percent of the nation’s population. So, 99.9995percent of Americans are not complicit in nor condoning of any violent demonstrations across our nation. The hyperbole does not honor or reflect reality.
Being under the influence is allowing something outside of self to direct the next steps of life. What are you under the influence of? Over the past year, we have dealt with mandates to lockdown our lives, wear masks and to fear a virus over all else. We have essentially been a people under the influence of fear in the face of a crisis.
“But before we choose to follow God’s will, a crisis must ...read on
Have you experienced some heart-turning in marriage and family or heart-hardening while navigating through the Covid curveballs this year? Many folks have been impacted by job loss, the loss of a loved one, isolation and illness. In the midst of all the challenges, many have also experienced a new level of contentment in faith and family.
Peace? Are you kidding me? With Covid spikes, threats of more lockdowns, liberties being compromised and election results in America being questioned, peace is not the first word that comes to mind. Per Webster’s dictionary, ‘peace’ is defined as “freedom from disturbance; tranquility.” I think of the kid walking through the crowd with his noise-cancelling headphones, oblivious to the world. He is undisturbed and tranquil.
In this final week of Advent, the candle lit reflects ...read on
Joy is probably not the first word that comes to mind with 2020. How is a dad supposed to lead the way in joy to Christmas this year? One example is King David’s leadership when the ark of God was brought to the City of David. “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might.” (2Samuel 6:14) King David was elated, and led the way in joy to get the ark of God in its rightful place. Nothing going on in the kingdom was going to impede the joy associated with the arrival of the ark.
In this third week of Advent, the candle lit rekindles the ...read on
What do you fear? Oswald Chambers has said, “When you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.” What is feared is revered. There has been a lot of noise across this year suggesting there is much to fear. It is up to dads to keep a healthy perspective on fear in this world and focus on the Way in faith.
In this second week of Advent, the candle lit represents ...read on
The last number of months have provided many an opportunity to focus in on family as a priority. In spite of all the curveballs across 2020, there was much to be thankful for as November wrapped up. Now it is December and time for dads to lead the way to CHRISTmas. A family focus on Advent can help all tune-in to the Reason for the season, the Christ-child’s birth.
Advent, starting four Sundays before Christmas, is ...read on
The United States of America is the land of opportunity and opportunity is tied to the freedoms Americans enjoy. As you extend gratitude this Thanksgiving to those that have played an important role in your life, remember the founding fathers that secured the “certain unalienable rights, … Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Of course the reason we have family gatherings at Thanksgiving is because family plays such a key role in ...read on
In freedom we stand in these United States of America. Or do we? The Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The first amendment to the Constitution guarantees the freedom to exercise religion, the freedom of speech or of the press and the right to peaceably assemble. These freedoms were unheard of anywhere else in the world when they were ratified as part of the “Bill of Rights” in 1791.
It’s easy. At least that is what John Lennon wrote and the Beatles sang in 1967 – “All you need is love, love, love is all you need. There’s nothing you can know that isn’t known. Nothing you can see that isn’t shown. Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be. It’s easy.” John Lennon said the lyrics were deliberately simplistic to capture the utopian ideals of the ‘Summer of Love’.
Time for civility requires discernment through the hyperbole. When 150,000 folks decide to protest something, they are practicing their right to “peaceably assemble” but only represent about .05percent of the nation’s population. If or when one percent of those protestors turn to violence, the radicals represent less than .0005percent of the nation’s population. So, 99.9995percent of Americans are not complicit in nor condoning of any violent demonstrations across our nation. The hyperbole does not honor or reflect reality.
Being under the influence is allowing something outside of self to direct the next steps of life. What are you under the influence of? Over the past year, we have dealt with mandates to lockdown our lives, wear masks and to fear a virus over all else. We have essentially been a people under the influence of fear in the face of a crisis.
Have you experienced some heart-turning in marriage and family or heart-hardening while navigating through the Covid curveballs this year? Many folks have been impacted by job loss, the loss of a loved one, isolation and illness. In the midst of all the challenges, many have also experienced a new level of contentment in faith and family.
Joy is probably not the first word that comes to mind with 2020. How is a dad supposed to lead the way in joy to Christmas this year? One example is King David’s leadership when the ark of God was brought to the City of David. “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might.” (2Samuel 6:14) King David was elated, and led the way in joy to get the ark of God in its rightful place. Nothing going on in the kingdom was going to impede the joy associated with the arrival of the ark.
What do you fear? Oswald Chambers has said, “When you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.” What is feared is revered. There has been a lot of noise across this year suggesting there is much to fear. It is up to dads to keep a healthy perspective on fear in this world and focus on the Way in faith.
The last number of months have provided many an opportunity to focus in on family as a priority. In spite of all the curveballs across 2020, there was much to be thankful for as November wrapped up. Now it is December and time for dads to lead the way to CHRISTmas. A family focus on Advent can help all tune-in to the Reason for the season, the Christ-child’s birth.
The United States of America is the land of opportunity and opportunity is tied to the freedoms Americans enjoy. As you extend gratitude this Thanksgiving to those that have played an important role in your life, remember the founding fathers that secured the “certain unalienable rights, … Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” 
In freedom we stand in these United States of America. Or do we? The Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The first amendment to the Constitution guarantees the freedom to exercise religion, the freedom of speech or of the press and the right to peaceably assemble. These freedoms were unheard of anywhere else in the world when they were ratified as part of the “Bill of Rights” in 1791.
It’s easy. At least that is what John Lennon wrote and the Beatles sang in 1967 – “All you need is love, love, love is all you need. There’s nothing you can know that isn’t known. Nothing you can see that isn’t shown. Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be. It’s easy.” John Lennon said the lyrics were deliberately simplistic to capture the utopian ideals of the ‘Summer of Love’.
