Does the 24/7 news cycle confuse or clarify? When statements are made, such as “follow the science”, there is an implication of clarity. The question is whether the reference is to science available for review or part of the science one group may agree with. Whether it is science around Covid-19, climate change or when life starts, it seems confusion percolates while clarity is compromised.
How do you navigate through the confusion? Do you trust ...read on
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” With that final sentence and fifty-six signatories, the Second Continental Congress unanimously declared independence from English rule 245 years ago. Representatives from the thirteen colonies determined that separation from England was worth their lives, fortunes and sacred honor.
I had an uncle step into my life as a father-figure when I was young. He and my aunt opened their home to me for a number of weeks each summer. Their home was quite different than the apartment I grew up in and my uncle used this time to introduce me to a number of experiences and opportunities to grow. These included a couple of backpacking trips with other men and young men. He helped a city-boy grow into a man.
As you might expect, June is my favorite month of the year because it is Father’s Day month. It is a great reminder for all men – dads, adoptive dads and spiritual fathers, how important a father is. With our Heavenly Father sharing the moniker ‘father’ with us, the call to step into the role is indeed a high calling. Commit this day to take a step forward on your fathering journey and may this be your best Father's Day yet.
THIS FATHER’S DAY, June 20th, 2021, I commit ...read on
An annual tribute to my dad in hope that it is an encouragement to you:
Born in 1917, four years after his parents immigrated from the south of Russia, he spent his early years growing up in Nebraska. The family continued to speak Russian in the home so when it came time to go to school, the young boy was held back a year until he could learn English. Railroad work took his family to Missouri where he proved to be a good worker and strong athlete through school. He joined his dad working in the roundhouse at the railyard until the attack on Pearl Harbor changed the direction of his life ...read on
As we move into my favorite month of the year, Father’s Day month, I encourage you to look back and look in the mirror. Faithful Fathering’s study, A Dad’s Armor, opens with a look at the heritage you have in relationship with your earthly father – A look back on how involved and engaged he was in your life and what kind of role model he was. Then a look in the mirror to evaluate your own involvement, engagement and leadership in family.
Whether you had a great dad or no dad in your life, the heritage is ...read on
The president of the United States typically gives a ‘State of the Union’ address to a joint session of Congress annually. Similarly, governors provide a ‘State of the State’ address and mayors, a ‘State of the City’. There is a general review on performance over the past year and new initiatives are presented. Some states and cities are on solid ground financially and operationally in preparing their ‘State of …’ Others, not so much.
I pray you are on solid ground as you review the ‘State of … read on
The noise level is still high. Follow the CDC guidelines or question them? Should one wear a mask or not? Is it compulsory to get the injection or a choice? Whatever the answers to these questions, too often the tendency is to demonize and even stigmatize one with the opposite point of view. Emotions run high and more division gets stirred up.
With Mother’s Day behind us and Father’s Day just ahead, how would you rate yourself on honoring your father and mother? Do you treat it as a Hallmark holiday or a command? It is a command, the one command with a promise – “… that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Ex.20:12). Does that provide motivation or do you see honor as an Old Testament thing?
Dennis Rainey has written a wonderful book titled ...read on
An annual tribute to my mother and encouragement to you:
She was an incredible woman. Born in 1921, she aspired to be a vocal performer. As a senior in high school, she contracted tuberculosis. Her dream to perform was no longer possible and the vocal scholarship to attend college was rescinded. She married a handsome Navy pilot just before he was deployed to the South Pacific Theater in WWII. He returned ...read on
Does the 24/7 news cycle confuse or clarify? When statements are made, such as “follow the science”, there is an implication of clarity. The question is whether the reference is to science available for review or part of the science one group may agree with. Whether it is science around Covid-19, climate change or when life starts, it seems confusion percolates while clarity is compromised.
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” With that final sentence and fifty-six signatories, the Second Continental Congress unanimously declared independence from English rule 245 years ago. Representatives from the thirteen colonies determined that separation from England was worth their lives, fortunes and sacred honor.
I had an uncle step into my life as a father-figure when I was young. He and my aunt opened their home to me for a number of weeks each summer. Their home was quite different than the apartment I grew up in and my uncle used this time to introduce me to a number of experiences and opportunities to grow. These included a couple of backpacking trips with other men and young men. He helped a city-boy grow into a man.
As you might expect, June is my favorite month of the year because it is Father’s Day month. It is a great reminder for all men – dads, adoptive dads and spiritual fathers, how important a father is. With our Heavenly Father sharing the moniker ‘father’ with us, the call to step into the role is indeed a high calling. Commit this day to take a step forward on your fathering journey and may this be your best Father's Day yet.
An annual tribute to my dad in hope that it is an encouragement to you:
The president of the United States typically gives a ‘State of the Union’ address to a joint session of Congress annually. Similarly, governors provide a ‘State of the State’ address and mayors, a ‘State of the City’. There is a general review on performance over the past year and new initiatives are presented. Some states and cities are on solid ground financially and operationally in preparing their ‘State of …’ Others, not so much.
The noise level is still high. Follow the CDC guidelines or question them? Should one wear a mask or not? Is it compulsory to get the injection or a choice? Whatever the answers to these questions, too often the tendency is to demonize and even stigmatize one with the opposite point of view. Emotions run high and more division gets stirred up.
With Mother’s Day behind us and Father’s Day just ahead, how would you rate yourself on honoring your father and mother? Do you treat it as a Hallmark holiday or a command? It is a command, the one command with a promise – “… that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Ex.20:12). Does that provide motivation or do you see honor as an Old Testament thing?
An annual tribute to my mother and encouragement to you:
