“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 244 years ago. Representatives from the thirteen colonies determined that separation from England was worth their lives, fortunes and sacred honor.
The concept of “Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights ...read on
What is next? We have been through a lot. Alan Jackson’s song, “Where Were You?”, written after the attack on the World Trade Center towers in 2001, comes to mind. The song asks, “Where were you when the world stopped turnin’ on that September day?” And it ends with, “I’m just a singer of simple songs, I’m not a real political man. I watch CNN, but I’m not sure I can tell you the diff’rence in Iraq and Iran. But I know Jesus and I talk to God, and I remember this from when I was young - faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us. And the greatest is love.”
THIS FATHER’S DAY, June 21st, 2020, I commit as a faithful father to move forward with a New Perspective gleaned from experiences we had as a family Before Covid & During Covid. I will: ...read on
What battles are you facing today? In July of 1863, at the battle of Gettysburg, seven thousand men died in three days. That battle proved to be a major turning point in the Civil War, putting a stop to General Lee’s invasion of the North. It took two more years and many more battles for the war to come to a close, at the cost of nearly 750,000 American lives. That bit of our history sure puts my battles into perspective.
America is a diverse nation. Politically, there are small government folks and those that believe in big government. There are democrats and republicans, conservatives and liberals, right-wing and left-wing activists. Different ethnicities and religions add to the dynamic. Then there are the various media. All have an agenda and speak a unique language. Clarity across the diverse lines can be challenging.
Since our founding, man’s will in man’s strength has stirred up factions that in turn stir up confusion. Recently in the same week, we have seen ...read on
“Who are you?” That was the question Pete Townshend asked a police officer that had recognized him. Pete, guitarist and singer for the English rock band “The Who”, was in an inebriated state and the officer, whom he did not know but that knew him, saved him a night in jail. That encounter was the catalyst for the 1970’s hit song by the same title.
“Who are you?” seems a simple question to answer. Most will ...read on
How are you doing? Have you seen glimpses of God’s glory these past couple of months in what many dads have started calling ‘bonus family time’? Or has stress been high as a result of job loss or an industry taking an abnormally hard hit due to the mandatory shutdown? Prayers are lifted up as we Americans, from coast to coast begin the race reboot.
I am not suggesting that we simply reboot back to the rat race that was being run ‘BC’, Before Covid. The charge is ...read on
A group of guys were talking about the need to get in shape physically. All were past the age of forty and realized it was not going to get any easier as they approached fifty. When it came time to commit to the program agreed upon, one guy balked and said, “I am in shape - Round is a shape. I’m good.”
Are you “good”? Or, are you intentional about getting in shape? “Are you prepared ...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 quite a different man than the one she married. Post-Traumatic Stress played a major role in the alcoholism and other challenges the marriage and family would face over the ensuing years. Ma endured ...read on
The talk has started around the process of ‘re-opening’ the country. A proposed ‘Phase 1, 2 and 3’ has been passed on to the states for their consideration to help get the wheels back under the economy. In turn, cities and counties are assessing risks at the local level and beginning to ease some of the ‘lockdown’ guidelines. What is next?
I do not envy the leaders making decisions based on ever-changing models. In contrast, dads and moms have very solid models to reference: ...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 244 years ago. Representatives from the thirteen colonies determined that separation from England was worth their lives, fortunes and sacred honor.
What is next? We have been through a lot. Alan Jackson’s song, “Where Were You?”, written after the attack on the World Trade Center towers in 2001, comes to mind. The song asks, “Where were you when the world stopped turnin’ on that September day?” And it ends with, “I’m just a singer of simple songs, I’m not a real political man. I watch CNN, but I’m not sure I can tell you the diff’rence in Iraq and Iran. But I know Jesus and I talk to God, and I remember this from when I was young - faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us. And the greatest is love.”
What battles are you facing today? In July of 1863, at the battle of Gettysburg, seven thousand men died in three days. That battle proved to be a major turning point in the Civil War, putting a stop to General Lee’s invasion of the North. It took two more years and many more battles for the war to come to a close, at the cost of nearly 750,000 American lives. That bit of our history sure puts my battles into perspective.
America is a diverse nation. Politically, there are small government folks and those that believe in big government. There are democrats and republicans, conservatives and liberals, right-wing and left-wing activists. Different ethnicities and religions add to the dynamic. Then there are the various media. All have an agenda and speak a unique language. Clarity across the diverse lines can be challenging.
“Who are you?” That was the question Pete Townshend asked a police officer that had recognized him. Pete, guitarist and singer for the English rock band “The Who”, was in an inebriated state and the officer, whom he did not know but that knew him, saved him a night in jail. That encounter was the catalyst for the 1970’s hit song by the same title.
A group of guys were talking about the need to get in shape physically. All were past the age of forty and realized it was not going to get any easier as they approached fifty. When it came time to commit to the program agreed upon, one guy balked and said, “I am in shape - Round is a shape. I’m good.”
An annual tribute to my mother and encouragement to you:
The talk has started around the process of ‘re-opening’ the country. A proposed ‘Phase 1, 2 and 3’ has been passed on to the states for their consideration to help get the wheels back under the economy. In turn, cities and counties are assessing risks at the local level and beginning to ease some of the ‘lockdown’ guidelines. What is next?
