Ahhh, Father's Day. The annual celebration to give thanks and praise to the man that sacrifices everything for his family. Provider, protector, teacher, high priest, chastiser and order keeper, all apt surnames for what our dad did for us and we are or should be doing for our own families. There is no more noble task that God gives us as dads then to give our all for our families. I know for myself, that it is in the simple day to day things in my family life, words of encouragement, advice, a hug, an uninterrupted ear or just a simple yes I will that give my wife and children the most comfort and security. Being there in every capacity is not only important to them but to God also. You see, we as dads have quite a High Standard to live up to.
Too often today we hear more about bad fathers instead of good ones. You know, the ones who quit on their marriage or cheat on their taxes. Who father children and don't stick around to take care of them and their girlfriend or wife. Who lay around and don't work. Who are physically or verbally abusive. Yep, those are the ones unfortunately that make the news every day. But I'm here to tell you that there are many dedicated fathers out there who you never hear about. We good dads are alive and well!
Now, I am not saying this to get an extra gift tomorrow or because I am a compensated actor for the Great Father's Society. I am saying this because I am privileged and I mean highly privileged to be given the opportunity to be a father. No matter what I have achieved or done personally in my life i.e., money, accolades, possessions or any other meaningless pontifications, I would rather be known as a great dad and husband then anything else. There is no greater reward then to receive pure requited love back from your family for being the father HE created you to be. I am, as my good friend Bob Simenson always says, BBM, Blessed Beyond Measure. Ironically, if you take an objective look at most of the problems in our society today, they stem from the crumbling of the family unit. And who is the head of that unit? Bingo! It is a cold hard and dismal fact that without a loving father figure in a household that nearly every aspect of our children's lives are and will be somewhat adversely affected all their lives. Essentially garbage in garbage out. Morals, disposition, work ethic, respect, self discipline, ambition and our faith are equally taught by both parent's but installed by dads. I am not trying to be condescending to the mothers out there at all. We look to both of our parent's equally but for different needs also. Mom's, you get your day in May anyways! ;)
So fire up the grill, raise a cold one, give dad the new driver or outfit to help replace his "That 70's Show" wardrobe and honor him. When you do, you give honor to the Heavenly Father who set the standard for all of us to live by!
Ephesians 6:4
"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath,
but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord"
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
It's Not Politics As Usual!
The Bible says that "A house divided against itself will not stand." Truer words could not have been spoken in regards to the current climate that is dividing us as a world, a nation, states, families or individuals. It seems everywhere you turn, there is conflict and yesterday was a doozy of one here in good old fashioned lovable friendly Wisconsin. In case you haven't heard by now, I'm talking about the fierce recall election of our governor, Scott Walker against Mayor Tom Barrett. It's been front page news for the past eighteen months and yesterday's results, governor Walker winning, will hardly quell the bitter discontent of the people of this once tranquil and unified state. What only used to rankle the friendly citizens of this former dairyland utopia was an assault on the sacred colors of green and gold every fall Sunday, has now changed into a harshly divided citizenry into partisan red and blue on a daily basis. Families are fighting, schoolrooms have become indoctrinating podiums for educators with opinions other than course obligations, and local and state government function is poisoned and partisan. Coffee shops, pulpits, PTA meetings, offices and living rooms have been touched with the raw emotion of this conflict that is eating away at the collective spirits of goodwill and cooperation. Differing opinions are no longer looked at or accepted as credible or reasonable. We are all extremists no matter what we say or believe. This is a dangerous place to be as a people in this state and more so as a rapidly declining once great nation.
I am a conservative Christian man and I support Governor Walker. But before some of you wish me to burn at the stake let me explain what I believe is the problem here. I am a staunch believer in our political system and live in a family where many of my relatives and even in my surrounding friendships have differing opinions and beliefs. I respect them for their genuine beliefs and their willingness to stand up for those beliefs with absolute conviction. That does not mean I support them or necessarily even like their positions, but I always respect them and give them an ear and place at the table to talk. Reasonable discussion with heartfelt truth and passionate debate always gives me encouragement that differences between people could be solved. That we could always come to an amenable solution that all parties could live with. I don't necessarily think that as much anymore because our anger is manifesting itself outwardly and controlling our emotions and worse yet our tongues, which inflict the greatest damage. Now, I have my opinions about this election and here is my main one and that will be as far as I go on this. I did not jump up and down and call for Gov Doyle's recall after eight years in office and a state deficit of $3.6 billion dollars and record high property taxes had accumulated. Whether I agreed or not with his policies or his ability to govern, he was duly elected by a majority and should be allowed to serve out his terms, which he did. He, to my knowledge did nothing illegal or unethical that would justify a recall of the citizens of this state. He passed legislation with the help of the legislature and signed into law things I did not agree with. I did not call for his head! That is politics my friends. If you don't like 'em, when the proper time comes, vote 'em out, period. You can argue all day long about the legality of Governor Walker's legislation or the process taken to pass it but both sides are equally adept at partisan manipulation of the legislative process. Governor Walker was exonerated according to the State Supreme Court and did nothing illegal. The first recall election was ridiculous last year and this one was even more so. The only result has been frayed nerves, raw emotions and division, spurned on by lot's of money from various political groups with farther reaching agendas. The problem is not Republican or Democrat, it's an absence of reasonable cooperation and moral obligation to do what's right overall for the majority of the constituents. Too many politicians are serving self instead of us and the infection is spreading and the corruptions of hearts and minds lies at the altar of money. We must gather back our senses to a right mindset and mend fences. The enemy is not us folks, it's what pulls at the hearts within us. Our moral absolution, principles and honorable respect for each other is based upon our walk or lack of with Christ. Respect and love of the Lord goes a long way towards the same to our fellow man. We have all heard the Golden Rule haven't we? Jesus Christ reserved His harshest criticisms for the keepers and makers of the law. Because He knew the deceit within them and the intent of their hearts was not to serve God or their fellow man. That is where we are. To fix what's broke needs to get done soon. We need to swallow our pride and ask God for forgiveness of our transgressions against our fellow man. Get our hearts right and the mind and tongue will follow in obedient and joyful order. November is coming soon and so is the cliff!
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God."
Romans 13:1
I am a conservative Christian man and I support Governor Walker. But before some of you wish me to burn at the stake let me explain what I believe is the problem here. I am a staunch believer in our political system and live in a family where many of my relatives and even in my surrounding friendships have differing opinions and beliefs. I respect them for their genuine beliefs and their willingness to stand up for those beliefs with absolute conviction. That does not mean I support them or necessarily even like their positions, but I always respect them and give them an ear and place at the table to talk. Reasonable discussion with heartfelt truth and passionate debate always gives me encouragement that differences between people could be solved. That we could always come to an amenable solution that all parties could live with. I don't necessarily think that as much anymore because our anger is manifesting itself outwardly and controlling our emotions and worse yet our tongues, which inflict the greatest damage. Now, I have my opinions about this election and here is my main one and that will be as far as I go on this. I did not jump up and down and call for Gov Doyle's recall after eight years in office and a state deficit of $3.6 billion dollars and record high property taxes had accumulated. Whether I agreed or not with his policies or his ability to govern, he was duly elected by a majority and should be allowed to serve out his terms, which he did. He, to my knowledge did nothing illegal or unethical that would justify a recall of the citizens of this state. He passed legislation with the help of the legislature and signed into law things I did not agree with. I did not call for his head! That is politics my friends. If you don't like 'em, when the proper time comes, vote 'em out, period. You can argue all day long about the legality of Governor Walker's legislation or the process taken to pass it but both sides are equally adept at partisan manipulation of the legislative process. Governor Walker was exonerated according to the State Supreme Court and did nothing illegal. The first recall election was ridiculous last year and this one was even more so. The only result has been frayed nerves, raw emotions and division, spurned on by lot's of money from various political groups with farther reaching agendas. The problem is not Republican or Democrat, it's an absence of reasonable cooperation and moral obligation to do what's right overall for the majority of the constituents. Too many politicians are serving self instead of us and the infection is spreading and the corruptions of hearts and minds lies at the altar of money. We must gather back our senses to a right mindset and mend fences. The enemy is not us folks, it's what pulls at the hearts within us. Our moral absolution, principles and honorable respect for each other is based upon our walk or lack of with Christ. Respect and love of the Lord goes a long way towards the same to our fellow man. We have all heard the Golden Rule haven't we? Jesus Christ reserved His harshest criticisms for the keepers and makers of the law. Because He knew the deceit within them and the intent of their hearts was not to serve God or their fellow man. That is where we are. To fix what's broke needs to get done soon. We need to swallow our pride and ask God for forgiveness of our transgressions against our fellow man. Get our hearts right and the mind and tongue will follow in obedient and joyful order. November is coming soon and so is the cliff!
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God."
Romans 13:1
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