I was reading my news reports today and one of my websites was reporting on a rather ominous anniversary. This one often flies under the radar because of the polarizing feelings and heated emotional battles it causes just in the mention of it's name. That along with the liberal bias in most of the American media, methodically works to sweep it under the carpet. Forty one years ago today seven supreme court justices decided to legalize the practice of abortions in the USA, via the landmark Roe vs.Wade case. Now I know that some of you may be cringing at the mere mention of this case and it's historic implications, but the staggering amount of aborted children senselessly murdered, that's right I said murdered, in the USA each year has averaged 1,375,000 unimaginable acts of infanticide. Most legal, all shameful and incredibly barbaric. To give you an idea of the amount of loss, that equates to over 166,000 more deaths each year than the total of 1,209,000 brave American military men and women who have lost their lives in all the wars in the history of this nation up to this point. We eclipse that on a an annual basis and you almost never hear about it! It's not until the most egregious and horrific cases come to light, such as the Dr. Gosnell case in Philadelphia last year that you would ever be privy to the horror. But in essence, is there any difference when it comes to the inhumane procedure whether it's performed in the best of medical conditions with the most accommodating of doctors and pristine clinical atmospheres or in a filthy and sordid clinic in West Philadelphia? The results are startlingly the same. A child, an innocent child dies.
There are no small white caskets, or grieving family members, or touching church eulogies with pictures and stories of a life tragically cut short. Just a bag labeled medical waste and a trash bin as the final resting place for someone who will never have a name, or mother and father to raise and love them. I am passionate about this subject because as a father of five beautiful children, the lives of my wife and I have been equal parts blessed and enriched by the greatest gift our loving God gives us , life! We simply could not imagine our lives without our children and the joy and light they bring to us and the world they interact in each day. According to a lengthy study in the British Journal of Psychiatry, 85% of women suffer from serious or periodic episodes of depression, regret and overwhelming sadness after abortion procedures. Not to mention the guilt associated with the dis- attachment from the life they carried inside of them. I respect all political views of reasonable adults, friends and family but do not always agree with them, but this subject I have zero tolerance for! You simply cannot convince me that this abhorrent practice honors anything that God has intended for us! Nowhere in scripture does it regard the sanctity of human life with such callous disregard. It is a crime we are already under indictment for. The most serious kind of indictment, God's! A few years back I was having a lively discussion with a family member at Christmas regarding politics and namely a woman's right to choose. This particular relative is pro choice. To make a long story short they were going on about how unfair it is to intrude on a woman's personal choices regarding their bodies. I looked at this person and said, "Aren't you glad your mom wasn't pro choice?" Dead silence engulfed the table and a look of conviction rushed over her face and the subject was abruptly changed. Point made I thought to myself. Another opponent to my position said to me, "If your God is so merciful how come there's no cure for cancer or other crippling and fatal diseases, or peace in our world, or people are allowed to starve to death? I simply said, "How do you know that the doctor who finds the cure for cancer, or the next great president, or scientist who solves world food shortages, was one of the aborted children never given a chance to use their God given destiny and talents?" Maybe God had them ready to enter into this world and we so selfishly decided their life wasn't worth it or precious enough. I won't go on without stating that I do sincerely empathize and feel for women who have contemplated this life altering act. Or to pretend to know the circumstances in their lives. There are many post abortive ministriestoday that effectively help women to regain their lives and seek forgiveness from the Lord for the oppressive guilt that they carry. Thank God our Lord is merciful and there is healing for them and their lives! But that doesn't excuse the cruel fate that awaits a child who is innocent our our irresponsible choices. They did nothing! Right now in America, we are not having enough children to replace and reestablish generations of future workers and citizen's to keep this economy and country going, both economically and socially. We are in essence depleting our species by both refusing to have children or aborting them. I urge you to reeducate yourselves on this heartbreaking tragedy before we are too late. God will not be mocked and our children deserve to know that the safest place they have when God releases them to our earthly stewardship is in their mother's womb. Pray for the unborn and the mother's who carry them! Hold the father's feet to the fire of honor and responsibility. Let's all reach out to show compassion to help those women in need and restore the utmost in regard for the most innocent of us.
Psalm 139: 13-16
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's
womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful
are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from
you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths
of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were
written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as
yet there was none of them.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
Good Things Come To Those Who Wait,...Really?
Last summer while traveling back up north here to our new home in Rice Lake Wisconsin, we stopped at a rest area along the interstate. After walking Tino, our dog, I went inside to go to the bathroom and wash up. As I entered the building I couldn't help but notice the long row of vending machines and the many people digging for loose change frantically trying to appease their highway hunger pangs and quiet down the kiddies for awhile. What made me take notice though was the instantaneous change in attitudes when folks had put their money in and selected their snack of choice or beverage then gave it to their children. The decibel level dropped immediately from a somewhat high pitched fingernails across the blackboard whine to instant, albeit momentary bliss. Instant gratification, how convenient! Anyway, the thought that made me chuckle as I was walking back to our vehicle was the irony that this was a microcosm of our world today. I am not criticizing the actions of other parents who need to soothe restless and sometimes impatient children on long road trips. Not hardly, since I can wholly empathize being a father of five now thankfully grown up children. But rather the the many instantaneous solutions we have in our world now designed to quell or stave off inconveniences or solve problems.
If there are two words that sum up our ever rapidly evolving planet they are, right now. In our haste to solve all of our own problems we constantly try to accelerate almost all aspects of our life to make them easier or more convenient. Man made solutions have spawned full time industries for the ever increasing list of man made problems. The ultimate vicious circle grows not smaller as we had hoped but ever wider like an intensifying hurricane. Have you ever heard the saying when people need something immediately, "Today is good, yesterday was better, tomorrow won't work." That's how we've become. Whether it be important decisions in school, work, life choices, or any crises, we have gone from hold on a minute let's think this through first. Or better yet, let's pray about it and seek God's wisdom, to Google it, text somebody, Facebook search it, Twitter it or change a channel. In this world of at your finger tips results, we have subliminally conditioned ourselves likewise and have set moral relevance and common sense aside. Our new man made god's serve us faithfully in increasingly faster ways and encourage our dependence like the ambivalent entities they are. Data in and data out! I am not berating the wonders of such technology, as it has helped us in way good ways. We simply rely too much on our technology outside of it's designed applications and it's enticing aspects of speed and answers, instead of slowing down to reflect and take the time to seek the Creator of all that has been given to us in this world. Whatever happened to meaningful soul searching by asking our pastor and intimate discussions with family members when we need to make important decisions about our lives? Or quiet prayer time with ourselves to seek the One who has no bad advice or wrong answers. That's right, God's record is perfect! Unlike man made devices which rely in part on imperfect men designing them and then putting in imperfect data. Consequently, you have breakdowns and software malfunctions. God always answers you correctly. Let me repeat myself for those of you hard of hearing, I said correctly and not conveniently. You may not want to hear God's unfiltered, unedited, never late, or even silent responses sometimes but they are always true and loving. He always has our best interests at heart and cares for us more than any source of help, human or technological on earth. And heaven help us, all it takes is earnest effort on our part in seeking and the dreaded "P" word, patience!
In my own life's road there have been many potholes, a few crashes, some property damage and tears. But their have been many more miles of smooth roads, sunny days and peaceful traveling. I simply had to stop wanting to solve my own problems my own way and to seek guidance from He who knows me best. For my type A personality that was most challenging. I've learned when God is sought out earnestly and I take His guidance and advice, I don't make bad decisions. So slow down, because in case you hadn't noticed God's not going anywhere!
Psalms 32: 8-10
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. {9} Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you. {10} Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.
If there are two words that sum up our ever rapidly evolving planet they are, right now. In our haste to solve all of our own problems we constantly try to accelerate almost all aspects of our life to make them easier or more convenient. Man made solutions have spawned full time industries for the ever increasing list of man made problems. The ultimate vicious circle grows not smaller as we had hoped but ever wider like an intensifying hurricane. Have you ever heard the saying when people need something immediately, "Today is good, yesterday was better, tomorrow won't work." That's how we've become. Whether it be important decisions in school, work, life choices, or any crises, we have gone from hold on a minute let's think this through first. Or better yet, let's pray about it and seek God's wisdom, to Google it, text somebody, Facebook search it, Twitter it or change a channel. In this world of at your finger tips results, we have subliminally conditioned ourselves likewise and have set moral relevance and common sense aside. Our new man made god's serve us faithfully in increasingly faster ways and encourage our dependence like the ambivalent entities they are. Data in and data out! I am not berating the wonders of such technology, as it has helped us in way good ways. We simply rely too much on our technology outside of it's designed applications and it's enticing aspects of speed and answers, instead of slowing down to reflect and take the time to seek the Creator of all that has been given to us in this world. Whatever happened to meaningful soul searching by asking our pastor and intimate discussions with family members when we need to make important decisions about our lives? Or quiet prayer time with ourselves to seek the One who has no bad advice or wrong answers. That's right, God's record is perfect! Unlike man made devices which rely in part on imperfect men designing them and then putting in imperfect data. Consequently, you have breakdowns and software malfunctions. God always answers you correctly. Let me repeat myself for those of you hard of hearing, I said correctly and not conveniently. You may not want to hear God's unfiltered, unedited, never late, or even silent responses sometimes but they are always true and loving. He always has our best interests at heart and cares for us more than any source of help, human or technological on earth. And heaven help us, all it takes is earnest effort on our part in seeking and the dreaded "P" word, patience!
In my own life's road there have been many potholes, a few crashes, some property damage and tears. But their have been many more miles of smooth roads, sunny days and peaceful traveling. I simply had to stop wanting to solve my own problems my own way and to seek guidance from He who knows me best. For my type A personality that was most challenging. I've learned when God is sought out earnestly and I take His guidance and advice, I don't make bad decisions. So slow down, because in case you hadn't noticed God's not going anywhere!
Psalms 32: 8-10
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. {9} Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you. {10} Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
My New Year's Resolution, Fuggedaboutit!
As a real estate broker and sales manager for most of my adult life, one of the bedrock tenets I preached about to my sales teams was the importance of setting goals. Let me clarify if I may, realistic goals. The significance of which often separated the long term career oriented successful and ever improving salesperson from the short term quick hitter or ninety day wonder as we used to say. Whether you are an aspiring athlete, academic, business manager or virtually any other profession you need the self discipline of setting and working towards completion of goals to continually progress and succeed. The same can be said about our lives too, at least for the most part.
I'm talking about the annual unrealistic process we go through that involves a measure of self loathing, personal assessment and then the putting together of the ultimate crash and burn, surely doomed to fail New Year's resolution list! You know the upcoming new achievements you talk about at parties after we all end up comparing our houses, careers and possessions to one another. Oh, come on now, we all at sometime have done it. After all we're proud of our hard work, families, accomplishments and purchases. They have become our measuring stick for life in many ways. At least in the world's eyes. But when the conversation goes from our jobs or kids to ourselves that's when a life size mirror immediately pops up in our minds! All of sudden for some reason the image of yourself is most always susceptible to self criticism. Instantly a litany of images appear! I'm too heavy. Where did my hair go? Why are all my parts moving south? My face has more lines than than an airport at Christmas. I should bleach my teeth, pluck my eyebrows, join a gym, eat less, eat better, upgrade my wardrobe, climb Mt. Everest or my personal favorite, be a better person! What? What the heck does that mean? It could mean anything or nothing. Because it has no definition or boundaries to work towards. I mean if I helped an elderly woman across the street once this new year does that technically make me a better person than last year? I guess so. If I have set the bar as low as my big toe. No my friends it doesn't. Neither does making a list of resolutions each year! Studies have shown that over 88% of us do not stick with our resolutions. It has something to do with the frontal cortex of our brains and our willpower. Hah, what does that say about our willpower? So why do the vast majority of us set these unrealistic goals each year? I don't know, ask me after my third piece of Lou Malnati's pizza when I'm trying to eat better and cut my cholesterol. Seriously folks, it has to do with our self image.
Because we live in a botox, liposuction, get a lift or implant, Photoshopped, Hollywood worshiping narcissistic, I am never good enough society, we feel compelled to do this. It's a constant both in your face and subliminal assault and it's a shame and wrong.
Yes, we should take care of our physical temples that God made our souls to live in. We should exercise and eat a well balanced diet too. But we should also live according to His perfect desire for us and not the world's! Did you ever hear the statement, "That so and so is beautiful on the inside as well the outside?" They are usually a person of great spiritual peace which God then uses to further enhance their physical beauty. In short they radiate an eternal perspective on health, prosperity and joy. If Jesus lived a perfect life and God created us in His own image, then in His eyes we are all beautiful and loved equally. Another words, He set the standards we should live by. So when you go to make that list every year of doomed to fail resolutions, don't. Instead, promise yourself that you are going to make changes mentally, physically and spiritually that will naturally improve your self esteem and image. I guarantee you if you pray everyday, read God's word and apply His love to others in your life, people will be clawing over one another to ask you about how you do it. Remember my friends, a narcissist needs only a room full of mirrors to feel loved.
1st Cor. 6 19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
As a real estate broker and sales manager for most of my adult life, one of the bedrock tenets I preached about to my sales teams was the importance of setting goals. Let me clarify if I may, realistic goals. The significance of which often separated the long term career oriented successful and ever improving salesperson from the short term quick hitter or ninety day wonder as we used to say. Whether you are an aspiring athlete, academic, business manager or virtually any other profession you need the self discipline of setting and working towards completion of goals to continually progress and succeed. The same can be said about our lives too, at least for the most part.
I'm talking about the annual unrealistic process we go through that involves a measure of self loathing, personal assessment and then the putting together of the ultimate crash and burn, surely doomed to fail New Year's resolution list! You know the upcoming new achievements you talk about at parties after we all end up comparing our houses, careers and possessions to one another. Oh, come on now, we all at sometime have done it. After all we're proud of our hard work, families, accomplishments and purchases. They have become our measuring stick for life in many ways. At least in the world's eyes. But when the conversation goes from our jobs or kids to ourselves that's when a life size mirror immediately pops up in our minds! All of sudden for some reason the image of yourself is most always susceptible to self criticism. Instantly a litany of images appear! I'm too heavy. Where did my hair go? Why are all my parts moving south? My face has more lines than than an airport at Christmas. I should bleach my teeth, pluck my eyebrows, join a gym, eat less, eat better, upgrade my wardrobe, climb Mt. Everest or my personal favorite, be a better person! What? What the heck does that mean? It could mean anything or nothing. Because it has no definition or boundaries to work towards. I mean if I helped an elderly woman across the street once this new year does that technically make me a better person than last year? I guess so. If I have set the bar as low as my big toe. No my friends it doesn't. Neither does making a list of resolutions each year! Studies have shown that over 88% of us do not stick with our resolutions. It has something to do with the frontal cortex of our brains and our willpower. Hah, what does that say about our willpower? So why do the vast majority of us set these unrealistic goals each year? I don't know, ask me after my third piece of Lou Malnati's pizza when I'm trying to eat better and cut my cholesterol. Seriously folks, it has to do with our self image.
Because we live in a botox, liposuction, get a lift or implant, Photoshopped, Hollywood worshiping narcissistic, I am never good enough society, we feel compelled to do this. It's a constant both in your face and subliminal assault and it's a shame and wrong.
Yes, we should take care of our physical temples that God made our souls to live in. We should exercise and eat a well balanced diet too. But we should also live according to His perfect desire for us and not the world's! Did you ever hear the statement, "That so and so is beautiful on the inside as well the outside?" They are usually a person of great spiritual peace which God then uses to further enhance their physical beauty. In short they radiate an eternal perspective on health, prosperity and joy. If Jesus lived a perfect life and God created us in His own image, then in His eyes we are all beautiful and loved equally. Another words, He set the standards we should live by. So when you go to make that list every year of doomed to fail resolutions, don't. Instead, promise yourself that you are going to make changes mentally, physically and spiritually that will naturally improve your self esteem and image. I guarantee you if you pray everyday, read God's word and apply His love to others in your life, people will be clawing over one another to ask you about how you do it. Remember my friends, a narcissist needs only a room full of mirrors to feel loved.
1st Cor. 6 19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
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