One of the reasons we love kids...

.....
You know that incredible feeling you get when you unexpectedly find a love note under your dinner fork that says,

I love you!
love, Sally

A wash of profound emotion pours all over you. You find yourself wondering how any human could be so loved, and still live!

What about when your youngest says you need to adopt a baby donkey. And it can live in the bathroom "Since we don't use it."

Remember the time your child found a baby bird that had fallen from its nest? You were sure that there was no way for it to survive another day, but she'd already named it "Squishy."

Love for our children is a natural part of us, but we didn't invent it. It is a magnificent gift from God, and it is part of the reason He wants us to come to Him with the innocence of little children. We learned our delight in kids from Him!

Remember how much fun it was, listening to your little ones trying to find the "perfect name" for your new dog or cat?

"So the Lord God formed from the soil every kind of animal and bird. He brought them to Adam to see what he would call them, and Adam chose a name for each one." (Gen 2:19)nlt

Knowing how kids pick names for pets today, I'd bet Adam came up with; "fuzzy, toothy, wiggly, feathers," and a bunch of other similar names. And I bet, just like any proud parent, God smiled and said, "Great names!"

We didn't invent pride in our kids, and joy at their endeavors... but we were blessed to have inherited these awesome things from our wonderful God!

Thank God for all He's done! He deserves it!

Before time passes on...

I ask you to consider that our time may be unbelievably short. If you have not been saved, and wish to do so, please pray this simple prayer;

Father, I know Your Son died for me, because of my sins. I accept His sacrifice, though I am not worthy. I will tell others about this incredible gift.

Then watch your values change! You will on fire to spread the word!

But, what if you are not sure of what to believe? I was once in that boat. I often wanted those Christians to just leave me alone. One day, more in desparation than anything else, I prayed; "God, I don't know what to believe. If You're really there, please help me."

I don't know that I expected anything to happen, but, in a little while, I began to find it was easier to believe.

I do not think anyone can believe in God without His grace, but He gives it freely.

Ask Him!

Giving Thanks

Do you?

Most people don't... even most who consider themselves Christians.

We have it so easy today. Our world is fast-paced, automated & mechanized. If you're thirsty, you don't have to walk to a well or creek, you pop the top on a cola. Hungry? You head to McBurgers just down the block. Almost no one today has to farm, hunt, fish or scavenge, just to survive. We eat and drink without thinking about it. It has become part of our background.

Our kids pick our attitudes up from us. When you grab a snack at a convenience store, do you thank God for the candy and drink? Your kids won't, either. They've learned it from you. When they grow up and have their own children, those kids (your grandkids!) will be even less likely to give thanks.

The bible says; "...unto the seventh generation" remember?

God has given us so much, and if we're honest, we don't deserve any of it. Give thanks to Him! Do it now. Be vocal. Be sure your kids hear you, and ask them to join in.

Remember, He did not have to make things any easier on us than it was in Moses' time!

He has even allowed us to have modern technology. If it were not for the internet, I couldn't even post this message at all. Thanks, God!

Till we meet again, in Paradise!

Ten Commandments - part 2

These commandments pertain to the ways people deal with each other...

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you. You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor's." (Ex 20:12-17)rsv

I am aware that some religions divide up the last one, then combine two of the earlier into one, but there are still ten, no matter how you read it.

Respect your parents, and by inference, all your relatives.

Do not kill or hurt one anyone.

Never engage in any sex with anyone not your spouse.

Never take what is not yours.

Never lie about another human being.

Never wish for stuff that isn't yours.

Some of this is so obvious that it makes you wonder just how dense we humans can be. All your older relatives deserve your respect, even when they've done something wrong. Are you perfect? Me neither... and your family is responsible for your being here. Show them some respect.

Don't kill people. God gave each of them the same right to be here as you. I know there are times when it is unavoidable; war, self-defense, etc, but if you kill someone, that individual no longer has the ability to be forgiven for his/her wrongdoings. This is a tough one for some people, I know. If somebody tried to hurt my wife or granddaughter, I'd fight back with everything I have. Yet I know that anguish would eat me up, forever.

Sex is sex, despite what an ex-president tried to claim. Sex with anyone, even imaginary sex, is wrong unless the other person is your spouse. God intended us to be modern-day Adam and Eve couples. One man, one woman, acting as one completed person. Anything else is forbidden. Its that simple.

If something isn't yours, don't take it. Wishing for it, thinking you deserve it, figuring out ways around laws... none of these make you the owner of something that belongs to someone else. Get used to it.

Don't ever tell a lie about anybody! This is not to say you cannot tell bedtime stories or fairy tales. Just don't say anything about someone that isn't true. You shouldn't hurt their reputation, you wouldn't want them to mess-up yours.

Don't wish for things you don't have. You can get out and work to better yourself and your family, but don't base your life on outdoing your neighbor. You don't need his house, car, dog, lifestyle, bills or anything else. Wishing for your neighbor's spouse is really stupid, beside breaking two commandments, would you really want to make a life-choice based on anyone's infidelity?

God gives us these rules for a reason. He knows we are easily misled. He knows we will pay way too much attention to Satan's words at some point in our lives. Having these rules "set in stone" gives us a bit more "backbone" when that time comes.

Thank God He loves us enough to spell these things out!

OK, so you "blow it" once in a while. Do you give up? No way! God still loves you! Hit your knees, tell Him you're sorry, and strive to never mess up again. You won't be completely successful (who is?), but you have to start over.

Thank God for second chances, too.

See you soon, in Paradise.

The Ten Commandments

No, They are NOT called the Ten Suggestions!

God loves us all so much that He knew we'd need rules to live by. These rules were set in stone, so that we'd realize that they are permanent. The first four pertain to propriety with respect to God. The rest deal with human interaction. First, let us take a look at the commands that show respect to our Lord;

"I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt. Do not worship any other gods besides Me. Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish. You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generation. But I lavish My love on those who love Me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations. Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse His Name. Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, but the seventh day is a day of rest, dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any kind of work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days, the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; then He rested on the seventh day. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath, and set it apart as holy." (Ex 20:2-11)nlt

So, I am the Lord - your God (I Am is God's name, remember)

Never worship or place a higher value on anything else!

Do not ever misuse God's name!

The Sabbath must forever be reserved for God as a sign of respect to Him!

As Christians, we are "adopted" children of Israel. We must obey God's Laws. Do we obey even these first few all the time? Something startles you, you hit your thumb hard, you fall and tear your hose... what do you say? Is respecting God more important in your house than weekend outings? Have you ever "held out" just a bit, on what you know your tithe should be so you could go to the movies?

Does making excuses make it right?

Put God first! Look at what He's done for you!

Next time - the commands that deal with human interaction...

See you soon, in Paradise!

Why couldn't I have been...

.Taller?

..Prettier?

...Richer?

....Older (or younger)?

.....Blonde (brunette, redhead, whatever)?

......Healthier?

...Almost everyone has asked these, or similar, questions at one time or another. Surely, we think, God could have made me more acceptable to ME. Why did He give me what I consider to be obvious defects?

...Perhaps we should look at His words on the subject; "I knew you before you were formed within your mother's womb; before you were born..." (Jer 1:5)tlb or if you prefer a more traditional; "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb..." (Jer 1:5)kjv.

...Now, He wasn't speaking specifically to you. His audience, at that time was a kid named "Jeremiah" who went on to become one of the great prophets of the Old Testament. Does this mean it cannot apply to you?

...God has made every single grain of sand, drop of water, plant, animal and human, since the beginning of time. If you think about it, He has the blueprints for everyone He has ever made, and ever will! If He really wanted another Abraham Lincoln, Queen Nefertiti, Alexander the Great or Marilyn Monroe, He already has that set of plans on hand. Nope, He wanted you! It is never up to us to second guess God's design.

...It tears me up to hear of a baby born deformed or retarded. My heart aches when I run across a deaf child or one with a horrible genetic defect that will make his or her life miserable. Through it all, we have to keep this in the forefront of our thoughts, "It is God's plan." Not yours, not mine... God's! It behooves us to remember that He has a reason... always. The reason may be nothing more than that we turn to Him more.

...You are unique for a reason. That reason is God's. He sees you a His wonderful creation. You are a joy He made because He wanted you. Most of all, He wanted you to be who and what you are. Is it so terrible to be a "God original design?"

...He loves you! You are a one-of-a-kind, limited production item. His effort went into making you exactly what you are. Be proud of who and what you are. Just remember to thank Him for all His work!

...Look at it from another perspective, you could have been a three-toed sloth, a slime mold or a malaria virus. He has all those plans, too.

Watch out for the worm holes!

It has been a while since I've posted. I will explain why at some future date.

For some time now I've been wondering just how to explain the difference between good and evil to a child. We understand that God expects certain behavior from us, and mostly we try to live up to His expectations. But, how to put it into language that a little kid could understand?

Out of the blue, it hit me... We know God will not look upon evildoers. His goodness is withheld from them, they live in Satan's world, not God's.

So, here it is...

The ground is like the dividing line between good and evil. God is above, smiling down on His creation. The devil is below the ground, trying to trick us and lure us down, below the ground, away from God. We are all like happy little worms, wriggling along on top of the ground, enjoying the warmth of God's love. Now and then, we find a tunnel going down. It leads away from God, but we usually don't think about that. We just think, "Oh look! Here is this neat hole to play in." So, we go, just a little bit, away from God. Probably we don't think about it at the time, it just looks like a great way to have fun. Before you know it, though, you're in the dark, and away from God. Soon, you don't remember the way back up. Its OK down here, isn't it?

But, you are away from God, His goodness, His love and His blessings. You have to get out of the hole to get back to God. Sometimes He will help by putting big rocks in your way, so that you will remember just how nice it was on the surface. Sometimes, though, He knows you will ignore Him, because that is the way worms get when they want only their own way.

So, how does the little worm go back to being God's good little worm? It has to be sorry it went down the hole, tell God it is sorry, and then work its way back out of the dirt, back into God's love and light.

So, what's the moral?

- Be a good worm and watch out for Satan's worm holes! -

Witnessing in real life

A few months back, my much loved granddaughter wrote a letter to the president. In it she expressed her views on the environment and ecology, after which she wrote (exactly as shown here),
"I am a Christian. I love God. Did you know God sent His Son to die on a cross for our sins so we can be forgiven."

Incredible!

Absolutely amazing!

The vast majority of Christians NEVER get around to witnessing to anyone, and here is a 3rd grader witnessing to the president of the United States! Set aside your political feelings (whatever they are) and, just for a moment, consider the awesome possibilities here...

Remember, Paul was turned from persecuting, torturing and murdering early Christians into the greatest witness for Christ EVER! What could God work in our world with a man who became a true Christian while holding the highest office of the most powerful nation in the world?
It is totally humbling...

We've all heard the expression "out of the mouths of babes," here we see the true meaning of that phrase.

I am not one who believes in exposing children to even the slightest chance of personal harm, so allow me to address her in this manner;
"My Princess, I am so proud of you! I love you very much! You are the heroine I will always think of when I am faced with difficult tasks. I pray as constantly as I can that God uses your beautiful testimony to effect a change for the better in this man, and through him, our world."
I ask all who read this to join me in prayer that this happens.

"Father, thank You for the opportunity to see such sincere, simple faith in action. I feel overcome that You have allowed me to be even a small part of Your plan. Please keep Your hand of protection over this child, and all children. Please help me to love, trust, and follow You with a heart like that of this child. Amen."

Mr Mike

The Tower of Babel, Today

It has been an intense several months. I had another heart attack (mild, thanks be to God!), while still enjoying several blood and breathing disorders, as well as bone-spurs growing in various places (ouch!).

Being forced to kick activity down for a while, I decided to read a book entitled, "Babylon is Everywhere" by Wolf Schneider, subtitled "The City as Man’s Fate." Very dry reading, to say the least.

This book is NOT Bible-based. It uses the Bible in much the same way as a book about the old west might use the legend of the gunfight at the OK Corral. Just the same, it gives one a greater understanding as to what God’s point-of-view may be about cities in general, and why He destroyed the Tower of Babel.

Consider this; God made man (male and female) to be His companion(s). He placed us in the Garden so that our needs were met. The situation was not unlike having a canary in your house. You provide it with a cage, food and water. You enjoy its company, listen to it sing, care for it, and feel some affection for it. Your home feels more cheerful, right?

Suppose it began finding a way out of its cage, flew around your home, leaving "presents" in inappropriate places, tore open your loaves of bread and began acting aggressively toward your children. How long before you "invited" the bird to leave? You might just toss cage and all out the back door.

Now suppose that bird brought thousands of other birds to your front yard and began erecting a 400 foot tall bird house that blocked your view of the neighborhood. They leave hundreds of pounds of their "presents" all over your yard, home and car, AND start attacking you every time you attempt to enter or leave your home. How long do you think it would take you to get angry enough to begin some form of "pest control?"

You see, God wants us to choose to love Him, but, He lets us do the choosing. He will not force us. He wants us to rely on Him, giving Him the credit for all He’s done, asking Him for His help when times are rough, thanking Him for the good times and seeking solace in Him whenever the bad times come.

Do we do this? Any of this? For the most part, NO! We tend to blame Him for all of our hardships, and credit ourselves for all of our accomplishments. The tower of bab-el came about because people were trying to prove that they were like God, and could reach up to the heavens in a showy display designed to prove that mankind was as great as God.

Lets back up, just a tad…

Adam and Eve were evicted from the garden because they wanted to do things their own way, instead of God’s way.

Abel relied upon God’s bounty almost entirely, as does anyone who hunts or herds animals. He was very aware of his need and reliance upon God.

Cain, being a farmer, was much more likely to see himself as the author of his own good fortune. After all, he saw that his own efforts, his sweat, his vision, his planning, etc. resulted in his betterment, and was much less likely to thank God for His part in it. Sounds a bit like people today, does it not?

Cain killed his brother, Abel, but God did not kill Cain. Why? Perhaps it was partly to be a lesson to us as to the value of human life. Consider this when someone you know discusses abortion.

Cain invented cities, naming the first one "Enoch" after his own son. Farming, murder and cities, what an inventor Cain was! Since neither farming, nor murder gave honor to God, perhaps God had good reason to dislike cities, as well.

But, what can be wrong with a city? Look at Genesis 11:1-4 "At one time the whole world spoke a single language and used the same words. As the people migrated eastward, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there. They began to talk about construction projects. "Come" they said, "lets make great piles of burnt brick and collect a natural asphalt to use as mortar. Let’s build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies - a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world." (nlt)

How do you suppose God felt about this? Remember the canaries in your front yard? Do not cities today build grandiose architectural endeavors that seem to only glorify those who claim that city as home? Are we not leaving God out of our lives today to an unprecedented degree? Why do you suppose there is a Tribulation coming? God wants us to rediscover our need for Him, yet we keep pushing the boundaries, trying to prove the opposite is true. Throughout history, God has allowed disasters of varying degrees to remind us that we MUST look to Him for everything, but we keep stubbornly trying to prove otherwise. In many ways, we are like those children, who must receive a swat on the rear every-so-often to keep them from mischief.

Remember, God sees all time as "now." He calls Himself "I AM" as an illustration of this. We do not see the future, we seem to forget the past, and ignore the present. God wants us to recognize our need of Him. He gives us chance after chance after chance after chance… But, there is an end coming, and it is coming soon. Don’t get your dander up, and say, "You don’t know when it is coming!" Of course I don’t know. Matthew 25:13 says, "So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return." (nlt) None of us knows. God does not want to be our insurance policy. He does not want us flipping on the "salvation option" at the last instant before doomsday. He simply wants all of us to CHOOSE to serve Him because we WANT to. Don’t look to civilization to save you from the Tribulation. Don’t count on "having lead the good life." Don’t trust your soul to a religion, no matter which religion. Entrust it to God. He made you. He earned your trust by Jesus’ sacrifice, which paid your way to heaven.

I cannot pretend to understand why God thinks we are worth it. I just know He says it is so. Know in your heart that He loves you, even when you sin. Love Him back! Acknowledge your sinful nature. Cling with all you have to His Word, His Promise, and His Love. Then get out and help others to understand. The time is very short, the time of the rapture draws nearer every day. God loves you! Show Him a return on His investment in you!

See you soon, in Paradise!

Beware The Dark Side

Anyone not living in a cave for the last thirty-plus years recognizes "The Dark Side" reference from the Star Wars© movies. Unfortunately, we generally fail to see the effect of the dark side on our daily lives. Very slight deviations away from the pathway to eternal life have added up over the years in such a way that we, in this country, are not aimed toward heaven at all, but at "some other destination" instead.

Our Lord has made it rather simple for us... "Jesus said unto him. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." MAT 22:37-39 (kjv)

James was inspired to express it thusly... "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." JAM 4:17 (kjv)

God made all we are, so we are to love Him with all we have. He also made everyone else, too, so we are expected to care about them as much as we care about ourselves. When you realize something is The Right Thing to Do, not doing it is a sin. Any slight "adjustments" we make away from this narrow path aims us away from God. As was said in those movies, "Beware The Dark Side!"

Enough is enough!

Every day someone says, "I can't believe what is happening to America! How did such a jerk get elected? God blessed America, how could He let these tragedies occur here?" or something fairly similar.

Jeremiah 7:26-28 says it clearly; "But they wouldn't listen to them or even try to hear. They are hard and stubborn and rebellious - worse even than their fathers were. Tell them everything that I will do to them, but don't expect them to listen. Cry out your warnings, but don't expect them to respond. Say to them: This is the nation that refuses to obey the Lord its God, and refuses to be taught. She continues to live a lie." (tlb)

As the song says; "God bless America, land that I love! Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with a light from above..." God has done His part, but we are failing badly on ours! We Christians have bought into the worldly view so much that it has become difficult to tell us from the ungodly. Our lifestyles are all but the same. We seek the same worldly rewards as do those who embrace Satan. Do we make any attempt to even slow the merciless killings of millions of the unborn? Have we ever protested the showing of filthy movies, or do we just say, "I won't go to see them" instead? Do we even write our elected officials, advising them of what we (supposedly) believe? It's all too easy to do nothing.

No wonder God says, "Enough is enough!"

Where did the magic go?

You bought that new car you've been wanting. It has everything; built-in entertainment system, rich Corinthian leather interior, auto-parking, whatever... Three years and 50,000 miles later it has become "the old jalopy."

You married the "perfect" spouse, the man or woman of your dreams. He makes a ton of money and can bench-press a Lincoln Town Car. She is a "beauty-queen", an absolute 12 on a 1-10 scale, and can cook anything Betty Crocker ever dreamed up. Five to eight years, a couple of kids, and some "disagrements" later, he/she has become the other half, the "ball and chain," or maybe just a tax deduction.

You met God, came to realize your need for, and you accepted, salvation. You were on fire for God, wanted to bring the whole world to Christ, wanted to bring Him a return on His "talent." A few years later you've become a "most Sundays" church-goer. Give what's affordable, attend when its convenient, but leave me alone, otherwise.

Where did the magic go?

"Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be changing for the better. Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature. Stop lying to each other; tell the truth, for we are parts of each other and when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves. If you are angry, don't sin by nursing your grudge. Don't let the sun go down with you still angry - get over it quickly. For when you are angry you give a mighty foothold to the devil." EPH 4:23-27 (tlb)

Our relationship with God is a result of what WE do, and don't do. If we are to keep this relationship alive, we must put forth the effort. God's love is never-ending. He never defaults on His part of the bargain.

A married couple must both put forth the effort, each remembering how much the other really means, and should always mean.

As for the car, keep it, trade it, or junk it.

Thanks, God!

Sometimes it helps to remember all that we are thankful for. I have the sweetest wife God ever made, and some incredibly beautiful grandchildren. (Thanks, God) I have a church family that cares more than any other I've seen. (Thanks, God) Whenever I return home, my old dog is overjoyed to see me. (Thanks, God) A number of health problems are temporarily in abeyance. (Thanks, God) Though in the Army, my youngest son does not seem to be headed for a war-zone. (Thanks, God) This winter has, as yet, been fairly mild. My joints sigh with relief. (Thanks, God) Instead of hibernating, happy little squirrels scamper about my yard looking for lost acorns. (Thanks, God) A recent plane crash into the Hudson River resulted in no loss of life. (Thanks, God) Countless number of terrible events have not taken place. (Thanks, God) Yesterday, I watched a sunset being painted across the evening sky. (Thanks, God)

This morning, after a relatively pain-free evening, I awoke to a fantastic sunrise.
(God just told me, "You're welcome.")

All are our children - part 3

- others -

What others? Grandchildren, nieces, nephews, adoptees, foster children, neighbors, students and add-ons can depend upon us to fill in for biological parents. It can occasionally occur with kids we don't even know, for example, a lost child at the supermarket.

These children are usually not related to us, and with the exception of adoptees, any relationship we may have is temporary. A youngster may merely need someone to supply short-term emotional support. Regardless of the circumstances, if you become a kid's "hero," you MUST live up to the image! He (or she) must be more protected with you, than even would be the case with the natural parents. At the same time, you must be a padded cage, invisible to the child, that separates that child from you, as well as from any potential harmful elements. The kid's safety MUST be PARAMOUNT!

Our society does not make this easy. It seems that abusing children has become the accepted norm in this evil world. You cannot stop all of it, but you can help to insulate the ones in your care from such abuse. Keep being the hero! God is counting on you!

Jesus told us, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (MAT 19:14) KJV

If we do not help protect all children from all harm, then we are no better than those who intend to do them harm!

Remember, they are all our children! Every last one belongs to, and is precious to, our Lord.

With your help, we'll get to see them all again, in Paradise!

Mr Mike

All are our children - part 2

-daughters-
.
Just as with boys, girls recognize that there are others in their lives. Dad and the other siblings are her companions, but mom remains the most important for some time. Your daughter will notice, however, the interaction between mom and dad. She sees that mom is happier when both parents get along, and that mom feels down when they don't. Since your little girl is patterning herself after mom, she begins to base her own value on dad's response to her. If pop doesn't have the time for her, can't be bothered with her little attempts at affection, or just flat-out makes it plain he only wanted big strapping boys (not girls!), she will seek elsewhere for her self-esteem. This will also make it harder for mom to continue to be her role model.

Many men are repulsed by their daughter's attention, thinking there is something perverse in a father loving his little girl, probably because of the vile behavior displayed so prominently in movies, news and television. If they have witnessed it for themselves when they were kids, whether in their own homes, neighborhoods or schools, most adult males will resist anything they think is remotely similar, Unfortunately, this may set your child up to victimized by any pervert who comes along, who is watching for these signs in your daughters! If she cannot get attention from dad, and thereby see that she is worth his time, attention and affection, she will seek it wherever she can find it, and Joe Scuzzball is prowling out there!

Guys, more than anyone else, you have the opportunity to keep her safe and to make her confident in her self-worth, but it isn't going to happen if you wait until she is 16, then start reading to all her boyfriends from the book of threats. The time to start bolstering her ego is when you first notice her attempts to get your attention. It will not be the same for every kid, but could easily start before age 8, and may be as late as age 12.

Ask her to go on a date with you! Yes, ask her, don't just tell her she is going. Within reason, allow her to select the agenda. Escort her to the car, seat her first, see to her comfort then thank her for going out with you. Remember, this is what will set her expectations for all dates to come! Don't blow it by being a jerk or losing your cool. (Mom, this is one of the few events you should not attend. Give your daughter a chance to be Cinderella for the evening, she’ll tell you all about it later.) If you take her to a restaurant, allow her to choose the course, or, at least, her own dinner. Compliment her on her appearance and tastes. Again, treat her in the manner you wish her future dates to treat her, so that she will also expect it of them. What you do, where you go, how she is treated and the time of your return all set the stage for her future date patterns, so show her just how much you respect her. Above all, be sure you both have a good time!

How often? Initially, a special date-night should be somewhat infrequent, and never on a night when she has school the next day. As she gets older, perhaps every month or two, and it might continue a bit after she starts regular dating. You'll know when it is time to stop, because she will no longer have the time or inclination, but she will remember your love, kindness and attention forever.

Oh, yeah, take lots of pictures. You will not believe how much you will miss this when has passed. Never forget that you will have given her a self-image that will last her lifetime, the confidence in herself she will need to function as an adult, and an aura of love that will last her for all of her life. Job well done!

Ephesians 6:1-3 tells us; "Children, obey your parents; this is the right thing to do because God has placed them in authority over you. Honor your father and your mother. This is the first of God's Ten Commandments that end with a promise. And this is the promise: that if you honor your father and mother, yours will be a long life, full of blessing." God has placed parents in a position of leadership and authority over children for a reason! They must have our control, as well as our love. Every interaction we have with our kids carries the opportunity to make them stronger, both from God's perspective, and from ours.

Colossians 3:20-21 instructs us; "You children must always obey your fathers and mothers, for that pleases the Lord. Fathers, don't scold your children so much that they become discouraged and quit trying." If we make the learning process fun, our kids will find it easier to learn. Your daughters will learn their value from you, or they will learn the world's value system. Which do you prefer?

1 John 2:15-16 gives us this admonition; "Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; for all these worldly things' these evil desires - the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance - these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself." (all quotes TLB) This is an incredibly important lesson, and it is one that your kids can never learn from the world! They need you! They need your love, and they need your values.

Their future requires it.

Their safety demands it.

Live up to the responsibility!

Mr Mike

All are our Children

This got to be a lot too long for one posting, so I am dividing it up into (hopefully) easier-to-manage chunks. More to come...

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part one - sons

All kids today will get guidance. The world offers a viewpoint that you probably will not like, but one that young people will absorb, if your love, feelings, and beliefs are not evident. Yet, at the same time, we feel driven to provide the best financial future we can for our families.

Sadly, we often miss that out children need a lot more from us than just money.

When I was young, it was accepted that the father would be largely gone throughout much of the day (and sometimes night) earning the "daily bread." To the mother fell the day-to-day responsibility and guidance of the kids. Really big behaviour problems brought out the "Just you wait until your father gets home" threat! This generally worked, simply because dad was so exhausted, that upon his arrival, he got right to the seat of the problem. Weekends, holidays, and vacation time were special, though, and devoted to leisure, sports, family get-togethers and travel.

Perfect? No, but it generally worked. Most of us grew up understanding that our folks loved us, and had certain expectations of us. The majority of young people reached adulthood with only the usual scrapes, stupidities, and minor rebellions marring our paths. We had our adult role models, often parents or other relatives, to emulate.

Today, it is far more common that both parents will have to work, just to try to "make ends meet." Sometimes, one parent will take on a crushing workload, so that, "My kids will have it better than I did!" Either way, the children will suffer. They need both parents in their lives, and not just as role models and caretakers. In differing ways, mom and dad provide each child with their self-esteem, and give them their first understanding of their own value. These things cannot be bought on the credit card.

Babies must have mom. Indeed, it is generally accepted that very little babies do not initially understand that any difference exists between himself or herself, and mom. That realization comes with time, and lots of wet diapers, but for the first several years, love, trust, care, dependence and reliance, are based on, and learned from, mom.

It isn't that a baby doesn't need dad, it is simply that he initially has a role that is not percieved as being tied to the baby's needs. (Don't be upset guys, this may be God's gift to her for enduring the pregnancy. You wouldn't want to go through that, believe me!)

Due to God's design, kids' developement changes fairly soon. Adults' gender-based differences require that the children have unique childhoods, again based on gender.

To grow into a man requires more than that the boy be exposed to sports and toy soldiers and such. As a large part of any child's developement is mental, imagination is always required. At some point, the little guy wants to be a hero, it will be a huge focal point of all his imaginings. Of course, all heroes need someone to rescue, so who will it be? Dad? No, dad is that larger than life guy that junior hopes to be "just like" when he grows up. So who is left? Mom, that's who! Every little boy spends years imagining situations wherein he is the cowboy, soldier, cop, spacemen, robot or action hero who is called upon to "rescue mom" from the great and terrible whatever. With the passage of years, his interests will expand, but his need to be the one who rights wrongs and fights injustice usually remains. He gets into sports (or science, or music, or ROTC, or something similar), but these drives remain, an integral part of his being. It is part of what makes him the man you want him to become. Mom, give him the encouragement he needs. Ask him to help you with tasks that, perhaps, you could accomplish better on you own, but make him feel as though you couldn't do it without him. He will be a much better man for it, and that will make you proud.

This is not meant to imply the father has little, or no work here. Dad will be the role model who teaches how to deal with life's tragedies, how to be supportive, and how to do things like drive, hunt, throw a pass, hit the ball, hammer a nail, mow the yard and be strong. The father is also junior's source for learning how to be loving and respectful, how to play fair and how to shoulder your own responsibilties! If pop doesn't (or cannot) exhibit these traits, then neither will his son.

Sometimes a child will have been so abused that this normal developemental pathway is damaged. In this case, the demand on the non-abusive parties are incredible! This child MUST be shown that all the world isn't his attacker, but it will be a long hard journey for all concerned.

We are told; "Young men, listen to me as you would to your father. Listen, and grow wise, for I speak the truth - don't turn away. For I, too, was once a son, tenderly loved by my mother as an only child, and the companion of my father." (prov 4:1-3)

...and; "Young man, obey your father and your mother. Tie their instructions around your finger so you won't forget. Take to heart all their advice. Every day and all night long their counsel will lead you and save you from harm; when you wake up in the morning, let their instructions guide you into the new day." (prov 6:20-22 - all quotes TLB)

Always remember that your sons cannot hear your instructions and advice if you are not there to share it! Be there! Share your love! Share God's word, and start when they are young enough to hear His message without the world's cynicism and Satan distorting it.

See you soon, in Paradise!

Mr Mike

Your Ally

One of the very worst feelings is that you are alone against danger. Satan loves it when that feeling hits you, knowing that you are at your lowest level of spiritual strength.

Of course, this is when all the doubts creep back in.
-Does God really know just how bad I've been?
-Did I really mean it, when I was saved?
-But I've sinned since then, doesn't that negate the
.whole thing? etc. etc.
.
Almost any question can hit you with doubts, you wouldn't be human, otherwise. The Devil knows just how to turn the pressure up and keep you reeling.

Why is this? He knows if you are suffering from doubt, you are not an effective witness for Jesus. The less you witness, the less likely it is that someone else will be influenced by you for God. Your testimony just might be the key to their understanding of their need for Christ. Without it, that individual might never come to the Lord, and Lucifer does not want any of us in heaven!

Not that he loves us, you understand. He hates us because we can go to heaven to be with God, and he cannot. It is very important that we remember, as much as the Devil hates us, he hates God worse. Keeping us out of heaven denies us to our Lord, who made us, and loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. There is no other love that can compare to this!

So what do you do when you are bottomed-out? When all your reserves are totally spent, and you feel so alone you can't even muster up the energy to even look up?

That is the time to remember what Jesus said to us in Mat 28:20 "...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen."

Keep your head up! With Jesus as your ally, who can stand against you?

See you again soon, in Paradise.

Stand Together or Fall Apart

At one time, or another, all married couples experience a situation wherein strain within the marriage threatens our stability. It is very important that we recognize such problems and not let them come between us.

How do we prevent this? It is very important that we each see our spouse for what he or she truly is; the one who really is our "other half."

Marriage ceremonies commonly use the phrase, "the two shall become one." We tend to think it is symbolic, just a "part of the package." But why use these words? What do they imply? Why are they in the ceremony at all?

From Genesis, we know that God made Adam. God then said, "It is not good that man should be alone." He "caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep." While Adam slept, God removed a rib from Adam’s side, from which He formed Eve. At this point, we have the first man and woman. Obviously, Adam and Eve were both originally one. Each was the other’s "other half." Made from the same stock, each completed the other. Adam was Eve’s complement, and she was his. Were they exactly equal? Of course not! That was never God’s intent!

Since then, men and women have often looked at each other, and wondered, "Why can’t he/she see things my way?" or "Doesn’t she/he understand how much this will hurt me?" Questions like this illustrate the fact that men and women do think differently. It helps to understand that we were intended by our Creator to be different from each other.

Women have been especially blessed by God to hold a tiny part of His creation. Within them, human life can start, and grow. But, because a woman is nearly defenseless during the last of her pregnancy and childbirth, her spouse MUST be her defender. This requires him to think linearly. He must see problems and solutions as a line with discrete steps along the way. Since he has to think this way to ensure her survival, she has been better equipped by God to be able to keep track of home, kids, supplies, etc, the things for which most men are usually not as well suited.

Our God has arranged all this most marvelously well. With man as the defender, and woman the caretaker, we stand as two of the three legs of a tripod. God is, and must be, the third leg. We cannot allow anything to pry us apart. If you pull one of the tripod’s legs away from the rest, it will collapse. If we allow either of the human legs to pried away from the other, or from God, the "marriage tripod" will likewise no longer stand. If there is an irritant between yourself, and either God or your spouse, you must get that irritant out from the center, so that you have God and the strength of the marriage to help you deal with it. Take all problems to the Lord in prayer, and rely on His guidance.

Stand together or fall apart. The choice is ours!

See you again soon, in Paradise!

Mr Mike