College Seniors Know LESS Than Freshman??

What a waste of time and money! See article here.

Organic Foods Are Best for Young Children

This news article indicates a clear increase (5X) of pesticides in the bodies of children who eat conventional foods compared to when the same children ate organic foods. There are an increasing number of major health issues hitting young children - seizures, cancer, liver problems, autism and so on. Could they, at least partly, be due to some children reacting more strongly to the pesticides, mercury and other such toxins in their food, vaccines and environment? See article here and full report from the research study here.

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

This study shows that children's programming not only steals the child's time and creativity but feeds him a diet dangerously high in violence and sexual innuendo. Anyone using TV as a babysitter ought to checkout the character of the babysitter. See report here.

School strip searches mandated by U.S. House

Even with student molestations skyrocketing, U.S. lawmakers demand strip searches in fight against drugs. See article here.

Strategic Romance

by Jim Mueller
10/01/03

When Sheri and I speak publicly, we almost always make the point that our romantic relationship has never been better. Then I cringe when Sheri goes a step further and says, "After twenty-five years, few couples can say their sex life is better than ever!" Click here to learn how.

A Lazy Sluggard

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, And will not even bring it back to his mouth. (Proverbs 19:24)

When I read this verse, I thought, “How lazy can you get?!” But, then I felt a finger pointing at me. How about when I took courses in college and passed without actually learning anything? Following that, I got married and vowed to care for and protect my bride but how often have I diligently tried to genuinely understand her needs and desires? My life has been dedicated to God in baptism. Or, has it? Is this particular day given to Him or am I mainly focused on looking out for Myself? It’s relatively easy to become a father in the flesh – but, am I and have I been a father that in humility understands his children, prays for them, guides them, challenges them and causes them to feel loved and affirmed? Instead, I have sometimes manifested anger coming from pride or, conversely, felt despair and escaped into entertainment or work. I accepted, maybe too casually, the responsibilities of being a leader at home and church – but, rather than doing what is necessary to finish the job, is my hand still buried in the bowl?

But, there is a yet higher standard as a disciple of Jesus -- And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. *

The reality is that we absolutely can not do what we ought without guidance, motivation, and help that comes from beyond ourselves. Too often, I coast along doing what seems good (or easy) without having taken time to try to get God’s perspective and guidance. I can get my hand into the bowl in my own strength but it takes grace from above to properly finish the job. Beginning is easy, properly finishing is another story. We often work hard on the wrong things because of our laziness in prayer, listening and sincerely seeking God's right way. Powerlessness in our life, messed up relationships and unfulfilled responsibilities can all flow out of being a sluggard in our relationship with God. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. **

Project:

• Consider what bowls you have gotten your hand into (what roles and responsibilities do you have)
• Join me in repenting of being lazy in seeking to be ruled by the peace of Christ
• Commit to daily seek God’s direction and strength to properly carry out each responsibility
• Read and meditate on Colossians 3 (the whole chapter)
  

* (Col 3:17)

** (2 Thess 2:17)

Pro-Family Backlash

California Christians urged to take their children out of the public schools.

click here to see article

Become A Hero

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. …. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals;.. (Luke 10)

Over the years, my wife and I have sought God’s direction many times for our schedule and activities so that our children would learn, mature and, in the long run, be blessed. But, many times our children missed out on the intended blessing because they too effectively resisted. Sometimes, the exercise was pretended, carrot juice was flushed, cheating took place and the study was actually a nap. But, whoever and whenever the disciplines, studies and chores were embraced, there eventually were rewards of rich knowledge, stronger character, improved health and valuable self-discipline.

When Jesus said “Go!”, how many of Jesus disciples responded by saying, “I don’t feel like it!”, or “I don’t think that’s a good idea”? Over time, Jesus gradually lost disciples and the crowds got smaller. Those who obeyed the dictates of their comfort lost interest in the challenges of following Jesus. But, they also missed out on the adventure and the incredible blessing of seeing and experiencing God’s provision and power.

Often, our strength will grow the most in the very areas where we must exert the most effort to overcome our natural feelings. In other words, the most growth happens when we get into the discomfort zone. Do you feel like speaking to your neighbor about Christ? Do you feel like conversing with your wife about issues important to her? Is there a home repair that you just don’t feel like working on? Do you feel like reading God’s Word everyday? Did you feel like it today? Boys become men and men become heroes by receiving God's grace to overcome the whispers of fear or the siren call of comfort.

Project:

• Let’s each ask God to remind us of a project or discipline that we don’t feel like confronting.
• Let’s each Ask God for grace to move into the discomfort zone and embrace that discipline or project.
  

Job 33:14 – Why?
Matt 4:4 – How?

Education, Money and Competition

“When a government monopoly limits competition, we can’t know what ideas would bloom if competition were allowed. Surveys show that most American parents are satisfied with their kids’ public schools, but that’s only because they don’t know what their kids might have had!... I bet we’d see cheap and efficient Costco-like schools, virtual schools where you learn at home on your computer, sports schools, music schools, schools that go all year, schools with uniforms, schools that open early and keep kids later, and, who knows what? Every economics textbook says monopolies are bad because they charge high prices for shoddy goods. But it’s government that gives us monopolies. So why do we entrust something as important as our children’s education to a government monopoly?... It’s time to give parents more options. Instead of pouring more money into the failed government monopoly, let’s free parents to control their own education money. Competition is a lot smarter than bureaucrats.” —John Stossel