Bumper stickers have become billboards of the mind. They reflect insight into the minds of the occupants of vehicles and our society. Yesterday, two vehicles in front of me had contrasting bumper stickers worthy of comment.
The one on the left read "My child is an honor student at such and such school. " The one on the right read, "My child can beat up your honor student." Interestingly the child on the right was a small wiry kid and the one on the left was athletic looking.
As we all waited for the light to change, it occurred to me that the one on the left represented a form of social haughtiness and the one on the right a form of moronic social conception. Intelligent people do not lower themselves by bragging of their intelligence. People with any intellect at all do not brag about being able to whip someone. This is a case of dealing with brain and brawn.
What are the profiles of the citizen we develop if we take these bumper sticker messages to heart? One tells children it is alright to be haughty and negative toward others based solely on academic achievement. You all know what a snob is any way. By the way, are you aware that being on the honor roll does not always reflect any superior intelligence? Some of us made the honor roll through sheer determination and hard work under close supervision of a caring parent. Regardless of how you obtained this honor, through God given brains or parents, it is not something to boast about in polite society.
The other sticker tells our children that physical strength is superior to academic talent and achievement. It is exactly this level of mentality that feeds young lives to the gangs so prevelant in our societies. It provides a constant supply of clients for welfare workers and prison counselors. Being able "to beat up" someone has never been an asset or criteria for position in a humane or polite society. It is something you can only brag to people less intelligent than you, if you can find them.
What is the remedy? Why not cover both bumper stickers with new ones? How about, "The kids in this vehicle are precious objects, handle with care" or "My kid and your kid are very important because God doesn't make any junk." There are many others that come to mind. "Love children, teach them to read" "Isn't it great being human and different?"
Today's students are torn in many directions by different philosophies. How and when will they learn one that will bring peace in their lives as they grow into adults? For sure it isn't accomplished by teaching them to brag or be bullies. We see enough of the results of those philosophies in places ranging from places like Bosnia, Iran, all the way to Ireland.
Perhaps the children can help us. Maybe they are closes to the truth and reality of life, because they haven’t had as much time to build a false facade around themselves like we adults have done so well with in life. Good luck kids, show us the way!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
2012 Time To Be Accountable and Responsible
Over 2500 years ago the ancestors of modern day Jews, Christians, and Moslems believed God used a man named Hosea. Through him God warned Israel, the world and all people of history, even us today, that eventually all peoples are held accountable to God, because it’s God’s world.
Was that warning presented because we the world were feeling more accountable to our own selves, our families, our religions, and our causes, than we were toward God? The message of Hosea declared survival was not possible if that was true.
Why? The moral character of people, as a whole and as individuals, is accountable to God. Ultimate survival is not possible for those that refuse to acknowledge the Creator’s divine authority and to commit to the basic tenets of honor. We all answer to the Creator for the lives we lead, whether we believe it or not. The intellectual force that created and now sustains life, through what is called the natural laws of creation, is concerned with every created creature and their contribution to the rest of creation.
What does it mean to be accountable? It is to be: agreeable - accepting the ideas of others as valid as yours. For instance you let others talk as much as you do, because more views increase the understanding and value of things. That is why with diamonds the fewer the facets the cheaper the diamond.
What does it mean to be answerable? When we acknowledge that everything we do effects others we begin to understand why everyone answers to someone. In the oceans scientist know that every wake made in that water rocks in some way every boat. How much depends on both boats and the distance apart.
Remember the ad, "Ring around the collar?" A woman feels guilt because her husband’s shirt has ring around the collar. If we hold all accountable, why didn’t we ever ask, "Why didn’t the husband wash his neck?"
To comprehend this notion that all are accountable to the Creator, we must be open minded to the ideas of others and feel responsible toward them. No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible. No raindrop in a flood ever feels responsible. No one in a war ever feels responsible. No person in a book burning community ever feels responsible. Yet God the Creator has taught us in every known faith that we are responsible for others in this world of which we are citizens.
What is a citizen? It is a resident of my street, community, state, nation, continent, and world. No person one can totally withdraw from life. We cannot isolate ourselves in any corner of this planet, it is too large and still growing. Like the boats in the ocean, every one’s actions affect the others, whom we are responsible for in this life.
What is it to be responsible? It is our duty to all others. After all, we believe, "God so loved the world," not just some of it or one particular people or area, but all of it. People who blame others for the problems of the world haven’t begun to learn about life. People who blame themselves for the problems of the world have begun their education. And people who blame no one for the world’s problems have finished their education.
Why is this so? Because to accept human imperfection as the norm and part of the landscape is to accept the fact that love/holiness can only come through blameless people responsible to God.
Was that warning presented because we the world were feeling more accountable to our own selves, our families, our religions, and our causes, than we were toward God? The message of Hosea declared survival was not possible if that was true.
Why? The moral character of people, as a whole and as individuals, is accountable to God. Ultimate survival is not possible for those that refuse to acknowledge the Creator’s divine authority and to commit to the basic tenets of honor. We all answer to the Creator for the lives we lead, whether we believe it or not. The intellectual force that created and now sustains life, through what is called the natural laws of creation, is concerned with every created creature and their contribution to the rest of creation.
What does it mean to be accountable? It is to be: agreeable - accepting the ideas of others as valid as yours. For instance you let others talk as much as you do, because more views increase the understanding and value of things. That is why with diamonds the fewer the facets the cheaper the diamond.
What does it mean to be answerable? When we acknowledge that everything we do effects others we begin to understand why everyone answers to someone. In the oceans scientist know that every wake made in that water rocks in some way every boat. How much depends on both boats and the distance apart.
Remember the ad, "Ring around the collar?" A woman feels guilt because her husband’s shirt has ring around the collar. If we hold all accountable, why didn’t we ever ask, "Why didn’t the husband wash his neck?"
To comprehend this notion that all are accountable to the Creator, we must be open minded to the ideas of others and feel responsible toward them. No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible. No raindrop in a flood ever feels responsible. No one in a war ever feels responsible. No person in a book burning community ever feels responsible. Yet God the Creator has taught us in every known faith that we are responsible for others in this world of which we are citizens.
What is a citizen? It is a resident of my street, community, state, nation, continent, and world. No person one can totally withdraw from life. We cannot isolate ourselves in any corner of this planet, it is too large and still growing. Like the boats in the ocean, every one’s actions affect the others, whom we are responsible for in this life.
What is it to be responsible? It is our duty to all others. After all, we believe, "God so loved the world," not just some of it or one particular people or area, but all of it. People who blame others for the problems of the world haven’t begun to learn about life. People who blame themselves for the problems of the world have begun their education. And people who blame no one for the world’s problems have finished their education.
Why is this so? Because to accept human imperfection as the norm and part of the landscape is to accept the fact that love/holiness can only come through blameless people responsible to God.
Monday, January 9, 2012
2012 A time to die or reboot?
In almost every church across our great nation the members are concerned with a declining membership. Even in evangelical churches with their big numbers the decline is evident. Just look at the financial crisis of the Televangelical Groups. As to the number of people "saved" on a weekly basis, the membership growth doesn't change that much. More and more people, who profess Christianity as their faith, are opting to no longer worship in organized churches.
Why are they staying away? They are tired of the constant bickering between Christians. They do not feel comfortable with theology of the 1800's. Even the contemporary worship services tend to be years behind them. Church programs modeled after those of the 1950's are of no interest to those in a fast paced computer driven world. We in the church are kidding ourselves if we believe we are establishing a church for tomorrow that will be bigger than the one our parents left us.
What can be done? Let's follow the example of the first century church. Go to where the people are and establish means of teaching and worship that reflects theological tradition as well as the converts life situation and setting. That early church had to meet in secret in many places. It mingled Jews and Gentiles as well as men and women. It was conducted with and without music and musical instruments. The greater issue was the idea of a resurrected Christ. How were his followers to proceed. They struggled with all of this while trying to understand a life governed by a living God.
A living God who taught there are only two great commandments - "Love God above all things and your neighbor as yourself." A God who commanded them to do nothing till they received the Holy Spirit and baptism of fire a sanctification process. Today's vast majority, who shun traditional churches, want to know what it means to have a living God direct their lives and the life of the church. They want that living God to come into their lives as they really are today.
The churches that reach these people address some important elements of tradition. For instance since the late 1600's church school was the center of our public education. In the late 1800's when public education begin to take hold the church school programs were reduced.
Held on Sunday primarily for convenience they became known as Sunday School. The majority of people were farmers and Sunday was their church day all day long.
Now many churches across the land are once again meeting people at their convenience for church school. Because today's workers are no longer farmers, but busy hard working members of the information society, Sunday's are more precious in regards to family time.
Surveys have shown a majority of them work five and a half days a week. If they regularly attend worship and church school on Sunday they have very little time to re-create with family or themselves. They live stress filled lives, where time is a precious commodity.
Where can God meet them so they may experience the peace and love of a living God? One solution is to move church school to a different day and worship earlier on Sunday. Here is what happens when you do that: attendance at church school goes up and the people have an extra day to relax and experience the peace of God.
Why does attendance go up at school? First all of these churches provide a catered supper on School Nights. It is served right after the work day and just before school. Busy mothers don't have to worry about preparing a dinner, so they are anxious for every member of the family to attend. And church school is usually only forty five minutes to a hour long just as it was on Sunday mornings. Tired people are usually on their way home by 7:30 pm.
Why does attendance go up on Sundays? The early services allows the people to leave refreshed in God with a whole new day before them to re-create their lives. A win win situation for all. It is works! Let 2012 not be a time of ending or dying, but a time to reboot or reset the Church for a new era of reforming the church to today’s world in the image God intended.
Why are they staying away? They are tired of the constant bickering between Christians. They do not feel comfortable with theology of the 1800's. Even the contemporary worship services tend to be years behind them. Church programs modeled after those of the 1950's are of no interest to those in a fast paced computer driven world. We in the church are kidding ourselves if we believe we are establishing a church for tomorrow that will be bigger than the one our parents left us.
What can be done? Let's follow the example of the first century church. Go to where the people are and establish means of teaching and worship that reflects theological tradition as well as the converts life situation and setting. That early church had to meet in secret in many places. It mingled Jews and Gentiles as well as men and women. It was conducted with and without music and musical instruments. The greater issue was the idea of a resurrected Christ. How were his followers to proceed. They struggled with all of this while trying to understand a life governed by a living God.
A living God who taught there are only two great commandments - "Love God above all things and your neighbor as yourself." A God who commanded them to do nothing till they received the Holy Spirit and baptism of fire a sanctification process. Today's vast majority, who shun traditional churches, want to know what it means to have a living God direct their lives and the life of the church. They want that living God to come into their lives as they really are today.
The churches that reach these people address some important elements of tradition. For instance since the late 1600's church school was the center of our public education. In the late 1800's when public education begin to take hold the church school programs were reduced.
Held on Sunday primarily for convenience they became known as Sunday School. The majority of people were farmers and Sunday was their church day all day long.
Now many churches across the land are once again meeting people at their convenience for church school. Because today's workers are no longer farmers, but busy hard working members of the information society, Sunday's are more precious in regards to family time.
Surveys have shown a majority of them work five and a half days a week. If they regularly attend worship and church school on Sunday they have very little time to re-create with family or themselves. They live stress filled lives, where time is a precious commodity.
Where can God meet them so they may experience the peace and love of a living God? One solution is to move church school to a different day and worship earlier on Sunday. Here is what happens when you do that: attendance at church school goes up and the people have an extra day to relax and experience the peace of God.
Why does attendance go up at school? First all of these churches provide a catered supper on School Nights. It is served right after the work day and just before school. Busy mothers don't have to worry about preparing a dinner, so they are anxious for every member of the family to attend. And church school is usually only forty five minutes to a hour long just as it was on Sunday mornings. Tired people are usually on their way home by 7:30 pm.
Why does attendance go up on Sundays? The early services allows the people to leave refreshed in God with a whole new day before them to re-create their lives. A win win situation for all. It is works! Let 2012 not be a time of ending or dying, but a time to reboot or reset the Church for a new era of reforming the church to today’s world in the image God intended.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
A small Revolution for 2012
Help Me Out Here!
It is Tuesday and I have read my two newspapers from front to back and I am confused. So help me out here!
In Section A, on page one are columns about the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the number dead and number of additional soldiers still needed. Another column reveals the Taliban’s connections to monies from their Saudi Arabia roots and supporters.
On page two is a column about a couple of huge contracts signed in the good ole’ USA to supply weapons to Saudi Arabia and another "friendly" Arab nation. Below it, at the bottom corner of the page is an insert showing the number of total casualties over the last ten years.
On the last page is a page wide column about the cost of oil and amount of monies we have supplied to the once poor desert tribes since we started buying their crude.
Before turning to a new section I asked myself, "Are we supplying our antagonists with our own resources to kill us?"
In Section B I find several columns decrying the lack of monies for education, special ed children, police and firemen, roads, and medical care for the poor and middle class. It also carries a column on two people being convicted for stealing from public and non-profit funds. And finally there is a column showing the plight of the ghettos in even the smallest cities.
In the Sports and Entertainment Sections I discovered that the NFL first round draft picks will all be instant millionaires. In fact a recent top man received $68,000,000 with a guarantee of $32,000,000. And the tickets to a kids concert are being scalp at $1200+? And in ad insert I saw where one could buy an autograph from a famous person.
I asked myself, "Are we stealing from ourselves to support the sports and entertainment industries?"
In the Business section I learn about a CEO who is fired because his leadership was instrumental in the company stock plunge. The story also revealed that he was given a $15,000,000 severance package upon being "canned" from his job. Below that story was a note of 4000 people losing their jobs because that very same company needed to cut costs.
I asked myself, "Have we returned to the Middle Ages where the Lords and Earls once again are crushing down the workmen?"
Then I wondered out loud, "Are we heading to another revolutionary war to over throw the greedy Lords and Earls of the economic world? Maybe a few simple rules could prevent such a war."
What rules do I have in mind?
1. Prohibit any American made or financed weapons from being sold to any country or group who will not endorse "The Spirit" of our nation’s Declaration of Independence.
2. Charge the Sports and Entertainment Industries and Personnel a 15% surcharge for public works and education. And require any of them to do community service in their ghettos back home whenever they are arrested and convicted of drug related crimes. No make that any crime.
3. Restrict the practice of paying a CEO, or any executive, more than 250 times the lowest worker in his or her company. And forbid any tax deduction for severance packages of fired executives.
This nation was built on the backs of men and women who fought and believed in freedom and opportunity for the individual. I think we have lost that perspective and allowed the tail to wag the dog. What say you?
It is Tuesday and I have read my two newspapers from front to back and I am confused. So help me out here!
In Section A, on page one are columns about the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the number dead and number of additional soldiers still needed. Another column reveals the Taliban’s connections to monies from their Saudi Arabia roots and supporters.
On page two is a column about a couple of huge contracts signed in the good ole’ USA to supply weapons to Saudi Arabia and another "friendly" Arab nation. Below it, at the bottom corner of the page is an insert showing the number of total casualties over the last ten years.
On the last page is a page wide column about the cost of oil and amount of monies we have supplied to the once poor desert tribes since we started buying their crude.
Before turning to a new section I asked myself, "Are we supplying our antagonists with our own resources to kill us?"
In Section B I find several columns decrying the lack of monies for education, special ed children, police and firemen, roads, and medical care for the poor and middle class. It also carries a column on two people being convicted for stealing from public and non-profit funds. And finally there is a column showing the plight of the ghettos in even the smallest cities.
In the Sports and Entertainment Sections I discovered that the NFL first round draft picks will all be instant millionaires. In fact a recent top man received $68,000,000 with a guarantee of $32,000,000. And the tickets to a kids concert are being scalp at $1200+? And in ad insert I saw where one could buy an autograph from a famous person.
I asked myself, "Are we stealing from ourselves to support the sports and entertainment industries?"
In the Business section I learn about a CEO who is fired because his leadership was instrumental in the company stock plunge. The story also revealed that he was given a $15,000,000 severance package upon being "canned" from his job. Below that story was a note of 4000 people losing their jobs because that very same company needed to cut costs.
I asked myself, "Have we returned to the Middle Ages where the Lords and Earls once again are crushing down the workmen?"
Then I wondered out loud, "Are we heading to another revolutionary war to over throw the greedy Lords and Earls of the economic world? Maybe a few simple rules could prevent such a war."
What rules do I have in mind?
1. Prohibit any American made or financed weapons from being sold to any country or group who will not endorse "The Spirit" of our nation’s Declaration of Independence.
2. Charge the Sports and Entertainment Industries and Personnel a 15% surcharge for public works and education. And require any of them to do community service in their ghettos back home whenever they are arrested and convicted of drug related crimes. No make that any crime.
3. Restrict the practice of paying a CEO, or any executive, more than 250 times the lowest worker in his or her company. And forbid any tax deduction for severance packages of fired executives.
This nation was built on the backs of men and women who fought and believed in freedom and opportunity for the individual. I think we have lost that perspective and allowed the tail to wag the dog. What say you?
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