A Win for Women

I still have no idea how my mom did it - raising two little rambunctious boys on a receptionists salary. She made our lunches, got us on the bus, worked all day, came home, cooked us dinner, helped us with homework, put us to bed and cried herself to sleep. The victim of an unfaithful and abusive husband, my mom did it all. She taught us about unconditional love and prayed for us every day. In the end, I think we turned out alright.

You know, it's been hard to find men who would step up and mentor me in my life. Most of the men who had the opportunity to mentor me have failed miserably - from my father to the pastor's for whom I've worked. In fact, two of my greatest mentors were women. Both Wanda and Rachel believed in me and took an interest in my life, family and career. They encouraged my abilities and openly routed for my success. On top of that, I'm married to the greatest woman I know.

I'm a fan of women in leadership.

Last night was a win for women everywhere. Yes, I'm talking about Sarah Palin. She was brave, articulate, witty and honest. This is really an historic moment in this country. Congratulations to all women, it looks like you have a champion. Now the choice is up to you.

P.S. If Barack Hussien Obama becomes president, how will he have time to be a good father and husband to his small children and wife?

Please Don't Take Offense

After a long weekend, my wife and I put the kids to bed on Sunday night, plugged in a DVD, and plopped onto the couch. I'm not too ashamed to say that we like to watch romantic comedies once in a while. Last night, we watched Definitely, Maybe. Plot: the parents are getting divorced and the father is telling his 9 or 10 year old daughter about his love life including all the sordid details.

Anyway, I got to thinking that I can't remember a recent movie (romantic or not) about a family that actually stays together. We watched the Spiderwick Chronicles the other day and that involves a family that moves to a spooky house because the mom and dad are getting separated.

I know that Hollywood has been trying to normalize divorce for a long time but haven't we gotten the message already? We understand: People get divorced and let's not make the kids feel any worse than they already do. But why do we normalize bad behavior.

At what point, in our culture, will we ever celebrate people who keep their commitments?

Where's My Apology?

Do you ever find yourself apologizing for things you didn't do or when it isn't necessary? What is that? This happened to me twice this week. I had two people rip into me and I end up apologizing to them. I'm not sure what was going on for them that day. Maybe, they were having a bad day or p.m.s.ing or work was stressful and they chose to take it out on me.

I like to keep the peace and I confront (I don't like confrontation) if I have to but why do I say I'm sorry when I don't need to? Is this a sign of weakness? A character flaw?

I'll tell you what isn't a character flaw - admitting when you are wrong and seeking forgiveness. I'll always try to do that.

Come to think of it, neither of the people apologized to me. What is valued when we fail to seek forgiveness? Pride? Arrogance? A product of bad parenting? A product of a society that doesn't take responsibility for its actions and that always thinks it's somebody else's fault? How did we get this way?

Well, I won't hold my breath, I will not lose sleep over this and I will stop whining but I will try to save my apologizing for when it is warranted. I think it will be more meaningful and I also think that it won't feed the pride of those who refuse to apologize when they need to do so. I'm not trying to be mean, I am just trying to be prudent.

One think I will not apologize for is living, working, having strong convictions and passions, being a person seeking integrity, staying optimistic and positive and functioning at an optimal level. That would be a slap in the face of the One who made me.

You are encouraged to join the movement to admit when you are wrong, seek forgiveness, give forgiveness and not to feed the pride of those who won't.

Stay strong and courageous. Peace.

The Things I Say

One of the hardest things in the world is controlling what I say. I grew up with one of the most critical and judgmental fathers in the world. At least, I think he would be in the top 10. He would at least place and maybe even get a bronze. Anyway, after a while it gets ingrained in your brain to always look for faults in other people. I guess it's a result of not thinking much about yourself and trying to elevate by denigrating others.

Well, I don't like it and never have. But still the battle to control the tongue rages on.

Yesterday, I saw that people were protesting the yet to be released movie Tropic Thunder because it used, what they referred to, as the "r" word too much. By the "r" word they meant retarded. The protesters felt that it was offensive to people who are mentally handicapped. Their protest phrase is, "Words Matters" or something close to that.

Now, your first reaction might be to say that people need to lighten up - it's just a movie. Maybe we do need to lighten up a bit but perhaps the protestors have a point - words do matter.

Yesterday, I was also joking with a friend and in the meantime really hurt this persons feelings. I would never want to intentionally hurt my friend's feelings but I did. In fact, I'd prefer to cheer people on. I think it makes for a nicer planet.

Still trying to watch the things I say.

The Stress is Rising

Well, I haven't blogged in almost a month. I have been in Costa Rica working out our mission for the month and today I am heading home with my family to the U.S. The work here has been challenging, tiring, hard, and rewarding. I have had the opportunity of knowing that dozens of people have become Christians, including people from the U.S. teams who came to serve.

Many people have seen true love, the love of Christ, on this journey. I have met new friends and have improved relationships with old. There have been reconciliations, laughter and even tears but mostly tears of joy.

But not once have I felt the chest tightening stress that I often feel in the U.S. I am not sure why but today I feel it for the first time in over a month. There is something about the way we live at home that causes great stress.

For the first time in almost a month I have thought of the most horrendous presidential race in recent times. Having little contact with home and very little internet access I have no idea what is going on.

I'm frightened for our countries future as we get ready to elect the most liberal president in U.S. history. We are not sure if he is a Muslim or a Christian. We have no idea what he really stands for except that he is for partial birth abortion, befriends terrorists, wants a $1.3 trillion dollar tax increase that will cripple our economy, proposes double tax on capital gains, has a wife who hates her country, he sat in a US hating church for 20 years, he is for appeasement of brutal dictators around the world and God only knows what other evil lurks in his mind.

I am frightened for the future of my children and all children in the US.

Fundraiser

So, I go into the Chic-fil-a today and I see a flyer for a fundraiser for a mega church in our town. No reason. Just a fundraiser. 10% of the proceeds for a few hours coming up on a convenient night.

Interesting. This place boasts 15k in attendance. Are they really hurting for money? Come on.

2 Words This Morning

Hulk Smash!