I’m sure I have blogged before (maybe several times) about being a fossil in my career life as I approach retirement. Yesterday, that fact reasserted itself.
Yesterday, our staff took a group of high schoolers on a field trip that included a college campus visit and some “cultural” sites that many kids from our somewhat remote rural area do not experience.
I love for kids to experience live musical theater. Oh they get plenty of experience watching movies and listening to music, but only on dvd’s or iPods or other new technologies that adults struggle to keep pace with. Live theater is far different from film (at least in my mind).
We had the opportunity to see “Footloose” on stage, and since the plot is about high school students and since the soundtrack had such great tunes, I thought it would be a perfect project to introduce musical theater to the group. I should know better than thinking “perfect” describes anything especially in the secular world in this generation.
I guess I was not prepared for updates—the “updated” version of the stage play with the “updated” language and the “updated” dance moves and physical insinuations.
The music was still energetic and the story line was still pretty much the same, but that “updated” version was a visual demonstration of social change in just 15 years. I am not so naïve to think that many teens have only one vocabulary and that one vocabulary correlates with fossils, but still it is difficult for me. If the vocabulary and sexual innuendos were not enough of an indication of change, the costuming removed all doubt.
I will be the first to admit that I definitely have some elements of puritanical preferences, but I’ve been around long enough to witness the terribly sad results of behaviors that are too loose and values that have been laughingly trampled upon. I’ve seen so many children born as a result of those risky, unthinking behaviors and the school problems as well as life problems that follow. Sigh!
Still, I liked the music very much. I'm just sayin'
♫ “I need a hero
I’m holding on for a hero
‘till the morning light
He’s gotta be sure
And it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life…” ♫
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Father's Day 2011
Yesterday was Father’s Day. I’ve never been too excited about that, probably because I didn’t have one. After our children came along, I sought to orchestrate with them a nice day for their dad. It was not always so good. For many years, I also was responsible for coordinating the celebration to include my husband’s father.
That led to a whole host of issues that my adult kids may cringe to remember to this day. My husband’s parents loved their only son and their four grandchildren, but I have empathy for daughter-in-laws who worry about ever measuring up. On “special days” when the grandparents were coming, it was necessary in our minds to make our house look totally different from reality like it was not lived in.
Let me explain. My husband’s family was made up of terrific cooks and homemakers. Their houses were spotless, and meals would put any nutritionist to shame—entrees, homegrown vegetables, assorted salads, yummy homemade desserts, etc. They were charter members of the local “home extension” where scrumptious food and flawless housekeeping were badges of honor.
I, on the other hand, was a young mother of four darling rowdy ruffians, none of whom appreciated flawless housekeeping or fabulous entrees. I must admit, also, that organization and neatness are not my strengths. I managed somewhat to keep clothes, ball uniforms, and farm garb laundered just a little bit ahead of when they were desperately needed. I did get meals on the table at times when the largest quorum was present (sometimes late at night) and, to my credit, insisted that whenever possible we ate together as a family at a table.
Needless to say, our house never was quite “company ready”; so when my in-laws were coming for a family celebration, there was a flurry of commotion to get prepared. “Pick those up,” and “put that away” along with “help clean the bathroom” and a variety of other yelled comments flew back and forth amidst anger, frustration, self-pity.
By the time our guests had arrived, we were barely speaking to each other yet put on our smiling masks and celebrated. Why did we do all that?
We were the epitome of Martha in Luke 10 who was totally “distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” Somebody had to do all that work and she even yelled at Jesus, much like we did at each other.
I can’t speak for my late in-laws, but I know with absolute certainty that I want nothing remotely like that between us and our children and grandchildren. I want our times together to be like Mary who took time to sit and listen and watch. I want wonderful memories of laughing faces around the table, forgetting what was on the plates.
We did that yesterday. It was a loud, frenzied time of adults laughing, kids riding bikes, and babies running and squealing. Dinner was grilled burgers, potato chips, and cantaloupe on paper plates. Well, my daughter who seems to have inherited some of the culinary genes did bring some fabulous hashbrown casserole and coconut cream pie, and those dressed up the meal a bit. Oh, and I must not forget what I am most known for serving to my grandbabies—strawberry yogurt right out of the plastic container.
All in all, it was a very nice Father’s Day. Leon got some memorable cards and I’d like to quote one of them—“All I ever learned about hand tools I learned from my dad – I’d pick up the tools and hand them to Dad.”
That led to a whole host of issues that my adult kids may cringe to remember to this day. My husband’s parents loved their only son and their four grandchildren, but I have empathy for daughter-in-laws who worry about ever measuring up. On “special days” when the grandparents were coming, it was necessary in our minds to make our house look totally different from reality like it was not lived in.
Let me explain. My husband’s family was made up of terrific cooks and homemakers. Their houses were spotless, and meals would put any nutritionist to shame—entrees, homegrown vegetables, assorted salads, yummy homemade desserts, etc. They were charter members of the local “home extension” where scrumptious food and flawless housekeeping were badges of honor.
I, on the other hand, was a young mother of four darling rowdy ruffians, none of whom appreciated flawless housekeeping or fabulous entrees. I must admit, also, that organization and neatness are not my strengths. I managed somewhat to keep clothes, ball uniforms, and farm garb laundered just a little bit ahead of when they were desperately needed. I did get meals on the table at times when the largest quorum was present (sometimes late at night) and, to my credit, insisted that whenever possible we ate together as a family at a table.
Needless to say, our house never was quite “company ready”; so when my in-laws were coming for a family celebration, there was a flurry of commotion to get prepared. “Pick those up,” and “put that away” along with “help clean the bathroom” and a variety of other yelled comments flew back and forth amidst anger, frustration, self-pity.
By the time our guests had arrived, we were barely speaking to each other yet put on our smiling masks and celebrated. Why did we do all that?
We were the epitome of Martha in Luke 10 who was totally “distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” Somebody had to do all that work and she even yelled at Jesus, much like we did at each other.
I can’t speak for my late in-laws, but I know with absolute certainty that I want nothing remotely like that between us and our children and grandchildren. I want our times together to be like Mary who took time to sit and listen and watch. I want wonderful memories of laughing faces around the table, forgetting what was on the plates.
We did that yesterday. It was a loud, frenzied time of adults laughing, kids riding bikes, and babies running and squealing. Dinner was grilled burgers, potato chips, and cantaloupe on paper plates. Well, my daughter who seems to have inherited some of the culinary genes did bring some fabulous hashbrown casserole and coconut cream pie, and those dressed up the meal a bit. Oh, and I must not forget what I am most known for serving to my grandbabies—strawberry yogurt right out of the plastic container.
All in all, it was a very nice Father’s Day. Leon got some memorable cards and I’d like to quote one of them—“All I ever learned about hand tools I learned from my dad – I’d pick up the tools and hand them to Dad.”
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Mystery of Two
We are studying Revelation 11 in the Rock Group, and I mentioned to the class that it contains one of the greatest mysteries of the bible—who are the two witnesses?
They can turn water to blood and stop rain from falling. That sounds like Moses and Elijah (remember them talking to Jesus on the Mt. of Transfiguration), but are they the two witnesses? Or, will they be two modern men speaking in the spirit of the two heroes? Or could it be Israel and Judah? Or could they be representatives of believers? Or could they be you and me?
For 3½ years, the two witnesses testify to the sovereignty of God (like Jesus). The world hates them but is powerless to stop the message (like Jesus). However, after 3½ years, the eternal plan says “Enough!” (like Jesus). Then, the world kills them (like Jesus).
The nations rejoice about their great victory over God, not recognizing it is instead their great defeat (like Jesus). The two are not buried (unlike Jesus) but rather lie in full view of a celebrating world. After 3½ days, the two return to life (like Jesus) and are taken up to heaven in a cloud (like Jesus).
Then, literally, all hell breaks loose on the earth starting with a huge earthquake, which I’m sure people will arrogantly call “An act of God.” It’s time for the 7th trumpet blast accompanied by the third woe on the earth.
There is a far different scene in heaven. LOUD voices begin singing Handel’s Messiah—the Hallelujah Chorus.
Then the 24 elders around the throne join in as they fall on their faces and worship God. Why don’t I just let the rest of Chapter 11 speak for itself?
“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign.
The nations were angry,
and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead,
and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name,
both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.”
If any of you are still here when that happens, would you tell Indiana Jones—the ark is not lost.
They can turn water to blood and stop rain from falling. That sounds like Moses and Elijah (remember them talking to Jesus on the Mt. of Transfiguration), but are they the two witnesses? Or, will they be two modern men speaking in the spirit of the two heroes? Or could it be Israel and Judah? Or could they be representatives of believers? Or could they be you and me?
For 3½ years, the two witnesses testify to the sovereignty of God (like Jesus). The world hates them but is powerless to stop the message (like Jesus). However, after 3½ years, the eternal plan says “Enough!” (like Jesus). Then, the world kills them (like Jesus).
The nations rejoice about their great victory over God, not recognizing it is instead their great defeat (like Jesus). The two are not buried (unlike Jesus) but rather lie in full view of a celebrating world. After 3½ days, the two return to life (like Jesus) and are taken up to heaven in a cloud (like Jesus).
Then, literally, all hell breaks loose on the earth starting with a huge earthquake, which I’m sure people will arrogantly call “An act of God.” It’s time for the 7th trumpet blast accompanied by the third woe on the earth.
There is a far different scene in heaven. LOUD voices begin singing Handel’s Messiah—the Hallelujah Chorus.
♫ “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our God,
And of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever” ♫
Then the 24 elders around the throne join in as they fall on their faces and worship God. Why don’t I just let the rest of Chapter 11 speak for itself?
“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign.
The nations were angry,
and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead,
and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name,
both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.”
If any of you are still here when that happens, would you tell Indiana Jones—the ark is not lost.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Sunflower (or similar)
Finally, it is getting dry enough on the farm to work the ground and plant. We have all the corn planted (or replanted) for now, hallelujah! Also, we have a good start on soybean planting (and pray that it will flourish at first planting).
I may have mentioned back in the day, that my farmer bought a new “sunflower” tool. I have to say, I don’t know if that is a brand or the specific field tool, but he seems thrilled with it and its results. Needless to say, I am thrilled when he is thrilled.
When I think the agricultural process through logically, the “end game” is a wonderful harvest albeit several months down the road. It’s important to know that in goal setting, one works backwards. One must consider first the goal and then the steps needed to reach it. Start with the end in mind.
To get a wonderful grain harvest, the plants giving rise to the grain must grow through the summer into strong, healthy plants, fed and watered, to reach maximum production. Before they can grow, there must be the planting of good seed in well-prepared soil. Before good seed can be planted in well-prepared soil, obviously the farmer has to be vigilant in watching soil conditions and preparing the soil. Before that, the farmer must have secured the best seed. Even before that, the farmer must have mentally made plans for the process, must have been fully committed to it, and must have given it a high priority in his life.
These are the steps (not being a farmer I may have omitted one or two but you get the idea) to reach that goal of a wonderful harvest.
Lessons to be learned—we all want to reap a wonderful spiritual harvest. Let’s start with the goal. What is our goal? Well, I would say becoming like Jesus. I John 3:23 “…Now we are children of God’ we know that when Christ appears, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM…”
What are the steps needed to reach that goal? Perhaps the same in reverse order as above: 1) we must grow into a strong healthy plant that produces fruit; 2) we must be fed and watered; 3) the soil of our hearts must be prepared (plowed if hard, weeded if weedy, and stones from our past removed); 4) we must acquire and plant the best seed—Jesus said it was the Word of God; 5) we must plan for the process and 6) we must give it the top priority in our lives.
Wonderful harvests never follow laziness, apathy, or passivity. To reach the most important goal of our life, we must be vigilant, enthusiastic, committed, and give it the highest priority. A.W. Tozer wrote an article or sermon entitled "Miracles Follow the Plow." Just Google it; it should be read frequently.
I think our Sunflower is red but maybe with a name like “sunflower”—it should be yellow. LOL
♫ Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves;
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. ♫
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
End Game?
Some headings for the Drudge Report yesterday were:
• Teen Gangs Unleashed on Boston Beach
• Miami ‘War Zone’ During Urban Weekend
• Violent crime explodes in Myrtle Beach...
• Rib Fest At Rochester Beach turns rowdy...
• Riot On Long Island...
• Urban Melee In Charlotte...
• Unruly urban crowd shuts Nashville water park...
• Chicago Beach closed - 'Dozens of gangs…
I have long been concerned about the end game of the nation’s plan for raising younger generations. If you haven’t heard that buzzword “end game” everywhere lately, it means “the late or final stages of any activity.”
(Climbing onto my soapbox) As a long time educator, I have worried where we thought we were headed. A few changes I have hated in education are:
1. Eliminating prayer from the nation’s schools.
2. Tying the hands of discipline from teachers or principals.
3. Requiring regimented test scores be the measurement of success of a classroom or school. NCLB :-(
4. Rendering court judgments which force kowtowing to every threat of a “due process” lawsuit.
5. Requiring the expenditure of large sums of money for a handful of students while the leftover funds go for the majority of students upon whose shoulders will rest the burden of carrying the future.
(Before I get down off the soapbox) Let me say that I think the whole national mess did not originate with the educational system. I believe it began and has been fed by a spirit of Antichrist running rampant in our government and society—1) judges that ruled that God’s ways were not to be our ways; 2) legislators that passed laws that weakened our nation and made serving God politically incorrect; 3) leaders that have not led according to biblical decrees or our national heritage; 4) people who bring forth babies with no commitment to love and nurture them; 5) churches that are interested in social trivialities rather than caring for the flock and helping the lost find Jesus Christ; and 6) a self-centered populace who lives only for the king in the mirror and doesn’t care about the King of Kings.
What is the end game? What about that definition, “the late or final stages”? Are we in the late or final stages of a civilization that began in the Declaration of Independence with “endowed by their Creator” and “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world”? Is there a way back?
(climbing down off my soapbox) 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
That's our end game--healing.
• Teen Gangs Unleashed on Boston Beach
• Miami ‘War Zone’ During Urban Weekend
• Violent crime explodes in Myrtle Beach...
• Rib Fest At Rochester Beach turns rowdy...
• Riot On Long Island...
• Urban Melee In Charlotte...
• Unruly urban crowd shuts Nashville water park...
• Chicago Beach closed - 'Dozens of gangs…
I have long been concerned about the end game of the nation’s plan for raising younger generations. If you haven’t heard that buzzword “end game” everywhere lately, it means “the late or final stages of any activity.”
(Climbing onto my soapbox) As a long time educator, I have worried where we thought we were headed. A few changes I have hated in education are:
1. Eliminating prayer from the nation’s schools.
2. Tying the hands of discipline from teachers or principals.
3. Requiring regimented test scores be the measurement of success of a classroom or school. NCLB :-(
4. Rendering court judgments which force kowtowing to every threat of a “due process” lawsuit.
5. Requiring the expenditure of large sums of money for a handful of students while the leftover funds go for the majority of students upon whose shoulders will rest the burden of carrying the future.
(Before I get down off the soapbox) Let me say that I think the whole national mess did not originate with the educational system. I believe it began and has been fed by a spirit of Antichrist running rampant in our government and society—1) judges that ruled that God’s ways were not to be our ways; 2) legislators that passed laws that weakened our nation and made serving God politically incorrect; 3) leaders that have not led according to biblical decrees or our national heritage; 4) people who bring forth babies with no commitment to love and nurture them; 5) churches that are interested in social trivialities rather than caring for the flock and helping the lost find Jesus Christ; and 6) a self-centered populace who lives only for the king in the mirror and doesn’t care about the King of Kings.
What is the end game? What about that definition, “the late or final stages”? Are we in the late or final stages of a civilization that began in the Declaration of Independence with “endowed by their Creator” and “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world”? Is there a way back?
(climbing down off my soapbox) 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
That's our end game--healing.
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