I know the other day I remarked that Dutchman's Son seems to be doing better as he tries to dig his way out of the mess he made of his life in 2009 and 2010. But now we know the rest of the story.....
Dutchman called Friday morning and STRONGLY urged we have lunch together. He was about an hour away at the time. So cool! We met at a little Greek place I like about three miles away. Yeah, he really needed to talk because he was in shock.
Seems he was trying to find one of his bid proposals on his wife's computer, because he needed a photograph from the presentation package, to use in another one he was putting together. So, like any savvy PC user - he did a search for JPEGS within a date range. He got far more than he bargained for.....
Yeah, his son had been using the wife's computer, which he is banned from, due to his abuses back in 2007/2008 - searching porn sites. And now, Dutchman finds that son has not only not complied but has been using that computer to upload hardcore porn starring HIMSELF and a whole bunch of young men Dutchman did not recognize! (Thank God my son is apparently not yet in one of those!) Dutchman was shocked so bad he had no response.
And how do you respond?
Romans Chapter One clearly tells us we should not be surprised to find that those whom have given themselves over to sin, will be given over to the basis of their desires - homosexuality. Yeah, outlawed teaching in Canada and probably soon here in America. But, it is inescapable to not understand that not only is that young man far from God, but God has given him free reign with his sin.
Homosexuality is sexual sin, it is condemned by the Bible - as are ALL sexual sins. You have lurid thoughts - you sin. You can't keep your zipper up - you sin. You can't stand your spouse and leave - you not only sin but you get to share in their sin as well! No matter how you look at it - it is sin. No greater, no worse, before God than murder, stealing or even speeding.
Some of my best friends have been "gay" through the years and I have been in their face about their need for God! Because they are homosexual? Heck NO! I want all of my friends with me in Heaven! And all but one of them has long since died of "AIDS".
And this last paragraph is why I can look the average American liberal in the eye and tell that not only is Kris not homophobic, but they are hypocrites. I have yet to find one of my critics whom has had even one close friend whom is "gay", much more even witnessed to one, much more even sat with one whom was dying from "AIDS". They do not even understand the self loathing and abuses these victims have put themselves through - without the help of a homophobic culture.
American reader, have I pissed you off yet? Read on.
You know something else? I have had friends whom are adulterers, fornicators, prostitutes, consumed with lusts and passions I really do not want to even understand much less experience! None of them any more innocent than Dutchman's son before God. So although I maybe horrified at what this young man has done, he is still very dear to my heart and his need for God is only increased - not diminished!
And I hope you will join with me in prayer that this young man will turn back to God. And if you have friends in ANY sexual sin, I do hope you will be regularly praying for them as well. You might want to include your pastor, spouses, etc - all whom are as equal in their ability to fall into sexual sin as well.....
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Slippery As An Eel
Yeah still have not been able to corner son the whole of this week to have our "discussion". One must try and think through this......
For instance, let us suppose that it is a God thing. In which God is trying to help me not blow it by chucking son through a door as he leaves. Perhaps for my sake, perhaps for son's. Something to try and think through.
On the other hand, it could just as easily be son coordinating things so that we are never alone to talk - because he does not want to face the music over last Monday. Something also to think over.
Yeah, it is hard trying to figure which way to go - however I see his at home behavior now at a point where he would not even be allowed in a men's shelter! So, I think I am in the right in encouraging his parting - 'cause he sure is not growing up around here.....
Hmmmmmmmmmmm.........................................
For instance, let us suppose that it is a God thing. In which God is trying to help me not blow it by chucking son through a door as he leaves. Perhaps for my sake, perhaps for son's. Something to try and think through.
On the other hand, it could just as easily be son coordinating things so that we are never alone to talk - because he does not want to face the music over last Monday. Something also to think over.
Yeah, it is hard trying to figure which way to go - however I see his at home behavior now at a point where he would not even be allowed in a men's shelter! So, I think I am in the right in encouraging his parting - 'cause he sure is not growing up around here.....
Hmmmmmmmmmmm.........................................
Thursday, July 28, 2011
MIA
So son has gone missing in action. He has been completely successful at avoiding me so far this week. I have not seen him at all! I know he comes and goes, but he is being mighty evasive or perhaps sneaky because the shoe is going to drop on this one. Eventually we will be crossing swords as I am getting the boxes for him to store or move out with this morning at Costco. With or without his presence - he IS leaving my home and taking his deceits and lies with him. Very sad but then being held accountable is always mighty tough - especially in a youth culture consumed with lies and deceit. And this is the Church kids. Just amazing.
*********
Of his girlfriends, for whom he has so totally hosed up his life over, one leaves in a week for California. Her parents bought her a one way ticket and an invite not to return. She is planning on going into some form of Marine Biology - but no matter her choices, she really needs to understand her need for God. And I know she knows it is the right way to go but just can not TRUST. Hopefully, in California she will be able to cross paths with someone whom can get her past the seed planting stage.
Other girl friend, might be current or old, seems to change daily from what I see on FaceBook - also really needs God in her life. Thankfully, she has been communicating with me openly and honestly this week. But, can I make an impact? No idea. And in Kris' perfect world it will be a mature Christian woman out there whom will become a part of her life and help her to understand that living by your own rules really only leads to pain and frustrations.....
*********
Italian Missionary Girl is leaving South Carolina and heading ------ to parts unknown. She never was able to get the funding she needed for her second year of language school, so not real sure what she will be up to next. I think everyone can understand in this economy the difficulty churches are having with their funding - but there is a bit of responsibility which goes with saying you will fund missionaries and then not doing so.
Just so you understand, one of her sponsors cut her from their budget in order to send a retiring music leader on a month long trip around the world, but then to further explain, she has 4 elementary aged kids - so it is just not her - it is the entire family! Nice gift, but being done at the expense of someone whom is currently working at God's calling seems a little dangerous.
*********
Last year's runaway bride, finally married the guy she met on the internet and left her new husband for. She has found life to be a bit harsher than expected. Yeah, God really does frown on abandoning your spouse and running away to live with another. Duh! She knows all of this, because we even discussed this in her Sunday school class (my own runaway bride! and her demise) and yet somehow can not only justify this past year in her mind but complains that God is not doing enough to help her find a job in her new location and everything is going wrong! To say that her parents and siblings are now in shambles of this would be an understatement. This is the first divorce ever in their family! If nothing else, her ex-husband has become a steady church goer I understand (and now dating one of her cousins!). But will he find Christ though of this mess?
**********
Artist Girl as you remember headed back to Arizona to be with her new found friends and to get away from her now seemingly odd acting parents. And like the above tale, is finding that life is not quite so in control as she thought it would be. Just a guess, but what about her leaving or life in Arizona has not been truly told? Just wondering, because when God is NOT meeting someone's needs - I have to think they are in the wrong place completely.....
*********
Dutchman has been having some real hardships with his company, a whole lot of non-payers have all but killed his cash flow. This week he even interviewed with a company in Indiana about a position with them - but it seems not to have a match for either of them. Also I can not even get him to talk about his $110m place he contracted for when we were down there several years ago. So, I am guessing something went wrong with ???? Since it was a cash deal, paid by performance, I would have thought it safe unless the drug lords or state got involved somehow. Whatever the problem, Ouch!
His son has been out of trouble with the law now for almost a year and still continues to work towards paying off all of the fines and lawyer's fees. He still has one stupidity hanging over his head, which may well prove his undoing - only time will tell and some future court date. I sure wish my son would learn from this kid's mistakes! Cause son is making all of the same ones.....
*********
My last god-daughter, now 15, was released from prison and sent to juvenile detention at the end of last year. After three months the detention center turned her over to her mother as the girl was not only too violent but also was destroying the morals of those around her! Of course she took off, just as she had done when she was 11, at the start of this whole mess. It took a while but I finally found her via the internet, living with a 45 year old guy and writing poetry about how horrible life is. Now what to do? There is already one guy serving 26 years because of her. Please heap piles of prayer on this wayward youth! Maybe I need an early trip home to visit a soon to be ex-frog....... Grrrrr!
*********
So you can understand how filled my life has been this week! Lots of prayer items, lots of meetings and lots more prayer! So many seem to be so mislead by this culture and the poison if offers up so freely to destroy those too blind to understand consequences.....
But, then I have a God whom is active and does met out judgements both here and later on. I really expect to hear of more youthful problems and that church getting whacked in the near future for their disobedience.
Because I actively do see GOD working quite visibly but unrecognized in all of these situations! And I have to look to myself and wonder: Where am I standing and how well am I doing? Cause, I really would like to avoid being whacked by God ..... or is this two years of unemployment part of Kris' whacking.....? And, what are his future plans for me?
*********
Of his girlfriends, for whom he has so totally hosed up his life over, one leaves in a week for California. Her parents bought her a one way ticket and an invite not to return. She is planning on going into some form of Marine Biology - but no matter her choices, she really needs to understand her need for God. And I know she knows it is the right way to go but just can not TRUST. Hopefully, in California she will be able to cross paths with someone whom can get her past the seed planting stage.
Other girl friend, might be current or old, seems to change daily from what I see on FaceBook - also really needs God in her life. Thankfully, she has been communicating with me openly and honestly this week. But, can I make an impact? No idea. And in Kris' perfect world it will be a mature Christian woman out there whom will become a part of her life and help her to understand that living by your own rules really only leads to pain and frustrations.....
*********
Italian Missionary Girl is leaving South Carolina and heading ------ to parts unknown. She never was able to get the funding she needed for her second year of language school, so not real sure what she will be up to next. I think everyone can understand in this economy the difficulty churches are having with their funding - but there is a bit of responsibility which goes with saying you will fund missionaries and then not doing so.
Just so you understand, one of her sponsors cut her from their budget in order to send a retiring music leader on a month long trip around the world, but then to further explain, she has 4 elementary aged kids - so it is just not her - it is the entire family! Nice gift, but being done at the expense of someone whom is currently working at God's calling seems a little dangerous.
*********
Last year's runaway bride, finally married the guy she met on the internet and left her new husband for. She has found life to be a bit harsher than expected. Yeah, God really does frown on abandoning your spouse and running away to live with another. Duh! She knows all of this, because we even discussed this in her Sunday school class (my own runaway bride! and her demise) and yet somehow can not only justify this past year in her mind but complains that God is not doing enough to help her find a job in her new location and everything is going wrong! To say that her parents and siblings are now in shambles of this would be an understatement. This is the first divorce ever in their family! If nothing else, her ex-husband has become a steady church goer I understand (and now dating one of her cousins!). But will he find Christ though of this mess?
**********
Artist Girl as you remember headed back to Arizona to be with her new found friends and to get away from her now seemingly odd acting parents. And like the above tale, is finding that life is not quite so in control as she thought it would be. Just a guess, but what about her leaving or life in Arizona has not been truly told? Just wondering, because when God is NOT meeting someone's needs - I have to think they are in the wrong place completely.....
*********
Dutchman has been having some real hardships with his company, a whole lot of non-payers have all but killed his cash flow. This week he even interviewed with a company in Indiana about a position with them - but it seems not to have a match for either of them. Also I can not even get him to talk about his $110m place he contracted for when we were down there several years ago. So, I am guessing something went wrong with ???? Since it was a cash deal, paid by performance, I would have thought it safe unless the drug lords or state got involved somehow. Whatever the problem, Ouch!
His son has been out of trouble with the law now for almost a year and still continues to work towards paying off all of the fines and lawyer's fees. He still has one stupidity hanging over his head, which may well prove his undoing - only time will tell and some future court date. I sure wish my son would learn from this kid's mistakes! Cause son is making all of the same ones.....
*********
My last god-daughter, now 15, was released from prison and sent to juvenile detention at the end of last year. After three months the detention center turned her over to her mother as the girl was not only too violent but also was destroying the morals of those around her! Of course she took off, just as she had done when she was 11, at the start of this whole mess. It took a while but I finally found her via the internet, living with a 45 year old guy and writing poetry about how horrible life is. Now what to do? There is already one guy serving 26 years because of her. Please heap piles of prayer on this wayward youth! Maybe I need an early trip home to visit a soon to be ex-frog....... Grrrrr!
*********
So you can understand how filled my life has been this week! Lots of prayer items, lots of meetings and lots more prayer! So many seem to be so mislead by this culture and the poison if offers up so freely to destroy those too blind to understand consequences.....
But, then I have a God whom is active and does met out judgements both here and later on. I really expect to hear of more youthful problems and that church getting whacked in the near future for their disobedience.
Because I actively do see GOD working quite visibly but unrecognized in all of these situations! And I have to look to myself and wonder: Where am I standing and how well am I doing? Cause, I really would like to avoid being whacked by God ..... or is this two years of unemployment part of Kris' whacking.....? And, what are his future plans for me?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Today Is The Day
So, today is the day son gets his marching orders. I am really not looking forward to this! If I am lucky I will not see him until this afternoon. With his sister's around the house and Gaelic Girl coming in for Youngest Daughter's pastry testing, he will be sufficently out numbered to not try and do something too stupid. I hope and pray anyway.
It is just so frustrating how he has slipped so far from where he was even a year ago. I found him barely tolerable then - but I really thought he could turn around and make a start of growing up. Instead, I seem to have a 13 year old in a 19 year old body! I have been dumbfounded by his complete rejection of everything I have offered to help him with. If I tell him 'A' is the way to go, he will go every way except 'A' and then publicly condemn me not only for his choices but also for the repercussions of not having done whatever 'A' was!
I remember being 19 tremendously well - I had just become a Christian and was growing by leaps and bounds in my new faith, while carrying a double college load and working to pay for that schooling. Oh, yeah, I made PLENTY of mistakes, some even as dumb as my son has managed over the past year. But, I had Godly young men surrounding me - Dutchman and Swede being the two closest and still dear brothers. We bailed each other out quite a bit back then as now. But, son has chosen poorly in ALL of his friends and now sits very far from God - by choice. Man does he have a rude awakening coming!
Of course my growth was based completely on the act of my parents chucking me out at high school diploma + one day. My father wanted me in the military but I honestly wanted to avoid any further military life (18 years at that point!). So, I headed to my favorite uncle's to help him build a house, got accepted into a great computer program and stumbled my way towards a diploma.
Maybe my parents were right on that one point, sending me out at 18 forced a deal of change upon me. Yeah, the military would have been the easiest way for me to have gone, in the adjustment of becoming an adult, but were it not for the long suffering witness of Debby Kræmer in my life, the story could have been tremendously different.....
Your prayers are greatly sought today.
It is just so frustrating how he has slipped so far from where he was even a year ago. I found him barely tolerable then - but I really thought he could turn around and make a start of growing up. Instead, I seem to have a 13 year old in a 19 year old body! I have been dumbfounded by his complete rejection of everything I have offered to help him with. If I tell him 'A' is the way to go, he will go every way except 'A' and then publicly condemn me not only for his choices but also for the repercussions of not having done whatever 'A' was!
I remember being 19 tremendously well - I had just become a Christian and was growing by leaps and bounds in my new faith, while carrying a double college load and working to pay for that schooling. Oh, yeah, I made PLENTY of mistakes, some even as dumb as my son has managed over the past year. But, I had Godly young men surrounding me - Dutchman and Swede being the two closest and still dear brothers. We bailed each other out quite a bit back then as now. But, son has chosen poorly in ALL of his friends and now sits very far from God - by choice. Man does he have a rude awakening coming!
Of course my growth was based completely on the act of my parents chucking me out at high school diploma + one day. My father wanted me in the military but I honestly wanted to avoid any further military life (18 years at that point!). So, I headed to my favorite uncle's to help him build a house, got accepted into a great computer program and stumbled my way towards a diploma.
Maybe my parents were right on that one point, sending me out at 18 forced a deal of change upon me. Yeah, the military would have been the easiest way for me to have gone, in the adjustment of becoming an adult, but were it not for the long suffering witness of Debby Kræmer in my life, the story could have been tremendously different.....
Your prayers are greatly sought today.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Lies, Lies, Lies, Yeah!
I have always considered this song by the Thompson Twins to be just about the worse they ever did, well next to I'm A Policeman. Utter rubbish. And yet, the song Lies popped right into my head this morning.....
Well, you have to understand that last week was teen drama central at my house. There were visits from all of the girls son has been in and out of relationships with during the past year. Yeah, toying with them it appears (my son a player?). And the one amazing thing was that not only were their tales all lies, so were my son's! Now try to figure that one out! No one telling the truth? And yet, everyone so upset they had to come and waste my dozens of hours of my time!
Yeah, I know that the gift of discernment is all but dead, but these kids know me and my nose for ferreting out the truth. And yet .....
So, today before even most people on the East Coast were up, son had already told me his last lie. He doesn't know it but tomorrow he is off work and he is going to be either enlisting in the military or moving out. Don't care which any more (and that really says something given my pacifistic belief set!). I am sure he will over react and may even injure or do worse to me. But, it is over.
The main point is that he has told me his last lie. With me you either tell the truth or you go somewhere else and afflict someone else with your morals.
Well, you have to understand that last week was teen drama central at my house. There were visits from all of the girls son has been in and out of relationships with during the past year. Yeah, toying with them it appears (my son a player?). And the one amazing thing was that not only were their tales all lies, so were my son's! Now try to figure that one out! No one telling the truth? And yet, everyone so upset they had to come and waste my dozens of hours of my time!
Yeah, I know that the gift of discernment is all but dead, but these kids know me and my nose for ferreting out the truth. And yet .....
So, today before even most people on the East Coast were up, son had already told me his last lie. He doesn't know it but tomorrow he is off work and he is going to be either enlisting in the military or moving out. Don't care which any more (and that really says something given my pacifistic belief set!). I am sure he will over react and may even injure or do worse to me. But, it is over.
The main point is that he has told me his last lie. With me you either tell the truth or you go somewhere else and afflict someone else with your morals.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
In A Word - UGH!
Lots of teen drama this week. Enough so that I am beyond exhaustion and unable to even close my eyes!
Shutter!
Shutter!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday
Actually, Wednesday turned out to be an interesting day. After horrible Monday and Tuesday nights (I was sick), I got up Wednesday in a very morose and introspective mood. Never good when it is me that is being introspective! The Mr. Hyde in me, though long dead, still condemns me when my guard is down or I am at my weakest!
So, having finished yesterday's post, I went out to Timothy's car and just as I was to get in - up drives Oldest Daughter! As she has been without phone service for the past two months I rarely get to see or hear from her (her husband's paychecks are being garnished due to a medical billing snaffoo - long story). She was in the area and wanted to say howdy, so we went to Costco, out to lunch, and I got to play with the grandkids, etc. Really lifted my spirits! Well, at least until nap time came due.....
This is something I have noticed across time - when I am really in the dumps or desperately in need, she 'magically appears' just then. I am sure it is a God thing, it just happens far too often for any other explanation. I am always touched when this happens as I know it is of God and more so since I never forget she is the daughter I had the worse problems and relationship with!
So of course my spirit was lifted but I also got to see Middle Daughter and newest grandchild too! Of course, it was a typical MD event, "Hi", "Bye." Yeah, she bombs by on occasion but rarely sticks around for more than 10 minutes. She is a might frustrating in that regard. And, I am no longer sure what is up with her husband.....
The humorous part of the day was having the waitress at lunch 'hit' on me. It so rarely happens one must relish the moment! And the humor is increased all the more since I had OD with me and she is steaming over the, "She must be young enough to be your grandchild!". And probably six years older than OD! Very funny. And what 56 year old man would not like to be mistaken for someone in their early thirties by a twenty something? Makes you feel frisky enough to jump up and click your heels - which dare not due as I would probably break something on landing.
So, here is to Thursday, may it be a better day!
So, having finished yesterday's post, I went out to Timothy's car and just as I was to get in - up drives Oldest Daughter! As she has been without phone service for the past two months I rarely get to see or hear from her (her husband's paychecks are being garnished due to a medical billing snaffoo - long story). She was in the area and wanted to say howdy, so we went to Costco, out to lunch, and I got to play with the grandkids, etc. Really lifted my spirits! Well, at least until nap time came due.....
This is something I have noticed across time - when I am really in the dumps or desperately in need, she 'magically appears' just then. I am sure it is a God thing, it just happens far too often for any other explanation. I am always touched when this happens as I know it is of God and more so since I never forget she is the daughter I had the worse problems and relationship with!
So of course my spirit was lifted but I also got to see Middle Daughter and newest grandchild too! Of course, it was a typical MD event, "Hi", "Bye." Yeah, she bombs by on occasion but rarely sticks around for more than 10 minutes. She is a might frustrating in that regard. And, I am no longer sure what is up with her husband.....
The humorous part of the day was having the waitress at lunch 'hit' on me. It so rarely happens one must relish the moment! And the humor is increased all the more since I had OD with me and she is steaming over the, "She must be young enough to be your grandchild!". And probably six years older than OD! Very funny. And what 56 year old man would not like to be mistaken for someone in their early thirties by a twenty something? Makes you feel frisky enough to jump up and click your heels - which dare not due as I would probably break something on landing.
So, here is to Thursday, may it be a better day!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Manchmal
Manchmal gibt es Momente, in denen ich muss einfach gehalten zu werden.
Manchmal weiß, dass ich nicht allein bin, sondern manchmal auch die Gewissheit, dass Erfolg oder Misserfolg sie sind da.
Manchmal bin ich einfach leer - wie jetzt.
Manchmal habe ich schon lange für den Heimat - und die Sicherheit es bedeutet.
Ich habe manchmal einfach so nicht weiter, aber ich weiß , dass sie nicht wollen, daß ich nach Hause kommen.
Aber ich weiß, dass ich bin wo ich sein soll, obwohl benommen und verwirrt.
Aber ich weiß ich bin begeistert und werden in Ruhe mit ihnen.
Manchmal weiß, dass ich nicht allein bin, sondern manchmal auch die Gewissheit, dass Erfolg oder Misserfolg sie sind da.
Manchmal bin ich einfach leer - wie jetzt.
Manchmal habe ich schon lange für den Heimat - und die Sicherheit es bedeutet.
Ich habe manchmal einfach so nicht weiter, aber ich weiß , dass sie nicht wollen, daß ich nach Hause kommen.
Aber ich weiß, dass ich bin wo ich sein soll, obwohl benommen und verwirrt.
Aber ich weiß ich bin begeistert und werden in Ruhe mit ihnen.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Another Prayer Item
Got an email this morning from one of the women in the church I attend. Surprised me as I am not sure how she got my email address! And it is not like we ever talk.....
However, it seems her seven year old daughter collapsed last week and ER did a series of MRI's and other tests to see what is up. She has three brain tumors! Two might be operable however one is in the brain stem and will require radiation to kill.
So, this little girl is in need of a miracle - failing that a skillful surgeon - and then a miracle healing! And, her family, well quite a bit of courage and faith to get through this.
I know from experience how low the percentages of survival are on these situations. I also know how much God can do to comfort those whom care and the healing He can bring - before and after the surgery!
(for those of you whom do not know, I had spinal cancer surgery in 1997 (brain cancer in my lumbars of all things!), 15% survival and only 5% to ever walk again! but God got me through it!)
So, not sure where God is leading this family. But, I know a whole lot of prayer is needed for the parents - Konrad and Tammy, and their daughter Allison! Plus they have two older girls whom will be in need of prayer as well.
Thanks.
However, it seems her seven year old daughter collapsed last week and ER did a series of MRI's and other tests to see what is up. She has three brain tumors! Two might be operable however one is in the brain stem and will require radiation to kill.
So, this little girl is in need of a miracle - failing that a skillful surgeon - and then a miracle healing! And, her family, well quite a bit of courage and faith to get through this.
I know from experience how low the percentages of survival are on these situations. I also know how much God can do to comfort those whom care and the healing He can bring - before and after the surgery!
(for those of you whom do not know, I had spinal cancer surgery in 1997 (brain cancer in my lumbars of all things!), 15% survival and only 5% to ever walk again! but God got me through it!)
So, not sure where God is leading this family. But, I know a whole lot of prayer is needed for the parents - Konrad and Tammy, and their daughter Allison! Plus they have two older girls whom will be in need of prayer as well.
Thanks.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Displaced Persons
In times of conflict you have migrations of peoples from the area of conflict to hopefully places of relative safety. They are called displaced persons.
When someone is finally the victor in the conflict and people now get to be relocated to fit with the ideals of the victor, these are called displaced persons as well.
And as I was out driving between garage sales on Saturday, I saw a different kind of displaced persons - those forced out of their homes.....
I was down in the Federal Way area, headed towards Des Moines and even I, unobservant as I am, started subconsciously counting empty houses. There were lots of them, at least one for every city block, sometimes as many as three.
As I neared Des Moines, there was an entire family sitting by the road surrounded by a sea of garbage bags and a few items of furniture. A mother, three kids and two pets. Really obviously the now vacant house behind them used to be their home. Unlike so many of the "homeless" in this area - I am willing to believe that they really are. Unfortunately, I had nothing on me (much less in my bank account! with which to help them, grrrrr!).
Back home, I saw one of the neighborhood college students sitting by the road going through a pile of stuff. Her school books it looked like. Later she was gone and the books with her but the rest of her belongings I guess there was no place for or too heavy to carry away.
And I look at my new church, whom unfortunately decided to expand a few years ago, heavily indebting themselves. Now that the economy is in shambles they are unable to even meet the commitment they made to their own missionaries they have sent out - much less attempt to help with the needs of the community! So, now they are faced with scratching and begging to meet mortgage payments - while another chance for witness within the community goes begging. (Churches really should not be in debt!)
Yeah, no different with me for that matter. I invested foolishly, lost everything and now am unable to help those I see so much in need of not only material needs but spiritual and emotional as well - much less help with the needs of my children. My church has lost its ministry opportunity and I am scoring in the same ball park..... But, at least I can pray that the Lord will bring those people the resources they need and that they will know it comes from Him.
Lots of opportunities for witness, to those wiser than me it seems.
When someone is finally the victor in the conflict and people now get to be relocated to fit with the ideals of the victor, these are called displaced persons as well.
And as I was out driving between garage sales on Saturday, I saw a different kind of displaced persons - those forced out of their homes.....
I was down in the Federal Way area, headed towards Des Moines and even I, unobservant as I am, started subconsciously counting empty houses. There were lots of them, at least one for every city block, sometimes as many as three.
As I neared Des Moines, there was an entire family sitting by the road surrounded by a sea of garbage bags and a few items of furniture. A mother, three kids and two pets. Really obviously the now vacant house behind them used to be their home. Unlike so many of the "homeless" in this area - I am willing to believe that they really are. Unfortunately, I had nothing on me (much less in my bank account! with which to help them, grrrrr!).
Back home, I saw one of the neighborhood college students sitting by the road going through a pile of stuff. Her school books it looked like. Later she was gone and the books with her but the rest of her belongings I guess there was no place for or too heavy to carry away.
And I look at my new church, whom unfortunately decided to expand a few years ago, heavily indebting themselves. Now that the economy is in shambles they are unable to even meet the commitment they made to their own missionaries they have sent out - much less attempt to help with the needs of the community! So, now they are faced with scratching and begging to meet mortgage payments - while another chance for witness within the community goes begging. (Churches really should not be in debt!)
Yeah, no different with me for that matter. I invested foolishly, lost everything and now am unable to help those I see so much in need of not only material needs but spiritual and emotional as well - much less help with the needs of my children. My church has lost its ministry opportunity and I am scoring in the same ball park..... But, at least I can pray that the Lord will bring those people the resources they need and that they will know it comes from Him.
Lots of opportunities for witness, to those wiser than me it seems.
A Friend In Need .....
Yesterday I was discussing with some friends that I just do not understand this lull in my life. I have never had this much time on my hands and at the same time, so many demands upon my time and counsel. Make NO mistake I am not a counselor, I am a guy with a 40 year background in computer operating systems - I fix things and interpersonal skills were never much of a valuable trait. And yet, this seems to be what I am to use constantly with kids in my life, people in my church, family, friends almost without end! Not complaining, just observing.
Then came tonight when I returned home to find a message on my recorder, a call for help from the wife of my first friend in America. I should also say he was one of my extremely few friends all of the way through high school! Both of them are very gentle people, Christians, raised three girls and by our societies standards are failures. But then I look at the successful raising of their girls and their knowledge of God. That is success. But, it seems that he has given up and is now making poor decisions with are affecting everyone around him. At one point even endangering a grandson. So I called! Talk about being caught left footed!
What can anyone do in such an instance? Prayer, a tremendous amount of prayer is required and I am earnestly praying you will be praying for God to reveal the problem (is it a medical question, spiritual, emotional, mid-life weirdness, what?!), provide the healing and use the victory over what ever is behind this!
Please do.....
Then came tonight when I returned home to find a message on my recorder, a call for help from the wife of my first friend in America. I should also say he was one of my extremely few friends all of the way through high school! Both of them are very gentle people, Christians, raised three girls and by our societies standards are failures. But then I look at the successful raising of their girls and their knowledge of God. That is success. But, it seems that he has given up and is now making poor decisions with are affecting everyone around him. At one point even endangering a grandson. So I called! Talk about being caught left footed!
What can anyone do in such an instance? Prayer, a tremendous amount of prayer is required and I am earnestly praying you will be praying for God to reveal the problem (is it a medical question, spiritual, emotional, mid-life weirdness, what?!), provide the healing and use the victory over what ever is behind this!
Please do.....
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Surfing The Web
Surfing the web can be very interesting. You get to see life through the eyes of people all over the world and discover they are just like you - maybe even more interesting. You get to see sites, sometimes even sounds, to add to the rich scenery available via the internet. I love learning and so I surf.
Sometimes I have stumbled across the sites of people in my church at the time, sometimes those visits can make you view your church-mates with a whole other perspective! I have even met people years later whose photos I saw in some blog! That is usually humorous as I never forget a face - places and names I am a little more shaky on!
Sometimes I have stumbled over the blogs of kids in my youth groups - usually to my shock - as in general kids these days are not what they appear. Even the nicest of them uses language a sailor would blush over! Three of mine included in that regard.
And last night I stumbled across the blog of my youngest daughter. Mind you she is blonde in the classic sense of being clueless, very studious and a dreamer much like me. But her postings left me quite in thought.
She never says much about her past life in Russia. She was very young when her mother died and she was given to the orphanage. I have often wondered what she remembers or feels about that time in her life....
And here were her words, revealing her soulful sense of loss of her mother, the loss she suffered when her sister went crazy and stormed out of our house six years ago. How she longs for a real friend - a real soul mate.
In one regard it leaves me feeling frustrated. I am not a woman, I can not really play that role in her life. And I wished I could fulfill her heart's longings - but that is not my role. I am just the dad.
Sigh.....
Sometimes I have stumbled across the sites of people in my church at the time, sometimes those visits can make you view your church-mates with a whole other perspective! I have even met people years later whose photos I saw in some blog! That is usually humorous as I never forget a face - places and names I am a little more shaky on!
Sometimes I have stumbled over the blogs of kids in my youth groups - usually to my shock - as in general kids these days are not what they appear. Even the nicest of them uses language a sailor would blush over! Three of mine included in that regard.
And last night I stumbled across the blog of my youngest daughter. Mind you she is blonde in the classic sense of being clueless, very studious and a dreamer much like me. But her postings left me quite in thought.
She never says much about her past life in Russia. She was very young when her mother died and she was given to the orphanage. I have often wondered what she remembers or feels about that time in her life....
And here were her words, revealing her soulful sense of loss of her mother, the loss she suffered when her sister went crazy and stormed out of our house six years ago. How she longs for a real friend - a real soul mate.
In one regard it leaves me feeling frustrated. I am not a woman, I can not really play that role in her life. And I wished I could fulfill her heart's longings - but that is not my role. I am just the dad.
Sigh.....
Friday, July 15, 2011
I'm A Super Hero?
Your results:
You are Magneto
Click here to take the Supervillain Personality Quiz
You are Magneto
| You fear the persecution of those that are different or underprivileged so much that you are willing to fight and hurt others for your cause. |
Click here to take the Supervillain Personality Quiz
Rats! I Missed A Few!
You know the Bible 95%!
Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!
Ultimate Bible Quiz
Take More Quizzes
Ultimate Bible Quiz
Take More Quizzes
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Been Eight Days
I have to tell you that this head injury really sucks!
It has been eight days and though I am light years better than even last Friday, I am really getting tired of not having much control over my left side and this constant headache/head pain!
But, on the plus side, just typing this much took over two hours last week. Yeah.
And poor Middle Daughter was attacked by a wild cat last night. Yeah, pretty well chewed. So she is on a great many antibiotics and bandaged up. Sigh.
Please keep me, MD and healing in your prayers.....
It has been eight days and though I am light years better than even last Friday, I am really getting tired of not having much control over my left side and this constant headache/head pain!
But, on the plus side, just typing this much took over two hours last week. Yeah.
And poor Middle Daughter was attacked by a wild cat last night. Yeah, pretty well chewed. So she is on a great many antibiotics and bandaged up. Sigh.
Please keep me, MD and healing in your prayers.....
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Science Overtaking Sci-Fi
still in a world of hurt and having trouble typing.
one of my aunts sent me this link and if you have any science bent - you will be amazed.....
YouTube - 3D Printer
one of my aunts sent me this link and if you have any science bent - you will be amazed.....
YouTube - 3D Printer
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The Fourth Stooge
I realize that in reality there were six members of the "Three Stooges", but going with the theme of there being three at any given time - I am the fourth.
I loved the Three Stooges as a child. Unless you were foreign educated, like me, you would not know that the Three Stooges are used quite a bit overseas in teaching English! Didn't know that did you?
Quite a long time ago, I managed to get a year long gig with Safeco redeveloping how their IT department does business. A very unique place...... About a block away I found a little bagel shop and everyday I would walk over for a bagel and tea - getting to know the owner well. Now she had all of these Three Stooges posters all over the wall and in fact cut her hair to match Moe's. Hmmmm?
So, one day I am the only one in there and I ask her about it and learned that she was Moe's grand-daughter! Given my love of Stooges, we became great friends, at least until Moe's estate was finally settled and she disappeared faster than one of my daughter's with a twenty in her pocket! Never have found her since and I still count the loss of her friendship as a real loss.
So, why am I the Fourth Stooge? Because Tuesday I managed to lock myself out of the house, so I had to break in. No real problem in that, I openned up the bath window, put a small ladder under the sill so no damage would come to Kris and viola I am in!
Well, that was the plan anyway.
Seems the window had to slam down just as I was sticking my head in and in guillotine fashion I was rendered unconscious - hanging from my head that is..... The first thought through my brain, once I had come to, was how like the Three Stooges this situation was.
Net result, loss of vision for several hours, a massive bump across the bean and a headache from hell for days now. Luckily, no signs of internal bleeding or concussion. Must have gotten the Premium Quality German hard head!
So currently can't walk far, can't use left hand and thinking is even painful!
Sigh, long live the King of Klutz......
I loved the Three Stooges as a child. Unless you were foreign educated, like me, you would not know that the Three Stooges are used quite a bit overseas in teaching English! Didn't know that did you?
Quite a long time ago, I managed to get a year long gig with Safeco redeveloping how their IT department does business. A very unique place...... About a block away I found a little bagel shop and everyday I would walk over for a bagel and tea - getting to know the owner well. Now she had all of these Three Stooges posters all over the wall and in fact cut her hair to match Moe's. Hmmmm?
So, one day I am the only one in there and I ask her about it and learned that she was Moe's grand-daughter! Given my love of Stooges, we became great friends, at least until Moe's estate was finally settled and she disappeared faster than one of my daughter's with a twenty in her pocket! Never have found her since and I still count the loss of her friendship as a real loss.
So, why am I the Fourth Stooge? Because Tuesday I managed to lock myself out of the house, so I had to break in. No real problem in that, I openned up the bath window, put a small ladder under the sill so no damage would come to Kris and viola I am in!
Well, that was the plan anyway.
Seems the window had to slam down just as I was sticking my head in and in guillotine fashion I was rendered unconscious - hanging from my head that is..... The first thought through my brain, once I had come to, was how like the Three Stooges this situation was.
Net result, loss of vision for several hours, a massive bump across the bean and a headache from hell for days now. Luckily, no signs of internal bleeding or concussion. Must have gotten the Premium Quality German hard head!
So currently can't walk far, can't use left hand and thinking is even painful!
Sigh, long live the King of Klutz......
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Hollywood Squares Humor
From the Original Hollywood Squares TV Show ... these great questions and answers are from the days when game show responses were spontaneous and clever, not scripted and dull as they became. Peter Marshall was the host asking the questions:
Q: Do female frogs croak?
A: Paul Lynde: If you hold their little heads under water long enough.
Q: If you're going to make a parachute jump, you should be at least how high?
A: Charley Weaver: Three days of steady drinking should do it.
Q: True or false...a pea can last as long as 5,000 years.
A: George Gobel: Boy, it sure seems that way sometimes.
Q: You've been having trouble going to sleep. Are you probably a man or a woman?
A: Don Knotts: That's what's been keeping me awake.
Q: According to Cosmo, if you meet a stranger at a party and you think he's really attractive, is it okay to come out directly and ask him if he's married?
A: Rose Marie: No, wait until morning.
Q: Which of your five senses tends to diminish as you get older?
A: Charley Weaver: My sense of decency.
Q: In Hawaiian, does it take more than three words to say "I love you"?
A: Vincent Price: No, you can say it with a pineapple and a twenty.
Q: What are "Do It," "I Can Help" and "Can't Get Enough"?
A: George Gobel: I don't know, but it's coming from the apartment next door.
Q: As you grow older, do you tend to gesture more or less with your hands while you are talking?
A: Rose Marie: You ask me one more growing older question, Peter, and I'll give you a gesture you'll never forget!
Q: Paul, why do Hell's Angels wear leather?
A: Paul Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles too easily.
Q: Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going to get any during your first year?
A: Charley Weaver: Of course not, Peter. I'm too busy growing strawberries!
Q: In bowling, what's a perfect score?
A: Rose Marie: Ralph, the pin boy.
Q: It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps. One is politics. What is the other?
A: Paul Lynde: Tape measures.
Q: During a tornado, are you safer in the bedroom or in the closet?
A: Rose Marie: Unfortunately, Peter, I'm ALWAYS safe in the bedroom.
Q: Can boys join the Camp Fire Girls?
A: Marty Allen: Only after lights out.
Q: If you were pregnant for two years, what would you give birth to?
A: Paul Lynde: Whatever it is, it would never be afraid of the dark.
Q: According to Ann Landers, is their anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people?
A: Charley Weaver: It got me out of the army!
Q: While visiting China, your tour guide starts shouting, "Poo! Poo! Poo!" What does that mean?
A: George Gobel: Cattle crossing.
Q: It is the most abused and neglected part of your body -- what is it?
A: Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused, but it certainly isn't neglected!
Q: Charley, what do you call a pig that weighs more than 150 pounds?
A: Charley Weaver: A divorcee.
Q: Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do?
A: George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.
Q: Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife or your elephant?
A: Paul Lynde: Who told you about my elephant?
Q: When a couple have a baby, who is responsible for its sex?
A: Charley Weaver: I'll lend him the car. The rest is up to him.
Q: Jackie Gleason recently revealed that he firmly believes in them and has actually seen them on at least two occasions. What are they?
A: Charley Weaver: His feet.
AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE -
Q: When you pat a dog on its head he will usually wag his tail. What will a goose do?
A: Paul Lynde: Make him bark.
Q: Do female frogs croak?
A: Paul Lynde: If you hold their little heads under water long enough.
Q: If you're going to make a parachute jump, you should be at least how high?
A: Charley Weaver: Three days of steady drinking should do it.
Q: True or false...a pea can last as long as 5,000 years.
A: George Gobel: Boy, it sure seems that way sometimes.
Q: You've been having trouble going to sleep. Are you probably a man or a woman?
A: Don Knotts: That's what's been keeping me awake.
Q: According to Cosmo, if you meet a stranger at a party and you think he's really attractive, is it okay to come out directly and ask him if he's married?
A: Rose Marie: No, wait until morning.
Q: Which of your five senses tends to diminish as you get older?
A: Charley Weaver: My sense of decency.
Q: In Hawaiian, does it take more than three words to say "I love you"?
A: Vincent Price: No, you can say it with a pineapple and a twenty.
Q: What are "Do It," "I Can Help" and "Can't Get Enough"?
A: George Gobel: I don't know, but it's coming from the apartment next door.
Q: As you grow older, do you tend to gesture more or less with your hands while you are talking?
A: Rose Marie: You ask me one more growing older question, Peter, and I'll give you a gesture you'll never forget!
Q: Paul, why do Hell's Angels wear leather?
A: Paul Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles too easily.
Q: Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going to get any during your first year?
A: Charley Weaver: Of course not, Peter. I'm too busy growing strawberries!
Q: In bowling, what's a perfect score?
A: Rose Marie: Ralph, the pin boy.
Q: It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps. One is politics. What is the other?
A: Paul Lynde: Tape measures.
Q: During a tornado, are you safer in the bedroom or in the closet?
A: Rose Marie: Unfortunately, Peter, I'm ALWAYS safe in the bedroom.
Q: Can boys join the Camp Fire Girls?
A: Marty Allen: Only after lights out.
Q: If you were pregnant for two years, what would you give birth to?
A: Paul Lynde: Whatever it is, it would never be afraid of the dark.
Q: According to Ann Landers, is their anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people?
A: Charley Weaver: It got me out of the army!
Q: While visiting China, your tour guide starts shouting, "Poo! Poo! Poo!" What does that mean?
A: George Gobel: Cattle crossing.
Q: It is the most abused and neglected part of your body -- what is it?
A: Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused, but it certainly isn't neglected!
Q: Charley, what do you call a pig that weighs more than 150 pounds?
A: Charley Weaver: A divorcee.
Q: Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do?
A: George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.
Q: Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife or your elephant?
A: Paul Lynde: Who told you about my elephant?
Q: When a couple have a baby, who is responsible for its sex?
A: Charley Weaver: I'll lend him the car. The rest is up to him.
Q: Jackie Gleason recently revealed that he firmly believes in them and has actually seen them on at least two occasions. What are they?
A: Charley Weaver: His feet.
AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE -
Q: When you pat a dog on its head he will usually wag his tail. What will a goose do?
A: Paul Lynde: Make him bark.
Happy Fourth!
About 40 more minutes to fireworks here, should my eyes remain open.
Been a very quiet day with all children off doing their own things this year. Well, almost, I have grand-daughter number two and she is quite a handful. Almost 1 now very much not impressed with the fact I am not a girl! Thank heavens youngest daughter just walked in and no more wailing.....
Been a very quiet day with all children off doing their own things this year. Well, almost, I have grand-daughter number two and she is quite a handful. Almost 1 now very much not impressed with the fact I am not a girl! Thank heavens youngest daughter just walked in and no more wailing.....
Monday, July 4, 2011
My 5th Child.....
So, went to brush my teeth this morning and there was this strange burning in my bare feet. I look down to a spreading sea of blood on the linoleum.
After I got my feet washed up, bactine sprayed and bandaged - I went to find out what on earth had slashed my feet. It took a while but eventually I was able to find three very sharp pieces of clear plastic in the hall carpeting. It did not take long to identify that the plastic came from a cover off of one of my son's bic razors. So whom was responsible?
"Not me Papa!"
That same darn child of mine whom has committed so many errors in judgement throughout my years as a parent!
But, this darn rascal of mine also managed to break the weed whacker, the lawn mower, crippled the dog, lose the screen out of the bathroom window, then leave the bathroom window open for lord knows how many days - but did close the curtain, then left the studio open - thru which the cat escaped - but it came back (darn it!) and all during the past week and then lost my little penny collection!
Certainly this puppy is going to go down, if and when I find them, but alas! that 5th child is darn elusive and just never around to punish.
Sigh.....
After I got my feet washed up, bactine sprayed and bandaged - I went to find out what on earth had slashed my feet. It took a while but eventually I was able to find three very sharp pieces of clear plastic in the hall carpeting. It did not take long to identify that the plastic came from a cover off of one of my son's bic razors. So whom was responsible?
"Not me Papa!"
That same darn child of mine whom has committed so many errors in judgement throughout my years as a parent!
But, this darn rascal of mine also managed to break the weed whacker, the lawn mower, crippled the dog, lose the screen out of the bathroom window, then leave the bathroom window open for lord knows how many days - but did close the curtain, then left the studio open - thru which the cat escaped - but it came back (darn it!) and all during the past week and then lost my little penny collection!
Certainly this puppy is going to go down, if and when I find them, but alas! that 5th child is darn elusive and just never around to punish.
Sigh.....
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Musical Saturday Morning
I will be the first to admit I am a romantic and I loved this film when I first viewed it (though disappointed in where the movie went!). It was my first VHS video purchase ($80 !) and I still have to find it on DVD! I suppose the merging of technology, a nerd and an interesting situation appealed to me!
And, it proves that even a total reprobate such as Boy George can get a song even I will listen to.
So, from Electric Dreams, Love is Love - with a little help from Edgar....
And, it proves that even a total reprobate such as Boy George can get a song even I will listen to.
So, from Electric Dreams, Love is Love - with a little help from Edgar....
The American Church 2010
Change usually happens slowly in the Church. But a review of the past year's research conducted by the Barna Group provides a time-lapse portrayal of how the religious environment in the U.S. is morphing into something new.
Analyzing insights drawn from more than 5,000 non-proprietary interviews conducted over the past 11 months, George Barna indicated that the following patterns were evident in the survey findings.
Analyzing insights drawn from more than 5,000 non-proprietary interviews conducted over the past 11 months, George Barna indicated that the following patterns were evident in the survey findings.
1. The Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate.
What used to be basic, universally-known truths about Christianity are now unknown mysteries to a large and growing share of Americans--especially young adults. For instance, Barna Group studies in 2010 showed that while most people regard Easter as a religious holiday, only a minority of adults associate Easter with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Other examples include the finding that few adults believe that their faith is meant to be the focal point of their life or to be integrated into every aspect of their existence. Further, a growing majority believe the Holy Spirit is a symbol of God's presence or power, but not a living entity. As the two younger generations (Busters and Mosaics) ascend to numerical and positional supremacy in churches across the nation, the data suggest that biblical literacy is likely to decline significantly. The theological free-for-all that is encroaching in Protestant churches nationwide suggests the coming decade will be a time of unparalleled theological diversity and inconsistency.
What used to be basic, universally-known truths about Christianity are now unknown mysteries to a large and growing share of Americans--especially young adults. For instance, Barna Group studies in 2010 showed that while most people regard Easter as a religious holiday, only a minority of adults associate Easter with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Other examples include the finding that few adults believe that their faith is meant to be the focal point of their life or to be integrated into every aspect of their existence. Further, a growing majority believe the Holy Spirit is a symbol of God's presence or power, but not a living entity. As the two younger generations (Busters and Mosaics) ascend to numerical and positional supremacy in churches across the nation, the data suggest that biblical literacy is likely to decline significantly. The theological free-for-all that is encroaching in Protestant churches nationwide suggests the coming decade will be a time of unparalleled theological diversity and inconsistency.
2. Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented.
Despite technological advances that make communications instant and far-reaching, Christians are becoming more spiritually isolated from non-Christians than was true a decade ago. Examples of this tendency include the fact that less than one-third of born again Christians planned to invite anyone to join them at a church event during the Easter season; teenagers are less inclined to discuss Christianity with their friends than was true in the past; most of the people who become Christians these days do so in response to a personal crisis or the fear of death (particularly among older Americans); and most Americans are unimpressed with the contributions Christians and churches have made to society over the past few years. As young adults have children, the prospect of them seeking a Christian church is diminishing--especially given the absence of faith talk in their conversations with the people they most trust. With atheists becoming more strategic in championing their godless worldview, as well as the increased religious plurality driven by education and immigration, the increasing reticence of Christians to engage in faith-oriented conversations assumes heightened significance.
Despite technological advances that make communications instant and far-reaching, Christians are becoming more spiritually isolated from non-Christians than was true a decade ago. Examples of this tendency include the fact that less than one-third of born again Christians planned to invite anyone to join them at a church event during the Easter season; teenagers are less inclined to discuss Christianity with their friends than was true in the past; most of the people who become Christians these days do so in response to a personal crisis or the fear of death (particularly among older Americans); and most Americans are unimpressed with the contributions Christians and churches have made to society over the past few years. As young adults have children, the prospect of them seeking a Christian church is diminishing--especially given the absence of faith talk in their conversations with the people they most trust. With atheists becoming more strategic in championing their godless worldview, as well as the increased religious plurality driven by education and immigration, the increasing reticence of Christians to engage in faith-oriented conversations assumes heightened significance.
3. Growing numbers of people are less interested in spiritual principles and more desirous of learning pragmatic solutions for life.
When asked what matters most, teenagers prioritize education, career development, friendships, and travel. Faith is significant to them, but it takes a back seat to life accomplishments and is not necessarily perceived to affect their ability to achieve their dreams. Among adults the areas of growing importance are lifestyle comfort, success, and personal achievements. Those dimensions have risen at the expense of investment in both faith and family. The turbo-charged pace of society leaves people with little time for reflection. The deeper thinking that occurs typically relates to economic concerns or relational pressures. Spiritual practices like contemplation, solitude, silence, and simplicity are rare. (It is ironic that more than four out of five adults claim to live a simple life.) Practical to a fault, Americans consider survival in the present to be much more significant than eternal security and spiritual possibilities. Because we continue to separate our spirituality from other dimensions of life through compartmentalization, a relatively superficial approach to faith has become a central means of optimizing our life experience.
When asked what matters most, teenagers prioritize education, career development, friendships, and travel. Faith is significant to them, but it takes a back seat to life accomplishments and is not necessarily perceived to affect their ability to achieve their dreams. Among adults the areas of growing importance are lifestyle comfort, success, and personal achievements. Those dimensions have risen at the expense of investment in both faith and family. The turbo-charged pace of society leaves people with little time for reflection. The deeper thinking that occurs typically relates to economic concerns or relational pressures. Spiritual practices like contemplation, solitude, silence, and simplicity are rare. (It is ironic that more than four out of five adults claim to live a simple life.) Practical to a fault, Americans consider survival in the present to be much more significant than eternal security and spiritual possibilities. Because we continue to separate our spirituality from other dimensions of life through compartmentalization, a relatively superficial approach to faith has become a central means of optimizing our life experience.
4. Among Christians, interest in participating in community action is escalating.
Largely driven by the passion and energy of young adults, Christians are more open to and more involved in community service activities than has been true in the recent past. While we remain more self-indulgent than self-sacrificing, the expanded focus on justice and service has struck a chord with many. However, despite the increased emphasis, churches run the risk of watching congregants’ engagement wane unless they embrace a strong spiritual basis for such service. Simply doing good works because it's the socially esteemed choice of the moment will not produce much staying power.
To facilitate service as a long-term way of living and to provide people with the intrinsic joy of blessing others, churches have a window of opportunity to support such action with biblical perspective. And the more that churches and believers can be recognized as people doing good deeds out of genuine love and compassion, the more appealing the Christian life will be to those who are on the sidelines watching. Showing that community action as a viable alternative to government programs is another means of introducing the value of the Christian faith in society.
Largely driven by the passion and energy of young adults, Christians are more open to and more involved in community service activities than has been true in the recent past. While we remain more self-indulgent than self-sacrificing, the expanded focus on justice and service has struck a chord with many. However, despite the increased emphasis, churches run the risk of watching congregants’ engagement wane unless they embrace a strong spiritual basis for such service. Simply doing good works because it's the socially esteemed choice of the moment will not produce much staying power.
To facilitate service as a long-term way of living and to provide people with the intrinsic joy of blessing others, churches have a window of opportunity to support such action with biblical perspective. And the more that churches and believers can be recognized as people doing good deeds out of genuine love and compassion, the more appealing the Christian life will be to those who are on the sidelines watching. Showing that community action as a viable alternative to government programs is another means of introducing the value of the Christian faith in society.
5. The postmodern insistence on tolerance is winning over the Christian Church.
Our biblical illiteracy and lack of spiritual confidence has caused Americans to avoid making discerning choices for fear of being labeled judgmental. The result is a Church that has become tolerant of a vast array of morally and spiritually dubious behaviors and philosophies. This increased leniency is made possible by the very limited accountability that occurs within the body of Christ. There are fewer and fewer issues that Christians believe churches should be dogmatic about. The idea of love has been redefined to mean the absence of conflict and confrontation, as if there are no moral absolutes that are worth fighting for. That may not be surprising in a Church in which a minority believes there are moral absolutes dictated by the scriptures.
The challenge today is for Christian leaders to achieve the delicate balance between representing truth and acting in love. The challenge for every Christian in the U.S. is to know his/her faith well enough to understand which fights are worth fighting, and which stands are non-negotiable. There is a place for tolerance in Christianity; knowing when and where to draw the line appears to perplex a growing proportion of Christians in this age of tolerance.
Our biblical illiteracy and lack of spiritual confidence has caused Americans to avoid making discerning choices for fear of being labeled judgmental. The result is a Church that has become tolerant of a vast array of morally and spiritually dubious behaviors and philosophies. This increased leniency is made possible by the very limited accountability that occurs within the body of Christ. There are fewer and fewer issues that Christians believe churches should be dogmatic about. The idea of love has been redefined to mean the absence of conflict and confrontation, as if there are no moral absolutes that are worth fighting for. That may not be surprising in a Church in which a minority believes there are moral absolutes dictated by the scriptures.
The challenge today is for Christian leaders to achieve the delicate balance between representing truth and acting in love. The challenge for every Christian in the U.S. is to know his/her faith well enough to understand which fights are worth fighting, and which stands are non-negotiable. There is a place for tolerance in Christianity; knowing when and where to draw the line appears to perplex a growing proportion of Christians in this age of tolerance.
6. The influence of Christianity on culture and individual lives is largely invisible.
Christianity has arguably added more value to American culture than any other religion, philosophy, ideology or community. Yet, contemporary Americans are hard pressed to identify any specific value added. Partly due to the nature of today’s media, they have no problem identifying the faults of the churches and Christian people.
In a period of history where image is reality, and life-changing decisions are made on the basis of such images, the Christian Church is in desperate need of a more positive and accessible image. The primary obstacle is not the substance of the principles on which Christianity is based, and therefore the solution is not solely providing an increase in preaching or public relations. The most influential aspect of Christianity in America is how believers do--or do not--implement their faith in public and private. American culture is driven by the snap judgments and decisions that people make amidst busy schedules and incomplete information. With little time or energy available for or devoted to research and reflection, it is people’s observations of the integration of a believer’s faith into how he/she responds to life’s opportunities and challenges that most substantially shape people’s impressions of and interest in Christianity. Jesus frequently spoke about the importance of the fruit that emerges from a Christian life; these days the pace of life and avalanche of competing ideas underscores the significance of visible spiritual fruit as a source of cultural influence.
With the likelihood of an accelerating pace of life and increasingly incomplete cues being given to the population, Christian leaders would do well to revisit their criteria for "success" and the measures used to assess it. In a society in which choice is king, there are no absolutes, every individual is a free agent, we are taught to be self-reliant and independent, and Christianity is no longer the automatic, default faith of young adults, new ways of relating to Americans and exposing the heart and soul of the Christian faith are required.
About the Research
This summary is based upon a series of national research studies conducted in the Barna Poll by the Barna Group throughout 2010. Each study was conducted via telephone interviews with a random sample of adults selected from across the continental United States, age 18 and older. With one exception, each study included a minimum of 1,000 adults; the exceptions were one study among 400 adults, and one among 603 adults. Each survey included a proportional number of interviews among people using cell phones. The data set for each study was subjected to minimal statistical weighting to calibrate the aggregate sample to known population percentages in relation to several key demographic variables.
Mosaics are individuals born between 1984 and 2002. Baby Busters are individuals born between 1965 and 1983.
Barna Group (which includes its research division, the Barna Research Group) is a private, non-partisan, for-profit organization that conducts primary research, produces media resources pertaining to spiritual development, and facilitates the healthy spiritual growth of leaders, children, families and Christian ministries. Located in Ventura, California, Barna has been conducting and analyzing primary research to understand cultural trends related to values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors since 1984.
If you would like to receive free e-mail notification of the release of each new, bi-monthly update on the latest research findings from the Barna Group, you may subscribe to this free service at the Barna website (www.barna.org). Additional research-based resources are also available through this website.
Christianity has arguably added more value to American culture than any other religion, philosophy, ideology or community. Yet, contemporary Americans are hard pressed to identify any specific value added. Partly due to the nature of today’s media, they have no problem identifying the faults of the churches and Christian people.
In a period of history where image is reality, and life-changing decisions are made on the basis of such images, the Christian Church is in desperate need of a more positive and accessible image. The primary obstacle is not the substance of the principles on which Christianity is based, and therefore the solution is not solely providing an increase in preaching or public relations. The most influential aspect of Christianity in America is how believers do--or do not--implement their faith in public and private. American culture is driven by the snap judgments and decisions that people make amidst busy schedules and incomplete information. With little time or energy available for or devoted to research and reflection, it is people’s observations of the integration of a believer’s faith into how he/she responds to life’s opportunities and challenges that most substantially shape people’s impressions of and interest in Christianity. Jesus frequently spoke about the importance of the fruit that emerges from a Christian life; these days the pace of life and avalanche of competing ideas underscores the significance of visible spiritual fruit as a source of cultural influence.
With the likelihood of an accelerating pace of life and increasingly incomplete cues being given to the population, Christian leaders would do well to revisit their criteria for "success" and the measures used to assess it. In a society in which choice is king, there are no absolutes, every individual is a free agent, we are taught to be self-reliant and independent, and Christianity is no longer the automatic, default faith of young adults, new ways of relating to Americans and exposing the heart and soul of the Christian faith are required.
About the Research
This summary is based upon a series of national research studies conducted in the Barna Poll by the Barna Group throughout 2010. Each study was conducted via telephone interviews with a random sample of adults selected from across the continental United States, age 18 and older. With one exception, each study included a minimum of 1,000 adults; the exceptions were one study among 400 adults, and one among 603 adults. Each survey included a proportional number of interviews among people using cell phones. The data set for each study was subjected to minimal statistical weighting to calibrate the aggregate sample to known population percentages in relation to several key demographic variables.
Mosaics are individuals born between 1984 and 2002. Baby Busters are individuals born between 1965 and 1983.
Barna Group (which includes its research division, the Barna Research Group) is a private, non-partisan, for-profit organization that conducts primary research, produces media resources pertaining to spiritual development, and facilitates the healthy spiritual growth of leaders, children, families and Christian ministries. Located in Ventura, California, Barna has been conducting and analyzing primary research to understand cultural trends related to values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors since 1984.
If you would like to receive free e-mail notification of the release of each new, bi-monthly update on the latest research findings from the Barna Group, you may subscribe to this free service at the Barna website (www.barna.org). Additional research-based resources are also available through this website.
© Barna Group 2010.
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