Quote of the Week 11/27

The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.

H. U. Westermayer

8-2

I admit that I am somewhat of a homer when it comes to my favorite sports teams. Growing up in the Northwest this means I have always rooted for the Seahawks. I admit that there were some very, VERY bad teams.

I rooted for Jim Zorn and Steve Largent. I was excited by then subsequently disappointed in "The BOZ". I remember cleaning the garage and listening to the AFC championship game against Miami.

It seems like the DOWNs have always outnumbered the UPs.

This year may be different. I know last week they barely beat a horrible San Francisco team but the thing is that is a game they would have found a way to lose in years past. Still I'm waiting for the collapse. It could come as soon as this weekend or Christmas Eve (or could this be a preview of SB XL). I find myself starting to think, "what if..."

The next couple of months will tell.

Quote of the Week 11/20

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what"

Harper Lee: To Kill A Mockingbird.

Ephesians 4:6

I have been thinking allot about Ephesians 6:4 lately.

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 NKJV

Specifically how it relates to discipline. Discipline, in my opinion, in order to be effective should evoke a strong emotion. If a child enjoys sitting in the corner then that may not be the best consequence for back talking. If a child likes eating mustard from the bottle then a teaspoon of it is not much deterrence for bad language.

So, how do I as a father be an effective disciplinarian while not provoking anger?

First, I will say this; I know where the debate in my head comes from. I hate disciplining my children. It rips my heart out every time. I know, however, that it is necessary.

…bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4b

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6 NIV

Because I dislike disciplining my children I am a prime target for the enemy to plant seeds to keep me from doing it. While in the moment of discipline I hear the voices of the past that questioned my qualifications to be a parent. I also hear this verse with the following commentary, "look how angry Noah(or Kaara) is. I thought you weren’t supposed to provoke him (her) to anger. I guess you are a bad parent." My temptation is not to discipline.

Something I noticed when I was involved with student ministries and driving school bus is that there were many kids who were angry. I look around our society and this is not limited to just kids. Also, we are, in general, undisciplined as a society.

I can’t even communicate how much I love my children. Because of that love I will continue to discipline. I will also not cultivate a lifestyle of anger. After the discipline is over we work it out.

"In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV

I do not pretend to have this all figured out. I just hope that God will give me the wisdom to raise my children in the way He would have them raised.

Quote of the Week 10/13

If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.

David Livingstone Scottish missionary and explorer, 1813-1874

Veteran's Day

While I am proud of my military service I am a little uncomfortable being recognized on veterans day since my time in the Navy was during peace time. I was awarded a National Defense Medal for Operation Desert Storm but I was in Bremerton, WA at the time; not exactly the front. On the other hand my Grandpa Best was a Gunner's Mate aboard a Liberty Ship during WW2, my father was in the 1st Signal Corp during the Vietnam War and My sister, Kindra, and her husband are currently serving their second tour of duty in Iraq with the 3rd Armored Cavalry.

I don't feel inferior to them since the defense of this country has always been a dangerous business and I had no control of the world situation. I suppose had I not been young and invincible while making patrols in the Atlantic I would have been more aware of the danger.

I do feel that those who serve during war, however, deserve extra thanks. Their sacrifices (in my opinion) are greater. They can never un-remember the memories. Their lost comrades can never be brought back. They are deserving of gratitude for their service, service that often doesn't end when they are discharged.

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. Exodus 15:2-3

Quote of the Week 11/6

It is impossible to concieve of this immense and wonderful universe as the result of blind chance or necessity.

Charles Darwin

Quote of the Week 10/30

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be."

Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy