...too small a thing...

Do You Agree with Harrison Butker?

I Will be honest I did not even know who this guy is. Maybe you do not either. But he has caused a stir among a lot of people. But I will now go on the record. I think
I agree with him. Who is he? And what has he done? Well he was he kicker for GA Tech, but I am a Dog fan and so I did not take notice of him there. Then on to the NFL and he is the kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs. (They won the Super Bowl last Season) So he is a well know athlete, But last week he was the speaker at the commencement speaker at Benedictine  University a Catholic  School where he made some controversial comments.   

In his 20-minute address, Butker denounced abortion rights, Pride Month, COVID-19 lockdowns and "the tyranny of diversity, equity and inclusion" at the Catholic liberal arts college in Atchison, Kanas.

But more have taken exception to his comments to women. Her is a quote from the speech.

"I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. How many of you are sitting here now about to cross the stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you're going to get in your career?" he asked. "Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world. But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”

This is a pro family stance. I do not think this was degrading to women in any way. But from my thoughts the reality is at 68 years old we do look back and see that FAMILY is what is far more important than   promotions and titles. Our relationships in our families are so important. Just my opinion, Mine doesn't  matter much. But a couple of hundred thousand think Harrison should be fired from the NFL for his. I agree with Harrison. 

The Details of What you Believe

We are very complicated beings ... Sometimes. You have herd the term to "overthink" something. We sometimes might say "my mind is spinning." What would we mean by that? Drugs? Maybe, but too often we get many issues, complications of life, problems and things that worry us on our minds and this can lead to being overwhelmed by life. All of us have ways we try to deal with these troubled times that seem to take over our brains. We might listen to music, exercise, eat, drink, drive, watch TV, or find someone to talk to about our problems. Using our past experiences we try to deal with present crisis. While this is necessary for many of life's issues it is not ever going to completely set our minds at ease. 

For example, if our house is a mess, past experience tells us we can feel better if we work to clean it up. If we do not have enough money we need to work harder and spend less to try to get ahead. If we are dirty and smelly from work or any other reason we need to bathe. If we are hungry we need to eat. If our feelings are hurt maybe we need to cry. This is the world we live in with all of it's issues. WE might have different reactions for problems, but we will live with doing what we believe is the best thing to do in any situation. All of this is learned. 

But deep inside our brain is a gnawing by thoughts about life. This persistent idea that wants to deal with problems, thoughts, morals, and emotions. We feel a certain way about things and want to know what is true and false in life. We want to trust others, but are hesitant sometimes. We seek love and want to give love to others, but do we, can we? Can we without a proper framework of the details of what we believe.

My point in this winding path of thought, is that it will lead us deep into our heart of hearts to ultimately examine what are the details of what we believe? You can believe whatever you want. You can believe in superstition. You can believe in people from outer space. You can believe in politics. You can believe cats turn into dogs when they grow up. We all know people who have believed a lie. They have been fooled by a smooth talker who sold them something. They believed a friend or loved one who was lying through their teeth and yet they really did believe them. 

So, do you know the details of what you believe about the most important issues in life? Can you state them plainly for others? This might help you along the road of life if you did. Here are five questions that if you really know what you believe and settle it in your brain you might not have as many troubles as you think. But in truth I guess that really depends on what you believe about these 5 questions. Well, here they are. Give it some thought, you might want to write down your answers. It is that important.

1. Do you believe there is a Creator of all things?
2. Do you believe the Bible is true?
3. Do you believe there was a person named Jesus who lived and died 2000 years ago?
4. Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead?
5. Do you believe God Loves you?

If you say YES to all of these and you are being honest that you do believe them it will change you. It will not make you perfect in your behavior or solve all issues for you but there will be a settling of the details of what you believe and a basis by which you can live. You see if you do say yes to these quesions you should be seeking answers to any additional quesions by: Seeking God, reading the bible, taking with and spending time with others who believe these things. You can really find answers to the quesions of life by knowin the details of what you believe.

Here is what the Apostle Paul said about this subject:

1And I, when I came to you, brothers,^a did not come proclaiming to you the testimony^b of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men^c but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ESV

 

 

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My Great Great Grandmother Didn't Know

I knew both of my Grandmothers's fairly well. But, I do not think I ever met or knew my Great Grandmother's, or any ot my Great-Great Grandmothers. I do know where they are buried. But these ladies never really had a Mother's Day. You see Mother's Day was not really a thing until the time of the First World War. So there was not officially a day set aside in May for this event which is now an annual holiday. The first real event of Mother's Day was held by a Methodist Church in 1908. The idea caught on and in 1914 the US recognized it as an official holiday to be celebrated on the second Sunday in May every year. 

But Mom's have always been important. The Scripture is very clear in Exodus Chapter 20. The 5th commandment is:

12“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12 ESV

Paul called this the First Commandment with a promise. This emphasizes the importance of family. One day a year is not enough, and we all really know that we must honor our parents every day of the year. But I do think a special day is good. Halmark Cards, the florist, and thousands of restaurants all over the country think so too. The day is very commercialized for sure. 

In 2022 I celebrated Mothers's Day with my mom. This was the last time on this earth I was able to honor her special day. It Was just a few days later she went to be with the Lord. I was with her when she left. It was peacful as she slipped into eternity about 4:30am. I was all alone with her, but my son Brett was on the phone (in Colorado) with me as we both prayed and shared the moment to honor a woman we both loved so much.  It was just a few days after Mother's Day 2022. So the second anniversary of mom's passing comes in a few days. 

To be a mother is an experience men cannot know or understand completely. I know a mother's love for her child is stronger than I can understand. I know this because I have seen and experienced my own mother's love. But I have also seen even closer my wife's (the mother of my children) love for our children. Her love cannot be tarnished through good times or bad. Through her own health concerns, or problems of relationships, difficulties of the world that are heart breaking, Kathy continues to hold fast to a mother's love for her children that cannot be shaken. I have great admiration for this strength of her love. But as I pause and think I believe that my Mamaw and my Granny, had this kind of love too. And while my Great Grannies may not have had a special day to honor them, they knew this kind of love for their children and their children's children. This kind of love was put in their hearts by the Lord. 

I want to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the Ladies out there who know this honor of being a Mother. 

This is the last photo I made of me with my Mom.

 

May 6. Came and Went

Yesterday came and went just like any other day. Social media and the news made a big deal about the "Met Gala" which is a big event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The event is done by Vogue magazine and is invitee only for big name actors and famous people. They are kind of secretive about what they actually do, but the purpose seems to have a lot to do with how weird you can dress and actually walk into the event being photographed as you enter. It is a people parade. The media make a fuss about it and if you watch news today you will see some news clips about it. 

Well, I missed it this year (as well as every year) and I didn't have any trouble going to sleep last night. Ok so I was not invited. 

But I was invited to spend some time with the Lord God Himself yesterday. I didn't miss it. So many did. Consider this portion of the Psalmist words:

4Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,
to dwell in your courts!
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
the holiness of your temple!

5By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas;
6the one who by his strength established the mountains,
being girded with might;
7who stills the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
the tumult of the peoples,
8so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.
You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy. 

Psalm 65:4-8 ESV

May 6 came and went. I missed the people parade and so did most of the world. But many saw the wonders of our God yesterday I hope you did. If you missed it yesterday realize that as today starts you have an invitation to spend it with the LORD. You do not have to worry about what to wear He provides a robe of righteousness for all who will come to Him. 

 

When should I keep my Mouth Shut?

3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
but every fool will be quarreling. Proverbs 20:3

When two people quarrel, trash talk, tell a secret or just make degrading statements, who really is benefited? Now I am no dummy, so I know that there are lots of people who make dumb mistakes. It is therfore very easy to open my mouth, or for you to open your mouth and for some reason we like to make sure everbody knows about others mistakes. There are lots of others doing sinful and dangerous things. People spend money foolishly, People are out there doing lots of stuff and too often it is just too easy to sit on the sidelines of life and take pot shots at others lives about what "they are doing." 

I think we say something about others to make some sort of comparison to ourselves and by doing this it is some sort of an attempt at  making us wiser, stronger, smarter, or something. So, we say something that really does not have to be mentioned. We give voice to evaluate others or condemn their actions with intent at making ourselves better? We have all done this and sometimes we know we should not have said anything, but too often the person we are speaking too picks up the ball to see if they can score and gets another jab in on the person who has been belittled. Then both have the opportunity to continue for a few minutes tearing another person to shreads with nasty thoughts and comments and who is benefitted? Cutting remarks, snips, trash talk, or even gestures to tear down another are so much a part of who we are. I know some trash talk others in jest. I know, I get it, that it is sort of "cool." But we too often, use too much judgement of our own to tear down some aspect or actions of someone without really thinking through what we are saying. 

7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,^c these things ought not to be so. James 3:7-10 ESV

This post will not stop all the noise filling the air that slams others, but these Scriptures which I know I believe, and so do many of you, miight just help. When the temptation comes to just blurt out an unneeded remark there is honor in holding your tongue.  

So let me answer my title question. "When Should I Keep My Mouth Shut?" Simple answer, most of the time.

 

Who Knew?

I am almost 69 years old, and I never knew. But thanks to my wife, I got a surprise last week, that while it does not change my life entirely, it is something that I think is useful and important to me daily. 

It came in the mail, because Kathy had ordered it on the internet. It came in a two pack so I did not have to share. I have one all for myself. What is it? Well I really don't know what to call it except a "Toothpaste Tube Squeezer."  I did not ask the price, as such a clever device obviously is high dollar. 

I never knew such a thing existed. Never have I had anything in my life similar to this remarkable mechanical device. And now life is a little simpler when I want to get all of the toothpaste out of the tube. The past was full of daily squeezing to try to get the paste out of that tube. No matter how tight you would curl up that tube, when it was time to brush again that thing had uncurled. And there I would be starting at the end and rolling it up again. So now life is simpler. No need to squeeze. And also this new device allows you to stand the tube on its end. Well needless to say i am pleased with this little gadget. 

What might be the most remarkable thing about this device is that I wrote a blog post about it. And just as remarkable is that you read it. Now lets all go brush our teeth.

oops....

 

There is little doubt that most people do not like to admit when they make a mistake. The is no doubt that all people make mistakes. We are fallible, clumsy, ignorant, misjudge things, weak, too strong, and a hundred other things as humans that cause a turn of events called a mistake. You might want call it an accident. Little kids might call it a booboo. So, why do we so many times,  try to cover up our mistakes with an excuse so that it is not deemed to be "our fault."  (Have you ever noticed this is especially true of politicians). This for some people carries over to their children and even others in their family. They can do no wrong. But the truth is: WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES. 

So what should you do when you make a mistake? WELL obviously that depends on what kind of mistake you have made. But I am writing about generalities. and not about mistakes you could be sued for in a court of law.

So .my take is if you make a mistake just admit it. Apologize to whoever is affected, and move on. If your friend, or family member makes a mistake, forgive them and move on.  Do not put the mistake in your pocket to bring up later when you have a disagreement. In other words don't save someone else's mistake for ammo when you need it. 

People who realize that they have made a mistake (instead of looking for an excuse) learn from their mistakes and in the long run are much smarter people. So admist it when you are wrong and move on. 

If everyone would have this sort of attitude it would be a bit of a better world.