The Consequence of Silence: In The Midst of Political Noise

I have friends and family that range all over the political spectrum so I see a variety of political posts about all types of issues and supporting several different candidates, and yet they all seem to have one thing in common. The idea which permeates all political posts is, “my way is the only right way.” I can’t tell you how many posts I have seen that, once you break them down, do very little to support the person’s belief as much as they do attempt to demonize the beliefs of the opposition. It is as though proving other people wrong automatically proves you right; it doesn’t. It seems like everyone has a sort of doomsday mentality when it comes to the politics right now as if the next elected official (especially the president) is going to make or break the world we live in. The calls I often see among Christians typically resonate the idea: if we don’t show up to vote and win this election, our beliefs and our morals will be lost forever.

The Consequence of Silence: In The Midst of Political Noise full post

(1578 words, 1 image, estimated 6:19 mins reading time)

Thoughts of Struggling Father

I don’t know about you, but I love reading autobiographies and watching documentaries about famous musicians. I love learning about the lives that shaped them into the creative people they are. I love hearing about the moments that pushed them to keep going. I enjoy hearing about the ups and downs in their careers and the inspiration for the songs that I love. Recently, I was watching the Garth Brooks documentary on Netflix: The Road I’m On. He was talking about his parents and the lessons they taught him growing up. It got me thinking that every autobiography I have read and every documentary I have watched each have a moment when the musician talks about his parents and childhood. Sometimes the memories are good and sometimes they are bad, but somehow it made a profound impact on the rest of their lives.

Thoughts of Struggling Father full post

(1998 words, 1 image, estimated 8:0 mins reading time)

I don’t know about you, but I love reading autobiographies and watching documentaries about famous musicians. I love learning about the lives that shaped them into the creative people they are. I love hearing about the moments that pushed them to keep going. I enjoy hearing about the ups and downs in their careers and the inspiration for the songs that I love. Recently, I was watching the Garth Brooks documentary on Netflix: The Road I’m On. He was talking about his parents and the lessons they taught him growing up. It got me thinking that every autobiography I have read and every documentary I have watched each have a moment when the musician talks about his parents and childhood. Sometimes the memories are good and sometimes they are bad, but somehow it made a profound impact on the rest of their lives.

Thoughts of Struggling Father full post

(1998 words, 1 image, estimated 8:0 mins reading time)

When The Sun Rises

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.”

C.S. Lewis

One of the things I really want to teach my kids is to be thankful. Sometimes, I feel like I can spend a whole day doing special things for them, and yet, they still find time to whine about the one thing I didn’t do or buy. I find myself thinking, “They never appreciate anything I do for them. They just want more.” It actually frustrates me so much that sometimes, I hesitate in doing extra things because I anticipate them being ungrateful. I consider myself to be a thankful and polite person, but recently God pointed out (as only God can) how completely ungrateful I can be at times.

When The Sun Rises full post

(1985 words, 1 image, estimated 7:56 mins reading time)

Boys Are Easy

I have noticed a trend when people discover I have all boys. People often tell me that boys are easy. They tell me how easy it is to raise boys in comparison to girls. Girls, they say, you have to teach so much nowadays and you don’t have to worry about all that with boys. The first time I heard this, I remember thinking, “if this is easy, I would hate to see what hard is.” However, time has gone by and I’ve come to realize what they actually mean by boys “being easy” and girls “being hard.” They don’t mean raising boys is easy; they mean raising girls is scary. Scarier than it is to raise boys.

Boys Are Easy full post

(1659 words, estimated 6:38 mins reading time)

Lessons Learned: Angels in the Outfield

Have you ever gone back and watched a movie and been amazed by how much you missed? Some movies are specifically made to be watched more than once; movies like Memento, Sixth Sense, and Fight Club.  We watch these movies and are shocked by the plot twist at the end, but when we go back and re-watch them, we realize there were instances throughout the movie that hinted to the twist. However, I was surprised by a movie that you probably wouldn’t expect to watch it again and discover anything new in the narrative. The movie was Angels in the Outfield: A “B movie” with an “A list cast,” which tells the story of a professional baseball team with a sub-par roster and an abysmal record making a miraculous comeback with some divine help.

Lessons Learned: Angels in the Outfield full post

(2200 words, 1 image, estimated 8:48 mins reading time)

Where’s The Dessert?

I don’t know about any of the other parents out there, but the majority of the time my wife and I tell our kids it is time to eat dinner, we are met with groans and complaints. Unless, of course, we are having one of their favorite meals: pizza, spaghetti or meatloaf. They will sit, and oftentimes, before even taking a bite, they ask, “How much do I need to eat to be done?” or “How much do I need to eat to have a treat?” If some sort of dessert is provided, as soon as they have it their dinner is pushed to the side or taken to the sink. They aren’t thinking about dinner anymore, because they have what they really want. They don’t sit down and eat dinner because they are hungry or because they recognize they need nutrition to sustain themselves; they eat because they have to and it just a means to the end of getting dessert.

Where’s The Dessert? full post

(1392 words, 1 image, estimated 5:34 mins reading time)

The Love of a Conservative Christian

I know many will see the statement above and think it is an oxymoron. Conservative Christians are often labeled in the media as some of the most hateful and cold-hearted people in America, but I would like a chance to explain my side of things. You see, I don’t consider myself hateful, bigoted, cold-hearted or anything of the sort. In fact, I think of myself as very loving; I think I care very deeply for people even those I don’t know personally. I understand my beliefs stand in contrast to many and that my religious convictions cause me to take a different stance on many issues, but I still see my view as loving. I want to be clear, I am not writing this in an attempt to convert Atheists to Christians or liberals to conservatives, nor is my goal to show my side of things is the only loving side. I simply want a chance to explain what I believe and why I consider it to be a loving point of view.

The Love of a Conservative Christian full post

(2965 words, 1 image, estimated 11:52 mins reading time)