upward & inward

Here is another quotation from the first president of these United States, Geo. Washington.  These words are from the closing words of his first inaugural address on April 30, 1789: Having thus imported to you my sentiments, as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the benign parent of the human race, in humble supplication that since he has been pleased to favour the American people, with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquility, and dispositions for deciding with unparellelled unanimity on a form of Government, for the security of their Union, and the advancement of their happiness; so his divine blessing may be equally  conspicuous  in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend. As I understand it, some founding leaders of this nation would refer to God in a variety of ways.  George Washington ...

I've always tried to smile for my driver's license photo.  Weird, huh?  However, according to this article , I wouldn't be allowed to smile if I got a driver's license in Indiana, Arkansas, Nevada, and Virginia.  As I read the article, I guess I understand the motives, but, really?  No smiles?  What about those people (admittedly, not me) who smile even when they don't try?  Would they have to try to "look dull?" What do you think?  Do you smile for your driver's license photo?

In today's world, manners and civility are increasingly rare.  Here are a few of today's headlines: Northern Ireland Soccer Mob Beats Catholic Man to Death Graduation Party Shooter Was Jealous Over Ex's New Boyfriend, Police Say Kiefer Sutherland Apologizes for Head-Butting Incident That Injured Designer In another era, young men (and women) were often asked to write down their own rules of civility and manners as they were taught them.  In this post , you can read the approach of the first US President, George Washington, he listed his  Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation. As I read this list, I was amazed at Pres. Washington's focused approach to dealing kindly and respectfully to others.  In addition, I was also humbled in my own often coarse approach to speaking with and listening to others.  Here are just a few of the president's 110 considerations. #48 Wherein you reprove Another be unblameable yourself; for example is more pre...

I first saw this video years ago and it's making its rounds again.  Enjoy.

In this article , the director of a movie at Cannes Film Festival discusses how his movie isn't Anti-Christian, but against fundamentalism.   What is fundamentalism?  The director,  Alejandro Amenabar, describes it as "the idea that ‘I will kill you for what you think'".  The story is set in Egypt in the 4th Century A.D. and includes the persecution of pagans by Christians. For centuries, people have been destroyed for what they think.  While we can look into the history of Christianity and find painful examples of how Christians have persecuted others (including other Christians) for their belief, Christians have also suffered for theirs.   Fox's Book of Martyrs lists those who were tortured and killed for what they believed and goes on to describe the often gruesome ways these deaths were accomplished. Fundamentalism, as Amenabar describes it, has a peculiar heritage and still goes on today - for religious reasons and others - simply because people don't ag...

Once more, Christians are singled out for abuse and persecution with no coverage from US-based media.  Check this article for more information.

When the disciples were beginning to feel real persecution as a result of their declaration about Jesus, they were told by Jewish leaders to keep quiet.   But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:19-20 Here's a quote from A.W. Tozer in his book, God Tells the Man Who Cares:  To escape the snare of artificiality it is necessary that a man [of God] enjoy a satisfying personal experience with God. He must be totally committed to Christ and deeply anointed with the Holy Spirit. Further, he must be delivered from the fear of man. The focus of his attention must be God and not men. He must let everything dear to him ride out on each sermon. He must so preach as to jeopardize his future, his ministry, even his life itself. He must make God responsible for the consequences and speak as one who will not have long t...

In this article , I learned of a man who willingly returned, later in life, to defend our country.  How many men and women do you and I know who are so willing to give up so much for something far greater than themselves? This hero gave his life for his country.  As I age, may I be so willing to give up my life for the cause of Christ - whether for my family, my friends, or my country.

This week, my son Lewis enjoyed his last day of High School.  Wow.  It's hard to believe that he's 18 and ready to complete a major milestone in his life.  In addition to graduating from High School, I chose this time to hold a ceremony of sorts to declare our common understanding of what it means to be a man. In a previous post , I wrote how I believe that men of God are called to obey His will, work as He leads, and love a godly woman without condition.  Well, this week, Lewis and came to the agreement that a man of God: rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and  and expects the greater reward. This is completely counter to what the world defines a man to be - essentially a human male .   Being a male is possessing a specific arrangement of chromosomes.  Being a man is a choice. So, this is what he and I agreed upon this weekend as a few godly men surrounded Lewis, prayed for him, and witnessed his decision.  I thank God for what He has done, is doing...

Lately, I've spoken with more guys who are out of work. One guy's wife and son are in college and bankruptcy processes have been engaged. He feels lost, directionless, and wondering what God is up to in all of this. Another fellow is angry at how his loyalty has been "rewarded" as he was summarily dismissed from his job under questionable circumstances without a consistent explanation as to why was asked to leave the company. As I consider my experiences in the workforce and lay-offs (on both sides of the table) and dismissals, I offer these thoughts for consideration. If you're going through something similar, then I hope this will help. As responsible men and women, we have a tendency to wrap our identities in what we do and the company for whom we work. It's difficult to accept a time like this when we aren't going to the workplace and accomplishing something in return for pay so that we might provide for ourselves and our families. As the days, weeks, ...

Last Sunday at church, there were so many babies in the nursery who needed someone to hold them that we had to grab folks we knew to come and do just that: hold them. This got me thinking: why is it so hard to find people to spend the time necessary to care for kids? Normally, if someone brings in a newborn, that kid has nearly everyone's fingerprints on him/her before getting out of the building. Supposedly, everyone wants to hold a baby, but why is it that no one will raise his hand to be counted upon as one who will spend the time to care for a young one. Why? Before I try to answer this, let's review something about service: it's a privilege to serve God. Privilege? When we are the devoted followers of Christ He has called us to be, then we should be eager to serve. It's not a "have to", it's a "get to." When one is eager to serve, then it becomes a privilege. According to the Bible, as we understand God's mercy upon us, then we se...