We had quite a unique responsive reading experience Sunday morning at Sycamore View.
Our worship minister was reading from Psalm 89 and paused after verse 8 that reads, "O Lord God Almighty who is like you?" A child in the back of the room yelled out--"Jesus!"
The worship leader taken aback said, "Yes." And the crowd had mixed response of chuckling and applause.
Evidently the children's ministry at SVC is doing a good job teaching the divinity of Jesus.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF FAMILY VALUES LIVE IN AMERICA
Many people have noted the deterioration of the classic American family over the past few decades. It is now just as common for a child to grow up in a single parent home or in a blended family.
Recently I have wondered if there is an inherent idea as to what a family should be like. This also has caused me to consider if the family roles have an inherent nature that is recognized among all people.
Example #1: You will hear many people say, "he is like a brother to me." The person who said this could have no brother, or their brother may be completely out of their life. However, there is something that is defined about the brother role as someone you can be close with that resonates with all people.
Example #2: I recently heard a adolescent girl without a father in the home refer to an older male in the therapy group as the group's "dad." She meant this (under my interpretation) as someone who was protective of the group and shared wisdom from life experiences. So, even though her dad was not present, somehow she is familiar with (and appreciative of) the role of a father in a family.
Example #3: Corporate America. How many times have you heard a company say we are "like a family here" in reference to an open good work environment? It seems almost cliche. Do you think they mean a place where the members abuse one another? Ignore one another? Say mean things to one another? I am not an expert when it comes to the business world, but I think they are trying to convey a safe, inviting, loving environment.
Before I conclude I would like to state that classic American family life is not what I accept as the only or necessarily the best option of upbringing. It does have it merits, though.
My conclusion is that appropriate family life is not a concept that is lost, undesired or misunderstood. Rather, the breakdown comes in a lack of focus on preserving family life in its appropriate setting. It is unfortunate that the family paradigm must be used in other places rather than the actual family.
Recently I have wondered if there is an inherent idea as to what a family should be like. This also has caused me to consider if the family roles have an inherent nature that is recognized among all people.
Example #1: You will hear many people say, "he is like a brother to me." The person who said this could have no brother, or their brother may be completely out of their life. However, there is something that is defined about the brother role as someone you can be close with that resonates with all people.
Example #2: I recently heard a adolescent girl without a father in the home refer to an older male in the therapy group as the group's "dad." She meant this (under my interpretation) as someone who was protective of the group and shared wisdom from life experiences. So, even though her dad was not present, somehow she is familiar with (and appreciative of) the role of a father in a family.
Example #3: Corporate America. How many times have you heard a company say we are "like a family here" in reference to an open good work environment? It seems almost cliche. Do you think they mean a place where the members abuse one another? Ignore one another? Say mean things to one another? I am not an expert when it comes to the business world, but I think they are trying to convey a safe, inviting, loving environment.
Before I conclude I would like to state that classic American family life is not what I accept as the only or necessarily the best option of upbringing. It does have it merits, though.
My conclusion is that appropriate family life is not a concept that is lost, undesired or misunderstood. Rather, the breakdown comes in a lack of focus on preserving family life in its appropriate setting. It is unfortunate that the family paradigm must be used in other places rather than the actual family.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
I DON'T BLAME PHELPS
If you make a young, rich, famous, talented in athletics man your hero, or hero for your kids you are setting them up for a let down. I am not disappointed in Phelps. I don't condone drug use or partying. Not even in the college days when partying is socially acceptable. More than that I do not condone making a hero out of people because they excel in athletics.
What is it that you want your kid to imitate? Swimming the majority of your week? Swimming really fast? What do we really know about him anyway?
It is not a big deal to me that he got caught doing what he was doing. People make mistakes. I am more disappointed in people who expect him to be a role model for their kids. That is a mindset that should be changed. Find someone in your kids life to be their role model. Surround your children with family and other adults who can provide a real flesh and blood example for them.
Mentors make much better role models than celebrities.
For fans of Phelps (or former fans): What has changed for you? You learned that he makes mistakes and apologizes for them. If anything it should be nice to know more of a human side to someone. If you are a fan of athletics and are under the assumption your favorite athlete is squeaky clean, you are probably wrong.
What is it that you want your kid to imitate? Swimming the majority of your week? Swimming really fast? What do we really know about him anyway?
It is not a big deal to me that he got caught doing what he was doing. People make mistakes. I am more disappointed in people who expect him to be a role model for their kids. That is a mindset that should be changed. Find someone in your kids life to be their role model. Surround your children with family and other adults who can provide a real flesh and blood example for them.
Mentors make much better role models than celebrities.
For fans of Phelps (or former fans): What has changed for you? You learned that he makes mistakes and apologizes for them. If anything it should be nice to know more of a human side to someone. If you are a fan of athletics and are under the assumption your favorite athlete is squeaky clean, you are probably wrong.
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