Friday, December 16, 2011

It Was Only A Theory

A young child psychologist set up his practice and developed a theory and lecture for parents that he called the  "Ten Commandments for Parents."

Later he married and had children of his own. He changed the title to "Ten Hints for Parents."


The first child reached the age of two and the title was changed to, "Ten Suggestions for Parent."


His children became teenagers and he stopped lecturing on the subject all together.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Bill of Rights Day 220

On Dec. 15, 220 years ago, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified. The First Amendment, is the first of ten  known as the Bill of Rights, guarantees our right to worship, speak, petition the government and assemble. 



Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.[56]
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
  • Ninth Amendment – Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Constitution.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Celebrate and protect your rights as Americans on this Bill of Rights Day.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Religions Coexisting



I reposted an item about all different religions to “Coexist” and almost immediately received an email from a clergy friend who took issue with it. He felt that we should be attacking false religions and not coexisting with them.


I disagree! I am reminded by the model set by St. Paul in Acts 17 when he was in Athens with its thousand of idols. Instead of attacking their believers Paul complemented them for being very religious. He then noted that they even had an alter to an unknown god. He used that alter as a point to begin a teaching about God. Paul would accept people where ever they were in life and faith and begin to share Christ from that starting point. I believe that we Christians today should follow that same path.


Paul did not make a lot of converts that day but he planted seeds in their minds. We are reminded that one plants, another waters, another weeds and yet another may harvest. As a Pastor I have done all those things in sharing my faith with others. 

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Busyness at Christmas Time

We are all getting very busy getting ready for Christmas. There is the busyness of shopping for gifts and going to parties. In all the giving and receiving of gifts our true Christmas spirit can be shunted aside in the activity generated by the season.

We need to allow some personal time to focus on our spirits and spiritually kneel by the manger. We truly need this time to remember that we are not alone in our spiritual journey. God came to be with us and walk with us. We also have sisters and brothers in the faith who will join with us to walk hand in hand. As Jesus promised we have the ultimate comforter the Holy Spirit along for our life time journey.


In the busyness of our physical Christmas activities let us open our hearts, minds and spirits to God and one another to feel the love that God shared with us in His Son.