Hardwired to Connect
This post continues the last one:
Authoritative communities can be families with children and all civic, educational, recreational, community service, business, culture, and religious groups that serve or include persons under the age of 18 that exhibit certain characteristics.
These characteristics are: 1) it is a social institution that includes children and youth; 2) it treats children as ends in themselves; 3) it is warm and nurturing; 4) it establishes clear boundaries and limits; 5) it is defined and guided at least partly by non-specialists; 6) it is multi-generational; 7) it has a long-term focus; 8) it encourages spiritual and religious development; 9) it reflects and transmits a shared understanding of what it means to be a good person; 10) it is philosophically oriented to the equal dignity of all persons and to the principle of love of neighbor.
The Commission's report represents the first time that neuroscientists have collaborated with social scientists who study civil society to improve outcomes for children. It is also represents the first time that a diverse group of scientists and leading children's doctors are publicly recommending that our society pay considerably more attention to young people's moral and spiritual needs. Said the child psychiatrist Dr. Kathleen Kovner Kline of the Dartmouth Medical School, the report's principal investigator:
“As children's doctors, we began this project because our waiting lists are too long. Our challenge today is to shift from treatment alone to treatment plus prevention. Broad social changes are required. We need to become environmental advocates for childhood."
What Recent Research SuggestsIn searching for strategies to improve outcomes for children, the Commission reviewed research on the brain and human behavior from the last two to five years. Among the main scientific findings on which the Commission has based its recommendations are:
The mechanisms by which we become and stay attached to others have a biological basis and are increasingly discernible in the basic structure of the brain.
Nurturing environments, or the lack of them, influence the development of brain circuitry and the way genes affect behavior.
The old ``nature versus nurture" debate – focusing on whether heredity or environment is the main determinant of human conduct – is no longer relevant to serious discussions of child well-being and youth programming. New scientific findings are teaching us to marvel at how nature and nurture interact. These findings suggest that strong nurturing can reduce or eliminate the harmful effects of genes that are associated with aggression, anxiety, depression or substance abuse.
Primary nurturing relationships influence early spiritual development, and spiritual development can influence us biologically in the same ways that primary nurturing relationships do. For instance, spirituality and religiosity can be associated with lower levels of stress hormone (cortisol), more optimism, and commitment to helping others.
Religiosity and spirituality significantly influence well-being. The human brain appears to be organized to ask ultimate questions and seek ultimate answers. Findings are described in detail in the attached copy of the Commission's report.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Why Am I Upset?
After writing the previous blog I realized I was upset and that is not good because it can miscommunicate my intentions. I just reread some research by a national group about the importance of building safe and loving communities and the dangers if we fail.
I know that church congregations are the very best places to develop good parenting skills and enter the lives of families to give them support, love and education. Here is some of that report.
Read it and see why I am upset that so few churches are developing intentional communities of health and growth.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The New Scientific Case for Authoritative Communities
New Scientific Findings Shed Light on Why Large Numbers of American Children Suffer from Emotional and Behavioral Problems
Thursday, September 9 (Dirksen SOB, Room G50, Washington, D.C., begins 9:00 a. m) Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona, U.S. Assistant Secretary of HHS Dr. Wade Horn. The Commission on Children at Risk, a panel of leading children's doctors, research scientists and youth service professionals, has issued a report to the nation about new strategies to reduce the currently high numbers of U.S. children who are suffering from emotional and behavioral problems such as depression, anxiety, attention deficit, conduct disorders, and thoughts of suicide. The Commission is basing its recommendations on recent scientific findings suggesting that children are biologically ``hardwired" for enduring attachments to other people and for moral and spiritual meaning. Meeting children's needs for enduring attachments and for moral and spiritual meaning is the best way to ensure their healthy development, according to the Commission's report. Dr. Kenneth L. Gladish, the National Executive Director, YMCA of the USA:
Â? children are hardwired for close connections to others and for moral and spiritual meaning.
The report challenges all of us to strengthen those groups in our society that promote this type of connectedness. Here at the Y, we have been working for children and families since 1851 and we intend to be a part of that solution." The Commission on Children at Risk, YMCA of the USA, Dartmouth Medical School and the Institute for American Values. Commission members include Steven Suomi of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, T. Berry Brazelton, Harvard Medical School, Allan Schore of UCLA Medical School, Alvin Poussaint of Harvard Medical School, Robert Coles of Harvard Medical School; James P. Comer of Yale Medical School; developmental psychobiologist Linda Spear of Binghamton University; the author and clinical psychologist Judith Wallerstein of the Center for the Family in Transition; and Thomas Insel, who was at Emory University at the time of the study, but has recently been appointed director of the National Institute of Mental Health.
Despite a decade of unprecedented economic growth that resulted in fewer children living in poverty, large and growing numbers of American children and adolescents are suffering from mental health problems. Scholars at the National Research Council in 2002 estimated that at least one of every four adolescents in the U.S. is currently at serious risk of not achieving productive adulthood.
Twenty-one percent of U.S. children ages 9 to 17 have a diagnosable mental disorder or addiction; 8 percent of high school students suffer from clinical depression, and 20 percent of students report seriously having considered suicide in the past year.
By the 1980s, U.S. children as a group were reporting more anxiety than did children who were psychiatric patients in the 1950s, according to one study.
The Commission is calling upon all U.S. citizens to help strengthen what it calls authoritative communities as likely to be the best strategy for improving children's lives, in its report, Hardwired to Connect: The Case for Authoritative Communities.
Authoritative communities are groups of people who are committed to one another over time and who exhibit and are able to pass on what it means to be a good person. These groups provide the types of connectedness our children increasingly lack.
After writing the previous blog I realized I was upset and that is not good because it can miscommunicate my intentions. I just reread some research by a national group about the importance of building safe and loving communities and the dangers if we fail.
I know that church congregations are the very best places to develop good parenting skills and enter the lives of families to give them support, love and education. Here is some of that report.
Read it and see why I am upset that so few churches are developing intentional communities of health and growth.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The New Scientific Case for Authoritative Communities
New Scientific Findings Shed Light on Why Large Numbers of American Children Suffer from Emotional and Behavioral Problems
Thursday, September 9 (Dirksen SOB, Room G50, Washington, D.C., begins 9:00 a. m) Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona, U.S. Assistant Secretary of HHS Dr. Wade Horn. The Commission on Children at Risk, a panel of leading children's doctors, research scientists and youth service professionals, has issued a report to the nation about new strategies to reduce the currently high numbers of U.S. children who are suffering from emotional and behavioral problems such as depression, anxiety, attention deficit, conduct disorders, and thoughts of suicide. The Commission is basing its recommendations on recent scientific findings suggesting that children are biologically ``hardwired" for enduring attachments to other people and for moral and spiritual meaning. Meeting children's needs for enduring attachments and for moral and spiritual meaning is the best way to ensure their healthy development, according to the Commission's report. Dr. Kenneth L. Gladish, the National Executive Director, YMCA of the USA:
Â? children are hardwired for close connections to others and for moral and spiritual meaning.
The report challenges all of us to strengthen those groups in our society that promote this type of connectedness. Here at the Y, we have been working for children and families since 1851 and we intend to be a part of that solution." The Commission on Children at Risk, YMCA of the USA, Dartmouth Medical School and the Institute for American Values. Commission members include Steven Suomi of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, T. Berry Brazelton, Harvard Medical School, Allan Schore of UCLA Medical School, Alvin Poussaint of Harvard Medical School, Robert Coles of Harvard Medical School; James P. Comer of Yale Medical School; developmental psychobiologist Linda Spear of Binghamton University; the author and clinical psychologist Judith Wallerstein of the Center for the Family in Transition; and Thomas Insel, who was at Emory University at the time of the study, but has recently been appointed director of the National Institute of Mental Health.
Despite a decade of unprecedented economic growth that resulted in fewer children living in poverty, large and growing numbers of American children and adolescents are suffering from mental health problems. Scholars at the National Research Council in 2002 estimated that at least one of every four adolescents in the U.S. is currently at serious risk of not achieving productive adulthood.
Twenty-one percent of U.S. children ages 9 to 17 have a diagnosable mental disorder or addiction; 8 percent of high school students suffer from clinical depression, and 20 percent of students report seriously having considered suicide in the past year.
By the 1980s, U.S. children as a group were reporting more anxiety than did children who were psychiatric patients in the 1950s, according to one study.
The Commission is calling upon all U.S. citizens to help strengthen what it calls authoritative communities as likely to be the best strategy for improving children's lives, in its report, Hardwired to Connect: The Case for Authoritative Communities.
Authoritative communities are groups of people who are committed to one another over time and who exhibit and are able to pass on what it means to be a good person. These groups provide the types of connectedness our children increasingly lack.
Anniversary of My Ed. D. Graduation
It has been almost exactly 30 years since I graduated from University of Cincinnati with a doctoral degree in Counselor Education. My research integrated counseling and theology with an emphasis on how Christians can Prevent Problems and Promote Health. I concluded that it is hard to do so.
All it takes is motivation and selecting the right people to show you how to do it.
In 1976 I set up a program at College Hill Presbyterian Church to do these things and later wrote several simple training models to prepare pastors and lay leaders how to make their churches into healing, helping communities. A few, very few churches percentage wise, take the challenge.
Some famous writers like Larry Crabb complain about the current situation but they say no one knows how to equip lay care givers. He is badly mistaken. Some of us have been doing it for over 30 years. (I started helping a telephone crisis ministry in 1970 .)
Churches that refuse to teach people how to renew their minds, communicate, listen and solve conflicts are negligent and failing to "Equip the saints to DO the ministry."
There are numerous people and places where you can learn how to help your people. It is spiritual mal-practice to refuse.
It has been almost exactly 30 years since I graduated from University of Cincinnati with a doctoral degree in Counselor Education. My research integrated counseling and theology with an emphasis on how Christians can Prevent Problems and Promote Health. I concluded that it is hard to do so.
All it takes is motivation and selecting the right people to show you how to do it.
- With marriages falling apart at an appalling rate why do so few churches have a Pre-Marital Preparation Program?
- With parents failing at alarming rates, why are few churches doing what the TV Show Nanny 911 is doing?
- We know how to teach communication skills, conflict management, parenting, couple decision making, financial planning, etc but so few churches even try.
In 1976 I set up a program at College Hill Presbyterian Church to do these things and later wrote several simple training models to prepare pastors and lay leaders how to make their churches into healing, helping communities. A few, very few churches percentage wise, take the challenge.
Some famous writers like Larry Crabb complain about the current situation but they say no one knows how to equip lay care givers. He is badly mistaken. Some of us have been doing it for over 30 years. (I started helping a telephone crisis ministry in 1970 .)
Churches that refuse to teach people how to renew their minds, communicate, listen and solve conflicts are negligent and failing to "Equip the saints to DO the ministry."
There are numerous people and places where you can learn how to help your people. It is spiritual mal-practice to refuse.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
What I Do Continued
Some of my closest colleagues from the past do not seem to understand my ministry or how I send my professional time. I am sure it is my fault. If I were only clear in describing my life everyone would understand. So, here goes.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that I actually do a number of different things but my central focus is almost always the same. So, seen from the point of view of tasks, I multi-task.
My central mission is always the same: To promote the growth and healing of Christian people and organizations
The following terms best describe my focus.
GROWTH: Disciple; Sanctify; Strengthen; Gift, Skill and Talent Development;
HEALING: Repair; Reconnect; Forgive; Set Captives Free; Restore;
The materials I write do both of these. I am a retired Clinical Counselor but I prefer to PREVENT SICKNESS, PROMOTE GROWTH and supply PEER SUPPORT.
Some of my closest colleagues from the past do not seem to understand my ministry or how I send my professional time. I am sure it is my fault. If I were only clear in describing my life everyone would understand. So, here goes.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that I actually do a number of different things but my central focus is almost always the same. So, seen from the point of view of tasks, I multi-task.
- I often preach the gospel
- I teach in churches and para-church ministries
- I consult with Christian organizations
- I Mentor/Coach/Counsel Christian leaders
- I train Counselors
- I pray for the sick
- I write materials
- Set up small groups
- Organize counseling centers
- I travel extensively around the world to do these things
My central mission is always the same: To promote the growth and healing of Christian people and organizations
The following terms best describe my focus.
GROWTH: Disciple; Sanctify; Strengthen; Gift, Skill and Talent Development;
HEALING: Repair; Reconnect; Forgive; Set Captives Free; Restore;
The materials I write do both of these. I am a retired Clinical Counselor but I prefer to PREVENT SICKNESS, PROMOTE GROWTH and supply PEER SUPPORT.
Got That Blackberry and It's Pretty Cool Beans
A post ago I showed a photo of myself holding up a Daddy Day card and a quart of blackberry from my wife. Karen has always known how to keep me humble, and she did it again.
When I decided to get one of those geeky all-in-one-telephones-that-includes-e mail Karen immediately recognized that I was about to embark on another one of my flights into perfection through technology. As Malcolm Gladwell writes in his wonderful book, BLINK, her inner discernment immediately knew how to keep me humble without crushing my very sensitive ego. She "Thin Sliced" my demeanor and bought me a quart of berries.
Remember that I grew up in a farming area. I picked blackberries and helped Grandmother Taylor make jellies and jams. One of my favorite photos is Mom Taylor and me with huge buckets of berries. Both of us are dressed in Osh Gosh overalls and look like bit players in the movie Grapes of Wrath.
Karen's card and quart of berries said it all.
"Remember where you came from and do not get the big head and start talking about the fact that you carry a quad phone with international connections and immediate e mail. You are from Ina, Illinois for crying out loud so cool it!"
A post ago I showed a photo of myself holding up a Daddy Day card and a quart of blackberry from my wife. Karen has always known how to keep me humble, and she did it again.
When I decided to get one of those geeky all-in-one-telephones-that-includes-e mail Karen immediately recognized that I was about to embark on another one of my flights into perfection through technology. As Malcolm Gladwell writes in his wonderful book, BLINK, her inner discernment immediately knew how to keep me humble without crushing my very sensitive ego. She "Thin Sliced" my demeanor and bought me a quart of berries.
Remember that I grew up in a farming area. I picked blackberries and helped Grandmother Taylor make jellies and jams. One of my favorite photos is Mom Taylor and me with huge buckets of berries. Both of us are dressed in Osh Gosh overalls and look like bit players in the movie Grapes of Wrath.
Karen's card and quart of berries said it all.
"Remember where you came from and do not get the big head and start talking about the fact that you carry a quad phone with international connections and immediate e mail. You are from Ina, Illinois for crying out loud so cool it!"
Thursday, June 23, 2005
What Do I Do?
A few months after I left the ministry team at College Hill Presbyterian Church to set up the LifeWay Christian Counseling Center a group of pastors invited me to speak about what I was now doing. CHPC at the time was one of the most prominent and influential Evangelical churches in America so most people at least thought they knew what I did. (Except my mother who went to glory wondering.) Now, however, heading a clinic and in-patient psychiatric hospital seemed to through my friends and colleagues into a frenzy of confusion.
After I spoke about the integration of psychology and theology and how God had called me to pursue a healing ministry one of my friends raised his hand and asked me a simple question that still befuddles me when I think about it. It went something like this.
"Gary, now that you have left the church, do you still believe in Jesus?"
I was stunned. "First," I replied, "I have not left the church. I am just no longer paid by the tithes and offerings of God's people to do the works of ministry. Second, I believe in Jesus more than ever. To heal the broken hearted and set the captives free requires faith, power, truth and love."
For Seven years I led Life Way Counseling Centers as Chairman and CEO. I was also traveling around the world training lay and pastoral counselors as head of Equipping Ministries Int. (EMI)
In 1994 the stresses and strains of overwork and overworry led to a series of physical set backs and my doctor demanded that I take some time off.
I went on medical leave for several months, resigned from EMI and turned the leadership of Life Way over to Martin Re. After a year of recovery I founded Life Way Ministries International, Inc, a non-profit ministry devoted to the training, support and mentoring of pastors and Christian leaders.
This is what I am still doing.
A few months after I left the ministry team at College Hill Presbyterian Church to set up the LifeWay Christian Counseling Center a group of pastors invited me to speak about what I was now doing. CHPC at the time was one of the most prominent and influential Evangelical churches in America so most people at least thought they knew what I did. (Except my mother who went to glory wondering.) Now, however, heading a clinic and in-patient psychiatric hospital seemed to through my friends and colleagues into a frenzy of confusion.
After I spoke about the integration of psychology and theology and how God had called me to pursue a healing ministry one of my friends raised his hand and asked me a simple question that still befuddles me when I think about it. It went something like this.
"Gary, now that you have left the church, do you still believe in Jesus?"
I was stunned. "First," I replied, "I have not left the church. I am just no longer paid by the tithes and offerings of God's people to do the works of ministry. Second, I believe in Jesus more than ever. To heal the broken hearted and set the captives free requires faith, power, truth and love."
For Seven years I led Life Way Counseling Centers as Chairman and CEO. I was also traveling around the world training lay and pastoral counselors as head of Equipping Ministries Int. (EMI)
In 1994 the stresses and strains of overwork and overworry led to a series of physical set backs and my doctor demanded that I take some time off.
I went on medical leave for several months, resigned from EMI and turned the leadership of Life Way over to Martin Re. After a year of recovery I founded Life Way Ministries International, Inc, a non-profit ministry devoted to the training, support and mentoring of pastors and Christian leaders.
This is what I am still doing.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Preparing for Russia
I received another note from Galina and am preparing for a return trip in August. As you read the article below you can clearly see why reaching Russian men is critically important to healing the Russian family as well as the American family.
Galina recently placed on her web page more biblical notes to help individuals and families impacted by alcohol and drugs find Christ and get sober. Take a look at:
http://www.lifeways.ru/
We still neeed the financial and spiritual support of many churches and godly people in order to keep this vital and strategic ministry going.
Send your tax-deductible support to:
Life Way Ministries, Inc
11161 Kenwood Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
I received another note from Galina and am preparing for a return trip in August. As you read the article below you can clearly see why reaching Russian men is critically important to healing the Russian family as well as the American family.
Galina recently placed on her web page more biblical notes to help individuals and families impacted by alcohol and drugs find Christ and get sober. Take a look at:
http://www.lifeways.ru/
We still neeed the financial and spiritual support of many churches and godly people in order to keep this vital and strategic ministry going.
Send your tax-deductible support to:
Life Way Ministries, Inc
11161 Kenwood Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
Evangelicals are Better Husbands and Fathers
Religious men, especially evangelical Protestants, are more involved and attentive husbands and fathers than men who are not religious, new research shows.
Though they favor a patriarchal family structure, evangelical Protestant men who attend church regularly scored higher on several national surveys that evaluated levels of family involvement and affection than did men from other religious groups and men who consider themselves religiously unaffiliated. Surveys included the government's National Survey of Families and Households.
"Evangelical Protestant dads come out on top compared with every religious group in the U.S.," says University of Virginia sociologist W. Bradford Wilcox, who conducted the study.
He analyzed data from three large surveys conducted several times from 1972 to 1999 that examined behaviors and attitudes toward family and gender among different religious groups, including Catholics and Protestant Christian denominations, Jews, Muslims and others.
The results point to greater family involvement and less domestic violence among churchgoing Protestants, especially evangelicals, which he says include Southern Baptists, Assemblies of God, and nondenominational evangelical churches.
Wilcox says religion "domesticates men in ways that make them more retentive to the ideals and aspirations of their wives and children."
(I certainly hate to disappoint the ACLU on this point.)
Religious men, especially evangelical Protestants, are more involved and attentive husbands and fathers than men who are not religious, new research shows.
Though they favor a patriarchal family structure, evangelical Protestant men who attend church regularly scored higher on several national surveys that evaluated levels of family involvement and affection than did men from other religious groups and men who consider themselves religiously unaffiliated. Surveys included the government's National Survey of Families and Households.
"Evangelical Protestant dads come out on top compared with every religious group in the U.S.," says University of Virginia sociologist W. Bradford Wilcox, who conducted the study.
He analyzed data from three large surveys conducted several times from 1972 to 1999 that examined behaviors and attitudes toward family and gender among different religious groups, including Catholics and Protestant Christian denominations, Jews, Muslims and others.
The results point to greater family involvement and less domestic violence among churchgoing Protestants, especially evangelicals, which he says include Southern Baptists, Assemblies of God, and nondenominational evangelical churches.
Wilcox says religion "domesticates men in ways that make them more retentive to the ideals and aspirations of their wives and children."
(I certainly hate to disappoint the ACLU on this point.)
Friday, June 17, 2005
I Am A White Christian
Recently, Howard Dean, "The Screamer", who is head of the Democratic National Party, said that all Republicans are "White Christians who think alike..." Upon reflection I began to think he was partly correct.
I was reared by a white Christian, fundamentalist, Baptist Deacon who was a radical, left leaning, liberal that loudly proclaimed that Jesus would have refused to run on the Republican ticket. When he was challenged not to vote for a "Blankety, blank Roman Catholic for President he adamantly refused to consider any other alternative.
When my older brother admitted he had voted for "Tricky Dick Nixon, Dad had an anxiety attack qua heart attack and was bedridden for a day or two. We never admitted such heresy again. I still cannot bring myself to claim the Republican Party as my home base. I am sure Dad is watching restlessly from the grave.
But the Democrats have left me high and dry so I don't have a home there now. I am white, pro-life Christian and those kinds of people are hated and despised by the left. The Democrat tent is way too small for me.
The anti-Christian Democrats want to stop all conservatives from taking part in governmental activities while promoting other religions. Howard Dean tried to act like us and claimed to be an "Expert" in Bible knowledge when he explained to the press that both First and Second Job were his favorite New Testament books.
I am a small business owner who believes in the free market system and Democrats promote a socialist bleeding heart philosophy that drove Russia into poverty and is killing Europe.
I believe infighting terrorists overseas while Democrats like Dennis Kucinich think we ought to tell them when we are leaving Iraq.
I believe in jailing terrorists and criminals while the leftists like Senator Durbin think our men and women are Nazis and the terrorists are good guys.
Where does this leave me as a long term Democrat? Where has my party gone?
To ___________ in a hand basket.
Recently, Howard Dean, "The Screamer", who is head of the Democratic National Party, said that all Republicans are "White Christians who think alike..." Upon reflection I began to think he was partly correct.
I was reared by a white Christian, fundamentalist, Baptist Deacon who was a radical, left leaning, liberal that loudly proclaimed that Jesus would have refused to run on the Republican ticket. When he was challenged not to vote for a "Blankety, blank Roman Catholic for President he adamantly refused to consider any other alternative.
When my older brother admitted he had voted for "Tricky Dick Nixon, Dad had an anxiety attack qua heart attack and was bedridden for a day or two. We never admitted such heresy again. I still cannot bring myself to claim the Republican Party as my home base. I am sure Dad is watching restlessly from the grave.
But the Democrats have left me high and dry so I don't have a home there now. I am white, pro-life Christian and those kinds of people are hated and despised by the left. The Democrat tent is way too small for me.
The anti-Christian Democrats want to stop all conservatives from taking part in governmental activities while promoting other religions. Howard Dean tried to act like us and claimed to be an "Expert" in Bible knowledge when he explained to the press that both First and Second Job were his favorite New Testament books.
I am a small business owner who believes in the free market system and Democrats promote a socialist bleeding heart philosophy that drove Russia into poverty and is killing Europe.
I believe infighting terrorists overseas while Democrats like Dennis Kucinich think we ought to tell them when we are leaving Iraq.
I believe in jailing terrorists and criminals while the leftists like Senator Durbin think our men and women are Nazis and the terrorists are good guys.
Where does this leave me as a long term Democrat? Where has my party gone?
To ___________ in a hand basket.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Not Everyone Likes Kindness
Scripture tells us that, "It is the kindness of God that leads to repentance." I was reared in an environment that believed the opposite, namely that fear, condemnation and good arguments led others to repent of their sins.
I actually prefer anger and arguments to kindness. There is something within me that wants to strike out at sin and sinners; to straighten them out; drive their ideas into the ground and punish them for rejecting Christ and for being so stupid. I do so wish that this method worked in missions and evangelism. Unfortunately it does not even though it fits my fleshly drive to win.
However, kindness doesn't always work either. Scoffers what the Bible calls those who hate God and Christians and who rebel at the very thought of Him and us. They especially despise our fruit of the Spirit. They actually like it when we are operating in the fleshly desires of anger, revenge and legalism for those things reinforce their predetermined ideas and make them feel superior to us.
Scoffers are also numbered among those who lead other religions and who hate it when Christian's reach out in love. In the previous post I indicated that some of the religious leaders in Russia are persecuting Evangelicals. One actually mentioned that he feared those who promote "Democracy and freedom".
Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka Asia have decided that Christians are so dangerous that there should be a law against any acts of kindness that influence people to convert to Christ. So many Christians have done so many good things for the people affected by the tsunami that the monks are scared they will lose their influence and the people will convert. You see, Buddhists do not do works of mercy and kindness for that would be an interference with the "Law of Karma". However, Christians are all about kindness and mercy and that makes the Buddhists look bad.
Go to Christianity Today's blog for a full explanation of this story.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/007/6.15.html
In the USA it is the ACLU that fears and loathes Christians who practice kindness. Watch for laws banning acts of love sponsored by the ACLU.
Scripture tells us that, "It is the kindness of God that leads to repentance." I was reared in an environment that believed the opposite, namely that fear, condemnation and good arguments led others to repent of their sins.
I actually prefer anger and arguments to kindness. There is something within me that wants to strike out at sin and sinners; to straighten them out; drive their ideas into the ground and punish them for rejecting Christ and for being so stupid. I do so wish that this method worked in missions and evangelism. Unfortunately it does not even though it fits my fleshly drive to win.
However, kindness doesn't always work either. Scoffers what the Bible calls those who hate God and Christians and who rebel at the very thought of Him and us. They especially despise our fruit of the Spirit. They actually like it when we are operating in the fleshly desires of anger, revenge and legalism for those things reinforce their predetermined ideas and make them feel superior to us.
Scoffers are also numbered among those who lead other religions and who hate it when Christian's reach out in love. In the previous post I indicated that some of the religious leaders in Russia are persecuting Evangelicals. One actually mentioned that he feared those who promote "Democracy and freedom".
Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka Asia have decided that Christians are so dangerous that there should be a law against any acts of kindness that influence people to convert to Christ. So many Christians have done so many good things for the people affected by the tsunami that the monks are scared they will lose their influence and the people will convert. You see, Buddhists do not do works of mercy and kindness for that would be an interference with the "Law of Karma". However, Christians are all about kindness and mercy and that makes the Buddhists look bad.
Go to Christianity Today's blog for a full explanation of this story.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/007/6.15.html
In the USA it is the ACLU that fears and loathes Christians who practice kindness. Watch for laws banning acts of love sponsored by the ACLU.
Monday, June 13, 2005
To Russia With Love and Prayers
The following letter from Galina is very exciting but challenging. I hope you have already read and absorbed the information from the Moscow Times. The Orthodox Church leadership, to a large extent is clamping down on all "Protestant sects" and they are very successful in shutting churches, putting pressure on the government, etc. We must pray.
As you read her letter I will make some comments to fill you in on what is happening behind the scenes.
I've made reservations for you today from August 11 till August 23 rd at "Eridan" apartment hotel. Unfortunately, it's more expensive this year, as many other things in Moscow -- almost $100 a day for a two-room apartment. (It is getting more and more expensive to minister in Moscow but we have no choices but to pay the price to keep things going. Life Way Ministries currently sends $2500.00 to Moscow so please pray about supporting that effort.)
I also made an appointment with Father Grigoriy from the Catholic Center to make a pre-payment for our 4 days in August with the team. This summer it costs $15 a day per person, which means at least 900 dollars for 15 people total.
Gary, I would like to give you some updating information.
1. On June 16-17th we shall have an "Apple 2" seminar for St. Kozma and Demian's Church (please pray). This will complete the first level course for the two big groups and their leaders, which includes "12 Steps", "Apples 1" and "Apples 2".
2. On June the 18th, we are finishing a series of weekly Saturday support groups for the church leaders of Kozma and Damian's community. (This is amazing. Galina has gotten us into one of the largest Orthodox Churches in Moscow!! Father Alexander is very supportive of our work but is being pressured by others to stop being so friendly with Protestants. PRAY for his protection.)
3. Next Wednesday Evgeny and Pavel will finish their "Brothers'" group they have been leading for 3 months. It is their second experience in leading male groups, the first one was over in March. (WOW! Two men's groups have completed training. This is incredible in Russia where the men are so damaged and emotionally scarred. PRAY for the men.)
4. In July, we shall lead an intensive course for the future leaders of support groups from different churches. Partly, there will be people from the male group and the Saturday support groups, who decided to participate in small groups development in their churches, there. (Praise the Lord! Leadership is critically needed. These leaders will multiply themselves all over the USSR and touch thousands of families.)
5. We continue supervision groups for leaders on Monday. (More leadership training.)
My greetings and gratitude to our brothers and sisters.
Galina
The following letter from Galina is very exciting but challenging. I hope you have already read and absorbed the information from the Moscow Times. The Orthodox Church leadership, to a large extent is clamping down on all "Protestant sects" and they are very successful in shutting churches, putting pressure on the government, etc. We must pray.
As you read her letter I will make some comments to fill you in on what is happening behind the scenes.
I've made reservations for you today from August 11 till August 23 rd at "Eridan" apartment hotel. Unfortunately, it's more expensive this year, as many other things in Moscow -- almost $100 a day for a two-room apartment. (It is getting more and more expensive to minister in Moscow but we have no choices but to pay the price to keep things going. Life Way Ministries currently sends $2500.00 to Moscow so please pray about supporting that effort.)
I also made an appointment with Father Grigoriy from the Catholic Center to make a pre-payment for our 4 days in August with the team. This summer it costs $15 a day per person, which means at least 900 dollars for 15 people total.
Gary, I would like to give you some updating information.
1. On June 16-17th we shall have an "Apple 2" seminar for St. Kozma and Demian's Church (please pray). This will complete the first level course for the two big groups and their leaders, which includes "12 Steps", "Apples 1" and "Apples 2".
2. On June the 18th, we are finishing a series of weekly Saturday support groups for the church leaders of Kozma and Damian's community. (This is amazing. Galina has gotten us into one of the largest Orthodox Churches in Moscow!! Father Alexander is very supportive of our work but is being pressured by others to stop being so friendly with Protestants. PRAY for his protection.)
3. Next Wednesday Evgeny and Pavel will finish their "Brothers'" group they have been leading for 3 months. It is their second experience in leading male groups, the first one was over in March. (WOW! Two men's groups have completed training. This is incredible in Russia where the men are so damaged and emotionally scarred. PRAY for the men.)
4. In July, we shall lead an intensive course for the future leaders of support groups from different churches. Partly, there will be people from the male group and the Saturday support groups, who decided to participate in small groups development in their churches, there. (Praise the Lord! Leadership is critically needed. These leaders will multiply themselves all over the USSR and touch thousands of families.)
5. We continue supervision groups for leaders on Monday. (More leadership training.)
My greetings and gratitude to our brothers and sisters.
Galina
To Russia With Prayer
Upon our return from Florida I received two letters that gave me both excitement and concern. The first was fromDr. Galina Chentsova, M.D. who heads our ministry in the former USSR and the second from The Moscow Times.
I am enclosing part of the Times story. You can get the details from their web.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/06/10/002.html
Evangelical Christians Fight for a Church
By Stephen Boykewich Staff Writer
Dozens of evangelical believers stood stunned on Tverskaya Ploshchad across from City Hall, their protest banners lying in police vans, their pastor being carted off to a holding cell.
"This time it was pretty," Yelena Purshaga said last Thursday. Her husband, Alexander Purshaga, is the pastor of the Emmanuel church.
"You should have seen the way it was yesterday," she said on June 2. The church had sought -- and thought it received -- permission to hold a weeklong demonstration across from City Hall over the loss of land that it had hoped to use to build a house of worship.
But on May 30 and June 1, police and OMON special forces violently broke up the demonstrations, throwing women and children to the ground and swearing at them, parishioners said. One of them, Marina Karandayeva, raised her sleeve to show an ugly ring of bruises around her arm.
For Emmanuel's believers, it was the latest indignity in a decade-long struggle to build a church for their 1,000-member Moscow parish. For some religious liberty organizations, it was further evidence of a mounting, and in some cases violent, trend to persecute Protestant religious minorities.
In mid-May, a group of young men stormed into the Moscow office of the Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith, a main umbrella organization for evangelical churches in Russia, and announced that they had been sent to "beat sectarians."
At about the same time, Perm regional authorities said they wanted to buy back a former palace of culture building that had been sold to an evangelical church -- a decision that came after the church was criticized by the local Russian Orthodox bishop, the mayor of Perm and city legislators. A Baptist home church went up in flames in an apparent arson attack in the Moscow region town of Lyubuchany in September.
Emmanuel's saga began in 1994, when it applied for land to build a church in Moscow. Protestant church membership was growing rapidly at the time, thanks in part to a 1991 law on religious organizations that has since become far more restrictive.
Lawrence Uzzell, president of International Religious Freedom Watch, said Emmanuel was far from alone in its plight. "Securing a meeting space is probably the most common type of problem that Protestant organizations in Russia have," Uzzell said.
Protestant churches throughout Russia have complained that owners of theaters and former cultural palaces have refused to let them rent rooms for religious services because of the opposition of local Orthodox priests or bishops, he said.
"In effect, Orthodox clergy were being given veto power over their competitors," Uzzell said.
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II's chief spokesman, Mikhail Moiseyev, denied such practices.
Regarding Emmanuel's difficulties, he said: "Construction in Moscow is a problem for everyone. If in this case there are problems, it's by no means connected to the Orthodox Church."
He noted, however, that "more than once the most holy patriarch has expressed the idea that the activities of many religious groups -- evangelists, neo-charismatics, pentacostals, whatever they call themselves -- have absolutely no historical tradition beneath them and are alien to Russian spiritual life."
Emmanuel's members disagree. Protestants have been active throughout territory of the former Soviet Union for over a century. The Russian Assemblies of God have been registered in the country since 1933, and the families of both Purshagas have worshiped in evangelical churches for generations.
"They ask us who our foreign sponsors are," Yelena Purshaga said. "They say we've come from America to bring a democratic revolution. We don't want anything of the kind. All we want is the land they promised us."
In 1996, the church was granted a plot on Prospekt Vernadskogo, and spent "many millions of rubles" over the next few years preparing the project, said Alexander Purshaga, who is both Emmanuel's chief pastor and president of the Russian Assemblies of God, an organization that includes 38 other parishes nationwide.
But when the Moscow parish was ready to start construction in 1999, authorities in the local administrative district said that residents opposed the project.
"We went out to collect signatures," Yelena Purshaga said. "We did everything by the book: last names, addresses, passport numbers. People knew us because of the charity work we had done with orphans and veterans. Out of the 10,000 people we asked, 6,000 said they weren't against construction."The church was then abruptly told that the land had been previously promised to the city government for public use, Alexander Purshaga said.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=
Pray for freedom to reign in Russia.
Pray for Galina and her team of dedicated volunteers.
Pray for my trip in August.
Upon our return from Florida I received two letters that gave me both excitement and concern. The first was fromDr. Galina Chentsova, M.D. who heads our ministry in the former USSR and the second from The Moscow Times.
I am enclosing part of the Times story. You can get the details from their web.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/06/10/002.html
Evangelical Christians Fight for a Church
By Stephen Boykewich Staff Writer
Dozens of evangelical believers stood stunned on Tverskaya Ploshchad across from City Hall, their protest banners lying in police vans, their pastor being carted off to a holding cell.
"This time it was pretty," Yelena Purshaga said last Thursday. Her husband, Alexander Purshaga, is the pastor of the Emmanuel church.
"You should have seen the way it was yesterday," she said on June 2. The church had sought -- and thought it received -- permission to hold a weeklong demonstration across from City Hall over the loss of land that it had hoped to use to build a house of worship.
But on May 30 and June 1, police and OMON special forces violently broke up the demonstrations, throwing women and children to the ground and swearing at them, parishioners said. One of them, Marina Karandayeva, raised her sleeve to show an ugly ring of bruises around her arm.
For Emmanuel's believers, it was the latest indignity in a decade-long struggle to build a church for their 1,000-member Moscow parish. For some religious liberty organizations, it was further evidence of a mounting, and in some cases violent, trend to persecute Protestant religious minorities.
In mid-May, a group of young men stormed into the Moscow office of the Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith, a main umbrella organization for evangelical churches in Russia, and announced that they had been sent to "beat sectarians."
At about the same time, Perm regional authorities said they wanted to buy back a former palace of culture building that had been sold to an evangelical church -- a decision that came after the church was criticized by the local Russian Orthodox bishop, the mayor of Perm and city legislators. A Baptist home church went up in flames in an apparent arson attack in the Moscow region town of Lyubuchany in September.
Emmanuel's saga began in 1994, when it applied for land to build a church in Moscow. Protestant church membership was growing rapidly at the time, thanks in part to a 1991 law on religious organizations that has since become far more restrictive.
Lawrence Uzzell, president of International Religious Freedom Watch, said Emmanuel was far from alone in its plight. "Securing a meeting space is probably the most common type of problem that Protestant organizations in Russia have," Uzzell said.
Protestant churches throughout Russia have complained that owners of theaters and former cultural palaces have refused to let them rent rooms for religious services because of the opposition of local Orthodox priests or bishops, he said.
"In effect, Orthodox clergy were being given veto power over their competitors," Uzzell said.
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II's chief spokesman, Mikhail Moiseyev, denied such practices.
Regarding Emmanuel's difficulties, he said: "Construction in Moscow is a problem for everyone. If in this case there are problems, it's by no means connected to the Orthodox Church."
He noted, however, that "more than once the most holy patriarch has expressed the idea that the activities of many religious groups -- evangelists, neo-charismatics, pentacostals, whatever they call themselves -- have absolutely no historical tradition beneath them and are alien to Russian spiritual life."
Emmanuel's members disagree. Protestants have been active throughout territory of the former Soviet Union for over a century. The Russian Assemblies of God have been registered in the country since 1933, and the families of both Purshagas have worshiped in evangelical churches for generations.
"They ask us who our foreign sponsors are," Yelena Purshaga said. "They say we've come from America to bring a democratic revolution. We don't want anything of the kind. All we want is the land they promised us."
In 1996, the church was granted a plot on Prospekt Vernadskogo, and spent "many millions of rubles" over the next few years preparing the project, said Alexander Purshaga, who is both Emmanuel's chief pastor and president of the Russian Assemblies of God, an organization that includes 38 other parishes nationwide.
But when the Moscow parish was ready to start construction in 1999, authorities in the local administrative district said that residents opposed the project.
"We went out to collect signatures," Yelena Purshaga said. "We did everything by the book: last names, addresses, passport numbers. People knew us because of the charity work we had done with orphans and veterans. Out of the 10,000 people we asked, 6,000 said they weren't against construction."The church was then abruptly told that the land had been previously promised to the city government for public use, Alexander Purshaga said.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=
Pray for freedom to reign in Russia.
Pray for Galina and her team of dedicated volunteers.
Pray for my trip in August.
Coming Home
For a week Karen and I joined our daughter Julie and husband Dave Knispel with their two kids Jacob and Lily in Destin, Florida. The sun, sand and love were great. I was also able to play some golf and got a real good score. Being with family is wonderful, especially when the grandkids are around.
But I am back and busy trying to catch up with all my ministry responsibilities, especially meetings to mentor and coach leaders. This is a task I dearly love. It is exciting to see so many young leaders grow in Christ and grow in understanding how to lead their families and the church family.
I am strongly suggesting that all lay and clergy leaders read Lyle Schaller's book, The Very Large Church. As I read it I can see why our years at College Hill were so wonderfully fruitful. Our team was doing the right things at the right time and the result was a powerful move of God. We did not have the right formula for, as we often lamented, to whom can we look for a model? There were few if any very large churches and no one knew exactly why they were growing back then.
Today there are many books based on good research about church growth. Rick Warren and other dynamic leaders have given us insights about the reasons some churches grow and others do not. We brought Lyle Schaller in to consult with us at CHPC in the 80's and he made a profound statement to our question about improvements. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
That comment is heard often nowadays but then it was startling. He also told us that we were almost unique among Mainline Denominational churches. Few were or are growing because they were preaching an uncertain message. Growing churches have a certainty of theology but a changing style that meets local and age appropriate musical needs.
Successful churches then and now have a multitude of services to families, hurting people in the community, children and youth and specialized groups.
If you are interested in winning people to Christ and growing in numbers, read this book. It may make you sick to see how much you need to do to grow or you may get excited to find a new rule book. Either way, spend a few dollars to find out how to grow.
For a week Karen and I joined our daughter Julie and husband Dave Knispel with their two kids Jacob and Lily in Destin, Florida. The sun, sand and love were great. I was also able to play some golf and got a real good score. Being with family is wonderful, especially when the grandkids are around.
But I am back and busy trying to catch up with all my ministry responsibilities, especially meetings to mentor and coach leaders. This is a task I dearly love. It is exciting to see so many young leaders grow in Christ and grow in understanding how to lead their families and the church family.
I am strongly suggesting that all lay and clergy leaders read Lyle Schaller's book, The Very Large Church. As I read it I can see why our years at College Hill were so wonderfully fruitful. Our team was doing the right things at the right time and the result was a powerful move of God. We did not have the right formula for, as we often lamented, to whom can we look for a model? There were few if any very large churches and no one knew exactly why they were growing back then.
Today there are many books based on good research about church growth. Rick Warren and other dynamic leaders have given us insights about the reasons some churches grow and others do not. We brought Lyle Schaller in to consult with us at CHPC in the 80's and he made a profound statement to our question about improvements. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
That comment is heard often nowadays but then it was startling. He also told us that we were almost unique among Mainline Denominational churches. Few were or are growing because they were preaching an uncertain message. Growing churches have a certainty of theology but a changing style that meets local and age appropriate musical needs.
Successful churches then and now have a multitude of services to families, hurting people in the community, children and youth and specialized groups.
If you are interested in winning people to Christ and growing in numbers, read this book. It may make you sick to see how much you need to do to grow or you may get excited to find a new rule book. Either way, spend a few dollars to find out how to grow.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Tolerance?
That which we Tolerate as well as those things we reject are indicators the kind of
culture we are. Intolerance can be a strong indication that we are a good and sensitive
people while Tolerance may show that we are depraved, uncouth and callous.
These terms are always modifiers. They do not stand-alone. Yet, some writers use the
term Intolerant to suggest those with whom they disagree are filled with hatred, evil
and venom. It is used as a very Intolerant act.
We need to be Intolerant. But choose wisely those thing we cannot
Tolerate for it tells the world about our heart.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Intolerant toward Lies
Tolerant toward truth
Intolerant toward Evil
Tolerant toward good
Intolerant toward Dictators
Tolerant toward Elected Officials
Intolerant toward Sickness
` Tolerant toward Healthy Living
Intolerant toward Slavery
Tolerant toward Freedom
Intolerant toward Sin
Tolerant toward Righteousness
Intolerant toward Crime
Tolerant toward Safety
Intolerant toward Violence
Tolerant toward Peace
Intolerant toward Poverty
Tolerant toward Material Well Being
Intolerant toward Oppression
Tolerant toward Democracy
What will you add to the list?
Kids Are Smarter Than Judges
They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-three students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt.Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and moms freely brushed awaytears. This class would not pray during the commencements ----- not by choice but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.
The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.
The speeches were nice, but they were routine......until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED!
The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said," GOD BLESS YOU, each and every one of you!" And he walked off stage.
The audience exploded into applause The graduating class found a uniqueway to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval.
GOD BLESS YOU!
They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-three students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt.Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and moms freely brushed awaytears. This class would not pray during the commencements ----- not by choice but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.
The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.
The speeches were nice, but they were routine......until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED!
The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said," GOD BLESS YOU, each and every one of you!" And he walked off stage.
The audience exploded into applause The graduating class found a uniqueway to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval.
GOD BLESS YOU!
A History of Whittington, Illinois; A History Project
By The Eighth Grade Class of Ewing North School, May, 1993
Abstracted by Gary Sweeten of Ina, Illinois
The old times in southern Illinois were rough but most people made as much as possible out of what little they had. My dad grew up in Whittington and I heard many of his stories of adventure, challenge and hardship. They show how resilient the Illinois pioneers became in the face of great stress.
William Winemiller, age 84, recalled some of his own experiences. “I was born on a farm, on which I now live, in Ewing Twp, March 7, 1850. During the Civil War many of our closest neighbors marched away to the south to fight for the Union and several never returned. Sometimes it seemed that the weight of the whole world was on my shoulders for I was sent to the homes of neighbors whose men-folk had gone to war, to cut and saw wood for fuel and to carry water from the springs, help make sorghum and many other things about the pioneer homes.”
“I went to school in a one-room log house with a latch string through the door, located on my father’s farm. I studied readin, ritin and rithmatic, the only subjects thought necessary at the time. We sat on split-log benches, puncheon floors and open fireplaces to keep warm. Oiled paper over openings in the walls were our windows.
My mother made the most wonderful quilts and sister wove beautiful coverlits, some of which are still in use in my house today. Sister was always busy and known as the smartest girl in the whole neighborhood.”
“We cleared the forests in winter that we might plant our crops in spring. Many brush piles were kept burning late at night by the men and boys while the woman sat on logs and stumps, busily knitting while visiting with neighbors. Little children played in the bright firelight.”
“Quite often old fashioned square-dances were staged. The ladies brought pies, mother made coffee and the merry making would continue until the roosters crowed for day.”
“In those days people walked a long distances. My dad, who lived in Whittington, walked daily to Rend City (Ten Miles) to load coal by hand then walked back home in the evening. They thought nothing of it even though it was through mud.”
“One time while making lye soap, Nicholas Cypher heard a woman scream. Momentarily he saw a large panther walk toward him but he had no weapon. Thinking quickly, Mr. Cypher threw lye water into the cat’s eyes and while the animal was trying desperately to claw it out Mr. Cypher beat him to death with a tree limb.”
“Many times during the depression grandpa Will went looking for hobos so he could invite them to eat with the family because he thought everyone should be able to have good food.”
Summary: “Talk of depression was never thought of. Few of us had any money nor was there much for which we could spend the little we had.”
NOTE: Please read the preceding post and compare the two approaches to education and developing strong citizens.
By The Eighth Grade Class of Ewing North School, May, 1993
Abstracted by Gary Sweeten of Ina, Illinois
The old times in southern Illinois were rough but most people made as much as possible out of what little they had. My dad grew up in Whittington and I heard many of his stories of adventure, challenge and hardship. They show how resilient the Illinois pioneers became in the face of great stress.
William Winemiller, age 84, recalled some of his own experiences. “I was born on a farm, on which I now live, in Ewing Twp, March 7, 1850. During the Civil War many of our closest neighbors marched away to the south to fight for the Union and several never returned. Sometimes it seemed that the weight of the whole world was on my shoulders for I was sent to the homes of neighbors whose men-folk had gone to war, to cut and saw wood for fuel and to carry water from the springs, help make sorghum and many other things about the pioneer homes.”
“I went to school in a one-room log house with a latch string through the door, located on my father’s farm. I studied readin, ritin and rithmatic, the only subjects thought necessary at the time. We sat on split-log benches, puncheon floors and open fireplaces to keep warm. Oiled paper over openings in the walls were our windows.
My mother made the most wonderful quilts and sister wove beautiful coverlits, some of which are still in use in my house today. Sister was always busy and known as the smartest girl in the whole neighborhood.”
“We cleared the forests in winter that we might plant our crops in spring. Many brush piles were kept burning late at night by the men and boys while the woman sat on logs and stumps, busily knitting while visiting with neighbors. Little children played in the bright firelight.”
“Quite often old fashioned square-dances were staged. The ladies brought pies, mother made coffee and the merry making would continue until the roosters crowed for day.”
“In those days people walked a long distances. My dad, who lived in Whittington, walked daily to Rend City (Ten Miles) to load coal by hand then walked back home in the evening. They thought nothing of it even though it was through mud.”
“One time while making lye soap, Nicholas Cypher heard a woman scream. Momentarily he saw a large panther walk toward him but he had no weapon. Thinking quickly, Mr. Cypher threw lye water into the cat’s eyes and while the animal was trying desperately to claw it out Mr. Cypher beat him to death with a tree limb.”
“Many times during the depression grandpa Will went looking for hobos so he could invite them to eat with the family because he thought everyone should be able to have good food.”
Summary: “Talk of depression was never thought of. Few of us had any money nor was there much for which we could spend the little we had.”
NOTE: Please read the preceding post and compare the two approaches to education and developing strong citizens.
USA Today and Self Esteem
The USA Today ran a story today by Christina Hoff Summers that attacks the notion that children are so fragile that they cannot even withstand the imposition of "harsh" colors. It seems that the teachers and principals of some schools are eliminating red pens because the color red can stress ful and demeaning". At first I thought this must be a bad joke. No well educated teacher or principal would fall for such a ridiculous notion. I was wrong.
The principal of Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School in Pittsburgh advises teachers to us only "pleasant feeling tones". The article goes on to add that Robert Sherman, VP for marketing at Pilot Pen says that "teachers are trying to be positive and reinforcing rather than harsh".
Michael Finn of Papermate approves for "This is a kinder, more gentle education system."
Are children so fragile that they cannot handle the color red? Must we place kids in a plastic bubble that keeps out everything challenging or that they must struggle to overcome? It seems that many educators believe that this is so for there are numerous schools that are eliminating all competitive games such as tag, dodge ball and anything where children choose other kids to be on their side lest someone feel left out.
The principal of the Franklin Elementary School in Santa Monica, CA sent a letter home to parents saying that their children can no longer play tag during lunch recess for "In this game there is a 'victim" or an 'it' which creates a self-esteem issue".
What do you think about this new wave of protectionism? Is this good for kids? Will it prepare them for adulthood and make them stronger? Or will it cause the USA to develop a generation of weaklings who cannot compete in the real world?
The USA Today ran a story today by Christina Hoff Summers that attacks the notion that children are so fragile that they cannot even withstand the imposition of "harsh" colors. It seems that the teachers and principals of some schools are eliminating red pens because the color red can stress ful and demeaning". At first I thought this must be a bad joke. No well educated teacher or principal would fall for such a ridiculous notion. I was wrong.
The principal of Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School in Pittsburgh advises teachers to us only "pleasant feeling tones". The article goes on to add that Robert Sherman, VP for marketing at Pilot Pen says that "teachers are trying to be positive and reinforcing rather than harsh".
Michael Finn of Papermate approves for "This is a kinder, more gentle education system."
Are children so fragile that they cannot handle the color red? Must we place kids in a plastic bubble that keeps out everything challenging or that they must struggle to overcome? It seems that many educators believe that this is so for there are numerous schools that are eliminating all competitive games such as tag, dodge ball and anything where children choose other kids to be on their side lest someone feel left out.
The principal of the Franklin Elementary School in Santa Monica, CA sent a letter home to parents saying that their children can no longer play tag during lunch recess for "In this game there is a 'victim" or an 'it' which creates a self-esteem issue".
What do you think about this new wave of protectionism? Is this good for kids? Will it prepare them for adulthood and make them stronger? Or will it cause the USA to develop a generation of weaklings who cannot compete in the real world?
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