Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Reunions and Retreats
Tomorrow I am off to Mt. Vernon, Illinois to visit with old friends and family members. I was born in Ina, a thriving city of 200 or so souls just about ten miles south of Mt. Vernon, the county seat of Jefferson County.
Ina was too small to have a high school so the wise men on the school board bussed the kids to Benton, ten miles south and in Franklin County, for many years. When my brother Maurice was a freshman at Benton they changed their minds and decided to send us to Mt. Vernon.
In 1952 I entered MVTHS with several of my buddies from Ina. Steve Clinton and his cousin Tom, Bozo Fowler and several girls. We were kidded and razzed mercilessly by the "city kids" who asked daily how the ride up Route 37 on a tractor suited us.
Most of us survived although a few had troubles with the authorities. I was suspended but it was 50 years ago so I forget why. This week we celebrate 50 years of survival since graduation, marriage, kids and grandkids, wars, poverty, riches and salvations.
I am somewhat ambivalent about the return. Will I remember the aged faces that were young and unwrinkled? What is there to say to the same questions about tractor rides up Route 37?
I am always fascinated by those who did well and those who did good. Some of our classmates made money and some made converts to Christ. Some flamed out despite the promise of a well to do family and a good education.
The stories will be interesting and the bragging loud. It will be fun.
Tomorrow I am off to Mt. Vernon, Illinois to visit with old friends and family members. I was born in Ina, a thriving city of 200 or so souls just about ten miles south of Mt. Vernon, the county seat of Jefferson County.
Ina was too small to have a high school so the wise men on the school board bussed the kids to Benton, ten miles south and in Franklin County, for many years. When my brother Maurice was a freshman at Benton they changed their minds and decided to send us to Mt. Vernon.
In 1952 I entered MVTHS with several of my buddies from Ina. Steve Clinton and his cousin Tom, Bozo Fowler and several girls. We were kidded and razzed mercilessly by the "city kids" who asked daily how the ride up Route 37 on a tractor suited us.
Most of us survived although a few had troubles with the authorities. I was suspended but it was 50 years ago so I forget why. This week we celebrate 50 years of survival since graduation, marriage, kids and grandkids, wars, poverty, riches and salvations.
I am somewhat ambivalent about the return. Will I remember the aged faces that were young and unwrinkled? What is there to say to the same questions about tractor rides up Route 37?
I am always fascinated by those who did well and those who did good. Some of our classmates made money and some made converts to Christ. Some flamed out despite the promise of a well to do family and a good education.
The stories will be interesting and the bragging loud. It will be fun.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Great Golf
I have one regret about playing golf; I waited too long to start playing. I watch the young guys play on TV or next to me on the course and I am greens with envy.
I was never a great athlete but in golf we have lots of fun and see improvements even if we are not great, but it seems as if starting as a youngster is key to success. I started playing when Karen bought me a $100.00 worth of lessons for my 57th birthday. I was stiff and awkward but I learned how to swing without breaking my back.
I love being out of doors on a beautiful lawn with trees and lakes. I love it so much I am often among them and far to often using my "fishing pole" to retrieve a ball or two. Almost every week during warm weather a group of us gets together and have a swinging good time.
Call me if you would like to play. We are fans of the Hand Wedge and the Foot Driver so don't feel like you are not good enough to play with us. Fun and fellowship are the goals.
Gary Sweeten
I have one regret about playing golf; I waited too long to start playing. I watch the young guys play on TV or next to me on the course and I am greens with envy.
I was never a great athlete but in golf we have lots of fun and see improvements even if we are not great, but it seems as if starting as a youngster is key to success. I started playing when Karen bought me a $100.00 worth of lessons for my 57th birthday. I was stiff and awkward but I learned how to swing without breaking my back.
I love being out of doors on a beautiful lawn with trees and lakes. I love it so much I am often among them and far to often using my "fishing pole" to retrieve a ball or two. Almost every week during warm weather a group of us gets together and have a swinging good time.
Call me if you would like to play. We are fans of the Hand Wedge and the Foot Driver so don't feel like you are not good enough to play with us. Fun and fellowship are the goals.
Gary Sweeten
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Do Not Go to These Places
We have enjoyed the Olive Garden for many years but they have lost our business. They were rude and unfriendly and refused to allow us a simple favor so we will with hold our future business from them.
Also, we have had many problems in France, especially the airport. The people there are unfriendly, unhelpful and try hard to help us miss our next flight. I flew through Rome my last trip to Moscow and it was pleasant and efficient.
Why do business with companies or countries that hate us and who do not want us but lust for our money. The French can't even keep their airport from falling down let alone get us on the next flight.
We have enjoyed the Olive Garden for many years but they have lost our business. They were rude and unfriendly and refused to allow us a simple favor so we will with hold our future business from them.
Also, we have had many problems in France, especially the airport. The people there are unfriendly, unhelpful and try hard to help us miss our next flight. I flew through Rome my last trip to Moscow and it was pleasant and efficient.
Why do business with companies or countries that hate us and who do not want us but lust for our money. The French can't even keep their airport from falling down let alone get us on the next flight.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Ministry Blog
Take a look at my new ministry blog at
http://gsweetenministryblogspotcom.blogspot.com
Here you will find teaching and ideas about my ministry through Life Way Ministries, Inc. a non-profit ministry that supports Christians around the world. I discuss the church, ministry, healing, equipping and counseling.
Take a look at my new ministry blog at
http://gsweetenministryblogspotcom.blogspot.com
Here you will find teaching and ideas about my ministry through Life Way Ministries, Inc. a non-profit ministry that supports Christians around the world. I discuss the church, ministry, healing, equipping and counseling.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Mother in Law
About 18 months ago Karen's Mother, Hazel Guriel, fell while at her home in Illinois. She became dizzy from the flu and was hit pretty hard on the head when she fell. As a result we moved her to Cincinnati and it was a wonderful addition to our family.
We just celebrated Hazel's 90th Birthday. Just think, from 1916 unto 2006! What memories and big events. She is a great story teller and the grand kids and great grand kids love to hear about "The good old days".
She can remember the 1918 flu epidemic, WWI, The Depression, WWII, Pearl Harbor, Korea, Viet Nam, etc, etc, etc.
If you have some older relatives make sure you allow them time to share their memories with the younger generations. How they met their spouse; dating; music; wars; depressions; etc. The kids need to learn from their elders.
About 18 months ago Karen's Mother, Hazel Guriel, fell while at her home in Illinois. She became dizzy from the flu and was hit pretty hard on the head when she fell. As a result we moved her to Cincinnati and it was a wonderful addition to our family.
We just celebrated Hazel's 90th Birthday. Just think, from 1916 unto 2006! What memories and big events. She is a great story teller and the grand kids and great grand kids love to hear about "The good old days".
She can remember the 1918 flu epidemic, WWI, The Depression, WWII, Pearl Harbor, Korea, Viet Nam, etc, etc, etc.
If you have some older relatives make sure you allow them time to share their memories with the younger generations. How they met their spouse; dating; music; wars; depressions; etc. The kids need to learn from their elders.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Thanks for the Prayers
As some of you know I have suffered from strep throat for about a week. Thanks to medicine and prayer and rest I am recovering.
I had been feeling well until this infection hit me hard. The contrast was huge and it caused me to think about how much I can take wellness and wealth for granted. When I was feeling well I could not remember how it feels to be ill. But after my throat swelled up and I ached all over I suddenly remembered why health is so important.
When I am back in the USA I easily forget how hard life is for many billions around the world. In Russia I saw thousands of destitute people, many of them drunk on very cheap vodka, who lived in shacks beside the railroad tracks. But now I am surrounded by American wealth and I really love it. I grew up in poverty and I can remember that I do not wish to go back to it.
Thanks for the calls, prayers and sympathy. Thanks to God we have good medicine. "All good gifts come down from the Father above."
As some of you know I have suffered from strep throat for about a week. Thanks to medicine and prayer and rest I am recovering.
I had been feeling well until this infection hit me hard. The contrast was huge and it caused me to think about how much I can take wellness and wealth for granted. When I was feeling well I could not remember how it feels to be ill. But after my throat swelled up and I ached all over I suddenly remembered why health is so important.
When I am back in the USA I easily forget how hard life is for many billions around the world. In Russia I saw thousands of destitute people, many of them drunk on very cheap vodka, who lived in shacks beside the railroad tracks. But now I am surrounded by American wealth and I really love it. I grew up in poverty and I can remember that I do not wish to go back to it.
Thanks for the calls, prayers and sympathy. Thanks to God we have good medicine. "All good gifts come down from the Father above."
Marc O'Hara is the Winner
My old friend Marc correctly responded with the answer. It was FDR who wrote that Social Security funds would last only a few years. FDR was my hero as a child. Dad was a left wing Democrat that loved Roosevelt-pronounced Roooozi-velt- and thought he and the other Democrats could do no wrong and I followed in his footsteps.
FDR was a great man who understood reality as well as politics. He would not have a chance of winning the Presidency today because he did not fit the current beautiful man profile of a candidate. But he understood something about economics and that the government could not pay for everything forever. That is another reason many current voters would reject him. Nowadays politicians must promise everything to the citizens.
I think we need to return to the law that said only taxpayers can vote. If a person pays for an item it seems more important.
Take a look at my new ministry blog at http://gsweetenministryblogspotcom.blogspot.com
My old friend Marc correctly responded with the answer. It was FDR who wrote that Social Security funds would last only a few years. FDR was my hero as a child. Dad was a left wing Democrat that loved Roosevelt-pronounced Roooozi-velt- and thought he and the other Democrats could do no wrong and I followed in his footsteps.
FDR was a great man who understood reality as well as politics. He would not have a chance of winning the Presidency today because he did not fit the current beautiful man profile of a candidate. But he understood something about economics and that the government could not pay for everything forever. That is another reason many current voters would reject him. Nowadays politicians must promise everything to the citizens.
I think we need to return to the law that said only taxpayers can vote. If a person pays for an item it seems more important.
Take a look at my new ministry blog at http://gsweetenministryblogspotcom.blogspot.com
A New Blog by Gary
I am starting a new blog to focus on my professional and ministry life so I can restrict Brave Heart to personal and family issues.
You can find it at
http://gsweetenministryblogspotcom.blogspot.com
I am starting a new blog to focus on my professional and ministry life so I can restrict Brave Heart to personal and family issues.
You can find it at
http://gsweetenministryblogspotcom.blogspot.com
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Who Wrote This???
"For perhaps 30 years to come funds will have to be provided by the States and the Federal Government to meet these pensions. But after that it would be necessary to move to voluntary contributory annuities by which individual initiative can increase the annual amounts received in old age.
It is proposed that the Federal Government assume one-half of the cost of the old-age pension plan, which ought ultimately to be supplanted by self-supporting annuity plans."
If you can who wrote this I will by a cup of coffee for you.
The answer will be shown later.
"For perhaps 30 years to come funds will have to be provided by the States and the Federal Government to meet these pensions. But after that it would be necessary to move to voluntary contributory annuities by which individual initiative can increase the annual amounts received in old age.
It is proposed that the Federal Government assume one-half of the cost of the old-age pension plan, which ought ultimately to be supplanted by self-supporting annuity plans."
If you can who wrote this I will by a cup of coffee for you.
The answer will be shown later.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Formal Ecucation is Failing
I just read an article in the WAll Street Journal's online version OpinionJournal OpinionJournal@wsj.com. It is the best online paper I receive and I strongly suggest that you subscribe to it.
The article is pasted in below and it affirms the research I did on my doctoral dissertation about training lay and professionals in 1974-75. We have known since the sixties how to help people grow and change. We know what works and what does not work. We know the educational methodis that work and those that do not work. Yet, for the most part, schools, universitis, seminaries and churches continue to pursue outmoded and non-working models to train our children, youth and adult.
(The) Discovery News reports on a new study that suggests "a growing number of people are retaining the behaviors and attitudes associated with youth":
A "child-like flexibility of attitudes, behaviors and knowledge" is probably adaptive to the increased instability of the modern world, [British biologist Bruce] Charlton believes. Formal education now extends well past physical maturity, leaving students with minds that are, he said, "unfinished."
"The psychological neoteny effect of formal education is an accidental by-product -- the main role of education is to increase general, abstract intelligence and prepare for economic activity," he explained.
"But formal education requires a child-like stance of receptivity to new learning, and cognitive flexibility." . . .
"People such as academics, teachers, scientists and many other professionals are often strikingly immature outside of their strictly specialist competence in the sense of being unpredictable, unbalanced in priorities, and tending to overreact."
This would explain the lack of discipleship in most churches and seminaries.
I just read an article in the WAll Street Journal's online version OpinionJournal OpinionJournal@wsj.com. It is the best online paper I receive and I strongly suggest that you subscribe to it.
The article is pasted in below and it affirms the research I did on my doctoral dissertation about training lay and professionals in 1974-75. We have known since the sixties how to help people grow and change. We know what works and what does not work. We know the educational methodis that work and those that do not work. Yet, for the most part, schools, universitis, seminaries and churches continue to pursue outmoded and non-working models to train our children, youth and adult.
(The) Discovery News reports on a new study that suggests "a growing number of people are retaining the behaviors and attitudes associated with youth":
A "child-like flexibility of attitudes, behaviors and knowledge" is probably adaptive to the increased instability of the modern world, [British biologist Bruce] Charlton believes. Formal education now extends well past physical maturity, leaving students with minds that are, he said, "unfinished."
"The psychological neoteny effect of formal education is an accidental by-product -- the main role of education is to increase general, abstract intelligence and prepare for economic activity," he explained.
"But formal education requires a child-like stance of receptivity to new learning, and cognitive flexibility." . . .
"People such as academics, teachers, scientists and many other professionals are often strikingly immature outside of their strictly specialist competence in the sense of being unpredictable, unbalanced in priorities, and tending to overreact."
This would explain the lack of discipleship in most churches and seminaries.
Papa Scrambles at Scrabble
Grandson Jacob is the champion of Scrabble despite his tender age and low level of schooling. As you can see from the photo he took of me I was stunned to have a "B" when I needed another letter.
Jacob regularly beats the adults at a lot of games and Grand Daugher Lily seems to have the same gift. Even in games of pure chance they always come out ahead.
There are few activities in life that can build emotional, relational and economic health than board games.
When we had our in-patient hospital many of the patients had never spent time with their families and most never played games, We could see the damage that did when they grew up without learning basic relationshl skills, how to win and h0w to face failures.
Grandson Jacob is the champion of Scrabble despite his tender age and low level of schooling. As you can see from the photo he took of me I was stunned to have a "B" when I needed another letter.Jacob regularly beats the adults at a lot of games and Grand Daugher Lily seems to have the same gift. Even in games of pure chance they always come out ahead.
There are few activities in life that can build emotional, relational and economic health than board games.
When we had our in-patient hospital many of the patients had never spent time with their families and most never played games, We could see the damage that did when they grew up without learning basic relationshl skills, how to win and h0w to face failures.
Story Telling With Verve
Hazel's Great Nephew Joshua is a born entertainer
and he joined her in re-telling some dramatic stories about her childhood. This one had to do with Her oldest brother getting his arm shot off in a hunting accident.
As you can see, Josh added a lot of emotion, intensity and "facts" to the tale.
Hazel's Great Nephew Joshua is a born entertainer
and he joined her in re-telling some dramatic stories about her childhood. This one had to do with Her oldest brother getting his arm shot off in a hunting accident.As you can see, Josh added a lot of emotion, intensity and "facts" to the tale.
Happy Father's Day
Son Timothy and Wife Shelley found the perfect gift for me this year. In the midst of Hazel's 90th Birthday Bash they remembered me and wrapped up two dozen geezer-golf balls from Titleist.
These are soft and made for old guys with a slow swing speed.
It was just one more aspect of the week that made it into a wonderful experience. No aspect og family life is better than playing games and telling family stories. Now I have 24 balls to add to my low score mythology.
I hope all my golf buddies also got good dad and grandad gifts.
Son Timothy and Wife Shelley found the perfect gift for me this year. In the midst of Hazel's 90th Birthday Bash they remembered me and wrapped up two dozen geezer-golf balls from Titleist.
These are soft and made for old guys with a slow swing speed.It was just one more aspect of the week that made it into a wonderful experience. No aspect og family life is better than playing games and telling family stories. Now I have 24 balls to add to my low score mythology.
I hope all my golf buddies also got good dad and grandad gifts.
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