Burn Down The Mission

Flag-burning has become a hot topic again. As much as I personally dislike the idea of desecrating our national symbol, it would seem that outlawing it would violate the precepts of the freedoms on which America was founded. Let us remember this country rebelled against a tyranny based on the idea that citizens have the right to disagree with their government and express these grievances without fear of retaliation from the government. Further, personal property rights are a major philosophical concept in America freedom. Therefore, if the flag is my own personal property and I burn it in representation of my grievances, then the basis of American freedom is in line with action.

What Is This New World Forming?

I had an encounter this morning where someone had argued that Baby, It's Cold Outside was contained dangerous messages in it. I countered with my argument that the assertion was ridiculous and further counter-productive to the idea of feminism.

The person sharing his perspective was younger, and I would surmise that many of my younger friends would share a similar opinion to his. I don't want to point the finger at "the younger generation," but I do now appreciate things said to me that I dismissed when I was that "younger generation."

Small Coins of Grace

Forgiveness is a funny thing. Sometimes its not the big crisis that plague us but rather the little simple ones.

Dear Millennial Rebels

Today, while you march the streets "protesting" the results of the election, my nine-year-old daughter endured nine hours in the operating room. Tonight, while you destroyed American symbols and burned effigies of the President Elect, my daughter laid in an ICU bed, intubated and left on a breathing machine. While you gather angrily in masses online to hashtag for violence and death, the numbers of the arterial line in my daughter's arm fluctuate outside the exceptionable medical standards. You are heated over the democratic process that has served our country for nearly two-and-a-half centuries. Well, let me tell you, I'm indignant as well -- at you, at your lack of empathy and at your hypocrisy!
 

Advice From A Woman We Know

Today I saw this tweet...

 

And Justice For All

Well, Tulsa has been a hotbed of racial tension and national news for the last week. People all over this country have very strong opinions concerning the fatal shooting of Terrence Crutcher by police officer Betty Shelby. Not only was it a white officer on a black civilian shooting, but the video released makes it very clear there were problems on both sides of the encounter. This, of course, makes the opinion of whichever side one is one very adamant.
 

Hulk Is A SuperVillain

Growing up, I read comic books. In those stories was the Hulk, a giant green mass of unearthly strength. I also watched the TV story of the same with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. I really enjoyed the narrative, but as I've grown older, I have considered this tale a bit differently.

A Remembrance of the Important

This weekend we became suspicious that our daughter Kara had aspirated and might have developed pneumonia from it. Before dawn, Kara cried out screaming from her bedroom. When we arrived, she had vomited significantly. We tended to her, cleaned her up, laid her back down on her side and let her rest. She slept soundly for the next several hours. In fact so soundly that she had to be awakened two hours after her normal rising time.

Do You Believe?

How do we know whether someone is a Christian or not? It is an interesting question posed to me recently -- not in the way of examining others for their hypocrisy but rahter for me to examine my own.
 

Out of Context

A commonly quoted passage from the Bible is Jeremiah 29:11 which reads (in part) "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We often read this to be encouraged. We tell ourselves God is working things out for me behind the scenes and I'll get that prosperity soon.
 

But we must be careful to read the whole chapter. It is true that God is working behind the scenes for our good, but we have a tendency to believe our idea of what's good and God's idea are the same thing. We also often fail to agree about timing.
 

Some Recent Inspiration

I haven't written much lately. The obvious excuse is that over the past two years, I've been raising a new set of twin boys, while still raising the two girls I already had. Combined with work, my marriage and some health issues that hit our family, there has been a lot to occupy my time. But the truth runs a bit deeper.
 

The Meat of the Confederate Battle Flag

We have all received interesting lessons in history this week. Blogs, Facebook posts and media sources have all explained the meaning of the Confederate Battle Flag. Likewise, we have learned that Belgium and the European Union are actually Confederations. We've been told to be offended and what to hate - as well as our feelings about "hate symbols" are ignorant and historically inaccurate. Through all of this, the professional protester career continues to be a thriving one. Whoever told those college Philosophy majors there were not corporate jobs for them did not understand modern media.

I have thought a lot about where I stand on the #TakeDownTheFlag issue, fuming in South Carolina right now. First, it is not my State - so I'm not sure how valid my opinion even should be. That said, I've taken a look at it because it is so heated right now. But more importantly, I have come to wonder why the Confederate Battle Flag became both a symbol of hate and a symbol that is hated. Either way, it is difficult to deny there is a lot of hatred surrounding it.

New Board Game

I thought about the game Monopoly^TM this morning. This is a fun and methodical game that teaches the values of competition. And as I discuss it, let's remember it is only a game -- so please don't interpret that I am calling for a boycott on Hasbro or anything. I will still play it with my family (when we have a spare 10 hours).

People Behaving Badly

I have really, really been struggling this week with my attitude. This has been specifically centered around the actions of other people.

Lessons Learned By Fire

Pain is an indication that something is not correct. But unfortunately, we live in a broken, corrupt and imperfect world – so there are many things which simply are not right all the time, which in turn, causes pain.

The Change Agent

For the past 14 months, we've been developing an information system. There are two guys in our IT shop and we have to wear a lot of hats. This is both inefficient and super-efficient at the same time. Anyone who has dealt with a large project managed by a small team can relate.
 

I say this to preface much of the challenge has not necessarily been the technology, but rather helping people manage change that the new system will bring. I've learned almost as much as I've been frustrated, but at the end of all this, I'm very excited about where we are going. I sent out a company-wide email and I felt compelled to share it. I've changed or omitted any private details, so forgive my not naming our past products or my co-workers' names. However, there are public companies and real products mentioned. Further, the new system we built is called DownStream.
 

Go-Purple Game

Tears in a father’s eyes mean something. And I have been moved to tears more than once by the response of my local community’s generosity and compassion.

Deeds, Results and Hot Air

I found myself thinking on the words of Shakespeare today: "Talking isn't doing. It is a kind of good deed to say well; and yet words are not deeds."

Life's Cheat Codes

I recall playing The Sims and learning the “cheat codes” to give myself more money, to stop aging or to make some other aspect of the game easier. I often wish there were a way to pause real life and enter a cheat code to make it easier because life is very tough at times.
 

Although there is nothing quite so simple as a cheat code, I know from raising my daughters, certain “secrets” of life become revealed. It seems as I observe struggles for them and offer advice, these “cheat codes” for life become obvious and simple. They really do make life easier. I hear myself say to my teenager all the time, “This is one of life’s secrets.” They really are self-evident and simple, but remembering to apply them when needed is difficult.
 

Not By Sight

I was not able to make it to church last Sunday. Fortunately, the church places Pastor Paul's messages on YouTube, so I've been able to watch the sermon. I am thankful for this technology because this is a very powerful Biblical advice - and so important, I felt I should share.