Restoring the Guardrails Missing in Public Education

A few years ago, my family and I took a vacation up to Yellowstone.  One day, we took a drive to Yellowstone Lake, which involved taking a winding mountain road that had no guardrails.  I was busy keeping the car between the lines but my wife and son told me later that there was a sheer drop off into what is called the grand canyon of Yellowstone. 

I did not need the guardrails to tell me to keep the car on the road but often we do need guardrails in our lives to keep us from going over the edge where we can be hurt or even killed.  However, in 1962 the Supreme Court effectively removed the guardrails of morality from our education system.  The results have been a society full of single mothers, millions of abortion due to unwanted pregnancies, rampant drug use, violence in our schools, and a general decaying of our society. 

By removing prayer and the Bible from public schools, we left a void in the lives of public school students.  As with any void left in our lives, these students are filling this void with illicit sex, drugs, and violent behavior.  Many of these students are now adults who vote. 

This is why in this last election we witnessed the legalization of Marijuana in many states.  We also watched the Democrat Party adopt planks in their party platform supporting abortion and even infanticide.

Absent of guardrails, our education system condones students illicit sex by providing sex education along with condoms.  Educators believe students are going to have sex anyway so they provide a condom to promote so called “safe sex”.  Now, with the legalization of marijuana, instead of students being busted for smoking cigarettes in the boy’s room, they will be busted for passing a joint. 

Is it any wonder that with these distractions, students are graduating without the basic skills of reading, writing, and basic math.  These young people could not understand the conservative message about the failure of Obama’s policies but believed Obama when he told them Romney would make abortion illegal and take away their contraceptives.

Absent of guardrails, our education system is failing students.  Instead of equipping students to succeed in the market place, it is condoning deviant behavior.  This deviant behavior is contributing to the decay of our culture.  Unless things change, we will continue to see our culture decay making it difficult, if not impossible for the conservative message to be understood.  Here are a few suggestions for restoring the guardrails in the lives of our youth

1)       Parents and grandparents have a responsibility to instill morals and values in their children.    Proverbs 22:6 Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.  (NLT).  I encourage parents and grandparents to take the initiative here as a way to cancel out the values taught in schools.

2)      Become involved with church youth groups and encourage those already attending to invite their friends.  Older adults can also consider volunteering to coach a Little League or soccer team.

3)      Volunteer to become a mentor with Big Brothers or Big Sisters.  There are also Christian mentoring programs that target troubled youth. 

4)      Learn the culture.  I can remember as a youth thinking my parents were uncool.  Today’s youth are no different, believing older adults to not understand their culture and as such do not relate to them.  Learning their culture will help develop trust.

5)      Learn the technology.  Today’s youth communicate using texting, Twitter, and Facebook.  Become familiar with these technologies begin using them to reach out to the younger generation.

6)      Pray.  Remember, our battle is not a conventional battle fought with conventional weapons.  Prayer prepares us for the spiritual battle we are facing.

These steps will not reinstall the guardrails in public education but they will train our youths about the importance of staying on the road even though the guardrails have been removed.  

Thanksgiving and Prayer

Thanksgiving is a day when we get together with family and friends, eat some turkey along with all the other fixings, and watch some football at least until the tryptophan kicks in.  Most importantly however, it is a day in which we take a moment to slow down our hectic lives and reflect on the things for which we should be thankful.  It is also a great opportunity to reflect on things for which we should be praying.  Philippians 4:6 tells us to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (NKJV).  Therefore, let us take a few moments this Thanksgiving to pray for issues facing our nation and our world and things for which we should be thankful.

Hurricane Sandy may not have been as intense a storm as Hurricane Katrina but it hit a highly populated area of our country.  It also hit at high tide and collided with a winter cold front from the north.  This combination of circumstances resulted in a super storm or as some called it frankenstorm.  Many are homeless and without power this Thanksgiving season.  While many have cited the ineptitude of the government’s response to the needs of the victims of the storm, during this Thanksgiving season I want to express my gratitude to those who are helping victims by opening up their homes, providing food and warm clothing, and coming in from other states to help restore power. 

Many have also been laid off recently as companies grapple with how to survive when they have to comply with new regulations and higher taxes next year.  It seems government is not paying attention to the needs of these people and is currently considering raising taxes even higher in an attempt to reduce massive deficits.  However, I am thankful for charities and churches assisting these people by helping them with groceries, paying utility bills, or making their mortgage payments.

We also need to continue to pray for the people in Israel.  I have been to Israel and know that the citizens of Israel only want to live peacefully in the Land God granted them.  Unfortunately, Israel’s neighbors do not share their desire to live peacefully and want to kill as many innocent Jews as they can, believing they are making Allah happy.  Psalm 122:6 tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and promises that those that do will prosper.  Please join me in praying for the peace of Jerusalem and be thankful that the “Iron Dome” in Israel has been able to stop most of the missiles aimed at the citizens of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. 

Finally, join me in praying for our nation.  We have just gone through an extremely contentious election.  Citizens supporting the winning side are gloating while the losing side is frustrated, depressed, and angry.  I am among those on the losing side this election and have had to grapple with all of these feelings.  However, as time has passed since the election, I have come to understand that somehow the results of this election are part of God’s plan.  I may not understand why but by faith, I accept God’s will, understanding that God will take care of his people.  Romans 8:28 tells us.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

NLT

This promise only applies to those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  We can only understand God’s purpose for our lives by making Jesus Lord of our lives.  I am thankful that making Jesus Lord of my life only requires believing Jesus died, was buried, and arose from the dead (Romans 10:9-10) and that salvation is a free gift from God because God is a gracious God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Maybe you are experiencing uncertainty over what will happen in the next few months as our nation faces many serious issues.  I invite you to pray to receive Jesus as Lord of your life so you can have peace knowing you will have God’s help.  Pray this prayer with me.

Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned and missed the mark.  I know you died for me, was buried, and rose from the dead.  I invite you to be Lord of my life. 

If you prayed that prayer, you are now a child of God and can depend on Him to be with you through these uncertain times.  I urge you to begin reading and studying the Bible and find a good church in your community where the Bible is taught and you can associate with other believers. 

We have much to pray about this Thanksgiving season so while enjoying time with your family and good food.  Take a moment to reflect on what we have to be thankful for and pray.  

Fighting The War on Women

This past election and its aftermath have been very divisive.  Since November 6, there have been numerous allegations of cheating and voter fraud.  There is even a movement for states to leave the union all together.  Prior to the election, there was division in our country over the economy, taxes, and social issues.  In this posting, I want to look at the issue of the war on women.

During the election, Democrats accused Republicans of waging a war on woman.  This accusation started during one of the republican debates where the debate moderator asked Mitt Romney if he favored banning contraceptives.  At no time during the campaign had Mitt Romney even hinted at a desire to ban contraceptives so we must look at the undermining philosophy that would lead Democrats to claim Republicans are waging a war on women.

In his letter to the Church at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul reminded the people that their battle was not against flesh and blood, but that it was a spiritual battle against principalities and powers in high places.  To gain understanding of what Paul was speaking about, we must place his writing in the context of the situation in Ephesus at the time. 

Ephesus was a thriving center of travel and commerce but it was also a center for the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis.  Ephesus was home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis. (1)  It was in the middle of this situation that Paul came declaring the Gospel.  The Gospel and its adherence to the one true God would have been a threat to the worship of Artemis.  We have an account showing the seriousness of this threat in Acts 19:23-41

23 But about that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. 24 It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He kept many craftsmen busy. 25 He called the craftsmen together, along with others employed in related trades, and addressed them as follows:

"Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business. 26 As you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren't gods at all. And this is happening not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province! 27 Of course, I'm not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. I'm also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will lose its influence and that Artemis — this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world — will be robbed of her prestige!"

28 At this their anger boiled, and they began shouting, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29 A crowd began to gather, and soon the city was filled with confusion. Everyone rushed to the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia. 30 Paul wanted to go in, but the believers wouldn't let him. 31 Some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, also sent a message to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the amphitheater.

32 Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion. In fact, most of them didn't even know why they were there. 33 Alexander was thrust forward by some of the Jews, who encouraged him to explain the situation. He motioned for silence and tried to speak in defense. 34 But when the crowd realized he was a Jew, they started shouting again and kept it up for two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"

35 At last the mayor was able to quiet them down enough to speak. "Citizens of Ephesus," he said. "Everyone knows that Ephesus is the official guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, whose image fell down to us from heaven. 36 Since this is an indisputable fact, you shouldn't be disturbed, no matter what is said. Don't do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, but they have stolen nothing from the temple and have not spoken against our goddess. 38 If Demetrius and the craftsmen have a case against them, the courts are in session and the judges can take the case at once. Let them go through legal channels. 39 And if there are complaints about other matters, they can be settled in a legal assembly. 40 I am afraid we are in danger of being charged with rioting by the Roman government, since there is no cause for all this commotion. And if Rome demands an explanation, we won't know what to say." 41 Then he dismissed them, and they dispersed.

NLT

The belief in the one true God was both a philosophical and economic threat to the worshipers of Artemis in Ephesus.  However, what does that have to do with the war on women?

The feminist movement began in the 1970’s.  Its goal was raising women to an equal position with men.  Feminists wanted women to get equal pay for equal work.  They wanted women to have the same career opportunities as their male counterparts.  (2)  I presently work for a women and have no difficulty with that.  I also would be upset if I discovered my wife was passed up for a job or promotion she was qualified for in favor of an equally or lesser qualified male just because he was a male. 

However, the feminist movement soon ran into a roadblock.  Women can get pregnant and men cannot.  Women also wanted to live promiscuously like their male counterparts but needed to solve the problem of unwanted pregnancies.  To solve this dilemma, women began using contraceptives to prevent pregnancies and would have an abortion when the contraceptives failed.  (2)  Careerism and promiscuity became the religion of feminists and abortion became the holy sacrament.

Feminists see Evangelical Republicans as a threat to their religion of careerism and promiscuity and therefore, just like the early Christians in Ephesus they must be stopped.  The truth, however, is that evangelicals are not at war with women, they just understand that women are blessed with the privilege of  having children and that when a woman conceives a child, a bond between mother and child is formed.  An abortion severs this bond, which results in emotional trauma for the mother.  To cover this trauma, many women become pregnant again with an “atonement baby” and if they abort this child, they will feel the need to conceive two children to compensate.  This is a vicious emotionally damaging cycle for a woman. (2)

It is not evangelicals or republicans who are at war with women, it is women who feel they must fight people who threaten their religious belief in careerism and promiscuity who are at war.  The results of this election however have demonstrated that this battle is not one that can be won in the political battlefield.  Just as Paul instructed the Church in Ephesus that they could not win their battle against the worshipers of Artemis with conventional weapons, we can only win this battle by a change of heart in women. 

Men and many women are learning that when their career comes between them and their family, their career controls them instead of them controlling their career.  Both men and women are coming to grips with the fact that career is important but must not take the place of their role as fathers of mothers.  Women are blessed when they fulfill their God given role as mothers bring a new life into the world and must learn not to allow a career to get in the way.

Likewise, promiscuity is a damaging lifestyle.  Not only can it result in an unwanted pregnancy but also exposes both men and women to sexually transmitted diseases that are damaging to their health.  It also degrades sex to its biological component instead of a beautiful expression of love and commitment between a man and a woman as God intended it to be. 

The war on women that we now find ourselves in can only be won through teaching and mentoring men and women on how to correctly prioritize their careers as well as learning and practicing the Godly view of sex as an expression of love and commitment between a man and a woman. 

I am a conservative republican white male Christian.  I have been married to the love of my life 37 almost 38 years.  My mother was a great influence in my life, especially in establishing my faith in God.  I have a sister that is 7 years older than me whom I love dearly.  I also have worked for a woman for 18 years and find her to be a great boss.  I do not consider myself to be at war with women.

1. BiblePlaces.com. Ephesus. www.bibleplaces.com. [Online] [Cited: November 14, 2012.] http://www.bibleplaces.com/ephesus.htm.

2. Mathewes-Green, Frederica. WHAT WOMEN NEED. touchstonemag.com. [Online] touchstone, 2012. [Cited: November 14, 2012.] http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=14-06-020-f.

Dealing with Post Election Defeat

Like many of us who fought hard this election, I was disappointed with the results of Tuesday’s election.  President Obama won reelection and the Democrats retained control of the Senate.  Republicans did retain control of the House of Representatives.  This insures continued gridlock as the Senate will block every piece of legislation coming out of the House including budgets.  Anything that is done will be through executive order, which is totally unconstitutional.  In essence, we will most likely experience a constitutional dictatorship over the next four years. 

I did not sleep much election night and as such woke up tired, which did not help with my feelings of disappointment.  However, today I heard Sammy Hagar’s song “Where Eagles Fly” and realized that this American eagle may be wounded and bleeding but it will fly again. 

As political avengers, the loss this election does not mean we are going to surrender because surrender is never an option.  The loss this election means we have to reconsider our tactics in fighting the battle to restore the American eagle to flight.  I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Church in Ephesus in Ephesians 6:12

For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

NLT

During this election we believed this was a political battle that could be won using the conventional weapons of a political war.  In reality, however, this is a battle of the heart.  We are battling against a humanist and postmodern philosophy that cannot be defeated using the usual political weapons of warfare. 

Paul goes to instruct the people of the Church at Ephesus on the weapons they will need in their arsenal Ephesians 6:13-18

13 Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.   16 In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.   17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.

NLT

We now find ourselves in a different type of battle, a spiritual and philosophical battle.  As such, we need different weapons and training to win this battle for our nation.  Over the next few weeks, I will be posting instructions to this blog in on how we can prepare for this different type of battle.  I will be posting once a week instead of twice a week since the election is over unless events warrant postings that are more frequent. 

In preparation I recommend reading Mark Levin’s two books “Liberty and Tyranny” and “Ameritopia.”  I also recommend taking constitution 101 and constitution 201 offered online by Hillsdale College.  The books are now available in paperback and Mark Levin always offers his books at a discount price so more of us can afford them and read them.  The courses offered by Hillsdale College are free but they do request a donation. 

The liberty loving patriots of our nation are now in the minority.  If we are to return this nation to greatness, we must win over people who are currently in the majority.  This will involve learning how to win the spiritual and philosophical battle we are in now.  Join me as we become equipped to win and make the American eagle fly again.  

Liberation Day: November 6, 2012

Besides the election, there is another event occurring on November 6, 2012 for that is the day one of my favorite Christian rock bands is releasing their new CD.  The title of the CD is Miracle, a title I think is appropriate for what is about to occur on Tuesday.  I believe in miracles and believe we will see a miracle on Tuesday with the election of Mitt Romney as our 45^th President and we can begin liberating our nation from the statist juggernaut we have been under the last four years. 

I remember the sinking feeling I had four years ago when Obama was elected President.  I did not fall for the message of hope and change offered by candidate Obama because I knew that with Obama’s statist philosophy, he intended to change the very structure and foundations of our republic. 

Now four years later, we have seen the results of Obama’s change.  $6 trillion in additional debt, unemployment stuck at near 8%, more people dependent on food stamps than at any other time in our nation’s history, inept foreign policy that leaves American citizens vulnerable to foreign attack, and a blotted federal bureaucracy that is unable to respond to a natural disaster.  This is the legacy of change delivered by the first four years of the Obama Presidency.  On Tuesday, we the American People get to go to the polls and decide whether we want four more years of Obama’s version of hope and change or a change in direction for our nation. 

Mitt Romney has a proven record of turning organizations around from disaster.  This includes the many businesses he rescued while working for Bain Capital as well as his work turning around the Salt Lake City Olympics.  Granted, this will be Mitt Romney’s greatest turn around challenge but I believe Romney will surround himself with good people who are up to the challenge.  He demonstrated his ability to do that when he picked Paul Ryan, an expert on balancing budgets and working with the legislature. 

The polls are definitely trending in Romney’s direction so I sense the nation is ready to make a change in its chief executive.  However, I have concerns about the Senate.  67 Senate seats are not up for election this year.  Republicans hold 37 of these seats and Democrats hold 30.  Of the 33 seats up for election this year, Rasmussen expects 9 to be safely won by Republicans and 17 to be safely won by Democrats.  This leaves Democrats with a 47 to 46 seat advantage leaving 7 seats in the toss up category.  This means that Republicans must win 5 of the 7 toss up races to have a 51 to 49 majority in the Senate.  Unfortunately, Rasmussen shows the Democrat is leading in 6 of the 7 toss up states.  (1) 

The toss up states are Florida, Indiana, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.  The only one of these seven states where the Republican currently has a lead according to Rasmussen is Indiana. (1)  With Harry Reid vowing not to work with Romney, (2)  it is imperative that we give Romney a Republican Senate, otherwise any hopes of repealing Obamacare will be dashed. 

However, I do believe in miracles and will be praying that our hard work in these toss up states will result in republican victories in at least 5 of these states, relegating Harry Reid to the position of minority leader of the Senate. 

1. Rasmussen Reports. 2012 Senate Balance of Power. www.rasmussenreports.com. [Online] Rasmussen Reports. [Cited: November 3, 2012.] http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/archive/2012_senate_balance_of_power.

2. Shapiro, Ben. REID: WE WON'T WORK WITH ROMNEY. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart, November 2, 2012. [Cited: November 3, 2012.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/11/02/Harry-Reid-will-not-work-with-Romney.