What if We All Practiced Restraint

Restraint.
I have written about it before; it is one of the traits that has been key to our culture here in America - it is one of the characteristics that has set this country apart.

What if  . . . .

What if the hearts of individuals in our nation suddenly turned away from the self-indulgence that seems to so possess us - and returned to an attitude of restraint?

What would that look like?

It might be as simple as pushing away from the table.
It could mean some families would downsize to a smaller house.
Restraint may take different forms; some individuals would choose to liberate themselves from the slavery of debt.

That's okay for the "haves" . . . those that already have more than they need.  But what about the "have-nots"? What would restraint look like to them?

Some may simply decide to accept no more tax-funded assistance.

To me, the most triumphant scene in Ron Howard's Cinderella Man, was when Jim Braddock - after having reluctantly stood in line to receive some government relief money during the Great Depression- stood in line again ... to return every cent.

Some could decide to stop listening to the constant siren song of victim-hood and "you can't" ... and start listening to a still small voice inside that says "try!" . . .  "do what you CAN do; and do the best you can!"

That still small voice may have belonged to one's mother or grandmother  . . . or maybe a teacher.  Someone somewhere in the past that knew that God had created every man and woman with some potential - some gifting ... He dreamed a dream for them to fulfill and gave them what they needed to fulfill it.

If only they would try.

It flashed across my mind the other day - like a dream that flourished in an instant - "What if...."

What if people in droves suddenly stopped participating in all these programs and handouts and schemes that say in subtle tones: 

 "You're a victim.  Life's been a little harder on you than on those other people... you will always need our help .   Don't even try.  You know that you will fail and then you will be right back here needing our help."

Wouldn't it be wonderful if people decided on a wholesale basis to stop taking what they didn't earn.

 As long as politicians can buy votes by funding relief style programs ... they will continue to do it.  We can't really expect them to change.  But the people could change; they could say "no more".

The days of top-down restraint are over . . . at least as far as any of the current majorities in Washington are concerned.

The people:  now that's another story.  If the people could only tap into that yearning for liberty God has placed in the breast of every man and woman, they would shake off the shackles of this false benevolence.

The people could just refuse to play the game.  Refuse to be blinded any longer.  Trade in their lifelong servitude to dependence on government programs and walk into the brisk, tantalizing breeze of freedom.

It Would Require Restraint

Such a revolution would require tremendous restraint! 
The kind displayed by George Washington when he refused a crown... and later when he refused a third term in the office of President.

One would need to have the type of restraint that was evident in our founders as they toiled together for a summer in Philadelphia, hammering out a system of government with distinct checks and balances.  Checks designed to keep restraint on power.

It would require restraint because if people walked away from the pittance they receive at the end of a bureaucratic labyrinth - it would appear at first that they were walking into certain poverty -utter devastation.

Neighbors Would Rise Up

Here's what I am sure would happen:

Churches would suddenly pick up the mantle of responsibility they long ago relinquished to the government.
Churches and other organizations - full of people - would rise up to help.

Why?

Because that is what we do in America. 
We help our neighbors.
And people would be able to help because they had practiced restraint and so they had more to give, more to invest.

Well isn't that the same thing that's happening now with tax funded programs that give assistance?
No.
It is a very different thing when your neighbor or friend gives of his or her own free will.  They are saying "I believe in you and I am willing to help you climb out and never return to the place you are now."

Where can you start saying "no" today? 

Chuck Colson Commentary

I was stricken by one of Chuck Colson's BreakPoint Commentaries this week.  Here's the link, I hope you will go there and read it / listen to it:
http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/15087

It surrounds a case involving Jennifer Keaton, a masters student at Augusta State University - yeah that's in Georgia.

Because of her beliefs, she has been threatened with expulsion unless she undergoes "thought reform" or what Colson refers to as "re-education".

Her crime:  she stated that she believed homosexuality to be a "lifestyle choice" . . . not a "state of living".

The university is supposed to be the home of public discourse ... where diverse views are fostered. 

...only certain diverse views, I reckon.

We Still Remember

Here's the ad, just out from the families of 9-11 victims; they should know:



I heard today that the only house of worship destroyed on 9-11, a Greek Orthodox church has been trying rebuild but keeps getting the run around . . .

Okay . . .  school is back ...

When does normal kick back in?

The withering heat has wielded its apathetic effect on me.  My vacation hangover  lingers oppressively and whispers "all good things must come to an end..." - and it sounds like my Dad talking.


I don't even think that's in the Bible.

Anyway the dog days of summer have really taken hold.

Turning summertime boredom to creativity, Ab made this
sleeping aid to conquer the "1st Day Jitters Insomnia"

And while I love for my kids to be home and I like that there are fewer obligations grabbing at our time and attention during the summer; I am really ready for a cool September rain,the order of a school schedule and some yellow and orange in my foliage.

The first signal of that blessed autumn season is the start of school.  This week we celebrated the event with some of our traditions.

On the eve of that first day, Ab and AA took their turns - backs to the wall, eyes forward, heels pressed firmly against the shoe molding - it was time to account for their growth. Behind the door in our kitchen pantry, there are markings going up the wall.  One for each child.  Milestones in inches.  Both of them have grown at a noticeable pace this year and Mom and I were anxious to see just how much. 

On the first morning, we take pictures.  Actually we borrowed this tradition from my sister who did that with her two kids all the way through until they graduated high school.

On that first day, we have to get an early start but usually manage to tone down the anxiety and excitement enough to get some sort of memento of the occasion.

One long-held tradition was honored but broken as well:

The kids and I always indulge in a Waffle House breakfast on the day before school starts.

Well this year, my work schedule wasn't conducive to my taking a day off, so we put it off until today (Saturday).

When we finally arrived at our favorite Waffle House this morning and found a seat among the throng - there was a problem.

I had not brought a sufficient amount of cash.  Ab can be trusted to have a little cash on hand but her stash wasn't sufficient either.  Now I am a huge fan of Dave Ramsey but despite his preaching - I still have one major credit card that I carry for "emergencies"; unfortunately, Waffle House doesn't accept my brand.

We explained our dilemma to the wait person (one of the regulars we see each trip) and scooted out the door.

We ended up at Chic-Fil-a and enjoyed a good breakfast.  I managed to snap a couple of pictures there, but Ab informed me that I am now capable of embarrassing her (I guess I'll have that dynamic to deal with now) so I cut them short.

"Anything-for-a-laugh" - AA

With an eye toward adolescence,
Ab "voted with her feet" to end the Photo Session.

The marks on the wall in our pantry do not begin to tell the story of growth.  Changes marked only by inches in that arena - are pouring forth  by the mile in real life - and quicker than we can seem to absorb them! 

I am mindful more and more these days of the blessing God has dealt us to be together as a family and I sometimes want to cling to every moment.

But life moves on and though we hate to leave some of these seasons, there is also something luring about the things He has in store just ahead.

For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:  Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV 

Our Vacation Slide Show

Vacation Television

At home, we don't have cable.
Or satellite.
Or antennae.

Therefore as AA says - "we don't have channels".

It is difficult for vacation time not to become a couch-fest in front of the television.

On our last trip - cooking shows ruled.
They were EVERYWHERE! and the kids loved them, having learned all the characters from afternoons at Grandmother's house.

This time, I am not sure what rules the airways.

We spent one day in which there were several newer Scooby-Doo cartoons on the agenda. 
I'm sorry, I never like the old Scooby-Doo cartoons with their inane template story lines ... and the fact that they wore the same wardrobe - constantly!

I reallydislike the newer versions ... mainly because at least with the old versions, the dark evil was always explained away as some man-made incantation.  Now the evil is often never explained.

And SHAGGY!!!
Who ever they got to replace Casey Kasem just doesn't quite have it... I mean -at best it is a poor, formula impersonation of Kasem.  I began to obsess on the last phrase of Shaggy's every sentence... there is a phony falsetto - meant to sound like the characteristic squeak that Kasem used.

It'll drive you mad!

Anyway, our condo offers free DVD's so we have been able to select our viewing a little more carefully.

I made a mistake not too long ago.  When we were unsure about our vacation plans and a beach trip didn't appear real likely, we all watched "Jaws". 

Ab proclaimed that she was never going swimming in the ocean again. 

She soon backtracked but I could see the influence of "Jaws" exhibited by the caution both she and AA have displayed.

As fate would have it - on Sunday, Discovery channel announced the onset of  "Shark Week" - every night toothy terror with a dash of salt water.... we have been avoiding Discovery channel.

Ab has found a new past time with Discovery-Health, which both she and Mom enjoy.

And they like to point out their non-squeamish nature to AA and I every chance they get.  Ab in particular has enjoyed steering the conversation at the dinner table to her favorite subject:  Yucky entrails tails from Discovery Health - not a good topic to accompany spaghetti.

Finally, one morning was consumed with back to back episodes of Extreme Makeover - Home Edition  ...  honestly, someone needs to explain to that Ty Pennington guy about using his "inside voice"!

 All in all, I have found television to be about as empty as it ever was (at least since the mid 1960's) which adds to the appeal of the surf.  Which is also where I am going now.

Ted Dekker Almost Ruins Vacation!

I have now passed the book on to R. to read.

On Monday or Tuesday, I began in earnest to read Ted Dekker's Skin.  I think the book has been in my possession for a year or so - a loan from Chris who works with R. and who labeled it a "good vacation read".

Ha!

Like any Dekker book, the reader is lured in by action and twists and turns that start on page one and continue non-stop.

After missing out on several hours of family time while engrossed in this book whose rules kept changing, I began thinking thoughts quite critical of the author: 

"Ted, if you are luring me into this thing only to end up with three of these characters being the same person (**SPOILER WARNING**) like you did in "Thr3e" - I am going to be so angry!"
  or

"Teddy-boy, if this turns out to be some kind of alternate, parallel reality treatise.... ooooh I am going to be so ticked!"

Well, I endured though it meant that I would miss several more hours of beach time and sleep.

In a sick and wicked way, I encouraged R. to read it since she had already slurped right through her cream-puff Karen Kingsbury novel in just a day or so.

She's at the beach now (and I am here in the condo, on the computer - see! Dekker is still robbing me of my beach time!) and  I predict she has either bailed out  - 'cause it just "ain't her kinda' thing". or she is hooked.

If she's hooked, I will have some fun - knowing who the real bad guy is ...

...actually, I think the real villian is probably Dekker.

Vacation Inspiration

Going to the beach can be inspiring.  Vacations for R. and I used to include some definite time for contemplation. R. likes to sleep in; I tend to rise early on vacation (especially near the beginning of one) which often meant that I could spend some quiet time of solitude.

One vacation to Destin took place at a juncture in which our marriage was about to springboard out of crisis - that vacation was particularly contemplative.  I did a lot of reading those few days, I remember how Ben Franklin's Autobiography struck a special chord with me then.

On another long weekend several years earlier, it was a low time for me career-wise, and in terms of my self-worth ... I spent a good bit of time in quiet thought and prayer; it was a valuable time....

... and then we had children.

In recent years, vacations have become increasingly loud, more television, more chatter, more bickering.

I don't mind so much, I just have to adjust my expectations. . .
.. . . . and find inspiration where I can.

AA, who is developing a skill for coining a phrase - or inserting one, came up with one as we played in the waves this week.  When his boogie-board was swept out of his hands by an unexpected wave he said:  "I thought I'd lost my boogie!".

That phrase inspired me to pen the lines to this country-western song:

I thought I'd lost my boogie, when she walked out the door.
My heart was broke - I didn't think I could honky-tonk no more
The bright lights and the music didn't lure me like before,
I thought I'd lost my boogie, when she walked out the door.

Look out Jimmy Buffet....

Something struck me as refreshingly odd as we toured the National Aviation Museum earlier this week.  Under the direction of "Buck", our knowledgeable tour guide we were regaled with numerous stories from the wars of U.S. History - Eddie Rickenbacker, "Pappy Boynton and others. . .  but they all were tinged with something  - different ... something that has all but faded from our culture I'm afraid.

It was pride . . . pride in America and American exceptionalism!

It came through as he described the general treatment a prisoner of war could expect as a captive of the U.S. as opposed to the treatment American P.O.W.'s could expect in prisons of enemy nations.

You could hear it as he described how U.S. innovation gave U.S. Bombers precision that was unprecedented, when industries developed systems to allow someone in the bomb bay to take over the "stick" or control of the plane in order to center over the targets.

There was a definite "we" in his perspective . . . our pilots, our planes, we took this ... we took that ... I miss that.  It's a mentality that - I think - came into its own during the 1940's (one of the reasons I so love that era), but began diminishing when my fellow baby-boomers came along. 

It was nice to see it resurfacing so unashamedly.

Love of - and pride in - this country is not arrogant and it is definitely not racist.  God has richly blessed this glorious experiment!  Much has been accomplished because of the recognition of that God -given hunger for freedom.
And freedom has allowed this nation to flourish!

Vacation 2010

I am embargoing these posts, so they're not in real time but we are finally on vacation - again in Perdido Key, Florida.
Here is a day by day summary of some of the highlights so far:

Saturday - Day One  - Despite all of my extremely effecient wife's efforts - there were still a few last minute items we had to take care of before leaving.  We finally got away around 10:30 AM, which we estimated would still allow us to arrive shortly after the check in time.
The trip was fairly uneventful. We tend to be "drive-straight-through" people on long trips, trying to reduce our number of stops to a bare minimum, so I think we made the five to six hour trip with one meal stop and one stop for petro.

Ab began the trip trying to establish elaborate plans about what she would "count" on our trip. I guess I am to blame for this - as kids, we used to while away travel times sometimes by playing games like "Doodlebug" (counting Volkswagen "Beetles") or "Alphabet" (a game in which you attempt to spot the entire alphabet, one letter at a time, in order).  I sometimes have used the idea of counting games as an aggravation factor with Ab and AA - once suggesting and beginning a painful count of fireplugs - as a means of either turning their attention toward a common purpose (and sometimes focusing on a common enemy - yours truly).

Ab had difficulty getting a good count going, but the time we made it to the coast, she was counting, Tom Thumb convenience stores.

AA, on the other hand, was in a frantic attempt to try and complete all of his "planned" trip activities: reading a few moments and then moving to his movie, then DS games.

While R. had been busy with constructive and very pointed preparations the trip - I had been dealing with the dilemma of "what to do about the kids".  By "kids", I am referring to Floyd and Thunder, our new goats. We have never left them for any lengthy period of time and wanted to be certain they had the proper feeding and stroking of their collective chins.
I spent two evenings constructing a "hay rack" of sorts, so I could leave a large amount of hay for them. We came up with a list of daily feeding instructions for my brother-in-law to follow with each of our animals.

After a relatively smooth journey, we finally arrived at Perdido Key, near Pensacola.

We hit the beach Saturday evening.  The sand and water were very clear - and warm and calm. The normally steady breezes seemed to have taken a vacation themselves.  We also hit a very hot swimming pool.
I made the first supply run, visiting a very nice little Winn -Dixie store.  I was trying to buy as cheaply as possible and was a little put out by the way many grocery stores advertise low prices but then in small print they indicate that you have to have one of their "special" cards to take advantage of the discounts.
The lady at the register scanned a card for me and I saved over Two Dollars! - it's the little things in life...

Sunday - Day Two  We hit the ground running - desperate to make our first day count.  As is usual for me when I move from Eastern to Central time zone, the first day seems deliciously lo-o-o-ng.
The waters at the beach we again calm and very clear.  We met a family of home-schoolers from West Virginia the evening before and our kids spent some time playing with two of their kids on the beach.  As is characteristic with home schooled children (in my opinion) these kids seemed to view all of creation as their classroom.  They had small scoop nets and portable holding tanks with which they could study their catches.

The breeze was back but the waters were exceptionally calm. Even R. was lured into the surf (she doesn't like getting kicked around by the waves).

Typically our beach vacation pattern looks like this:  I usually will get up before the others, make coffe and take a quiet walk usually to the beach.  After breakfast and some television or something, we usually go to the beach late morning and stay a couple hours or so then return for lunch.
Afternoons may hold a return to the beach or pool time or just soaking up sun or air conditioning.

We ended our first full day with some fairly fresh Gulf Shrimp.

Monday - Day Three AA joined me on my morning walk this time.  We walked maybe close to two miles up to the Gulf National Seashore on the end of the road near the condo in which we are staying.

He and I are spending a good bit of time together this trip - I like his company.

After a very mellow start at the beach, the clouds moved in and the surf kicked it up a notch or two.  The waters became very choppy and no one seemed to want to leave for lunch. It was a great day.

Tuesday, Day Four  A couple of years ago, we went to Williamsburg for an Historic /Educational vacation.  While we had been able to work in a couple of trips to the beach during that excursion, I think we felt that we might have missed out on something by not spending some true down time beside water.
Last year our vacations were pretty much "education free" and so this year my goal was to insert some education somewhere in our trip.  We fulfilled that goal by visiting the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola yesterday.

I think we go a lot out of that visit.  Buck, our tour guide, was a veteran pilot serving in Korea and flying helicopters in Vietnam, was superb; he gave us stories.

That brings us up to today.

Thoughts on Intolerance

I can't really comment on specifics regarding Anne Rice's statements on same-sex marriage this week.  Mainly because I haven't read them, I did see a brief portion of an interview in which she explained them.

She said in that interview that she didn't see anything in the Bible that called for the persecution of gays.

And she is absolutely right.  However that statement sets up the false argument that Christians are calling for the persecution of gays.

I missed that call.

Has persecution now been downgraded? 

Intolerance has traditionally been a term related to Christianity  - only Christians are usually on the receiving end of tolerance or intolerance.

I am pretty sure that everyone that is against the legal endorsement of same-sex marriage is not necessarily Christian.  That's just an easy label to slap onto the argument.  After all, Christians and "gun-toting red-necks" are about the only groups that societal constraints still allow us to criticize.

What I see afoot is the powers that be trying to silence Christians.  It's okay to hold strong beliefs, so long as those beliefs are kept to one's self.

When courts over rule the lawful decisions of a community over and over again (as is the case in California)
 . . . doesn't that sound more like persecution?

Disagreeing with someone or something does not equal hatred, but throwing out terms like that: hatred, persecution, intolerance  - does kind of shut down public discourse.

I believe that our nation was formed upon - and has enjoyed her long history because of -  Christian principles.  Those principles were arrived at after much public debate and reasoning.  Men spent time in prayer, study and soul searching and then published their beliefs.  Others who had spent equal time in contemplation would then argue for or against those published beliefs.

I believe it was the Sovereign Hand of God that guided those public conversations and the hearts of men until they arrived at His purpose.  Not because this nation had earned it, but because we wanted what He wanted: His best.

And His purpose was what was best for us.

I may be wrong.  But without public discourse and the expression of ideas . . . it is more likely that I will remain unconvinced of my error.

Anne Rice can say whatever she wants, but why don't we require sound arguments supporting one's statements anymore? 

Why don't we allow debate?

What are we afraid of?