Category: Uncategorized

The following is verbatim from Chapter Six in Andy Andrew’s book, The Seven Decisions: Understanding the Keys to Personal Success starting on page 123. This book continues to be the catalyst for accomplishing relational miracles among some clients and I offer it now for your consideration. merlin

Forgiveness is a secret that is hidden in plain sight. It costs nothing and is worth millions. It is available to everyone and used by few. If you harness the power of forgiveness, you will be sought after and regarded highly. And not coincidentally, you will be forgiven by others.

The Compassionate Decision changes the way most people view forgiveness. A forgiving spirit allows you to let go of the past and embrace a compelling new future. Harboring anger and resentment for others – regardless of whether or not “they deserve it” – poisons your soul and limits your growth. When you embrace forgiveness through the Compassionate Decision, your level of personal success becomes boundless.

I Will Greet This Day With A Forgiving Spirit:

“For too long, every ounce of forgiveness I owned was locked away, hidden from view, waiting for me to bestow its precious presence upon some worthy person. Alas, I found most people to be singularly unworthy of my valuable forgiveness, and, since they never asked me for any, I kept it all for myself. Now, the forgiveness that I hoarded has sprouted inside my heart like a crippled seed yielding bitter fruit.

No more! At this moment, my life has taken on new hope and assurance. Of the world’s population, I am one of the few possessors of the secret to dissipating anger and resentment. I now understand that forgiveness only has value when it is given away. By the simple act of granting forgiveness, I release the demons of the past about which I can do nothing and create in myself a new heart, a new beginning.

I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness.

Many are the times when I have seethed in anger at a word or deed thrown into my life by unthinking or uncaring person. Valuable hours have been wasted imagining revenge or confrontation. Now I see the truth revealed about this psychological rock inside my shoe. The rage I nurture is often one-sided, for my offender seldom gives thought to his offense!

I will now and forever more silently offer my forgiveness even to those who do not see that they need it. By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. My bitterness is given up. I am contented in my soul and effective again with my fellow man.

I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly.

Knowing that slavery, in any form, is wrong, I also know that the person who lives a life according to the opinion of others is a slave. I am not a slave. I have chosen my own counsel. I know the difference between right and wrong. I know what is best for the future of my family, and neither misguided opinion nor unjust criticism will alter my course.

Those who are critical of my goals and dreams simply do not understand the higher purpose to which I have been called. Therefore, their scorn does not affect my attitude or action. I forgive their lack of vision and forge ahead. I now know that criticism is part of the price paid for leaping past mediocrity.

I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself.

For many years, my greatest enemy has been myself. Every mistake, every miscalculation, every stumble I made has been replayed over and over in my mind. Every broken promise, every day wasted, every goal not reached has  compounded the disgust I feel for the lack of achievement in my life. My dismay has developed a paralyzing grip.

When I disappoint myself, I respond with inaction and become more disappointed.

I realize today that it is impossible to fight an enemy living in my head. By forgiving myself, I erase the doubt, fear, and frustration that have kept my past in the present. From this day forward, my history will cease to control my destiny. I have forgiven myself. My life has just begun.

I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly. I will forgive myself.

I will greet each day with a forgiving spirit”.  

The following is verbatim from Andrew’s 2008 book The Seven Choices, page 140-142. I must admit after reading The Power of Positive Thinking in my 20’s, I have since succumbed to my perceived residual negativity of the evangelical community toward Peale. Perhaps I need to read the book again. The letter below reminds me of Paul Harvey “and here’s the rest of the story.” Enjoy! merlin

Real Traveler Profile: Norman Vincent Peale

Dr. Peale was an minister and an author of 46 books, which have been translated into 40 languages, including the perennial inspirational classic The Power of  Positive Thinking. Along with his wife, Ruth Stafford Peale, he started a magazine called Guideposts, which is enjoyed by more than 15 million readers. More than 31 million copies of his inspirational booklets have been distributed over the years, and he maintained a full speaking schedule until his death in 1991. Peale received 22 honorary doctoral degrees and was one of the few private citizens in history to be honored in a White House ceremony when President Reagan presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Norman Vincent Peale said, “When God wants to send a gift, he wraps it up in a problem, and the bigger the gift that God sends, the bigger the problem.” It’s easy to assume that the man who wrote The Power of Positive Thinking didn’t have to worry about positive thinking. We figure that the author of a book that has sold 30 million copies to date (2008) must have had it easy, right?

Here, then, is the great letter I received from a man whose very life embodied the Compassionate Decision. It is a story that will surprise you – and one I am certain very few have heard.

Dear Andy:

            I suffered rejection when I wrote a book called The Power of Positive Thinking. Actually, I wanted to call it “The Power of Faith”, but my publisher insistently demanded that I change the title to a phrase  … [from] the book, “The power of positive thinking.”

            It soon to my surprise, hit the bestseller list for 186 weeks, which at that time was a record. This projected me into the most vehement criticism I ever received. I considered the book a vitally Christian book, but some ministers castigated me as an arch-conservative, a tool of capitalistic interests, who was turning Christianity into a way to get rich. One bishop, a scholarly and gifted man, usually dispassionate and objective, became quite intemperate in his attacks on the book and upon me personally. Many ministers even preached against some terrible thing labeled “Pealeism.” And one distinguished pulpiteer called my work a perversion of the Christian religion.. This hue and cry became so violent that I actually wrote my resignation from my ministry, though my church stood by me valiantly. I took a train upcountry to see my aged father who perceived that something was bothering me. And he, even in that remote area, knew of the scathing attack upon me.            So my father, sitting in his rocking chair, said, you have always been true and loyal to Jesus Christ. You believe in and preach Bible truths. You have always been in the mainstream of Christianity, never following any temporary faddism. You have united the pastoral office with the best in the scientific and healing arts. You have blazed new pathways of positive thinking to counter the old destructive negatives. You are my son, and your old father who has known good men and not so good men for 80 years and more, both in and out of the church, says you are a good and loyal minister of Jesus Christ.” He was silent and thoughtful for a long minute. “Besides, and remember this, the Peale’s never quit. It would break my heart if one of my sons was a quitter, afraid to stand up and face any situation.”

My father was a gentle-spirited man and in all my life I had never heard him use any expression that included a swear word. Imagine my shock when he said, “And Norman, there’s just one thing more.”

            “What is it, Dad?” I asked.

            “Tell ‘em to go to hell,” he declared, to my astonishment.

            Stepping into another room, I tore up my resignation letter and threw it into the wastebasket. Needless to say, I came away fortified in in spirit. The book has sold upwards of 20 million copies worldwide and has become, in book statisticians’ opinions, one of the few books in American history that has sold the most. The title has become part of the language and culture not only in America but around the world.

            A lady who was at one time president of the American Council of Churches, Cynthia Weddell, meeting a friend a friend of mine, said, “How’s Norman?” And the friend replied, “He is fine.” And added, “He has outlived his critics.” “No,” said Mrs. Weddell, “he has out-loved them.”

            In every rejection you learn something, and I learned that if you go about your business and love people and not hate anyone, you ultimately gain a victory. Now it so happens that very few people criticize me, wherefrom I deduce that perhaps I am slipping!

Cordially yours,

Norman Vincent Peale

Go Forth Forgiven….

And if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 NIV

The End

Today I am compelled to share one of my favorite recently discovered epistles with you for the comfort I derive from its words each time through, recently monthly, if not even weekly. It is not uncommon for me to listen to a book in two days, and I frequently am encouraged by friends and associates to explore books far beyond my comfort range. And of late, rather than moving on to the next book after any initial red flags, I force myself to listen attentively, even saving clips of meaningful spots for future reference, as often I am deeply challenged by their words and concepts. Though a new action point for me, I believe this openness is ultimately strengthening my faith and hopefully, meaningful dialogue at some point.

However, after such radical exposures, I find myself anticipating sliding into my recliner, turn on the lamp, and let the words of my favorite scriptures and hymns just wash over me, in, essence restoring my peace and spiritual equilibrium, perhaps even momentum, as I prepare for the next encounters.

Personally, I believe both scripture and science validate the recent exhibitions in our solar system and on and about planet earth of the eventual “end times,” however that may be defined; hence both I & II Peter provide me succinct wisdom for my focus in the swirling chaos and current clammering all about us; unless we have our heads in the sand, or are living in denial. Remember, these are Peter’s words; hot-headed, tempestuous, tumultuous, finicky Peter, but after the third rooster crow and Pentecost, he was a focused man except for that skirmish in Jerusalem when Paul had to call him out. An amazing follower of Christ. Oh, if only we could (would) hear our crowing roosters!

I do caution you upfront though, these are tough words from Peter, not feel good fluff. You may have never even heard these verses prior. That is why I read through the Bible each year in the One Year Bible. The gospel message though amazingly simple characterized by forgiveness, love, grace, mercy and restoration with joy is often in direct conflict with our culture’s lawlessness and open rebellion against God and His scriptural precepts. Sadly, too often today, many Christians do not even understand repentance.

I am using the NKJV. I also frequently read from James and I, II, & III John while in this neighborhood. Pray prior to reading that God will indeed open your heart and mind to his truths while you read. As always, I invite your emails.

Blessings as you go forth>>>> merlin

II Peter 1:16 to the end of this epistle

16  For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  17  For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18  And when we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.  19  We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;  20  knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,  21  for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

CH TWO 1  But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who brought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.  2  And many will follow in their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.  3  By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words, for a long time with their judgement has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.  4  For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgement;  5  and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;  6  and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those afterward would live ungodly;  7  and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed with the filthy conduct of the wicked  8  (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds) –  9  then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgement,  10   and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,  11  whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring reviling accusation against them before the Lord.  12  But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption,  13  and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you,  14  having eyes full of idolatry and that cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.  15  They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the the son Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16   but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.  17  These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, to whom the glory of darkness is reserved forever.  18  For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through licentiousness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.  19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves or corruption; for by whom a person is overcome by him also is he brought into bondage.  20  For if, after  they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are entangled in them and overcome, the later end is worse for them than the beginning.  21  For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and “a sow having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

CHAPTER THREE  1  Beloved, I now write you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),  2  that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”  5  For this they willfully forget: that by the word of the God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water,  6  by which the world that then existed perished being flooded with water.  7  But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men.  8  But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  9  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are it will be burned up. 11  Therefore, since all this will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?  13  Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  14  Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;  15  and account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation – as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,  16  as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which those who are untaught and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.  17  You therefore, beloved, since you know these things beforehand, beware lest you also fall away from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;  18  but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Knowing that wisdom waits to be gathered, I will actively search her out. My past can never be changed, but I can change the future by changing my actions today. I will change my actions today. I will train my eyes and ears to read and listen to books and recordings that bring about positive changes in both my divine and personal relationships and consequently, provide me a greater understanding of my fellow man. No longer will I bombard my mind with materials that feed my doubts and fears. I will read and listen only to that which increases my belief in my Creator, myself and my future.

I will seek wisdom. I will choose my friends with care.

I am who my friends are. I speak their language, and I wear their clothes. I share their opinions and habits. From this moment forward, I will choose to associate with people whose lives and lifestyles I admire.

I will seek wisdom. I will listen to wisdom of wise men.

The words of a wise man are like raindrops on dry ground. They are precious and quickly used for immediate results. Only the blade that catches a raindrop will prosper and grow. The person who ignores wise counsel is like the blade of grass untouched by the rain – soon to wither and die. When I counsel with myself, I can only make decisions according to what I already know. By counseling with either a wise person or the Holy Spirit, I add their knowledge, experience and divine unction to my own and dramatically increase my success.

I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others.

A wise man will cultivate a servant’s spirit, for that particular attribute attracts people like no other. As I humbly serve others, their wisdom will be freely shared with me. Often, the person who develops a servant’s spirit becomes wealthy beyond measure. Many times, a servant has the ear of the king, and a humble servant becomes king, for he is the popular choice of the people. Realize he who serves the most usually grows the fastest!

I will become a humble servant. I will not look for someone to open my door – I will look to open the door for someone. I will not be distressed when no one is available to help me – I will be excited when I am available to help.

I will be a servant to others. I will listen to the counsel of wise men. I will choose my friends with care. I will seek wisdom.

All this above sounds so good so what’s the problem for me that I exhibit so little wisdom at times? Perhaps we too often mistake wisdom for education, like a high school diploma or a college degree. Seeking wisdom is not the same as gaining knowledge: knowledge is a precursor to wisdom. Wisdom includes a divine intuitive element, perhaps an insight gleamed from either our own or others personal experiences that heightens our awareness as we move toward making future critical life choices in our lives.

Seeking wisdom is a continual process. I have found the humility of the wisdom seeker to be a defining characteristic of not only future influential spiritual kingdom builders, but also for the purpose driven successful movers and shakers all about me, regardless of their career path or field of expertise.

Understand wisdom is available to all, waiting to be known. It can’t be bartered or sold; wisdom is a gift only for the diligent, because only the diligent will find it. Too often the lazy person doesn’t even look for wisdom. It is said God moves mountains to create the opportunities of his choosing BUT IT’S UP TO EACH OF US TO BE READY TO ENGAGE OR AVAIL OURSELVES OF THE OPPORTUNITIES!! May I just be so bold here to suggest that one such opportunity was the founding of America as the greatest experiment ever historically for effective self-governing, not to detract though, from all the events we each have experienced in our own personal lives and pilgrimages. Shame on us for being so blind and calloused to not recognize our blessings on so many fronts!

Briefly now before we close this down, there are three simple things you can do daily to start your lifelong search for wisdom: 1.) READ or listen to wisdom literature every day if only minutes, 2.) seek the counsel of the wise, and 3.) SERVE others. This may all seem to be too simple, yet tragically, much of our society is ignoring these simple, critical distinctions despite their divine availability and proliferation on multiple techie platforms. Please, no procrastination here forward.

Stimulated by and adapted from Andy Andrew’s book, The Seven Decisions Chapter Two beginning on Page 25, for your personal contemplation to add purpose and meaning to your journey of life until??>>>>>merlin

Gallup Report on Global and USA Workplace Engagement

Go to www.advise.gallup.com to download the 191 page report

1. Effects of the C-19 Pandemic
2. Employment Engagement and Life Evaluation
3. Daily Negative Emotions
4. Environmental, Social and Governance

Perhaps the next global crisis is already here: Mental Health in the Workplace

Global Engagement Levels are @ 20%…. USA @34%…

A USA $100,000 weekly payroll breaks down to $66,000 lost dollars per week. This disengagement results in a yearly cost of 8.1 trillion dollars or 10% of the entire GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

45% of your entire workforce was adversely effected by C-19.

7 in 10 team members experience suffering daily. They bring this to work.

48% of your team members spend time worrying each day.

57% of your team members experience stress each day.24% of your team members experience anger each day. The # 2 reason people leave companies is the result of this anger.

Perhaps it is time we RETHINK:

1. Leaders need to recognize the influence of employee well-being and engagement on employee resilience.
2. Create a culture that maximizes the potential and well-being of each and every employee.
3. Successful corporations of the future not only generate profits, but will also generate thriving employees who can withstand times of crisis, live free of addictions, and engage in meaningful and satisfying productive relationships at home and work.
4. Are we merely transmitting more negative reinforcements, OR are we positively transforming our workplace culture?

For more positive culture changing ideas, consider the

TEN COMMANDMENTS of Effective Communication

All of life’s opportunities come from relationships. Thus, it is critical to have “Winning Relationships.” Every relationship improves when communication improves. These commandments provide you with an effective framework for helping your communication and improve all of your meaningful relationships.

# 01 – The Two Breath Drill                   # 06 – Opinions

# 02 – The Love of Listening Drill      # 07 – Hopes & Dreams

# 03 – Responsibility                                # 08 – Feelings

# 04 – Cliches “Shallow Talk”              # 09 – Fears, Faults & Failures

# 05 – Facts                                                  # 10 – Your A, B, C, D’s                  

Commandments # 01 & # 03 are below

COMMANDMENT #01 – THE TWO-BREATH DRILL

When engaged in any situation involving communication, simply take two-breaths  before you speak. Ask yourself, “Is what I am about to say going to add value?” 

If the answer is no, don’t say it. We are here to add value. If you aren’t adding value then what are you doing?

1. What relationships in your life would improve if you practiced the two-breath drill? 
2. What can you do to remember to use this valuable drill? 
3. How else could you utilize the two-breath drill? 

COMMANDMENT #03 – RESPONSIBILITY

The word responsibility breaks down to “respond with your ability.” Whenever you are in a highly emotional setting, you must remember that you do not owe anyone a response in that moment. Practice the Two-Breath Drill and step away from any situation until you can “respond with your ability.” Our abilities include kindness, love, patience, empathy, and compassion. We must always use our words in a manner that will breathe life into another.

1. Is what you are about to say going to give you a clear conscience and peace at the end  of the day?
2. How will your life change for the better by embracing the wisdom of what the word responsibility truly means?

Check out www.dreamleaderinstitute.com or www.breakfreeenterprises.net

for more info.

He is ….. a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. ISAIAH 53:3

We are not “acquainted with grief” in the same way our Lord was acquainted with it. We endure it and live through it, but we really do not become intimate with it. At the beginning of our lives, it is rare for us to bring ourselves to the point of dealing with the reality of sin. We look at life through the eyes of reason and science and tell ourselves and others naively that if a person will merely control his instincts and educate himself, we can produce a life that will slowly evolve into the life of God, exhibiting meaning, purpose and joy.

But as we continue on through life, we find the presence of something which we have not taken into account, namely sin – and it upsets all of our thinking and masterful plans. Sin has made the foundation of our thinking unpredictable, uncontrollable and irrational, regardless of all of our stated “intentions & fact – checked science.”

Ultimately, we have to realize that sin is a fact of life, not just a shortcoming. Sin is blatant mutiny against God, and either sin or God, must die in my life. The New Testament brings us right down to this one issue – if sin rules me, God’s life in me will be killed; if God rules in me, sin will be killed. There is nothing more basic and fundamental to a life lived well than that! The culmination of sin was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. What was true is His Story on earth will also be true in your legacy and in mine – and that simply is, sin will kill the life and expression of God in us. We must absolutely bring ourselves to terms with this fact of sin. It is the only explanation why Jesus Christ came to earth, and also the sole explanation of the grief and sorrow we encounter in life.  

Choose the abundant life today to experience your life’s new vistas and the accompanying spiritual joy propelling you far beyond merely fleeting happiness.

 Stimulated by and adapted from, Oswald Chamber’s devotional “My Utmost For His Highest – June 23 Acquainted with Grief”..… merlin   

Out of necessity, but partially in memory of the good times my mother and I enjoyed outdoors, I burned a brush pile last Wednesday evening after supper, that had resided nearly a week in the rental driveway measuring approximately 25 by 14 and 4 feet in height. During the last year that house had two larger ash trees out by the road done in by the ash bore that required the attention of Matt Wenger to take them down because of nearby electric lines. Until recently before my accelerated aging, I took down my own trees but no longer. Prior, if I ever lacked confidence in my ability to drop a tree precisely where I wished, I merely attached a 75 foot cable as high as my extension ladder would reach and then let my tractor guide the tree’s path insuring minimal damage to its surroundings. I finally now realize that for me to be cutting trees down with chain saws is simply much too risky for me any longer, either as a hobby or even of necessity.  

A word I use with increasing frequency these days is “transitions.” I compare it to the phrase “new normal” that describes whatever in my lifestyle or physical capabilities that are currently diminishing and my excuse to accept in resignation whatever the loss. Burning brush piles, is not normally associated with transitions; whether they are relationships, employment, spiritual concerns, or even economic woes.  Fortunately or not, I have a long history of burning brush piles. It actually was a skill taught me by my mother before I even entered first grade in the District #51 one room school house in Height of Land Township of Becker County MN. Like many simple functional lessons in life, I “caught” and appreciate these lessons more by observation rather a simple syllabus, and certainly not a detailed OSHA manual.  

As I recall now, we often entered this activity much as a carefree hike or a picnic but without substantial food or drink; perhaps cookies or an apple, and really rarely, an orange, as normally we were not gone that long. Times were quite different; even the concern for either staying hydrated or the perils of drinking too many sodas were still decades away. Actually, the temperature could vary greatly, from well below zero to a humid sticky summer day.

By far, the most critical factor was the combustibility of the pile’s immediate surroundings. You understand the facts of our situation here. We were literally playing with fire, here on the edge of several thousand acres of largely state owned lands about which we knew only two things for certain but it was only the second that concerned us. First, most of this acreage could have been purchased then by merely paying the delinquent back taxes, frequently for less than $10. per acre. Now the going rate is more like $2000 per acre and delinquent taxes have disappeared like rain clouds during droughts. I have yet to meet or hear of anyone who hugely capitalized on this opportunity. The second fact is any woods can burn if coaxed sufficiently if conditions are favorable. Realize only a match can start a forest fire but it may require virtually an army to curb its appetite once started and conditions are right. Consequently, most of our jaunts were enjoyed during the winter months when the effort expended to start the pile perhaps was more difficult, but never do I recall we ever worried about a fire getting the upper hand. Often we were out after a fresh powder snow and when accented by a roaring fire amongst a sea of white, whether under a mid-day sun, total dismal gloom, a glowing sunset, or even under northern lights or a bright moon, all such conditions were potential Kodak moments. Ask the over 50 crowd who Kodak was.   

It also seemed to me the winter “burnings” were more adventuresome. We were more relaxed and often sat within the desired range of the fire, to be not too warm, or too cold, while sitting on our seats fashioned from chunks of wood from a nearby woodpile munching on whatever, generating and securing happy memories. Spring and fall fires were less frequent because of increased risk, and summer virtually never, even though safer because of the green foliage but more because we were always so busy planting and reaping since daylight began well before 5 AM and lasted until nearly 11:00 PM so burning brush piles was just a job best done during the slower and safer winter months.

Besides, now you know as the  wood burners do, firewood production warms you at least three times; first while cutting it, second, while burning the brush piles, and lastly, from the stove while heating your home. Truth be told, depending on your degree of mechanization and the season during which you produce your firewood, you can also generate considerable heat while splitting it, then moving and stacking it near your outdoor furnace, or if your furnace is inside, by hauling it inside each day. After 20 years of feeding my outdoor furnace, I know the best advantage for me was the healthy exercise it generated. I thoroughly enjoyed my high efficiency gas furnace this past winter and never once needed to get up early or go out late to make fire. Checking the fire twice a day sorta went out the window for me, as did the Yellow Pages also. Remember them?

Perhaps the most significant condition to consider before entering a Minnesota woods whether for pleasure or toil, is it’s pesky wildlife.  Most Minnesota woodcutters favor being in the woods during the winter cold rather than the summer heat because the summer wildlife will literally consume you, though not nearly as quickly as a fire on the run. The pests include such as simple deer flies, horseflies, and especially the mosquitos. The ointment of choice as a lad in the sixties when I was cutting poplar cordwood for turkey shavings was a greasy oily concoction called “6-12” sold in small 1-2 ounce glass bottles for a buck plus maybe, but that little bottle lasted a long time, perhaps a whole season, depending. Literally, “a little dab would do you for the day.”

Now for a historical sidebar or perspective. The expensive aerosol “OFF” products debuted sometime before the August 1969 Woodstock concert for a point of reference. I was hitchhiking down I-81 thru PA towards Waynesboro VA and got a ride several days following the concert with a van of attenders as far as Strasburg, VA. FYI, that was also the year of the July 4th Wayne Co. flood as well as the summer Hurricane Camille dumped nearly 30 inches during the night August 14 in Nelson & Rockbridge Co SW of Charlottesville VA killing 23 people as presented in the book “Torn Land.”       

Getting back to transitions, usually the bigger combustibility challenge was getting the pile to burn, rather than to protect the thousands of acres beyond us. Sometimes the piles were too wet from recent rains and to help with all that, Mother brought along a box of the Ohio Blue Tips matches that were actually made in Wadsworth OH that were always near her four burner gas stove without a pilot light powered by the two propane cylinders out back rented from and serviced monthly by Skelgas in Detroit Lakes. Besides the matches, mother brought along a small metal can partially filled with kerosene and even a feed sack partially filled with dry kindling such as dry wood shavings, twigs, bark, even cardboard, to first coax and then engage the larger pieces of brush into consuming flames.

Strange, I never recall performing this consumptive brush pile ritual with my Dad. Mother had a knack for making fire. Our home was heated with firewood until shortly after I left home when an oil furnace was installed. Although I never made much firewood, I was expected to haul out each winter’s supply in the fall starting about in 4^th grade after it was completely cured and ready to be placed either in the basement or in a pile adjacent the basement chute for it’s debut in January after the fall installation had been consumed.

Since our furnace during my youth was not that large or efficient, I remember well mother rising, maybe as early as 4 am to do her magic in the coals so the house would be toasty warm when Dad & I rolled out at 5. A unique division of labor! Mother was just glad to finally have a gas stove in the kitchen as I remember well her cooking on the wood only stove/oven. Although the electric lines via the REA stimulus funding after WWII came past our farm 1951, mother used her wood fired kitchen stove until they bought Grandpa Gingerich’s gas stove on his auction before moving to pastor assist in the  Sunnyslope congregation in the Phoenix area in 1953 which served her well until about the same time the oil furnace took up residency and she then acquired a new electric kitchen stove.

Please understand, I did not begin to go where I originally intended to travel while reminiscing about my mother,  but we did indeed cover a few of my family, cultural, and technological transitions basically during the 50’s & 60’s. It does appear the book ends of my life were heavily influenced by both fire and wood, but certainly much less during my mid-life quasi-professional years.

One prevailing thought that I pondered Wednesday evening after I lit maybe one of my last brush piles, and was watching it being consumed so rapidly, was the Luke 16: 19-31 account of the rich man begging Lazarus to first cool his tongue and that not being done, had the audacity to request he be sent to warn his five brothers of hell’s very unique non-consumptive fires. Perhaps we’re not transitioning so well here either. I do choose to believe the unique fire mentioned in scripture is real. How can I not? Why would I even consider risking today’s subjective “seen” science over and against faith in God’s Word and His promises, especially for an empowered life here and a resurrected life thereafter regardless if inflicted by natural causes, fire, sword, poisoning, guillotines, even slow debilitating torture as done during the Reformation. Life here is fleeting, temporal, merely a mirage to prepare us for the eternal. For it is after death that true Christ followers will rise victorious and partake of the feast prepared for them in eternity.

Death by fire took on a deeper dimension for me this past absolutely gorgeous November 5th morning at 8:30 when I burned up my Toro Zero Turn by being stupid with a pile of tinder dry leaves more than twice the size of this little brush pile I just burned. I did so by backing into the pile repeatedly and having the red hot exhaust ignite the leaves and by the time I was aware of the problem and turned to look behind me, flames were already  several feet higher than my head. It was then the protective circuitry to keep me from dismounting with the blades in motion I presume were burned thru killing the ignition, stalling the engine so the mower was then rapidly being engulfed in flames. I safely exited running for my Stihl Back Pack to blow the flames away from the mower and normally once it is warmed up, the back Pack starts on the first pull. But since I had not started it prior that morning, it took me a few minutes to come back with it operating full bore, but by then the mower was beyond even salvaging. But thankfully, I was safe, as I had escaped with only burnt pride and burns on my face that healed in 3-4 weeks. And yes, Schlabach Engine near Apple Creek does sell mowers most days to fire challenged persons with insurance money even though such clients may periodically exhibit a lack of respect for hot mufflers and tinder dry leaves.

Need I say any more? I hope you got the picture. Make it a real Kodak moment for yourself and your five brothers while you’ve yet opportunity.

Blessing this week as YOU GO FORTH EMPOWERED TRANSITIONING IN FAITH, NOT MERELY LIVING GUIDED BY SIGHT AND SOUND>>>>> merlin

I retired tonight May 18, 2021 at 10 pm. I had two naps today; one about noon during the time I was doing my weekly vacuuming, sweeping and moping usually  performed prior the weekend but it was missed prior since my two brother in laws were here, so I did it today as the house was quiet. Only Loretta’s mother, Eileen was here. And it was a short nap as my phone soon dinged. The second occurred this evening after supper and my 30 minute stint in my micro lab. Suddenly I was exhausted so upon coming back into the house, I spread out in my all-purpose leather recliner chair in our house office that has also served as my bed since my devastating crash landing because of wet slippery snow on the yet green grass back on 1/15/21 breaking up my left side rather well including three ribs, a clavicle and even the scapula. The recliner is simply more comfortable yet than my bed. I slept an hour and not having utilized my sleep machine, both Larry and Loretta watching TV in the adjacent solarium, were well aware of my presence and reminded me of the fact and I noted I should always hook up before I am tempted to relax and travel beyond.

I can see now writing you of why I simply crawled out of my recliner at 11:10 pm to start a more personal approach to my blog writing is going to get much more complicated than I ever intended. But the first point I want to make is, if you want your prayer time to be a creative adventure you must not be exhausted.  Otherwise, sleep will do you in and you’ll have to regroup in the morning. However, I am experiencing that my evening reflective prayer times can be absolutely delightful adventures and springboards to numerous other spiritual escapades God is preparing for me if I were just seeking his presence more fully.

Let me share a revelation I experienced this evening while trying to wind down and go to sleep before I finally realized I could no longer quench the Spirit so I got up and began writing. Actually the revelations of all that had happened to me the past few days that I think may make interesting reading (you’ll be the judge of that) were coming so fast I was realizing I really need to try dictating but that will require better equipment than my Apple phone and a whole lot of practice on my part.

Earlier in the evening while in the micro lab 30 minutes I was listening to John Bevere’s last book, for the second or third time, “X – Multiple Your God Given Potential.” In recent months, I’ve been giving this Chapter Four, “Stewards,” considerable traction time while evaluating my life; especially since I floundered badly. Bevere identifies three clear aspects of stewardship from both the Greek and English definitions:

1.) Oversees what belongs to another,

2.) Carries authority to manage what has been entrusted, and

3.) Is responsible: he or she will give an account to the owner.

Suddenly mere stewardship has been supercharged in that God created and owns everything! Psalms 24:1 declares, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness” (NKJV). This makes us stewards over everything in this realm. We are to manage the earth – all land, water, air, resources, animals, fish, and fowl. We are responsible to care for the good of human beings spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and physically. This includes all godly and beneficial knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Paul writes of being “stewards of the mysteries of God.” The New Living Translation says we have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries,” hidden truths that had not yet been revealed. Therefore the exact stewardship he refers to is not merely managing money, time, resources (all valid stewardship), but rather the gift (charisma) on his life. I am continually reminded how contrary the globalist’s current agenda and narrative is in comparison to God’s laws and truths as revealed in scripture; ageless, timeless, and regardless!!!

So, how does this apply to us as Christ followers today under the influence of current culture? As Peter writes: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (I Peter 4:10 NKJV). All our highlighted words are found in this one verse (gifts: charisma; stewards: oikonomos; and grace: charis). If you are born again, you have a gift or gifts that have been imparted and entrusted to you. These gifts are specific endowments of grace that empower you with special and unique abilities.

May I refer you to another scripture, I Cor 9:16-17 where Paul says, “Yes, woe is me if I do not preach the Gospel!” The Greek word for woe is defined as “disaster, horror.” Here is the sobering truth: If Paul didn’t administer his gift properly, then others would not experience the benefit, and even suffer the loss, of what God intended them to receive. Paul knew the gift wasn’t given for him; it was given to others through him. Realize the gifts of God on your life are not for you; they are for others to benefit through you.

Realize I’ve drawn heavily from John’s words above and he then goes on to give three examples of persons very uniquely gifted and although they used their gifts memorably, they did not generate God’s expected fruits; Adolf Hitler, Whitney Houston, and Freddie Mercury. To answer the question whether any of these three used their gifts well, and some may argue that the musicians  did, but consider the question through the words of Jesus in Matt 11:19 “Wisdom is shown to be right by its results” and Luke 7:35 which states “Wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.”

In the event you were a fan of either Whitney or Houston, lets add another perspective. Lets view their legacies from the vantage point of ten million years from now. Examining their eternal perspective may change your original 80 year view. The sobering reality that I am continually facing is that my gifts will be examined in light of God’s eternal Word that commissions us to build His kingdom. Will our legacy be enduring (by either results or lives) or will they be consumed in the fire as straw & stubble and pass away with all the other world’s latest and greatest inventions and solutions to end racism and restore peace and prosperity?

We all have three choices: You can steward your gift at any given time in one of these three ways:

1.) You can use it to build the kingdom

2.) You can use it to benefit yourself.

3.) You can neglect it by not using it at all.

For additional perspective, later in the chapter, John brings forth two more pertinent scripture for these tumultuous times, first for the believer, and secondly, for the unbeliever In I Cor 1:1 as stated earlier, Paul says, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God” immediately followed in 3-5 “As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord Himself who will examine me and decide. So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time – before the Lord returns. For He will bring our darkest secretes to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each whatever praise is due.

The following Luke 12:2-3 passage is thought to be referencing the unbeliever’s judgment – the great white throne judgment – where unbelievers will give an account for their sins due to not receiving the saving grace of Jesus Christ “The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secrete will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark (our private motives and secrets) will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!”      

Folks, I had no idea when I began writing 3 hours ago I would end up here saying we have three choices. It was not at all my intention. I was just going to share a few of the ideas that God has literally littered across my mind the past few days that I want to develop with you. Perhaps next time, I won’t preach so much.

Blessings as you Go Forth Aware and Assured of Making Wise Steward Choices>>>> merlin

“How Not to Wisdom” from Oswald Chambers online Utmost for His Highest May 17 from Disciples Indeed: “It is perilously possible to make our conceptions of God like molten lead poured into a specially designed mould, and when it is hard and cold we fling it at the heads of the religious people who don’t agree with us.”

The following is taken from Chris Hedge’s book “The Daniel Dilemma: How to Stand Firm & Love Well in a Culture of Compromise” beginning Pg. 236.

Humans are triune beings: body, soul, and spirit. It’s the spirit part of us that is like God and will live forever. And because each and every person has a spirit and is made in the likeness of God, we will always be on spiritual journey. Like homing pigeons, constantly returning to their nests, our spirits are continually in search of their Creator. This innate spiritual part of us explains why we are the only part of creation that worships. And it’s also why we need to fight the cultural battle spiritually.

How do we do that? The same way Jesus did. He came face-to-face with the Devil when he was tempted in the wilderness (see Matt. 4 and Luke 4), and every time the enemy tried to tempt him, Jesus responded with a verse from the Bible. He used the Sword of Truth to defend himself from the Enemy’s attacks. Think of it this way: Jesus didn’t confront the Devil as God. He confronted the Devil as a man with the Word of God. We should do the same thing.  

Remember, because each and every person has a spirit and is made in the likeness of God, we are all continually choosing the outcomes of our spiritual journey.

Here are five scriptures and five model prayers we can pray (make them your own) for the people God has given us to influence.” Write down their names, read the scriptures and pray for them collectively regularly. Perhaps we have not because we ask not!

1. Pray that the Father would draw them to Jesus.

 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them” (John 6: 44).

Father, I pray for the people around me, that you would supernaturally draw their hearts to you. Send your Holy Spirit to them, and give them the desire to give their lives to you. Help them to recognize their longing for more as spiritual, as a thirst only you can quench. Open their ears to hear your voice.

2. Bind the spirit that blinds their minds.

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4: 4).

Father, bind the evil spirits that are blinding the minds of the people around me in the name of Jesus. I pray that they would be able to see clearly, to recognize who you are, and to give their hearts to you. Remove all hindrances the Enemy would use to distract them from your truth. Open their eyes, Lord, that they might see Jesus.

3. Let loose the spirit of adoption (personal relationship with God).

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’” (Rom. 8: 15).

Many people think Christianity is just another religion. They only see God through the lens of the organization and institution of the church. They may even feel frustrated, angry, or betrayed by people in churches they have encountered or by religious legalists and their hypocrisy. But God didn’t come to build an organization. He came to have relationship with his children. He wants his kids to come home. Praying for people to have personal encounters with the living God makes a huge difference.

Father, I pray that people will understand how much you love them. Loose the spirit of adoption for the people around me, so that they come into a meaningful relationship with you. Stir in their hearts a longing to come home, to hear your voice, and to see you welcoming them with open arms. Let them know you are always running to meet them and hold them close.

4. Pray that believers will enter into positive relationships with the lost, and pray that we will see the opportunities that come across our paths.

“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matt. 9: 38).

This one is twofold: we can pray for other Christians to influence the people around them positively, and we can also look for opportunities to influence others positively ourselves. God’s plan to reach people is worked through those who already know and love him. Jesus asked us to pray for people to go into the world and be salt and light. He came to bring the good news of the gospel to all people, and his desire is that everyone would know and love him. As his “spiritual farmers,” we should be attuned to opportunities to plant spiritual seeds in the lives of the people we encounter each day. We may have no idea who has already been praying for them and the culminating impact a kind word, a compassionate act, or a loving attitude can have to draw someone to Christ.

Father, I pray for the lost around me to meet believers who will influence them in a positive way. Lord, let my life shine in such a way that people want to know the God I serve. Allow others to see my genuine love and concern for them in all that I say and do. Let me be your hands and feet to serve them and let them know just how much you love them.

5. Release the spirit of wisdom and revelation on them, so they may know God better.

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Eph. 1: 17).

It’s that “eureka” moment. That “aha!” when it finally clicks. It happens in class when you suddenly understand the math equation or how something works. The most important moment for it to happen is when the lights come on spiritually. People need to see their own sin, see what Jesus did on the cross, and see the hope that comes from giving their life to God. They need wisdom, not just knowledge, of spiritual things and insight into how spiritual things directly impact them.

Father, I pray for the people around me to experience the spirit of wisdom and revelation. I pray that they would truly understand their spiritual condition and see what Jesus did for them on the cross. Help them to have the information and experiences needed to come to you, so they can understand all you have for them.”

Blessings as You Go Forth in Greater Clarity of Your Influence>>>>> merlin

1. Be Honest and Clear with your Expectations –

When Dabo recruits a high school player he tells them that he will not promise him playing time. He says, “If you want to play at Clemson you will have to earn it. You will have to compete and work hard for it. We won’t promise you playing time but if you come here no one will love you like we do.” Dabo clearly and honestly shares what he expects from the player and what the player can expect from him and his staff. As a positive leader you want to meet with your current and future team members and share what you expect from them and what they can expect from you.

2. Be an Over Believer –

When Dabo became the head coach in 2008 he knew Clemson had talent but lacked belief. So the man whose father left when he was young, was homeless for a time growing up, made the Alabama football team as a walk-on, and had come to believe anything was possible, knew his number one priority was to inspire his team to believe. He brought in two signs on his first day as head coach to share with his team. One sign said “Believe.” The other sign said “I can’t” with the “t”crossed out. Since that moment Dabo has believed in his team more than they believed in themselves. I’ve seen how his belief raises the level of belief in his coaches and players. When asked if he was an over achiever he said, “No. I’m an over believer.” It’s amazing what your team will accomplish when you believe in them.

3. Be a Better You –

What makes Dabo so great goes beyond the coach he is and has much more to do with the man he is. Authentic, faithful, appreciative, giving, caring, loving, full of integrity and tough. He loves his players and they know it. He wants them to be their best so he gives them his best. He’s the real deal. The truth is to be a better leader you need to be a better you. Who you are determine show you lead and how you lead determines the culture and team you create.

4. Be Demanding but not Demeaning –

Dabo is known as a fun coach who likes to have a good time but he is very demanding. If his players are not giving their best effort or doing the right thing they will hear his voice. He demands that his players strive for excellence but he does not demean them in the process. He may call one of his players out but he’s doing it to call them up to greatness. As a leader it’s okay to demand excellence. But then it’s your job to lead in a positive way to help your team achieve it.

5. Be a Leader Wherever You Are –

After giving a speech where I mentioned Dabo, a gentleman came up to me and said he had worked with Dabo the few years he left coaching and worked in real estate. He said Dabo was the same leader in the real estate office that he is as a football coach. He showed up every day with a positive attitude, worked really hard and believed they were going to conquer the world. He said not surprisingly Dabo quickly enhanced the performance and success of the company while he was there. I loved hearing this because people think they have to wait for a certain position before becoming a leader. But Dabo was a leader in real estate and as an assistant coach and that lead to his current prestigious leadership position. Wherever you are decide to be a positive leader. Don’t wait for the title or position to do it. Lead where you are in a positive way and your influence will grow and so will your opportunity to lead more people.

The above document touting Dabo’s positive leadership for any aspect of life was provided me by Jonathan Dunn, my personal coach and co-founder of Dream Leader Institute. Not having heard of Dabo prior, I “DuckDuckGo’d” him and watched a 1:57 min clip from a TCI interview with Dabo Swinney learning his son Will will graduate from Clemson this spring and that both he and his brother Drew evidently play football under their father at Clemson. That too speaks well of Dabo!

I included the above for your inspiration and because it relates well to my past week in that I experienced Saturday two significant encounters in my life that I’d been praying about. Then today Pastor Carl’s sermon was again titled as a question, this time “What Does God Want For My Life?” or more specifically “Do I Really Want What God Wants For My Life?” (under girding the importance my will plays in determining anything of value) speaking from I John 4 highlighting four points God wants his followers to possess: Clarity, Companionship, Character, and Confidence (Boldness).

May I share a few insights that has taken me my entire life to realize that even though I may have wanted what God had in mind for me, I certainly didn’t follow thru to insure its occurrences. For example, I failed to focus on God’s resources to provide me the clarity I needed to succeed; I often refused his overtures for relationship / companionship from Himself and other Christ followers whom loved me; frequently I failed to reflect or give testimony or manifestation to the character and love of Christ, and lastly; the confidence in not only what God has accomplished, but yet in what God will do here forward thereby providing us the confidence or a boldness to live in love without fear.

For example, I try not to retreat from difficult situations for frequently the situation will change if I don’t. Becoming a looser in life isn’t difficult, and I believe the biggest losers in life are persons such as me earlier in my life, who refuse to live by the Four C’s of Carl’s sermon not believing in the potential God has given us and too often, even in the church, people just give up because they do not want to see ahead to what could be, if God’s resources were only facilitated.

With God, nobody and no situation is hopeless. I believe everyone has the potential to be an everyday visionary – to apply their faith in God and His Word to improve their lives. So folks, what do you want, and specifically cutting to the chase, what do you really want from whatever God wants for you to have? Whatever that is, if its burning in your heart, say that, speak it. Do not fall into the trap of just looking forward with your natural eyes. You must first look up to God, then deeply into His Word, and then ahead and imagine your future utilizing the 4 C’s! I heard someone say once “I never tell God what I have, what I can see, He already knows that. I tell Him what I want, what I can not see, and specifically what I believe He has given me the intense desire to want and in his timing, to HAVE!

I find the shepherd boy David’s comments quite revealing after assessing the balance of power between the Israelites and Philistines and their Goliath. After his brother Eliab’s rebuke to David in NKJV of I Samuel 17: 28 “I know of your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” (29) And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” (30) Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did. (31) And when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. (32) Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this uncircumcised Philistine seeing that he has defiled the armies of the living God.”

It seems King Saul and his army had lost their passion and forgotten their cause! Perhaps the many people in the church today who fail to achieve their goals, either because of past events or future potential disasters or conflicts, are similarly afflicted. Success in life requires we must stay passionate and remember the “cause.” In other words “stay the course” and protect this principle at all costs. David’s passion to believe God made him a great king. He slew the giant with a cause, faith, and one small stone…. and everyone saw it.

And guess what? With social media today, your victories and defeats may assuredly appear quite untimely. .. especially the latter!

Blessings as you go forth richly endowed to enjoy your journey>>>>> merlin

From A Teacher:

Yesterday, I shutdown class about 5 minutes early and told my students I wanted them to just sit and talk to one another. Several of them immediately opened their laptops and began navigating to their favorite computer game.

I said, “No laptops. I want you to have face-to-face conversations right now.”

After a collective groan went up, I observed something both wonderful and alarming. For the next few minutes, a couple of tables came alive with conversation. They looked at each other in the eyes and talked with great enthusiasm and interest. It was beautiful to watch and listen to .

However, many students were deflated. They did not know what to do without some sort of entertainment from a device. A couple of them put their heads down and avoided eye contact with anyone. I went around the room to those students and tried to engage with them. Some of them mustered a few words, but most didn’t know what to do.  

I share this account as a wake-up call for parents, grandparents, and guardians. It’s tragic to me that a large percentage of today’s youth do not know how to have real conversation, but it’s not really their fault. It is our responsibility as adults to lead by example and hold our kids accountable. Unplug every day, talk, and listen to your children. Getting lost in a device does not help them cope with and overcome the things they’re going through mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. All it causes is isolation and depression. They need relationships; they need you.

I plan on doing it again today. Please share.