decieving our children

i got an email this afternoon from my grandma wagner that i thought was funny, and full of truth. whether it is real or not, i dont know. if it is, im sure some people were offended.......but they probly also deserved it.

the bottom line is this is the real world and we gotta suck it up and accept the consequences. now any one who knows me knows that iv been in this boat before. but as time continues to go on i am reminded that every action i make has reprucutions, good or bad. and i have to grow up, suck it up and accept them as my own. not blame it on others or technology or anything.

the funny thing is that we have been indoctrinated from the beginning with this "blame game" mentality. whatever happens isnt my fault.....im just the victim! funny. even funnier is when the parents back up the child! i thank God my parents made me face the consequences. it builds character. really. and not to mention other good things like responsibility and respect to name a few.

im also reminded of a country song i really like that talks about how things used to be growing up. one part in the song talkes about not making the team and how they would get down, but they all survived. it makes me sick now that our culture and society is so hell-bent on not stepping on any toes and doing all that we can to ensure a childs self-esteem is not hurt in any way. everyone is a winner and there are never any lossers!

what a joke!!!! i feel so sorry for those kids, cause when they get out in the real world itl be like death........."you mean to tell me everyone isnt a winner? some people loss?"


so, bottom line parents.......really prep your kids for the real world by exposing them to "safe" failure and allow them to learn from it. dont think you are going to prevent depression or suicide by sheltering them. if anything i would venture you are only making the possability of something like that more likely down the road.

anyways, check out this email i got.......and enjoy!

SCHOOL ANSWERING MACHINE
>> (This is hilarious - no wonder some people were
>> offended!)
>>
>> This is the message that the Pacific Palisades
>> High School ( California) staff voted unanimously
>> to record on their school telephone answering
>> machine. This is the actual answering machine
>> Message for the school. This came about because they
>> implemented a policy requiring students and parents
>> to be responsible for their children's absences and
>> missing homework. The school and teachers are being
>> sued by parents who want their children's failing
>> grades changed to passing grades - even though those
>> children were absent 15-30 times during the semester
>> and did not complete enough schoolwork to pass their
>> classes.
>> The outgoing message: "Hello! You have reached the automated answering
>> service of your school. In order to assist you in
>> connecting to the right staff member, please listen
>> to all the options before making a selection:
>> * To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1
>> * To make excuses for why your child did not do
>> his work- Press 2
>> * To complain about what we do - Press 3
>> * To swear at staff members - Press 4
>> * To ask why you didn't get information that was
>> already enclosed in your newsletter and several
>> flyers mailed to you - Press 5
>> * If you want us to raise your child - Press 6
>> * If you want to reach out and touch, slap or
>> hit someone -Press 7
>> * To request another teacher, for the third time
>> t his year -Press 8
>> * To complain about bus transportation - Press 9
>> * To complain about school lunches - Press 0
>> * If you realize this is the real world and your child must be
>> accountable and responsible for
>> his/her own behavior, class work, homework and
>> that it's not the teachers' fault for your child's lack
>> of effort: Hang up and have a nice day!
>> *If you want this in Spanish, you must be in the
>> wrong country.

Genesis.......more than just a book

i had my class titled Genesis today for the first time, and i can just tell it is going to rock. it is taught (or i should say, lead) by a local pastor who has been teaching for Moody - Spokane many years.

in this class today we talked about many things......but everything, no matter what it was always came back to the same begining...........Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created...".

think about that statement for a few. let your mind chew it......then chew it some more.


what do you think about that? do you buy it? do you hate it, not believe it?

you see, everything comes back to this statement here in scripture......a statement i take as fact.

how ever we respond to this piece of Scripture, defines how we will respond to everything else....both spiritual/religious and not.

ever wonder why Genesis is the first book in the Bible? the word "Genesis" means "origin"......so it would make sense that the first book be called "origin" and contain the story of the origin of all things.

now with that info (of which i learned today), what does Genesis 1:1 mean to you? do you believe the claim made by God, that He Himself created all things?

i find it interesting how all through out Scripture we also find references of creation crying out about the creator. so how can we deny it? Genesis is more than just a book. it is the foundation to everything, it is the origin. how do you respond to it?

following faithfully

i am now sitting on my new bed, in my new room, in my new house. my location? spokane, washington.....home of the gonzaga bulldogs. now, if you know anything about me your asking why would i be here......i dont like sports so its not gonzaga. well, your right.....God has blessed me with acceptance into Moody Bible Institute to continue and finish my education. but in order to study in chicago i have to do my first year here at their satellite campus.

so again, here i am. it has actually been very easy for me to adjust to this new place. i remember last year when i returned to hesston i felt so in place, overcome by a peace that could only be explained by God. yet here i feel it even greater.......making me certain that this is the place God wants me for this point in my life.

do i miss home? sure.....who wouldnt? i miss the people (well, most of them that is!), especially my students and partners in ministry, and the familiar.

i miss the familiar.

while here i will have to and have been using the bus system. its kinda scary at times. i have to step out of my comfort zone to do this. i am living with a family i never meet till i got here.....that was a big step for me.

these are only two examples of things i have had to adjust to. but every time i am reminded of someone who went out of their way for me. someone who stepped out of their box, out of their comfort zone for everyone who chooses to call Him friend and follow Him.

i think it is kinda funny how we think of Jesus as just this guy who died for us......really, i believe that most people think of Him as just an ordinary guy.....even a lot of those who claim to follow Him. but take a minute as i have found myself doing so often to reflect on His sacrifice.....reflect on how He stepped out of His comfort zone for us.........and died. and no, it wasnt some weak death. He was flogged with barbed whips, kicked, punched, mocked.......and hung upon a tree to die by suffication due to the weight of His own body. that is intense........and He did it all for us freely so we never have to.

so think about that........really, reflect on it for a while.

you know, after reflecting on this time and time again.....i find more motivation to willingly step out of my box, to be uncomfortable. you ever notice how God seems to grow us the most when we are uncomfortable???? i have, and i love it!

God knows exactly what is best for us.......will you let Him lead and willingly step out of your box???????

the end is near, yet a bright future is in sight!

well, my time here at northwoods is quickly coming to an end. i have found myself torn and not really sure how to answer the question i have often gotten from people, "are you excited to move to washington?" God bless their heart, but as far as the school part.....heck no! i am excited to see my friends Chris and Cathy and their two boys! its been four years and i am syked to be with them again.

yet, as i said....i feel torn. while i am excited about seeing them and being in a new place, i dont want to leave the familiar.....the place and people i love. i dont want to leave the students here at nwoods.

yet, i look at this time as one of growth for myself. this will be my third time in a row moving away from home. the last two years i have moved to kansas fro school.....and now i am taking a bigger step and moving all the way to the west coast! i know from past experiences in kansas that i will grow even more this next year being away from home. and i also know that God is going to just rock my world with His love, peace and wonder.......oh, and His sense of humor. it's true.....He has one.

so, while the end of this summer, the end of my time here at nwoods for this period in time is quickly coming to an end.......i know God has something amazingly spectacular in store for me down the very close road. my job now is to remain faithful to Him no matter how much life might suck or whatever......cause i know who has my back, who is holding my hand. i know who loves me through it all and never fails me. He will be my guide.