Change the World!!!

For my daughter..

Two pictures; seemingly unrelated, but in actuality very important to one another. The top one seems really out of place and perhaps a little harsh by today's standards. You mean its WRONG FOR GIRLS TO HAVE GOALS???? I do NOT!! Think how values have changed in the last 60 years. As a boy I remember that if a woman worked outside the home, something was very wrong in the household. The "man" of the house was either a drunk, or lazy, or a criminal or something else was really wrong with him. OK, society changes; today, its expected that a woman "bring home the bacon, and fry it up in a pan AND never, ever let you forget your my man, cause I'm a woommaann". In case you didn't recognize it, that's my take on a commercial that aired on TV (in the 70's??). The commercial is wrong: no person can do everything perfectly. If the lady of the house tries, sooner or later there will be trouble. Children need a mother; they need training, most of all, they need love and attention to grow up properly. Some ladies are better at time management than others and I have known a few (a very few) that come close to the commercial ideal of a "modern" woman. With that thought in mind, read this passage from the book of John.

John 2:1-11 (WEB)
John 2
1) The third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there.
2) Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the marriage.
3) When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.”
4) Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”
5) His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”
6) Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.
7) Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” They filled them up to the brim.
8) He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it.
9) When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom,
10) and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!”
11) This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

One time or another, most of us have heard a sermon or studied this passage in a Bible class. I have always heard the emphasis placed on Jesus and what he did and of course that is as it should be. However, what about his mother? Think about it for a minute; his mother had been with him all his life and seen him grow up. She undoubtedly had an impact on his upbringing, probably more than most, because many believe that Jesus' Earthly father (Joseph) was advanced in years when Jesus was born and had died sometime prior to this event. She knew Jesus well and encouraged him to do what she knew he must. Now, that is important; to say otherwise is foolish!! There is nothing more important than to bring a life into the world and shape it. Money, possessions, fame, power... all these will disappear in 60 or 70 or 80 or 90 years. But the guidance that a Godly woman gives to her children will be felt for several generations. All this time, you probably have been wondering how the second picture ties into all this? That picture is of Adolf Hitler. See the importance of proper upbringing now? Ladies, place your priorities where you must, but I suggest that among the very highest of them should be your children. Your actions can change the world!!!

The real thing says love

In a couple of weeks Linda and I will have our 42nd wedding anniversary. Wow, where has the time gone!? So, what to give her? Roses, of course; but not these puppies! At first glance they may look great, but make a closer inspection. Bacon, in all its cholesterol glory!! These are a heart attack just waiting to happen. Sometimes things that might look good are in fact very bad for you. As you are thinking about this, read Proverbs 5.

Prov 5:1-23 (WEB)
Prov 5
1) My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding:
2) that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge.
3) For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,
4) But in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword.
5) Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol.
6) She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn’t know it.
7) Now therefore, my sons, listen to me. Don’t depart from the words of my mouth.
8) Remove your way far from her. Don’t come near the door of her house,
9) lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one;
10) lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich another man’s house.
11) You will groan at your latter end, when your flesh and your body are consumed,
12) and say, “How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
13) neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor turned my ear to those who instructed me!
14) I have come to the brink of utter ruin, in the midst of the gathered assembly.”
15) Drink water out of your own cistern, running water out of your own well.
16) Should your springs overflow in the streets, streams of water in the public squares?
17) Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you.
18) Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19) A loving doe and a graceful deer— let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love.
20) For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another?
21) For the ways of man are before the eyes of Yahweh. He examines all his paths.
22) The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly.
23) He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.

Face it, Sex sells. The weaker sex are weaker in name only. I have three grown daughters and 5 grand-daughters and I can tell you from experience that the ladies of the house are a true force to be reckoned with. However, the male of the species is not too bright when it comes to affairs of the heart (or perhaps something more erotic). Men can be tricked quite easily into the arms of another and as this Proverb shows, headed for disaster. So, guys, do yourself a favor and re-read verse 18. Stay with the wife of your youth and do everything you can to make her happy. Here is a good pointer to start things off: don't give her bacon roses. I highly recommend the real thing because it says love better than any snack you can think of.