To begin this particular discussion I would like you to read the paragraph/statement, below, made by Ezra Taft Benson.
"There should be no doubt what our task is today. If we truly cherish the heritage we have received, we must maintain the same virtues and the same character of our stalwart forebears—faith in God, courage, industry, frugality, self-reliance, and integrity."
There are a few things in addition to the above noted characteristics I would like to include and discuss, as they pertain to heritage – humor, steadfastness, trust and love.
You could of course look all those terms up in the dictionary, but I want to give my particular slant and opinion on those terms.
First, stalwart. When I think of someone that is stalwart I think of someone that is unwavering and strong. I think of common sense and strength -- not only of body but of mind and spirit. I think of someone that is well balanced and determined not to give in.
Second, forebears. When you talk about forebear it primarily means your ancestors or forefathers -- where you came from, your roots.
Third, faith in God. There are those people that do not believe in God. I do. I believe that God is my Heavenly Father. My belief and faith is strong enough to be a certainty. I also know that His Son, Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. With your faith in God as strong as those of your forebears you should be able to accomplish anything you set your mind to do.
Fourth, courage. When I think of courage I think more than just an upright person pounding on his chest, taking a deep breath, throwing back his shoulders and shouting to the world, "I am brave". I think of a deep mental and moral strength, to persevere and withstand dangers, hard times or difficulties. I also think of someone that can withstand opposition or persecution. A person full of tenacity. In this regard one side of courage that comes to mind is a person's strength to avoid doing what is evil or wicked and performing their best at doing what is right, even if it is unpopular.
Fifth, industry. To me, industry means being busy. Not just "busy work" but creative, useful, purposeful. It could also mean study and learning.
Sixth, frugality. I think that, in this case, the definition of frugality is living within your means. In accomplishing that goal part of it is being wise and be citing what are your wants versus what are your needs. I remember stretching my means or my budget to get something that I just had to have -- when we really could have done without it.
Seventh, self-reliance. Self-reliant means having the money or the means that you require to do what you need to do for your family and yourself. I think that it means having the capacity to work within your own talents and abilities. I think, therefore, that in includes training and study and self-improvement.
Eighth, integrity. When I think of integrity I think of how a person may act when he's by himself and nobody is looking. What kind of values do you live by I think of soundness being complete and of course honesty --to be true – to be faithful – to do what’s right!
Ninth, humor. I think that humor is sometimes mixed up with or mistaken for funny. Humor involves and includes smiling at the world. Enjoying a good laugh -- even at oneself. Humor involves even temperament. Life is supposed to be fun. Sometimes it's not easy, it's harsh. Sometimes it might even seem to be playing a joke on you. Smile, and bear it. You make it what it is.
Tenth, steadfastness. One meaning would be firmly fixed in place. I think it is important to remember a person that is steadfast is firm in their beliefs and actions -- faithful.
Eleventh, love. . everybody has their opinion on what love is. Some people get sex and love mixed up. Some people think of a warm fuzzy feeling. Some people don't get any closer to love than what they mean when they signed a letter -- love, Roger. Some people really know affection for a loved one. Some people have love in mind when they are idolizing -- sports, hobbies, work or food! I personally feel, and I think, that love involves a long list: tenderness, affection, emotional attachment, physical longing, a desire to improve oneself, a desire to improve the well-being of another, a concern for an eternal future and a very strong desire for success, together. I think that one of the strongest parts of true love is complete loyalty and devotion along with completely being unselfish. If you stop and think about it the love of God for humankind -- for each of us -- should be an excellent example of how we should love and treat those around us.
I think love is important enough for another paragraph. If one truly loves they hold dear. They cherish. They have passion and devotion. They have concern. Everything they do is for the good of others. Sometimes they might get amorous and that is fine with the right person, in the right place and at the right time. Sometimes love is a kind word, a hug, a kiss. Sometimes it's a smile, a twinkle in the eye.. Sometimes it's physical and caring, and fun. You need to remember that love is forever!
When you put all of these things together -- all 11 -- you have a pretty tough goal to meet. These characteristics or attributes, if followed and adhered to, will make you a pretty well rounded, important and successful person. Please sit, ponder, even pray, about these things. I testify you'll be better, and well on the path to becoming the person you need to be. You, and me!
So, please be wise! Make the changes necessary to live up to your heritage, so that you can be a success in this life and head towards future success in the life to come. Be proud of your name. You have legacy in this world, and an inheritance. There are traditions that you should follow and you have a birth right to live up to. I pray you will do well.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Truth,Trust and Honesty
When I had young children, I used to tell them there were three things that I hated. If you ask them, I'm sure that they would remember what they were, or are. If you ask them, I'm sure they would say yes, and nod. I don’t want them, or you, to just nod your head and agree, or shrug your shoulders and say, "yeah, right". Say them outloud with me: I hate cheaters; I hate thieves; I hate liars.
I may need to clarify something just a little bit. I don't hate the people that do those things. I just hate those things. I find it very interesting that there are things that a wise King, named Solomon, wrote in the Bible, explaining that there are six things that God hates. The verses are found in the book of Proverbs, chapter 6, verses 17 through 19.
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A falsewitness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
What is a proud look? Do you know the term "smirk"? When I think of a proud look, or a proud face, smirk comes to mind. To smirk you probably do something with your lips, your mouth, your eyebrows, a tip of the head or lifting of the chin. If you’re tall enough you probably look down your nose. It might include a shrug of the shoulders, you might bite the tip of your tongue, It might involve several small nods of the head and is all based on something that is probably a misdeed or at least a misthought. It usually involves getting caught!
We know about a lying tongue, don’t we? Things are either true or not. There usually are no shades of difference other than black-and-white – true or false. A lie is a lie, whether you swear a falsehood or just remain silent so someone might think that you did not lie by your not admitting the truth. A falsehood stretches the amount of trust that you might be given. If you lie you cannot be trusted. Missuse of communal funds is stealing and a lie!
So far we don’t have to worry about shedding innocent blood.
What is a heart that defiseth wicked imaginations? I would submit that this might have many meanings, but one that comes to the foremost portion of my mind is a man looking at pornography. Right now in this world, in this day and age, I can’t think of anything more wicked than a husband looking at filthy pictures of one of God’s daughters and possibly comparing her with his own wife. In such an instance we are again misusing the trust, of a marriage and of a loving spouse. There really is no place in a marriage, that is supposedly ordained of God, for a misplaced heart, misplaced eyes and thoughts.
Let’s discuss feet running into mischief. What kind of mischief? I could joke right here that running in this case doesn't have anything to do with fleetness of foot or speed, especially in my case, walking with a cane. It does have to do with scurrying into wrongdoing! This category is quite all-inclusive – lying, stealing, pornography and drugs -- smoking and drinking. When I speak of drugs I mean prescriptions, use of tobacco and use of liquor. And when I say use I really mean misuse.
How about a falsewitness that speaks of lies? In this case what usually comes to mind is passing the blame, pointing a finger of supposed guilt at someone other than one’s self. Another part of this category would be not accepting blame for one's guilt. What I mean here is not living up to or owning up to one’s actions. I didn’t do it – not me! I’m innocent! It must’ve been somebody else! How did that get there? You know what I mean!
And finally what is sowing discord among brethren? This is a little more difficult. Are you familiar with the term "rabble-rouser"? What does such an individual do? He stirs up anger or violence or mistrust. Someone that stirs up discord usually does it by one of the previously mentioned six things that God hates – that all good people hate – that your spouse probably hates!
So, remember that there are lots of, "thou shalt nots" --lying, cheating and stealing along with those that God dislikes. They are totally not acceptable. You know and remember that there are Commandments: "thou shalt", what? Honor God, honor the Sabbath, honor father and mother, and as spouse.
None of us should do the things I just mentioned as "shalt nots". We have been taught better. We could say we’ve had great parents, countless teachers and advisers, brothers and sisters, even in-laws, and especially, a loving spouse that has sacrificed for us and loves us and needs us. We also have Prophets and scriptures to advise us.
If any of us need to make some changes, we should sit and ponder – really think – about where our life is heading and hopefully make a change in direction and get on the path to what could ultimately prove to be our eternal salvation.
We have quite a long distance to travel to get to where we should be. One of the things that we should do to get started is, what are commonly referred to as "Mormonisms". They are as follows: individual prayer, family prayer, family home evening, scripture study, church attendance, receiving and accepting callings, and following the principles and ordinances of Jesus Christ.
I may need to clarify something just a little bit. I don't hate the people that do those things. I just hate those things. I find it very interesting that there are things that a wise King, named Solomon, wrote in the Bible, explaining that there are six things that God hates. The verses are found in the book of Proverbs, chapter 6, verses 17 through 19.
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A falsewitness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
What is a proud look? Do you know the term "smirk"? When I think of a proud look, or a proud face, smirk comes to mind. To smirk you probably do something with your lips, your mouth, your eyebrows, a tip of the head or lifting of the chin. If you’re tall enough you probably look down your nose. It might include a shrug of the shoulders, you might bite the tip of your tongue, It might involve several small nods of the head and is all based on something that is probably a misdeed or at least a misthought. It usually involves getting caught!
We know about a lying tongue, don’t we? Things are either true or not. There usually are no shades of difference other than black-and-white – true or false. A lie is a lie, whether you swear a falsehood or just remain silent so someone might think that you did not lie by your not admitting the truth. A falsehood stretches the amount of trust that you might be given. If you lie you cannot be trusted. Missuse of communal funds is stealing and a lie!
So far we don’t have to worry about shedding innocent blood.
What is a heart that defiseth wicked imaginations? I would submit that this might have many meanings, but one that comes to the foremost portion of my mind is a man looking at pornography. Right now in this world, in this day and age, I can’t think of anything more wicked than a husband looking at filthy pictures of one of God’s daughters and possibly comparing her with his own wife. In such an instance we are again misusing the trust, of a marriage and of a loving spouse. There really is no place in a marriage, that is supposedly ordained of God, for a misplaced heart, misplaced eyes and thoughts.
Let’s discuss feet running into mischief. What kind of mischief? I could joke right here that running in this case doesn't have anything to do with fleetness of foot or speed, especially in my case, walking with a cane. It does have to do with scurrying into wrongdoing! This category is quite all-inclusive – lying, stealing, pornography and drugs -- smoking and drinking. When I speak of drugs I mean prescriptions, use of tobacco and use of liquor. And when I say use I really mean misuse.
How about a falsewitness that speaks of lies? In this case what usually comes to mind is passing the blame, pointing a finger of supposed guilt at someone other than one’s self. Another part of this category would be not accepting blame for one's guilt. What I mean here is not living up to or owning up to one’s actions. I didn’t do it – not me! I’m innocent! It must’ve been somebody else! How did that get there? You know what I mean!
And finally what is sowing discord among brethren? This is a little more difficult. Are you familiar with the term "rabble-rouser"? What does such an individual do? He stirs up anger or violence or mistrust. Someone that stirs up discord usually does it by one of the previously mentioned six things that God hates – that all good people hate – that your spouse probably hates!
So, remember that there are lots of, "thou shalt nots" --lying, cheating and stealing along with those that God dislikes. They are totally not acceptable. You know and remember that there are Commandments: "thou shalt", what? Honor God, honor the Sabbath, honor father and mother, and as spouse.
None of us should do the things I just mentioned as "shalt nots". We have been taught better. We could say we’ve had great parents, countless teachers and advisers, brothers and sisters, even in-laws, and especially, a loving spouse that has sacrificed for us and loves us and needs us. We also have Prophets and scriptures to advise us.
If any of us need to make some changes, we should sit and ponder – really think – about where our life is heading and hopefully make a change in direction and get on the path to what could ultimately prove to be our eternal salvation.
We have quite a long distance to travel to get to where we should be. One of the things that we should do to get started is, what are commonly referred to as "Mormonisms". They are as follows: individual prayer, family prayer, family home evening, scripture study, church attendance, receiving and accepting callings, and following the principles and ordinances of Jesus Christ.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
CHRISTMAS TESTIMONY OF JESUS
This is a joy, During this Christmas time I wish to bear my testimony of Jesus. Before I do that, let me quickly say I appreciate every opportunity to ponder, think and speak of my savior. I pray that the spirit of my Lord will be with me and that you will feel that spirit also and you will know, as I do, with certainty that my testimony is very strong.
Who is Jesus? I recall being in the mission home in June of 1965 having an occasion to bear testimony in a testimony meeting held in the assembly hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. There were over 200 of us in attendance preparing to go on missions and we were told that we had 30 seconds within which we were to state our name, our mission field and then bear testimony. I remember I said, "I am Elder Roger Stapley, I am going to the Finish mission, and I know that my Redeemer lives, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. That’s it! That’s what I remember saying and I didn’t take much more, or if I even took, than 30 seconds. From that time until this time, nearly 43 years, I can still say that I know that my Redeemer lives!
I have picked up a few other ideas and feelings and thoughts since then and I would like to take five minutes and share them. Who is Jesus? He is the firstborn, the only begotten son, in the flesh, of God, the Eternal Father. He is the author of our possible exaltation. He is my friend. He is my brother and my savior. I love him!
God our Father and Jesus, his son, our brother, put their heads together and formulated a plan that would allow each of us to come to earth, gain a body, live our lives as we wish, but by being obedient to the laws of Jesus Christ, we could return to God to live eternally. This is made possible by the death of Jesus and His resurrection. Jesus is a God and his spirit left heaven to came to earth to take a body and walk among men. He lived among us, in our midst. To conclude his mission he went into the garden of Gethsemane to pray to his father, our heavenly father. He suffered for us, sweat great drops of blood from every pore, and why? He did it to follow the plan, because he could, because he wanted to,,because it was necessary, and it was according to God’s and his plan. The God, Jesus, ransomed us, reconciled us, gave us the chance to live our lifetime, to be able to return to God, from whence we came.
.When I contemplate the life and death of Jesus, and the suffering in the garden and the suffering thereafter, on the cross, I am reminded of just how much he really does love us. He suffered great pain and anguish in Gethsemane. After that great suffering he was betrayed and arrested. He was scourged, and if you don’t think that hurt, just imagine someone whipping your back with barbed wire. A crown of thorns was forced upon his head, jammed down. He was forced to carry his own cross as far as he could. Large stakes were pounded through his hands, or wrisks, and ankles--nailing him onto that cross.
He had to hang from his arms, which effectively suffocated him, so he had to stand on the nails pounded through his ankles, to allow him to breathe-- just imagine, just think of the pain, and you would let yourself hang on your wrists because your feet hurt. You suffer the pain so you stand so that you can breathe and not suffocate. You switch back-and-forth-- stand and breathe, hanging and suffocate. Thinking of that -- why did he put up with it? Why did he suffer? He could have saved himself, so why did he do it? Simply, so we won't have to suffer the same pain, the same agony or anguish! I know that if we live righteously and obey God's commandments, Jesus our brother, our friends, our Savior already suffered for us so that we don't have to suffer. I smile sometimes when I think of my brother, my lord, the Christ, and I know he loved me. He died for the sins of the world and he died for my sins. I know it and I so testify.
At this Christmas time I want you to think of the great gifts we have received from Jesus. There were actually many gifts. He gave us the gift of this beautiful earth. He gave us the gift of mortal life. He gave us the gift of his gospel, with it is teachings and examples. He gave us the gift of immortality. That immortality was his work. And finally, he gave us the gift of possible eternal life. That would be his glory -- helping us to live righteously and so be able to return to our Heavenly Father.
What kind of gifts are you going to give this Christmas?what kind of gifts are you going to be thankful for? Please think about it, ponder your savior, Jesus Christ, and have a happy holiday and a very Merry Christmas!
Who is Jesus? I recall being in the mission home in June of 1965 having an occasion to bear testimony in a testimony meeting held in the assembly hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. There were over 200 of us in attendance preparing to go on missions and we were told that we had 30 seconds within which we were to state our name, our mission field and then bear testimony. I remember I said, "I am Elder Roger Stapley, I am going to the Finish mission, and I know that my Redeemer lives, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. That’s it! That’s what I remember saying and I didn’t take much more, or if I even took, than 30 seconds. From that time until this time, nearly 43 years, I can still say that I know that my Redeemer lives!
I have picked up a few other ideas and feelings and thoughts since then and I would like to take five minutes and share them. Who is Jesus? He is the firstborn, the only begotten son, in the flesh, of God, the Eternal Father. He is the author of our possible exaltation. He is my friend. He is my brother and my savior. I love him!
God our Father and Jesus, his son, our brother, put their heads together and formulated a plan that would allow each of us to come to earth, gain a body, live our lives as we wish, but by being obedient to the laws of Jesus Christ, we could return to God to live eternally. This is made possible by the death of Jesus and His resurrection. Jesus is a God and his spirit left heaven to came to earth to take a body and walk among men. He lived among us, in our midst. To conclude his mission he went into the garden of Gethsemane to pray to his father, our heavenly father. He suffered for us, sweat great drops of blood from every pore, and why? He did it to follow the plan, because he could, because he wanted to,,because it was necessary, and it was according to God’s and his plan. The God, Jesus, ransomed us, reconciled us, gave us the chance to live our lifetime, to be able to return to God, from whence we came.
.When I contemplate the life and death of Jesus, and the suffering in the garden and the suffering thereafter, on the cross, I am reminded of just how much he really does love us. He suffered great pain and anguish in Gethsemane. After that great suffering he was betrayed and arrested. He was scourged, and if you don’t think that hurt, just imagine someone whipping your back with barbed wire. A crown of thorns was forced upon his head, jammed down. He was forced to carry his own cross as far as he could. Large stakes were pounded through his hands, or wrisks, and ankles--nailing him onto that cross.
He had to hang from his arms, which effectively suffocated him, so he had to stand on the nails pounded through his ankles, to allow him to breathe-- just imagine, just think of the pain, and you would let yourself hang on your wrists because your feet hurt. You suffer the pain so you stand so that you can breathe and not suffocate. You switch back-and-forth-- stand and breathe, hanging and suffocate. Thinking of that -- why did he put up with it? Why did he suffer? He could have saved himself, so why did he do it? Simply, so we won't have to suffer the same pain, the same agony or anguish! I know that if we live righteously and obey God's commandments, Jesus our brother, our friends, our Savior already suffered for us so that we don't have to suffer. I smile sometimes when I think of my brother, my lord, the Christ, and I know he loved me. He died for the sins of the world and he died for my sins. I know it and I so testify.
At this Christmas time I want you to think of the great gifts we have received from Jesus. There were actually many gifts. He gave us the gift of this beautiful earth. He gave us the gift of mortal life. He gave us the gift of his gospel, with it is teachings and examples. He gave us the gift of immortality. That immortality was his work. And finally, he gave us the gift of possible eternal life. That would be his glory -- helping us to live righteously and so be able to return to our Heavenly Father.
What kind of gifts are you going to give this Christmas?what kind of gifts are you going to be thankful for? Please think about it, ponder your savior, Jesus Christ, and have a happy holiday and a very Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
FIERY DARTS
I was reading in a couple of different places and the subject of this discussion came to mind. Did you know that in the Bible Jeremiah wrote a book with his own name and another that he called Lamentations. Another word for a lamentation is a Jeremaid. It's an interesting word. This discussion or treatise could be called a Jeremaid -- a complaint with a lesson.
I read the following Scripture in the book of Ephesians,.. "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
And in other Scriptures -- the Book of Mormon… "And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction."
And further in the Doctrine and Covenants… "Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble."
"Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; "
What exactly are fiery darts? I have given quite a bit of thought on the subject. For that reason I am writing this Jeremaid. I'm not sure many people are worried about fiery darts. Are they just simply parables or imagery or are they based in actual fact -- and then what?
I want to discuss what I found out and what I believe about fiery darts. I did like a lot of other people do -- Google the Internet. I got a few hits, people's opinions, but not what I was looking for. Some authorities on the subject, thought a fiery dart would be like a flaming arrow. In fact, that was the most prevalent idea or thought. In times past I read of another possibility. I know that I have read it in more than one place, but I must apologize that I do not know to whom to give credit for the idea that I like the best. It was a writer of Western novels. His fiery darts were described in excruciating detail while explaining and illustrating how one tribe of Indians tortured a captured individuals from another tribe, a different tribe. The captured enemy man/warrior was tied to a tree, stripped of garments, and mercilessly tortured and harassed -- the worst of it being "fiery darts".
The captors searched out a tree full of oozing pitch, cut out little "darts" -- small pieces of wood saturated with pitch,and prepared to torture and torment their captives. They probably had a cooking fire upon which they prepared their meals and it became perfect for the following scenario.
Grab your bow in one hand, placed a pitch saturated stick into the cooking fire, and when it bursts into flame, shoot it into the flesh of their captive. It depends upon the force exerted on the bow as to how far into the skin and flesh the fiery dart would penetrate. It really didn't matter how deep because the flames would consume the dart and sear and scorch the flesh! Even after the dart burned down to the skin it would smolder and cause the flesh to erupt in burns and boils! Time and again fiery darts would be shot into the captive. It only made things better for the captors if the captive screamed and howled and cried for mercy. Imagine the scene in your mind's eye. A captive warrior stripped naked, tied with arms bent back, wrenching the shoulders backwards, standing with as much dignity as possible, leering at his captors. Them holding their bows and dancing, hollering vile insults and shouting with glee at their captives pain and suffering. Wouldn't that get under your skin, even if the fiery dart didn't? You gotta know that those captors are the adversary, the wicked. At that moment they are the foe. And at that moment they are getting under your skin -- annoying, bugging, inveigling their way into your thoughts and actions, perhaps even changing your behavior. They are your enemy. They are not trying to make you comfortable. What should you do to avoid the fiery darts?
One of the above quoted Scriptures states that you should put on the armor of faith. Armor would stop little tiny fiery darts that is true. Having tough skin would help a little bit in stopping slurs and barbs and invectives hurled in your direction. The armor of faith and the knowledge of Jesus Christ can turn away those fiery darts. Being strong in the gospel of Jesus Christ and walking in the steps he would have you follow can keep those irritating little fiery darts from getting under your skin. Ward off the fiery darts of the adversary and the wicked by following the true Savior of this world, Jesus Christ.
I read the following Scripture in the book of Ephesians,.. "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
And in other Scriptures -- the Book of Mormon… "And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction."
And further in the Doctrine and Covenants… "Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble."
"Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; "
What exactly are fiery darts? I have given quite a bit of thought on the subject. For that reason I am writing this Jeremaid. I'm not sure many people are worried about fiery darts. Are they just simply parables or imagery or are they based in actual fact -- and then what?
I want to discuss what I found out and what I believe about fiery darts. I did like a lot of other people do -- Google the Internet. I got a few hits, people's opinions, but not what I was looking for. Some authorities on the subject, thought a fiery dart would be like a flaming arrow. In fact, that was the most prevalent idea or thought. In times past I read of another possibility. I know that I have read it in more than one place, but I must apologize that I do not know to whom to give credit for the idea that I like the best. It was a writer of Western novels. His fiery darts were described in excruciating detail while explaining and illustrating how one tribe of Indians tortured a captured individuals from another tribe, a different tribe. The captured enemy man/warrior was tied to a tree, stripped of garments, and mercilessly tortured and harassed -- the worst of it being "fiery darts".
The captors searched out a tree full of oozing pitch, cut out little "darts" -- small pieces of wood saturated with pitch,and prepared to torture and torment their captives. They probably had a cooking fire upon which they prepared their meals and it became perfect for the following scenario.
Grab your bow in one hand, placed a pitch saturated stick into the cooking fire, and when it bursts into flame, shoot it into the flesh of their captive. It depends upon the force exerted on the bow as to how far into the skin and flesh the fiery dart would penetrate. It really didn't matter how deep because the flames would consume the dart and sear and scorch the flesh! Even after the dart burned down to the skin it would smolder and cause the flesh to erupt in burns and boils! Time and again fiery darts would be shot into the captive. It only made things better for the captors if the captive screamed and howled and cried for mercy. Imagine the scene in your mind's eye. A captive warrior stripped naked, tied with arms bent back, wrenching the shoulders backwards, standing with as much dignity as possible, leering at his captors. Them holding their bows and dancing, hollering vile insults and shouting with glee at their captives pain and suffering. Wouldn't that get under your skin, even if the fiery dart didn't? You gotta know that those captors are the adversary, the wicked. At that moment they are the foe. And at that moment they are getting under your skin -- annoying, bugging, inveigling their way into your thoughts and actions, perhaps even changing your behavior. They are your enemy. They are not trying to make you comfortable. What should you do to avoid the fiery darts?
One of the above quoted Scriptures states that you should put on the armor of faith. Armor would stop little tiny fiery darts that is true. Having tough skin would help a little bit in stopping slurs and barbs and invectives hurled in your direction. The armor of faith and the knowledge of Jesus Christ can turn away those fiery darts. Being strong in the gospel of Jesus Christ and walking in the steps he would have you follow can keep those irritating little fiery darts from getting under your skin. Ward off the fiery darts of the adversary and the wicked by following the true Savior of this world, Jesus Christ.
REFINERS FIRE
“If the refiners fire is not hot enough, you’ll just get burned.”
… Roger M. Stapley, October 23, 2008,
The whole purpose for our being in existence, is what? Why was this world created? Why are we here? What is going to happen to us after we die? Is that the end? I would submit, for your contemplation, that death is but a beginning.
As I sit here, encumbered by near blindness, curtailed by shoulder impingements, slowed by neuropathy and imbalances, I struggle to remember fond memories of past activities and performances, further subdued by knowing that life is hard but it is so very much harder on my wife. The fact that eventually there are better things coming, better then this life's mere potentiality, makes waiting, living and struggling well worth the effort.
If we pull back, and at a great distance, look at the scheme of this life as a plan formulated by a council of God's, what do we see? Look at a full panorama, encompassing the total plans of eternity. First, what is eternity? Eternity definitely is a long, long time. I heard an analogy to explain what eternity is. Imagine a solid block of granite with dimensions of a mile on a side -- a mile cube. Imagine a beautiful little lark. Imagine that lark flying south for the winter and returning north for the summer. Every time that lark would past that mile long block of granite it would rub its beak on that cube. It would rub its beak twice a year -- once going and once coming. After the time it would take for that beak to rub and erode that block away-- the time that that would take -- is only a drop in the bucket of eternity's time.
Like I said -- a long, long time. So what are we going to do for all that time -- for all eternity? We are here and we came from somewhere. We are here and we will go somewhere. This whole process is called "the plan of salvation". I will discuss what happened before we got here and what happens after we leave here in another discussion What I want to talk about now is why we are here and what we must do to prepare for what happens, after.
We are born. We are imbued with a body and a soul. Our soul is perfect -- at the beginning. Our body has to grow and develop and the things that we do with it and to it injure the soul. How do we hurt ourselves? The answer to that is, many things and many ways. Let me cite a few examples. As little children we have fallen and scraped a knee. As athletes we have strained and struggled to get in shape and developed sore muscles Some of us have broken limbs. Some of us have inhaled vile things -- cigarette and campfire smoke, chemical vapors, who knows what all. Some of us have eaten things or tried to digest things -- Thanksgiving over eating, too much grace, fat, or butter, too many carbohydrates and sugars, even some kinds of drugs. Some of the things that we've done to our bodies are more subtle -- inactivity and non-exercise. Some things are even more subtle -- not studying and not learning. (That last is a subject for another Jeremaid). Another thing that we, as mortals, do to hurt ourselves is, to waste time. I've actually heard it said that if you kill time, it injures eternity
.All of those things mentioned above not only hurt the body but injure the soul. The problem with that simply is the body only has to last the length of our lives. The soul however lasts for eternity. That eternal soul reflects, in part the shape and condition of our bodies.
When we die, the body slips, or is thrown, into a grave or becomes a container full of ashes--you get to choose. What happens to the soul. It waits around somewhere for the resurrection and the continuing journey through the eternities. In what condition will your body be when you leave this life? And what condition will your soul leave, wait, and prepare to press onward? Now we come to the purpose of this discussion. This life has as its main purpose the perfection of the body and soul and the preparation to return to and meet God -- the father of our intelligences and spirits. This life is more or less a refiners fire.
Do you know what a refiners fire is? What about the heat -- what is the heat of a refiners fire? A refiners fire could be considered a test. The heat could be considered as the trials of life. Let's consider for a minute the true purposes of a refiners fire. First of all it's very hot. It has to be hot to meet its ultimate purpose. Consider your body and soul as a lump of impure substance -- impure because of what you've done to it. Your body and soul, your lump of substance, is thrown into a refiners fire -- to what purpose? First, to free your body from impurities or unwanted material. Second, to free your body from moral imperfection. Third, to ELEVATE your body and soul to a higher level -- towards perfection. Fourth, to improve or perfect your body and soul by polishing, or as they say, putting a shine, or glamour upon it. Fifth, to free your body and soul from what is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth. Sixth, to become pure or perfected.
The test is hard. The heat is intense. Life was never promised to be easy. Somewhere I've heard that life is tough and then you die! Someone else has said to be a success in life you must endure to the end and then you die. They're both true. But the important thing to remember is that the test of this life is to help us make it into eternity.
Start your preparations now. Make changes that you need to make. Prepare to meet your God. Prepare to progress into the eternities by becoming more refined, purer and ultimately more righteous. There is another more important refiners fire that has been provided for us. It is the refiners fire of the atonement of Jesus Christ. You know the story of his life. He came into this world to die and be resurrected so that we could follow him. In addition to that, he suffered great pain in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross. He suffered for our pains, and our sins and our travails -- if we but accept him, follow his teachings and principles and ordinances, and repent -- then he will have refined us.
Now is the time for you to be refined, to perform your labors, to follow our Christ. I hope we all can accept the refiners fire of Christ.
… Roger M. Stapley, October 23, 2008,
The whole purpose for our being in existence, is what? Why was this world created? Why are we here? What is going to happen to us after we die? Is that the end? I would submit, for your contemplation, that death is but a beginning.
As I sit here, encumbered by near blindness, curtailed by shoulder impingements, slowed by neuropathy and imbalances, I struggle to remember fond memories of past activities and performances, further subdued by knowing that life is hard but it is so very much harder on my wife. The fact that eventually there are better things coming, better then this life's mere potentiality, makes waiting, living and struggling well worth the effort.
If we pull back, and at a great distance, look at the scheme of this life as a plan formulated by a council of God's, what do we see? Look at a full panorama, encompassing the total plans of eternity. First, what is eternity? Eternity definitely is a long, long time. I heard an analogy to explain what eternity is. Imagine a solid block of granite with dimensions of a mile on a side -- a mile cube. Imagine a beautiful little lark. Imagine that lark flying south for the winter and returning north for the summer. Every time that lark would past that mile long block of granite it would rub its beak on that cube. It would rub its beak twice a year -- once going and once coming. After the time it would take for that beak to rub and erode that block away-- the time that that would take -- is only a drop in the bucket of eternity's time.
Like I said -- a long, long time. So what are we going to do for all that time -- for all eternity? We are here and we came from somewhere. We are here and we will go somewhere. This whole process is called "the plan of salvation". I will discuss what happened before we got here and what happens after we leave here in another discussion What I want to talk about now is why we are here and what we must do to prepare for what happens, after.
We are born. We are imbued with a body and a soul. Our soul is perfect -- at the beginning. Our body has to grow and develop and the things that we do with it and to it injure the soul. How do we hurt ourselves? The answer to that is, many things and many ways. Let me cite a few examples. As little children we have fallen and scraped a knee. As athletes we have strained and struggled to get in shape and developed sore muscles Some of us have broken limbs. Some of us have inhaled vile things -- cigarette and campfire smoke, chemical vapors, who knows what all. Some of us have eaten things or tried to digest things -- Thanksgiving over eating, too much grace, fat, or butter, too many carbohydrates and sugars, even some kinds of drugs. Some of the things that we've done to our bodies are more subtle -- inactivity and non-exercise. Some things are even more subtle -- not studying and not learning. (That last is a subject for another Jeremaid). Another thing that we, as mortals, do to hurt ourselves is, to waste time. I've actually heard it said that if you kill time, it injures eternity
.All of those things mentioned above not only hurt the body but injure the soul. The problem with that simply is the body only has to last the length of our lives. The soul however lasts for eternity. That eternal soul reflects, in part the shape and condition of our bodies.
When we die, the body slips, or is thrown, into a grave or becomes a container full of ashes--you get to choose. What happens to the soul. It waits around somewhere for the resurrection and the continuing journey through the eternities. In what condition will your body be when you leave this life? And what condition will your soul leave, wait, and prepare to press onward? Now we come to the purpose of this discussion. This life has as its main purpose the perfection of the body and soul and the preparation to return to and meet God -- the father of our intelligences and spirits. This life is more or less a refiners fire.
Do you know what a refiners fire is? What about the heat -- what is the heat of a refiners fire? A refiners fire could be considered a test. The heat could be considered as the trials of life. Let's consider for a minute the true purposes of a refiners fire. First of all it's very hot. It has to be hot to meet its ultimate purpose. Consider your body and soul as a lump of impure substance -- impure because of what you've done to it. Your body and soul, your lump of substance, is thrown into a refiners fire -- to what purpose? First, to free your body from impurities or unwanted material. Second, to free your body from moral imperfection. Third, to ELEVATE your body and soul to a higher level -- towards perfection. Fourth, to improve or perfect your body and soul by polishing, or as they say, putting a shine, or glamour upon it. Fifth, to free your body and soul from what is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth. Sixth, to become pure or perfected.
The test is hard. The heat is intense. Life was never promised to be easy. Somewhere I've heard that life is tough and then you die! Someone else has said to be a success in life you must endure to the end and then you die. They're both true. But the important thing to remember is that the test of this life is to help us make it into eternity.
Start your preparations now. Make changes that you need to make. Prepare to meet your God. Prepare to progress into the eternities by becoming more refined, purer and ultimately more righteous. There is another more important refiners fire that has been provided for us. It is the refiners fire of the atonement of Jesus Christ. You know the story of his life. He came into this world to die and be resurrected so that we could follow him. In addition to that, he suffered great pain in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross. He suffered for our pains, and our sins and our travails -- if we but accept him, follow his teachings and principles and ordinances, and repent -- then he will have refined us.
Now is the time for you to be refined, to perform your labors, to follow our Christ. I hope we all can accept the refiners fire of Christ.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
A Sports Story
As I mentioned in other places, my dad was a successful fast pitch softball player. He was a pitcher. He took full advantage of all parts of home plate. I'm not sure if you realize that the outside of the plate which is black is also supposed to be considered part of the plate when calling balls and strikes. When my dad would throw arise ball, for example, it could start the outside of the strike zone and curl across just brushing the edge of the black part of the plate. And it would be a strike. Or it could be run on the edge of the strike area and cross outside of the strike area but it did go across the plate and it should be a strike. The purpose of pitching like this was to make it harder for the batter to make good contact thus getting a hit or at least place the ball in play.
One night while pitching in this manner the umpire would not call these close pitches as strikes. In many instances where the batter should have been called out because of strikes, he was receiving a base on balls. Usually my dad did not walk many batters. But on this night the umpire was not helping my dad. In fact, he was penalizing big George for pitching so accurately. After this had happened numerous times my dad and his brother Gerald, who was the catcher, had a little confab at the pitchers rubber. They decided that the umpire was not going to change his method of calling balls and strikes so they thought they might just provide a little wakeup call for his benefit.
If you've watched many ballgames, either baseball or softball, you might recognize the fact that when the catcher squats on his haunches to receive the pitched ball, the umpire looks over his shoulder to be able to see the ball, hopefully, thereby calling balls and strikes. My uncle suggested that he plays his glove as a target, calling for a high rise pitch, giving my dad a target to aim at, and as the pitch is being thrown moving the target out-of-the-way thereby strike in the umpire's mask with the full force of the nearly 100 mph fastball.
Imagine if you will, in your mind's eye, the following scenario. A better steps into the batter's box. He kind of negligently leans on his bat while he takes his cleats into the ground creating for himself a comfortable place to stand. He reaches his bat and touches the outside of the plate, gauging what he appears to think as his correct distance from the plate. Sometimes he paws the ground like a horse. Sometimes he grounds his foot like he is putting out a cigarette. This usually entails a slight wiggle of the hips. All of these moves are just for the purpose of placing himself in a comfortable position. After his distance from the plate is correct and his feet feel comfortable he usually looks at the pitcher and swings his bat a couple of times getting his shoulders comfortable and indicating while perhaps thinking at the same time, put that ball right here, and I'll knock it a mile!
Gerald squats behind him, the umpire leans behind him, looking over his shoulder, the batter swings his bat, and big George looks on. Gerald gives the sign for a fast rise ball, presents his glove for a target at approximately the height of the armpits of the batter, indicating the top of the strike zone, and coincidentally, in correct sight of the umpire's mask. Big George begins his immense windup, using great leg strength and pushing his way off the pitchers rubber, windmills his arm and releases his pitch. It doesn't take long for the pitch to travel the distance from the mound to the batter, giving him the opportunity to try and hit the ball. If he can hit the fast projectile he might get a hit, he might make an out, or if he misses he would have a strike, or he let's it go...
Regardless of whether he swung and missed or just let it go, not thinking it was a strike or not seeing it well enough or just hesitated for a brief moment, whatever. Big George was just watching the results of his pitch. Gerald was just gauging if the pitch was in the right spot or not. The batter wanted a good pitch to hit. The umpire was staring with intense concentration at where the ball was purportedly going to cross the plate. He was going to call it a ball or a strike. Do you think that he knew the other meaning of the word strike? Well, in some ways it was the perfect pitch. At least for this particular moment. The batter didn't swing. At the very last moment, Gerald lowered his glove, moving the secondary target and revealing the primary target. The ball struck. Does the word thunk mean anything to you?
There was a loud thunk. The ball narrowly missed Gerald’s shoulder and struck the umpire straight in his mask. Thunk! There was a tremendous gasp and groan from the bleachers by the fans. And there was a soft sound of a man's bottom not so gently setting itself on the ground behind home plate. Now you must realize that umpire's mask has a great deal of padding to prevent injury should one get struck by a ball either by misfortune or perfect targeted aim.
What an unfortunate happenstance! It took a few minutes for the bells in the Belfry to stop ringing and the bats in the Belfry to stop flying around. It may have taken just a moment for his vision to clear. And wasn't that just exactly what this whole shenanigan was all about?
One night while pitching in this manner the umpire would not call these close pitches as strikes. In many instances where the batter should have been called out because of strikes, he was receiving a base on balls. Usually my dad did not walk many batters. But on this night the umpire was not helping my dad. In fact, he was penalizing big George for pitching so accurately. After this had happened numerous times my dad and his brother Gerald, who was the catcher, had a little confab at the pitchers rubber. They decided that the umpire was not going to change his method of calling balls and strikes so they thought they might just provide a little wakeup call for his benefit.
If you've watched many ballgames, either baseball or softball, you might recognize the fact that when the catcher squats on his haunches to receive the pitched ball, the umpire looks over his shoulder to be able to see the ball, hopefully, thereby calling balls and strikes. My uncle suggested that he plays his glove as a target, calling for a high rise pitch, giving my dad a target to aim at, and as the pitch is being thrown moving the target out-of-the-way thereby strike in the umpire's mask with the full force of the nearly 100 mph fastball.
Imagine if you will, in your mind's eye, the following scenario. A better steps into the batter's box. He kind of negligently leans on his bat while he takes his cleats into the ground creating for himself a comfortable place to stand. He reaches his bat and touches the outside of the plate, gauging what he appears to think as his correct distance from the plate. Sometimes he paws the ground like a horse. Sometimes he grounds his foot like he is putting out a cigarette. This usually entails a slight wiggle of the hips. All of these moves are just for the purpose of placing himself in a comfortable position. After his distance from the plate is correct and his feet feel comfortable he usually looks at the pitcher and swings his bat a couple of times getting his shoulders comfortable and indicating while perhaps thinking at the same time, put that ball right here, and I'll knock it a mile!
Gerald squats behind him, the umpire leans behind him, looking over his shoulder, the batter swings his bat, and big George looks on. Gerald gives the sign for a fast rise ball, presents his glove for a target at approximately the height of the armpits of the batter, indicating the top of the strike zone, and coincidentally, in correct sight of the umpire's mask. Big George begins his immense windup, using great leg strength and pushing his way off the pitchers rubber, windmills his arm and releases his pitch. It doesn't take long for the pitch to travel the distance from the mound to the batter, giving him the opportunity to try and hit the ball. If he can hit the fast projectile he might get a hit, he might make an out, or if he misses he would have a strike, or he let's it go...
Regardless of whether he swung and missed or just let it go, not thinking it was a strike or not seeing it well enough or just hesitated for a brief moment, whatever. Big George was just watching the results of his pitch. Gerald was just gauging if the pitch was in the right spot or not. The batter wanted a good pitch to hit. The umpire was staring with intense concentration at where the ball was purportedly going to cross the plate. He was going to call it a ball or a strike. Do you think that he knew the other meaning of the word strike? Well, in some ways it was the perfect pitch. At least for this particular moment. The batter didn't swing. At the very last moment, Gerald lowered his glove, moving the secondary target and revealing the primary target. The ball struck. Does the word thunk mean anything to you?
There was a loud thunk. The ball narrowly missed Gerald’s shoulder and struck the umpire straight in his mask. Thunk! There was a tremendous gasp and groan from the bleachers by the fans. And there was a soft sound of a man's bottom not so gently setting itself on the ground behind home plate. Now you must realize that umpire's mask has a great deal of padding to prevent injury should one get struck by a ball either by misfortune or perfect targeted aim.
What an unfortunate happenstance! It took a few minutes for the bells in the Belfry to stop ringing and the bats in the Belfry to stop flying around. It may have taken just a moment for his vision to clear. And wasn't that just exactly what this whole shenanigan was all about?
Friday, November 28, 2008
Oh My G*d
I want to remind you that little children are like great big sponges. They soak up everything that they come in contact with. And that means everything, whether it be good or bad. I could cite very many examples but I want to concentrate on just one right now. Can you guess what it is?
To start with, do you remember a book that was published sometime in the last few years of the 20th century: "Everything I ever needed to know, I learned while I was in kindergarten"? That gives premise to my statement about children being sponges.
Okay, maybe I'll concentrate on a couple of things: language, manners -- attitude and affection.
Language
Does the term, "monkey see monkey do" cause you to give thought? You might say that your children are what you say. They definitely are what you swear. Everything that you say, no matter how innocent or how profound or how profane sticks in their little ears and their little heads. Let me site a little anecdote/joke to illustrate this point.
Three little girls meet in a hotel playroom where they were consigned to spend time while their parents were in meetings and convention goings-on. They became acquainted and were having a good time just being together sharing family experiences and the like. They decided to pretend to go to the bar and order drinks just like their mothers. One girl pretended to be the bartender and the other two ordered drinks. The first said, "I think I'll have some bubbly champagne, it sparkles and it tickles my nose when I drink it." The bartender/little girl pretended to pick up a bottle, pop the cork and fill a glass/flute with champagne. All three little girls giggled. The second little girl said, "I think I'll have a snifter of brandy, it's fun to twirl in the glass and smell the aroma and gently sip it." Again all three little girls giggled. The bartender/little girl pretended to pick up a bottle and pour a glass full and hand it to the other cute little girl. Two of the little girls swapped places so that the third girl could place her order. She said, "I think I'll have a douche, they're so refreshing." The little girl bartender didn't quite know how to mix that.
That's just a cutesy story that might be considered a little risqué but it drives home a part of the point that I'm trying to make: what surrounds a child, your child, envelops them just like the atmosphere envelops earth. Earth cannot exist without air, children do not live and experience life without being smothered by things they see, hear and learn.
My next example about language involves mainly or primarily the breaking of one of God's 10 Commandments.
"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."
The reason I bring this up is that it really shocks me and hurts my ears when a cute, little, innocent four-year-old says, for no good reason, not out of shock or exasperation, not because of anger or consternation, not for any sign of smart aleckness, "Oh My God!" It's just not right. It offends my senses and injures my sensibilities. It confirms the fact that that little innocent four-year-old is hearing things that their parents or babysitters or day care providers or play companions are uttering. Something needs to change.
What does it mean to take the name of the Lord in vain? What does it mean to take the name of thy God in vain?
Let me use my name, Roger, to cite a few thoughts that might give you pause and explain what I'm trying to say, as well as illustrate the things you are saying in front of innocent little ears. What would you say and what will you hear? "Roger damned you! I'll be Roger damned! You Roger damned idiot! Get your Roger damned hands off that!" Sometimes people try and soften it a bit but it still means the same thing. "Roger darn you! Rol dart you! Rod nab it!"
You get my drift?
Some people take the name of God in vain. Some people take the name of their Lord in vain. They are basically the same thing. It's not right, it is WRONG!
I know that many times I have used swear words. I apologize. In this case don't use me for an example. I'm sorry. They say that a lot of people swear because they don't have sufficient vocabulary words that they could use, so they swear. If that's the case, learn more vocabulary words. Don't belittle yourselves by swearing. Don't teach those belittling phrases to your children. The Bible says something about using only the phrases, "Yea, yea or nay, nay." I'll admit that that phrase is probably a little out dated, not to mention that it causes difficulty in your everyday speech patterns,, but if you have to think about yea, yea, nay, nay, you probably won't have a reason to say a swear word.
Next time you're going to swear just think to yourself, yea, yea, nay, what was I going to swear about?
Manners -- Attitude
The main thing that I want to say about manners and attitude is that a little innocent children act the way that their parents act and act the way that their parents have taught them to act. I might point out that little children will go just as far as they can as far as their parents will let them. In some cases it might be as far as the day care provider will also let them. Example is of the utmost importance. What your child sees you do, they will do.
Parents need to treat each other with respect. The children will follow.
Parents need to treat their young ones with respect -- with love. The children will follow.
Parents should not be little or gossip about others. The children will follow your lead. There is a saying that I heard quite some time ago, "two things are bad for the heart -- running upstairs and running down people!"
There's a good chance if you enjoy life, are happy and jovial and express it -- the children will follow. I think we all have room for improvement, and if we do, the children will follow.
Affection
Affection also follows a similar pattern. What your child sees, and gets, is what your child soaks in and receives. What your child hears is what she takes in her mind and heart. A case in point…
Two parents are talking to their children, Sandra and Susan. They say to the girls, "Sandra you are so smart. Susan you are so beautiful." from that statement the two girls learn six things:
1. Sandra is smart.
2. Susan is not smart.
3. Susan is beautiful.
4. Sandra is not beautiful.
And the important two:
5. Susan is actually dumb.
6. Sandra is actually ugly.
Is that any way for the two girls to actually come to feel? To believe?
Another case in point. If your child grows up getting hugs and feeling that they are loved they will pass that on to all they come in contact with and especially their children. If there are always getting browbeat and chastised and disciplined -- that's what they will pass on. Psychologists and psychiatrists are stating that one generation and its actions, attitudes, and their propensity to be like their parents is passed on.
What heritage do you want to pass on? How do you want to be remembered? What kind of history do you want to write? I would like you, and me to think about thoughts, actions, attitude, and how those things are expressed.
To start with, do you remember a book that was published sometime in the last few years of the 20th century: "Everything I ever needed to know, I learned while I was in kindergarten"? That gives premise to my statement about children being sponges.
Okay, maybe I'll concentrate on a couple of things: language, manners -- attitude and affection.
Language
Does the term, "monkey see monkey do" cause you to give thought? You might say that your children are what you say. They definitely are what you swear. Everything that you say, no matter how innocent or how profound or how profane sticks in their little ears and their little heads. Let me site a little anecdote/joke to illustrate this point.
Three little girls meet in a hotel playroom where they were consigned to spend time while their parents were in meetings and convention goings-on. They became acquainted and were having a good time just being together sharing family experiences and the like. They decided to pretend to go to the bar and order drinks just like their mothers. One girl pretended to be the bartender and the other two ordered drinks. The first said, "I think I'll have some bubbly champagne, it sparkles and it tickles my nose when I drink it." The bartender/little girl pretended to pick up a bottle, pop the cork and fill a glass/flute with champagne. All three little girls giggled. The second little girl said, "I think I'll have a snifter of brandy, it's fun to twirl in the glass and smell the aroma and gently sip it." Again all three little girls giggled. The bartender/little girl pretended to pick up a bottle and pour a glass full and hand it to the other cute little girl. Two of the little girls swapped places so that the third girl could place her order. She said, "I think I'll have a douche, they're so refreshing." The little girl bartender didn't quite know how to mix that.
That's just a cutesy story that might be considered a little risqué but it drives home a part of the point that I'm trying to make: what surrounds a child, your child, envelops them just like the atmosphere envelops earth. Earth cannot exist without air, children do not live and experience life without being smothered by things they see, hear and learn.
My next example about language involves mainly or primarily the breaking of one of God's 10 Commandments.
"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."
The reason I bring this up is that it really shocks me and hurts my ears when a cute, little, innocent four-year-old says, for no good reason, not out of shock or exasperation, not because of anger or consternation, not for any sign of smart aleckness, "Oh My God!" It's just not right. It offends my senses and injures my sensibilities. It confirms the fact that that little innocent four-year-old is hearing things that their parents or babysitters or day care providers or play companions are uttering. Something needs to change.
What does it mean to take the name of the Lord in vain? What does it mean to take the name of thy God in vain?
Let me use my name, Roger, to cite a few thoughts that might give you pause and explain what I'm trying to say, as well as illustrate the things you are saying in front of innocent little ears. What would you say and what will you hear? "Roger damned you! I'll be Roger damned! You Roger damned idiot! Get your Roger damned hands off that!" Sometimes people try and soften it a bit but it still means the same thing. "Roger darn you! Rol dart you! Rod nab it!"
You get my drift?
Some people take the name of God in vain. Some people take the name of their Lord in vain. They are basically the same thing. It's not right, it is WRONG!
I know that many times I have used swear words. I apologize. In this case don't use me for an example. I'm sorry. They say that a lot of people swear because they don't have sufficient vocabulary words that they could use, so they swear. If that's the case, learn more vocabulary words. Don't belittle yourselves by swearing. Don't teach those belittling phrases to your children. The Bible says something about using only the phrases, "Yea, yea or nay, nay." I'll admit that that phrase is probably a little out dated, not to mention that it causes difficulty in your everyday speech patterns,, but if you have to think about yea, yea, nay, nay, you probably won't have a reason to say a swear word.
Next time you're going to swear just think to yourself, yea, yea, nay, what was I going to swear about?
Manners -- Attitude
The main thing that I want to say about manners and attitude is that a little innocent children act the way that their parents act and act the way that their parents have taught them to act. I might point out that little children will go just as far as they can as far as their parents will let them. In some cases it might be as far as the day care provider will also let them. Example is of the utmost importance. What your child sees you do, they will do.
Parents need to treat each other with respect. The children will follow.
Parents need to treat their young ones with respect -- with love. The children will follow.
Parents should not be little or gossip about others. The children will follow your lead. There is a saying that I heard quite some time ago, "two things are bad for the heart -- running upstairs and running down people!"
There's a good chance if you enjoy life, are happy and jovial and express it -- the children will follow. I think we all have room for improvement, and if we do, the children will follow.
Affection
Affection also follows a similar pattern. What your child sees, and gets, is what your child soaks in and receives. What your child hears is what she takes in her mind and heart. A case in point…
Two parents are talking to their children, Sandra and Susan. They say to the girls, "Sandra you are so smart. Susan you are so beautiful." from that statement the two girls learn six things:
1. Sandra is smart.
2. Susan is not smart.
3. Susan is beautiful.
4. Sandra is not beautiful.
And the important two:
5. Susan is actually dumb.
6. Sandra is actually ugly.
Is that any way for the two girls to actually come to feel? To believe?
Another case in point. If your child grows up getting hugs and feeling that they are loved they will pass that on to all they come in contact with and especially their children. If there are always getting browbeat and chastised and disciplined -- that's what they will pass on. Psychologists and psychiatrists are stating that one generation and its actions, attitudes, and their propensity to be like their parents is passed on.
What heritage do you want to pass on? How do you want to be remembered? What kind of history do you want to write? I would like you, and me to think about thoughts, actions, attitude, and how those things are expressed.
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