Skepticism, Cynicism, & Fear Replace Joy In Holiday Season

I'm not the biggest Santa fan, but this whole article from Fox News seems to paint a pretty clear picture of societal norms that creep into even the most well-intentioned programs; and for fear of misuse the program ends.


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A Season of Silence

"The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it."- Mark Twain

The house was always full of noisy chatter. The women of the Hall Family were never short on three things: Coffee, education, and opinions...and they never hesitated to share any of them with others whenever possible.

Thanksgivings and Christmases in Canoe, Alabama were more like week-long seminars on every profession represented by the clan matriarchs. History, law, literature, politics, cooking, farming and Bible were taught to us "chilrin" at a very early age.

My cousins and I were little more than spectators in these conversations, but the practice of obtaining knowledge and sharing it with others was the skill we learned. The importance of the spoken and written word was fully and deeply impressed upon me, but little noticed to me at the time was the importance of the unspoken word being modeled under the same roof.

My Uncle Glynn grew up in East Texas, attended Texas A&M, and farmed his whole life. If something needed to be done, talking about it would yield the least amount of progress toward accomplishing it, which is why his verbal communications were kept rather short and to a point.

"Fence needs to be fixed" and poof, he was gone.

We wouldn't see him until several hours later when the fence had indeed been fixed. In contrast, if one of the Hall women would have been charged with the same task, there would have been the grandest and most elaborate plan to repair a fence ever conceived, but the entire herd of Black Angus cows would have been out roaming Highway 97 before the fence was mended.

Similarly my father modeled the same action-based approach to life as my Uncle.

My mother would say "I have a headache." The description of the headache would have been well-documented and the lament of a lack of Advil in the house would have been long-suffered, but the absence of Advil would have persisted for quite some time if Daddy had not already been to the pharmacy and brought back an assortment of anti-headache resources.

Now, I'm not saying the women in my family were helpless or inert, but the idea of communicating about the problem before fixing it was a familial imperative.

I tried to practice the best of both philosophies in my life: communicate a rational and reasonable approach to an issue clearly and concisely, then go about executing the plan as efficiently as possible; but I tended to "list toward" the talking portion more than the action....and that needed to change.

I'd like to tell you that it was the wisdom of that realization that motivated me to a more constant and involved action in faith, but instead it was the need-based, fear-induced exploration of almost losing my marriage, a cancer diagnosis, and seeing first-hand God's healing power over the human body and heart that moved me to actively seek Him at the age of 28.

In January of 2009 I began working with the youth at Woodmont Hills. As I watched the active faith of the teenagers and heard God's message through spirit-led ministers, I finally understood the concept of keeping my mouth shut and eyes open; I had entered a season of silence.

My posting today is not declaring the end of this season (it ain't over) but rather to begin relaying and sharing whatever limited thoughts and experiences I have that possess the possibility of carrying God's message of love and our covenant of service to others who wish to hear it.

I plan on blogging more frequently, but whatever is written will likely not have anything to do with my political or collegial football dispositions. Life is not merely made up of contrived symbols and ideologies that separate us from one another, but rather a shared human condition and the universal search for a meaning more than what we see from our own narrow perspective.

I don't plan on being thought-provoking, but if the thoughts WE share lead to action, then God be praised.

I'll go ahead and apologize if my writing is a little rusty for a while. I'll be working on it.

The picture posted above is an example of faith-in-action....being led by teenagers. It's a sight that ignited the hope of unrealized dreams I have for future generations. I hope you'll be part of it. I hope I'll be part of it.

Well said, Bob

Just being honest, I've never really understood the Bob Dylan love-fest.

I must admit, I haven't taken a hard plunge into his music or lyrics. Even though the little bit that I have waded in has left me with a feeling of ... 'eh'...

Some people that I love and respect very much really are infatuated with him and what he represents, so I casually pay attention when his name is mentioned.

Recently, there was an article written about him and his place in this world.

I read this quote from him and my respect for him as a man instantly grew. He was offered the softball question about George W. Bush and he handled it beautifully. Most "celebrities" take pinata-like swipes at the former president. Here's what Dylan said:

“I read history books just like you do. None of those guys are immune to the laws of history. They’re going to go up or down, and they’re going to take their people with them. None of us really knew what was happening in the economy. It changed so quickly into a true nightmare of horror. In another day and age, heads would roll. That’s what would happen. The rot would be cut out. As far as blaming everything on the last president, think of it this way: The same folks who had held him in such high regard came to despise him. Isn’t it funny that they’re the very same people who once loved him? People are fickle. Their loyalty can turn at the drop of a hat.”

Shut up, Jeanine Garofalo!

By Taft Ayers

"This is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up. That is nothing but a bunch of tea-bagging rednecks."- Jeanine Garofalo

You have probably heard the context of her comments on a broader level. Absurd.

For the record, I didn't attend a tea party, but I surely am not about to bash those who did.

Here's a response:

I have never really cared for this woman, but after hearing what she said about Tea Party protesters, I understand her acting isn't the only thing that makes me sick.

Jeanine, I live in Tennessee. Despite what you've already assumed, I'm not a racist or a redneck; I own shoes, enjoy air conditioning and indoor plumbing, have all my teeth, hold a college degree, and do not attend Klan meetings. I'm an American with "conservative" beliefs. Why must I be demonized?

I'm allegedly a "conservative" because I firmly oppose abortion. I also believe that we should have stronger border control. The fact that you consider anyone with opposing views to be "racist rednecks" who have neurological problems is proof that you don't have a leg to stand on in this argument. Therefore, you resort to name calling.

You are like a child on a playground who is mad because everyone doesn't want to join her make-believe fantasy trip to fairy land, so you start the name-calling and ridiculing.

My conservative views come from my religious beliefs. The very idea of you insulting people for their religious beliefs is a disgrace to the freedoms cherished by this country. You are Obama's S.S. (like Hitler's Schutzstaffel). If you knew any better, you would be ashamed of yourself.

The problem with you and your ilk is that you profess yourselves to be hate and prejudice free. "Tolerance and liberty for all!" But you seek to control the views of others - change everyone to be like Jeanine. You claim we must embrace and accept people for their differences. I suppose that's true, unless those difference are ones you don't happen to like.

We understand our role in this society: To abide by the law, love everyone, and pay our taxes. We are to do so silently and without any fuss. Because Hispanic youths marching out of schools in Southern California carrying Mexican flags while torching American flags and garbage cans is just "symbolic and peaceful speech". But millions of ethnically diverse men and women assembling without violence to voice opposition to high taxes.....that's just domestic terrorism.

I asked...

It has been said that Christian people don't utilize the power of prayer enough.

Others have said that we are praying enough, we are just not praying as we should. Perhaps that is correct and if it is, the following illustrates just how God answers prayer.

God hears us, and God answers us according to His will. That does not necessarily mean that God will answer us the way we desire.

God knows what is best for us, and He will make provisions through His providence to help us mature in faith and accomplish tasks that He set before us.

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, "No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give up."

I asked God to make the handicapped people of the world whole.
God said, "No. Their spirit is whole, their body is only temporary."

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, "No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations. It isn't granted; it is learned."

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, "No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to Me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, "No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful."

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, "No. I will give you life so that you might enjoy all things."

I asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me.
God said, "Ah, finally you have the idea."

I think it is time for me to adjust my prayer life accordingly. You?