Whose Opinion Do You Respect?

In society today, people who are older and more experienced are not valued or respected—youth and fame are.  It annoys me when magazines interview famous people or entertainers and ask their opinions on child-rearing or politics, as if being famous makes a person an authority.  Being famous doesn’t make them any more knowledgeable than the person next door.

  Or when older employees are booted out the door in favor of the latest college graduate with his or her MBA.  The older employee’s years of experience on the job are far more valuable than someone fresh out of college, even with the best educational background.  Ask any college graduate in a new job—there are many, many things that college just doesn’t prepare you for.  Companies should value veteran employees as they can help train new employees and pass on to them the knowledge they have gained through experience.

Then there is child-raising—

  Advice on how to raise children seems to me to change with every generation--at least in the last century. Someone comes up with a theory and it seems that the majority of child development specialists just jump on the bandwagon. A few very wise ones do not. Three that I would recommend at this time are Dr. Ray Guarendi, Dr. James Dobson, and Dr. John Rosemond. The task of raising good children is just too important to take a chance on following the crowd.

 

On Tithing

  If everyone in the world gave 10% of their income to the poor, it would alleviate almost all hunger and poverty. God wants us to give to others not out of obligation, but out of compassion.

  In the New Testament there is no specific reference to tithing 10%, but there are many passages about supporting those who minister to you, sharing your possessions and income with your brothers and sisters in Christ, and caring for the poor.

  You cannot out give God. When you give, God will often allow you to see how He is giving to you in return. It may or may not be financial. It may be material. But there will be a blessing.

Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. For with the measure you measure, it will be measured to you.  Luke 6:38

 

 

A Pet Is Not A Child!

One of the things in our society that makes me very angry is when people think of their pet as a child. And I get especially upset when I see the bumper stickers "I love my Granddoggy" or something similar. My children's pet is not my granddog or cat.

  To even compare an animal to the intricate creation of a child is an insult to God. Human beings were made in the image and likeness of God (see the Book of Genesis in the Bible); animals were not. Human beings are the highest level of God's creation. Animals are a part of God's creation put here to fulfill God's plan for the earth. Man was given the task of naming the animals (Genesis). Humans will live forever; first on earth and then in eternity. There is no sure revelation from God about animals.

  Pets can be wonderful. They can give much joy and happiness to young and old alike. They can be of service to mankind in many ways. They think and feel, but not even remotely on the same level as people. Couples who don't want to have children often use pets as a substitute to fulfill their innate desire to nurture. But the pets have a very short lifespan; they do not give you grandchildren; they can't speak. They are a poor substitute.

  Unlike children, pets love you unconditionally. They require less care and for a shorter period of time. You can put them in a crate and go out without them. But they will never say "Ma-Ma" or "Da-Da". You will never enjoy that first smile, those first steps, the hugs & kisses, the first day of Kindergarten, graduations, accomplishments, weddings or grandchildren.

  So love your pets. Enjoy them as God intended them to be enjoyed. But don't compare them to children or use them as a substitute for the children you may not want to have.