Lessons for Living

More Than Character Can Handle

Overindulgence is giving your children more than their character can handle, exceeding their ability to manage the blessings with gratefulness.

I have started reading through Dorcas Smucker’s new book, Tea and Trouble Brewing. I get to write a review of it as part of a virtual book tour!

This isn’t that review, but I wanted to call attention to an outstanding excerpt Dorcas uses from another book, Parenting is Heart Work: Read it all

Reflections: Election 2012

I eyeball 🙄 😯 😕 😐 the political scene without entangling myself in the political drama (or is it merely a play?).

When I go grocery shopping, I also eyeball others’ unbelievably loaded shopping carts and the “food stamp” Oregon Trail cards they use for payment…and I remember Alexis de Tocqueville: Read it all

Looking Down on American Politics

Erick Erickson has an amazing piece at Red State.

Though I disagree with his closing line as applied to Christians — “Now go vote! The future of the nation is at stake!!!!” — and though I wish he wouldn’t engage in partisan commentary for an article such as this, I still find much which I can affirm.

So I’ve excerpted most of what’s particularly outstanding to me. Read it all

IDKU

I didn’t violate you — as though seeing you exposed were no violation.
modified photograph of T

I. Don’t. Know. You.

I wasn’t looking for you. I found you during a Web search for one of my many friends. Now I’ve seen you — far more of you than I, who am not your husband, should have seen.

Did you mean to look sad? Perhaps you were trying to look seductive or at least inviting, kneeling upright there in the grass.

But what’s striking and attention-grabbing to me is your face, not the rest of your body. You look sad, T. (I’d make this even more personal by using your name, but then I would be helping the curious and the perverts to find you.)

Do you look sad because you know…

  • you are giving away your “scenic views” so cheaply?
  • you have little prime “real estate” left covered and unexploited?
  • you are demeaning yourself for little return?
  • you two have turned you into mere eye candy for lustful men?
  • you won’t get the affection your soul craves?
  • you should be protecting your modesty and your value?
  • the photographer should have protected your modesty and your value?

Or is the sad face your attempt to sear an unspoken truth into the eyes and conscience of the photog and all other lookers? Read it all

Above all, love God!
Private