Disciplining Children

I'm a pretty fair parent. My children are as well behaved as they are because Jen and I are consistent with our discipline. However, there are times where I give the boys a pass on certain behaviors. I occasionally think that I may be behaving harsh with them, which is why I give them the passes...and I don't want to be seen like a giant ogre.

But, my goal is not to raise good kids who like me. I would love for my kids to love me and think I'm awesome. But I have a responsibility to Him who created me, as well as the children, to raise good ADULTS. Adults who will do what is pleasing to the Lord, whether they like me or not. You see, God has loaned these children to me for a season. But, they are His. It is my job to be a faithful steward with His children. So, since I want to do what is pleasing to the Lord, I'm going to take care to make sure that these kids, these babies, grow up with a better sense of responsibility and accountability than I did. Part of that includes spanking them, when spanking is needed.

What brought about this post? I read an awesome post last night. She does a great job of explaining much better than I do. So click here, and read it!

A Scene from The Matrix in Today's World

You're probably wondering why I referenced The Matrix as the title for this post. Let me direct you to an opinion piece which was posted by an online acquaintance. I will post the entire article in its entirety, due to the previously mentioned article deletion which plagues Mainstream Media news sites. I have linked to the original source as well. Thanks Sonnet!

When President Barack Obama signed his executive order to allow human embryos to be mined for their stem cells in order to help older, more powerful humans, there was much excited applause.

The applause came from so many, their eyes bright, lit as if from within. It came from those who believe in scientific progress as the answer to the problems of the modern world, believing as fervently as any monk on the slopes of Mt. Athos believes in the Resurrection of Christ.

In signing the order last week, the president said that the Bush administration, which strictly limited such research, had offered a false choice between science and morality. He said his new order "is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda—and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology."

There it was. Ideology, a pejorative applied to faith, offered up during Lent by our president.

As a Greek Orthodox Christian, I'm troubled by all of this, as are many Roman Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims and others who are taught by the faiths of our fathers that life is sacred. And I know there are many who belong to these faiths and see nothing wrong with stem cell research.

But many of us watch in quiet horror as America rationalizes the conversion of life into a medical product to further other lives, as our culture ignores the cost to our humanity.

Proponents of stem cell research dress themselves in pure reason, as a counterweight to what is often unfortunately referred to as religious superstition (Obama's "ideology"), but there is something about the political selling of it that speaks to a salvation of sorts, too, particularly for our loved ones whose bodies would be helped by such research.

Science for the scientists, yes, but perhaps more than that for those who hope such research will provide much-needed cures. So more human embryos are cracked open, the life inside them used to protect us from diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, now stalking the once-youthful but still politically powerful Baby Boomers.

The applause washed over Obama all week, from biotech investors and especially pro-abortion rights groups, because if embryos are a product fit for dissection, it follows they are property, not life. Naturally, establishment media editorialists and political writers praised it, even supposedly neutral news accounts trumpeting this as a victory of light over darkness.

"It's a difficult and delicate balance," said Obama. "And many thoughtful and decent people are conflicted about or strongly oppose this research. And I understand their concerns and I believe that we must respect their point of view. But after much discussion, debate and reflection, the proper course has become clear. ..."

He is a gracious man trying to be reasonable, fulfilling a campaign promise. Though I disagree with him, I've always felt the decency in him. But as he spoke, I couldn't help but think of someone else.

The drowning man.

When I was a boy about to go swimming with my friends, I was warned about the drowning man. And just then I knew, with the rapture of scientific certainty, that President Obama was also warned as a boy.

It may have come from his mom, or grandparents, or some camp counselor at the edge of the water, an adult responsible for his safety. The kids knotting up in groups on the shore, sand hot on their feet, bright sunshine overhead, eager to jump in.

We all were warned, each of us, you too. As parents, my wife and I told our boys, and Barack and Michelle most likely have told their girls. All kids lucky enough to grow up and become parents will warn their young if they have even the slightest sense of responsibility.

You stay away from the drowning man.

The drowning man isn't an individual, exactly.

The way I remember things, it was the figure of a man drawn in some first-aid pamphlet of long ago, a dangerous hieroglyph thrashing in the water, threatening those who approached.

The drowning man wasn't evil. He wasn't good. There was no history to him.

His dreams and kind acts didn't matter. His betrayals and bitterness weren't counted against him. If he had any sins, their residue wasn't apparent in his expression. There was no face, at least not one with clearly defined features.

Only a head and arms waving in the water, the drowning man going down.

The grown-ups told us that when you're swimming and you see someone struggling and thrashing, you call for help. You might extend a towel or a shirt as a rope. But you don't go near, because you might get grabbed.

Panicked, the drowning man wants what all life wants, to continue. He can't comprehend that he's pushing you down to push himself up. It's not his fault. He's afraid. He's drowning. He's dying.

But we're all dying, aren't we? And what happens to us, as we take other lives, in order to live?

jskass@tribune.com">jskass@tribune.com

I bring up The Matrix because in the film (and I'm sorry if you haven't seen it, go buy it from Wal-Mart on DVD), there's a scene where Morpheus is explaining the war between the machines and humanity. In this scene, it shows a field of pods, each pod containing a human being. Each human was "grown" and used to power the machines. Once they'd outlived their usefulness, they were liquified into fuel which fed the other humans. It sounds disgusting doesn't it? The thought should turn your stomach, unless you happen to be Dexter Morgan or another sociopath.

Well, with President Change removing W's Executive Order which limited the harvest of human embryos for their stem cells, I immediately thought of that scene. I'm vehemently opposed to the harvesting of human embryos for anything. For in-vitro, fertility, disease research anything. I don't care if I had Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and was sterile. Those are human beings that are being used as guinea pigs and test subjects. Can anyone explain why there hasn't been a SINGLE discovery made using embryonic stem cells? If there had been, you'd have been bombarded with it all over the news. I think I may have a reason. Perhaps God (remember Him?) doesn't want His creation used like lab rats. Yes, He created rats. However, He didn't send Jesus to die for rats.

But, this issue of embryonic stem cell research is just the symptom of a larger problem. The REAL issue is that there is a disdain for life which has penetrated the culture. In the almost 40 years since Roe vs Wade millions of babies have been killed. However, what else has happened is the gradual acceptance of this infanticide as normal and a "right". There is no respect for human life. But, the backlash of this will be coming soon.

The "Baby Boomers" are only surpassed in their selfishness and sense of entitlement by the children they have brought into this world. However, Baby Boomers have the sense of entitlement down to an art. While they brought us good things like the Civil Rights Movement, the man on the moon and civil disobedience, we also have the fallout from them. Sexual "liberty", no fault divorce (which has led to the rise in single parent households and separation of children from their fathers, along with a corresponding rise in crime and poverty), general cynicism and outright rebellion, to name a few. There's also the ridiculous amount of debt that we have. Brought to us courtesy of the Baby Boomers, who taught these same financial principles to those in my generation, which has led to the largest economic collapse that the world has ever seen. Why? Sense of entitlement.

This embryonic stem cell thing is an issue because the Baby Boomers are getting older and having health issues. Since they're on a quest to live forever (plastic surgery, cougars, etc), and DESERVE IT (in their own minds), they want to find any way to help aleviate their aging. They think they've found the Fountain of Youth that Ponce de León searched for. Who cares if you have to kill a bunch of embryos to get it? It's what *I* want. It's what *I* DESERVE!

It's this same attitude which will lead to increased taxes over the next 15-20 years as these people start to retire. In their quest for material things, very few of them had the good financial sense to set aside money for retirement. So what will they do? Run to Big Daddy for their handout, just like they're doing now when looking for bailouts. Make no mistake, the same companies receiving Federal Bailout money are most likely headed by Baby Boomers.

This same generation is going to expect their children, my generation, to support them in their old age. They're going to want us to pay for Medicare and Social Security, regardless of how high our taxes go. They don't care about us. They proved that when they dumped us into day care centers, so they could pursue their "toys" (Cars, boats, houses, etc). They proved that when they started viewing us as "inconveniences" and killed more than 50 million of us because it was "their body and choice".

As hard as it seems to believe, my generation is far more selfish than that before us. So, when our taxes go up to pay for Medicare and Social Security, we're not going to take it. We may not lead a revolution. However, you're going to hear the call for forced euthanasia. You will hear people get on the news, and in the same way they talk about "my choice" when related to baby killing (aka "abortion"), they will say things like, "Our parents need to do the PATRIOTIC thing, or the GREEN thing for our planet and die with dignity for the GREATER GOOD".

WHOA! Mind blowing, isn't it? But it doesn't seem that far fetched. Not when you consider that most children of Baby Boomers grew up watching MTV and have seen scenes of wealth, and "do it because it feels good", etc. I think it makes perfect sense that the same generation that has crapped on their children, will be put to death by their children.

Again, this will be a symptom of the problem. The BIGGEST problem? Sin. All of this can be attributed back to a single choice (that word doesn't sound so good, does it? Especially when others are making the "choice" if you live or die) that Adam and Eve made in the Garden of Eden. The world has been suffering ever since.

However, there is an alternative. You don't have to live in a hopeless world, devoid of love and giving of self. Jesus came to earth and was brutally murdered, so that you can be in communion with God for all of eternity. However, He wants you to believe in Him, but also to REPENT (which means turn away from) of your sins. Turn away from them. You're not going to be perfect. But the mark of a true believer and follower of Jesus is not going to be a continuous pattern of sin. There should be a change when you receive Jesus and repent. Then, find a good Bible believing church and get involved.

Scripture should be the final authority in that Bible believing community. Although you have a pastor, you should also read the Bible for yourself, so you can know if what you're being taught aligns with what God has set forth in His Word.

Oh, and to get an idea of how relevant the Bible is for today's world (because some fool will say, "The Bible was good for BACK THEN, but it isn't relevant today"), read Romans 1:21-32.
***********************************************************************

When I started writing this post, I didn't intend for it to end with my advising people to call on Jesus for salvation. However, the more and more I wrote, the more it came to me that the problem isn't President Change or embryonic stem cell research. That's just a symptom of the true disease, which is sin in our world. Fortunately, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. I hope that my words aren't a hinderance if God is drawing you to Himself. I am, as the apostle Paul said, "a bond-servant of Christ Jesus".

Another Reason to Homeschool

I suspect this may end up being a regular feature on The Ogunbase Blog. When we last discussed homeschooling, I outlined some reasons why we choose to homeschool. Well, our allies across the pond have provided yet another reason for me to keep my boys at home with me.

(H/T to Ingrid of Slice of Laodicea)

I'm going to post the full article in the text of this post, because News sites have this nasty habit of deleting their articles. I have linked to it above as well.

Parents face possible court action for withdrawing their children from lessons on gay and lesbian history.

More than 30 pupils were pulled out of a week of teaching at a primary school which included books about homosexual partnerships.

The controversial content was worked into the curriculum at George Tomlinson School in Waltham Forest, East London.

The council has declared that children who missed the lessons will be viewed as truants.

The ruling means some families could breach rules that children should not be absent for more than 19 days a year.

Sanctions include spot fines, parenting contracts and ultimately court action.

The parents, who objected to the lessons on moral and religious grounds, said the content was more appropriate to secondary age pupils.

Pervez Latif, whose children Saleh, ten, and Abdur-Rahim, nine, attend the school, said he knew of up to 30 withdrawals from the lessons.

The 41-year-old accountant said Christian and Muslim parents had objected to the theme linked to Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender History Month.

‘We as parents did not receive any guidance that this was going to happen,’ he added. ‘There was just a newsletter mentioning the week and that certain themes would be taught.

‘I didn’t want my children to be learning about this. I wrote a letter to the chairman of the governors explaining that I would be taking my children out of school and he wrote back saying that there was no other option.

‘If I am faced with court action, then I will just explain that these are my views. It was also very difficult explaining to my nine- and ten-year-old boys why they were being removed from school.

‘I found it difficult to explain topics such as homosexual relationships at such a young age.’

One story covered in a lesson was King and King, a fairytale about a prince who turns down three princesses before falling in love with one of their brothers.

Another book, And Tango Makes Three, features two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who fall in love at a New York zoo.

Sarah Saeed, 40, took her eight-year-old daughter out of school during the week.

She said: ‘It is not an appropriate age for the children to be learning such matters. We have our own way of explaining things to them and they should not be subjected to this.

‘I was aware they were going to be learning about homosexual relationships through stories.

‘If the council takes action against me I will tell them that I told the school beforehand I would be taking my child away if they did not change their policy.

‘She has a 100 per cent attendance record otherwise. This is the only time and this is the only choice I had.’

Parents have a legal right to withdraw their children from religious education and sex education lessons – apart from science lessons which cover biological reproduction as part of the national curriculum.

A spokesman for Waltham Forest Council said: ‘As part of the borough’s policy of promoting tolerance in our schools, children are taught that everyone in our society is of equal value.

‘At George Tomlinson, parents were invited to meet with teachers and governors several weeks ago to discuss what work would

be taking place throughout the national LGBT History Month and how this work would be delivered.

‘Regrettably, some parents chose to remove their children from school.

‘The council does not condone any unauthorised absence from school and action has been taken.’

Norman Wells, director of the Family Education Trust, said: ‘It is a fundamental principle of education law that children must be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents.

'It is outrageous for a school or local authority to think it can ride roughshod over parents and impose lessons upon children that arouse such widespread concerns.

‘The only action that needs to be taken is to offer an apology to the parents concerned.’

George Tomlinson is close to a school which launched a gay version of Romeo and Juliet called Romeo and Julian – also to mark the alternative history month.

So, tell me again, why should I send my kid to school outside of my home? So they can be indoctrinated against my will? And then when I decide I don't want them hearing it, I can be prosecuted? Make no mistake, Britain leads the way, but this will happen in the United States in the near future. Sooner than you or I think.

My Most Important Post

These last few weeks have been interesting. To even call this "interesting" seems to minimize the profound effect this time period has had on my life.

The 5 or so of you who have read my blog from the beginning have watched me chronicle parts of the last couple years of my life. I've discussed politics, faith, business and a whole variety of things, as evidenced by the list of Labels/Topics in the sidebar.

However, the blog was a way for me to get thoughts out. Express myself. Therapy, if you will (a friend of mine says to F#@% Therapy, so perhaps my blog was a way of doing that). When I first started blogging, I was going to write these brilliant articles, which people were going to love. I was then going to put ads up, and then make a ton of money like Michael Arrington from TechCrunch. I realized a few things...Michael Arrington has worked his tail off to generate the kind of income he does from his blog. He also has the hassles that come with generating the income he has. In addition to that, it seems he's passionate about what he's doing. I don't know that I was ever passionate about blogging. Perhaps writing for fun, but not to the point where it becomes a job. So, I've been searching. Searching for passion. Something that would move me.

For a long time, I thought it was money. So I'd jump from income opportunity to income opportunity, job to job, etc. Each time something didn't work out, I thought it was an issue with the opportunity or job itself. "Oh well, the leads they were giving were crappy" or "Well, marketing is the most important part of that deal, and my sponsor didn't tell me that". Excuses and justifications for lack of achievement flowed from me. So I thought perhaps my mindset was all messed up. I thought I wasn't sowing seeds of prosperity. So I went and spent a small fortune on books and media to improve my mindset. I think I have well over 1500 unread emails in various email accounts from different "success gurus". I also have a 5 shelf bookcase filled with various books on improving self-image, financial success, leadership, etc. If you name an author in the self-improvement field, chances are good that I have a book or audio program by that person. However, as Tyler Durden from Fight Club states, "Self improvement is masturbation". If you can get past the "ewwww...yucky...masturbation" part of the quote, and consider the meaning of it, you'll understand my folly in collecting these items. If you still don't understand...well...that's another blog post for another time.

So I read books, made lists, vision boards, listened to audios, rid myself of negative people, said affirmations and got what? Nothing. My personal life goal a couple years ago was to be a millionaire by 26, and a billionaire by 36. Why am I not? Because for me, the price is too high. Now, what does that mean? What it would cost to be a high income earner isn't worth it to me. It would be like paying $300,000 for a box of Cheerios. The time away from my family for what would likely result in a life of comfort isn't worth it to me. Some say I'm quitting, giving up. Perhaps. But I've chased these things. I have earned over $10,000 in a month. It was a good feeling, in the moment. I spent some money, had fun, made some memories. But in the end, I felt empty.

What about all of my positive self-image and positive thinking? Everyone who knows me, knows I think very highly of myself. So why did I feel like I was drifting through life?

God made it known to me that the reason I wasn't satisfied with pursuing worldly ideals is because I'm here to be IN the world, but not OF it. So earning a whole lot of money isn't going to fulfill me? No, was the answer. I started thinking of the story of the rich, young ruler who came to Jesus (Matthew 19:16-30), asking what he had to do to gain eternal life. Jesus told him to sell what he had, give it to the poor and follow Him. The scripture tells us "When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth". This man stood in front of God in the flesh, heard what he had to do to enter into the kingdom of God, and went away SAD! He was so consumed with his possessions, that they'd consumed him.

I'm so ashamed with how I've spent my adulthood. It's been spent "playing church". I've gone around for the last 10 years of my life, claiming "I'm saved! Jesus is getting me into Heaven!". Why? Because sometime 10 years ago, I prayed a prayer, and have been running around acting unrepentant since then. I haven't behaved like someone who is grateful to the God in Heaven who thought enough of me to send His only Son to die for me and everyone else. I've been treating Jesus like a life insurance policy past the contestability period (during the first 2 years of a life insurance policy, the company has the right to contest anything in the application. After that, MOST of the time, they have to pay the death claim. So if you put non tobacco on the application, and then decided to take up smoking 3 years later, they have to pay). I've been behaving like I had no cares, no worries. Praising Him on Sundays, spitting on Him during the other 6 days with my actions and lifestyle. It's not that I am claiming to have lost my salvation. I've been debating whether or not I actually HAD salvation.

What brought this about? I just finished reading Hard To Believe by John MacArthur. The book discusses how the gospel has been watered down to a series of nonconfrontational messages, and how Jesus has been turned into a personal genie. It also discusses how there is a cost to following Jesus, and how one has to determine if it is a cost they are willing to pay.

For me, it's no longer a question. It's no longer about chasing money, the Porsche 911 Turbo and the huge house with 17 LCD flatscreens. It's about leading a life which is pleasing to Him who created me and Him who saved me. It is also about letting as many people as possible know about the goodness of the gospel and that there is an answer. One doesn't need a secret or a positive self image for fulfillment in life. One needs to believe and repent.

I don't know what direction my life will head in. Have I been called into ministry? I'm learning to hear the voice of God. I haven't heard that. But I won't rule it out until I hear from above. I'm going to go Matthew 6:19-34 on this.