Seeking a higher standard of living

     

     Straight off, I am admitting this is a subject that has long-since bothered me. Forgive me for finally giving vent to my feelings.   
     I believe, that today, the most over-used word in the English language is the word,"sexy." 

     Just listen to a few T.V. commercials – even telephone books are 'sexy,' while certain hockey teams are 'not sexy.' Without a doubt, we are living in the sex era, bombarded by sex innuendos at every turn. 

     Don't get me wrong! I am not a prude. But, I have lived through a few decades, and have witnessed many changes in our society, good and bad. 

     So what's the big deal? The idea of sex is not a new thing, discovered by this "now generation." It's been around since creation itself. God, our Creator, invented it! 

     After making man in His own image, He said, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper, suitable for him...and they will become one flesh" — Genesis 2: 18, 24. 

     I believe God intended sex to be a beautiful experience for our enjoyment, enhancing proper relationships, and not for procreation only, but a part of a greater love calling on our lives. Our society glorifies sex to where it has lost much of its original, beautiful meaning in relationships. Instead, it has often been degraded to something akin to 'smutty' —merely something to 'lust after.' 

     Our daily news often tells of yet, another attempted rape. Realizing just how far we have gotten 'off track' in 60 years, is disturbing, as I have watched subtle and not so subtle changes taking place. 

     We ask ourselves, "How has a society that was once founded on biblical principles, lost its focus?" What once were suggestive jokes in the 1970's, are today "unabashedly fully demonstrated." No longer wholesome, family values from the days of John Wayne, Pat Boone or the Brady Bunch. 

     Coming into our living rooms are explicit and suggestive scenes (at any hour of the day, I might add), from our "awesome" Hollywood entertainment, celebrating lifestyles void of morality. We learn Hollywood no longer abides by any restraint when it comes to infiltrating programs with provocative content, meanwhile attempting to take over our society and eradicate Christian values. 

     Have we become so accepting of our culture, that we are desensitized to the immorality and ungodliness surrounding us? What are we allowing to fill up the space in our own control centre —the mind? Are we aware of the pressures put on us to lower our moral standard?  

     I learned that one of the movies nominated for an Oscar, The Wolf of Wall Street, contained more than 500 utterances of a word that begins with the letter F. How can one call that creativity? Rather, it is an insult to our intelligence. 

     Christian filmmaker and actor, David A.R. White (whose new feature film is God's Not Dead), says, "Sex sells and evil is tempting." 

     So, what message is this giving to our children? A survey taken, revealed 15 per cent of students in Grades 7 to 11, say they are involved in sexting — sending messages and pictures to their friends. 

     We already know sad stories of youth who were not aware of the dangers of improper use of the internet. Desperate for other's approval, many teens are looking for love and attention, in all the wrong places. 

     Franklin Graham states, "Removing God-consciousness from society has given way to self-gratification, chasing after the sin which so easily ensnares."  (Hebrews 12:1)  

     God established the standard of living for the world He created. How wonderful that His standards never change!  We, as God's people, need to be serious about being light in the dark places, meanwhile, guarding our own hearts and minds.  (Philippians 4:7) 

     Being self-controlled, let us think and meditate on..."whatever is true, noble, just, pure and lovely." (Philippians 4:8)

       "So I've come straight to the point! I guess I never did find that 'bush' I'm supposed to beat around." 

— beulah

Keep on keeping on

     

     There is an adage that says, "True love endures." 

     I believe it, having recently enjoyed being a part of the celebration of the 70th wedding anniversary of my good friends, Norm and Mildred. 

     Considering the length of most marriages today, one might wonder at how such a legacy of love and caring could ever be. I believe, sharing those many long years together, is just what God intended marriage to be. 

     Perhaps, we have lost an understanding of what makes a true, loving relationship. If it is built on trust, loyalty, sacrifice and kindness, it becomes a self-less love that seeks the good of the other partner — a love causing each to want to protect the other from harm, always seeking to bring out their best. 

     No doubt, having to face many hardships not peculiar to their generation only, their well-chosen priorities and commitment to live by their values, got them through the hard times. If we're strong enough on the inside, we can better handle things on the outside, and find the power to persevere.  

     Within this generation that I now find myself, I see many of my aging friends still standing strong, caring on through varied adversities — failing health, memory fading, changes in living arrangements, and the passing of their friends. 
  

     Within their strong life, I see a mixture of faith, courage and deep convictions, still living by their values; an undaunting spirit of a generation that faced many hardships, yet was able to 'keep on keeping on.' Champions never give up.  

     Recently, we acknowledged the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War One (1914-1918). A song, written by a Scottish comedian and singer, Sir Harry Lauder (1870-1950) in honour of his son's death in 1916, became the slogan of the World War One soldiers. It seems befitting for all my 'unsung heroes' as well.   

Keep Right On to the End of the Road    

Ev'ry road thro' life is a long, long road, fill'd with joys and sorrows too. 
As you journey on, how your heart will yearn, for the things most dear to you. 
With wealth and love 'tis so, but onward we must go! 
Keep right on to the end 0f the road, 
Keep right on to the end. 
Tho' the way be long, let your heart be strong, 
Keep right on round the bend. 
If you're tired and weary, still journey on, 'till you come to your happy abode, 
Where all you love you've been dreaming of will be there, at the end of the road.     

     "The road you walk may seem long, but remember, you do not walk alone."  

     "As you get older, your secrets are safe with your friends, because they can't remember them either."

— beulah

Celebrating the men in our lives

     

     This week, we celebrate the men in our lives — especially fathers.  Let's begin with a smile, or two.  

     The Animal in Man   

     Man's descent from the animal kingdom has yet to be proven, but there seems to be no doubt as to his relationship. As a boy he is likely to be a wolf cub, as a man he may become a lion or an elk. In adolescence he is liable to eat like a pig and be as awkward as a bull in a china shop. 
     When he first dances with a girl he'll be clumsy as an ox though he thinks he is having a whale of a time. Under certain conditions he may sometimes be referred to as a jackass.     
     When a man doesn't agree with a woman he is as stubborn as a mule. If he outwits her, he's sly as a fox, and when he's hard to catch, he's slippery as an eel. 
     If a man looks at another woman after he marries, he's an old goat. 
     Eventually, he becomes as gray as a badger and develops the hide of a rhinoceros, says his wife, who still thinks she's cute as a bunny.   

— G.H.Hawn, Kemptville Agricultural School Instruction in English and Public Speaking   

     But, hey ladies, how could we ever survive without our men?  As we go through life, it is important as to how we "punctuate." 

     Consider the following thoughts, making sure you pause at each punctuation mark (commas). 

Woman without her man, would go insane.  
Woman, without her, man would go insane.   

     All of us have had a father. That was God's great plan from the beginning, as He gave the miracle of life. Some people have never experienced a father in their lives, and others wish they had not. No father is perfect. But a father whose actions reflect the character of God, our Heavenly Father, inspire admiration from his children. 

     

     A quote from Henry Blackaby, reminds us of the powerful influence of a dad in our society — 

     "The quality of the father will affect the quality of all the generations that follow. As goes the father, so go the next several generations." 

     Often our fathers spoke truth to us, even when we didn't want to hear it, while planting seeds of influence that helped mould our values and character. 

     Someone remarked, "While I was complaining about some insignificant thing Dad had done that irritated me, my friend simply said, 'I wish my Dad was still alive so that I could be mad at him.'" 

     To those dads who are yet parenting young children, be aware you are teaching daily by your every example.   

Two Prayers   

Last night my little boy confessed to me some childish wrong, And kneeling at my knee he prayed with tears, 
"Dear God, make me a man like Daddy — wise and strong, I know you can." 
Then while he slept, I knelt beside his bed, confessed my sins, and prayed with low-bowed head, "O God, make me a child like my child here — pure, guileless, trusting Thee with faith sincere."  

     No wonder Jesus said we must become as a little child to enter His Kingdom.  A little boy discovered an old Bible in the attic, opened it and found a large leaf pressed between the pages of Genesis. "Oh look," he said, "Adam left his clothes here."  ... The beautiful innocence of little children.    

     Dad you're someone to look up to, no matter how tall I have grown.  

— Author Unknown

— beulah

Finding fulfillment in your chosen profession

     

     Another beautiful graduation experience was mine, as I just finished watching the 2014 Thompson Rivers University Convocation Ceremonies in Kamloops, via video being streamed online. 

     Quite amazing for me, as I sat in my home watching my lovely granddaughter, Sarah Jean, receive her "hard-worked-for" Bachelor of Education degree. 

     

     Though not physically present, I feel I actually attended, as I, along with the others, applauded the students for all those years of study and hard work, as they now enter a new phase of their lives.  

     The valedictorian, Ms. Sarah Corless, inspired her fellow classmates, saying, 

     "Have the courage to follow your heart, go fearlessly into the world, and, be true to what you believe and you will be truly blessed." 

     

     Seeing this fine generation of students stepping out into our world, makes one feel confident they will each make a positive difference in the many lives they will touch. 

     They were reminded of Mother Teresa's words, "We do no great things, but we can do small things with great love." 

     Being able to approach your life's work, having found your passion in a chosen field, makes life's journey all the more enjoyable. 

     

     As someone wisely said, "When you love your job, you never work a day in your life." 

     Sarah's passion to become an educator of today's youth is a lofty and admirable choice. 

     Not exactly surprising, with the example and influence of several teachers in her family. 

     

     As she, along with the many Bachelor of Education students find fulfillment in their chosen profession, among the values they will teach, may love and understanding always be at the top of their list.      

"Though I teach with the skill of the finest of teachers and have not understanding, I am become only a clever speaker and a charming entertainer. And though I understand all techniques and all methods: And though I have much training so that I feel quite competent, But have no understanding of the way my pupils think and feel, It is not enough. When we have understanding, then our efforts will become creative, All our influence will live forever — in the lives of our pupils." 
 

— Based on 1 Corinthians 13.

— beulah

Words of wisdom for grads

     "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

— Eleanor Roosevelt

 
     It's that time again for students to don their caps and gowns, as they march across the stage to receive their diplomas. It's truly a memorable occasion, having reached an important milestone in their learning journey. 

     How appropriate to name the ceremonies, "commencement exercises," as graduation is not the end, but the beginning of a continued lifetime of learning. 

     A quote from Arie Pencovici suggests: "Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you'll make a difference."   

     

     What a neat experience was mine this past weekend, as I watched my lovely granddaughter Ashton Brooke, graduate from Abbotsford Traditional Secondary School. Feelings of nostalgia — akin to empty-nesters surfaced — as I realized this was, indeed, my last grandchild to graduate from high school.  

     I was impressed with the program, and especially with Kyle, their valedictorian, as he represented his fellow classmates. 

     Quoting portions of his significant thoughts..."The universe returns what it receives, and if we put forth humility, and joy for others, the light which illuminates from our future will become our greatest ally on our darkest path." 

     I especially liked this one — "The human face has limited space. If we fill it with laughter, there will be no room to cry," and, "Do not remorse over what is changing, live within the moment and receive this new world with a smile."  

     What great advice!  The principal's remarks were filled with words of great wisdom. He exhorted the students, giving three succinct statements for them to remember as they journey through life, emphasizing each with short illustrations. 

1. Recognize the significance of those around you. Life is not all about you.  

"A student, when writing a test, found a question he could not answer. It was, 'What is our janitor's name?' Questioning the necessity of such a question, he was reminded that everyone you meet are special and are to be respected." 

2. Do not avoid obstacles in your path. Each one is there for a reason.  

"A large rock on a much-travelled pathway, became an object of complaint to the authorities, as to why it hadn't been removed, as travellers continued to make their way around it. One man carrying a heavy load approached it. Setting his burden down, he proceeded to move the rock with much effort. Doing so, he found an envelope under it, containing several gold coins. A surprise thank you to the one who would willingly deal with the obstacle."  

3. Learn to dance in the rain.  

"An elderly man appeared at the hospital early one morning, to have stitches removed from an injury. Everyone was busy as he anxiously awaited his turn. A doctor, noticing his anxiety, found he had an appointment to keep. Questioning the nature of the man's appointment, he learned the elderly man had a breakfast date each morning with his wife who has Alzheimer and lives in a care home. 'Does she know you?' the doctor asked. 'No, but I know her,' came the reply. Life is not how to avoid the storm, but..."how to dance in the rain."   

     To the many students who are graduating this month, may God bless them with self-fulfillment, compassion, personal prosperity, and most of all — an inner peace.     

     

     My great weekend included a visit with my dear friend, Margaret, at the Extended Care Unit of the Peace Arch hospital in White Rock. 

     Later, a tour and a renewed appreciation of the town with its, now, many modern looks. A delicious helping of fish and chips at Moby Dicks, topped off our day. What could be more satisfying to an aging Mom, than to experience such love and attention from a grown son? 

     

     As well as the gourmet meals I was served, Roger surprised me with a great addition to my patio — none other than a "something" called a "Beulah lantern." 

How unique is that?





— beulah