Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Technology is a Wonderful Thing


Hi boys.


Wow, the technology that you have available to you today! As Mom and I often say, we didn't have most of it when we were growing up. But you do, and I am amazed by the barrage of technology at your fingertips. And technology in the news.


Two things today caught my eye.


1. A lunar eclipse, visible where you are but not where I was. Yes, there have been lunar eclipses ever since God created the heavens and the earth. What's new is this: not only do we know in advance now that an eclipse is going to happen - you can go on the internet and find the exact time to go outside in the yard to see it happen! Amazing.


2. The U.S. military, under orders from President George W. Bush, shot a missile at a failing satellite in space - destroying it in space before it fell uncontrolled to earth and hurt someone. It takes an unbelievable amount of math, and technology, to shoot a missile up into space and hit an object as small as a satellite and moving as fast as the satellite is through space. Cool!


The lesson here is to pay attention to math and science in school! It may come in handy some day if you get a job involving space. :)

Go. See this Amazing Country called America


Hi boys.


One of my regrets as you've grown up is that we haven't gotten to take you to see more of this amazing country we live in - America.


I get to see a lot of it as I travel. I'm fortunate in that. Your mother and I have been to some amazing places, and seen some amazing scenery, in our lifetimes.


We've seen the lush farmlands of the Midwest where we live. We've seen the rolling waves of the oceans. We've seen the country life of the deep South. We've seen the broad expanses of the West. We've seen the incredible mountain vistas of the Rockies and the Smokies. We've even seen the wilds of Alaska and the many shades of blues in the islands.
I wish that for you too. Go, as you live life, and see as much of this amazing land as you can.
See the oceans. See the mountains. See the woods and national parks. See as much of it as you can.

Whether you take pictures of it all, like Dad always does, or not. Go, see it.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Honor Your Mother





Hi boys.

Here's what I'm thinking about today:
I want you to honor your mother, every day.

Why?

Well, for one, because it's one of the Ten Commandments, given to us by God in the Bible to teach us how to live. It's the Fifth commandment, and it says this:

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12 NIV)
That's a commandment with a promise - so that you may live long! One of the benefits of honoring your mother is that by listening to the advice and guidance of the people who God has given the task of guiding and protecting you - you may live longer (and healthier!)

Another reason to honor your mother is to make the most of the time that you have with her. You only have so many years to live in our house under our guidance, before you have to go out into the world and live on your own. You have a special situation with your mother working in the home and not out at a job. It's a choice we've made, a sacrifice for you. Make the most of that time at home with your mother. You will appreciate it later in life, trust me on this. I'm a Dad, and Dads Know Everything.

What does "honor" meany? Good question. According to the dictionary, it means:

"respect and esteem shown to another"

How can you honor your mother? Here are some ways:

1. Listen to her - she is very wise and loving and only wants the best in life for you. She can teach you a lot about life, and is in fact your very best teacher.

2. Help her - it's a big job raising the two of you. There is a lot of work to be done around the house each and every day. Help her. Pick up your messes. Help with chores. You honor her with every small job that you do in the house. Remember - SHE IS NOT YOUR MAID OR SERVANT.

3. Respect her. Every mean word that you say to her wounds her, emotionally. Every kind word and hug lifts up her spirit and makes her day. Speak to her with the respect that she deserves, every day.

4. Obey her. She has rules. They are for your benefit. You know what they are. FOLLOW THEM, every day.

5. Love her - she loves you. Love her back, and make sure that she knows that you do.

Boys - Honor your mother. Now, in the few short years while you are with her every day.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Boys, Listen to your Parents


Hi boys.

You know, and I know, that I don't get to be with you nearly as much as I would like to. To share life with you. To talk with you. To answer your questions and mentor you.

What I would most like you to know and understand about your mother and me is this:

Listen to us.

No one on this planet cares more about your well-being than we do. We love you. We care about what happens to you and about what kind of men you will grow up to be. We only want the best for you.

And one of the ways we care for you is to teach you by giving you advice. You should want and carefully consider our advice. We have lived a lot of life, before you ever even came along, and we have much to teach you. I know that you don't realize that fully. But, trust us on this.

Listen to us.

This blog will consist of letters to you from me. You get to hear Mom's advice - excellent advice that you should take fully to heart - every day at home. Not so much from me, because of my demanding travel schedule, which I deeply regret.

So, here is this blog is what I have to say to you, as it occurs to me. I hope it helps you in your young and precious lives.

Dad.