As a pediatric therapist for more than 30 years, I have come up with a list of what I believe kids need and don’t need. I wish I could have a do-over on a few of these.

What kids don’t need:

1. Cell phones when they’re in grade school. Over the years, I cannot tell you one good thing that can come from this.
2. Unlimited access to social media. There is very little that is healthy on social media for children, and it is getting worse.
3. So many toys that they can’t even think of something to want at birthday or holiday times. Too much of anything leaves children unable to be full. They become like buckets with holes in them.
4. Televisions in their rooms. Rooms are for sleeping. Good sleep hygiene is a dying art for too many children.
5. To be able to control the emotional climate of the home. Moody kids should not be allowed to hold the whole house hostage. If a child wants to be moody, he can go to his room and be moody by himself. Everyone else need not suffer.
6. Too much indoor time. Our kids have become hermits with social media and high-tech games. It is ruining their social skills. It’s also taking a toll on their physical well-being.
7. Too many activities outside of school. No wonder this generation is so anxiety-ridden. They are overloaded. If we want to teach them to take care of themselves as they age, we must teach them to do that by our example and by limiting their extracurricular activities. Scripture even recognizes the need to rest.
8. To be able to disrespect any authority. Even authority that you as a parent dislike or the child dislikes should still be respected. There will always be an authority in your child’s life even when your child is 50.
9. To always call the shots. Children who get to always choose where to eat, where to play, and what the family does end up being brats.
10. Constant approval and pats on the back. You will not always be around to do this. Children need to learn to be proud of themselves when they do something good whether anyone tells them or not.

What children do need:

Continue reading→

Evil has been in the world since Man’s fall in the Garden. Evil is not a new concept and as a matter of fact, evil has is as old as life. But as a child born in innocence, raised in a quiet home, raised to love Jesus, the evil I am witnessing right now is mortifying.

Satan has “come out,” guns blaring, taking every opportunity to exploit the minds of people who, what? Think a man can disguise his gender with a dress and lipstick? A woman who thinks wearing men’s clothes makes her man. What about the “alphabet soup” of identifying letters, many of which have no corresponding word.  It is confusing and an abomination. I am surprised that God has not rained down fire from Heaven as judgement, like in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah!

Not to pick one evil over another, two mommies, two daddies, really? Our children, who are confused enough just going through puberty, are up for a real challenge with this phenomenon. And it is even glossed over as “inclusive” and “sweet.” I think it’s an afront to the loving God who created us, man and woman, husband and wife, not man and man, wife and wife, husband and husband. It is pure evil.

Now that that’s out, I can’t forget the abortion murders that have been prevalent throughout my lifetime, and the recent “ideology” being promoted to encourage (or force) children to mutilate their bodies on the alter of Gender identity. Not only is it stupid, it is a crime, and like abortion, it forever alters the course of the child’s life, and not with good outcomes!

I picked this Evil to discuss but there are so many more out there today, without going into corruption in government and businesses, secret sins, pornography, adultery, I could go on.

I don’t have the answer, I am mortified and I’m sure God is waiting, waiting, waiting, to pronounce judgement as the Bible says.

But there is a Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord, God in the flesh, now seated on the right hand of His Father God. He is saying, please wait, Father. There are a few more of your creation that need to be saved from eternal suffering in Hell. Wait, I died on that cross for all of them, wait. They may still trust me. I’m asking you to wait just a little longer.

If you are still breathing, it is not too late!

* I’m posting this after much prayer. I love ALL people, and we are all sinners (saved by grace.) I don’t, however, condone sin as it is presented in the Bible. We must pray for people’s eternal souls and get the word out that “Jesus Saves!”

I don’t mean to be trite, but two funerals in two days, really? I have never been more aware of the frailty of life as I am right now. In reverse order, last Thursday our sweet friend, Tressa, breathed her last breath. When the cancer metastasized, she was doomed. No one more precious, a young mother, wife, lover of Jesus and just all-around good person.

A few weeks ago, our friend, “Brother Jim” was working on his computer one night after his wife went to bed and just died. He just peacefully died.

My son-in-law’s father, Bubba, died from complications of a stroke. Joe officiated at the funeral. He was beloved by his family and a friend for many years. Precious friend, Bede died after an exhausting fight with brain cancer.

Before that, just 1 month ago, a wonderful singer, Robbie, just 29, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, too late to rally and he died after a valiant fight. Jenny, who brought joy wherever she went, 50’s, lost her fight with cancer just before months before. And then there’s John, 30’s, young father and precious son of our friends who died instantly in a car wreck on Christmas Eve.

There are more, there are many more but these people so very close to me are enough to produce the evidence that life is short, and death is certain.

I could end this post here and there is nothing I have said is untrue. And the sadness I feel could be overwhelming. And the truth of death could defeat me. But I won’t end here.

These souls all loved and trusted Jesus. Tressa, Jim, Bubba, Bede, Robbie, Jenny and John are all living forever in Heaven right now. “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. *” My hope is in the fact that I will see them all again. I will be there with them. It is certain.

If you haven’t realized that today may be your last day in this life, I recommend that you stop what you are doing, get on your knees and ask Jesus to forgive your sin and come into your life right now. Life is hard, but it’s impossible without Jesus. Death is sure, but peace is the product of trusting the salvation provided for this life and the next through Jesus Christ.

If you’re reading this, you are “Here Today”. These friends have gone before us to show us The Way, I implore you to let them do just that.

Acts 2:21, “And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (KJV)

*The Solid Rock (Hymn) Edward Mote ca. 1834

Note: I wrote this post a few years ago, it was not the right time to post, it was too fresh for these families. My greatest desire in posting this is that you will come to know Jesus as your Savior and Lord. And it is good to remember my friends. PM