Happy Father's Day

Focus on the Family has an article about consistent fatherhood. I was reading it and thought, "Wow. I picked out a pretty good one for my kids." Here is the article in kind of a checklist format.

1. I often discuss things with my child.
My husband spends time almost every night talking to our kids before bed at a minimum. If he is away for work or something, he often calls them to "tuck them in".
2. My child and I often do things together.
My husband and the kids usually eat a meal out together once a week as their time. He likes to be with us as much as his job allows.
3. I teach my child skills.
He loves to teach them new things. They love being his "helpers".
4. I take an active role in my child's education.
We homeschool. At dinner he usually asks them about stuff they learned. He also is great a using "teachable moments".
5. My child and I often have fun together.
They have a great time with their daily "play time with Dad" before bed. If it is a full moon, they claim they deserve double time. We have a lot of fun as a family.

Gov. Perry Vetoes SB 1440

Governor Perry vetoed the Texas bill that would have allowed children to be taken from their homes for interviewing/interrogation without their parents knowledge and/or a court order or warrant. This is such good news. I just wonder what took him so long. To read more about it go here.

The Educational Value of Travel

I have recently been wondering about the role of travel in education. In the olden days, "society" people didn't consider there education complete until they had been to Europe and possibly some major American cities like New York City. But that was then.

There are some families that still value travel as part of education. This family for example spent a whole year travelling the country in a motor home as part of their homeschool experience. On the other hand, some people (like my mom), think that travel should be practical and used for things like visiting family and going on mission trips. (In fact, she is in Africa all summer.) Her mom was raised by a dad that wanted educated daughters (in a day when this was laughed at). He wanted his daughters to see more of the world than just the corner of West Texas were they lived. He took them to the Grand Canyon and Mexico City (and probably other places) so they could see something of the world.

So what do you think? How important is travel to a well-rounded education?

Critter Corner V. 4

Fleas
It has been hot and humid recently. While that is bad enough, it gives rise to FLEAS. And I just don't like to poison the inside of our house. So I have started a regimen of diatomateous earth and vacuuming and flea combing our dogs. Ah well. I am sure to conquer or the fleas will retreat at winter.

Baby Crawdads
Mother crawdads keep their eggs under their tail until they hatch. My daughter noticed the eggs a while ago. Yesterday we found about 15 baby crawdads (about the size of a grain of rice) scooting around the tank. We moved the parents in the hopes that some of these little ones will survive.

A Fly
I am with Pres. Obama for once. My brother sent me a link to this article about Pres. Obama being in trouble with PETA for swatting a fly at the White House. (Insert eye roll here.)

Danger on Every Side

This country is in danger on every side.

Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech
First I want to warn you that the Democrats are sneaking the hate crimes legislation in as an amendment to a tourism bill (Travel Promotion Act of 2009, SB 1023). This amendment will give all "sexual orientations" the same anti-discrimination rights as race and religion. There quite a few "sexual orientations" including homosexuality, pedophilia, transgenderism, etc. It is also likely make it illegal for pastors, ministers, etc. to preach against or speak against these things. The vote on this tourism bill is expected to take place today. So call your Senators. UPDATE: The video is of one of the supporting Senators saying that, yes, the bill will protect pedophiles every other sexual "orientation" you can imagine.




Freedom in Health
We may soon have to all resort to finding our own health solutions like 18-year-old Jessica Terry who diagnosed herself with the help of her AP science class. President Obama is trying to stuff his health plan down our throats via the "unbiased" MSM. Single payer (read mostly socialized) medicine is a terrible idea. I am probably far more of a health freedom person than most Americans. For example, I think you should be able to get an x-ray or sonogram without going to a doctor. I also think that our current system could use some overhaul. But has the government ever done anything better than the private sector could do it?

Freedom to Parent
As far as I know, Gov. Rick Perry has not vetoed the law that would allow CPS to take people's kids for interviewing/interrogation without warning or permission from something as questionable as a unanimous call. He only has so many days before the bill becomes law without his signature. Those days may already be up. I don't really know.
UPDATE: I found out that Gov. Perry still has time to veto this bill. If you live in TX, call 512-463-2000 and ask (politely) that Gov. Perry veto this bill.

Reorienting

Thanks to Bill Clinton this month is Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. I think if I were President, I would change it to Overcoming Homosexuality Month. I would probably be lynched by a mob.

Seriously, not enough people are aware that thousands overcome same sex attraction. The homosexual movement claims that trying to reorient someone is dangerous and harmful. Yet there is new study that confirms that people who want to change are benefited by counselling and can change. We are not exposed to personal stories of change like this one.

Aside from saying that homosexuality is wrong, few churches are involved in this issue that effects many. One simple step a congregation could take is becoming a Exodus Church. This puts your congregation on the Exodus International local directory. This way if there is a person struggling against same sex attraction they know your congregation is a safe place to come. Of course, you congregation has to actually be a safe place. If you would like more information on being one of these kinds of churches, you can contact Transforming Congregations at:

PO Box 7146
Pendel, PA 19047
215-938-8770

Their website is being reconstructed or I would link to it.

Flag Day

I have heard that the colors of our flag have symbolic meaning.
White-purity (free from anything that contaminates)
Red-bravery (facing difficulty without fear)
Blue-vigilance (keenly watchful to detect danger)

I think these are excellent virtues that we could all do well to aspire to especially as Christians. Even as Americans, imagine how much better off our country would be if we held to these three ideal.

Sexual purity alone would lead to no unwed mothers, far fewer abortions, and much less disease.

Bravery might allow us to accept an economic downturn as a natural correction for some crazy housing policies instead of cowering at the feet of government and expect a bigger government to "fix it".

Vigilance would have warned us that the more powerful the government the less free we all are.

Anyway, I am taking the flag as a reminder to be more pure of thought, brave, and vigilant.