Kid President: "Like A Boss!"

Awesome: inspiring an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear; causing or inducing awe: an awesome sight.

I think we all need a PEP talk!

click here!

I think we all need a pep talk.

The world needs you so stop being boring. Ya- you! Boring is easy everybody can be boring. You’re good or not. 

Life is not a game people. Life isn’t a cereal either. Well, it is a cereal.

And if life is a game aren’t we all on the same team. I mean really, right? I’m on your team, you’re on my team. This is life people, you got air coming through your nose, you got a heartbeat. That means it’s time to do something. 

A poem: “Two road diverged in the woods…” “… and I took the road less traveled.” “AND IT HURT, MAN!” Really bad. ROCKS! THORNS! And GLASS! The ( ) broke. NOT COOL ROBERT FROST. But what if there really were two paths. I want the one that leads to awesome. It’s like the dude, Journey said: “Don’t stop believing.” unless your dream is stupid. Then you should get a better dream. 

I think that’s how it goes. 

Get a better dream and keep going, keep going, keep going and keep going. What if Michael Jordan had quit? Well he didn’t quit, he retired, ya yes, he retired. Before that, in high school, what if he quit and didn’t make the team he would of never made Space-jam and I love Space Jam. 

What would be your space-jam, what will you create to make the world awesome? Nothing if you keep siting there. That’s why I’m talking to you today. 

This is your time. This is my time. It’s our time, if we can make everyday better for each other, if we’re all in the same team lets start acting like it. 

We got work to do. 

We can cry about it or dance about it. We were made to be awesome. Lets get out there. I don’t know everything, I’m just a kid. But I know this, its everybody’s duty to give the world a reason to dance. So get to it. You’ve just been pep talked. Create something that will make the world awesome. 

Play ball. 

[Kid President]
Oh hi everybody, we are all working hard to make this an awesome year for other people and you guys are doing it, and super encouraging to me so I wanna return favor. Who know who needs some encouragement? Pass this pep talk along. And lets get the whole world to dance. 

[Kid President]
I’m dedicating this video today to my friend Gabby she’s a cool kid, she likes playing games and she’s fighting cancer. LIKE A BOSS! And to all who are watching – WHO ENCOURAGES YOU? Sen them this video and let em know. So get to it. Share! Like! Comment! Bye. NOT COOL ROBERT FROST

sbb 21.2.13

487

Don't Stop Believing  .  Journey

 youtube (Live)

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AFFIRMATION: Encourage You; Encourage Me (re-post 1.12.2012)

Agent: a natural force or object producing or used for obtaining specific results: Many insects are agents of fertilization. An active cause; an efficient cause.

"A powerful agent is the right word. Whenever we come upon one of those intensely right words in a book or a newspaper the resulting effect is physical, as well as, spiritual and electrically prompt."

-Samuel Longhorn Clemens... Mark Twain

"Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time."
-Proverbs 15:23

There is nothing more gratifying to the ears than the sound of a mouth that speaks the proper at the proper time. Comedians, teachers and parents depend on this phenomenon almost daily. Sting sang in the song "De do do do, de da da da", that "Poets, priests and politicians have words to thank for their positions." There is a lot of truth in that statement.

Words are truly powerful.

Proverbs 20:21 states; "The tongue has the power of life and death..." 

So there it is, we can build someone up or we can destroy someone with the words we choose to speak. I've come to believe that my words have more power than almost anything or anyone in my life. Our words have a direct correlation to what we are thinking in our mind and feeling in our heart. If I think something long enough it will eventually be communicated by my tongue. 

Our words should be little gifts that keep on giving. 

I fail at this most of the time, but it truly is my goal to speak kindness and words of encouragement into others lives. Sincere words, not kind words for the sake of being kind, but authentically sharing with another person my true feelings about them. A little note, hand written and sent in the mail, written in a manner that will simply share with another that I want to recognize their kindness or accomplishment is a great way to encourage another person. Maybe it's just a hand written letter acknowledging their pain, sharing with them that I can't end their trial, but I can lend an ear, and heart, to their dismay and heartache.

When we encourage another through true and honest word we encourage ourselves.

When we affirm another we affirm ourselves and our truest intentions.

When I encourage you, I encourage me.

It's not about the encourager, but it does positively affect the one giving the encouragement, as it does the one being encouraged. If I truly believe the encouragement I am giving you I have to believe that same encouragement for me during my difficult times.

At least that is what I think.

Hey, but what do I know? I have two ex-wives, more kids than Evander Holyfield and spoke more arrogant and discouraging words than Joan Rivers and "The View" put together.

In a word I could, and still can be, insensitive. It is an awful thing to have to admit, but the truth often hurts. 

The truth has its positives too; the truth can often set us free. 

That is the good news.

I have said many times the reason I write is to leave my thoughts and beliefs for my children to read someday and to encourage people. Many people are hurting. Some of those people are reading this right now and desperately want a little encouragement. 

That is why I write. Plain and simple.

I hope people find encouragement and inspiration here when they take a moment and read the words that I've written.

When I think about writing and the importance of encouragement the word that comes to me that best describes encouragement is affirmation. When we speak truthful, authentic and sincere encouragement into another's life we affirm them.

God affirmed us when he sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins. His affirmation is displayed in His mercy and in His grace that He gives freely every day. God's gift is free to us, but was a painful price for Him to pay. God is good all the time and all the time God is good. Part and parcel of His goodness is His grace and mercy. 

God's grace is His unmerited favor.  

Grace is getting what we don't deserve and mercy is not getting what we do deserve.

That is pretty awesome.

Our words should administer grace and provide mercy also. They should affirm others.

So what does affirmation look like? Let me share what I think affirmation looks like and how we can start affirming others we come in contact with; sincerely, authentically and honestly affirming others.

Allow me to share. 
 

A-F-F-I-R-M-A-T-I-O-N

Always speak well of others. We all have heard our parents, grandparents too, say as long as we can remember, "If you don't have anything good to say don't say anything." That pretty much covers that.

Foul language is lazy form of communication and is very rarely affirming. It has been said, "When a man uses profanity to support an argument, it indicates that either the man or the argument is weak- probably both." Another anonymous source puts it this way, "Profanity is the attempt of a lazy and feeble mind to express itself forcefully." Parents, coaches and employees at Toy-R-us should get a hall pass in this area. In all seriousness, my language at one time was awful so my intent is not to judge, criticize or condemn. Many times our language is just a habit, nothing more, nothing less. Besides, I hate when they voice over the curse words in movies that are later shown on TV. That is just plain stupid. The only point that must be made, and the only point I'm trying to make, is that none of us would ever advocate are children using curse words. The reason being is that deep down we think the use of certain words are inappropriate. We all struggle with this one. Matthew 12:36-37 says this:

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every empty word they have spoken. ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

...That is some serious stuff; I'm just sayin'.

Fighting words will always divide. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger." -Proverbs 15:1

 

Impactful words will always have the potential to esteem another. Our words can truly make a difference in someone's day. Words with impact move us closer to one another.

Relax and reflect before you speak. Ecclesiastes 5:2 states "Do not be quick with your mouth; do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." I think this is a nice way of saying shut up.

Make nice whenever possible. Just do it. Don't be so concerned with who is right and who is wrong. Do you even realize how many times you and I have been completely wrong. Let me help you out... it's a lot. Give up your right to be right and end a "thing" before "something" begins. Romans 12:18 exclaims, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Everyone means everyone; work it out.

Agree to disagree without being disagreeable. Our words will dictate if we are being agreeable or disagreeable. Choose them wisely.

Talk to others how you would like to be talked to. The key here is to be aware of your tone. It isn't always what we say, but how we say it. Again, I'm just sayin'.

Invest in others with proper and appropriate words. This is virtually impossible to display or do with poor choice of words. When you begin to "run someone down" imagine that it is your child or your parents that someone is talking about. Perspective is paramount. Everyone belongs to someone.

Others are more important than ourselves. Either you believe or you don't. And you don't have to tell me; your words will say everything.

Never gossip about others. The greatest way to waste words and time is talk about other people. Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.”  What kind of mind do you have?  Great, average or small? Proverbs 25:23 states; "As surely as a wind from the north brings rain, so a gossiping tongue cause anger!" Proverbs 26:20 goes onto say, "Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops." Stop the gossip and you stop the drama.

Last week while I was listening to Focus on the Family I had the distinct pleasure to hear Florence Littauer speak. She spoke about a time she was ask to speak to a group of young children about how we should speak to one another. Florence shared with them the importance of edifying others with our words. At the end of her talk a young child stood up and turned to the adult audience and said "What she means is that our words should be like little silver boxes with bows on top."

Silver boxes with bows on top.

I like that.

Ephesians 4:29 states; "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

I just received a Facebook message from my son Bryce. He said, "Happy birthday dad....love u pops...I'm glad you're in my life and my father...love u dad."

Please, don't tell me words don't matter. That "18" word message is one of the best gifts I have ever received for my birthday. I don't remember too many gifts that caused tears to stream down my face. Thank you Bryce.

Encouragement... give it as often as you can.

Affirmation... encourage and affirm others and you too will be encouraged.

Silver boxes with bows on top... it's undoubtedly better to give than receive.

Share words that show you care... begin today.

sbb  12.1.11

1681

Fragile  .  Sting

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Google Love (re-post 2.17.2011)

Profound: penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge; having deep insight or understanding: a profound thinker. (2) originating in or penetrating to the depths of one's being; profound grief. (3) being or going far beneath what is superficial, external, or obvious: profound insight.

Please read the piece first then click onto this link and observe true love. You will not regret it.

Peace & Love

Earlier this week I wrote a piece on love entitled; "Love: 2 becoming 1". The piece was inspired in part by Valentine's Day and a sermon (CWC - 2.12.11) by our pastor this past Sunday. The piece was also inspired by the question I posed in the previous post and the same question that has been on my mind all week.

What is love?

The Beatles told us that you can't buy it and Tina Turner asked us what does it have to do with anything. And with that, like all great research, I turned to the almighty Google for help. And when I Googled the word love 2,940,000,000 results appeared in 10 seconds.

Wikipedia's definition topped the search list for love. 

Go figure.

Gamble...

Wanting to get a clearer understanding of the word I visited two of my sturdiest and truest friends: Merriam and Webster. Merriam-Webster defines love as "a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person or a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend."

 

I love the word "profoundly". It is such a descriptive and powerful word.

Perspective & Passionate...

As I continued on my search, and research, for a deeper meaning and for true insight into the concept of love I was reminded that no research can be complete without conferring with the Greeks.

Thank you Wittenberg University. I took a Greek Mythology course my freshman year.

And my parents thought they wasted their hard earned money sending me to college.

Please.

Anyway, the Greeks have the love thing down.

As many of you are well aware of there are three types of love that are commonly referred to in ancient Greek. 

They are Agape, Eros & Philia.

Appreciation & Attachment...

Much has been written on each of these 'types" of love, but for the sake of time, and sanity, I want to give a small, very small, overview of what each one means. 

Agape in the King James Version of the New Testament is translated to mean charity which has a contemporary connotation of giving to meet the needs of the less fortunate. When the early Christians refereed to agape love they were speaking to the "self-sacrificing" love God had for all humanity, which they were to reciprocate and practice towards God and among all people. In the end, God's love is unconditional, sacrificial and all encompassing. As 1 John 4:8 states; "God is love".

Eros is the type of love that most of us are very familiar with, and the one that is displayed on the grocery store newsstand, on the TV and the silver screen. Eros is the educated term for the human sexual desires that reside in the depths of all of us; it's a nice way of saying lust. From this Greek term the word erotic is derived and the phrases "love sick" and "love at first sight" are born. Though this type of "love" is, and can be, overwhelming and addictive it has no emotional depth or lasting value. No relationship can stand upon this foundation.

Philia means friendship in Modern Greek. From Philia Philadelphia finds is name and its trademark motto: "The City of Brotherly Love." Philia type of love is about loyalty to friends, family, and community, and requires virtue, equality and familiarity. Aristotle divided Philia, or friendship, into three areas, based on the reason why the relationship was formed: friendships of utility, friendships of pleasure and friendships of the good. As we can see Aristotle realized a long time ago that not all friendships are created equal. I would pay to hear Aristotle's commentary on Facebook and the depth of the so called "friendships" on this "social network". The motto for all social networks should be; "You got 20 minutes? I'd like to tell you about myself." Upon further review, maybe that should be the motto for people that like to blog? Anyway, the Facebook thing can be a topic for another day. I will say this, Facebook feeds into the human condition that many people need to be heard on so many different levels. Many, not all, people on Facebook want to submit every aspect of their lives for public consumption. Facebook, as well as twitter, are a narcissist's nirvana. Aristotle would classify the reason why Facebook friendships are formed is because of need; a need to be heard and on some level to have our daily actions affirmed and validated. I currently have 1188 "Facebook friends"... go figure. Any other time I would explain the reasons for my many Facebook contacts, but at this moment neither do I feel compelled to nor do I entertain the desire to share my reasons. I think that is a very high browed way of saying "I'm not really sure why I have so many FB friends."

"Love is saying I have you covered."

Let's reign this piece back in, Facebook is not where I wanted to go this morning.

The reason I was talking about friendship in the first place was because the Greeks spoke of three different types of love, and in my research on love I wanted to gather as much information from as many sources, and resources, as I could.

So with that I would like to extend a special thanks to Google, Webster's, Aristotle, Wikipedia, Facebook, the Beatles and Tina Turner for your thoughts, philosophies and opinions.

They were greatly appreciated.

But as much as the resources mentioned were helpful I was still left with the same question: What is Love?

Profoundly together?

As many of you know that have read any of my thoughts in the past that my research often, scratch that, always begins and ends with God's word. 
 
Today is no different.

Whether you read the bible or not we all have heard 1 Corinthians 13 recited at many of the weddings we have attended in the past. 1 Corinthians is considered the love chapter in the bible and though I would suggest reading the entire chapter (don't worry, it is only 13 verses long) I want to focus on verses 4 through 7 and point out what I think are the three main ingredients to what love truly is.

"Love is patient and kind."

-1 Cor.13:4

The first trait of true and authentic love is selflessness. It is impossible to be selfish and in love at the same time, it is like swimming in the ocean while trying not to get wet. It is impossible. Out of the three traits that I will share in the following paragraphs this is one I embodied the most in the past. I was a very selfish person. The sad thing is I didn't even realize it. It isn't really a shock that my past relationships failed. I was a selfish person and everyone around me suffered the consequences for my actions. Love is truly selfless; it is putting others ahead and above of one self. I'm not talking about false modesty, entertaining a low self esteem or becoming a martyr, what I'm simply stating is that we need to have a sober assessment of ourselves and realize that our needs do not trump others. Many things fall under the category of selflessness, but simply put, people who routinely and habitually view others more important than themselves are truly selfless.

"Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way."

-1 Cor. 13: 4-5

If selfless is the arm on the body of love then humility is the hand; it is impossible to be selfless without being humble. Humility is the key to all successful relationships. Having the ability to give up our right to be right when a disagreement arises is what mature relationships are built upon. Selflessness and humility go hand in hand. And with that said, there is nothing more attractive than a humble spirit and a humble person.

"Love is not irritable, and keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustices but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never losses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."

- 1 Cor. 13: 5-7

True love is unconditional. A lot was said in those verses, but it always comes back to enduring, never giving up and never losing faith. You can do none of those things if your love is conditional. God is the greatest example of this kind of love known to mankind. He gives us his love freely, without judgment and with a full measure of grace and mercy. God's gift of love cost us nothing and cost Him everything. John 3:16-17 states; "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone that believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it."  True love is truly unconditional.

Warm embrace...

So there it is love is selfless, humble and unconditional.

But remember, to display this type of love that embodies all three of theses quantities and characteristics takes time; it takes patience. Its important that we develop patience with ourselves, but it is paramount that we are patient with others. The best way I know how to accomplish this is through prayer and taking the time to become the right person instead spending great amounts of time looking for the right person.

It takes patience. 

In the King James Version of the bible "love" is refereed to 314 times. Out of the 185 times love is mentioned in the New Testament 140+ deal with sacrificial love. 

Jesus Christ is the greatest example of sacrificial love.

Finally, men and women are completely different. I know, shock right!

Innocent & Tender...

Women speak about 30,000 words a day, where as men speak roughly 10,000 words a day (the numbers are debatable, but most research uncovers that women talk 3 times the amount of men). Women are perfectly familiar with every aspect of their children's lives; men know their kids name... most of the time. Women on average have 363 products that they use in their bathroom; a man has about 6.

We men grunt, we are clueless and we stink... go figure.

In the end God created men and women very differently, and how we love and perceive love is going to be challenging at times, but when all is said and done -and usually more is said than done- the love that is displayed the greatest among individuals is the love that is in constant pursuit of selflessness, humility and unconditional parameters and boundaries. 

If we are to imagine for a brief moment that selflessness, humility and unconditional love are passengers in the car of love then sacrifice is the air in the tires and the gas in the tank.

Love cannot operate without sacrifice.

Sacrifice...

As you finish this piece go to, or call, your spouse or love one and let them know how much you love them. Hug them and look them in the eye, if possible, and say with all the meaning and conviction you can muster; "I Love You". Then quietly begin the journey of living out and displaying sacrificial love in your life on a daily basis. That will be the greatest gift that you will ever give to the people you profess to love. 

What is love you ask? Love is sacrifice.

I know, I Googled it.

Awesome...

sbb  17.2.11
1986

Truly  .  Lionel Richie

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Trails... You Are NOT Alone (re-post 10.15.2010)

Hope: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to give up hope.

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

-Isaiah 41:10

If you live long enough most of us will be hurt beyond repair, troubled to the point we cannot sleep and we all will grieve in such a way that we will lose more than just our appetite. Trials and tribulations, and pain and hurt, have a way of putting everything into perspective.

Ask a parent of a "special needs" child or mother that just buried her son what is important and you will get an answer that if you're lucky, and smart enough to realize, will cause you to question everything you do and why you do it.

Pain and suffering get our attention and they get our attention fast.

So what are we to do when an unwelcome trial arrives at the doorstep of our life?

The options are limitless and most of them usually make things worse. Below, I want to share three questions we should ask ourselves when we are hurting and three answers to those questions we all can cling to in our individual times of need.

• Ask yourself the question: "What can I control?" 

• The only thing we have total control in our life is our Attitude. Attitude determines outcome & altitude. I refuse to add anything else to that statement. 

• Next ask:"What am I to learn in this situation?" 

•  James 1: 2-4 states; "For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything." 

• We are to endure. When we do this we grow in courage, strength and character. And when we grow in those three areas we become of value to everyone around us and everyone we come in contact with... whether they realize it or not.

• It really comes down to faith and hope if we are truly going to endure. The key is what we put our "faith" and "hope" in.

• Finally, ask yourself:"Where do I go from here?" 

• The first place I go to is my knees. Psalm 61:1-3 is beautiful and reassuring... "O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help, for my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge..." 

• God can take any situation and make it more than better. He can give us victory in each and every situation; he can take our bad and turn it into good. We may not get the desired outcome but if we trust in Him He will show us the intended message and where we are to go from here.

• At the end of the day, God is either in everything and every situation or He is not. The choice is yours... all you have to do is invite Him into heart and into each circumstance of your life.

"For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 'And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."

 -Jeremiah 29:11-13

John 16:33 say's, "I have told you all is so that when you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. 

I'm not sure why I chose to write about this today only to say it was on my heart. And though the words in this piece might be helpful to some and pathetic to others the one thing I do know is that we all experience trials in our lives. We all experience such pain and hurt that when we think about a certain situation that was painful it can, and usually does, bring us to tears.

Pain and suffering is universal and it spares no one. 

We all are currently facing a trial(s), we just came out of a trial(s) or a trial is just around the corner. That is an undeniable truth. And the question each one of us needs to ask is who will we depend on when the winds increase in strength and the waves get higher and higher? Will it be a friend, a parent or we will depend on ourselves? Will it be alcohol, drugs or an unwarranted relationship?

In closing, Proverbs 15:1 states that "a gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger." My intention or goal was not to stir up any anger in the reader or to come off as a know it all. It is just my belief that so many people are truly hurting in such a way that many times they find it difficult to even get out of bed in the morning.

I hope that person is reading this piece right now. It is my hope and prayer that they realize that it will get better. It comes down to our attitude, our desire to endure and our ability to admit we can't do it alone. Ask God for His help and his direction; ask Him today.

I usually reserve this type of commentary for Sunday but I chose not to today.

And for those of you that are hurting at this very moment, take pause and just remember... you are not alone and you will never be alone.

Hold on to that... you are not alone.

sbb  15.10.2010

907

"He Is Concerned"  .  Cece Winans

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The Super Bowl & the 30 Second SPOT

Advertise: to announce or praise (a product, service, etc.) in some public medium of communication in order to induce people to buy or use it: to advertise a new brand of toothpaste.

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting....

What do you see?

I'm not a prude. 

I notice good looking women all the time. I said; "notice". Sadly enough there was a time I did more than just notice, but that is a conversation for another day. 

With that being said, the responsibility that mother's have today to raise their young girls to become known for more than just their body is overwhelming. Super bowl ads showed us once again what the mindset is of corporate America, advertising agencies, and many of the "brands" today. They told us in 30 second time slots what they think grabs a male dominated audience's attention: the sexual objectification of women... young women. I'm not here to say that they are wrong in thinking that works. 

They've done their home work. 

Trust me, nobody who chooses to spend $3.8 million for a 30 second spot doesn't know what they're trying to accomplish.

 Sex is a two way street; Men have a responsibility too...

Again, with that being said, Father's really can't hug their daughters enough and share with them how special they truly are, nor can it ever be underestimate the importance of a mother's role of setting a respectable standard of womanhood for their young daughters. There wasn't a time not too long ago that my treatment in the manner of how I viewed women was poor, that my view of them was inappropriate, and that I frequently viewed women as sexual objects.

Again, I'm not a prude, I'm just being honest. 

Do I think American will change their mindset? No I do not. 

The porn industry made over $13 billion last year. That is more than the NFL, NBA, and the MLB combined. The "cat" is out of the bag and I, like usual, don't have all the answers. Chris Rock has said that his main job as a father is to keep his daughter off the "pole"... stripper pole. And though that assessment is funny there is a lot of truth to that statement. And with that I will say the stakes have never been higher for our children in the area of sexuality, safety, and purity than they are now. 

 Go daddy; talk to your kids about sex & sexuality...

All we can really do is talk to our children. 

Aristotle once said: "the family is the first school of human instruction."

I agree. 

Fathers will hopefully share with their sons what is appropriate behavior and thinking when it comes to women. We as men will always notice good looking women, but do we have to have a physical mandate that resides within us that states she is to be conquered and consumed; not appreciated and admired? Mothers would also do well to inform our girls that men are visual creatures and if you wear "that" you will produce in the minds of men that your worth is no more than the curvature of your body and the excess skin you so desire to bare. 

I said it at the beginning, and it bares repeating; I'm not a prude, but some where down the line we have to take a stand not so much with the advertisers or companies in America, but within our own living rooms.

 Did you know she can sing too?

Girls, you are more than your looks and men you are more than your God-given desire in the area of sex. My hope is that I didn't offend anyone, nor come off as a self righteous hypocrite. To me it's pretty simple: I have 5 boys and 1 girl, and the direction that we are going as a society concerning sex and sexuality gives me pause. 

I hope my words lead to a lot of discussions in our homes over the next few weeks (years) and realize that if we are to change any of our children's behavior(s) we have to start with changing their mind and how they think. 

 This is my little princess... I pray that she will always be more beautiful on the inside than what the world sees on the outside. I pray that she learns to love herself more than the desire to be approved by others physically. I love you Reese Olivia... your beautiful. Always have been and always will be! - Dad

 

 

sbb 4.2.13

759

 Daughters  .  John Mayer 

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