In the forum of ideas of education, I feel like a drop in a bucket.

God's Boys will be good boys!

And so you are a drop in a bucket, my good man. I do remember the futility of speaking of the things of God and seeing my words fly into the clouds and no one was listening, it seemed. I talked much and studied little.

Faith is the victory that overcomes the world, is a wonderful hymn. It is not just a hymn. It is an investment among many investments. Faith is, perhaps the currency of investment and where we put it, is where we invest that faith. Words spent in faith can have victory. Education spent in faith can have victory. This is because we trust that as large as the Goliath of unbelief looks in the systems of education that we are engaged in, our faith sees God as higher and more powerful. I believe that this time spent in the subjection to a worldling system will give me the credentials to fight the good fight and untangle the wicked knots that have syphoned God out of the system. You are seeing God's use of means and acting as Ezra and Nehemiah in restoring God's knowledge into a bereft house.

Don't give up! We are praying for your faith not to fail. God is exalted in our perserverance. HE is the defender of the weak. God takes up your cause and is giving you greater tools to fight greater battles to come. Put on the whole armor of God and use it.

When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Oh Dear, What a very colicky baby you were!

God's Boys will be good boys!

I am grateful to have been able to be there for your many stuggles with your belly. I know that each child has their weaknesses. I have had my moments with each of you on different physical ailments that seemed not to want to go away. Yours was with constipation. You went once a week, if that and it was so hard for you and you were a nursing baby. The doctor said it wasn't that unusual to have tummy problems in a baby. It seemed strange to me. He said for me to move your body for you, in the beginning. To make your body more able to get it out. This seemed to give you some relief.

I am starting with a whole group of boys, this time around, at the daycare. This carries my mind to the challenges of mothering my own little fellows. The one who left us too soon and then you and the ones we were blessed to keep. This week we had a challenge of diaper rash ointment. I hate that stuff. I had to put some on that was medicated and this was especially a challenge for the wandering fingers of curiosity in a boy. The physical challenge of keeping my hands doing what I needed to do and keep a little fellows fingers from getting ointment into his mouth. It is a real feeling of encouragement that my sports reflexes translate into a useful form for some good. It was like juggling and challenging my mental and physical abilities. Then, just when I thought I had the challenge in control, another little one was curious to climb onto the changing table to see the festivities. ACHHHHHHHH!

Guiding them with my eyes and my voice is not always an option. I only have 2 hands and the little ones seem to have 10 hands and swift, precocious intentions. I don't think any of them got the ointment into their faces, but my heart was in my mouth at each changing of the rashy boys. Teach your children to heed your first words to them, if you can. It is safest this way.

That campus is a mad house. Why do we have to pick you up on campus?

God's Boys will be good boys! Couldn't we just pick you up somewhere across the street or something? Perhaps seeing that many young people make me feel old. Well, anyway, we drove around that little circle about 10 times and your father was happy to do it. I, on the otherhand was getting stir crazy. Have a little compassion on your mother's poor nerves. to quote Pride and Prejudices mother. Compassion would mean meeting us halfway. Somewhere off campus, I said the tattoo parlor was an option. Your father thinks that is gross. Well for now I will get used to watching a bunch of post adolescence walking in syncapation and a beat or rhythm that I am not privy to yet. I love you, so I will do it. Mommy.

Fixing your mouth to say yes to mother!

God's Boys will be good boys! "Son, would you please take the garbage outside and rebag it?" "No." I am not used to that from you. You are usually respectful and dutiful, without encouragements to do so. No explanation, no maam or other southern softening of the no. Just a plain no. I really didn't say anything and I won't say anything, unless it happens again. Disrespect of women, by men is a grievous thing. Disrespect of elders is an upsetting thing for a mother to bear to the throne of grace. I know that God can and will take care of your soul and correct your behavior, now that you are a man. That is not really my job. God's corrections can be very, very strong. I am learning to respond to the initial reproofs, before God has to pick my feet up and put them on the right path. I pray the former for you and not the latter. None but Jesus can do helpless sinners good and I am glad that his heart is toward us in our deepest need. I am praying for you, son!

Tools for rearing my grands, whenever...

God's Boys will be good boys!

You may not want to know what I think about the election.

God's Boys will be good boys!

I say I am grateful for the choosing of a Mike Pence as a VP pick for Mr. Trump. I feel that the center of the country is Indiana. He sounds like an ethical choice and a symbol of young hope. He seems like a man who attempts to keep his nose, hands and conscience clear, by the words others have said about him. This is a hopeful sign.

The war of ethics in politics is always the saga. Whether or not ethics or trustworthiness has any part in politics, is always the question. It is only for the stallwart. Those who, inspite of public opinion that they are unethical, keep their political machines well oiled. We will see, if we have devolved into that fatalistic perspective. We will see, if there isn't any hope for our system. Christ's Church is praying for the growth and hope. So we still may see something hopeful happen. Don't give up voting, because Bernie isn't running. Love you!

Boy, This world is not your home and "This Ain't Your Crown!"

God's Boys will be good boys! When joy comes into your life, {and I do hope many joys come}you must remember this: This ain't yo crown! I love you and I would have you look deeply into the joys of life and see the hand of God, lending them to you. It is the hand of God that prospers your way. It is the blessing of the Lord that makes one rich and He adds no sorrow with it.

You are blessed with a good and god-fearing disposition and this is a trust from God. Spend yourself and your mind and your endeavors with prudence, knowing that there is a beginning and an end to them all. Each gift that you have is spent wisely or foolishly. I pray for the preservation of your heart and mind. I pray for the engagement of your faculties in that which will build a better future for us all. Lay the hammer to the anvil of swords to plowshears and see what God can do with that kind of engagement. He alone knows how the world will be bettered with right perspectives attempting to live out faith.

Praise God with as much as you have and see if He doesn't inhabit your life. He will!