I'm Not Believing This

The Superbowl is coming. That means Superbowl ads -- those brief encounters with products that we probably neither want or need shown during one of the most popular sporting events of the year. This means that if you are watching the game with your 8 year old son, he gets to see who knows what (remember Janet's "wardrobe malfunction????).

I just received an email advising me how to watch the ads and talk about them with my kids.

One paragraph discusses why kids shouldn't see the Budweiser commercials (quote -- alcohol messaging needs to be managed with kids), junk food ads, movie ads (one is Disney) and an EA sports ad (which might be Madden Football but may be something else). One paragraph.

The next paragraph tells how and why you need to "ad manage" the Focus on the Family/Tebow pro-life spot.

What you believe is up to you. But the issues of pro-life or pro-choice are complicated moral questions that aren't age-appropriate for young children who may not even know about the birds and the bees yet.

Frankly, this I agree with. However, I also know that I can talk to my 5 year old about abortion without telling her about the birds and bees, yet.

The timing of when to initiate a discussion of the issues surrounding this hot-button subject should belong to individual families, not to a broadcaster.

Heck yea. And you know what else goes in this category? Alcohol, sex (ever tried to explain a Trojan or viagra commercial to your 5 year old), feminine products (do you HAVE to show how much liquid it will hold). Frankly, I would much rather have a discussion with my 5 or 8 year old about abortion, and the moral implications, etc. than those other things because abortion is an issue. (and for the record, based on what I've investigated, the word abortion is never used leading critics to say it is a "veiled" message.).

The article makes some excellent points. But, they should be things that parents should do anyway. Unfortunately, my short time on earth has shown me that common sense is anything but common.

My opinion?
While I'm not a big FoF fan, I believe that the main opposition to this is that Tim's mom was told to abort her baby because of multiple/severe health problems, but she chose to have him. Obviously, as one of the premier young quarterbacks in the country, the doctors were wrong. And THAT is something I've found that pro-abortion folks don't won't others to know.



/rant over.



http://www.commonsensemedia.org/watching-super-bowl-2010-ads-whats-age-appropriate

Zero

Zero is nothing.

Insignificant.

Small.

But what a different it makes.

10 degrees outside vs 100 degrees outside. BIG difference.

50,000 a year salary vs 500,000 a year salary. Whoa.

Are you a zero in your church?

For Jesus?

Giving

and receiving.


It is more blessed to give than to received. Yet, without someone "receiving" it is impossible to be blessed by giving.

A Matter of Perspective

Last night at church the Preacher Dude, Dean, asked, as part of teaching, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"

Why? It doesn't seem fair; it doesn't seem just; it doesn't seem merciful; it doesn't seem gracious. All words that we used to describe God.

Perhaps, I wonder, is it a matter of perspective? Are we defining God's actions based on our realities?

Yesterday, I stood at Lake Junaluska and looked across the lake. As far as I could see, it was white and frozen. Furthermore, the ducks, normally in very abundant numbers, were nowhere near to be seen as their normal "stomping" (or swimming) ground was now an inch or so of ice. In the distance, I could see some of them walking around or sitting on the ice. There was no water flowing, and frankly, it looked a bit overwhelming.

To me, this is what it feels like when I don't understand why my child is being treated unfairly. It is what it feels like when good people find out that the child they are birthing is less than perfect. It is what it feels like when the child you love so dearly decides to reject you and leave home. It is what is feels like when "friends" deride and criticize every move. It is what you feel like when a dear friend receives a cancer diagnoses.

Life is like that sometimes. Really bad things happen to really good people. It is not fair, by our definition.



A change of perspective, in this case driving around the lake a bit and rising above "lake level" helped me to see something.

The ducks were being taken care of. The lake was not a solid, ice filled vastness. It had two melted areas where the ducks were congregating, and based on their actions, having a pretty good time. Also, being slightly higher helped me to see that it wasn't a solid sheet of ice; there were cracks and fissures running all over the surface.

The child being treated unfairly? Perhaps it is a valuable lesson in learning how to deal with the situations around him and still be able to come out on top? The less than perfect child? Whose definition of perfect? Ours? God doesn't make accidents, so while we see a disability or handicap, God sees a beautiful creation made to glorify him. The wayward child? The unfaithful friend? The cancer? Who knows? But, if we try to define and shape our reactions based upon our own definitions and perspectives, we will fall woefully short of realizing what wonderful power and grace God has.

Bad things will happen to good people. We will continue to feel it isn't "fair." But, when we can accept that God has a different perspective, and he can see what we can't, may we rest in knowing that He loves us, He will never hurt us, and His way, while not able to be explained, is perfect.