NEIGHBORHOOD DIPLOMACY

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  KEY VERSE:

  
  

  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

  
  

  ESSAY:

  
  

  We are the only non-minority (white) family in our northern California neighborhood and it is a decent-sized block. There are multiple Hispanic households. Across the street is a nice Samoan couple. Our next-door neighbors are black. And we have several immigrant families from Russia and the Ukraine down the street.

  
  

  We have frequent garage sales in our neighborhood, not so much to make money but as a way of clearing out the clutter. Parker loves when we have a garage sale. He pretends to be a customer and tries to figure out how much things cost. This exposure to currency, customer service and our neighborhood clientele are all good for him. Garage sales teach him how to be savvy and social. The role playing is a common learning technique in his autism behavioral therapy.

  
  

   At our most recent garage sale we were attempting to sell a nice picture frame for 10 cents. An older Russian gentleman wanted to buy our photo frame. He gestured to me, as if to ask how much it was. For about 30 awkward seconds I repeated, "Dime. Dime. Dime," over and over. He did not speak English and I unfortunately did not speak Russian. If there had been onlookers, they probably would have laughed at our inability to communicate as I imagine it was entertaining.

  
  

  But the old man was getting stressed. He really wanted that picture frame, but we were not understanding one another. I had an idea and I ran to our cash box. I grabbed the first coin I could find, a nickel. I ran back to the older gentleman and I held the nickel up, so he could see it. He still didn't completely understand but he reached into his pants pockets and pulled out a ton of coins. He held them in front of me with both hands. He was letting me take any amount I wanted. I politely reached over to his hands and combed through his money until I found another nickel. Then I held up my nickel and his nickel and smiled. He breathed a sigh of relief and I smiled and said, "Thank you." He nodded and smiled and walked away a happy customer.

  
  

  Language barrier crisis averted, and I even managed to make the sale. Perhaps I should have gone into diplomacy. Ambassador Seiber, reporting for duty!

  
  

  APPLICATION:

  
  

              We are being exposed to more and more people, ideas and cultures than possibly ever before. The world is shrinking, it seems, and it is all at our doorstep. If we had a block party on our street and every family brought a dish unique to their heritage, we could possibly have some great hamburgers, tacos, soul food, beef stroganoff and pisupo (look it up!). As long as it is possible, we are commanded to live in peace with those around us. What does that peace look like in your neighborhood, office or church? How are you using your diplomatic skills to bring people together in ways that honor God? Perhaps you need to meet your neighbors and get to know them. Plan a block party on your street and celebrate the United Nations that is your neighborhood.
• This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

SCHOOL STYLES

 KEY VERSE:

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 1 Timothy 2:8-10

ESSAY:

Every morning I drop my son Parker off at his public school. Walking him to and from school and spending that conversational and quality time with him is my favorite part of the day. As I say, it is Bubba bonding time. However, when we arrive on campus, I observe two troubling things.

1) Many parents or guardians wear pajamas to drop off their child in the mornings or pick them up afters chool. Wearing pajamas, it seems, is becoming acceptable everywhere: Walmart, the bank and now even to school. It will signal the end of western civilization when people start wearing sleepwear to church. I suppose this is not that big of a deal, but it does bother me. If you want to teach your child to take their academics seriously and to be responsible and prepared to make it a great day, model that behavior for them by, at the very least, getting dressed and prepared for the day yourself. To me, adults wearing PJs at school symbolizes a lazy and sloppy approach to their child’s education.

2) Even more disturbing are the parents who dress like sluts (harsh word, I know, but I believe it is accurate) to drop their child off before or after school. My eight-year-old son does not need to see your cleavage. The other parents and I do not need to see where each of your 17 provocative tattoos are located on your body. Save it for the nightclub scene, or better yet, the privacy of your own bedroom.

APPLICATION:

            As Christians, we can venture into one of two dangerous categories regarding fashion. We can become so casual that we forget that certain occasions and atmospheres demand decorum and respect. Our clothing can help appropriately communicate that respect. The other dangerous category is when we become so fashion-conscious that it causes us to become materialistic or trendy. If you follow the fashion industry you can see that trendy fashions often blur the lines of modesty, gender and sexuality. For me, I think the casualness of clothing is at times too appealing. I forget to take business meetings, job interviews and even church seriously. I don’t come dressed in a way that communicates their importance in my life. For these moms and other women at my son’s school, their desire to look sexy sends the wrong message to my son and his schoolmates. Boys, even young boys, don’t need visual/sexual stimulation. Our children will model (an appropriate verb for an essay on clothing) what we model for them. My wife is helpful to remind me about my clothing choices. Find someone in your life who will hold you accountable to fashion emergencies caused by immodesty, materialism or messiness. If we don't practice these clothing clues around our children, they won't learn to practice them at all.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

RELIGIOUS RISKS

KEY VERSE:

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

ESSAY:

A while back I wrote an article about trying to make a decision and needing God's wisdom. It was a ministry opportunity that included a financial risk. As I was praying, a song came on the radio -- Britt Nicole's Walk on the Water. Unfortunately, I do not have permission to post the lyrics in this book, but you can look them up online. In my judgment, the lyrics seem to indicate that our faith requires some risk taking.

            Yesterday, the guest speaker at church preached a similar message: That our Christian faith should be "dangerous." Dangerous in the sense that we are always trying something new...taking risks.

            So, we need to take risks. But first we must have faith. That got me to thinking. Do I even have faith? Do I even possess enough faith to live up to Hebrews 11:6? Do I demonstrate enough faith to please God?

            I tried to think of times in my life when I have demonstrated faith. I had a hard time coming up with examples. Sad but true. The one thing in my life that routinely requires me to demonstrate faith is when I tithe.

            Because I am unemployed right now, money is tight. But money has always been tight. Chances are money will always be tight. That is just the nature of life. Many of us live paycheck to paycheck. So, tithing is always a risk. There is always uncertainty about paying the bills and wondering if that tithe money could be better spent elsewhere. My son needs new essential oils to help control his behavior. How are we going to pay for his autism medication? Can we afford his additional therapy appointments?

 In addition to Parker’s special needs’ expenses, the car tires are fraying. Our bathroom tile is bulging. The garbage disposal is broken. Yet God commands me to give Him ten percent of my income. And I want to be obedient. I want to earnestly seek Him. So, I do it. And in doing so, I exercise my faith.

When I fail to exercise my faith, I often get overtaken by panic and anxiety issues. My anxiety rises to the surface when I fail to trust that God is in control of what I cannot control. Faith reminds me that God is in the unknown.

            I am grateful for that one area of my life, tithing, where my desire to be obedient allows me to display faith. But faith is a muscle that needs more exercise if I want to live up to Hebrews 11:6 and please God.

APPLICATION:

            When I searched my heart and picked my brain, tithing was the one area of my life that I could think of where I demonstrated faith in God. What is that area or areas in your life where your faith is evident? Where does it need to become more evident? Pray about that for the next week. Ask God to increase your faith in ways that are tangible and evident to you and those around you.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

A SILLY SONG FOR SEIBER

KEY VERSE:

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b

ESSAY:

This is the first song I made up for my son, Parker. I started to sing it to him while my wife was still carrying him around in her belly. Before Parker was born, we learned he would have some health struggles, such as cerebral palsy and developmental delay. It seemed an especially appropriate song of encouragement to him once we learned of his special needs. Singing this chorus to him was my way of preparing him for life and letting him know that whatever his challenges were, I believed in him.

            As soon as we found out we were having a boy and chose his name I adapted the words to the church camp song, My God Is So Big. My version for Parker, sung to the same tune, goes like this:

My Son Is So Big:

My son is so big
So strong
and so mighty.
There's nothing my son cannot do.

My son is so big
So strong
and so mighty.
There's nothing my son cannot do.

Parker Drew!

Now at the age of 3, I still sing that song to him. But he always corrects me. He doesn't want me to sing the "My Son Is So Big" lyrics. He wants to hear the My God Is So Big version. He is a young boy who wants to honor God. That does my heart good.

APPLICATION:

Finding joy in the Lord is the source of our personal strength in this life. My son embodies this joy. Despite his enormous challenges -- autism, cerebral palsy, up to 50% brain malformation, brain cyst and developmental delay -- he lives joyously every day. This is evident in his love for God: he thrives on memorizing his Bible verses, he loves to hear and sing Christian music and there is arm flapping joy when he boards the bus for church every Sunday. Do you experience joy in the Lord as your source of strength in overcoming your challenges? If so, how do you show that finding joy in God is your source of strength? Do you find yourself singing God’s praises in the shower or the car? Are you spending time memorizing God’s word? Does your heart overflow with gladness at the thought of going to church? Maybe these are some things you can work on. Your application assignment is to memorize the key verse for this devotional, Nehemiah 8:10b, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

SCREAMING SEIBER

KEY VERSE:

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Ephesians 4:26

ESSAY:

I yelled at a man today. Screamed at him, actually. In a hotel lobby. And 12 hours later, I still haven't gotten over it. The anger still courses through me. I'm not sure why I got so angry. I even apologized to the guy for my outburst five minutes later. Still, I don't think my anger was unjustified. When it comes to my emotions, I feel very insecure, inexperienced. Maybe most men do.

It all started when my family was trying to check out of our hotel room after a weekend retreat for work. Families were invited, and the boss was paying for the room on the company credit card. Somehow the lady behind the front desk was unwilling to charge the room to the company credit card. So, while we were trying to resolve the matter, my son Parker, who is every bit the toddler of two and a half years old, got bored and frustrated. He started screaming. Parker is and has always been a screamer. It's hard to be the parent of a screamer. The dirty looks you get from others. The "Why can't you control your child?" glares. And the way it makes you think, why can't I control my child? To be honest, I don't completely know why my son screams. I know part of it is because he is in the "terrible twos." But he screamed at younger ages, too, so that is not the full answer. Another element is he is a strong-willed child, and his boredom led him to react in a strong-willed way. Part of it is also a result of his disability. His therapists tell us that his cerebral palsy has left him with sensory deprivation. Screaming is a way to jolt his system when he needs it. But of course, people unfamiliar with Parker don't know this. Including the man I yelled at today. He, too, was waiting in the lobby. After about three loud screams from Parker, he had had enough and yelled at him. I immediately blew my top. I screamed at him...LOUD...in front of a lot of people in the hotel lobby. "Don't yell at my son," I hollered. "He has Cerebral Palsy and he screams because he can't control himself. DON'T YELL AT MY SON." The guy remained silent, I think shocked him by my outburst.

Believe me, screaming and yelling is not my modus operandi. It's very rare that I would raise my voice like that to a stranger. But something snapped. I had to walk outside for a few minutes to calm down. I still need to calm down from it. My wife was glad I yelled at him. She says I need to work at not bottling up my emotions, instead letting them out. Even in crowded hotel lobbies. So why am I still so worked up about it? Why did I feel the need to apologize? All ongoing questions for another day, I suppose.

ABOUT AUTISM:

            The above event happened when my son was two and a half years old. It wasn’t until six months later that he was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Yet the need to scream to combat his sensory deprivation was a telling sign of the autism diagnosis that was to come. Screaming has consistently been a part of his autistic tantrums throughout his life. Sensory deprivation and sensory overload are common among individuals with autism. Along with screams, my son regularly requires squeezes. He asks us to squeeze his hands, arms, feet and legs to stimulate sensation throughout his body.

APPLICATION:

            The Bible does not condemn anger. God created us with emotions and anger is one of the key ones. Even Jesus got angry. Our Father does however condemn sin that results from our anger. We are commanded to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). I spoke the truth to that man in the hotel lobby. I think I missed the mark on the “in love” part. When you get angry, where do you miss the mark? Do you use foul language to express anger? Does your anger cause you to gossip or tear down others as a way of feeling better about yourself? Perhaps pride invades your anger and causes you to get self-involved and forget about the needs of others. Don’t feel guilty about getting angry. God wants us to get angry. But he also wants us to act responsibly and righteously when we do. The next time you are feeling angry, remember to invite the Holy Spirit into your anger and ask Him to protect you from sin.

 This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

PARKER'S PATRIOTISM

KEY VERSE:

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

ESSAY:

We have a sprawling cemetery in our neighborhood. A large one, with a strong patriotic feel. Lots of flags flying, and military symbols abound. Whenever we drive by this cemetery, which we do daily, my son always screams from his car seat, "Good job!" My guess is it is in response to the American flags that whip in the wind. He hears his mom and dad frequently talk about patriotism, love of country and support for the military. Dad is often writing cards to wounded soldiers. Mom is often moved to tears by stories of military heroism and putting together military care packages. Parker absorbs all of that. And in his 2.5-year-old mind, his patriotic response is, "Good job." I couldn't have said it better myself.

APPLICATION:

Who among your family, friends and church community has served in the military? If they have, then they deserve to hear, “Good job.” Make it a point to greet every active military personnel or veteran with a simple, “Thank you for your service.” My wife is excellent at remembering to do that and I promise you it is always welcomed by the men and women who have so sacrificially served.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

SEIBER SPEAKS!

 KEY VERSE:

“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

ESSAY:

Our son Parker has been in speech therapy for over a year now. And it has been tremendously helpful. Before therapy he wasn't talking at all, and now he has a vocabulary of more than 50 words. Wow! We have been very pleased with, and blessed by, his progress. But there is one sound he is having trouble with. He can't say "TR" as in truck. Instead, the "TR" comes out like an "F." Thus, when he tries to say "truck," it comes out as a four-letter word. I won’t tell you which one, you can figure it out on your own.

Parker likes to stand on our bed, look out the window and watch the vehicles go by on our busy street. He can tell you whether each car passing by is a "car" or a "f...." He isn't trying to say a nasty word, so it is all very cute and harmless. Some people probably give us dirty looks when he says his version of "truck" in public, but who cares. We know what he is really saying. When I told his speech therapist about the "TR" sound coming out as an "F" she chuckled and said, "We'll work on it." And they are. And I have no doubt Parker will be saying "truck," and "train" and even "transportation" before too long.

ABOUT AUTISM:

            Speech and vocabulary can vary with individuals on the autism spectrum. Many will learn to use speech as a normal part of their lives. Some, however, will remain limited in their speech capabilities or completely nonverbal. Getting our son into speech therapy as a toddler was extremely valuable. He remains in speech therapy to this day and now he is a sixth grader.

APPLICATION:

            God’s words, whether verbal or written, are always perfect. They are always timely and accomplish His goals. As humans though, like my son Parker, we say some silly things. Sometimes we speak destructive and hurtful things, too. Far too often I find that my words are harsh and impatient, even with the ones I love. But just as Parker has made tremendous progress with his speech, I can as well. And so can you. What about your speech needs to improve? Do you need to swear less? Or maybe you need to encourage more? Perhaps you need to remove deceitful words from your daily dialogue. Pray about your speech habits right now and with God’s help you can make as much speech progress as Parker!

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.

THE FIGHT IS COMING

I agree with the Veggie Tales creator. The fight is coming and it will get ugly.

Veggie Tales Creator Says Christian Filmmakers Will Inevitably Be Forced to Confront LGBT Issue

THANK YOU

Thanks for visiting my blog page today. My second devotional is free today only on Amazon in ebook form. Download it to your tablet or phone for free by clicking on the link (not the photo).

More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family

I CAN ONLY RECOMMEND THIS HIGHLY

My sister was visiting from Tennessee recently and the two of us went to the budget movie theater. We saw I Can Only Imagine. It is already out on DVD.  If you are a fan of the song of the same name it is fascinating to see the backstory. I knew much of it before the movie and still enjoyed it immensely. Dennis Quaid and Cloris Leachman are the big name actors in the film and they both do fine jobs. Country singer Trace Adkins has a major role. But the actor who plays the lead singer, J. Michael Finley, is fantastic. I hope this film catapults him to other opportunities. The backstory is violent but they do a respectful job of implying most of the violence without actually depicting it. The film is EXTREMELY family friendly and appropriate for all but perhaps the very young. It is intriguing to see the behind the scenes view of the music industry (how they got their band name, life on the broken down tour bus, trying to get an agent, etc.) and my favorite singer of all time, Amy Grant, plays an important role in the story so that was fun for me. It is an emotionally moving film so you may want to view it when you have time for a good cry. But I do highly recommend it. You will leave (or finish if you are watching it at home) singing the song at the top of your lungs and reaching for your Kleenex.

FAITH-BASED FAMILY FILMS

Last week I posted a partial list of Christian/faith-based films I had in my Netflix queue. Here is a new list of the remaining ones I have yet to watch but are on my list and coming to my home soon. This is a great season of life for faith-based family filmmaking.

A Vow to Cherish
Revelation
Beyond the Heavens
The Young Messiah
What If?
Son of God
God's Best Friend
God Bless the Broken Road
Beautifully Broken
Run the Race
Unplanned
Breakthrough
The Prayer Box

PARKER'S PROGRESS

As our son starts middle school today in Northern California, it reminds me of this memory from the start of 6th grade and all of the genuine progress he continues to make. Indeed, he blooms where he is planted.

We are marking the end of summer (Parker starts 6th grade tomorrow) by celebrating all the success he has made in home behavior therapy the last 3 months, such as:

1. Running his own bath water.

2. Dressing all by himself.

3. Brushing his teeth all by himself.

4. Getting his own snacks.

He is really excelling at some independent living skills and we are very proud of him. 

SOLID SPIRITUALLY?

“In a great big world, spinnin’ around, 
people walking on shaky ground,
My foundation’s solid.
Like a vessel getting’ tossed on the big blue sea, 
tryin’ to knock me off my feet
It’s you that keeps me solid.” – Solid, sung by Eric Church
I found this song by Eric Church via the Ram truck commercial on television. I like the lyrics. The chorus sounds like it could be a reference to a solid foundation through faith in Christ. But I don't know enough about the singer or lyricist to know if that was their intent.

Solid by Eric Church on YouTube

GET OUTTA MY DREAMS

(Click on link below, not photo.)

Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car by Billy Ocean has to be the best pop song of the 80s. It came out while I was in college and I loved it the first time I heard it. Now I hear it on the radio and I am instantaneously in a good mood. I crank up the stereo and start moving to the music. If I am in my car, I sing along at the top of my lungs. I am one of those strange people you see at stoplights who are totally spazzing out to the song. After a terribly depressing night of politics last night, I needed a Billy Ocean pick me up. And I got one tonight. The lyrics are so inane,

Get Outta My Dreams,
Get Into My Car.
Get Outta My Dreams,
Get In the Backseat Baby
Get Into My Car.

But you don't care because the song is so catchy and fun. I think we should all hear this song at least once a day. It always puts a smile on my face.

 

SWEET SWEET STORY FROM SWEET HOME, OREGON

This article from my hometown newspaper, The New Era, in Sweet Home Oregon, popped up again today on my social media memories. I appreciated the exposure for my book about my son and the friends from home who purchased it.

https://www.sweethomenews.com/story/2017/08/15/news/father-details-sons-struggles-accomplishments-in-book/19378.html

DIVINE DVDs

Yesterday I shared the list of Christian/faith-based films I had viewed through the DVD.com service, a Netflix company. Today I am providing a partial list of such films I have in my queue and cannot wait to view. There is a plethora of quality, family-friendly Christian films out there today. Praise God!

Raising Izzie
Sunday School Musical
The Genesis Code
No Greater Love
Last Ounce of Courage
Risen
Faith Like Potatoes
The Second Chance
Do You Believe?
Unconditional
Not Easily Broken
Ben-Hur (remake)
King's Faith
Faith of Our Fathers
Tribulation
Judgment
I'm Not Ashamed
The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry
Lukewarm
Angus Buchan's Ordinary People
The Grace Card
The Song
The Remaining
The Passion of the Christ
Rust
The Book of Esther
A Question of Faith
The Greatest Story Ever Told
Home Run

CHRISTIAN CINEMA

We are still old-fashioned in our house. We subscribe to Netflix, but to the older DVD set up, not the streaming system. I have been impressed with the number of  Christian or inspirational film options the DVD service has provided. Here is a list of the faith-based films I have seen in the last two years via DVD.com. I recommend them and many are top-notch films with quality production values, strong script writing and top-notch performances. Some include big name movie stars like Nicolas Cage and Jennifer Garner. Check them out for yourself. They are listed in order of viewing with the most recent at the top.

A Mother’s Love
Amazing Grace
A Matter of Faith
Christian Mingle
Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer (pro-life, not specifically faith-based)
Catching Faith
Where Hope Grows
God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness
Grace Unplugged
Flywheel
The Star
Something to Sing About
Let There Be Light
Forever My Girl
The Case for Christ
Boys Town (classic film with an inspirational story)
Resurrection of Gavin Stone
The Mighty Macs
Left Behind: World At War
Left Behind II: Tribulation Force
To Save a Life
The Cross and the Switchblade
Left Behind: The Movie
God’s Not Dead 2
Left Behind (remake, newer version)
 Miracles from Heaven
The Last Sin Eater
90 Minutes in Heaven
War Room
Fireproof
Woodlawn
God’s Not Dead

TO POST OR NOT TO POST

Posting has not been what I expected. At first, I thought it would be a lot like journaling. I would process my thoughts on paper, and it would help me deal with anger or anxiety and the like. But journaling is highly personal, and it is written quickly and in shorthand. And it's meant for your eyes only, or perhaps you'll read it to your therapist someday. In order to journal I need to feel like my writing is safe and private. Posting is much different. It's much more laborious. You have to worry about accuracy, spelling, grammar. More eyes are intended to see it. And because of all of these demands, it has been difficult to post as often as I journal. It's hard to find the time. Whereas you don't intend for anyone to read your journal or diary, the very purpose of a post is to share your thoughts with others and hopefully persuade them. You need an audience. But if no one is reading your post, or it seems no one is reading your post, that can produce the very feelings that necessitate that you journal. So it is a vicious cycle. And as a result, I have found myself posting in fits and spurts. Consistency can be difficult. Discouragement creeps in all too often. And sometimes it just feels like I have nothing original to say. And then when I do feel like I have something to say it feels frustrating if no one is reading it. So there you have it. My cathartic explanation of how difficult and emotional posting can be. Having said all that, I really don't know that I have answered the question in my post's title. I guess the answer is still a work in progress.

SWEARING AND SHOPPING

@&)$!

Our family took a trip to the mall last weekend. Most of the shopping malls in our area are dying out but the largest one is still thriving. What I came away with from that trip was a picture of the coarsening of our nation. In the course of about 45 minutes of shopping I passed approximately 10 people who were wearing t-shirts with lewd, crude or just downright foul sayings. Even teens and preteens were sporting very questionable attire. I cannot reprint any of them here or my post would get deleted by Blogspot. And I don’t want to anyway. It used to be that there were swear words and inappropriate things you would never think of saying. Then it became well, you might say those things in private, but you would never say them in polite company. Now, apparently, not only will you say them anywhere and anytime you want, you’ll also wear them proudly for the whole world to see. Changing times, not always for the better.

If you’d like me to speak or teach on how to raise your kids to be media savvy Christians, contact me at 916-296-4647.

FOCUSED FRIENDS

We have the ability at work to send "Focused Recognition" cards to fellow employees. It is a company-centered way to thank and shower praise upon a coworker. In the seven months I have been working at my new position I have received three such cards. One from my manager and two from people I would have never expected them from. One individual is proudly making a lifestyle choice that biblical faith frowns upon. The other is an active member of a religion radically hostile toward mine. That has been eye opening for me. While we have our differences, God is still helping me treat these individuals with respect and kindness and that is apparently making an impact on them.

WILL YOU KISS YOUR FAITH GOODBYE?

My friend Steph Dixon helped led me to this article and I think the writer, unfortunately, is dead on. The church's appropriate and biblical stand on homosexuality is going to cause a lot more people, under pressure, to turn away from their faith.

I Kissed Dating Goodbye Author Says No Longer Christian

CHRISTIAN MUSIC MOVIES

I am so grateful to God that my son Parker LOVES Christian music. This song, Dead Man Walking is one of our new favorite tunes. I am excited for the biographical film about Jeremy Camp, I Still Believe, that is in production now, too. With the commercial success of the MercyMe inspired film I Can Only Imagine, my guess is that we will see more Christian songs and singers turned into biographical films. Perhaps Danny Gokey's dramatic story will be next.

Click the underlined text to watch the YouTube video.

#TBT FOR A GOOD CAUSE

#TBT When we were a March of Dimes Ambassador Family in 2017

ANN'S ENCOURAGEMENT

Writer Ann Voskamp has done more to encourage me in the last two years than anyone else on the planet. Her book, One Thousand Gifts is a treasure. Here are two of my favorite quotes from that work.

   1. “As long as thanks is possible, then joy is always possible.” – Ann Voskamp

   2. “Stay calm, enter the moment, give thanks.” – author Ann Voskamp in One Thousand Gifts

SOCIAL MEDIA MAYA

I love to collect quotes, especially from creative people like writers. Here are three quotes I love from a talented American writer and poet, Maya Angelou. Her book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is so engaging. Which quote is your favorite?
ENCOURAGEMENT QUOTES – by Maya Angelou
   1.“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou 
   2. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” – Maya Angelou
   3. “I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t laugh.” – Maya Angelou

IF TWAIN COULD TWEET

I love to collect quotes, especially from creative people like writers. Here are four quotes I love from one of our greatest American writers, Mark Twain. Which quote is your favorite?

ENCOURAGEMENT QUOTES – by Mark Twain
1. "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up." - Mark Twain
2. “You’re never wrong when you do the right thing.” ~ Mark Twain
3. “Let us endeavor to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.” – Mark Twain
4. “Action speaks louder than words, but not nearly as often.” – Mark Twain

REFRIGERATOR RADIO

If refrigerators ruled the radio industry, they would play an eclectic mix of music but the most popular artists of all time on K-Fridge (KFRG) would undoubtedly be Kool and the Gang and Coldplay. Here is the list of the current top ten songs on K-Fridge.

1      Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice

2     Cold-Hearted Snake by Paula Abdul

3     Baby It’s Cold Outside by Dean Martin

4     Cool Night by Paul Davis

5     Freeze Frame by J. Geils Band

6     Cold as Ice by Foreigner

7     She’s So Cold by the Rolling Stones

8     Cool It Now by New Edition

9     Winter Wonderland by Amy Grant

10.  Fire and Ice by Pat Benatar

If you'd like me to speak or write on the media, please contact me at 916-296-4647.

TAKE ME TO NIRVANA, SON

This is from my book Parker's Story: Essays on Autism and Awesometism.

On vacation last month I had a nirvana-like experience. And despite what the world or the travel industry might tell you, it had nothing to do with a rock band, a sexual escapade or a luxurious resort. Instead it happened at my dad's house in Sweet Home, Oregon. Yes there are really towns named Sweet Home. We make an annual trip to Oregon to see my family. My six year old son loves his Grandpa. So for a week he wears Grandpa ragged riding with him on his lawn mower, which my son calls his tractor. On one of those vacation days when we had no agenda -- no family to visit, no sights to see, we just hung around the house. It ended up being the best day of our trip. But we don't really have any great photos to prove it. I guess you had to be there. Luckily, I was. My son, who is autistic, loves repetition. He will do the same thing over and over and over. And over. He dragged me out to the garage and we pretended to drive every car on the property. First there was Grandpa's truck, parked in the garage. Then there was momma's van, our family car we had used for the drive to Oregon, sitting in the driveway. Plus there was Aunt Robin's car nestled on the side of the house. For about two hours we ran from car door to car door. My son would hop in the driver's seat and do the driving. He would push the buttons on the radio, turn the steering wheel and turn on the hazard lights. There would be a particularly broad smile of accomplishment on his face when he conquered the Cerebral Palsy in his hands and managed to buckle his own seat belt. My job was to sit on the passenger side and buckle my seat belt. He would occasionally ask me where we were going and I would make up something like "take me to my doctor's appointment" or "I need sunglasses from Walmart." After a few turns of the wheel we had magically arrived. He would bolt out of the car we were in and run toward the next ones saying "Come on Dad. We're driving." He was having so much fun. And of course like most 6 year olds he has boundless energy so it just kept going on and on. And on. But I didn't mind. In fact, about 90 minutes in I got my nirvana experience. My whole body got warm and fuzzy from head to toe. I felt relaxed and content. It was one of those moments where you know mentally, emotionally and physically that you are exactly where you need to be when you need to be there. My son was happy and having fun and I was helping him do it. That could be the peace that passes understanding.
Unless we are at Disneyland for the day, or watching one of his baseball games, I don't often get 120 minutes of consecutive time to devote to my son. Life is full of interruptions. This phone call or that pressing deadline. And honestly there are days where I don't have the patience for 2 hours of straight repetitive play. But not this day. It was all "Come on Dad. We're driving." Next time he asks me where we are going I am going to say "drive me back to nirvana, Son."

ALOHA ANSWERS

HAWAIIAN TRIVIA ANSWERS

1   In the famous Brady Bunch episodes set in Hawaii, what type of creature crawls on Peter in the hotel room? Tarantula.

2   Hawaii is the _______50_________th state to join the union?

3    Finish the lyrics to this famous Don Ho song:

Tiny bubbles in the wine ______make me feel happy, make me feel fine.

           

4   What is considered Barack Obama’s hometown neighborhood in Hawaii?

Makiki in Honolulu

5    How many islands make up the Hawaiian island chain? 13, 15 or 18 (circle one) 18.

6    How many tons of pineapple does Hawaii produce annually? (circle one) 350,000.

400,000 tons

619,000 tons

350,000 tons

7    What is the name of the starting quarterback for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, known as the “flyin’ Hawaiian?”

Marcus Mariota _______________________________________________

8   Which famous singer was born in Hawaii? (circle one) Bruno Mars.

Mary J. Blige

Bruno Mars

Vanilla Ice

9    How many tourists visit Hawaii each year? (circle one) 8 million.

Approximately 8 million

Approximately 11 million

Approximately 5 million

     What does the “5-0” mean in the classic TV title Hawaii Five-O?

slang for the police.

These are the answers to the trivia post from yesterday.