No child left behind

Every time I hear or read about the federal government's "No Child Left Behind" I am reminded of the story in the Bible of Jesus being left behind at the temple when he was 12 years old. The story is found in Luke 2:41-52 if you want to look it up. If we are honest, those of us that are parents probably have at least one story of leaving our child behind or forgetting to pick our child up at the appointed time, effectively deserting our child if only for the briefest moment. The passage of time usually make these stories much funnier than how our mood was when the event actually occurred.

Jews were required to attend three annual festivals in Jerusalem...Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles but, for poorer people, especially those that lived farther away, Passover was sometimes the only one that was strictly observed. It is during the Passover festival that the account in the Luke passage takes place. I have always found it interesting that Mary and Joseph lost Jesus. I'm sure there were many people that had traveled to and from Jerusalem with them and so it would be easy for each to assume that the child was with the other or with other family or friends. I find it even more interesting that they lost Jesus at church (the temple.)

I think it can be easy to get lost at church. Oh, I don't mean you or others not knowing where you are...I also don't mean lost as in "not saved" in evangelical terms. I mean lost.

Church can be a difficult place, especially for someone that hasn't been a part of church all their life. Church people talk a little differently, using phrases that may not be understood by everybody. People also seem to think that when they are at church they are supposed to put on their most joyous faces, even if nothing on the inside feels very joyful. We can get lost in all the church activities. They can sometimes be a little overwhelming. Often we feel lost if we believe that we can't participate as much as other people..maybe making us feel a little guilty.

Despite all those people, church can also be a very lonely place, especially if we don't quite fit the mold. Maybe it's a guy or gal in their late 20's or early 30's who hasn't found (or doesn't want to) their companion for life and the people around you continue to ask...and ask ..when? Maybe you are a younger person who is only there because Mom or Dad makes you go. Maybe you are a person whose life took a path that included divorce or problems with the law or business failure or addiction or homelessness or something else that doesn't fit the "Leave it to Beaver" or "Brady Bunch" model. We can also get lost in all the theology and a feeling that we aren't scholarly enough regarding the Bible. We can start to think that maybe God isn't as interested in those of us that can't quote chapter and verse.

Maybe we wouldn't feel so lost if, instead of people telling us they are are praying for us when they know of our difficulty, they would just listen and talk to us. The prayers are important but sometimes we just need another person to listen and hold our hand. Some of our churches are so large we feel like we are on a university campus. Sometimes it can make us feel very small, insignificant, unnoticed....lost.

Have you ever gotten lost at church? Don't feel like you are alone... I think all of us at some point felt a little like "a child left behind."

The truth is that Jesus wasn't at all lost at the temple. Because He was with His Father. And if you are feeling a little lost at church...take comfort in knowing that your Heavenly Father is always there with you...even when you aren't "at church." He wants No child left behind.

Why do we still talk like that?

From time to time I actually pay attention to the things I say. Sometimes, I will use a phrase that makes absolutely no sense today but did mean something specific a while back.

"I am going out to crank up the car" (at one time you literally had to turn a crank to start an engine)
"You sound like a broken record" (vinyl records that had a scratch would sometimes keep playing the same part over and over)
"It was all caught on tape" (video cameras at one time recorded on magnetic tape)
"Dial her number and see if she answers" (telephones used to have rotary dials)
"He hung up on me" (in the old days, the phone was placed in its cradle to end the call)
"Wind up your watch" (in the days before watches with batteries)
"Please cc me on that memo" (CC means carbon copy, we used to use carbon paper for making multiple copies)
"Roll up the car windows" (I don't think they even make manual window cranks anymore)

Then there are common terms that in the past meant something different. Computer and calculator are common enough terms. 60 years ago those terms were a job description, not a machine. Yeah, 60 years ago a guy came home from work and told his wife that he was promoted. He was now going to be a computer. Maybe his name was Dell.

It just goes to show that the world we live in is changing at a rapid pace. Doesn't seem that long ago (to me) that we had VCR's, bag phones, a Walkman, record players, 8-tracks, typewriters, 35mm film, Polaroids, toilets that actually flushed everything, penny candy, Palm Pilots, AOL disks that came in the mail, Blockbuster, paper maps, pay phones, pinball machines, floppy disks, encyclopedia salesmen, and New Coke (New Coke lasted about 3 weeks).











Tell me the ones I left off.

Which are you?

Where's the restroom?

The world is full of different types of people. We have male and female, young and old, wealthy and poor, married and single, people with children and people without... illustrating just a few of the distinctions....some of which allow for some middle ground. I have often thought about how people are different; how and why they observe, relate and react to things so differently. Of the few distinctions I've mentioned... do you think the greatest "difference" is between male and female? Certainly there are significant differences between the two. I used to think that was the greatest distinction...until we had children. Then my position changed and I leaned more towards the distinction between "people with children" and "people without children."

But I have abandoned the contrasts above as being the most distinct. I have a different theory. I think there are two types of people in the world and this distinction has a huge influence on how people view themselves, view others and how they respond to the world around them. Ready?

One type of person views mankind as basically good. The other views mankind as basically "bad" or, as described in the Bible, sinful. Now, I know some of you are going to react strongly to this. But bear with me..hear me out. Group # 1- Mankind is basically good. Group # 2- Mankind is sinful (or, for lack of a better word... not-good)

I know I am making some generalizations but, if you view people as basically good, your view of how and why people behave badly, do bad things, commit the most horrible of crimes, mistreat others, etc. is different than the "how and why" explanation that Group #2 has. Group # 1 may argue that humans have a basic "goodness" to them (or start out as basically good) and through circumstances, external influences, injustices of society, etc. ...some ...become "bad." Let me also say that "good" and "bad" as used in most conversations, are relative terms but, most people observe the world around us and can generally agree that certain people are seen as good while others are seen as bad or, at least, behaving badly.

What about Group #2? Isn't it a bit harsh to say that people/ mankind is basically "bad." It might be harsh but I'm not the one that first said this. The Bible tells us "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) [It has been argued for a long time whether the word "all" in this passage (pantes in Greek) is meant as every single human without exception or the more collective "all of us" or even something different still. I am not attempting to answer that argument here...it would encompass the remainder of this post and more. Bear in mind, I also lifted the Apostle Paul's words out of context]

Where did they learn selfishness?

Observing our and other people's very young children, I saw the nature that demonstrated selfishness and manipulation long before anyone could have taught or modeled that behavior to them. So, where did it come from? How did they learn these "bad" behaviors at such a very young age? Group # 2 might suggest that it is our basic nature to be selfish, and demonstrate the other "bad" behaviors that often results from this most basic not-so-good quality.

If you subscribe to Group # 1, then you probably believe that some people "become" bad primarily due to their circumstances or some thing/ many things unusual that happens to them. This often leaves parents/families and society feeling that they have somehow failed the person and have responsibility for the person's actions/ behaviors. Don't get me wrong, parents/families and society certainly can contribute to the resulting "bad"-ness. But if the bad behaviors of parents/ families or society are causal, where did their "bad"-ness originate?

So as not to make this any longer than it already is, here's my take. Man is born with a sinful nature...we are NOT basically good. Only through the guidance of others, the influence of God's Holy Spirit, and the redeeming work of Jesus Christ do we have any hope of "goodness." In reality, when compared to God, we are so far from good, the minor distinctions between each of us in that regard are minuscule. That's like you bragging that you can jump higher than me. But if the standard for jumping is to jump to the moon, your ability to jump a foot higher than me is irrelevant.  If the standard for goodness is Jesus Christ...well, we all need help. And the Good News is we have just that..the help and Hope of Jesus Christ. None of us are good. When we acknowledge that, it reveals things like racism and elitism for what they are...our simple-minded ideas that we are somehow "more good" than another. So, you can jump higher than me? Wow, aren't we impressed. I don't expect some of you to agree with me and would love to read your comments whether you agree/ disagree or just want to weigh in. Your comments, like a gift, are so appreciated

Who the heck is Max Factor?

The daily ritual

Let me just say from the outset...this blog post is going to get me into big trouble. But I am a dashing and daring man who is not afraid to throw caution to the wind so...here goes.

This is an open letter to all the women of the world. But first, let me recall a story. Many years ago my wife Carol and I were driving to Atlanta for a weekend getaway. Somehow the topic of make-up/ cosmetics came up. For the life of me I can't imagine how it "came up"...but, it did. I asked Carol why women wore make-up... it's time consuming to apply, it is expensive (worldwide cosmetics sales are over $170 billion dollars per year) and, in my view, unnecessary. She argued that men would not find women attractive without make-up or that many woman who are not "natural" beauties, need to wear make-up to improve their appearance. I asked "improve their appearance in whose eyes?" She said...men. I said she was wrong. See, I think women wear make-up primarily because they compare themselves to other women. They have convinced themselves that they must wear make-up to be "attractive." I told her that I thought she was attractive without make-up. She looked at me like I had two heads and accused me of lying. Lying? Why the heck would I lie about that?

But, you see, I think women are beautiful or, are at least seen as beautiful by the men and families who love them...(make-up not required.) This "discussion" we had lasted for nearly an hour and the more I talked the more angry she became with me. I'm not sure why she was angry when I was telling her that I thought she was beautiful just the way she was. I also said that if someone could convince all women to stop wearing all make-up for two weeks, by the end of that two weeks no one would care anymore that women had stopped wearing make-up. You see for this to work...EVERY woman would have to agree to stop. No cheaters. Again, she looked at me like I was crazy.

Men don't wear make-up (most men at least.) How can women bear to look at us? I mean, it's just us and our plain faces. I think the cosmetics industry has done an amazing job of convincing women that they are not attractive enough. That's just a big fat lie.

Max Factor began his career in the film industry in the early 1900's. Stage actors had been wearing grease paint for years but the film industry required something not as heavy or thick. Max Factor ultimately produced creams in various shades for actors and actresses to wear. We, of course, know where those early beginnings eventually led. And the more well to do people have been using various forms of face paint, lip coloring for thousands of years. I know, I know...it's been around since Cleopatra. I saw how Elizabeth Taylor was made up.

But, I still don't understand it. One of Carol's arguments for make-up was that her eyes seemed to be more sensitive to light if she wasn't wearing mascara. I think she was actually on to something there. You know how baseball and football players will put the black stuff under their eyes? It's to absorb the light shining near their eyes...it cuts down on the glare.

So, I guess mascara can have the same effect. OK...she scored one point. But I was still getting hammered because I think she thought I was just teasing her. I wasn't.

So...am I full of you-know-what, or not? Hold that thought.

Let me get something else off my chest. First, I will admit that I think Angelina Jolie is a very attractive woman...one reason being her very full lips. (Carol thinks I am crazy on this point as well.) But, that's not the point. What is it with women injecting stuff into their lips to make them look plumper (if that's a word?) Every actress whose before and after pictures I have seen that has "enhanced" her lips looks so much worse afterwards. Every one. What's that all about? I know there are other "enhancements" out there as well. We'll let that lie for now.

I love the line in "Mrs. Doubtfire" when the old bus driver is hitting on Robin Williams' cross-dressed character who inadvertently reveals some hairy male leg despite being fully decked out like an old woman. The bus driver never misses a beat. He says "Oh, I like that Mediterranean look in a lady...healthy...natural...just the way God made ya."

So...that's my line to all the woman out there...you are beautiful. Because that's the way God made ya. No need for Max.

nine eleven

Raising the flag at Ground Zero

Nine eleven....two words that will forever be etched in our memory. Ten years ago on this day we witnessed and, for some, experienced something that, all these years later, are still difficult to describe and nearly impossible to understand. The television networks have been broadcasting all day about the events of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The collective need to make some sense of what happened and, more importantly... to understand why... dominates the dialog.

If you are expecting me to say that I know why 9-11 occurred, you are going to be disappointed. I don't. But I do have some personal thoughts.

As a person of faith, an immediate reaction is to wonder about God. Did God cause this to happen?...did God allow this to happen?...the questions go on and on. The organizations that birthed the terrorist attacks claim that they did this in the name of Allah. They say....
I am a Christian and don't know much about Islam or its teachings. What I do know is that God created humanity. My Bible teaches that God gave his creation the ability to choose...choose to love and follow God or choose not. We know how the story starts.

Because mankind chose to disobey and break fellowship with God, mankind alone is responsible for the consequences of its actions. But, like a small child that has broken the lamp in the living room, we try every way we know to get back in the good graces of our parent. It's not my fault...if Mommy hadn't put the lamp there, it wouldn't have broken. Or we lie and say that we didn't break it, it must have been someone else. Or, rather than deny the wrongdoing, we draw Mommy a pretty picture and smile our most innocent smile hoping Mommy will pick us up and tell us it's OK...that Mommy still loves us (which, of course, she does.)

Over the ages, mankind has been doing all kinds of terrible things in its desire to impress God. We (humanity) unilaterally decide to go to battle against God's enemies or, at least, who we determine God's enemies to be. The depths that mankind can go and has gone continue to astound us. The horrific events of the past....the atrocities of the Assyrians, the brutality of the Romans, the wholesale massacres of the Middle Ages, the Crusades to cleanse the Holy Land, the modern-era mass murders under Stalin, Hitler, Milosevic...the genocide in Cambodia, Rwanda, Iraq, Sudan...the terrorist attacks of the last 15 years should painfully illustrate the capacity for evil in the human heart. Many of these events in human history were done in the name of God. But that certainly doesn't make any of these tragedies "of God." Scripture tells me that there is a battle going on...but those same scriptures tell me that the battle is the Lord's.

9-11 showed all of us the worst of mankind. To intentionally fly an airliner full of people into a building full of people is incomprehensible to us. But 9-11 also showed us the best of mankind. The human heart also has the capacity for love, kindness, compassion and we witnessed that in an incredible way in the aftermath of 9-11. People joined hands and hearts as we consoled and held onto one another. We joined hands and voice to lift up people, a city, a nation...ourselves. We picked up the pieces of the brokenness and started again. Church attendance surged as people sought comfort and answers in the place where, for ages, people have come to be in God's presence. But time passes, memories begin to fade, wounds begin to heal and we go back to being reliant on our own strength. But God is still here...and He is still in control even when our human minds wonder how that can be.

What do I learn from 9-11? Mankind, after all of human history, still has the capacity to do the most evil things imaginable. A human heart full of hate and anger and fear is a powerful force for evil. But mankind also has the capacity to be be an imitator of God...living a life full of love, full of grace and full of mercy.

How has 9-11 changed your life?

Get a job

Let me just proclaim up front that I am no economics expert. I spent many years in corporate America, about half of those years in an executive position, and have a pretty good idea of how large corporations operate and how they make business decisions. I have been a small business owner for almost 5 years and have learned (sometimes painfully) about what it takes to operate and try to grow your own business. Over my career I have hired and fired and laid off many people. Hiring people is pretty cool...the other two...not so much.

The President is going to give a speech later this week about his ideas for creating more jobs. I'm not sure why he has waited so long to release his plan. Like most of you, I will listen intently to what he has to say although I am not optimistic that he will present much that will actually be successful in creating more jobs. Again, I'm no expert but here's my opinion. Take it or leave it...

• Real job growth has to come from the private sector...that is the engine for job creation
• Adding government jobs is a stop-gap measure that, while providing some short-term relief, ultimately has a negative effect on our free market economy. However, this is the only way the Executive Branch can directly "create" jobs (assuming Congress will fund it,) but not a good reason to employ this strategy.
• The White House and Congress need to stimulate job growth by making the regulatory, monetary, trade and tax policy changes necessary that will create the incentive for businesses to move back down a path of spending with some confidence that the government is not going to do things that add to the inherent cost and risk of investing for the future. The White House seems to be in a punitive mode regarding business. It might satisfy some personal desire to "get back" at business but we all now are facing the consequences of that posture. Bashing business does nothing to enhance the economic environment. Helping businesses and workers that are non-union must carry as much priority as your union favorites.
• The passage of the "to hell with what they think" Obamacare has had a serious negative effect on the business world. Just look at what many companies say they are going to do...pay the penalties and drop their employer sponsored health plans. Of course, this fits well with the ultimate goal of the Democrats of a single-payer system. Those businesses that keep their health plans will be looking even more closely at their headcount.
• While we must provide some safety net, we have to be mindful that extended unemployment benefits, while keeping some people afloat, can do great harm to a person's psyche. The hope has to be in finding a job, not in getting an unemployment check. I have had people turn down jobs I offered because they could make as much, if not more staying home, watching TV and receiving a check. I was told, "if my benefits were about to run out, I'd probably take the job, but I'll just keep drawing unemployment as long as I can." I know most people probably don't have this mindset. But, the longer the benefit remains the more likely the person will eventually acquire this kind of attitude. This is a tough issue. I don't know the answer...more jobs is really the only answer. 
• It is going to take many years for the unemployment rate to drop to historically low levels...it may be never. The world has changed.
• The minimum wage should not have been changed. Minimum wage jobs are not intended to provide a living wage. Most of these jobs are targeted towards students, part time employees and the lowest skill level workers. Unfortunately, raising the rate hurts more than it helps.
• The progressive/liberal ideology that generates a particular view of "social/ economic fairness" has clouded, not only the view of the role of government, but has also made it convenient to stereotype the business community as greedy and evil. There has been and will always be parts of the business world that do really bad things and they need to be dealt with accordingly. But let's make sure the federal government isn't part of the problem by manipulating our very complex economy with unrealistic objectives such as home ownership for all. We see how that turned out.
• Overhaul the tax system. Period. I personally like the concepts of the Fair Tax but I'm open to anything that is better than what we have now....which would be just about anything. Neither party, however, wants to lose the power that is inherent in our current system. They can reward those they want to reward and punish those they want to punish...not a good system....completely corrupted. I doubt I will ever see this change in my lifetime without term limits.
• President Obama...give ONE speech where you do not blame our problems on the Bush Administration and where you do not attack the Republicans/ Tea Party/ Conservatives/ Talk Radio or any other group you disagree with. Do not talk as a partisan Democrat...talk like you are the President of the entire United States...because, at least for the next year or so...you are. Powerful, dynamic leaders have the ability to inspire others to do incredible things. Show us what you've got. But remember, it's not all about you or fulfilling your own personal agenda. It's about America and Americans. Be realistic but also be positive. In many ways, you set the tone.
• The reality is that some people do not like you and will never listen to you simply because you are black. They are ignorant, small  people and represent an insignificant portion of the population. They have always been around and, unfortunately, always will be. Those of us that do not agree with your policies resent being included in that group and are angered to be accused of being racist.

 President Obama, I continue to pray that God will grant you wisdom and courage to lead this nation. Millions of Americans need a job. Let's figure this thing out.

Happy Birthday to You

see the resemblance?

I wonder when the tradition of wishing someone a "happy birthday" actually began? I'm 56 years old (as of yesterday) and I remember it from my earliest memory. Of course, the celebration of your birthday is typically accompanied by a song. Other traditions include cake, ice cream, parties, gifts and even the strange ritual of spankings given to you to equal your new age. But let's get back to that song.

Songwriters put a lot of effort into the songs they write and, under US and international law, have the ability to copyright the song...meaning they own the use of the song and are allowed to collect royalties from certain uses of the song by others (you can look up information on US copyright law if you are curious about things like that.)

Did you know that the song "Happy Birthday" is protected by a copyright? Seriously...it is. In 1893 sisters Mildred and Patty Hill wrote the melody and lyrics to a song titled "Good Morning To All" for the teachers in their school to sing to the arriving students. The catchy little ditty morphed into "Good Morning to You" and was actually published in some children's songbooks in the late 1800's. No one knows exactly who wrote the lyrics we know today as "Happy Birthday" but a version titled "Happy Birthday to You" so resembled the Hill sisters' song that they successfully filed suit and ultimately won the copyright to the song we all sing today. In 1935, the music publisher Clayton F. Summy, working with a third sister, Jessica Hill, published and copyrighted "Happy Birthday." Under copyright law in effect at that time, Hills' copyright was good for 28 years and, after another allowed 28 year renewal period, would have maintained the copyright on the song until 1991. The copyright laws were changed in or around 1976, effectively changing the copyright term to 75 years from publication date. Another change to the copyright law in the '90's added another 20 years meaning the song is protected by copyright until 2030.

There are people and organizations out there that actually pay royalties when they use the song under certain circumstances. Today, Warner Music Group owns the rights to the song and  they collect about $2 million in royalties each year. You ever wonder why restaurant wait staff in larger chain restaurants sing their own made-up birthday songs to customers celebrating at their establishment? They don't want to violate copyright law by not paying royalties if/when the "real" song is sung.

For all of you that missed the opportunity to sing Happy Birthday to me yesterday, you can just forgo that and send me $5 rather than pay any royalties to Warner Music for performing the song. When you see me next you can just give me a hug.

Update! After a lawsuit in 2013 claiming that Warner Group's copyright claim was no longer valid, a federal judge ruled in 2015 that the copyright only applied to a specific piano arrangement; not the lyrics and melody. In 2016 Warner paid a settlement of $14 million and the court declared that the song is now in the public domain.