Learning to Read

On the first day of class, right out of the gate he let us have it – “All men were NOT created equal” he boldly stated. Despite what we may have read in our history books – this High School Latin teacher ( yes, Latin ) was introducing us to the real facts – at least according to him.

His point was that we were a privileged few. We had the opportunity before us to learn. We had access to a great store of knowledge. Of course, what we chose to do with that wealth of information was up to us. Just that fact that we were in those hallowed halls of learning made us different ( not better, mind you ) than ninety percent of the children on this planet.

We had an opportunity to learn. To benefit from the wealth of information our teachers were prepared to share. Surely every parent wants his or her children to have the opportunity to learn. Our teachers here in the USA do a mostly wonderful job with our youth. And wouldn’t you argue that – in the end – the responsibility is ours, as parents, to help our children learn?

Half way through the Pastor’s message on a recent Sunday evening my ten year old gently tugged on my arm and whispered - “Daddy, Can we read a verse after Church is over?” I quietly nodded and smiled – assuring him that we would. Like so many parents I often find I’m at a complete loss when attempting to understand what sometimes goes through his little head.

He has somehow acquired a thirst for learning more about the lessons in the Bible. He and his little brother both enjoy the Sunday morning and Wednesday evening lessons the youth leaders share. His excitement for learning about God is no less than amazing! This is the same 10 year old who usually shuns my efforts to read together at home. Reading is reading – Anything ( within reason ) he actually wants to read is fine with me!

What is it that those volunteer youth leaders teach these highly impressionable little ones? How did this interest in the Bible happen? Whatever they do - Whatever happened – I’m very grateful and encouraged. Maybe the lessons they are learning will help them develop into loving, caring youngsters. Maybe they will share the love they get with others. Maybe they will even help others learn to read!

Learning to read is one of the greatest lessons we can hope to share with our beloved youth.

Teaching Our Children Healthy Eating Habits

If you live in the USA you've no doubt heard - or seen for yourself - the alarming number of children who are overweight. University and Medical Science studies are revealing an alarming trend. How can we fix this? How might we better teach our children to make healthy eating choices throughout their lives.

It is so easy to stop at your child's favorite fast-food place and get them something quick and easy. However the time we save too often results in really bad food choices. Fast food is all too often FAT FOOD. We've seen attempts by the big chains to offer healthier alternatives with their children's meals. That's Great! The responsibility for our children's health lies with us parents.

I love fries! And after two or three of those salty delights I've had enough grease for one day! And a big, juicy hamburger sounds really good sometimes. Almost always the taste is - well - not as great as the memory from younger days. Those fast food burgers are just not that great tasting.

Wouldn't it taste a whole lot better to pick out some lean ground sirloin or angus and create a hamburger masterpiece? Toss on a bunch of fresh spinach or green and an onion or tomato slice. Use whole wheat bread instead of those plain white buns. Skip the fatty mayo and use a low fat spicy mustard instead.

Skip the soda or milk-shake and prepare a healthy smoothie instead! Or serve some low-fat or soy milk. How about some plain, filtered water? My kids don't seem to drink anything except soda anymore.

Calories are but one aspect of your child's diet. Perhaps we need to show them to eat types and amounts of food that will promote better health. You could use up all of your calories on a few high-calorie foods or drinks, but if you did, chances are you wouldn’t get the full range of nutrients your body needs to be healthy.

Instead, choose the most nutritionally rich foods you can each day—those packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients but lower in calories. Pick foods like fruits, vegetables, dry beans and peas, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk.

Maybe if we teach our children the habit of eating healthy foods we can help them avoid the unpleasant consequences of obesity. Maybe we can show them the ways to better health via fun and sports and exercise. Who knows, maybe we might all enjoy the benefits of better health together!

Leading by Example

Do you ever regret buying that big flat-screen - or any television for that matter? TV's are great babysitters. While we adults get stuff done - our children are entertained by their favorite TV shows. And, unfortunately, the incessant ads touting the latest cool things for children.

Too often, children's perceptions of their bodies are partly shaped by unrealistic media images that create false connections between a lean body type or “washboard abs” and subsequent success, sex appeal and self-mastery. The obsession with thinness can also be fed by coaches who stress weight loss, or the age old desire to be attractive and accepted by one’s peers.

How do you teach your children to love themselves and treat their bodies like the perfect little temples they are? How do we teach our beloved youth to enjoy a healthy balance of physical and mental exercise? Hopefully the time they spend in school each week is a good start.

In the end though, it is our responsibility as parents to encourage and somehow sow the seeds. We can show our children the benefits of a healthy lifestyle naturally - by making healthy choices ourselves! If they grow up eating healthy foods instead of the fat food diet we can pick up so easily at the drive-thru window. If they see us and join us in enjoying the time preparing and cooking healthy meals.

We can encourage their interests in sports or any outdoor fun. We can lead by example - showing them how we have fun playing our favorite sports. Or even just taking a walk together or riding bikes. Now that Spring is bringing warmer temperatures to much of North America - we can spend more time enjoying the great outdoors.

Maybe we can teach our children the lifelong habit of healthy living!

Opportunity

To each man's life there comes a time supreme;
One day, one night, one morning, or one noon,
One freighted hour, one moment opportune,
One rift through which sublime fulfillments gleam,
One space when fate goes tiding with the stream,
One Once, in balance 'twixt Too Late, Too Soon,
And ready for the passing instant's boon
To tip in favor the uncertain beam.
Ah, happy he who, knowing how to wait,
Knows also how to watch and work and stand
On Life's broad deck alert, and at the prow
To seize the passing moment, big with fate,
From opportunity's extended hand,
When the great clock of destiny strikes Now!
MARY A. TOWNSEND.

Lessons from History

Some of Life's greatest lessons come from books passed down thru the ages. Books like the Bible and the works of some of history's greatest thinkers.

Here is a brief excerpt from the book of Matthew:

Some asked Jesus which was the great commandment. And Jesus replied:
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Matthew 22: 37-39

Throughout history men and women much wiser than I have pondered upon the merits of religion.

The Congress of 1776, speaking of religion, declared it was the “only solid basis of public liberty and happiness.” General Washington ( The first President of the United States ) said it was “one of the great pillars of human happiness, and the firmest prop of the duties of men and citizens.”

Liberty or freedom is a double edged sword at times. Our protection of "freedom of speech" has lead to some who propose to break down the altars of prayer, take away our Bibles and our days of worship, shut up the doors against all our Sunday-schools and turn more than a million of children into the streets, away from sweet song and moralizing influences, and the pure morals of the gospel of Christ.

Let us Americans decide, not merely as Christians, but as “patriots and fathers,” whether we will cling to the pure “Gospel of Jesus Christ,” given to us in the love of Heaven, and in the blood of Jesus. Or fall prey to those who would have us hide our faith in Christ and keep it out of all public places.

There are strong intellects in unbelief flooding our country with their doubting, anti-Christian message. How shall they be met? Show them that you are full of Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. Show them Love of Christ and love of our fellow man.