Women Acting Like Men - Cage Fights

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Baby Boomers - The Worst Generation

Several years ago, NBC news anchor, Tom Brokaw, wrote a book about those who served their country in World War 2. He called them the Greatest Generation. It was a time where self-sacrifice ruled the day. Many gave of their possessions, their time, and even their lives for their fellow countrymen and for the greater good of others. 

However, they failed in one way and in a significant way. They failed to pass along their values to their children. You know. The children who have never grown up. These perpetual babies, or the Baby Boomers as they are appropriately called, have gone from infancy to their retirement years continuing to cry out "mine mine mine"! They are like the seagulls in the movie, Finding Nemo. Only wanting more. 

This lost generation gave us such wonderful gifts as free love in the 60's, rampant drug abuse, disrespect for authority, and a "if it feels good, do it" attitude. We are left with ills in our society from which we may never recover. As if giving them anything they cry out for is not enough, they only cry out for more. But what more is there to give, we ask? We have given you all we have. "Yes", they say, "but we want what you and your children will have tomorrow and we want it now!" Anything for you, Baby Boomers. Anything you want. When you are gone, we will still be giving and giving in the form of debt payments exceeding trillions and trillions of dollars. Money that you spend, but do not have. But that won't be the only way we will remember you. Every time we treat someone for drug abuse, a family splits in divorce, and another child is aborted, we will think of you. 

History will surely show, if we will still have a history, that this generation, the Me and Mine generation, is surely the Worst Generation of them all. 

Steve Jobs and the Meaning of Life

WSJ: “The problem is I’m older now, I’m 40 years old, and this stuff doesn’t change the world. It really doesn’t. I’m sorry, it’s true. Having children really changes your view on these things. We’re born, we live for a brief instant, and we die. It’s been happening for a long time. Technology is not changing it much — if at all. These technologies can make life easier, can let us touch people we might not otherwise. You may have a child with a birth defect and be able to get in touch with other parents and support groups, get medical information, the latest experimental drugs. These things can profoundly influence life. I’m not downplaying that. But it’s a disservice to constantly put things in this radical new light — that it’s going to change everything. Things don’t have to change the world to be important.” [Wired, February 1996]

So Steve Jobs had a huge impact on the way we live, work, and play. He was someone who "changed the world" and we can all admire him for the nice gadgets we have today. But in the end, when men turn back to dust, what does it all mean? If we are merely some advanced microbe that was able to advance quicker to intelligent life forms than the other fragments of ooz, well it would all matter not at all. If we make someone's day a little better, someone's work a little more efficient, or make others in this short life-span of ours a little happier, the only point to it all  is if it has eternal consequences. Did Steve Jobs make the world a little better? Absolutely. Did he do it as a reflection of who he was in Christ Jesus and for the glory of God? Only he and the Lord knows. He certainly hinted that life should have more meaning in the quote above. His gadgets were not the most important thing in his life. They were important and our work is equally important, but we must understand that our time here is short. This life will soon be past, only that for Christ will last. 

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Mathew 16:26

Limitless, Limited, or Completely Dependent

Many have watched a movie called Limitless. The premise is that if one were to use more than the limited 10% of our brains, we could do amazing things. The primary character was able to tap into this other 90% by taking a little clear pill. Shortly thereafter, down he went through the rabbit hole to a whole new world. Just like in the Matrix. The world was the same, but it was his perception of the world and his understanding of it that made all the difference. He would become as a god in relation to everyone else around him.

Take a look at this small movie trailer.

Is this the goal? One day perhaps through some evolutionary process or some sort of technology invented in the not so distant future, we may become something better than what we are today. We could become someone that we always wanted to be; a person that can remember everything; out think any problem; become rich and powerful; liked and admired. What a wonderful world it would be. We would have knowledge. No. Super-knowledge. Our eyes will be opened and we will truly know. We would be like a god! 

Oops. Like a god or is it, like God. If you watch the movie (and it is very entertaining), try to think about the goals and ambitions we should have. The movie says you will be able to seduce the opposite sex, have gazillions of money, and become rich and famous. However, that is not who we are supposed to be. One day, we will all die and have to give an account of who we were and what we did. Even the little clear pill did not make one immortal. Life is short. We are not God and that should not be our goal even if we are just fantasizing. At our death, all we will be able to say is that we were sinners who committed divine treason against God and then trust that our advocate, Jesus Christ, will be standing there for us. He is our only hope, not some silly pill or technology or the evolutionary process. Think longer term than the here and now. Life is fleeting. What is that saying? "Only one life, twill soon be passed. Only what's done for Christ will last". Trust in Him. 

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania turns to God for fiscal relief

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania turns to God for fiscal relief | Reuters: "(Reuters) - Pennsylvania's debt-ridden capital of Harrisburg has tried every form of fiscal belt-tightening, from layoffs to furloughs to filing for bankruptcy. Now, it is turning to God."

Shouldn't turning to God be the first place one goes when having difficulties? The strange thing about this story is that it is strange, but only today. There was a time that those in the public turned to God through public prayer and supplication on a regular basis. It is amazing that such a public and published trend of our not-so-distant past can be almost completely ignored to the point that many do not even believe it existed.  

If only all of us, public and private, would turn to the One source of true refuge in time of distress. Not all of our problems would be cured since it is through suffering that we learn obedience. However, many of the self-inflicted issues that we experience would certainly be reduced or eliminated. Let us turn to Jesus Christ who created all things and in Him all things consist. He is the author and finisher of our faith, our hope, and our very existence. He will not turn away from His bride. Nor will the Father turn away from His children in their time of need. 

Men Dressed Like Boys

This commercial would be funny if it wasn't so true. While it is not the smartest thing to indulge in bottles of tequila, Michael Imperioli has a point. We've all seen them. Men wearing what they would call "shorts", but are really gauchos or Capri pants. How in the world can you call something "short" when it goes way past your knees! Let's not even get started on the pants they wear well below their rear end. Not sure how they walk. Ridiculous. Grow up. 

Look closely at this picture from the 1930's. Notice anything unusual? This is a picture of a food line. The men in this shot cannot even afford to feed themselves. However one thing is consistent among them all. They are all dressed as men. They have self-respect. They are wearing jackets and even hats. Notice the police officers and how they are dressed. Yes today's cops are uniformed, but take one look at an episode of the television program Cops and you will notice none of them wear a hat anymore. Our attitude of how we dress matches our attitude we have about each other and ourselves. We need to care a little more about how we present ourselves and have some dignity. They did in the food lines and can today too. We've taken "casual Fridays" a little too far. Perhaps it is time to be a little more formal.

Decline is Inevitable

Entropy: Inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society.

Our world is one in which we must work continuously against the ever present demands of constant deterioration. We mow our lawns, keep our gardens, reconcile our bank accounts always working, always struggling. If we take a break, it builds up around us like a slow tide that will soon wash us out to sea. If we wait too long to work against it, sometimes it seems as though it will completely overwhelm us. That is our nature. The college student takes a few weeks off from studying and finds that there is a great deal of work to do to catch up. The road worker neglects some of the streets in town and the entire street needs to be scrapped and an entirely new one built in its place. A society forgets it first principles and soon entropy sets in and that society is on the brink of disaster either from outside forces or from an internal decay that has set in while it rested.

History has shown that when one country is weakened, it is eventually replaced by another stronger nation that has not neglected the necessary work to stave off the decay. God. Duty. Honor. What are these? What happens when an entire world succumbs to the temptation and forgets that work needs to be done? First principles, the foundation of a country - remember what they were. Work to find them and build them back up again. Fight the decay from within and reestablish the foundation that will withstand the attacks from without.

The Good Wife's Guide

Ok. I did not make any of the edits in The Good Wife's Guide and I am certainly not complaining about my wonderful wife. However, this is a funny and interesting look into how significantly times have changed since the publication of this article in House Keeping Monthly, May 1955. Take a look at the link above. Very funny!

Were times ever that way? Doubtful.