Focus On The Family

When Jimmy Carter became president in 1976 and Charles Colson published his best-selling book that same year, their stories made the phrase "born again" an instant media buzzword.

Originally spoken by Jesus in John 3, the phrase began showing up often. I recall watching a televised golf match in which the announcer declared that the man teeing off had been born again. I was delighted, yet curious to see how he was going to explain this on national TV. He continued, describing how the golfer had merely changed his grip a little and was miraculously "born-again."

We are beginning to see the same thing happen to the term "worldview." I have heard people use it as a synonym for personality, as in "She has such a delightful worldview." You have undoubtedly heard it—maybe even used it. But do you know what it means? [more on World View]

At 47 years old, I started parenting my three oldest grandchildren. TJ was 4, William 2½, and Annie just 14 months at the time. I knew it would be a difficult task, but I felt it was important to keep the kids together and in the family.

The days seemed long, but the years went by quickly, so I made the most of the time with my grandchildren, helping them learn the values and skills they needed to become healthy, well-adjusted adults. It was an overwhelming task, one I did not ask for but embraced because I love my grandchildren.

You may be in a similar situation, or you may be considering the possibility. If so, you'll find the days of parenting again to be filled with constant interruptions, spilled milk, sweet smiles and sticky kisses. It's important to recognize some of the hardships that grandparents may experience as second-time parents and prepare to handle them. [read Parenting Grandchildren]

The possibilities for creating Christ-honoring content on YouTube have not escaped the church. In fact, the January 2007 issue of Christian Audio/Visual Magazine explored the site's usefulnesss for broadcasting sermons and plugging upcoming events. Churches are responding. A February 2008 search of "church sermon," for example, yielded more than 7,900 results — a smorgasbord of sermonettes across many denominations.

Even so, Dr. Doug Groothius warns, "If you use YouTube — or anything on the Internet — as a substitute for disciplined study, you can be deceived very easily. Simply having a huge wealth of information is not the same as having reliable knowledge." Groothuis, the author of Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism, is also concerned about YouTube's time-waste factor. An avid jazz fan, he steers through the site on his way to classic bop footage. He has also found valuable academic lectures there. But he limits his YouTube cruising and suggests that others do the same. "It shouldn't be an obsession for anybody. It should be on the margins of life." [read the YouTube generation]

Have you noticed that the dead of winter is not the most ideal time for making great change in life?

The weather tends to keep us somewhat immobile (most people don't jog when it's 14 below zero). Our bodies capture and stockpile calories, making weight loss more difficult. In fact, the whole rhythm of life seems to be in a downbeat of hibernation. The release of new life in the spring would seem to be a more ideal time for change.

Yet, making resolutions for an improved life is a January 1 ritual for most people. I suppose one reason is because, no matter how many years roll by, "January" always marks the border to a new beginning. In that sense, each year trips back to zero. Start over.

I believe the larger reason is found in our human need for a clean slate. We all yearn for a brand-new and pristine condition. Humans, regardless of their culture or value system, carry an intrinsic need for forgiveness and a new beginning.

So, an annual "starting gate" reinforces the ideal of forgiveness and renewal. This is my time for rejuvenation! We see it as a time to shed our old skin (often that is very literal…weight loss is the number one New Year's resolution). [read Resolutions]

You've read all the parenting books, watched every episode of Dr. Phil, participated in parenting programs at church, and still your child is misbehaving. What's a parent to do? Here are some familiar scenarios along with possible responses. See which solution works best for you.

Tantrums
Loaded down with a cart full of groceries, in fear and trepidation, you slowly make your way to the checkout stand, mindful of the landmines awaiting you. Your toddler snaps to attention, noticing the assorted candies and mints strategically placed at eye level for little people too young to purchase anything. You hold your breath and then... "Mommy, can I have some candy?!" You quickly point out the granola chewy bars in the cart, along with the soy potato chips, but no dice. It's game time! You know your child has reached code red, the highest tantrum level, because the store clerk is processing the contents of your cart at rapid speed, and those behind have begun whispering the mantra of the childless, "if he were mine..." [read Toddler Misbehavior]

Death is the inevitable fate of all humans. When facing death, the question may arise as to whether or not third parties should be allowed to intentionally end the life of the patient or help the patient commit suicide.

Should physicians be granted the power to intentionally end the lives of their patients? Recent proposals to legalize physician-assisted suicide have raised this question and triggered intense legal, medical and social debate. For some individuals, the debate is fueled by their fear that medical technology may someday keep them alive past the time of natural death. However, this concern is unfounded for mentally competent adults who have a legal right to refuse or stop any medical treatment. It is also important to recognize that today's health care climate lends itself more to undertreatment than overtreatment. [read Physician-Assisted Euthanasia]

... you'll automatically be making a donation to Save The Children, working to solve global poverty. As a matter of fact, all of our lenses donate to Save The Children or The Acumen Fund.

Doesn't that feel good?

We Squidoo for charity! One of the coolest things about Squidoo is the opportunity provided for lensmasters designate all or part of their proceeds to charity. Consider creating a lens today for a charitable cause.

Kennewick Real Estate | Washington Real Estate News
Columbia River Home For Sale | Colleen Lane Blogging

Some of this work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. All original work, design, and imagery is Copyright© 2007-08 The Lane Real Estate Team.

Recycling | World Vision | Flipping Real Estate | Jesus Christ Images | Carrie Underwood | Lizzie Stanton | Olevia 747i LCD HDTV | Muhammad Ali | Best Real Estate Websites | Greatest Real Estate Agent In The World | Real Estate Closing | Hillary Duff | Shih Huang Ti | Ford Mustang | Herbert Hoover | Bible Study Fellowship | Aaliyah | How To Hire A Woman | Save The Children | Christmas Forums | Mike Huckabee | Buy Wii Online | Maria Sharapova | Weirdest Photo Ever | Acumen Fund | Evel Knievel | Mother Teresa | Squid Angel | Michael Jordan | Traffic From Image Searches | Free Squidoo Images | Squidoo How-To Reference | Squidoo Lens Candy | How To Prt Scr | Michael Jordan | Maria Sharapova PowerShot Videos | Focus On The Family

• Totally Awesome Tee-Shirts ~ Tee Shirts, Cafe Press, etc.
• Everything Photography ~ Anything Photo & Image Related
• Freebies ~ Yup, All Those Freebie & Savings Lenses
• Let's Party ~ Everything Party Themed.
• For The Good Of Squidoo ~ Charities, Lenses Supporting Good Things, & Involved Lensmasters
• Dance Group ~ Anything Dance Related
• TV Game Shows & Competitions ~ Self Explanatory
• Novelty Gifts ~ Anything Gifts Related
• Squidoo Everything How To ~ How-To & Educating Lenses
• About Anyone Group ~ SquidWho, Biographies, Lensographies, etc.
• Books, Magazines, & Anything Else Read ~ Anything Read!
• Duels, Dueling, Debates, & MonkeyBrain Arguments ~ Self Explanatory!
• Everything Green & Environment ~ Recycling, Going Green, Saving Stuff, etc.
• Home, Garden, & Anything Housing ~ Self Explanatory!
• Humor, Jokes, Comics, Fun, & Goofyness! ~ The Funny Stuff!
• Pop Culture & Celebrities ~ Current Events, People, and Places
• Everything Religious & Spiritual ~ Anything Spiritually Related
• Squidoo Lens Tips & Tricks ~ Squidoo Lensmastering
• Work At Home Group ~ Working From Home, The Self Employed, and Affiliates
• Everything Christian ~ The God Of The Bible Group