Teaching Abstinence Works!

I know many of you heard the results of  the study of pre-teens who delayed the initiation of sex after an abstinence-only based program.  Hopefully, more studies like this will take place and continue to cause Washington to take notice. Let’s actively persuade our politicians that this type of education is needed and that it works.

Quick Response to Study of Abstinence Education

The Pros and Cons of Black History Month

Originally posted on The Grio.com

Black History Month is a refreshingly festive time of the year for most of us. Our national choice to give reverence to the contributions of African-Americans is worthy of celebration. If grades were given for effort, we would earn at least a B+ for our joint commitment to allocating a special time to observe and respect African-American history.

But effort is not always enough. Good intentions are a necessary, though not sufficient requirement for us to win the fight for racial equality in America. So, given that our nation has convinced itself that Black History Month should be celebrated, we must now begin to understand how Black History Month might be celebrated in order to be most effective.

My first thought: Why is slavery never really on the table for serious discussion during Black History Month? We are consistently told to remember the Holocaust of Nazi Germany, but for some reason, any meaningful conversation about slavery tends to be reduced to quick mentions of Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and (of course) Abraham Lincoln. Perhaps the reason we are so quick to remember the Jewish Holocaust but want to forget the African-American holocaust is because the latter is simply too close to home. It’s easy to vilify Adolf Hitler for killing Jews, but not good business to do the same to Thomas Jefferson for his ownership of slaves. Perhaps instead of Black History Month, we should consider “Black Honesty Month” and actually talk about what really happened during slavery.

Second thought: Why does the black history conversation have to start with slavery anyway? Were there no black people in existence before the 17th century? After casually mentioning the arrival of slaves to America, we then rattle off a list of standard achievements: “A black man invented this,” or “John Q. Blackman was the first to accomplish that.” All the while, there is little or no acknowledgment of the great civilizations of Africa to match the incessant drilling of Greek and Roman history into the heads of our kids.

While I am certainly proud of African-Americans who’ve led the way with marvelous inventions and achievements, we must be careful about how our presentation of the message affects the self-esteem of black children. By starting our history as “those people who were eventually freed from slavery by a white man (Lincoln),” we are reminding our kids that the primary quest for black people is to achieve equality with whites. White achievement becomes the ceiling of our greatness, which only serves to guarantee our second-class citizenship.

Third thought: Does a celebration of Black History Month negate the need for more productive conversations about modern day structural inequality? We tend to talk about the history of race in America as if the past is completely disconnected from the present. We discuss how “they used to treat black people back then” without realizing that “they” created the foundation of the society in which we live. Without meaningful discussions of present day manifestations of structural racism, including the education, prison and economic systems, we have forfeited our ability to discuss the past in a constructive way.

Fourth thought: Given that most Americans are woefully uneducated on African-American history, it is clear that allocating one month to the topic is not satisfactory. Why not allow all American children to receive a more holistic and integrated historical education that includes African Americans? By relegating black historical education to one month out of the year, have we created a “Chronological reservation,” a space of time that is owned by blacks, but keeps blackness trapped within its borders? Are black history courses mandatory at most universities? Are children in public school being taught a sufficient amount of black history? Perhaps creating a generation of children who are better informed on the history of race relations might help our nation avoid producing the next Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity. Analyzing the present without understanding the past will almost always lead us to incorrect conclusions. The problem is that most of us don’t know enough about the past to put the present into its proper context.

I enjoy the celebration of Black History Month, and our nation has made a relatively sincere effort to show respect for African-American achievement. But there is certainly more to be desired, and we can only improve our understanding of black history if we consciously acknowledge that there is more for us to learn. Black history is not a 300-year montage of inventions, laws and liberations. It is every bit as complex as the history of any other group of people, and the complexity should be recognized.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the initiator of the National Conversation on Race. For more information, please visit BoyceWatkins.com.

Teaching Tools: Black History Month

Hannah’s Prayer

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6

National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday 2010

January 24, 2010 is designated as National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.  This week is designed to educate and enlighten those who need information about the reality of abortion, to celebrate life at it’s earliest stage, and remember  to fight for those are the most defenseless-the unborn.  Here is a quick overview of what abortion is provided by www.abort73.com, an excellent source for those wanting the unfiltered truth about abortion:

Sisters of the Faith has also provided information for those who want to provide information, and/or seek assistance for themselves and others.  We also have shared stories of those who have been directly effected by abortion and most importantly, how God views us and the love He has for us even before we were conceived.  This is a topic that is near and dear to our hearts.  Please pray continually for this cause.

http://www.sistersofthefaith.com/index.php?s=abortion

First Grade Teacher Cuts off Student’s Braid

When I initially saw the following story I was sure it had to be hoax.  After I did a little research I was able to view the original report from Milwaukee ABC affiliate WISN.  Needless to say I was appalled.  I have a seven year old daughter and I am sure that she would have been extremely upset about an incident like this.

I’m not sure how I feel about the fact that the child’s identity has been revealed but, the teacher’s identity has not.  The news outlet made it a point to outline that teacher stress has gone up, which implies that this child stressed the teacher out.  My concern as a parent would be that my child would be labeled.  Would subsequent teachers lack patience with my child because she “stressed” this other teacher out?  Additionally, does teacher stress justify this behavior?  The little girl told Milwaukee’s News12 that the teacher called her over to the desk, said that she was going to give her candy, then cut the braid and threw it in the trash while the entire class watched and laughed. Lamya went back to her desk in tears. She says that the teacher asked her, “‘Now what you gonna go home and say to your momma?,’” to which she sensibly replied, “‘That you cut off my hair,’” according to News12.

Although the local school district would not comment on the specifics of the case, an apology was given.

The News12 report says that the District Attorney has decided not to press charges, but police did issue a $175 fine for Disorderly Conduct.

So, what would you do if this happened to your child?

Eight Year Old Expelled for Drawing a Picture of Jesus Christ!

How To Set Your Christmas Budget

I know this may be late, but this is very useful information in preparing and shopping for the holidays.  Be enlightened!

Step By Step Guide for Making Your Christmas Budget

1. Make a long list of everyone to whom you want to give a Christmas gift.

Be sure to include the following groups of people:

• Family – aunts, uncles, children, spouse, cousins, siblings, grandparents, and even the stray dog your brother-in-law adopted.  Include everyone you WANT to give a gift to.
• Co-workers – partners, bosses, co-workers, support staff
• Church friends – Bible school teachers, church staff, grandparent figures
• Community friends – neighbors, fellow volunteers, clerk at the grocery store
• Those who provide services – paperboy, mail man, pizza delivery boy, yard worker, pool cleaner, teachers
• Anyone else – feeling jovial?  Put them on the list.

2. Determine how much you can afford to spend on Christmas.

This calculation can be relatively simple.  How much money can you save between now and December 25th? How many of those dollars are you willing to dedicate towards Christmas gifts?

Christmas Spending Rule:

How much you can afford to spend must be an amount you save in CASH.  This is not an ‘if-I-were-rich-I-would-budget-this’ list. This is how much you actually have to give for Christmas.  If the number is low, that is fine.  Christmas is not about financially crippling yourself so someone can have a pair of socks that will go in the trash before January. Christmas is about expressing love and appreciation.  Both of which can be done without money.  Christmas can be enjoyed without money.  Be sure that your budget is reasonable in relationship to your income.  This can be done by making sure your total amount fits within recommended budget percentages.

3. Prioritize your list from step #1.  Make it a short list.

If married, before prioritizing the list, pray that God will give you the patience to work together – not against each other.

You might want to cut out your Great Aunt Sally, but your wife has given her a gift every year for two decades.  She might want to remove a business partner who doesn’t deserve anything, but you want to grease that relationship.  This process could be painful, so prayerfully get on the same page before you start.

At this stage you are just going to separate each name into three groups – paid gift, made gift, no gift. Since you know how much you can afford to give you will have a better sense of how many people can be on your paid gift list.  Knowing your time, available you can limit your made gift list. The others – no gift, but perhaps a Christmas card.

4. Assign and complete necessary preparations.

Paid Gift List:

Beside each name on the paid gift list, assign a budgeted amount.  For example, dad might get $50 and cousin Steve $25.  Be sure that total does not exceed the amount in Step #2.  The only rule here is you cannot overspend that amount on that person.  Here are 8 tips to save money on your Christmas shopping.

Made Gift List:

What will you make?  Cookies and other Christmas treats are a great idea for close friends, neighbors, and colleagues.  For family, a customized card with a picture of the kids will suffice.  Need some guidance?  Here is a list of 50 Personalized Christmas Gift Ideas.

No Gift:

If they made it on your first list you might just send them a personalized card.

Merry Christmas Uncle Joe.  We just wanted to let you know that you are a special part of our family.  Thanks for all the time and attention you give to our kids.  We’re blessed to have an uncle like you.

5. Make the budget work.

Don’t spend more than you budgeted.

If your budget is tight, you will need to capitalize on a free valuable resource – CREATIVITY.  Creativity must be combined with another necessary ingredient – TIME.

Time + Creativity = Awesome Valuable Christmas Presents for a Lower Price

How do you set your Christmas budget?  How soon do you start saving money for Christmas?

Source:  http://www.christianpf.com/how-to-make-a-christmas-budget/

Just a Reminder for all the Mothers

According to Titus 2:5 it is important that a young woman keep her home. She is “to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to [her] husband, so that no one will malign the Word of God.”  Unfortunately, our society has taken this out of context and we have placed more importance on keeping up appearances than anything else.  I ran across this great poem today that was a refreshing reminder of what my most important role in my home is…raising my children. Too many days are spent focusing on the aesthetics and not on the tasks that have true value, real merit and will place an indelible mark on the future.

I Took His Hand and Followed
Mrs. Roy L. Peifer

My dishes went unwashed today,I didn’t make the bed,

I took his hand and followed Where his eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring, My little son and I…

Exploring all the great outdoors Beneath the summer sky

We waded in a crystal stream,We wandered through a wood…

My kitchen wasn’t swept today, But life was gay and good.

We found a cool, sun-dappled glade, And now my small son knows

How Mother Bunny hides her nest, Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.

We watched a robin feed her young, We climbed a sunlit hill…

Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky, We plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected, That I didn’t brush the stairs,

In twenty years, no one on earth, Will know, or even care.

But that I’ve helped my little boy, To noble manhood grow,

In twenty years, the whole wide world, May look and see and know.

Although it appears that the author of the poem was referring to educating her son in general, Christian mothers (which should really be all mothers) have the added responsibility of raising our children in God-centered homes.  A mother’s faithful instruction multiplies to bless others as her children grow into mature servants of God. 2 Tim. 1:5

2 Timothy 1:5 (ASV)
⁵ having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in thee also.

Be blessed…

Catherine’s Abortion Experience: P4CM Ex-Series

Next Page »