Stanwood - College Bound?

A while back rumor came down that the State of Washington was looking to place a new four-year university in North Snohomish County. The idea was that the new school would service North Snohomish County (north of Everett), Skagit County and Island County. So in the infinite wisdom of the state, they decided to place the school in Everett, a location which meets none of the goals. (Which is fine with me.)
Putting the poor site choice aside, I would like to talk more specifically about my community, the community of Stanwood. I would like to discuss the movement, by many people from the greater Stanwood area, to have this college placed in the Stanwood vicinity, and the continued movement, now that the state college site has been selected, to attract a private college or university to the Stanwood area.
The thing that really staggers my imagination is the fact that most of the university proponents are the same people who fought blood sweat and tears to keep Wal-Mart out of Stanwood a few years back. It just seems ironic that someone would battle against the big box monster and then turn around and try to attract something that will inevitably attract the monster. If a four-year college, with dorms and the works comes to town, they are going to need somewhere to shop and at this time Stanwood does not have the stores that college students will be wanting. It is like building a casino and the entire time saying that it will not attract gamblers.
Get a clue! You cannot have one without the other.

St. Valentine's Day

It has been a long time since I have had an opportunity to write and update my blog. Not that anyone is reading this regularly except my wife and she has been since banned from reading this blog at work. The frozen food packaging company, for which my wife works, has set up the internet in such a way that many sites are blocked, each employee has only a certain amount of quota time each day, and if you visit any one site too often, then it becomes restricted. But, I send out a God bless you, to my wife who is a great supporter of the things that her husband loves.
It is St. Valentine's Day and I have to say, so what, and who cares? Well, my wife, for one cares a good deal. A few years ago a friend of mine and I decided to not get anything for our wives for Valentine's Day. He bailed on me and I followed through. (He must fear his wife more than I.) Anyway, was I ever in the doghouse? I have learned my lesson. I do not go over-the-top, but my lady is not one who needs someone to go over-the-top. She just wants to be remembered. I do not always say it, but she is daily remembered. Regardless of whatever conflict we might be going through, I always remember that God brought her to me and that I love her and she loves me. This might sound like gooey dribble, but we all need a little of that now and then.
My main problem with St. Valentine's Day is that so many couples only celebrate each other on February 14th. Shame on you men out there who do not do the little things throughout the year to remind her that she is a gift from God.

Should Christian Young Women Go To College?

Should Christian young women go to college? This is a question that I get a lot. There is the school of thought that college is a waste of time for a godly young woman. It is assumed that, when married, the young lady will stay home and keep house, take care of the children, and her husband. Ideally this is a wonderful model. (I realize that in today's society, this is a very chauvinistic idea, but I don't think so.)
Firstly, a young lady should not be waiting for marriage. As a woman who has been given gifts and talents by her creator, she should be using them to further His kingdom. God will bring marriage in His time if it is His will. Secondly, just because a girl has dreams of marriage, it does not mean that God's plans for her are the same. I have heard it said too many times, "She really wants to be married, so God would not leave her single." I am glad that those making that statement are now deciding what the perfect mind of God will think next. I have known several girls, who were set on marriage through high school and college and have yet to be married. They may never. It is then important to be able to support one's self. Thirdly, marriage may not last forever. I am not speaking of divorce, but of separation through death. If a woman were widowed, then it would be wonderful for her to be able to make a living. I agree that the church should help to support her, but they may not have the finances to carry the whole weight of her financial burden. Fourthly, the kids grow up and go to college. The children are grown, the house is in order and dad is trying to pay for two or three of them at a time to go to college. Yes, there are minimum wage jobs that could help, but wow, what one could do with a college career. Finally, there are many men who have good jobs, but do not make enough to support all of the needs of the family. My sister-in-law has been a stay-at-home mom since my niece and nephew were born. My brother works very hard and does pretty well, but there are unforeseen car repairs, braces and other such expenses that may not fit the budget. She has an accounting degree and is able to work from home and still maintain the home and spend time with the children.
I believe that God has called me to work in the ministry of a private school. My wife wholeheartedly agrees. I would love to make enough money for her to stay home. That is not what God has planned for us yet. I will continue to guide young ladies toward college, until God sends them a different direction.

Thanksgiving

I love this time of year; the beautiful colors, warm fires, and Thanksgiving. A gray day in the Pacific Northwest can be a wonderful thing. Grocery stores are one of my favorite destinations during this season. The ends of the aisles are packed with a cornucopia of delicious ingredients. I was at Haggen last night with my son, and my eyes and nose were filled with the wonder of bagged walnuts, condensed milk, bread crumbs for stuffing, baking flour, brown sugar, various spices and a plethora of other delightful items, not to mention the fresh baked pumpkin pies in the bakery.
Putting these earthly pleasures behind, I truly love the gathering of family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, siblings and parents all coming together in festive fall-colored clothing that leaves only the flesh of the face exposed. Everyone sharing pictures and stories from the past year and young parents showing off their new family additions whose presence ensures gatherings of this kind for years to come.
The pinnacle of the Thanksgiving season is giving thanks to the one and only true God of the Bible, giving Him praise and thanks first and foremost for the gift of His Son Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world who came to this earth as God in the form of man to be the one and only Way, Truth and Life.
This has, for many years, left me asking the question, "To whom is everyone else giving thanks?" The very act of giving thanks lends itself to having to give that thanks to someone or something. I obviously do not have the market cornered on praising God. When I ask my question, I am not including other God fearing believers of Jesus Christ. I am simply wondering whom atheists are thanking. How about evolutionists? Then there are those who claim to believe in nothing. Who are they thanking? No one or nothing I guess. Or perhaps in our humanistic world, they are thanking themselves. How bold to thank one's self for every good thing and for life and breath.

The Right to Vote at a Polling Place

I live in Snohomish County, located in the northwestern region of Washington State. Last year our county government decided that all registered voters would vote absentee. This means that I no longer have the right to drive to my local school library or Sons of Norway Hall and take my place in a voting booth and cast my vote. No longer will little elderly ladies greet me, whose joy is to help voters in the voting process and then place an "I Voted" sticker on your shirt or jacket.
In this past election, taking place on November 6, 2007, we once again received our absentee ballots in the mail. My wife and I then dropped them off at our local QFC grocery store. I have no problem with soldiers, shut-in folks or people working long shifts, signing up for absentee ballots, but I have a major problem with every registered voter being required to vote in this manner.
I wonder if the absentee method is really that much of a money saver. Most of the women and men at the polling places were volunteers and let us just look at the votes sent out versus the votes sent back. About 34 percent of the 333,618 ballots sent out were returned. That leaves us with a grand total of 220,250 ballots that went into the trash. How is that good stewardship? The incredible waste of paper, not to mention the printing and postage costs.
It is believed that this absentee method will encourage more people to vote. Voting is a right and a privilege. There should be effort involved. Maintaining a republic is not easy. It takes work. It takes sweat. If people choose not to make this effort or take advantage of this right, then that is their choice and they have forfeit that right.
Chances are, the people who are sending in the absentee ballots were the same folks who were greeted by those dear volunteers. Voters who would trudge through the elements to claim their right to vote.

Are We Still Teaching Manners?

Last night I attended a band concert at my nephew's middle school. He has just entered the sixth grade and has played the trumpet now for about four to five weeks. It was a wonderful time. I was regrettably reminded of how casual our society has become. Perhaps it is just because we are in the Northwest and folks here are very informal, they don't even understand RSVP.
Before the music started, the director had to remind the audience not to walk around or talk during the songs. I was surprised that she didn't have to remind us to turn off our cell phones. What happened to respect and courtesy for others? We have let those ideas depart like the Dodo. Why do grown adults have to be told how to act in public? Because each one looks out for his or her self. If someone asks them to get manners, they feel that some inalienable right of theirs has been infringed upon. The director had to preface her warning with, "your children have worked very hard on these songs." We should know that they have worked very hard and not have to be reminded. Besides, it should not just be for the kids that we are quiet, but for the love of those around us who are trying to enjoy the music.
Turn off your phone at public events! If you should forget, then turn it off immediately. Do not answer it and begin talking like a guy did in a movie that my brother and his wife were attending a while back. This guy carried on a loud, full on conversation.
The Golden Rule, a very Biblical principle, applies here: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

How Do Christians Choose a Candidate?

With Giuliani as the Republican frontrunner, the question arises, "Can I, as a Christian, vote for a man who is Pro Choice?" It has been suggested to me that we are not voting for a pastor, but a president.
Yes, we are to respect the office of the president whether we agree with the president or not. As Christians we are to understand that God put all authority in place. Even though we are not electing a pastor and we are to respect the office, the decision to me has got to be more about the man than not. Someone might say, "So he is Pro Choice, look at what a political conservative he is." All I can say to that is, wow!
I know that it is impossible to legislate morality. For instance if we ban abortion are the girls not going to get abortions somewhere other than clinics with trained professionals? (By-the-way, I do believe that we should ban abortion and that it is murder.) Morality is a heart issue and only Jesus Christ can change hearts.
I want a man that has impeccable moral values. Not a man that has been married three times and believes in abortion. So, I therefore must choose to vote for the candidate, if there is one, who claims Christ as a member of the triune Deity of God and as that candidate's personal Lord and Savior. I want a man who is not afraid of losing political gain, to speak out against abortion, gay marriage, and other sins against the Truth, Jesus Christ. Someone who is not afraid to give up a second term in the name of what is true and right.
Perhaps if he has traveled this far in politics, then he has already compromised along the way. I choose to believe that we can find this man and that God is faithful to His children regardless of who is in office.