Category Archives: Child rearing

Independence Day – Blood and Treasure

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“Blood and Treasure” comes from a July 4th speech by David Ramsay, M.D. in 1794. Ramsay studied medicine under Benjamin Rush, served in the Continental Congress and was a noted historian.

He feels it right to cover what had been done in the 16 years since the first such celebration:

“Every citizen perfectly free of the will of every other citizen while all are equally subject to the laws.
Liberty of the press…
…it is the fashion to rule well. We read of the rapacity [corruption], cruelty and oppression of men in power, but our rulers seem for the most part ot be exempt from these vices.
It is one of the peculiar privileges we enjoy in consequence of independence that no individual — no party interest– no foreign influence — can plunge us into war. Under our excellence Constitutions that scourge of nations will be avoided…
progressive improvement in business and trade…

We ought, in the first place, to be grateful to the all-wise Disposer of Events Who has given us so great a portion of political happiness. To possess such a country with the blessings of liberty and peace together with that security of person and property which results from a well-ordered, efficient government is — or ought to be — [a] manner of constant thankfulness.

Industry, frugality, and temperance are virtues which we should eminently cultivate. These are the only foundation on which a popular government can rest with safety…Idleness, extravagance and dissipation of every kind should be banished from our borders.

It remains for us to recommend free governments by the example of a peaceable, orderly, virtuous, and happy people. We should press forward in accomplishing everything that can add to the common stock of public good. While war with its horrid attendant is the pastime of kinds, let i be the study of republicans to make unceasing advances in everything that can improve, refine, or embellish society. Animated with this noble ambition, the superior happiness of our country will amply repay us for the blood and treasure which independence has cost. May that ambition fire our breasts,and may that happiness increase and know no end, till time shall be no more.

Like social skills and money sense, a correct knowledge of our nation’s founding (so necessary for fruitful civic engagement) must be taught at home. What are you doing to teach your children about our nation’s founding? How are you celebrating Independence Day?

Celebrating Educational Acheivements

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On The Great Shalom I have always proclaimed that God wants total well-being for all children. Especially I have encouraged academic achievement, something which, for all the hype and words, is less and less valued in American education. I daily see the ravages of evil in this regard. It is most serious when news of a correctable evil is blotted out with charges of “negativism.” What is really negative is to refuse to address a problem, and to lie that evil is good. I see this so much, so pervasively that even I am tempted to get down.

Last night, however, I went to Commencement. Aside from the top administrator saying a few things that could seldom ever be true, given current policies, it was a great event all ’round. We cheered and celebrated so many student. Many of these students, where I have been teaching, work to complete their program of study under great hardship: poverty, under-0preparedness, lack of resources, lack of community and moral support and faculty who themselves must struggle with these things. Yet these few students made it. They were every size and shape. Some walked timidly and others with “excessive celebration” as they say in the sports world.

I could not help ginning ear to ear the entire time. I have seen standards so obliterated that bright students no longer try and learning disabled students not get identified. I have seen so many negative, hurtful things. But last night, I saw some achievement. I wish that I could help more students across such a finish line — whichever is their particular line.

Being a gracious and helpful teacher will not in today’s world be sufficient. Being a broadcaster encouraging the parents of children, probably all of whom have special needs, has even proven insufficient. I would like to train teachers, even to build a teachers’ college. Everywhere we train pastors, we should train teachers. The State of Texas certainly disallows this here, but it is not impossible. Please help me, help more students, over their goal time — with or without excessive celebration!

Happy Graduation! Blessings on all graduates.

Godly early childhood education

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Early childhood education is in the news. Unfortunately, the push is in the wrong direction. The way to higher academic achievement is to encourage the best emotional development, meaning to encourage very small children to be with the mothers. There is abundant and robust research (done almost entirely before such articles were electronically indexed) that shows children do better emotionally, physically, and academically if they do not go to a group program, but instead, stay with their mother. You wouldn’t know it, however, if you surf the discussion. People seem to have mis-remembered the study that did show that if you take the poorest child from the absolute worst environment and put him or her into the very very best daycare then yes, in that situation you can raise their IQ. But remember, that never happens. No one ever puts poor children into the very best daycare. And most children are not coming from desperate situations. The plain fact is that children do best when their devoted mother takes care of them. We all appreciate educators. We should also appreciate the love that only mothers have.

Thanks so much

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Just wanted to say thank you to all my listeners. Today we finish up a series on how to pray for your children. Next month we re-air first our July 4th episode from last year because these themes are very much on my heart. As a back to school ‘cast, we will also re-air Dr. Champion telling how virtue is cultivated in Leander public school. We will also have some classic re-air. I feel that the most crying need these days, the felt need, is not so much physiological as ethical. Parents are not so worried about learning disabilities, because the grades are coming home fine. Trouble is, those grades are cooked, skewed, and fake. Even those students whose academic ability is outstanding are brought down in morale and achievement by the low moral quality of the wider environment. We need revival, awakening to God more than anything.

The turn around needed in schools is very much like the turn around needed in other sectors of society. It is called “do the right thing.” “To repent” means “to turn around.” God (who is Love, Truth) is calling.

Please add your comments or prayers.