Honoring Our Heroes

Hello I am Lance Pisowicz and this usually is “Lance’s Weekly Walk”.  I hope you are having a great Memorial Day Weekend.  I know I am, even if I have final exams to study for.  I actually just got off of work, so I’m going to cut to the chase.  Before I do that, just a quick reminder that my Ultimate Patriot Competition will begin in about a week.  I’m hoping to have a promo commercial done for that soon.  Lots of great American patriots from many political and social landscapes, and you will have a say in crowning our “Ultimate Patriot”.  I hope you are looking forward to that.

Due to the busyness with finals and the Memorial Day Weekend, I thought I would step back this weekend and present something special.  I knew I would not have the time to prepare a full blog for “What’s Wrong With Washington” nor “Lance’s Weekly Walk” so I have prepared a short photo montage to honor our nation’s heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice in preserving our freedom.  Whether it was my 4^th Great-Grandfather, C.C. (Comfort Carpenter) Walker who died of disease during the winter of 1862 or a soldier who died yesterday in Afghanistan, one thing is for certain we must remember those who gave to a cause greater than themselves.

A Pivotal Role

Today is Sunday May 20^th  and this is Lance’s Weekly Walk!  Today we’ll begin a new series regarding the American Family and its role in developing the next generation, but first I’ve got a couple of quick announcements for you all.  If you haven’t yet, be sure to follow me at:  www.twitter.com/lancejponline.  My Facebook page is also getting more attention as several of you have liked me there.  You can find it at:  www.facebook.com/lancepisowicz.  Also a reminder for you to check out Lance Pisowicz Online (www.wix.com/lancejp/online).  From there you can access my Facebook and Twitter page, my Youtube channel, and everything to do with my blogs.  You can also fill out a prayer request there by clicking on the “Media” tab at the top of your page.  I hope you enjoy Lance’s Weekly Walk and everything there for you at Lance Pisowicz Online.

As I said today we will look into exactly what the American family’s role is in shaping the next generation.  Our objective for today is to take a look at who should be the greatest influence in a child’s life.

When one thinks of a government, often the group that gets together in Washington, D.C. comes to mind.  However, although the federal government may be our largest government, they are not the only ones making the rules.  Below them are fifty state governments each with their own authorities.  If one were to look even deeper, he would notice that there are countless county and city/town governments that make their own rules as well.  But often the most overlooked government is found right at home.  Typically, they have planned meetings, but they hold the key to America’s future.

The home government may not take in taxes or regulate international trade, but they do something all the more important.  They will determine where the United States will be ten, twenty, or fifty years down the road.

Parents have the potential to determine a child’s moral standards, values, and outlook on life.  They have an unparalleled level of control regarding how a child is taught to speak, act, and essentially think.  If a parent condones lying, cheating, and stealing, then the child in essence has a greater potential to take part in these actions than a child brought up in a morally sound home would.

Children are also taught by their parents’ actions.  If there is disrespect and marital strife in the home, then the child may struggle with the same issues when he is an adult.  On the other hand, if a child is taught to love the Lord, respect his wife and children, and be a good steward of money, he is on a better path to do so when he becomes an adult himself.

Now you may be thinking that I might be over-embellishing the role of the American family.  Well, let’s think about this.  Typically, who has the greatest level of influence in a child’s life?  Throughout the history of our nation, parents have often held that prestigious position.

Until the last fifty years or so, a child went to school, but when they came home they helped out with chores around the house/farm, ate dinner with the rest of the family, and spent the evening at home.  Although teenagers did go out with friends, they typically spent more time with their parents and siblings then teenagers do today.

But in today’s day and age, the American family is spending less and less time with one another.  Along with school, the homework schedule for kids has become more rigorous and social activities “eat up” even more family time.

In 2003, 24% of American families reported eating dinner together three or fewer times a week.¹  When they do eat together, who is to say that a television, iPod, or Kindle is not in front of them.  In fact, one out of every three families eat in front of the television.²

Obviously this has decreased the level of influence parents have in their children’s lives.  So who as a result is replacing their influence?  Now teachers, coaches, and other adults are playing a greater role in who a child becomes as an adult.³

There is nothing wrong with attending public school, playing sports, or being in another social group, but when they begin to replace parents as the key influences in the lives of children, parents have the right and the reason to take back control.

At the end of the day, they are your children and you are the person who has their best interest in mind.  What you say goes, and nobody else can tell you how to raise your kids.  God is the only person you are subject to, and He has your and their best interest in mind. 

A great solution my family has to this problem, is my dad coaches my brothers’ and my sports teams and is very involved in our lives.  My mother provides the support structure at home, and she also plays a crucial role in our social activities, such as volunteering to help as a room-parent.  Both of my parents are also involved in our church activities for AWANA, Vacation Bible School, and Youth Group.  If you are a parent, find out how you can get involved and do it!  Even if you are very busy with work, just making the time to eat a meal with your child will have a positive impact on them.

Proverbs 22:6 says:

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (NLT)

God has chosen you for a very important role:  to be a parent.  If you are not a parent yet or will never be, He also has an important role for you.  Be a positive influence in a young person’s life.  Help parents by reinforcing godly teachings.  Remember, you can always call upon your Heavenly Father for guidance yourself.

Thank you for joining me again today.  I hope you have enjoyed your time here, and I invite you to join me on Lance Pisowicz Online (www.wix.com/lancejp/online).  Also be sure to go to our online form if you wish to share your thoughts on this show or What’s Wrong With Washington” (www.lponline.wufoo.com/forms/z7x3k7/).  Be sure to join me later on this week for “What’s Wrong With Washington” and next Sunday as we cover an another great topic.  Thanks again. God bless you and have a great week!

Sources:

1. http://www.gallup.com/poll/10336/Empty-Seats-Fewer-Families-Eat-Together.aspx

2. http://parenting.families.com/blog/why-families-should-eat-dinner-together

3. http://www.mesacc.edu/dept/d46/psy/dev/Spring99/schoolage/family.html

Happy Mother's Day!

This week I will not be presenting our normal "Lance's Weekly Walk." Instead I wanted to take a step back to honor our mothers on this very special day. I encourage you to watch my Mothers' Day Tribute on Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm7zP-GnXTQ.

Also, next week I will begin a series regarding Family Foundations. We will be taking a look at the elements of a strong, successful family at home and how it translates into a more successful community and nation. I hope you will join me for that. Thanks again and I hope you have a truly blessed Mothers' Day!

Educational Equality

Today is Sunday May 6, 2012 and this is Lance’s Weekly Walk!  Today we’ll take a look at whether Evolution has any more right to be taught in public schools than Creationsim, but first I’ve got a couple of quick announcements for you all.  If you haven’t yet, be sure to follow me at:  www.twitter.com/lancejponline.  My Facebook page is also getting more attention as several of you have liked me there.  You can find it at:  www.facebook.com/lancepisowicz.  Also a reminder for you to check out Lance Pisowicz Online (www.wix.com/lancejp/online).  From there you can access my Facebook and Twitter page, my Youtube channel, and everything to do with my blogs.  You can also fill out a prayer request there by clicking on the “Media” tab at the top of your page.  I hope you enjoy Lance’s Weekly Walk and everything there for you at Lance Pisowicz Online.

As I said today we will take a look at whether or not Evolution has any more right to be taught in public schools than Creationism does.  We’ve got plenty to get to, so let’s begin!

First of all, we must realize that evolution is by no means a flawless scientific law. It is merely a theory.  Let’s take a look at the basic ideas of evolution.  As many of you are aware, evolution is an idea that began in the early 1800s.  However, the man who really made the theory take off was a man named Charles Darwin, a scientist from Great Britain.¹  The basis of the ideology is centered around the theme of natural selection and “survival of the fittest”.

However, there has been a legend since the 1880s that Darwin renounced evolution on his deathbed (probably in fear of what was to come after death).²  I guess we won’t know if Charles accepted Christ or not until we go to be with the Lord ourselves.

But even if Darwin did not renounce evolution himself, other scientific discoveries have.  Take Louis Pasteur’s disproving of spontaneous generation for example.  According to author Lee Strobel (a former atheist turned Christian), Darwin’s theory of evolution included the belief that living organism could arise from non-living things in the right environment and right amount of time.³

Pasteur, an opponent of evolution preformed his broth boiling experiment that disproved the idea of spontaneous generation.  Even before Pasteur, Italian scientist Francisco Redi had disproved evolution with his Meat and Flies experiment in 1668.⁴

So Mr. Darwin, if maggots cannot come from spoiled meat, how could you suggest that an entire world full of distinct organisms could come from nothing?  Your so-called “facts” simply do not add up.  How could you say there is not a greater being who created this universe?

Also, never before has one experienced a dramatic case of “evolution”.  Sure things change over time in minor ways, like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, but even then, these changes are not passed down to their offspring.

Obviously children will resemble their parents, and in time, this leads to a diversity of people, but to say that entirely new species are created from it is absurd.

You see, evolution is not a perfect scientific law.  In fact, it is more fallible than it is correct.  The theory itself has only been around for about two hundred years, so know we’ll compare that with one that’s been around six thousand years, roughly 3000% longer.

Although I believe that the Bible is an entirely infallible and perfect book, and that it truly is the Word of God, there are some in our society today who claim to find faults with it.  I’m sure we’ve found just as many issues with their young theory of evolution.

But, I shared a quote last week that I think applies nicely to this week’s topic as well.

“(Evolution) has in recent years been challenged in the world of science and is not yet believed in the scientific community to be as infallible as it once was believed.  But if it was going to be taught in the schools, then I think that also the biblical theory of creation, which is not a theory but the biblical story of creation, should also be taught.” - Ronald Reagan

If you know the history of evolution you are likely aware of the 1925 court case:  The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes (also known as the “Scopes Monkey Trial”).⁵  Although the court ruled against John Scopes being allowed to teach evolution in his public school classroom, it eventually stirred up politically correct politicians enough to allow it.

Eventually evolution became the sole theory taught in a majority of public schools in the nation, because it claimed to be the elite belief.  However, to me, Creationism, a six thousand year old idea with scientific support is the elite belief.

AllAboutCreation.org offers five valid points to the scientific proof of God here they are:⁶

• First, the non-existence of God cannot be proven. One cannot prove a universal negative. Alternatively, the existence of God is provable.

• The concept, design, and intricate details of our world necessitate an intelligent designer.

• Both direct and indirect evidence for God’s existence are well known and well documented. Nothing in history is better known or better documented than the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We even use the year of His birth as the basis for our calendar. He perfectly matched the over 100 unique Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament regarding His birth, life, death, and resurrection. The laws of probability cannot give us a reasonable explanation for either the Messianic predictions or the resurrection, let alone both by the same person.

• Jesus’ miracles were witnessed by many and were documented redundantly for additional corroboration. He was seen by at least 500 people after His resurrection. He was seen ascending into heaven. His transfiguration was seen by Peter, James, and John. His wisdom in dealing with many circumstances was astounding. He never promoted Himself or His miracles. C. S. Lewis stated that He couldn’t have just been a good teacher. He was either a liar, lunatic, or Lord. He didn’t even come close to meeting the profile of a liar or lunatic, so He had to be God.

• Jesus Christ also supported the truth of the Old Testament and quoted it many times. Consequently, with Jesus Christ, we have an eyewitness to the truth of the Old Testament. This gives credibility to the creation account and God’s interaction with man. The entire Old Testament account is about how God is trying to have a relationship with man while man is separating himself from God by sin. It tells how God is long-suffering and merciful and ultimately how God sent His Son to die for our sins so God could ultimately have a relationship with us.

For those who still argue God’s existence or the proof of Creationism, you will simply have to believe or be judged in the end.

In the meantime, I have a proposition for America.  God gave us all the free will to either believe in Him and receive salvation or decline him and face eternal judgment.  In the United States we offer that same choice to everyone.  You can decide what you believe for yourself.  Both creationism and evolution are theories.  Both Christianity and Atheism are belief sets.  So why not make the option of choice readily available to our children in public schools?

Christians have nothing to lose by this.  The politically correct “revolution” has already stripped our children of education in Creationism.  Atheists should feel like they have nothing to lose.  If they do not want to go up against creationism head-on, I guess that indicates fear and a lack of belief in their theory.

I shared a quote last week that I think applies nicely to this week’s topic as well.

“(Evolution) has in recent years been challenged in the world of science and is not yet believed in the scientific community to be as infallible as it once was believed.  But if it was going to be taught in the schools, then I think that also the biblical theory of creation, which is not a theory but the biblical story of creation, should also be taught.” - Ronald Reagan

I agree with President Reagan (who was a Presbyterian).  As a born-again Christian, I do not see the Bible as a theory but as the truth.

Others may not see it that way, and that is fine.  This is the United States of America and every person is entitled to his or her own opinion.  I will offer what I believe is the truth and if it is declined, then it is their loss.  But unless Creationism is taught in public schools, the Left simply contradicted itself and its claims in “being fair to all.”

Thank you for joining me again today.  I hope you have enjoyed your time here, and I invite you to join me on Lance Pisowicz Online (www.wix.com/lancejp/online).  Also be sure to go to our online form if you wish to share your thoughts on this show or What’s Wrong With Washington” (www.lponline.wufoo.com/forms/z7x3k7/).  Be sure to join me later on this week for “What’s Wrong With Washington” and next Sunday as we cover an another great topic.  Thanks again. God bless you and have a great week!

Sources:

1. http://bioweb.cs.earlham.edu/9-12/evolution/HTML/theory.html

2. http://creation.com/did-charles-darwin-recant

3. The Case For Faith (Strobel, Lee)

4. http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/cm/v14/n1/louis-pasteur

5. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scopes/evolut.htm

6. http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/cm/v14/n1/louis-pasteur