Friday, February 28, 2014

Anne Frank

Anne Frank's heart-wrenching story has been read by millions since it was first published. Most will agree that her diary must continue to be made available to future generations...in order to keep these atrocities from happening again.



For whatever reason, 121 copies in public libraries in Japan have been defaced. I won't try to explain the reasons behind this vandalism nor will I try to delve into the minds of those who did the work. I can only say "Bravo" to those who are working to replace this valuable piece of history...

Israel to donate Anne Frank diaries after Tokyo copies vandalised

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Tree of Faith

by Asbo Jesus

Is this what you do? Choose only the parts that agree with what you believe? Take only the fruit that makes you feel comfortable? Pick only what proves you "must" be right and all others are wrong?

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Living the questions....

Someone who helps me walk the path and gently nudges me whenever I stray posted this today...



The article can be found here....

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Grammar!

I must admit, one of my pet peeves is trying to read a post on the internet (since no one writes letters anymore) using the wrong words. How often have you seen a post that should contain "you're" (you are) but instead the author uses "your"? 

These puppets do a pretty good job of making the point...



If you'd care to read more on the subject, try here!

Monday, February 24, 2014

A pastor visits...

Looking in from the outside — a pastor visits another church

This is worth a few minutes to read. As he mentions, most of our churches are guilty of a few of these...but that doesn't mean we should close our eyes and not strive to make ourselves more open and welcoming.

 Read it here...

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Mistakes cost...

New Zealand has an excellent commercial to remind everyone that mistakes can cost...lives.



It's a good reminder to everyone who gets behind the wheel.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Courage

If you've watched the news at all, you know that there is major unrest in the Ukraine.

Security forces fired on masses of anti-government demonstrators in Kiev on Thursday in a drastic escalation of the three-month-old crisis that left dozens dead and Ukraine reeling from the most lethal day of violence since Soviet times.



and in the midst of it all, Priests praying...between the police and the protesters...the kind of courageous non-violence Jesus asks us to practice. 

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Standardized

When our children we young, hubby and I encouraged thought and exploration and debate and wonder...we often told our children that "being different was good"! God gave each of us a brain, He never intended that they all be exactly the same. No one should be pigeonholed just because we have the means...

Being the type of parents who like to walk (no, make that dance) outside the box...we HATE standardized tests. We do understand that our educators feel they need a way to measure children, we just feel this is the wrong way. Where is the creativity? Where is the joy?

Looks like Mike Walsh agrees:
Alright, imagine a terrifying world where 4 and 5 year old children are allowed to play, explore, and dream. Imagine a dystopia where young kids roll in the grass and get mud on their pants. Imagine what would happen if small children weren’t constantly being measured or analyzed. Imagine an utter and complete absence of overarching ”academic standards” for kids that are barely older than toddlers. Imagine the torment of a country that does not provide government facilities to which its citizens can send their tots for curriculum-based instruction. Imagine a netherworld where innocent little kids aren’t tested, or scored, or compared to the “performance” of other kids all over the globe. Imagine — just imagine — a purgatory where your 4 year old develops on his own time, and isn’t hurried along so that he might meet broad “milestones” and “performance standards.”

Read the entire article here...

Monday, February 10, 2014

Mama...

would have been 74 years old today. Unfortunately she passed when she was only 49. 

As I look back, I know she had issues...and didn't always handle them well. But one thing she did was love me...for all of us who miss our Moms from time to time and for all who are still able to be with them...