Have you ever thought of your Grandmother or even your Mom when you see some of the commercials on TV and imagine what they would say about the content?  I know my Grandma would be gasping for air and clutching her heart with her eyes opened so wide the edges are stretched!  How did we get so far out of whack from decency and common sense?  Dr. Spock was probably the first step, when he injured some poor little Momma's feelings after she gave her child a spanking for being out of line in the training of upbringing a child.  Not every child is perfect like you were are they?  I know.  I know.  Sarcasm is a lost art isn't it?  As an average and even above average parent, we have exceptional children who are more intelligent, better looking, faster developing, best development than any other kid known to mankind.  Of course we want to think like that, don't we?  To think any less is giving our child a disadvantage over his/her life. Can you imagine, "My parents don't think I'm smart."  "My parents think I'm only AVERAGE."  "My parents don't love me, because I don't have a smart phone, iPad, twitter account, or the right brands of clothes."  I'll bet there are a lot of kids out there that would love just to have a clean shirt on their backs and shoes on their feet...any kind and brand of shoes. Not just the $150/pr. shoes.

Topics concerning sex, proper boy-girl social rules, dating boundaries, proper ways to dress, and a whole lot of different social skills seem to be missing from a child/youth's upbringing.  Proper language skills to converse with others around you are so lacking today that it is difficult to understand what people are talking about.  Even such basic things as talking in a theater...movie, concert or recital type venue.  I understand that Rock concerts and Country concerts and things like open air concerts are more raucous more than "shows' even like the Grand Ole Opry where the audience stays seated and clap their approval instead of jumping off the stage into (hopefully) something soft!

I remember walking from Jr. High School with a neighbor girl who lived one block beyond me.  In the morning we would walk to school together as she got to my corner, and after school, she would continue on after we departed at the same corner.  Ok....I AM a little slow, but this was a "friend". One day after getting home, I found on my dresser top a note.  It was from MOM.  It read something like this: "A gentleman walks on the curb side when walking with a lady."  From then on, when we walked to and from school, I walked on the curb side of her.  Why? Because Mom said so.   Parent guidance. Maybe that is what is missing today.  Parents are too busy doing other things that are LESS important than raising their children up to be good citizens with good morals and decent respect of other people, no matter who or what gender they are.  Who would be the ones that know that the best?  I think it would be the parents that would take that responsibility, wouldn't you?  Oh, but they are busy making their drug buy so they can have a good time, after all . . . they deserve it, don't they?

How did we get into this situation? I have three children and they have children.  Each of our children were raised to RESPECT each other. Did they fight among themselves?  Sure.  Not usually when Mom or I were around, but I suspect they did.  But they would defend each other from an outsider if needed.  And now they are raising their children to RESPECT others.  To treat each other like they would like to be treated.  Young people want to be respected.  They want adults to know they are people too, with feelings, wants, needs, desires.  As adults we need to show the youth that is what we all want as well, and that we do respect them. There is also a term: "Boundaries" that needs to be understood as well. Somewhere along the line respect and boundaries has stopped being a high priority.  Personal greed, the "Me FIRST" syndrome appeared.  The "Let me HELP you" teachings went away.  The "gimme, gimmie" attitude became the words of the day.

How do we change it?  Get back to church.  What a concept!  What will church do for you that you don't already know?  There are many wonderful and very good teachings to be learned on taking care of each other, helping one another, loving each other like brothers and sisters. Did you understand that last one on loving?  Like brothers and sisters....Like a family member you respect and defend and uphold in high esteem.  We all have our arguments and disagreements, but we still love our brothers and sisters, and our Parents....don't we?  Church is good for people to attend.  There are all different types of churches around.  There are so many denominations to pick from.  Personally, I am and have always been a member of the United Methodist Church.  We can visit that subject another time.  But we all have a "comfort zone" that will fit into most Christian denominations that are out there and more. There is the Jewish faith,  the Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Baptists, Church of Christ, Church of God,  etc., etc. . . Google "religions" and take a look.  I know that there are a lot of folks that dislike "Organized Religion", probably because of a bad experience in their earlier life.  Any time man and his "organizational lack-of-skills" gets involved, there are bound to be some missteps and awkward things happening.  Why? Because we are human...bound to make mistakes...bound to not understand at times.  Our best bet is to overlook human frailties and find a new church to visit. Who knows, you may find just the place you are comfortable....or even better yet....where the preaching steps on your toes and it feels good....just what you needed... every once in a while.

Point of the story:  When we as a country started to drift away from the church, the country started to deteriorate.  We need to return to God.  We need to turn our country around and as Christians, Jews, and other God loving and God respecting people, we need to begin respecting each other and stand up for what is right and good.  Stand up against what is wrong, filthy, disrespectful and down right disgusting, and get our values back where it belongs.  Positiveness.  Helping each other when needed.  Praying without fear of rebuke from others that don't believe the same way we do.  Stand tall.  Stand firm.  Faith without works is an empty faith.  Lead your family by example.  Lets get decency back into our lives, our hearts, our communicating, our culture once again.

Remember to keep singing, keep smiling....it really bugs some folks, but do it with love.

Blessings,
Gary