Scott is my brother. He’s been a part of almost everything that I’ve done in my life that was cool. I was about 16 years old when he was born. So I’ve always been older by a good ways. But now we are both grown married men with kids. We share similar views (not matching) on music, religion, politics and sports. I counseled him when he was younger and he has counseled me quite a bit in recent years. We are both fierce in personality, passionate about what we believe and opinionated on a few topics.

Scott challenges me on many fronts. He steps in the path of my generalizations. He checks my impetuous comments. He rebuffs my over-the-top rhetoric and even questions my parenting at times. Because of our relationship, he has the liberty to do these things without damaging our friendship. For all these reasons and more, Scott inspires me to be a better person.

I think we each need a person in our lives that inspires us to be better people. Scott is certainly not the only person in my life that plays this role, but he is my brother and that is a big deal. The wise man said, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). Scott is my brother by blood, but also through adversity. We’ve been through some tough times and we’ve leaned on each other in those times. When life pounds us and seeks to break our honor and crush our courage, the relationship we share sustains us.

Take a look at these comments from a soldier concerning the reliance brother’s in arms while facing the horrors of being in a prison camp.

“Each man’s suffering was our shared concern, each man’s resistance our shared responsibility. We didn’t relieve one another other of the demands of honor. Each man was expected to resist to the best of his ability. But we relied on one another to strengthen our ability, to encourage us when we felt used up, to assure us that there was no dishonor in trying but falling short of how we perceived our duty in one instance, if we recovered and tried again. And we honored the chain of command that supplemented our own understanding of our duty, of its demands and its limits, so that we would not think ourselves cowards for having an exhaustible supply of courage. When we saw both our duty and our courage as common experience, our duty was easier to bear and our courage more at the ready. We completed one another’s sense of honor and it made us stronger.” - John McCain

I am fortunate to have people in my life who help complete my sense of honor and make me stronger. My family members all do this in some measure, but Scott does this in a special way. I am grateful for all of these and I depend on them to give me courage and to help me along the way. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! (Eccl 4:10). Who is it that completes your sense of honor and makes you stronger?

telemicus out 

Well the geniuses in Washington have decided that we need yet another Stimulus Package. The money they sent earlier this year apparently wasn’t enough. The 700 billion was for the bankers, but now they think they need to give US (the people) some money too. They hope we will use the money to buy or “invest”. Do you see that if we use the new stimulus to buy and invest, then the Wall Street banker types are getting the money again?

The tedious Barney Franks (a primary player in the mortgage fiasco) said yesterday that the time is right for deficit spending adding, “There are plenty of rich people that we can tax down the road to get this money back.” This is the most insane thing I’ve ever heard out of a politician. These people are planning and proclaiming before the election that they intend to raise taxes.

The One says only the top 5% will see a tax increase. The other 95%, we will all get a tax break. But about 40% of those who earn a paycheck don’t owe any tax at all. (Social security payments are not the same as income tax.) Now we understand that those who don’t make enough to owe any taxes will be getting a refund. Meaning – they plan to take from the producers and give to those who do not produce. This is socialism. It is not American.

We try to teach our kids to be responsible people. We want them to work hard, be smart, and pull their own weight. Sometimes they make bad decisions and they need our help to get out of tight spots. It’s altogether proper to do that. But there comes a time when we stop bailing them out. If we continue to rescue them, we soon become enablers of their foolish decision-making. A time always comes when we have to say, “No.” They call this tough love.

It’s time to show some tough love to Washington D.C. They need to learn to live on a budget. The American people are not heartless. We have always been willing to help those in need. Americans are good and compassionate people, but we are tired of rip offs and political con artists. We don’t need another stimulus package. We need responsibility, wisdom, respect and restraint. We need a leader who will find the people responsible for the mess we are in and insure that they are removed and unable to ever be in a position to do this again.

In the parable of the Talents, Jesus said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”  Matthew 25:21 They have not been faithful in these things. We should not allow them to have charge over even more. Vote against socialism that would spread the wealth of the workers to the idle hands of takers. Be wise Americans when you vote.

telemicus out 

Watching the debate last week I noticed how often a question was asked and then both men of whom it was asked simply went right on and said the things they wanted to say, failing to answer the question posed. Then in Bible class, I saw another example of this same thing, but done well. It happened in John 14. Jesus is addressing his apostles on the night before the crucifixion. He is attempting to explain the importance of obedience in the context of love and relationship with him. Take a look at this.

Jesus said, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:21-23).

Jesus goes on with his discussion, but never directly answers the question. But his point throughout the following verses clearly does answer the question. Jesus always planned to show himself to the world. It was his intention that the world would see him through our obedience, love and relationship with him. Jesus ties love and obedience together and declares that our love for Him and for each other would demonstrate to the world that we are His.

I think its alright to leave questions unanswered sometimes if by our continuing comments and actions the answer can be understood. Too many people want easy answers. Voltaire said, “No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.”

It’s good when we have a question to ponder. When we roll around in the dirt of thought, it fosters growth in our thoughts and in our souls. It is here that we uncover the treasure of clarity. Wisdom doesn’t float on the surface of the water; we have to mine for it and sort through a lot of gravel and silt to find what is valuable. If you’re in the role of a teacher, it’s alright to hold back the answer. Let your students struggle and dig. If the question is yours, do the work of thinking. Every problem contains within it - its own answer.

telemicus out

When I was doing youth ministry, one of the questions parents asked me regularly was, “How do I keep my kid from getting in with the wrong crowd?” The question stretches into the world of celebrity, pro sports, business – yes and even churches. The wrong crowd will always poison the waterhole of character.

In the wrong crowd, there is always an Influencer. He (or she) will often suggest the actions that he will not do. He (or she) will talk a degree of crazy that is seen as funny or exciting. Often one or more followers in the crowd will take the initiative of stupidity and do it. The Influencer will never accept responsibility for their actions and will point at followers and say, “I didn’t tell them to do it.” In any crowd – look at the character of the Influencer and you will find the character of the crowd.

If you have a child that shows the character of a follower, it is critical that you develop in them a strong sense of what is good and evil, right and wrong. It’s rare that a true follower becomes the Influencer. Therefore, your teaching must be purposed, consistent and pervasive. For a follower, all moments are teaching moments. With a character based on high moral values, the follower will find an Influencer of that same character to follow.

When a person “gets in” with the wrong crowd, it doesn’t take long to see the influence of the crowd on a person who was of moldable character. Paul wrote, “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). That corruption is not accidental. The Enemy is always seeking to “kill, steal and destroy” lives. This is why character matters – it determines destiny.

When a person seeks a position of leadership, whether in an organization, business, politics or a church, he or she is inviting an examination of their conduct, words, character and even relationships. We all encounter people of weak character in life. We make evaluations about them. Sometimes by simply meeting a person, we can sense that they are not good. Others hide the reality of their character, but eventually, the force of truth smashes the wall of deceit and exposes them.

One test of character is how quickly we cut ties with those who prove themselves to be without honor. I heard Donald Trump yesterday talking about what a great guy Howard Stern is. He said that the radio/T.V. persona is not who he really is. But you see, we are not allowed such duplicity as to have one set of morals publicly and another in private. Jesus said, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).

The wrong crowd; those who influence our belief system, who sway our actions and nudge us in the direction of their own interest; these poison the waterhole of character. The wrong crowd will not poison a person of noble character. This person will examine associates, sever relationships and maintain integrity of soul. The evil Influencers will hold no sway. “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water” (The Revelation 7:17). 

telemicus out