Does Spanking Really Harm Kids?

I’m sure you’ve heard this from “experts” who appear on TV. But is this really true? Let’s use some common sense. How many of you had been spanked as kids? Did you end up becoming a child abuser? How many of you had parents who were spanked? Did they end up becoming abusers? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you should spank your kids. I know people who can discipline their kids without resorting to this. But the point I want to make is that a child who is spanked does not automatically become dysfunctional and abusive. In fact, I’ve heard of kids who were not disciplined by their parents and the kids did end up becoming dysfunctional, even violent and abusive. So next time you hear someone say that spanking is bad, ask them if they or their parents were spanked, and ask them if they became violent as a result.

Passing the Torch

I was watching a program on "Animal Planet" & during the commercial break, Bindi Irwin appeared. She's the daughter of the late Australian naturalist, Steve Irwin (aka The Crocodile Hunter). Like her parents, Bindi is now a wildlife conservationist and spokesperson, & she's only 8 years old. Steve mentioned a long time ago that he wanted to pass on his passion for wildlife to his daughter. I thought, "How wonderful it is for parents, who share the same passion, to pass on their ideals to their children." Now they can continue the parents' mission. Just imagine, “What if Christian parents did the same, & passed on their zeal for the Faith to their children?” Then like little Bindi, these children will continue the work of passing the Faith, not only to others, but to their own children someday. So pass on the torch of the Faith, & leave a legacy for future generations. They will not only remember you for it, but they'll be thankful that you did.

The True Worth of a Human Being

Most people today measure their worth as human beings by the amount of money they make, their social status, or their possessions. But is this really the true measure of our worth? A visiting pastor gave the answer in his sermon last Sunday at our church. Our true worth as human beings is dependent on our relationship with God. Think about this for a moment. Parents value their children simply because the kids are their children. It doesn't matter if the kids are smart, talented, athletic, or not. Parents love their children for the way they are. God, as a loving Father, also does the same. He loves us the way we are and He values us simply because we're His children. Since we should be imitators of God, we should value one another simply because we're all children of God, equally loved by God. So if we value each other for what we are, instead of what we have or what we can do, what would the world be like? Would we still suffer from worries and anxieties? Would our relationship with each other be better? What do you think?

Media Irresponsibility

Responsible parents worry about what their kids see on TV. Unfortunately, the media defends the type of trash they show on TV by saying that it's the parent's responsibility to control what kids watch on TV. In essence, the media doesn't feel it has any responsibility at all. Well, if you've ever visited the city of San Francisco with your kids, the media certainly won't allow parents to control what kids see. Oftentimes, you'll see billboard advertisements containing nudity, or ads on public transportation that contain vulgarity. Or, events will be held where public lewdness is accepted. So how do you expect a parent to "control" what kids see? Is it any wonder why many families are moving out of the city to areas that are more family-friendly? I think it's time the media & the government realize the influence they can have on kids, and help parents control what their kids see.