Back to the grind

Most of the country is gearing up to head back to school. This can be an exciting time or a time in which our youth drag there feet. Here are a few observations for you to consider as you plan and strategize for the fall chaos that is closely at hand.

1. "School supplies" are not a national holiday although we treat it as such and hold it sacredly observing the inserts in the Sunday paper as revelation as to where to find the greatest deals.
2. Consistency is a good thing. I recall a parent in a church I pastored to the youth that when the daughters provocative dress was addressed the parent told the youth, "those clothes are unacceptable for church. If you wear them to school that's fine, but a good Christian gal should not dress like that at church. We aren't talking Sunday dresses and hats either we are talking your run of the mill t-shirt and blue jeans, unfortunately there wasn't much of either in this case.
3. School has become all about the extracurricular things and less about the education. I am so sick of hearing about how well someone's kid is doing in basketball, football, track, and volleyball. That must be why now many of our schools are moving things to wed. nights and Sundays to fit it all in. As a parent stand up and let the school know you support them but will not support the encroachment on the few hours that we hold dear as Christians.
4. Hey parents, your kids don't have to have the latest gadgets and whatchamacallits, to be liked or popular. Drive by the parking lots of any high school and look at the cars, or in Nebraska trucks, you'll see the majority that are newer and snazzier than what we are driving. It doesn't stop there either. High schoolers are now "given" laptops that are very helpful but not very practical. For instance how many people own a mac, as opposed to IBM compatibles? I already hear the whining that our kids don't know how to run an IBM compatible because they have learned on a mac. Lets learn to think people!
5. Our final point today is that for as much as we spend financially, physically, emotionally in preparing our kids and ourselves for school we completely neglect the spiritual aspect. Truth is if you and I review our behaviors our selfish, greedy, prideful, lusting self comes out this time of year as we want the best clothes, and the trapper keeper that folds into its own backpack, with optional button that alerts you of a fashion disaster.

This fall try something new and fresh, buy your kid a back to school Bible, challenge them to read it in study hall, give them a one another's, challenge of practicing their Christian faith. Don't enter them in the competition we overlook called secularism. If that's what your after dismiss this entire blog, your well on your way to success.
Till next time, see ya in the halls
P.M.