Disney + Earth + James Earl Jones = Extraordinary

Disney’s ‘Earth’ opens April 22, 2009, Earth Day. I recommend everyone go and see it, even take your kid’s entire class, too. With the voice of James Earl Jones, how can you go wrong? Be inspired to do something great for our planet and support Disney's efforts! Although I don't see a deep ocean segment, I really think this documentary will be amazing! Deep Ocean stuff can sometimes be over rated, anyway. There is lots to do on dry land as well!

From Here to There

I happened to take a look at my last blog date and I am ashamed to say that it has been nearly a month ago. Time does fly by, ya know! I have been so absorbed with home, work and travel until this little "neck of the woods" had to take the back seat.

We have since sent my wayward 16 year old daughter to live with her father in hopes that she will turn her life around and respect rules and authority in her life. A different school district and new group of friends. She, by far, was not doing this at MY house and she needed a more firm upper hand to get a grip on her. Her dear ole' dad might just be the fella to do that for her. I'll keep my fingers crossed! We miss her and love her but she needs change!

The little one is adjusting well and our life continues as normal. Basketball season has come to an end and we are in full swing with softball (her true love).

We took a long-over-due trip to WV last week and really felt a kick in the stomach with Chef Ed's parents. My, oh my, they are really getting old. It just makes me feel so sad that those lovely people are so fragile and their time with us here is limited. I am more than pleased to see Ed and his dad finally have a loving relationship after years of struggle. It brought tears to my eyes the night before we left. More than anything, I was fearful that it may be the last time we see his dad alive. He was truly a strong and dominate man at some point in his life. My heart kind of aches because they have always been so good to me and have gone above and beyond in welcoming me into their family since day one.

Hope everyone is doing well on your end and I will catch up on everyone's whereabouts really soon!

The Spirit of Rebellion

I didn't want to admit that I had a rebellious spirit that was infecting my children. I don't mind admitting that I'm a sinner saved by grace, but it hurts to say, "I have a rebellious spirit." Does anyone understand what I'm saying? I've heard thousands of testimonies, but I can't remember anyone saying, "God spoke to me about my rebellious spirit."

The spirit of rebellion renders us incapable of giving balanced discipline. This rebellious spirit distorts our judgement so that we are too harsh or too lenient. We are incapable of balance and our children are over-disciplined which causes bitterness or they are undisciplined and become foolish. Either way, we cheat them of character development. By now, some of you may be asking yourselves, "What tell tale signs would I look for to see if I have a rebellious spirit?"

Five evidences of a spirit rebellion are bitterness, stubbornness, unteachableness, undisciplined living, and argumentation.

1. Bitter people reveal their bitterness by complaining about their lot in life. They tell you that things would be different for them if they had your silver spoon. When you listen to a bitter person talk, you discover that all their problems are the fault of others. Bitter people have a difficult time accepting personal responsibility. If you find yourself blaming others, check for spirit rebellion.

2. A stubborn person refuses to open his or her heart to listen to the facts. There is a rejection of open, honest dialog because their position will collapse under the light of truth.

3. A teachable person is an intelligent listener. It's very easy to spot an un-teachable person. First, their principle interest is to support their own position. The intelligent listener will make the extra effort to understand what you are trying to teach them. A rebellious spirit causes us to be selective listeners. An unteachable person will seldom view life through another person's glasses.

4. Undisciplined living can be express in ways other than drunkenness and immorality. Some people show it by over spending their budget, others who are habitually late for meetings, some by laziness, and not keeping the promises they make to others.

5. An argument is a clash of wills. If you have a tendency to want to impose your will on others, that may be your signal that you have not dealt with your spirit of rebellion.

I will bend my knee in submission. Parenting is a high stakes game in which the winner enjoys a life time of happiness, joy and peace of mind and the loser has tears, sorrow and shame. Therefore, play to win.