...where laughter lives: The Riggs Family

Adoption Update and Birthday Pics...

2012-02-09T09:26:00.001-06:00

From Michelle

Here's an adoption update and we are working on birthday party pics that will go up shortly... try to see if you can continue life anyway despite the anxiety and expectation of seeing some of our family photos. :)

Adoption Update

Our adoption agency feels we are getting very close tocompleting this adoption. The last steps they have been all about making surethat the child/children’s birth family is choosing adoption for their child. Ilove that they are being so careful.

This process has been slowed down a little because of -20Celsius temps and a lot of snow. Europe is having a ridiculous winter. Yikes! When it is 50 degrees outside, I wear a coat that is marketed as“perfect for 0 degrees F”. I got coldjust reading our lawyers email. I am glad God called us to adopt whenweather.com clocked Montenegro’s temperatures at 70 degrees F... I doubt we would have chosen Montenegro if the temps were 50 below at the time. J

I have begun freezing meals for my kids to eat when wetravel and talking to my family about thing the kids will need help with whilewe are gone. As silly as it may sound, I am enjoying doing the little things to get ready. It helps pass the time as we continue to learn PATIENCE which is a necessity for international adoption.

A Joyful Noise Movie Review: Some Things to Be Joyful About & Some Not

2012-01-15T16:52:00.000-06:00

From Brent

I took my wife to see Joyful Noise last night, thereportedly "Christian" movie with Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah.Given how easily fads sweep through American Christianity with littlediscernment, I thought I would give you a review of the movie. I'm not going totry and decide for you whether or not to see it, or promote it as a"Christian" movie. I'll just give you my observations, positive andnegative and leave you to consider it.

FYI, I'm not trying to review like a movie critic. I'm not addressing whether the story, acting or production was good. I'm commenting on it for the sake of Christians being able to discern the CHRISTIAN merits of the movie since it's 1) set in a church/Christianity environment and 2) it's already being discussed as a "Christian movie" by Christians.

Summary:

The movie is about a church choir competition. The plot involvesa mother with two kids, a father who left them, the mom's struggle to raise thekids, and the kids struggle with growing up and the ever popular Hollywoodpremise of "finding out who they really are" (which is most oftencode language for "don't be like your parents"... this movie is noexception but with a twist that makes it somewhat tolerable).

Some Joyful Noise About Joyful Noise

Here are my positive observations about the movie:

It's cleaner and more "wholesome" than 99% ofwhat Hollywood and TV produces. That's not a huge endorsement given current entertainment standards but it is true relatively speaking.
The movie contains no real violence, overtly vulgarlanguage (again, compared to what Hollywood typically produces, more on thelanguage below because there is cursing in the movie), or graphic sex, immodesty or nudity (anegative about that below too)
For most of the movie it appears the typical Hollywoodmessage that "conservative (and especially) Christian parents areintolerant, out of touch, close minded and need to be enlightened by the liberal,worldly and in particular the youthful characters" is going to be playedout to the end... but in a refreshing twist, the mother confidently and accuratelyputs the smart-mouthed rebellious daughter in her place and the movie doesn'tuse that as "proof" the mom is a jerk. Wow! What a concept!

The mom gets to say what everyparents wants to say to their ungrateful, spoiled, self-pitying teen and itleaves the crowd applauding. Normally, Hollywood only puts in that kind ofscene when it makes the parent look even more controlling and close-minded. Notthis time. The mom looks like the wise, strong, parent deserving of respect. Amazingthat a movie actually (FINALLY) portrays a Christian, authoritative parent inthat kind of positive light. (Caveat:but even still, the subtle final message is still that the mom loosened up andlet her 16 year old daughter "grow up" even though she was allowed to put herfoot down against the blatant rebelliousness and self pity.)
The music is clean and entertaining though hardly "Christian" in any substantive way. It's pop music sang in the best tradition of black gospel.
The story ends up with family reconciliation, portraysfaithfulness to marriage vows, and implies the strength of traditional family.
The movie shows whites, blacks and Asians all getting along and living together just fine in a small, southern town. That drives liberals CRAZY who sincerely believe that all southern states are really just closeted KKK hotbeds. While there is no doubt racism is alive and well (from ALL COLORS) in American MOSTLY IN BIG CITIES NOT RURAL TOWNS, it has been my experience in 40 years of small southern towns that the '60's Lyndon Johnson idea of racism is rarely seen today. Whites and blacks and browns and reds and yellows in conservative small town America live and work and worship and play together without a whole lot of thought of "race". You'll never convince Washington or Hollywood of that though because it would erode the power of people who live and prosper by fanning the flames of racism.

Some Not So Joyful Noise

If I were to stop at merely comparing this to the normaltrash that is shown on flat screens today, I would give this film a double thumbs up andtell you to take the family to see it. However, it's not quite that simple froma Christian standpoint. Compared to Godly standards, there are severalconcerns, and given the impression it leaves about Christianity in general, I'm not all that joyful about it. My observations:

Casual fornication (no sex scene but the deed is obvious)between two choir members is played off mostly as a joke and it's neverseriously implied (or stated) that fornication is a sin to be repented of. Even the Pastor makes a joke about it at afuneral (the man died from a heart attack while having sex). It's also implied several times that if you haven't had sex for several years, you can't help but want to jump in bed with someone.
Cursing: there are a couple of scenes when unbelievers orthe rebellious say a "mild" curse word and that could have beenlivable as demonstrating "reallife". But the movie goes much further with a couple of dozen or more curse wordsused casually and without concern even from the Christian characters in the movie.

There is one scene where the mom comes down on the daughter about cursing, the mom spouting some curse words then saying "see I can cuss too. It's easy andit proves your stupid" (I'm paraphrasing). That kind of message I can live with. The gratuitouscursing for a laugh or simply because no one, even the Christians, think it isany big deal is not something I can pass over as no big deal. The movie intotal leaves you with the impression that "mild" cursing is not a concern. I guess that's a good selling point in light of some of today's Christianwriters like Doug Giles (whose thoughts I agree with but I'm concerned abouthis growing use of crass verbiage and cursing).
The typical Hollywood message (particularly to the youth) that no one who is aserious student and Christian can possibly be living life to the fullest ispresent and never completely debunked. Therebellious daughter, the wayward grandson and the worldly grandmother aresympathetically portrayed as compassionate, thoughtful, earthy, feeling andreally embracing life. The uptight mother and pastor are close minded,controlling and stifled. A couple of other Christians are buffoonish rednecks and simpletons. Yawn....typical Hollywood. It's not NEARLY asblatant in this movie as most but the message is clear. At the end of themovie the mom's strictness is shown to be somewhat positive AFTER she softens towards her daughter and the rebel boyfriend. Three steps forward, one stepback.
In one scene, the black gospel music presentation is almostclownish (specifically their "competition" from a Detroit blackchurch)... on a positive note, the primary choir the story revolves around is entertaining and dignified even though the music is not Christian, it's pop music.
Other than some casual contemporary Christian stanzas, noserious Christian music (doctrinally speaking) is used in the movie; the choir sings pop music fromthe likes of Michael Jackson. The church service is where the performances are rehearsed. It adds to the overallsubtle message (in my opinion) that Christianity is more social than anything,and not something to be taken very seriously. Unbelievers are invited to be in the choir because of their music talent and the Sunday church gathering is trivialized. The rebellious unbelievers come to accept the Christians because they like the music but it's never portrayed or implied that they accepted the Christian Gospel.
The Christians in the movie arewholesome for the most part but apologetically worldly and no serious Christianity or Gospel message is portrayed in any substantial way. Even though the entire movie is about Christianity,"Jesus" and supposedly faith, not one single serious message aboutChrist, the Bible, prayer or any Christian doctrine is expressed; not even a hint about theGospel.
The Pastor declares the church can only remain"open" because of rich a member and her support (any real Pastor would recoil at referring to the Church as a business that depends on rich donors). In the end, the Pastorsends that same member packing because she tries to demand his obedience for her support. But... she then pulls another (weird, not very creative) trick out of her bag and ends up withthe Pastor in her pocket again at the end of the movie. Of course, typically, the uptight Pastor eventually comes around and loosens up like everyone else.

--------------

Overall, the movie is fairly enjoyable and certainly "wholesome"when measured by Hollywood standards. Christianity is not openly attacked or mocked(as is typical on TV or movies today almost without exception) but the waymorality, holiness and "church" is trivialized throughout the show, itleaves Christians with concerns. What's worse? Outright mockery ofChristianity, or the subtle trivializing of it?

(Something to think about: the movie "Soul Surfer" portrays a faithful Christian family without mockery but the whole movie is filled with teenage girls in bikinis [the real life girls looked more like prepubescent children, but the movie girls were post-puberty]; is that better or worse than a movie like "Joyful Noise" that's not start-to-end-teen-girls-in-bikini's but trivializes morality, faith and Christianity for the most part? Just something to think about...)

The usual message that authoritative parents and/orserious Christians are uptight and close-minded is loud and proud for most ofthe movie... then knocked down momentarily towards the end... then left as implied truth when themovie ends. The flipside is also clear:the worldly, the youthful, and the rebellious are the enlightened, happy andcompassionate people who really know how to enjoy life. The movie knocks down(appropriately) the worst of the rebellious behavior from the teens but still leaves the finalunderlying message that they were mostly right about everything, they justneeded to be a little more respectful about it.

About the best I can say is this: it's downright cleanand wholesome compared to most movies. However, if you do choose to see it, youshould not be undiscerning about it and promote it without concern. I wouldalso be careful labeling it a "Christian movie" when it's moreaccurately "a movie whose characters go to church and sing in a choir". Maybe that's enough to call it"Christian" but it's nowhere close to a movie that clearlycommunicates the Christian message (no one says that was the purpose; but ifthey aren't calling it a "Christian" movie, should Christians?).

A good clean family moviecompared by Hollywood standards? Yes.
A "Christian" moviethat portrays morality, holiness and faith seriously and accurately? No.
A movie devoid of liberalHollywood messages about enlightened youth and close minded authoritarians? No.

I just want Christians to bediscerning. We are so used to the garbage and filth in most movies or books,that we jump on any "Christian" scrap media throws us with very littlescrutiny or discernment. I would not take my children under 12 to see it unlessI could edit out the cursing and the fornication jokes. I would only see it with my teens or older if Iwas ready to explain to them where the movie falls short of true Christianmessaging.

Contemplation: isn't it amazing that weare at a point in Christianity where we consider a movie with a dozen or morecurse words, unrepentant fornication, church favoritism, a manipulated Pastorand a trivialized Christian experience something we would even CONSIDER seeingbecause it's a wholesome family movie compared to the rest of Hollywood trash?

It's A Dogs Life

2012-01-13T22:58:00.000-06:00

From Brent

The kids got a puppy for Christmas. Let's just say that the dog had no problem getting comfortable in our family. Ya think?

That dog is sound asleep... never even blinked when the kids
thought it would be funny to put underwear on her.. and it was!
I don't have high standards... I just want to be treated as well as a dog.
I guess we could all learn a lesson about being carefree, huh?

Put Your 2011 Blog into a Book!

2011-12-28T12:31:00.002-06:00

From Brent

It's the end of the year and perfect time to have your 2011 blog posts immortalized in a book.

For a couple of years now, I've offered THE most flexible and inexpensive "blogger to book" option available. Check it out at: www.bloggertobook.com

Thanks!

Note: for blogs hosted on blogger.com only

You'll Be Glad You Watched This... Merry Christmas

2011-12-19T17:27:00.000-06:00

From Brent

Here's a couple of heartwarming and inspirational Christmas videos I thought you would enjoy. The first one put a big smile on my face. Thanks to my friend Bob for sending it. Check out his weekly column here... you'll enjoy his latest about Christmas.

The 2nd video is from my all time favorite singer. I've watched this dozens of times for years and it still gives me goosebumps and tears.

Enjoy! Leave a comment and let me know what you think of them.

Spend Time With Your Family During the Holidays

2011-12-12T09:29:00.001-06:00

From Brent

Continuing a series that is very timely for the holidays, here's are some more ideas for spending time together as a family. The holidays can be so BUSY, it's easy to neglect intimate family time. Hope you enjoy it over on my personal blog.

Read the entire post here...

Guest Post - Some Myths About Diabetes

2011-12-11T08:46:00.000-06:00

Note: Our blog is not about "health" but obviously good medical information is helpful to all especially on such a common topic as Diabetes. So I thought I'd run this guest post from Wendy for whoever it may help... Brent

- - - - - - -

On July 25, 2005, I took our 24 month old daughter to her pediatrician, because I was concerned about symptoms she had been displaying intermittently for a few weeks. Shortly after our arrival, an ambulance was summoned for transport to the Emergency Room; followed by a helicopter flight, and admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

The diagnosis: Diabetic Ketoacidosis, a complication of Type 1 Diabetes.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the global symbol for diabetes awareness is the blue circle. Raising diabetes awareness is very important to me

Over the past 6 years, I’ve discovered some common misconceptions about Type 1 Diabetes, and I appreciate the opportunity to debunk a few myths. . .

MYTH #1: Diabetes is Diabetes, and it’s all the same.

TRUTH: There are several types of Diabetes, the most common being Type 2. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition, in which the insulin producing cells of the pancreas stop producing insulin. Type 2 Diabetes is a metabolic condition which does not completely inhibit the body’s ability to produce insulin, but instead limits the body’s ability to effectively use the insulin it produces. Type 1 Diabetes was formerly known as “Juvenile Diabetes”, but it cannot be outgrown. Children with Type 1 Diabetes grow up to become adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

MYTH #2: Type 1 Diabetes is caused by eating too much junk food, and other poor lifestyle choices. Besides, since we don’t have diabetes in our family, I don’t have to worry about it happening to my child.

TRUTH: No one knows what causes Type 1 Diabetes, but the research is very clear that it is NOT caused by poor diet or lack of exercise. A common theory is that a virus, such as a stomach bug or a simple cold, causes the autoimmune reaction that results in Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes rarely has a genetic link, and no child is immune to the risk of developing it. Adults (usually under the age of 40) can also be diagnosed, regardless of medical or genetic history.

Symptoms can occur suddenly, and include: extreme thirst, frequent urination, sudden vision changes, fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath, increased appetite, weight loss, drowsiness/lethargy, labored breathing, unconsciousness.

MYTH #3: People with Type 1 Diabetes cannot eat sugar.

TRUTH: People with Type 1 Diabetes CAN eat sugar. It is necessary that insulin be given when a person with Type 1 Diabetes consumes carbohydrates in any form. It doesn’t matter if those carbs come from a piece of fruit, a drink, or a sugary treat. Insulin can only be given via injection, either through a syringe or an insulin pump. Insulin is the only treatment available for managing Type 1 Diabetes, but it is not a cure. Without insulin, people with Type 1 Diabetes will die.

My daughter is 8 years old now. Since her diagnosis, she has endured nearly 20,000 finger pricks, 3000 shots, and 500 insulin pump sites. We test her blood sugar 8-10 times a day, including at least twice every night.

She is my hero.

Wendy Rose has been a Registered Nurse since 1995. After spending most of her career at the bedside in the Emergency Room, the Post Anesthesia Care Unit, and Labor & Delivery, she currently works from home as a Pediatric Telephone Triage Nurse.

Wendy’s oldest daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2005, at the age of 24 months and Celiac Disease in 2008, at the age of 5 years. Wendy herself was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2009.

Balancing the demands of her daughter’s blood sugar management while maintaining a gluten free lifestyle; on top of her role as wife and mother; in addition to maintaining her nursing career can be a challenge at times. She documents her family’s journey at www.CandyHeartsBlog.com.

Wendy and her husband, Jason, have been married since November, 2000. Together, they have three daughters, and Wendy also has a step-daughter who lives out of state. The family resides in the Sonoran Desert with their rescue dog, Ivy.

How to Get More People To Visit Your Blog and Increase Your Traffic

2011-11-21T09:54:00.002-06:00

From Brent

Most of you folks know I own Linky Tools (which is ranked in something like the top 1% of U.S. sites on Alexa who measures traffic and site popularity).

On the Linky Tools Blog, I teach people about building a successful blog and how to do things like increase their traffic.

Since most of you are bloggers as well as readers, I thought I would share a post with you I just wrote about building traffic and getting new readers. This is for both new bloggers and experienced.

Find it on the Linky Tools Blog here: http://www.linkytoolsblog.com

Spend Time With Your Family

2011-11-14T08:40:00.002-06:00

From Brent

In a couple of previous posts, we discussed an unfortunate reality of modern life: a lack of time to spend with the family. Obviously this is a problem that affects everybody to different degrees. One family might lament the fact that it only gets a few nights per week to spend together as one cohesive unit, and another might be lucky to get even a few minutes together.

Read the entire post here...

2011-11-08T09:40:00.003-06:00

From Michelle:

We knew going into this adoption that we were signing up to be in a pilot program. We knew that being one of the first families adopting from a newly opened country, there would likely be a few extra bumps in the road. There have been.

Currently our agency is resubmitting paperwork that has to do with the agency, not our family. Basically the government wanted a few simple changes that are easy to fix but take time to send the changes through the proper channels. This is great news for the families that will come after us because they will be able to complete their adoptions much quicker.

We are using a wonderful agency, http://www.adoptionsforever.org/. They are diligently working to find a way to speed things up for our children.

Unlike our previous adoptions, we won't be matched with our children until we travel. We have a heart to adopt children who are seen as unadoptable in some cultures. Since some see them as unadoptable, many don't have the paperwork completed that is necessary for them to be adopted. My hope is that the delays in our adoption have given some of these children time to become "paper ready".

Would you pray that:

1. The meeting tonight with the deputy minister would be very productive.
2. ALL of the children in the orphanage would have their needs met and feel loved. People sometimes wonder how large families care for all of their children. Can you imagine being responsible for an orphanage full of kids?
3. We would receive permission to travel soon.

- - - - - - - -

Wonderful friends of ours are in the process of adopting 2 older boys from the Ukraine. The Patterson's worked hard to raise money for Abby's Wish and were so sweet to our family when Abby was sick.

The shirts they are selling to raise money for their adoptions a at the very top of our whole families Christmas list. You won't believe how cute they are.

Take a minute and visit their site: http://allarepreciousinhissight.blogspot.com/2011/11/awesome-adoption-gear-giveaway-so.html

- - - - - - - -

During a rain downpour, the kids played in the water coming off the roof.

My Journey

2011-11-07T13:35:00.000-06:00

Another entry in the book of prayers I’m writing… for however it may bless you today:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

My Journey

Lord of the Journey,

Help me to be a stranger in this world,
Holding the things of this life lightly.

Let me be on a journey to Heaven,
Focusing my gaze on the return of my Savior.

May my life be for You, holding nothing back.
You created me;
You saved me;
You give me purpose;
You own me.

I pray for Your protection from every foe;
I pray you’ll crush every rebellious thought;
I pray you’ll burn away every ungodly passion;
I pray you’ll destroy every fleshly desire in my life.

May every fiber of my being be ignited by Your touch.
Help me to love You with

My whole mind, body and soul;
My spirit, affection and intellect;
My desire, understanding and will.

My God, You are perfection among perfection,
All knowledge and intellect is a gift from You.
May my tiny drops of expression flow from Your unfathomable fountain of ceaseless inspiration.

Compared to Your glory, the sun is a dark nothingness;
Compared to Your beauty, the most beautiful in this universe is a deformed ugliness;
Compared to Your wisdom, the wisest of this world is silly foolishness;
Compared to Your goodness, the most noble of us are counted as weak and evil.

You are worthy of an adoration that I’m incapable of producing; the greatest praise I can offer is dull and vain compared to what You deserve.

I pray You will refresh and energize my love for You,
That in some small way my worship
may be worthy to You,
Rising up to Your dwelling place
and being accepted by You.

Only then will my journey be to Your glory.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Abby Update

2011-10-24T17:29:00.004-05:00

It is hard to believe Abby is getting close to being one year off of chemo. This year has flown by. While the chemo has left Abby with some challenges that she continues to deal with, no one meeting Abby for the first time today would ever guess that she was a cancer survivor (a barely survivor 2-3 times...). In school, among her friends, she is just seen as a normal little girl. I love that.

We were told that because her brain was still developing when she was on chemo, learning might be more challenging for her. Unfortunately, that has proven to be true. She has wonderful teachers at school, who are patient and encouraging. At home we work with all of our children, so she doesn't feel like she is being singled out.

Even with as much as we are working with her, she continues to ask us read "one" more book and to play "one" more educational game. Sweet little Abby was dubbed the Guatemalan Pistol when she was six months old. Little did we know then how that stubborn, tenacious spirit would help to save her life and then help her to meet life's challenges head on.

Even though it is taking her more effort to learn than some of the other children, she IS LEARNING to read. She is making consistent progress and for that we are truly grateful. She loves school, has a great attitude about homework and is determined to learn.

Next week Abby will see her oncologist again, to make sure she is still in remission. We have received great news ten months in a row and fully anticipate seeing perfect labs again next week. God is blessing Abby and we are truly thankful.

- - - - - - - - - - -

We know another family who adopted a 6 month old little girl who just got diagnosed with Leukemia... sound familiar? Our heart really goes out to them.

Why don't you stop by their blog and offer them a word of encouragement? It meant the WORLD to us when our blog friends were praying and responsive. I know you would be a big blessing to this special family too. Cancer is a drag....

http://kimchingocha.blogspot.com/

- - - - - - - - - - -

Your Kid, A Pill and a Funeral

2011-10-05T13:02:00.002-05:00

From Brent

I've written before (read here) about the trend among kids to raid the parents/grandparents drug cabinet and get high on prescription medicine. It's a HUGE issue now. Don't pretend like you are immune.

Sadly, even innocent taking of medication can kill kids. Read this story about a young man who had everything going for him. He took a "normal" dose of his Grandmothers "pain pill" and died from it. For his bodyweight, he took 4x too much.

He wasn't partying, getting high or experimenting. His shoulder hurt and he took some pain medicine... and died.

Read the story. Then go lock up your pills, and call your parents and tell them to do the same.

Spending Time With Your Family - Part 2

2011-10-04T14:53:00.003-05:00

From Brent

The 2nd installment of spending time with your family is online over on my blog. This time Philip talks about how to spend time as a family even when time seems very short.

Read it here: http://www.brentriggsblog.com/2011/10/ways-to-spend-time-with-your-family-even-when-time-is-short-part-2/

Okay, I’m On My Knees Begging…

2011-09-21T12:54:00.003-05:00

When I publish a new book, I let people know it's available and that's pretty much it. I've never begged, coerced, urged or pleaded with folks to buy one of my books.

Purchase: Paper | Audio | eBook

This time I am. My book "Terrorist to Evangelist" is now out through a national publisher and has a real chance to get on the map... but SALES are what drives it up on selling lists and gets it noticed by the various book powers that be.

So for the first time ever, I'm begging every one I know to buy a copy - any format (paperback, audio or ebook). Purchase: Paper | Audio | eBook

I write a lot of material for a limited audience (the serious Christian market). This book has a legitimate MASS MARKET appeal. It is a fascinating and riveting story (read the first chapter below). Every person who has read this book says the same thing: "incredible story" and most of the time they've read it more than once. I wrote the darn thing, and I've read it several times just because I wanted to. Purchase: Paper | Audio | eBook

Gift Idea: Christmas Is Around the Corner

Christmas will be here before you know it, and this book would be a WONDERFUL gift. It's almost 300 pages and its genuinely a "hard to put down" read. Buying a copy is not just doing me a favor... it's a great book you'll read more than once, and give to someone else too. Purchase: Paper | Audio | eBook

Here is chapter one... the entire book is just as gripping:

This Is It

March 24, 1983: McClinton, I thought to myself, this is it. You’re about to die.

I had known for quite some time that it was coming. I was keenly sensitive to the inevitable conclusion of being a man marked for death.

Walking into the break room of the prison, all of my senses went on red alert, sounding the alarm that things were not right. The first thing I noticed was the steam floating across the ceiling. The inmate in charge of boiling water had heated gallons and gallons of water to an angry, rolling boil—far more and far hotter than necessary for making tea.

The two prison guards who had been assigned to protect me were nowhere to be found. I was now alone and unprotected in a room of convicted murderers and terrorists. I felt strangely calm in the face of such imminent danger. Having become a Christian four years earlier while in solitary confinement, it was not my nature now to be the initiator of violence, even though I knew it was coming. I simply took my mug of tea and sat down like usual at the table.

Four convicted IRA terrorists slowly moved to block any escape through the entrance or exit. Each of them was carrying a large redwood plank that looked like a square baseball bat. The ashen color of their faces betrayed their fear and nervousness.

I reached for the little Gideon’s New Testament that I carried in my shirt pocket, but my hand never made it. I felt the heat before the boiling water actually touched my skin. In an instant, gallons of scalding liquid were being poured on my head and back. My first sensation was of the soft skin behind and around my left ear instantly bubbling up and disintegrating. Within a couple of seconds, a large portion of my body had been scalded and burned severely.

It seems strange now, but at the time, I felt no immediate pain. With calm resolve, I stood up and removed the reading glasses from my eyes. I couldn’t see well, because the boiling water had run over my face, but I sensed the danger coming in front of me.

Thud! A hammer from the workshop, wielded in cowardly fashion, struck me on the high right-hand side of my face between my temple and jawbone, quickly opening a profusely bleeding wound.

My natural survival instincts kicked in as I backed into a corner, shaking my head and wiping the water and blood from my eyes. I had not uttered a sound up to this point but knew that I was very badly injured by the boiling water and the blow to my head. The first thing I saw after clearing my eyes was a terrorist-prisoner I knew by the name of Becker. He was making his way toward me, holding one of the three-by-three, baseball bat-like sticks, his eyes already focused on where he was going to deliver the coup de grâce. In my heightened state of shock and adrenaline, I took the initiative and lunged straight for him, taking the first swing of the bat into the outside of my left bicep. Whack! He really nailed me, and the pain was excruciating, but I had successfully fended off an otherwise fatal blow. I ducked the next swing, grabbed the surprised Becker by the ankles, and with strength that was beyond normal circumstances, I picked him up and tossed him over onto my badly burned back.

With Becker flopped over my shoulders and my head actually between his legs, I was somewhat protected from the next round of hammer blows, baseball bat swings, and punches that were now coming from the other attackers. Like a movie scene, everything seemed to happen in slow motion, and twenty-two years later, I still remember it all in half speed.

One of the terrorists, a young guy whom I didn’t know, had slipped on the water that spilled on the floor and was now attempting to get a grip around my ankles to hold me for the others who would finish me off. Four others, armed with the bats, were still blocking the door and any attempt to escape. I charged them, holding Becker upside down on my back, and threw him off me and on top of them. The combined force of our two bodies sent the door guards stumbling backward against the wall and into the corner, like bowling pins being scattered.

That bought me an instant of opportunity to dive through the doorway and onto the steps toward the safety of being out in the open where others could see me. Landing facedown on the stairs, I thought I had succeeded in escaping when suddenly the door was slammed shut on my foot, trapping me. I felt the hands of the terrorists grabbing my ankle and holding me fast so that I could not get free. The door opened, and to my horror, another bucket full of boiling water was dumped on my already-blistered and burned body. Almost my entire upper torso now bubbled and broiled in the intense heat. The skin just simply melted away in a matter of seconds.

I kicked my free foot with all the strength I could summon, and suddenly my other foot was unexpectedly released. The door slammed shut. I was left there as good as dead. The pain rushed over me in waves and consumed every nerve in my body with intense fire.

I was still alive. In the coming days, I would wish that I wasn’t.

Purchase: Paper | Audio | eBook

My Newest Book - FREE - Immediate Download

2011-09-12T17:34:00.004-05:00

From Brent

This weekend I finished my latest book, and maybe one of the most important I'll ever write. You can have the eBook for FREE, and distribute it for free. You can email use, use it, print, make it available on your blog for free... with my blessing.

This is knowledge that every Christian absolutely should know and understand, so I don't want a "purchase" to stand in the way of everyone having it.

These are the ESSENTIALS. I don't get into or attempt to persuade on any topic where long standing denominational differences have existed (such as the "end times" or Calvinism). Nothing controversial, nothing specific to a particular church or denomination. I think all Biblical Christian groups and families will find this book highly useful on a personal level, and to teach (family, groups, friends, churches).

If you've been a Christian for a while, you should download it and test your knowledge... make sure you really know the basics of your faith.

A description and the table of contents are below.

FREE eBook

Essentials of Christianity - Vol. 1
FREE eBook | Paperback

INTRODUCTION

A friend called me and told me that a friend of his had just been saved. He asked: "Have you written a book for new Christians, or Christians who have not yet learned some basics?" I had not.

I had often thought about writing something like this and I grabbed on to his request for some motivation. For a couple of decades, I have noticed to my dismay that most Christians, new or not, cannot define the basics of Christianity. They know their job, their sports, their hobbies, and pop culture, but these Christians shrivel when confronted with explaining or defining the most basic of concepts and principles of the very faith they believe saved them from eternal condemnation.

I decided that the best way to teach the essentials of Christianity to new, spiritually immature, or Biblically uneducated Christians would be to:

• Provide some basic education about the basics;
• Explain, define, and illustrate a list of the foundational Christian concepts; and...
• Give a "starter list" of some behavior, attitudes, and practices you should be developing as part of the basic Christian life.

This book is intended to be a STARTING POINT for new Christians, or Christians who have never learned the basics. However incomplete this little guide may be, it certainly can provide a good foundation to begin with; and, regrettably, it contains more than the average professing Christian knows today.

Table of Contents

First Things First.................... 3

A Starting Point........................ 5

A Starter List of Christian Living... 6

Love............................... 6

Discipline.......................... 7

Service............................. 7

Integrity........................... 7

Seriousness........................ 8

Kindness........................... 8

Humility........................... 8

Generosity......................... 9

Study............................... 9

Prayer............................ 10

Worship.......................... 10

Discernment..................... 10

Knowing the Basics................... 11

Some Basics About the Basics.... 12

God............................... 13

Jesus Christ...................... 14

Holy Spirit........................ 15

The Bible........................ 16

Man............................... 17

Heaven........................... 18

Hell.............................. 19

The Church...................... 20

Angels, Demons, & Satan...... 21

Fundamental Truths................. 23

Defining the Fundamental Concepts of Christianity 24

Repentance...................... 25

Faith.............................. 26

Substitution...................... 26

Reconciliation................... 27

Propitiation...................... 27

Remission........................ 27

Regeneration.................... 27

Redemption...................... 28

Imputation....................... 28

Adoption......................... 28

Supplication...................... 29

Justification...................... 29

Sanctification.................... 30

Glorification..................... 30

Election.......................... 30

Foreknowledge................. 30

Predestination................... 30

Sharing Your Faith................... 31

How You Can Explain Salvation to Any Person Who Is Not a Christian 32

Assurance of Salvation............... 35

The Evidence of True Salvation.. 36

Will Jesus Know You?........... 36

Obedience & Morality........... 38

Good Moral Behavior........... 39

Obedience to God............... 40

Religious Knowledge........... 42

Selflessness & Serving.......... 43

Conviction About Sin............ 44

True Repentance................ 46

Religious Acts.................... 48

Separation from the World (Sanctification) 49

Self vs. Others................... 50

Practical Lessons About the Christian Life 54

A Few Basics About Christian Behavior 55

God’s View of Wealth And Status 55

Let the Lowly Glory............. 56

Wealth Is Fleeting............... 57

How to Love God When Life Stinks 58

The Question of Divorce........ 60

God Hates Divorce.............. 61

Divorce on the Grounds of Adultery 61

Divorce on the Grounds of Abandonment 62

The Christian and Remarriage. 63

Divorce and Remarriage Before Becoming a Christian 63

A Word about Biblical Divorce. 64

About Un-Biblical Divorce...... 64

In a Nutshell..................... 65

Ears and Hands.................. 67

Mouth Shut, Ears Open......... 67

Ignoring Your Pimples.......... 68

Rein In That Tongue............ 69

What Is Godliness?.............. 69

In a Nutshell..................... 70

Evil Favoritism................... 70

Dead Faith....................... 74

That Little Thing That Controls Your Entire Life 77

Don’t Get in a Hurry to Teach. 78

The Key to Perfection.......... 78

The Power of the Tongue...... 79

Preach It Brother!............... 79

Squeezing Lemons.............. 80

Two Types of Wisdom.......... 81

There Are Only Two Choices.. 83

Strife and Turmoil.............. 85

How to Cure Your Worldliness. 88

The REAL “Don’t Judge”....... 91

The Bible Says Judge!.......... 91

The Bible Says Do NOT Judge.. 92

Today Not Tomorrow........... 94

Special Instructions About Money (Yeah, I’m Talking To YOU) 95

The Misery Is On The Way...... 96

Who’s Your Real God........... 97

Treasure Heaping............... 97

And Then You Flaunt It......... 99

Patience & Overcoming....... 100

Be Patient Like the Farmer... 100

Establish Your Hearts.......... 101

Remember Job................ 102

Above All....................... 103

Bible Abbreviations............... 105

Hard Questions Kids Ask Parents

2011-09-08T08:19:00.002-05:00

From Brent

A new book I'm working on is "Hard Questions Kids Ask Parents". It is a book for the parent to use as help to answer those questions.

I've got a list of questions but hoping I can compile many more from the group creativity and experience that all you folks have.

If you submit a question (that I don't already have) that gets used in the book, you get a free eBook when it comes out. I don't want to post my list because I don't want to bias or influence the questions you submit. I'm hoping you'll come up with all sorts of good stuff I haven't thought of.

What is a question that your kids have asked or could ask, that you would love to have simple, clear and accurate help with answering? Enter your question in this Linky Tools Questions list:

Spending Time with Your Family & Thoughts on Money

2011-08-31T08:09:00.001-05:00

From Brent

A couple of posts on my other blogs I thought you might be interested in:

Spending Time with Your Family

Godly Attitudes about Money

I hope you'll take time to read them and let me know your questions and thoughts.

Job Opening!!! I know of an immediate job opening...

2011-08-19T13:49:00.002-05:00

From Brent

I know of a very good job opportunity related to a programming, website development skill set.

Even if this is not a job YOU are interested in, could you forward this information to people you know who might be?

You have to be located near the Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville area in order to be available to travel to a central location in North Vernon, IN on occasion for development meetings. Otherwise you could work from home or your own office (or if you live close enough, you could work full time in the NV office).

The specific work activity is UI development on a web application. The application is ASP.NET built on a SQL DB database. Skills needed/preferred for this work are:

ASP.NET web development experience
VB.NET server side (though C# is easily converted, so if you are C# developer, that will work)
Client side:

Javascript
AJAX
CSS
Web Services

Other: the application relies heavily on the DevExpress suite (www.devexpress.com); it is not required that you have experience with DevExpress but is a definite plus. These tools are enhancements to .NET controls. DevExpress can be quickly learned by an experienced ASP.NET developer.

"UI" normally implies graphic design but that is not a requirement here as they have graphic design professionals. It would be a plus but not required.

You would work on a growing team of developers that currently includes a UI expert who is being moved to another project (this is the job opening); a SQL guru and 3 others involved in management, sales and production.

They are ready to hire immediately and this is a very good job opportunity with a growing company.

Email me and include your resume if interested and I'll follow up. brent@brentriggs.com

Are You Worrying About Anything?

2011-08-17T22:51:00.003-05:00

Brent

If you are having trouble with worry, I wrote some encouragement for you over on my other blog...

Canvas Prints

2011-08-12T16:23:00.003-05:00

From Brent

See that logo over there to the left for Easy Canvas Prints? They contacted me asked me to do a review in exchange for a print. I told them "sure, but I won't be less than honest. If the print you send me is not dazzling, I won't say so publicly."

It was. It is remarkable. Now, having said that, trying to take a photo of a photo is never flattering. So I'll have ask you trust me (as a professional level photographer) that the print is marvelous. It is vibrant and the canvas is perfect. It could be a painting.

Take a minute and go visit them. Get a photo of your kids or wedding or baby stretched over canvas. It truly is really beautiful hanging on the wall. I will definitely be getting several more from Easy Canvas Prints but I have a feeling they are going to make me pay for it. :)

Where Laughter Lives - THE BOOK - Yours FREE!

2011-07-28T10:20:00.010-05:00

From Brent

I just published my latest book (Where Laughter Lives - Volume One)... you can have it FREE.

Our family blog is subtitled “Where Laughter Lives”. We chose that because humor is a part of our daily life. It’s a good thing too. With going-on nine kids, we NEED to have time to laugh. Humor keeps things grounded, light-hearted, and enjoyable.

We believe laughter and humor is healthy, wholesome, and necessary. Godly too.

This new book is a compilation of my (hopefully) humorous musings from the last couple of years. There are three ways to get it:

Buy the ebook here...
Buy the paperback here...
Or get the eBook here totally FREE if you promise to forward it via email to at least 10 people. You're on the honor system. If you want to email it to a hundred people, or everyone you know, that's even better. (I've even prewritten an email for you if you want to use it, just to make it convenient; see below)

Everyone can use a smile and some good clean laughter. That's all this book is. Just good clean smiles. Pass it on and you can have it for free.

- - - - - - - - - - EMAIL NOTE - - - - - - - - - -

Brent Riggs over at http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com just published his newest book called "Where Laughter Lives" and he is giving it away totally free to anyone who will pass it on to others.

It's a bunch of funny stories and anecdotes from his life over the last few years. I thought you might enjoy some good, clean, real-life humor today. Everyone can use some laughter these days, that's for sure!

He's asked that people pass it on via email to at least 10 others if you get it for free but not to feel obligated in any way if you don't want to. Drop him a note and let him know if you enjoyed the book: brent@brentriggs.com

Some Random Thoughts...

2011-07-17T13:34:00.001-05:00

From Brent

Some random thoughts on my personal blog to make you mad, cause you to think and hopefully give you a smile or two... in no particular order.

http://www.brentriggsblog.com/2011/07/random-thoughts-randomly/

FYI... I do quick thoughts and comments every day on Twitter about life, blogging, business, family, etc.... follow me for a while and see if you get hooked:

http://twitter.com/#!/brent_riggs

http://twitter.com/#!/linkytools

Expecting a Nice Christian Answer From Our Kids

2011-07-16T12:16:00.009-05:00

From Brent

We were eating dinner when Abby asked "when is Mr. Johnny coming back?"

Mr. Johnny was our elderly neighbor who passed away a few weeks ago (read a funny post about him here). "Mr. Johnny is in heaven, Abby, we'll see him there when we go to heaven too."

"Dad..." Landis chimed in with a slightly puzzled look on his face. "Will I get to see Mr. Johnny?"

"Sure you will" I replied. "You're going to heaven right?" At this point my wife and I were all prepared for an answer that would make us smile from ear to ear... the result of years of devotionals, vacation Bible school, spiritual talks and Sunday's at church. Here's was our proud moment, a perfect inquiry to solicit the fruition of our consistent, effective, nurturing Christian parenting.

"No." No emotion, no expression. Just "no". No.

NO??? Back the truck up! No? What did Landis mean, "no"? Where had we gone wrong? What failure of Christian parenting had reared it's ugly head? Was SpideyLandis about to announce his impending atheism? Was he to join the annuls of the Prodigals? Our hearts sunk. Our minds darted about grasping for understanding, for reasons, for some shred of hope that our wayward son would return to the faith of his upbringing. As the old HeeHaw song laments (showing my age, huh?): "Gloom, despair and agony on me... aaaawwww....."

I gathered myself.

"Um, son, what do you mean 'NO'? You don't want to go to heaven? Why not?" My mind raced, lining up all the possible answers for his forthcoming rejection of God, the Bible, Christian, and all things faith.

"Cuz I'm not dead."

Well there you go. Duh.

Airline Tickets, Ideas, Experience

2011-07-05T15:59:00.002-05:00

From Brent

Thanks so much for all your kind comments, suggestions and inquiries about our upcoming adoption(s) from Montenegro which is the fulfillment of "Abby's Wish" (for new folks, when our then 3 year old daughter from Guatemala almost died from cancer, her constant wish was for us to adopt her a baby brother and sister... we have been scraping, garage selling and saving our pennies for almost a couple years - along with God's blessings from others - to make that wish come true).

We are very close (days maybe) to getting a referral and choosing the children. With God's blessing, they will be home likely by the end of this summer.

Airline Tickets

We are VERY tight on the considerable expenses and trying to cut costs and save money in every way. One huge expense is going to be airline tickets. Looks like the retail cost is going to be in the neighborhood of $6500.00 total not including hotel and meals which we will do as cheaply as humanly possible.

Given that, we are putting out a shameless call and request for anyone with ideas or ways that we can reduce, eliminate or subsidize the airline expense which would really put us over the top on the entire effort:

Are you connected with an airline and know any way of us getting reduced or free airline tickets?
Do you know anyone with a kind heart and so many airline miles they are looking for ways to use them charitably?
Do you know anyone working with an airline who has what I think are called "buddy passes" or something similar who would help us get tickets for this adoption trip?
Any ideas, suggestions or experience on how to get airline tickets cheaper?

Keep in mind that we'll only have a week or two heads up at the most about what dates we will travel, if that matters. It will be two weeks in the country there. Fortunately, they have Internet where we will be and I'll be able to work and do my job.

I counsel people routinely that others who are willing to help and have a servants heart cannot help if they don't know there is a legitimate need. It's much harder to TAKE this advice than it is to give it, especially when we are primarily "givers" at heart. So, I'm taking my own advice and put out the request, praying the right person at the right time will read this.

Regardless, we know God has opened this adoption door and paved the way for Abby's Wish to come true. God's involvement and interaction has been unmistakable. He'll see it through, we have no doubt. We're just doing what we think is our part in serving His plan.

- - - - - - - - - - -
Everyone who reads our blog is such a blessing. We are constantly amazed at the friendships, encouragement and love that flows through this blog to us from you and back. Incredible!

Even our blog "enemies" sometimes become friends. One gentlemen wrote me this week with some VERY harsh words about some advice I gave publicly. By the time we wrote back and forth a few times, he had asked for forgiveness for his unkindness, and we seem to start what appears will be a budding friendship.

God can do stuff like that if we let Him.

Parenting – Boys Fighting

2011-07-05T10:19:00.000-05:00

From Brent - A reader asks:

What do you think about young boys fighting to defend themselves or to get someone to quit bullying them?

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Wow. There's a lot more to this question than meets the eye, and a pretty good chance I'm going to get myself a lot of "feedback" on this topic (if you know what I mean).

There are a host of issues that go into this: love, turn the other cheek, Christian witness, the feminization of men and boys in our country, the violence of today, courage, and raising boys to be "manly" and Godly men.

As a former Drill Sergeant, black belt and athlete, you might be tempted to think I have a very skewed perspective that oozes of testosterone, but that is not the case. I know, have witnessed, and have experienced the difference between being "manly" in a Godly way versus being "manly" from a fleshly standpoint. I know the difference between Godly spiritual "strength" and fleshly, pride-derived strength.

The Softening of Men

We live in a culture today that seeks to soften and feminize men. That's just a fact (and one might contend it is part of Satan's plan to confuse and weaken the human race). Unfortunately, we are so indoctrinated with feminism, male guilt and political correctness that typically our immediate response is to start defending why it is good for men to act like women (sensitivity, expressing emotions, crying, being feelings oriented, etc.).

Not only does this "feminizing" of men confuse them, it also blurs the definitions and roles of male/female established by God. Combine all this and you get exactly what you see today: disintegrating families, confusion in marriage, rampant sexual confusion, gender perversion and boys and girls who "grow up" not having a clue what being "men" and "women" is all about (and if they do, having to constantly apologize, explain and fight embarrassment over it).

We see an alarming famine of courage, chivalry, patriotism and manliness (and missing for ladies is propriety, true femininity, love for motherhood and loyalty to husbands).

Modern Violence

The modern onslaught of violence in entertainment and real life also adds to the confusion of what being a real man is all about. The gang codes about so-called "respect" teach young men that being a man is all about never allowing "disrespect" and then meeting any disrespect with instant violence. This isn't respect; it's how wild animals act.

We have religions that teach violence and killing is the ultimate act of being manly (and Godly) and will result in eternal paradise filled with the delights of man (sex, indulgence).

We have games, movies and music that teach "being a man" means exploiting women and stomping on anyone that gets your way of getting what you want.

Weak Church, Weak Role Models

All this has affected the Church. We have weak teaching and weak role models to demonstrate for our young men how to grow up to be "manly." Many churches have succumbed to the pressures of political correctness or feminism and have not only quit teaching boys that it is okay to be MEN, but have also turned Jesus into a prissy, pretty, timid hippie that is better suited for the "summer of love" than for saving the world.

The Godly Man

Teaching our boys to be "manly" is simply teaching them to be what God wants a man to be (among other things):

Godly - Titus 2:12 - teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, (NKJV)
Holy - Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (NKJV)
Loving - John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (NKJV)
Courageous
Chivalrous - 1 John 3:16 - By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (NKJV)
Serving - 1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. (NKJV)
Honest - Proverbs 12:22 - Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. (NKJV)
Hardworking - 1 Thessalonians 4:11 - that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, (NKJV)
Bold - Hebrews 13:6 - So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (NKJV)
The leader - 1 Corinthians 11:1 - Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (NKJV)

Keeping in mind that those qualities are being taught, I come back to the original question. Should boys be told its okay to fight (not sport fighting like boxing, but street fighting)? My answers: sometimes.

Fighting is never appropriate:

As part of peer pressure
As a dare or for the enjoyment of street fighting (as opposed to controlled, athletic sport)
To humiliate or pick on someone
Because it's "cool" or to be accepted
To inflict your personal will on someone else
Out of anger
To dominate someone for the pleasure of the "power" you feel

However, I believe there are times when we have to stand up and physically fight, and thus, our boys should be taught the same:

To defend a weaker person
To defend yourself
When it cannot be physically avoided

The last two reasons are closely related. If a man finds himself in a situation where the choice is to stand there and be pummeled, or to defend himself, then I believe we have the Godly right to physically defend ourselves.

Wait! Doesn't the Bible say to love your enemies and bless them? Yes, but notice I didn't say, "Hate the person and curse them." I said, "Defend yourself."

There may be times when you cannot defend yourself or God clearly leads you not to. Ask Paul and Jesus. They suffered specifically for the cause of Christ. And we will too. In those times, God may lead us to endure it, and at times, to defend ourselves. There is no "one size fits all."

As a GENERAL PRINCIPLE part of teaching our boys to "be men" is teaching them that it is appropriate to fight, sometimes to defend ourselves, or if it genuinely cannot be avoided.

As for the issue of defending the weak, I do not believe there is anything more cowardly than coming up with any excuse, including personal safety, to avoid fighting to defend someone weaker who is being hurt. This is a point I have hammered home to my sons since they were little, and it is a tough thing to live up to today in our schools and society. There is hardly anything more cowardly to teach our boys than to have them stand by and watch while a weaker kid is being beat up, picked on or otherwise humiliated. I unapologetically teach my sons that.

In the end, the "fighting" question must be left with each Godly father to determine on a case by case basis. My admonition is that the times we tell our boys to "fight" be few and far between and for reasons that will promote and cultivate both their Christian witness and their spiritual upbringing. And yes, I believe there are times when both are served even in a fight.

I'll leave you with an example from my own fathering experience:

One of my boys had been coming home for several weeks in a row telling me about a boy two years older than him who was picking on him every day at school.

No matter what my son did, didn't do, say or didn't say, this older boy would push him around, "dare" him to fight, and generally humiliate him in front of the older kids.

My son is no "sissy" neither in size or demeanor. At the time, in 9th grade, he was six feet tall, 180 pounds, strong as an ox and pretty tough from years of rough-housing with his Dad and older brother (much to the chagrin of mothers, I believe rough-housing, horse play and competition is healthy between fathers and brothers).

After a time of instructing him how to respond and avoid this bully, I finally decided it was the proper time to tell my son it was okay to stand up and fight (or at least be prepared to).

I explained to him how most bullies are really cowards and all talk. I told him this was probably true in this case because the boy was older and bigger than my son.

I gave him permission to respond, "Okay, let's fight," the next time the bully challenged him but warned him it should be no idle invitation. I told him the bully would probably back down, but if not, he must be prepared to back his words up.

A few days later, in front of a group of kids, the bully started in on him again. He began taunting my son, then pushing him and "daring him" to fight. So my son surprised him with, "Okay, let's go," and proceeded to take his coat off.

My son told me the bully acted shocked but at that point had to either choose to back off (and lose face) or actually fight. So they fought.

My son was thrown to ground a couple of times by the bigger boy, but in the end, my boy pummeled the kid with a few well timed haymakers. He showed the bully that no matter how many times he threw him down, he was still going to be looking at fight when he got on his feet. In the end, the bully said "enough" and hasn't bothered my son again.

Following that, I sat my son down and told him, "Don't get proud." It is the tendency of boys who win a fight to become the bully and start strutting around with a chip on their shoulder enjoying their new found "power" among their peers.

I told him that he did what he needed to do to deal with the bully. The fight served its purpose but now the fighting was over and it was time to try and become friends with the bully if possible.

I sternly warned him (as I had many times before) about EVER being the bully, fighting without real reason, or standing by and watching someone weaker get bullied.

In this case, I cannot see where my parenting choice did anything but instill Godly character, discipline and courage into my son.

Fighting should be a last resort for specific reasons and with the right motivation, but yes, I believe there are times when part of growing up to be Godly men may involve a fight or two.

What are your questions about parenting and family?

Enter your questions in the ongoing question list below and be sure to check out my book full of hundreds of questions and answers:

Adoption Update

2011-07-01T21:38:00.002-05:00

After three adoptions Brent and I thought we had this adoption thing down. Oh boy we were wrong. Adopting from an eastern European country is a much different process than what we have been through before. It's not harder, just different.

We are with an agency we haven't used before, and they are a pilot program. The country we are adopting from is very new to international adoptions. With a pilot program, timelines and adoption requirements can change rapidly. We knew that going in and we are fine with that. So far the changes have been very easy to take care of/handle.

This is our fourth (and maybe fifth) adoption. We have three living, breathing reminders running through our home, constantly reminding us that God is good and that adoption is a beautiful thing.

We adore our agency, love our facilitator and are very excited about the country we are adopting from. Our hope is that as adoption veterans, we can take on being "first" with this new program and smooth the way for other families after us. For those well versed in adoption:

Our home study has been approved, dossier is done, the country we are adopting from has approved us and immigration has given us the go-ahead.

For those of you who are not adoption veterans:

Abby will be a big sister very, very soon.

We are waiting for our referral. Waiting to find out who our next child\children will be. I can't wait to see their little faces. Would you please join us in praying:

We will be referred the children God wants us to adopt.
That they will be well cared for
They will be in our arms soon

I would love for the children to be of Roma heritage (a poor underclass in that region) because that is where the biggest need is. I have been told it can be difficult to do that because they often don't have the paperwork necessary to be adopted. Would you join me in praying that God would open the door if it is his will?

Mariage, Divorce, Online & Emotional Adultery

2011-06-14T05:34:00.002-05:00

From Brent:

The Internet has brought alot of new issues for marriages to deal with. Online emotional affairs... do they constitute adultery and grounds for divorce?

I recently exchanged a few emails with someone who was dealing with an online cheating spouse.

Read it here....

Husband Gives His Life to Save Wife from Tornado

2011-05-28T15:46:00.004-05:00

From Brent

Very touching video below. A recent survey showed an alarming percentage of Americans were not will to give their up their life for something outside themselves.

I can think of many things: my faith, my wife, my family, to defend the weak, to stand for truth... and the list could go on.

If you can't list what you would die for, you don't truly have anything to live for.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Day After

2011-05-25T11:42:00.004-05:00

From Brent

I went out this morning to see who needed help and got some photos of some houses in our community. I can't imagine the disruption and hardship of having everything you own destroyed in 5 seconds.

You can clearly see the path of the sidewinder through this field.

This was a nice house last night. That is not a pile that
has been bulldozed into a heap... that's the pile left by the tornado.

This twisted chopper was tossed out of someone's garage.

It's hard to imagine that these "piles" were standing homes 12 hours ago.

Last night we saw construction material and objects flying hundreds
of feet in the air. No matter how big, they were like picking up feathers.

Trees, phone poles, fences, concrete... nothing gets a pass.

This house was across the road from homes that had little to no damage,
and the house before and after it looked barely touched.There was probably a hundred yards between houses on this road.Evidently that was a house and barn or garage. It was leveled.

Holy Cow! Close Call... Tornado Scare

2011-05-24T18:50:00.005-05:00

From Brent

Once it became obvious a monster storm was bearing down on us, I got the family in the car and screamed up the road through golf ball size hail to the Baptist Church basement where a lot of people take shelter in our little town of a few hundred.

Michelle and the kids went to the basement while I (of course, idiot) stayed up in the parking lot to watch out. A big tornado spun up right in front of us... all I had was my iPhone camera, but here's what happened... the news is now saying it was an EF4 tornado (for you non-enlightened, that is a HUGE violent tornado).

(I'm watching news video of it right now on TV... unbelievable):

A small funnel (white whisp in the photo) spun up
and roped out. I thought maybe that was it, and then...

This monster appeared behind it. My house is about two
hundred yards in front of where I'm standing directly
towards this tornado.

At this point, it sounds like a jet engine and a freight train
coming down the road and I thought for sure our house
was going to be destroyed. I was about 5 seconds from
hauling my butt into the shelter but I realized quickly it was
going to pass west of us but just barely. We could see
construction debris flying through the air and it was
extremely windy.

I ran around the church building out into the open street.
What you see here is literally "downtown" in our small
community of a few hundred.

The tornado is probably a several miles away
at this point and it still looks huge.
The news was saying it was an F3 or F4.

Look at the debris field at the base of the twister.
It was churning up everything.

It looked like it was going to spin out at this point...

But then it restrengthened and went a few miles further
and made a direct hit on a town called Goldsby
about 7 miles from us. Lots of friends have lost homes.

Got back home and half my tree was on the ground.
The tree looks awful now, but not as bad as a destroyed house.

Please Pray!!! Getting Hammered By Tornados!

2011-05-24T17:25:00.002-05:00

From Brent

Tornado's all around... large dangerous storms headed right for us... we appreciate your prayers. If the sirens go off, we'll go up to the basement of the Baptist Church up the street in our little town of 500.

We pray a tornado doesn't hit us (or anyone!). I can't even imagine the hardship of having your entire house and contents destroyed.

My Hurtful Son

2011-05-16T08:41:00.002-05:00

From Brent

We had two kids graduate this week, one from college, the other from high school. We'll get some pictures up pronto.

A reader asked:

Our 27 year old son has pursued his ministry calling for 15 years. He got married and since a short time after, he has not been the same son. A lot has happened but bottom line is, we feel he now says and does hurtful and disrespectful things to the rest of our family. We have not spoken with him in 6 months. He attends a Christian graduate school. I have sent presents and cards to try to mend the situation. Should we try to contact him or just keep praying that God will do His work in their lives. We are ready and willing to forgive their behavior. I want my family to be whole again. What's your advice?

My answer:

Having ongoing family discord is always tough. It's something that you are constantly reminded of every minute of the day. It can really eat at you, and I'm sorry you're dealing with it.

First, other than extreme situations, it's never wrong or bad to continue to be kind (sending gifts and cards), to try and contact the disenfranchised family member (as long as it is not aggressive, comes with strings attached, or for the purpose of continually rebuking them or putting them on a guilt trip) and to gently and consistently try to restore the relationship.

I would continue to try and contact him at the same times you would NORMALLY contact him if things were normal and happy. If he sees that you still continue to love him and treat him as a son even though he is not reciprocating, perhaps he will be convicted of his unloving behavior.

Now, it may very well be that there are things going on in their marital relationship that are causing him to avoid you. It might be embarrassment over the state of the marriage; it might be pressure from the spouse or spouse’s family; it might be some sin or situation you are unaware of that affecting his behavior.

It could also be that in his mind YOU are the problem. Obviously I don't know anything more about you than what is in your question, so I urge you and your spouse to be very honest about your own contribution to the situation and make sure that you are not at fault somehow as well.

Assuming you are not, I would continue to treat them as if you would treat any of your children in a normal situation. Let him, and her, know that you love them, you miss them and you are there for them if they need you.

Human nature being what it is though, you must emotionally prepare yourself to accept that he is an adult, he struggles with sin, he has pressures and stresses... just like you, just like me.

So he may not be responsive. It may get worse. It may never resolve.

You are not in control and no matter how much you long for the restoration of your family, your children are not robots. Just like we do all the time with God, your children may not choose to be "good" to us.

My advice is to continue to call just to say you love them and are thinking about them. Send cards, send gifts. Expect nothing in return knowing that God will honor your loving sacrifice. Trust that God will get into their hearts and restore the relationship with you BUT know that even if that doesn't happen, God will cause the situation to work for your good and His glory. He promises that (Rom 8.28).

Should you keep praying? Well of course you know that answer to that.

What are your questions for me?

WIN A PRIZE! If you ask a question that I answer on one of my blogs, email me (brent@brentriggs.com), and I'll send you a FREE ebook copy of my latest book - "SeriousFaith Questions & Answers - Volume One" (almost 500 pages of questions and answers about life, the Bible and Christianity)

Marriage Annoying?

2011-05-10T12:44:00.010-05:00

From Brent

A reader wrote and asked me:

My wife and I seem to always be annoyed or irritated with each other, just on the edge of arguing or getting mad all time. We love each other, and divorce is not an option (or something we want) as Christians. Any advice on how to change this part of our relationship?

My answer:

I'm so happy to hear someone say, "Divorce is not an option." That doesn't mean it never could happen or that a Biblical divorce is always avoidable... but it does mean that divorce is hated (like God hates it) and is a last resort.

This should be the norm for Christians, but sadly, is not. Having a foundation of lifelong commitment puts you in a good position to make some changes in your relationship that will help with these feelings you are having towards each other.

We Get On Our Nerves

There is truth in the saying "familiarity breeds contempt." People are people. We get on each others nerves. Living with someone all the time gives plenty of opportunity for it.

Half the reason for being irritated is justified (fleshly speaking) in that the other person can be thoughtless, unkind, inattentive, selfish, impatient, sloppy, lazy, etc. The other half of the reason is our own fault: I am impatient, I am selfish, I am easily irritated, I am looking out for my own interests first.

Put the two halves together, and you are experiencing something that is very common in marriage and eventually happens to most all of us: we find ourselves impatient and with a low level, underlying "annoyed" feeling towards our spouse.

Change You Can Believe In

We cannot change the other person directly, only ourselves. I say "directly" because I believe that INDIRECTLY we can influence our spouse to change simply by the change that occurs in us.

So, if you want your spouse to stop being irritable, you stop. If you want your spouse to stop being easily annoyed, you stop. If you want your spouse to be loving, patient and kind, YOU be loving, patient and kind. If you want your spouse to be affectionate, complimentary, encouraging and happy, YOU BE ALL THOSE THINGS FIRST.

As humans, our relationships and spiritual life fall prey to the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics: things deteriorate unless some outside organizing or improving power reverses the deterioration (I know that's a loose definition, but appropriate for this discussion).

Since we are sinful human beings, our spiritual life and Christian walk will deteriorate if we are not actively working to improve it. As well, our marriages and relationships will degrade if we aren't actively seeking to improve and strengthen them.

Do Nothing To Get Results

For our marriages to go bad, we don't have to do a thing. They will go sour all by themselves. We can help the deterioration to occur faster by our negative behavior, but even in "neutral" things will decline in quality.

Our marriages (or any relationship for that matter) are a series of repeating and clearly defined CYCLES... either good or bad. Whatever type of cycle we are in tends to feed itself. Let me explain.

If you are impatient and sarcastic, it will cause your spouse to have hard feelings, bringing out similar bad behavior. Their increased level of negativity will only cause you to sink further into destructive attitudes and behavior, in turn causing them to be worse. And round and round it goes. It will not stop until one or both spouses choose to change the cycle.

A negative cycle in a marriage tends to get started and become a "problem" before either spouse even recognizes that it is occurring.
A positive cycle on the other hand, usually is something that has to be a willful, purposeful choice by both parties. We have no problems being negative. We have to work at being positive.

My advice?

Determine that you will begin a "positive"
cycle in your relationship

Change yourself regardless of what your spouse does

SAY and DO those things that you would normally say and do when your FEELINGS of "being madly in love" are present. In other words, regardless of how you FEEL, say loving things, do loving things, talk affectionately, be romantic... ACT (words and actions) like you are madly in love and that your spouse is the most wonderful, patient, caring, loving person on the planet and you cannot stand to be apart from them one more minute.

(Act? Isn't that dishonest? NO!!! When you first fall in love with someone, it's because both of you choose to ACT in such a way that causes the other person to fall in love. Magically, tragically and stupidly, AFTER the wedding, we reverse the process and declare that we must FIRST feel like we are in love BEFORE we will act in such a way as to create an atmosphere of "falling in love.")

Make sure that you are both working on your spiritual lives, individually and as a couple, or it's going to be next to impossible to create any lasting positive change
Pray together; the percentage is sky high that couples who pray together are happier and dramatically FAR less likely to divorce.
A positive cycle feeds on itself just like a negative cycle. In my experience, positive cycles actually intensify and repair a relationship FASTER than a negative cycle tears it down.

Say words, choose behavior and plan things that will cause your spouse to feel good, feel loved and cause them to "fall in love" with you. It may take them a little while to "figure out what's going on," but give it time, be consistent and don't give up. In a typical relationship, your spouse will begin to warm up to this new development and the "seeds of love" you are planting will soon begin to grow.

Here are a few things to do for your wife on a regular basis, daily if you really want to make a difference (hey wives, you should try this too!):

Of course, say "I love you" many times a day
Say "I'm sorry" often and quickly; and mean it!
Tell her that she is beautiful and that you are physically attracted to her
Tell her that you are happy; it's very important for your spouse to know that you have a happy life because they realize they are big part of that
Tell her specifically that you are happy to be married TO HER, and that you wouldn't want life any other way
Tell her that she means the whole world to you and that there is no one else you would rather be with

Life Gets In the Way

Now, given the stresses of life, do I always FEEL, I mean literally FEEL this way? Of course not. I get sick, I get tired, I get too busy, I get overwhelmed some times. Oh yeah, and sometimes I'm selfish and not very thoughtful (shhh... that's a secret). But regardless of how I FEEL, I know all these things are still true, so I need to say them even if my feelings don't happen to be all ooey-gooey at the moment.

By saying these things, I cultivate the emotions and so I end up actually feeling this way even if I didn't start out with them. When I do NOT have these feelings, it becomes even more important to say them so that it creates an atmosphere that will rekindle them.

A Good Marriage is a Choice

It is my very strong personal opinion that married couples can quickly and definitively get out of a period of frustration and irritability by choosing to say and do those things that they would do if they were in that "falling madly in love" period of their relationship.

Try it and see if you don't notice a big difference quickly (once your spouse gets over the shock!).

What are your questions for me?

WIN A PRIZE! If you ask a question that I answer on one of my blogs, email me (brent@brentriggs.com), and I'll send you a FREE ebook copy of my latest book - "SeriousFaith Questions & Answers - Volume One" (almost 500 pages of questions and answers about life, the Bible and Christianity)

My Newest Book - 500 pages of Christian Answers

2011-04-27T17:58:00.005-05:00

I wanted to let you know about my newest book: SeriousFaith Bible Questions & Answers - Volume One

There is a serious need today for serious answers to serious questions about the Bible & Christianity. I do not write answers to support any specific doctrinal tradition or group. My only goal in answering questions is to find out what the Bible says, explain it as best as I can and present honest opinion, being clear about what is opinion and what is specifically God's Word.

Besides clear Biblical answers, I offer plenty of opinion too. There’s something in this book to “offend" just about everyone. Despite our deepest conviction, no single Christian, group or organization has perfect and complete knowledge of Scripture and Truth... including me. By the time this is printed, I WILL PROBABLY DISAGREE with some things I’ve written!

Here's a summary of the questions:

Accommodation And Christian Living
Adam And Incest
Adult Children And Sin
Adultery - Should You Come Clean?
Adultery - Emotional Adultery
Anger And Sin Not
Annihilationism
Answering Questions Directly
Apostle Paul
Appropriate Behavior
Assurance Of Salvation
Atheism
Attributes Of God
Authority Of God And Government
Authority Of Scripture
Baptism - Should I Be Rebaptized?
Baptism - Does The Act Of Baptism Save A Person?
Baptism And Dedications
Baptism - Is It A Requirement Of Salvation?
Baptism - Is Re-Baptism Necessary?
Belief – Struggling To Believe In God
Bible - The Difference Between The Law And The Word
Bible - What Does Matthew 5:18 Mean?
Bible - Who Decided Which Books Would Be In The Bible?
Bible - Is It Really True?
Bible - Which Bible Is The Real Bible?
Bible Authenticity And Inconsistencies
Bible Characters - Eli
Bible Characters - Mary
Bible Study - Thoughts On Serious Teaching
Bible Translations
Binding And Loosing
Birth - Is God Responsible For Birth Defects?
Birth Control
Boldness
Books - What Books Do You Recommend For Christians?
Business - Should We Be In Business With Unbelievers?
Business - Should I Do A Deal With An Unbeliever?
Calvinism-Arminianism
Cannibalism
Causality - Everything Came From Something
Children In Ministry
Children Of Divorce
Christian Living - The Gospel Of Peace
Christian Living - How Worldly Is To Worldly?
Christian Vocabulary
Church - Is It Really Important?
Church - Biblical Leadership And Structure
Church - Planting A New Church
Church - Selling Products And Books
Church - Modern Practices
Church - Biblical Illiteracy
Church Leadership
Church Organization
Civic Duty
Clothing - Women Wearing Pants
Communion - Are We Picking And Choosing?
Communion – Miming It?
Communion - Every Sunday?
Communion - Should It Be Given To Nonmembers?
Compassion For Those Who Are Hurting
Compassion For Those We Don't Like
Compassion For What Jesus Did For Us
Confession Of Sin To Others?
Conscience - Should I Enlist In The Military?

Conscience - Should I Give If My Spouse Does Not Want Me To?

Counseling - Is A Christian Counselor The Answer?

Covenant - Are We To Follow The Old Testament Law?

Creation - Was Adam A Caveman?

Creation - Can You Believe In An Uncreated Creator?

Creation -The Purpose Of Man

Creation - Explaining To Children About The Creator

Creation - Is The Earth Billions Of Years Old?

Creation - Was The Earth Created In Six Days?

Cremation - Is It Biblical?

Criticism - Why Do Christians Criticize Others?

Curse - Is There A Generational Curse?

Dating - Christian women and worldly men

Dating - Proper Boundaries Before Marriage

Dating - Marrying Into Another Religion

Death - What Happens When We Die?

Death - Organ Donation

Difficult Verses - You Are God's

Dinosaurs In The Bible

Dinosaurs On The Ark

Discernment - God's Voice Or Mind Tricks

Divine Judgment - Are Catastrophes God's Judgment?

Divine Revelation - People Visiting Heaven Or Hell

Divorce - Will God Forgive Me?

Divorce - Biblical Reasons

Divorce - Legal Issues

Divorce - Physical And Mental Abuse

Divorce - Will God Allow Me To Remarry?

Doctrine - Are There Apostles Today?

Doctrine - Replacement Theology

Doing Good - Covering Up Sin For My Friend

Drinking - Is It Wrong To Have A Drink?

Drinking - Is It Ever Okay?

Elders - Accusations Against Elders

Elders - Requirements And Divorce

Employment - Working For Unbelievers

Eternal Life

Eternal Security

Eternity - Can We See Those We've Left Behind?

Evangelism - What Is Too Pushy?

Evil - Why Does God Allow It To Exist?

Evolution - Why Are You So Dogmatic?

Faith - How Do You Get It?

False Religion - What Constitutes A False Religion?

False Teaching - The Secret

Family Problems - Disrespectful And Hurtful Family Members

Fasting

Finances - Bankruptcy

Food - Prohibited Foods

Forgiveness - Making Amends

Forgiveness - Forgiving Terrorists

Forgiveness - Does It Require Repentance?

Forgiveness - Does The Offender Have To Repent?

Forgiveness - Does God Still Punish Us After Forgiveness?

Forgiveness - Forgiving Terrible Wrongs

Gambling - Is It A Sin?

Genesis - Cain's Wife

Genesis - Creating Day And Night

Genesis - Where Did All The People Come From?

Genesis - Did It Rain Before Noah?

Genesis - What Are The Nephilim?

Giving - Should You Give If You Don't Tithe?

Giving - Are Christians Commanded To Tithe?

Giving - Am I Responsible For My Spouse?

God - Do Christians And Jews Worship The Same God?

God - A Crutch Or Fire Insurance

God – Why Create Evil Humans Knowing They Will Be Evil?

Guilt - Should A Christian Ever Feel Guilty?

Guilt - The Difference Between Guilt And Conviction

Hair - Men With Long Hair

Hard Verses – Acts 16:31

Hard Verses – John 14:13

Hard Verses – John 20:21

Hard Verses - Baptism For The Dead

Hard Verses - The Body Of Moses

Hard Verses - Dead People Walking Around

Hard Verses - Saved By Childbearing

Healing - Modern-Day Healers

Healing -Is Sickness A Lack Of Faith?

Healing - Are We Healed By His Stripes?

Heaven - Is It Going To Disappear?

Heaven - Will There Be Sex?

Heaven - Are There Really Gates?

Heaven - Will We Have Special Relationships?

Heaven - Will We Recognize People?

Heaven - Will We Miss Those Who Are Not There?

Heaven - Giving Account Of Our Life?

Salvation - Age Of Accountability

Heaven - What About Aborted Or Miscarried Babies?

Heaven - Is That Where We Started?

Heaven - Will There Be More People Created?

Heaven - Animals In Heaven

Heaven - Marriage In Heaven

Heaven - Is My Pet In Heaven?

Heaven - What Is The New Heaven And New Earth?

Hell - Catholics Going To Hell?

Hell - Trading Places

Hell - Is It A Real Place Or Just Hard Times?

Hell - Do We Really Want A God Of Wrath?

Homosexuality - Can You Be Gay And Saved?

Homosexuality - Does The Bible Call It A Sin?

Homosexuals - Will They Enter Heaven?

Honor - Call No One Father

Humility - Washing Each Other's Feet

Jesus - Did He Go To Hell?

Jesus - Why Was He Not Received?

Jesus - Was He A Jew?

Jesus – I AM

Jesus – Why Did God Kill Him?

Jesus - Born Again?

Jesus Christ - Beat Up On By Satan?

Judging - Are Christians Supposed To Judge?

Judgment – God’s Judgment

Justice – Why Did Jesus Die?

Killing – Is War Wrong?

Knowledge – What Does 1Corinthians 13:12 Mean?

Language – Which One In Heaven?

Lawsuit – Should I Take This Christian To Court?

Leadership – Four Scriptural Principles

Legal – Suing Christians

Life – When Is Someone Really Alive?

Love – Types Of Love

Magic – Right Or Wrong?

Marriage – Is My Husband Really A Christian?

Marriage – Repenting Of Divorce

Marriage – Leaving Father And Mother

Marriage – When Does God Recognize It?

Marriage – Divorce Because Of Pornography

Marriage – Domestic Discipline

Marriage – Compassion For A Widow

Marriage – Always Fighting And Annoyed

Marriage – Interracial Okay?

Marriage – Is Sex Okay If You Are Engaged?

Miracles – Our Great Miracles?

Money – Money Changers

Moral Responsibility – Confronting Sin In Others

Morality – Purity In Marriage And Parenting

Morality – Should I Let My Adult Children Share A Bedroom With His Live-In?

Morality – Is Admiration Of Beauty The Same As Lust?

Movies – Harry Potter & Lord Of The Rings

Movies – Da Vinci Code

Music – Instruments In Worship?

New Age – Harmless In Schools?

Obedience – Is It Necessary?

Obedience – Surrendering To God

Obedience In Marriage

Occultism – A Harmless Interest?

Pagan Rituals - Cremation

Parenting – Children Questioning Your Faith

Parenting – Counseling Adult Children About Who They Date

Parenting – Your Children’s Friends

Parenting – Godly Parenting

Parenting – Boys Fighting

Parenting – Over Protective?

Parents – Honoring Them When It Is Hard

Peace – Will There Ever Be World Peace?

Persecution – Modern Persecution Of Christians

Piercings – Right Or Wrong?

Prayer – What Is Praying For The Dead?

Prayer – Does God Listen To Non-Christians?

Prayer – Why Doesn’t God Answer?

Prayer – Should We Pray For Ourselves?

Prayer – Can We Pray Directly To God?

Prayer – Can Prayer Really Change Things?

Prayer – Praying For “Favor”

Promises – How Do We Know When The Bible “Promises” Something?

Prophecy – Is America In The Bible?

Psychology – What About Rick Warren?

Purity – How Can You Get Rid Of Sexual Impurity?

Race – Is Interracial Marriage Wrong?

Races – Where Did All The Skin Colors Come From?

Regeneration – The Difference Between Born Again And Regenerated

Reincarnation - True Or Not?

Relationships – Dealing With Difficult People

Relationships – Hurtful Family Members

Religion – Plymouth Brethren

Religion – Just Be Sincere, Right?

Responsibility – Overcoming Past Sin

Restitution – Does The Bible Require It?

Revelations – Who Are The 144,000?

Roles – Women In Ministry

Salvation – Is Repentance A Requirement?

Salvation – Can You Appear To Be Saved But Really You Aren’t?

Salvation – If God Has Forgiven Everyone…

Salvation – Can I Be Sure?

Salvation – Is Fornication A Ticket To Hell?

Salvation – What Is Grace?

Salvation – “Jesus Loves You” Or “You’re Going To Hell!”?

Salvation – Can A Practicing Roman Catholic Be A Biblically Saved Christian?

Salvation – How Young Is Too Young?

Salvation – Unbiblical Traditions

Salvation – Can You Lose Your Salvation?

Salvation – Are We Supposed To Know For Sure?

Salvation – Will A Person Who Has Never Heard About Jesus Go To Hell?

Salvation – If God Is Good, Why Does He Send People To Hell?

Salvation Of Babies

Sanctification – Does My Life Testify To My Salvation?

Satan – Can God Save Satan?

Satan – Can He Read Our Minds?

Satan – Can We “Bind” Him?

Satan – Can Demons Know Our Thoughts?

Science – Does It Have Priority When It Disproves The Bible?

Scriptural Terms – “Anointed”

Second Coming – Predictions By Christians

Security – Will You Go To Hell If You Sin And Don’t Realize It?

Self – Is God Against Anything That Focuses On “Me” Instead Of “Him”?

Self Esteem – Scriptures About It

Sin – Are We Really Evil And Deceitful? Or Good?

Sin – What Was The Sin Of Adam And Eve?

Sin – How Could Satan Sin If He Was Perfect And Lived With God?

Sin – Does Accidental Sin Mean I’m Really Not Saved?

Sin – Struggling With The Same Sin Over And Over

Sin – Persistent Sin That Won’t Go Away

Sin – What Is The Sin That “Leads To Death”?

Sin – Confronting Sin In Other Christians

Sin – Can You Be A Christian Lesbian?

Sin – Where Did It Come From?

Sin – Are Children And Babies Sinful?

Sin – Is Plastic Surgery Wrong?

Sin – If There Is No Sin In Heaven, Where Did It Come From?

Sin – What Is “Living In Sin”?

Sin – How Can We Go To God In Pray When We Are Sinful?

Sin Nature – How Am I God’s Child If I Am Full Of Sin?

Sin Nature – Is A Person “Born Gay”?

Skepticism – Is The Bible Full Of Errors?

Spiritual Warfare – Should “Putting On Armor” Be A Daily Ritual?

Suffering – Caused By God Because Of Your Sin?

Suffering – Ministering To Those Who Are Hurting

Sufficiency – Is The Bible Really All We Need?

Suicide – Living An Unbearable Life Or Not

Suicide - Will You Go To Hell If You Kill Yourself?

Supernatural – UFO’s

Tattoos – A Sin?

Teaching – Seems Like A Popularity Contest Doesn’t It?

Teaching – Should Spouses Both Be “Called”?

Teaching Materials – Can I Use Seriousfaith Stuff?

Temptation – Does God Tempt Us?

Theology – What Does “Christology” Mean?

Tithing – When To Give, Should We Tithe?

Tithing – Is It Biblical?

Tongues – Still For Today?

Tongues – Are You Really Saved If You Don’t?

Transformation – The Purpose Of Hard Times

Trinity – Can You Deny The Trinity And Be Saved?

Truth – Foundational Issues

Twitter – What’s The Purpose?

Witnessing – Is Every Christian Required To Evangelize?

Witnessing – What Is It, Really?

Witnessing To Muslims

Women Pastors And Leaders

Order your preferred version here:

Print Version	eBook Version	Kindle Version
Purchase$24.08	Purchase$9.00	Purchase$9.99

Parenting Wisdom for All Ages

2011-04-26T20:43:00.002-05:00

Someone sent me one of those emails full of interesting photos. As I viewed these, it dawned on me that I could use them to teach some valuable lessons about parenting. Below are a couple of samples. You can read the post here...

Pre-Easter Pic

2011-04-23T22:48:00.003-05:00

I have never tried sponge curlers on Abby's hair. She will either wake up with beautiful curls or a hot mess. If every Easter picture features damp straight hair, you will know which we ended up with.

Abby's doctor appointment went well. Her blood work was perfect and there were no signs of relapsing. Praise God! They did find an ear infection that Abby had not mentioned to us. When I asked her about it she just smirked and said that MOST of her ear felt perfectly fine. The girl may end up being a lawyer.

Erin, the PA, did say that if Abby's leg pain doesn't resolve they might run tests on them in a month. So lets just pray they are better by then. :-)

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter. I would love to hear how you made it a special (and meaningful) day for your families.

Adoption Update and Urgent Request

2011-04-16T22:23:00.010-05:00

From Michelle:

Abby Update: Today I am taking Abby to her monthly post chemo check up. For most of the month we are focused on living life and being a family. Today, Abby will see kids who are in the midst of a battle that she remembers all too well. Please say an extra prayer for those kids and their families. I will let you know Abby's test results later tonight. Abby looks great. We expect nothing but good reports, but we will never tire of getting good news.

Adoption update:

After 3 adoptions I thought we had this thing down. I was wrong. Brent and I typically make decisions very quickly and never look back. This time we made lots of decisions that we thought made sense but never felt a peace about going forward (sending them the big bucks) . Several agencies closed programs or changed parameters right when we were praying about moving forward with them.

I have been watching people flock to agencies I love. The waiting lists have been growing exponentially. While I love knowing that so many families are stepping forward to adopt children who need a family, I didn't feel we should wait years for a child when so many orphans need a family today.

Finally we are moving forward. Our request to adopt should be with our foreign facilitator THIS week. They have 2 months to make their decisions but we are hoping it is much sooner.

Our kids are bouncing off the walls excited. They can't wait to meet their new brother or sister. Abby is still praying daily for a baby brother and Hannah wants a little sister. Landis just wants to finally be a BIG brother.

Thank you for praying for our growing family.

I can't believe how grown up Abby looks.

Still playing picture catch up. We are trying hard to eat healthier. I was thankful
that she loved the pencils and ignored the candy. Healthy eating and a public
school education seems like an impossible combination some times.

Five is such a sweet age. Landis wanted me to meet all of his friends.
I can't wait to watch him take on the role of big brother.

URGENT:

Would you please pray for and get the word out about a very special little boy. He desperately needs a "Ukraine paper ready" family to commit to adopt him immediately. Please pray that his dreams come true. http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2011/04/so-so-urgent.html

The Ultimate Blog Party Is Happening NOW!

2011-03-31T22:55:00.007-05:00

From Brent

You bloggers out there need to be sure and check out Five Minutes for Mom today.

They have a great blog and are doing their yearly event starting today.

They have great stuff all year long... but the Ultimate Blog Party is, uh, THE ULTIMATE! I asked them for a message to pass on to you:

- - - - - - - - - - -

If you want to grow your community of blog readers, Twitter followers and Facebook friends, you'll want to check out the 5th annual Ultimate Blog Party at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Join thousands of bloggers coming together from April 1st through 8th to participate in an enormous link up powered by Linky Tools.

You'll virtually "party" together in a blog carnival style, visiting each other's sites and getting to know one another.

There are hundreds of prizes but the big reason you want to be there, is you'll form genuine, lasting friendships and ignite your community.

Click Here to Find Out More

- - - - - - - - - - -

I've known the precious gals who run this blog for a long time and it's my pleasure to encourage you to click on over to them and check them out.

Get more connected in the blogosphere and hook up with a lot of great new readers, giveaways, contests and events be sure to check them out their Ultimate Blog Party and all the rest of the great stuff they have going on!

Ultimate Blog Party

Can You Guess What Abby Is Doing?

2011-03-29T16:29:00.004-05:00

Here's how Abby spent her last weekend:

"Brrrrrr.... it's cold having to sit out here watching ________ all weekend!"

Here's a hint:

Want a Guaranteed "Can't Fail" Investment?

2011-03-23T22:05:00.006-05:00

From Brent

If you've read our blogs for very long, you know our recommendations to "give" are rare. That is on purpose because we realize there is a never ending stream of blogs every day making appeals.

When I do put something out there for you, I want you to know 1) it's worth your time to consider, and 2) I'm fully behind it myself.

Giving That Really Makes a Difference and Is Being Used Effectively

People long to give in ways that really make a difference for God's work with humanity, something they can relate to and personally read about. A lot of giving today is for "more [resources, programs, options, facilities, entertainment, activities...]" for American Christians, and that's okay because the Church has its work to do here as well.

However, there is something extra special about giving directly to frontline, hardcore, sacrificial ministry... knowing that your dollars are building up extra special heavenly treasure as you invest in ground zero ministry work.

Frontline Hardcore Ministry

For Christians, three of those areas are 1) sharing the Gospel (of course), 2) caring for orphans and 3) helping the poor. Bam, bam, bam... a hat trick of some of the most important ministry work we can either 1) do ourselves, or 2) invest in so that others can do it.

Many of us cannot or aren't called to do this kind of work ourselves but every Christian is called to help in the support of it.

The Todd & Amy Block family (Building the Blocks) are pulling up roots and going to live, work, minister and sacrifice in an orphanage in the mountains of Guatemala. They will share the Gospel, help the poor, raise orphans and minister to spiritually need people.

Pure Spiritual Gold Investment

It is truly FRONT LINE, ground zero Christian ministry of the highest caliber. If you are looking for "pure spiritual gold" to invest in, a sure kingdom investment that will keep paying dividends for all eternity, there's hardly a greater opportunity than this kind of work. Every penny goes straight to their effort, nothing wasted.

We are long time friends with the Block's, having traveled to Guatemala together to adopt kids. We can personally vouch for their honesty, integrity and the frugal, integrity-saturated use of every penny you entrust to them for this work.

The Long Haul

We pray you'll join us in supporting them. One time gifts are great but they aren't going for a "visit". They are going to live there and minister for the long haul. I rarely make such a direct appeal, but I encourage you to consider joining our family as we sign up for monthly support of the Block family orphanage ministry in Guatemala.

Caring for orphans, helping the poor, and sharing the Gospel... spiritual silver, diamonds and gold. We may be having an economic recession but the stock market for souls is soaring and open for business.

While we pray for substantial support gifts too, don't underestimate your small monthly gifts of $10, 20 or 50 bucks. If we could get a couple of hundred folks to give one of those amounts monthly, we could make sure the Blocks don't have the primary problem most missionaries have: spending most of their time trying to raise support rather than ministering and serving others in God's name.

I'm going there right now after I post this to sign up our family. Won't you join us? Click here to donate once or sign up for monthly support.

PS. Feel free to put this blog post on YOUR blog if you want...

I'll Pay You $100 For Your Idea

2011-03-22T12:10:00.002-05:00

From Brent

We live in small town of a couple of thousand people in rural Oklahoma - about 15 minutes from Norman, OK and about 30 minutes from Oklahoma City. In the surrounding rural areas, there are probably 15,000 or so folks. Several hundred kids go to the high school in our town from surrounding areas.

The "downtown" area consists of a nice deli, a convenience store, the post office and a 3-4 other business offices. That's it. That's the "city". While it is a rural community, the "downtown street" is the one spot most people pass several times a week either going to the post office, the local school or to get gas.

In our area, there are lots of home businesses, rural business and farms, sports... a lot of people living a short distance from the cities but close enough to commute to work. We have a mixture of home town rural folks, white and blue collar professionals... our share of seasoned saints. Lots of families, lots of middle class, educated.

There are family businesses here that I give advice to and right now I'm developing a list of good ideas for someone who is considering a family business on this downtown street.

If you send me a good idea that 1) I haven't thought of already, and 2) ends up actually being used, I'll send you $100 cash. Plain and simple. You'll just have to trust me to keep my word, I always do.

What kind of family-owned, family-operated small business do you think would do well in this small, conservative, family-oriented town (with lots of folks living in the surrounding rural areas)?

I know I have a bunch of smart and experienced readers, and I don't mind paying you for your help.

Email your suggestions to me at: brent@brentriggs.com

Update, Prayer Request and Fun Pics & Radiation

2011-03-20T23:27:00.010-05:00

From Brent:

If you are concerned about the nuclear radiation from Japan and wondering just how scary it really is... I wrote a blog post about it here:
http://www.brentriggsblog.com/2011/03/scary-japanese-nuclear-radiation-disaster/

From Michelle:

Abby's surgery went beautifully. Thank you for praying for her. Her surgeon not only removed her port, he also cleaned up an ugly scar that was on her tummy. Some of you may remember when she had a horrible infection at her g-tube site. The infection happened after the toughest round of chemo, her immune system was almost nonexistent and stayed at zero for weeks . It could have easily taken her from us.

To us, the scar was a reminder that God protected and healed Abby. To Abby it was something that people would ask her questions about or ask us about in front of her.

So our compassionate surgeon turned a thick, raised hard scar into a thin little line. Sometimes the unexpected blessings are the sweetest.

We would appreciate your prayers. Abby's neurologist has been weaning her off of medication for her intracrainial hypertension. Abby has been complaining about headaches for several days. At first she just said it was a little headache but now it is keeping her awake and she is saying the pain medication isn't working.

This a a couple of pictures I found on Hannah's camera.

This is Abbys game face. You know it's scary.

Ready for my close up!

Rockstar? Let's just go with that...

Prayer Request and a Few Pictures

2011-03-15T21:44:00.002-05:00

From Michelle:

Wednesday is HOPEFULLY a big day for Abby. The port they used to infuse chemo is scheduled to be surgically removed. Abby can't wait to get it out! It looks "a little weird" when it shows through her clothes and it hurts anytime some one presses on it. She was taught to be careful with it, to guard it. BUT life in Pre-kindergarten is a full contact sport.

The surgery was already canceled once because of a rash near her post. The rash is gone but now she has cough. It is just the same old allergy/mystery cough she has most of the time. It hasn't even slowed her down. But, we were warned by the surgery nurse, that the anesthesiologist might cancel the surgery, for her safety.

We are all sooooooooo ready to be done, done , done with the port. Grateful it was there when we needed it, but we are ready to kick it to the curb.

Would you join us in praying for wisdom for the doctors, safety during surgery and healing. Please also pray that Abby would understand if they postpone it again. Safety is at the very bottom of her priority list. Her days are spent climbing anything that scares Landis and swinging so high she can touch the clouds. I love watching big sister, Abby, help Landis learn that taking risks can be a lot of fun.

Abby while she was getting her paintings ready for the

art show. She is looking so grown up.

Abby and one of Abby's favorite people onw the planet, Kay.

Abby with one of her paintings. That is her "do you like it?" face.

What in the World is Going On?

2011-03-14T09:34:00.001-05:00

From Brent

Have you heard or read about the mass death of animals all over the world in that past few weeks. It's freaky at best, scary at worst.

I wrote more about it on my other blog. Would love to know what you think about it:

http://www.brentriggsblog.com/2011/03/mass-deaths-whats-happening/

Ladies, Try Not to Be Jealous

2011-02-27T19:26:00.015-06:00

From Brent

Okay, I'm a guy but even I can recognize hair that other women would be jealous of. Abby's hair grew back in a little bit curly from her pre-cancer perfectly straight... Mom got it all curled up for the Art Show. Today (Sunday) it's still holding the curl. Try not to be jealous. :)

Can you believe how much it has grown back?
Michelle and I just couldn't quit looking at how
beautiful her hair was Friday night.

This was her hair ONE YEAR AGO at the same art show...

And this was her hair exactly two years ago
when she couldn't hardly get out of bed
much less go to an art show.

The Tri Delta girls from Oklahoma State University
bought Abby's painting to hang in their sorority house.
I'm looking forward to doing a story
about them in our magazine.

Michelle and Kay Tanger with Abby...
there is no art show without Kay. She has been a
cheerleader for Abby since the very
start of her battle with cancer.

Landis loved the airplane that was hanging overhead.

All the girls... Hannah (cousin), Michelle, Abby and our Hannah...

Abby and Landis spent the night flashing smiles
and schmoozing people into making higher bids on her artwork.

The hair, the pinky finger, the coy smile... Abby had it all working that night.

Abby had to bring one of her favorite dolls. Thank you Jordon Samter and Baby Be Blessed giving Abby a doll with such a beautiful message.

Abby looking for her next victim... er, uh, bidder.

Need Your Opinion & Suggestions for A New Book I'm Writing

2011-02-26T10:21:00.002-06:00

From Brent

I'm writing a new book... imagine that. Below is sort of a rough summary/outline.

You guys are pretty stinkin' wise, with a lot of great ideas and wisdom. Would you take a minute to read over my outline and give your thoughts, suggestions, criticism and ideas for the book? I think it may be one of the more important books I've put out and I know it will be much better if it contains the collective wisdom of all you wonderful folks. Put your comments/suggestion in the Linky List below the outline.

The Guide for the Unbelieving, Uninterested and Unconcerned

Introduction – I'll open with a personal appeal letter to the Unbelieving, Uninterested and Unconcerned (those uninterested or unconcerned about God, eternity, sin, judgment, etc.. the transcendent concepts about life). This won't be an intellectual “skeptics debate” that many have written already… it’s an appeal to the human spirit and the deepest questions of human existence. It’s more of an appeal to the inner sense of “there must be something more…” than an intellectual appeal (though I’ll include some aspects of that in the last part of the book).

I envision the book divided into these segments:

An appeal to the heart
- Purpose (everyone wants to have a reason they exist)
- Meaning (life just has to be more… what about hope, eternity, etc?)
- Happiness (can living with no eternal perspective bring any real happiness?)
- Joy (what joy can there be in living with no purpose or meaning?)
- Selfish vs Selfless (living only for self versus living beyond Self)
- An eternal perspective to life (live/die/gone versus live/die/eternity)

An appeal to logic
- Does belief in God make sense?
- Does unbelief make sense?
- What does logic tell us MUST be the truth?
- Can something come from nothing

An appeal to facts
- Does God exist?
- Is the Bible His book?
- Does the evidence support God’s existence?

An appeal to human experience.
- Are you really a good person?
(most people say they are and base God's acceptance on this... but is it true?)
- What’s the alternative to belief and faith?
- What’s the logical conclusion of a lack of belief, concern or interest in God?
- Human events seem to be pointing to a coming conclusion of history… are you ready?

Other: I've done some blog posts on “does God exist”, random chance and time (life was materialistic accident) and the purpose of “purpose” in our life that I can include.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Okay, that's my general outline so far. Thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas? Comments? Criticism? Put them here in this Linky list and THANK YOU for helping me:

Lost & Found ~ Ringing the Bell

2011-02-21T21:59:00.006-06:00

From Michelle:

Have you ever lost a camera? I did, along with a camera card that was filled to the brim with precious memories. Thank goodness my sweet husband found it... several months after I lost it. No comment about WHERE he found it. :-)

I knew I was behind posting here but until I searched through the through the blog looking for pictures, I didn't realize how far behind I was. So if you are game, I will gather up the pictures I found and retrieve the ones I took on borrowed cameras and catch you up on Abby.

Abby's energy level is improving and she is attacking life with an intensity that surprises even me. At 6 months old Abby earned the nickname, the Guatemalan Pistol. The pistol is back. She is curious about everything and afraid of nothing. Sometimes Abby, being Abby, is hilarious but today it was absolutely disgusting. Yep, I said disgusting.

Abby would live outside 24/7 if we would let her. She spends every free moment examining plants, bugs, rock, dirt, etc. Yesterday she dunked Landis into our neighbors outdoor goldfish pond, so he could "see the fish better"... disgusting. Today our sweet "princess" carried "beautiful" feathers into our home... that were still attached to the bird's entire intact wing. Disgusting.

We were warned that Abby's immune system would would take up to a year to recover from the chemo. Thankfully, so far, it is handling Abby's adventures just fine.

NO pics of the bird's wing, but Brent wishes he cold have taken a picture of my face when she brought it in.

Here's some pictures of Abby ringing the end of treatment bell when she finished chemo. It's a pretty emotional moment when, after 2.5 years of misery, you get to ring this bell that you've walked past and dreamed about during every painful visit for chemo, spinal punctures and hospitalizations. "Ding, ding, ding". Something so simple, so common that held so much meaning and relief.

Ding, ding, ding... signaling the end of 2.5 years of misery.

Abby gets a hug from Dr. Cain who managed her care for the entire 2.5 years.

Are You Your Kids Drug Dealer? How about Grandma? How About Your Kids Friends Parents?

2011-02-17T00:22:00.002-06:00

From Brent

When our 3 year old daughter got Leukemia, over the months we had to keep drawers full of powerful drugs in the house for her treatment. Though we’ve never had any kids with a drug problem, we knew this represented a temptation and potential danger for the younger kids who didn’t know better, and the older kids who might be curious or peer pressured. So we locked it all up.

Since then, I’ve been hearing more and more about the growing epidemic of prescription drug abuse… not just by willing adults but by kids who see it all as “fun”. If you are a parent, and you aren’t on alert about prescription drugs, you are making a huge mistake. Statistics shows that high school and college kids are several times more likely to get high on prescription drugs than illegal.

And where are they getting them? Parents bathrooms, the “drug cabinet” at home, and if you haven’t thought about it, better wake up about the Grandparents house. The elderly typically have a small pharmacy of drugs, no kids around, and it doesn’t even cross their mind that grandkids might pilfer their medicine cabinet, a few pills here, and few pills there. Purses, nightstands, bathrooms, kitchens, cabinet drawers… kids aren’t stupid. They see it. They know where it's at and more and more, know what "the good stuff" looks like.

Oxycontin, Fentynal, Vicodin, methodone, Xanax… kids are trading pills at schools like Pokemon cards (yes, I’m showing my age). Drug overdoses and DEATHS are on a shocking increase because kids (and parents) don’t understand how much more powerful prescribed drugs are than most illegal ones. Kids wash it down with alcohol making the danger exponentially worse. It’s just “fun” to them and since it’s not “illegal” drugs, they somehow think that equates to “no danger, no consequence”.

After all, what good parent would leave drugs sitting around that would kill their own kids?

What’s scary is, the amount of prescription drug it takes to get a great high is already dangerously close to the amount that can kill you. Wash it down with a shot of liquor and yesterday’s High School cheerleader is today’s subject of grief counseling.

For you Christians out there, it is interesting to note that the Bible clearly states that drug use* would be a rampant problem in the last days of human history. In the past, we’ve always naturally assumed that meant illegal drugs. Illegal drug use PALES in comparison to the use, and increasingly the abuse of prescription drugs (and adults are leading by example... a pill for every ailment, bad mood, negative emotion or just to escape). Anyone can get them, including kids. Go to the Doctor, complain about a symptom and get a prescription. If a Doctor refuses, just go to another Doctor. It’s easy to get illegal drugs. It’s effortless to get legal ones.

Due to many cultural developments that are too involved to elaborate on here, we’ve become a “pill for every ailment” society whether physical, mental or emotional. The current generation of kids are growing up learning to ask for “medicine” for any discomfort or problem, real or perceived. By the time they are teens, they have no mental reservation at all about popping pills.

I’m 45 and we rarely took pills growing up. REALLY sick? Maybe something for fever and headache. Or the occasional antibiotic from the Doctor. Kids today are fed a diet of pills for everything from the common cold to depression to the inability to pay attention to any slight discomfort.

Given the billions and billions and billions of dollars in profit for the medical community, there is NO incentive for them to do anything accept INCREASE the availability and prescription of more and more drugs. Just like the Bible predicted. We now can see this is primarily referring to drug use that is blessed, applauded, condoned and encouraged by the human race.

Things you should do:

Lock up your drugs where you kids have NO access to them; this includes over the counter medicines that don’t require a prescription.

Be much more cautious and hesitant to give your kids pills; there is no benefit for them to fix every little discomfort with a pill. Back in the old fashioned, out-of-touch days, parents use to realize that some adversity and discomfort helped kids to be strong and more resilient and less whiney. Less whiney? Wouldn’t that be nice.

Reconsider your decision to use drugs for emotional and behavioral issues; we use to RAISE kids and PARENT kids; now we’ve allowed a highly profitable mental health and pharmaceutical industry to convince us that behavioral and emotional difficulties can be remedied or controlled by chemicals (the effectiveness of which is COMPLETELY unproven, and increasingly contradicted by evidence as dangerous and ineffective)

Talk to Grandma and Grandpa about locking up their medicines in their home

Education your kids about prescription drugs. They are not harmless. They are more powerful than most illegal drugs, and it only takes a pill or two of the wrong kind or mixture and a couple of beers to kill you. Teach them not to listen to their “no big deal” friends. They are toying with death.

If your kids get a prescription for an injury or illness DO NOT ALLOW them to hang on to or dispense their own doses. Given them ONLY what they need and lean towards ending the use of them sooner rather than later (doesn’t apply to antibiotics which MUST be taken until finished).

Be suspicious of your kids friends who ask to use your bathroom. Keep your drugs OUT of the bathroom and locked up where they will never have access. Not only could you be saving a life, you might be saving yourself the liability of some kid overdosing on YOUR drugs and the inevitable lawsuit that will follow.

What are your suggestions to other readers about how they can combat this rising problem of prescription drug use/abuse? Add your suggestion to the Idea Linky below:

* Gal 5:19-21; Revelation 9:21; and others – the Greek word for witchcraft or sorcery is “pharmakeia” which is where we get our word for pharmacy… in other words, drug use. It makes no distinction about legal or illegal, just drug use. Some people say that the Bible does specifically say “in the last days… “ about drug use but if you read the context of the verses and place them in their proper overview of God’s chronology, it’s plain that this is the warning God intended for us. We ignore that or attempt to explain it away at our own peril . The message is clear and human experience now plainly gives evidence to it’s accuracy.

Super Bowl - Declaration of Independence

2011-02-06T17:37:00.001-06:00

Many of you probably saw the reading of the Declaration of Independence on the Super Bowl show. Good for them.

There are two problems: 1) most Americans, sadly, could care less about the monumental documents that provide the bedrock of our Republic, and 2) most people cannot understand the vocabulary anymore.

I can't do much about the first problem but I have done something to help with the second. A few years ago I wrote a "common English" version of the Declaration of Independence... even formatting it in a ready to print version.

Please download it and share it with your family. Read it. Discuss it. Teach them why it is so important. If you're waiting for the government to do it, you'll be disappointed.

Enjoy the game.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Declaration of Independence
A Modern English Rewrite by Brent Riggs

Download a printable PDF here with no Author Preface: 8.5x11 11x17

The Bill of Rights in Modern English

The Declaration of Independence IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

Every State in America agrees with and declares the following,

When it becomes necessary during the normal course of human history that a specific group of People find it undeniable that they must completely end their relationship with another group of People and assume in this world an equal, separate and sovereign status among nations (to which the Laws of God entitle all mankind) - common and decent respect for humanity compels that group of People to clearly and publicly declare their reasons which have forced them to end the relationship in question.

We hold the following truths to be obvious and undeniable,

All men are created equal and have been equipped and supplied by the Creator with certain rights that cannot and must not be taken away which include:
- Life
- Personal freedom (liberty)
- And the right to pursue happiness.

To secure these God-ordained rights, Governments are created and they derive their power and authority from the People they govern, who give them permission to govern, and willingly submit to their authority.

However, when any Government decides to take away the right of personal freedom and the pursuit of happiness, it is the right of the People under that Government to change the Government, or if necessary, get rid of the Government altogether, to recreate a Government which are is once again founded upon the principles of freedom, and organized in such a way as to guarantee those freedoms.

Logic, caution and good judgment requires that established Governments should not be altered hastily, without good reason or for temporary circumstances. As well, experience has demonstrated that the People have a tendency to suffer Government evils, rather than change them, as long as the suffering is not too extreme. Why? Because People get used to things being a certain way, and it is difficult and takes great effort to change.

But… when a long series of abuses and stealing of freedoms has occurred by the Government, which are all meant to achieve the goal of putting the People under the rule of violent tyrants, it becomes the right of the People – even more it becomes the duty of the People – to defeat and cast away that Government and create a new Government and new safeguards to protect their freedom.

This is what has happened to the thirteen Colonies who have been patient in this matter of suffering. The Colonies have reached a point where they have no choice but to alter their current system of Government because their freedoms have been abused.

The King of England has a long history of recurring abuses and seizing freedom by violent threats. The King has one single objective: to take absolute, dictatorial control over the Colonies. To prove this, consider the following facts which we make public for the whole world to evaluate:

The King has refused to sign into law a system where Courts administer justice
The King has forbid his Governors to pass urgent laws that are extremely important to us. They must delay the laws and get the King's permission first. Even when the Governors suspend the laws, the King still neglects to consider them anyway.
The King has refused to sign or consider other laws that enact provisions for large groups of People unless those People give up their right to be represented in the Government – in other words, they must give up their freedom to get the King to pass the law… something only a Tyrant would ask the People to do.
The King has called the Government leaders together in unusual and uncomfortable places, far from any legal resources or Public Records for the sole purpose of making them so tired and uncomfortable, they will simply agree with the King and do what he wants.
The King has repeatedly shut down the parts of the Government that represent the People. Why? Because they have opposed him when he has abused the rights of the People they represent.
The King has refused for long periods of time to allow other Representatives of the People to be elected after he himself dissolved their Representation. So the Representatives, who simply cannot walk away and forget those they represent or their duties, have returned to the People to do their service. Meanwhile, the country remains exposed to invasion by other countries, and intense turmoil and uncertainty from within.
The King has tried to prevent people from coming to live in our States, obstructing Laws that allow foreigners to become citizens, refusing to sign laws that encourage foreigners to migrate to this country, and making new laws that make it more difficult to own or buy land here.
The King has hindered the administration of law and justice by refusing to allow us to create Courts and appoint Judges.
The King has appointed his own puppet Judges who will do nothing except what the King says to do. If not, he will remove them from office or not pay them.
The King has created many new public offices in order to send large groups of Government officials to harass the People, and take their wealth.
The King has kept his battle-ready Armies living among us, even in times of peace, without our permission or agreement.
The King has declared that his Army is not subject to our laws or authority.
The King has agreed to make us subject to the laws and authority of foreign Governments and disregarding our own laws, he gives his agreement to the foreign law makers.
The King houses and feeds large Armies within our civilian population.
The King protects his Armies from any punishment or prosecution by fake trials even if they are guilty of murdering our citizens.
The King has cut off our trade with other parts of the world.
The King has imposed taxes on us without our permission or agreement.
The King often refuses our citizens the benefits of a trial by jury.
The King will transport our citizens across the ocean and put them on trial for pretend violations of the law.
The King has abolished our Government in one area only to set up his own Government. Then the King will enlarge the territory this new Government is responsible for, and claim that the citizens of this expanded area are now under the absolute rule of the Government the King set up.
The King has taken away our own Government agreements, dismissed our most valuable laws, and fundamentally changed the way we govern ourselves by suspending our Legislatures and declaring that the King and his representatives now have the power to make law in all cases.
The King has disowned and dismissed our Government, declaring that we are no longer under his protection as he wages war against us.
The King has robbed our overseas trade, destroyed our coastal economy, burned our communities and ruined the lives of our people.
The King is, at this very moment, sending large Armies of foreign soldiers of death to complete the work of destroying us, of ruining our country and establishing his tyranny over us. The King acts with a cruelty and betrayal that has seldom been matched in even the most barbaric of times… actions that are totally unworthy of a ruler in a civilized world.
The King has captured our Citizens while out at Sea and has forced them to fight against their own country and to kill their friends and family – or face death.
The King has stirred up rebellions among us and has gone about trying to convince the violent Indian populations to kill us. The Indians are well known to have only one rule of warfare: kill every man, woman and child without mercy no matter what their age or physical condition.

At every stage of our suffering and oppression under this King, we have humbly, repeatedly, officially and publicly asked for the ceasing of this oppression, and the correction of these abuses. Our requests have been met only with further injury and insult. A King who has this type of character and morals is defined in only one possible way: a Tyrant, unfit to rule free People.

We have never failed to warn or inform our British brethren. From time to time, we tell them about the attempts of the King and their Government to extend their authority over us. We remind them of the reason why we left England to come to this new country. We have tried to appeal to their own sense of justice and goodness, and have sincerely asked them, based on our common ties of ancestry and family, to not agree with or cooperate with these violations of our freedom which deny that we are a separate Nation. We now consider our brethren in England, as we do all peoples of the world, Enemies if we are at war, and Friends if we have peace.

Therefore, as the Representatives of the United States of America, we, the General Congress, having assembled and prayed to God about the honor and rightness of our conclusions, publish and declare with grave seriousness by the name and authority of the People of these Colonies the following:

The United States have the right to freedom, and ARE free and independent. We denounce and separate ourselves from all authority or allegiance to the King of England and dissolve any political agreements or connections between America and Britain.

As free and independent States, we have the full right and authority to declare War, make peace agreements, build alliances with other countries, establish trade and commerce with the world… and do anything else that free and independent countries have the right to do.

In support of this Declaration, we rely on God to protect and provide for us. Together, we all promise our lives, wealth and honor as a pledge to uphold and honor this Declaration of Independence.

www.brentriggsblog.com | www.seriousfaith.com

brent@brentriggs.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 56 signatures on the Declaration:

Georgia:

Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton

North Carolina:

William Hooper
Joseph Hewes
John Penn

South Carolina:

Edward Rutledge
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.
Arthur Middleton

Massachusetts:

John Hancock

Maryland:

Samuel Chase
William Paca
Thomas Stone
Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:

George Wythe
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Harrison
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton

Pennsylvania:

Robert Morris
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Franklin
John Morton
George Clymer
James Smith
George Taylor
James Wilson
George Ross

Delaware:

Caesar Rodney
George Read
Thomas McKean

New York:

William Floyd
Philip Livingston
Francis Lewis
Lewis Morris

New Jersey:

Richard Stockton
John Witherspoon
Francis Hopkinson
John Hart
Abraham Clark

New Hampshire:

Josiah Bartlett
William Whipple

Massachusetts:

Samuel Adams
John Adams
Robert Treat Paine
Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:

Stephen Hopkins
William Ellery

Connecticut:

Roger Sherman
Samuel Huntington
William Williams
Oliver Wolcott

New Hampshire:

Matthew Thornton

One Lunch, Many Children

2011-02-03T11:09:00.003-06:00

From Brent

It's easy to help... so easy that sometimes we lose sight of how easy it is compared to the amount of NEED that exists. Like you, I get overwhelmed sometimes about how much need confronts us every day.

As you know from reading our blog, we don't parade endless appeals across to you, tugging on heart strings and ramping up the guilt trips. Occasionally a special opportunity comes along that we feel drawn to, and we choose to put it out there to you. Here's a great chance to have the whole family do something together that tangibly demonstrates charity, fasting and heavenly reward.

Our friend, Amy over at "Building the Blocks" is hosting a creative effort we can all participate in, and feel REALLY good about.

Give up your lunch on Feb 3rd. Sorry, I know it's late notice. So maybe you can do dinner today or lunch tomorrow.

Donate the money you've would have spent on that meal to the Adami Tulu Preschool for Orphans. Take that lunch hour to pray for the salvation and well-being of those orphans. Then, enjoy the eternity of blessing and treasure that our small gifts add up too. Do this with your kids. Give them a chance to feel and understand giving up something for others.

One lunch. Many children. Treasure in Heaven. Spiritual Blessings.

See... it's so easy to help. And the blessing is ours while impoverished orphans get blessed.

Get the details on Amy's blog here.

A Funny Thing Happened on My Way Home From Church

2011-01-18T08:08:00.004-06:00

From Brent

First, in case you were wondering, Davids (see the last post) has found his new family and the last I heard everything was on track for him to be adopted by them. Thanks to all of you who donated and helped us help him.

Did You Get Dead?

The girls were sick so Landis and I went to church together and drove a little Jeep Wrangler that belongs to my father in law. After church, Landis gets in and tell me the following (now keep in mind he just turned five, and this was stone serious stuff):

"Dad, I told my friends I rode to church in the Jeep and they asked me if I got dead from it."

"They did?" I responded, "what did you say to them?"

"I told them, 'does it look like I got dead?'"

R-E-S-T-A-U-R-A-N-T

On the way home from church we occasionally will stop and eat lunch so of course the kids start hinting about it before we get out of the church parking lot. "Boy, I sure am hungry..." "That pizza we had last was sooooooo good."

Abby (6 yrs old) decided to take the direct approach: "Dad, can we go to restaurant?"

"A restaurant?" I toyed with her, "what for?"

She cut to the chase... "Dad, you know why. C'mon, say it with me: rest-au-rant... rest-au-rant".

It got a laugh but didn't get her lunch at Chili's.

David Adoption Update... Check it out!

2011-01-12T22:08:00.013-06:00

From Brent

I just thought of a way to help raise some money for this family to adopt David...

For the next 24 hours,
PURCHASE any of my EBOOKS
AND I'LL GIVE ALL THE PROCEEDS
TO THE FAMILY
WHO IS ADOPTING DAVID.

(if you want to donate MORE than the $6 an ebook costs,
go ahead and make your donation here, then email me
and ask for the book(s) you want)

You get a book (hopefully a good one), David gets a forever family. Can't beat that deal! See all my books at www.brentriggs.com/stuff

A Family for David - Prayer Answered!!!!

2011-01-12T21:31:00.006-06:00

From Brent

Even while we were in the process of making phone calls and considering adopting David ourselves (more on that in a minute), another family - God's perfect choice - stepped forward and have started the process of adopting David.

THEY NEED SOME HELP raising the unexpected additional funds (this family is already adopting a child from Latvia and are going to adopt David as well).

Would you consider helping us send a gift to this family for the selfless decision to adopt David on such short notice (what an act of faith!!!)?

Click here to send your donation to our Pay It Forward fund* via PayPal...

EVERY SINGLE PENNY PLUS OUR OWN CONTRIBUTION WILL GO STRAIGHT TO THIS FAMILY THIS WEEK.

*Note: We consider this part of the Pay It Forward ministry. If you are unfamiliar with that, read about it here.

In Other News

We were waiting for the right time to announce it appears we've raised enough money to immediately go forward with Abby's Wish (our next orphan adoption). Over the next few weeks, we will be "Ebaying" a lot of stuff from our house and belongings to raise the final few thousand dollars... but we have enough in savings now to commit to a referral, and go full steam ahead with the adoption (that's why we were able to consider adopting David today too).

We don't want to steal the thunder from the wonderful news of David finding a family today.... so we'll leave you with that, and post more details soon as they become available.

Abby is getting her wish....

Urgent need for a family for this child!

2011-01-12T10:01:00.000-06:00

This boy's story is heartbreaking. He is urgently in need of a family and time is running out. Imagine the future this child is facing. He is aware what will happen to him. He knows his chances. Imagine for a minute this is your child. If you aren't able to adopt him yourself (as we are not), please spread the word. His story needs to be heard. Miracles DO happen and God can work and still bring this boy home.

"Dear Friends and Prayer Warriors:
I have prayed over the last few days about how to share this story, and I have no words to adequately express it. However, it has to be shared and I will do my best. Many who have heard it are so sick over it, our hearts just ache. We know God has a plan; is it you?

In January, 2010, I met an awesome child/young man at an orphanage in Riga , Latvia . His name is Davids. He was one of a few children we were introduced to that day for consideration in our Summer 2010 orphan hosting program. He was really sharp and smart, had a great sense of humor and looked you in the eye when he tried to speak the good amount of English he had already learned. I remember asking his favorite things to do and he didn’t hesitate to explain he loved kite flying in the sky and dreamed to be a pilot some day! He also enjoys soccer, basketball, swimming and all sports. But, the thing that surprised us most was his age! He was already 15 and effectively the size of a 9 or 10 year old child. We asked the orphanage director more about him later, and were told Davids is healthy, just small and has the kindest, gentlest heart. He generally plays with the younger group of kids because the older ones make fun of him and claim to be “too cool” to hang out with a guy his size. As for history, he has been in 4-5 different orphanages, but has managed to keep hope for a brighter future. He is a sincere and especially child towards younger children. Lego building is one of his hobbies! I remember, he made a joke when I asked him if he liked dogs and cats…a traditional question we ask… He said, “of course! But, I am no cannibal.” And gave us the biggest smile of all! Later, when he was among the group and doing art projects, he drew a picture of a jet airplane landing under a sky that resembled the American flag. When I asked him to explain it, he told me, “My dream to fly airplane and live in family in America !” From that point, he had us at “hello” and we were committed to helping him fulfill his dream.

For the summer program, Davids was hosted by a multi-cultural, multi-racial family and he did awesome! He was kind to his younger host brothers and sister and enjoyed just about everything they did. He especially liked to build and make things and play sports outside, with swimming being one of his favorites! He learned a lot more English and wasn’t shy to use it either. While his host family was not his forever family, our team and staff was so thankful when we received a call from a couple who wanted to go and visit with him before his return to Latvia . We knew time was short, and we encouraged anyone who might be interested, to meet him asap. After one meeting, the family who went, let me know they would be adopting him and how encouraged and inspired they were by Davids. After many discussions, we realized that he needed to know the plan, as his birthday was coming up…his 16th birthday, which means several things to an orphan. First, it means they are about to age out and can’t be considered for adoption. Second, it means that they are on their path of graduating the orphanage and will soon be on their own. Third, it means life as they know it now: food, shelter, protection and security is about over. In the first year after a child leaves the orphanage, generally 15% commit suicide. So, it was decided for me to talk to Davids when our interview returned to Latvia this past August and see how he felt regarding this adoption.

When I sat down with him, I had a translator with me, but he didn’t need her. We sat on a sofa in the social worker’s office and I asked him how he liked America and what he thought? He explained he loved it, and it was more than he ever imagined! I asked him if he remembered this particular man who came to meet him and spent time with him the week before he returned to Latvia , and he said “Oh Yes and we had fun!” I went on and said, “Well, this man told his wife about you and they want me to tell you they are so happy, and they want to adopt you.” Davids’ look was utter shock! He said, “Who, me?” and I confirmed it was indeed him. He said, “Oh yes! VERY VERY much YES! And, they want ME?” He was just the most excited kid I think I ever had the pleasure to tell about an adoption. Most kids are shocked, but usually have to think about it and have several questions to ask before they really accept it and consider it as real. Davids’, on the other hand, was just the happiest kid on the planet that day; his dream was coming true.

Last week, I got an email from his adoptive family… now just 10 days before his 16th birthday,it basically said they felt that they would adopt a girl they met (which was planned all along), but they no longer wanted to adopt Davids’. They had changed their mind. The next day, I got an unsolicited email from Davids’ social worker in Latvia . This is what she wrote:

"Hello Le Ann,
I wish to ask you about one of our boys, his name is Davids T. He was hosted Summer 2010 at a host family in IL. Since he was close to 16, we got information and you shared with him that there is family who will adopt him. It was not the family who hosted him, but another one.
Till this day we never received more information about the adopting family, and we confirmed that the Ministry also has no information yet. I must share, we are all worried and concerned. Davids became so nervous in this last month, his attention to everything is gone. Yesterday he was moved to hospital, because of problems with his stomach relating to the stress of not knowing. We know this all is because he is so close to his 16th birthday; it's on 23 January this year.
We don’t know what to say and can't say anything to Davids because we don't know. It will be a shock for him if it's not true, he has so long lived with this thoughts focused on this adoption and a family in America .
We wish to know the truth to share so he can know and be happy again.”
We have tried to contact his family and explain, show them, what their decision has done to this child. So far, there is no response, but more importantly, there is no time with only a few days that remain for someone to file the I800 with USCIS to adopt Davids’. I have explained to his social worker what the full situation is, and as a strong Christian, she has agreed to pray earnestly with us for a new family to come forward for this child! The adoption agency who was working on this case has agreed to do everything they can to expedite the adoption and assist where possible to get them through the system.
If you or someone you know is interested in moving NOW to adopt Davids’, this is what needs to happen:
1)You must already have an approved home study issued by a Hague Accredited adoption agency in the USA . It must be able to be amended to show you are approved for at least one child, a boy, who is age 16 or under.
2)You must be willing to file with the USCIS the form I800, which will specify Davids’ as the child you intend to adopt, and it must be received prior to January 23, 2011. If done, this gives the adopting family 180 more days to complete the adoption.

Here are a few photos of Davids’: (the one on bottom is me telling him he was being adopted).

Please join us in immediate prayer and action to locate and identify Davids’ Forever Family!!! You are out there somewhere and God knows exactly who you are and He doesn’t make mistakes. We just need to get the word to you about him."
Le Ann Dakake, Director of Hosting Programs, New Horizons for Children 678-313-8321 cell

Destroying Families & Marriages

2011-01-10T03:07:00.002-06:00

My latest book is now available. I don't want money to be a reason why any person who needs this book can't have it. If you can't afford to buy it, email me and I'll send you a free eBook version. BUYING THE EBOOK VERSION COMES WITH THE RIGHT TO DISTRIBUTE IT FREELY. The problem this book addresses is far too important to limit distribution by requiring a purchase for every copy.

Internet Pornography - The Guide That Teaches You How to Discover and Deal With A Porn Problem

As you know, Christians are not immune to the traps of Internet pornography, and it’s estimated that 50%+ of the people sitting in pews have (or will have) a secret struggle with porn… and 25%+ of Christian leaders. And it’s no longer a “male” problem. From anecdotal evidence, I would guess those numbers are low. It is truly an epidemic that Christianity and American culture only admits in whispers.

I want to distribute this book as widely as possible. Given the statistics and the amount of email I get about this issue, it is no doubt a widespread but often secret problem. I’ve named the eBook file a discreet file name so as not to embarrass anyone you might send it to. There will no doubt be many people you know – friends, family, church members, youth, etc. – who need this information and may not know where to look or who to ask.

In fact, the best tactic is simply to send the eBook to EVERYONE you know and tell them you are distributing it randomly and “maybe you know someone who could use it.” This way, you get it into the hands of people who need it but are too embarrassed to ask. It seems that everyone knows someone who is struggling with porn (and chances are, you might be too).

I’m hoping you’ll show/send this book to your church leadership or Christian group so they can have it as resource. I stayed away from sectarian doctrinal differences so the book could be comfortably used in any church. Let your church leaders know they can distribute this eBook freely, without restriction. Should anyone wish to purchase a dozen or more paperback copies to make available for a Church, Sunday School class, men’s group, etc. let me know and I’ll be happy to print them AT COST, NO PROFIT ($4.27 each, even cheaper for larger quantities; this offer is NOT an attempt to sell anything for profit).

On the page where I sell the book publicly, there is also my list (and links to) of recommended computer software for monitoring and blocking pornography: www.brentriggs.com/NOporn

I’m much more interested in getting this book into as many hands as need it than I am making a bunch of money from it (though I'm not going to gripe at anyone who chooses to purchase it :) ). This is a heartbreaking and terrible problem as you probably already know.

Get the eBook or the paperback here...

In the book:

The Internet has made porn instantly available to anyone with a computer, cell phone, iPad or a broadband connection. Millions are suffering the destruction and heartbreak that porn delivers. Christians are no more immune to this scourge than the world, and it is the whispered secret of churches that the pews are filled with men AND women who have a secret porn habit. Marriages, families, communities and churches are being eaten from the inside out by the cancer of porn.

In this guide you’ll find:

How big is the porn problem? Are Christians affected?
Is Porn a male issue? Are women into porn?
Whose fault is your porn problem?
The truth about porn and sexuality
How do good people end up ruined by porn?
Real answers from real people about porn
How Porn Affects Kids
How Porn Affects Singles
How Porn Affects Marriages
Porn In The Marriage Bed
How Porn affects Churches
What God says about porn
The signs that someone is viewing porn
How to Check for Porn on a Computer
How to confront your husband, wife or kids about porn
Helping someone who has a porn problem
Helping your own porn problem
How to block porn from a computer
How to have victory over a porn problem
How to make real change in your life

Get the eBook or the paperback here...

Where Laughter Still Lives

2011-01-04T18:23:00.008-06:00

From Brent

I should be a stand up comic. I get fresh content every day from my kids who keep us laughing.

Get It Over With

Abby loves to sleep in Landis's room because he has bunk beds. She is oldest, so of course she gets the top bunk.

Every night, bedtime is an adventure of rough-housing, tickling and playing before the kids go to sleep. Abby tries to sneak up her bunk bed ladder before I'm looking because she knows the tickle-bug (Dad) loves to get her on the way up.

So she heads for the ladder and here comes Dad. You never actually have to tickle Abby... she starts laughing if you just LOOK LIKE you're going to tickle her.

I take few steps toward her... she stops in anticipation. I back up a step, and she goes up one more rung before freezing as I start towards her again. After making it about half way and tired of wondering if I'm going to actually tickler her, Abby stops and says:

"Oh, just tickle me and get it over with!"

Obedient Children

Michelle was doing laundry and told Abby and Landis to go get hangars from their closet. Being the good, obedient children they are, you know what they did right?

They went and took OFF every stitch of clothes that were on every hangar, and brought all the hangars from their entire closet leaving a pile of clean clothes on their floor.

Can't exactly get mad about that kind of obedience.

That WAS My Question

The kids know to wait and not interrupt Michelle and I if we are speaking. So Abby was standing there waiting for her chance and said "Dad, can I ask a question?"

"Sure", I replied, "what is it".

At this point, Abby just starting making some random comments about whatever (to her, "asking a question" means "can I talk now?"). After several comments I said "Abby... you said 'can I ask a question?'... what is your question?"

To which she humbly replied "Dad, can you hush?"

(Not a response I would generally condone, but I insisted on her asking a question, right?)

Your 2010 Blog

2011-01-03T17:54:00.003-06:00

From Brent:

2010 is gone and you have another year of blogging in the bag. Just for our blog friends at Riggs Family Blog, I'm running a
$29.00 special over at Blogger to Book.

Blogger to Book is my service that downloads your blog posts into an electronic word processing file like Microsoft Word. All your post content is downloaded (text and images) and the file is 100% YOURS.

Unlike other "blog book" services, we don't limit what you can do with the content, tie you to expensive services for printing, or stick you with page formats that drive your page count through the roof (and puts a lot of money in the printer's pocket).

Get your blog downloaded into a "book" (electronic word processing file) for printing, or archiving* or whatever you want to do with it.

I'll change the price back to $49.00 next week, so if you want this special, jump on it. www.bloggertobook.com

Brent

* If the only copy of your blog exists on the servers at Blogger, you are trusting they will NEVER lose your content for any reason. $29.00 is worth the cost just to have a personal copy of our blog posts stored on your own computer.

Do You Have a "Victory Over Porn" Story?

2010-12-27T17:58:00.000-06:00

I've finished my book on Internet Porn and realized that I've left out a most important part: HOPE. Not completely, but the kind of hope that comes from hearing the real stories of victory from real people is missing.

I want people to finish the book with the highest level of hope and anticipation of victory over the porn problem in their family or marriage. I've given steps, facts, ideas, strategies and advice. The perfect ending would be real stories about marriages, families, churches and individuals who have experienced victory over porn.

Would you send me your story? It can be the whole story, or just an inspiring statement that you have survived porn and so can others. It can be an encouragement that victory is possible, or an entire account that details how you got victory. Whatever you think will give HOPE to those currently being hurt by porn.

Your identity will be completely secret and even if you accidentally put something in your story that might give away a person's identity, I'll remove it.

Send your stories to: brent@brentriggs.com

I'm ready to publish this book RIGHT NOW... so if you could send your stories immediately, I'd love to get yours in the book.

More Abby Party Pics

2010-12-27T13:03:00.004-06:00

Jill, Abby and Jill's daughter Jordon.

Jill and Jordon flew in from out of state to help Abby celebrate.
Jill is a nutrition and health guru. Vegan. No sugar, organic foods only kind of gal.
My family (Michelle) owns a cattle ranch. We want to eat healthier, have been
moving towards a healthier lifestyle but the Riggs and Samters are still oceans apart.

Jill couldn't have been sweeter or more encouraging.
She quietly made whatever food was offered work for her and Jordon.
Then, after the party, she spent hours answering our questions. The changes we
have made have already had a dramatic impact on our families health.
Thank you Jill. http://breakingfreetruths.blogspot.com/

Abby with her friends.

Rachel (and her sister Naomi) donated their hair to Locks of Love back when
Abby was sorely missing her long beautiful hair. The kids who donated hair hold a special place in Abby's heart. It was neat to see all three girls with their hair long and beautiful again.

Jill, Linda and me. Thanks to Jill, I have lost 15 lbs since this picture was taken!

Carol found Abby ultra talented face painter.
She was wonderful with the kids. Thank you for making Abby's day special.

Landis with his big brother, Dane. Dane is a great big brother.

Abby's cousin Hannah. Abby asks at LEAST once
a day if her cousins can come over. We love you Hannah!

Abby and her big brother, Dane.

Can you believe how long and healthy Abby's hair is?

We got a moon bounce courtesy of the church where
the party was held. We are so grateful for how kind everyone there was.

Abby and Jordon.

Party Pics & Brent's New Book On Knowing God's Will Now Available

2010-12-20T20:15:00.023-06:00

From Brent

I actually published this book a couple of months ago and simply forgot to announce it. Something wrong with that... I'm getting old I guess.

The Guide To Knowing God's Will
The Guide That Teaches You How to Confidently Determine God’s Will in Your Life

Perhaps the most common question Christians have is “how do I know God’s will?”

• How do I know I’m doing what God wants?
• Will God approve of my decision?
• Is this the best decision I can make?
• Will God still bless me, care for me, protect me and
guide me if I make a decision that is not THE very
best in His eyes?
• Can I be secure in my decision?
• Does my life overall reflect that I know God’s will for it?
• Is my life being affected because I’m not in God’s will?
• I want to do what God wants but how can I know for sure?

There has been much written on the topic ranging from the overly simplistic to the useless wishy-washy. God did not create us only to leave us hanging without a way to know what He would have us to do. No, it’s not a legalistic “A-B-C, 1-2-3” checklist but I’m convinced it’s not nearly as ethereal as commonly thought… nor is it attainable only for the “super Christian”.

In this humble little guide, I will present to you principles, questions and of course, Scripture, that layout out a predictable groundwork that will help you know God’s will about the entire scope of life… the big questions, the little choices and the life changing opportunities that require a decision.

Get the eBook or Print Version here...

Abby Party Pics

Brent's camera got passed around at Abby's party and sometime early on the settings were accidentally changed. Fortunately Jill Samter saved the day. Thank you Jill!!!

Here are a few pictures from Abby's Kick Kemo to the Kurb Party. More to follow soon. Be sure to check out Jill's blog here.

Lynne from Polka Dots And Paisley made this beautiful outfit just for Abby.
Thank you so much for making Abby feel like a princess on her special day.

Brent gathered up all of the kids and teasingly told them that there was only
one goody bag. Abby said that it should be hers since she was the "birthday girl." After hamming it up with Abby, Brent dumped out enough goodies to please an army of munchkins.

Jordon Samter bought Abby and Naomi Smith a Baby be Blessed doll with money that she had earned. Abby loves having a baby that looks like her. It even has a special scripture embroidered on it.

The day before the party, Abby had a pretty rough day at the clinic (bone marrow aspiration and spinal) and Abby was still sore the day of the party. In some of the pictures you can read it in her eyes, but she is here and we are blessed.

Olivia found out about Abby when she was first diagnosed. She "adopted" Abby,
taking on the big sister role with enthusiasm. Olivia always knew just how to encourage Abby. Thank you Olivia. Olivia's parents drove to the party from Kansas. They intentionally arrived early in the day, rolled up their sleeves and worked right along side us as we got ready for Abby's special day. We love you guys! Thanks for blessing our family.

Abby is blessed to have so many wonderful friends.

Wow....

2010-12-10T19:24:00.003-06:00

Wow... sadly, from the response to my last post, there are many marriages, families, individuals and churches hurting over this issue of internet pornography.

If you have experienced or witnessed the harm of pornography, would you take a few minutes and answer the questions on this TOTALLY ANONYMOUS page?

Yes, it will take a few minutes but you never know how many other may end up being helped, or might avoid the terrible consequences of pornography.

TOTALLY ANONYMOUS: http://gbrentriggs.com.gall.arvixe.com/pquestions.aspx

Pornograpy, Marriage and Families

2010-12-10T08:48:00.001-06:00

I'm finishing up one of the most important books I think I'll ever write as it addresses something that is destroying individuals, marriages, families and churches: INTERNET PORNOGRAPHY.

I'm taking a very practical "advice" approach to the topic as much as already been written from a conceptual, cultural or "exposing the problem" viewpoint. In this book there will be things like:

How to find out if a computer has been accessing porn sites
How to block porn sites
The telltale signs that someone is involved in porn
How to confront someone who is looking porn (husband, wife [yes, wives are increasingly into it too], kids, friend, fellow Christian)
Practical ways to deal with someone in your life who is into porn
Practical ways to deal with YOURSELF if you are into porn
The real world destructive consequences of porn
The "secret scourge": how many Christians and "good" people are really into porn and hide it
What churches, families and friends should do to confront the porn issue and how to help people
How porn affects kids
How porn affects singles
How porn affects marriages
How porn affects individuals
Porn in the marriage bed
What God says about porn
What about the spouse who refuses to stop?

And more... I want to finish the book with real world stories, and answers to real world questions. This is where I need your help.

Can you send me:

Any questions you have about the porn issue
- I want to have a very practical QUESTION & ANSWER section in the back of the book.
Any stories you have about how porn has affected your life, your marriage, your kids, your church or the life of someone you know.
- These can be stories of both heartbreak or triumphant... stories that tell the truth about the DAMAGE of porn are just as effective as stories about gaining victory over it
- Use fake names and locations and events in your stories...

No one will ever see these emails but me. Once I extract the content, I'll permanently destroy the email. You email address will NEVER be published, or included with anything you send in (question or story). If I feel like there are any facts in your story that might give away identity, I'll remove or change those (and I will assume you've already put in fake names, locations and events to hide identity).

Would you respond today and help me get this book ready? It will make a great "New Year's Resolution" book for many people (I'll be offering this as an eBook so people can get it discreetly too; this is quite a delicate issue).

Send questions, comments, suggestions and ideas for this book to me: brent@brentriggs.com

M E N, PAG and The Naughty List

2010-12-07T11:18:00.002-06:00

From Brent

Our kids are so stinkin' funny. Almost every day they say something that we get a big laugh from. That's why our blog is called "Where Laughter Lives...". That's not some sentimental moniker; it really describes our life. Here's a couple of recent chuckles:

M E N

I took Landis to the bathroom in a restaurant. He is five. I asked him, "which door do we go in?"

He pointed to the guys door, and said "that one". I asked "why that one?"

Landis replied, "because it says M... E... N..." Landis is just now beginning to spell, so surprised, I quizzed him, "what does M-E-N spell?"

Landis looked up at me and said, "Adult Boys".

P A G

Continuing that theme, later I asked Landis, "what does your shirt spell?"

He looked DOWN at the shirt he was wearing, read the three letters across the chest, and said "PAG".

Hmmmm... what brand of shirt do you think it was? :)

The Naughty List

We were driving home and Abby saw some Christmas lights. "Christmas lights, Daddy!!! Look!!!"

I casually responded in keeping with our usual family humor (which the kids are all used to), "oh we're skipping Christmas this year. Didn't you get the memo?"

Abby never missed a beat and proclaimed with authority, "Daddy... I'm going to tell Santa and he's going to put YOU on the naughty list!"

The Party, The Flu, The Pics

2010-12-03T09:33:00.003-06:00

Wow, I didn't realize it has been so long since we've posted. We need to get a bunch of the party pics up.

After Abby's party the flu traveled through our family, slowly wrecking havoc (still is). We are doing much better but it left us with two tired parents, some pretty bored kids and a mountain of unfinished work. Abby and Landis got it for few days. Then I got it. Then Brent got blasted for a whole week and was really out of the loop for a week. My bout has just drug out for a couple of weeks. But, Abby is doing great so we still smiling. Very thankful that our biggest challenge today is something "normal".

Thank you for loving Abby and praying for her. She LOVES not taking chemo. In her five year old mind, taking chemo meant not getting to drink from water fountains, not being allowed to sneak yummy bites of her siblings food. Her immune system was just too weak.

Tonight, I saw her dive on the floor for something yummy that Landis had dropped. She claimed the 5 second rule and popped it in her mouth (disgusting I know). When he objected she just wagged her head and said, for the hundredth time, "I am not on chemo anymore!"

Her doctor said Abby's immune system won't be normal for 6 months. I think the princess has a "dirt licking" plan to speed up the process.

I am sure Brent will do something phenomenal with the party pics when he is feeling better. I can't wait to see what he comes up with.

Done.

2010-11-19T15:49:00.004-06:00

My name is Abigail Riggs.

I've been doing chemo for 986 days. I almost died a couple a of times. It's been going on for so long that I don't know much of any other type of life. I've made lots of friends and God has used my cancer to touch many lives.

I'm finished with chemo as of today. I still have a lot of recovering to do from taking rat poison for two and a half years. Taking poison to save your life... not something I had planned for Kindergarten.

Tomorrow I'm going to celebrate with many of you. The next day I'm going to start my new life without the label of "cancer". I've been blessed to have so many people love me and walk through this with me.

I hope you'll continue with me on this new journey too.

ONE

2010-11-18T19:41:00.004-06:00

Abby's Chemo Countdown
Countdown until Abby is finished with chemo
(started at 986 days July 20, 2008 to November 19, 2010

Abby's story here

Two...

2010-11-17T10:48:00.002-06:00

From Brent

Abby is back at home. She's just a "normal" sick kid but seems to be much better today.

If you are coming to Abby's party, or thinking about it, be sure to read the end of this blog post.

Abby's Chemo Countdown
Countdown until Abby is finished with chemo
(started at 986 days July 20, 2008 to November 19, 2010
TWO more days!

Abby's story here

Abby started growing her hair and her health...

We will never forget our Make A Wish Trip...

Abby got to see so many wonders...

She enjoyed the entire experience with SpideyLandis...

And sat on a REAL alligator when all the other kids were too scared...

Played on the beach in Florida...

Beautiful olive brown skin...

At the Give Kids the World Village...

Her special day with Princess Jasmine...

It wasn't all roses though (sadly, it wasn't even half roses;
Abby still had lots of hospital stays and health scares)...

Wonderful friends sent her gifts...

Which she was excited about; can you tell?

Another winter came and went but this time she was out in the snow...

And the father/daughter dance...

And the art show...

And down in Austin with her special big sister Mattie...

Abby's Kick Kemo to the Kurb Party

Here's the list of blog friends from out of town that are coming to the party (if you are local or family, you don't need to be on this list. Basically, we just want to know how many people to expect):

Party Information:

When: 6:00-9:00pm next Saturday (Nov 20); come as you please but the prizes will be given away between 7:00-8:00pm

Where: Crosspointe Church - Hwy 9 & 24th Street (directions here)

Why: celebrating the end of 2.5 years of Abby's chemo and Leukemia

Details:
- lots of finger food and desert to eat;
- kid-centered, prizes given away to kids and adults;
- games, activities, moon walk, fun for the kids;
- casual dress, think of it as big fun party for kids
- We especially want to recognize and say thank to everyone who was so kind and helpful to us during this difficult journey

Please RSVP with # of adults, and # of kids, so we can know how much fattening finger food and desert to buy as well as prizes for kids. For those of you who want to help:

If you are local or will be here early and want to help with setting up, managing kids and activities or decorating, we will appreciate any and all help. Please email Brent and let him know your availability and he'll keep a list - brent@brentriggs.com

IDEAS FOR FOOD, GAMES, ACTIVITIES & PRIZES: - Do you have suggestions for games, contests & activities for a truck load of kids for 2-3 hours of fun?
- Do you have ideas for prizes that the kids can win, and what kind of contests, activities or event would give every kid a fair chance to win? The SIMPLER the better but we want it to be fun for the kids... we are trying to plan about an HOUR of time to give away the prizes; the rest of the time will just be free to play and have fun
- Any suggestions for easy fun finger foods and deserts that we can buy and quickly prepare or set out?

Gifts for Abby We don't usually mention about people sending these things but so many people are asking, here is our answer: if you want to bring or send a gift, card, photo, poster, whatever... we will put them out at the party give them to Abby there. SUGGESTION: Abby really loves books now, and a childrens book (used is fine!) with a note from you would be perfect. She could collect and keep these to read to her own children, and help her remember all the wonderful people that loved her through this cancer. We know this is late notice, but send them to:

Brent Riggs
504 Morehead
Washington, OK 73093

One last thing... We are not exactly the best at planning parties and social events. People like Carol Bauman exist to plan world class parties. We're just simple folks from a hick town. If you have any ideas, suggestions, advice or epiphanies, could you email us and let us know. We appreciate any help and want this to be a great memory for Abby, but also a great time for all those who attend. brent@brentriggs.com

One last last thing... We aren't sending out official invitations. So many people have walked with us through this journey we KNOW we would miss someone and feel terrible. This is an open invitation to everyone who has loved Abby through her cancer treatment. You are invited. If you want to come, YOU ARE INVITED. No criteria, no conditions. YOU ARE INVITED, okay? We just want people to let us know they are coming so we can plan accordingly.

Three...

2010-11-16T21:25:00.005-06:00

From Brent

If you are coming to Abby's party, or thinking about it, be sure to read the end of this blog post.

Abby's Chemo Countdown
Countdown until Abby is finished with chemo
(started at 986 days July 20, 2008 to November 19, 2010

Three more days!

Abby's story here

There was some difficult things to deal with along the way...

Then there was some really difficult things...

And some hard times...

Incredibly hard times...

And agonizing times...

But through it all, Abby was Abby:

Always the camera hound...

Superstar even when bald...

Ready to flash that smile on command...

A flirt, flirt, flirt...

A friend to her friends...

Beautiful even with an inch of hair...

Still a big sister...

And did I mention cute?...
Abby's Kick Kemo to the Kurb Party

Here's the list of blog friends from out of town that are coming to the party (if you are local or family, you don't need to be on this list. Basically, we just want to know how many people to expect):

Party Information:

When: 6:00-9:00pm next Saturday (Nov 20); come as you please but the prizes will be given away between 7:00-8:00pm

Where: Crosspointe Church - Hwy 9 & 24th Street (directions here)

Why: celebrating the end of 2.5 years of Abby's chemo and Leukemia

Details:
- lots of finger food and desert to eat;
- kid-centered, prizes given away to kids and adults;
- games, activities, moon walk, fun for the kids;
- casual dress, think of it as big fun party for kids
- We especially want to recognize and say thank to everyone who was so kind and helpful to us during this difficult journey

Please RSVP with # of adults, and # of kids, so we can know how much fattening finger food and desert to buy as well as prizes for kids. For those of you who want to help:

If you are local or will be here early and want to help with setting up, managing kids and activities or decorating, we will appreciate any and all help. Please email Brent and let him know your availability and he'll keep a list - brent@brentriggs.com

IDEAS FOR FOOD, GAMES, ACTIVITIES & PRIZES: - Do you have suggestions for games, contests & activities for a truck load of kids for 2-3 hours of fun?
- Do you have ideas for prizes that the kids can win, and what kind of contests, activities or event would give every kid a fair chance to win? The SIMPLER the better but we want it to be fun for the kids... we are trying to plan about an HOUR of time to give away the prizes; the rest of the time will just be free to play and have fun
- Any suggestions for easy fun finger foods and deserts that we can buy and quickly prepare or set out?

Brent Riggs
504 Morehead
Washington, OK 73093

Three Days? Evidently Cancer Doesn't Care... Abby On The Way To The Hospital

2010-11-16T19:05:00.001-06:00

From Brent

Abby has a 105 degree temp and is on the way to the Emergency Room with Michelle.

We pray her blood counts will be high enough they don't have to admit her again. Then she can come home, and be "sick" like a normal kid. And get well for her party this Saturday.

Brent

Five.....

2010-11-14T16:00:00.007-06:00

Abby's Chemo Countdown
Countdown until Abby is finished with chemo
(started at 986 days July 20, 2008 to November 19, 2010)

Five more days!

Abby's story here

Before cancer became a way of life...

2010-11-12T12:24:00.003-06:00

From Brent

I walked out our front door this morning to take the kids to school, and this is what greeted me. I love the colors of autumn. We don't have the grandeur of the mountains here, but who could gripe about having to soak in this kind of beauty out your front door?

Nashville and the Evil Broccoli Queen

2010-11-07T15:57:00.016-06:00

From Brent

(Note: after you read this post, make a trip over to this precious girl's blog and leave her some encouragement. This cancer stuff is a major drag. http://emilyscancerblog.blogspot.com/)

Below are some photos from our recent trip to Nashville but first, I need to warn you about the evil broccoli queen. Here's the sordid tale...

We were to have dinner with the Cummings; Steve, Deidra and their kids. Early in the day, Deidra asked my wife if we liked broccoli cheese soup. Normally, we eat whatever is put before us but everyone has that ONE or TWO foods they hate so much they'll actually come clean about it.

Broccoli is that wretched, intolerable food for me. Hate it, hate it, hate it. In every form, no matter how much it is drowned in cheese, I would still rather fight a rat over month old trash from an outdoor dumpster in the middle of the summer next door to the local sewer plant.

Michelle timidly informs Deidra how much I despise those Satan-inspired little clumps of stomach turning goodness innocuously labeled with the pleasant-sounding "broccoli". So, no broccoli, right? You would think. But it turns out that Deidra has an evil broccoli twin. Fast forward to dinner time...

"How do you like that Asian slaw, Brent?" Deidra innocently inquires. I should have guessed something was awry but since this was our first dinner with EBQ (Evil Broccoli Queen), I proceeded to tell her "this stuff is the BOMB!" I loved it. I wanted the recipe. I really did.

Cue the evil smirk, the wicked glint in the eye, the sly nod.

"There's broccoli in this, isn't there?" I asked already knowing the answer.

I had let my guard down, lulled into blind trust by a preacher's wife who would never trick first time dinner guests into eating the food they hated most. Preacher's wife? That should have been my first warning to be on guard. Fooled by a saintly mother wearing an apron with a Bible verse on it. And I never even saw it coming...

So the gauntlet has been thrown down. It might take me 20 years, but I'll get Deidra, aka. Evil Broccoli Queen. I'll get her good. Anyone remember my April Fool's joke from 2 years ago? If yes, you know what I'm capable of.

Watch your back EBQ.

Don't let the beautiful smile and innocent twinkling eyes fool you...
During the day she is know as "Deidra", the saintly Preacher's wife.
At dinner time, she becomes the Evil Broccoli Queen.

Here's some photos from our trip:

My good friend Steve Cummings. The Cummings were so
gracious to let us stay at a family condo in Nashville. We spend a
lot of great time with them. There family is a joy to be around.
Steve is a preacher in Tusculum, TN.

The kids at the Parthenon in Nashville. The building
really is quite a marvelous thing to see.

The children were out trick or treating in the Cummings
neighborhood and we just had to take a picture with these folks.
I have no clue who they are but they were sure showing the kids a great time.

Princess Abby.... the smile is because she just looked at
the 40 pounds of candy in her bag.

The Dad Life

2010-10-27T10:15:00.001-05:00

From Brent

Thought you might enjoy this... Go Dads!

Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

Kids Grieving, Kids Who Need Us

2010-10-26T18:28:00.003-05:00

From Michelle

Yesterday, the day before Daniel's funeral was incredibly sad. Watching kids grieve kids, seeing family I love hurting breaks my heart. Daniel had an outgoing, energetic personality that drew people to him. Seeing the crowd of teens at his visitation was wonderful, yet it also reminded me how many people are hurting today.

Thank you for praying for Daniel's friends and family.

As we grieve the loss of Daniel, God has reminded me of many of the children whom I met in Ethiopia. Kids who were the only surviving member of their family. In Texas, we are surrounded by family and friends. They are doing this alone. I can't even imagine.

Our daughter Hannah has been home with us almost three years. For three years we have listened to stories about her life in Ethiopia. We have laughed and cried with her. The story is hers to share if she chooses but no one is brought to live at an orphanage without a story that will bring tears to your eyes. She arrived there alone and scared. Hannah has an innate confidence. She is a born leader, who loves to help and teach others. Almost nothing makes her feel unsure and fearful. Being a seven year old girl, brought to live with a group of strangers did.

Do you know what her some of her favorite memories are? They are the people who left their comfortable lives in America and reached out to her and the other children in her orphanage. They held her while she was grieving, played with her and laughed with her.

A wonderful friend of mine is giving away a mission trip to Ethiopia. Would you take just a minute to read about what she is doing? http://mycrazyadoption.org/biggest-craziest-giveaway-ever

A Loss for Words

2010-10-25T00:03:00.007-05:00

Stephanie, Garrett, Tiffany, Daniel

From Michelle:

I waited to post this until I was sure it was okay with my Aunt.

My 17 year old cousin, Daniel was killed in a car accident this weekend. His mom (my Aunt Carol) was pregnant with Daniel when I was pregnant with Garrett. They were friends their whole lives. Daniel was one of Garrett's best friends, if not his very best.

My Aunt is anguished. His whole family is hurting and in shock. Please pray for my Aunt Carol and all of Daniel's friends and family.

Today I'm traveling to Texas for the funeral, which takes place tomorrow. Please pray for the safety of those who will be traveling and for strength and peace for those who will be saying goodbye.

Brent is at home with Abby, Landis and Hannah. He is a world class multi-tasker. The kids will do great but I know he will be tired.

Thank you for praying.

Jessica Is Beautiful Blog Hop - Smiles for the Princess! Join Us!!!

2010-10-16T16:43:00.009-05:00

From Brent...

You know Jessica now, right? If not, read the last couple of posts.

We live in a superficial, physical-beauty-driven world. Children with facial abnormalities are particularly prone to the relentless cruelty of the most cruelest of all groups: school kids. There is no doubt that Jessica has endured or will endure taunts, whispers, looks and insult... this won't end with school... adults are pretty petty and cruel too.

Should Jessica be rescued or sheltered from it? No. She should not be subjected to it unnecessarily but enduring this will make her sensitive to others and emotionally mature. We used to think that overcoming adversity built character... but that was before psychobabble took over our culture.

Jessica will be just fine. She's got great parents and God's watchful care. My only motive for rallying people to her photo was simple: compassion. She'll get plenty of difficulty to deal with... compassion compels us balance the account to some degree.

Hey, want to have some real fun and show some extravagant love for Jessica? Let's do a Jessica is Beautiful Blog Hop and see if we can create a whole nest of blogs to bless her with kindness and love.... do this to participate:

Create blog post ON YOUR BLOG with note or blessing or message or photo just for Jessica.
Come back here, and add your link and short message to the Linky Tools list below.
Get the BLOG HOP CODE at the bottom of the Linky list and put that code IN YOUR BLOG POST. This will make the list appear on your blog, so that your readers can join in. Be sure to tell your readers what is going on, and why they should join in.
Go say "LIKE IT" again! Why not?!? click here.

Why am I doing this? Because it feels good. And we can all use a little "feel good" sometimes, can't we? I know there are LOTS of hurting kids and we can't do this for all of them. We just do what we can do as the opportunity rises.

JESSICA IS BEAUTIFUL BLOG HOP
(you don't have to have a Linky Tools account to do this)

Over 500 1000 Smiles Thanks to YOU!!!

2010-10-15T17:55:00.008-05:00

From Brent

If you haven't read the last post, go do that first, then come back here.

The little princess you voted "I Like" for? You made her day. We started with 34 votes and today there is 567! You guys ROCK!!!

Maybe her year. I didn't feel comfortable sharing why this meant so much to her but her Mom wrote me and wants to share the story with you, so you can be part of the blessing. Here is her note:

As Jessica’s mother I wanted to take a moment to thank Brent, Michelle and their blog friends with all my heart.

My daughter Jessica has been the victim of teasing at school because of her facial difference. When we go out in public she is keenly aware of other children staring at her face.

Jessica is adopted from China and this summer had her first trip to Disneyland. Yesterday she asked if we could send a picture into the Disney memories website – we did and it was published this morning. Jess was thrilled beyond words that not only was her picture on the website but also that TWO whole people liked it – she thought that was the most amazing thing ever.

Last night she looked and 30 people liked it…”Mommy, THIRTY… thirty people like my picture” she was in happy tears. She asked yesterday if she could go to Disneyland on Christmas day…explaining that it could be her birthday AND her Christmas present…well that’s not possible… BUT seeing that so many people like her picture has brought her such joy.

This is not a contest, she doesn’t win a prize or a trip to Disneyland. She is just a little girl very conscious of her lip deformation (from a cleft) and the fact that people like her picture makes her heart sing. They only see the Princess not the broken lip.

Sincerely,
Kathleen

Isn't she beautiful? Makes you want to go give her another "I Like!" Why don't you? Click here...

2 Seconds To Bless This Child - Costs NOTHING

2010-10-14T20:52:00.005-05:00

From Brent

Hey, do me a big favor. Would you take a few seconds, visit the link below, and click the "LIKE IT" button to the right of the photo.

This precious little orphan sweetheart will be thrilled beyond your wildest imagination for reasons her mom shared with me that I don't want to share publicly.

Just trust me on this one and take joy in the blessing you'll bestow on this tender little heart.

Here's the link:
http://memories.disneyparks.disney.go.com/#/detail/10885

Let's run the "LIKE THIS" counter up a couple of thousand and bring some incredible happiness to this little doll.

Earthquake!

2010-10-13T09:13:00.002-05:00

From Brent

Holy cow!!! I've done tornadoes and hurricanes my whole life (Oklahoma and Florida). But an earthquake?

We just had an EARTHQUAKE in Washington, OK!!! Not bad. No damage but everyone is "buzzing" right now... our next door neighbor has lived here 60 years and never felt one.

Wow... I can see why people are so scared of them. You are totally helpless as the ground moves below you...

Wow.....

Abby Update, School, Funnies & Thanks

2010-10-11T14:09:00.008-05:00

From Michelle:

Many of you have been faithfully praying for Abby as she tried to catch up in school. Abby started the summer testing 2 years behind academically. Obviously not good but with all of the time and energy spent fighting cancer it is understandable.

Your suggestions on resources worked beautifully. They made "playing" school at home loads of fun. Abby didn't let the medical problems/distractions that filled her summer slow her down one bit. She was having too much fun and was very proud of the progress she was making.

A few weeks ago the school retested her and she was caught up with her peers academically. We were thrilled with the results. Thank you so much for all of your help and prayers.

Abby is still testing behind in speech and with her (not so) fine motor skills. She loves her speech therapist and occupational therapist. With their help at school and ours at home, she is making progress there too.

In the Riggs clan, ability to communicate is based solely on ones ability to make others laugh. Since she came up with these gems over the weekend, I think she is well on her way:

Insufferable

We were in the kitchen getting supper ready and Brent was horsing around as usual. Abby chimed in with perfect timing: DADDY, YOU'RE INSUFFERABLE.

Yes, she said that. No, we don't know if that's what she actually said or meant to say. She probably said something more akin to her 5 years of age but it sounded perfectly like "Dad, you're insufferable." So we're sticking with that!

Repeat After Me

We were coming home from church and Abby said, "Dad, let's go to a restaurant."

No response so she repeated, "Dad... let's go to a restaurant."

After a 2nd lack of response from Brent, Abby got his attention: "Dad! Repeat after me... LET'S-GO-TO-A-RESTAURANT..."

She got a good laugh, but no restaurant.

From Brent

A reader commented (politely) that while it's obvious we are good parents, it seems like we (ie. Brent) are always criticizing everyone and not admitting our own mistakes or weaknesses.

If you've read our blog(s) for very long you'll find that we are pretty open about our own shortcomings and freely admit mistakes, both as parents and as bloggers. I don't think anyone who has been around any of my blogs long would argue with my willingness to admit weakness or mistakes. We have NO problem admitting failures... we make plenty. We're just normal folks. I don't claim some magical status as never wrong, or a know-it-all. On the other hand, it's not my calling as a writer, teacher or leader to hide or be timid about sharing advice or wisdom. That would be a waste of my life and gifts.

Our relativistic society evokes immediate suspicion (and criticism) of anyone giving the impression that they are confident they are "right" about something. Having said that, what the reader defined as "criticism" I would propose is simply plainly stated public opinion. I have Biblical and old-fashioned ideas about parenting, marriage and life. Those views are often controversial nowadays (though they worked quite well for a couple hundred years). I'm not shy about them in a world that lacks courageous leadership. I don't equivocate, I don't apologize for my views and I'm not intimidated by politically-correct peer pressure. I CAN see why someone would call my writing style "criticism" given our cultural inability to simply call it what it is: OPINION. Or disagreement.

If it's politically correct, it's a "viewpoint". If it's Biblical or conservative it's "criticism" or "judgment" of the opposing view. My observations and advice are not "criticism" (in the negative intolerant sense that word is tossed around today). My opinions are... my opinions. They are just stated with confidence and without apology for the benefit of whoever feels they are helped by them. Otherwise, they are worth approximately... squat.

FYI... I'm not being sarcastic about the reader being polite. They really were. I took the comments at face value: polite and sincere.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

We haven't taken a lot of photos lately. Hopefully we'll find more time.
Here's Abby going to Cowboy Day at school.

Some Good Friday Stuff

2010-10-01T09:56:00.002-05:00

From Brent

Was working on some stuff and found a couple of good Friday reading posts for you. They might make you laugh, might make you think and will probably make some people mad at me (as if that's a rare occurrence).

Read this one about sissy baseball, pimp mobiles, self esteem and raising whiners.

Read this one about excuse-making-parents, signs of the times and girly men.

Just didn't want to let the week slip by without stirring the pot a little!

Brent

SeriousLife Magazine - Don't Miss the Brand New Issue - You'll Love It!!

2010-09-30T02:24:00.006-05:00

We just published a new issue of SeriousLife Magazine! Take a few minutes and check it out. You'll find great stories and articles about:

What to Do If Your Life is in a Funk
Can You Love Jesus and Hate Church?
How to Love God When Life Stinks
The Importance of Patience
Warnings About Debt
Trying Too Hard to be Perfect?
It's Time for a Faith-Based Response to School-Based Bullying
Why Your Employees Are Miserable
Health: Is Soy Bad For You?
Parenting: Building a Strong Foundation
A Story About An Amazing Young Lady
Science & the Bible: The Moon Shall Be Turned Into Blood
A Letter To My Mother
Serious Recipes
Mood-Driven or Mission-Driven
Unconditional Love
A Call To Spiritual Maturity
Livin' on a Shoe String and Lovin' It!
Jesus Was Just A Wise And Good Man, Right?
They Are ALL SO Judgmental!

www.seriouslifemagazine.com

Another issue comes out in about 2 weeks. Be sure to submit your stories, blog posts, suggestions, and photography to be considered for publication in the next issue. Go to the site, look up at the top for links where you can enter your submissions.

We've had issues that have gotten over ONE MILLION page views... come on and join us. Sign up for your FREE subscription!

Abby's Smile - Update

2010-09-27T22:39:00.005-05:00

From Michelle:

Abby's days, for the most part, have been filled with dance lessons, church and school. We feel blessed that our days have been packed with things we love doing after 2.5 years of things no one wants to do. Sure, there have been more medical interruptions than we wished for but we are thankful for our time with friends.

Abby's spunk continues to amaze me. Last week Abby's temperature climbed and we were told to take her to ER for blood cultures. The ER doc discovered a simple ear infection, ran the labs and then thankfully sent us home. When we tucked the princess in bed at 2 am and fully expected Abby to sleep until noon the next day.

Abby greeted us with a smile just a few hours later as she ran across the house to get ready for school. Her teachers reported that she had a wonderful day and she was full of stories about her friends. She did end up taking a 3 hour nap after school but not until I made her "rest her eyes" for just a minute.

We've got 51 official days left of this difficult journey. If you can join us for a BYE BYE CANCER celebration, be sure to sign up so we can know how many are coming. Details here...

Abby is all grins going into dance class.

We are working really hard to bring SpideyLandis out of his shell.
He's shy, introverted, has no personality and doesn't communicate.
WHATEVER!!!!

As Sure As The Sun Rises

2010-09-24T08:06:00.005-05:00

From Brent

I love the innocence of kids and they way they think. Here's what Landis said the other day:

"Every day, the sun comes up, the sun goes away. The sun comes up, the sun goes away. I wish God would make up His mind!"

Let's share some more laughter today... leave a comment with something funny your kids have said.

Can You Come To A Big Huge Party For Abby?

2010-09-19T07:19:00.002-05:00

From Brent

I'm just floating an idea to see how much interest there is. Abby's gets done with 2.5 years of chemo for her Leukemia on Nov. 19th.

We would love to throw a great big HALLELUJAH party on Sat Nov. 20th. I'm guessing 2-3 hours in the afternoon starting with lunch.

How many of you could make it to Norman, Oklahoma to celebrate with us? If we could get an idea of the interest level, and how many guests, we might just have to make it happen. I know a lot of you wonderful folks have a walked with us through this ordeal and we would love to have you celebrate with us.

If you think you really would come join us, leave your 1) family name, 2) how many are coming, and 3) where you are coming FROM on the Linky list below. Putting your name here doesn't obligate you. We just want to get a feel. Closer to the date, we'll ask people to give us a firm confirmation so we can plan accordingly:

Abby Update Spider Snake Cats & Bears

2010-09-17T00:56:00.007-05:00

From Michelle

Abby is doing pretty well. She had some tough chemo last week and today. She is going to school, has had a couple of fevers but overall, is doing pretty good.

Look at all that hair. Isn't it marvelous?
Abby is growing up fast. Hard to believe she has been
suffering through cancer for almost 2.5 years.
It's weird to think she was THREE when diagnosed.
A year ago she had NO eyelashes... now she's got
the "every woman's dream" eyelashes.

I Want a Pet

Abby has been on a kick lately about wanting a pet. When she didn't get a kitty or puppy (after only two days of asking) she decided she would befriend anything that moves. She followed a spider around the living room giving it a name and asking it over for a slumber party. She has several beetles and lady bugs in her entourage now.

Today she adopted a dead snake in the flower bed. Her and SpideyLandis have been praying that God will "undead" the snake (haven't reminded Landis that snakes eat spiders). Seriously, they are praying for it. Abby and Landis wanted to lay hands on the snake but we told them intercessory prayer would have to do. If it was a little bigger we might have to anoint it with oil and fry it up. Here they are doing their best "Lazarus come forth":

Dead snake...

Rise and come forth!
Abby prayed for it to be "undead".

For You Halloween Moms

Abby would befriend a bear too but the one we have isn't alive. It's this adorable 0-6 baby costume on our Ebay store. We know it's hard to find good, wholesome, cute costumes these days. Since alot of our readers, Christian or not, would love this, we thought we would tell you about. The auction ends about 8pm Friday night. It is brand new, very nice quality still with the tags and would probably be $40 or more new. It's currently on a 99 CENT auction here:

Grab The Kids and The Dog Ethel!

2010-09-02T21:29:00.002-05:00

From Brent

The storm came and went. Ma and Pa, Aunt Bernie and both cows are all safe.

Looking northeast as the front edge passes;
the wind was gust 50-60 mph. I usually try to get the poles
out of the photo but the light showed how dark
it got even though the sun was still up.

Looking southwest. See the car lights? That's how dark it got.

This was the start of that cloud lowering...

And this was the lowering at its most organized point.
It fell part a couple of minutes later.

There's a Storm A'Brewin Ethel

2010-09-02T19:21:00.008-05:00

From Brent

Beautiful and scary storm coming right this minute. Got some great shots before the lightning lit up my common sense.

I love these kind of clouds. Anyone out there know the science
behind how they are created? Right outside our back door.

Front edge as the sun was going down.

Okay, I know some of you ladies are going to chew me out for being
out in this stuff, but LOOK at that lowering! For you non-tornado alley folks,
that when a rotating center of clouds in a storm (this one really was not
very "tornadic" in reality), starts to tighten up and drop, the precursor to
a possible tornado (but not likely).

Most lowerings just skitter along for a little while and fall apart
which this one did. Look really close at the ground below the lowered clouds.
See the red dust (Oklahoma's version of dirt) getting sucked up into it?

Magnificent to see!

More to come. Heavy lightning now so the power will probably go out.

Adopting & Daycare

2010-09-01T17:45:00.002-05:00

From Brent

In yesterday's ANSWERS post, I wrote something to the effect: we aren't about to adopt kids and put them in daycare.

We received some criticism for that statement and I think the criticism was fair. I've since changed it to "we feel it is best for our situation that Michelle be at home, and we try to grow a business from home."

That was a poorly worded statement and not very well thought out. I stated our personal conviction as something that sounded like it ought to apply to every one and that ain't right. "Universal truths" apply to everyone but my personal conviction about my own children certainly does not.

We have good friends who have adopted and for various legitimate reasons need to use daycare. I'm sure there are many other families in the same situation.

I often teach about being very gracious with liberty. Stating my opinion in a way that sounds like a broad stroke criticism of those who would do differently is in fact, legalistic and truly insensitive (as opposed to fake politically correct sensitivity). I did that, and it was wrong.

Thank you for the feedback and the deserved criticism. I'm always grateful for respectful and useful criticism. It will help me to be more thoughtful in the future as a writer.

- - - - - - - - -
While we are on the subject of NOT well-thought-out legalistic opinions, here's a perfect example I came across earlier today and was going to write about anyway.

Check out this infuriating nonsense written by Michael Pearl of No Greater Joy Ministries (this part is almost at the end of the post; emphasis mine):

I will say this again. Never adopt children even close to the age of your own. You should be past child bearing age, and your children should be at least 10 to 15 years older than the adopted kids. I don’t think there is any such thing as an orphanage raised child who has not been a participant in sexual perversion. If you are older and your kids are grown, it is a wonderful, full time ministry to adopt foreign kids. You will experience heartache, possibly failure, but you may just save a soul from sure destruction. But if there is failure, at least your kids will not go down with them.

I was enraged at such an uninformed, untruthful, IGNORANT comment made to people who look to this man for Christian advice. Is there SOME truth in statement? Yes, there is sexual abuse inflicted on kids who end up in orphanages. ALL KIDS? What biased stupidity.

I don't know Michael Pearl and maybe most of his advice is right on. He may be a whole lot wiser than I'll ever hope to be but he sorely missed the boat with that comment. It is not only untrue, it will serve to scare off adoptive parents, leaving orphans to linger in poverty and (sometimes) abuse. It also stigmatizes all orphanage raised kids as broken, damaged goods.

And sorry my friend, I missed the part of God's command that puts all those conditions on when and which orphans we should care for and rescue:

James 1:27 (NKJV) Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

For everyone out there who has adopted and knows what kind of ignorant hogwash Mr. Pearl's statement is, why don't you go visit his website and tell him so.

Abby, Names, Origins, Comments, Mold & Ebay

2010-08-31T21:23:00.011-05:00

From Brent

I had a couple of questions about the Open Season questions that I want to answer. So I'll start with those:

Can't you put the names of people who submit the questions?

I leave that up to each submitter. Seems like if one person starts, everyone else follows. If no one puts their name or link, nobody typically likes to be first. I don't require names because I don't want people to hesitate to ask a question. Yes, I get some ugly ones. If they are ridiculous, I delete them. Sometimes I add questions to the list that people put into a comment instead of the linky list.

Where do the questions come from?

Readers for the most part. I occasionally add some common questions from the masses of email I get as people seem to ask the same thing over and over. Sometimes I'll kick off a list, or add to list, with those emailed questions. Sometimes I combine similar questions from whatever source into one question.

Now, the list questions:

Why do you think people leave those nasty comments? How do you handle them?

A variety of reasons. Some feel like they are legitimate criticism and genuinely feel that way about us. It's obvious from the amount and nastiness of the comments that many people come here JUST to find something to criticize. That's okay... maybe something we say or do will break through a hard heart.

People feel very brave hiding behind an anonymous keyboard. They don't have to answer, defend or live with their comment. We've learned to ignore/delete most and only occasionally mention them publicly if we think there is a reason or it is necessary in some way.

How is Abby doing? Did removing the mold help? Can you tell yet?

As we've posted several times (after this question was asked), the mold removal seemed to do the trick for both Abby and myself. She's had a couple of fevers but the chronic high fevers seem to have gone away.

Do you own Linky Tools? Looks like you do... can you explain what it is?

Linky Tools allows you to put different kinds of "link lists" in your blog posts. Text links or thumbnail image links; different types of links like prayer requests, questions, contest entries and just plain old generic links for any use.

Yes, we own Linky Tools. It's all free. There are over 11,000 users at this point. Still free. It started out as something I created for myself then I shared it with some friends and it went nuts.

You seem to be pretty conservative. What's your feelings about what is going on politically in our country?

I try to stay away from several topics on this blog including politics. I write about that over on my current events blog - www.riggsreport.com. Speaking of having other blogs, let's jump down the question list and answer a related question:

Why do you have so many blogs?

I have five blogs because I separate the topics I write about. I used to have one blog but people complained that they weren't interested in more than one general topic. I felt like that was reasonable so I created different blogs for different topics. I list them here.

You haven't put up a new issue of SeriousLife Magazine in while. Are you still doing that?

Yes. Abby's treatment and the need to work a few more hours for needed additional income has made some of the "free" stuff I do a little hard to manage consistently. I love the magazine, and have a publishing background. If I ever figure out how to make some real income from it, I'll be able to dedicate more time to it. As is, I plan to publish an issue a month.

How's the new adoption effort going?

Slow. As Abby's chemo winds down we hope to return more focus to that. We have a long effort ahead of us, saving up and raising funds. We aren't wealthy and adoption is expensive.

We'll probably do garage sales or sell some quality products and use the proceeds for the adoption. If we are selling a product or item then people can feel like they are getting something too.

Speaking of that, we are trying to get serious about our long neglected home business of selling on Ebay. We live on one income and Michelle couldn't work outside the home even if she wanted to. Abby has too many ongoing needs and we feel it is best for our situation that Michelle be at home, and we try to grow a business from home.

So we are working hard at building a home business on Ebay, and would be deeply grateful for some expert help and guidance from any one out there so inclined. I'm sure I can return the favor in some way. Holler at me: brent@brentriggs.com

If you want to add a question to this little series of answers, you can add it here.

Questions & Pics & Updates

2010-08-31T15:03:00.002-05:00

From Brent

I forgot about a whole list of questions that were asked last month or so on an Open Season post. I'll answer a few of them here and there along with some photos and update on Abby.

SpideyLandis gets up close and personal with the fish eye lens.

Here's the questions. Feel free to add to the list if you want....

Abby Update & Got Stuff?

2010-08-28T16:44:00.007-05:00

From Michelle

Abby had a pretty good week though she is still having a few low grade fevers. Most likely she is picking up bugs from school but so far has only missed one day school (compared to last year when she was lucky to get to go to ONE day a week).

We appreciate all the kind notes and prayers for Abby. We are getting nearer to the end of her chemo when our prayers will switch from "treatment" to long term healing (no relapse). Thanks so much for walking through this journey with us.

Got Stuff?

I stay at home as most of you know. With Abby's cancer, and three adoptions, that is a choice we've made and we reduce our lifestyle to compensate. It's worth every sacrifice. As all of you stay-at-home-Mom's know, that hardly means a life of ease and frolicking in the park with the kiddos.

We have a family/home business we involve the kids in that we don't talk about a lot. We buy collectibles, wholesale lots of items and various other things as the opportunity rises to sell on auction sites.

We are always on the look out for garage sales, estate sales, boxes of dusty stuff in attics and barns, old collections people want to sell, nostalgic and collectible items Grandma and Grandpa left behind.

Once in a while, we thought we'd put the word out ask our readers if they've got any "stuff" they want to sell. There's lots of "stuff" out there that folks could use a few bucks for, and we could use in our home business.

We are looking for pocket knives, kitchen items, any type of collections/collectibles (lighters, salt and pepper, whistles)... whatever. If you have any "stuff" you want to sell, shoot us an email with photos, a description and how much you want for it.

Email Brent though... I'm out frolicking. :) brent@brentriggs.com

I want, what I want, when I want it!!!

Just kidding!

Abby is quite the ham when it comes to a camera pointing her way (or a mirror!). These photos were all in good fun as she was getting in the car to go to dance camp.

Forgot to Tell You

2010-08-26T22:39:00.004-05:00

From Brent

Sometimes readers of our family blog will miss blog posts over on my other blogs because I didn't put some sort of notice on this family blog. If I put a note here about every blog post I write, I would drive you nuts.

So if you want to get a quick email notice when I post on my other blogs, then be sure to sign up ON THOSE BLOGS. Here they are:

Brent Riggs Blog - advice, opinion and commentary on life, culture, kids, parenting, marriage, personal growth, discipline; lots of answers to questions submitted by readers
Build a Better Blog - blogging, writing, digital photography, online business, etc
Serious Faith - serious Bible teaching, Christian advice and answers to your Bible questions
Riggs Report - politics, current events, editorials, commentary on culture
Serious Life Magazine - wholesome, family oriented, inspiring and informative stories, features and columns

If you aren't part of those blogs, I hope you'll check them out.

Abby Update & Something We All Deal With

2010-08-25T14:01:00.002-05:00

From Brent

A quick update on Abby... she is doing well, going to school. She had a fever last week and had to go get her blood counts done. Otherwise, the mold removal still seems to have done the trick with her chronic respiratory problems and fevers. Thanks so much for you prayers and continued concern.

Some Things Almost Everyone Struggles With

I wrote a post over on my personal blog you might be interested in. I have a friend struggling with depression, disappointment about life, stress over money... you know, that "life" stuff. Sound familiar?

I responded to many of his questions and what he asked me are questions a lot of people have. If you want to read it, here it is.

Free Demo - How To Make Your Landscape Photos "Wow"

2010-08-24T12:48:00.003-05:00

From Brent

A lot of folks wanted to know some of techniques and tricks I used on the recent outdoor photography I did in Colorado. Slide show here if you missed it...

I'm setting up a FREE demonstration on those tips, secrets and professional techniques over on the Linky Tools Blog. More info here if you are interested.

Abby, Sunsets & Parenting

2010-08-22T01:34:00.004-05:00

From Brent

Abby has been having some fevers this week. She went to the ER once for blood work. She started school this week so we think maybe she picked up a bug. Pray with us that she will get past it. We are on the home stretch...

I wrote a post about parenting over on my blog - www.brentriggsblog.com - It's a dialog I had with a Dad about one of his kids who would "punish" he and his wife by ignoring them and withholding love if she didn't get her way. Pretty interesting. Thought you might find it worth a read.

Here's a sunset I caught looking down the road from our house tonight. It's not Colorado but still beautiful.

Click the image to see a large version... lots prettier than this little thumbnail.