Sorry about the partial post. I hit a wrong button.
Anyway, he peddled along the interstate on the way to the small town where he preached sometimes. A tired driver fell asleep at the wheel and struck the young man from behind killing him instantly with wounds so bad that he was difficult to identify. At his funeral his powerful, sophisticated father spoke of him before a photo presentation of his son's life. He insisted that a picture of him with his long, beautiful hair be prominent. He spoke emotionally of his son's reason for having the long hair and relented from his passionate disapproval of it. His pride overflowed as the death of his son ripped away the prejudice from his eyes to see that his son had "become all things to all people so that by all means [he] might win some."
To connect this story with my recent thoughts I need to tell you about the sermon preached yesterday morning. Our son, in his near shoulder length dreds and his ghetto style clothes, presented a message of truth and inherent profundity. I know there are several (most?) members of the church who find our son's "look" repugnant. I wondered yesterday, though, if that "look" opened the hearts of those few people who were there only because of the holiday and their family loyalty. Had he become to these few the very heart softening ingredient they needed to accept the truth?
This son has wanted to be a counselor at a young men's leadership camp. He has been refused because of his hair and other unconventional stuff. He is perceived as a bad influence. I know I am his mom and have that emotional cloud around my thinking, but this refusal has frustrated me. I have wondered if he might be *just* the person to reach the one who would not otherwise be reached.
So what do you think about my questions regarding stereotypes? I have conflicting thoughts most of the time. I know that I have difficulty divorcing myself from the emotional thoughts that come when I try to think through the topic. Share your thoughts if you have some.

I have been thinking about something the last several hours. I have been wondering about stereotypes. I have long been opposed to "judging a book by its cover." I know that stereotypes exist, however, because of some general truisms. One question is how do you know when the stereotype is an accurate label and when it's not. The second is should we steer clear of things that might earn ourselves a negative, stereotypically driven label.
I knew a young man years ago. He was a good guy and from a well known, good family. His father had a couple of high profile positions.
When the young man reached adulthood he chose a career as a social worker. In his quest to be good at that he adopted some lifestyle choices that made him more accessible to those with whom he worked. He had lovely auburn hair that gently curled - the desire of any self respecting female. He grew his hair long much to his dad's dismay. He refrained from buying a car and adopted a meager existence. He rode a bicycle all over in the practice of social work and periodic preaching for a small church several miles away in another little bitty midwestern town. He was selfless and full of compassion. He was devoted to God.
Before riding a bicycle on the interstate was illegal, he, as he peddled al

How many times have you heard somebody say after a big, unpleasant event in their lives, "Dreading it was the worst part."?
I have experienced dread many times, including before my recent surgery. Perhaps for that reason Proverbs 1:33 jumped at me this morning. It talks about a freedom from dread. There is no reason that we ever have to experience this kind of self inflicted dread. Heeding God's words of wisdom are the key to that peaceful freedom.
"But he who listens to me [wisdom] shall live securely, and shall be AT EASE FROM THE DREAD OF EVIL." Proverbs 1:33

When I read Proverbs 27:18 (He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit; and he who cares for his master will be honored), I automatically thought of it in application to a wife with her husband. That was a new perspective on that, but a helpful one, I think. So many women gripe about their husband's inadequacies while never remembering to apply God's wisdom to the situation. Tend o the husband (according to his wishes), and it will more likely produce the kind of relationship hoped for. Trying to grab hungrily for honor always backfires. Letting go of the desire for it is the only hope of having it.

A lap full of blessing.

Jared made a Christmas tree out of tinker toys. Then today John gave him permission to put lights in it. Pretty cool!