iPhone 4 S

Watching the morning news while I sipped my dearly loved coffee, I cracked up at the iPhone hubbub! Apparently, iPhone fans have been anticipating the release of the iPhone 5. They're disappointed that yesterday's unveiling is "merely" an improved iPhone 4.

Really?

My smartphone, the "lowly" iPhone 3 -- no S -- has served me well these past 2.5 years. It handles all my calls and voicemail, texting, Facebook and twitter needs. I'll admit, the pictures aren't all that great... and sometimes it freezes up. But not too often. And... those freeze ups teach me patience.

Clearly, I lack techie passion!

Empowering those in debt to reduce their personal debt and live within their means.
Replenishing the stock of homeless shelters and food pantries so that homeless families can eat.
Tutoring and mentoring our nation's kids so that they're equipped for adulthood.

These are important issues.

Yet, the iPhone 4g S (really -- what do all those little letters mean?) takes top billing. Actually, the whiners who aren't happy enough with this technological wonder take top billing.... Really?

Let's look at what's important. Coffee.... Nah, just kidding. People. That's what matters. Not phones. Not selfish greed.

Learn more about volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club: http://www.bgcma.org/volunteer

Friends, do something today that MAKES A DIFFERENCE!!! Bless a homeless man with free lunch. Buy a bag of non-perishables -- a GIANT BAG -- and bless a food pantry. Register with your school district to become a volunteer -- and read with an ESL (English as a second language) student, or tutor a little guy in math, or help the young kid with ADHD learn how to straighten out his desk. Whatever you're good at, some kid in your local school needs to learn! Not available during school hours? How about volunteering at your local boys and girls club? Or your church after-school recreation program? Or the YMCA?

Learn more about volunteering at the "Y": http://www.ymca.net/volunteer/

Let's do something that matters.... That's newsworthy!

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Matthew 6:19-24

"Do you want to hear what happened?"

I shared Ellie's stand for God yesterday -- her insistence that saying "Oh my God" is swearing.

Throughout the day, I read your comments and my heart smiled again. I quipped to a friend, "I wonder if she'll even remember what she did this morning."

She got home from school and we checked her bag like we do every day.

"Ellie," I said, "Let's talk about what happened at the bus stop this morning."

"What thing, mom???"

"You know... the kids saying 'Oh my God'."

Her eyes grew wide and her face looked a little scared. "But Mom... I wasn't the one saying that. Really, I didn't. I love God. Really, Mommy, I do." The words gushed out... (Hmmmm, should I have begun this conversation differently?)

I stopped her and assured her that I knew she didn't say it. "Ellie, I'm proud of you for standing up for Jesus. I heard you tell the other kids that they were saying a bad word."

Startled, "You heard THAT?" (Ahhhh.... my mommy ears are now as powerful as those eyes in the back of my head.)

"I did hear that. You did a great job. I am proud of you."

"Oh... thanks... Mom, do you want to hear what happened to my friend at school today?"

There I was reveling in her big moment... What does she do? "Mom, do you want to hear what happened..."

Friends, my little girl's pure heart is absolutely challenging me this week! She did the right thing because she loves God. The end. No big deal. She didn't stand up to the other kids to gain approval -- she didn't even know I could hear her. She didn't stand up to the other kids just to prove a point -- she pointed out their error and didn't lecture or preach. Oh my gosh!!!!

What does my heart look like compared to that? Not great! I lecture and discuss far too much with my kids, when I should just state my case and let the holy spirit finish the job. I love to receive praise -- sure, God did it through me. But inside, I like that praise. I admit it.

Where's your heart, dear friends? Do you do the right thing because you think people are watching, or do you do it for Jesus? Do you do the right thing hoping for praise and recognition, or do you do it for Jesus?

And he said: "I tell you the truth, 

unless you change and become like little children, 

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3

OMG!

When Ellie heads off to the bus stop each morning, I open the living room window to watch and listen.

At the bus stop this morning, some kids were goofing off. After a bit, I heard some loud exclamations of "Oh my God." I listened closely -- is that Ellie's voice chiming in there? Hmmm.... She knows we don't use God's name like that. I made a mental note to discuss the incident with her after school tonight and leaned my head against the window pane. This parenting stuff requires non-stop vigilance. And it's only Monday!

The clamoring died down...

And then I heard....

"Don't say 'Oh my God.' That's the same thing as a bad word." I jerked up and stared intently at the crowd.

There she was, all 41" of her first grade self, standing her ground. One of the big boys, easily two heads taller than Ellie, stood over her, leaning forward as he exclaimed, "Oh my God is NOT a bad word. You're crazy."

She didn't back down. She looked up into his face, "In my family, we don't talk about God like that! It IS a bad word, especially if you love God."

At that moment, the bus appeared. The group chant, "Bus. Bus. Bus." silenced the discussion. Everyone lined up, neat and orderly. Ellie looked over to my window and waved. And off she went.

I still plan to discuss this incident with her tonight... Only now I look forward to it.

These commandments that I give you today are to be

on your hearts. Impress them on your children.

Talk about them when you sit at home and

when you walk along the road, when you lie down

and when you get up. Deut. 6:6-7