Kidologist.com: Karl Bastian's Personal Site and Blog
Archive for March, 2008
March 13, 2008 at 8:45 am · Filed under Christianity, Politics
(one more post I found in drafts, the issue isn’t “hot” on Kidology now, but this was my response, better posted late than never!)
Over on Kidology.org there is a hot discussion that was started by a brother “down under” who asked:
Why do American Christians see the need to teach patriotism? Doesn’t God love all nations equally? (see full question and discussion here)
I’ve been watching the conversation, discussing it with family and friends, and waiting to post my answer until I could really give it some thought, and decided to answer it here on my blog rather than just in the Kidology forum. I’d love your feedback here or there.
My short answer would be, I have never taught “Patriotism” to kids in church, but I certainly have modeled it. What I have taught is gratitude to God for our blessings, many of which are being American, and civil responsibility, both which are not USA dependent.
I can go on and on about what a good and amazing country this is, but that is beside the point (and I think the Kidology discussion got off on that rabbit trail, which is easy for Americans to do. We LOVE our country.) I certainly have blogged about how wonderful America is before, so you may read those if you need to. The question posed by our Australian brother was not is American worthy of patriotism, but should we be teaching patriotism in our children’s ministry. That is a good question even if we weren’t worthy of it. Patriotism (or nationalism as it is usually called in other countries) is certainly taught to kids even in countries we would not think worthy of it.
The best definition of Patriotism I found was:
Patriotism is your conviction that this country
is superior to all other countries
because you were born in it.
– George Bernard Shaw
Because it illustrates the point that Patriotism has nothing to do with how good a nation is, it has to do with our feelings toward a nation. Americans have a hard time separating how good we are from thinking we are best. America is great in a long list of ways… but as our critics abroad are quick to point out, with our prosperity and freedom has come a moral cost as well. We have some serious issues not seen in other countries, so it is difficult to give an overall “fair” or objective evaluation of a country. In the end, people will focus on the aspects that support how they already feel, rather than base their feelings on facts. We who love this country will quickly say our good outweighs are bad (and I’ll admit, that’s me!) but our enemies or critics who already hate or dislike us will say that the bad outweighs the good. (and I’m resisting defending how wrong this is!)
I do believe that America has enjoyed God’s blessing and I will say I can’t think of another nation that has done as much for the rest of the world despite it’s shortcomings, and I do think our heritage is why – but no guarentee of lasting power or impact. For those who doubt or don’t realize the Christian heritage (it certainly isn’t taught anymore, or is glossed over or minimized) should watch these online videos, they are powerful:
IN GOD WE TRUST
ONE NATION UNDER GOD
So we as Americans have plenty of reasons to be proud of our country – but teaching pride for country misses the point. We shouldn’t teach kids to simply love and be proud of their country. What about when the country violates Scripture? What about abortion? Do we love that? Are we proud of the innocent we kill? What about racism? Do we love that? Are we proud of it? What about high levels of crime, drug use, and immorality? Love it? Proud of it? Of course not!
Instead, we ought to teach our kids to appreciate our blessings and to recognize that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17) But we also need to teach them what God hates, and the role God’s people should play in correcting those wrongs. We need to teach kids to be a light in a dark world, and there are dark places in America that need that light!
Having said that, however, there is a place for Patriotism/Nationalism. The quote above is holds a nugget of truth – we are in the country we are in, because God placed us there. Even on the mission field American missionaries will teach the locals to honor and support their country. My father in law founded a mega church in Manila, Philippines, and when Filipinos would come to the USA for education he would encourage them not to just stay in America but to return to their own country and help there. America is a wonderful land of opportunity but if everyone came here the problems in other countries wouldn’t be helped. It isn’t un-American for an American to encourage someone in another country to love their country and be a part of making it a better place. America is not heaven on earth – but it is our country, and therefore we love it, even if we don’t love everything in it.
What I teach kids in my church is the same thing kids can be taught in every country. NOT “America is Best”, but love your country, be thankful for the blessings of your country, and be a part of making our country better.
That applies down under as well as up top, and all the sides.
March 13, 2008 at 8:39 am · Filed under Leadership, Politics, Uncategorized
(Found this in my drafts folder… I did not write it, but I thought the facts were still pertinent as we are in a presidential election season. National Security is the #1 issue. Without a nation, there are no other issues, and make no mistake, our total destruction, or at least our free way of life is under direct attack and our president cares more about preserving our nation than his reputation. That is a man of character and honor.)
There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq in January. In the fair city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the month of January. That’s just one American city, about as deadly as the entire war-torn country of Iraq .
Many people say that President Bush shouldn’t have started this war, but they fail to realize that:
1) FDR led us into World War II. While Japan did attack us, Germany never attacked did. From 1941-1945, 450,000 lives were lost … an average of 112,500 per year.
2) Truman finished that war and started one in Korea, even though North Korea never attacked us. From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost … an average of 18,334 per year.
3) John F. Kennedy started the Vietnam conflict in 1962. But guess what? Vietnam never attacked us.
4) Johnson turned Vietnam into a quagmire. From 1965-1975, 58,000 lives were lost an average of 5,800 per year.
5) Clinton went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent. What? Bosnia never attacked us? Nope. He was offered Osama bin Laden’s head on a platter three times by Sudan and did nothing. Osama has attacked us on multiple occasions.
In the years since terrorists attacked us , President Bush has liberated two countries, crushed the Taliban, crippled al-Qaida, put nuclear inspectors in Libya , Iran , and North Korea without firing a shot, and captured a terrorist who slaughtered 300,000 of his own people.
The Democrats are complaining about how long the war is taking. But:
It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno to take the Branch Davidian compound.
That was a 51-day operation.
We’ve been looking for evidence for chemical weapons in Iraq for less time than it took Hillary Clinton to find the Rose Law Firm billing records.
It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to destroy the Medina Republican Guard
than it took Ted Kennedy to call the police after his Oldsmobile sank at Chappaquiddick
It took less time to take Iraq than it took to count the votes in Florida !!!!
Our Commander-In-Chief is doing a GREAT JOB!
The Military morale is high!
The biased media hopes we are too ignorant to realize the facts.
Hillary Clinton recently admitted that as President she would NOT pull the troops out… she goofed and showed her cards… the Democrats want to pain the war as a failure to get into power, so they can continue and win the war, and claim the credit. They won’t let the USA lose when they are in power, but right now they are rooting for the enemy… for political gain. Pathetic. How patriotic is a candidate that roots and assists the enemy in order to gain power? I will never vote for a candidate that needs American soliders to lose and die in order to further their political ambitions, but that is EXACTLY what is happening right now.
I watched a congressional hearing today on CSPAN2 and was shocked at the ignorance and right out lies stated by elected officials. How they got elected I have no idea.
War is ugly. Lost lives are tragic and heart breaking. But we didn’t start this war. But we will finish it.
And I will feel much better and our nation will be much safer, if someone supporting our President and our Troops is in power the next four years.
If you do not support the troops mission, you do NOT support the troops. it is UnAmerican to undermine our mission and troops. It’s a sad day in American when those fighting to keep us safe and undermined by the very ones they serving to protect.
God Bless America.
March 11, 2008 at 9:54 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, Conferences, Kidology, Leadership
God is Great! The Kidology University 10th Anniversary Conference and Celebration just got a huge boost! Some unforseen construction plans at our previous host put some uncertainty over our big event this October, so we went to PRAYER and within a week God provided not only another location, but a much larger facility that will enable even more attendees and exhibitors to come!
Read all about the new location and REGISTER TODAY for what promises to be the Best Kid U yet!
A Bird’s Eye View of our New Location
If you have never been to a Kidology University – you have no idea what you are missing out on! The cost is super affordable while the quality is superb. People often remark that after coming to Kid U that it is a conference worth several hundred dollars, but they are so glad we keep it so affordable.
If you have not already, downloaded the Brochure PDF and check out the TOP-NOTCH speakers and sponsors we have coming to Kid U for our 10th Anniversary as we add several extra days to the event.
DON’T MISS THE DISCOUNT: If you register by June 1st you save $100 off the at-the-door cost.
This is the year to come to Kid U – we may go to every other year for this event, so don’t end up wishing you’d come in 2008!
March 11, 2008 at 11:45 am · Filed under FREE Stuff, Family, Kidology, Music
I need help choosing my FREE CD that I have won… well, I haven’t exactly won it yet, but it’s only a matter of time, so I’m looking for suggestions. What album would you have your sister buy you when you won a bet?
You see, I went off Mountain Dew the day after Christmas and went 44 days without any Dew! 44 is my favorite number, so I rewarded myself with an ice cold Dew, which spilled all over the floor of my car the moment I went to sip it as I hit a pot hole! While many claimed this was a sign from God to not have any Dew, I took it as a sign that I, uh, oh, never mind. Bottom line, I was back the bottle, er can, for several busy weeks. So when I got back from CPC last week I decided to not only go Dewless again, but to go TOTALLY WITH NO POP/SODA for another 44 days. (I’m trying to lose weight and get in shape for Yosemite Summit)
Knowing my sister has been on a diet I invited her to join me for some local accountability. (She lives a few house down from me) Later I get a phone message that she has “accepted my wager” and wanted to know what “I would bet!” Yikes! I didn’t know I was inviting a competition – but I accepted and we agreed that the first one, under oath before Gawwwwd, to drink ANY kind of soda/pop would have to buy the other person a CD of their choice. (value not to exceed $15)
So that brings my to my question, since I AM GOING TO WIN (of course!) what CD should I make my sister buy me? Your suggestions are welcome!
UP-DATE: Well, I made my goal of going ALL SODA FREE until Yosemite Summit. I lost 34 pounds and ironically (and sadly) I no longer even like Mountain Dew. (NOT the desired outcome) I released my sister from the bet (sounds better than saying I lost) but she is still going strong, I’m proud of her! You can read here gloating here.
March 7, 2008 at 6:41 am · Filed under Christianity, Devotional, Life, Spiritual Growth
I AM FREE
I woke up in the middle of the night recently with these words forming in my mind. I have learned via the trials and tribulations of life that everything that ever worries me, concerns me, bothers me, irritates me, hurts me, saddens me, angers me, depresses me, or holds me back from victorious fellowship with Jesus have one little word in common: me. I heard Jesus whisper in my ear, yet again, “Let go of ‘me’ and you will be free.” The words below flowed in those early morning hours as my heart aches to be free of me.
(click for full size)
(This is now my daily prayer to keep me focused on Him, not me)
March 4, 2008 at 10:11 am · Filed under Children's Ministry, Conferences, Kidology
UP-DATED AT END OF POST
If you are here at CPC San Diego, we are having our Kidology Gathering TONIGHT at the Terrace Cafe, 10pm to Midnight!
If you are going to the GO FISH Concert (at 10pm) have no fear, we will still be there at 11pm. It was a great time last year to put faces with e-mails and enjoy some mutual encouragement! I look forward to seeing you there!
UP-DATE:
We had a fun gathering of Kidolog folks for several hours last night. (click the picture to enlarge) Not everyone is pictured and some couldn’t come, but it was a great time of fellowship, sharing struggles, praises and ideas. The highlight of CPC is always connecting with people in person, something the Internet will never replace.
I’ve been battling a cold and running at 60% power so I’ve not been able to blog or post much, but I will when I get home and feel better. Not soon enough!
March 2, 2008 at 12:33 am · Filed under Children's Ministry, Family, Kidology, Moody
Moody Ministries has recently redesigned their website and are in the process of reworking all of their sites to integrate better. Kidology’s own Director of Web Operations, Steve Tanner, has some connections on that team and has been showing me the work they’ve been doing, and we’ve been impressed! So it came as a surprise when I got a call from Moody (via a totally separate connection) asking if they could do a little story on me since I am a Moody grad. I was honored! I have MANY Moody connections in my life!
Well, the story is now live! I kept it a secret from both Steve and my wife just for fun. Steve saw it live even before me as his friend noticed it and recognized the Kidology connection, and tonight I instant messaged the link to Sara to surprise her. I’m on Moody’s website! I think I can just go to heaven now. What an honor. Also mentioned in the article is fellow blogger Barney Kinard, who also graduated from Moody at the same time as my parents. (1964) And, since it’s not mentioned in the article, my wife also graduated from Moody (1993) with a degree in Educational Ministries, and with Straight A’s! (Smart and beautiful!)
MY MOODY CONNECTIONS:
- Moody student introduced my mom, as a little girl, to Jesus.
- D. L. Moody, through a chain of conversions led Billy Graham to Christ, who in turn led my dad to Christ.
- My parents met at and graduated from Moody
- My father-in-law graduated from Moody.
- His daughter (my wife) graduated from Moody.
- Received my Call to ministry via a Moody grad.
- My sister Melissa has attended Moody.
- My mom worked in the Graduate School.
- My dad was on staff at Moody Church. (Adult Ministries and Missions Pastor)
- My dad made the cover of Moody’s Servant Magazine!
- I was Moody’s Church’s first children’s pastor (my first ministry)
- I was married in Moody Church.
- Kidology’s first endowed student scholarship is the Patti Bastian Memorial Children’s Ministry Scholarship at Moody Bible Institute.
Is it any wonder I love Moody?
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