Too many parents are not on spanking terms with their children.
A boy once made headlines as the result of his repeated vandalism in his neighborhood. Even though he came from a well-to-do family, he was by every indication of behavior, a perfect example of a "juvenile delinquent." A reporter quizzed the boy in detention, asking, "Why do you feel the need to destroy property? Are you angry?" The boy just shrugged his shoulders and turned away. The reporter persisted, "Weren't you afraid of getting a licking from your parents?"
At this the boy looked at the reporter, and said, "I've never had a licking in my life." The tone of his voice, however, was not one of anger, but of sadness. The reporter talked with him further and realized that "not having a licking" meant to this young boy that his parents didn't care one whit about him. The young man concluded the interview by declaring that if the police turned him loose, he would continue to take out his vengeance on the neighborhood until one or the other of his folks cared enough to stop him.
Spanking is not abuse. Abuse is rooted in a parent's uncontrolled expression of power. Spanking is a form of discipline intended to restrain and rechannel a child's uncontrolled expression of power! Abuse never has a place. Spanking sometimes does.
He who spares his rod hates his son. But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
Proverbs 13:24 (NASB)
DEVOTION
Prayer for Presidents' Day

Lord of heaven and earth, we offer you our deepest appreciation for this blessed land. Stir up a sense of stewardship in every citizen so we all may care for our nation and each inhabitant of it.

We pray especially for our leaders. Prompt everyone in a position of authority, from local to national leaders, to strive for righteousness, justice and the welfare of all citizens.

Finally, we pray that we may be ever mindful of the psalmist's teaching that "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord ..." (Psalm 33:12, NRSV). May that promise become real "from sea to shining sea." Amen.
                                                                                       
Pronoun shift

Society encourages us to focus on ourselves. The pronouns in the parable of the rich man indicate that he fell into this trap, too: "He talked to himself: 'What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.
...I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods, and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well!'"
What a difference other pronouns would have made. The man could have asked, "What would you have me do, God?"  He could have seen things as God's, on loan to him to share with others: "This barn you've blessed me with, God, isn't big enough for this harvest you've provided. I'll share the extra with others, as you've commanded."
And instead of taking credit himself, he could have offered praise: "God, you've cared so well for me. Thank you, Lord!"
          
Now look closely and see if
you can find Jesus
Transfiguration

All over this magnificent world, God calls us to extend his kingdom of shalom-peace and wholeness - of justice, of goodness, of compassion, of caring, of sharing, of laughter, of joy, of reconciliation. God is transfiguring the world right this very moment through us because God believes in us and because God loves us.
What can separate us from the love of God? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. And as we share God's love with our brothers and sisters, God's other children, there is no tyrant who can resist us, no opposition that cannot be ended, no hunger that cannot be fed, no wound that cannot be healed, no hatred that cannot be turned into love, no dream that cannot be fulfilled.
                                       ~Desmond Tutu,
                                               God Has a Dream