Hospital delivery rooms around the country are gearing up for a potential baby boom this summer. Oddly enough, the onslaught of babies may be due to the terrorist attacks of September 11th.

Dr. Paul Kastell, an obstetrician and professor at Long Island College Hospital in New York City says, "This was kind of a wake-up call. They saw the towers burning. And when they got home they said, ‘You know, it's never going to be the right time. We should start now.’"

Families preparing for new arrivals this summer agree. Julia and Neil Bromberg from Maryland say the attacks hit very close to home for them. Neil is an attorney who works two blocks from the White House, which may have been one the intended terrorists targets. Julia says, "If we had begun to take each other and our child for granted, this ended on that day."

When asked why they want to have a child in turbulent times, many new parents say they felt a need for togetherness, healing, and patriotism. A couple from Houston, Texas plans to give their daughter the initials "NYC." A Brooklyn couple plans to name their daughter; “Grace” in hopes the name will be an indication of a peaceful year to come. A couple who lives near Nashville Tennessee whose baby in due in July sums up their feelings saying, "Maybe our child can help in some small way to make the world a better place."

It often takes a tragedy to draw us back to the things that are most important in life. God has given us families to be a source of hope and strength in difficult times. This summer's baby boom suggests one of the biggest impacts of September 11 was to cause us to remember the importance of the family, and its impact on future generations.

—Associated Press, May 29, 2002. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Psalm 68:6 NIV "God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

During the late spring of 1998, Chris Spielman, linebacker for Buffalo Bills walked up to the microphone at a press conference and announced his retirement. Spielman lived and breathed football and had done so since his childhood. Why would he retire in his prime?

His wife Stefanie was diagnosed with cancer. To live, she was facing surgery and six months of chemotherapy. Spielman knew his place was with his wife and with his children.

"So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;" (Ephes. 5:28 NASB)

In 1923, young Bill Havens' lifelong dream came true when he qualified to compete in the 1924 Olympic Games. In fact, Havens represented one of America's best prospects for a medal because he had established himself as a world-class contender in the singles and the four-man canoeing events.

Several months before he was scheduled to leave for Paris, the site of the 1924 Olympics, Havens' wife joyfully told him that he would soon fulfill another great dream… they were expecting a baby. Coincidentally, the baby was due smack dab in the middle of the two-week Olympic competition.

In the 1920s, traveling from the United States to Europe required a two-week voyage across the Atlantic on an ocean liner. With the trip there and back, and the two weeks of competition, Havens would be gone more than a month-and-a-half. If he went to Paris, he would almost certainly miss the birth of his child.

Bill faced a quandary … two wonderful landmark events loomed before him, but he could not possibly attend both. When he asked his family and friends what he should do, they all encouraged him to go and compete. He could win glory for himself and for his country and, after all, his child would be waiting for him when he returned home. His wife's doctor assured him that the pregnancy was progressing perfectly and that his wife and child would be fine. Even Sharon urged her husband to follow his dream of Olympic gold.

Still, Bill Havens spent many days deep in thought before he felt comfortable making his crucial decision. On the one hand, he would possibly win a medal … but on the other, one moment of glory paled in comparison to a mother's and child's life. Finally, Bill chose … he would not go to Paris. Instead, he would stay home with his wife, by her bedside, and welcome their child into the world.

Bill Havens could have easily told his wife, "I love you and I'll be with you in spirit," then kissed her goodbye and boarded the boat. Instead, he chose to show her (and their unborn child) the sincerity of his love for them. On August 1, 1924, Bill's son was born … four days after the Paris Games concluded. If he had gone to the Games, he would have been aboard a ship in the mid-Atlantic at the moment his son Frank came into the world.

Bill never questioned that he made the right decision, but he could not keep himself from imagining over the years what it would have felt like to stand on the victory platform with the "Star Spangled Banner" playing and the crowd cheering. He sometimes doubted whether anyone cared about his sacrifice. In the long run, had what he'd done at home really mattered more than what he might have done in Paris?

In the summer of 1952, Bill Havens finally got his answer. That year the Olympics took place in Helsinki, Finland, and in the midst of the games, a telegram arrived at the Havens' home from his son. That telegram read … "Dear Dad, Thanks for waiting around for me to get born in 1924. I'm coming home with the gold medal you should have won … Your loving son, Frank."

Frank Havens had competed in the 10,000-meter singles canoeing event, one that his father might have won in 1924. When young Frank won Olympic gold, his first thought turned to his father who had sacrificed the same glory in favor of his love for his family.

—http://www.stories.org.br/priority.html, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Gary Morris, J&J Music

In a day when "married with children" is becoming the exception, not the rule, single parent families are on the rise, and most of those families do not have a father. Are dads disposable? Are they needed for a healthy family?

I have a feeling Paulette Edwards can answer those questions. She is a single mother raising a 15-year-old daughter in Westland, Michigan. And she is doing it alone.

The father of her daughter doesn't pay any child support. Oh, he is supposed to, but he doesn't. Right now, he owes Paulette $78,000. Money the family desperately needs.

Paulette works two jobs, regularly shops at thrift stores for her clothes, drives an old car, is behind on her taxes and often has to skip meals. "Many days my daughter would eat, and I would watch," said Edwards. "It was demeaning."

—http://detnews.com/specialreports/2001/friend/monlede/monlede.htm Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

It is nearly impossible for one person to fulfill the role of two. Some would have you believe it takes a village to raise a child. But what is everyone's job tends to be no one's job. I'd rather say, it takes two parents to raise a child—a mom and a dad. Paulette doesn't need a village, she needs the father of her child to be a dad, not a bum.

Ephes. 6:4 KJV "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

In a reaction to the Newsweek, 8-12-01 cover story "The Truth About Fertility: Why More Doctors are Warning That Science Can't Beat the Biological Clock," Coni Meyer of Loyal, Wisconsin wrote, "Women have been fed a myth that our personal fulfillment is more important than having a family. When I'm lying on my back in the last moments of my life, I doubt very much I will be concerned about any of the plaques on my wall, or where I fit in the executive food chain. Genuine satisfaction comes from a life of giving, supporting and being a significant person in the life of your children."

Meyer is on to something here, but I don't think the application should be limited to women. As important as careers and personal fulfillment are, they pale in comparison to the importance of providing a good stable environment for our children.

In an interview for Biography Magazine, Emmy winning, Everybody Loves Raymond’s Patricia Heaton (who plays Ray’s wife, Deborah) succinctly stated what is important to her. She said, “I know that when I get toward the end of my life, when work becomes unimportant and everything else fades away, I’m still going to have something that’s meaningful—and that’s my family.”

Ken Griffey, Jr. couldn't make to "The Player Choice Awards" to receive the "Player of the Decade" award. Junior beat out three time MVP winner Barry Bonds and four time Cy Young Award winner, Greg Maddux for the honor.

The award is a big deal. He joins the ranks of baseball greats Wagner, Cobb, Ruth, Foxx, Williams, Mantle, Mays, Rose, and Schmidt.

Why couldn't he go? Trey, his 5-year-old son had a baseball game that night—his first, and Junior didn't want to miss it.

Dr. Graham calls the 1949 Los Angeles Crusade the Watershed of his ministry. It was the one that made him a household name and propelled him to the super-evangelist status. But the eight weeks of meetings took a personal toll on his family. Toward the end of the meeting, the Montgomery's, Ruth's sister and brother-in-law came up for the meeting. Billy greeted them and admired a child they were holding. "Whose baby is this?" Billy asked, only to find out it was his own daughter Anne.

In a recent interview with HOME LIFE, Billy Graham was asked, "As you look back on your ministry and its effect on your family, do you wish you had done anything differently? Graham responded, "I would spend more time with my family …every day I was absent from my family is gone forever."

For more information on Just As I Am, go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060633921/fm082-20

According to a recent Barna Survey 44% of adults surveyed said "their top priority in life is having a satisfying family life."

The Barna Group commented on this result saying, "This was nearly three times as popular as the second-most common response and more than four times as prolific as the third-most popular reply."

—http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=188 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Psalms 128:3 (HCSB) "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house, your sons, like young olive trees around your table."

Ben Stein graduated from Columbia University in 1966 with honors in economics and was valedictorian of Yale Law School in 1970. He is a lawyer, professor, actor, writer, author and frequent guest on Fox News to talk about finance. Certainly, he is qualified to answer the question, "What's a good investment?" However, his answer might surprise you. He said, "Go home from work early and spend the afternoon throwing a ball around with your son."

—Reader's Digest, June 05, p. 73; http://www.benstein.com/bio.html Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Psalms 128:3 (HCSB) "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house, your sons, like young olive trees around your table."

A Florida accountant had always wondered about his family tree. He knew that his great, great grandfather had come to the United States from England, but Robinson was surprised by the results of a DNA test researching his ancestry. A British geneticist who pioneered the growing field of "bioarchaelogy" found that Robinson is a direct descendant of 13th century Mongol Warrior, Genghis Khan.

Robinson said he was startled when he received a call from Oxford Ancestors about a surprising ancestor uncovered by the DNA tests. Robinson said, "My first impression was, 'Oh no, who is it?' imagining it was Adolf Hitler or something like that." He said he was actually pleasantly surprised by the news. Robins says Genghis Khan, whose name is synonymous with violence and cruelty is a victim of bad press. He added, "In addition to being a conqueror, he was a great administrator."

—http://www.newsone.ca/piercelandherald/stories/news-00192715.html. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Our family history can be interesting, but our spiritual heritage is more important. We are children of God!

Romans 8:16-17 (NIV) "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

A study by the RAND Corporation and published in the November 2008 issue of the journal Pediatrics determined that Teens who frequently watch sexualized sitcoms and dramas are twice as likely to be involved in a pregnancy as adolescents with limited exposure.

Researchers asked teens about their viewing habits and their sexual behavior. Those watching shows like “That ‘70s Show” and “Friends” were more likely to be sexually active.

The study had suggestions for broadcasters and parents. Broadcasters should be more realistic in their depictions of sex showing the consequences such as pregnancy and disease. Parents, besides limiting the viewing could spend time watching with their children so they can explain the consequences.

--World Magazine, November 29/December 6, 2008, p. 15 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Philippians 4:8 (NASB77) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.

In Ten Minutes from Normal, Karen Hughes, former counselor to President George W. Bush writes, “I do believe that life is a series of small choices through which we sometimes communicate big things. . . you can have a family and a career and meet your responsibilities to both; you’ll have to make choices along the way, but you don’t have to choose one or the other.”

--Ten Minutes from Normal - Kindle Loc. 4759-60; 6672-73 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Deut. 6:6-9 NIV “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. [7] 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. [8] Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. [9] Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

A recent edition of Time includes a special report on “The State of the American Woman.” Included is a poll 3,413 adults on their opinions of changes in the culture since 1972. People are mostly positive about the changes except in one area; rearing children.

“Do you think it is a good or a bad thing that in the 1970s most children grew up with a stay-at-home parent; now only about 30% do?” In the poll, 65% of adults view this as negative for society.

American adults still believe that children need a parent watching over the children.

--Time, October 26, 2009. P. 32. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

When asked what they would do with a 25th hour each day, the largest number of Americans, 37% said they would use it for extra family time. Less than 10% of Americans said they would use it for more work time compared with 50% of Indians who would use it for work. In Italy and Turkey the largest number of respondents, 33% and 41% respectively, would use it for exercise.

--Readers Digest, March 2009, p. 27 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Perhaps the best way to love our family is to spend that extra hour with them, even if there are only 24 hours in a day.

Ephesians 5:25 (NASB77) “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her;”

The American family is changing. At least, what Americans consider a family is changing. The Pew Research Center in Washington, DC recently completed a survey of American adults. They found that;
86% say a single parent and child are a family;
80% say an unmarried couple living together with a child is a family;
63% say a gay or lesbian couple raising a child is a family;
88% say a married couple without children is a family; but,
54% say a cohabiting couple with no children is not a family.

People now define family by relationships and personal beliefs, not on a legal definition. It remains an important part of people’s lives. Seventy-six percent say their family is “the most important” element of their life; 22% say it is one of the most important elements. Just 1% say it is not important.

--“The Changing Face of the American Family,” USA Today, November 18, 2010 p. 4D Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Colossians 3:18-22 (NASB77) “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (19) Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them. (20) Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. (21) Fathers, do not exasperate your children, that they may not lose heart. (22) Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.”

In 1977, the United States Department of Labor conducted a study asking men about their “quality of work.” A lot has changed since then, but a recent survey suggests men are still trying to have it all. The earlier study found that men defined the ideal man primarily as a function of being able to support their family with their work. Today more men have added a man’s role as an active, involved father and spouse to the role of making a living. The result is that though average wages have remained flat in recent years, job demands have increased, the boundaries between work and home have blurred, and job security has decreased, men are still striving for an impossible goal.

The study conducted by the New York-based Work and Family Institute found that men are dealing with increased stress as they balance the demands of a fulfilling family life, job satisfaction, a paycheck large enough to provide for the family’s needs, and the conflict the competing demands create. sixty percent of men in dual-earner households reported conflicts between work and family. Men who have children under 18 in the house and those who work more than 50 hours a week echoed this. Respondents said the ability to schedule their work and time off using flexible schedules helped relieve the pressure. The most interesting factor influencing work-family tension was the technology. Respondents said technology helped them get more done at work and keep up with needs at home, but said it also blurred the boundaries even more.

--Men juggle too: Competing work and family stress out more guys nowadays, http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/05/news/la-heb-men-work-family-stress-20110705
; July 5, 2011, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Ephesians 5:28-30 (CEV) (28) In the same way, a husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself. A husband who loves his wife shows that he loves himself. (29) None of us hate our own bodies. We provide for them and take good care of them, just as Christ does for the church, (30) because we are each part of his body.

Kitam Hamm lives in a gang-infested community in Southern California. In the last four years, he has seen nine friends die because of gang violence. Playing football, even being a football star is not enough to keep young men from being involved in gang violence. Hamm has excelled both on the football field and in the classroom. He ranks 44th in a senior class of 514 and is on pace to graduate with a 3.8 GPA. He has letters from football recruiters at Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, UCLA, Columbia, and seven others. Even though athletes are often targets of gang recruitment because off the visibility and prestige they can bring to gangs, Kitam has successfully navigated the treacherous ground between Crips and Bloods.

--Straight Outta Compton A special Report from CBS News and Sports Illustrated; Sports Illustrated, December 5, 2011 pp. 82-90 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

How has Kitam avoided the gangs? The biggest factor in his escape has been his family. He is one of only a few boys in the neighborhood with a father in the home. He and his father have a good relationship, described as a “special bond.” (See page 86) His father who was a gang member as a young man has taught him how to avoid the gangs.

The scripture holds fathers as the key to teaching their children the way of truth. (See Deut. 6:4-9) In addition, teaching young people to obey their parents gives the promise of a longer life. (See Exodus 20:12) Even in situations not as obviously dangerous as Southern California gang communities, dangers still lurk for young people everywhere and fathers are needed in families.

Proverbs 23:22 (HCSB) Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

Hospice chaplains visit people who are dying. One such chaplain, Kerry Egan, talking to CNN.com says the people who are dying talk about family. They talk about “their mothers and fathers, their sons and daughters. They talk about how they learned what love is, and what it is not.”

--The Week, February 17, 2012 p. 14 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Many things occupy our lives and our time, but when it comes down to what really matters, Chaplain Kerry says it is family. Family was God’s plan to keep us from being alone.

Genesis 2:18 (ESV) Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

The number of Americans who live alone has been increasing for more than sixty years. In 1960 only 13.3% of households were people living alone. In 2011 the number is 27.7%. Much of this increase is among senior citizens who are growing old, living alone.

The needs of singles are different that the needs of families. In the church we need an increased awareness and reach out to all members of our society. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Titus 3:14 (HCSB) And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works for cases of urgent need, so that they will not be unfruitful.

Michael Irvin, NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys had a turbulent career. Sometimes his off field activities overshadowed his on field abilities. During his 2007 induction speech into the Hall of Fame, he had his two sons, ages 10 and 8 at the time, stand and he said, “God, I have my struggles and I made some bad decisions, but whatever you do, don’t let me mess this up.”

That could be the prayer of every father wanting to do the right thing by his children. “Lord, this is one job where I don’t want to fail.” --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (HCSB) (6) These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. (7) Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

The Week Editor, William Falk in a commentary on the falling birth rate in the U.S., describes some of the benefits of parenting. You get “A sweaty baby asleep on your chest, filling you with such awe and tenderness that you cannot sleep yourself. The incomparable fragrance of their downy heads. The little girl’s hand in yours, and her quavery voice saying, ‘Daddy.’ The primal bond that compels you to care more about another human being than yourself, that instructs over and over in the great truth: it’s not about you.” --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Psalm 127:3-5 (HCSB) “Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD, children, a reward. (4) Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth. (5) Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with ?their? enemies at the city gate.”

A New York man has filed a $200,000 lawsuit against his parent because he feels unloved. 32-year-old Bernard Bey is homeless and claims that he ran away from home when he was 12 and has been in and out of various shelters since he turned 16. Bey, who aspires to become an rap musician, wrote the lawsuit himself and accuses his parents of causing him mental anguish and making him feel “unloved and beaten by the world.” After learning of the legal action, his parents, who also live in public housing, said they do not have that sum of money to give their son. In an interview with a local paper, his mother said, “I say go get a job. He’s never had a job a day in his life.” Bey responded that he would be willing to drop the lawsuit if his family would sit down and have dinner with him.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Man sues parents for not loving him enough, http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/Man-sues-parents-for-not-loving-him-enough/-/1719418/19066598/-/uoe1loz/-/
index.html?treets=det&tid=2651079460813&tml=det_7am&tmi=det_7am_1_06000102252013&ts=H, Accessed February 25, 2013,

Colossians 3:21 (ESV) Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

In a new book, How The West Really Lost God, Author Mary Eberstadt argues that we are not losing the family because we are losing God, but rather the exact opposite. It is the breakdown of the family that is causing the decline in religious belief.

Religious decline comes first, then family decline. Family formation increases religious involvement but unformed or broken families lead to a broken church. Her thesis is, “Something about living in families makes people more receptive to religiosity and the Christian creed.”

What is the hope for the church when the family in western civilization continues to deteriorate? Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Genesis 2:24 (CEV) (24) That's why a man will leave his own father and mother. He marries a woman, and the two of them become like one person.

An Associated Press-We TV poll surprised a lot of people when the results indicated that more than 8 out of 10 men said they have always wanted to be a father or think they would like to be a father one day. Men who are already fathers were more likely than women to say they saw positive effects of fatherhood in the love life and career, and they were just as likely as women to say having children improved their overall happiness and sense of purpose in life. Comparing men and women, men who did not have children were just as likely as women without children to say they want them someday. Men were a little more skeptical about their ability to be a good parent, but most of the men surveyed said the main reason they wanted to become fathers was to carry on traditions and family history. 14% of men called that their top reason for wanting to have children, compared with only 4% of women. —Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Poll: Most men aspire to be dads, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/15/poll-most-men-aspire-to-be-dads/2427123, Accessed June 15, 2013

Proverbs 17:6 (CEV) Grandparents are proud of their grandchildren, and children should be proud of their parents.

Rick Schmitt and his wife, Lisa, along with their children Hillary and Eric have been scouring the Florida coastline for 13 years looking for sunken treasure. They have finally succeeded. They discovered gold in a 300-year-old Spanish shipwreck. The gold is worth up to $350,000.

However, most of the proceeds will go to the state and the company that owns diving rights to the site. The Schmitts are not discouraged. Lisa said the time spent searching was worth more than the bounty. “The greatest treasure is time with the family,” she said.

God’s plan for families is a special blessing. We should make as much time available for family as possible. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Psalm 127:3-5 (NKJV) Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. (4) Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. (5) Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

“Researcher Douglas W. Allen may have added a new dimension to the same-sex marriage debate with at study published in The Review of The Economics of the Household. Allen looked at a 20 percent sample of Canadian census data from 2006, a much larger sample than past studies of homosexual households. His finding: “Children living with gay and lesbian families in 2006 were about 65 percent as likely to graduate compared to children living in opposite sex marriage families.” Children in lesbian households fared the worst, while children with married opposite sex parents fared the best.”

It should be of no great surprise to those who believe the Word that the best families for children are those with a father and a mother present in the home. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Hebrews 12:9 HCSB Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?

Davion Only is 15 years-old. He has spent his whole life in foster care, one family after another taking care of him. In a speech at St Mark Missionary Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, Fla. he told the congregation, I need a family “to love me until I die. I’ll take anyone, old or young, dad or mom, black, white, purple. I don’t care. And I would be really appreciative. The best I could be.”

Growing up without the unconditional love of a family cannot be easy. This young man desires the love of a father and mother. In return he promises to be a good son.

Case workers in Florida received over 10,000 offers. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Maybe there will always be people living in poverty, even in a country surrounded by wealth and opportunity. But Karin McQuillan explains the quickest way out of poverty.

“We don’t need a $200 million dollar committee. The Census Bureau already has the figures. The cure for poverty is within everyone’s grasp: if you finish high school, get married, defer your first child until you are 21, your chance of being poor is 2%, and your chance of joining the middle class is 72%.” --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Matthew 26:11 (HCSB) (11) You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.

When workers at a Goodwill center in Denver, Colorado discovered an old Bible in a box filled with computer parts, they were naturally curious. When they opened the Bible and read the inscription inside, the mystery only deepened. It had been published in 1812, and had the names of the Burbidge family beginning in 1812 down through 1932. Goodwill’s Chief People Officer Joyce Schlose heard about the discovery and used genealogical records to trace it to a Burbidge descendant living in London, who referred them back to his brother, who lives in New Jersey. That man, Roy Evans, said he had no idea how a family Bible dating back 200 years ended up in a donation bin 1,700 miles away. He asked to get the Bible back, and Goodwill has promised to return it. In an interview, Evans said, “Our great, great grandfather was the nephew of William Burbidge, born in 1812. I intend to take good care of it for future generations.”--Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Heirloom Bible discovered in Denver thrift store, By Kelly Sommoariva,
http://www.9news.com/story/news/local/2014/04/01/1800s-bible-found-in-denver/7167933 ; Accessed April 1, 2014.

Psalm 90:1-2 (HCSB) (1) Lord, You have been our refuge in every generation. (2) Before the mountains were born, before You gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, You are God.

A Spanish language newspaper reports that lawmakers in Spain are considering a law that would make children under the age of 18 perform household tasks and treat others with respect. The law says children would have also to maintain a positive attitude towards learning. According to the report, “The draft law doesn’t set out penalties for children who fail to fulfill these requirements.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Spain might pass law that would make children do chores and ‘be respectful’, By Will Lerner, http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/oddnews/spain-might-pass-law-that-
would-make-children-do-chores-and-%E2%80%98be-respectful%E2%80%99-181006526.html, Accessed April 28, 2014.

Ephesians 6:1-3 (HCSB) Children, obey your parents as ?you would? the Lord, because this is right. (2) Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, (3) so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.

Deborah Savely lost a Bible that was very important to her, and now after 40 years she has it back. When Savely went to college at Vol State in 1972, she took the Bible with her because it was a special reminder of her father who had passed away a year earlier. He had given her the Bible and written a message in it when she was seven years old. She treasured the book and carried it with her in her backpack. Savely noticed the Bible was missing after she graduated from the school in 1974, but had no idea where it had gone. A volunteer going through a box of things left over after a tornado damaged the campus in 2006 found the Bible and knew it would mean something to the family. She used records to track Savely down and get the Bible back to her. Savely said having the Bible back made her feel complete. She added, “I’ve got my daddy back. I put my hand on that page and I swear I felt his hand on mine.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Woman reunited with Bible she lost at Vol State 40 years ago, http://www.wkrn.com/story/26535356/woman-reunited-with-bible-she-lost-at-vol-state-40-years-ago, Accessed September 15, 2014.

Proverbs 10:7 (HCSB) The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

The CEO of a $2 trillion investment fund said a letter from his ten-year-old daughter was the main reason that he decided to leave his high power position. Mohamed El-Erian left his job after his daughter wrote to him about all 22 milestones in her life that he missed because of his work. He said the note made him evaluate his work-life balance. The list included items like his daughter’s first day at school, a parent-teacher meeting, her soccer match, and a parade. El-Erian said he is now an economic adviser with a financial services company and can spend more time with his family. He said, “I felt awful and got defensive: I had a good excuse for each missed event! Travel, important meetings, an urgent phone call, sudden to-do, but it dawned on me that I was missing an infinitely more important point…I was not making nearly enough time for her.” --Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Boss at $2 trillion investment firm PIMCO says 10-year-old daughter made him quit,
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/09/27/head-2-trillion-investment-fund-quits-after-daughter-lists-family-milestones, Accessed September 27, 2014.

Ephesians 6:4 (HCSB) Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

NBA superstar Wilt Chamberlin boasted in his autobiography about the number of women he slept with during his playing career. He promised that there were not any “little Willies” around though. Evidently he may have been mistaken. Aaron Levi, adopted as a baby began to search for his birthparents. When he found his mom she informed him that Wilt Chamberlin was his father, something he had already suspected from birth records.

A successful artist, Levi says he doesn’t want anything from Chamberlain’s family, except to know for sure. He has asked them for DNA samples but so far they have refused. His regret is that he didn’t look for his birth parents sooner so he could have asked his father some questions. “Do you remember my mother?” “Do you remember her telling you she was pregnant?” The most important question hinges on the answer to the first two. “Have you thought about me over the years?”

Every son wants to know that he is important to his father, even those who never met nor talked to them. Parents should make sure their children know they are an integral part of their lives. -- Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Matthew 3:16-17 (HCSB) After Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on Him. (17) And there came a voice from heaven: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him!

Authorities arrested Tatiana Kudinova, a Russian businessperson, for arranging a hit on her daughter-in-law who had irritated her by making nonstop mother-in-law jokes. The feud began over who should pick up the tab for a family party. But Roxanne, the daughter-in-law, didn’t let it rest and continued making jokes about her “skinflint mother-in-law.”

Tatiana hired a hit man to kill Roxanne. The hit man turned out to be an undercover policeman. Mom was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Colossians 3:18-20 (HCSB) Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (19) Husbands, love your wives and don’t be bitter toward them. (20) Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Many studies have shown the benefits for those growing up in good strong families. Two Australian philosophers have a somewhat different take on good families. They believe that happy families contribute to social inequality. When children grow up in a loving family it gives them an unfair advantage.

Here is the logic.
a) Children obviously need parents.
b) Parenting appears to be a source of satisfaction to many adults.
c) Every study and survey demonstrates that children who grew up in stable families have an unquestionable advantage over those who don’t.
d) Families exacerbate social inequality.

Their study asks the question of what parents should be allowed to do for their children if certain activities create unfairness for other people’s children.

So far we can have as happy and loving families as we choose, giving our children numerous advantages, whether they are fair or not. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Ephesians 4:17-21 (HCSB) Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their thoughts. (18) They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. (19) They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more. (20) But that is not how you learned about the Messiah, (21) assuming you heard about Him and were taught by Him, because the truth is in Jesus.

Sociologists are always trying to discover the best way to give children a good start in life. One question they study is how soon do children need to start school. A new study has discovered that “watching Sesame Street is as beneficial for children’s academic progress as attending head start.”

One thing researchers discover that is most effective for tots’ long-term success is having a married biological mother and father. Kathy Lee, mother of 10 and author of The Homegrown Preschooler, says “preschool teachers are trying to recreate the home. Home is the most natural place to let children discover and have a sense of wonder.”

The best thing we can do for our children is build strong marriages. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Proverbs 4:1-4 (HCSB) Listen, ?my? sons, to a father’s discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding, (2) for I am giving you good instruction. Don’t abandon my teaching. (3) When I was a son with my father, tender and precious to my mother, (4) he taught me and said: “Your heart must hold on to my words. Keep my commands and live.

Family

It is not uncommon for college football players to give up their last year of eligibility to seek a position in the National Football League. When Auburn running back Peyton Barber announced that he was leaving the school for the NFL, the reason surprised everyone. Barber said that his mother was living with his sister and had no other home. He hopes to be drafted by a team and sign a contract that will allow him to buy a home for her. Barber has worked to overcome his own challenges like ADHD and dyslexia. He said he wants the opportunity to provide a better living situation for his mother who is in poor health. He said the process of proving doubters wrong is also part of his motivation. Barber’s mother said she was sure her son did not make the decision based on her alone because she views herself as a survivor. Barber echoed her words when he said that his mother “never pressured me. I just felt that was the best decision for me and my family.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Mother's financial woes a motivator in Peyton Barber's decision to leave Auburn for NFL Draft, By Brandon Marcello, http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2016/02/mothers_financial_woes_a_motivator_peyton_barber_nfl_draft.html, February 24, 2016.

Ephesians 6:2 (HCSB)Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise,

A recent survey by TIME for Kids and KidsHealth.org looked at the comments of more than 8,000 children ages 8 to 14 and hundreds of their parents. One of the findings is that 78% of the parents said they are proud of their kids. The interesting, and sad, part of the survey is that only 58% of the kids said they think their parents are proud of them.

Perhaps parents could remember the admonition of Solomon who told us that even in reproving us, the Lord proclaims His love for us. In correcting a child, parents must be sure they assure the children of their love. –--Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Proverbs 3:12 (HCSB) “for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.”

Family

Adam LaRoche, who has averaged over 20 home runs a year in his 12-year Major League Baseball career, is walking away from his $13 million contract with the Chicago White Sox because the club would no longer allow Drake, his teenage son to accompany him the clubhouse.

While many were critical of his decision to put “his ideas about being a good father ahead of his team and his teammates” he says, “I have zero regrets.”—Jim L. Wilson

Psalm 127:3–5 (HCSB)“Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, children, a reward. ⁴ Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth. ⁵ Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.”

FAMILY

According to the Center for Disease Control, since 1999 the suicide rate increased about 1 percent each year before accelerating to 2 percent annually from 2006 to 2014. Suicide increased among all age groups. Besides economic troubles, the increased “social isolation” due to family breakdown and divorce play a major role in the increase. The largest increase has been among girls between 10 and 14. The reason suspected is access to social media, internet, and cyber bullying.

In a culture that degrades the family, we need to work hard to keep our families strong. –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Psalm 103:17 (HCSB)“But from eternity to eternity the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear Him, and His righteousness toward the grandchildren.”

Before the beginning of the 2016 major league baseball season, Adam LaRoche abruptly retired. LaRoche had played 12 seasons with several different teams and was set to make $13 million this year alone. So why would a man walk away from $13 million?

Adam started a tradition early on in his career. He brought his son, Drake, to the clubhouse almost every day. Everyone knew that this was the deal; you do not get Adam without Drake. Most people were supportive of it. However, before the 2016 season, the owner of the Chicago White Sox told LaRoche that he would have to “scale back” the time that Drake spent at the clubhouse. Williams told him, “I don’t think it’s appropriate to have your son here 100% of the time or even 50% of the time, so you need to figure out how to handle it.” And Adam did exactly that. He handled it by retiring and walking away from baseball altogether. Adam said this to his teammates: “I am choosing my son over you guys. I cannot tell you how much I hate that I even have to make this decision, and how much it crushes me to feel like I could be leaving you guys hanging.” –Jim L. Wilson and Eric Gibbs

--http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14989265/adam-laroche-retired-chicago-white-sox-asked-dial-back-son-clubhouse

A new study at the University of Toronto suggests that family bonds are far more important to adult wellbeing than friendships. Researchers surveyed some 3000 people between 57 and 85, asking about their closest relationships, health, and well-being. They found that those who felt “extremely close” to several family members had a 6 percent risk of dying within five years. Those lacking such ties had a 14 percent risk of dying.

The author of the study, James Iveniuk, says, “It is the people who in some sense you cannot choose, and who also have little choice about choosing you, who seem to provide the greatest benefit to longevity.”

Working to build and maintain relationships with other family members is not only beneficial to our happiness but also to our health and longevity. We can start with honoring our parents, and moving on from there. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/08/22/its-family-not-friends-who-may-help-you-live-longer-study-says/

Exodus 20:12 (HCSB)“Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

Just like his dad, 24-year old Alton Jones Jr. is a professional fisherman. From the time that Jones was six years old, the entire family traveled to Bassmaster tournaments from coast to coast.

Jones’ mother, Jimmye Sue, home schooled her children so the family could travel together throughout the tournament season. Jones says “Even while on the road, we would try to get together every night and read one chapter of the Bible. Sometimes I, or one of my sisters, would read. It was good to share that as a family.”

Now, years later, he says, “We are more than just fishermen, there is a bigger purpose. We have to use this public platform of our sport for more than just fishing. All the glory is to Him.” —Jim L. Wilson & Ed Pincusoff

Build on a foundation of faith. God comes through, and all the glory will be to Him.

Proverbs 22:6 (HCSB)“Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

For sixteen years Paul and Robin Pennington have been working to engage the local church to understand the need to care for orphans. They know from personal experience how important adoption is and how difficult it can be. “They have become convinced that when Christians love fatherless children, it’s a picture of the gospel—the visible gospel,” Paul Pennington says quoting a John Piper phrase.

The Pennington’s ministry, “Hope for Orphans,” recently released Rooted, a video-based curriculum dealing with issues unique to families with children via adoption or foster care. The book of James makes clear that ministry to orphans is religion in its pure and undefiled form. –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

James 1:27 (CSB)“Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

When Chef Gordon Ramsay and his family go on vacation, his four kids are not permitted to sit with him and his wife in first class. “They haven’t worked anywhere near hard enough to afford first class,” the wealthy Ramsay declares. Having been raised in public housing in poverty and chaos where he left home at age 16 to avoid an abusive father, he doesn’t want to spoil his children.

He has even declared his $140 million fortune off limits to his children. We have agreed to give them a 25 percent deposit on an apartment, not to be mean but to avoid spoiling them. While his approach may seem quite strict, Ramsay has the right heart. His desire is to raise children that know how to work. –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Proverbs 22:6 (CSB)“Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.”

A study conducted by a Paris-based organization found that American high school students are generally satisfied with their lives, but their peers in other countries are happier. 15-year-olds who took part in the study ranked their lives an average of 7.4 on a scale of 0 to 10. According to the study, teacher and parental support, spending time with friends, and being physically active increased life satisfaction for the teens while anxiety over grades and spending too much time online were negative factors. Andreas Schleicher, one the study’s authors, said studying hard did not equate with the teens feelings miserable, but there was some things parents could do to make a difference. Schleicher said, “Just talking with their children is something that relates positively to life outcomes; having dinner together.” He added, “These things are really simple for parents to do. They don’t require an academic degree, they don’t require hours of time.”–Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Psalm 127:3–4 (CSB)“Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, offspring, a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth.”

For the first time in recorded history, more than half (54 percent) of American women ages 25-29 are childless, according to the U.S. Census Fertility Report. A record 31 percent of women ages 30-34 also haven’t given birth.

According to US News, as the birth rate continues to drop it could mean lower living standards for most Americans in the future. Of even more concern, it indicates the growing number of people who are foregoing what scripture calls one of our greatest blessings. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/rick-newman/2012/12/03/why-a-falling-birth-rate-is-a-big-problem

Psalm 127:3–5 (CSB) “Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, offspring, a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth. Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. They will never be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.”

In an article entitled, “What I would have done differently: Billy Graham’s regrets, in his own words,” Collin Hansen reports that Graham said, “I did not spend enough time with my family when they were growing up. You cannot recapture those years.” —Jim L. Wilson

Stephen Baskerville has written a new book entitled, The New Politics of Sex: The Sexual Revolution, Civil Liberties, and the Growth of Governmental Power. In it, he emphasizes the importance of intact families and the destructive influence of our structures. Baskerville says, “In the past Christian missionaries fed the poor, but they also taught them morality, including sexual morality: Have children when you’re married, and stay married.” –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Hebrews 13:4 (CSB)“Marriage is to be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.”

A Washington D.C. father went to social media for help unlocking his iPad after his son accidentally locked it. Evan Osnos, tweeted a picture of his iPad lock screen which informed him the device had been locked for over 25 million minutes because his toddler had guessed the wrong password too many times. Evans thought the screen looked fake, but since it meant he would not be able to use the device for over 48 years, he asked others for advice. He said someone suggested that he put the tablet into Device Update Mode and restore it from a previous update. Osnos finally declared the accidental lock imposed by his three year-old son had been cleared. He posted, “Now restoring. Thanks to those who shared advice!”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Colossians 3:21 (CSB) “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they won’t become discouraged.”

In his book, Enemies of the Heart: Breaking Free from the Four Emotions That Control You, Andy Stanley writes, "The people closest to you routinely catch the flak thrown off by the explosive stuff you normally work so hard to keep hidden." –Jim L. Wilson

In 2017, child welfare officials removed about 90,000 children and teens from their families because of a parent who had a substance abuse problem. Welfare officials estimate that about 6 million children younger than age 11 have parents who suffer from drug addiction.

Rearing children is difficult, stressful, and sometimes even impossible. Engaging in addictive activities makes an effective family even more difficult to achieve. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide a way out so that you may be able to bear it.

A review of several studies published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal confirms what many parents feared about the potentially harmful impact of social media. The reviews stated the teenagers who spend less time socializing in person and have easy access to online information about suicide are more vulnerable. One study found that girls felt more negative feelings after 10 minutes of social media use. The longer the use continued the more negative the young felt. Carol Deely who founded an organization to promote the safe use of technology, suggested parents talk to their teens about the risks of social media, and set a good example for social media use. Deely said, “Kids can’t get away from all the peer pressure and I think it’s just terrible. I wouldn’t want to be a child right now.” –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/review-finds-social-media-linked-to-mental-distress-in-teens/

These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus has taken a toll on patients in hospitals and health care facilities because those people are isolated and cannot connect directly with their families. John Lynch experienced separation when his father, who was at a memory care unit passed away. Though not ideal, Lynch was able to say his final goodbyes via Face Time. The experience gave him an idea about helping others. Lynch had already started a program using technology to provide learning experiences for children and help families dealing with life threatening illnesses. He adapted the program and begin collecting iPads and distributing them in a local medical center to help families connect with their loved ones electronically. Lynch is working to expand the program across the country. The project, in memory of Lynch’s father, is called “Operation Connection: The iPad Project.” Tom Piratzky, executive director of the Cape Regional Foundation, which benefitted from the program said, “Our families have told us how important it is and how much they really appreciate the opportunity to see their loved ones and talk to them.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors, saying to Abraham, And all the families of the earth will be blessed through your offspring.

WalletHub conducted a survey to see how Americans are coping with the Social Distancing mandates imposed on them by the government. They discovered that “34 percent of Americans are most looking forward to seeing family once this is over, more than the amount that are most excited to see friends or go out to eat.” —Jim L. Wilson

Joseph hitched the horses to his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, threw his arms around him, and wept for a long time.

A pair of sisters from Nebraska were reunited after 50 years when one sister ended up becoming the other’s medication aide while she was recovering from coronavirus. Bev Boro serves as a medication aide at a care facility in Fremont. She noticed the name of Doris Crippen on the patient list and was excited because Crippen was the sister she had been trying to find for ears. Crippen had been at the facility for more than a month recovering from coronavirus and a broken arm from a fall. Boro was able to use to communicate with Crippen and they quickly confirmed they were long-lost sisters. Crippen and Boro had different mothers, growing up in separate homes but had been searching for each other for years because they knew each other’s names. Crippen said she believes her brush with coronavirus was a blessing because she located her sister. She said, “I am the happiest person in the world. I cannot believe I finally found my sister.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household,

Bill Patrick Sr. and Bill Patrick Jr., a father and son who had not seen each other in almost 48 years had a reunion at a Pennsylvania Airport after the younger man’s aunt helped them find each other. Bill Jr. said, his mother left his father in Spring 1973 and all he knew about his father was the information came from his birth certificate. The aunt searched social media and found Bill Sr. who had been searching for his children, and the two connected. Later, father and son contacted each other and Bill Jr. flew went to meet his father. Bill Jr. said father and son found they had a lot of things in common, including that both had been married for 31 years. Bill Sr. learned he had four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Bill Jr. said, “I told myself I wasn’t going to get emotional. That didn’t happen.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they won’t become discouraged.

A Boy Scout troop from Texas is helping residents of an assisted living center get closer to their visitors by providing a “hug booth.” The center in Webster, Texas had imposed strict safety measures to protect residents from coronavirus and the local troop 848 built a booth to meet the specifications of the center. It had a plexiglass window which allowed residents and large sanitized gloves which allowed them to hug or provide other limited types of physical touch. The booth is like other devices installed at other facilities around the country. Officials have said contact with loved ones is important to the well-being of seniors in care facilities. Becky Hudson, lifestyle director at the Webster facility said, “They built it exactly the way we envisioned it. They’re great, safe and come with gloves.” –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God.

Adam Wilson bought an old camera on eBay and discovered there were undeveloped pictures on the film inside. He wanted to find a way to get the pictures to the family they belonged to, but the person who sold him the camera could only tell him that it came from storage locker in Pennsylvania. Wilson posted the pictures to social media, hoping someone would recognize them. Through a news report about the pictures, Bob Bartelli, who now lives in Florida, heard about the pictures. He said they were taken at Christmas 1997 and one of the pictures was the only picture he had together with his mother and father before his father died the following year. Bartoletti said that time was a very meaningful and difficult time for the family. Wilson said he was glad to get the memories back to the family. He added,” I just knew that if we could get them out there and get them back home, they would be appreciated.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

An employee of a North Carolina thrift store found a 146-year-old marriage certificate hidden in the frame of an 1899 print of a painting depicting a small girl and a dog. When she found the certificate Pam Phelps knew she needed to try to locate relatives of the couple. The certificate, dated 1865, was for a man named William and a woman named Katey. The information was posted on Ancestry.com and several people who saw a television news story messaged Irene Cornish, because they believed the mystery couple could be her great-grandparents William and Katey DeWorth. Cornish said she went to research other relatives and saw the messages and confirmed the couple was her great-grandparents. She said she had no idea how the certificate ended up at a thrift store but knew the person who inherited the homestead had eventually lost it and sold many items to secondhand stores. Cornish said she plans to frame the certificate and added,” My mother passed away five years ago," Cornish said. "I don't have any ... immediate family in the area where I live. I feel a little isolated at times. So, it just felt comforting that, oh, these people are reaching out somehow. I am connected."—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/08/13/thrift-store-marriage-certificate-1864-Irene-

The CBS Drama Blue Bloods includes in almost every episode a Sunday Dinner where four generations of the family get together to reconnect and process their lives. A rare event these days. Certainly, the four generations part, but also the sitting down and talking about life over a meal.

Busy schedules are partially to blame, but so are the electronic intrusions that we carry around in our pockets and purses. Too many of us have our smart devices as our constant companions and allow them to take precedence over the people sitting in front of us.

In their book, My Tech-Wise Life, Amy Crouch and Andy Crouch mention that teenagers want their parents to make dinner time “device-free.” Sounds like a good idea.

My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

International researchers found that screen use among teenagers rose to 7.7 hours a day during the pandemic as compared to an average of 3.8 hours pre-pandemic. The study found that multiple-player gaming, single-player gaming, texting, social media, video chatting, internet browsing, and steaming movies were the most typical activities. When screen use for schoolwork was excluded, researchers used analyses to estimate factors involved, they discovered the poorer mental health and greater perceived stress were associated with higher total screen use. Based on the results, health organizations recommended further study as restrictions are lifted, and suggested families devise a “screen time plan” for children designed to promote healthy and positive screen use. –Jim L Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.foxnews.com/health/teen-screen-time-more-than-doubled-covid-19-pandemic-study