Travel Log Costa Rica

To my regular readers, I appologize for the communication gap as I've been out of the country temporarily and had trouble getting on the internet. Actually, I've been in Costa Rica, as I still am, and have seen an amazing cross section of the biodiversity in that country from the rain forest to the coastal plains. This is a beautiful place and the people we have come in contact with are some of the friendliest and most gracious I have ever had the pleasure to meet. It's always interesting to explore new places and I never cease to be amazed by the wonders of creation. Another thought-provoking aspect of my travel has been to experience how different parts of life interact. One thing in other countries that we often miss in the US is the dichotomy of classes. You can hide away in the most beautiful resort, but the poverty of the third world often exists a few hundred feet away ... or just over a fence. It makes one wonder about how we all fit together in the big, wide world. It's also interesting to observe how nature and man interact in areas where the great Venn diagram of our existence intersects. Food for thought. Each of these subjects reminds me how fortunate I am to be here and cause me to reconsider my own responsibility for the part I play in the larger scheme of things.

More to follow, but I just wanted to keep you posted. Right now, there's a howler monkey somewhere outside my window who reminds me that there is much yet to be discovered in this far away place of amazing beauty.

We Must Be the Gospel

Let's face it, our lives are constantly on display for all the world to see. Therefore, if we are followers of Christ, He is constantly on display through us. No matter what you or I think or say, the plain fact is that if we profess to be Christians then our actions and choices will reflect upon God. Indeed, since most people rarely read the bible we, in effect, become their bible. Our example, our successes and failures, our tempers and our charity, these are the outward reflection of our inward character. Rather should I say that these are the outward betrayal of our inward character. So if I point to God and say, "I'm with Him," then I should endeavor every day to honor Him with my life, for to do otherwise would clearly be to dishonor Him ... and He deserves far better. Worst of all, as people judge me for my actions they may be judging God as well and their own decision to trust or serve the Almighty could be influenced by my life. I do not mean to imply that I consider myself worthy to represent God. However, I believe we have an implied obligation to make our best effort thereto. Consequently, if am the only bible many people read what will the pages of my life convey about the character of God? A difficult question, but one that every honest believer must ask. Well, that is my spiritual thought for the day and I hope and pray you may you take them under consideration. In the mean time, let us each consider just who and what our lives represent and strive to live accordingly.

We Must Be the Gospel
Words alone are meaningless
Unless accompanied by deeds
Lofty statements are but vanity
Unless we meet the people's needs
For the gospel of our Savior
Though recorded on a page
Is only the foundation
It merely sets the stage
The balance of the message
Is the life we choose to live
The love we share with others
And our willingness to give
Indeed, in many cases
The only gospel most folks see
Is the love of Jesus daily lived
In the lives of you and me
We are the words and pages
We are God's hands and feet
We must be the gospel
Before the message is complete
By Frank Carpenter

The Middle of Nowhere

I find myself leaving the country for Thanksgiving this year and heading south to Central America tonight. To that end, and certainly on a long overdue lighter note, I offer the following poem entitled “The Middle of Nowhere.” Now, I’m actually going somewhere. However, aren’t there times when we all feel as if we really are nowhere … or going nowhere. Yet, no matter how remote our circumstances at any given time, almost any place we happen to be, or be heading, has something to offer or enjoy. And when all else fails we must remember that often the company we keep is far more important than where we keep it. I have generally been fortunate on both counts but, as is commonly the case in life, my attitude is what allows me to enjoy my surroundings nonetheless. I’ll try to post a few updates as I travel this next week. In the meantime, I hope that wherever your somewhere is you’ll enjoy it!

The Middle of Nowhere
I set out for the middle of nowhere
I and my hearty band
Presuming it to be easily reached
Yet, it proved more elusive than planned
We drove to the end of the highway
Until it seemed we were almost there
Turned off on a dirt road and hiked awhile
But still we were always somewhere
No matter how distant the venue
No matter how small or obscure
Every time we were almost to nowhere
It turned out to be somewhere for sure
So if you’re off to the middle of nowhere
Or suspect you are there, even now
Rest assured that however remote it may seem
It will still be somewhere, somehow
By Frank Carpenter ©

Tokens of Affection

Today’s subject has been stewing in my brain for quite some time. It grows out of experience as a parent and extensive interaction with a broad spectrum of teenagers. I suppose it actually applies to all relationships, but the inspiration was born as I observed young people. Perhaps every parent in history has cautioned every teenager and young adult in history, in more or less words, about easing gently into relationships and remaining as frugal as possible with their affections. In that sense, I am probably no different than the rest. After studying kids in junior high and high school, as well as young adults in college, I am more convinced than ever that our affections need to be guarded and cherished with the utmost prudence. So many people, young and old alike, seem to throw their bodies at the opposite sex, in varying degrees, without giving their hearts and minds a chance to catch up. Rather, they allow their hearts and minds to be dragged and driven by their passions. Now I’m not just talking about sex here. Clearly, that’s happening. However, I’m more concerned at this particular moment with the “stepping stone” affections which may lead to greater commitment. Even such simple transactions as holding hands or kissing need to be considered more carefully. I refer to these actions as transactions because they are just that. Something is exchanged. It provides mutual benefit, and it develops relationship. Why are these modest transactions a big deal? It is because they build or imply commitment. If you can get first, second and third base out of your mind try to consider affections as relating to levels of commitment. Far too often physical affection of some kind forms the foundations of attachment, rather than companionship, mutual respect or intellectual stimulation. Yet, these are the things that actually build a true and lasting relationship. Perhaps the only thing worse than affection that implies commitment is affection without commitment, which only serves to cheapen all of the above. Men are often accused of degrading women, and they do their share, but this is an area where many women do a dandy job of degrading themselves … not only by their actions, but by their personal advertising as well. Ladies, please demand a little respect for you determine whether you are treated as an object or a person. Likewise, you men, how about a little honor, respect and self control? It’s a good rule to treat everyone else’s sister in the same manner that you would like to have your own sister treated. Such attitudes can serve to build firmer relational foundations. Cherish the first caress, the first hand-holding, the first kiss, and make them more meaningful as milestones. It’s a simple case of supply and demand. Anything that is readily available and easily had goes down in value, it becomes cheap. Naturally, the opposite applies as well. So choose to be valuable, and that will increase the value of your entire relationship. Besides, why squander your kisses on someone until after you have determined whether or not they are deserving thereof? Kissing frogs is a terrible way to find a prince. Likewise, we should be frugal with our words as well. By the time someone actually finds a person truly worth saying “I love you” to, the words have often come to mean so little that we have degraded the amazing gift those words can be. Choose them carefully, especially because love is so easily confused with lust and infatuation. Too many young people bet too much of themselves on their ability to discern between those three words. When they lose that bet, they only end up stealing something precious from their own future … and from themselves. And since I’ve mentioned love, I guess I’ll go all the way out on the limb and mention sex as well. All I want to say here is that love is never the justification for sex. In that context, especially if you are young, the two are usually mutually exclusive. The litmus test is that if you don’t want the advice of older married people like me, or your parents, because we “just don’t understand,” then it’s probably not love. If that is the case, please reconsider my supply and demand comments above. Then I would urge you, once again, to be valuable. Respect yourself, and each other, and enjoy life in each of its proper seasons.

In closing, I’ve covered a lot of ground today. Some folks are nodding their heads with approval and saying, “Thank God someone stood up and said these things.” Others, of course, may disagree with me completely. If you’re in that group, I certainly welcome your comments and input as well. And yes, I do reply to all my emails. As I sign off, I encourage each of us once again to guard our tokens of affection, as well as our words. Some day you might even thank me.

Tokens of Affection
We often give away too much, too soon
Committing by degrees
As new relationships progress
When better we should ease
More slowly into new romance
For prudence ever dictates care
Lest we find ourselves along the path
Farther than we were aware
A tender touch, a hand held
The odd or thoughtless kiss
These are tokens of commitment
And perhaps we are remise
If we squander them too lightly
When they should not come into play
So early in relationships
And savored on a later day
For the physical attachment
Which such gestures may imply
Cloud the rest of a relationship
So wise a person if they try
To let foundations of acquaintance
First be laid upon their hearts
For the kindling of friendship
Always makes a better start
There shall be time a plenty
Down the road, if things progress
But let the physical alone
Until you’re sure it’s best
For sometimes we give away too much
Too soon, and carelessly
Offer tokens of affection
When better we should wait and see
By Frank Carpenter ©

Veteran's Day

Fellow citizens, in case you may have forgotten today is Veterans Day. I believe this should be one of our most cherished national holidays because it honors those who have served our country. It was originally Armistice Day, set aside to honor those who served in WWI, since that was the first real global conflict and considered the "war to end all wars." Then WWII came along, which was even bigger and the holiday was expanded to cover it as well. We now recognize Veterans Day as being devoted to all service men and women who have served in conflicts abroad on our behalf. And we continue to be at war, even today. Without belaboring our current conflict or any political ramifications thereof, let me just encourage all my fellow Americans to pause for a moment to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of all those who have fought to defend not only our freedoms, but the freedom of countless others around the world. Let’s thank God for what they have done and let us also, as a nation, pray for the safety and courage of those who are currently serving on our behalf. Ironically, freedom isn’t free ... and this day is set aside for the purpose of honoring those who best understand what the true cost is. I actually began writing today’s poem on Memorial Day but never quite got closure. This week, however, when I began to think about Veterans Day, the words finally gelled. If you know someone in the military take the time to write, call or pray for them. If you know someone who served in the past, do the same and thank them. Veterans Day is a day of mourning and a day of gratitude. It is a day when we remember our obligations not only to our own great nation, but to others who count upon us the world over. Let us be a nation who remembers, and be sure to remind others what day it is and why we celebrate it. If you are interested, you will find below my poem a history of Veterans Day which makes very interesting reading. May God bless America, now and always.

The Cost of Freedom
As we consider Veterans Day
Let us remember what this day means
Let us remember the rows of head stones
Stretching across the fields of green
Each stands in tribute to those fallen
On behalf of this nation we share
Men and women who proudly served
Who paid with their last breath of air
For the lofty ideals of democracy
For the freedom of each of us
Often dying in far away lands
While never betraying our trust
Freedom isn’t free at all
It is costly beyond compare
Purchased by the precious blood
Of heros, and loved one’s despair
So as we celebrate Veterans Day
In this land of the brave and free
May we be ever mindful
Of the awesome responsibility
We owe to those who have fallen
Whom our nation was built upon
Let us fight to preserve that freedom
So our children may carry it on
By Frank Carpenter ©

HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY
Official recognition of the end of the first modern global conflict -- World War I - - was made in a concurrent resolution (44 Stat. 1982) enacted by Congress on June 4, 1926, with these words:
WHEREAS the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
WHEREAS it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
WHEREAS the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, and the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday - - a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as " Day. " Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen in the Nation's history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in lieu thereof the word "Veterans. " With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation " which stated:"In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."A letter from the President to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, was sent on the same date designating him to serve as Chairman. In 1958, the White House advised the VA's General Counsel that there was no need for another letter of appointment for each new Administrator, as the original proclamation in 1954 established the Committee with the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman. The Uniforms Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to insure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays- - Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the express will of the overwhelming majority of the State legislatures, all major service organizations and the American people. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only reserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.This information came from the following web site at:http://www1.va.gov/vetsday/page.cfm?pg=3

Path of Darkness

However wholesome or serene our lives look or feel, there is a monster lurking just outside our doors. In fact, it's lurking within many of our doors. I am aware of a darkness pressing in upon us from multiple fronts. That darkness is pornography. It begins with the soft porn of sensual advertising and the sexual innuendoes in even the "nicest" of television shows. Slowly but surely, however, the collective moral conscience of society is being worn down. The ratings on movies and television have eased up over the years. The lyrics of popular songs whisper their way into our unsuspecting hearts and minds. Like the hands of a clock or the rising of the tide, the darkness of pornography slowly slips into the undefended corners of our lives. We must be ever vigilant of this enemy because it is everywhere around us, offering the worst of counterfeits to entice us away from the good and beautiful things so lovingly crafted by our creator. We can never let our guard down, for even the softest of rains or the smallest of waves can erode a mountain over time. So it is with pornography. Gird your hearts and minds, watch over your children. That goes without saying. We must, as adults, also watch over each other and hold one another accountable. Pornography is a known carcinogen which leads, with the utmost certainty, to a cancer of the soul. We become what we look at and think. In the book of Philippians the Apostle Paul wrote, "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 is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things." That is the secret of a life of righteousness, and pornography is the antithesis thereof. Let us choose carefully what we will allow in to our lives and hearts. Those are the things which will shape our character ... and our character shall shape our destiny.

Path of Darkness
There is a darkness descending about us
Encroaching a little more each day
Into our houses and hearts and offices
In a subtle, covert way
It begins with advertising
And songs we hear on the radio
It slithers into our children's minds
And our television shows
At first, it's just an odd comment or two
Perhaps and off-color joke
We giggle and smile knowingly
Unaware of the mirrors and smoke
Unaware of the darkness gathering
At the fringe of our conscious thought
The darkness of pornography
Slowly gaining ground, like it or not
Every time we switch on our computers
Or go to the movies it's there
A little soft porn, to wear down our resolve
It pursues us most everywhere
Slowly eroding our values
Until one click of remotes or a mouse
Unbars the gate of ethical thresholds
And ushers the worst kind of porn in our house
Sure, one peek won't do any damage
He's curious, what's the harm
So we tiptoe to the abyss and peer in
And no one sounds the alarm
No harm, no foul, nobody knows
Just one little innocent look
So said the trout, the tuna, the teenager
Unaware of the shiny barbed hook
And that is how it ever begins
But the path that it leads to is dark
It corrupts our values, degrades our women
It is a devouring shark
It kills and maims indiscriminately
It robs us of love and our youth
Teaching us to accept a counterfeit
Until we no longer long for the truth
Things haven't changed since long ago
When the serpent offered the apple to Eve
The fruit may have changed but stakes are the same
If we're willing to be deceived
Friends, I cannot warn us sternly enough
We are at war, I implore you to see
With a darkness which hungers for hearts, minds and souls
And the battle ground is pornography
By Frank Carpenter ©