Hundreds of thousands of mostly men, and some women, have died in combat on behalf of the United States of America. And, many brave men risked their lives and fortunes just to even try this experiment in world history that we call "America."

A friend of mind recently asked me how she could more effectively teach her children who God is, while reinforcing the importance of really knowing Him. A more important question could hardly be asked! So, here's my response to her, which I pray will prove useful to others raising and teaching children:

Candice Cameron Bure, of childhood stardom, has been an outspoken believer in Jesus Christ for decades now. She has published books, and is respected among conservative Christian circles. I, too, have held her in high regard. So, I want to begin this post by saying "thanks" to Candice for taking a very public and open stand for faith in Christ.

President Obama just made public his new budget proposal. I'm not an economist. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to develop a budget for a nation as sprawling and, `rank`ly, out of control as the United States of America. Once a government program is in place, it is almost always impossible to cancel or kill it. The beast grows heads, and our federal government is Medusa on steroids!

Jamie Coots, a preacher in a church in Middlesboro, KY, died recently from a snake bite. Coots was a "snake-handler" and frequently used snakes in the church as part of a show of "faith." This brand of Christianity is sadly still alive and well in the mountains of my home state of Kentucky, as well as Appalachia in general. But Jamie Coots is dead.

Apparently Americans are no longer free to get up and walk out on a performance or awards show or speech without being accused of all sorts of crazy vile things. (Funny thing, I have people get up and walk out while I'm preaching nearly every Sunday. Some return. Others stay gone. But nobody is accusing them of crazy vile things.)

It was inevitable.

A Gallup Poll found that most Americans think women should start having children by age 25. Seems reasonable to me, if not a bit late! But then again I'm considered "far right" and far too religiously conservative for "most Americans."

A few weeks ago I received a pamphlet advertising Christian Youth Camps and Events across North America. This particular organization puts on various camps with various emphases, such as a missions camp or an urban camp. But one of the options really got stuck in my craw sideways and has been lodged there ever since.

If we were to ask a random sampling of parents of high-schoolers what purpose sports serve, we might get some of the following answers: