When my parents were growing up, there seemed to be a clearer sense of what was right & what was wrong.

They passed that on to me ...and I felt they were giving me an invaluable sense of what life was about, and the standards that made it work.

I considered my upbringing ...a healthy one.

When I went to college, there was a sense among peers to "be your own man".  And I kinda got the feeling that they were saying ...I was not!!

There was the feeling that anyone who was still adhering to the principles or standards of their parents ...were not there own person.  Assuredly, we were all at college to learn new things, and one of the things was that same thing that Al Gore told a group of 12 year olds ...that parents know quite a few things, but there are things that they don't know.

Of course this statement is true ...as nobody knows everything, but the disturbing inclination is that somebody has self-appointed themselves as the authority that does know.  It doesn't matter whether it is 12 year old school kids listening to Al, or students listening to professors at college.  Personally, I believe my parents are wiser than al Gore, and wiser than most professors.  There is a definite difference between intelligence and wisdom ...and I believe wisdom is way more valuable.  Some people may confuse the two, but I refer to the Bible on this one.

Whether you a re reading Psalm 111:10, or Proverbs 9:10 ..."The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom ..."

And at college, I responded that I was my own person ...that it just so happened that I feel my parents brought me up right. And furthermore, I said, that anyone who follows their peers, is no more of a man, surrounded by the company of many ...and it's more challenging and courageous to stand alone with what you believe in.

I believe in God.

And though that doesn't mean I always make the right decisions ...I try not to rationalize the wrong ones.

Isaiah 5:20 says something about calling wrong acceptable, and calling that which is unacceptable ...as just fine, with nothing wrong with it.

If you are told you are wrong, on most occasions you are being told this because likely you have not already admitted that you are ...and you may not be, though there may be a chance you are.

If you haven't admitted you're wrong, perhaps you are not ...but, it seems that those who get the most upset are the ones who likely are wrong.

Of course, there are exceptions to this.  If someone steals (or if you'd rather refer to it as kidnaps) my dog, I can be very upset ...that not being an indication that I'm wrong.  And certainly, I'm not talking about whether a person is right or wrong according to occasions of braggadocio either.  This is not referring to remarks concerning whether the University of Michigan is going to beat Michigan State University in football. (It is amazing though, how mad people seem to get over that.)

That aside, and getting back to the general idea of being wrong ...most people don't want to be.  And often they take a firm stance ...which may or may not be hurtful to others.

Often times we may be told we are being hurtful.  And sometimes we may be called 'haters'.  We don't have to be in bed, or be visiting someone in one ...to have poor bedside manner, or a bad approach.  A simple disinterest may come across as being insensitive.

Yet, insensitivity may lead to a perception of callousness ...and once offended, a shared insensitivity can lead to an exchange of careless insults ...which are unnecessary & unproductive, and often wholly nonproductive (with no resulting solutions).

Margaret Thatcher said, "I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left."  And that is often so very true.

Others use their own sensitivity as a shield ...and a defense against a battle they themselves define ...to judge others by saying others are judging them.  And they claim others are insensitive and intolerant.  

Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler describe in their book, The New Tolerance, that the new tolerance demands that you not only realize a difference in views, but that "you give your approval, your endorsement, your sincere support to their beliefs and behaviors."  And they are rather intolerant towards amyone who does not share this view of tolerance.

How do we respond when we realize we are wrong??

Are we embarrassed??

Or are we apologetic ...and repentant??

The saddest scenario is if we don't realize we are wrong ...with something substantial, the most significant error being a failure to accept the salvation Jesus has to offer.

The good news, is that we can realize our failure ...and realize Jesus wants to make a success of our life.  And I'm not talking about a monetary success ...but, rather an eternal success.

Not believing in Jesus is not a good choice for us ...and I hope that everyone who has not as of yet accepted Jesus, will soon realize the truth.  

And I hope they don't realize it by too late ...missing out on it.

It is a simple truth that the longer someone listens to a lie, it will act like a strong lye ...and wash away the truth. Absence makes the heart grow fodder ...and that is, cheap fodder.

If Jesus is absent from your life, you may continue to chew on the same old mouthful, thinking it will be easier to digest ...

Now, I don't consider us a herd of cows ...yet, if you haven't heard, perhaps some new food for thought would be a healthy way to go.