Jackie Leon > Recent Status Updates

The great lesson we too often learn from history, however, is that we are so prone to forget the past. And there is a price we pay for our forgetfulness.

That is the difference between men who are gallant and those who are merely brave. The gallant would have done it again.

If you were there on that path, looking out to the sunken remains of what was once the pride of the Pacific Fleet, it would be hard not to pray, not to realize how complacently we live our day to day lives, hard not to ask God for forgiveness for our forgetfulness. We have forgotten so much, not just individually but as a nation.

Somehow out there
A man died for me today.
As long as there be war,
I must answer
Am I worth dying for?

But we as parents need to protect our sons’ innocence if we care about their mental and physical health, not to mention their character.

Mischief that reveals an innocent heart is innocent. Mischief that is sexual or violent violates the innocence that even teenage boys should have. Our culture wants to deny that innocence, to degrade and corrupt it, and to market and sell to the lows tastes that result.

We are afraid to really see what our boys are up to, not because they’re bad kids, but because we’re afraid of disciplining them. Discipline takes energy and it’s unnerving.

Smart mothers know that the issue is not trust- mothers don’t watch because they don’t trust sons. They watch because life is tough, unfair, and cruel. Mothers have lived longer and endured more blows; they understand more about the dangers to young boys. Boys can’t see what is behind them, much less what will harm them, so mothers must vigilantly guard them.

As parents we need to recognize that in this regard popular culture is our enemy; it’s competing for our sons, and it’s up to us to defeat it.

Television is a dumping ground where callous advertisers and pop culture pimps pour their trash, hoping your son will find a few pieces appetizing.

Take a hard look at what you want your son’s character to look like when he is twenty-five and focus on helping him build that character.

A true leader recognized that he is not the source of all wisdom. He sees himself as a conduit to the truth that existed long before he came into your life and will exist long after he is out of your life.

They learned no compassion from their own anguish. Thus their suffering was wasted.

Harvests are a time to remember your sacrifice.

Respect the Wizards, my son, but always remember, with God on your side, they have now power.

My parents had raised us to be churchgoing Presbyterians who believed God was the best protection. Once you opened your heart to magic, we were taught, you never knew what else you might let inside. We respected the power of juju, even feared it, but my family always trusted our faith would prevail.

But were a man in a mountain of ice, yet if the Sun of Righteousness will arise upon him, frozen heart shall feel a thaw; and this it hath been with me.

It is my duty, said he, to distrust mine own ability, that I may have reliance on Him that is stronger than all.

Then said Mercy to Christiana, There is not such pleasant being here, as at the gate, or at the Interpreter’s, or at the house where we lay last. Oh, but, said one of the boys, it is not so bad to go through here, as it is to abide here always; and, for ought, I know, one reason why we must go this way to the house prepared for us is, that our home might be made the sweeter to us.

“Do you fly youthful lusts, and follow after godliness with them that are grave and wise, so shall you put gladness into your mother’s heart, and obtain praise of all that are sober-minded.”