Millennials

Millennials. The very mention of that word floods people’s thoughts of irresponsible, spoiled, overly promised kids who are now full grown dysfunctional members of society.

That, of course is the negative stereotype (the video this week depicts exactly what I mean) and I would say it is fairly based on reality. Sad but true. A wise man said we have raised a generation of narcissists.

Narcissists are people who live in their own world. Who are obsessed with themselves and only see things their way. No use arguing with a true narcissist. What is worst than a narcissist? A group of narcissists!  They are loyal to each other and ostracize independent thinkers. Majority thought wins.

Are you a narcissist? Do you have compassion for people and actually do something to help the less fortunate? Do you accept your mistakes, seek forgiveness and do you seek ways to improve? Do you allow others to share their ideas? If you answered NO to any of those, maybe you are a narcissist. Boy, do I need to pray for you!

I had fun talking to some Millennials today. I wouldn’t say they were narcissists. After I introduced them to each other, I watched the magic of Millennial bonding unravel. They compared rings, boyfriends/spouses and Instagrams. At one point they were actually conversing and looking down at their cell phones at the same time. Of course I had to take a photo. I showed it to them. They laughed and went back to checking their phones. I was totally fascinated.

It may be true that they are all who we say they are, but I did not feel any animosity towards them. I just loved them for who they were. They reminded me of my own kids. I may not have grown up as self-absorbed as them but I must have had major character defects just like them. We all have our flaws. They’re trying to find their corner in the sky just like the rest of us. As patient as my parents were to me, I will be patient with them, help them process their ideas into tangible actions … help them become the best person they could ever be. Want to join me?

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  — Romans  12:2

TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Mike of New York  for sharing this joke.

Naomi’s Puns

Sent by Naomi of North Hollywood, CA

VIDEO: Funny Exaggeration

Not all Millennials are like this — thank god!

Parting Shot

Thanks to Naomi who sent this joke.

The post Discount Bar appeared first on Traveling Archive.

A Divided Nation

I guess we’re starting the new year with a bang. A real BANG! with the hit on a terrorist in Iran. Predictably, the politicians are not shy about expressing their opinions. Sadly, the country is more and more divided even on something you would think they should actually agree on. It’s almost automatic — what one side says, the other side always has to disagree.

Some say that we shouldn’t mix politics with religion but last night I was reading Matthew 12 and it just hit me that this is one of the most politically charged passages in the Bible — and it’s as relevant then as it is today. It’s about Jesus vs. the Establishment — Jesus’ miracles (that are obviously good) are condemned and questioned by the Pharisees. Listen to their heated debate:

“Our long established rules demands that you shouldn’t do that!” they said.
“You mean I can’t do this?! *bling!* and Jesus heals a man’s crippled hands.

“Grrrr! Why you defiant little twirp! You belong to the dark side!” they said.
“Oh yeah? Why would I be doing good if I belong to the dark side? That doesn’t even make sense! Talk is cheap but the proof is in the obvious good that is accomplished. Good trees make good fruit. Bad trees make bad fruit.” Jesus argues.

“Well, we demand more proof than just miracles!” they retort.
“I already sent you lots of ’em. Remember Jonah and the whale? If you still don’t get it now, what’s the point in showing you more?” Jesus says.

“Lookie here! Our ‘fact-checkers’ say these guys are your Mom and brothers! How can you be the Messiah if you come from this ordinary family? Gotcha!” they smirk.
“Nice try diverting the argument. Those are just my earthly family. These guys who believe in me are my true family!” Jesus ends.

Of course this is just a paraphrase of the debate. Read it yourself and pay particular attention to the dynamics and tactics employed. Don’t they sound like today’s politicians?

What has me worried is that America may not survive with all of this internal bickering. I believe there are powerful forces that want to take America and the world down and they have already infiltrated our system.

“any town or family that divides itself into groups which fight each other will fall apart.”
— Matthew 12:25

But through prayer, there is hope. Can’t we grant each other patience and respect? Let’s really listen to the other side. It isn’t a matter of who’s smarter or more informed. Facts don’t matter when you’re up against pride. We all win when we lower our pride. And I say this to myself too and I know it’s hard.

Of course this is just me. TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA for sharing this joke.

Don’s Puns

Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Video: 1933 Self Parking

Hard to believe there are millions of drivers out there who do not know how to back up or horizontal park. Here is an invention that can still probably help today. Thanks to Chuck of Whittier for sending this.

Video: Bird Mimic

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, BC for sharing this adorable bird.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who shared this:

The post Job Interview appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Last week I was a proud grandfather attending my grandson’s graduation. As they were performing on stage, I noticed one boy who was lost in his own world and muttered under his breath. I was irritated because the other kids had worked so hard for this day but that one selfish boy was doing his own thing. I wondered why the teacher didn’t pull him out. In fact, one of the teachers was constantly by his side and embracing him every time he blurted in defiance. I blamed how poorly his parents had prepared him for school. If only they stopped their busy schedule and actually spent time with him instead of spoiling him … maybe he would have participated better.

Did you hear of the story of the poor old man who owned a horse and tied it outside his home? The villagers came and told him he was foolish because he could sell the stallion and get money for food instead of parking it outside inviting someone to steal it. But the old man begged them “Do not judge. You only know part of the situation. You don’t know what will happen tomorrow.”

The next morning the horse was missing from his stall. The villagers came and told him he was foolish for not heeding their warnings because he was now poorer than ever and had no means of income. The old man told them “Do not judge. We only know part of the situation. You don’t know God’s plan for me. All you see is an empty stable. The horse may still return to me.”

No one knew that the horse had wandered into the wilderness and returned the next day with 7 wild horses.

The villagers asked forgiveness for they were foolish because now they saw the wisdom of the old man … now the old man could train the other horses and sell them for a handsome profit. But even now the old man said they should not judge him — whether good or bad. “Only God knows why He allowed this to happen.”

The old man’s son proceeded to train the wild horses. But while he was riding one of them, he was thrown off the horse and he broke his 2 legs. Here come the villagers who berated the old man for his foolishness. But the old man, true to form, told them again not to judge because only God knew why He allowed this to happen.

The kingdom was at war and every single son in the village was drafted except the old man’s son who could not fight in the war. Distraught that they had lost their sons, the villagers finally learned to stop judging the old man.

As my family prepared to go home, my daughter asked me if I noticed the little boy at the back of the stage. She said the boy was autistic and that his parents insisted that he learn with the normal kids. The young woman who comforted him was a helper who protected him and everyone around him.

My heart sank. Suddenly, my whole perspective of the boy changed. Rather than think how poorly he had done, I admired him and his parents because the child had accomplished so much.

Are you as opinionated as I? When people talk politics, religion … when they talk about other people, are you guilty of prejudging? If you know everything, you don’t need ears … just your mouth. The goal should not be to prove who is right but to help each other discover the truth and DO what is right.

Of course this is just me.

“You judge by appearances. If any of you think you are the only ones who belong to Christ, then think again. We belong to Christ as much as you do.”

— 2 Corinthians 10:7

TGIF people!

Financial Difficulty

Shared by Jeff of Pasadena, CA

Millennial Job Interview
Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Millenials are gonna hate me for sharing this. And no, not all Millennials are like this. But some definitely are. Blame it on bad parenting.

WATCH VIDEO

Dwarf Classic Cars
Sent by Tom of Pasadena, CA

If you love cars, you’ll love this video. It’s pretty long but it’s quite a story about someone who really knows his craft.

WATCH VIDEO

How Similar are Cantonese and Madarin?
Sent by Art of Sierra Madre, CA

If you’re like me, you know very little about the Chinese language. This video will explain some of the basics.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA who shared this photo

The post Heavenly Message appeared first on Traveling Archive.