The Sandwich Generation

Are you part of the “Sandwich Generation?” Nearly 25% of Americans are –no, I don’t mean those who frequent Subway or live to create culinary masterpieces on bread. The phrase “Sandwich Generation” is of recent origin; in fact Merriam-Webster officially added the term to its dictionary in July 2006. The Sandwich Generation is a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children. Due to the extension of our life expectancy and the phenomenon of “delayed adulthood,” more and more of us are faced with being sandwiched between caring for those above and below us. There are variations on this theme-there are:

The Traditional Sandwich: those sandwiched between aging parents who need care and/or help and their own children.

The Club Sandwich: those in their 50s or 60s sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren, OR those in their 30s and 40s, with young children, aging parents and grandparents.

The Open Faced Sandwich: anyone else involved in elderly care.

If you find yourself in this stage of life or if you sometime may, let me assure you that caring for children and parents has been part of God’s plan for as long as there have been families. I have recently read again the story of Joseph as found in Genesis, I noted particularly in chapters 45-50 you find some great examples of parenting from the side of the child caring for an aging father – in this case Jacob. It also shows the attitude of the parent to his adult children, in this case Joseph and his brothers. I could summarize it in two words: Care and Cooperation. These are the essential attitudes on both sides of parenting. They are ones I want to work on and invite you to do the same. Until next time…

One Daily Question - Website

The One Daily Question Website is now open for visitors. As you perhaps know one daily question has been running on Facebook and Twitter since January but the questions are now available to those surfing the web. So feel free to point your friends to www.OneDailyQuestion.com

Here is an excerpt from the website with a little explaination:

"One Daily Question delivers One Daily Question to you via Twitter, The Web or Facebook. Let the power of a question lead you to a better understanding of yourself and others in your life, or just have some fun. The easy way to interact is to visit the Facebook Fanpage, where you can leave your answers and interact with others who enjoy One Daily Question. The easy way to have the question delivered to you is via Twitter or you can check back to this website. So use today's question to stir up some conversation around your office, dinner table or during your commute. So enjoy today's question and learn something about yourself and others @ www.OneDailyQuestion.com"

"The Fear of Man" Video

From the message entitled "The Fear of Man" from Isa. 51

"The Missed Cross Video"

Here is a video clip from the message entitled: "The Missed Cross"

Voice of the Valley - 2-14-2010

Second interview in as many weeks on Ric Cochran's radio show - voice of the valley talking about the upcoming Dennis Lee performance at Bible Center. Listen below

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Real Love

I love asking questions; recently I asked this question online via www.OneDailyQuestion.com: What is the perfect Valentine gift? I was somewhat surprised at the responses both online and in person. Most folks did not mention the usual gifts- very little talk of cards, flowers, candy, jewelry, etc. Instead it was a gift selected to match the person or dinner out or some time together. In our overly commercialized world, we can understand retailers pushing romantic trinkets our way but when it comes to love, the best gift we can give is ourselves. We sometimes fall prey to the thinking that we can substitute “things” for time. We must spend time adding value to others and nurturing relationships.

So on this Valentine’s Day, which is devoted to love, it would be a good time to devote some time and personal attention to those we are to love. So even if you have a box of candy ready or a nicely wrapped present to be delivered, don’t forget to deliver yourself. After all ,when God wanted to display his love to us He didn’t send a card, He sent His son.

Happy Valentine's Day,
Jesse

One Daily Question - Radio Interview

I enjoyed the opportunity to be on Ric Cochran's Voice of the Valley Radio Show on Sunday. We talked about social networking in general and my new project - One Daily Question in particular. For someone who wanted to be in radio when he grew up, it is always fun to be in the studio. If you want listen to it, use the link below.

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Where did you last see a cross? Was it a piece of jewelry? Embroidered into a Bible cover? Engraved on some furniture? Adorning the top of church? Or used to mark a grave? The cross has become THE symbol of our faith and for good reason. Without the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we have no hope. Paul referenced the cross this way:

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)

I have come to believe that God really wants us to remember the events surrounding and the significance of the cross. One way He helps us remember is through a regular observance of communion. In picture form we once again show the death of our Savior. He has done so much to help us remember, so let's fully engage our hearts and minds and allow our thoughts to reconnect to the cross.