Missing From: El Paso, TX. Missing Date: March 13, 2024. Kenji was last seen at home on March 13, 2024. He may be in the company of an adult male relative. They may be traveling in a Red 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt license plates TRH6179..

In the realm of American folk music‚ no name is more significant than Woody Guthrie. He embodies the American spirit and epitomizes the struggle of the common man in the most trying of times.  Songs like‚ “This Land Is Your Land‚” “Don’t Kill My Baby &; My Son‚” and “I’m Blowing Down That Old Dusty Road” are not just casual observations of the tribulations countless individuals faced at the turn of the 20th Century while in pursuit of the American dream. They chronicle extraordinary events that may otherwise have been lost to the passage of time.  Yet despite his invaluable contribution to audio journalism‚ an indelible black mark besmirches Guthrie’s entry in our history books. Guthrie did something many considered the most un-American act possible: he criticized the American government and allowed himself to be labeled a Communist.  Woody Guthrie‚ 1943 Early Years Woodrow Wilson Guthrie was born on July 14‚ 1912‚ in the small agricultural and railroad town of Okemah‚ Oklahoma. This bordered the newly relocated Creek Nation. He was the third of five children born to Charles and Nora Belle Guthrie.  Both of his parents were musically inclined. But it was his father (a former cowboy‚ land speculator‚ and local Democratic politician who named his son after President Woodrow Wilson) who taught Guthrie how to play and sing. He taught him Western‚ Native American‚ and Scottish folk tunes. His mother introduced all her children to a wide variety of music‚ and no doubt influenced Guthrie’s unique‚ folksy style. In the early 1920s‚ oil was discovered in the county. It brought a sense of prosperity that the people of Okemah had never known. Within a decade‚ however‚ the oil all but ran out and the town plunged into decline. This left the town worse off than before. Guthrie‚ now in his teens had to deal with his family’s financial ruin. He also had to cope with the accidental death of his older sister‚ Clara. This was followed by the mental decline of his mother. She suffered from Huntington’s Disease and had to be institutionalized. (Huntington is a hereditary neurological disorder that came to affect Guthrie himself in his later years.)  These events colored Guthrie’s view of the world and the first songs he wrote.  Woody Guthrie’s birthplace in Okemah‚ Okfuskee County‚ OK Texas In 1931‚ the 19-year-old Guthrie left Oklahoma for the Texas panhandle. He settled in the town of Pampa.  There he fell in love with Mary Jennings‚ She was the younger sister of fellow musician Matt Jennings‚ with whom Guthrie (along with Cluster Baker) would form his first band‚ The Corn Cob Trio. They were later renamed the Pampa Junior Chamber of Commerce Band.    Guthrie and Mary married in 1933 and together had three children: Gwen‚ Sue‚ and Bill. It was also while living in Pampa‚ Texas‚ that Guthrie discovered his talent for drawing and painting. This was an interest he would pursue throughout his life. Hard Times Still in the throes of the Great Depression (1929-1939)‚ Guthrie had a difficult time keeping his family fed. This was even before the onset of the great dust storm and so-called “Dust Bowl‚” which hit the Great Plains in 1935.  Drought and dust forced tens of thousands of desperate farmers and unemployed workers from Oklahoma‚ Kansas‚ Tennessee‚ and Georgia to head west‚ where they’d heard work was abundant. Like all the other “dustbowl refugees‚” Guthrie hit Route 66–and left his family behind. Flat broke and starving‚ Guthrie walked‚ rode the rails‚ and caught rides with passing cars and trucks headed to California. He took whatever small jobs he could finagle along the way. In exchange for a bed and some food‚ Guthrie put his two talents to work. He painted signs for business owners and played guitar in saloons.  In the process‚ Guthrie developed a love for the open road. It was a sense of wanderlust that would both benefit and hinder his personal and professional life. California or Bust By the time Guthrie arrived in California in 1937‚ he was battered and discouraged. He experienced an ugly side of human nature he’d never imagined. The victim of intense contempt and hatred from Californians who opposed the massive migration of “Okies‚” he’d endured continual physical threats. He also nearly ended up in jail. Upon reaching Los Angeles‚ Guthrie got his first big break. It was singing “old-time” traditional songs (as well as his originals) on KFVD radio.  Teamed with singing partner Maxine “Lefty Lou” Crissman‚ Guthrie began to attract a widespread audience‚ particularly from among the thousands of displaced “Okies” gathered in nearby migrant camps. They lived in makeshift cardboard and tin shelters.  Guthrie’s down-home music provided a pleasant distraction and nostalgic connection to the life many had left behind. His music was a respite from the harsh realities of migrant life. It was a tonic for the loved ones left behind.  But more than just a forum to share his home-spun folk songs‚ the airwaves provided Guthrie a podium from which to develop his budding gift for controversial social commentary and criticism. He had an opinion–and didn’t hesitate to voice it. A Voice in the Wilderness From corrupt politicians‚ dishonest businessmen‚ and crooked lawyers hiding behind the “do-unto-others” principles of Jesus Christ–to union organizers fighting for migrant workers’ rights in California’s agricultural communities–to the outlaw hero Pretty Boy Floyd–Guthrie proved himself an outspoken‚ straight-talking‚ advocate for justice and human rights. Guthrie closely identified with the downtrodden. He spoke his words and sang his songs to the everyday man. This would soon became an essential element of his social and political standing. It was an element that soon found its way into songs like‚ “I Ain’t Got No Home”(1940)‚ “Talking Dust Bowl Blues”(1940)‚ “Tom Joad”(1940)‚ and “Hard Travelin’”(1946).  More than just sociopolitical messages set to music‚ his songs became national anthems reflecting his desire to give voice to those who’d been disenfranchised. Disheartened. Feeling alone.  The thousands of displaced men‚ women‚ and children who felt abandoned by the American government.  Avoiding and Chasing Success Guthrie was never comfortable in the limelight. Because of this feeling and combined with his growing wanderlust‚ Guthrie left California for New York City in 1940. This is where he discovered an audience he never imagined He came into contact with the grass roots of what would later become the “Beat” social movement. It consisted of artists‚ writers‚ anarchists‚ musicians‚ and progressive intellectuals who were immediately drawn to Guthrie’s “authenticity” and down-home wisdom.   In February of 1940‚ Guthrie wrote his most famous song‚ “This Land Is Your Land.” It is said to have been an angry response to Irving Berlin’s‚ “God Bless America.” Guthrie thought Irving’s lyrics Guthrie were unrealistic and complacent. (Although “This Land” was written in 1940‚ it would be four more years before he would record it‚ for famed record executive Moses Asch.) The following month‚ Guthrie was invited to appear at a benefit hosted by the John Steinbeck Committee to Aid Farm Workers‚ to raise money for down-and-out migrant workers. There he met folk singer Pete Seeger. The two men became fast and loyal friends. (Seeger even accompanied Guthrie back to Texas to meet the other members of the Guthrie family.) Guthrie’s friend and fellow singer‚ Pete Seeger. That same year‚  American ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax (best known for his numerous field recordings of folk music of the 20th Century) recorded Guthrie in a series of conversations and songs for the Library of Congress in Washington‚ DC.  Guthrie then recorded a collection of songs for RCA Victor Records given the title‚ Dust Bowl Ballads. It was his first official album of original songs.   This set in motion a decade-long frenzy to record Guthrie’s homespun‚ controversial folk songs. Hundreds of songs were committed to wax for Moses Asch’s Asch/Folkways Record labels.  To this day‚ these recordings remain the benchmarks for folk music singer-songwriters around the world. The New York Years While living in New York City‚ Guthrie’s circle of close friends and collaborators (both music and political) included Pete Seeger‚ “Lead Belly‚” Brownie McGhee‚ Sis Cunningham‚ and Burl Ives—to name just a few. Forming a loosely knit‚ collaborative folk group called The Almanac Singers‚ they pooled their resources for social causes like union organizing‚ anti-Fascism rallies‚ and speaking out for civil rights (which had the effect of strengthening the Communist Party)‚ through activism and singing songs of political protest.  Guthrie became one of the most prolific songwriters for this group.  (In the early 1950s‚ The Almanacs re-formed as The Weavers. They became the most commercially successful and influential folk music group of the era. It was through their extraordinary popularity that Guthrie’s songs came to be known to the public at large.) Beginning in April of 1940‚ Guthrie and Seeger shared a loft in Greenwich Village owned by controversial sculptor Harold Ambellan. By this point‚ Guthrie’s popularity had gotten him invited to guest-star on CBS radio’s Back Where I Come From. He used his influence to secure a spot on the show for his friend Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter.  In September of that year‚ Guthrie was invited by the Model Tobacco Company to host their radio program‚ “Pipe Smoking Time‚” for which Guthrie was paid an impressive $180 a week. In November of 1941‚ Seeger introduced Guthrie to poet Charles Olson. Olson was then a junior editor at a new quarterly literary magazine called Common Ground (published by the Common Council for American Unity). Guthrie penned an article called “Ear Players” for the Spring 1942 issue. This marked Guthrie’s debut as a published writer in mainstream media. With increasing popularity‚ prosperity‚ and critical acclaim (from public performances‚ recordings‚ and radio shows)‚ Guthrie could finally afford to bring his struggling family from Texas to New York City to share in his new-found success. Restless and Disillusioned Despite Guthrie’s commercial and popular success‚ the realities of the media and entertainment business were constant reminders of the limitations he faced in getting his message out. The airwaves‚ through which he could reach thousands of listeners‚ were nonetheless subject to censorship. As were his words and music.  Frustrated‚ Guthrie left New York with his wife and three children and headed for Portland‚ Oregon. There‚ a documentary about the building of the Grand Coulee Dam was underway. Film director Gunther von Fritsch had extended an offer to Guthrie to contribute his songwriting talent to the project. Guthrie was placed on the payroll of the Bonneville Power Administration (the federal agency that supplied power to the Pacific Northwest) for a month. During this time he‚ composed the Columbia River Songs. This was an extraordinary collection of songs that included‚ “Roll on Columbia‚” “Grand Coulee Dam‚” and “The Biggest Thing That Man Has Done.” With his contract fulfilled‚ Guthrie moved his family back to Pampa‚ Texas‚ then headed to New York City alone. By this point‚ his constant traveling‚ performing‚ and lack of consistent income began to take its toll on his wife and family. This—combined with his involvement with progressive “radical” politics–helped bring about the end of his first marriage. More and more‚ Guthrie’s personal views were being seen as extremist rather than patriotic.  A World At War In June of 1943‚ Guthrie joined the US Merchant Marine. He began composing songs with a more blatant anti-Fascist message. (The guitar Guthrie used on stage bore the slogan‚ “This Machine Kills Fascists.”)  Guthrie had originally lobbied the US Army to accept him as a USO performer rather than conscript him as a soldier. When that failed‚ he joined the Merchant Marine instead. As such‚ he made several voyages aboard a number of merchant ships including the SS William B. Travis‚ SS William Floyd‚ and SS Sea Porpoise. He served as a mess hall worker and dishwasher while the ships traveled in convoys during the Battle of the Atlantic.  Woody Guthrie with his guitar bearing the slogan‚ “This Machine Kills Fascists” (Guthrie‚ of course‚ frequently sang for the crew to raise their spirits during the long transAtlantic voyages.) While on furlough as a Merchant Marine‚ Guthrie met and married Marjorie Greenblatt Mazia. However‚ he was still legally married to his first wife. After the War‚ he and Marjorie bought a house on Coney Island‚ New York‚ and had four children together: Cathy‚ Arlo‚ Joady‚ and Nora.  Though Guthrie had written over 100 songs by this point‚ Guthrie himself considered this his most musically prolific period. He continued to pen powerful political anthems while also writing children’s classics like‚ “Don’t You Push Me Down‚” “Ship In The Sky‚” and “HowdiDoo.”  Allegations of Communist Sympathizing With the official release of “This Land is Your Land” (in 1945) came allegations that Guthrie’s politics ran towards the “red‚” and that he was likely a Communist sympathizer.  He’d made no secret of his anti-Fascist sentiments. He opposed the far-right‚ authoritarian‚ political movement in Europe‚ characterized by dictatorial leadership. He was vocal about believing in socialism. He had also met with Ed Robbin‚ a writer for Peoples World (the Communist Party’s West Coast newspaper)‚ while working at KFVD radio. And it was widely known that one of the first things Guthrie did after meeting Robbin‚ was write a song about Tom Mooney. Mooney was a labor organizer who’d been imprisoned for allegedly bombing a “Preparedness Day” parade in 1916. This parade was held in preparation for the US entering World War I. Mooney remained imprisoned until 1939. Guthrie’s response to his release was the partisan song‚ “Tom Mooney is Free.”  A more damning example of his partisanship came in the song‚ “Why Do You Stand There in the Rain?” He wrote this in response to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s berating members of a youth rally (which included communist sympathizers) held soon after the USSR declared war on Finland.  At issue were lyrics that appear to echo an anti-war stance consistent with the Communist Party’s slogan‚ “The Yanks Aren’t Coming” — a position they held during the non-aggression pact between Germany and the USSR. To many Americans‚ it appeared that Guthrie had incorporated the Communist Party’s perspective into his lyrics when he wrote what would become‚ “This Land is Your Land.”  Listeners noted that Guthrie’s song doesn’t extol God’s special relationship with the United States (“God Bless America”). Instead‚ it asks how it could be that He blessed a country where people were out of work‚ starving‚ and standing in relief lines like beggars.  Even his long-time supporters began to question whether they’d misjudged his loyalties from the start. His Final Years By the late 1940s‚ Guthrie’s health was in serious decline. His behavior was uncharacteristically erratic.  After a number of incorrect diagnoses (including alcoholism and schizophrenia)‚ in 1952 it was finally determined that he was suffering the same disease that had devastated his mother: Huntington’s. Believing him to be a danger to their children (because of his unpredictable behavior)‚ his second wife‚ Marjorie‚ suggested he return to California without her. Once there‚ she divorced him. Upon his return to California‚ Guthrie was invited to live at the Theatricum Botanicum. This was a repertory theater (of sorts) founded and owned by actor Will Geer‚ in Topanga‚ California. It was established specifically for actors‚ musicians‚ and other artists blacklisted during the so-called “Red Scare‚” (labeled Communist sympathizers).  While Guthrie’s health continued to deteriorate‚ he met and married his third wife‚ Anneke Van Kirk. They moved to Fruit Cove‚ Florida‚ where they lived in a converted bus and had one child‚ Lorina Lynn.  In 1954‚ the couple moved to New York City and rented an apartment in the Beach Haven Apartment complex. Shortly afterwards‚ Anneke filed for divorce‚ no longer able to care for her husband.  At this point‚ Guthrie’s second wife‚ Marjorie‚ re-entered his life and cared for him until his death.  Increasingly unable to control his movements‚ Guthrie was hospitalized at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Morris County‚ New Jersey‚ from 1956 to 1961. Then‚ at Brooklyn State Hospital (now Kingsboro Psychiatric Center) in East Flatbush until 1966. He ended up at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens Village‚ New York‚ where he would finally succumb to the final stages of Huntington’s in 1967.  Woodrow “Woody” Guthrie died on October 3‚ 1967‚ at the age of 55.  Living Legacy Today‚ Woody Guthrie’s son‚ Arlo‚ carries on the Guthrie name‚ fame‚ and songwriting legacy.  References archive.org‚ Woody Guthrie‚ American Radical‚ https://archive.org/details/woodyguthrieamer0000kauf archive.org.‚ Woody Guthrie: a Life‚ https://archive.org/details/woodyguthrielife0000klei   biography.com.‚ “Woody Guthrie‚” Woody Guthrie: Biography‚ Folk Musician‚ Children‚ Songs &; Guitar  archive.org.‚ Bound For Glory‚ https://archive.org/details/boundforglory0000guth archive.org.‚ Hard Travelin The Life and Legacy of Woody Guthrie‚ https://archive.org/details/hardtravelinlife0012robe  historynewsnetwork.org.‚ “Woody Guthrie’s Communism and ‘This Land Is Your Land‚’” Woody Guthrie’s Communism and “This Land Is Your Land” | History News Network  archive.org.‚ The life‚ music‚ and thought of Woody Guthrie : a critical appraisal‚ https://archive.org/details/lifemusicthought0000partThe post The Controversial Life of Outspoken Folk Icon‚ Woody Guthrie first appeared on History Defined.

The phrase has been used hundreds‚ if not thousands‚ of times since it was first uttered in horror by Herbert Morrison. This quote has become so ubiquitous with scenes of horrible tragedy and the like that the true origin of it has faded from the mind of the public. But anyone who knows the Hindenburg knows why these immortal words were first spoken‚ and how incredibly apt they were.  Eighty-six years ago‚ one of the most spectacular rigid airships ever made crashed in a ball of fire‚ killing 35 of its passengers. Pictures of the Hindenburg are used in everything from memes to classroom textbooks. What caused the Hindenburg Disaster? The Zeppelin LZ 129 Hindenburg catching fire on May 6‚ 1937 at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey. The Hindenburg Rigid Airship To understand how something as catastrophic as the Hindenburg disaster occurred‚ you first have to be familiar with what exactly the Hindenburg was.  Despite what you may have heard‚ the Hindenburg was not a blimp. Instead‚ it was a rigid airship. A rigid airship is defined as an airship that maintains its shape from an internal framework instead of being held into shape by the gas filling it. This made rigid airships sturdier than the common blimp‚ but also more time-consuming to construct.  The Hindenburg was the largest rigid airship ever constructed and was made by the Zeppelin Company in Friedrichshafen‚ Germany. At the time of the disaster‚ the Hindenburg was a tried and tested vessel and had made 10 transatlantic journeys from Europe to America already.  The airship was the height of luxury and style. It could make its journey to the States much faster than an ocean liner. It avoided the cramped experience of airplane flight and was briefly considered the future of long-distance air travel.  Rigid airships were already falling out of fashion when the Hindenburg disaster occurred‚ but the airship was still a sight to behold. Once it was burned to the ground‚ though‚ its destruction would mark the end of commercial airship travel once and for all.  Parts of an Airship  Airships are considered simpler machines than planes‚ but there are still a few parts that we’ll need to know to understand how the Hindenburg was destroyed so quickly.  Framework: The airship’s internal structure. Hull/Envelope: The Fabric covering of the ship’s framework. Gondola: The structure beneath the main portion of the airship that houses crew‚ passengers‚ and the control center.  Gas Cells Compartments: Internal chambers that hold the lifting gas‚ either helium or hydrogen. The Hindenburg Arrives in Lakehurst  After a successful first season‚ the Hindenburg had already completed one voyage in its second season before it began its final‚ fateful journey.  All of these successes made the captain‚ Max Pruss‚ and his crew confident in the airship‚ and for good reason. Hindenburg had been consistent during its brief flying life‚ and there was little reason to believe that this trip would be any different.  Over the ocean‚ strong headwinds had slowed the airship down‚ making it arrive in the United States later than anticipated. Other than this‚ the initial portion of the flight was uneventful.  When the Hindenburg arrived‚ thunderstorms had formed over Lakehurst‚ and Captain Pruss detoured over Manhattan‚ where the enormous ship caused quite the ruckus. The world’s largest airship drew a large crowd. From there‚ Pruss maneuvered the airship for a tour over the New Jersey coast‚ burning time until the storms were finally clear.  At 6:22 pm‚ Pruss received confirmation that the storms had finally passed‚ and he rerouted to the landing field at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station.  The Hindenburg Disaster  The Hindenburg arrived at Lakehurst Naval Air Station around 7 pm and prepared for landing.  Rigid airships don’t land on the ground themselves‚ but drop mooring lines and are tethered by ground crewmen. Hindenburg was to perform a high altitude‚ or flying moor‚ that night‚ which consisted of dropping the lines while still quite high in the air.  This wasn’t a common type of mooring for Hindenburg‚ but it was ideal for times when there were fewer ground crew than usual. At first approach‚ the crew was not prepared‚ and Pruss had to circle the airship around for a second attempt.  The airship would be connected to a mooring mast on site‚ which is a tall tower-like structure used to secure the airships in place. It took some careful maneuvering from Pruss‚ including dropping water ballast to even out the weight of the ship‚ before they were ready to drop the mooring lines at 7:21 pm.  It was at this point that some witnesses saw the first signs of disaster–fluttering on the ship’s fabric‚ and a small‚ blue flame.  Hindenburg Fire and Crash Minutes after the lines were dropped‚ flame seemed to engulf the airship in seconds as gas cells near the tail ignited.  At 7:25 pm the fire began in earnest on the port side‚ spreading swiftly. This caused an explosion in the back half of the ship‚ and the bursting of more gas cells along the bow. As the back of the ship burned‚ the bow began to point skywards. A jet of flames escaped from the very front of the Hindenburg killing 9 crewmembers in the process. As the airship burned‚ the gondola hit the ground‚ followed seconds later by the bow as the entirety of the Hindenburg finally succumbed to the fire.  It took less than a minute for the entire disaster to occur–somewhere between 32 and 37 seconds. During this time‚ Herbert Morrison‚ who we mentioned earlier‚ was recording audio for a delayed broadcast of the Hindenburg landing the next day. This was rare back in the 1930s‚ as most coverage via the radio was live.  Because of this coincidence‚ we have a real-time eyewitness report of the crash‚ including the famous quote‚ “Oh‚ the humanity!”. News footage was also being recorded of the landing‚ giving us startlingly clear pictures and video of nearly the entire Hindenburg disaster.  Deaths on the Hindenburg  All and all‚ 35 of the 97 people aboard the Hindenburg were killed in the disaster. Of those lost‚ 13 were passengers‚ and 22 were crew.  There was one final death–Allen Hagaman‚ a part of the ground crew who was struck by the crashing airship.  Some of the surviving Hindenburg officers and crew gathered at Lakehurst Air Station three days after the disaster‚ 1937 Why Did the Hindenburg Explode?  There are several theories about why the Hindenburg exploded‚ but the more easily answered question is‚ why did the Hindenburg burn?  Two types of lighter-than-air gasses can be used to lift an airship–helium‚ which is nonflammable‚ and hydrogen which is highly flammable.  The German-made Hindenburg was built to be filled with helium‚ but the gas proved to be rare and hard to acquire. Combine that with the fact that America refused to export helium to the Germans‚ and they were left with little choice but to fill the airship with flammable hydrogen.  Using hydrogen over helium was the death sentence of the Hindenburg and the sole reason it burst into flames so rapidly.  Now‚ let’s look at some things that could have caused the explosion in the first place.  Static Electricity: The leading theory for the catalyst of the Hindenburg fire is simply static electricity caused by either atmospheric or weather-related means or generated somehow during the landing.  Sabotage: There are numerous conspiracies regarding sabotage and the Hindenburg‚ mainly related to anti-Nazi groups‚ but no credible evidence has ever been found.  Engine Exhaust: Sparks from the engine exhaust have been considered a possible ignition source for the hydrogen gas filling the airship. Lightning Strike: Due to the previous storms in the area‚ it was suggested that a lightning strike may have been the source of the ignition.  No matter what caused the Hindenburg disaster‚ it remains one of the most iconic and tragic air disasters in United States history. Briefly the largest airship on the planet‚ and then a symbol for the dangers of airship travel‚ the ghost of the Hindenburg disaster lives on‚ even today.  References  What Really Felled the Hindenburg?-Donovan Webster  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/80th-anniversary-hindenburg-disaster-mysteries-remain-180963107/ The Hindenburg Disaster https://www.airships.net/hindenburg/disaster/The post “Oh‚ the humanity!” The Disaster of the Hindenburg first appeared on History Defined.

March 15‚ 2024 Do You Wonder if You're Raising Your Child Right?RUTH SCHWENK Lee en español "But as for you‚ continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of‚ because you know those from whom you learned it‚ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures‚ which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV) After almost 22 years of parenting my four children‚ I still find myself asking the same questions at times. Am I too strict? Am I too lenient? What could I do to better protect‚ teach or guide them? There is no shortage of internal pressure we put on ourselves as moms - plus external pressure we feel from those around us. Parenting is hard. Comparison can become a habit. But as Christian parents‚ let's remember that God calls us not to measure ourselves and our children against the world's standards but against His. While we all face different circumstances‚ there’s one priority that really matters in our parenting: Making sure our children know who Jesus is. The Apostle Paul was not a parent‚ but he was a spiritual mentor to Timothy‚ a much younger man whom Paul considered to be his "true son in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2‚ NIV). There is an interesting detail in what Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:14-15: "But as for you‚ continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of‚ because you know those from whom you learned it‚ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures‚ which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (emphasis added). While we don't know exactly what Timothy's childhood looked like‚ we know he was taught the Bible from a young age. God's ways and God's Word were a priority in his upbringing. It reminds me of what the English writer and pastor J.C. Ryle wrote in an 1888 sermon: After encouraging parents to teach their kids God's Truth‚ he closed by reminding them to train their kids for eternity. This phrase‚ "train them for eternity‚" has both stuck out and stuck with me over the years. Simply put‚ it's a reminder to teach and train children for what really matters. When to-do lists are long and activities are endless‚ it is easy to get distracted and lose sight of eternity. But if we are raising children‚ our priority is to diligently and graciously train them to grow up to love God and others. And one of the greatest joys we have‚ like Timothy's family had‚ is to help our kids know the Scriptures. This is what it means to raise our children right. To guide them‚ encourage them‚ and help them see that living for Jesus really is the good life. Father‚ give me wisdom‚ as I raise my child‚ to remember what matters most in my parenting. Help me to be diligent in teaching them Your Word and Your ways. I trust You with my child‚ and I surrender the outcome to You. In Jesus' Name‚ Amen.  OUR FAVORITE THINGS Do you want to help your child understand basic theology; discover their unique‚ God-given gifts; and develop Christlike character? Ruth and Patrick Schwenk's brand-new book‚ The Bedtime Family Devotional‚ is a helpful and hopeful family resource to strengthen your faith as a family. With 90 days of biblically grounded devotions‚ prayers and action steps‚ this devotional will not only instill God's Word in your children's hearts but will equip them to walk with Jesus for life. Order your copy here. We all have a story to tell‚ but knowing how to share what God has done in our lives in a way that will glorify Him and impact the hearts of others can be challenging. That's why we created "How To Share Your Story‚" a free resource to help you overcome your fear of being transparent and vulnerable - our five-step process can help you start writing about the transformation you've experienced in a way readers can relate to. Click here to download for free today! ENGAGE For encouragement and hope every day‚ you can connect with Ruth on Instagram. FOR DEEPER STUDY Matthew 6:33‚ "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness‚ and all these things will be given to you as well" (NIV). If you are a parent‚ how would you describe your current vision for your child or children? What would it look like for your family to seek first God's Kingdom and His righteousness‚ as mentioned in Matthew 6:33? We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments. © 2024 by Ruth Schwenk. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews‚ NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post Do You Wonder if You’re Raising Your Child Right? –  Encouragement for Today – March 15‚ 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

1887 - 1st salaried fish and game warden (William Alden Smith in Michigan) 1917 - Nicholas II‚ the last Russian Tsar abdicates and nominates his brother Grand Duke Michael to succeed him [OS Mar 2] 1922 - 1st southern radio station begins (WSB‚ Atlanta Georgia) 1926 - Belgium's "black monday"‚ franc falls 1949 - WLWD (now WDTN) TV channel 2 in Dayton‚ OH (NBC) begins broadcasting 1958 - "Body Beautiful" musical closes at Broadway Theater NYC after 60 performances 1959 - WILX TV channel 10 in Lansing‚ MI (NBC) begins broadcasting 1978 - China performs nuclear test at Lop Nor‚ PRC 1986 - Scotland (10-9 v Ireland) and France (29-10 v England) win their final round matches to share the Five Nations Rugby Championship with 3-1 records 1994 - Experts from AL certify the Cleveland Indians Jacobs Field is properly lit More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1855 - Louisiana establishes 1st health board to regulate quarantine 1993 - In a landmark case‚ Mohamed Tabet‚ police commissioner of Casablanca‚ is convicted of sexually abusing over 1‚500 women and sentenced to death 1997 - France beats Scotland‚ 47-20 at Parc des Princes‚ Paris to claim an 11th outright Five Nations Rugby Championship and 5th Triple Crown; fly-half Christophe Lamaison lands 6 penalties and 3 conversions 2013 - Justin Timberlake releases his 3rd studio album "The 20/20 Experience" (2013 Billboard Album of the Year) 2013 - 16 people are killed by a fireworks accident in Tlaxcala‚ Mexico 2017 - Dutch elections; Prime Minister Mark Rutte's centre-right VVD party win 33 seats vs against 20 for right wing Geert Wilder's Party of Freedom More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1821 - Johann Josef Loschmidt‚ Austrian scientist (d. 1895) 1913 - Lex Goudsmit‚ Dutch actor (Fiddler on the Roof‚ Thomas en Senior op het spoor van Brute Berend)‚ born in Brussels‚ Belgium (d. 1999) 1916 - Geert Lubberhuizen‚ Dutch publisher (Busy Bee)‚ born in Schoten‚ Netherlands (d. 1984) 1961 - Craig Ludwig‚ American NHL defenseman (Dallas Stars)‚ born in Rhinelander‚ Wisconsin 1964 - Rockwell [Kennedy Gordy]‚ American rock vocalist (Somebody's Watching Me)‚ born in Detroit‚ Michigan 1972 - Mark Hoppus‚ American rock singer and bass player (+44; blink-182)‚ born in Ridgecrest‚ California More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1891 - Théodore de Banville‚ French writer‚ dies at 67 1983 - Rebecca West [Cicely Isabel Fairfield]‚ English author (Meaning of Treason)‚ dies at 90 1983 - José Luis Sert‚ Spanish-American architect and urban developer‚ dies at 80 2011 - Smiley Culture [David Victor Emmanuel]‚ British reggae singer ("Police Officer"; "Cockney Translation")‚ dies from a self-inflicted stab wound at 48 2022 - Lu Liang-Huan‚ Taiwanese golfer (British Open 1971 runner-up)‚ dies at 85 2023 - Dorothy Bohm‚ German-born British pioneering street photographer‚ dies at 98 More Famous Deaths »