Thankful Thursday, It’s all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I’ve heard a lot of talk lately about Respect. I do believe that is what’s missing in today’s society. I know at least one of my blogging friends (Steve) agrees with me. Many children (and adults) have little or no respect. They have no respect for things that don’t belong to them. They have no respect for the environment. They have no respect for other people. They have no respect for authority and they have no respect for God.

Yesterday I was listening to “Focus on the Family” which is a radio show that addresses issues in the world today. It is more than a radio show but that is where I hear it. The subject just happened to be “respect” and more specifically: ”respect for authority.” They also went on to say that the greatest respect for authority that is missing is the respect for God’s authority. People who have a deep respect for God’s ultimate authority also respect other forms of authority. And once you respect authority you also learn respect for other people and other things in this world.

So today I am thankful that I have respect for authority. I respect God. I respect the environment. I respect other people and other people’s belongings and I respect life itself.

I am thankful for my family being very respectful just like I am. I could write a big list here but I will just say that they do more for others and this planet than anyone I know. Way to go family.

I am thankful that I have gained the strength to speak out more freely on these issues. I try not to start arguments but I refuse to stand by and let people talk down what I believe in. They may not agree with me but they will have to respect my opinion.

I am thankful for our military men and women who fight for freedom every day. Even though they may not agree with the cause, they respect the authority of the ones giving the orders.

I am thankful for the courage to do what is right in this world even if it means being ridiculed by some. In doing so, I have gained the respect of many people.

Ironically, while I was writing this post, my wife called me to tell me that the hunters were back. This has been a continuing issue where we live. Every year this particular group of hunters comes out to our area to go deer hunting. For those who don’t know it, here in the south they often use dogs to deer hunt. They turn the dogs loose and the dogs chase the deer out of the woods where they are shot by the hunters. That part is legal but there are several issues.

The property where they are legally hunting is very small. So they turn the dogs loose and the dogs go where ever they want. They chase deer through people’s yards, the dogs then chase people’s cats and small dogs. The dogs also kill livestock like chickens and ducks. All the while this group of hunters are hunting on the road, dangerously close to houses (which is illegal) and drinking beer and alcohol to boot (which is illegal). They even on occasion shoot deer right in someone’s front yard. (illegal again) They simply don’t care.

At the end of the day, the dogs are left to fend for themselves for several days until the owners retrieve them. And at the end of the year, many of these dogs are turned lose for good and either starve to death or get hit by cars and die. I think this shows disrespect for everything mentioned above. God will surely punish them for their actions. I think God that we are not like that.

So what are you thankful for today? Please joins us for Thankful Thursday by signing up over at Truth for the Journey.

Have a great day,
Greg

Comments

Laurie said…
Hi Greg,
I am thankful for the strength to speak up to, as I used to not do so. I am also thankful to respect authority, most of all God's! Have a great day, Laurie
Edie said…
I am thankful that I continue to learn what it means to show respect to different types of people.

Wow, the hunters sound like they need to be educated.

Have a great day Greg!
Jamie Dawn said…
Your words are true. There is a deep lack of respect throughout our society. Kids don't respect their parents, teachers, friends, the belongings of others...
Those hunters you're talking about show how adults are lacking respect for the property and safety of others. I can see why you are upset about them!
Common decency, courtesy, and respect are all on the decline. It's sad to see this.
I am thankful for those who still have respect for others and for themselves. People of honor are needed more and more!! Thanks for being a man deserving of respect and who respects others. Your kids will rise up and call YOU blessed!
:-)
Skoots1moM said…
i'd be scared they'd shoot neighborhood kids...and i hate that they treat their dogs so badly. hope it's not a bIG problem this year
Anonymous said…
Greg, you are 100% right on this. Working with the teens in our church, the most common trait we see in all of them is a rebellious spirit and a lack of respect for ANY form of authority, and it's amazing the "trickle effect" it has into other areas of their lives.
Mary Moss said…
The courage to do what is right - I am thankful for that as well. It is God's grace that gives us the courage - His greatness that even gives us the idea in the first place:-)

Great list, Greg!
Beth Herring said…
Greg - another awesome post and I have to agree with you about the lack of respect. It is just a shame that children aren't being taught the same kind of respect for others that WE were taught.

Love your list today and every thursday!
larkswing said…
I am thankful for your post!

Thankful that God is the authority in my life too.
ChrisJ said…
I am thankful I'm not one of those dogs!
I'm also thankful my husband has returned safely from three weeks of preaching in Bulgaria and Macedonia.

When I taught school, I always told my kids they could ask any question about God or the Bible as long as it was done out of a genuine need to know and done with an attitude of respect towards God.
I'm thankful for all the people I know who, like you Greg, can always be relied upon to do the right thing.
Laurie said…
Hi Greg,
Hope the TT lifted you up! Praying for your encouragement bro, Laurie
Sharon said…
That was a great post, but a heart wrenching one too! It is sad the way some of the hunters act isn't it. They become veryyy disrespectful, coming into your yards with guns, and there dogs hurting other animals, sad,sad,sad!
Stay safe in this situation!

Have a terrific weekend :)
Spring M Fricks said…
That's terrible about the hunters. My husband would be fit to be tied.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. This is a continuing project for me..."The Jewish Project" as I'm trying to pass down my Jewish heritage to my children. G-d gave me the idea to turn into a blogging project and its been very fun so far. I hope you'll come back and check it out.

On another note. I love Focus on the Family. Have you heard of their Truth Project? We just finished the DVD's and it's amazing!!
Heart2Heart said…
Greg,

I loved your post for today! I get it now. You are right, people need to respect more, if that went the way it should, the world may be a whole lot better off then it is now. Politicians would follow through on what they promise, ministers would help the hungry, homeless and hurting, people would look out for their neighbors, and neighbors would look out for their community.

I see that path, old wise grasshopper. You have a very blessed family indeed.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Monogram Queen said…
Raise hell Raise hell Raise hell about those hunters. The part about the dogs injuring household pets and being left to fend for themselves disturbs me most of all.

I am with you on the respect thing. I am definitely raising my little one to be respectful of her elders, herself and of others opinions.
Have a great week-end Greg!
Kelly said…
I am SO with you on the respect issue. I think it is a huge issue in our society today.
Heidi said…
Yeah, hunting gets weird like that. Some hunters are dumbbells and I'm sorry if that sounds disrespectful.

Respect is a definite issue to be reckoned with in this world- been reading in Isaiah and see not much has changed over the eons in that area of respect for the Almighty and His commands.
Scarlet said…
There is little respect for authority because authority is not what it used to be. I'm looking at it from a middle school child's perspective because my daughter has told me so many things that make me wonder what kind of teachers are working in her school. First the pregnant lady with no dress code...then the one who sings racy lyrics with her students...and the list goes on. How are you supposed to respect that??

Anyway, I'm thankful for the use of my husband's truck while mine remains in the shop, the help I've received from my dad (picking up my kids from school) and the painting classes I'm taking with my friend, Holland. She and her boyfriend are wonderful!

You're wonderful, too, Greg!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, amigo! :)
Deborah Ann said…
Hi Greg,

Stopping in from Heart 2 Heart. I read your interview, you sound a little like me! I'm sporadic too. Love the name of your blog.

You're invited to join me:

www.heavenlyhumor.blogspot.com

for some laughs and 'God' times
Andrea said…
Just drop by from Kat's blog. Look forward to getting to know you better.
GOD BLESS, andrea
Heckety said…
I'm visiting from 'Heart2Heart' where you did an interview which I really enjoyed. In fact the Hub just came in to see why I was 'Amen-ing' the computer!
I agree totally about your post on 'respect', in school I call it 'manners' but it abouts to the same thing and all the children who pass through my hands know its one of my hobby-horses. And if I don't have an effect on them now who else will teach them respect in their lives?

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