Couple of days ago, news headlines once again had "Spanking is BAD" titles and once again a "study" of some sort to back up the title. Being a father myself, I have my own thoughts on this topic, but was wondering what you guys, slavic people, think about this topic?

I know that many are in fear of punishing their children because they may end up in jail or prison, but do you think spanking is needed as a punishment? does it help? or does it harm?

Recently I had to undergo some treatment for stomach bacteria which involved taking a good dose of anti-biotics. Taking any kind of pill, specially a ton of them is almost an impossible task for me, but you do what you have to do.

Reason why I mentioned this is because when I had stomach pain I had a choice to either undergo treatment, or take pain relievers that would take the pain away. Many people choose pain relievers for all kinds of pains, and we know that its wrong because in most cases you are not treating anything but instead you just cover it up.

What does this have to do with a blog on a church website? Well, I would like you to think about this. We are a part of much larger Body, Body of Christ, and I often hear (and from myself) people not liking how someone dresses in church or how they use makeup or how they pray or how they behave and at the end of the conversation a solution is born and that is to have the church ban such activity, or ex-communicate violators.

It seems wrong when we look at the outwardly acts and think that we can solve them by something like a pain reliever. This sort of thing puts us on a road to legalism that would eventually turn your faith into a tradition.

What do you think?

In our busy lives, time is very precious, so let me make it a quick read. I challenge you to take 5, 10 or 15 minutes to sit in silence and think of what Christ has done for you on the cross. Don't wait for the preacher to tell you, or a song to inspire you, just sit in silence with Him for a few minutes, no middle man, just you and Him.

I have no doubt it will be a challenge, you may have to put your phone away, stop driving, stop watching, listening and dreaming.

Don't make excuses with Him and don't pretend, just be you.

I was once asked why I liked fishing much, since I'm not that good at it. I wanted to answer in the most Christian way possible and said because it also helps me be alone with God. Although true, I have tested myself since that time that often I get too carried away with fishing to even have a single thought of my Creator. If the fishing is good, I am too busy, if the fishing is bad then I am too sad. I ran across this poem that reminded me my answer, and I thought you would enjoy it, please read it:

On a Lake at Daylight

by Stan Fagerstrom

A friend saw me coming off the lake
He asked me what I'd caught
Didn't have a bump this trip, I said
And I fished in my best spot

If I was you I'd quit, he smiled
But I just shook my head
My friend just didn't know you see
There's much more to be said

Because on a lake at daylight
As dawn's light glistens on the dew
I feel the nearness of my Lord
Through skies of gray or blue

I hear him in the eagle's cry
And the heron's raucous call
I see him in the rainbow
Be it summer, spring, or fall

He whispers to me in the wind
Or in the softly falling rain
And I know that if I listen
He'll speak to me again

That's why before I make my first cast
I take the time to pray
To simply thank God for the chance
To be out here today

I thank him in the name of Christ
Because as we are all aware
It was often men who fished He sought
His life on earth to share

I like to catch my share of fish
And I get them now and then
But if I do or if I don't
I'll be back out again

If I never caught another bass
A crappie, perch, or trout
I'd still be going fishin'
There's not the slightest doubt

Perhaps you find the Lord in church
Me too but a promise I will make
Take time to look for Him, my friend
Next time you're out here on the lake