DinnerDialogue.com is a free service of Family Matters. Its purpose is to bring deeper and more open discussions to your family. Every weekday brings new news that opens up topics for discussion on moral, ethical and spiritual issues.

TODAY'S DIALOGUE - December 16, 2002
This page is updated weekdays by 2 pm PT.

Believe the hype: LeBron better than advertised - ESPN.COM
I have great respect for those who bring up the term "exploitation" and ask whether this kid is being exploited because of his talents. I do have major concerns, as I expressed on the telecast, when fans are being charged $25 and $50, plus rampant scalping just to see a high school kid play. (Be sure to read this entire article)

• What if the national media mentioned you as being the best ever at something you really enjoy doing? What effect would this have on you? How would it change your life? How would it effect your friends? How would it effect your family?
  
  
• If you did not already talk about this from the previous questions, what would this do for your self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image? If you feel that recognition for being the best at something would increase or improve your self-esteem or self-confidence, where is it now that you feel it would need to be improved? What are you basing your self-esteem and confidence in right now?
  
  
• What have you done in the past month that helped you build your self-confidence? Where do you think you have the most confidence? Where do you feel you need more, why? How can your parents and friends help you? How can they hinder you?
  
  
• Here are some Bible verses to look up:
  Proverbs 3:26; 14:26; 18:11; 28:26; Psalm 27:3-4; 30:6; 49:6; Jeremiah 17:5; 48:7; Luke 22:33-34; Philippians 4:13
  
  
• Some other things to think about from this article...
  The last paragraph is very interesting - As I said to the teams before the game, no matter who you are, whether you are Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal or Larry Bird, there comes a time when you stand at the podium and say that basketball is over and it is time to move on with your life. You have to be prepared by utilizing all the things that happened during your career to make the transition to the real world, the game of life.
  
  In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 we are told that our works that we do on earth while we are alive will be tested by fire. If you were to stand before the big bonfire of your life right now, what would be burned up and what would you be rewarded for? What are you doing now or plan to do in the future that will make an eternal impact?
  

Check out the Home Grown Heroes by Tim Kimmel (proceeds go toward DinnerDialogue and Family Matters).

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SIDE ORDERS - other news

Gated communities are not just for the wealthy Both owners and renters seek security - USA TODAY
In cities and suburbs from New York to Los Angeles, wealthy homeowners no longer are the only ones retreating behind gates. The desire to lock out the outside world cuts across all income groups, according to the first Census Bureau survey to measure how many Americans live in walled or gated communities.

How to Ruin American Enterprise -
As a casual observer of what makes this country work and what stops it cold, I hereby offer a few suggestions on how we can ruin American competitiveness and innovation in the course of this century. I think the reader will agree with me that we are already far down the road on many of them:

Gay pair's 'cutest' label evokes drama - (Associated Press)
It is a drama that, for a time anyway, awakened this sleepy town, lined with antique shops, churches and cafes, and still surrounded by cornfields.

Teacher tells kindergarten class there's no Santa - (Associated Press)
"I feel like no matter what I do or say now, the seed of doubt has been planted in Hayley's head," Shea said. "I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to undo it, and Christmas is everything in my family."

Interim Yonkers superintendent pulls plug on holiday decorations - THE JOURNAL NEWS
Yonkers interim Superintendent Angelo Petrone directed officials last week to remove all Hanukkah menorahs, Christmas trees and specific holiday decorations from the schools. Some parents and teachers are wondering why.

Santa phobia - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It's plain from many a family snapshot or a visit to the local mall that some children placed on Santa's lap clearly want to go ho-ho-home.

LEFTOVERS - previous dialogues

Wednesday - December 11, 2002

Two Third-Graders Arrested For Marijuana Possession

Wednesday - December 4, 2002

Surprisingly Few Adults Outside of Christianity Have Positive Views of Christians

Monday - December 2, 2002

Choosing Virginity

Tuesday - November 19, 2002

Study finds steady fall in benevolence

Monday - November 18, 2002

Cell Phone Users Need to Call Miss Manners

Thursday - November 14, 2002

New Cars Include Black Boxes

Wednesday - November 13, 2002

Party planning Potter protest

Monday - October 21, 2002

Cosmetic Surgery

Click here for more Leftovers