I will be using next month as an opportunity to allow other writers to share their hearts as guest bloggers. Those writers will include Stacy Haight, Jennifer Barnes Maggio (Life of a Single Mom), Tammy Daughtry (Co Parenting International), and Pastor Daniel Jackson (Divine Cathedral of Faith- Tampa, FL).
I am excited to see what God speaks through these individuals, so stay tuned!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Shadows
Read Psalm 51
I was outside (in this BEAUTIFUL weather) today with a friend of mine discussing sin. We talked about how when someone is walking in sin it affects all areas of your life. Being a bright sunny day out, he pointed down to our shadows and said that when we walk in sin it's like our shadow- it follows us around everywhere. I then noticed something pretty cool. Think about it: When you are facing directly into the sun, your shadow is directly behind you. However, when you turn your back to the sun, your shadow is right there in front of you. Hmmm...sound familiar? When we are focused and keeping ourselves facing directly at the SON, our shadow (sin) is always behind us. When we turn our backs to the Son, our sin is ever before us! Don't you love it when God uses His own creation to make lessons so easy for us?
I was outside (in this BEAUTIFUL weather) today with a friend of mine discussing sin. We talked about how when someone is walking in sin it affects all areas of your life. Being a bright sunny day out, he pointed down to our shadows and said that when we walk in sin it's like our shadow- it follows us around everywhere. I then noticed something pretty cool. Think about it: When you are facing directly into the sun, your shadow is directly behind you. However, when you turn your back to the sun, your shadow is right there in front of you. Hmmm...sound familiar? When we are focused and keeping ourselves facing directly at the SON, our shadow (sin) is always behind us. When we turn our backs to the Son, our sin is ever before us! Don't you love it when God uses His own creation to make lessons so easy for us?
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Who's to Blame?
One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. -Psalm 145:4 (NKJV)
I overheard some guys at work talking this week about how lost and delinquent the current generation of youth is. Since I am also in teen ministry myself, I decided to include myself in the conversation. I asked them who they really thought was to blame. I went on to say that since all babies are born relatively the same and their only two major needs and desires in life growing up are to be loved by their parents and to play, their actions must have been taught from somewhere else. Sadly, each generation IS responsible for the next, and it begins at home with our own children. We have created an over-sexed, under-moral, virtual, and hopeless world- and our kids are becoming the victims of our choices. As fathers, despite what type of upbringing and home environment we may have come from, it is OUR job to raise, train, and grow our children not only in the Lord, but to also prepare them for life in general. Anything short and we miss the mark. Whether you are a single father or not, I am challenging ALL dads to begin to search for ways to connect with your children. If you have older kids or adult children, this may be a bit more difficult, but definitely not impossible. There may be some tough talks, a huge swallow of humble pie on our part, and tears, but God has equipped us to be strong in these type of situations. (2Tim 1:7) As I wrote in my book and will repeat here, Jesus commands us to go and make disciples; well, it begins at home with our kids. They're waiting Dad. Seek God today through prayer and His Word to find everything you need to become a godly father and help raise a godly next generation.
I overheard some guys at work talking this week about how lost and delinquent the current generation of youth is. Since I am also in teen ministry myself, I decided to include myself in the conversation. I asked them who they really thought was to blame. I went on to say that since all babies are born relatively the same and their only two major needs and desires in life growing up are to be loved by their parents and to play, their actions must have been taught from somewhere else. Sadly, each generation IS responsible for the next, and it begins at home with our own children. We have created an over-sexed, under-moral, virtual, and hopeless world- and our kids are becoming the victims of our choices. As fathers, despite what type of upbringing and home environment we may have come from, it is OUR job to raise, train, and grow our children not only in the Lord, but to also prepare them for life in general. Anything short and we miss the mark. Whether you are a single father or not, I am challenging ALL dads to begin to search for ways to connect with your children. If you have older kids or adult children, this may be a bit more difficult, but definitely not impossible. There may be some tough talks, a huge swallow of humble pie on our part, and tears, but God has equipped us to be strong in these type of situations. (2Tim 1:7) As I wrote in my book and will repeat here, Jesus commands us to go and make disciples; well, it begins at home with our kids. They're waiting Dad. Seek God today through prayer and His Word to find everything you need to become a godly father and help raise a godly next generation.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
A Father's Influence
The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him. -Prov 20:7 (NASB)
I really just want to write today to encourage any of you fathers out there (single or married) and explain to you the unmeasurable weight you carry as an influence in your children's lives. I'm not going to dwell on statistics or redundant statements; but rather, on personal experience and of course- God's Word.
As the verse above explains, when we are walking in harmony with Jesus and His commandments, we not only prosper, but as do our kids. God loves to bless other generations through the faithfulness of others. (Deut 7:9) My daughter's life is no different.
Any of you who know my story know that there was a point in my life when I was living for everything OTHER than God. I destroyed not only my own body physically and spiritually- but so many individuals were left for the worse after they had met me. Some of those people I have been able to reconcile relationship with and ask for their forgivness; obviously I was forgiven as well when I came to the Cross. Over the years I have had numerous ups and downs in both my walk with the Lord and as a father. However, God does not look at the short term (though He is concerned with our daily walk), but rather with the molding and shaping of our character. Very rarely do things happen overnight in regards to this- it is a lifelong process. Paul tells us in Phil 1:6, "For I am confident in this very thing, that He who began good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (NASB)
Every time I have my daughter I watch with absolute awe and amazement of all that God is doing in her life. She is becoming stronger in her prayers every day; is very selfless when it comes to the wellbeing of others (a quaility rare in any 6 year old); and makes life decisions often beyond her years. It is because of the fruit like this that (without going into detail) my mentor once told me that if she is already portraying these type of Christ-like attributes, that my influence is definitely stronger than others in her life. I am not saying this by any means to diminish her mother's parenting. I am simply making the point that when we dads are completely sold out to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, despite our past mistakes- God will cleanse and establish us. Being faithful to His word, He will bless or children as well.
So here is my charge to you today Dad: Dig into God's Word and follow Jesus' commandments. Continue to strengthen your relationship with Him through prayer and take up your cross daily. Understand what your children need from you as their father and seek God in accomplishing this. Our Father expects very our best, and our children deserve no less. Be blessed man of God.
I really just want to write today to encourage any of you fathers out there (single or married) and explain to you the unmeasurable weight you carry as an influence in your children's lives. I'm not going to dwell on statistics or redundant statements; but rather, on personal experience and of course- God's Word.
As the verse above explains, when we are walking in harmony with Jesus and His commandments, we not only prosper, but as do our kids. God loves to bless other generations through the faithfulness of others. (Deut 7:9) My daughter's life is no different.
Any of you who know my story know that there was a point in my life when I was living for everything OTHER than God. I destroyed not only my own body physically and spiritually- but so many individuals were left for the worse after they had met me. Some of those people I have been able to reconcile relationship with and ask for their forgivness; obviously I was forgiven as well when I came to the Cross. Over the years I have had numerous ups and downs in both my walk with the Lord and as a father. However, God does not look at the short term (though He is concerned with our daily walk), but rather with the molding and shaping of our character. Very rarely do things happen overnight in regards to this- it is a lifelong process. Paul tells us in Phil 1:6, "For I am confident in this very thing, that He who began good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (NASB)
Every time I have my daughter I watch with absolute awe and amazement of all that God is doing in her life. She is becoming stronger in her prayers every day; is very selfless when it comes to the wellbeing of others (a quaility rare in any 6 year old); and makes life decisions often beyond her years. It is because of the fruit like this that (without going into detail) my mentor once told me that if she is already portraying these type of Christ-like attributes, that my influence is definitely stronger than others in her life. I am not saying this by any means to diminish her mother's parenting. I am simply making the point that when we dads are completely sold out to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, despite our past mistakes- God will cleanse and establish us. Being faithful to His word, He will bless or children as well.
So here is my charge to you today Dad: Dig into God's Word and follow Jesus' commandments. Continue to strengthen your relationship with Him through prayer and take up your cross daily. Understand what your children need from you as their father and seek God in accomplishing this. Our Father expects very our best, and our children deserve no less. Be blessed man of God.
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