Here is a link to a book review to my new book A Father's Walk: A Christian-Based Resource for Single Fathers. It was written by Wayne Parker from About.com Fatherhood:
http://fatherhood.about.com/od/Parenting-Books/fr/A-Fathers-Walk-A-Christian-Based-Resource-For-Single-Fathers.htm
The book can be ordered directly off of our website: www.afatherswalk.org or call (616) 581-4409. I truly believe in this book and my prayer is for it to help start changing the culture in our country (and around the world) in regards to single fathers increasing their walk with Christ and becoming the godly men and fathers they were created to be!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Real Men Love Jesus
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” –Rom 8:37 (NKJV)
You probably recognize the title of this blog is the same as certain bumper stickers, t-shirts, etc that are going around. Yes, they are popular- but they carry what I believe is a very powerful and necessary message as well. The world chooses to make their own image of what a “man” should be and to make Jesus into some sort of wimp and cream puff. From a very young age males are taught to be tough, hook up with multiple girls, fight, drink, etc…
When I spoke to a group before, I tried to take examples such as these and compare them to what a follower of Christ would do in the exact same situation. Here are a few examples, backed up of course, with Scripture:
Any man can pick a fight, but it takes a REAL man to defuse a situation (Rom 12:20-21)
Any man can go get drunk, but it takes a REAL man to follow God (Eph 5:18)
Any man can make a baby, but it takes a REAL man to be a father (Eph 6:4)
Any man can help out, but it takes a REAL man to lay down his life for others (John 10:11-15)
And so on…
The point I am making here is that Jesus is the ultimate Man, and any of us who desire to follow Him must make great sacrifices in regards to what the world perceives. Whether or not others accept our lives is not the issue. What’s truly important is the way we desire to deny ourselves daily to become more Christ-like. Remember, when it’s all said and done, Jesus is the One we will stand before for our eternal inheritance. When we deny Him, we deny God; but, when we glorify Him- we glorify God. Know who you are in Jesus Christ, and then walk it out in your day to day life. When you do, you truly are “the man”!
You probably recognize the title of this blog is the same as certain bumper stickers, t-shirts, etc that are going around. Yes, they are popular- but they carry what I believe is a very powerful and necessary message as well. The world chooses to make their own image of what a “man” should be and to make Jesus into some sort of wimp and cream puff. From a very young age males are taught to be tough, hook up with multiple girls, fight, drink, etc…
When I spoke to a group before, I tried to take examples such as these and compare them to what a follower of Christ would do in the exact same situation. Here are a few examples, backed up of course, with Scripture:
Any man can pick a fight, but it takes a REAL man to defuse a situation (Rom 12:20-21)
Any man can go get drunk, but it takes a REAL man to follow God (Eph 5:18)
Any man can make a baby, but it takes a REAL man to be a father (Eph 6:4)
Any man can help out, but it takes a REAL man to lay down his life for others (John 10:11-15)
And so on…
The point I am making here is that Jesus is the ultimate Man, and any of us who desire to follow Him must make great sacrifices in regards to what the world perceives. Whether or not others accept our lives is not the issue. What’s truly important is the way we desire to deny ourselves daily to become more Christ-like. Remember, when it’s all said and done, Jesus is the One we will stand before for our eternal inheritance. When we deny Him, we deny God; but, when we glorify Him- we glorify God. Know who you are in Jesus Christ, and then walk it out in your day to day life. When you do, you truly are “the man”!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Do You Have Heart Burn?
Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” –Luke 24:30-32 (NKJV)
If you have followed my testimony at any time, you know that I gave my life to Christ in 2001, walked away for a few years, and came back for good in 2007. I often describe that day of when I recommitted my life as “my heart began to burn…” You see, when Jesus really begins to pull at your heart and the Spirit is moving - you know it! Does God move in the lives of
unbelievers? Absolutely- otherwise, how else would anyone ever get saved in the first place? However, it’s when we really begin to build a close and intimate relationship with God that our hearts yearn for more of what He has to offer. We were created for worship, and when our Creator speaks to us personally, there is no greater experience. Jesus got very close with
His disciples and expressed His feelings as the time neared for the crucifixion. In John 15:15 He tells them that He no longer calls them His servants, but rather, His friends. I mean, can you really imagine that day? The God of the universe, the One who created them in the first place, was washing their feet! Jesus set the mark right there- teaching the disciples what a true servant of the Lord is, showed how much He loved them and how we should love each other, and promised the coming of the Holy Spirit.
My question to you today is: “Does your heart burn for Christ?” Are you so head over heels in love with Him that you know it when you’ve stepped too far away? And, does your heart burn when He moves in your children’s lives as well? A burning heart doesn’t have to be the result of some huge move of God (although that would get us going). No, a burning heart can be when we actually recognize all of the little things God does in our life, and consider how lost we are without Him. Seek Jesus daily. Fan that flame of the Holy Spirit by keeping the worship going. Pray and thank the Lord for all that you’ve been blessed with. Most of all, praise Him for saving us when He didn’t have to…because His heart burns for us- forever.
If you have followed my testimony at any time, you know that I gave my life to Christ in 2001, walked away for a few years, and came back for good in 2007. I often describe that day of when I recommitted my life as “my heart began to burn…” You see, when Jesus really begins to pull at your heart and the Spirit is moving - you know it! Does God move in the lives of
unbelievers? Absolutely- otherwise, how else would anyone ever get saved in the first place? However, it’s when we really begin to build a close and intimate relationship with God that our hearts yearn for more of what He has to offer. We were created for worship, and when our Creator speaks to us personally, there is no greater experience. Jesus got very close with
His disciples and expressed His feelings as the time neared for the crucifixion. In John 15:15 He tells them that He no longer calls them His servants, but rather, His friends. I mean, can you really imagine that day? The God of the universe, the One who created them in the first place, was washing their feet! Jesus set the mark right there- teaching the disciples what a true servant of the Lord is, showed how much He loved them and how we should love each other, and promised the coming of the Holy Spirit.
My question to you today is: “Does your heart burn for Christ?” Are you so head over heels in love with Him that you know it when you’ve stepped too far away? And, does your heart burn when He moves in your children’s lives as well? A burning heart doesn’t have to be the result of some huge move of God (although that would get us going). No, a burning heart can be when we actually recognize all of the little things God does in our life, and consider how lost we are without Him. Seek Jesus daily. Fan that flame of the Holy Spirit by keeping the worship going. Pray and thank the Lord for all that you’ve been blessed with. Most of all, praise Him for saving us when He didn’t have to…because His heart burns for us- forever.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Single Parenting Expo Update
"...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." -Matt 20:28 (NJKV)
Well, for those of you who could not make it to the expo personally, it went great. Although overall traffic was slow, I definitely do not count this as a negative because I really saw a lot of our guests being ministered to! We had prayers, tears, and laughter! I followed up with several of our guests last night and everyone encouraged us to do it again next year.
With that being said, we are always open for prayers, financial support, more organizations to participate, and suggestions as to how we can reach more people next year. Once again, thank you to everyone who participated in one form or another- it could not have been achieved without all of you!
Friday, March 9, 2012
"A Father's Walk" Book Release
I would like to officially announce the grand launching of my first book: "A Father's Walk", a Christian-Based Resource for Single Dads. The book is currently in publishing and should be available for sale at the upcoming Grand Rapids Single Parenting Expo on March 17th. Cost is $12.
This book is based on my experiences as a single father, experiences from our small group, and overall statistics from across the nation. It is Scriptural sound and grounded solely on the Word of God, with over 100 Bible verses in it. It includes a summary, discussion questions, bullet points, and a prayer at the end of each chapter- thus allowing the book to be used as a single father small group guide.
Chapters include anything from our children's mom, to finances; from having another man in the picture, to legacy...and everything in between. I will be setting up online ordering soon, but for now you may contact me directly either at (616) 581-4409; or email me at matt@afatherswalk.org. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
This book is great for churches and small groups, as a gift, or a guide for ANY and ALL single dads- pick up your copy soon!
In His Name,
Matt
This book is based on my experiences as a single father, experiences from our small group, and overall statistics from across the nation. It is Scriptural sound and grounded solely on the Word of God, with over 100 Bible verses in it. It includes a summary, discussion questions, bullet points, and a prayer at the end of each chapter- thus allowing the book to be used as a single father small group guide.
Chapters include anything from our children's mom, to finances; from having another man in the picture, to legacy...and everything in between. I will be setting up online ordering soon, but for now you may contact me directly either at (616) 581-4409; or email me at matt@afatherswalk.org. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
This book is great for churches and small groups, as a gift, or a guide for ANY and ALL single dads- pick up your copy soon!
In His Name,
Matt
Monday, February 27, 2012
Train 'Em Up! -Part 2
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” –Prov 22:6 (NKJV)
We arrived at our destination, and without hesitation- my daughter walked right up to the other parties, confessed her wrong doing, and said she was sorry. There was no need for me to discuss anything any further with her (of course the TV grounding is still in effect), she had fulfilled all that I asked of her.
As I now look back, this was a huge growing moment for BOTH she and I. I can see how God has worked in me by the way I handled everything. It makes me think of when we screw up, how loving and forgiving our Father truly is. He loves us no matter what- that’s always a given. He does not beat guilt or condemnation into us, but rather- teaches us through confession, humility, and love. Yes, we may be punished, but only out of love and for us to learn from our mistakes. Best of all, God not only forgives us- but the Bible says that removes our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). He NEVER brings it up again!
I am very grateful for what happened. I got to teach my daughter a valuable life lesson, but I also drew closer to Jesus as well. Best of all, as we closed out in prayer on Thursday night, my daughter repeated what she had done, and promised God she would never do it again- this time without me reminding her to pray that. Case closed, lesson learned- to God be the glory!
We arrived at our destination, and without hesitation- my daughter walked right up to the other parties, confessed her wrong doing, and said she was sorry. There was no need for me to discuss anything any further with her (of course the TV grounding is still in effect), she had fulfilled all that I asked of her.
As I now look back, this was a huge growing moment for BOTH she and I. I can see how God has worked in me by the way I handled everything. It makes me think of when we screw up, how loving and forgiving our Father truly is. He loves us no matter what- that’s always a given. He does not beat guilt or condemnation into us, but rather- teaches us through confession, humility, and love. Yes, we may be punished, but only out of love and for us to learn from our mistakes. Best of all, God not only forgives us- but the Bible says that removes our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). He NEVER brings it up again!
I am very grateful for what happened. I got to teach my daughter a valuable life lesson, but I also drew closer to Jesus as well. Best of all, as we closed out in prayer on Thursday night, my daughter repeated what she had done, and promised God she would never do it again- this time without me reminding her to pray that. Case closed, lesson learned- to God be the glory!
Train "Em Up! -Part 1
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” –Prov 22:6 (NKJV)
I had an incident occur last week with my daughter that really caught me off guard. Now, for respect of her privacy, I won’t say exactly what she did. I can tell you it was very uncharacteristic of her and I was quite disappointed. Please keep in mind that she is also only 5 years old, so there’s a lot of growing and life lessons to still be learned. I found out about the situation
as I was heading back to drop her off to her mom, so I didn’t really have much time to absorb and discuss the whole thing with her. What I DID have time to do was pray, and boy did God come through on this one! Here’s how everything unfolded:
1. I affirmed her with love. Based on all of the reading and studying I’ve done over circumstances like this, as well as personal experience, I have learned that our kids need to know first and foremost that they are loved. Yes, there may be punishment involved, but flying off the handle with yelling first is not the way to handle it. I explained to her that I loved her very much, but that I was also very disappointed in her.
2. I gave her an acceptable punishment- one that fit the crime. Basically, she is grounded from TV for 2 weeks and she must apologize to the other people involved.
3. We prayed at the end of the night as usual, but I asked her to throw in a request for forgiveness from God as well for what she had done- to which she complied.
This all occurred on a Tuesday night, I would have to wait until Thursday to finish the
lesson. When Thursday did roll around, the only time I brought it back up was to tell her that we were on our way back for her to make her apology and then it would be done from there.
I had an incident occur last week with my daughter that really caught me off guard. Now, for respect of her privacy, I won’t say exactly what she did. I can tell you it was very uncharacteristic of her and I was quite disappointed. Please keep in mind that she is also only 5 years old, so there’s a lot of growing and life lessons to still be learned. I found out about the situation
as I was heading back to drop her off to her mom, so I didn’t really have much time to absorb and discuss the whole thing with her. What I DID have time to do was pray, and boy did God come through on this one! Here’s how everything unfolded:
1. I affirmed her with love. Based on all of the reading and studying I’ve done over circumstances like this, as well as personal experience, I have learned that our kids need to know first and foremost that they are loved. Yes, there may be punishment involved, but flying off the handle with yelling first is not the way to handle it. I explained to her that I loved her very much, but that I was also very disappointed in her.
2. I gave her an acceptable punishment- one that fit the crime. Basically, she is grounded from TV for 2 weeks and she must apologize to the other people involved.
3. We prayed at the end of the night as usual, but I asked her to throw in a request for forgiveness from God as well for what she had done- to which she complied.
This all occurred on a Tuesday night, I would have to wait until Thursday to finish the
lesson. When Thursday did roll around, the only time I brought it back up was to tell her that we were on our way back for her to make her apology and then it would be done from there.
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