Giving Thanks

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. -1Cor 15:57 (NKJV)

            I know this is the time of the year when we are supposed to be extra sensitive to how thankful we are for everything; a time when we can reflect on all that we have been “blessed” with. The sad reality is that many of us say we are grateful, but really never express it otherwise; that we are “blessed”- but never give back; and we try to look at the good in everything, but can’t get past the darkness that is right in front of us. Now before you think I’m bum rushing the holiday season with a premature Ba- humbug!, hold on a second.

            I was at the mall yesterday with my daughter, taking in all of the holiday sights and scenes. Yes, I believe we are above and beyond blessed in this country; and yes- I think it is great to bless others with gifts. What got me though was the incredible amount of money (usually around $700 million dollars between Black Friday and Cyber Monday) we waste as a nation on stuff that carries absolutely zero eternal value. For example, $30+ for a teddy bear at Build-A-Bear. Did you know for the same amount of money you can sponsor a child with the Gospel, food, school, education, and medical treatment for one month?! That is just one small example. And tailing off of another blog I recently read about parents competing for and buying their children’s affection- I seriously suggest we get back to the basics of loving our kids first through our words and actions so that they may appreciate all the more better the things we do get for them.

            Finally, I realize there will be many of you this year who will not get to see your children for some of the upcoming holidays- I’m there with you. Just remember, Thanksgiving and Christmas are only days- it’s what they REPRESENT that matters the most. Are you thankful for your children? Then love on them every chance you get. Do you want to give them some really great gifts? Then start with the greatest gifts of all: teach them about Jesus and give them yourself. Holidays will come and go and even to those who had their kids every year, the pizazz will eventually wear off. What WILL last will be all of the little things they can hold on to long after we are gone: the small sacrifices we made for their benefit; the joy of being surprised with a “because I love you” and not because we felt pressured to; and teaching them about the ultimate sacrifice of love and joy- a little baby who would one day change the world forever and what He can do in their lives too.

While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. -2Cor 4:18

Be Careful Little Children What You See

“I’m watchin’ what I’m watchin’…” –Tripp Lee

                You know when you buy a new car how all of a sudden a bunch of the same cars you just purchased magically appear all over the place? Obviously, they didn’t just “appear”- they’ve always been there but your eyes were not trained to look for them. I just left the video store and man was I depressed! We already know that our culture is ridiculously overridden with sex and violence, but what really stuck out to me was the unbelievable number of DEMONIC movies out there. I’m not talking horror- I mean full blown satanic worship. Just like the cars, these movies may have always been there, but as I push closer to Christ, my mind and eyes are now much more alert to anything that opposes Him.

                According to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, kids and teens 8 to 18 years old spend nearly four hours a day in front of a TV screen and almost two additional hours on the computer (outside of schoolwork) playing video games- not to mention the time they spend in school, extracurricular activities, and with their friends. Here’s my point: With such minimal quality time available to spend with our kids, and with so many ungodly influences lurking nearby, as the spiritual heads of our kids we need to be speaking, teaching, and modeling Jesus to them whenever possible. Ephesians 4:32 reminds us to watch the way that we talk; but I would also say we are to be mindful to what goes INTO our heads too. Dads, are you staying on alert towards the enemy as Peter instructs us- guarding you and your kid’s heart and mind? Or, are you oblivious to what they are being exposed to, perhaps even falling short yourself and participating in music and movies any Christ follower has no business with? Sure, we may not be watching movies like the ones I mentioned above, but let’s face it- the vast majority of secular media is in no way God-honoring.

                Whether we choose to engage ourselves or not, there is a war for ours and our children’s souls going on all around us. God did not create us to lie down and play dead, and He sure as heck didn’t make us to be complacent. The Bible tells us that things are only going to get worse when it comes to values, family structure, and the way the world views God. The cool part is that if we choose- we can be completely exempt from the enemy’s plans and not only stand firm against his schemes, but protect and lead the next generation in Christ. Dad, God gives us clear direction to “examine ourselves”. Take inventory today and put your activities, hobbies, and passions up against His Word, removing anything that fails the test. By doing so, you will not only enhance your own walk with Him, but you will be able to influence your son or daughter to make a stand and show the world the Light it so desperately needs to see.

Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. -1Thess 5:21-22

Updates from my email

Here is a link to an article that was forwarded to me today that some may find useful:

http://www.myfloridalaw.com/child-custody-law/helping-children-with-divorce/


Also, for those of you in the West Michigan area, you may want to check this out on Nov 13th:

The Grand Rapids Library is having an event on November 13^th on Child Support and Friend of the Court. See below:

Ask-a-Lawyer: Child Support & Friend of the Court
Wednesday, November 13, 2013, 6:00 pm
Main Library – 111 Library St NE

The Grand Rapids Public Library, in partnership with the Grand Rapids Bar Association, hosts this free series that aims to provide information about common legal issues. At each session, expert attorneys will give a 10 to 30-minute overview of their area of law, followed by a question-and-answer period. This month's topic: Child Support & Friend of the Court.