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.

Knowing Your Weapon

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness. –Acts 4:31 (NKJV)

Have you ever seen “The Ghost and the Darkness”, starring Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas? It’s a great movie and based upon a true story of two man-eating lions that terrorized an African village back in the late 1800’s. Here is one scene that I find especially interesting as to how it relates to us as Christians:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJJpPGHTg94

In the scene prior to this one, Dr. Hawthorne (played by Bernard Hill) joins the group of hunters as they ceremonially prepare for the hunt. He approaches Colonel Patterson (Kilmer) and asks, “Will you exchange weapons with me? Mine is much more powerful.”

From my perspective, here are a few quick points in the movie I believe we can learn and grow from:

The Deception

Patterson’s troubles began the night before when he exchanges weapons with the doctor, well before he even encountered the lion. He trusted something that was not proven and fell for the line regarding a more powerful weapon. You see, our enemy will often attempt to lure us away with other more attractive means to cope in life other than God’s Word, ones that in turn are not a threat to him (2Cor 4:4). When we do, we are set up in advance before the attack even comes. Patterson believed a statement not based on truth and it nearly cost him his life.

The Hunt

Just before they entered the thicket, Remington (Douglas) instructs the Colonel to take the high ground in case the lion gets through and he will have a clear shot for the kill. The second mistake Patterson makes is when he leaves his place on high and brings himself down to a lower level- an area where his enemy thrives. It is here where he finds himself face to face with almost certain death, because he compromised his position. Once again, God has given us everything we need to maintain ground above Satan, but so often we make foolish compromises and find ourselves in greater trouble (Eph 6:18).

The Misfire

Did you see how fast an obvious victory turned into probably the most frightening moment of Patterson’s life the second that empty “click” sounded where there should have been a bang? Confidence became horror and the sounds and memories of the lion killings in the past suddenly became all too real. When we walk in our own confidence and not in faith in the Lord, we are given a false sense of security and given the opportunity, our enemy will bring up old pain from the past. We must constantly walk in that assurance and trust that only comes in God (Jer 17:5, 7).

The Lesson and Promise

Remington’s words to Patterson near the end of the scene are what really bring this all together. Dumbfounded, he asks, “You exchanged weapons? You went into battle with an unproven rifle?” We may not have a spiritual “rifle” per say, but we do have a sword (Eph 6:17). But I will say this: the Bible is only as good to us as we are trained to use it. We cannot fight and defeat our enemy if we just hold it up and fire off empty shots. Precision and victory only come through time and familiarity with our weapons of warfare. Maybe you have been knocked down as the end of the clip suggests; and maybe you do get up. Keep in mind though that our adversary will continue to prowl, seek, and devour those in his path- that is until he meets a highly trained warrior that goes on the offensive and skillfully and masterfully hunts him down first.  

For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways…You will tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and serpent you will trample down. Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known my name. –Psalm 91:11, 13-14

Single Dad Pizza Party

We are having a night of food and fellowship for any and all single dads living in West Michigan. Come on out on Thursday November 14th from 7:30-9pm to enjoy some free pizza, time with our group, and learn more about what A Father's Walk is all about.

Location is the DOCK ministry: 4669 S Division SW  Wyoming, MI 49428

*This event is for single dads (full or partial custody) only and childcare is not available.

For more information, please call Matt at 616-581-4409.

Fishers of Men

Here is my latest article from Crosswalk. Church! (both the buildings AND the Body): it's time to get up, get out, and GO make disciples when it comes to single fathers:

http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/single-parents/church-be-fishers-of-men.html?ps=0

Living Pure in an Impure World

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. –Titus 1:15 (NKJV)

Okay, so not the most sought-after small group topic, especially for a group of single men; but this was our group discussion last night. Why? Well in short, for a few reasons: First, statistics have shown that up to 80% of Christian singles are still having sex outside of marriage. Second, the defilement of this world goes far beyond sexual exploits- it has infected our culture, our minds, and our families. As Christian believers and fathers, we must learn how to stand against the world and seek Christ through it all. Finally, we are called to lead our children in Christ and not the ways of this world (Eph 6:4). I mentioned last night of how the phrase “Do as I say and not as I do” is the biggest bunch of bull and should NEVER be part of any parent’s vocabulary. With that being said, here is a quick rundown of the topics and verses we covered. I pray it helps to shed some “Light” on your own life if need be in certain areas too (Eph 5:11-14).

Types of Purity

Sexual (1Thess 4:3-7, 2Tim 2:22, 1Cor 6:18-20)

Mental (Phil 4:8, Rom 12:2)

Verbal, visual, audible (Eph 4:29, James 3:1-12, Psalms 101:3, Job 31:1, Matt 6:22-23)

*Note: I didn’t find a verse for “audible” purity, but that goes by saying that we should be attentive to what we allow to enter our ears as well (i.e. Defiled language, blasphemies, secular music, etc…)

Ethical/Moral (Job 1:8-12, 2:3, 2:4-9, 2Chron 16:9)

To ponder and discuss:

Recognizing where we fall short

Arming ourselves for battle and protection

Claiming victory as followers of Christ

Question: As Christian fathers, why is it so imperative that we abide by God’s commands in regards to purity? What will this mean for our kids?

The abbreviated answer is God has placed a very amazing gift and admonishment upon us to father and steward His sons and daughters. By us remaining faithful and teaching them the same, we are giving our children a first-hand look at what a man of God is like; which in turn will help us to raise godly sons and help our daughters look for the same in a future relationship.

Although I could go on and on about this topic, the fact remains that we are constant works in progress (Phil 1:6) and God has given us everything we need to champion purity in our own lives. If you do in fact fall short, hold fast to His promises, knock the dust off, and get back in the game. Here is one of those promises from our good friend Paul that sums up the grace and love that is bestowed upon each one of us every single day:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according  to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (emphasis added)…Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. –Rom 8:1, 37-39 (NKJV)