Being a Father of Twin Girls is Different!

You know, there is something special about having twin girls in your family! It's not that they are more special than your other children. It's that they are unique and bring a different experience and excitement.

I think it was before we left for America, Bella asked me if she and her sister could get hair cuts. I assured her that they would get a hair cut when we returned from the US. So every conversation we had with her, via phone, was "daddy, don't forget about our hair-a-cut when you get home"!

We have been home just over a week and today was the big day to go and get their hair cuts. 6:00 AM Bethy comes and jumps in my lap, grabbing my neck, "daddy, I am so excited about going to get my hair cut today". It was about every 30 minutes after that both Beth & Belle were asking - "are we going yet", "are we going now?" "Should we go get in the car?"

It was a fun date with my girls! We got their hair cut & then went and enjoyed a doughnut & drink!

You know, I have to be honest and say, I felt a bit weird sitting there in a hair salon taking pictures while my girls got their hair cut, but when I got over myself, I really enjoyed being with my girls - and them wanting me to be around!

I hope you will take time to do special things with your girls - dads - even when they are young!

'Just Do Something' by: Kevin DeYoung

Kevin DeYoung has written a helpful book called, 'Just Do something'. It is only 122 pgs, 10 chapters and farily easy reading! I strongly encourage you to pick up this book. You can buy it here for about $9.00 USD + shipping.

Now I am only on chapter 3, but chapters 1 & 2 are so insightful and helpful, I could not help but think that some of you dad's might be served reading this. Especially if you have kids who are concerned about what God want's them to do with their life.

Let me try to encourage you to purchase or get your hands on a copy of this book by sharing this bit with you from chapter 3. DeYoung starts the chapter asking, "why are so many Christians desperate to find out God's plan for their lives?' Then he goes on to say that he is going to provide 5 reasons and explain them. I will give you the five reasons and then you have to purchase the book to get the explanation. Cheeky - aye?!

Reason 1: Because we want to please God!

Reason 2: Because some of us are to timid!

Reason 3: Becase we want perfect fulfillment!

Reason 4: Because we have too many choices!

Reason 5: Because we are cowards!

Sounds enticing I'm sure?!

I strongly encourage you to get this book in your library... It will serve you as you serve the Lord - parenting with an eternal perspective

Doing Things Right - In Matters of the Heart

Guys - have you heard of this book?

'Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart' by: John Ensor. Wow!

John Ensor has done a wonderful job with this book. You want to get your hands on it. Here is a link to it: Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart just click on the title and you can get a copy from Crossway for about $12.00 USD.

Now I wanted to give you a review but Tim Challies gave this review of the book and it does not need me tampering with it - so let me provide you with his review:

"In the first part, "Matters of the Heart," Ensor defines biblical masculinity and femininity as they are presented to us in the Bible. He gets to the heart of manhood and womanhood asking what it means to be a man or a woman and what is distinctive about being one and not the other. He asks how men and women complement each other and fit together. Having answered these questions, he turns to "Doing Things Right," showing the way the Bible outlines how men are to live as men and women are to live as women. He shows how men and women are to relate to each other and are to interact with each other on the basis of their equality and symmetry but also on the basis of their differences.
The chapter titles tell the story.

* He Initiaties...She Responds"
* He Leads...She Guides
* He Works...She Waits
* He Protects...She Welcomes Protection
* He Abstains to Protect...She, to Test
* His Unmet Desire Drives Him toward Marriage...Hers Is Rewarded with Marriage
* He Displays Integrity...She, Inner Beauty
* He Loves by Sacrificing...She, by Submitting
* He Seeks His Happiness in Hers...She Seeks Hers in His
* His Is the Primary Provider for the Family...She, the Primary Nurturer

The book is written from a personal perspective and in such a way that he encourages the reader to benefit from his learning curve. While he leans on the Bible as his authority, what he teaches is often punctuated by words like, "What follows is what I honest think is the right thing to do..." and "I take this to mean..." He gives examples from his life, allowing the reader to learn and to laugh with him.

The sum is this: God has given us each gifts but, with our own reasoning and assumptions we've wasted them by doing things in the way we thought was best. This book is a call to go back to using those gifts, to go back to the guide that teaches us how to use those gifts, that we might do things right and do them in the way God intends.

In this book (and this quote is the blurb I provided for the book's cover) "John Ensor provides a radically biblical alternative to the supposed wisdom of our age. Though sometimes raw, frank, and frustrated, Ensor is always sanctified and often poetic. He celebrates differences, bringing into clear focus the oft-disputed fact that God created men and women to be equal and symmetrical but not identical. For all who are weary of our culture's assault on biblical manhood and womanhood, this book is a refreshing reminder of the Bible's simple wisdom governing love, relationships, marriage, and matters of the heart."

This is a good and important little book that serves as a strong introduction for teens and young adults to the Bible's teaching on manhood and womanhood. What is taught here can largely be found elsewhere but not in so accessible and so practical a form. It has the paternal feel of an older, wiser man writing a concerned letter to those who are younger and in need of counsel. Ensor's advice is good and those who heed it will be pleased that he wrote this book and that they took the time to read it. I recommend this book to teens, to young adults, to parents and to anyone who is concerned with doing things right in matters of the heart."

All I want to add is - Go GET it!

Following is a song that I sang at a conference recently... It sounded amazing with about 800 present. Nevertheless, these words effect my heart EVERY time I hear them. I want to ask you to read them, dwell on them, not to move on from them too quickly. Please, allow these words to stir you and challenge you. For TRULY The Lord IS!!!

The Lord Is

Item # M4235-06-51

Music by Pat Sczebel, Words by Pat Sczebel and Bob Kauflin

As recorded on Psalms

Listen to song sample

The depths of Your grace who can measure
You fully supply all I need
You restore my weary soul again and again
And lead me in Your righteousness and peace

You’re with me through every dark valley
There’s nothing that I have to fear
You are there to comfort me again and again
Protecting me, assuring me You’re near

The Lord is
The Lord is my shepherd
The Lord is
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want

You gave Your own life for my ransom
So I could rejoice at Your side
You have shown Your faithfulness again and again
There’s nothing good that You will not provide

I will dwell in Your house
All the days of my life
I will dwell in Your house
All the days of my life

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

Nana & Keziah

Just recently, we had the privilege of going to the USA and having my mother meet her grand-daughter. There was something special about that...


They don't look related - do they?

Psalms 22:1

I was deeply effected this morning when I read from Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Readings. I trust you will be encouraged as well. I have tried to rewrite this without the Old style of English- but if you prefer that & you have your own copy of this helpful reading - you may want to go straight to it (pg. 226)- otherwise, you can read it here...

Psalms 22:1 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'

When we read these words, we are reminded of the depth of the sorrows of our Savior. There really is no other place that shows the grief of Christ as Calvary, and no other moment at Calvary is so full of agony as that in which His cry fills the air - 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'

It was in this moment on the cross that we see physical weakness being united with acute mental torture from the shame and infamy through which he had to pass; and to make His grief culminate with emphasis, He suffered spiritual agony surpassing all expression, resulting from the departure of His Father's presence. It is here, we see the great darkness of His horror; then it was that He descended the abyss of suffering. No one can enter into the full meaning of these words. Some of us think that sometimes we could cry out, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' And sure there are seasons when the brightness of our Father's smile is eclipsed my clouds and darkness; but let's remember that God never does really forsake us, but in Christ's case it was a real forsaking. We grieve at a little withdrawing of our Father's love; but the real turning away of God's face from His Son, who shall calculate how deep the agony which it caused Him?

In our case, our cry is often dictated by unbelief: in His case, it was the utterance of a dreadful fact, for God had really turned away from Him for a season. O you poor, distressed soul, who once lived in the sunshine of God's face, but is now in darkness, remember that He has not really forsaken you. God in the clouds is as much our God as when He shines forth in all the luster of His grace; but since even the thought that He has forsaken us gives us agony, what must the woe of the Savior have been when He exclaimed, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'

We can rejoice that He will never leave us, nor forsake us...

This surly causes your heart to rejoice?!

Confronted with writing a Will

Have you had to think or have you been through the process of writing or drawing up a Will?

My wife and I have just gone through the process of prayerfully arranging what should happen to our children in the event of our death.

Let me tell you guys - I did not go about this the right way - so learn from my mistake.

Here's what I did.

"Hey honey, I have decided that if we die on our trip overseas, I am going to ask" so and so" to look after our kids.

My wife, "honey, I am not sure I am comfortable with that".

Me, "that's OK, I think it's the right thing to do, so we are going to do that".

My wife, "honey, I really am not sure about that."

Me, "I know your not babe, but it's the right thing to do and I will be held accountable if I got it wrong, so it's the way we need to go!"

You probably understand that I did not do a great job here! Here is where I went wrong, and what I learned, thanks to my wife's patient, loving and timely rebuke.

With tears in her eyes my wife humbly said, "Honey, I know that you are the leader of our home and I know that you have our kids best interest at heart but perhaps next time you could lead me differently." I'm like OK, LISTEN Patrick - this is gonna be gold. And it was...

She continued, "Honey, I am thinking that maybe you could tell me what you are thinking and then say, 'I know you may not agree with me, but I would like to pray with you about this and ask that you pray about this'".

I was like, baby that's brilliant! I'm gonna do that next time. Would you forgive me for messing this up...

Here's the great thing - We completely agree on what should happen to our children and we have a peace that - we make our plans but the Lord orders our steps! Our Will is written, signed & sealed...

I hope you will learn from my mistakes and talk to your wife about what should happen with the possessions you have been entrusted with!

Draw up that Will - having an eternal perspective in mind!

Art Exursion

Today I was at the Sydney Art Museum. I need to make a confession. I was not that impressed! Some of the paintings seemed ridiculous. Please understand, I am no artist! However I did think, that my 2 year old could have come up with a better entry then some that were there. That's art though, hey?

Something happened while I was there that just surprised me. A teacher was walking around with her student's, and the passion and the emotion that exuded from her over these paintings was foreign to me. How could someone be brought to tears by paint? I just did not get it?

As I was riding home from the gallery, a thought hit me.

Some people don't "get" why I am moved to tears by the cross. That cross that represents blood, wrath, pain, indescribable pain, tears & more blood - but also freedom, forgiveness, love, mercy, kindness, grace - oh such grace and LOVE!

Galatians 6:14 has been doing circles in my memory today - "but far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ...

I am not saying that you can't have passion for art, sport, family, food, coffee, shopping, golf, cars, friends etc... I am saying, may they not proceed the passion for the cross...

Oh may you and I boast and be moved by the cross - it will truly effect my/our parenting with an eternal perspective...

Father's Abdicating

I am disappointed because I am witnessing to many father's, who are abdicating their roles as fathers!

I have recently taken a position at a school and today I spent 2 class periods with a kid in year 10 who is facing terrible circumstances! TERRIBLE! He is not alone! There are many children who are missing thier father's instruction in their life... It would break your heart! But I had the wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with this young man, which I was so thankful for! I do pray that he will be able to recall the power of the Gospel and that he would have the grace to respond to it.

However, as I sat and listened to this young man tell me incident after incident of the way his father has negelected and compromised him, I was stunned. Not because I am any better. No I was stunned because I thought, without the Grace of God - there go I. There go I as a father! There go you as a father!

This father has not taken his role seriously! He is failing as a husband, and a father. In fact he failed so bad that his wife left him and has remarried! Now his son does not want anything to do with him.

As I come home to my family, I must consider how I am doing as a father.

Here's some questions I am considering - Perhaps you may want to consider these too?

• How am I loving my wife in front of my kids?
• Am I provoking my children to love and good works - or am I provoking the hell out of them?
• Am I training them in the ways of the Lord - by words only - or are they seeing their daddy model a godly life to them?
• Do my kids see me rejoicing in the GOSPEL - or just talking about it?
• How am I showing my boys to treat their wife?
• How am I showing my daughters that this is how a woman is to be treated by a man?
• Am I teaching my children about grace or works?
• How am I equipping them to be a future husband or wife?
• Does my marriage reflect the way Christ laid down His life for the Church?

Yea... Not easy questions to answer - but I am not called to abidcate these massive responsibilities! What a privilege to model Christ to my wife and children!

Oh, I need Grace... because paretning with an eternal perspective is a massive and awesome job!

Promo of The Pilgrims Progress

If you have never read -



PLEASE DO!!!

Here is a review for you:


by the celebrated minister John Bunyan of Bedfordshire.

The Pilgrim's Progress is, well, sui generis. Tradition holds that John Bunyan wrote it in Bedford Gaol, while imprisoned for the crime of holding a religious service not in conformity with the Church of England. Bunyan spent twelve years in Bedford Gaol for that offense, which helps to explain why nonconformists liked to emigrate to America when they could.

Anyone familiar with this extraordinary work will agree with Samuel Johnson's assessment of John Bunyan, made nearly 100 years after the first publication of Pilgim's Progress and reported by James Boswell in his Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.:

Johnson praised John Bunyan highly. "His Pilgrim's Progress has great merit, both for invention, imagination, and the conduct of the story; and it has had the best evidence of its merit, the general and continued approbation of mankind. Few books, I believe, have had a more extensive sale. It is remarkable, that it begins very much like the poem of Dante; yet there was no translation of Dante when Bunyan wrote. There is reason to think that he had read Spenser."

The illustrations below come from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, With Over One Hundred Illustrations Designed by Frederick Barnard and Others, Engraved by Dalziel Borthers (The John C. Winston Company, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Toronto, 1894). To download a larger .BMP version of the images below, just click the image.

John Bunyan in Bedford Gaol. "As I slept, I dreamed a dream."

Christian tells his wife and children of his distress. "At length he brake his mind to his wife and children."

Christian before the Cross. "His burden fell off his back, and began to tumble."

Christian and the Angels. "Behold, three Shining Ones came to him, and saluted him."

The Porter meets Christian and calls Discretion to the palace door. "This man is on a journey from the City of Destruction to Mount Zion."

Discretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence instruct Christian at the Palace Beautiful. "Then they read him some of the worthy acts that some of His servants had done."

Pride, Arrogancy, Self-Conceit, and Wordly-Glory.

Christian enters the town of Vanity Fair. "At the town there is a fair kept, called Vanity Fair."

Madam Bubble and Mr. Stand-Fast. "I am mistress of the world, and men are made happy by me."

The King's Trumpeter.

Mr. Great-Heart

Prudence questions Christiana's children. "Then she began at the youngest, whose name was James."

Mrs. Timorous's Neighbors. Mrs. Bats-eyes, Mrs. Inconsiderate, Mrs. Light-mind, and Mrs. Know-nothing

Doctor Skill

Valiant-for-Truth

The Giant Despair "Over this stile is the way to Doubting Castle, which is kept by the Giant Despair."

Christian and Hopeful in the Castle of Giant Despair [Doubting Castle] "So they continued together in the dark that day, in their doleful condition"

I just finished reading this to my entire family. Actually two days ago & it has stimulated many conversations. I would strongly encourage you to get your hands on a copy of this and commit to reading it to your whole family... It will have an eternal effect on your parenting!