JULY 31st is fastly approaching! In fact it is in just a few more sleeps and that is when our 7th baby is due!
We value your prayers...
"Blessed is the man who's quiver is full"!
We are so looking forward to this baby coming & I need to be extra vigilant in leading my wife and children because we can get stuck on a date and forget that this baby's days are numbered and have been ordered by the Lord.
It's not our timing - but His!
We wait on you Lord...
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Poorly Dressed Beggar...
Check out this site: Of First Importance - living each day in the good of the gospel...
Imagine that your prayer is a poorly dressed beggar!
"Imagine that your prayer is a poorly dressed beggar reeking of alcohol and body odor, stumbling toward the palace of the great king. You have become your prayer. As you shuffle toward the barred gate, the guards stiffen. Your smell has preceded you. You stammer out a message for the great king: " I want to see the king".
Your words are barely intelligible, but you whisper one final word , 'Jesus , I come in the name of Jesus.' At the name of Jesus, as if by magic, the palace comes alive. The guards snap to attention, bowing low in front of you. Lights come on, and the door flies open. You are ushered into the palace and down a long hallway into the throne room of the great king, who comes running to you and wraps you in his arms.
The name of Jesus gives my prayers royal access. They get through. Jesus isn't just the Savior of my soul. He's also the Savior of my prayers. My prayers come before the throne of God as the prayers of Jesus, 'Asking in Jesus' name' isn't another thing I have to get right so my prayers are perfect. It is one more gift of God because my prayers are so imperfect. "
by: Paul Miller 'A Prayer Life'
Imagine that your prayer is a poorly dressed beggar!
"Imagine that your prayer is a poorly dressed beggar reeking of alcohol and body odor, stumbling toward the palace of the great king. You have become your prayer. As you shuffle toward the barred gate, the guards stiffen. Your smell has preceded you. You stammer out a message for the great king: " I want to see the king".
Your words are barely intelligible, but you whisper one final word , 'Jesus , I come in the name of Jesus.' At the name of Jesus, as if by magic, the palace comes alive. The guards snap to attention, bowing low in front of you. Lights come on, and the door flies open. You are ushered into the palace and down a long hallway into the throne room of the great king, who comes running to you and wraps you in his arms.
The name of Jesus gives my prayers royal access. They get through. Jesus isn't just the Savior of my soul. He's also the Savior of my prayers. My prayers come before the throne of God as the prayers of Jesus, 'Asking in Jesus' name' isn't another thing I have to get right so my prayers are perfect. It is one more gift of God because my prayers are so imperfect. "
by: Paul Miller 'A Prayer Life'
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Godward Orientation
Godward Orientation! Have you ever thought about it?
Tedd Tripp illustrates Godward orientation like "the set of the sail in a child's life". I get what he is describing. If the sail (influence), in our child's life, is set to head south - it's going to go south. Likewise if the sail (influence) is set to move towards the north, it will head north.
So with that being said, take some time with your bride to consider the influences that are shaping your child(ren)'s life - and then evaluate the Godward orientation.
You see parenting is not just providing good input. In fact it is not just creating a good green house effect, though I do like the concept of a greenhouse, however: As parent's we are to be teaching our children the truths in Scripture. Psalms 58:3 tells us, "Even from birth the wicked go astray, from the womb they are wayward and speak lies." Consider Psalms 51:5 "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." These verses clearly tell us that our children, are never morally neutral. You see, our children will either respond to God by faith or they will suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Tripp writes, "If they respond to God by faith, they will find fulfillment in knowing and serving God. If they suppress the truth in unrighteousness, they will ultimately worship and serve the creation rather than the Creator."
Ultimately, God is sovereignly in control over our children's eternal destination. With that being said, I can't imagine standing before my Heavenly Father justifying my lack of Godward orienteering with my children.
My children / Your children - are going to worship something, and we have been given a short time to parent them with an eternal perspective...
Tedd Tripp illustrates Godward orientation like "the set of the sail in a child's life". I get what he is describing. If the sail (influence), in our child's life, is set to head south - it's going to go south. Likewise if the sail (influence) is set to move towards the north, it will head north.
So with that being said, take some time with your bride to consider the influences that are shaping your child(ren)'s life - and then evaluate the Godward orientation.
You see parenting is not just providing good input. In fact it is not just creating a good green house effect, though I do like the concept of a greenhouse, however: As parent's we are to be teaching our children the truths in Scripture. Psalms 58:3 tells us, "Even from birth the wicked go astray, from the womb they are wayward and speak lies." Consider Psalms 51:5 "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." These verses clearly tell us that our children, are never morally neutral. You see, our children will either respond to God by faith or they will suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Tripp writes, "If they respond to God by faith, they will find fulfillment in knowing and serving God. If they suppress the truth in unrighteousness, they will ultimately worship and serve the creation rather than the Creator."
Ultimately, God is sovereignly in control over our children's eternal destination. With that being said, I can't imagine standing before my Heavenly Father justifying my lack of Godward orienteering with my children.
My children / Your children - are going to worship something, and we have been given a short time to parent them with an eternal perspective...
Monday, July 13, 2009
Peace in Trials
So many I know, are going through really challenging and difficult times. We too experience some of those times - but what do we do when we are faced with these difficult times.
Do we grow afraid? Do we get angry? Do we run to friends, food, alcohol, porn or TV? I know of some who get angry with God. Some look for something else to do to distract their minds from the ensuing problems. Others find themselves "depressed".
In James 1:2-18 we read that our faith will be tested, and here is the instructions: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing."
Many people are facing trials due to the economic crisis that the world finds itself in. What would you do? Would you count it all joy or would you be mad at God?
Hard to say, isn't it.
Here's what I imagine would help me & possibly others.
I would want to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to myself. Then I would need to preach to my wife and children the truth of God's Word. I would want encouragement from my pastor & mates around me - to help me run this leg of the race set before me.
Another thing I like to do is listen to music. Music that throws my mind on Christ. Here is a song that I think does just that. It is called: "Peace". It has been written by a guy names Bob Kauflin. Let me share the words with you:
Peace, You give me peace
When the storms come and I'm afraid
Peace, You give me peace
When I trust in the words You say
You give me peace
Verse 1
If You can calm the sea
Then You can comfort me
If winds obey Your voice
Why should I fear the noise
And though my eyes can't see
I know You're with me
Verse 2
When someone starts to fight
And does things I don't like
I hear Your gentle voice
Saying I have a choice
To make an enemy
Or to spread Your peace
Peace, You give me peace
When the storm comes and I'm afraid
Peace, You give me peace
When I trust in the words You say
You give me peace
Brother's in Christ - Peace, is found inside the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Do we grow afraid? Do we get angry? Do we run to friends, food, alcohol, porn or TV? I know of some who get angry with God. Some look for something else to do to distract their minds from the ensuing problems. Others find themselves "depressed".
In James 1:2-18 we read that our faith will be tested, and here is the instructions: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing."
Many people are facing trials due to the economic crisis that the world finds itself in. What would you do? Would you count it all joy or would you be mad at God?
Hard to say, isn't it.
Here's what I imagine would help me & possibly others.
I would want to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to myself. Then I would need to preach to my wife and children the truth of God's Word. I would want encouragement from my pastor & mates around me - to help me run this leg of the race set before me.
Another thing I like to do is listen to music. Music that throws my mind on Christ. Here is a song that I think does just that. It is called: "Peace". It has been written by a guy names Bob Kauflin. Let me share the words with you:
Peace, You give me peace
When the storms come and I'm afraid
Peace, You give me peace
When I trust in the words You say
You give me peace
Verse 1
If You can calm the sea
Then You can comfort me
If winds obey Your voice
Why should I fear the noise
And though my eyes can't see
I know You're with me
Verse 2
When someone starts to fight
And does things I don't like
I hear Your gentle voice
Saying I have a choice
To make an enemy
Or to spread Your peace
Peace, You give me peace
When the storm comes and I'm afraid
Peace, You give me peace
When I trust in the words You say
You give me peace
Brother's in Christ - Peace, is found inside the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Because of the Gospel...
So often the Gospel can be assumed. A colleague of mine once informed me that there are three stages of Gospel phases. 1) Faithful to the Gospel 2) Assuming the Gospel 3) Rejecting the Gospel.
It made me think about how others would say they apply the Gospel in their marriage. I know when I have thought about it for myself, I honestly could not say that I was entirely faithful to applying the Gospel in my marriage
Let me ask you: are you faithfully rehearsing the Gospel for yourself and with your wife? Do you assume the Gospel in your marriage? That would be thinking something like: 'Oh yea, I know Jesus died for my sins'. Or have you rejected the Gospel in your marriage? So you think you just need to work harder on your marriage.
In the book I recommended yesterday, I gleaned 9 reasons why the Gospel is so important for our marriages (found on pg 22 & 23).
1) Because of the gospel, Christians have become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore in our marriage, our past does not define us, confine us, or determine our future.
2) Because of the gospel, we are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7). Therefore we can live free of all guilt and condemnation for every sin, and we can trust that God, in His mercy, will be gracious to us.
3) Because of the gospel, we can forgive, just as Christ forgave us (Ephesians 4:32). Nothing done against us compares to our sin against God. Therefore all offenses, hostility, and bitterness between Christians can be completely forgiven and removed.
4) Because of the gospel, we are accepted by God (Romans 15:7). Therefore we are not dependent on a spouse for who we are or what we need.
5) Because of the gospel, sin's ruling power over us is broken (Romans 6:6,14). Therefore we can truly obey all that God calls us to do in our marriage, regardless of any circumstances or situation.
6) Because of the gospel, we have access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16). Therefore we can at any time take any need in our marriage to the One who can do all things.
7) Because of the gospel, we have hope (Romans 5:1-4). Therefore we can endure any marital difficulty, hardship, or suffering, with the assurance that God is working all to our greatest good (Romans 8:28).
8) Because of the gospel, Christ dwells in us by his Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:13-14). Therefore we are confident that God is always with us and is always at work in our marriage, even when progress is imperceptible (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
9) Because of the gospel, we have power to fight and overcome remaining sin, which continues to swell and war within us (Romans 7:19-21; Galatians 5:16-17). This indwelling enemy represents the essence of what is called the doctrine of sin.
Do these 9 'because fo the gospel's' not encourage you? Boy I have been thinking about them all day! I am encouraged by these truths....
It made me think about how others would say they apply the Gospel in their marriage. I know when I have thought about it for myself, I honestly could not say that I was entirely faithful to applying the Gospel in my marriage
Let me ask you: are you faithfully rehearsing the Gospel for yourself and with your wife? Do you assume the Gospel in your marriage? That would be thinking something like: 'Oh yea, I know Jesus died for my sins'. Or have you rejected the Gospel in your marriage? So you think you just need to work harder on your marriage.
In the book I recommended yesterday, I gleaned 9 reasons why the Gospel is so important for our marriages (found on pg 22 & 23).
1) Because of the gospel, Christians have become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore in our marriage, our past does not define us, confine us, or determine our future.
2) Because of the gospel, we are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7). Therefore we can live free of all guilt and condemnation for every sin, and we can trust that God, in His mercy, will be gracious to us.
3) Because of the gospel, we can forgive, just as Christ forgave us (Ephesians 4:32). Nothing done against us compares to our sin against God. Therefore all offenses, hostility, and bitterness between Christians can be completely forgiven and removed.
4) Because of the gospel, we are accepted by God (Romans 15:7). Therefore we are not dependent on a spouse for who we are or what we need.
5) Because of the gospel, sin's ruling power over us is broken (Romans 6:6,14). Therefore we can truly obey all that God calls us to do in our marriage, regardless of any circumstances or situation.
6) Because of the gospel, we have access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16). Therefore we can at any time take any need in our marriage to the One who can do all things.
7) Because of the gospel, we have hope (Romans 5:1-4). Therefore we can endure any marital difficulty, hardship, or suffering, with the assurance that God is working all to our greatest good (Romans 8:28).
8) Because of the gospel, Christ dwells in us by his Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:13-14). Therefore we are confident that God is always with us and is always at work in our marriage, even when progress is imperceptible (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
9) Because of the gospel, we have power to fight and overcome remaining sin, which continues to swell and war within us (Romans 7:19-21; Galatians 5:16-17). This indwelling enemy represents the essence of what is called the doctrine of sin.
Do these 9 'because fo the gospel's' not encourage you? Boy I have been thinking about them all day! I am encouraged by these truths....
Friday, July 10, 2009
Love That Lasts, When Marriage Meets Grace
Have you heard of this book? Love That Lasts, When Marriage Meets Grace! (click on the title and you can purchase your own copy) Now I have been reading the preface of this book that I once read and am going to be rereading, because I want to refresh myself with the truths that are provided in this book! Anyway, as I read the following statement I was freshly encouraged by this explanation for the remake of this book.
"Anyone familiar with the original book will notice the changes, beginning with the cover. Both books share the same title, but the original subtitle, "Making a Magnificent Marriage," while certainly a worthwhile goal, seemed to put the emphasis on human effort, for human ends. The new subtitle, "When Marriage Meets Grace," reminds us that it is God and his glorious power revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ that are the beginning, the means, and the goal of marriage. What infinite help and hope that can bring to any and every marriage!"
I don't know about you but I want all the help I can get to have a rich marriage. Here's the key. I believe, as husbands, it's our responsibility to be seeking the Lord to have "Love That Lasts".
If you purchase this book you will find 8 very helpful chapters with questions for discussion, evaluation and application at the end of the book. Following are the chapters you can be prepared to read about... Let me tell you - Chapter 2 alone is worth the $9.00 USD ... It is gold...
* The Journey of a Lifetime (Where it all begins)
* Leading with Love (The Role of the husband)
* Walking in Wisdom (The Role of the wife)
* Relational Intimacy (The Goal of our communication)
* Grace to Those Who Hear (The content of our communication)
* The Heart of Conflict (Restoring communication)
* It Never Has to Get Old (The soul of romance)
* Just The Two Of You (The wonder of sexual intimacy)
Anyway guys - we all want great marriages, great sex, Godly children etc... This is a helpful read to help you Parent with an eternal perspective - I promise you...
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Teach em to Pray for their PASTOR
I was freshly reminded the other day of an instruction given to us that I have not been doing. In the Bible, in 1 Thessalonians 5:25 we read; 'Brothers, pray for us.' - what a request from Paul to the Thessalonians. Paul knew that those who had been called, by God, into minsitry had a serious position and they needed prayer. So, he asked for it! Not only were the Thessalonians to be praying for Paul, but we today, ought to be praying for our own pastor's.
I don't know about you, but I have not been setting a good example of this or modelling this for my family. Nor have I spent alot of time discussing and teaching them about the God given responsibility of a pastor either.
Consider with me for a brief moment the major responsibility that rests upon those who have been anointed and appointed for such a task. These officers in Christ's army are observers of very sad backsliding, and it wounds their souls. They see millions perishing and their spirit's sink. They have temptations which we may never experience, they labor over the words to speak so that they are useful to sinners as well as saints. These tasks are some eternally significant responsibilities.
Here are some things that we have begun to be praying for our pastor:
1) His own walk with Christ
2) His marriage
3) His leadership in the home
4) His children
5) The health of his family
6) Favor with other pastor's & people in the community
7) Wisdom to lead those he has been entrusted to lead
8) Faithfulness to the Lord
9) Friendships that will build him up and encourage him
10) Humility
Husbands, fathers, brothers in Christ - You can make your own list but I encourage you to please: PRAY for your pastor & teach your children to do this to...
I don't know about you, but I have not been setting a good example of this or modelling this for my family. Nor have I spent alot of time discussing and teaching them about the God given responsibility of a pastor either.
Consider with me for a brief moment the major responsibility that rests upon those who have been anointed and appointed for such a task. These officers in Christ's army are observers of very sad backsliding, and it wounds their souls. They see millions perishing and their spirit's sink. They have temptations which we may never experience, they labor over the words to speak so that they are useful to sinners as well as saints. These tasks are some eternally significant responsibilities.
Here are some things that we have begun to be praying for our pastor:
1) His own walk with Christ
2) His marriage
3) His leadership in the home
4) His children
5) The health of his family
6) Favor with other pastor's & people in the community
7) Wisdom to lead those he has been entrusted to lead
8) Faithfulness to the Lord
9) Friendships that will build him up and encourage him
10) Humility
Husbands, fathers, brothers in Christ - You can make your own list but I encourage you to please: PRAY for your pastor & teach your children to do this to...
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Smelly Pigs!!!
John Owen is quoted as saying: "He that hath slight thoughts of sin, never had great thoughts of God."
These are some words worth wrestling with. In other words, if you don't think much of sin - you wouldn't of thought, at any length of the greatness of God. You see - God is so much greater than sin. He is so much bigger than all our sins. And yet, we grow complacent with our sinful state.
I rece
ntly read of a man who in the late 1980's lived in the farm country of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This would be a beautiful part of the world, for sure! Anyway, he tells of life being pleasant in all respects but one. He never got used to the smell of manure. That's right, the smell of manure was the one down side. He claimed that it was the pig manure that was the worst. However interestingly though was the fact that he found the pig odor disgusting, and yet he never noticed the pigs being disgusted by their own smell.
ntly read of a man who in the late 1980's lived in the farm country of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This would be a beautiful part of the world, for sure! Anyway, he tells of life being pleasant in all respects but one. He never got used to the smell of manure. That's right, the smell of manure was the one down side. He claimed that it was the pig manure that was the worst. However interestingly though was the fact that he found the pig odor disgusting, and yet he never noticed the pigs being disgusted by their own smell. J.C. Ryle once put it, "The very animals whose smell is most offensive to us have no idea they are offensive and are not offensive to one another."
Robin Boisvert rightly points out that "Fallen man, it seems, can have no adequate idea what a vile thing sin is in the sight of a holy and perfect God."
How true! I wonder if you have grown complacent or comfortable with your sins? Are you justifying or rationalizing your sin away, instead of repenting or confessing sin?
Brother, the Gospel tells us that God loved us so much He sent His Son, Jesus who was born of a virgin; who lived a sinless life; who was crucified; buried & rose again 3 days later, then revealing Himself to many witnesses; ascended into heaven and now at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us - so that we might find forgiveness and freedom. What love is this? He loves us very much. Though He, God cannot tolerate sin, He sent His Son to pay the price that we might have life. He paid the debt!
What a Savior...
This is just a tiny glimpse at how Great God is in comparison to sin. Do your kids know this?
Monday, July 6, 2009
Serving your Bride when a baby comes...
Hey Guys -
Found a great read for you to either read yourself or pass on to your bride...
As we ourselves approach another baby coming - I am thinking how I will provide time for my bride to read her Bible and have personal time alone with the Lord? It is very important that this happens...
Check this out: Our friend, Nichole Starling over at 168 Hours has provided testimony and helpful websites for your wife to view and be encouraged... however I strongly suggest you have a look yourself too - so you can be leading your wife and not leaving her to fend for herself... Perhaps you could recommend some helpful things you saw there... if not, it hopefully raises your awareness that your bride needs time alone with God & this time has to be fought for, during the early days, months & even years of a baby coming home...
Found a great read for you to either read yourself or pass on to your bride...
As we ourselves approach another baby coming - I am thinking how I will provide time for my bride to read her Bible and have personal time alone with the Lord? It is very important that this happens...
Check this out: Our friend, Nichole Starling over at 168 Hours has provided testimony and helpful websites for your wife to view and be encouraged... however I strongly suggest you have a look yourself too - so you can be leading your wife and not leaving her to fend for herself... Perhaps you could recommend some helpful things you saw there... if not, it hopefully raises your awareness that your bride needs time alone with God & this time has to be fought for, during the early days, months & even years of a baby coming home...
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Battles of the Flesh...
How often do you struggle with your fleshly desires? How often are you overcome by your fleshly desires? Are you winning the battle of the flesh?
I am challenged, encouraged and rebuked when I read verses like these in Galatians 5: 16-26
Walk by the Spirit
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another envying one another."
Thankfully brothers our Great High Priest, Jesus, knows our temptations. He was tempted in every way and yet NEVER succumbed to any of them. Hence our justification, Oh praise His holy name! You see, Jesus did what we cannot do. We are going to fail. We are going to fall yet in the same breath, by His Spirit, we can live by the Spirit, instead of fulfilling the desires of the flesh. However when we fall, quickly run to the cross and find forgiveness there. 1 John 1:9 and Romans 8:1 are powerful verses in helping us biblically deal with sin.
I find it such a good reminder that we are in a battle. In order to win this battle of the flesh I/we need the full armor of God. By putting on the full armor of God - this is a way that we can protect ourselves from the temptations that can lure us to feed our flesh:
In fact, I have a friend who has a picture on his refrigerator at home, and he and his wife stand together, while they are waiting for their morning coffee , and they pray for each other and help each other assemble themselves for the day with these wonderful spiritual garments. You can read about them here in Ephesians 6: 13-18.
What a great way to equip yourself each day for battles of the flesh, but also what a great way to lead your family...
I am challenged, encouraged and rebuked when I read verses like these in Galatians 5: 16-26
Walk by the Spirit
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another envying one another."
Thankfully brothers our Great High Priest, Jesus, knows our temptations. He was tempted in every way and yet NEVER succumbed to any of them. Hence our justification, Oh praise His holy name! You see, Jesus did what we cannot do. We are going to fail. We are going to fall yet in the same breath, by His Spirit, we can live by the Spirit, instead of fulfilling the desires of the flesh. However when we fall, quickly run to the cross and find forgiveness there. 1 John 1:9 and Romans 8:1 are powerful verses in helping us biblically deal with sin.
I find it such a good reminder that we are in a battle. In order to win this battle of the flesh I/we need the full armor of God. By putting on the full armor of God - this is a way that we can protect ourselves from the temptations that can lure us to feed our flesh:
In fact, I have a friend who has a picture on his refrigerator at home, and he and his wife stand together, while they are waiting for their morning coffee , and they pray for each other and help each other assemble themselves for the day with these wonderful spiritual garments. You can read about them here in Ephesians 6: 13-18.
What a great way to equip yourself each day for battles of the flesh, but also what a great way to lead your family...
The Importance of Theology - from some wise men...
" A wise man has said that your Christian life is like a three-legged stool. The legs are doctrine, experience, and practice. In recent years many Christian people have not kept these three together". J.I. Packer
"You have heard the adage, 'Ignorance is the mother of superstition.' Unfortunately, many people's theology is the crystallizing of ignorance more than the systematizing of God's revelation. They wander about in the theological dark, formulating doctrines that belong in the world of witch doctors. Therefore, we need to say more than that everyone has a theology when asked, Why theology? We need to distinguish between right theology and wrong theology. For theology is like a backbone. Right theology will have you walking straight and fit. Wrong theology will have you hunchbacked and paralyzed." James Cantelon
"The conviction that Christian doctrine matters for Christian living is one of the most important growth points of the Christian life." Sinclair Ferguson
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wesley & Camella
We have (had) two sponsor children from Brazil. They were a brother and sister and we were so excited when they became part of our family. We began sponsoring them, through Compassion, about 5 years ago. We loved getting their letters and updated photo's. It was especially fun when the kids would draw pictures and tell us what they have been doing and what they had been learning about God.
Well today we learned that they are no longer part of Compassion. Their mum has pulled them out of Compassion and enrolled them in another organisation that provides aide there in Brazil.
I must say, I am a bit disappointed. I have had dreams of one day meeting this brother and sister - but never mind.
When sharing this news with my children tonight - I must confess, I wanted to air my disgust and disappointment, but that would not have served them in any way. Instead I ensured them that, Lord willing, one day we would be able to meet them in heaven. I was also able to encourage them that even though we won't be providing them with finical support, we sure can be a spiritual support by remembering them in our prayers.
They were disappointed as well but seemed excited by the thought of being a spiritual support to this dear brother and sister in Brazil...
I must admit - I was once again reminded of my duty as a dad to teach my children how to view things with an eternal perspective... these opportunities present themselves so many times...
Well today we learned that they are no longer part of Compassion. Their mum has pulled them out of Compassion and enrolled them in another organisation that provides aide there in Brazil.
I must say, I am a bit disappointed. I have had dreams of one day meeting this brother and sister - but never mind.
When sharing this news with my children tonight - I must confess, I wanted to air my disgust and disappointment, but that would not have served them in any way. Instead I ensured them that, Lord willing, one day we would be able to meet them in heaven. I was also able to encourage them that even though we won't be providing them with finical support, we sure can be a spiritual support by remembering them in our prayers.
They were disappointed as well but seemed excited by the thought of being a spiritual support to this dear brother and sister in Brazil...
I must admit - I was once again reminded of my duty as a dad to teach my children how to view things with an eternal perspective... these opportunities present themselves so many times...
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