Dads' Ministry Ideas

Family Projects Made Exciting!

2011-08-13T21:34:00.001-06:00

Transform Creative has some really cool family evening projects. Based on the concept that families can learn together about Biblical heroes, Transform Creative puts an artsy spin on family time.

From Bible Hero Bookmarks that the kids research and fill in facts like sports cards to large mural posters that the whole family colors together, Transform Creative puts fun back into family Bible time.

If you are looking for a family discipleship curriculum, Transform Creative has that too.

Galatians 2:20 Family Mural

www.transformcreative.com

No Kids - Is that how you feel?

2011-08-06T18:51:00.000-06:00

I'm in the kid business and spend most of my time helping kids achieve their goals and prepare for a full life of success. I'm also a dad, so I invest thousands of hours into discipling my children and building a mega-memory bank of family times. It's all good! I mean it! I couldn't have chosen a better life, if I had planned it out! Fortunately, God planned it for me! I really kind of just fell into this! Would I have had the foresight to plan it this great? Maybe not... Which brings me to a pretty serious blog post: What if you don't want to have kids? You don't but your spouse does... what then?

If this is you, what you are experiencing is a product of very modern, American thinking. You do what you feel comfortable with. Or, you do what makes most intellectual sense to you. We watch movies to escape this cultural prison... and some of us invest in weekend hobbies.

I am contending today that you probably don't have the right to choose not to have children. Yes, having children is not for the weak because kids change the single life-style. But, having kids brings depth to life that single couples can't even grasp at. (I say you don't have the right because Christians are slaves and servants to God.)

Biblically, the creation mandate is to produce children and subdue the earth. Yeah, yeah... outdated. Is it? And, we all know the full quiver verse. Or, the children are God's blessing passage. But, let me go just a little deeper.

Here are a few quick thoughts for you to ponder:

Children fulfill the calling of a wife. The infamous Proverbs 31 woman is defined by her work as a mother and a wife.
Discipleship: A powerful part of being a light in this dark world is to train up children to extend the kingdom of Jesus and reflect the glory of Jesus in this dark world. What will your legacy be?
Crucify the Flesh: Does your spouse want children? Part of a spouse's right is to have access to your body, which includes the ability to reproduce. Can't have children? Are you willing to sacrifice your flesh to serve your spouse and raise children?
Fear: Most of us have seen only ill-behaved kids that are in general irritating and obnoxious. So, it is natural to fear having those unholy terrors in our own peaceful houses. Biblical child training produces just the opposite! Cool kids that are fun to explore life with.
Joy! Don't let fear determine your future joy. God had incredible blessings in store for parents who Biblically train up their children in the Lord!

For the wrap up, let me just say this... why not kids?

2011-08-05T23:25:00.000-06:00

Just caught the DVD, Soul Surfer! Incredible! What a story! Inspiring! I had a strange lump in my throat most of the movie. Head down to the video store and pick up Soul Surfer. Watch the film. Then, for the best part!! Select the Special Features and watch the documentary about Bethany Hamilton. It is so spiritual and Jesus-centered.

Truth Notes: Be Wise - Daily Readings From Proverbs

2011-08-05T14:10:00.000-06:00

Dads! Is your daily bible time with the kids getting a tad bit mundane? Download this sweet daily devotional that I just published on Youblisher. Click and drag with your mouse to turn the pages online, or just download the PDF and print it!

You'll love this daily reading because it is written just for young people and includes great illustrations from Steven Zeller @ transformcreative.com!

Check out Truth Notes: http://bit.ly/TruthNotes

Well-Oiled Family = Ministry Availability

2010-07-15T18:00:00.000-06:00

How many times have you seen dads and moms hamstrung in their availability to help out at church? They are tied to the nursery or to their houses because their kids can't behave in public.

Although this is not my motivation for disciplining and training my kids, it is a HUGE benefit to Biblical training. (My movitation for Biblically training my kids is their salvation and life successs.)

Adoption Camp: Oregon June 17 - 20, 2010

2010-05-28T17:06:00.002-06:00

http://choseninternational.org/events.php

Readers Theater: Cain

2010-02-27T22:57:00.005-07:00

Narrator 1: Let’s go back about 6000 years to the first murder. We find two brothers working on the front porch of their parents' cabin. It looks like one is obviously a farmer because he’s wearing overalls. The other chap must be some type of rancher or shepherd.

Abel: Hey Cain! What’s up? I’m really excited about meeting with God this afternoon. God’s really been good to me. You know, God has really gone to bat for me these past few years. I’ve really gotten the hang of running a sheep ranch.

Cain: Yeah, I’m going to meet with God too. I’m not really sure how much He’s really helped me though. Pretty much, I just do what needs to be done to take care of myself.

Abel: Well, remember that God made dad out of dirt and then made mom from one of dad’s ribs. We really are just DIRT! Without God’s help, we wouldn’t be worth much.

Cain: I know that God made dad and mom from dirt. But, whatever! I’ve got a feeling that I’m kind of a big deal.

Narrator 2: As you can see, Cain and Abel, even though they are brothers, have very different ways of looking at life. Cain secretly probably feels like he doesn’t really need God. And, Abel, well Abel doesn’t really have any problems giving God the credit for his success.

Narrator 1: The two brothers go their separate ways to get their gifts ready .

Abel: Hmmm. Come here Lamby! You are my favorite little lamb! I’ll give you to God.

Narrator 2: Meanwhile over at the farm, Cain is getting ready also.

Cain: Hmmm. I wonder where that broccoli is that I had too much of? I don’t want any of this stuff to go bad, so I’ll put together a little something for God.

Narrator 1: Two brothers – Two very different attitudes towards God.

Narrator 2: A little later, Abel brings his best lamb and sacrifices it to God. God likes Abel’s offering and accepts it. God can tell that Abel trusts in Him for everything. Abel knows God is good.

Narrator 1: I wish I could say the same about Cain. Cain doesn’t have the same trust in God. Cain doesn’t see God as loving, kind, and forgiving.

Narrator 2: Look – Abel is leaving and he seems to smiling about something!

Narrator 1: That’s not how Cain looks. He just looks mad.

Abel: Well – I sure am glad that God accepted my sacrifice. I know that someday God will provide someone to take away my sins. God really is good.

Cain: I don’t deserve this kind of treatment! God and Abel can both take a hike. I don’t know why I brought a gift to God anyway. I can do this thing on my own.

God: Cain – watch out! Do what you know is right or else sin will take control of your life.

Cain: Hey Abel – do you want to take a little walk out into the fields with me?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Narrator 1: What do you think the right thing would have been for Cain to do?

Narrator 2: Why was Cain so mad at Abel?

Narrator 1: Abel didn’t deserve to die. Can you think of someone else who would someday die at the hands of an angry mob? Someone else who didn’t deserve to die?

Time Traveler's Wife

2010-02-14T00:51:00.004-07:00

There is a little of the Time Traveler all of us. Like the Time Traveler, we are often unavailable to our wives and kids. Some of us stay late at work. I, myself, tune out my wife and kids, focusing on other tasks that I deem more important than what they are saying to me. Whether it be emailing, cloistering myself in the office, or just plain ignoring my loved ones, I play the Time Traveler.

If my wife or children decided to play the Time Traveler, would I accept it? No, I'd throw a big fit! If Jesus decided to play the Time Traveler and ignore me, or be busy in some other part of the galaxy, would I appreciate it? Thank God that can't happen. So, what about me? Will I Time Travel or will I choose to be a faithful, involved daddy and husband?

Adoption: A type of Christ

2009-12-30T14:12:00.005-07:00

"Adoption: My flesh isn't ready, but my spirit is willing! God - Please give me more children to disciple, love, and make a home with. Don't let me deny my destiny for the sake of a life of relative ease." Tim Swanson

Middle Class Poverty

2009-12-16T22:43:00.005-07:00

Yep! Only in a 1st world country. I spend 6 to 8 hours a day in the community, and I see a lot of poverty. There is a huge section of the population that is living on the edge of homelessness - for varying reasons. Some of them ride the government gravy-train. Others live hand-to-mouth, with the kids raising themselves because mom is working waking hours.

But, that type of poverty is not the subject of my blog. What I'm talking about is middle-class poverty. Self-induced poverty through over-extending and over-entertaining. These people are broke and living the $4K a month life-style. The problem is that they are broke and in a deep hole. Under the glistening granite counter-tops and hardwood floors, lies a big excavated financial hole. Sitting on the leased leather seats of a 3-year old SUV, are two people drinking lattes and stressed about owing $40K.

So, what is my point? Is this the legacy to pass on to future generations? No - In fact, it stems from a complete lack of legacy and a lack of vision.

1. Sell the SUV, even if it is paid for. Drive a $900 car.
2. Write a family mission statement.
3. Stop whining about being broke.
4. Start living within your means.
5. Write 10% of your income towards your church and ministries that are in line with your mission statement.
6. Listen to Dave Ramsey every day.

Look! Don't declare bankruptcy. Don't live in a culture of middle-class, self-induced poverty. Step out with renewed vision. Sell off some of your junk. Pay off your debt.

How can I be so bold? I did it. I'm debt free except for my primary mortgage on my house, which is less than rent. It took a lot of years paying three to four hundred bucks a month towards debt. And, then the debt up and vanished. Now, I just feel mildly guilty when I plop down $4 for a 20 ounce cup of joe. Before, I didn't feel anything. I was numb.

Adoption

2009-11-29T17:06:00.004-07:00

Adoption - I was just spending some time on Rainbowkids.com. While looking through the photos and files of waiting kids, I was struck by the large number of waiting kids (~800+ waiting kids at www.rainbowkids.com.) I clicked on one African child and was surprised to see this adoption fully funded by grants.

With adoption, it boils down to God telling you to adopt. No one can make you adopt. Offering it for free isn't even enticing enough.

With me, I've followed God direction down the adoption path a couple of times. Each time, God has clearly communicated His will and given me guidance to find each of my children. At the end of each rainbow, I found my child waiting to be brought home. Like a lost lamb longing for the fold, not just any fold. A specific fold. Home.

Should you adopt? I don't know. Should you seek God's advice and will about what to do? Of course you should.

Drive Thru History

2009-11-21T12:19:00.003-07:00

Dave Stotts, a history-travel guide of sorts, does a smash-up job infusing vibrant appreciation into history. Drive Thru History has three basic sets of DVDs.

Ancient History: Incredible on-the-scene exploration of history from a Biblical perspective.
Foundations in Character: These are my favorite - biographical video sketches of American patriots.
American History Series: Brand-spankin'-new travel-logs through American exploration and colonial history.

Consider picking up one of these three sets. If you shop around, you can find them discounted to a pretty reasonable price.

Who is Your Barometer?

2009-11-02T22:24:00.003-07:00

If you're like me, you put life on a self-absorbed cruise-control until issues build up and your wife lets you know that something has to change. For me, I then run a cycle that ranges from denial and excuse-making to grudging admittance and finally I resort to reactive problem solving.

My barometer is my wife's threshold for the chaos that accompanies my self-absorption. Instead, maybe I can begin to garner a proactive position of leadership in my home by using the word of God as my barometer.

Generations Radio - Dad-Focused - Christian Worldview

2009-10-31T02:36:00.004-06:00

WWW.GENERATIONSWITHVISION.COM

Don't Be Content With The Middle-Class Life

2009-10-19T20:11:00.002-06:00

Life is full of business, surprises, stressful moments, family times, and time with friends. Don't settle for the "I'm doing a nice job raising my family" fake-out. Sure, discipling your family is priority number one. But, you should be killing two birds with one stone. Disciple your family in the word daily and disciple your family in making disciples weekly.

In our culture, you must go past the "Look at me - I don't cuss or steal or leer at women" witness at work. Truly, you must invite people into your home for dinner. You must build relationships outside of work with coworkers. The sure-fire way to get a chance to disciple and share Christ is through hospitality to strangers and acquaintances.

Living the cloistered life of home and church and "being a good witness at work" doesn't cut it. Sure, it's a life. But, it is a selfish life. Not the life of a harvester. Take a risk - invite some unbelievers into your house for dinner and a little game of Chinese checkers. And, you'll be surprised to see opportunities to share Christ springing up. What will take you years to accomplish at work may take place quickly around your dinner table. Like I said, don't be content with the middle-class life of safe Christianity.

Homelessness at the Rest Stop

2009-09-27T23:16:00.004-06:00

I tried not to make eye-contact but she stared at my kids hanging onto my two hands. Her sign was an old pizza box-top and had something about being stranded scrawled in Sharpie. A few minutes later, we emerged from the stench of the roadside restroom. She looked eighty but appeared about forty - the tracks of meth all over her as she hunched in a dirty blue sweatshirt.

I gave her thirteen dollars "from Jesus" and she looked at my son and said, "you be sure to say your prayers." It was one of the saddest sentences I've ever heard. There was a preventative longing in her voice. I put my hand on her bony shoulder and prayed for her in her abandonment.

Turned towards the car a minute later, anger burned hot as my eyes caught a quick movement. Her 35ish year-old pimp quickly pocketed the money, lit up, and disappeared back in to the background, leaving her waving half-wittedly at my car-seated family as we took the clover-leaf back onto the south-bound.

What should I have done? What should I be doing? Under The Overpass by Mike Yankoski shines some Jesus-light onto this situation.

Eaten Alive

2009-09-05T22:40:00.009-06:00

Picture this - You're standing in the urgent care center on the corner of Monroe and 13th. The young mother in front of you clutches her insurance card in one hand and caresses a young son's hair. The 5-year old's stomach is distended and pokes curiously out of his Sponge Bob shirt. You wonder why that kid looks pregnant. His hair also appears abnormal. Instead of a natural black, it is reddish and brittle. The admittance nurse glances across the desk and whispers audibly to her coworker, "Another one of those kids being eaten alive. Incredible! It only takes one pill that costs 2 cents." With that she says flatly, "Next." "I can't afford it," you hear the mother say...

If that happened in your urgent care center, you'd do something about it. And, if you didn't do something, your government would. But, this is happening in India. Thousands of children are eaten alive by worms. Imagine being sick most of the time and because the meager meals of curry aren't going to your cells. They are going into the stomachs of parasites and worms living in your tummy.

Help is there. India Partners from Eugene, Oregon (a group I trust and have looked into) accept donations and make sure that the pills are purchased and transported to clinics in the slums of India. Think about what an impact $100 bucks would have if it only takes $0.02 to bring health and relief to a child being eaten alive.

What do I do about tantrums?

2009-08-29T21:11:00.005-06:00

This morning, a question was posed on Focus' Weekend Magazine that went like this: "My two year old tantrums up to six times a day for 45 minutes each time and even hits his head on the wall. I put him in his bedroom but that doesn't work. What do I do?"

Dr. Kevin Leman, author of Have a New Kid by Friday responded with authority saying, "Don't say a word. Put him in his room and hold the door closed. He'll throw stuff. When he is quiet and only when he is quiet, open the door to ask if he is ready to come out."

Kevin advised a manipulation technique that will manipulate the tantruming child's self-centered human nature. The technique is to NOT gratify the motivation of the tantruming child, which is usually to engage attention.

What's wrong with that? In part, nothing. As a stand-alone, everything. God's way is not to manipulate the human nature. True, God would not have you gratifying the child's out-of-control selfish nature by giving it what it wants - you undivided attention.

Instead, God wants you to spank your child for his rebellion. You have told your child to stop the tantrum. He has rebelled. The Biblical consequence for deliberate disobedience is spanking on the bottom.

Now, I've been at my wit's end with two-year old tantrums before, and I've used a "phone a friend' lifeline. The advice I received worked. God's way works over time. You won't have a new kid by Friday. But in God's timing, you will see progress over a period of a few weeks to a few months.

There is no magic formula. You may doubt that it is having any effect. Here's something to try:
1. At the first sign of a tantrum, calmly say, "no - stop your tantrum."
2. Without showing any emotion yourself, put your child over your knee and spank his/her bottom three or four times.
3. Pray over your child. If possibly, have your child say "Please forgive me for tantruming." Hug him. Quote Ephesians 6:1 to your child.
4. Sit your child in a safe place.
5. Wait for a while, maybe 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 6.
7. After about 45 minutes, you can call it a draw and start again with the next tantrum. But, it is better if you persevere until the tantrum is under control and your child is obeying.

You may not bring your child's will into submission the first day. Over a period of time, you will see these tantrums shorten and you will see your child willingly start to submit to your command that he/she use self-control and stop the tantrum.

WARNING: Don't show ANY emotion. Your lack of self-control will cause your child to escalate more. Be very calm and don't worry about the tantrum not stopping right away.

Remember, Never discipline or spank in anger. The reason why you want your child to obey is because you love him/her. AND, because God commands you to do it.

Movie Ratings

2009-08-25T11:43:00.003-06:00

In the heat of the emotion, the main character cuts down the opponent with a cutting F-bomb. At least 15 years ago, SOB jumped into the PG13 rating. Now, every PG13 movie usually has at least one or sometimes two token f-words.

I know that next to abortion, picture ratings are pretty insignificant. But, I called the ratings office at Motion Picture Association of America anyway. (818) 995-6600 is the main line - I asked for the ratings department. My question was, "Who decided to allow the f-word in PG13 movies?" And, "Are they open to public suggestions?" Because, my suggestion is...

What are your thoughts on this?

Yes, Son - I do give a crap about you and - the living hell that is HFMD

2009-08-09T15:26:00.003-06:00

Sitting in Seattle traffic with what feels like a combination of lockjaw, plywood for a tongue, Job's boils on my lips and gums, and a claustrophobic feeling that I may never swallow again, I frantically slosh Mountain Dew through the gauntlet that I call my mouth and will myself to swallow.

Two thoughts confront me. First, if this is what hell is going to be like, then I don't want anyone I know to go there. The verse about their worm dying not takes on new meaning as I smile through lips creating that dry-broken -glass pain. God must really be an amazing being and millions times more worthy of worship, if failure to recognize His authority and amazingness results in eons of justice being done upon one's rebellious soul. Let's look at the positive of hell - How wonderful is God that disregarding Him results in a death sentence that Justice gives the nod of approval to? I must be missing something in my view of God because my God barely deserves my obedience.

Oh - and the second juicy lesson! This one pertains to my children. One of them encountered some sloppy juice on the shopping cart or rested a chin on the public bathroom sink while trying to "I'll do it myself" hand wash. (If you're a dad, you can picture this. You're trying to use the urinal while your son is pressing his face against the white porcelain sink, reaching valiantly for the soap. You're trying to calmly say, "Don't put your mouth on that sink.")

Back to my point, so from some sordid point of entry, a virus jumped on board our family vacation. This virus lasts a week and plasters boils all over your children's mouths (and sometimes dad's mouth too). I, being the kind dad that I am, was sympathetic but not realistically so. In fact, I could not imagine that those white puss-filled sores really hurt that bad. Actually - AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! They hurt just about as bad as being waterboarded at Gitmo.

--------------

Speaking of valiant, I was doing dishes today despite the partial-tongue-paralysis, and both my daughter and son asked me to play with them. I said my customary, "Daddy would love to but Daddy has to do the dishes." in my best salesperson voice. It was at that point that I realized:

Yes Son, yes Daughter - I do give a crap about you. I care about your mouth hurting. I care about you getting to know our super-amazing God, and you not going to hell. And, "Thank you for wanting me to play with you. Wow! What a wonderful invitation. Daddy - can you be my friend and play with me!" I wonder how many times I have to say "no" before you stop asking and eventually stop inviting me to play with you?"

Already Gone - Ken Ham Interview by Kevin Swanson

2009-07-07T22:57:00.003-06:00

July 8, 2009 Kevin Swanson will interview of Ken Ham regarding his new book Already Gone, which deals with the fact that millions of young people are taking a leap of faith into the abyss of distrusting the truth of the Bible. http://www.generationswithvision.com/

This is a topic that I blog about quite often, so it should be interesting to hear Kevin's show tomorrow.

Don't Go Cold on Her

2009-06-14T00:08:00.003-06:00

Yes - we love the chase and the thrill of elusive lusts, which helps to explain why the creeping coldness. You know what I mean: Guy gets girl. Guy gets busy at work. Guy feels like he's above the mundane daddyhood at home. Guy says, "I don't love you anymore." Guy gets divorce and leaves family shattered and wife in shock. Guy wakes up one day old, lonely and frigid.

Most men are somewhere on the continuum. Where are you? Well - without sounding too cliche', the road to warming back up starts with at simple cup of coffee. Surprise her by buying her coffee and spending some time listening to her heart. True love is sharing experiences with her and spending money on her. So, grab a blanket, take your girl out to a quiet spot, and warm up a little.

Like a Young Plant

2009-05-30T21:59:00.004-06:00

I struggle every year to keep my tomato plants alive because I can't seem to remember to water them regularly. The plants that really give me trouble are the hanging baskets. The hanging baskets have very little moisture retention in their soil, and wilting ensues without prompt watering. Any of this connect with you? Probably not, so let me draw three illustrations:

1. The plants are your children.
2. The soil is everything that you are giving your children: Christian worldview, Biblical discipline and training, structured environment, discipleship in the truths of God, daily integration of Biblical truth into everyday activities, modeling of love, patience, peacemaking, integrity.
3. The daily watering is daily pouring of the water of God's truth into your children's mind and heart. Singing songs, memorizing catechism and verses, reading and applying the Biblical truths.

Plants without soil soon die. Precious plants without water wither and eventually snap apart. Your plants will flourish or eventually cast aside Christianity as myth. What harvest are you gardening for?

Make Hiking Time Ministry Time

2009-05-18T18:02:00.004-06:00

Weekends find us hiking in scenic spots, building that safety-net memory bank. Raising our children in the knowledge of the Creator is facilitated in the gallery of creation. Do you spend time with your family, creating memories? Are you building a foundation of rational, truthful, Biblical reality within the minds and hearts of your children?

Within the context of family ministry, I have begun reaching out to others through gospel and creation videos. Take a look and maybe you'll start doing the same thing:

Eat Sunday Lunch in the Front Yard

2009-04-19T15:55:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, I noticed some neighbors sitting on white plastic chairs, smoking and one had a beer. I walked up, asked if I could sit down, and we started chatting.

Don't you remember before you were saved? Sitting around shooting the bull with other unsaved folk? Try this - start eating one weekend meal a week in the front yard. You'll be surprised how many fences will come down between you and your neighbors.

Communicate Yo' Love

2009-03-29T23:34:00.003-06:00

Ouch! I'm bad at this. Taking my wife for granted, I back her into a corner where she is tired and overworked. We took a day at the coast with Diggity and his family this weekend. During that relaxing time, Diggity and I were chatting about my need to be a better husband. Before I threw my beer at him for being too brutally honest (just kidding - I'm not a violent person), he said one thing that made sense:

1. When I come home from work, take control of the house. Do what needs to be done to tidy up. Manage the kids and take care of discipline. My wife needs a break. She doesn't need to leave the house and go shopping. She simply needs a break from managing the house, doing everything, cleaning, mothering children, training, disciplining. She needs ME to get off of the internet and take control for a few hours. So - I tried it this afternoon for about 10 minutes. I couldn't believe how well it worked.

Oh, and number 2 - I came up with this one on my own... or maybe I heard it on some long-forgotten marriage radio segment.

2. A second way that you can communicate your love is by doing just that. Make a quiet moment and tell her all of the things that you think are beautiful about her. Don't stop with, "I like your hair." Tell her special things that you enjoy about her body, her personality, her mothering. Be very specific. And, don't expect anything in return. Just give her some special verbal attention. Maybe, rub a foot or her back while you're at it. A little goes a long ways.

Why? Violence in Orissa, India

2009-02-27T22:14:00.003-07:00

The Hindu terrorists continue to kill Christians. So, why aren't the Christians retaliating? If you are a nonbeliever in Jesus Christ - the Creator God, look closely at the reactions of the thousands of Christians across the globe that are being tortured, raped, burned, kidnapped, and imprisoned. Why not retaliate? What is so beautiful about Jesus Christ that these people are willing to be killed. Why? Why do these people continue to forgive? Why? What are you missing? What is so important about Jesus Christ dying on the cross and coming back to life again three days later?

Don't Waste Your Life

2009-02-27T20:33:00.003-07:00

Consider these questions?

1. Why am I so bought into the American lifestyle and creature comforts?

2. Why can't I see all of the people sinking down? Am I going to just let them drown?

3. What is stopping me from helping to alleviate the poverty and orphan problems?

4. Do I love this world so much that I will let thousands perish in poverty?

5. What do I need to do to instill missionary vision in my family?

6. What is holding me back from going? Can I honestly say, "Here I am Lord, send me?"

7. Am I ignorant of the facts or just callous to the truth about spiritual and physical poverty?

8. Did Jesus allow Himself to get tied down? How have I entangled myself into the world's system?

Host An Inner City Kid This Summer

2009-02-18T23:11:00.004-07:00

You don't have to go to the inner city to love on kids! The Fresh Air Fund was started in 1877 by a Pennsylvania pastor, since providing a summer vacation in the country to 1.7 million inner-city kidoes. Host families are needed for the below states:

Jesus spent his time traveling, teaching, relieving sickness, raising the dead, dying to justify His people. He went to where the hurting people he wanted to help were living. You've been given a friendship with Jesus, and along with that friendship has come the heart of Jesus. Children have a special place in Jesus' heart.

Maybe this summer, you can pass on just a little of that love by hosting a child. Pray about it. God has a unique plan for each of us and has planned out in advance the good works that we will do. (Eph. 2:10) This may be the year that God wants you to share a little country life and Jesus-love with an inner city child.

Time and Timing and Tactics

2009-02-16T23:59:00.007-07:00

Time - most of us have little of this commodity. We have few friends and even fewer deep relationships. Our entire lives are wrapped up in two things: Keeping food on the table and keeping our family emotionally, spiritually and physically healthy.

Our commission is to go to all of the nations and make disciples. So, we forge forward with raising God-fearing children. Our vision is to wage multi-generational warfare against Satan, making a massive splash in the river of time. We see ourselves fulfilling the great commission through the family discipleship we're doing now.

Timing - when do we leave the garrison with our strike force and attack the strongholds of demonic influence? If our children are to grasp the vision, they must live the practical lessons of spiritual offense. At home, they learn habits of prayer, discipline and doctrine. However, it is within the context of active battle that the skills are discovered and honed. It is important that we create opportunities for our children to practice the lessons of compassion, prayer, and evangelism while they are under our protection. To produce Christians who engage the culture, we must take away their fear of interacting with the world.

Tactics -Empower your apprentices by engaging them in a variety of family-initiated ministry activities.

Bring poverty and diversity into your home and have the entire family participate in the hospitality. Train your children to be polite with guests who are different and strange. Handle issues that come up in a debriefing session, as well as proactively teach proper behavior. Absolutely squash all rudeness and racial comments. You must train your children and yourself to interact appropriately with those who are not of your same cultural strata.
Find opportunities for your family to develop relationships outside of your immediate zone of safe relationships. Look around for opportunities to "adopt" several families or individuals and begin meeting their relational needs as a family.
Occasionally, take your family to a variety of outreaches. Moonlighting without long term commitment isn't a crime. You don't have time to be involved long-term in a ministry to which you haven't been called. But, you can help out every six months.

You can raise self-righteous wimps. Or, you can raise rebellious God-rejectors. Either will be a heartbreak. If you integrate practical apprenticeship in disciple-making into your family vision, you may avoid the unthinkable. You may initiate a multi-generational tsunami.

Do You Have Her Heart?

2009-02-05T21:10:00.004-07:00

Parents are often searching to guide their children but have to resort to manipulation and deal-making. Sometimes, they request other adults to speak with their kids in order to achieve a positive result. Children in these situations can become morose, attitudinal and impolite.

While I don't know the fool-proof answer, I do know the problem. "Do You Have Your Child's Heart?"

Let's examine how one engenders the heart of another. It boils down to discipleship. If you delegate the discipleship of your young one to another, your child will become disconnected. If you outsource the relationship and training process, you'll lose your child's heart incrementally.

Conversely, if you spend time discipling, training, enjoying your child, you will see a heart-bond forming. Every time you speak love into your child through relationship-building, you build a wall around his/her heart. Within that wall, a deep respect for you will develop. A soft heart will thrive within the protective walls of your time, energy, and discipleship.

Do you have your child or teenager's heart? Is your relationship chilled and distant? You know what to do! Scale back that job. Drop the charade. Stop outsourcing your child's upbringing. Become her parent again. Be valiant and win back your child's respect and heart.

Christian Heroes Then and Now - Book Series Review

2009-01-31T19:00:00.010-07:00

What a find! A few years back, I saw this series at a homeschool conference. I recognized potential and eventually purchased the entire set. What drew me into Christian Heroes Then and Now was that each book begins with an exciting first chapter.

Janet and Geoff Benge choose missionaries to diverse regions of the planet and capture their zeal for missions, as well as chronicle many exciting and dangerous lives. Along with building missionary vision, Christian Heroes books birth awareness of Christ's great commission. Consistently, this dynamic author-duo ferret out little-known facts which bring the story-line to life. For example, very few readers are aware that Nate Saint grew up tinkering with a roller coaster nailed to the top of his three-story childhood home! - A skill which would come in handy for fixing planes in the middle of Central American jungles.

Christian Heroes are crafted to captivate all ages, and at the same time are readable at a 5th grade reading level. As a busy father and husband, a book that can be devoured in a few days by the family is a bonus. After all, how many of us have started a great missionary book only to lose it before chapter six? Months later, that blessed book turns up dusty under the end-table. Not so with the high-interest Christian Heroes! (Or, at least there really is no valid excuse for dust on these beige covers!)

I'll leave you with this - The Christian Heroes series investigates God's power displayed through both genders, which can be a rare find in other series. I recommend beginning with two of my personal favorites: Lillian Trasher and Gladys Aylward.

Oh my goodness!

2009-01-20T23:46:00.004-07:00

If you are a dad, you experience first-hand the naughty capabilities of the human heart. You see rebellion and selfishness on a daily basis. But, for all of that sinfulness, you experience inexplicable love for your children. As we get older, we become immune to our own failings and selfishness. We forget. I look into my children like I'm staring into a mirror. Only, my disobedience is directed towards my Creator and not my parents. But, I do have some goodness. How much is enough? The video below is one of my favorites.

Daily B.I.B.L.E. time

2009-01-15T22:44:00.003-07:00

I like to play a few of these songs for my kids to break up the daily routine. We sing our own songs too, but these are a blessing.

The Upward Slope

2009-01-07T23:22:00.002-07:00

You may feel like a failure. You may see yourself as making little progress parenting. If you do, look at yourself from God's perspective. God likes to do a lot with weakness. In your weakness, He can shine through with strength.

As you pray and plan against your weaknesses, you will see God working through you. You may feel like a failure, but work at it prayerfully for a week and then look back. Over the next year, you will see growth over time. Your self-control in areas of weakness will grow, resulting in more success.

In the present, you probably are a failure (heh heh). Spanning from past to future, you will see that God is working in you to produce a godly dad.

Target and Train

2008-12-29T12:33:00.003-07:00

Each child is different. One races around, the other pouts, and a third cuddles quietly. Each has strengths and sinful streaks. What is your vision for the outcome? What do you want each child to be like when he/she matures into an adult?

Look at each child and make a list of weaknesses and strengths. Target and train each weakness and strength. If you allow your daughter to pout or be passive aggressive, you'll produce an adult who will work on those negative qualities for years. Allow your son to lose control of his emotions, strength or body - he'll be dealing with those problems well into his 40s.

Your child's sinful tendencies must be trained into submission or extinction. Take that will of steel and bend it to willingly obey you, mom, and God. Take that out of control energy and restrict the flow towards appropriate, God-honoring tasks. As far as pouting, whining and temper tantrums, just train those out of your children period. Your tools are time, love, praise, relationship, modeling godly behaviors yourself, structure, and constant-consistent training. For rebellion, you must lovingly spank on the bottom. For desired behaviors, you must have your children practice those behaviors over and over again. Finally, don't forget to always remind your children why they are behaving: to obey their Creator and bring Him glory.

Remember: Target and Train!

The Hardening Heart

2008-11-16T00:21:00.003-07:00

Your child's heart is what you are after. Her behavior will reflect the relationship that you have with her heart. His respect for you and mom has everything to do with how much time you spend with him.

Invest your time into your child and you will see a softening spirit. Neglect to spend time with your child and you reap a crusty, hardened heart.

Evaluate your child today. Think, "Is he hard or soft towards mom and me? Or, Is she disdainful of me or receptive of me?"

Orphans Being Kidnapped into Sex Slavery

2008-11-03T22:54:00.002-07:00

God reminded me of the thousands of kids who are living in slavery the other day. While I was listening to a song about fear and anticipation from an orphan's perspective, I was impressed with the need to take a stand to help these children. Kids who are forced to give their bodies to filthy perverts.

My heart sighs under the weight of their pain. Jesus left Heaven to bring me out of Satan's clutches. What have I done to rescue these children from Satan's slough of forced bondage?

With the hurricane a distant memory but present reality in Myanmar, Thai sex-slave traders are sneaking in and kidnapping orphans. In the wake of the disaster, 80,000 children remain orphaned. What can I do? Either move there or send money to someone who is willing to move there. The article below gives details about this situation and where to send money.

http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue3064.html

Rude and Ornery

2008-10-22T19:42:00.004-06:00

Lately, we've been privileged to help some people out in Jesus' name. The first thing that I noticed is that it is exciting to be able to do a little ministry. Next, I felt a little depressed for some odd reason. Finally, I noticed that people are in general ungrateful and rude. Which, makes me a little ornery.

Lesson: Give wisely, expect rudeness, reject bitterness.

People are dismissive and rude because their lives seem more important than mine. I feel bitter because I believe that I'm more important than them. Or, at least equally important.

Jesus gave his infinitely important life for my rudely rebellious life. That's God's way of looking at inequality. Give until it hurts. Then, give just a little more. God doesn't consider His life to be more important than mine. Although, in reality, His worth is magnificently greater than mine.

I'll trade God my rudeness for His kindness. Maybe that will help give me some perspective the next time I extend myself and feel taken for granted.

The Stakes are High - Don't Screw It Up!

2008-10-04T00:08:00.002-06:00

Men come in three forms: Commander, Visionary, Steady-Guy. We are born a certain way and it is our parents job to discipline the other two forms into us. Unfortunately, many of us did not have our weaknesses disciplined into strengths, leaving our wives to suffer the end product.

If you are an undisciplined Visionary, you change jobs frequently, start tasks that you don't finish, and ignore many of your fatherly duties around the house. Sure, you have big plans for family, careers, God. But, you lack the substance to follow-through. You assume that you are leading because you tell your family what's what. But, in reality, your family fends for his/herself. The challenge for Visionary, trained or untrained, is to set spiritual goals and then faithfully facilitate them through daily discipline. Doing the hard things daily. Listening to his wife's needs. Many Visionaries live with spouses who are either jaded or feel insecure. The Visionary sometimes is too pig-headed to notice or do anything about it. Visionaries see their kids flake out and leave the faith because of the undisciplined spiritual environment. Also, many Visionaries are unable to submit to local churches, which sends a message to their kids that submission to authority is irrelevant. (Everyone knows the local church is not what it should be, says Visionary!)
As the commander, a structured life dominates the family scene. Commanders who were not adequately disciplined by their parents are fathers who rule, direct, accomplish. Collaboration may not be a strong point. At times, they may be leading so far ahead of the family that their leadership is impractical. The challenge for commanders is to enlist his wife in the vision-setting and decision-making. This man's family may be spiritually healthy because of scheduled family worship. But, they may lack personal investment in the family vision and in the faith. This man runs the risk of having outward obedience only. He may lose his children's hearts if he does not learn how to manage his family through love rather than pulling rank. This man must work on building a team environment.
Steady-Guy is harder to pin down because he's kind of in between the Visionary and Commander. There is a good possibility that Steady-Guy was raised by a Commander. In this case, he probably has rebelled against that scheduling and structure, but still retains enough diligence and time-management to be fairly successful. What Steady-Guy must do is work to bring structure to his family worship, while building vision. Steady-Guy must open dialogue with his wife and develop clear goals for the future. At the same time, he must work to give his children a clear authoritative leader to follow. Steady-Guy's danger is in his children lacking vision and discipline. Unlike Visionary, Steady-Guy submits to his local church, so his children will probably follow his example and submit to authority also. Steady-Guy may be a bit hen-pecked at times, if his wife is a strong personality. In order to help him with this, his wife must work collaboratively with Steady-Guy to help him make decisions and be the leader God calls him to be.
Perfect Man is Jesus Christ: Visionary, Commander, Steady-Guy - all rolled into one Man. Know your strengths and address your weaknesses. If you can work to be Perfect Man, you'll see stability, vision, accomplishments, and you will take marked ground for Jesus Christ's kingdom.

Day Care Study from University of North Carolina

2008-09-16T21:42:00.002-06:00

1. High income kids do poorly on standardized tests and are more likely to be overweight.
2. Low income kids do better in day care.

Yeah - I always am suspect of studies and data. But, this one has an interesting quote from the guy in charge of the study:

"This comes down to a fundamental principle of economics: something has to give. We can't have it all," he says. "But I would never tell anybody what to do or not do about that. I certainly wouldn't tell my wife." Christopher Ruhm, as quoted in Newsweek.

Let's put weight and standardized tests aside and focus on moral character. Doesn't that quote capture today's moral compass?

As the father, God gives you the responsibility to set the vision, develop buy-in for the vision, carry out the vision. Who is the best person to instill moral compass into your children? Who knows your children inside and out? Who should be training and loving your children? Certainly not Stephanie over at Little Tykes. Mom and Dad are the best parents your child(ren) could ever have. Ditch Daycare!

Hindus torching people

2008-09-02T23:25:00.003-06:00

"Hindus Burn Christians Alive" is the title to the Sept. 2nd internet broadcast of Generations. If you have been following my India blogs, you should listen to this 30 minute radio program: http://www.generationswithvision.com/broadcast.aspx (Scroll down through the latest broadcasts to the Sept. 2nd broadcast.)

With over 100 people killed and 2 of those burned alive, the Hindu mobs in Orissa need to be stopped. The argument that the Hindus use to rationalize these atrocities is that imperialistic Christians have forced the uneducated poverty-stricken ignorants to convert, which has in turn triggered the uneducated Hindu masses into mob violence. This is like saying that the Jews deserved to die in German ovens because they should have known better than anger the Nazis. Satan has twisted the thinking of these Indian Hindus to accept these murders as acceptable.

What can you do? Email a protest to the ambassador from India by clicking on this text.

Update on India - Orissa persecution

2008-08-31T22:34:00.003-06:00

Hindu aggressors have routinely attacked and killed Christians in the Orissa province. Violence escalated last week after the murder of a Hindu leader named Swamiji Laxmanananda Saraswati. Although police investigators believe Maoists murdered Saraswati, Hindu extremists have decided to take out their fury on Christians. Christian deaths have totaled 21 at last count, as Hindus target revenge on innocent people, according to Compass International. Check out my previous posts for background information on Hindu persecution and some history of persecution in India.

Day Care is UnBiblical

2008-08-31T17:28:00.006-06:00

At a park in Boise, ID the other day, my kids enjoyed playing with other kids, while all of us parents either played too or watched. Seeing parents with their sons and daughters was refreshing. But, who were all of the kids wearing blue t-shirts being monitored by young single women? Oh, those were kids being raised by contracted caregivers.

It pierces my heart to see Americans dump their kids off into the devastating landscape of daycare. Even Christians proudly put career first, believing that working is preferable to parenting. Daycare is right behind abortion in America's row of sacred cows. Don't talk about either at work, especially with the women.

Here me say this, "You must not delegate your parenting for the sake of money, convenience, career."

Daycare is a Satanic tool, dividing you from your children. The idea that your children need time away from you is a lie. True, you may need a break from them. But, there is a significant difference between an hour a week and 2 to 6 hours a day.

I leave you with, "Why did you have children, if you didn't want to invest time with them?"

Make the tough decisions and cut the daycare. Your wife need to be at home with your children. If she won't stay home, you need to be at home. Don't sell your children into secular slavery by relegating them to spending years of their lives in daycare.

(Would any of those childcare providers give life and limb for their charges? What kind of moral training are the pseudo-parents bringing to the table? Why is daycare part of your budget? Your child's soul can't afford it.)

Religion of Peace Strikes Again

2008-07-31T22:15:00.002-06:00

Muslim judge in Pakistan gives custody of two girls to the muslim men who kidnapped them. Within the past month, kidnappers forced a 10 year old and a 12 year old to convert to Islam. The 12 year old allegedly was married to an older man during the past month also. This went to court and the judge didn't allow the parents to testify - they are Christians.

The way this shakes out, the Christian parents weren't even allowed to present birth certificates to prove the age of the girls as minors. What!! How can this happen? It can and does happen in Islamic countries. Satan loves to see children molested, families ripped apart, earthly justice made laughable. He uses religion as a mask for wicked people to hide behind.

Why does it happen? Satan has decieved millions into believing that civil rights don't exist for anyone outside of Islam. They hate Christians and hate Christ, without even knowing anything about them or Him. That is why they stand by and watch this happen. God has a better plan for His people. A plan of forgiveness, relationship and redemption. Peace with God is what true Christians know and Islam can never take that away.

Answer: Prayer and evangelism. Read more of this story

What Now?

2008-07-17T01:36:00.003-06:00

Stephen Curtis Chapman: What Now? music set to pictures of Buckner International ministry.

Take a step in the right direction. Help an orphan. Buckner makes it really easy. And, they are legit. Now that you know God's heart for orphans, what will you do? What now? http://www.buckner.org/

Cops Give Ticket for Spanking in Idaho

2008-07-12T11:20:00.002-06:00

War of the worldviews 101: God says to spank for intentional disobedience. God's example for us to follow is to lovingly correct and train, spanking when disobedience shows rebellion.

Watch out. We are just around the corner from the critical mass of Americans labeling that as child-abuse. My advice is to do most of your training, discipleship and discipline at home. In this case, the child tried to run into the parade route. A possible solution would be to practice sitting on mom's lap at home for extended periods of time. Behavior in public is a product of hours of loving training at home.

As this war of values amps up, be faithful with your children and before God AND be sensitive to the watching eyes in public.

Retaking our Relationships

2008-07-08T23:07:00.003-06:00

If you are anything like me, you find yourself primarily disciplining when you are home from work. This flies in the face of the fact that 90% of child training is relationship and teaching. That 90% can only be realized by spending time with your child.

Canoeing down the Colorado River one summer, I realized that powerful strokes and break-time were the two culprits for off-course behavior. Consistent finesse was needed to restrain the wayward nature of the canoe. Similarly, with my kids, it is loving, consistent attention that keeps them on course. Seizing the teachable moments to mold, shape, instruct, disciple.

Modern society sucks our time. Compounding that, most of us feel that it is our right to switch to relax-dad after 5 o'clock. Are my kids choosing to go to the dark side and rampage, destroy, disrespect and be rudely self-involved? Character, like Rome, is built slowly through thoughtful training. Utilize the hundreds of teaching opportunities each day by spending time with your kids. You'll find the 10% that is discipline will show greater results in this broader context of discipleship.

Three die as 155 mph motorcycle collides with slow-moving car

2008-06-27T19:12:00.004-06:00

I could go at any time. Only God knows the hour of my appointment with Him in front of His judgement throne. As humans, we like to deny God His right to judge us, but that does not negate the existence of that day for all of us. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me."

When I stand in front of God, will I stand there in the shadow of the cross of Jesus Christ, wearing the robe of Jesus' good works?

Jesus also taught that the secret to salvation is to keep asking God until you get it. Need faith? It is a gift of God that He gives through your interaction with His Bible. Need a heart that is alive towards God and sees Jesus Christ as beautiful savior? That can only be given by God's Holy Spirit. Don't accept a counterfeit. Don't content yourself with your own made-up reality.

Ask, Seek, Knock. Don't give up until you receive.

The Hardening...

2008-06-22T22:28:00.003-06:00

God has a principle that He has shared with us: If you reject Me, you will harden. Eventually, you will be so hardened that you will violently reject Me and My TRUTH.

I see this frequently. A girl will accept part of what I say but reject the Bible's authority in her life. A few months later, she will hardly accept any of what I say and firmly reject the validity of the Bible. I'm sure you have experienced this. After a few encounters with the truth of the Bible, the person rejecting will no longer be sensitive to any of the truth. Their heart and mind are like a brick wall, deflecting Biblical truth.

Just last night, I asked a cashier if he was familiar with Chick tracts and would he like one. His response was a visceral response. Clearly, he had repeatedly rejected the truth of Jesus Christ, resulting in hardened repulsiveness.

In Romans 1, God points out that the hardening begins with rejecting Him as Creator, progressing into a lifestyle of God-rejection.

If you are a rejector, turn and repent. Believe the Bible and learn from the God of the Bible. Otherwise, you are hurrying down the highway of that leads to damning hardness. In this case, you are your own worst enemy.

Vacation and Church

2008-05-26T22:40:00.004-06:00

This weekend, I grabbed the yellow pages off the counter of the place we were chillin' at on holiday. Flipping to "churches", I perused the various denominations, finally settling on one that sounded good. This particular church turned out to be really solid. The singing was terrific and the preaching fed my soul.

So, why waste good vacation time in church? Family time IS short, especially if most of the extended family chooses not to go to church. Why be the only geek-boy to blow off the family and head to church?

1. There is a huge blessing to be had in spending time with God at His house.
2. When I take my family to church, it shows my wife and kids what really IS important to me.
3. Unsaved family members may think I'm crazy but they also may be intrigued by the power of God to draw me into His presence during prime-holiday-time.

What do you think? Do you make it a point to go to church while on vacation?

Pray for Chapman Family

2008-05-22T23:24:00.004-06:00

The father in me is crying for this family. Remember to pray long-term for Steven, Mary Beth and their kids. Every sweet child is so precious. Time has frozen for this family. Pray for God's peace, wisdom and comfort.

Burma Cyclone Relief

2008-05-19T00:11:00.001-06:00

Gospel For Asia has churches in Burma that are already ministering and doing relief work. They can be trusted and 100% of your donation will go to Burma. None will stay state-side. http://www.gfa.org/cyclone

Christian Freedom International has a dozen backpack medics carrying IVs hiking across the country. Get your money working for you immediately, with medics already on the ground in the cyclone disaster area. http://www.christianfreedom.org/

Samaritan's Purse already has a team of water specialists in place. In the aftermath, disease will spread like wildfire through the contaminated water. Nothing says, "Jesus loves you" like a clean glass of water. http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

World Magazine has a listing of ministries on the ground, including the three I've mentioned. Thanks WORLD for being on top of it! I appreciated your quick action during the tsunami, and was really encouraged to read your listing of ministries already working in Burma. http://www.worldmag.com/

Choice in Education... not a given.

2008-05-14T17:58:00.003-06:00

World-views collide and tensions ensue. Many of us Americans take education and school choice for granted. Read the words of the German government regarding a family objecting to their primary child being escorted to school by police.

"In order to avoid this in future, the education authority is in conversation with the affected family in order to look for possibilities to bring the religious convictions of the family into line with the unalterable school attendance requirement."

Do you find it disturbing that the German government expects families to adjust their religious convictions to match the secular law? Could this ever happen in America? Yes, it could. NEA and affiliated education unions send out their voting guides. The latest one listed the NEA position as against charter schools and highlighted candidates based on this criteria. NEA and state EAs feel very threatened by competition. So much so that they send out glossy flyers instruction members on who to vote into political offices.

What can you do? If you are a teacher, you may be required by your state legislature to join your local union. If that is the case, bite the socialist bullet. But, what can the rest of us do? We can vote and solicit votes for politicians who value family choice in education. Who are you voting for in the next primary?

There I was...

2008-05-06T23:25:00.001-06:00

in the breakroom talking about nothing, and some senseless joke jumped out of my mouth. I could tell that I had offended a close co-worker. Sometimes, I just wish I could wear a muzzle! The Holy Spirit has really changed me, giving me a chance to actually be kind and loving. But, instead of speaking forth love, I choose to be spew offense. Show the Savior, that's what I'd like to do in the breakroom. Maybe, I should take my cues from David...

1 I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence." 2 But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased. 3 My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue. Psalm 31

Food Crisis

2008-05-04T18:01:00.004-06:00

Food shortage is a father's worst fear, with the exception of bodily harm to his family of course. We all work our rears off to keep food on the table and stow away a little money in case of hard times.

If the news reports are correct, starvation is again on the horizon for many in the 3rd world. What should our response be? Should we tighten it up and save more? Or, should we tighten it up and increase our giving?

DVD Outreach – Expelled Movie

2008-04-07T00:18:00.001-06:00

This intelligent design movie provides a ready-made opportunity to initiate evangelistic conversations. Most people won’t talk about this movie much because our culture shies away from engaging neighbors and friends in religious conversations.

In my opinion, the biggest need in the American Christian community is discipleship of children and families in basic doctrine and creation science. As with The Passion, again we have a movie that brings God back to the public interest, giving us an opportunity to get creation science dvds into interested households.
I’m looking for ideas regarding methods for getting creation dvds out into the community. Our job is to engage the community Biblically. But, how do we do it?

Here is the dvd that I'm considering buying a large quantity of and giving away to movie-goers:

I'm thinking about printing up movie tickets that say, the first 50 to respond get a free DVD Creation:Science Confirms the Bible is True.

Hints from Dad: Biblical Discipleship #2

2008-03-29T13:56:00.006-06:00

Hints from Dad is in its 2nd series and is written by a dad who, with his lovely bride, raised six children in the Lord. The first series was general advice on raising children: from training to family devotions to scheduling. The current series, Biblical Discipleship, is specifically targeting how to instill a working knowledge of Biblical doctrine and devotion to Christ.

Teach Your Children the Word

Most children have a good ability to memorize and this should be put to use in memorizing portions of the Bible. As soon as the toddler can say a few words they can start learning short Bible passages. The most reliable version in English is the 1611 Authorized [KJ] Version which we used exclusively. During our family devotions, verses were assigned and checked on following days to see if work had been done on them. I had a stack of cards with the verses on them to quiz on the new verses as well as to review older memory work. There are hundreds of well-known verses as well as those which teach doctrine that need to be committed to memory.

When children get a little older they can learn longer passages such as the 23rd Psalm and other Psalms, the Lord’s Prayer [Matthew 6:9-13], the Ten Commandments [Exodus 20:3-17], Romans 8 & 12, and other sections. Our children probably learned 30 or more longer passages. More recently we've known families whose children, ages 8-14, learned the Sermon on the Mount [Matthew 5-7], Ephesians 1:1-2:10, some longer Psalms, book of James, and some other passages over several years. Although we did not give any rewards to our own children for memory work, I gave these friends some little prizes when they said these long passages by heart without mistakes.

I’ve read that some Mohammedans have memorized the entire Koran. Why not have our children memorize something worthwhile like God’s Holy Word? Some could no doubt memorize the whole New Testament!

Along with Bible memorization, we also had our children memorize the approximately 100 answers to the Shorter Catechism questions. They worked on that during Sunday afternoons and I listened to that memory work at that time also. Most of the kids went through the entire set about 5 times during childhood. Few professing Christians know what the Bible teaches about many points of doctrine but they will after they have memorized the answers.

To read all 9 of Hints from Dad, please click on the tag Ralph Swanson.

Encourage Your Teen to Tackle a Cause

2008-03-27T22:35:00.003-06:00

I have advised a couple of teens over the years on websites for high school projects. Foremost in my advice has been to pick a narrow theme or topic that he/she was passionate about. Recently, one young man put together a website on christian persecution in North Korea.

http://www.freewebs.com/freekorea/index.htm

In your discipleship of your son or daughter, try encouraging them to research and write a website that is helpful to Christ's cause.

Raising my kids in the Lord... Or, just letting the world take over.

2008-03-21T22:48:00.003-06:00

Paramount is my discipleship of my children and my sweet wife. Do I realize the eternal value riding on my daily devotions, prayer and family Bible time? Is my conscience awakened to my responsibilities to train and educate my children? Or, do I hide out at work until bedtime, or do I take the well-trodden path, or do I just let mom handle the devotions, or do I settle for delegating child-training to Sunday school? With the wide path in mind, I'm aiming for the narrow path: spending quality time showing God to my children every day.

It takes a village...

2008-03-14T00:31:00.003-06:00

Maybe, it takes a village to rebuild a child. But, one thing I know for sure, it takes a family to raise a child.

Most of the messed-up kids have one or no parents who care enough to discipline or disciple. So, we console ourselves with the assertion, "It takes a village to raise a child." Really, it only takes a village if that child has been neglected by his/her parents.

When daddies and mommies reject their children, it takes a whole village of people to try to pick up the pieces. Teachers, principals, aides, police, social workers, Boys and Girls club employees, pastors, youth group workers, neighbors all try to instill character and responsibility into children who have been neglected by their parents.

Are you Communicating with your Wife?

2008-02-28T22:13:00.005-07:00

Get your wife out for a few hours and spend some time listening to her heart. Sure, the first few dates may be relatively stilted, if you haven't spent much time together lately. But, make the weekly date something that you both look forward to.

Your goal is to get to the point where you and your wife talk about the vision that you both have for your marriage, children, and future. You want to build excitement for the future, garnering a sense of camaraderie for Christ. This won't happen right away if you have been incommunicado. But, it can happen and it will be beautiful.

Invest your time and listen well. Make your wife feel special and validate her daily struggles. Every aspect of your marriage depends on your investment. Do you want great sex? Spend time communicating with your spouse about things that are important to you both. Relationship will realize sexual intimacy. Do you want to do ministry and evangelism together? Give her your attention and build your ministry team.

Are you friends with your wife or roommates?

India Update - More Persecution in Orissa

2008-02-21T23:54:00.004-07:00

Thousands of Christians have been forced out of their homes and are hiding in the jungle or are living in refugee camps. More violence is anticipated.

The good news is that native Christians are reported fired-up by this time of persecution and are volunteering to evangelize in significant numbers. Please read this Mission Network News article. That is the miracle of Jesus: He brings joy and peace no matter the circumstances. What a refreshing change from the bondage of serving self or serving false gods.

Bad news accompanies this blog: Two more Christians - wounded from the December 24th attacks by Hindu extremists - have just died in a refugee camp. Pray that the state of Orissa will wake up to the insanity of violence against the Prince of Peace: Jesus Christ himself.

Click here to read all 5 of my brief postings on India.

Lasting Legacy

2008-02-18T09:48:00.004-07:00

What legacy will you leave? Are you using the Bible and prayer to disciple your children in spirituality, morals, work ethic, finacial fidelity?

This morning my wife called me into the living room to read an article headlined, "7 siblings tally 391 years of marriage". Woven and implied throughout the article was a story of Pastor Estes, his beautiful wife Minnie Estes and their devotion to Christ. The Estes couple were married 58 years and they left their legacy devoid of divorce. Including a now deceased son's marriage, the total for their children's years of marriage is currently standing at 439 years.

Commentary from a couple of professors on marriage trends noted that since the '50s, many marriages ended because moms went back to work. And, of course - over 50% of today's marriages end messy. One interesting quip was that there are 3 factors in successful marriages: religion, commitment, forgive and forget.

Surprisingly, there wasn't a whole lot of advice flying around at the latest reunion. Except that a good marriage must have a bad memory. Pretty much, be flexible and forgiving. One that I really liked was, "You've got to let love grow - you've got to pitch in, in order for it to work. You have to work at it and we still work at it every day." (Edwin Bass who is daughter Sue's husband. They met at the grocery where he was a stock boy.)

Infuse Jesus Christ in every facet of your family and you'll reap a harvest similar to the Estes' abundance.

Read the entire article at the Register Guard site.

37 seconds and counting

2008-02-16T00:17:00.004-07:00

That's the average amount of time Dad spends with his 1 year old, according to a study cited by Patrick Morley in his book The Man In The Mirror. After asking dads how long they thought they spent with their 1 year old children, most thought about 15 minutes a day. The reality was, after being miked and recorded, 2 times a day for about 15 seconds each time.

I did a little survey of my own fathering and found that if I try, I give about 30 - 45 minutes of undivided attention to my toddlers. If I don't try, I give in to the "Wow, that's cool" interactions, which (for those of you who aren't dads) means "Leave me alone so I can mindlessly surf the internet." 37 seconds of undivided attention is a stretch, unless I actively discipline myself. WOW! I'm a real dog when it comes to this dad thing.

By the way, you got a second? Stop reading this blog and go play legos with your daughter.

Hints From Dad: Biblical Discipleship #1

2008-02-11T20:21:00.000-07:00

It was requested that I add to the “dad’s hints” series on how we taught the Bible to our six children.

1. For the very young children, everyday we read a fairly complete [thick] Bible storybook that is chronological, usually like a bedtime story. They should hear these stories in sequence a number of times when young, even before they can read. Most professing Christians have little grasp of Bible history and tests of professing Christian young people entering Bible schools or colleges show almost no actual Biblical knowledge. “Sunday School” lessons are of no help in this.

When I was a young child, my mother read an old Egermeier’s Bible storybook a number of times [which I am looking at right now]. We used the same 750 page 1939 book but disapprove of some pictures supposedly of Christ. I see it is still available. I’ve heard that the best modern one is by Vos.

2. Children must learn the 66 books of the Bible early and be able to find Scripture verses in what is called a "Sword drill” where someone calls off references of verses to look up. Competition helps to kids to work faster. Our children learned the books by a song at young ages and could rapidly find anyplace in the Bible as soon as they could read. It’s hard to believe but I’ve seen teenagers as well as adults who are professing Christians having to look in the index to find, not the minor prophets, but even common Bible books.

Listening...

2008-02-08T21:43:00.000-07:00

has been a problem for me this week. I'm sure that there is a good excuse for interrupting my wife to talk about myself and my interests.

I guess, nothing says I Love You like listening... and caring enough to respond in turn.

I've never heard anyone ever say, "the last time I prayed, God interrupted me several times and kept talking about Himself." It almost sounds blasphemous. Of course, God doesn't interrupt prayers, except with the convincing, calm voice of conscience. Conversations with God are rich through prayer and Bible. Conversations with me are all too often paltry. One-sided... Me-sided.

Love problem?

2008-02-06T19:19:00.001-07:00

Do you have a love problem? Is it hard to love your wife? Find it difficult to love the nameless orphans in India?

The answer is simple: Spend some money in that area. In fact, spend lots of money! Where your money is, there is where you will find your heart. As an old friend of mine often says, invest in a stock and you'll follow that stock religiously. He also asserts that the same principle applies in ministry or marriage.

Problems loving your wife? Buy her some flowers and a massage. Problems loving your Lord Jesus Christ? Buy Him a glass of cold water and a comforting blanket.

If you are in Christ, one day you will hear yourself say, "Lord, when did I ever feed or clothe you?" In reply, you'll hear, "What you did for the least of these, you did for me."

Do you know Jesus? Or, will he say, "Depart from me into everlasting darkness, I never knew you."? Let me wrap up with this: If you don't know someone, you can't love them. However, spending your money will cause your interest to fix on that person, stimulating an investment of time into relationship.

Urgent Prayer Request

2008-02-01T23:56:00.000-07:00

Stop now and please pray for the Davis family who just lost their dad.
http://www.lazydranch8.blogspot.com/

Persecution in India - Orissa Province

2008-01-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. Instead of taking up physical arms, Christians in Orissa province and other parts of India are reaching out in compassion.

Many unbelievers live in undeveloped villages, housed in huts without doors or windows to shield them from the biting winter weather. Supplied by an Oregon-based outreach organization, Christian nationals minister in these remote villages by giving out blankets. India Partners sponsors nationals on the ground who rescue child prostitutes, feed hungry, pastor churches, educate Dalit children, job-train women, care for orphans, all in Christ's name with the gospel as their focus.

So many places to give your money, I KNOW! Check out India Partners' website and you might decide to drop a few bucks to send some blankets to India. Fight back Jesus Christ-style: give bread and water to the least of these, or at least a blanket.

Check out India Partner's February '08 newsletter - it's inspiring!

For those interested, India Partners are featured by Mission Network News.

Shining in the public schools

2008-01-27T21:39:00.000-07:00

If you enroll your kids in the public schools, one of your motivations is probably for them to shine. In order to position your children to shine, you must be committed to supporting them.

Your approach must be three-pronged:
1. You must discipline your children and hold them to HIGH expectations. You must be the parent and take control of your children at home and at school. Empower your kids by holding them accountable and helping them time-manage, etc. Don't make excuses for your kids or blame the teacher. Being an advocate for your child begins at home.

I suggest 2 must-reads: Upgrade by Kevin Swanson and What the Bible Says About Child Training by Richard Fugate.

2. You must aggressively disciple your children in a Biblical world-view. Teach them the Bible by reading passages to them and educating them about God's word - verse by verse. Show them videos from Answers In Genesis.

For kids, I suggest Dinosaurs, Genesis and the Gospel dvd. For teens, I suggest Demolishing Strongholds dvd set from Answers In Genesis. For the whole family, I suggest the Ken Ham 12 part dvd set.

3. Educate your kids at home. Give your kids the gift of time with you. For kids up through 3rd grade, I suggest reading Christian kids books together, going to the zoo with the Answers In Genesis Zoo Guide, hiking and explaining God's design in the habitats you encounter. For 4th through 12th, I suggest doing additional curriculum. Dave Stotts' Foundations in Character: Drive Through History courses are where you should start. I loved the American History series. Do the workbook together. Watch the dvds together. You'll have an incredible time - together.

Hints From Dad #7

2008-01-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

FRUGALITY

Our nation is the richest in the history of the world. Even the indigent poor live better than the middle class did a few decades ago. Wealth multiplied in the 50s, 60s and since, and Americans [as well as other countries in the world] turned more and more to materialism as their goal of life going further and further into debt to obtain possessions. But those very riches and resultant style of living are factors in the eventual ruin of our civilization. A rise in materialism is always accompanied by a decline in spiritual interests.

Our government leads the way as a bad example with a current national debt of $25,000 per citizen and many times that for future “promises.” It will continue to get worse every year. Children as well as adults are spoiled by luxury that soon becomes a necessity. People are always expecting more and more and are never satisfied, never really happy, always griping. Americans are noted for being the biggest complainers in the world.

Children must be directed toward different goals and conscious frugality is a must, not giving the child everything he wants. Material goods and expensive foods at restaurants do not bring any lasting contentment to children and often make them worse both in younger ages and as adults!

Frugality must be exemplified by the family's level of consumption and absorption with getting material goods, even though money may be available to obtain them. Saving for items needed or wanted should be emphasized and never going into debt for them.

It is good if children can earn money doing something instead of it just being given to them. Our children were able to teach English classes to Japanese kids and the boys had early morning paper routes which were often looked down on by Japanese as only the lower classes would do that kind of work.

The Man in the Mirror

2008-01-19T17:20:00.001-07:00

Pursuing happiness is our life. I pursue it in activities and purchases, which causes discontentment and spousal agitation to fester. Patrick Morley points out that I have to examine my life to see which path I'm choosing: God's marvelous way or man's rat race for materials. (The Man in the Mirror)

Listen to this quote from The Man in the Mirror: "The secular life view competes directly with the Christian life view. Since Christians are in the minority, we are often proselytized by the majority message of consumerism and materialism that is trying to convert us to a secular lifestyle. That's right. The disciples of other life views work just as hard as Christians do to make converts!" (p. 41).

Just this morning, while feeling particularly lazy for a Saturday, I was arguing with my wife about who was working harder. I know: The Holy Spirit was killing me because I knew that I was the lazy slob. Naturally, I became more and more of a jerk. Then, to solve the problem, I decided that we were all going to drive to the coast.

WOAH! Let's break this pattern down: I start it by being lazy. Then, I pick a fight because I feel guilty. Finally, I take the secular avenue: go achieve something to displace the guilt.

Suffice it to say, my wife's wisdom prevailed and we worked it out God's way, staying home and enjoying some profitable time together. (Although, I am doing a little blogging with my daughter on my lap... fun family time?)

Persecution in India - Update

2008-01-17T17:31:00.001-07:00

Although intimidation, imprisonment, drowning, raping and maiming are weapons of choice, Satan utilizes fire frequently. Sixty-five churches and six hundred homes destroyed this New Years season. Deceived by hateful doctrines, shrouded in Hindu justice, violent people have declared war on Christians in the state of Orissa.

(Metaphorically speaking,) it all began on Christmas Eve about 2000 years ago, a long-awaited baby was born who grew up to draw the line in the sand. I paraphrase what He said, "If you want to live a life of peace, obedience to God, love for God and man, and enjoy forgiveness for all of your sins, you must follow me. You must believe in me as your God and Savior." The part that really infuriates is, "You can't believe and turn to me on your own. You are spiritually dead. Only those who my father calls can come to me. You, come to me and find rest for your souls."

So, it is not surprising that Hindu religious rioters decided to erase all reminders of that event on Christmas Eve 2007. The designs of humanity are naturally proud, arrogant and defiant towards their Creator and those who He has changed from death to life.

Information for this entry gleaned from World Magazine Jan 12/19 '08

SWAT Team bust down door in Colorado

2008-01-15T22:42:00.000-07:00

You probably saw the news about police action against a family who wouldn't take their 11 year old son to the emergency room for some bruising. I read the article a few days ago and could believe that it happened here. There are some strange abuses of power with the police and social services, as the state moves toward a government-knows-best paradigm. Hear first-hand, what went down as Kevin Swanson interviews the family:
http://www.generationswithvision.com/broadcast.html

Tough Times at Work

2008-01-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

If you're like me, sometimes you get really tired of the sweat of the brow, which manifests itself in the form of conflict, personal attacks, stress.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'"

I just read this verse last night and then today ensued, bringing with it two separate personal attacks and a little slander to boot.

Coming home deflated, I toyed with the delicious temptation of tossing in the towel. Then, I picked up that same passage to jot down this blog. Reading some of the preceeding verses, I was encouraged by:

"Endure harship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?... No discipline seems pleasant at the time but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

Podcasting for Parents

2008-01-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

There is a daily podcast that is especially for you. Dealing with today's issues within the context of discipling family and building generational vision, father of five - Kevin Swanson - broadcasts an encouraging AND challenging show.

Just today, a friend of mine at church commented, "I've got about 150 of his shows loaded up on my [i-pod]." While I don't personally listen to every show, I do enjoy the cutting-edge content and make-no-bones-about-it approach.

Generations Radio will invigorate, excite, inform, transform you. Tune in on the internet or on your ipod.

Homeschool Under Attack by Socialists

2008-01-12T18:26:00.000-07:00

Homeschooling is a primary area of discipleship for many Christian parents.

When a killer brutally murders her four children, socialists call for more government control. Not stiffer penalties for murderers. Not... They call for government control over parents who choose to homeschool.

It sounds rediculous, but to those who buy into the government controling and shepherding all children in America, it makes sense.

If the insane murderer had had her children in a public school, this would not have happened because the teachers would have noticed something - - at least that is the implication. Or, if she had registered with a public school, the school secretary would have realized that this homeschool mom had murder planned and would have called social services. SO, let's knee-jerk react and regulate homeschooling for ALL Americans.

Click here to read the New York Times article blaming homeschooling for the murders of 4 children.

Fathers - don't be intimidated by those who use government to trump parental rights. Suppport Home School Legal Defense Fund. Follow your conscience and homeschool if that is what YOU deem to be the best way to train and educate YOUR children. God puts the responsibility for your children in your hands, not the clutches of the government.

Adding to the number

2008-01-12T14:01:00.001-07:00

With two toddlers, I feel maxed out. When I step back to see how little time I have for childraising, I know I must make room for more. Right now, we'll wait. But, I can't let the fire die. I can't forget the 143,000,000 real human children whom God has declared the care of is truly serving Him.

Do you burn inside for orphans? Probably not. Just like I don't burn inside for widows or the unborn crucified inside of their mothers' wombs.

How many kids do you have? Can your wife handle one more? Are you willing to sacrifice your free time and your hobbies to give your wife the support she needs so you CAN adopt an orphan?

Fact:
God calls us to ministries based on our gifts. Some to orphans, some to widows, some to the unborn.

Fact:
Just because I'm called to one ministry does not exempt me from doing God's will in other ministries.

Fact:
143 million children are lonely today. Some are being raped by older orphans and cruel adults. Some live in squallor and can't remember NOT being hungry.

Fact:
You only have a short time to minister for Christ before He takes you home.

What are your reasons for NOT adopting?

Violence in Kenya

2008-01-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

A history of Christian influence but a wide-spread shallow understanding of Christ, Mission Network News reports. Pray for Kenyan pastors, missionaries and orphanages.
1. That they will be safe from violence and supplied with food during the violence.
2. That the Kenyans will find answers in the aftermath in the Christian churches, namely in Christ Jesus as God and Savior.

We serve an amazing God who chooses to bring redemption even while allowing humanity to act out our sick, twisted desires for power and violence. He daily restrains billions of humans from acting out their total depravity. Pray for His will to be exhibited in Kenya, through giving millions of Kenyans temporal AND eternal peace.

Homeschooler Wins Heisman

2008-01-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

Old news in the sports world. Refreshing confirmation for homeschool dads. Kevin Swanson writes, "What an irony! The same week one young man who had been homeschooled shot up several ministries in Colorado, another young man, also homeschooled received the Heisman trophy!" read more at Kevin's site, Generationswithvision.com.

Stem Cells?

2007-12-30T22:17:00.000-07:00

If you're like me, you know just enough about stem cells to be dangerous... to yourself! The first time I heard a clear explanation was on a Generations radio show a few years ago.

I just viewed an informative DVD explaining the media lies about embryonic stems cell research and contrasting it with the success of adult stem cell research. (Adult stem cells are stem cells that are harvested without killing a baby. i.e. cord blood, from your own organs...)

In a nutshell, adult stem cell research has helped over 70 different health problems without cell rejection. Stem cell therapy originating from dead babies (embryonic) has not alleviated any health problems and has resulted in death for every single donor.

Check out this DVD - it is really informative! Your children and you need to know the 411 on stem cell research. It's worth the twelve bucks and the Friday evening viewing time.

Purchase here: http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Cloning-Stem-Cells-and-the-Value-of-Life,5492,229.aspx

Another Generation Lost...

2007-12-27T15:50:00.000-07:00

Most of the Christian kids that I run into don't know much about who Jesus is or why they are even Christians. They are only able to articulate some simple stories and basic ideas of a cross. When sent out into the world of secularism, they slowly decline and turn into another statistic. What are you doing to teach your children WHY Christianity is the only true religion? Jesus Christ is distinct from every other religion or phylosophy. Do you know how He is distinct? Do your kids know?

Do your children know a story-book Jesus or have they embarked on a journey of discovering the beauty and validity of the real Jesus Christ?

Let me warn you: Your kids will lose all spiritual power and depth as they immerse into the world of evolution, materialism, no-substance-Christianity.

Hints From Dad #6 - Child Training

2007-12-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

HINTS FROM DAD FOR A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY #6 - TRAINING

Children are born in a state of disobedience and rebelliousness to authority. The outward manifestation of this varies in degree depending on heredity and personality, and admittedly some kids are much worse than others. However, children can be brought into line with correct training. Practically everything in "child psychology" is false or deceptive in successfully raising children and this modern teaching is only accelerating the downward slide of our society and fostering more unhappy children and adults. A basic error of humanism [which is America's religion] is to regard children as little adults and in too many cases they are actually in control of the home. I wonder if any of the "experts" in raising children ever had a successful, happy home as we define it. We could ask Dr. Benjamin Spock who [with many that followed him] was instrumental in bringing America into the chaos that it is now in.

Practically everything today is based on "talk". In the successful training of children, talk is at a minimum. Threatening with punishment for disobedience or misdeeds should be completely abandoned as having any positive effect on training. Some type of punishment should be automatic for disobedience or bad behavior but degree of punishment dependent on factors of the situation. Spanking is often called for as the Bible directs, but that can vary, depending on the offense, from mild swat all the way to the bare bottom with a paddle. Discipline must never be done public, especially these days when people call the police when they see something they don't like. Happily, in spite of poor training a few children become more civil as they grow up and they learn the niceties of getting along. Regrettably, a great number never do and as adults, live like spoiled children, government and others coddling them like brats so everyone can just "get along". I brushed up against many of these for many years, having them as tenants.

Another part of training is to challenge the child to learn more than the bare minimum of today's cultural educational norms. Children have the ability to learn much more than they do. Memorization of longer Bible passages, the Shorter Catechism, famous poems, and other pieces of literature & history [as the Gettysburg Address] can help to keep the child occupied. Our children studied Bible doctrine, New Testament Greek, Japanese kanji, piano and other musical instruments, took surveys of some other foreign languages, studied basic repairs around the house, among other things to keep them busy and prepare them for living successfully on their own later.

Modern children need more to do, daily assigned chores and hobbies to keep them busy and diligent. It is not easy in these days to give "meaningful" work as children had years ago when the majority of Americans were on the farm. Hobbies can only be taught up to a certain point -- there must be an interest to continue them on their own. The idling away of childhood on the computer, video games, or other unproductive play will not produce a successful family when all is said and done.

Religious Preference

2007-11-21T16:45:00.000-07:00

"What is your religious preference, sir?" the intake nurse asked me last night at the local urgent care center. I was caught off-guard and answered, "Uh... Christian.. I guess." Realizing that I had just given the lamest relgious preference ever.

What an opportunity! Be prepared to share the reason for the hopethat is within you! And, I blew it - except that God gave me grace to speak a few feeble words! With concerted effort, I tried again with a 45 second version of my testimony to explain why and how I am a Christian.

Pray for a young woman who heard the gospel of forgiveness in Christ. PRAY THAT SHE WILL EXPERIENCE THE GOSPEL OF RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST! Pray for this worm that he will be ready next time to tell of his religious preference. Or should I say, relationship preference?

Diggity and Me

2007-11-11T17:19:00.000-07:00

I just enjoyed a fabulous weekend hosting Diggity and his family. Here's a blog that Diggity posted a while back. You'll enjoy it!

Daddy's Girls by Diggity
Guess what. I've got all girls. My friends call me XX. I've been told to eat more meat and lift more weights to get that one (just one) boy. Alas, it hasn't helped. But you know what? I'm happy to have all girls. The next time I hear, "Going to keep trying for a boy?" I'll reply, "No, I'm trying for a girl."

Why?

Well, there is a special bond between daughters and fathers. Most importantly that relationship carries significant weight for generations. A father's treatment of his daughter can build her up or break her down. He is a role model and a significant example for her even in the choice of a future husband. His representation of Christ within the home will lead her into a life of truth and knowledge.

In Ephesians 5 we read, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."

While the emphasis is on husbands to build and encourage their wives, it is paramount to realize that not only does the self-giving husband produce a wife that is "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" but he also produces an example of Christ for his daughter.

The focus is on Christ's presentation of the church before God. Likewise, a husband and father's presentation of his wife is a model for Christ. It is a model easily regarded by daughters. It is a model that if rejected usually ends in hardship. All to often, women do not receive the gift... but that's another blog for another day.

Persecution in India - update

2007-11-11T16:10:00.000-07:00

His life was changed from an alcoholic with marriage problems to a man who was trying to live for Jesus. He met his Savior and was changed from the inside out: true reality. Then, 3 Hindu priests murdered him, while he grazed his sheep outside the Hindu temple. Who is the winner? The Hindu priests muted the living testimony of Jesus' saving power. True. But, the shepherd met his Shepherd - Jesus Christ.

"Eternal life is to know God and His Son Jesus Christ." John 17:3 (paraphrased by me.)

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/indian.evangelist.killed.sacrificed.for.hindu.goddess/14481.htm

Adoption Month

2007-11-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

Is adoption on your heart? It is possible that God has chosen you to father an adopted child, leading him/her to their Heavenly Father. Don't stumble over the costs. Yes, the home-study and social worker visits are exposing and intrusive. What country and what age? Ask God. He'll tell you.

November is adoption month - World Magazine had a story of a family that has 15 children. This story will challenge and inspire you. Read Twelve is not Enough by clicking below:

http://www.worldmag.com/articles/13466

Jesus' Example of Prayer

2007-11-05T17:03:00.001-07:00

1. Jesus characterized His ministry with private prayer.
2. Jesus prayed in secret at inconvenient times.
3. Jesus developed His daily ministry as He communicated with His Father.
4. Public ministry was secondary to private prayer for Jesus.

Application:
a. Private prayer prepares me for family and public prayer.
b. Secret time with God brings my ministry ideas into line with His will.
c. Prayer is more than just petitioning. Prayer is composed of thankfulness, worship, confession of specific sins, baring of my soul to God, supplications.
d. Satan loves a prayerless believer and opposes the prayer warrior.

Prayer guages spiritual passion. What's my level? Not very high, in light of how little dedicated prayer I engage in.

I took these points out of a powerful sermon on prayer by PCA pastor Ron Gleason yesterday.

Lonely Wives and Listing Children

2007-11-02T00:37:00.000-06:00

Meaningful family moments are elusive. Work consumes at the job-site and my list gets longer at home. Are my children listing off into the no-mans-land of "hi daddy - goodnight daddy"? Is my wife a single parent whose husband shows up just in time to read a magazine, check his email, wash some dishes, contribute a few grunts into a conversation desperate for adult-meaning, hit the sack?

I've got to make every moment count: Work smarter during the day, get home early enough for dinner, plan some fun family activities, actually spend authentic time with my wife.

What are you doing? Are your wife and kids home alone after 7PM... 8PM...? The devil is in the details. And, he wants you to stay out! Keep yourself busy so he can destroy your family.

Persecution in India

2007-10-29T19:08:00.000-06:00

Although the central government was formed with the intention of creating a secular democracy, India has been slipping into the persecution abyss. Local governments, lower-level courts, local police have been condoning and targeting Christians. Similar to the Juche of North Korea or Malaysian Muslim nationalism, Indian nationalism (Hindutva) has increased in its permiation of Indian society. Religious nationalism generally restricts Christianity with anti-conversion laws because the principle is that to be born into that country is to be born into that religion. Lately, the leading party in India has been a Hindu extremist party, which has contributed to the open hatred of Christians. Christian Post writer, Dibin Samuel, recently wrote that Christians have been steadily losing their religious freedoms in India.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071028/29784_Religious_Freedom_in_India_Declining,_Says_Christian_Author.htm
You probably remember anti-conversion laws being passed in several Indian states in the past few years. Think back to the stories of rape, maiming, murder, brutalizing of Dalit people in India. The quote unquote "untouchables" are despised by the Hindu majority, resulting in repulsive abuses of Christians and nonChristians from the Delit class of people.

What is our response? Pray for India. Keep up to date through Voice of the Martyrs, Compassion International, Christian Monitor, or Open Doors. You can also support Christians working with the Dalit children through Bridge of Hope by Gospel for Asia. www.gfa.org

Daily Grind Interrupted...

2007-10-27T22:59:00.000-06:00

Bo Brekke arrived at his Salvation Army office on the morning of Sept 27th ready for another day serving the Lord Jesus. Salvation Army work is a labor of love, and Bo Brekke went to the office as one of thousands of Salvation Army workers who go to work every day for the sole purpose of helping to alleviate poverty.

Before the day was out, Bo Brekke was lying prostrate on the floor, shot dead.

God has appointed the time and place when you will die. It may be today at work, or three years from now after dinner. If you are like Bo, it will happen unexpectedly and you will be briefly known on earth as a martyr --- remembered eternally in the courts of God as faithful.

What is your reaction to this blog? How will you live life differently?

Bedtime Battles

2007-10-26T00:27:00.000-06:00

Yeah - we all have them, and they seem to be unending. Have you ever asked yourself, "Will my child ever lovingly obey?" The answer is that they will, IF you do your job.

"How DO I do my job?" you ask. Check out Pastor Dale's short response to this issue:

“Pastor Dale, bedtime at our house has become a bit of a challenge. Our oldest and youngest children are pretty good at completing their bedtime tasks and getting right into bed. But our middle child (we’ll call him Mr. Dawdles) has a hard time focusing and regularly turns the process into a drawn-out ordeal. By the time we finally get him into bed, not only has bedtime been partly spoiled for the other children, but Mr. Dawdles has successfully avoided some of the nighttime chores assumed by our other, more helpful children. Plus, it frustrates my wife and I most evenings. What do you suggest?” Signed, Dawdler’s Dad
Thank you so much for bringing this very good question to me. Judging from the feedback I get at our POLO Retreat (for Parents of Little Ones), this is a very common challenge, and certainly one with which Nancy and I were faced as we raised our children.
I have been thinking this over a lot since you posed this question, which I have paraphrased above, two weeks ago. In response, I have a... (click below to read the answer)
http://www.pastordale.com/articles.asp?specific=162

Free Creation Videos Online Weekly

2007-10-18T19:33:00.000-06:00

Invite a Ph.D scientist into your home for an easy to understand session on science and creation.

http://www.answersingenesis.org/video/ondemand/

Check out a whole listing of free sessions. There is a great list of previously posted videos available for free viewing.

I just got done watching Inherantly Wind by Dr. David Menton, which is about how rediculously inaccurate the modern conception of what really went down at the Scopes Trial is. The teacher - Scopes - wasn't even a life science teacher and claimed to never have taught apes to man evolution anyway. The movie or play Inheriting the Wind is shown to many of our kids in English or Social Studies classes as truth, when in actuality they are propoganda.

Hints from Dad #5

2007-10-17T19:40:00.000-06:00

Hints from Dad for a Successful Family #5

SCHEDULE
Order is needed in the more and more disordered world we live in. The successful family is on a strict schedule 365 days a year, rarely interrupted. According to age, the children go to bed and get up at the same exact time every day. Our family arose at 6 AM. Children gather in the living room for their personal devotions, straighten their rooms, eat breakfast, have family Bible time, practice music lessons, do their school work, get their baths, and do every other activity at the correct time [per written schedule] under their parents' direction.

Children do not arrive piecemeal in the kitchen asking for food or drink but sit down at the table for meals with their food set in front of them. They are not asked what they want. Adults are in the "place of God" for children and will make these decisions. Some of the most unhappy children in the world I have seen are those who have parents constantly asking if they want this or that. Practically all parents we have met over the years fall into this category and it is often difficult to bear the presence of the parents as well as their grumpy and rebellious children. The parents determine what the children need at meals and set the proper amount [which they will eat] before them without choices or arguments that they don’t like this or that. This principle pertains to most other activities also. Some times in the day may call for more informal eating and other activities as the children get older, but I would absolutely determine children's snacks thorough their younger lives [which snack times are also scheduled].

One scheduled daily event was our family Bible reading and prayer time, taking about 30 minutes. This included singing hymns out of our hymnbooks, quizzing on daily memorization assignments of Scripture portions and catechism answers, reading of segments from famous books of Bunyan, Ryle, Pink and other reliable authors. As the children reached about 9 or 10, they were assigned to bring a short Bible lesson one day a week they prepared on Sunday afternoon from a commentary. It also encouraged them to learn how to type rather than writing the study out longhand.

Children should not be allowed to leave church services to go to the restroom. If they are the type who truly can't wait [and not just bored], they must be scheduled to go when services are not in session.

These things led us to obedient children, happy home life, a successful family. And, believe it or not, the children are happy and cheerful when they are not running the home.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Thoreau was a liberal but this is a good quote regarding the many giving advice on Family Life. If you don’t get to the root, what good are all these books and lectures doing hacking at the branches?

"There are a thousand hacking at the branches
of evil to one who is striking at the root."
-- Henry David Thoreau

Christmas gifts

2007-10-17T00:34:00.000-06:00

Give the gift of salvation this Christmas. There is a catalog that allows you to give just about any type of mission gift from Bibles to food to education to well water. This catalog looks just like a mail-order catalogue but is actually full of opportunities to meaningfully donate to mission work.

www.harvestofhope.org or www.partnersintl.org

Ministry Party

2007-10-08T23:48:00.001-06:00

Dads! Get the family and a few friends together to have a ministry party. Here is a fresh idea for a ministry party focus: (I saw these guys in World magazine this week.)

http://www.shoesfororphansouls.org/

Do a shoe collection drive, package them up at the party and ship them to Texas! This group will ship them internationally to orphans. Many orphans don't have ANY shoes to wear.

For the rest of the ministry party activities, use your imagination! We've done a few ministry parties and have had a great time! Build some ministry vision in your family!

Missionary Vision for My Daughter

2007-10-07T18:06:00.000-06:00

Having bought the entire set, I can't say enough good about the YWAM Christian Heroes series. If you have a child between 9 to 39, order a few of these books. Missionary vision starts at home with reading and tithing.

Lillian Trasher gave her entire life to serve Jesus Christ and her story is well-told in this book from YWAM. The reading level is perfect for anyone reading 5th grade or above. However, the writing is suitable for adults, as it is high-interest.

http://www.ywampublishing.com/pc-524-70-christian-heroes-then-nowbrlillian-trasher-the-greatest-wonder-in-egypt.aspx

Quote on God's Love

2007-10-05T16:27:00.000-06:00

"To love God is not to get lost in love, but to get found in love. In John 3:16, the writer says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son..." God loves us so much that He gave."

http://mainstreamindustries.blogspot.com/

Romania Persecution

2007-10-05T15:11:00.000-06:00

Despite new membership in the European Union and promises of religious freedom, reality in Romania is censorship of public gospel teaching. In a nutshell, all public speaking events must be approved through a permit process, with the topics bein approved as well. Evangelistic permits are NOT approved, while non-evangelistic events are allowed.

Our friend Joel Thornton is flying into Romania this week to begin the process of suing for equality and freedom of speech. This could go all the way to the EU court of human rights in France.

Joel is the same guy who represented Melissa Busekros and the street preacher - Petar Keseljevic. Joel is very active in fighting for religious freedom in Europe.

http://www.ihrg.org/