As parents, we are called to impress our faith upon our children. I believe having a strong relationship with our children gives us the platform to share our faith and access to their hearts. It's difficult for chlidren or teens to recieve a value system or faith from someone they have no relatonship with. The relationship is what gives us the influence into thier lives, not just the authority position only.
Proverbs 23:26 starts off by saying, "My son, give me your heart." As fathers, we should want to win the heart of our sons. Spending quality time with our sons shows that we love them and want to be apart of their lives. "Doing life" together and special activitites together gives us the opportunity to talk about life and get to know one another.
Many fathers from Family Church took advantage of this opportunity this past weekend. The dads spent time with their sons setting up tents and the camp area. The view of watching fathers and sons cook that evenings meal as they chatted was awesome! Later that evening all the men and sons gathered around the campfire as we sang worship songs together followed by a devotion by Ryan Jordan. Many of the boys there spent time hanging out together and having "BB Gun Wars" (glad no moms were around). We had several men step in to partner with single moms by taking their boys to the campout by "adopting" them for the weekend. For some, this was their very first time to campout.
Great job men and thanks for being involved in your sons lives!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Law of Sowing and Reaping
Although there are certain man made laws upon the earth that can be willingly broken, there are certain “laws” in the universe that cannot be overturned or broken. Take the “Law of Gravity” for instance. Most definitely, “What goes up must come down!” But there is a particular law that is of the upmost importance-the law of sowing and reaping.
When we hear the term or phrase, “Sowing and Reaping” we immediately begin to think of it in terms of finances. The Bible certainly teaches about “sowing and reaping” in the area of finances (2. Cor. 9) but it also goes beyond that arena as well.
How often do we think of the term “sowing and reaping” as it pertains to our words and actions? Do we believe that the “words” we sow into others or say out loud just fall to the ground? Do we believe our actions just “go away” even after they are played or lived out? Our words and actions can result in a harvest of great blessings or they can result in a harvest of destruction!
“Don’t be misled-you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith.” (Galatians 6:7-10)
If we believe that there is no blessing for our obedience to the Spirit or if we don’t believe that there are no consequences to our disobedience to the Spirit than we don’t understand the “justice of God”. God is good. God is love. God is merciful. But don’t forget that God is holy and is just as well. There is truly nothing we can “get away with” –either good or bad! Our obedience won’t go unnoticed by God nor will our disobedience carry no consequences. The fact that we have repented and confessed our sins doesn’t erase the fact that there will still come a harvest of either blessings or consequences from our words and actions. The fact that “I didn’t hurt anybody” doesn’t carry much weight with God!
As parents, do we understand that everyday of our lives we are “sowing” something into our children and teens? Does it not occur to us when we come home and undermine authority by speaking disrespectful that we are sowing rebellion into our children? When we speak openly and disrespectfully around our kids about the teacher that got on to them, the pastor that “didn’t call to check on them”, the political official that we don’t agree with—we are sowing into their lives—destruction! Rebellion! When they see us tell a “little white lie” or not be “completely honest” we are sowing deception into them!
There have been times where I have seen something come to fruition either in my wife or children that I knowingly sowed there! Now, I realized I was beginning to see a harvest I wasn’t pleased with. There have also been those times where we have faithfully and persistenly sowed, and sowed, God’s word into them and we began to see a righteous harvest begin to sprout into their young lives.
Timothy’s faithful mother and grandmother sowed into him as a young boy. (2. Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 3:15)
Consider the following examples from God’s word:
In Genesis chapter 20 Abraham deceived King Abimelech when he tried to deceive the King by hiding his wife Sarah’s identity. In doing this, he sowed this sin into his son Isaac who continued in his father’s footsteps when he too deceived King Abimelech! But guess what? It didn’t stop here! It carried into the third generation when Jacob, Abraham’s grandson and Isaac’s son, Jacob, lied and deceived to Isaac to steal his brother Esau’s blessing! Did it stop even there? No! Remember the story of Joseph? Jacob’s favorite son? He had brothers who lied and deceived there father Jacob into believing that Joseph and been brutally killed!
Exodus 20:5b says, “I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.” You may say, “But I’m a Christian, I’ve accepted Jesus!” When we reject God’s word we are rejecting God’s way and since Jesus is the word who became flesh, we are rejecting him!
But there is good news! Exodus 20:6 goes on to say, “But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.”
Just as there is consequences in our disobedience there are great blessings and rewards for those who obey God! When your words and actions you sow into your family are words and actions that are pleasing to God, there is no end to the blessings they will harvest!
So, sow righteousness into your family by saying and doing things that are pleasing to God!
What type of harvest will you see in your family?
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Back to School Bash in E3!
We had our annual E3 Student Ministry's "Back to School Bash" with Big Al, WMHS Drum line, and "Suit"! We had a packed house of 237 students and adults in the E3 Room!
The WMHS Drum line was "off the charts" and Big Al had the whole place engaged! What a great ministry God has called him to!
What a great way to celebrate the upcoming school and ministry season!
Check out some pics from last night!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
A word to the older generations
A word to the older generation
I’ve heard many older or elderly people make the comment, “I’ve got nothing left to give”, “I’m past my prime”, or “Nobody would listen to me anymore.” They have lived a whole life building up reservoirs of wisdom and understanding learning both from their good and not so good choices. Here they are towards the later part of their life and are they suppose to be pushed to the side? Now, that they are older are they to be “put on the shelf” to be remembered no more? Is there nothing the younger generations could learn from our “mothers and fathers” in the faith?
David was nearing the end of his life. He was well past the “giant slaying” years. Many had said of David that the Lord had left him; he had become weak physically, and now was their chance to get him.
David had been pouring out his soul to God and in Psalm 71:17-18 he says, “O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood…”
In other words, I’ve walked with God my whole life and I have a lifetime of lessons that I learned from God almighty—He has been faithful!
He goes on to say, “and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.” Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.” David was saying that he is always telling others about all that God had done for him in his lifetime and that yes, although he faced the fact that he was old now, he was saying, “God, I’m not done!” “God, just because I’m an old man that doesn’t make me a worthless old shoe to be thrown out!” “God, just because I am old please don’t abandon me! I may not be able to walk like I use to walk, I may not be able to fight the way I use to fight, but Oh, God I still can proclaim your great wonders to other people!
Listen, he says, “Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.”
Older generation let me tell you, just because you are older now does not mean that you have become useless to God and worthless to His kingdom! Look, you are just now in a position to pour back to others all that you have “mustered up” in your lifetime! There is a generation of believers coming up after you that desperately needs to hear your story! There is a generation of believers coming up after you that desperately needs to hear about the wonders of God Almighty! You have the stories to tell! You have the wisdom and the understanding that we need! Please don’t keep silent and allow all that you have been through to become wasted! Tell us your stories! Tell us about God’s mighty hand in your life! Hand off the baton of faith to the upcoming generation! God is not through with you yet! God is not abandoning you to your old age! You open your mouth to all who will listen and tell about the mighty miracles and wonders of the God you have served!
I’ve heard many older or elderly people make the comment, “I’ve got nothing left to give”, “I’m past my prime”, or “Nobody would listen to me anymore.” They have lived a whole life building up reservoirs of wisdom and understanding learning both from their good and not so good choices. Here they are towards the later part of their life and are they suppose to be pushed to the side? Now, that they are older are they to be “put on the shelf” to be remembered no more? Is there nothing the younger generations could learn from our “mothers and fathers” in the faith?
David was nearing the end of his life. He was well past the “giant slaying” years. Many had said of David that the Lord had left him; he had become weak physically, and now was their chance to get him.
David had been pouring out his soul to God and in Psalm 71:17-18 he says, “O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood…”
In other words, I’ve walked with God my whole life and I have a lifetime of lessons that I learned from God almighty—He has been faithful!
He goes on to say, “and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.” Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.” David was saying that he is always telling others about all that God had done for him in his lifetime and that yes, although he faced the fact that he was old now, he was saying, “God, I’m not done!” “God, just because I’m an old man that doesn’t make me a worthless old shoe to be thrown out!” “God, just because I am old please don’t abandon me! I may not be able to walk like I use to walk, I may not be able to fight the way I use to fight, but Oh, God I still can proclaim your great wonders to other people!
Listen, he says, “Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.”
Older generation let me tell you, just because you are older now does not mean that you have become useless to God and worthless to His kingdom! Look, you are just now in a position to pour back to others all that you have “mustered up” in your lifetime! There is a generation of believers coming up after you that desperately needs to hear your story! There is a generation of believers coming up after you that desperately needs to hear about the wonders of God Almighty! You have the stories to tell! You have the wisdom and the understanding that we need! Please don’t keep silent and allow all that you have been through to become wasted! Tell us your stories! Tell us about God’s mighty hand in your life! Hand off the baton of faith to the upcoming generation! God is not through with you yet! God is not abandoning you to your old age! You open your mouth to all who will listen and tell about the mighty miracles and wonders of the God you have served!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Obedience
“There I gave them my decrees and regulations so they could find life by keeping them. And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I am the Lord, who had set them apart to be holy. But the people of Israel rebelled against me, and they refused to obey my decrees there in the wilderness. They wouldn’t obey my regulations even though obedience would have given them life.” (Ezekiel 20:11-13)
“But their children, too, rebelled against me. They refused to keep my decrees and follow my regulations, even though obedience would have given them life.” (Ezekiel 20:21)
Each of us are faced each day with doing life our own way, the world's way, or God's way. So many insist on doing life thier own way believing that they will find life by following thier own desires. Little do they know by following thier selfish desires they are actually being robbed of life. The only way we will find true life is by doing life God's way. We know what "God's way" is because God has given us His word.
God had given Israel decrees, regulations, and Sabbath days he expected them to follow. But instead, stubborn Israel wanted to "be like the nations around them."
How about you and I? Do we want to fit in to this world and this culture so much that we would forsake God's word in order to do so? This world promises "life" but it is as empty. Only the life God promises and gives can be recieved by faith and in obedience to His word.
“But their children, too, rebelled against me. They refused to keep my decrees and follow my regulations, even though obedience would have given them life.” (Ezekiel 20:21)
Each of us are faced each day with doing life our own way, the world's way, or God's way. So many insist on doing life thier own way believing that they will find life by following thier own desires. Little do they know by following thier selfish desires they are actually being robbed of life. The only way we will find true life is by doing life God's way. We know what "God's way" is because God has given us His word.
God had given Israel decrees, regulations, and Sabbath days he expected them to follow. But instead, stubborn Israel wanted to "be like the nations around them."
How about you and I? Do we want to fit in to this world and this culture so much that we would forsake God's word in order to do so? This world promises "life" but it is as empty. Only the life God promises and gives can be recieved by faith and in obedience to His word.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Doing the "little things" right
"Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom."
(Song of Solomon 2:15)
I come from a long family line of athletics and coaching. As far back as you can find, my family has been involved in athletics and coaching athletics. Before my father became a successful insurance agent, he was a successful football coach. From Farmerville, to Winnfield, to West Monroe High School; wherever he went, he won. He never had an interview—always offers of hiring him on the spot. His focus wasn’t just having a winning record, but winning with his players. What I believe was a part of his success wasn’t just that he cared so deeply about his players, but that he believed so strongly in doing “the little things right.” Even after entering the insurance industry he continued to get calls and offers from programs from within our state and abroad. When a principal would call to ask my father to come look at their school he would always detour to the bathrooms. Why would he do that you might ask? Simple, he would go see how the bathrooms were kept up. If they didn’t have enough pride to take care of their bathrooms then they didn’t have enough pride in their school—they didn’t know how to win. He would call the principal and decline their meeting. I’ve also been coached by some other legendary coaches. One in particular was big on “doing the little things right”. When we would conclude with football practice, we were expected to have everything picked up from our equipment, to showers turned off, to stools put up, and so on. One day I remember coming in from practice and somebody had left out one stool from the previous day. Guess what? The whole team ran until we couldn’t run anymore! Guess what else? Nobody ever left there stool out again.
The point in all of this? My dad and these other coaches were trying to teach discipline, winning, and thinking “team” concepts. If you couldn’t learn to pick up your stuff after practice, then what if you missed that “key block” in a tight game? What if you “slacked up” the last few minutes of the fourth quarter? We were being taught that there was no “I” in team. We were being taught that for every little thing we missed, forgot, or wanted to do our “own way” would affect the team as a whole. Think this is ridiculous? Go look at their records and also the people they coached. They weren’t only teaching athletic concepts but “life concepts”.
This parallels so much in the Kingdom of God. There are certainly small things we shouldn’t sweat, but far too many times we as Christians miss the “small things”. We need to realize that we are responsible not only for our lives, but for others as well. We make up a “body”. Our choices and decisions affect the body as a whole. Every decision we make affects our spouses and our children. It’s the “small things” that go so far.
One of the reasons Chic Fil A is "set apart" from other fast food restaurants is they excel in doing "the small things" not just right, but GREAT!
When I was in the insurance business, I set several appointments everyday for sometime in the future. Obviously, a huge part of my market were churches and believers. I remember not being able to get returned phone calls from some of the smallest churches. Yet, there was one mega church in particular that every single staff member I called on, not only returned my call, but did so within 24 hours. When I had the opportunity to "brag on" this church and staff, they told me they are all given 24 hours to return calls. They obviously were big on "doing the little things right".
Doing the "little things right" goes so far! It’s picking up the small piece of litter in the parking lot that others have walked past. It’s picking up the ticket at lunch instead of “splitting it”. It's that sweet note you leave for your wife before you head off to work. It's returning phone calls promptly, returning emails, and being thorough. Not doing the "small things" can work in the reverse affect as well. It’s leaving the T.V. show on “a bit longer” when we know we should have cut it off. It’s allowing that “small piece of anger” in our hearts that turns into forgiveness over time. It’s the “small things” that aren’t dealt with in our marriage that turn into “large” things over time. It's allowing the "small attitude" squeeze by in our children instead of discipling them. Over time the "small attitude" turns into a "big problem".
You see, the small things really can matter in our lives. What are some of the "little things" you could do today that would make a "big difference"?
(Song of Solomon 2:15)
I come from a long family line of athletics and coaching. As far back as you can find, my family has been involved in athletics and coaching athletics. Before my father became a successful insurance agent, he was a successful football coach. From Farmerville, to Winnfield, to West Monroe High School; wherever he went, he won. He never had an interview—always offers of hiring him on the spot. His focus wasn’t just having a winning record, but winning with his players. What I believe was a part of his success wasn’t just that he cared so deeply about his players, but that he believed so strongly in doing “the little things right.” Even after entering the insurance industry he continued to get calls and offers from programs from within our state and abroad. When a principal would call to ask my father to come look at their school he would always detour to the bathrooms. Why would he do that you might ask? Simple, he would go see how the bathrooms were kept up. If they didn’t have enough pride to take care of their bathrooms then they didn’t have enough pride in their school—they didn’t know how to win. He would call the principal and decline their meeting. I’ve also been coached by some other legendary coaches. One in particular was big on “doing the little things right”. When we would conclude with football practice, we were expected to have everything picked up from our equipment, to showers turned off, to stools put up, and so on. One day I remember coming in from practice and somebody had left out one stool from the previous day. Guess what? The whole team ran until we couldn’t run anymore! Guess what else? Nobody ever left there stool out again.
The point in all of this? My dad and these other coaches were trying to teach discipline, winning, and thinking “team” concepts. If you couldn’t learn to pick up your stuff after practice, then what if you missed that “key block” in a tight game? What if you “slacked up” the last few minutes of the fourth quarter? We were being taught that there was no “I” in team. We were being taught that for every little thing we missed, forgot, or wanted to do our “own way” would affect the team as a whole. Think this is ridiculous? Go look at their records and also the people they coached. They weren’t only teaching athletic concepts but “life concepts”.
This parallels so much in the Kingdom of God. There are certainly small things we shouldn’t sweat, but far too many times we as Christians miss the “small things”. We need to realize that we are responsible not only for our lives, but for others as well. We make up a “body”. Our choices and decisions affect the body as a whole. Every decision we make affects our spouses and our children. It’s the “small things” that go so far.
One of the reasons Chic Fil A is "set apart" from other fast food restaurants is they excel in doing "the small things" not just right, but GREAT!
When I was in the insurance business, I set several appointments everyday for sometime in the future. Obviously, a huge part of my market were churches and believers. I remember not being able to get returned phone calls from some of the smallest churches. Yet, there was one mega church in particular that every single staff member I called on, not only returned my call, but did so within 24 hours. When I had the opportunity to "brag on" this church and staff, they told me they are all given 24 hours to return calls. They obviously were big on "doing the little things right".
Doing the "little things right" goes so far! It’s picking up the small piece of litter in the parking lot that others have walked past. It’s picking up the ticket at lunch instead of “splitting it”. It's that sweet note you leave for your wife before you head off to work. It's returning phone calls promptly, returning emails, and being thorough. Not doing the "small things" can work in the reverse affect as well. It’s leaving the T.V. show on “a bit longer” when we know we should have cut it off. It’s allowing that “small piece of anger” in our hearts that turns into forgiveness over time. It’s the “small things” that aren’t dealt with in our marriage that turn into “large” things over time. It's allowing the "small attitude" squeeze by in our children instead of discipling them. Over time the "small attitude" turns into a "big problem".
You see, the small things really can matter in our lives. What are some of the "little things" you could do today that would make a "big difference"?
Monday, June 13, 2011
Hope for the discouraged
“Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble comes your way…” (James 1:2)
James states it clearly that in life, trouble WILL come our way. (James 1:2) As believers we will be opposed by the enemy, by the world, and just “life” itself can be very, very difficult. It is easy to fall prey to doubt, fear, and unbelief. If not careful, we can begin to complain, whine, and blame others for our troubles. If we look at our “troubles” through the proper lens they can become an “opportunity” not just a “trouble with no end”.
James goes on to say, “Consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2) Joy is something that comes from the inside out, not from our outer circumstances. Our circumstances will change constantly but joy can remain whether life is good or difficult. The enemy is after your joy. If he can snatch your joy he can zap your strength.
We all can become discouraged in life.
Look at several examples taken from the word of God where people of God became discouraged.
Rachel was discouraged because she could have no children. “Give me children, or else I die!” she said.
Elijah came to a point in his life where he wanted to die.
Job said, “My soul is weary of my life.” (Job 10:1, 3)
The last example I will give is maybe my favorite. David was about to be stoned by his own people and he was also constantly chased by his enemies. David was at a very low point. I’m so glad when you are surrounded by church friends, family, and others God sends your way to encourage you. But there are times when nothing anyone can say can help. There are times when encouragement doesn’t come from the mouth of others. There are times when no one will come close to understanding all that you are going through. The Bible said that “David encouraged himself in the Lord.” (I. Samuel 30:6) There must be that absolute point of desperation that comes over you where you run to your prayer closet, fall on your face before God, and cry out to him for help! You must pray, you must fast, you must completely give yourself to His word. You must trust. You must believe. You must be at a place where you know that God sees all, knows all, and is sovereign. You must know that he loves you, cares for you, and will provide for you.
Have you been at a place of discouragement? Take heart, others in God’s word have been where you are. Today, “encourage yourself in the Lord.” He is God Almighty and He loves you.
James states it clearly that in life, trouble WILL come our way. (James 1:2) As believers we will be opposed by the enemy, by the world, and just “life” itself can be very, very difficult. It is easy to fall prey to doubt, fear, and unbelief. If not careful, we can begin to complain, whine, and blame others for our troubles. If we look at our “troubles” through the proper lens they can become an “opportunity” not just a “trouble with no end”.
James goes on to say, “Consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2) Joy is something that comes from the inside out, not from our outer circumstances. Our circumstances will change constantly but joy can remain whether life is good or difficult. The enemy is after your joy. If he can snatch your joy he can zap your strength.
We all can become discouraged in life.
Look at several examples taken from the word of God where people of God became discouraged.
Rachel was discouraged because she could have no children. “Give me children, or else I die!” she said.
Elijah came to a point in his life where he wanted to die.
Job said, “My soul is weary of my life.” (Job 10:1, 3)
The last example I will give is maybe my favorite. David was about to be stoned by his own people and he was also constantly chased by his enemies. David was at a very low point. I’m so glad when you are surrounded by church friends, family, and others God sends your way to encourage you. But there are times when nothing anyone can say can help. There are times when encouragement doesn’t come from the mouth of others. There are times when no one will come close to understanding all that you are going through. The Bible said that “David encouraged himself in the Lord.” (I. Samuel 30:6) There must be that absolute point of desperation that comes over you where you run to your prayer closet, fall on your face before God, and cry out to him for help! You must pray, you must fast, you must completely give yourself to His word. You must trust. You must believe. You must be at a place where you know that God sees all, knows all, and is sovereign. You must know that he loves you, cares for you, and will provide for you.
Have you been at a place of discouragement? Take heart, others in God’s word have been where you are. Today, “encourage yourself in the Lord.” He is God Almighty and He loves you.
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