Monday, June 25, 2007

Children

You must teach these commandments to your children and talk about them when you are at home or out for a walk, at bedtime and the first thing in the morning.
Deuteronomy 6:7

We usually hear about parents having to “drag” their kids to church. This weekend at Christian Life Church we are “Dragging Our Parents To Church.” We are going to have a blast during our weekend services as we worship the Lord as our children do each week in kid’s church.

Our verse in Deuteronomy tells us parents that we are responsible to continually teach our children about God. Basically, we are all called to be missionaries to our children. No matter their age we are called to reach our children for Christ. A missionary’s purpose is to evangelize and disciple a people group. As parents we are to evangelize and disciple our children.

Evangelization and discipleship don’t just happen. It takes a plan, diligent effort, and a lot of prayer. The enemy is working hard using the things of this world to distract our children from the most important relationship in their lives: their relationship with God. We can’t let the enemy steal our children. We must turn their hearts toward their Father in Heaven. Don’t doubt your ability to do this as a parent. God called you, He will equip you.

Monday, June 04, 2007

Summer & Weddings

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6


June marks the beginning of the summer wedding season. Summer weddings are beautiful. In fact this weekend Leslie and I are attending Jonathan and Rebecca’s wedding in Ohio. We couldn’t be happier for them. Last week Leslie and I celebrated our thirteenth wedding anniversary. Thirteen years and three boys later we spent the day reminiscing about the good, the bad, the ugly and how faithful God is through it all.

Weddings are wonderful but they are just the beginning. After the couple says “I do” real life begins. Perhaps you have heard it said, “We spend too much time planning the wedding and too little time preparing for marriage.” Those of us who are married can attest to the truth of that statement. Beginnings are important but tell you very little about the future. As in life, marriage cannot be measured on how well you start; it is all about the lifelong journey.

In the marriage vows are the words “to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.” You are saying to the other person that I am entering into a life covenant with you that no matter what life brings our way we will be and grow together.

What do you think God wants to begin in you this summer? What has he already begun in your life? Remember, it’s not about the launch, it’s about the journey. And unlike our sometimes frail human relationships God will never leave us or forsake us (Deut. 3:8). We don’t have to worry He is always there and what He begins in us, He will complete.