My Kingdom Go

Jesus gave us an example of how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13 “This, then, is how you should pray: ” ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ Here’s a new twist on this. When we pray “your kingdom come” doesn’t that mean “my kingdom go”? Put that in the context of leading our kingdoms our …

sorry … sort of

What is the difference between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow ? ? ? Worldly sorrow is when people are are sorry for the effects of their sin … or sorry they were caught. Judas was a man that demonstrated worldly sorrow. He was saddened by his own sin of betraying Jesus … but his sorrow resulted in him taking his own life. Godly sorrow brings on confession and repentance that leads to salvation and results in a changed life. Peter was a man who denied Jesus 3 times … yet he was quickly in deep remorse and repentance over his …

In the Blink of an Eye

I’ve lost count how many times people have told me to enjoy Zach’s early years, as they go by quickly. “Yeah, yeah” I tell them, and just shrug it off. However, I took this picture of him a few weeks ago, and looking at it, I am realizing how old he’s getting. He’s only 20 months old, but quite honestly, it is starting to hit me how quickly he’s growing up. He’s starting to say words now, which is always a tell-tale sign that he’s going from baby to toddler, and before I know it, he will soon become a …

What did you get on your 15th birthday?

Do you remember what you got on your 15th birthday? Didn’t think so. My son will never forget his though. His was this past Friday. It’s not because he got what he wanted, an iPod video. It’s because he got more than he wanted. And I don’t mean in the consumer electronics department. We gave him a little brother. We sponsored a child in his honor from World Vision. His name is Layan. He lives in Kenya. What do you get an American kid who has everything? C’mon now, kids in America are very blessed. Parents of kids in America …

a real ambassador dad

A recent church youth survey exposed some interesting but distrubing results. Young people from 10-18 years old were asked to explain the single most confusing thing about their father. Here is what some of them said: “Dad takes me to church and I see him talk, act, and behave totally different than the way he is at home.” “My Dad teaches and preaches Bible and Jesus stuff, but then cheats on the golf course and lies to our neighbor about his score.” “Dad loves to pray when we have people over at our house … but never prays when it’s …

Modeling A Spiritual Life

After reading Mike Hurn’s post today it reminded me of this cute little story about my 2 1/2 year old son. Here’s some background information… Give Brandon a truck, tool, or some pans to beat on and he’ll drop them like a hot potatoes. The boy’s only interested in ABC’s, reading, and spelling. Well we’ve been teaching Brandon how to pray at mealtime. We ask him to pray by giving him a line and then he repeats it. Thank you God… “Thank you God” For this food… “For this food” Amen… “Amen” A few weeks ago we sat down for …

Circumstantial Evidence

Have you ever noticed how quick we are to console someone else who is in a tough spot and tell him that, “it’s building character,” or “look at it as a growing experience”? Why is it that we can’t take our own advice? The same reason that it’s just “minor surgery” when it’s on you but “major surgery” when it’s on me! If you’re like me, you spend the majority of your prayer time asking God to change your circumstances, and if you build a little character in the process then that’s just gravy. Have you ever considered that God …

Eye of the Storm

I know that when I am in the midst of a storm, I pray for God to stop the wind and the waves. Could it be that God actually sent the storm for my benefit? Think back to a biblical story many of us are familiar with. Jesus had just finished feeding the five thousand and wanted a little time to himself, rightfully so. You try feeding five thousand! So he put his disciples on a boat and sent them on ahead to the next village, directly into the path of a storm. After the disciples had battled the elements …

the ultimate attitude adjustment

I was born in Arkansas and spent some time in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Missouri, and Iowa … so I grew up influenced by country-western music. I recently heard a song on the radio which included lyrics about a woman that needed an “attitude adjustment”. This started me thinking about my children and how from time to time they needed my intervention. Then I realized that many times my own life was in such a mess that I also needed this adjustment. The prophet Ezekiel was called by God to inform the wayward and stubborn Israelites of their sin and how …

What does successful parenting look like?

Okay, I’m old. I admit it. At least older than a lot of you on this site. But I digress. My oldest daughter, Rebecca, is graduating from high school. Early. Way too early. She is only 16. She’s a smart cookie. Took the ACT first when she was twelve years old and scored higher than the average entering college freshman that year. Brains. Probably from her mother. I digress again, but that was really a subtle form of bragging wasn’t it? So Becca will be leaving home soon. So thoughts of, “Have we been successul raising Rebecca?” have started to …