Refresh my heart in Christ
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Philemon 1:20 (NIV)
"I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ."
As part of a challenge, Paul asked Philemon to glorify God so that Paul's heart may become refreshed. On her eleventh birthday, my daughter lead the devotions at Wednesday nights youth activities. A discussion took place on what was the favorite thing you like to do with your family. My daughters response, "It doesn't matter what we do, as long as we do it together."Later that week a a person thanked my wife for providing a godly example to our children. You see, my daughters response refreshed this persons heart in Christ.
I am not writing this to brag about my daughter or my spouse. I am writing this to note that developing a heritage that is honoring to the Lord exceeds the boundaries of the family. The simple, but yet profound response of a child's heart can, and will, open an adults heart to Christ. Thank God that He works through the simple things in life so our over-complicated thoughts may find clarity.
Refresh my heart in Christ - change your family tree to honor God.
Posted byAnonymous at 1/23/2008 0 comments
Labels: heritage, heritage of honor, testimony
When a Generation doesn't Remeber
Monday, January 14, 2008
Exodus 16:32 (NIV)
Then Moses said: "This is what the Lord has commanded:" 'Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt."
Judges 2:10-15
After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. ... v14 In his anger against Israel the Lord handed them over to raiders who plundered them.
And I thought I was one of the few who quickly forgets things. As we see here, God prepared a historical artifact for the generations of his people to remember. Yet, it took only one generation to develop a destructive cultural defiance to God. I wonder what it took for one generation to know nothing of the Lord or what He did in their family?
Posted byAnonymous at 1/14/2008 0 comments
Labels: fore-fathers, foundations, generations, heritage
A Father's Journey into a New Family Tradition
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
After reading Voddie Buacham Jr's book, titled "Faith Driven Family," I have decided it was time for my family to start the day together.
I am using "Our 24 Way Family Devotional" as a resource for our devotional time. The book focuses on a method called ARTS (Ask about it, Read about it, Talk about, and Share). The book provides daily devotionals for the family to interact together in discussions concerning biblical character.
Our first morning when surprisingly well; that is waking the kids up two hours earlier than what they are use to. Justin, our youngest son, woke up with much energy; he is typically the one who does not want to get up in the morning. This was encouraging for me.
Our second morning waking together, enjoying a home cooked breakfast, and spend time in devotion to God's word went a little more difficult. I had to drag a few children out of bed and did what I could to keep there attention during the devotional. I though I would have to give Justin a cold shower in his bed to get him up. My oldest son, James, did what he could to wake-up and pay attention. My oldest daughter, Melanie, was her usual chirpy self as she is a morning person.
Our third morning I relented and let everybody sleep-in. This day is usually a late night for everybody with church activities. So we will continue our new tradition tomorrow.
Lord willing, this will turn into a new habit. However, it sure is difficult to change the families sleeping habits.
Posted byAnonymous at 1/09/2008 0 comments
Labels: fathers, heritage, leadership, new year, traditions
Preservation of Honor Contest
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Do you have a blog, web page, or on-line journal? Do you have a story about how you preserve family traditions, events, lineage, or stories; stories that develop a focus on Godly living? If you do not have a blog or such, then email it. Well here is your chance to win a great movie produced by Vision Forum:
Curious about the movie? Read my blog about it here.
Here is what to do:
1. Post an article about how you or your family preserves testimonies, stories, heirlooms, or anything else in order for future generations to turn to God. What is it, why is it important, and how will it build a "Heritage of Honor?" Must be posted before 12/20/2007.
NOTE: If you do not have a blog then email iT to HeritageOfHonor@sbcglobal.net or post it in the comments.
2. Leave a comment here with the location of your posting and a way to contact you.
3. A winner will be chosen on 12/22/2007.
Give all thanks and credit to:
Become a Vision Forum Affiliate...
Posted byAnonymous at 12/16/2007 0 comments
Labels: family, fathers, fore-fathers, heritage, heritage of honor, traditions
Building a Heritage of Honor through $$$$
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
- It's not a get rich quick scheme!
- It's not immortality for sale!
- It's not buying great children and grand-children!
- It is teaching our generations, by example, how to build honor through stewardship!
- It is about changing the family tree to exemplify faith in God!
- It about teaching our children what we were not taught!
I am currently attending Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace University" with a group of other believers. I am struck at the opportunities we, as parents and grandparents, have to build a Heritage of Honor by the way we handle our money.
As Christmas comes around the corner, I would like to discuss a couple of these topics for the next few weeks.
Posted byAnonymous at 12/04/2007 0 comments
Importance of Establishing a Heritage
Monday, December 3, 2007
I once heard somebody say, "We need to be reminded more than we need to learn." The family testimonies build layers upon layers of foundations for establishing faith in future generations.
Exodus 16: 32 - 35 (NIV)
God knew his people would need an established Testimony (Ark of the Covenant) for generations to come. How are we doing for our generations to come?32 Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.' "
33 So Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the LORD to be kept for the generations to come."
34 As the LORD commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna in front of the Testimony, that it might be kept. 35 The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
Posted byAnonymous at 12/03/2007 0 comments
Labels: foundations, generations, heritage, testimony
Everything is Meaningless
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NIV)
"Meaningless! Meaningless!"
says the Teacher.
"Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless."
Everything we do under the sun is meaningless. That is if we don't do it for God's glory. But what caught my eyes during a Sunday morning service was:
Ecclesiastes 1:11 (NIV)
"There is no remembrance of men of old,
and even those who are yet to come
will not be remembered
by those who follow."
Attending a memorial service for a church elder, Bob, that lived what we would consider a worthy life, would cause anyone to say "What?" to this verse. On his death bed, he choose songs and scripture for his memorial service. Why? Memorial services, gravestone, and funerals are not for the dead, but for the living. We try to feel better about the death of a loved one by attempting to contain memories of their life. But yet, this is meaningless.
Researching genealogy brings me to wonder what my family was like. The stories of my forefathers were forgotten, never told, or maybe purposefully hidden. There was no remembrance of these men, except for names that were written in a document. I can recall memories of my grandfather, but yet my children did not know him. If they, my fore-fathers, wanted remembrance for something they did, it was utterly meaningless. The family knows nothing of the lives of our fore-fathers.
As for Bob, choosing his songs and scripture for his memorial service, he knew the answer. Bob had an insight that many men tend to over-see or reject. I too do not want to be remembered for what I did; however, I wanted people to remember what God has done in my life. The patents I have my name on, the toys I've acquired, my projects, and even the number of children I have are all meaningless. All is lost, if I do not do it for the glory of God.
This is why it is important for fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers to tell their sons and daughters what God has done in their life. This gives the generations memories that are Christ centered. The family stories of what God has done generates a family Heritage of Honor, honor that is serving to the Lord and Father.
Posted byAnonymous at 11/20/2007 0 comments
Labels: death, fore-fathers, generations, heritage, meaningless
Thanksgiving Day Traditions
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Personally, it is my favorite time of the year. Homes are being prepared to host many traditional family events. Families get together for a feast and fellowship.
Ummm. Smoked turkey, Dressing, Pumpkin Pie, and Pecan Pie. A game of dominoes, poker, football, or even nertz. These traditions create memories for generations. But the question begs to be asked; is our traditions honoring to the Lord almighty?
Over the last couple of weeks, I have been plagued with properly answering this question. Are we celebrating Thanksgiving or Turkey day? Thanksgiving should be a day of overflowing thankfulness to our Savior for providing use with a nation to freely worship and honor Him. I for one will stop using the phrase "Happy Turkey Day."
Vision Forum has presented a Thanksgiving Day Collection titled "Plymouth Set."
I have yet to review this material, but it may be a great resource for building family traditions that honor God.
Please share your traditions; I would like to hear...
Posted byAnonymous at 11/14/2007 0 comments
Labels: heritage, heritage of honor, plymouth, Thanksgiving, traditions, turkey day
Veterans Day Traditions?
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Many influential, life changing events have happened on this day in history. For instance, in 1620, the "Mayflower Compact" was signed by the 41 Separatists among the passengers of the "Mayflower," serving as the basis for combining themselves "into a civil body politic." Democratic in form, the Compact comprised the first written American constitution, and remained in force until 1691. (See Reference)
However, on highly under-observed activity for today is Veterans Day. In what ways do you thank the individuals that have sacrificing time, education, and financial opportunities in order to protect our freedoms; freedoms which are under constant attack, by both other countries and Americans?I for one will start with my family, teaching my children to overflow with thankfulness for what God has entrusted us with. Telling them the stories of there forefathers than have fought in Bacon’s Rebellion, the ones that served in the Revolutionary War, and about there great-grandfather which served in WWI; which ended this day in 1918. Maybe we should observe this day by building a time line illustrating our descendants which have scarified much in order to protect us, their future generations. How will you and you family honor your heritage on this day?
Thank You…
Posted byAnonymous at 11/11/2007 0 comments
Labels: family, heritage, Mayflower, veterans day
The League of Grateful Son's
Friday, November 9, 2007
Why this extreme curiosity to discover my forefathers footsteps? I was never one to dwell on the past. High school history class was a past era that did nothing for me. As I have grown a little wiser, I found that knowing my roots gave a man a strong example to stand on. It is a way for young men to find what his fathers before him have sacrificed for what he now has.
This great revelation has come to light with a moving documentary I recently purchased. The movie "The League of Grateful Sons," was produced by Vision Forum Ministries. It is comprised of faithful stories from son's, fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers which served on Iwo Jima. The movie reveals the biblical importance telling the stories, or testimonies, of what God has accomplished in your life to your sons and grandsons. A child will not remember the algebra solution tomorrow, but he or she will remember the stories you tell them while fishing, planting flowers, or just while eating dinner.
I have missed the opportunity to ask my father's father about his stories. He didn't share them with his grandchildren. He did however take us under his loving mentorship and teach us many things. Now I must do diligence and research my forefathers' lives, so my sons and daughters will have something to hold them strong during trials and tribulations. My children need stories of manly forefathers, so that my children will guide the way for their children, my grandchildren.
Posted byAnonymous at 11/09/2007 0 comments
Labels: fathers, heritage, heritage of honor
Beginning with the End in Mind
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Welcome to the beginning of what I hope to become an active piece in the family reformation. Lord willing, the family reformation will end with families turning to God to find purpose for life. It is within the family where the foundations of life are established. For upon these foundations, whether they are solid or moving, people lay their bricks of character, ethics, and morals.
A Heritage of Honor is a means by which families can establish a concrete, strong, non-shifting foundation. A Heritage of Honor is knowing how God's providential hands have worked within the family. This can not only be done by researching family history, but also through developing such, here and now. This applies not only to young families, but also to empty-nester's, children, and especially grandparents.
This blog is a means to explore, research, and develop ways for people find and establish a Heritage of Honor. I am amazed at the importance of knowing God is the God of our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; just as God identified Himself to Moses in Exodus. Without that foundation of knowledge, would Moses have gone back to Pharaoh to demand to let his people go? Building a foundation that includes a Heritage of Honor will provide people with a purpose that is not utterly meaningless. It is here that we find ways to glorify God, not man.
Posted byAnonymous at 11/07/2007 1 comments
Labels: family reformation, heritage, heritage of honor
