On this Day in History
Monday, February 4, 2008
Born in 1732 into a Virginia planter family, he learned the morals, manners, and body of knowledge requisite for an 18th century Virginia gentleman.
On March 23, 1775, Washington, Jefferson, George Wythe, Patrick Henry and other members of the Second Virginia Convention, gathered at St. John's Church, Richmond; the torch of Liberty was kindled by the inspired words of Patrick Henry, "Give me liberty . . . or give me death!"
1. "George Washingtion." Feburary 4, 2008
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington
Posted byAnonymous at 2/04/2008 1 comments
Labels: fore-fathers, heritage of honor, leadership
A Smelly Remembrance
Monday, January 28, 2008
I once heard somebody say, "We have to be reminded more often than we learn."
During lunch today, I picked up my book to finish reading it. The book reeks of smoke, left over from this weekends camp-out. I could not focus on reading because the smell kept drawing my attention back to the activities of the camp-out and spending time with my son. My mind would travel back and reflect on the mental images of the fun activities.
It is funny how certain smells triggers certain memories. I am forced to wonder if God instilled this in our being; a way to help remind us. I can smell a freshly mown field while in a car moving at 60mph. This smell draws me to the times I spent with my father and grandfather doing weekend yard work. As a child, I loved mowing the yard because my father(s) were always involved in that activity. This memory usually leads to a remembrance of the stories my father shared with us while taking a break. I can recall the time my father used a weed in the grass to exemplify sin and what happens when it is left to grow. This lesson (sin=weeds) is ingrained in my memories, even 30 years later.
This reminds me of the movie "Ratatouille" when the food critic is drawn to childhood memories while eating a simple peasant dish at an exquisite restaurant. The passage in Psalms 78: 1-8 tells of the importance of telling our children the praiseworthy deeds of our Lord. I pray that my children may remember the testimonies of their father when they smell a campfire, the stories of a grandfather while telling their children stories, or the teaching of a mother when smelling a freshly cooked meal.
I, for one, will have to start paying more attention to opportunities to tell my children what the Lord has done for me and my family. The time we spend fishing, camping, or building something in the garage are times I will need to spend telling my children the deeds of our Savior.
Posted byAnonymous at 1/28/2008 0 comments
Labels: child development, family, fore-fathers, generations, heritage of honor
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
Family Man, Family Leader
Saturday, January 19, 2008
For the fathers:
"A Father initiates action and sustains it toward a goal. He makes things happen; he is the leader of his family. What he starts he continues; he sustains his family by providing for the protecting those under his leadership. All that is done for one overriding purpose: to bring glory to God by offering Him a wife and children who know, love, and obey Jesus Christ." (Lancaster, Phillip "Family Man, Family Leader" pg.100)
Build a heritage which honors and glorifies God.
Posted byAnonymous at 1/19/2008 0 comments
Labels: family, family reformation, fathers, heritage of honor
Faith Driven Family
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
I have just finished reading the book, "Family Driven Faith," by Voddie Buacham Jr. This book was given to me as a Christmas present from my sister-in-law; thanks Jess. I throughly enjoyed this book. Mr. Buacham address issues that result in generations of children turning away from the faith.
Moses saw the home as the principle delivery system for the transmittal of God's truth from generation to generation. There is no hint here - or anywhere else in the Bible - of the multigenerational teaching of the truths of God being abdicated by parents in favor of "trained professionals." An excerpt from Faith Driven Family
As homeschool parents, we are raising our children with a foundational focus on biblical truths. However, Mr. Baucham help me, a father, reflect on our methods of accomplishing this. This book is applicable to not only homeschoolers, but to all families seeking to build a multigenerational foundation of biblical truths. This is a great resource for not only families, but teachers, elders, youth leaders, and even older youth.
Posted byAnonymous at 1/08/2008 0 comments
Labels: child development, family, family reformation, generations, heritage of honor, leadership, marriage, spouse, 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
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
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
Building Foundations
Thursday, November 8, 2007
When Dr. K, my professor at DBU, challenged the class to a statement, I was shock to find myself in the disagreeing minority. The statement: "Universities are the most critical influential time during a person's life." Speak with any engineer and you will find that preparation is the most critical aspect in building a foundation. Without proper soil preparation a foundation will move, shift, crack, and sometimes self-destruct. This in turn, destroys what sits upon that foundation. I find it amazing this knowledge was given to us from biblical times.
Mathew 67:24-27
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
Yet, I sit in a Christian college class with a diverse group of adults believing the most influential aspect of a person's life is after they flown the coup, trying to become adults. Yes, society wants us to believe this so our institutions can become a powerful force in shaping societal culture.
Take heed in building the moral foundations of your children, as the most influential years of a child's life is before the age of seven. Character is permanently shaped by a strong moral foundation. Character is like studs of a building or the pillars of a bridge. Without proper preparation, a young adult's character and beliefs are easily shifted, moving from one side or the other.
Absence of a strong foundation will allow an institution, peer group, instructor, or even a girlfriend to simply shift a person's beliefs. If you want to empower others to greatly influence your children, then by all means, don't spend time building your child's foundation. The most influential part of a person's life is the family.
Posted byAnonymous at 11/08/2007 0 comments
Labels: child development, family reformation, foundations, 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
