http://www.ccef.org/should-we-really-call-it-quiet-time

This is an interesting article about praying out loud to God and learning to interact with Him as a real Person.

This weekend, our middle and high schoolers participated in our first ever FOCUS weekend. Our theme was: F.A.M.:I.L.Y. (Fathers And Mothers: Intended to Lead You)

I thought it might be helpful to outline here some of the major points and passages we discussed. So here are some summary points as I see them:

1. Mothers and fathers are intended to lead their children spiritually. We looked at Genesis 1:26-28, where Adam and Eve were told to have dominion over the earth. As two limited people, there's no way they could subdue the entire earth on their own, so it was implied that their responsibility was to raise godly responsible children who would spread over the earth and responsibly care for the earth. We looked at Deuteronomy 6:1-9, where Moses is telling the Israelite parents to love the LORD and to diligently teach their children His ways all the time. Finally, we looked at Ephesians 6:1-4, where fathers in particular are directed to raise their children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

2. Children are intended to honor and obey their parents. We looked at the fifth commandment in Deuteronomy 5:16, where God commands children to "honor" their parents--to respect and appreciate them. Then we looked at Colossians 3:17-25, where Paul is driving home the point that children are to obey their parents "in everything"--not because their parents are perfect, but because "it pleases the Lord." We really tried to stress that honoring parents is really honoring our Savior--the One who has entrusted us to them.

3. Parents and children are all sinful, so parents' imperfections are not justification for disobeying or dishonoring them. We looked at Luke 2:41-52, where Jesus Himself has a disagreement with His parents and voices a difference of opinion, but does so humbly, ultimately submitting to them. And we reviewed Ephesians 6:1-4, noting that parents will be tempted to "provoke" their children at times, but that children are always called to "obey." Finally, we looked at James 4:1, which says that conflict is caused by desires "within" us--not just desires within others. So we discussed our own selfish attitudes, how they contribute to conflict with parents, and how we can learn to change our hearts in arguments.

What a great time of discussion we had. There's so much more I could write here, but I wanted to give an overview of our talks. I am sincerely hopeful that our students were changed. Parents, take time to review the material I sent you with your child(ren). And know that I am supporting and holding you up in their sight!

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." -Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

Last week, my computer was stolen. Again. This time out of my car in my driveway four feet away from the door of my house. I got all the way to church two Thursday mornings ago before I realized it was missing.

It's scary to think someone was brazen enough to break into my car and steal the computer. It's upsetting, and I've been tempted to be really angry about it. How could someone wrong me like that? What would possess them to do it? Could they be capable of worse?

The thing that I'm most frustrated about losing, however, is not a computer. I had a journal in the computer bag that I had written in since 2004. It has hundreds of pages worth of hand-written memories--of graduation, our wedding, Caleb's birth, our move here to Beavercreek. I was hoping to pass it on to Caleb someday.

Those memories are priceless to me. But they're probably sitting in a dumpster or a landfill already--never to be seen by me or my children ever again. Even writing this, I'm tempted to get upset one more time. But God has reminded me once again of the gospel and its implications for how I live my life.

I am a guilty sinner, a thief of sorts, who has robbed God of His glory and rebelled against Him. I am deserving of the death and suffering that Christ endured on the cross. Yet because of His sacrifice, I have been forgiven. And because of His resurrection I have confidence that I too will be raised to eternal life.

So when I think about the thieves that broke into my car, I remember that I am no better than they. I need to forgive them as God in Christ has forgiven me (Eph. 4:32). I recall Jesus speaking to the thief next to Him on the cross and telling Him that--even though his guilt was painfully evident--he would be with Him in paradise. And I realize that I am just the same. Guilty but forgiven.

So these neighborhood thieves, whoever they are, are not beyond forgiveness. God can, and hopefully will, bring them to repentance and faith in His Son.

I think God might also be teaching me to not rely on material things--even sentimental keepsakes like personal journals--for happiness and joy. Journals--and computers and cars and credit cards--can all be stolen. But not my forgiveness or my eternal reward that awaits me!