As a pastor with four children, and in the midst of one of the biggest out reaches to our community the church has ever attempted; it can be a challenge of challenges to keep things in perspective.
But the Bible still has not changed. All throughout, we see how important it is to God that the next generation be taught how to fear him.
It goes all the way back to Abraham, the friend of God. In Genesis 18:19, God says of Abraham, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him."
In the passage we just looked at, God was deciding to share the future events about to unfold concerning Sodom and Gomorrah with Abraham because of one reason clearly stated; that Abraham would command his children and his household after him."
Sometimes as pastors, we want to know what God has for our future. We are willing to work diligently for that future that we are hoping for. God designed us with that little ingredient of expectation. There's nothing wrong with it. God loves it when his children have such faith to expect things from Him. But God will never give a vision of a future ministry—whatever it may be—until he sees that our family is in perspective.
As I sat at the table Monday evening completing the mail list spreadsheet, I could here the voices of my children in the bedroom waiting for daddy to tell them a story.
The work for October has been extremely difficult, and I feel like calling it Red October.
My wife, for many years has been admonishing me with a word that I have had a very hard time swallowing, but one that I am beginning to embrace...balance. If I don't take time for my children, time will take them. That's scary.
I cannot believe Harrison is 10 years old! I cannot believe I have four children!
It is an amazing thing to consider. But it is also scary.
Many of you reading this know what I'm talking about! If you don't take time for your children, time will take them. when you look at your iPhone, a lot more time passes than you realize.
God is not at all interested in preparing you for a future, unless you are preparing a future for your children.
As I continue this difficult month, I am reminded that by the end of it, one child will turn four. What have I done with that third year of Judson's life? How much time did I spend looking at a computer screen and a phone versus looking into his needy eyes?
My kids went to bed on this night without a story...and I regret that time seized them before I could seize time!
Take time to hug your children. Take time to cup their little faces in your hands and let them know how important they are to you. I hate sounding morbid, but you never know if that hug you took time to give will be your last chance.
If you're a pastor...God thinks it's more important that you train your children and take time with them than planning a future for your ministry, that's his job. Take a break! Get some balance in your life! Fan the flames of your children!
As a pastor with four children, and in the midst of one of the biggest out reaches to our community the church has ever attempted; it can be a challenge of challenges to keep things in perspective.
But the Bible still has not changed. All throughout, we see how important it is to God that the next generation be taught how to fear him.
It goes all the way back to Abraham, the friend of God. In Genesis 18:19, God says of Abraham, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him."
In the passage we just looked at, God was deciding to share the future events about to unfold concerning Sodom and Gomorrah with Abraham because of one reason clearly stated; that Abraham would command his children and his household after him."
Sometimes as pastors, we want to know what God has for our future. We are willing to work diligently for that future that we are hoping for. God designed us with that little ingredient of expectation. There's nothing wrong with it. God loves it when his children have such faith to expect things from Him. But God will never give a vision of a future ministry—whatever it may be—until he sees that our family is in perspective.
As I sat at the table Monday evening completing the mail list spreadsheet, I could here the voices of my children in the bedroom waiting for daddy to tell them a story.
The work for October has been extremely difficult, and I feel like calling it Red October.
My wife, for many years has been admonishing me with a word that I have had a very hard time swallowing, but one that I am beginning to embrace...balance. If I don't take time for my children, time will take them. That's scary.
I cannot believe Harrison is 10 years old! I cannot believe I have four children!
It is an amazing thing to consider. But it is also scary.
Many of you reading this know what I'm talking about! If you don't take time for your children, time will take them. when you look at your iPhone, a lot more time passes than you realize.
God is not at all interested in preparing you for a future, unless you are preparing a future for your children.
As I continue this difficult month, I am reminded that by the end of it, one child will turn four. What have I done with that third year of Judson's life? How much time did I spend looking at a computer screen and a phone versus looking into his needy eyes?
My kids went to bed on this night without a story...and I regret that time seized them before I could seize time!
Take time to hug your children. Take time to cup their little faces in your hands and let them know how important they are to you. I hate sounding morbid, but you never know if that hug you took time to give will be your last chance.
If you're a pastor...God thinks it's more important that you train your children and take time with them than planning a future for your ministry, that's his job. Take a break! Get some balance in your life! Fan the flames of your children!