From my Library - - Primal by Mark Batterson

From my Library
Primal
A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity

Several weeks ago, I received an advance copy of Primal by Mark Batterson. I was excited to receive the book as his previous book, Wild Goose Chase, was a significant read for me.


Let me begin by stating that I have followed Mark on Twitter and Facebook for quite a while; and as a result, I feel I have become acquainted with him from a distance. Primal, as did Wild Goose Chase, continued to show me more about the heart of the man that God is using significantly.

Anyone who has been around me for any length of time knows of my love affair with Italy. Living in Italy for five years certainly had an impact on me that has left me with clear prejudices for the Italians and their incredible history. I say that to help you understand why the beginning of Primal grabbed me and did not release me until the final page.

Mark begins by sharing the story of his visit to one of my favorite places in Rome, The Church of San Clemente. I have recommended this stop to anyone who was going to Rome. To get all the details of his story, you should read Primal. However, I was captured by his statement, “With each step, a layer of history was stripped away until all that was left was Christianity in all its primal glory.”

In the pages that follow the opening story, Mark weaves incredible illustrations and remarkable facts into a timeless book that should be read by everyone professing to be a Christ-follower.

Clearly divided into four sections that address the heart, soul, mind and strength of Christianity, Mark pulls no punches.

Think about a few statements:

“In my experience, it’s much easier to act like a Christian than it is to react like one.”

“Have you ever noticed the way that suffering helps us become less self-absorbed?”

“The problem with the prosperity gospel is that anytime you put an adjective in front of the gospel, you distort the gospel.”

Early in the book, Mark makes the statement, “The bottom line is this: your focus determines your reality.”

I think more than anything else, Primal was written to help us change our focus. When we focus on the heart, soul, mind and strength that God desires for us, we allow God to change our reality.

This is not a book for the “make me feel good about myself crowd.” It is a book for the group that not just says, but means “have your way with me, Lord.”

Do I recommend Primal? Absolutely yes!

It is a book to be read and studied. It is a book to be processed and then shared with others.

Learning from Leaders - - - Pastor Jim Ladd

Asking the Right (Tough) Questions


Many men are blessed with great friends. Many have incredible pastors. Many have remarkable brothers. Very few men I know have all of those same men in their pastor. I am blessed to have a pastor who is my friend, brother and pastor---Pastor Jim Ladd.. Jim is my Senior Pastor at Grace Community Church.

There are many advantages in having one man as all three in my life. It would take more than one blog to explain all that means to me.

One of the great strengths that Jim possesses and frankly has worked hard to develop is his ability to ask the right and very often tough questions. Jim shared with me over a year ago that the person who asks the right questions can often guide the discussion and he has proven that theory over and over again.

Here are some of things that I have observed watching Jim ask the right questions:

1. He has worked hard to be a very good student of people. I watch him in groups as he watches body language as he listens to the words spoken. He also watches the response of others to what is being said by someone else.

2. Jim listens to what “is not said.” Many of his questions are a result of what the person did not say for a number of reasons.

3. Jim is not afraid of asking the “too tough” questions that other leaders shy away from to not risk offending the person.

4. Most importantly, Jim is acceptable to others asking him tough questions. I think he puts himself in positions and places that give people permission and opportunity to ask the tough questions.

Jim does not just ask questions of others and invite questions, he asks tough questions openly as a way of sharing what he is wrestling with in life and ministry.

I could share specifics but it is far better to refer you to some of his questions.
Jim regularly blogs and his recent postings are worth everyone's time to read and consider. I invite you to go to http://jimladd.blogspot.com/

I should also add that Jim is passionate about "InterGenerational" ministry.

Specifically, I invite you to take a look at the vital questions that Jim has posed and is wrestling with for our church. He is at Question #7. Do not short change yourself and read only the last one. Go back to the beginning and read Questions 1-6.

I think these touch on the the tough questions that need to be addressed by every church and ministry.

Jim, thanks for being my friend, brother in arms and my pastor. I look forward to seeing you next week....What is your next question?

Thoughts on Turning 75

I am coming to believe that 75 is the new “65.” There was a time many years ago that I thought that 65 was well into a retirement season and at 65 everything was pretty much downhill.

Now upon reaching 62, I am seeing things just a little different. It is not just my change of thinking – but perhaps seeing better the world around me. I am seeing men and women in their 70’s, 80’s and even 90’s still really making a great difference.

It is also coming to the realization that younger generations need some seasoned men and women who are willing to “stay in the race” with them.

So Lord willing, where do I want to be at 75?

Spiritually, I want to be a much stronger Man of God - - Son of the King.

As a husband, I want to God to be pleased and others amazed at the love I have for my wife when I just look at her from across the room.

As a father, I want my kids to have a stronger dad to count on to support them and walk with them as they grow and raise their families.

As a “papa”, I want to Rock & Roll and be a source of fun, wisdom and safety for my grandkids.

As a brother, I want to work to keep my family close and growing in love for one-another and to intentionally see each of them and their families more.

As a friend, I want my friends to know that they can count on me.

As a mentor/coach/encourager, I want to be actively reproducing into leaders of every age. I want to see people getting stronger and better as the person God created each of them to become.

As a ministry leader, I want to see an explosion of InterGenerational Churches that are reproducing around the world and I want to take part in striking a match and lighting the fuse.

There are several words that come to mind that are critical if I am to start becoming the man I want to be at 75: discipline, intentionality and love.

I must become more disciplined in the things that God has convicted me of in my heart. Discipline is hard work but it feels so much better that regret.

Intentionality is vital in every area of my life. Great things do not just happen.

And the greatest of these is love. Without love does any of this really matter? I want a desperate love for God; a passionate love for my family; a committed love for my friends; and joyful, exuberant and energetic love for the life and ministry that God created me for and has given me.

I will not and I refuse to creep up to 75 like it is a haunted house. I have a lot of work to do and I intend to blow past 75 like an Indy race car because I am looking at some great men of God in their 80’s and 90’s who are making me look like I am standing still.

Well - - - Game on!!!

Catch you all later---I have a lot to do today!

Learning from Leaders - - - Mac Lake

Real Leaders Invest in Themselves


It was one of those rare moments when you meet someone who immediately strikes you as a person who you would like to spend a lot of time. That has happened to me several times and I do not remember many times that my instincts have been wrong.

It was one of those occasions several years ago at a conference in San Diego, CA. My pastor had assigned me to attend a workshop that was facilitated by a leadership pastor from Charleston, SC. I sat for nearly an hour listening to Mac Lake share about developing leaders and realized very quickly that Mac was able to discuss and teach on the subject because he was actually doing what he was teaching.

We have all seen cases of people teaching the theoretical but who have never really made it happen.

This was clearly not the case with Mac Lake. It was so clear...This guys does it first and talks about it second.

In the years that have followed, my travels allowed me to get by Charleston to spend a weekend with Mac and have a meal with him. That was a great experience. The best part has been reading his blog http://www.maclakeonline.com/.

If someone were to ask me what the #1 leadership resource was on the market today, I would (and have) referred them to Mac's blog.

In addition to sharing very significant ideas for developing leaders, Mac is one of the best I have met at "sharing the spotlight" with others. Regularly he is using his space to guide you to another leader who deserves to be heard.

One of his best blog entries for me probably would not rank as high for others, but it really struck me hard. On November 25th, Mac wrote about investing in your own leadership development.

We can never stop learning and growing if we are going to be used by God to develop other leaders.

I am sure that most people receive Mac's blog and think that they have something else to develop new leaders. Every time I receive a new post, all I can think about is that I must keep growing if I am to help anyone else.

Mac has been mentoring me for several years now. We have not seen each other for a since I last visited him and we have emailed a couple of times--but his impact on me is significant and he probably doesn't even know it.

Hey Mac...Thanks for continuing to invest in me.

Learning from Leaders - Dan Schaffer

Teaching, Leading and Reproducing

It was the second week of September, 1994. I had been on the staff of Promise Keepers for all of two weeks. I sat with Doc Reed listening to one of the founders of Promise Keepers. He was one of those unassuming guys that when you first met you did not quite know how to take him. Although it was over 15 years ago, I could take you back to the Chinese restaurant and to the exact spot we were seated.

Dan was the Director of Training for PK; and as I sat and listened to him, I realized that very little of what he was saying was about PK. He was sharing a clear strategy for building men. It became very clear then and has only been reinforced in the years following that God birthed in Dan a “to die for” passion to see men transformed as spiritually reproducing fathers.

I could hardly keep up with what he was sharing--not because he was speaking in a foreign language or the subject was so complicated. I had never really heard a man speak so clearly about real manhood. The best part was that it was not men against anything but, it was men for God.

Then he hit us with the statement--the one statement that grabs you so hard that you have to just stop and have it repeated. It is not a statement that requires a follow-on sentence to help you understand. No, this statement was clear and required no further explanation.

Dan simply said to Doc and I, “You can’t teach what you don’t know. You can’t lead where you won’t go. You only reproduce what you are.”

In one sentence Dan changed the landscape of men’s ministry for me. I was all excited about what I could do as a Regional Director for the largest growing men’s movement in the world. Dan made it personal. Men’s ministry was more about who I am and not what I intend to do. When I focus on what I will do, it is about me. When I focus on who I am, it becomes all about God.

Hardly a month goes by where I do not quote Dan. Over the years, Dan has become one of my best friends. We have learned to go “toe to toe” and grow stronger. He and his wife, Jan, are important parts of mine and Billie’s lives.

Dan has not changed since we first met. His ongoing passion is to grow strong, maturing, and reproducing spiritual fathers. After his days at PK where God used him mightily, Dan was led to launch a new ministry, Building Brothers (www.buildingbrothers.org). Dan is still doing what God created him to do.

The “takeaway” from my years with Dan is simple--we are all going to reproduce something in everyone we meet. I must put my energies into becoming the man God created me to be, and God will allow me to reproduce that part of Him into others.

Learning from Leaders - - - Pastor Andy Addis

Sustainable Pace

Last month I was with our son at the health club he manages in Hutchinson, KS. Chad arranged for one of his top personal trainers to spend some time with me and walk me through some training that I could do at home or on the road.
You can check out Genesis at http://www.genesishealthclubs.com/

Joe asked me what outcomes I wanted from my training. I thought for a moment and responded that I need “strength, agility, speed and endurance.” Other than that I felt I was doing pretty well. Over the course of the next hour, Joe helped me understand some key principles; and he helped me with some specific exercises that I can use anywhere.

The following day, I met with one of my heroes, Pastor Andy Addis. If you follow my blog, Facebook© or Twitter©, Andy’s name is not new to you. I have known him for several years and look forward to every occasion we can get some time together. As a Senior Pastor, he is one of the leading thinkers and practitioners of InterGenerational ministry, as well as multi-site churches. Every time Andy and I sit down for any amount of time, I usually leave with pages of notes.

As a “side-bar,” Andy is over 20 years younger than I am; and he is one who teaches me. I say that for the older guys who are not taking the time to really listen and learn from younger men and women.

Now to the bottom line-- As Andy and I talked, I asked him what he had been learning in the time since we had last seen each other. He stated three things. One, however, was the game-winning homerun.

He told me that he must maintain a “sustainable pace.” The moment Andy let the words go; I went back to my training session with Joe. I need “strength, agility, speed and endurance” and a sustainable pace.

That does not mean that there are not periods of increased or high intensity. It means that as I seek to run the race God has set for me, there are days I need to run and on others I need to walk. There are days that are sprints and others that are a steady pace. Yet, over time, the entire pace must be sustainable.

Life, especially our spiritual life, requires “strength, agility, speed and endurance” and a “sustainable pace.” You would think that a guy my age would have this pretty well mastered. Not so -- but I am working on it.

Thank you Andy -- See you soon!

Check out Andy Addis and his messages at his blog http://www.crosseyedlife.com/
and website -- http://www.andyaddis.com/

Learning from Leaders - - - Steve Spicer

Increased Capacity and Stronger Boundaries

Several weeks ago I met with one of my close friends. Steve Spicer and I have been meeting for several years on a regular basis. He is one the many men who I feel that I always get more than I am able to give. Steve is one of my heroes. He is balancing a full-time position in the work place and leading a vibrant and life changing ministry. You can check out his ministry Marked Men for Christ at http://www.markedmenforchrist.org/

Our conversations are always intense. We have a tendency to put everything on the table and then wrestle for God’s best for each of us.

This was the core issue last time we met. Steve said that he wanted God to give him increased capacity. I also would ask for that. As we discussed the issue we also acknowledged that we were doing about what we could in the natural. To increase our pace and effectiveness without giving up other very important issues such as family and church, we needed God to move in the super-natural.

As we discussed the issue I realized that for me (and probably for Steve) we needed God to give us stronger boundaries for the increased capacity.

I thought of it in this manner. Certain containers are made of paper and they have the capacity to hold a certain weight without breaking. If that container were to be made of a stronger material such as cardboard it could hold much heavier amounts. It seemed to me that we have a capacity and we are asking God to let us hold more.

In that same line of thought, if our container were made of steel, we could really hold some weight without breaking or coming apart.

Steve and I agreed that we would pray for each other for increased capacity and for God to strengthen the container or give us stronger boundaries. There are times when it seems that we are asking God for more in volume but the issue is that God is waiting to give us more in density or weight.

Simply put….there are still just 24 hours in a day. Even though I often say and try to live like there are 36. I am not asking God to give me more hours. I want to be more effective with the hours I have been given.

So for me and Steve……Increased capacity must be accompanied by stronger boundaries.

Quit Trying to Pass On Your Faith

For as long as I can remember this phrase has been shared by many to parents and church members. I have come to believe that although well intended, we are missing the point and failing miserably.

At conferences and seminars across the country, I have shared this illustration. Imagine if I would have taken my two sons to my closet when they were young men and ready to take on the world and with great pride presented to them my old wardrobe. There before them would be my clothes from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s and also from 2000 on. But it gets better. Not onely do I show them this vast array of incredible clothing, I tell them that it is all for them now. Wear everything proudly.

There would be a moment of silence. They would look at each other as if to say, “You tell him.” Them one of the would begin by saying, “Dad, we love you.” They would get that out first. But then they would say, “Dad, these things don’t fit us. They are not our size or style. They are not comfortable and really, dad, we would never wear any of these things.” I think they would finish by saying, “Dad, we love you. Really your heart is right. Your head may be a little messed up but your heart is right.”

This story seems funny to most of us. We cannot imagine doing this to our kids or to ourselves. The only place this really happens is in our churches. We have this archaic notion that we must pass on our faith as if it is an old garment that they would love to have for their own.

We must change our mindset and our approach to faith with our children. Our responsibility is not to pass on our faith. Our responsibility is to create a safe place for our children to develop their own faith. Like wardrobes, faith may look different generation after generation. Yes, just as with clothing we must teach some basics. One of the things in life today that breaks my heart is Christian men who let their daughters dress like “hookers” and think it is cute or there is nothing they can do about the situation. That is a major problem and another story.

Our homes and churches must be safe places for our children and others to develop their own faith. One of the reasons that many young of our sons and daughters walk away from church when they are way from home is because they are never given the opportunity to grow their own faith. They operate on their parent’s faith and when they leave home they cast it aside with many other things.

Finally, the greatest problem with this idea of passing on my faith is that I do not have enough faith and I am not done with what faith I have. Not only do I need what I have, I need to grow it stronger.

If we want to help our children, new believers or anyone grow stronger, we must quit thinking that we have the best and only answer and naively believe that without our faith they cannot live.

Maybe the answer is not passing on our faith to them but helping them see Jesus for themselves. Maybe, just maybe we need to live a life that lets them see Jesus in us.

One of the greatest gift one generation can give another is to create a safe place for each generation to know Christ personally grow their own faith that fits them where they live, work and play.

When Warriors are Called

He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and they also were called together to follow him; and he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulon, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet them. Judges 6:35 (NAS)

This past Sunday morning my good friend Ray Morgan went to the Emergency Room of his local hospital. He had been pretty sick for several days and could not seem to get rid of a fever. After several hours in the ER, he was admitted and as of this morning was still hospitalized.

This is not a commentary on his medical condition or the medical treatment he has (or has not) received. It is really about the importance of friends and warriors who are willing to battle for and with us in this life.

After I talked to Ray on Sunday, I began to notify friends and warriors using the various means I have available. These means included Facebook, Twitter and then just sending out text messages, as well as utilizing our ministry prayer network.

In a very short time, the battle was being fought by warriors across the country and around the world. Literally within minutes, responses came back to me from men and women everywhere to let Ray know that they were praying.

Then I began to see a picture. I am a big fan of Gideon. There are a lot of reasons. When Gideon caught the vision of what God had called him to do, he sent out a call for warriors. We know that the Bible records that 32,000 responded to the call. The bible states that, “He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and they also were called together to follow him; and he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulon, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet them.”

He Sent messengers. He clearly did not have the tools available that we have today to stay connected. Yet, 32,000 responded to his messengers.

By Monday, I had this picture in my heart of the 32,000 warriors gathered spiritually to fight for and with Ray. Some came because I asked them to be there. Many more came because they know Ray and he has impacted their lives. Others came because friends asked them to come. All in all, warriors around the world have responded.

We all need warriors around us. We must do the things necessary in our lives to develop relationships that can be counted on to respond when the messengers are sent out.

I just spoke with Ray and he seems to be getting much better. He is still hospitalized and not sure when he will be released. He also knows that he has warriors fighting as his side for him and with him.

As for me, I am so blessed to know that there are far more warriors out there than the enemy wants to acknowledge. Frankly, this is so cool!

Praying Believing but Believing for What?

I am still evaluating my prayer life based on this morning Devotion from Streams in the Desert. The story related is about a captain of a steamship who was approached by George Mueller while the ship was in a dense fog off the coast of Newfoundland. Mr. Mueller told the captain that he needed to be in Quebec on Saturday. The captain was certain that would not happen. He went so far as to point out to Mr. Mueller just how dense the fog was as that point.

I love Mr. Mueller's statement. "My eye is not on the dense fog but on the living God who controls every circumstance of life."

Then what happens next is one big lesson for me. Mr. Mueller invites the captain to pray about this matter. In the words of the captain, Mr. Mueller prayed, "one of the most simple prayers I've ever heard."

But next point grabbed me. When the captain started to pray, Mr. Mueller told him not to pray. Mr. Mueller told the captain as he restrained him from praying, "First, you do not believe God will answer, and second, I BELIEVE HE HAS. Consequently, there is no need whatsoever for you to pray about it."

When they were done, Mr. Mueller told the captain to open the door and see that the fog was gone and they in fact made Quebec by Saturday.

Here are a couple of "takeaways" for me:

1. When I pray and ask God,do I believe that God may answer, could answer or already has answered?

2. Why ask people to pray who do not believe that God will answer?

3. God hears the most simple prayers. I do not need to try to impress God with my ability to pray.


This causes me to reread James 1:6 .... "But when he asks he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

Praying for "Unsaved" Husbands and their wives

I am sure this has not happened to anyone else. It was a morning when I wondered why something so simple was taking so long. I was just buying a book and then heading to something really important. And then it happened!

I had finished my transaction and, frankly, was not totally satisfied with the transaction that had just taken place. I slid to the side of the counter allowing the next person to conduct their business.

As she stepped forward, it was clear that this was a lady who had not had an easy life. She did not appear to be homeless, destitute or looking for a “handout.” She just looked as if life had been tougher for her than many others.

She began speaking to the female cashier by saying, “I am not sure you will remember me, but you helped me a few months ago. You suggested that I buy The Love Dare and I did.” She went on to tell the lady that she was almost finished with the entire book, but she had come to the part where you are to pray with your spouse. Then she told the cashier, “I asked my husband to pray, and he got very angry and mad at me.” She told her that her husband was not a believer and did not want her to talk with him about praying.

Then she told her why she had come into the store. She said that she had no one else to ask and so she asked the cashier if she would pray for her and her marriage. I listened as the cashier asked the lady her name and her husband’s name and then she promised to remember them both in prayer.

I could not stand back at this point. This was not a prayer that should wait or one that the lady should have to wonder if they were really lifted up in prayer. I stepped back to the counter and asked the cashier and the lady to join hands with me and I prayed.

It was not just a prayer for her or her marriage, but I sensed that she had probably never had a blessing prayed over her. So pray I did. Yes, I prayed for her, her husband and her marriage. I also prayed a blessing over her as a daughter of the “King.”

Before you get crazy and think how lucky she was that I was there…..I was the one who God allowed and gave the privilege of being a part of His work.

In our weekly prayer list, we are asking our team and anyone who reads this to pray for the ladies married to non-believers. Pray for the ladies, their husbands and their marriages. In doing so, I believe that God is allowing us to be a part of His great work.

Becoming Believable

I have received a great deal of encouragement from so many friends and family. As of yesterday, Sunday, August 9, 2009 my weight was 233 lbs. I started at 258.5 lbs on June 1. The bottom line is that I have another 24 lbs to go and I am shooting for December 31 as the date.

Let me give you some observations.

1. Initial successes are easier but long term habits are much harder but far more important in life. A friend told me that he had lost 210 lbs. I stared for a moment and he clarified... "Yea, I have lost 30 lbs 7 times."

2. It is said that you will find time for the things that matter to you. I had talked a great game and even made some great charts about losing weight. I did not translate any of that planning to a place on my schedule. What really matters will find a place on your schedule.

3. Support is amazing. My biggest supporter is Billie. She encourages but she also makes sure that healthy food options are available. The guys around me are very important. Quick notes and calls to see how I am doing and actually ask "What is your weight, now?" Not a bad question for a guy who "went public."

The next 24 lbs will be the toughest for a couple of reasons. First is that I have dropped the easy to lose pounds. Secondly, I must now coordinate my eating and exercise with the increased demands of a Fall travel schedule.

So here is the deal... You may ask me about my weight anytime. Drop me a note or yell at me when I am on the platform getting ready to speak. BUT WOULD YOU ALSO ASK ME ABOUT MY DAILY DEVOTIONS, PRAYER LIFE AND DAILY WALK?

I want every area of my life to represent Christ well. It is all on the the table.







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Manly Men with Manly Toys Building Godly Men from Little Boys

Manly Men with Manly Toys
Building Godly Men from Little Boys


Every year the men of EV Free Church of Eaton (Colorado) set up camp about 70 miles “west of nowhere.” They have tents of every size and shape as well as campers and trailers. In addition, men bring ATV’s, dirt bikes, rifles, shotguns, pistols, revolvers and hunting bows. Most importantly, they bring their Bibles and their sons and grandsons.

This past weekend was incredible. There were over 100 men and boys, from Grandfathers to grandsons. Ages ranged from 3 years of age to nearly 80.

Each day, starting after breakfast, men were engaged in the lives of their sons. Whether it was helping them ride a dirt bike or helping them hold a shotgun for the first time, dads were with their sons.

Each evening and on Sunday morning, men sat with their sons, son-in-laws, grandsons and brothers. There was worship, teaching and prayer. Two men stood to respond to an invitation for salvation, while holding their young sons in their arms. Sons watched their dads and grandpa’s kneel in prayer.

Here are some of the other really great things about the weekend.
1. Every dad was a dad to every boy. Think about that for just a moment. Every man there treated every son as his own. That means that every man watched out for every boy there. It means that every man did not hesitate to jump in and help every boy without worrying about whether or not it was “OK.”
2. Every dad could get help and still be a man. The security of the environment for each man to learn in front of his son, if he needed help, and then teach his own son was powerful. Sometimes the most powerful teaching moment for the son came in watching his dad ask for help, learn something new, and then turn and teach him.
3. Men were not afraid or embarrassed to “worship.” NO, I mean really worship—in song and prayer.
4. In addition to the fun, every father and son cut/split wood for the camp; and they participated in preparing, serving or cleaning up after a meal. Everyone was a “stakeholder” in the camp.

A huge “Thank You” to Pastor Craig, Pastor Jeff and the men’s leadership team for allowing me to be a part of this event. This was a weekend I will not forget.

As a note…. Every year the men do the same type of weekend with their daughters and granddaughters. Yes, they bring out the ATVs, rifles, shotguns, pistols, revolvers, hunting bows, dirt bikes. And, yes, the men enjoy worship, teaching and prayer with their daughters and granddaughters.

Our Children - God’s Legacy

So the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.

Psalm 78:6 (NIV)

We learn very soon in life that we quickly lose control of our children. We cannot control where they live or work. We cannot control where they take our grandchildren. I thought I would be smart. I told my children that I did not care where they lived, but all my grandchildren would live in Denver. That did not work!

Too often we think of leaving our legacy in terms of material wealth. Like so many other areas in our lives, we are probably looking at life differently than God.

In many ways we view our children in the same way we view our relationship with God. We have a tendency to look at what we do instead of who we are. As a result, we look at our success or failure with our children by looking at what they do instead of who they are.

When we read Psalms 78:5-7, God gives us a clear understanding of two things that are critical for establishing His legacy.

He tells us to start teaching our children so that they will teach their children. One of my favorite lines in scripture is in verse 6, “even for children yet to be born.” How many of us are really focusing on what will be taught to those who are not yet born?

A few days ago I read a quote that basically said that we are to hug our children… not just to hug them…but to teach them to hug their children.

The second issue that is critical is what to teach. Too often we focus on their actions or attitudes which make us look good as a parent. Verse 7 gives it to us with simple clarity that is great for us guys. We are to teach our children to teach their children to trust, remember and obey the Living God.

As dads, this is going to require a shift in our thinking and should result in a shift in our actions. We must begin to shape who our children are and encourage their personal relationship with Christ. The focus must not be on simply what they do.

Out of who they are will flow what they do. We have a tendency to try and shape who they are by focusing on changing the things they do. That is why so many of our children act so differently when they leave home. They adjusted their behavior to meet requirements while living in our homes. This is because we told them how to act to get along with us and did not necessarily help them become the person who would bring honor to God.

What will God’s legacy look like as a result of Him trusting you to be the earthly father for His children?

Who Do You Say He Is?

Who Do You Say He Is?
Mathew 16:15

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Mathew 16:15 (NIV)

The question that was posed to Peter by our Lord seemed pretty simple and forthright. It was as if Jesus had heard enough from the intellectual level. I can almost imagine the environment when Jesus listened to all the others. Each of their responses could have been prefaced with “Well the evidence seems to indicate……” then follow that with their conclusions based on what others were saying. “Some say John the Baptist; others Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Then Jesus just cut through all the issues with the simple question to Peter. Our Lord’s question could have also have been preceded with ….. “Peter, regardless of the evidence and what others are saying, in your heart…..” Who do you say I am?”

That was the moment of truth. Yet, that same question must be answered by each one of us daily. Our answer will be stated by two separate responses. The first answer will be the words we choose to speak and the second will be shouted louder by how we choose to live our lives. It is one thing to say that Jesus is the Son of the Living God and our Lord and Savior. It is quite another thing to live our lives in such a way that shouts in an undeniable manner that Jesus is the Son of the Living God and our Lord and Savior.

I am convinced that our families, friends and those around us are going to know what we believe about Jesus before we get the chance to tell them what we think about him. They will see in us what we believe long before they hear from us what we think.

Now, here is the problem. For far too many years people around me could not hear what I was saying with my mouth about Jesus because my life was shouting too loudly a message to the contrary.

I believe that I did more to lead people from the Lord rather than to Him.

Now I have this picture that keeps running over and over again. I picture myself standing with Jesus and He is listening to all the answers from the others. Then He turns to me and says, “But what about you?” He asks, “Who do you say I am?”

Before I can answer Him, He says, “Don’t answer that. Let me just watch you today and I will see the real answer.”

So today, when others look at you and see how you choose to live your life……. Who do you say he is?

Do You Remember?

This is another devotional that I wrote for "On the Road"

Do You Remember?

Psalm 78:9-11

They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them.

Psalm 78:11 (NIV)

If you want to look at one of the most incredible reoccurring themes in the Bible, it is the issue of men of God forgetting all that God had done for them. It is very often followed by the phrase, “and again they did evil in the sight of the Lord.”

As men, we have this incredible propensity of “living for the moment.” Yesterday is long gone and tomorrow is out there somewhere. What really counts is today. The problem with that mentality is that we miss so much of the strength that God has intended for us.

We should draw strength from remembering (and remembering often) all that God has done for us. As if salvation was not enough, there is always so much more, for which to be grateful.

God uses the majority of Psalm 78 to remind the Israelites of all that He had done. It also emphasizes that after all of the incredible wonders that He had shown them, they continued to turn their backs on Him.

Today, most of us Christian guys live in a “what have you done for me lately” world often forgetting that God has a long history of loving us more than we can begin to love Him back.

Not only is it important for us to remember all that God has done for us, but it is critical that we pass that history of God’s love on to our children and our children’s children.

When we begin to recall God’s faithfulness, it is important that we do not just focus on the really big blessings, but remember even the smallest of blessings. Equally important is that we remember that God has done all these things out of his incredible love for us.

Our grandchildren love to have us tell them the stories of God’s love and faithfulness in our lives because it also speaks of His love for them since we are family. When God blesses our family, He blesses all of us. They draw strength from a history of blessings.

We tell the stories to remind them of the past so that they can draw strength and know that they can trust God in the future in their own lives.

As you consider your life, have you given thought to what God has done for you; and have you shared that with your family?

If you do not remember, how can they remember?