though they bring up their children

"What Kids Need from Caring Adults"
* Intro: Culture negatively influences raising of children in this world -- how to go against that influence
* Begin w/ end in mind; define "good kid"
- Confidence: they "know who they are because they know whose they are"
- Character: have integrity and moral compass
- Conviction: beliefs rooted in Christ
- Compassion: heart for others; mercy
- Competence: know own gifts/skills; see selves as difference-makers
* Belief in value of being parent {Ps127:3,5a}
- Children are gifts
* Presence (time)
- Not quantity over quality but vv
- Guilt deserved if putting own priorities over those of little ones
- Personal sacrifice
- Career sacrifice
- Ditch cellphones when w/ kids
- Focus, face them, & give feedback
* Memories
- Create traditions -- "add to flavor of memories"
- Capture memories
- Prioritize vacations
- Create adventures (i.e. missions trip as family)

no longer remembers the anguish

Going to be on time for a change.

Speaking to a brother this morning, and the notion of liar's memory came up. Liar has photographic memory. You think it's you with the great memory, when in reality it is liar.

Thinking about those ill words spoken to you? Thinking about that time that you were hurt? Thinking about those conversations, thinking about every spoken word and every unspoken word? Thinking about the nuances that may or may not have occurred? Thinking about that sin? Thinking about that person?

All from liar.

It is clear why it is so easy to remember scenes of greatest hurt down to the tiniest detail -- the words, the facial expressions, et al -- with clarity beyond anything created by Sony. Lord says He places sin as far as east is from west and yet we feel we cannot approach Him in the states that we are in. Lord says He wants to use us, and yet we cannot be used by Him in the heart conditions that we are in. Lord says He wants that walk with us and yet we cannot step upon that sea because of the memories that fill our hearts.

Spiritual amnesia. Coining that phrase this morning for possible development at a later date.

and you will receive, so

Met some brothers this morning. One spoke of being asked what he wanted from the Lord. And after answering, then learned that what he wanted from Lord was so small, that there was so much more to ask for from Him. That He had, in fact, far more things in store to give should the brother only ask. That our expectations of God are down here and His expectations are way up here. I've got hands that are indicating different levels right now, but you simply can't see them. Great lesson on the abundant nature of God. He has always provided more than enough, and always will surprise the faithsteppers with more than we had imagined when we pointed those toes toward the raging waters.

nor do we know what to do

Choices are overwheleming to me. Always this fear of picking the worse of the two, or the disobedient of the two. That fear can be crippling. Spoken of choice as a test. Spoken of choice as a blessing. Neither case makes the choosing any easier.

Have a new favorite that speaks of characters with extraordinary powers. They haven't shown anyone with precognition, but that is the power I'd most want. Then all this choosing might be all the easier, knowing which path leads to where. I understand that trusting means not thinking about the direction; I understand that the seeking His will means not thinking about my own predilections. But I also understand that I am the one -- and the wondrous one and the sweet things -- who faces the outcome, and that unknown outcome can't stay far away enough from me.

to guide our feet into the way

Hebrews is best-known for the faith Hall of Fame in Heb11. I mentioned earlier that the idea of rest might also be added to its notoriety. But in a twelve chapter book, six chapters are devoted to speaking of the priesthood of Christ, with mention of the word priest in most of the others. Hebrews is a discussion of what being a priest really entails.

Christ is the model priest, and Heb goes into great detail about why. Over the past few months I've tried to better understand the role of pastors and priests, and the Word is clear on their calling as a shepherd of the flock. Then how does that connect to the cross?

Flash. Perhaps of the obvious. I cannot see.

On the cross, Jesus made it possible for everyone to get close to the Lord; His death constructed that bridge. The central role of shepherd is to enable the flock to be closer to Lord, no? When we speak of faith, kinds that belong in a grand hall, we need to speak about the kinds that enable a man to care about another's proximity to the throne.

and you want to do the desires of

Yesterday's musings on the importance of the cross had me musing today on the Passion of Christ -- not the Gibson flick, but on the term itself. Well before Mel made it famous, Good Friday marathon masses have been based upon the Passion for centuries.

Using the term "Passion" to refer to the Gospel paintings of the crucifixion is interesting. They originate from Middle Age dramas that coined the term, and have since carried through Catholic terminology to modern day usage. If you use a concordance, though, the word "passion" occurs only 10 times in the Word, and all in very negative usages. It is interesting that the church has co-opted liar's word and made it into something critical to faith.

All of us have our own passions. We are passionate about something -- our families, a favorite sports team, a particular movie, a political cause, a favorite food. We understand passion at a very basic level. And the Lord's passion was being obedient to His Father and loving the world on a cross on a hill. To understand passion in that way explains why the cross is so central to all we do and all we are.

on the cross it was

Leaders at home discussing a plan tomorrow night to place a cross in the sanctuary. I'm sure your first response is "Are you saying there isn't one there now?!" I know. One exists, but hidden by a screen meant to jog those with poor memories.

Your second response might be to ask "What discussion could possibly occur beyond when and where and how?" At least if you're a regular to these pages you might. Because if you can think of a reason to even argue the point of whether or not we should, hardheart you're in the wrong place.

Because of my absence, I'll give them all the benefit of the doubt and assume none are arguing against the necessity for a more visible tree. I'm actually glad for the absence because I'm not sure I could contain the vitriol which would rise against any who'd dare. There is no faith without the cross, and no life worth living without the faith. And there is no church that can call itself faithful without a devotion to the cross.

Looking forward to the notes from the meeting tomorrow night. And the first thing I will look to is the first thing I always look to, reminding myself never to look away.

value, then, if for you who believe

"How to Be Wealthy Forever" {Matt6:19-24}
* Intro: "when you know what we know, you can afford to be generous"
* Durability Test
- How long will treasure last?
- "store up" = hoard/stockpile
- Paul & Provs speak of saving for little ones, so not against all savings
- Heart attitude is issue at stake here
- Where treasure, there heart -- not vv
- Lord wants you to treat your walk as precious possession
* Eye Test
- Where do you focus your goals?
- Light = Heavenly perspective
- "What excites you most: Heaven or earth?"
* Master Test
- Whom do you choose to serve?
- "God's quarter went down the sewer drain."
* Biblical doctrine of rewards
- Salvation unlosable gift; but rewards earned and losable {1Cor3:12-15}
- Faith determines eternal destination; works/behavior determines eternal rewards {Rom14:10,12}
- Believers will experience differing degrees of rewards "according to deeds" done on earth {2Cor5:10, Rev2:23}
- Not sinful to be motivated by reward {Heb11:24-26}
- Lord's 3 motivations: fear of punishment, hope of reward, love of God
* Application
- Be rich toward God {Luke12:16-21}
- Be rich in good works {1Tim6:17-19}
- Give to needy

with you now and to change

Recently, been actively praying for very specific events to occur. And in these very specific events, I am attempting to change the heart of a person, willing them to some desired outcome. Call it the opposite of the stoning of the heart. That got me to thinking about the reasoning behind this course of action.

Have read about instances of the hardhearts. Have heard stories even in person of folks whose hearts were changed from some previously held position. Have felt it occur in my own heart even. Does this mean that our likes and dislikes are not ingrained opinions, but rather something more whimsical? Does this mean that our beliefs are, in fact, the direct result of answered or unanswered prayers? And what of this new power, the ability to effectively change reality for another being?

Parking these thoughts. If or when this works, we'll revisit my thoughts on the matter. Or maybe my thoughts will change, shifted by another's prayers.

if you release this man

Snippets from tomorrow morning's thing:

I think that the modern American church focuses too much on youth ministry. Every church states that it wishes to invest in the future. And while that is indeed a noble goal, God doesn’t promise the future to anyone; the Lord could come again any day. And yes, it is easier to raise children early, immersed in Christian values and teachings. But one of the drawbacks of this focus on youth is that men’s ministries get underfocused. I believe if we examined church budgets and church ministries across the country, you would find that youth ministry gets resourced the most, followed by women’s ministry, followed very far behind by men’s ministry.

And what this resource disparity causes is an atmosphere where men, the spiritual leaders of the home depend on the church to spiritually lead their children and wives closer to God. Because men have found a good church with good ministries for their family, they feel that their responsibility as spiritual leaders is already completed. The responsibility for developing spiritual maturity in our families does not end with our finding a good home church.

Men need to be passionate about God in their own homes. Men need to be the ones that talk the most about loving God. Men need to be the ones that need to set the example of reading the Bible every day. Men need to be the ones that take the lead in memorizing Scripture, not their children in Awana. Men need to be the ones that see prayer as a first response rather than a last resort. Men need to be the ones that showcase the fruits of the Spirit.

Shelve this idea along with Breakfast and Grass. For a future moment.