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Archive of entries posted on January 2012

Bringing Up Boys! **** Shout Out ****

Posted by  on 15 January 2012, 5:35 am

Our church the last couple of months has been presenting a class by Focus on the Family called Bringing up Boys. I really wanted to take this class because my relationship with my son is very important to me. He is 10 years old and we never really connected as father/son – man/man until these past couple of months. Thanks to this course from Focus on the Family.

My real father died when I was 4 years old. My mother didn’t remarry until I was 14 or 15 and the father figure role was pretty much over by then. So when I had my son I was pretty much clueless as to how important our bond actually was in his development into a man.

Everyday I pray that God will strengthen our relationship and build an everlasting bond.

God has revealed to me that it takes more than a man being in the mix he has to be mixing it up as well. Mothers can tell a boy how to act like a man, but only a father can show him. Mothers can tell a boy how to respect women, but only a father can show him. If I want my son to be a reflection of his father than I have to show him who his father is. Hopefully I can model the reflection of my Father in heaven.

Justin I know you will read this and I want you to know I love you very much and I’m proud of the man who you are becoming.


Filed under Editorial, Family, Religion, Social.
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How do I know I’m saved?

Posted by  on 7 January 2012, 5:47 am

I remember inviting Jesus into my life in 4th or 5th grade at a summer VBS at the local Baptist church. Unfortunately, there was no followup to that. I wasn’t brought up in the church. Ever since that day however, though I ignored it most of my life , I have always felt God’s hand in my life.

Most of my adult life I had an arrangement with God. It seemed to work pretty good. He didn’t bother me and I didn’t bother him. I went through life with the attitude that if it doesn’t hurt anyone it must be O.K.. You live your life and I’ll live mine. To each his own.

I didn’t have any Earth shaking epiphany or life threatening experience. Nor did I witness a miracle or some inexplicable situation. I was, however ,weary of life. Of banging my head on the wall and never seeming to get anywhere. Doing the same things over and over and never getting a different result.

I remember the night God called me back. He brought me to my knees in repentance. I remember the freedom of that moment and the joy of hope that was given to me. I was saved from life’s emptiness and shackles of sin. I had been reborn into a new life.

I’m sure this story is common and the question that follows is even more common. How do I know I’m saved?

I would answer that question with a question or two. (These questions assume you have been born again and believe Jesus to be the son of God and the only way to the Father in Heaven.)
1. When you sin, do you feel compelled to bring it to your Father in Heaven and ask his forgiveness?
2. Can you intentionally sin without repentance?

A man who is born again, made new through repentance (the turning from the old ways and seeking not to repeat them) and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, will answer no to both of these questions. If you can answer no to these two questions than rest assured you have been saved.


Filed under Family.
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