In case you have been on the moon for the past month and haven't heard, the Mississippi river is reaching record levels from Cairo, IL south and is causing major flooding in many areas. In several areas there is concern over the levee systems that have been built to protect some areas. Those concerns fall into two categories: Are they high enough? and Will they be strong enough? In our Christian lives we have to ask our selves about the levees that we should have around our hearts and minds to protect them from being flooded by Satan and the world. Are they high enough and strong enough? We have to know the floods will come, yet some of us neglect the building up of our mental and emotional levees. We are sometimes tempted to think that they were good enough for the last flood, so I will be fine this time too. Don't deceive yourself levees decay and erode without constant attention. If we can build and sustain our levee system it will be an added layer of protection for the foundations of our hearts and minds. Be sure you are building with the quality materials of God's Word or you may find a washed out levee and your heart and mind flooded with sin.
Since Mother's day was yesterday, here is a lesson by Glenn Colley on Motherhood. Preached in 2010 for Mother's day at West Huntsville church of Christ.
Motherhood If only real daughters and mothers could have the relationship Ruth and Naomi had:
Rth 1:14-17 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. {15} And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. {16} And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: {17} Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Give it Now! If you have a smile for Mother, Give it now. If you have a kindly word, Give it now. She'll not need it when the angels Greet her at the golden gate; Give the smiles while she is living, If you wait 'twill be too late. If you have a flower for Mother, Pluck it now. Place it gently on her bosom, Print a kiss upon her brow. What cares she when life is over, For the flowers that bloom below. She will have her share up yonder, Scattered at her feet galore. --Akron Baptist Journal Strength Through Adversity
copyright 1976 by Barry and Paul Epps. Author of stanzas 1&2 unknown, 3 by Paul Epps as found in Church Gospel Songs and Hymns 1)For all the heartaches and the tears, For all the anguish and the pain; For gloomy days and fruitless years, And for the hopes I've lived in vain. 2)For ev'ry hill I've had to climb, For ev'ry stone that bruised my feet; For all the blood and sweat and grime, For blinding storms and burning heat. 3)I thank Thee, Lord, for all the years, For ev'ry burden of the day; For all the heartaches and the fears, That I have known along the way. Chorus: My heart sings a grateful song, These were the things that made me strong; I do give thanks, for now I know, These were the things that made me grow. This is the first of what I hope will be many encouraging posts for fathers. I want to say first of all that I am not a perfect father, just ask my two children that are old enough to speak, but I do know the source of perfect teaching for fathers as well as anyone else: God's Word. I will share successes, failures, and ideas for improvement.
Since Mother's Day is coming up it is natural for us to think about the mothers of our children. Before we can be good fathers to our children we must learn how to treat their mothers. Theodore Hesburgh said, "The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother", and there is no doubt it makes an impact. If we make disrespectful and belittling comments toward her the children will not respect her as they should. I love to joke and sometimes get carried away when my wife is trying to be serious. I am noticing that my son does the same thing. He is not respectful of when it is time to stop joking and be serious because he has seen me carry on long after my wife was frustrated. What are you doing to the mother of your children that is causing or going to cause problems? Do something every day to improve your relationship with her because it is the foundation of your relationship with your children. Some will say that they are not married to the mother of their children, and there are millions in this situation, but it does not change the truth of the importance of that relationship. You may be divorced, or have children from before marriage, and certainly you can't be a husband to someone that you are not married to and living with, however, we are to love all, even enemies (some fall in this category) and treat everyone with the respect demanded by God who created them in his image. By mistreating that ex, you are not only hurting them and yourself, you are hurting the innocent children. You may never have a good relationship with them, but you can do your part to live at peace for your children's sake. "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)
Today, post a comment and let us know what you are thankful for! Today we will share a link that will help to strengthen your family's faith in God as creator.
Apologetics Press is full of helpful articles, audio, video and items to purchase. Many of their books are also available free on-line. There is even a kid's site featuring Digger Doug. Here is a little something for the little ones!
From what I have seen of this site, there are a lot of useful items here. As always, make sure it lines up with God's Word before using. http://www.christianpreschoolprintables.com/index.html Here is your MP3 for today!
Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver - Chapelcast The Responsibility of Parents - Shane Belanger Jan. 25, 2011 http://www.wetrainpreachers.com/storage/audio/chapelcast/2011_0125_SBelanger.mp3 |