Enjoying the Journey
Posts Tagged ‘Home’
Living in Love
This morning Tammy and I had the joy of participating in a special couple’s brunch and marriage seminar. Like many other holidays, Valentine’s Day provides an emphasis that should be remembered year round. Husbands, we are to love our wives (and show it) every day! People around the world are speaking the language of love…at least for a day. But true love is not limited to a day or expressed only in words. The God of love intended that His children would live in His love all the time. Jesus even said that this would be the distinguishing characteristic of His followers: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”…
Read MoreThe Scariest Job In the World
Every job has its drawbacks and even its dangers. But, what is the scariest job in the world? It is a job that many of us have! The scariest job in the world is parenting. The demands, the implications, the complications…about the time you start to figure a few things out your kids are almost grown. Tammy and I are at a new season in our lives as two of our children are in college and the youngest is less than three years from finishing high school. Over lunch recently I told friends that this phase of parenting has been the most challenging for me personally. I have loved every stage but as your children get older there are unique…
Read More5 Books to Read On Marriage & Family (And One I Am Starting To Read)
This week I had the privilege of speaking in a special seminar on the Christian home. The people in attendance were young and old, single and married, people with children and grandchildren. It was a reminder to me that there are seasons of life and family, and at every season we need God’s wisdom! If anyone tells you they have a perfect family…run! Sometimes those who look like they have it all together are coming apart at the seams. There are no perfect families because we are all sinners. I have a long way to go as a husband and father, but I am grateful to God for my family and want to become more of what He wants me…
Read MoreDo What You Can Where You Are
We have become a nation of “shut-ins” in many ways. (This should make us more compassionate and caring of those who truly are shut-in and unable to ever leave their homes!) The current shift in schedule has disrupted a mobile society and the ripple effects are just beginning to be felt. What should Christians do? They should do what they can where they are! The will of God and the work of God always begins with what is right at hand. As we do our part, God will surely do His. If we want to get to the ends of the earth we must begin at our Jerusalem (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8). When we began 2020 I challenged churches to…
Read MoreRevival of The Family Altar
The term has been lost with the passing of time – and so has the use. Few people today think much about a “family altar.” Yet in days of revival in our nation the principle of families praying and worshiping together was vital. True revival does not start at the church house, it starts at our house! The family altar does not mean that we build a physical altar in our homes. It means that we build into our schedules and routines the priority of praying with the family and talking about the Lord. The home altar is greater than the church altar in this way: it can be accessed every day! Matthew Henry wrote, “Wherever man has a tent,…
Read More3 Talks To Have While You Are “Social Distancing”
Many of us are spending a little more time at home these days! The worldwide pandemic and resulting restrictions have cut down on travel, meetings, school, and a host of other “normal” activities. Most are suffering some degree of withdrawal from the lack of sporting events and simultaneous overexposure to news media. Now we are to keep six feet away from one another! Like many things in life, every negative can be a positive. After terrible circumstances Joseph declared, “…ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20). Paul explained it this way: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to…
Read MoreMy Wife’s Ministry
My favorite traveling companion is the one that God is allowing me to make this journey through life with. Every place is better with her. Every day brighter. Tammy has been for the last nearly twenty five years my best friend, over twenty one of those as my wife. She is God’s best gift to me outside of Christ. Our first date was at a college Valentine banquet in 1995 and she has been my sweetheart every Valentine’s day since then. When I travel to meetings without her the people always hear about her. It is easy to talk about the one you love. Sometimes people will ask about my wife’s ministry: Does she like to speak to ladies? How…
Read More“I’ll Be Home For Christmas…”
“I’ll be home for Christmas…” Familiar words from one of the most beloved Christmas carols. There truly is something wonderful about being home at this time of year. And yet, they are not always reality. Some cannot be home for Christmas this year. As a frequent traveler I often think at this time of year about people who cannot be home with those they love. Some cannot be home because of security. Consider specifically men and women who have given themselves to protect and serve our nation. They are scattered around the globe defending liberty. Certainly they would love to be home but they are busy protecting our homeland, and for that we should all be grateful. Thank you for…
Read MoreFrom The Back Of My Journal
I am nearing the end of another journal and, God willing, will begin another soon. This is always a reminder to me of the passing of life and the importance of making every day count. In this particular journal I have some thoughts written in the front and back flyleaf. In the front I have two Scriptures that have been a great help to me. One is a promise for every place where the Lord may take me: “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them” (John 10:4). The truth for every trip is that God has already gone ahead of me. This has encouraged me on many journeys! The other passage is a prayer for…
Read MoreThank God For Christian Education
The last two days I have been speaking in Michigan at a wonderful Christian Educator’s Convention. It has been a privilege to spend time with men and women who are giving their lives to help families as they seek to provide their children with a true Christian education. Tammy and I both had the joy of being a part of Christian schools and are grateful for the outstanding Christian academy the Lord has allowed our children to attend. I thank God for Christian education. Christian education is undoubtedly more than Christian schools. It is done in the context of home and through the ministry of local churches. In the words of one of my mentors, Dr. Clarence Sexton, “Christian education…
Read More
