Recently in Godward Orientation Category

Do you love the church?  This question is one of the most important questions you will ever answer.  An answer in the affirmative is binding. It is similar in importance to the affirmative answer given in a wedding ceremony. The pastor asks the question, "Will you take this woman to be your wife?" If the answer is "Yes," at least two important things happen. The first is that you make your new wife happy. The second binds you to a committed relationship of service and sacrifice to your wife for the rest of your life.

One thing that Christian parents can agree upon is that we want our children to come to faith in Christ. But what does this saving faith look like?  It is difficult to urge your children to something if you are not sure exactly what that something is. There are at least two components of what saving faith practically looks like. Hebrews 11:6 says that "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Organization that is glorifying to God requires more than just effective time management.  Biblically, time is a commodity that God wants us to spend for his glory and purpose. Psalm 139:16 says "all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." This is an intriguing understanding of time. Time is a finite commodity; each of us has just so much and no more. No amount of human maneuvering or planning will change this. This reality is one of the truths that God wants impressed upon the hearts of your children as you lead them along life's path (Deuteronomy 6:7).

This story that follows is written by Shepherd Press representative Richard Riggall.  This story is a powerful example of a Christian being aware of God in everyday life. Instead of routinely going through motions of another landing, Rick used this opportunity to think first of God and his ways. As this story illustrates, our lives are always in God's hands.

My head pressed against the window as the plane banked to line up for the runway, just last month on my way to Together for the Gospel. As the plane leveled out for its final descent, our shadow slid into view, straight below, just off to the side. The shadow rustled over the tree tops, across a freshly plowed field, through rolling fields waiting for the plow, growing ever larger, darker and more clearly defined. Crossing a small lake we extinguish the sparkle of the morning sun, emerging on the far shore without shedding a drop; I am mesmerized by my shadow. I can see that my shadow is about to intersect a major highway, busy with the morning traffic. Will we...? Yes; my shadow flits fully over a speeding pickup truck. Did the instant of sudden shadow cause the driver to think of the brevity of life? Do other people suddenly think about the brevity of life? Is it only me? My shadow enters a new, expensive looking neighborhood; clean gray roofs sit atop large rambling houses with multi-car garages on rich green lawns on gently winding streets and tidy cul-de-sacs. There are no cars parked on the drives, or laundry flapping in the breeze or children playing in the yard. On through neighborhoods, shopping areas, industrial parks, congested roads, railroad yards, vacant lots, my shadow growing ever larger. The silent journey of my growing shadow seems to become ever faster even as the dimly perceived rumble of the plane around me tells me that in reality we are slowing down. Our landing is imminent. I meet my shadow as the wheels skid on the runway, and I think; "These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." (Col 2:17)

Why do we so easily become more mesmerized by the shadow than the reality which is in Christ?

May God grant to all of us to make real "the reality which is in Christ". 

The main goal of this blog is to encourage parents in their walk with Christ as they seek to shepherd their children and lead them in God's ways. Over the last two years we have looked at numerous issues and problems that are an integral part of living for God.  I have encouraged you to trust God's Word and his Spirit over the natural inclinations of the flesh.  We are totally dependent upon Christ for the strength and courage needed to be parents who would honor him. I also have tried to be open with you about the struggles that we face and that I face in living before God in this world.

We tend to look at Scripture through one dimension--especially passages that are familiar and used for particular occasions. An example would be the Christmas story, which we tend to focus on only once a year. But by following that pattern we might miss striking applications to everyday life and faith, such as those that we see worked out by comparing Zechariah and Mary. Another example would be passages that we connect with the resurrection--like I Corinthians 15:19:  "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." This familiar passage is often associated with Easter or with funerals. While this is an important and appropriate application of the verse, there is much, much more that God has for our benefit in these words.

Easter Week is a great time to talk about weariness. Christ's words in Matthew 11:28-30 were given to offer encouragement to weary aliens living in a hostile world. Following Christ was never meant to be trouble-free--but it is meant to be restful. Let me explain!

Parenting is a challenging task--at times even overwhelming. Because of this reality, there are countless remedies offered from every corner to make parenting easier and less stressful. Even the makers of the modern family transport, aka mini-vans, have added optional DVD players to help keep children passive while traveling to the supermarket. Yet despite all the advice and devices, at the end of the day, concerned parents are frequently left in a state of weariness. Weary not only because of the trials of the day just finished, but also weary because tomorrow is just a few hours away. In this in-between time, weariness often reaches its peak. The free advice and stress-reducing gadgets offer little consolation in this time. Even Bible verses may seem disconnected from the pressures of getting ready for tomorrow. Perhaps the most discouraging realization is knowing that in the morning you will wake up weary.

Parenting is a challenging task--at times even overwhelming. Because of this reality, there are countless remedies offered from every corner to make parenting easier and less stressful. Even the makers of the modern family transport, aka mini-vans, have added optional DVD players to help keep children passive while traveling to the supermarket. Yet despite all the advice and devices, at the end of the day, concerned parents are frequently left in a state of weariness. Weary not only because of the trials of the day just finished, but also weary because tomorrow is just a few hours away. In this in-between time, weariness often reaches its peak. The free advice and stress-reducing gadgets offer little consolation in this time. Even Bible verses may seem disconnected from the pressures of getting ready for tomorrow. Perhaps the most discouraging realization is knowing that in the morning you will wake up weary.

We have been looking at the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-31. A man came to Jesus seeking  his support. This man wanted his brother to give him his fair share of their inheritance, and he sought out Jesus' advocacy for his claim. From an earthly perspective, this man was concerned about one of the most important issues in life--his financial security. His position in the community would no doubt be determined by securing what he believed to be his proper inheritance. There is, however a certain irony to this demand. The portion of Luke's gospel where this is recorded is a section called the Travel Narrative, Luke 9:51-19:27. This narrative describes Christ's final journey back to Jerusalem where he would be crucified. So, here is Jesus Christ, going to face the agony of having his Father's wrath unleashed upon him so that he could secure an eternal, heavenly inheritance for his people--confronted by a man demanding earthly treasure. Is it any wonder that Jesus pointedly warns him that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions?