For Future Generations

As we present once more a very popular program about passing along our faith to the next generation, some thoughts. These are also reflective of some conversations at church the other day, in which I talked with parents who have struggling children.

 

As parents, we want the best for our children. Our every effort is to guide them to maturity, to cultivate within them a good heart, to equip them with the best tools for success, to enable them to find their place in this world. As Christian dads and mom we also seek to fulfill the Scriptural admonition to raise up a child who will fear the Lord, and so we shepherd our son or daughter toward having their own personal faith.

 

None of us, though, can look into the future and see what the end result of our parenting efforts will be. The couple who just got home from the hospital with their precious little newborn baby is just starting a long journey. There is simply no way possible for them to predict where that road called parenting will take them during the coming years, nor to know with any certainty just what that cute little bundle will be like in another two decades.

 

It may be that when we finish the parenting process, at least the first part of it in which we prepare our child for adulthood, we’ll sit down and thank God for how well it all went. We’re happy with the way our son turned out. Or it could be that we’ll fall down in sheer frustration and ask God what in the world happened, wondering why our daughter rejected all we did and made such a mess of her young life…and asking if she will ever be able to salvage a normal life.

 

Of course, we are ultimately not responsible for the end-result of parenting. That grown child is really an individual on his or her own, free to make decisions – bad or good, to accept or reject the training we have instilled within them, to make whatever they choose of their life.

 

It is helpful to remember that our role as parents is to prepare the way, and then to allow our child to walk in it. Or not. We aren’t charged to force a proper approach to life upon our kids, only to make one possible. And the truth is that we probably won’t live to see or know just how that child finishes out their life.

 

In the New Testament, Peter wrote about (in chapter 1, verses 10-12) the prophets, who, like parents, really didn’t know how everything was going to turn out. In his first letter, Peter indicated that the prophets spoke about the grace that was to come to the Gentiles, but they did not understand just how God was going to save the world through His Son’s death and resurrection. The prophets foretold the coming of a suffering Messiah, and his future glory, but they were unable to distinguish when he would appear as a humble servant, nor could they grasp that his second coming would be as King of the world.

 

It is clear that God compelled His spokespersons to speak of that which they could not fully understand. They were to prepare the way for the coming of the Christ. They told of that which they could not understand, nor would they live to see the blessed Messiah’s arrival. They knew they were appointed for a time, but not privileged to participate in that which they spoke about. They would not live to see how you and I have benefited from God’s gift of salvation and how we are living out our lives in light of His grace.

 

In a sense, parents and prophets are very much alike. We are given a role to prepare the way, and then to step back and let the future generations make something of our work. We may not – we probably won’t – see the true end product. We cannot control what those who come behind us will do, how they will choose. Yet we strive with everything in us to provide them with what they need. We do this, not to serve ourselves, but to serve them. And their children’s children.

 

Here’s to work that will last a long, long time…for future generations.

Tragedy Close To Home

The weekend shootings of believers at a Youth With A Mission training center in the Denver area and then of people leaving services at New Life Church just up the road from Focus leave me saddened and heavy hearted.  It is a shame that such things occur, and to have two separate incidents right in this area makes one wonder, “Why?”

From initial reports, it seems both the staff at the YWAM facility and also the folks at New Life are responding appropriately,  that they are not angry, that they are leaving the “Why?” questions for later.

For now, our hearts and prayers are with those brothers and sisters who experienced the trauma and those who lost family members and friends. May the God of all comfort bring peace and healing.

White (House) Christmas

Earlier this year I was privileged to be a guest at the White House. It was a very memorable time, and meeting President Bush there was something I’ll never forget. He gave our group an hour of his time to share from his heart. We even had an opportunity for a personal tour of his office – you know, that oval one.

In light of that visit, I especially enjoyed an insightful conversation about the historical traditions celebrating Christmas at “the people’s house.”I imagine it is very pretty there right now…

Senseless Violence

Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the shooting victims in Omaha. What a horrific event, so random and so unnecessary. May God give grace and comfort to those who are hurting and grieving right now.

I had written this draft a few days ago, and in light of the horrific news from Omaha, it seems all the more timely to post it now.

From Focus on the Family’s pressroom earlier this week:

According to a new study released yesterday from the University of Michigan, children’s repeated exposure to violent television and video games is the strongest predictor of violence in adulthood. The study supports what has been long suspected: viewing violent “entertainment” and participating in “virtual violence” have profoundly serious implications for society.

Check out the entire article for some compelling insights about the influence of the media on behavior.

What are you letting your children (or grandchildren) watch? And when we will awaken to the factors involved in senseless killings?

Your Suitcase

I’ve shared with some friends about a concept that illustrates how most of go through life. We have a rolling suitcase that we drag around, full of life’s burdens – old wounds, disappointments, failures, strained relationships, the death of a loved one, financial pressures, and such. And we usually don’t stop and open up that suitcase for others…after all, THEY have their own suitcase, and besides, it requires a level of trust that doesn’t come easily.

I try to help my kids understand that everyone has a suitcase they are rolling around, and we need to be sensitive to the burdens and challenges of others. In fact, those suitcases often explain why someone is irritable, or seemingly unkind, or angry. There’s just too much weight in there, and they don’t have anyone to help remove some of those heavy items.

As we listened to part one of the David Ring program yesterday, my daughter and I were both moved to tears as we heard him share about his suitcase. It was one of the largest suitcases you can find, and it was stuffed full of pain and heartache. And yet, David found relief from his burden, and while he still has more challenges than I can fathom, he is joyful and free of the weights which so easily entangled him in years past.

I’m glad we can share this broadcast series with you, and think it will greatly encourage most folks.

One Amazing Man

This guy is incredible.

Hear him here.

December Means “Best Of”

Here’s the list of our top radio programs for 2007. They’ll be re-aired in the coming weeks and months. Be sure to  listen in – and find out why these prompted so many to respond!

Top 15 Focus on the Family Radio Broadcasts of 2007:

  1. “A Nation Abandoned by God”
    Guest: John MacArthur
  2. “Understanding the Threat of Radical Islam”
    Guest: Senator Rick Santorum
  3. “Finding God in a Prison Cell”
    Guest: The Rev. Maury Davis
  4. “Passing Hope On to Others”
    Guests: Kim and Troy Meeder
  5. “Delighting in Your Spouse’s Differences”
    Guests: Bill and Pam Farrel
  6. “Radical Islam’s Impact on America”
    Guest: Joel Rosenberg
  7. “Insights on Radical Islam”
    Guest: Michael Youssef
  8. “Fueling the Passion in Your Marriage”
    Guests: Bill and Pam Farrel
  9. “Fathering the Prodigal Child”
    Guests: Charles Stone and Heather Anderson
  10. “Tony Dungy: A Man of Quiet Strength”
    Guest: Tony Dungy
  11. “What Men Need to Know About Women”
    Guests: Jeff and Shanti Feldhahn
  12. “What’s Wrong With Being a Nice Guy?”
    Guests: Paul and Sandy Coughlin
  13. “A Visit with Ernie Haase and Signature Sound”
    Guests: Ernie Haase and Signature Sound
  14. “The Strength of a Man”
    Guest: Harold Davis
  15. “Teen Missions: Changing Lives”
    Guests: Susie Shellenberger and Jacci Knight

Media Violence

From Focus on the Family:

According to a new study released yesterday from the University of Michigan, children’s repeated exposure to violent television and video games is the strongest predictor of violence in adulthood. The study supports what has been long suspected: viewing violent “entertainment” and participating in “virtual violence” have profoundly serious implications for society.

Check out the entire article for some compelling insights about the influence of the media on behavior.

What are you letting your children (or grandchildren) watch?

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