When approaching people I am always looking for ways to discover where that person is in relationship to their point of control and therefore where they are in regards to Christ.  I also have learned that even though I am very intentional, and graciously assertive, I have a deep abiding love, concern, passion, and interest in other people. I can and do learn from anyone, including people that are outside of a faith in Christ. I strike up conversations with many individuals as I find it interesting, challenging and deeply rewarding to attempt to bring people closer to Jesus Christ or to educate them in regards to principles about the Kingdom of God.

The Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:14. “For Christ’s love compels (constrains KJV, controls NASV, NLT) us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”

I am very intentional but I allow others to be directional.

Many times I let other people dictate the direction of the conversation by my asking additional questions based on their comments. Therefore, I clearly do not know exactly what direction the dialogue will go. However, as you and I pray and initiate conversations I believe we enter into the work of the Father as He draws people to Himself.

Here are some of the open-ended questions I ask people as the situation allows.  These are in no particular order.

Open-ended Questions:

1. What is your family background? (Or, Tell me about your family.)
2. Describe your home life growing up.
3. What was you relationship with you father, mother, sisters or brothers?
4. What are your hobbies, interests?
5. Are you fulfilled in what you are doing?
6. What is your concept of God or a supreme being?
7. Name some of the greatest obstacles you have to believing in God? (or Christ)
8. Describe your spiritual background if any. Was this a positive experience or a negative one? Why or why not?
9. When Linda and I are sitting down to eat at a restaurant and have ordered our food, one of us will ask the server, “We usually pray and thank Christ for our food. Is there anything that we could pray for you about?”

(Only three or four times have individuals told us they have no needs out of the myriad opportunities we have had.)

1. Who is Jesus Christ according to your understanding?
2. What kind of work/business are you involved in? Where would you say you are in regards to your spiritual pilgrimage?
3. What is your definition of a Christian?
4. What is most important to you?
5. What do you think of Christianity?  How did you arrive at such a conclusion?
6. If you were to face God today what would you say to Him that would allow you to enter His heaven?

1 Corinthians 3:6,8 (NASB) “ I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.  Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”

We are called to sow seeds of truth as well as to bring in the harvest.  Many of the above questions are “planting” questions that will encourage people to look deeper into Christianity.

Stories of Spiritual Encounters

A couple of weeks ago Linda and I came back from a walk in Oregon City, looking at the older historical homes. We dropped into a Starbucks.  I was putting cream in my coffee and a gal knelt down beside me looking through the newspapers. She said, “I’m looking for a coupon to take for a sale that’s happening in a local store. I’m sure that Starbucks will not care if I steal their coupon!”

In a friendly manner I said, “Really, that ought not to be your greatest concern. She said, “What do you mean?” I replied, “Well, every one of us must live our lives for the audience of One.”  She asked. “Who is that?” I said, “There is only one person that we must please and that is Jesus Christ.” She said, “Oh I never really thought of it like that!”  I said, “It is true for us also. No matter who is looking, He is.”

Of course, we do not know what was going on in her mind since it was such a brief encounter, but it is interesting how the Lord brings people into our lives that He uses to speak to us and for us to speak to them, and perhaps what I said to this woman will help her in the future somehow. We all have choices to speak up and speak out, don’t we? If we are willing, He will use us at the junctures of our lives and in the lives of others.

Read the wise words of Proverbs 4:20 (NASB) “Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established.”

In the next months we plan to tell more stories of spiritual conversations. I will keep an archive of these for you to access.

I want to encourage you to create your own stories by engaging people that are within your sphere of relationships.

1 Corinthians 10:11 is insightful.  Paul is teaching the Corinthians the important lesson to learn from the past even if it is about the failures of those who went before them. “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages have come.” I am telling these stories that you might have ideas to start up conversations with others yourselves.

Feel free to email me your conversations and let me know if I have permission to publish them on my website with your name.

This poem I am attempting to scrawl,

To let you know you’re thought of

With prayers and lots of our love.

We have joined the ranks of those who

Are transitioning to new jobs ‐ who knew?

After 31 years leading and teaching our flock

God would lead us out – still on the solid Rock.

Dale’s 37 years of pastoring folks with love

Led to life experience that counts from above

To continue to minister in Jesus’ grace

On a smaller scale but to a broader base.

Encouraging younger pastors, leading men,

Teaching learners, what a joy that’s been.

Discipling one on one or with a few

Teaching transferrable concepts with the view

To train them to teach others God’s Good News ‐

Giving Truth to our world instead of Good Views.

Dale’s preached at several churches this fall

And taught the Book of Acts in a quite small hall.

God has given us this new mission

In the midst of our transition.

Raising support, discipling, writing and teaching

We are loving the people whom we are reaching.

With our old and new friends along the way

Who have the same heart and vision who pray

We find Biblical answers to live in this world

That’s changing fast as headlong it’s hurled

Into secular humanism at its best.

Helping equip those who are put to the test

To know what the Bible says about issues today ‐

Ready with an answer to show others the way.

Using our new website to help people grow,

Giving practical answers as seeds we sow.

daleebel.org is the web address that we

Are developing as a resource – look and see!

Dale has had some great adventures to relate

Practicing survival skills in a forest of late,

And target shooting with the family men

And fishing on the Deschutes with friends.

Now on to our family that’s grown quite a bit.

Our 14‐seat table ‐ now 18 will not fit!

Jude’s two 1/2, and his sister is Isla Rose.

She is so beautiful from her head to her toes.

Isla Rose arrived TODAY, the 14th of December!

Our tenth grandchild, a day to remember.

Thanking God for His miracle and JOY we exude!

In January we’ll go to meet Isla & play with Jude.

Vanessa’s a pastor’s wife, mom and our friend.

She thanks God for a girl and is ready to spend

Her energy caring for her expanding fam,

Being a wife & mom makes her happy as a clam.

Jude’s progressing in skills and is such a joy,

We thank you for praying for this precious boy.

caringbridge/visit/judeebel is the website

For checking out updates that S & V write.

Community Life Pastor is Seth’s job title.

He loves the people and his ministry is vital.

The Shoreline Church is a great place

To love the people and extend God’s grace.

Millions of people “Google” every day:

“How can I know God?” “Help me to pray.”

Seth wrote online training that will teach ‐

3 to 4 million this next year he’ll reach.

After accepting Jesus and seeking help to grow

From all over the world they want to know

Through Global Media Outreach they’ll read

The info Seth’s written so their faith can succeed.

Seth’s many online videos help people to learn

To Pray, Read the Bible and after God yearn.

Check out followingthepath.com so you can see

A way believers can grow and have Community.

Petra LaVelle Ebel turned one year old

On November 12th – she’s a sight to behold.

Huge brown eyes and the biggest smile

She makes trips to Seattle very worthwhile.

Along with her brother and sister, too,

Josiah & Evangeline have won our hearts true.

Jo’s fun to watch in soccer, Evie in gym & dance.

They visit Portland at every chance.

Josiah is five and Evangeline is three,

Corrie’s a jewel ‐ she sends videos for us to see.

Their kids having fun, pretending and playing

And loving their life goes without saying.

Brandon continues to work hard each day.

In the evenings with his kids he’ll play.

President of BEC Recordings and Tooth and Nail,

Producing lots of music, he’s blazed a trail.

Making a difference in this world by providing

A medium for youth and others to begin siding

With Jesus and His purposes in their lives,

For quality music and good lyrics, he strives.

Corrie loves cooking and is quite the gourmet,

She shuttles her kids to and fro every day.

She & the kids do projects galore,

Baking cookies, doing art and so much more.

Mars Hill is their church and they love to attend

To hear the Word taught, Truth not to bend.

Pastor Mark Driscoll wrote Vintage Jesus, a book.

Brandon wrote on the back cover, go look.

Now for the family who lives across the street,

Seven people dwell there whom daily we greet.

Jeff & Heather their five kids are raising,

Leading their family in God’s Name praising.

Jeff’s own clinic is very close by

And that way he can come home on the fly

to play with the kids and have some lunch

Then back to his patients he helps a bunch.

Mountain biking and skiing are the ones

He does for a break and then takes his sons

Snow‐boarding, wake‐boarding and boating too

Never a dull moment when you’re in Jeff’s shoes.

Heather keeps the home fires burning,

Her homemaker degree she is certainly earning.

Cleaning, washing and cooking are always done

And she even finds time to have a little fun.

The kids all pitch in and get in “work mode”

To help around the house and to pull their load.

Here is a synopsis of what they all do

Then this poem will be almost through.

J.J. wrestles, plays soccer and on a recent day

Was King Arthur of the Round Table in a play.

Missoula Children’s Theater came to town,

J.J. had an opportunity to wear a crown.

J.J. is 14, in Middle School, he is in eighth.

He is articulate and able to reason his faith.

Brock is now 10 and is growing quite tall.

He plays baseball, football and loves basketball.

Math and sports statistics fill Brock’s brain.

Each player’s fame he can easily explain.

Max is 8 and loves to paint and draw

Some of the nicest pictures you ever saw.

This fall a great pumpkin picture he drew,

Flag football and wrestling he also likes to do.

Rowen is 6 and is very organized,

A lot like his Papa Dale so we’re not surprised.

Rowen’s up and ready with his backpack

And has already put in his yummy snack.

Kindergarten each day he can’t wait to attend

Where he learns, has fun and can pretend.

Selah is 3 and is a feminine little girl,

But can still give her folks quite a little swirl

She wrestles often with her brothers four

And in her pink tutu is on the dance floor.

Selah refused to let us photograph her

So in our family photo her head is a blur!

Had a fun Christmas Tea at the Heathman Hotel

With Heather, Selah, Kerri & Ava I love so well.

To Oklahoma in May I took Anne, my Mother

With sister Sandy, Pam and Jon, my brother

To see our homes, cousins and friends of old

Many loving memories in our hearts we’ll hold.

Mother fell and broke her leg last week.

It was discouraging and looked quite bleak.

Surgeries followed to make her leg straight.

Putting in lots of pins and also a plate.

For a 3‐month recuperation she needs prayer.

Bible study friends and her church Circle there

Are giving support along with Jon and Pam.

Would you join us in prayer for Mother Anne?

Charles & Sandy, Jon & Pam have quite new

Granddaughters also‐ here are their names, too.

Cute Agatha joined Jonathan, Katie & Grace

And Erin & Jeremy’s Delilah is fair of face.

Dale joined our niece, Jessica Ebel in matrimony

To Michael Schaper in a beautiful ceremony.

The 5th Lobdell Campout was enjoyed by all,

And our vacation with Tom & Elaine was a ball.

Now in closing and before I part

I’ll tell you I’m still enjoying my art

And seeing friends fly in their faith like a bird

As in my home I’m teaching women God’s Word.

Praising God for Jesus, as angels did at His birth!

Love & blessings to you, friends of great worth!

Dale and Linda

The Four Signs of Christmas

If you are like me, you find that signs are helpful and effective. Signs like: “Keep Out,” “Open or Closed,” “Detour,” “Help Wanted,” “Child Sleeping,” or “In Session,” can be very instructive from a time-management perspective an economic benefit and a directional clarification.

It is interesting to me that surrounding the birth of Christ there were four signs: (1) the sign of the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14); (2) the sign of the guiding star (Matthew 2:2);  (3) the sign of the swaddling clothes (Luke 2:12); and the (4) the sign of the stumbling stone (Luke 2:34-35).

The first sign is found in Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call him Emmanuel.” This son would be like no other person.  He would be Emmanuel, “God with us!” The sign of the virgin birth, more correctly stated, the virgin conception, was biologically impossible without a mighty miracle of divine creation. This miraculous incarnation assures us that the omnipotent God has entered the human family once and for all.

This miraculous sign points to the miracle of our spiritual birth that only comes about because of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Titus 3:4,5 speaks of the this miracle of the incarnation in regards to our salvation; “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit…”

The second sign, the star, has been the subject of much speculation.  I will not go into the various views however, I know it was a literal star of some sort as the Bible says it was (Matthew 2:2).

What is so intriguing about this historical account is the fact that these gentiles were wise enough to seek for the King of the Jews that was predicted in the Word of God.

They were magi, who were members of the priestly caste in Persia, and who were experts in astronomy, astrology, and the Old Testament. Daniel and Mordecai had a profound influence on the Persian kings, so the magi could reasonably conclude that this spectacular star was, indeed, “his star “ (Matthew 2:2). Even though the text of Scripture does not say the star was a sign, it is fair to conclude that God used it to bring the magi to look for the “King of the Jews.”

So today “wise seekers” will seek out the prophecies of old to discover the hidden realities of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, God’s Anointed One.  Even the Psalmist states that the heavens declare the glory of God,” and Paul in Romans 1:20 (KJV) states that “… the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

We do not need the sign of the star – we simply ought to respond to physical creation and glorify Him as the true God (Romans 1:21).

The third sign is the sign of swaddling clothes. Luke 2:12 (KJV) “And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.”

Who would have thought the King of the Jews, the Messiah, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords would be born in such humble conditions. Yet this is a crucial ingredient of the message of Christmas. We do not find purpose, joy, fulfillment, and destiny in our pride, status or power but we find our strength and rewards by approaching the birth of Christ with humility, awe and contrition.

Psalm 69:32 “The humble shall see this (salvation), and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.”

The fourth sign is the sign of the stumbling stone. Luke 2:34 (NIV) “…This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” The opposition of which would mark the entire life of Christ, would begin with his birth, as Herod would seek, unsuccessfully, to slay Him.  Many would fall over this “rock of offense” in Israel (1 Peter 2:8) as Jesus carried out His Father’s will.

This sign points to the reality that each of us has an opportunity to respond to the complete message of Jesus Christ. For those that walk daily and consistently in his light we will be lifted up to the place where we live, not for our own desires, but to fulfill His powerful purposes.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

This Christmas would you remember these four signs surrounding the birth of Christ?

The sign of the virgin birth reminds us of our spiritual birth.

The sign of the star reminds us that true seekers still seek him.

The sign of the swaddling clothes reminds us that surrender is essential.

The sign of the stumbling stone reminds us that we are to remain steadfast.

May you follow the signs of Christmas,

Dale

copyright:  Dale Ebel, December 21, 2009

Joan is a neighbor of ours and is a published author.  Joan is presently participating in one of Linda’s Disciple Groups.  The following is copyrighted by Joan.

God created the family structure and placed His son Jesus in it’s care, “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”[1] In Ephesians 5:21-33, Paul tells husbands to love and protect their wives, women to obey their husbands (“as to the Lord”, who is perfect—not abusive, not dysfunctional), and children to respect and obey their parents. Satan is busy destroying the sanctity of family and the God-given roles, authority and responsibilities of fathers.

“Tonight, one out of every three children in America will go to bed in a home absent their father. And it’s not just that these kids are going to bed without their fathers tonight, 40 percent of children who don’t live with their fathers haven’t seen their father during the past year. And one-half have never set foot in their father’s home.”[2]

Fatherless households produce:

• 71% of high school dropouts
• 75% of adolescents in chemical abuse centers
• 90% of homeless and runaway kids
• Adults five to six times more likely to be poor and according to a Princeton University study, “each year spent without a dad in the home increased the odds of future incarceration by five percent.”[3]

What do fathers teach that moms can’t?

When fathers are absent the godly order of a male head of household isn’t there and boys do not get to see the biological, emotional and spiritual differences in the genders. Being a single parent is hard and this is not to disrespect the awesome job many do under circumstances that were not of their choosing.  It simply is a personal observation, reinforced by statistical data and studies I have seen or read about.

I was a single mom for my grandson for seven years and discovered women don’t do the roughhouse stuff well because generally we aren’t physically equipped to do it. We can’t, help boys with male bonding or give girls that special ‘father-daughter’ relationship that lays the groundwork for all their future male/female relationships.

Women often promote ‘nurture, caution and sensitivity’ over, ‘be adventurous, protect yourself if attacked and physically stand up for what is right’. Children emulate what they see and boys need fathers to show them how husbands and dads talk and act around women so they will know how to stand up for their sisters, treat the girls they date with physical restraint and emotional respect and what to look for in a marriage partner. Girls need to know what to expect, accept and reject from men.

I think there is also a tendency for children of single parents, and again boys especially, to get too close to us, their single parent, and when they try to separate and become independent it adds extra layers of guilt and rebellion to already difficult and dangerous years.

Girls growing up without a dad at home are much more likely to have sex as a teenager and three times more likely to have unplanned pregnancies.  86% of teen births in 2007 were to unwed mothers.  The good news is that teenagers now account for only 23% of out-of-wedlock births compared to 50% in 1970; however, 60% of births to women 20-24 and one-third of births to women 25-29 involved single women.[4] Clearly the message that their child’s success depends on a healthy marriage with a loving relationship and involved father in the home is not being communicated.

93% of prisoners in 2002 were men and according to Bureau of Justice statistics, 55% of them had minor kids. Kody Scott a Los Angeles gang member whose book Monster talks about gruesome murders, assaults and other crimes says succinctly, “I am the product of a man who wasn’t there.”

My husband and I adopted my grandson when he was in the fifth grade and shortly after he spoke to inmates at the Oregon State Penitentiary as part of a children’s puppetry ministry at Rolling Hills Community Church.  He told them, “I’m glad that I got adopted because now my dad takes me places and does stuff with me like dirt biking and car shows.  In the future my birth dad (will have) helped me because he showed me what not to do when I have kids. My new dad shows me what to do when I have kids.” There were inmates with tears in their eyes, in a place where softness can draw unwanted attention and I don’t know if they were crying for themselves or their offspring.

How Do You Father?

You are there. Once you create a life your, “what about me days?” are numbered. One of the greatest gifts we give our children is for them to know they are loved, their parents are committed to each other and their home life will be stable.  Maria Shriver wrote, “Once you have children, you not only can’t do it all, you can’t do it the same way…don’t expect to be the same hard-driving, workaholic, do-anything, go-anywhere worker you were.  Because if you are, your children will suffer…  At work, you’re replaceable. Trust me, I know what I’m talking about. But as a parent you’re irreplaceable.”[5]

You are involved. From night feedings to reading the books they are assigned in school (so you know what messages they are getting and can share your thoughts on them) to taking them to church and the million other day-do-day things that make up their day, you must be there when they need you.  Parenting is harder than ever because of technology. Between I-pods, cell phones, television, music and Internet our children are exposed to every sinful activity at increasingly young ages. Up close and personal in the school hallways, on playgrounds and even sometimes church-related youth functions are drugs, sexually inappropriate attire and acts as well as adult teachers/leaders with non-Christian values. The only anecdote is time spent together, listening to them, playing with them, supporting them and showing them right from wrong. Letting them know by your words and actions that they are loved and loveable.

Josh McDowell’s book The Disconnected Generation talks a great deal about “rules without relationship equal rebellion”—a good supplement for the ‘instruction manual’ that some jokingly say never came with their kids.

You love them as God created them. Proverbs 22:6 talks training our children according to their “bent” or “the way they should go”.  Whether you have an athlete, scholar, musician or rebel child praise their efforts – even when the results are less than successful–and even when their interests are different from yours. Live your life—but not through them. Let them develop the gifts that make them unique and help them find joy in being themselves.

Pray and stay the course. Pray that they will stay in God’s perfect will and that you have the wisdom to use the right words and the right discipline when necessary. Don’t duck the hard issues—you are your child’s father, not their friend.  A friend said once, “I pray that God will show me what I need to know about my kids.”  I started saying that prayer when my son was in high school and learned about some things that I wished I didn’t have to deal with—but better when consequences are small and behaviors more easily changed, then when things are so far out of control, that the cost is life shattering.

There is no earthly job title more important than “dad” and no task more daunting or fulfilling. Every day say to your self, “I am a father.” Pray the contents of Colossians 2:7 (NASB) for yourself and your sons. “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed,…”

©Joan Callander Dingle, contact: 503 722-8091 or callander3@comcast.net.  May not be reprinted, stored in a database or otherwise utilized without written permission.

[2] Wade F. Horn, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Sept. 30, 2002, www.reentry.gov/responsible.html .

[3] www.fathersfor life.org/divorce/childmdiv.htm

[4] NCHS Data Brief #18, May 2009.

[5] Shriver, Maria, Ten Things I Wish I’d Known—Before I Went Out into the Real World, Warner Books, 2000, pgs 81-82.

It had been a brutally cold winter as Christmas 1776 fast approached.  The cold weather was a concern to General George Washington, but the larger worry was the disintegration of his army and the end of a noble experiment “The American Revolution.”

Washington’s army had defeated the British earlier in the year at Boston, but since the summer of 1776 the Americans had suffered defeat after defeat at the hands of the most powerful army in the world.  The American army had disintegrated from 20,000 troops to 3,000 troops by December 1776.  The remaining 3.000 troop enlistments were to expire on January 1, 1777, and with the expiration of the troops the end of the American Revolution.  Washington was desperate and in need of a miracle.

In the 18^th century most armies took the winter off, recouped and prepared for warfare in the spring.  Christmas was also a time to rest, party and celebrate the birth of Christ.  But the weight of The Revolution was on Washington’s shoulders and he proposed a bold but risky attack to take place on Christmas Day.

The plan was for the American army to cross the ice-choked Delaware River at night, march to Trenton, New Jersey, and surprise the Hessians at dawn.  The Hessians were German mercenaries hired by the British to fight along side them against the Americans.  It was risky, it was difficult and it was full of danger, but Washington had no choice if The Revolution was going to continue after January 1^st.   Game on!

After Washington’s Army crossed the Delaware River, they marched to Trenton in miserable weather conditions.  It was so cold a few Americans froze to death on the trip.  They arrived at the British-Hessian quarters early in the morning to find them asleep and hung over from the celebrations of the night before.  The miracle Washington needed was at hand and delivered by almighty God.  It was a crushing victory for the Americans.

Word spread quickly in the 13 colonies.  Confidence in General Washington and his army was restored and a resolve to continue the fight for freedom.  The grand experiment that almost ended in December 1776, was reborn on that Christmas Day, 1776. To quote noted commentator Paul Harvey, “and now you know the rest of the story.”

“Dale, I have made the most progress in my Christian walk from my times this fall with you than I have in all the years of my life as a Christ-follower!”

One method I have been incorporating in my disciple groups is to ask men to look intently at a portion of Scripture. Just because I teach a truth from Scripture I can’t assume the guys understand it the first time through.   We learn best by our own purposeful observation.

Here is what I have been doing when I meet with these men.  I have the friend read the Scripture out loud and then I ask them some of the following questions.

Would you rephrase it and describe what it says?

What does it mean and what are the implications of the meaning?

How can we apply this verse in our everyday experience?

We need to help people “self-discover” what the Bible says.  As teachers of God’s Word we can be quick to move on to application before there is intentional observation.

I am reminded of what James said in 1:25 (NIV), “But the man that looks intently at the perfect law that gives freedom… he will be blessed in what he does.”

As we were tucking in our kids, I would tell parable stories based on Biblical principles and Bible stories and Linda would read books and Bible stories aloud to them.  One night I would take two kids and Linda would take one.  The next night she would take two and I would have one.  We would also sing bedtime songs and hymns to them after tucking them in.

Linda shares the following:

One night I was singing hymns and Brandon requested “The Bear Song.” I could not think of which song that was.  Brandon denied each song I suggested it might be.  Finally I asked if it was the song “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Brandon exclaimed, “Yes!” As I sang it I realized why he thought it was a bear song, “. . . All our sins and griefs to bear!”

Another night I was tucking Brandon in when he was three years old.   He commented, “Mom, will you always sing to me, even when I’m in college?”  Amused I replied, “When you are in college, if you still want me to sing to you, of course, I will.”  Funny thing is, when he was in college he never asked me!

To you parents, God gives wisdom how to share responsibility in the evenings with your children.  You have each been gifted in different ways than Linda and me, so your ways will look different than ours but will be effective for your family.

Proverbs 24:3 (NIV) “By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established.”

We discussed our goals and family plans, things we were facing with our children, strategies to take, concerns we had with each other, the kids and other subjects.  At times we brought a book and would read a few pages out loud to each other over our meal.

This was our time away from the demands of home to pray together while holding hands, to look each other in the eye and give words of affirmation.  Giving focused attention to each other filled our emotional tanks – and we were ready to go back home to love our kids and tackle the world.

I Peter 3:7, “In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. If you don’t treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard.” (NLT)

Having this time with your spouse is a microcosm of keeping fresh in our relationship with Jesus Christ.  When we set aside time to meet with Him then our spiritual tanks are full to allow Him to do His work through us.

John 15:4, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me.” (NLT)

It can work if you make it work – keep fresh in your relationship with Christ and with your wife, His honored gift to you!

It is my intention for you to integrate this information into daily conversations with believers and those who may not know Christ yet.

In 1984, political scientists Donald Lutz and Charles Hyneman, from University of Houston, wrote a paper regarding the research they had done to determine the sources that most influenced the development of American political thought during our nation’s founding period between 1760 and 1805.

The researchers discovered that 34% of the Founding Fathers quotes came from the Bible. The research paper was titled, The Relative Influence of European Writes on Late Eighteenth-Century American Political Thought, published in The American Political Science Review, 78 (1984).

The dynamic of being led by the Third Person of the Trinity who lives in us is both objective and subjective. The main source of the Spirit’s direction for our lives is the objective written Word of God. Where the scripture is clear, we are simply to obey and are led by the Spirit.

The Spirit also leads us subjectively when He gives us impressions, thoughts, ideas, promptings, and desires. Listen to His voice! Hebrews 4:7, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.” The subjective leading of the Spirit is always confirmed by the wisdom of other believers and by being in sync with the overall wisdom of Scripture.

True sons and daughters of God listen both objectively and subjectively and walk in His will and in His ways

According the Hebrew Bible, the oldest and best source of spiritual education was spelled with one word that has six letters—Parent! Fathers, do not abdicate your role to your wife or to a Sunday School Teacher, youth leader or to teachers at school.  Deuteronomy 6 places the emphasis on the father to be the primary educator (mothers also educate), since God has placed you as the leader of your home. Take the lead with informal teaching and formal teaching.

Informal teaching is integrating Biblical Truth and Christ into our daily routines and encounters.  Spontaneously pray when an occasion arises, and speak into a situation to give God’s perspective.  See yourself as a teacher that is always teaching.

In the formal setting carve out time, show up, be engaged, and take the initiative! Read Bible stories out loud with you kids right before they go to bed or around the kitchen table. Listen to Christian CDs together and discuss the content. Be willing to share your insight.  Men, the Holy Spirit has given you unique and keen wisdom.

Never underestimate your wisdom!