daddy4ms

Over the last several months, I have been sharing new books that I have received.  Starting today on Fridays, I will now be sharing some of my favorite kid's books.  Enjoy!

This is a new feature replacing "Playing on the Radio", but will be similar because it will include music.  I will be sharing songs from my "Gospel Playlist" on my phone. The gospel is good news.  It reminds us what Christ has DONE for us.  As I share, I hope it will be an encouragement to you today.  Song today is:  Gospel Doxology by Zac Hicks

“ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

For 2017, the phrase I am focusing on is "in Christ."  Each week, I will post 1 verse that includes the phrase "in Christ". I look forward to growing in understanding of what it means to be "in Christ." 1  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. (Ephesians 1:1-4)

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. The names of God are important because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. Light of the World   We see God throughout Scripture using "light" as a description of Himself.    12  Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) What it reminds me?  Often, where Jesus went, he shined light into the darkness.  As followers of Christ, we can point others to the light.  Jesus as our light can direct our paths and bring peace even in the darkness.

Here are some of my favorite tweets from the last few weeks.  This is one of the blessings of social media where we can hear the gospel from people all over the world. If you like the tweet, go and follow the person on Twitter.  Do you know why there are 1000 new self-help books every year? It's bc they don't work. We keep looking for answer within us @jaredcwilson The Law cannot save, sustain, or sanctify you. Only the gospel can. @jonmoffitt Maturing as a Christian means that you feel your need for Christ more desperately than you did the day before. @thejesslou don't forget that in Jesus, you are highly esteemed. Don't forget that in Jesus, with you the father is well pleased. @scottsauls this writer had done what too many of our disciplers do. He turned gospel into law; he took news and turned it into advice. @jaredcwilson We have turned incarnation into a once-a-year precious moment, parables into moralistic fables, miracles into production values @jare...

My Aunt Kay Jean suggested I start sharing a verse of the day.  I liked her suggestion but decided instead of a verse of the day, I would share a verse of the week.  Be reminded of who God is from His Word. 3  Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2  And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3  And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4  When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5  Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6  And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God...

Over the last several months, I have been sharing new books that I have received.  Starting today on Fridays, I will now be sharing some of my favorite kid's books.  Enjoy!

This is a new feature replacing "Playing on the Radio", but will be similar because it will include music.  I will be sharing songs from my "Gospel Playlist" on my phone. The gospel is good news.  It reminds us what Christ has DONE for us.  As I share, I hope it will be an encouragement to you today.  Song today is:  Good, Good Father by Housefires

“ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1)

For 2017, the phrase I am focusing on is "in Christ."  Each week, I will post 1 verse that includes the phrase "in Christ". I look forward to growing in understanding of what it means to be "in Christ." 5  For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2  Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3  I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4  You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5  For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Galatians 5:1-6)

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. The names of God are important because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. Helper   Jesus tells his disciples that He will ask the Father to send a "paraclete" which can be translated as a helper, counselor, comforter, or advocate.  Here is one of the definitions from Blue Letter Bible:   one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate   16  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, (John 14:16) What it reminds me?  This name for the Holy Spirit reminds us that He is our helper or counselor or advocate.  When we a...

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.  I am thankful for the fathers in my life. Bethany's dad (on the right) has been a great provider for their family.  If there is something broken (car, house, etc.), Steve can fix it.  He is a generous man who loves his family. My dad (on the left) taught me about hard work.  Since he owned a business, he had to work long hours. He was a great athlete and loved to teach others about sports.  He has always supported me and provided for our family. And I'm thankful to be these kids' dad.  Have a great Father's Day!

Here are some of my favorite tweets from the last few weeks.  This is one of the blessings of social media where we can hear the gospel from people all over the world. If you like the tweet, go and follow the person on Twitter.  From the way you talk about your faith, do people get the impression that Jesus is great, or that you are? @jaredcwilson  The only real comfort from and silencer of shame is what the King of Creation says about me. @ScottyWardSmith Jesus died for your sins...including your cold & distant heart towards Him. We need grace to bring us home, not law. Unconditional grace! @jonmoffitt What draws people to Christ aren't your multitudinous rules & straitlaced life but the 1 way love of Jesus who loves to save/welcome sinners @DrSteveWBrown None of our efforts at obedience or morality can make us more saved, holy, or fit for Heaven, or complete than we already are in Christ.-OW @thejesslou Sanctification is God's work. He changes us as ...

Over the last several months, I have been sharing new books that I have received.  Starting today on Fridays, I will now be sharing some of my favorite kid's books.  Enjoy!

My Aunt Kay Jean suggested I start sharing a verse of the day.  I liked her suggestion but decided instead of a verse of the day, I would share a verse of the week.  Be reminded of who God is from His Word. 15  After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2  But Abram said, “O Lord God , what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3  And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4  And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5  And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6  And he believed the Lord , and he counted it to him as righteousness. (...

This is a new feature replacing "Playing on the Radio", but will be similar because it will include music.  I will be sharing songs from my "Gospel Playlist" on my phone. The gospel is good news.  It reminds us what Christ has DONE for us.  As I share, I hope it will be an encouragement to you today.  Song today is:  God With Us by All Sons and Daughters

Today is my 19th wedding anniversary.  I am so thankful that Bethany said yes two decades ago.  I love her more today than I did 19 years ago when I said, "I Do."  Since then we have lived in three cities and 6 different apartments/homes and have added 4 kids.  She truly is a blessing to me in so many ways! Happy Anniversary, Beautiful! Now, enjoy some of my favorite photos of us!

“ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

This post originally appeared at www.1corinthians13parenting.com/blog on November 5, 2014.   As I watch the news and listen to people’s opinions about what is wrong in the world, I can become discouraged. Part of my discouragement comes when I see us dealing with symptoms rather than the root. What do I mean? An example is bullying. This is a real problem. However, will bringing awareness, making posters, role playing, wearing a specific color, or banners on Facebook bring an end to bullying? Maybe. I think we are focusing on the symptom rather than the root. How can parents help our kids get to the root? At Hesston MB where I am a pastor, we have a banner that describes the process of discipleship. This process we discovered by reading DiscipleShift by Jim Putman & Bobby William Harrington 1 . They write, “We see that a disciple is a person who 1. Is following Christ (head), 2. Is being changed by Christ (heart), 3. Is committed to the mission of Christ (hands)....

Over the last several months, I have been sharing new books that I have received.  Starting today on Fridays, I will now be sharing some of my favorite kid's books.  Enjoy!

Today is my favorite redheads birthday.  She is 14 today.  If you see her around, wish her a "Happy Birthday!" Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the birthday girl.

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. The names of God are important because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. Friend of Sinners   Jesus was accused of being a friend of sinners.  It was intended as an insult.    The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ (Luke 7:34) What it reminds me?  Jesus came to seek and save the lost.  This includes you and me.  Jesus being a friend of sinners is not just good news for the unsaved but also for the saved.  I'm thankful Jesus who was fully God and fully man has chosen to be in relationship with us even though we sin.  Our sins have ...

Here are some of my favorite tweets from the last few weeks.  This is one of the blessings of social media where we can hear the gospel from people all over the world. If you like the tweet, go and follow the person on Twitter.  In parables, you are looking for the thing that does not belong. Parables are not principles for life. @ByronYawn via @theocast_org From the way you talk about your faith, do people get the impression that Jesus is great, or that you are? @jaredcwilson The only real comfort from and silencer of shame is what the King of Creation says about me. @ScottyWardSmith Sin causes all of us to shrink our worlds down to the claustrophobic confines of our wants, our needs, our feelings.  @PaulTripp "Because the gospel is endlessly rich, it can handle the burden of being the one 'main thing' of a church." - Tim Keller via @jaredcwilson  

My Aunt Kay Jean suggested I start sharing a verse of the day.  I liked her suggestion but decided instead of a verse of the day, I would share a verse of the week.  Be reminded of who God is from His Word. 1  In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

This is a new feature replacing "Playing on the Radio", but will be similar because it will include music.  I will be sharing songs from my "Gospel Playlist" on my phone. The gospel is good news.  It reminds us what Christ has DONE for us.  As I share, I hope it will be an encouragement to you today.  Song today is:  God Is Able  by Hillsong Worship

“ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

For 2017, the phrase I am focusing on is "in Christ."  Each week, I will post 1 verse that includes the phrase "in Christ". I look forward to growing in understanding of what it means to be "in Christ."   13  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14  so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:13-14)

Over the last several months, I have been sharing new books that I have received.  Starting today on Fridays, I will now be sharing some of my favorite kid's books.  Enjoy!

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. The names of God are important because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. Lord   Lord means master or is a title of respect and reverence.   28  Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)   23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) What it reminds me?  God is God and I am not.  He is my master and He knows best.  Jesus came as one who served others and we have the privilege of being servants for and with Christ.  When we understand Christ as Lord, we realize He is in control even when life is spinning out of control.