daddy4ms

Let me begin by saying this is an area that I have a lot to learn. No, I don't need help balancing a checkbook or making a budget. I can do all of those things well. I understand money and numbers pretty well, after all, I was an accounting and business administration major at Sterling College. But I am talking about giving generously and being a good steward. I am talking about sacrificing stuff so I can have a balanced budget. Yes, I do have credit cards and no, I have not used them wisely at all times. Debt has controlled us at times. However, one decision that I will never regret was having Bethany stay home with the kids resulting in lower income. This decision has created some financial hardships for us, but they were worth it so she could be home with the kids. Finances are one of the areas many couples cite as one of the main reasons for their divorce. Money is at the center of many conflicts and disagreements in marriage. Here are the lies we tell ourselves or S...

Let me begin by saying that evangelism is not my spiritual gift. I know a dear friend who obviously has this gift. She shares Christ with people easily and without reservation. I am thankful for examples like her. However, even though, it is not my spiritual gift, I am still called to make disciples of all nations. So, know that as I write this I am writing it for myself as much as for you. We need to tell the world about Jesus (which could be overseas, but also more than likely across the street or in your workplace)! I also know that it is not just our words, but also our actions. Some people need to know they are loved before their hearts are opened to the gospel which is where acts of service come in. And even though I have them separate in the title of my post, I really believe they closely intertwined. Here are the lies we tell ourselves or Satan yells at us about evangelism/service: I wouldn't know what to say. Someone else will do it. They might ask me a question wh...

One does not have to watch more than 5 minutes of TV to know that our culture has a flawed view of purity and sex. I cannot believe that I have to have a remote in my hand at all times during 7 p.m. programming on all networks mostly because of the commercials. We are very careful what we watch in our home and limit our TV, internet , and movie exposure. However, as a parent, we cannot ignore this topic, but must talk about it honestly and from a Biblical perspective with our kids at a young age. If we don't talk to them, someone or something will. It can be an awkward conversation, but who do you want teaching your kids about purity? Here are the lies we tell ourselves or Satan whispers to us about purity: At least I don't watch ______________________. (We compare ourselves to others and let that be our guideline.) It only has a little nudity, swearing, etc. in it. It won't hurt me. Flirting with my co-worker is innocent. Looking at pornography as a couple will spice up ou...

Obviously, I am an advocate for the church. I work for one and have been involved in one through most of my life. The longer I am in the church, the more I realize both the wonderful ways God is using the church in our world and unfortunately also the ways the church has failed. Let me begin by saying just because you go to church does not make you a Christian. Your salvation is not determined by church activity or attendance. However, the church is Jesus plan for reaching the world. Here are some lies that Satan tells us in regards to the church as well as lies we tell ourselves: You don't have to go to church, you can can worship at home. The church is full of hypocrites so I should not go. I am a Christian because I go to church. If someone hurts your feelings, just find another church. I must have my life together to go to church. I can pick and choose what I like about several churches and get what I need from them (i.e. children's, youth, adult, prayer, men's/women...

Have you read the Bible today? I love starting my day off reading God's Word. However, I don't always get it done. To me, it is not just checking something off my list to be more spiritual, but instead how I stay connected to God. As the Holy Spirit guides me, verses jump off the page to encourage and convict me. I don't understand how people can say that the Bible is not relevant to their life. I am blessed as I read through the pages of Scripture. Here are some lies that we say to ourselves or Satan puts in our minds: It's too hard to understand. It's boring. It has nothing to say to me about my current situation: singleness, marriage, parenting, purity, sex, etc. It was written thousands of years ago and is not relevant to the 21st century. It is not really God's Word. It is a bunch of great stories, but does not include absolute truth. It is full of errors. The authors of Scripture had their own bias and agenda. The Bible contradicts itself. I don't have...

This post is one that is very important and personal to me. I have been blessed and powerfully changed by prayer. Prayer is conversation with God-both speaking and listening. When spending time with God, we are impacted and changed. I have grown a lot in this area over the years. I love spending time in prayer. I love praying with and for others. Prayer is powerful! Prayer changes things! Then why don't we pray more? Here are the lies that Satan tell us and what our flesh says in regards to prayer: Your sleep is more important than prayer. It really doesn't make any difference. God is in control and He has already decided what is going to happen-so why bother praying? Others are more gifted or experienced in prayer so I will let them focus on prayer. I don't have the time. I don't know what to say. I am unworthy and could never approach God in prayer. I love taking my lists to God. (Prayer is not just about us-it also includes adoration of God, confession, tha...

Parenting is hard work. I am so thankful for my wife who I get to parent alongside of. Single parents have a difficult task doing it alone. No matter our situation, God has called each of us parents to this noble calling and task. Parents, today look at your kids and let them know how much you love them and appreciate them. What lies do we tell ourselves or does Satan whisper to us about parenting? For Dads, as long as we are supporting our families financially, we can leave the nurture to mom. Our goal in parenting should be happy, successful, intelligent kids. Spending time with my kids is not that important; they are resilient and will be fine. How I treat my spouse does not affect my parenting. It's about about behavior modification. Disrespect to those in public (teachers, coaches, etc.) is worse than disrespect at home. I need to have a well rounded kid so I get them involved in several sports, music, drama, etc. It's not important that I am there for meals and bed times...

I hope you are enjoying the previous posts in this series called The Battle For . . . Today, I want to look at the battle for marriage. No, I am not talking about constitutional amendments. I am talking about husband and wife staying committed to each other. For those who have gone through a divorce, please don't mistake my comments as judging you in any way. I don't know your situation. However, what I do know is that over 50% of marriages are ending in divorce. That is way too many! This percentage is not that different between those who attend church and those who do not. As a family pastor, I want to be there for couples who are struggling in areas of their marriage. It saddens me to see people turn to everyone except the church when they are going through marital problems. I am praying right now that we as a church would be a resource and help to those facing struggles. Here are the lies that we tell ourselves or that Satan whispers to us about marriage: He/She doesn't...

So, anyone who knows me well knows I am not a morning person. I do not like getting out of bed. I always use the excuse that I am one of those people who needs a lot of sleep. However, I also know that my day gets off to a much better start if I wake up at 5:45 or 6:00 and spend time reading the Bible and praying. I know that I need to spend time alone with God to grow in my relationship with Him. We all know that for a relationship to grow whether it be parent/child, boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, friend/friend, etc.--we must spend time on that relationship. The same is true with God. So, why is it so hard? I thought I would share some of the lies that I tell myself or that Satan whispers when it is time to get up and spend time with God: You had a long day yesterday, just hit the snooze one more time, you really need your sleep or you won't function well today. I am so warm right now. I will freeze if I get out of bed right now. Just hit the snooze one more time, you will ha...

I was thinking about what to blog about today. Then an idea popped into my head. Was it God or just me? I guess I will let you determine that as you read the series of posts I am going to begin today. As I was hitting my snooze button this morning, I was reminded about how sometimes I "battle" to get up and spend time alone with God. Why is that? Stay tuned. I plan to write about that battle in an upcoming post. Then I began to think about other areas in my life where there is a "battle". Sometimes it is spiritual warfare and other times it just me and my flesh. The following verses also came to mind as I thought through some of these areas. John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." Satan wants to destroy us and steal our joy. Satan will do whatever he can if it will destroy our walk with God, our relationship with others at the church, and keep us from sharing Jesus with others. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says, "For...