Every Family Needs A Slave

So we went to Naples. Discovered Genesis LOVES the "pecina." That's pool in Spanish. I love spending time with my family. I also love working and completing projects and brainstorming and imagining, "what if.....?" Before we left, I must admit I had some secret thoughts of getting some work done on vacation.

A friend told me the day before we left, "Don't even think about this place (work) when you're gone. Be a slave to your family." I love spending time with my family, but those words, "Be a slave to your family" stuck in my head the whole time we were gone. When I had opportunities to look to my interests, I heard my friend, "Be a slave to your family." When I wanted to do something more me-centered and less us-centered, I heard that voice, "Be a slave to your family."

Now here's the deal. In the process of being a slave, you become a bond-servant. What's that? Yea, a bond-servant. One who is a slave by choice, and loves it. That's what we are, husbands. Bond-servants to our wives, bond-servants to our kids.

Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it (Luke 9:24).

Off To Naples

So for the next several days, Pat, Janet, Genesis, and Caleb along with the grandparents will be resting and relaxing and playing at the pool and the beach in Naples.

Are You Ready For War?

We need to be close to Jesus. "Be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless" (2 Peter 3:14). We live in crazy times. Things are going to get really crazy. Consider this article.....

A new study of 115 Iranian school textbooks concludes that Iran is preparing its children for war, and is willing to risk massive casualties for the opportunity to defeat America in a world-wide cataclysmic confrontation.... click here for more...

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

If you haven't yet met Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, click here for your introduction.

Direction Amidst Fickleness

Have you ever noticed the fickleness of a child? Genesis completes her first (ever) week of school today. Our morning routine involves her and I leaving the house at 7:30, I drop her off at school then I go to work. On our way to school today, she kept saying, "I don't want to go to school." After about the twenty-seventh time, I said, "Ok, Genesis, if you don't want to go to school, I'm not going to tickle you." All of a sudden she wanted to go to school.

I also become a "tickle shark" that really tickles her. So she asked for the shark. I told her that the shark was sleeping and the only way to wake it up was to say, "I can't wait to go to school!" I knew all along that school was what she needed today; we were going there no matter what she said.

Have you ever noticed that three year olds change their minds alot?

What my daughter needs is gentle, loving direction from her father. That's what we need too.

Youth Service

Thanks for your prayers. Our family had a great day and a half at the youth camp. We got there Monday evening - heard a bit of George Dedesma teach. On Tuesday morning, I shared with the kids from the life of Joshua, mentioning how the Word he heard from Moses was central in his life - Love God with all your heart.

During the free time, Janet, Genesis, Caleb and I, jumped into a kayak and paddled around the lake, trying not to get in the way of the boats pulling the tubing teenagers!

Last night we had the youth service. Man, to hear the honest testimonies of these young men and women moved me to tears.