“Ask and it will be given to you; seek
and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone
who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the
door will be opened. “Which
of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks
for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know
how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in
heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to
others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and
the Prophets.” Matthew 7:7-12
I
am much more excited about this week’s lesson than about last week’s. Sunday’s message
was a tough one for me. Those of you who know me well probably knew I was
struggling and why it was tough for me. I prefer to preach from a position of
strength and my childhood and child-rearing are not highlights of my life for
complicated reasons. Actually, it’s probably good for us to be willing to
minister from areas of weakness when prompted by the Spirit. I refuse to allow
my struggles to prevent me from teaching practical Biblical truths to the
people I love.
So,
home plate is the most important place because everything starts with a
connection at home and ends at home plate with a score. A good solid connection
at home is revealed when you arrive at first base. First base is the character
base where we master self-love in a healthy helpful way.
Over
the first two weeks of “Raising Home Run Kids” I have shared some very
practical Biblical principles for connecting at home and arriving at first.
This stuff is so good I wish I would have heard it years ago!
When
you get to second base you are halfway home! That is true in baseball and it is
true in the Home Run Life! Arriving at second base significantly increases your
chances of scoring. Second base is the community base where you learn to enjoy
redemptive relationships! Obviously you can’t get to second base if you haven’t
connected at home and rounded first base. In the same way you cannot develop
healthy redemptive relationships unless you have a connection with God and
enjoy His love operating in your life.
FredWes
does second base very well! The spiritual community we enjoy there is certainly
one of the great strengths of our church! It is a perfect climate for Raising
Home Run Kids!
Our
second base is our LIFE Groups. I enjoyed the love that was shared in our LIFE
Group last night! This morning I heard stirring reports of the deep fellowship
shared at our other LIFE Group! Evidence abounds that FredWes is connecting at
home and arriving at first!
Isn’t
that what you want for your kids? Don’t you want them to love God in a strong
personal faith connection? Don’t you desire a Godly character developed in them
through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in their heart and minds? And don’t you
want your kid to know how to build healthy life-long relationships?
If
you answered yes to any or all of these questions you will NOT want to miss
this Sunday’s message on how to help your kids learn to build strong and strengthening
relationships.
You
want to Raise Home Run Kids!
FredWes
needs to be populated with Home Run Kids!
Come
let me help you coach them up!