October 12, 2015

"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." Luke 9:23-26

Once you have seen Jesus and understand Who He is, you can never be the same! Peter's confession of Christ shaped his life forever! It was his defining moment.

How did it define his life?

First, it defined His meaning.

Peter was a fisherman become follower. Jesus had promised him He would become a "fisher of men". But had that happened yet? No really. So, what value is there in being a non-fishing fisherman? Not much.

Fully knowing Who Jesus was meant that Peter now would fish differently with different bait, a new hook and a bigger net!

His new bait? JESUS!

His new hook? LOVE!

His new net? THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!

Second, it defined his mission.

When Peter first decided to follow Jesus he left his nets and his boat to learn about this amazing new Rabbi. He became a follower because of what it could do for him and if it did not work he could always go back to fishing. Peter had a fall back position - a "plan B".

His confession of Jesus would change that forever!

Once you truly understand Who Jesus is and confess Him as Savior and Lord, there is no more "plan B". Either you are all in or you are out! Peter understood that. His mission was to be fully committed to making Christ known to others. The news was too good to keep! Evangelizing became His purpose and His top priority.

Committing to Christ marks the end of casual, aimless living!

How did he do? Read the first several chapters of Acts!

Third, it defined his message.

When you know Who Jesus is, how can you stay silent about it? When you have witnessed miracles and seen people delivered and the dead raised, how can you not tell others about that? You can't! You must!

Others needed to hear it and Peter needed to tell.

How did he do? Read the first few chapters of Acts!

Once you understand Who Christ is and once you confess Him it should dramatically and fundamentally change you! It should change your meaning - has it? It should change your mission - has it? And it should change your message - what are you talking about?

October 11, 2015

^"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, GODLINESS" II Peter 1:5-6

One of the embarrassing moments of my mediocre athletic career happened when I was playing High School baseball for the Warsaw Tigers. I came to bat with runners on  base and a chance to knock them in with a base hit. The pitch came and it was a late-breaking curve that I started to swing at but then tried to hold up on my swing. However, my bat went too far and made contact with the pitch resulting in a weak little ground ball that the first basemen easily scooped up and tagged the base. I was out. Upset at myself, I  took off my batting helmet as I crossed first base and slammed it to the ground so hard that it bounced back higher than my head.

My head coach was coaching first base and as I turned to head back toward the dugout he was standing there in the coaching box waiting for me. He was clearly angry and he lit into me about how I not only made myself look bad but I made the whole team and Warsaw High School look bad.

I had never seen him so upset and I knew he was right and was justified in his scolding of me. I immediately apologized as I realized I had only thought about myself and my own frustration and forgot that I represented Warsaw Community High School and the WCHS athletic program.

In my disappointment with myself for making an out I lost sight of my "Tigerness".

That is a picture of what Peter means when he call on us to "add to our faith.....godliness..."

What is Godliness?

Godliness comes from the Greek word "eusebia" and is used in the New Testament to express the idea of inner piety or spirituality. Vine defines this word as, "piety, which, characterized by a God-ward attitude, does that which is well pleasing to Him." Thayer says, "Reverence, respect, in the Bible everywhere piety towards God, godliness." And, Arndt and Gingrich says it refers to, "the duty which man owes to God piety, godliness, religion."

Thus, there are two parts to godliness. First, there is the "God-ward attitude" of "reverence and respect." Second, there also is the "doing of what is pleasing" to God, as the "duty" that we owe to Him.

Just as Coach Bock sternly admonished me for embarrassing the team with both my attitude AND my actions, Peter urges these believers to "think like God and act like God".

Godliness loves God and lives like it loves God. Godliness thinks and acts like God so that others think well of God and want to know Him as well.

Do you love God? Do your actions show it?

October 10, 2015

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.” Exodus 31

This is the fascinating story of two Home Run Kids, named Bezalel and Oholiab. Strange names but it is an inspiring story that modern parents need to hear. If you are trying to Raise Home Run Kids this story is for you for several significant reasons:

1) God Chooses Kids!

God wanted a tabernacle built where He could dwell with His people and where they could come to meet with Him and worship Him.

This would be an elegant place of worship even though it would be a portable one. It would be befitting of the Great Jehovah, God of the Hebrews.

He needed committed craftsmen who were willing and able to tediously craft the elegant artifacts that would be used in the worship of the Lord.

So, He chose and called Uri’s boy and Ahisamak’s son to do it! God called their kids for a special sacred project that would bless an entire nation!

Here’s the exciting part – God has chosen your kid, too. That’s why it is crucial that you raise him to be a Home Run Kid!

2) God Enables Kids He Chooses!

I remember when God placed the call to ministry on my heart. I tried to deny it and evade it mostly because I lacked self-confidence. My problem wasn’t because I didn’t want to serve God in such a demanding position as pastor but I just didn’t think I had what it took to do it. I confided that reluctance to my Youth Pastor and what he shared with me changed my life. He said, “Brad, if you are certain of God’s call on your life you can also be certain that His call is His enablement.”

Some 50 years later I have found that to be absolutely true!

God’s statement in these verses also proves that He indeed enables those He calls! He did for them! He did for me! He will do it for your Home Run Kid! Speak that into your Home Run Kid!

3) The Kids God Calls And Enables He Uses To Bless Others For Him!

Among the beautiful items Belazel and Oholiab fashioned with their artistic skills was the Ark of the Covenant! Image that! Imagine if, as a result of your commitment to Raise A Home Run Kid God calls your kid to do something that blesses others and draws them to God!

Remember what the Ark of the Covenant was. It was the very place where God occupied as He dwelt among His people. The consecrated skills of these two craftsmen literally blessed God’s people with His manifest presence!

How would you feel if God chose to use your kid in such a dramatic way? Would that be worth the challenges involved in raising a Home Run Kid?

By the way, God will also enable you to raise the kid He has called and enabled!

October 9, 2015

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:” Exodus 31:1-6

Here’s something you can know for sure every kid will go pro at something. Your kid will, too.

One of the main challenges of Raising Home Run Kids is to help your kid discover the talents, gifts and passions God put in them and then making sure he develops those talents. And you want him to develop like Bezalel and Oholiab did to serve the Lord in a significant way.

The first thing you must do is teach your kid not to be a third base runner. That is his natural tendency since third base is the competency base and people who are competent in what they do are on the road to fame and fortune. Why take the time and effort to run all the bases when you can run directly to third?

When your kid takes short-cuts in life you allow him to short-circuit his life in several ways.

To be successful your kid must come to terms with several crucial issues in his life. Those issues are, “How do I deal with God?” “How do I become a person of character?” “How do I learn to build rewarding relationships with others?”

If your kid is simply a third-base runner running from home to third, he will never learn the valuable lessons of the other bases. And for success to be lasting there must be a spiritual foundation under it. For it to be satisfying there must a personal spiritual connection with God and how can he have that unless he spends time at home plate? Success will also require an ability to relate to people and develop relationships with people. That will be far more difficult if he hasn’t been to second base. Finally, lasting success will require personal character and integrity. Since that is developed around first base a third base runner would be devoid of true character.

A kid allowed to be a third base runner will also struggle to develop a healthy sense of self-worth. Why do I say that? If he spends all his time on the third base line all he will know is work. As a result his identity, his self-worth, and his self-image will be shaped by false values on that side of the diamond.

Godly character, has always been the hallmark of those who practiced the Home Run Life. By character I mean loving God, loving others and loving self. Those character traits are all developed on the right side of the ball diamond – the home plate to second part of the field.

No one has ever been successful in baseball by running the bases backward. There is an order to the game. Runners must connect at home in order to get to first base. Once the runner is on first he wants to get down to second and then on to third base.

Similarly, no one has been successful and happy with a life lived outside of the rules so why would you want to raise you kid that way?

Step up to the plate. Lay down the rules! Play the game in order! Begin today!

October 8, 2015

“Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts--  to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,  to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you:  the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent-- the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand--  and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you." Exodus 31:1-6

“Thar’s gold in them there kids!”

Which kids?

Bezalel, son of Uri, and Oholiab, son of Ahisamach – and yours, to name a few!

God puts gold in our kids and calls parents to help them discover it, develop it and invest in a life of serving God. God desires parents to help Him stake a claim in the life of your kid so together you can mine and refine the gold He deposited in them.

In yesterday’s post I shared several ways to assist your kid in the discovery of their gifts, talents, interests, aptitudes, and passion.

Today I would like to share several ideas to help develop those skills and interests once they are identified.

Once gold is mined it must be refined. There are two errors to avoid as you seek to assist the development of your kid’s abilities:

1) Avoid Training Without Gifting

One of the dangers of parenting is pushing your dream upon your kid. If you attempt to push him into a career that he isn’t gifted or talented to do it can be a well-intentioned but frustrating effort for you AND your kid. Not one of my three kids took a path I would have chosen for them but all three are pursuing careers that they enjoy and are enjoying success. Chances are, yours won’t either.

Here is a humorous illustration of what I mean:

https://youtu.be/mtxPu7B-9TI

That was awkward wasn’t it? Don’t try to train your kid into something he is not designed or wired to do.

2) Avoid Gifting Without Training

This is the equivalent of a miner discovering the mother lode of gold and realizing he never learned how to dig. It is a great blessing for a kid to discover his passion and talents but passion and talent alone are not enough. As a parent your duty is to urge, motivate or even push your kid to get education, professional training and practical experience to sharpen his skills.

Here is a suggested pattern employing the ball diamond:

Home Plate – Ask God, “What am I good at?”

First Base – Ask God, “What am I not good at?”

Second Base – Ask God, “Who should I trust to help me?’

Third Base – Ask God and Mentor, “How do I get better?”

God has deposited some gold in your kid! With your guidance and wisdom he should be “good as gold” when he gets to third base!

October 7, 2015

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:” Exodus 31:1-6

God put it in the heart of His people to build a Tabernacle for the worship and glory of Jehovah. This would be a large and elaborate project. Many builders and craftsmen would be required to complete this magnificent wilderness worship place. That is made clear in this portion of Scripture.

But what this Scripture also makes clear is the exciting truth that when God planted the vision in the hearts of His people He also put within them the various skills and abilities that would be required to complete the job!

As a pastor it is inspiring to know that if God has called you to a task it is proof that He has also enabled you to accomplish it! This is timely for FredWes as we get ready to move into a major relocation project.

As a parent it should be encouraging to know God has placed within your child every talent, gift, ability, aptitude, and interest he will need to accomplish the will of God for his life. Aren’t you blessed by that knowledge?

God put all the good stuff in your kid but it is the parent’s responsibility to help his kid discover it, develop it and do what God has called Him to do. To make it personal you could say your kid is a gold mine of potential and you are the miner who is to dig it out of him. So, think of your kid as a gold mine and you are the miner. Mining, like parenting, can be tough, tedious, and tiring work. Some days you find a nugget or two and many days you don’t. But you keep digging because you know the gold is in there.

One of the nuggets you want to discover is what your kid is good at. Once you know that you know where to keep digging! As you dig, look for:

Is he an extrovert or an introvert?

Is he athletic or non-athletic?

Is he a plan first person or an in the moment person?

Is he people-oriented or project oriented?

Is he an aggressive type or a laid back type?

Is he an academic or less academic?

If he fact-oriented or go with the gut?

Is he a give me a book type or a give me the movie type?

Is he a high energy person or a lower energy person?

What are his favorite subjects in school?

What are his hobbies or past-times?

Asking these questions will help lead you to the gold!

But the first thing I recommend you do is help your kid stake his claim in Christ! Someone or something will stake a claim on your kid, so make sure it is you and make sure it’s Christ!

October 6, 2015

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,  to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:” Exodus 31:1-6

This portion of Scripture sounds obscure at first glance. What does this have to do with Raising Home Run Kids?

Actually, quite a bit! God had used Moses to lead God’s people out of bondage and slavery in Egypt. Now they were preparing to build the Tabernacle and it would be a huge project. To accomplish this sacred assignment would require many skilled craftsmen. Where would they find all these artisans in the middle of a remote desert?

What God is heard telling Moses that He had already given them every skilled worker they would need to build this elaborate sanctuary for the worship and glorification of God! He even goes so far as to tell Moses that He has given them ALL the craftsmen and skilled and contractors they would need to fulfill the vision He had shared with them.

That’s significant on several levels!

First, we can take encouragement from this Scripture that God has given FredWes everything we need to reach the next season of growth and ministry He is calling us to!

Second, He has placed everything in you and around you to become what He desires you to be!

And third, God has put all the right stuff in your kid to develop into him/her for the destiny He plans for them. You could say God has a large gold deposit inside every kid and the job of parents is to discover it and mine it out!

Above is the crew God gave me. I am very blessed!

God put a lot of good stuff in them and I have been able to dig some of it out. They are still works in progress! God isn’t finished with them nor am I. But, as a proud and thankful Dad I can say, “So far, so good!”

Sunday I will do some teaching on Third Base in the Home Run Life. I look forward to sharing with you three practical ideas for raising competent kids.

As the old prospector used to say, “There’s gold in them there hills!” God says, “There’s gold in them there kids!”

Each kid is a treasure! Make sure you treasure them today!