A Prayer for Hero Dad

In previous blogs, I wrote about things that matter in the life of dads and men. 

See Part One, Part Two, Part Three

Also watch our Father's Day message, "Things that Matter."

Dad’s play many Biblical roles in the home. I pray for you to experience the strength of God as you lead in each of them.

In your role as priest, I pray that you follow Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and model to your family what a Godly man looks like.

In your role as prophet, speak words of encouragement, destiny, and hope. The job of a prophet is to speak, and not be silent or passive. Words matter.

In your role as provider, you are wired to work. Give your best in all things, with integrity and honesty. It's doing your best, even in the small things that will make a big difference.

In your role as protector, like the people who were building the walls of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day, keep a sword in one hand and a trowel in another. Work hard, set the boundaries, and defend it against the enemy which wages war with your soul. Stand firm in the authority God has granted you. 

In your role as lover, demonstrate what it means to keep your heart and eyes only on your wife. Love her as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

In your role as visionary, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then everything else will fall into place. We can no longer afford to define our vision just in terms of building a successful career or a business. We need visions of a godly family. We are not going to finish strong by luck. We can’t afford to put our spiritual life on cruise control. You need a vision to finish strong.

Dad, you are the first tangible image of our Heavenly father that your kids see. That’s an awesome thought filled with great blessing and responsibility.

Be the hero you are called to be.

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In Jesus wonderful and powerful name. Amen.

Change Before You Have To - A Thought for Moms

I am excited about our new series, "Change Before You Have To" that we are kicking off on Sunday, April 12th. Change is sometimes uncomfortable, but authentic change can bring the life of abundance, passion, and satisfaction you've always hoped for. 

We will be using the book by Rob Ketterling with the same title and studying God's Word to see who change is possible. 

One of the people we will be studying is King Josiah (found in 2 Kings 22) and the great reforms he made in the nation of Israel. He made radical changes in order to bring the people back to worshipping Jehovah. 

What struck me as a side point, was how he got to this point. His grandfather was Manasseh, the most wicked king of Judah. His dad, Ammon, continued the wickedness and was murdered after only two years by his own servants, and Josiah becomes king at only eight years old. 

Here is a text describing him: 

"Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left."

So young and so committed. 

It makes me ask some questions: "Who taught him?" and "Where did he get a heart to follow God?" For sure it did not come from dad.

The answer is found in the text - his mom and likely his grandfather on his mother's side, Adaiah. The only thing we have to go on is that Jedidah must have been a godly woman who greatly influenced her son. 

My point - All you moms who feel like you are alone in raising your kids, you make a difference. Your names may not get mentioned often in the history books, but the lives you are impacting can change the world, just as Josiah brought about some of the greatest spiritual reforms in all of Judah's history. 

Who knows mom, maybe you are raising another Josiah - we could sure use one right now.

Keith