What We Could ALL Learn from Phil Robertson

Whether I agree or disagree with Phil Robertson's comments during his interview with GQ is of ZERO importance.  What I do appreciate about the head of the Robertson family is this...HE STANDS FIRM IN HIS BELIEFS.

The United States of America has gradually become a nation of wusses (defined as: a weak or ineffectual person).  In an effort to make sure everyone wins and no one has their feelings hurt, we have become so passive in our beliefs that I'm not sure many people actually believe in their "beliefs" anymore.  At least not to the point they are willing to speak about them freely even if it makes some other people uncomfortable. We have the right to Free Speech, but these days there's an asterisk with a footnote (Free Speech*).
      *As long as what you say doesn't offend any other human being, anywhere on the planet.

So here's my thought.  If someone asks you about your beliefs, answer 100% honestly.  Believe me, I am pointing directly at myself as I type this.  I have been a "people pleaser" most of my life and although I've never lied about my beliefs, I'm sure that I have brushed over something I thought may not be well received.

IT'S TIME TO BELIEVE IN YOUR BELIEFS!

-Merry Christmas

Why God Gives Us Children - Part II

Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Ephesians 5:1 

I am constantly amazed by the lessons I learn about God just by being around my kids. I typically don't notice these lessons for what they are at the time, but something later just throws the memory right back in my face and says, "See, this is what I was trying to show you."

I was sitting in a church service about a month ago and the sermon came from Ephesian 5. As my Pastor began reading, my mind got stuck on the first verse. To be honest, I may not have heard any other part of the sermon because I just couldn't get it out of my head. Memories from my childhood and now memories of my children just came rushing into my head like a flood.

Memories of one of my dad’s favorite sayings when I was younger, "Do as I say, not as I do." I remember hearing this many times from him and even as an adolescent thinking, "How hypocritical is that?!!” Or memories of my mom telling me I couldn’t have a credit card, but using one herself. Guess what I did my freshman year of college…got a credit card. Hey, I was an adult after all.
Recent memories from my children reinforced in me that they are always watching…and I am leading by example (whether or not that example is a good one). Like the times that my 3 year old son lovingly calls my wife “baby” or “honey” because I use these terms often when talking to her. Or when I was outside just the other day picking up rocks off the driveway and throwing them across the street into an empty lot, when my 1 year old daughter waddled over beside me, bent down and picked up her own rock and threw it as far as her little chunky arm would allow.

This lesson I learned from God through my kids doesn’t stop at the Parent/Child relationship. It also reminded me that I could talk a “good Christian” game, but I’d better be living up to those claims. That old saying, “Actions speak louder than words,” is absolute truth. We can either be a small reason someone leans toward God or a HUGE reason someone turns away saying, “All those Christians are hypocrites, what’s the point?”

I thank God for my children and for teaching me life lessons through them.

Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Ephesians 5:1

Why God gives us children

Psalms 127:3 Children are a gift from God

Have you ever gotten one of those gifts that made you look a little closer in the mirror? Maybe it was a piece of exercise equipment...think someone's trying to give you a hint!?

I think God gives us the gift of children just to show us how we treat our Heavenly Father even though we are "grownups."  I hear myself saying things to my son then, later on, I'm reminded how God's little boy (me) is SO similar in actions to my 3 year old.

Let me give you an example. I try to be patient and understanding as I teach my son what is right/wrong acceptable/unacceptable. I will give him slack and give him several opportunities to do what I've instructed him to do or not to do. Most times he will end up complying for a short time and 5 minutes later go back to the action I've asked him to avoid. I hear myself saying, "Caleb, what did I just say?" in a loud voice.

One day when I said this, it hit me. This HAS to be how God feels when I've been instructed my whole life what is right and wrong as a Christian, but do what I want to do anyway. Talk about an opportunity to take a look in the mirror.

Thank you God for my kids!