Aspirations

I've joked around with your mom about what you guys might become when you grow up.  Keegan, you can't go anywhere without music.  You'll mash the music button on your toys incessantly.  As mentioned before, you love anything with wheels.  You also can't stand to come in from outside.  Would probably hang out in our backyard all day if I let you.  Can't tell if you're going to be a musician, a mechanic, or a farmer/outdoorsman.

Rhett, it's a bit early to pick out your inclinations, but you certainly speak your mind at times.  Great projection, I must say.  Mom thought Keegan was going to be the next Billy Graham.  My thought was you'd be a pastor and he'd be the music minister.

That's just us having fun, though.  I only hope to help provide you both with opportunities to discover what ways you'd like to spend your time.  I'd be just as proud of you if you were a janitor vs an evangelist, politician, sports star, or whatever.  As long as you devote whatever you do to honor your God, it matters.

As they say, remember, David wasn't a mighty man by human standards.  All he could really do was sling rocks.  But he did so to honor the Lord.  God gave him great courage and sense of purpose.  The rest is history.  Do everything to honor the Lord and not yourself before men and you will be used greatly for his kingdom.

Above all, remember the Lord's commandments and his great commission, along with your purpose (previous post), and your life will be well spent.

I love you two and I'm already proud to call myself your father.  I thank God he decided to give me both of you.

- Dad

A Hiser Comes Home

We brought Rhett home from the hospital this week.  Mom and I are trying to figure out the new routine for caring for you two.  Not a lot of sleep, but you guys are worth it.  Keegan, I took you to the local Target to get more baby supplies.  Usually you hate that place, but I got you a cherry Icee and you were a saint for the whole trip.  Paid for it later this evening, though.  I think the sugar rush had you at high gear way past your bedtime.  I didn't mind so much - I like having you around.  We ended up watching the NBA Finals on the couch together and then wrestled on the floor.  Your laughs are contagious.

Rhett, your eyes locked on to me today.  Seemed you were looking right into my soul.  You were in such peace at that moment - like you were reassuring me everything was going to be just fine.  I think your eyes may turn out blue.  Of course, I thought the same about Keegan's.  Hey, pops doesn't know everything!

This family is great.  I love it!  May we have many good years together.

Love,
Dad

Purpose

Here is a excerpt from the Westminster Confessions of Faith (which I would suggest reading) regarding man's ultimate purpose and the question common to every man - why am I here?  Knowing your purpose in life is required to living with peace, joy, and ambition.  A quote I meditate on often comes from the pastor John Piper - "God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in him", for the two are essentially the same.

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?

A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, [a] and to enjoy him for ever. [b]

[a]. Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; I Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev. 4:11
[b]. Ps. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3-4

Psalm 86:9

All the nations you have made shall come

and worship before you, O Lord,

and shall glorify your name.

Isaiah 60:21

Your people shall all be righteous;

they shall possess the land forever,

the branch of my planting, the work of my hands,

that I might be glorified.

Romans 11:36

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 6:20

for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Revelation 4:11

Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and were created.

Psalm 16:5-11

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

you hold my lot.

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

in the night also my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

my flesh also dwells secure.

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 144:15
Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!
Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!

Isaiah 12:2
Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.

Luke 2:10
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Revelation 21:3-4
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”