Merry Christmas!

I'm lying on the couch with a bad cold this morning - this glorious Christmas morning.  Couldn't sleep due to my symptoms, so I rose early to spend some time with God.  Have been watching videos of Pastor John Piper expound on the idea of "Christian hedonism" - that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.  Please find time to read his book or watch him preach on this topic - it will bless your life immensely.  I may have written on this concept on here already.  No problem - emphasis is a good thing!

I want so much for you, my sons, to know the same joy I have found in God, through an intimate relationship restored by the work of Jesus.  These writings are all in vain if I only encourage you to seek worldly pleasures in this life.  However, there are innumerable pleasures that, when we realize that they were graciously given to us by God, bring him glory when we delight in them.

Piper mentioned that the fruit of a joyous heart, delighting in God, is love.  Not merely obedient servitude, but fervent, heart-felt, emotional love - sincerely wanting the very best for others, indeed God's best.  So, the quick lesson for today before I enjoy a celebratory morning with you both is this:  Your ability to love effectively (the horizontal relationships) is proportionally dependent on your satisfaction/contentment with God (the vertical relationship).  Seek God's glory in every experience you can, requesting that you may find it and be enraptured by it!  Thereby you can find contentment (joy/peace) in this life, and the love that you share throughout will leave a glorious legacy.

I love you boys so, so much - chiefly because I see God's glory in you so easily.

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Dad

Don't Waste Your Time

Rhett, you and I are in the living room watching the baby channel while the rest of the house sleeps in.  You keep reaching over and grabbing the hair on my leg and pulling vigorously - during commercial breaks, of course.  Harry the Bunny and Rainbow Horse have your complete attention otherwise.

Mom and I watched a movie I checked out at the library.  The title is of no concern.  I picked it out thinking we would be watching an adventurous movie of someone hiking from the Mojave Desert to Canada.  Most of it, however, was more concerned with telling the sad tale of a woman whose life was marred by drugs, adultery, divorce, and the death of her mother.  She takes to the trail to "find herself", all the while cursing God and quoting vain philosophers.  Because she ends the film (based on her highly successful book) talking about getting remarried and having two kids, one of which she names after her mother, she makes it seem as if she has reached a perfect ending.  In truth, she is no better off than when she started - Godless, meaningless and hopeless.  Other than some picturesque cinematography, the movie was a total waste of time for us.

I walked away resolved of two things - 1) I'd like to take the family, or at least you boys on a hike of the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trail (whether in part/s or whole) and 2) not to waste more of my time on anti-Christian movies that peddle humanist philosophies.

While most Christian movies are generally poor quality, I don't have to suffer through them as an alternative.  It is not my Christian duty to watch them (although there are some that are very, very good).  There are media not intended to glorify God that can still be used for that purpose, and that can still enrich my life.  For example, I can glorify God watching a 30 minute video simply highlighting the trails I spoke of above and getting exciting about them, exploring his beautiful creation.

Movies are just one way in which we can use/misuse our time.  Best to give a little thought before committing to something.  Would God want me to give ____ my attention?

Life is short, so focus the time he grants you on the positive.  Meaning, on things Philippians 4:8,9:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

I love you boys!

Dad

Guilty

The last few weeks I've noticed it's been getting longer and longer since I last posted on here.  I think by now, though, I've covered most of the topics I really wanted to include.  Mainly just wanted you to know I still care for you enough to consider this ongoing project important!

Was talking with Lili about father/son relational dynamics and how I received plenty of corrective discipline from my dad but not so much affection/affirmation (same as his dad with him).  At least, in my younger years.  He really changed for the better by the time I became an adult.  By then, though, I feel like the pains of my growing up may have affected my thoughts/reactions/habits in a negative way.  I must admit, I'm terribly scared of the possibility of doing that to you boys.  Making a point of doling out as many, if not more, hugs and commendations as reprimands.

Just wanted you to know I was making concerted efforts to be the best dad I can be for you boys.  I apologize in advance for the fact that, as a sinner, I will fall short plenty often.  I will promise, however, that I will never give up trying to be better!

I love you boys and am so thankful for each day I get to spend with you.

- Dad (or "dodo" as Keegan has been calling me lately)

Simplicity

Keegan and Rhett, you are watching "the Notekins" on the baby channel while I type this.  You both are early risers and, since your mom is not (mostly because she spends a lot of time up with Rhett during the night), I have to be too!  Doesn't bug me, though.  I can always take a nap later if I need it, but I just enjoy hanging out with you boys.

I used to be in to all sorts of things growing up.  Everything new and fascinating was my new and latest hobby.  When contemplating my life to be, I always assumed I'd get to continue doing these same things while still enjoying a wife and kids and community.

Now that I'm here, I figure I should give you a little heads up - there's not going to be time for all those hobbies you're enjoying now.  Not much "me" time.  Your day will inevitably fill up with "grown up" duties - your job, chores at home, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, babysitting, entertaining the family and your spouse.  You won't have a lot of time left over for friends and neighbors, but in order to make more, you will have to give up even more "me" time.  That leaves you with like... 15 mins a day.

I'm not going to dissuade you from exploring your world while growing up, but I would say it is a good idea to take on hobbies that are social in nature (things you can do with friends/neighbors) since your "me" time and social time would compete otherwise once you're older.  Better yet, consider leaving yourself open to enjoying/sharing the interests of your family and friends.  My hobby is now, well, people.  I get into whatever I need to in order to spend time with those I want to connect with.  I still get to explore - just now I'm letting others lead the way.

Not to mention, maintaining a simpler life when you're older is a LOT easier and a LOT cheaper.  Which means (if I didn't have these student loans to repay), I wouldn't need to bring in a lot of money to maintain it.  Less time working equals more time for family/friends... and yourself!  Anyway, take from this what you will.  Just happened to be on my mind.  Glorify God in all you do!

I love you boys!

Dad

Without Excuse

To borrow from a favorite pastor, Voddie Baucham, the motto of atheism is "there is no God... and I hate him!"  If you ever debate one, the animosity towards God and Christians is evident.  If God didn't exist, their whole platform for raging and pontificating becomes meaningless and they know that - while denying it all the same.  Agnostics will tell you God hasn't given enough evidence for them to believe.  But we all know in our hearts that it is absurd to think along those lines given the numerous proofs for God's existence.

One would think Jesus' miraculous entry and actions in the world to proclaim God's kingdom, glorious sovereignty, and unfathomable love for his sinful people would be enough.  But even he would say "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead", meaning they have shut their ears and closed their hearts to the truth.

Paul says this in his letter to the Romans (chapter 1, emphases mine):

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."

You are free to show an agnostic this passage and tell them God doesn't believe in agnostics.  Of course, it should come as no surprise if they choose to suppress this truth as well.  If such is the case, continue to pray for them - that God would intrusively speak to them as he once did for Paul and he has always done for his children.  For we all were once dead in our sin (Ephesians 2, Colossians 2), enemies of God (Romans 5, Colossians 1), and closed to the truth.  Only God can change the heart and make believers out of men.

I love you my sons,

Dad

The Path to Peace

I was on my drive to work yesterday, enjoying some prayer and meditation time, and a song came on which never fails to bring back memories - "The Way of Wisdom" by Michael Card, from an album by the same name he recorded to reflect themes from the wisdom literature in the bible (Ecclesiastes, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, etc).

I was first introduced to this song back in the early 90's, when my brother liked to play it often in the car while our family drove around town in Virginia.  I guess that's one of the reasons I like it so much.  Brings back warm memories of family.

I had to pause and give some thought to one of the lines this time around.

"...the path to peace is forgiving"

How true that is.  Our peace is interrupted daily by the actions of sinful people like ourselves.  Regardless of whether there was actually any malicious intent, our selfish impulse is to cry foul and hold bitterness against them - be it anything from a hurtful word to simply getting cut off in traffic.

We can't help or escape living among others (and continue to follow God's prescriptive will for us, anyway), and those infractions will come at us ceaselessly.  We can't control them, but we CAN control ourselves and our response.  Forgiveness can bring that peace back.  Bitterness keeps it at bay for as long as we entertain those feelings.

Do you want a peaceful existence?  Learn to forgive quickly and often.  Perhaps a quick prayer for yourself or the offending party is all it may take to stifle the urge to dwell in unsettled misery.  Focus on Jesus in those instances and you'll find your peace restored.

I love you boys!

Dad

Fighting

It's a violent world we live in.  Eventually, and more often than we'd like to, we cross paths with violent people who desire for whatever reason to inflict injury on us.  Usually it's just words.  The kind that indict the speaker of insecurity more so than cause any real damage, because we know who we are and whose we are (and only His opinion really matters).  When they do this, it's great, because they've identified themselves as a threat and we can distance ourselves from them - probably 99% of the time if we're smart, keep our cool and don't wait around for escalation.  But sometimes they cross the line and either force physical altercation on us or on someone we love and we simply must respond.

At times like these, it is permissible to fight.  It is okay to exert just enough force to subdue the attacker and stifle the threat.  We're under no mandate to stand and take a beating.  And certainly, if we're protecting someone else, the greater good (or lesser of two evils) is being sought.  Hopefully, both parties can walk away having learned a lesson from the encounter.

Sometimes the situation is life-threatening (ex- home invasion).  If they are armed with a deadly weapon, it is advisable to use deadly force rather than attempt to subdue them.  Don't wait for them to initiate (they already have if they're in your home) or simply try to injure them because you're afraid of ending a life.  Protect your family.  This is why I would recommend keeping a gun (or guns) in the home.  If you don't have a family, use your best judgement.  You may risk your life for a potentially better outcome if you choose.

I've been studying martial arts lately.  Not training - yet, just trying to understand the world of violence and how best to defend against it.  The best martial art would be a mix of many, because they all have strengths and weaknesses.  Probably the most peaceable and useful are wrestling/jiu jitsu because you attempt to take the attacker to the ground and neutralize them there with submission holds.  Trying to stand toe-to-toe swinging punches and kicks, you're just as likely to get KO'd as the other person (not a smart way of fighting).

I'll try to train you both in these disciplines, because they are useful for body conditioning and confidence building in addition to the self/others protection already mentioned.  Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Beyond this let me comment on a couple things.  Under NO circumstance is it okay to avenge yourselves or even others if the encounter has passed (Romans 12:19).  The government exists for that, and you know God will ultimately bring justice.  I see many young hot-heads who think they're good at fighting who then begin instigating fights to prove how tough/"manly" they are.  If you seek fights, you will die an early death.  Also, don't involve yourselves with fighting sports where it's essentially no different than human cock-fighting and women walk around half-nude to help promote it (ex- UFC).  Those events cater to the lustful/bloodthirsty.  That's not for us.  God holds us all to HIS standard.

Respect life, love your enemies, and try to keep His interests for us in mind, and you can't go too far wrong.

I love you guys!

Dad