Well....this is a very exciting time. The first wedding of one of our 3 amazing sons, Andrew...he will marry Sarah on August 7th...
Parent's...many years ago in my singing days, I had the privilege of recording my one and only solo album at the Bill and Gloria Gaither studio in Alexandria, Indiana.
As I entered the studio, the receptionist lead me directly to the office of Gloria Gaither. I was very honored and excited to meet her. I was looking forward to incredible advice on singing and recording since that was what I was there to do...however, I was very surprised when I sat across her desk, she looked me in the eyes and said one thing...
"I understand you have a little boy"...I said "yes I do"..she then carefully and slowly said "always, always, put your children first, they are and always will be your first ministry..."
That was it! I was then excused and went into the studio to begin the project.
A couple of months later, I heard a pastor suggest that parents should begin praying for the future spouses of their children...even when they are babies...I also remembered a beautiful song called "Somewhere in the World Tonight"...by Wayne Watson.
So I have...I have prayed for Aaron, Andrew and Brandon's future wives...since they were babies...
PRAISE GOD! He has certainly answered my prayers for Andrew....Sarah is God's beautiful gift to Andrew and all of us...we are very thankful...
Parents...pray now...pray hard...pray everyday for the future spouse of your children...I always pray that whoever my son's end up marrying will be someone that will lead them closer to Jesus!
I encourage you...take this very seriously...God is with you...He is sovereign and He will answer!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The life and pain of fame
This man Michael Jackson was a gifted, caring human being. He was obviously very different in his lifestyle than me or anyone I know. However, there is no judgement here.
At the very young and impressionable age of 5, Michael Jackson was forced to perform in strip clubs, surrounded by porn and sin as well as many grown-ups who were in emotional pain themselves (or else they would not have been there).
He was forced to "pretend to be asleep" while his older brothers were having sex in the same room he was in....so much to deal with for a little boy.
He was beaten by his father on a regular basis if he "missed a step" while rehearsing.
He was "formed" and "shaped" in a very sinful, destructive and painful enviorment! NO WONDER!
Children live what they learn. And yes, I know some may be thinking..."he could have made better decisions with his life as he got older"...well maybe he did not have the ability to make the decisions we think he should have made....maybe he had a very disturbed view of what "normal" is. Maybe he truly thought everyone experienced the "sexual" exposure he did....
This is what I think....I think Jesus was present with Michael Jackson when he was a young boy. I think Jesus was so sad when Michael Jackson was misused, abused, misunderstood and even when he grew up and made some very bad decisions. I believe Jesus loved Michael then and now. I believe Jesus loves Michael Jackson's children. I believe Jesus was present at the memorial today. I believe Jesus cares about all of the people who are sad and hurting over the loss of this very gifted and unique person.
I pray I will never think that I am more loved or holy or right or better than anyone. I am blessed and saved by grace. I pray Michael Jackson was saved. I pray he found the Lord and asked Him into his heart before he died. I pray for his sweet children who will miss the only Dad they have ever known.
I pray for all children who are being exposed to the world and it's ugliness. I pray for children who are in abusive families and situations. I pray for children who are lost and afraid.
How many MJ's are here tonight in our midst...let's pray for them. Let's love them. Let's help them.
Too bad nobody did that for Michael when he was a lost, hurting and abused little boy....so sad....where was the church? Where were the Christians? Just thought I would ask...
At the very young and impressionable age of 5, Michael Jackson was forced to perform in strip clubs, surrounded by porn and sin as well as many grown-ups who were in emotional pain themselves (or else they would not have been there).
He was forced to "pretend to be asleep" while his older brothers were having sex in the same room he was in....so much to deal with for a little boy.
He was beaten by his father on a regular basis if he "missed a step" while rehearsing.
He was "formed" and "shaped" in a very sinful, destructive and painful enviorment! NO WONDER!
Children live what they learn. And yes, I know some may be thinking..."he could have made better decisions with his life as he got older"...well maybe he did not have the ability to make the decisions we think he should have made....maybe he had a very disturbed view of what "normal" is. Maybe he truly thought everyone experienced the "sexual" exposure he did....
This is what I think....I think Jesus was present with Michael Jackson when he was a young boy. I think Jesus was so sad when Michael Jackson was misused, abused, misunderstood and even when he grew up and made some very bad decisions. I believe Jesus loved Michael then and now. I believe Jesus loves Michael Jackson's children. I believe Jesus was present at the memorial today. I believe Jesus cares about all of the people who are sad and hurting over the loss of this very gifted and unique person.
I pray I will never think that I am more loved or holy or right or better than anyone. I am blessed and saved by grace. I pray Michael Jackson was saved. I pray he found the Lord and asked Him into his heart before he died. I pray for his sweet children who will miss the only Dad they have ever known.
I pray for all children who are being exposed to the world and it's ugliness. I pray for children who are in abusive families and situations. I pray for children who are lost and afraid.
How many MJ's are here tonight in our midst...let's pray for them. Let's love them. Let's help them.
Too bad nobody did that for Michael when he was a lost, hurting and abused little boy....so sad....where was the church? Where were the Christians? Just thought I would ask...
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sharing God's love with children
As we prepare in our churches for the summer time camps and activities, my prayer is that we ( all Children's Pastors and Directors) keep our absolute focus on the purpose of the hype and fun things we do.
Sharing Jesus Christ and who He really is with children is such a delicate and yet simple task. It is delicate because it must be shared in the light of fun, joy, happiness and peace...these are things children love and understand. It is very simple...because Jesus' love is simply given. It is simply available, and simply shared, simply proven and simply found.
I want to give children the brightest glimpse possible of who Jesus is...and who He can be in them, for them and to them.
How can I do this? By allowing Him to shine through me. By allowing the love light of Jesus to truly burn bright in my everyday life.
I fall so short of this every time, so I keep praying for the Lord to help me get it together and keep it together...not for me, for them....
VBS season is here....pray it up...plan it up....laugh it up....sing it up....dance it up....but most of all....love it up! Love them....show them love....give them love....share His love....have fun through, by, with, from and for His love!
Sharing Jesus Christ and who He really is with children is such a delicate and yet simple task. It is delicate because it must be shared in the light of fun, joy, happiness and peace...these are things children love and understand. It is very simple...because Jesus' love is simply given. It is simply available, and simply shared, simply proven and simply found.
I want to give children the brightest glimpse possible of who Jesus is...and who He can be in them, for them and to them.
How can I do this? By allowing Him to shine through me. By allowing the love light of Jesus to truly burn bright in my everyday life.
I fall so short of this every time, so I keep praying for the Lord to help me get it together and keep it together...not for me, for them....
VBS season is here....pray it up...plan it up....laugh it up....sing it up....dance it up....but most of all....love it up! Love them....show them love....give them love....share His love....have fun through, by, with, from and for His love!
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