I live in the best of both worlds, as far as mothers are concerned.  I can truthfully and honestly say that I have the best mother in the world, and I’m married to the most wonderful woman who has proven to be a fantastic mother for my own children.

I’m sure that many look back on rosy memories of their own mothers, overlooking the mistakes and faults that they grew up seeing.  I, on the other hand, had a real saint of a mother.  My mother arose early to read her Bible in the morning, always packed up great lunches for school, as kids she gave us freedom to run all around our neighborhood, yet she protected us from things that would hurt us.  She always forgave us when we messed up, and turned everything…everyday into something fun.  I’m not lying when I say that my mother rarely ever raised her voice at us in my entire childhood.  I have memories of my mom taking us to swimming pools, playing with us at parks, running garage sales to save money for vacations, and always involving us in whatever was happening in her life at any given time.  When I think of a servant, I can’t help but think of my own mother.

My wife could not be more different from my own mother, yet she stands on her own as a fantastic mother.  Starr is the “cool mom”, but not because she let’s kids get away with murder.  She’s cool because she can turn anything into something fun and exciting.  Whether it’s making biscuit pizzas, helping me dunk my kids into cold water, making super-girl capes, or letting our boys jump off the top of a playhouse into 2 inches of water…she’s super awesome!  Her boys know that she will always stop everything to go jump on the trampoline, and her daughter will always have her attention when a favorite song comes on the radio.

I’m fortunate, lucky, blessed, or any other adjective you’d like to add.  Happy Mothers’ Day to my mom and my wife!  Two of the best that have ever been!

And now a little Mother’s Day humor…

Here is something I found posted recently by Mark Driscoll on The Resurgence Blog.  It’s fantastic and a great reminder to all the Dad’s out there!  Merry Christmas!

’Tis the season for Dad to drop the holiday ball, stress out as the money is being spent for presents, and miss yet another providential opportunity to lovingly lead his family. So, this blog is intended to help dads not fall into the same old rut of holiday humdrum, sitting on the couch watching football and eating carbs, but rather intentionally plan out the upcoming holiday season. Our children grow quickly and if we miss the sacred moments God opens up for us to connect with and bless our families, everyone suffers and we set in motion generations of missed opportunity.Dad needs…

1. a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?

2. to check the local guides for what’s going on to make fun holiday plans for the family.

3. to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is your calendar ready for December?

4. to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?

5. to give experiences and not just gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?

6. to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?

7. to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt and bless?

8. to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?

9. to schedule guy time with his son. Dad, what are you and your son going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?

10. to help Mom get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?

11. to ensure some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, and can you smell cookies and cider in your house?

12. to snuggle up and watch some fun shows with the kids, especially the little ones. Dad, is the DVR set?

13. to take the family on a drive to see Christmas lights while listening to music and sipping cider. Dad, is it mapped out?

14. to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do the little kids get lights or a small tree in their room?

15. to read about Jesus and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?

16. to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?

HT: Mark Driscoll | TheResurgence.

I get asked often enough about Children’s Bibles that I wanted to share with you about a special Children’s Bible that my family and I have fallen in love with recently.

I’d like to introduce you to The Jesus Story Book Bible.  This is the most fantastical, amazing Bible for reading to children from the youngest of ages.  It is truly a breathtaking experience to read it to my own children, and I know you’ll love it to.  When you read it for yourself, you will know I’m not overstating this enough.  It is a wonderful tool for parents.  The words and the illustrations work perfectly on each and every page.  Your kids will love it!

A “Story Bible” is great for kids because it gets away from chapter and verse restrictions, and introduces your children to the great stories of scripture.  What makes The Jesus Storybook Bible so wonderful, is that it ties Jesus into each and every story.

The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible. From Noah to Moses to the great King David, every story points to a Child, every story whispers his name…

“It’s like an adventure story about a young Hero who came from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne, everything to rescue the one he loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that have come true in real life.

You see, the best thing about this story is—it’s true.

It takes the whole Bible to tell this story. And at the center of the Story there is a baby. Every story in the Bible whispers his name. He is like the missing piece in a  puzzle—the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture.

And this is no ordinary baby. This is the Child upon whom everything would depend. This is the baby that would one day—but wait, our story starts where all good stories start. Right at the very beginning…”

Watch the videos for a more few examples of the readings.  This particular reading is fun, because it’s the Christmas story.  And with this book the Christmas Story is the answer!:

As a father who reads to his own children, I cannot more highly recommend this wonderful addition to your families library.  I know that my wife and I cried tears during the first few stories, and I know that you will too.

HT: SojournKids

I had the opportunity, privilege, and pleasure to baptize my oldest son this weekend.  I’ve been asked many times, “As a Children’s Pastor, I bet you’re really excited to do this, huh?”  My answer is usually nice and cordial, but to be honest my excitement over my son’s eternal salvation has nothing to do with being a Children’s Pastor and everything to do with being his father.

From the time my son was in vitro, from those early morning hours of feedings, to the first steps, to the first bites of carrots, first soccer games, first words, first days of school and so forth and so forth; my prayer for him has been the very same.  I have prayed the words of a song that was popular around his birth.  They are the words to that song “One Pure and Holy Passion.”

Give me one pure and holy passion
Give me one magnificent obsession
Give me one glorious ambition for my life
To know and follow hard after You

It has been my prayer that when Ryan seeks after God he would find Him there waiting.  It has been my prayer that when confronted with his own inadequacies and faults, it would be the reaction of his heart to reach towards Christ.  It has been my prayer that when he admits his sin, believes in Christ, and confesses it with his mouth; that his next move would be to follow hard after Christ.

I often tell parents that most kids aren’t really in a good place to understand this until they are around 8 or 9 or even 10 or 11.  There is no hard, firm age for these things; but there are some things we can look for in our children to know if they are ready.  I encourage parents to not rush their children into a decision, and instead work to demonstrate living, active faith before their children.  I also encourage them to quickly reward the curiosity of their children with answers to life’s questions and questions about God, faith, and morality.

But my son has proven to be an exception.  Ryan is the most thoughtful, deep, profound, inquisitive, and reflective 7 year old I’ve ever been around.  I know, I know… it’s my son and I’m biased.  But I’m telling you, there are not 7 year olds like my son.  He’s just in a different place emotionally than most 7 year olds.  He’s different.

When he began to ask questions about faith, it wasn’t from a “What do I have to do to be like others?” or “I want to be baptized, what now?” perspective.  It was more from a “Why would someone pray to Jesus?” and “I’m thinking this sin in my life might be a problem, Dad.”  His mother and I diligently answered his questions, but never put the question back on him.  We would answer and leave it til another day.  Eventually the questions became more and more frequent.  One night after an exhaustive journey through Romans, he was really struggling with a decision.  I told him to just think about what he knew, and I would be here if he needed any help.

After a half hour of thinking about it, he approached me and his mother to ask, “I need to tell God my mistakes, and tell him I believe.  I believe all these things about Jesus and I need to tell him.”  I told him to go ahead and pray, and without putting words in his mouth he prayed for God to forgive him of his sins, and told Jesus that he believed in Him.  He did it all on his own.  He was taking the first steps towards following hard after Christ, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.

You can see more of what we did after Ryan’s Baptism to celebrate his decision, and the impact of so many other people in his life on my wife’s blog at http://www.lostinlaundry.com/2009/10/were-widening-circle.html.

She summed it up perfectly:

My prayer is that as my kids grow, these people will be around to give them the same messages I’m giving, but in a different voice and from a different perspective.

Thank you Lord that in the short time we’ve lived in Lubbock, you’ve made us a part of a spiritual family. Thank you for these people who love and influence our kids toward loving You. Bless them Lord, and keep providing opportunities for authentic relationship.