Family Time

What does your family time look like? When it comes to our family we cannot leave influence to chance. As a parent, being intentional is key to effectively pouring into our children, and most importantly carry out our responsibility as outlined in Duet 6.

I recently came across a great outline by Reggie Joiner in his book "Think Orange", suggesting how to implement Dueteronomy 6 which states, "Impress these commands on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Meal Time- When you sit at home
“Focused discussion as a teacher to establish core values.”

Drive Time- When you walk along the road
“Informal dialogue as a friend to help your child interpret life.”

Bed Time- When you lie down
“Intimate conversation as a counselor to listen to the heart of your child.”

Morning Time- When you get up
“Encouraging words as a coach who gives a sense of value and instills purpose.”

Imagine if we approached each of these activities with the suggested intentionality! Dads, in the morning coach your children. Give them encouraging words that instill value. Moms, at bed time take time to listen and counsel. Parents, turn the radio down during drive time, and take time to be a friend. Meal time, what’s that? Yes, sit around the table and have a meal time. During that time focus the discussion and teach. Establish what things you will value as a family. So, will your family time look a little different now?

Church,

Do we take as much time to pray as we should? Regretfully, most of us would

answer, "NO". It is intriguing to me the amount of time Jesus spent

praying. Not only did he spend much time praying, but also pulled away from

the day to day routine to dedicate himself completely to prayer. We do well

to take our cues from such an example.

Today is National Day of Prayer. There are attempts by many to minimize

this National Holiday. As Christ followers, let's utilize this platform to

gather with others to pray to the God of heaven. In Luke we read that it

was as Jesus was praying that one of His disciples came over and asked,

"Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples." It may be that as

you pray today, or as you ask others to join you in prayer that God would

use you to be a witness of His love. Following that question, Jesus goes on

to teach them to pray what we refer to as, "The Lord's Prayer". To follow

Jesus' example, I'm sure, would allow the opportunity to teach and inspire

others to pray.

The theme for this years National Day of Prayer is, "For such a time as

this." "The Lord is good a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those

who trust in Him." -Nahum 1:7 For more information such as, Why pray, What

to pray for, and other helpful information visit,

www.nationaldayofprayer.org.

As we obey God's command to pray, here are few specific things you can pray

for:

1. The many individuals and ministries carrying out the great commission

around the World

2. Our nations leaders.

3. Our local government and it's leaders.

4. Our future leaders- children and youth

5. Our educational system and it's leaders

6. Our local church body and it's influence to reach our own Jerusalem,

Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the inhabited earth.

7. Our 1_LIFE offering which will be used to purchase a permanent facility

for our local church body.

8. Fervently do spiritual battle in prayer for your family- your spouse,

your children, and grandchildren.

9. Personal spiritual growth and revival in your own life.

10. Say a prayer of thanksgiving anticipating God's reply to His people's

prayers.

"If my people who are called by name shall humble themselves, and pray and

seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and

will forgive their sin and heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14

Praying with you,

Roland

A Matter of Family

In this blog you are going to hear from a professional, who has a lot of experience in how not to do things, and a  few experiences where I have gotten it right.

As you can see we have a house where there is a lot of energy (a two year old boy) and a lot of emotion (four girls).  I hope to draw from some of our own experiences in encouraging you in your family's journey.  Our journey currently finds us navigating the waters of parenting our pre-teen daughter all the way down to a very active toddler boy.  There is never a dull moment.  I wouldn't change a thing. 

 

I look forward to equipping, challenging, and just plain enjoying "Family Matters" with you.