It’s a girl!

We went to get an ultrasound of our new baby and were pleased to discover that another beautiful baby girl will soon join our ranks. While in the ultrasonographer’s office, I was once again amazed at that little person growing in my wife’s womb. At that instant, I was once again pained by the fact that countless such children are murdered every year.

How can anyone possibly “choose” abortion? How did our society, our culture, come to the conclusion that it is a “right,” an expression of “freedom,” to murder our children in the womb? How can anyone champion, and allege to justify, the murder of the most defenseless among us? When I think that mainstream ideology (some might say religion) contends that abortion somehow benefits women, I am suddenly aware of exactly what my four daughters are going to face. There is a full court press against Godly women.

While my wife and I are trying to raise our daughters up in the fear and admonition of the Lord, the world is trying to convince, entice, seduce, and coerce them and all women to rebel against the Lord. While we try to instill concepts like humility, modesty, purity, and family, the world preaches vanity, impropriety, promiscuity, and self. When I speak out against the worldly values I am branded as a chauvinist, when my wife speaks out she is branded as a fool.

Father forgive us, we know not what we do.

Lord, strengthen us and guide us as we strive each day to see your face and to reveal it to our children. Draw us closer to you, Lord, and make us a light in the darkness, for your glory.

Moderation Modifications

Previously, comments were being moderated: comments would not post unless I read it and gave it the "thumbs- up."

In the interest of facilitating communication, I have turned off comment moderation.

I will still monitor the comments and deal with belligerence in the same fashion, but it is my intention to make it easier to engage in open, honest, and constructive dialogue.

From Boyhood, to Manhood, to the Father-hood

As a boy growing up in the inner-city, I was always secure in my ability to survive. I knew that I could handle myself in a fight if things got hairy, and if things just plain got out of hand, I was confident in my ability to quickly put serious distance between me and calamity. So, while I had character enough to stand fast in the face of adversity, I had sense enough to flee even faster in the face of danger. This standard sufficed for almost twenty years; then, I became a man.

As a man facing the trials and tribulations of the world, and then the Army, I had to adjust my standard of survival. As a man it is not enough to survive. The character of a man has need of a higher standard; you must not only stand in the face of adversity, but you must be able to overcome your personal desires for safety and meet danger head on, at times in spite of the distinct possibility of disaster and even certain death. This lofty and venerable standard sufficed for nearly a decade; then, I became a father.

As a father…I no longer care for my own survival or personal safety. On behalf of my children, I wage a relentless vigil against adversity. I am the response to danger. I would give them the food from my mouth, the clothes from my back, and the blood from my veins; I eagerly and joyfully give up my life for them. It is the most awesome role I have ever been given. Imagine what I feel when I come to the realization that I cannot protect them or even meet all their needs.

I am not strong enough, not wise enough, not brave enough, not durable enough; I am just not enough. Though I would refuse them nothing, everything I have to give, even my life, is insufficient to guarantee their provision. Only God is sufficient. So, what is this role God has given me, and why has He given it to me?

It is my job as their father to demonstrate love of God. In the sacrifices I make for them, seeking God’s path instead of my own, I demonstrate not only the faith and love I have in the Lord, but I also give my children a small glimpse of His love and faithfulness. In seeking Him and demonstrating that He is the Lord my God, my shield and my strength, the author of my life and the provider of my salvation, I am giving my children that which they need most: fear of God.

If you fear God, you need fear nothing else.

Sacrifice

What does it mean to give your child to God?

Yesterday, I spent some time teaching my oldest daughter how to ride her bike. Today I spent some time teaching her the foundations of mathematics. My wife and I do our best to teach her (and her sisters) about God, though we seldom use such formal or dedicated settings as we use with tasks such as biking or math. Are we giving our children to God? Are we going as far as God would have us go to raise them for His glory?

Abraham was actually called to sacrifice his son Isaac to God. Sure, it was merely a sort of test of faith, but that takes giving your children to God to a whole new level. Abraham trusted God and His promises, and he was faithfully willing to give his son to the Lord. God blessed Abraham for his faith, and He blessed the world through Abraham. As Abraham was willing to give his only son for God, God would later give His only Son for Abraham and for us all.

May the Lord strengthen our faith so that we are able to give everything to Him.

In the Beginning...

On this, the maiden voyage of our blog, it is probably prudent to lay a foundation for future blog activity. I’m not exactly certain what direction the blog will take or how I intend to moderate it, but I guess it would be a good idea to at least identify the basic subject matter (incase that hasn’t already become apparent) and some basic ground rules for participation.

This blog will be devoted to glorifying God through the exploration of His holy word and “E-fellowship” (if that didn’t at least make you smirk, you might want to find a different blog). Seriously, I believe that through the Bible, God has provided the answers to all the important questions in life. While I have no intention of attempting to prove that to anyone (figure it out on your own…after all, it’s your faith), I hope to at least offer a venue in which we can honestly test the idea.

In fact, I hope to test everything (Philippians 4:8, 1 John 4:1, Thessalonians 5:21).

The truth can withstand all honest scrutiny, so all arguments are welcome. This segues nicely into the appropriate behavior portion of our opening guidance.

I will say simply “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Galatians 5:14), but be careful not to allow anyone’s personal self-loathing to be used as the impetus or rationalization for any sort of attack or retaliation. Give the benefit of the doubt, ask for clarification, respond objectively and rationally, and if all else fails…shake the dust from your sandals as you disengage.

When all else fails, I will reserve the right to subdue belligerence. If an idea cannot be expressed civilly, then it is likely that the idea need not be expressed. While censorship is not the preferred method, I am confident it will suffice as a last resort. Ideas alone will never be suppressed; the truth is quite capable of triumphing in the face of all manner of ignorance. While I will attempt to humbly shoulder the responsibility of objectively moderating discussions, I readily accept the scrutiny of participants in regards to my conduct, and I will attempt to address all queries and complaints related to that conduct.

I’m not sure what else needs to be addressed, but I will attempt to address what needs to be addressed when it needs to be addressed.

Well, may the Lord guide these discussions for the purpose of glorifying His name and revealing the Truth, so that those with eyes might see and those with ears might hear.

Bless us with faith.