Monthly Archives: August 2023

No Rx Required

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Ahhh, so pleasurable! It is not an opioid but just as addicting and how painful the with-drawl will be. Most are introduced to it as children, and by adolescence they are hooked. It does not have a stigma in our “circles” because it isn’t considered by most to be sinful. Since it isn’t seen as sinful, the appeal is irresistible. So what could be possibly wrong with it? 

Could it be the reason why the American church has not been about the Lord’s business, why many fathers shrink from their responsibility to disciple their children, why children have no interest in being discipled? Based on my observation, it appears to be the “free pass” to do anything that is not overtly sinful. It keeps God’s children from being busy with their hand to the plow, from redeeming their time wisely in serving Christ. Might it be Satan’s most clever deception yet? 

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11).

Oh my Brothers, even if FUN is neutral and not sinful, it is not excellent and will not bear fruit to God’s glory.

Great Advice to Heed

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“Thank you for recognizing the weakness of all of us men. I can’t help but think of Sampson. In one way, I cannot be compared with Sampson. I don’t have the physical strength. But, in another way, I can be compared with him. I am a man. Sampson had the Spirit of God when it came to his physical strength. But–his appetite was not controlled by the Spirit of God. And, how sad that he came to understand his spiritual blindness through his physical blindness.

Ironically I have been meditating on Titus 2 this past week. It has struck me like a load of bricks how the Grace of God is teaching me to DENY. I must say “NO. NO, NO” to my flesh the world and the devil. It is not Christian liberty to say yes. Jesus said no about the “harmless” temptation of turning stones into bread. I must not try to excuse anything as “harmless”. I must live by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. I think that Christians are always in danger of allowing themselves to be governed by what falls into a category called “harmless” instead of what is pleasing to the Father. May the Grace of God continue to sanctify me. Thank you for your ministry.” Aaron 

“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” 1 Peter 1:14-16

I Can Handle It

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I think most realize that with the convenience of the smartphone comes lots of curses. I’ve known many who have admirably said they won’t have one. We use Accountable2You on my technology because the flesh is the flesh. Mine is as rotten as yours.

The weather program I used for years began having ads on it. At first, the ads didn’t bother me, but when they began including sensuous women’s clothing ads, that was unacceptable. I clicked “feedback” and selected “inappropriate,” which closed the ad. However, soon it was back. 

Even though I really liked that weather app, I decided I won’t compromise. I don’t want women’s flesh staring me in the face every time I check the weather. Even if many (most?) Christians would deem those ads not sinful, it’s small compromises that lead to darkness. Therefore, I deleted that weather app, and I’m getting used to another without ads. For similar reasons, we don’t have a TV or watch movies. 

My brothers, only a fool trusts himself. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it”(Jeremiah 17:9)? That is why we are told to run from our lusts, not control them. “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). 

Beyond Blessed

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When someone asks me how I am, I will almost always reply “Blessed.” (BTW I found that to be a great conversation starter with the lost). In this country most of us are so crazy blessed. Even considering day-to-day problems and illnesses, we are blessed beyond imagination (to include those who don’t know the Lord). Grocery stores are lined with food, gasoline at the pumps, cars to transport us, water from faucets and indoor toilets. Since creation, people spent great amounts of time just to manage the necessities of life. Are you grateful? 

Consider all the time that has been saved each year in fast transportation, not having to grow your own food, manage water and hygiene. How is it being redeemed? “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). The fool squanders but the wise sees the great value of his (the Lord’s) time and will exchange it for something more valuable.

As the world’s population doubled and tripled, the conveniences give us more time to be about the Lord’s business. We will all stand before the Lord to give account of how we used our time. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

When asked by the Lord to justify how we spent His time (He owns all of us), it won’t go well to say, “I had so much fun. Lord, as You know, I was careful not to use my time sinfully.” 

Are we: 

  • In the Word?
  • Discipling your children? 
  • Investing in your wife?
  • Ministering to the saints?
  • Reaching the lost? 

Brothers. May those be the things that thrill our hearts.

THE POWER OF TIME

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August means school starting for most homeschool families. After a slower pace of summer, the thought of adding in school hours can be daunting for the homeschool mom. You might be a mom with all younger children who are not yet school age, but you are drowning in all that you have to do. I know the secret that will make it possible for you to keep up and regain your joyful spirit. You need a schedule for your time and your children’s time.

A schedule forces you to critically evaluate your time and prioritize it. When you put your life into a schedule, it is definable and quantifiable. God gave us each 24 hours in a day, and those are the boundaries with which we work. Your priorities are no longer missed because your day ended. Each one has its rightful place in the schedule. 

A schedule makes what you do on a daily basis habitual. Once a habit is formed, you don’t think about it any more. It just happens. No more trying to keep everything that has to be accomplished in your mind, hoping you don’t forget, and then getting sidetracked by what isn’t a priority at all.

A schedule brings maximum productivity into your home. You don’t waste time doing what doesn’t matter, and you don’t waste time trying to decide what to do next. You are utilizing every moment in the most productive way according to its priority, that you and the Lord have determined. That might mean taking an afternoon nap if you are up with a baby or child in the night. It could be reading out loud to your children or playing games with them because that is important to you.

A schedule frees you from battles with your children to get them to do what they are supposed to do. When you consistently follow the schedule, their days become habitual as well, and they know what to do and when to do it.

A schedule allows you to do activities you didn’t think you had time to do. It makes you so productive that it is likely you will keep up with what you weren’t keeping up with before your schedule and have time for what you had only hoped for in the past.

A schedule improves your health because it assures adequate sleep, exercise, and healthy eating. Bedtime and wake up time are the foundations on which your whole day is built. A schedule defines and stabilizes them. Without enough sleep, you drag through the day, are emotionally short with the children, and put your health at risk. Lack of exercise and poor nutrition have the same effects.

A schedule grows your relationship with Jesus because you daily have time with Him. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). 

This verse encourages us on physical exercise but even more on our time with the Lord. “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

I lived that discouraged, overwhelmed, there’s-never-enough-time, stressed life. I didn’t like it, and I doubt you do either. I know firsthand the differences and benefits a schedule brings, and I want those for you, your family, and your home. Please don’t excuse the idea away by saying you couldn’t do it or that it isn’t for you. I have seen so many moms move from despair to joy, from frustration to peace, and from stressed to contentment. “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). Are you?

If you need help with scheduling, Managers of Their Homes is your proven tool.

On Guard 

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Our family used to go to Colorado for hiking. We loved the altitude, beauty of God’s creation, and rigorous hikes. With the mountains comes tight curves, guardrails, and steep drop-offs next to the road. It wasn’t uncommon to see a damaged (and repaired) guardrail where someone left the road and was hopefully stopped before plunging down the mountainside. No doubt the guard rails were not 100% effective and some would have come to a sudden stop at the bottom after a thrilling decent. 

What sort of dad would you consider me to be if I loved driving as fast as I could on those roads for the sake of my pleasure while ignoring the risk to my family? Yet, isn’t it common for professing dads to flirt with grave moral danger by their viewing pleasures which excite lustful passions? From sensuous movies (considered not sinful of course) to football games with beautiful, seductive cheerleaders, many are choosing to view these things.  

Oh my brothers, could it be that the greatest danger to our walk with God is not what is evil but what is justified as neutral or harmless? “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

I plead with you to purpose that you will only give your attention to what is edifying. 

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12).

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Romans 14:19).

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