Recently, while at a Christmas nativity event, I encountered a dad who had a very worn and beloved, 3-foot-tall stuffed play raccoon hanging over his arm. I engaged and found out that it was his young daughter’s beloved companion. She always wanted it with her, and where they went, it went. However, the daughter quickly tired of carrying something almost as big as she was. So she asked her daddy to carry it, and because he loved her, he would. 

I was impressed with his humility. A grown man carrying a child’s giant raccoon would raise many questioning looks from observers. Possibly there were some child training opportunities being missed, but he demonstrated his love for his daughter and benefited in growing his humility in the process. 

In Andrew Murray’s book titled Humility, he suggests reading the gospels with a careful eye to note Jesus’ humility throughout His ministry. Teri and I have followed that suggestion underlining examples and noting in the margin our observations. It has been an inspiring exercise in humility. 

During this time of year, please especially consider how the Creator/God of the universe humbled Himself to take the form of man. He then allowed Himself to be treated as a criminal and die for sinful, rejecting, rebellious men. Only a loving, sacrificing God could invent and execute such a plan. Eternal praise that He did. 

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:8-11).

A number of years ago we read a book, gifted to us by dear family friends, while we were traveling on an extended trip. Recently, I wanted to sharpen my soul winning skills and reread it. It is so good, I am compelled to highly recommend it to you. I believe you and your children will reap eternal benefits.  

The book is Will Our Generation Speak? by Grace Malley. It has many endorsements by the “who’s who” of today’s soul winners. Grace was in her early 20’s when she wrote it, but you would think it was written by someone in their 60’s. The wisdom this young lady shares is amazing. She has countless stories/examples that instruct and motivate. I’m confident that you and your children will find great encouragement and excitement in being busy about what we are must do. 

We live in a time when believers fill their time with things that are of no profit to God’s kingdom (or themselves), and parents seem to be pleased if their children merely stay out of trouble. However, what if Dad, Mom, and the children were on-fire and passionate about seeing souls introduced to our Lord and King Jesus Christ? Some of us say we want revival, but are our hearts and lives consistent with that desire? 

Oh my brothers, I plead with you. Purchase a copy. One young brother whom I highly respect as a passionate, soul winner said, “Oh yes, I LOVE that book! That was the book that was the tipping point for me between knowing how to share my faith and actually doing it. And it would be fantastic as a read aloud – I like that idea!” 

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). 

Likely you have noticed how different people respond when they are given a gift. On one hand deep and sincere thankfulness and appreciation for the gift and thought behind it. On the other hand there may be a token or oblatory, “thank you” at best with an air of “is that the best you could do?” The response should not be our motive in giving, but it gives us pleasure to know it was appreciated.

We men who are married have been bestowed with the second greatest gift a man can receive. First, is salvation which is an unmerited act of grace by our Lord Jesus. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Next most precious gift is a wife giving herself to her husband. 

In a Biblical marriage, she is vowing to be a helpmeet, to follow and honor her husband. Do any of us deserve it? No. So how well do we express our appreciation of her as a gift? Brothers, may I encourage you to give it deep consideration. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25).

All day everyday may we live out and vocalize our gratefulness to our God Who redeemed us and the wife he blessed us with. “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD” (Proverbs 18:22).

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17).

One of my grandsons is greatly enthralled with Maglites. He loves to repair them and talk about them. Maglites were a front-runner utility flashlight that packed a lot of light while remaining rugged. 

Portable light when in darkness is a good thing. Hmmm, sounds like what believers are supposed to be. “Ye are the light of the world” (Matt 5:14a). We are in the midst of, and moving into even more, dark times. Christians are to be lights shining in the dark, pointing to our God, bringing Him glory. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt 5:16).

In our country and locale, an evil wicked day is about to be celebrated. I understand that those who are lost, with no hope of life, will celebrate death and every wicked, evil thing imaginable. What breaks my heart is when I see professing “believers” decorate their homes in celebration of the wicked event. Oh readers, are we light? What do we shine on?

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

“Ye that love the LORD, hate evil” (Psalms 97:10).

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Eph 5:8). 

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph 5:11). 

“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7).

May we walk in the Light and be a light in a dark world. 

We have been asked to have a weekend conference in Wood Leaf, North Carolina the weekend of March 8th, 2024. As we begin preparation, there is an area in which I would appreciate your help. 

I am both amazed and grieved at the host of powerful, negative influences that you, as conservative Christian families, are facing today. I would be VERY grateful and blessed if you would provide your feedback as to how you feel your children are faring against the onslaught. If you have benefited and been blessed by Seriously Dads, would you consider taking a few minutes to be a blessing to others by your feedback? I would be most grateful if you would. 

On the following questions, “10” is the best. If you want to break it out by child, that is fine. Frankly, if you would prefer a phone call, I’d love to talk with you, schedule permitting. Let me know your time zone and general windows of availability. Likely the following would be a good husband/wife discussion prior to your responding.

• Do you believe your children are on track up to be strong, dynamic Christian adults living for the Lord and not for the world? 1-10 ______
  • If so, what do you attribute that to? ________________________
  • If not, what do you attribute that to? ________________________
  • Is your family consistently in the Word
  • As a family?  Yes.   No 
  • Individually?  Yes.   No
• How would you rate the influence of your church on your children? 1 – 10 (10 positive)
• How would you rate the influence of their church friends on them? 1 – 10
• Estimate how many hours a day of media (movies, social, etc) they consume.  ____
• Do your children read books such as Harry P? Yes?   No?
• Do your children participate in organized sports? Yes?   No?
• Anything else you would like to share on this topic that you feel is important?

May this be a good opportunity for evaluating how it’s going. Any changes you should make? Is this consistent with your goals? Do you have goals? 

We are grateful for you all. I tried to keep this brief, but if you want to give more detail, please do. Maybe share this email with your wife as well. Thank you for your feedback.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Have you noticed how easy we are on ourselves and blind to our faults, which we expertly justify and minimize? It is one thing to destroy our health, morals, or even our testimony for Christ, but as we impress on our children by our example, the world’s media and entertainment (i.e. our “liberty”), that is serious. Certainly, the Lord Jesus treats it seriously based on the consequences He says we deserve in that situation. 

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

The survival instinct under water is to try to get back to oxygen. In this case, as you descend deeper and deeper, your head is down due to the weight tied to your neck. You can’t turn to swim up, even if you could overcome the weight. It’s impossible. You are totally helpless. Every effort to get free only uses precious air while you continue the rocket-like descent. Your lungs in agony “scream” for air and feel like they will burst as you eventually lose consciousness. 

The One Who died for us gave this example to vividly demonstrate His love for the young and innocent and how serious He is about not causing them to stumble in their faith. My heart breaks for innocent children who are “taught” by dad’s example to love the world through his media and entertainment.  

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

There is a giant LED billboard in our area that will occasionally display a huge “WANTED” at the top with the name and photo of someone who has committed or suspected of a crime and for whom the authorities are looking. Think of how troubling it would be to see your name and photo appear there. 

Similarly, those who are Christ’s and living for Him are “WANTED” by Satan and his demons to seek, devour, and destroy. However, we don’t have the “benefit” of the billboard-sized reminder that we are WANTED and being targeted by Satan. Scripture, however, should be our reminder! 

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). I observe many believers who seem to live without a hint of caution concerning being ensnared or devoured by Satan. Is it their pride that gives them a false sense of security so they live carelessly thinking they and their children are untouchable by the enemy?

Yet, all of a sudden, they wake up to a bad dream. Life is shipwrecking and everything they held as precious, including their children, are going down with the ship. 

“Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-10).

Are you alert, or sleeping? “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:14-16). 

My heart deeply grieves for the dire need for us to be men of God, serious about living for Him Who died for us. Our Savior humbled Himself by leaving the glory of Heaven to come to this world to redeem for Himself a peculiar people. Are we living for Christ or the “gods” of this world? 

I believe we are living in the midst of a modern-day example of the Corinthian church. Paul’s admonition to them is highly appropriate for “us” today. 

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Brothers, do you love what unbelievers around you love? Are you spending your time on those things? Your children will love those things also.