Category Archives: Dad’s Corner

The Best Memories

This was posted on by .

What memories and appetites are you giving your children during the Christmas season? A  Seriously Dad wrote after last week’s email:

“I just wanted to share what my family has done for the past 15 years. We bake some homemade Christmas treats (usually cookies and/or pumpkin bread). We prepare plates for about 10 of our neighbors with treats and a hand-written Christmas card. (Most of our neighbors are “good” people who don’t proclaim Jesus as their Lord and Savior.). We drive around the countryside to our neighbors (We live in a rural area.). We walk up to the door caroling (We choose a Christian song vs a Santa song.).They usually invite us in for a “visit” (often around 30 minutes each). It is definitely something that we enjoy each Christmas!”

One Brother said he thought that these days many are afraid of homemade baked goods. I suppose that is possible, but if you are concerned about it, you can buy small bags of individually wrapped chocolate pieces by Lindt or Andes. Either way, I encourage you not to miss out on an opportunity to be light in your neighborhood. AND it is not only a good example for your children, but also helps develop a love in them for sharing the love of Jesus with others.  

“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad”
(2 Corinthians 5:9,10)

What a Blessing

This was posted on by .

As I listened to Evidence Not Seen (by Darlene Deibler Rose) my eyes often filled with tears. Hearing what newly-wed missionaries Russell and Darlene endured to share Christ in New Guinea shredded my heart. They were driven by a fervent love for the Lord Jesus, wanting to be used as light to those in darkness. A few years after arrival on the island, Russell and Darlene were placed in separate POW camps when WW2 began. He died in his, and she somehow lived through it. 

What efforts are we willing to expend to share Christ’s love with those around us? It is by God’s sovereign will that each of us lives where we do. We don’t have to travel thousands of miles to our mission field; we already live there. 

 Would you be willing to discuss with your wife what you might do in the coming days and make a plan to carry it out? Here are some ideas to consider:

  • If your family can sing, carol to your neighbors. We have done that for many years now. We only sing the first verse of an easy carol and then “We wish you a merry Christmas.” We encourage you to keep it short. (Trust me.)
    • If you want to carol and lack voices, invite others to join you. Either a family or two from church or Christian neighbors. We seek to include the “cute factor” — little kids who stand at the front of the caroling group. 
  • If caroling is out of your ability, what about just a casual, short, outside visit to wish them a Merry Christmas?
  • Bring a gift of food whether you carol or not. Food isn’t expensive, and people love tasty treats. Some possibilities are: sweet bread, cookies, or homemade candy. We make poppyseed loaves (Poppyseed Loaf). They are delicious, and our neighbors tell us they look forward to them each year.
  • With the food gift, what about giving them a card with it?
    • In the card, include a personal note if you know them, and it not, a more general one where you express your desire in getting to know them. If they have had health challenges, and you have been praying for them, tell them. Offer to pray for other needs they might have. Include your name and phone number so they know you are serious.

Something done for the first time can be intimidating. However, our lives are full of activities that felt awkward the first time but in time became special. That is the way Christmas caroling to our neighbors began thirty years ago. It is now a rewarding annual family tradition that grew from the ten of us before our children began to marry, to about 30 (on a good year) of us with daughters-in-law and grandchildren. It is a delightful opportunity to show our neighbors we love them and share some encouragement in Christ. 

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).

How Bright Are You?

This was posted on by .

Do you ever walk around the house turning off lights that have been left on? I think that is part of having a family and being the one who is responsible for the light bill. What a waste of light when it doesn’t benefit anyone. 

However, might that be true of many of us brothers in our neighborhoods? God has made our families to be the light of Christ to those who live near us. Are we being light to our neighbors? “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

Next week I will share some possibilities. 

“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Galatians 5:14). 

Next To My Salvation

This was posted on by .

I’m eternally grateful to Jesus Christ for His gift of salvation through His shed blood on the cross for my sins. “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, I’m eternally grateful for His gift of my precious wife of many years, Teri, mother to our eight children, and a 30-year homeschool veteran. When most today want the easy life, this woman invested her life in our family in obedience to her Lord Jesus. What a delight she is to me.

Moreover, there are countless women who look to Teri as their mentor and encourager. We hear from them as they share their gratitude for how her articles and Titus2 resources have benefited their walk with the Lord, their lives and helped them have more peace-filled and productive homes. Might your wife benefit as well? 

The Managers books (Homes, Chores, and Schools) are practical, giving long-term benefits: Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit continues to be one of our most popular books. And finally, for ladies toward spiritual growth Sweet Journey and Sweet Relationships and specifically for wives, My Delight.

Not a Good thing

This was posted on by .

I wonder how many well-meaning parents are possibly harming, with potentially eternal consequences, their children every week when they take them to church (don’t stop reading now)? Have you noticed them? They bring their children to church (a good thing), but then during the service, the children do every imaginable quiet (mostly) thing, except listen to the message. Instead of teaching their children to sit still and listen to the preaching, so as to obey God’s Word, the children are “taught” how to ignore God’s Word—not on purpose—but isn’t that is the result? While the children occupy themselves, they become skilled at deflecting God’s holy Word from their minds and hearts while they are occupied with “more important” things.

Many times we read where Jesus instructs he that “hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matt 11:15, 13:9, 13:43, Mark 4:9, 4:23, 7:16, Luke 8:8 and 14:35). That would mean open your mind to what is coming into your ears. It is an intentional, learned process to train the mind to concentrate with the goal of understanding so as to ultimately obey what is coming into the ears.

We listen intently because God’s Word is priceless and not to be treated like background music that is played in a store where we are shopping.“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Negative or Positive Influences

This was posted on by .

Wise parents are quick to recognize the potentially powerful negative influence that can come from their children’s friends. This includes everything from your children being discontent with their looks and abilities, what they are allowed to do or not do, but most serious – their faith. Paul warned the Corinthians of the danger of bad companionship (KJV communications). “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

My Brothers, how seriously do you heed that warning for yourself? I frequently observe a spiritual overconfidence (pride?) in dads where they are not concerned about something of the world (TV, movies, social media) diminishing their walk with the Lord. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:15-16).

“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1 Corinthians 5:6).

Would you like some encouraging influence? November 5, 6 I will be sharing with a group of Brothers in south-central Missouri at a Christian camp for a time of encouragement and challenge. If you aren’t too far from there and would like more information, reply to this email asking for it.

To The Word

This was posted on by .

How many times have you read through the Bible? I plead with you to make that important to you. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). 

 If you don’t like to “jump” around, read Genesis to Revelation (which is my preference.) However, for those who prefer variety, there are many reading plans available. The Olive Tree Bible app has plans and so does Blue Letter Bible. 

You can also manage your reading tempo yourself by chapters, pages, or time. Find what works best for you. For chapters, to read through the Bible in a year, simply read three or four chapters a day. If the chapters are short, then read an extra one.  By pages, divide the number of pages in your Bible by 365. One of my Bibles has 1233 pages of Bible text. I would need to read 3.4 pages a day to finish in a year. I simplified it by reading four pages a day. 

Now that I’m not working a regular job, I have the luxury of a very long time with the Lord every day (Ahhhhhhhhh). Teri and I set the alarm for the same time every morning (including Sunday). It only takes a few minutes to get dressed and then I head for my office to start my Bible reading. I have a set time to move from reading to prayer and then a  set time for my Bible time to be over. I plead with you. Be committed to reading and praying. You won’t regret it. A man will always do what is important to him. 

“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments”  (Psalm 119:10).

What Do You Love?

This was posted on by .

It is common to hear someone exclaim, “I love ____ (coffee, ice cream, football, fill in the blank). I have never heard a Christian say, “I love the world.” However, as much as we don’t want to love the world or the things in it, I am confident that to varying degrees we all do. (Hint: even if you don’t say what you love, watch how you spend your time.)

I passionately desire to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30). Just think, the more we love Jesus, the One Who died for us, the less we love other things, to include self and the world.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

What Ya Looking At?

This was posted on by .

“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10-11). Might that describe (sadly) most believers today – mostly looking and not zealously being about the Lord’s business?

Brothers, are you looking up, down, or around? What generally has our attention has our heart. We don’t give our longterm attention to things we don’t have a heart for. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2). May we love the Lord Jesus with all our hearts – give Him our attention – and be busy about His business. 

Oh That Hurts

This was posted on by .

I avoid pain if I can. Yet, affliction is one of God’s tools. Are you experiencing affliction? Thomas Watson (Puritan) said that when someone brings affliction into your life, you can be sure that God sent him. The best thing about affliction is that God has promised there is good in it. We would ease and encourage our hearts if we embrace and believe that. 

On our recent trip to Colorado, Teri and I were greatly blessed by listening (again) to Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan (read by Robert Whitfield). Did you know that John Bunyan wrote it while serving twelve years in prison for his faith?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:28-29).