C.S. Lewis said, "Every life is comprised of a few themes."
Thought I would share one of my themes. I am such an imperfect parent. But I can also say that nothing is more important to me than being a great dad. Hard to put what I feel into words, but I know that my kids are my legacy.
God keeps taking me back to the last verse of the Old Testament. Malachi 4:6 says: "His preaching will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse."
As I travel and speak, I've noticed that when I talk about the discipleship covenant I made with my oldest son, Parker, people always want to know more. Part of it is the helplessness we feel as parents when our kids get older. We need all the help we can get! I'm also concerned that we live in a culture where parents delegate their responsibilities. We want schools to educate our kids for us. And we want churches to disciple our kids for us. But that's a good way to insure that our justice system will punish our kids for us. It's so easy to let someone else do something that is really our responsibility.
Imagine what would happen if Christian parents really took their calling to discipleship seriously? We desperately need a parenting movement that equips parents to fulfill their God-ordained roles as mom and dad.
All I know is this: I am not going to let our culture raise my kids! I am determined to disciple my kids!
Thought I would share one of my themes. I am such an imperfect parent. But I can also say that nothing is more important to me than being a great dad. Hard to put what I feel into words, but I know that my kids are my legacy.
God keeps taking me back to the last verse of the Old Testament. Malachi 4:6 says: "His preaching will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse."
As I travel and speak, I've noticed that when I talk about the discipleship covenant I made with my oldest son, Parker, people always want to know more. Part of it is the helplessness we feel as parents when our kids get older. We need all the help we can get! I'm also concerned that we live in a culture where parents delegate their responsibilities. We want schools to educate our kids for us. And we want churches to disciple our kids for us. But that's a good way to insure that our justice system will punish our kids for us. It's so easy to let someone else do something that is really our responsibility.
Imagine what would happen if Christian parents really took their calling to discipleship seriously? We desperately need a parenting movement that equips parents to fulfill their God-ordained roles as mom and dad.
All I know is this: I am not going to let our culture raise my kids! I am determined to disciple my kids!
4 Comments:
Amen. That's about all I can say. Thank you for setting the standard where it should be ---remarkably high. Our kids deserve it and our job description demands it.
Greetings from Madrid...Just thought that I would recommend a book - Ambassador Families: Equipping your kids to Engage Popular Culture.
We love the philosophy of the discipling parent that undergirds the whole thing.
http://www.amazon.com/Ambassador-Families-Equipping-Popular-Culture/dp/1587431246
Hey Mark,
Thanks for these good words.
My wife and I have been married for 2.5 years and although we don't have any children, I can't wait to be a dad and
My life verse is Luke 2:52. I figure if Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and men, then to specifically challenge myself intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially is a worthwhile goal.
Sounds like it might be a good life verse for raising kids, too!
Hello Mark
Any ideas how to go about it in this busy,busy,busy culture?
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