Thanksgiving Devotion

Wow. I was searching for a little inspiration on putting together a family devotion for Thanksgiving and I found this little jewel by Dr. Ray Pritchard. A great, concise teaching on Psalm 131, which has been described as "one of the shortest to read, but one of the longest to learn".

Buried in there is this this little prayer about simplicity:

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, then I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed.

What Children Can Teach Us At Thanksgiving - sermon by Dr. Ray Pritchard - November 1991

Boys Wanted

From The Art of Manliness blog:

Boys Wanted

Boys of spirit, boys of will,
Boys of muscle, brain and power,
Fit to cope with anything,
These are wanted every hour.

Not the weak and whining drones,
Who all troubles magnify;
Not the watchword of “I can’t,”
But the nobler one, “I’ll try.”

Do whate’er you have to do
With a true and earnest zeal;
Bend your sinews to the task,
“Put your shoulders to the wheel.”

Though your duty may be hard,
Look not on it as an ill;
If it be an honest task,
Do it with an honest will.

In the workshop, on the farm,
At the desk, where’er you be,
From your future efforts, boys,
Comes a nation’s destiny.

Christ in the Tetons

I've mentioned before that I've been leading a six week class going through the Raising a Modern Day Knight video series.

One of the best things about these videos are the segments where the dads and sons are taking on exciting adventures in the Grand Tetons. Having these inspiring backdrops as Robert Lewis imparts the principles from the book definitely adds impact.

The good news is that we fathers have the opportunity to have the same experience with our sons through Christ in the Tetons, an organization that provides "Father and Son Adventures".

They have just release their 2009 schedule so go check it out:

Christ in the Tetons

What's a Motto for You? (Redux)

I made a post back in February of 2007 about mottoes with a link to a site with a good collection of them complete with Latin translations. Unfortunately, I just found out the site is gone! (like that never happens on the web)

Anyway, way back then I was forward-thinking enough to capture the list in a spreadsheet and use it as a test case for a Web 2.0 application framework called Zoho. I found out that it is still live (whew!) so I am creating this post to point to it.

This is a great way to get ideas for your own family or organizational motto. Just browse the mottoes or search for a particular word:

Squires2Knights

I'm always searching for resources, articles, documents, etc. to share on this blog...and every once and awhile I stumble on something that makes me think: "how did I never see this before?"

Here is a link to such a site. Talk about being on the same wavelength! It's great to see other Christian dads out there with the same call from the Lord to spread the word about bestowing a vision of authentic manhood to the next generation of men.

From the site:

Today’s families, communities, churches and nation bear little resemblance to those of yesteryear. The onslaught of cultural changes has strained our society beyond its limits. Overwhelming evidence points to the vacuum of authentic manhood as a major cause of these issues.

Tomorrow’s hope for authentic manhood rests in today’s boys.

Today’s boys need faithful men!

They need changed men!

They need men equipped to model, teach and mentor.

On the site you'll find links to resources, products (a book and devotional guide), and a blog.

Check it out:

Squires2Knights

Respect for the Office

So I'm doing two things I try not to do:

1. Make a post on my blog with a link to a post in another blog (I link to other blogs, just not to specific posts)

2. Make a post about politics

However, this post from Graced Again summed up what I've been thinking for awhile now. Because he threw in a father/son analogy, I feel empowered to send you over there!

Romans 13 is clear that our responsibility is to submit to authorities. This doesn’t mean we have to agree with everything they do or even work to change their policies. It certainly doesn’t mean we have to reelect them in four years. It does mean that we are to show them respect as we criticize them and as we disagree, because they are the elected leader of our nation.

My best example of this is in my own family. My boys may not always agree with me. I am certainly not always respectable. They are expected, because of my position, to always respect me. They don’t have to agree with me. As they become adults they may not even have to obey me, but my position as their father should garner their respect. (I hope they are reading!)

Respect for the Office of President - Ron Edmondson

Pure Intimacy

Here's a website from Focus on the Family that brings together a lot of information in one place on sexuality, with specific sections for ministry leaders, couples, and parents.

Of special note is the section on the "Theology of Sexuality", something that ultimately informs all of our decisions around this topic: the movies we watch, if/when we let our kids date, even how we vote.

As the site says:

Although the Bible employs other analogies for God’s relationship to His people, the most common is that of bridegroom and bride. If we are created in God’s image, does this heavenly relationship have any bearing on our earthly relationships? It holds more meaning than most of us have ever imagined.

Pure Intimacy

Making Memories with Your Teen

Short, nice little article from FamilyEducation.com about time with your teen.

It's important to remember that although your teen may seem to be pushing away and sending the "I'm too cool to be seen with my parents" vibe at times, they really need us to draw closer than ever:

Teens don't want to be seen with their parents, much less talk to them or do anything with them. That's what we hear all the time. I don't buy it. I never did.
...
If you've taken the time throughout their childhood to really know and appreciate who your children are -- and to share who you are with them -- there will be many times during their teenage years when they will want the pleasure of only your company, when they will need you by their side, when they must have your arms around them.

Making Memories with Your Teen