Have you heard from God Lately?

When you read your Bible, do you hear from God? Why is it that some people get so much more from their Bible reading that others do?

Jesus said some would hear but not understand, and others would hear and experience unbelievable result. To illustrate, he told the story of a farmer who planted seed in four different soil conditions. Three of the soils failed to produce, but the fourth soil produced an amazing crop.

The first soil rejected the seed. The second did not develop a strong root system. And, the third was overcome by thorns.

Success in farming requires both strategy and effort. A casual approach to farming will not produce great results. The same is true if God's Word is going to speak to you. Your approach to the Bible should be more than casual. To get the most from God's Word you have to put forth personal effort. Do you have a structured approach to the Bible? What do you do when you come to a passage you do not understand? Do you discuss the Bible with other believers? Do you keep digging till you understand?

God's word is powerful. It will change your life. You need to hear from God. How serious are you about reading and understanding God's Word?

He wants to speak to you today. How serious are you about listening to him?

Fireproof

Gi and I were invited last night to the Hoffman Theater in Alexandria for a screening of Fireproof.

Highly recommend it!

I really think the 40 day dare challenge is going to be a great help to marriages.

Mark September 26 on your calendar and make this movie a date for you and your spouse.

Luckiest Dad in the World!

My girl's really went over the top showing their love for dad this year. I love my two daughters.

So proud of each of them and the wonderful young ladies they have grown up to become.

Amanda gave me a book I've been wanting to buy. I'm already enjoying reading it.

We had our traditional NY Strips cooked on the grill. They were out of this world.

I also enjoyed being able to watch the Nascar race. I'm a big Gibbs Racing Team fan, but it was good to see Jr. finally win one.

Dad's Duct Tape

What can dad do with duct tape? (watch)

They say if you give a guy a screwdriver, pair of pliers, and a roll of duct tape he can fix anything.

Wouldn't it be handy to have a go-to like duct tape to fix problems in our children's lives? I bet the Prodigal son's father wished he had a 'duct tape' solution when his son rebelled. As a dad there are times when I have been overwhelmed trying to fix my children.

The truth is, in the story of the prodigal son, I think the way the father dealt with his wayward son provides a great go-to when dad's face problems. I shared Sunday in the Father's day message a three-fold duct tape solution for dad's:

1. Treat your children as people - Children are not furniture nor pets. They are people. As dad's we cannot live their life for them. The father in this story let his son go. He could have withheld the inheritance but he chose to honor his son's wishes. Definitely a courageous act by a dad.
2. Pray for your children. - No doubt if we treat our children more like people than pets we will spend more time praying then punishing. Not that there aren't times that we must punish. Personally, I feel that parental punishment is more of a pre-teen thing. After that they will suffer from their errors enough without dad's correction. But, what accomplishes more, praying or punishing? Every child needs to know they have a praying dad.
3. Pardon your child, loving them unconditionally - Our children need to know that our love for them is unending. So tragic when a person feels that dad does not love them

I gave each father a roll of duct tape to help remember our go-to solution .

What dad's can't do. (watch)

Camping

We camped from Tuesday to Saturday last week. What a blast!


It was really a great opportunity to spend an extended time with some of the men in the church as well as their boys. We had three men who were new to our annual camping excursion. The fishing was the best it has been for several years. I think all the boys caught several fish. It was for many their first fish ever. Nothing like seeing the face on a young boy after he catches his first fish. Truly one of life's treasure moments.


The Shenandoah river and valley are truly one of the most peaceful and relaxing places on earth.

Sunday Reflection

Sure glad we had AC today. The forecast today was 99 degrees. Makes you wonder how they survived in the old days.

Going into the 'Deal no Deal' series I expected Spiritual warfare. Not sure I realized how intense it might become. The enemy doesn't want us to know his weapons, and he especially does not want us to know how to win temptations battle.

If Satan does not get us to fall with 'the lust of the flesh' or 'the lust of the eyes,' he pulls from his arsenal 'the pride of life.'

• Pride makes us think we are better than everyone else.
• Pride makes us jealous..
• Pride makes us build monuments to our self.
• Pride pressures us to impress people.
• Pride prevents us from fully submitting our life to God.
• Pride breaks God’s Greatest law, ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’
• Pride promotes Satan's agenda.
• Pride prevents us from praying to and depending on God.
• Pride causes us to lose the joy of the blessings we currently have.
• Pride eventually ends in shame.
• Pride destroys lives.

The antidote to pride is humility. Humility is simply knowing that we need God! The measure of our humility is our dependence on God.

God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. …
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
James 4:6 - 10

“To be humble to superiors is duty, to equals courtesy, to inferiors nobleness.”

Benjamin Franklin

Porch Pal

Look at who joined me on our porch today?



I think I'll keep him around hoping he'll eat some of the moles in the yard:)

New Again

Green Grass

Thought I'd share some of the results of the early spring yard work I blogged about in an earlier post. I know it's still not the best lawn in town, but I sure am pleased with it. Normally the best time of the year to plant grass in the fall. But I went ahead and gave it a try this spring. So far it is doing really well. But, the real test is these next three months. We are expecting near 100 degree temps for the next 5 days. As long as I can keep it moist it should be okay.