Video Of The Day - 02/15/12

Little Mo likes the baby in the mirror.

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Matthew 5:11

From time to time I will receive emails with words of encouragement or heartfelt exhortations. As they pray for me, believing friends and family will send Scripture passages that they feel led to share.

A second ago, someone sent this passage to me...

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, 

and persecute you, 

and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, 

for my sake." 

KJV

That was the whole email, Matthew 5:11.

I wonder what they heard now. On second thought, I don't care. Just keep praying for me folks. I need it and I greatly appreciate it.

Hands to the plow...



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21—The Threefold 7

Margaret and I at Michaela's Bat Mitzvah, December 18, 2011.

Happy Anniversary Margaret!

I Love You!

It's hard to believe that this past Saturday was our 21st wedding anniversary. Before we were married, Margaret and I had been dating for four years; starting in the tenth grade. We were barely twenty years old when we were married. Soon after our wedding, I remember someone telling me that if we could make it past the first seven years, our marriage would have a chance. Margaret and I agree that the first seven years were the hardest. We find it curious that for the first seven years we didn't have children. We didn't plan it like this, it just happened this way. In fact, our first child was born fifteen days after our seventh anniversary. Looking back, it seems that this new life was an indication of the new life that we would soon experience in our marriage. Two years later, Margaret gave birth to our second child and this same year Margaret and I committed our lives to Yeshua. We were born again and given a new life, eternal life. Since then our marriage has become stronger and stronger.

We believe that marriage is forever and I'm sure most people do; otherwise why would traditional wedding vows include the phrase 'til death do us part?' I'm not saying that divorce doesn't happen. My point is that nobody gets married thinking they are going to divorce. If that's the case then why get married in the first place? Why go through all the trouble? Marriage is a lifetime commitment. It is a total commitment but not a perfect commitment. We give our whole life to our spouse not just part of it. But since we are human and we err, our commitment will not be a perfect one. Marriage is not something that we accomplish but something we work at. Our marriages need constant care and attention. They need to be nurtured and not neglected. We need to remember that there is no such thing as a perfect marriage because there are no perfect people.

At Front Range, we believe we are called to a multigenerational faith. This means that it is our responsibility to pass our faith on to the next generation. We are commanded to pass, to our children, the ways of God; and a strong marriage is necessary in accomplishing this task. A healthy marriage is a visual image, or representation, of the relationship that our God has with us. A dysfunctional marriage diminishes this image of God. This is why, at Front Range, it is our desire to help strengthen the marriages in our community. After Shabbat Service, on the first and third Saturdays, we hold a men's time. This is a time of strengthening and encouraging the men in the community to step up and be the men that God has called them to be -- the spiritual leaders in their homes. And then after service on the second and fourth Saturdays, we hold a women's time. This is a time of equipping and encouraging the women of the community -- young and old, single and married. Strong marriages will make healthy families and a healthy family is the proper environment to raise and disciple our children.

I thank God daily for the gift of my beautiful wife. I pray that He will continue to conform me into the man that I need to be, to lead and protect her.

~

Facebook Friends and Brothers in Messiah

"I prefer face-to-face interactions or hand written sentiments"
- Paul Blart, Mall Cop (2009)

When communicating something of importance to anybody, it would do us well to adopt the views of Paul Blart (Kevin James), the protagonist of the comedy Mall Cop. When asked if he owned a mobile phone, Paul Blart responds by saying:

"I prefer face-to-face interactions or hand written sentiments."

This is my new motto. After a few bad text, email, and facebook experiences, I have decided not to engage in e-conversations if the topic is of a sensitive nature and/or if the exchange begins to go south. There is a place for electronic media in our lives today, but it should not replace face-to-face meetings.

When dealing with any sensitive issues or confronting a wayward brother or sister, avoid using text, email, or facebook. If a face-to-face meeting is possible, we should choose this method of interaction first. If meeting face-to-face is not possible, try a phone call. Nowadays everyone has access to a telephone or mobile phone; but still, there are some folks who don't feel comfortable addressing sensitive issues over the phone. As an alternative to the phone call, or if the phone call is not possible, try the good old fashioned 'hand written' (or typed) personal letter. Letters are actually a very Jewish way of communicating important information, like halakha. Consider the Apostle Paul and his method of communicating to Churches that were where many miles away. If we can't meet in person or make a phone call, a personal letter is the next best thing.

As electronic media becomes more and more a part of our daily lives, we cannot neglect our need for personal interaction. Don't mistake emails for conversations. Don't mistake facebook for your community. Don't hide behind your computer screen. Get out and socialize the old fashioned way. Spend time in person with a family member or a friend; meet for coffee, go for a walk. Spending time together is what makes the memories that build relationships. We can have thousands of facebook friends and ‘zero’ relationships. Facebook is fun, but it should not replace the personal interaction that is necessary in building relationships and community. Besides, there is no real accountability in a long distance facebook friend. There may be some opportunities to ‘plant seeds’ online, but true discipleship is best done in person, side-by-side. When Messiah said, “in the world” I don’t think He was talking about facebook.

Related Links:
Facebook Etiquette: 10 Rules for Better Socializing
PC World Magazine

How Not to Be Hated on Facebook: 10 More Rules
Time Magazine

Essential Facebook Etiquette: 10 Dos And Don’ts
Hongkiat, online tips for designers and bloggers.

Top 10 Facebook Etiquette Rules
Your Tango, a digital media company dedicated to love and relationships.

Email and texting etiquette
Stephen Crippen, Seattle based Therapist



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It's February? Already? Really?

Moses chillin' in his basket.

So the first month of the new year has already flown by. Where did it go? I was taken by surprise this morning when I realized it was February 1st. My pile of 'stuff to read' and my list of 'things to do' are still sitting there; actually, I think they've grown. But, a better indication that time if flying by is when I look at my children. They're all growing so fast and each of them are growing in their own way. I sometimes feel like there isn't enough time to properly equip them before they are adults. I feel like the time is getting away from me and they will not be ready to face this world of darkness.

Today I heard a great episode of the Focus On The Family Daily Broadcast. The guest speaker, Gary Thomas, talked about parenting as a form of worship. It is an inspiring and encouraging message for parents with children of all ages. I heard Part 2, but plan on listening Part 1 soon. Click the links below to hear them.

We have a limited amount of time to teach and influence our children. If you have young children, don't let this time get away from you. Be intentional in raising them in God's ways, putting them on His path; and don't forget to pray for them daily.

Related Links:

Embracing God's Design for Parenting (Part 1 of 2)
Focus on the Family Broadcast, 01/31/12

Embracing God's Design for Parenting (Part 2 of 2)
Focus on the Family Broadcast, 02/01/12



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