"The chief reason I was interested in putting together this web site is to make the articles that follow available to any father.  I believe there is encouragement and challenge found in many of these files. 
       I would invite you to read over some of these titles and descriptions, download an article that interests you, print it off, and read it over a cup of coffee.  These personal letters and reprints reveal my heart. 
       The words speak to the spirit of a man. All fathers need courage.  Especially every day as we work to carry out our God-given responsibilities as husbands, fathers and bread winners." 

Word Files ...

[To download the file to your computer: Right-click on the file link/URL and "Save Target as..."  To open the file using your browser: Left-click on the file link/URL.] 

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    "Some of you are still not sure this morning. You have heard a lot, but you are still debating. You're thinking, "I wonder if I can still love this world and still be an okay Christian?" You can't! This last teaching will force you to choose.

    It's not how right you feel, how devout, or how good. It's not about the weaknesses in your life, the sin, the ways you disappoint yourself and God. It's really not about you Christian. It's about God and what He wants to do through your life. God wants to help you choose His way, again, here at the end of this conference. This last session is on Humility."

    This is how we opened up our last message at the December 2007, Faithwalkers conference. This article is the transcript of what we shared. God bless you, dear Christian.

    This is the talk I gave on the last night of our pastor's conference. Our conference theme this year was The Joys and Trials of a Great Commission Family - Lessons Along the Way.

     Because of the nature of some of the issues we were addressing - we decided not to record this year's conference. But here is the transcript of what I tried to communicate. If you read it, you will notice that I had all seven of my children contribute, but their messages are not here.

    Instead article # 142 captures a lot of what they tried to share that night.

    God bless you as you train your children, men.

    "We are losing our children. Research indicates that 70% of teens who are involved in a church youth group will stop attending church within two years of their high school graduation. Think about that statement. It addresses only teenagers who attend church and participate in the youth group. What does that suggest about those teens who may attend church but do not take part in the youth group, or who do not go to church at all?

    In a talk at Southwestern Seminary Josh McDowell noted that less than 1/3 of today's youth attend church. If he is right and 67% do not go to church and then we lose 70% of those who do, that means that within two years of finishing high school only 10% of young Americans will attend church.

    We are losing our youth."

    “Good parents give their children two things: one is roots, the other is wings.”

    Hodding Carter, a journalist, said this. But what about those roots and what about giving them their wings?

    I asked each of my seven children to write a paragraph or two on what we could have done better and what we might have gotten right, in releasing them out of high school.

    Here are their thoughts.

When You Wonder If They Will Make It On Their Own?

    I am still not sure why you let me move away from home. I am convinced that I was the most un-aware child that you ever raised. I still look back on how I thought things out, failed to look ahead, planned ahead, or did not. And I wonder how I made it as far as I have. But God worked out housing, school, and a job - and in those aspects I was thankful.

    But nothing could have prepared me for the loneliness that I felt...

     In all my travels, and whenever I thought of next summer's HSLT 2008, I have had one concern.  One thing that I have prayed about, over and over. 

     That God would encourage many fathers to believe that they could lead their own edition of a summer HSLT - right in their own backyards. That we could multiply our locations.

     I wrote a few times to some men and got on the phone a few times and I am tickled now to share that  Next summer we will be doing 3 HSLT's!   This is our plan . . . 

The War Against Your Soul -   Worldliness:  What is it?  How do you fight it?

     How do you write a paper on worldliness?  I have procrastinated for a long time in writing this one.  Why?  Because no one wakes up in the morning wanting to read about worldliness.  Or think about how worldly they might be.  Or how worldly they might have become, without recognizing it.

     It is an unpleasant subject to dwell on.

     The topic convicts us.  And conviction stops us and causes us to reflect and search our heart and look at our life.  When a Christian is asked to think about whether he has become worldly, often he resists and is defensive.  We do not appreciate the question, nor the questioner.

     As I said, worldliness is an unpleasant topic. 

     Thanks to statistical research produced by LifeWay, Southern Baptists are waking up to the reality that we are not passing down the Christian faith to our children and grandchildren. Almost 90% of teens who profess Christ in an evangelical church will walk away from Christianity by the end of their freshman year of college.

     Do we need a complete overhaul on how we do youth work in our churches?  The author of this brief article argues for it.  And when I say “argue”, what I mean is that he persuades, pleads, and preaches this message with the passion of a prophet. You will either love or despise his message, but you will not walk away apathetic to his concerns and solutions.

     "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."      - Mark 10:43-45

     Thank you all, once again, for taking time out of your busy summer schedules to lead your youth to last week's HSLT Colorado 2007. 

     My prayer leading up to this conference was that there would be "Much searching of heart"  - among all of us.  I believe He answered.  I believe God helped. 

     I did teach quite a bit for a couple reasons.  In years past, I have usually only taught one session.  But this year I wanted to lay out what I think needs to be addressed, in one way or another, at every HSLT we ever do.   

     Tony Woodlief, an author and columnist, offers humor and insight on the inherent nature of all children - and all adults, for that matter.  This is from his opening:

     "While some mothers and fathers stubbornly cling to the utopian beliefs of their childless years, the vision of humans as inherently sinful and selfish resonates with many of us who are parents. Nobody who's stood between a toddler and the last cookie should still harbor a belief in the inherent virtue of mankind. An afternoon at the playground is apt to make one toss out the idealist Rousseau ("man is a compassionate and sensible being") in favor of the more realistic Hobbes ("all mankind [is in] a perpetual and restless desire for power").

     George Barna has released a new book on a familiar topic, based on an unusual research study that indicates that there are six critical dimensions involved in raising children to become spiritual champions.  

     After this article by George Barna, I have included a little, back and forth, email correspondence between Mark Darling and Steve Nelson.  The topic is intentional parenting. 

     Sounds like Barna’s book is a good one, but I thought it amusing.  Barna says it, and so the Christian world takes note.  We have been doing it, and few notice. But thank God there is One who does.

     For most, marriage is in the cards.  I want to talk to all you singles on the topic of “Preparing for your future family.”

     Someday, raising a godly family will prove to be an incredible challenge for each of you.  It will demand your very best effort.

     It’s also incredibly rewarding.  Thirty years ago, the leadership of this movement had no idea what a boon and what a blessing our marriages and our families would some day become. 

     It all worked out.  It all came true.  Beyond our wildest dreams." 

     All of us need personal roadmaps, guideposts when we first start to follow our Savior.  New believers need a starting point for their spiritual journey. 

     What follows is the roadmap God gave us thirty years ago, when we were first getting going.  We were desperate to have a plan, a method.  And we were looking for a plan - from God Himself. 

     If He showed us a way to understand the New Testament, we promised each other and our Savior that we would follow it and do it together - for the rest of our lives. 

     We wanted to follow God and make disciples.  We were searching for direction that would be true for all of us and each of us.  And the answers we were looking for welded us together as a movement of men and women and churches. 

    Barb McCotter, wife of Jim McCotter, and mother of seven children, wrote the following article. These two dear Christians were both very involved in the Great Commission movement of churches, in the early days.

     We owe them a debt of gratitude – not only for their lives and example, but for their great service, words and instruction.   I think you will enjoy this article by Barb, lifted from an old issue of “the Cause,” a magazine that we used to publish for our people in the 1980’s.

    In it Barb talks about training her children.

     The following was put together by the pastors of Covenant Life, a church out of Gaithersburg, Maryland.  We knew some of these guys when we were there in Maryland and we appreciated their example.  I believe J. Harris, C. J. and Bob Kauflin are a couple of their current pastors.  This church practices plurality and what these elders have put together in this doc is very sobering and challenging.

     May we all be very careful and very diligent to not drift and wind up loving this world and the things in it.  And if we need to change some things in our lives – let’s get after it!

Biblical Verses
and Principles  Concerning Relationships between Men and Women For Those Who are Disciples
of Christ.

    This is an indepth article on men and women.  John Meyer has done an excellent job and he begins his paper with the following words.

    "In 1977, as a freshman in college, I became a Christian through members of what is now the Great Commission Association.  My salvation and discipleship through that body of believers stamped my life with several convictions that were truly life-changing. One that had great impact on my years of singlehood came from seeing a Biblical pattern of relationship for men and women working together for God’s purpose.  Though not often specifically taught, it was lived as a natural outflow of a life committed to the Great Commission. . . . I believe I experienced a fellowship of the saints that many young Christians never discover.  That experience has become one of the treasures of my life."

     A good friend and fellow dad, put together this excellent article on recreational dating.  Perry Paulding has worked for 25 years with college campus ministry and knows that finding a mate remains the dominant concern of young adults.  But we go about it all wrong here in America.  Perry has ten good points to chew on and I think his paper
will be used in many, many circles. 

     Here are some "cliff notes" from an excellent book I have been reading by Mark DeVries. 

     C.S. Lewis wrote in The Problem of Pain, “I take a very low view of climates of opinion.  In his own subject every man knows that all discoveries are made and all errors corrected by those who ignore the climate of opinion.” 

     DeVries ignores our current climate of opinion where we have segmented our youth away from parents - and instead looks at how we
can bring them back together.  

     Here is an example of what he writes: "We can find the primary cause of the current crisis in youth ministry in the ways that our culture and our churches have systematically isolated young people from the very relation- ships that are most likely to lead them to maturity."

     We must bridge the gap between our generations!

     "Dear Lord," Cary Leslie is saying for the sixth time since waking up at 3:45 a.m. to go to work. He has prayed for strength not to hit the snooze button on the alarm clock. He has prayed for a safe day for his wife and three children. He has prayed for patience with the foul-tempered customers he deals with at the car-rental counter. He has prayed for a job that will pay enough for a struggling family of five to keep up with the bills. And now, with the election decided, he is thanking God for listening to his prayers.

     Here are twelve good articles from this web site, all focused on dads leading out with our youth, in the local church.  These twelve short articles talk about dads envisioning, challenging, training, and then confidently releasing our teens.

    He is remembered as one of the most influential men of his day—a man celebrated for his wit, humor, and great political achievements. But it was his approach to his family that got the attention of the British public.

     William Wilberforce is remembered as the Christian leader and parliamentarian most responsible for ending the British slave trade and for reforming the morals of British society.

     But to the people of his own generation, he was the man who changed the way the British viewed their role as parents. He’s an example of the priorities every father—even busy political fathers—ought to have.

     This reprint of a Moody magazine article by John Thomas from over twenty years ago is not just sobering.  It frightens.  And will cause everyone of us men to pause, and think quite carefully about the people that we love.

     In tens of thousands of evangelical churches it is the accepted norm, when a young man says that he would like to help out with the local youth, to buy him a subscription to Youthworker magazine, and wish him well.

     For almost 40 years youth work in many Bible churches has been handled, by and large, by the eager 23 year old.  And parents sat back
and hoped for the best. 

     But now, those same thousands of youth workers and Youthworker magazine itself are questioning this whole approach. They are recognizing that we need the intentional involvement of fathers and dads. 

    This is one of my favorite pieces of poetry.  If you do not yet know the Lord as your personal Savior, these verses will unnerve you.  If you are angry, sullen or vexed with God, these words will humble you.  If you are tempted to resist, this poem will cause you to pause.  And if you have a son or daughter who is a prodigal, this classic piece will deeply encourage you.

     I looked him right back in the eye and said, "Yes, you can, partner!  Don't you ever doubt it! You are now on the right track.  You can win with those boys.  You believe me!"

     And he did."

Tough Talk about Teen Ministry

     Josh McDowell, who has probably spoken to more college students about Christ than any other man alive, is simply adamant about this.  “I would fire all of the church youth pastors in this country,” he said.  “Form a dads committee.  Then rehire those same youth pastors to work for the dads.  And help train and equip our youth, under the fathers’ guidance and supervision.”

    I would encourage you men to prayerfully read through this six-page article and ask yourself just what God would have you do.

This is an older book.  Only eighty pages long.  But it is an amazing description of young men attempting to do great things for God.  This book is filled with great stuff.  Incredible testimonies of heroic men. It is worth your time to print it off and read through the whole thing. (~300 kb)

"So we gave and gave and lived on a shoestring and yet never lacked. It was really a slam-dunk and a fairly easy thing to do and an easy way to live.

But a few years later something changed. We had a baby!

And now I had to begin to think about my responsibilities of being a good provider and planning ahead and maybe being a little more prudent, etc.
At this time, with a brand new, four-month-old son, God taught me a lesson concerning money that I have never forgotten."

"Do you know why children misbehave?   We have to recognize that sometimes our children misbehave because their characters are flawed just like ours, and it's our job as parents to help them to recognize, and guard against, the flaws." 

    "The "experts" may not want to talk about anything as unfashionable
as the idea of a child having a flawed heart." 

     Betsy Hart, in this excellent column lays out what Kansas State University, the University of Minnesota, and other experts feel are the causes. 

     Then she shares the truth

Once in awhile, not too often, but once in awhile, we might be called upon to write our children and coach them - from a distance.  I usually don't
write a kid a letter this long, but my college freshman had expressed some concerns that he didn't have enough to offer some of the guys he has been working with.  The topic is discipling others.   

A father and his daughter is a very interesting relationship.  It might seem so much clearer with a boy.  Oftentimes we wonder how strong we should be with our girls.  They are, "Sugar and spice and all things nice," so when and how can you strongly challenge them?  Here is an excellent story
from the New York Times, on how one dad did it. 

At the recent Faithwalkers conference Tom Short exhorted us all to dream.  He asked us, “Just what are you dreaming?  Are we dreaming big dreams? Dreams that will honor God?”     

     Dads need to dream.  Dads need to have big dreams.  Dreams that make our wives and kids just a little afraid, and just a little excited.  Our kids need to feel, deep down in their soul, that they are part of a family that is involved in great things.  Great dreams start with us – dads! 

     Let me tell you about a father who had a dream.  I heard his story awhile back and recently asked him to write it down, to encourage every one of us to keep on dreaming.  And to not be swayed from our dreams.  

The following describes what has been accomplished in Iraq, since we liberated the country from that despot.  As men we are all involved in building.  As Christian men, we hate grumbling and long to see progress.

     What the United States has built into that country, the progress we have seen happen there, in Iraq, is very encouraging.  This article was written by Lt. Col. Scot S. Seitz, on Monday, December 1, 2003

Sometimes dads just have to "grab the reins" and carve out time for our families to take action in the Gospel.  Here is a great opportunity for every dad to lead their wife and kids in a simple step that might reap eternal rewards.  And it involves one of my favorite actors  - Mel Gibson !  

A while back a fellow dad came up to me and asked, “Rick, how do I
know if I have my boy’s heart?”  He was probably thinking about the Proverb.  The one where we might tell our offspring, “Give me your heart, my son.” 

            And whether we actually tell our children this or not, we are
always wondering - Do we have their heart?  It is an honest, anxious kind of question.  Often we might be a little haunted to think about this proverb.  Because we wonder. .

In chapter six of his classic book Mere Christianity, Lewis wrote: "Something else, even more unpopular remains to be dealt with. Christian wives promise to obey their husbands. And in Christian marriage the man is said to be the "head." Two questions obviously arise here.
     1. Why should there be a head at all - why not equality?
     2. Why should it be the man?"
     Here is what C.S. Lewis wrote and his words are still very much apropos today.

My sixteen year old nephew, Jacob, wrote the following poignant story of seeing his cousin killed, right before his eyes.  It is a story of faith.  It is faith-building and  Jacob has shown amazing courage.  His story is an excellent presentation of the gospel.  

Anxiety and fears for our kids remains a great issue in our communities and non Christians still tend to look to the church for answers.  Here are several action points to help you prepare for your upcoming seminar.  Some are simple, practical things to consider and some deal with the
spirit of these seminars.  We have had the privilege of speaking in over sixty churches and delivering these talks and believe that they have been used by God to encourage hearts and to encourage willpower in parents, across this country.  Here they are:

If we are hoping to "light some fires and kick some tires"  in the hearts of our dads to be more involved in the spiritual instruction of our youth, then we had better equip them.  If we are going to encourage dads to teach, then we ought to provide these kinds of good, practical helps and youth curriculums for them to use.  Here are some of the best that I have seen used in a number of churches here in the Northwest. 

All fathers can be intimidated when they think of speaking to our youth.  I am not talking about a certain kind of gift mixed that we might fear is required for youth ministry.  All fathers can teach their children.  And must!  Usually fathers are the first to notice those great, big, character weaknesses that represent over 90% of what a teen needs to be paying attention to, if they are ever going to grow up in Christ.  This article is a kick in the butt, to get involved !

Probably the most difficult thing a father could imagine is the loss of one
of his children.  To bury a child - this has to be the most incredibly difficult challenge that God would ever place before a dad.  My own brother faced this challenge and God has helped him.  If you would like to know how a Christian father can bury a son, I would invite you to look at this article.  Rodd and Melissa have taught us all.

Every time I have heard Zig Ziglar speak, he has blessed me.  So when this article came across my desk, we immediately wanted to make it available.
       Here is an excerpt from this short letter to his son - "As you know, I do not believe in the "double standard" and am appalled at the thought
that some parents are of the opinion that it's permissible for their sons to get involved in premarital sex but not right for their daughters. Of course, the Bible says that marriage is the only condition where sex is permitted.
      As you might recall, I pointed out that it was definitely best for you
and for her to be very careful in your relationship. I specifically shared with you the belief that premarital sex was not in the best interests of either of you.
       There are many reasons for this besides the fact that God says "no."
There are practical reasons, Son, and I would like to cover a few. . . " 

Ryane is a member of The Rock in Fort Collins.  This is her story.
       "When I was five years old my parents divorced. Divorce is such a common word in our society today that I feel like people have forgotten how tragic it can be for both parents and children. I carried the pain and memories from my childhood all the way into my teenage years and spiraled into a life of self-destruction. When my father's military career led us to Ankara, Turkey, on an assignment that would last through my high school years, trouble was soon in coming. I was an angry teen who carried her emotions on her sleeve. I was blunt, tactless, and down right rude at times. What did I owe anyone? The world had given me nothing but pain."

The publishers have graciously allowed us to post this excellent article here on our web site.  This is a very good booklet, one I have handed out by the hundreds for over thirty years.  Here is a quote from the forward, "Whatever lessons we learned were never intended to gain power over our children in order to manipulate or control their lives.  The home must become that place where a child knows throughout his life that he will always find unconditional support, love and forgiveness."

89

"Queen Victoria of England, while pinning England's highest award on a foreigner, asked Helen Keller, "How do you account for your remarkable accomplishments in life?  How do you explain the fact that even though you were both blind and deaf, you were able to accomplish so much?"  In this article, read her answer, and never lose heart.

88

An excellent article by Dr. Edward Burgess.  Here is a portion -  "Johann von Goethe, poet and dramatist observed, "I read all kinds of books, but the Bible stands alone because it reads me."  The renowned Mark Twain admitted, "Most people are bothered by the passages of Scripture which they cannot understand, but for me, I am troubled by the passages that I do understand."

87

Do you know where you're going?

This brief paper was written by Billy Graham, one of the greatest evangelists in the history of God's church.  Here is a portion of his text. "We are each on a road, a highway.  It's a journey of life.  And we're seeking guidance.  Everywhere you look in newspapers, in magazines
and on television you see people searching for guidance--guidance in relationships, guidance in social problems, home problems, financial problems.  We are looking for a map." 

86

Breathing in Mercy

A mother went to the Emperor Napoleon to ask for mercy for her son. 
He had committed some breach of the French law.  The emperor replied, "Madam, this is the second time the boy has offended. "Justice requires that he should die."

85

The Dash

A very good preacher named Crawford Loritts was once invited to a week-long, middle of the summer, revival tent meeting held in a field near a little town in western Iowa - many years ago.  God used him to touch my family.  I think he was the only black man in that whole county that week. Here is a short piece by him about "the dash" in every one of our lives.

84

Choose to Believe the Best

"In the tent, the doctor mixed the potion and handed the cup to Alexander to drink.  At that very moment a soldier burst into the tent with a letter
from Alexander's top military captain who was out serving with the soldiers at the front line. The note said that Alexander's doctor was involved in a plot to assassinate him by poison! The doctor didn't know what the note said. . . "

83

Just Changing Pastures

The oil painting was of a wide river lined on both sides by cottonwoods. There was a violent summer thunderstorm going on. The wind was
viciously whipping the trees back and forth. Black clouds were boiling
down over the river, with jagged lightning forking the sky. And in the center of the river, buffeted by the howling wind and waves, was a cattle barge of all things. . .

82

Moving Out of the Doldrums

I am told that real pearls must be often worn, to remain lustrous.  If they are stored away for long periods of time their glow begins to fade.  Pearls must have regular contact with human skin to remain attractive.  Unused pearls grow dull. 
What a perfect illustration for the proper use of our faith.  Faith needs to
be used, not left on the mantle like some dusty, old trophy.

81

Joshua's Greatest Trait

Oftentimes we think that something is amiss if we aren't in charge, if we aren't calling the shots.  We think that we aren't growing in leadership if
we aren't always the leader. Look more closely at your own situation and you might find as Joshua found out, that you are growing in leadership as you learn to follow the men that God has put over you.

80

Seeing God While at Work

Howard Hendricks has said that, "The three greatest days in a man's life are the day he is born, the day he is born-again, and the day he comes to grips with why he was born and born-again."
And fundamental to understanding why we were born and born-again, is to know how our work fits into His eternal purpose for our lives.

79

Still A Learner?  Brother?

"Therefore take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him shall more
be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has, shall
be taken away from him."  - Luke 8:18
       In John Wesley's churches, the early Methodists had an unusual
habit when they met together.  What they did seems ordinary today, but
in those days it was very shocking to the clergy of England. . .  

Do They Hear Us Gladly?

"When I was younger, my Mom once asked me why I sounded so angry
all the time. She said that I sounded like I had a chip on my shoulder, even when I was talking about  my faith.  She wondered why I was so annoyed, about life.  I was humbled and a little ashamed by her observation.  Sometimes as dads, we think that our primary mission in
life is to always point out what's wrong with this world." 

Remember, God is in Charge of the Harvest

Who are we praying for and asking our Lord to save? Have we given up on someone? God is not intimidated by men or women that are even 70
years of age. They can be 90 or 100. God has been around a lot longer
and He knows how to get thru and speak to a tough, old heart and make it new again.  Don't give up, Christian! Even if you need to pray for fifty years!

Walt's Own Heart

"Every parent desires that their children go on in the faith.  We are happy when we know that they have embraced Christianity with their whole heart.  The only way this can be accomplished is through the careful cultivation of our own hearts - as fathers.  Kids can read our hearts.  We can not guide them, where we have not gone.  We can not give them, what we do not have." 

I Remember Grandma

For fifty years Grandpa and Grandma not only lived together as man and wife, but she worked closely beside him all day in their "mom and pop" grocery store.  It was a warren of activity for the neighborhood.
                     "All that troubles us, is but for a moment.
                       All that pleases us, is but for a moment.
                      That only is important, which is eternal."

Blessing or Burden?

Remember that old, Doonesbury cartoon where the boy has just graduated from college and is not especially eager to get a job?  His dad meets him with a three-foot-long, detailed bill of the total, running cost to raise him for the previous 21 years.  The father looks older and a little tired and just a little exasperated.  The bill is for almost $400,000.00!
       The young man looks down the long list of carefully recorded expenses, then raises his eyes and asks, "Pop, will you take a check?"

Parenting Fit For A King

There may be more verses in the Bible on parenting than we might think.  Ruling a country and parenting may not be that different.  They have very similar challenges.  Written by Jay Yousling, this paper looks at seven parenting principles taken from Proverbs 29 that will help rule countries
and run homes.  An excellent resource for raising up future princes and princesses.  (2 Meg in size)

How Another Dad Stood By Me

"If it is stolen, Rick, you would be once again, on foot."  I thought about what he said, but never changed my ways and sure enough, one afternoon I propped that old bike right outside the campus bookstore, without locking it up, to quick run inside for a purchase.  It was surrounded by shining, new, ten-speeds, as it always was, and I was sure it would be overlooked by any larcenous eyes that might be hanging around.  
       It wasn't. I ran back out and it was gone!

Smile, Dad! We're Watching

I cannot remember the person who said, "God's greatest Christians have always been the merriest-hearted," - but I believe it!  You can't communicate what you don't have.  Our message as fathers to our families must be faith-filled, joyful, and chock-full of light.  Sometimes I think we imagine that our message as dads should be one of doom and sacrifice.  And we then wonder why so few of them respond to it?  Or even want to
be with us?

Don't Miss the Spirit

At a commencement exercise a few years ago, a student who was graduating with honors, leaned over the microphone as he was awarded
his diploma and said, "I came here to find some purpose in life.  I have learned nothing to this end."  Then he tore up his diploma and walked away.  A mental health survey done on several Midwestern college campuses came up with the following statistic:  78 percent of the more than 8,000 students surveyed said that the most important problem they face is "Finding purpose and meaning to life."

Morning Breath and a Fresh Marriage

And last but not least, if you still feel that you are missing out on the ultimate in a great marriage, and you feel that marriage has to be more than fresh breath and dry underarms, you may be a good candidate for my Sure-Fire, Never-Fail, Often-Overlooked, Top-Secret Ingredient for a Truly, Happy Marriage. 

Counsel for a Newly Commissioned Officer

When you asked me if I would write down one of the main lessons I have learned over the years, as a pastor, I did not hesitate. You asked that if I had to do it all over again - would I change anything?  Yes.  Here is my
one thought.

Fence Posts and Young Men

"I slapped the fence post. Maybe it was my chance to get even for all of the sweat and aching muscles that corner post had caused. And maybe a little left over resentment towards dad.  But still it bit me back.  The vibration from my slap seemed to run from my hand, up my arm, and all the way down to my toes. That old post was still as solidly set as the day
it was first tamped down."

In the Bible there are over 280 direct references to sheep and many
related passages and almost three-quarters of these passages are figurative. The Lord has used this topic of sheep hundreds of times to
teach us.
       So whether you care much about the creatures or not, there is a lot we can learn.  Remember, David was taken from the sheepfolds to shepherd Israel after he had learned these same kind of principles. (Ps. 78:70-72)

"To your face I talk to you with utter frankness; behind your back I talk about you with deepest pride."  - 2 Cor. 7:4  Is there always honesty? 
Men can handle the honest truth.  Christian men filled with the Spirit, that is. 
       Jack Nicholson in that famous movie scene snarled,  "You can't handle the truth!"  But I think his statement has no place between two Christian brothers.  We can handle the truth.  And it is the only right way to speak to one another. 

Here are three: 1. My kids frequently push and hit each other.  How much should I get involved or just let them 'work it out themselves' ?  2. Our two-year-old gets a lot of attention from the whole family. Seldom does it seem to be enough.  He often does destructive things when he doesn't get enough attention. What should we do?  3. There are times I discipline my kids when I am angry.  I yell at them and scold and nag them.  My parents did this all the time and I hate it.  What should I do?
As an added bonus, we have some great cartoons included !

How to Raise Confident, Beautiful Daughters

The other day my senior in college told me that I ought to write an article on how to raise courageous, beautiful daughters.  We were driving to some place, and I suggested that she write out what exactly she meant.  So she did! 
Here are her thoughts and basically - here's the article.  Thanks, princess.

I think the following will encourage you.  It talks about John Wayne's story, his testimony, his decision for Christ.  I read it the other day in one of my Ag magazines.  I was so blessed and encouraged by it that I wanted to give his story a wider audience.  The author was a Hollywood stunt man who worked alongside "the Duke."  "But as many as received Him, to
them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." - John 1:12

Making choices is a big part of the thrill of living.  I don't hold much to a wishy-washy attitude towards whatever life throws at you.  Because life doesn't really throw anything at us.  It is God who is doing the pitching, and what He likes to throw are 'choices'.  I have heard Christians say, "Well, whatever will be, will be. God is in charge."  They say this in an almost fatalistic tone.  What will really be is what we choose. 

Does a deep-seated, free and easy, God-motivated confidence, shape
your entire outlook on life?  Are we fierce in courage?  It sounds almost hard to relate to.  Let's put it another way.  Does fear or concern or anxiety daily enter into our decision-making processes, our thoughts, our dreams of the future? This world needs men of courage.  Men who know what they believe and are willing to stand up for it. 

"Behold, the Lord's hand it not so short that it cannot save, neither is His ear so dull, that it cannot hear."- Isaiah 59:1   It was the middle of July, very hot and very dry, and it was time to vaccinate and brand all the calves.  So one morning, with some of us in pickups and most of us riding horses, we drove all 600 cows, with their 600 calves trailing at their sides, down towards the working corrals near the watering tanks at the bottom of the section of pasture land...

A humorous piece, originally printed in The Atlantic Monthly.  The two-page article concerns a father, his young children, mealtimes and his many and sore vexations.  Biblical, King James in style.  I laughed out loud, as I think you will.

I think I have been blessed by God in that I found a "hard-headed", woman - thirty years ago.  And she agreed to marry me!  She