Welcome to our first post on Family Blog.
You know that the family may be the #1 battlefield in the world. What is intended by God to be a refuge - a place of rest - has become instead the harbor of anger, strife, competition, mistrust, and revenge. The home today is a deadly place. People tell me often that their home is the last place they want to be. How can that be?
I believe that there are three primary reasons for this:
1. There is no leadership in most homes. Husbands fail to provide spiritual leadership, and wives either will not or can not take up the slack. When men become men of God and provide the godly leadership that God expects, families will be wandering aimlessly with no sense of purpose.
2. Most families have lost the traditional values that grow out of the Word of God. When fathers and mothers do not place a high value on the Word of God, children will grow up thinking life is all about themselves. There has to be a return to learning God's values and living them for the Lord's honor.
3. We are a selfish generation. We view life as a pursuit of pleasure and personal satisfaction, with everyone else our competitors. We don't care what others want; we simple pursue what we want. Inevitably, family members will come into conflict, because their cravings will run counter to those of others.
"Family Blog" is an effort to bring healing to the family. We want to explore what God says about the family, and how we should apply those truths to today. We welcome your response. Share with us what God is showing you, what is working in your family, and past mistakes that you have learned from.
Until next time, for the family, I am Dale Travis.
This is a blog especially for the members of Family Life Church in Amarillo, Texas, but we welcome postings and comments from anyone who believes the Bible and wants to see the Lord honored in the family of today.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE PRAYERS WHILE MY HUSBAND AND I ARE ON THE ROAD WORKING,WE KNOW GODS PRESENCE IS WITH US THANK YOU. I WAS IN A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE IN JULY AND I KNOW THE LORD SAVIOR IS WHOM SAVED ME,HE IS WHY I AM STILL WITH MY FAMILY TODAY PRAISE THE LORD.
ReplyDeleteDales comments about the family are so true. The way I raised my children is certainly the biggest pain I felt after turning my life over to God. The images I saw of what my life and my child's lives could have been had I been a better spiritual leader in my family still humbles me today. I am now working on the future, my daughter is coming to church with me now and prayed FOR me the other day when I had struggles in my life. The way that one act touched my heart let me now know I am on the right track. Young fathers especially should heed this advice. Love to all and God Bless. Steve Russell
ReplyDeleteOk, is this a challenge or a blessing?
ReplyDeleteYou've been laid off, then 2 months later you find a job making 1/4 what you were making, then you loose your house and have to quit paying your credit card bills and health insurance because the money just doesn't go that far. On top of that you're a step-parent and your wife's kid doesn't respect you. And that's not anywhere near the worst of it. There are many things that are making my heart cold.
However, should I feel blessed because I do have a job and a wife and pretty much all teenagers are trying to spread their wings because that's how we taught them?
But why do I not feel blessed?
(Yes, I know there are many people out there without either families or jobs and I know you're worse off than me, and I shouldn't complain.)
But then - that's why they call this a blog. This is a good place to vent....
From an average guy with an average life trying to make his average way.
SOME DAYS YOU'RE THE STATUE, AND SOME DAYS YOU'RE THE PIGEON.
When men become men of God and provide the godly leadership that God expects, families will be wandering aimlessly with no sense of purpose.
ReplyDeleteI'm confused about that. Was that supposed to say When men are not men of god and provide the leadership then families will still be wandering around aimlessly? I'm sorry if I misunderstood, but I expect if Men become the men they should be, families would then gain a purpose, and all unite as one unit to serve God.
You are correct The post should say:
ReplyDelete"Unless men become men of God and provide the godly leadership that God expects, families will be wandering aimlessly with no sense of purpose."
-- Dale
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest regret in life is that I had not accepted the love and mercy that comes from having a relationship with Jesus until I was in my 40's. My child rearing days were past at that point and we had lived a life of chaos, anger and strife, acting out of pain and confusion to whatever situation arose. I am so thankful that my son, as a young adult, came to know Jesus as his Savior and then was able to tell me of this Jesus. At the age of 43 I also accepted Jesus as my Savior and my life was been forever changed. I have since been able to deal with family situations through the heart and eyes of God - seeing others as He does and then dealing with people and circumstances as He directs me, not through my own desires or just on emotions alone. Our home is no longer a place of discord, but is now a place of refuge. Knowing Jesus now, would I go back and change things if I could? Of course I would!!! Not all of my family are Christians yet, but, I am so very thankful for the peace that my spouse, son and myself have and for the guidance that we are able to offer to the rest of the family. We're going forward with Him.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what has been said. I am having some troubles in my family and is having a hard time on what the right thing to do is. So if anyone has any advice I would truly apprectiate it. I am putting all my faith in the Lord. I know he will point me in the right direction. Thank You! God Bless!
ReplyDeleteThis post is written for the challenged or blessed? gentleman. I want you to know YOU ARE BLESSED. I have been in plenty situations where I feel as if I am being challenged and cannot feel any blessings in my life, but everytime by either my own realization or someone telling me I have learned that I have more in my life that is a blessing than not. For example, you wake up breathing every morning, you do have a job, you do have a wife, and you do have a teenager (even if it is one that is rebelling) some people would be so happy to have that opportunity and cannot. I dont know the exact circumstances in your life but I would bet that if you sat down and truly thought about it you would probably find that your previous job was probably not what you wanted or just was taking it's toll on you in some way or another. Either way the best advice I can tell you is every morning when you wake up remind yourself first of all the positive things in your life, even the minor things, then move forward to thanking God for those things!! We always have reason to praise him we just sometimes have to search past our doubts to find it! A little saying that has always helped me is this: The WILL of God will NEVER take you where the GRACE of God cannot PROTECT you!! Keep your head up and look to God and everything will fall in it's place!
ReplyDeleteIf anyone has anything to add or if you think I have said something I shouldn't or said it incorrectly please add on to this!! Thanks!
D. Archuleta
You guys have added some great comments here. I want to emphasize 1 Peter 3:1. When everything is not what it should be in our homes, we can gripe, nag, argue, fight, etc., and while we may feel justified to do that we only make the situation worse. 1 Peter 3:1 says to focus on being what you should be, trusting that God will work on your spouse's heart and bring him where he should be. It is a partnership with Christ: we demonstrate godly behavior, God softens the heart of our spouse. It takes faith that God is working, and it takes patience. But the rewards are awesome!
ReplyDelete