Book Review - Our Home is like a Little Church

I recently ran across a wonderful "new" resource for homes with young children desires to be a Faith@Home family.  They folks at Sojourn Community Church Kid's Ministry were kind enough to send me a copy of the book to review.

This book, "Our Home is Like a Little Church," is a children's book that tells the story of how "Pastor Dad" leads a family in passing on Faith to his kids.  It's a rhyming book - which kids TOTALLY dig - and has some great visuals to go with it!  I briefly showed it to a couple of families here at church and they immediately said they wanted one.  I read it my kids a couple of nights ago and they loved it as well.

This resource speaks the truth of God's word that our homes is where we are to live out our faith 24/7 - and not just as a 1 hour Christian on Sunday mornings.  The home is the front line of battle to win the hearts and lives of children - a war we are fighting against the powers of Hell and Satan.  Will you stand and fight against the tide of seeing young people walk away from the church?  I highly recommend getting this book NOW so we don't loose anymore of our kids!

New Resource: Faith Begins @ Home Dad

I will be reviewing a series of books by Mark and Maria Holmen from the Faith Begins @ Home Movement.  Here's the first one!

OK Men, it's time for a little 'man-to-man' talk!  Let me ask you a couple of questions:

• What is the most important thing you want to pass on to your children?
• What do you think when you hear that your child's faith will be a mirror image of your faith?
• What are you willing to do so that your, your children and grandchildren will one day enter eternal life in Heaven?

These are just some of the hard hitting questions Mark Holmen address in this new resource:  Faith Begins @ Home Dad.   This book will convict and inspire you to truly change the way you live your life and the priorities you have set up.  I found myself saying, "OUCH!" several times as I read through the first few chapters.  A short read, one that packs a powerful punch, you can finish it likely in just a few hours.  Even for people like me who fall asleep when they read!!!  

Challenge to Our Priorities

Mark lays out a clear challenge to the things dad often prioritize for our kids.  We all want various things for our children, not the least of which is a strong faith in Jesus; but do we act like faith matters?  "Here's the deal, dad:  You can raise your children to be a Cubs fan, a soccer star, an avid hunter, a straight A student or a successful business leader, but if they end up spending eternity in hell, will you be proud of what you did?"  Yup, that one hurt!

Challenge to Obey

Instead of asking WWJD - What would Jesus Do - the real question is WWJHYD - What would Jesus have YOU do?  When someone "gives you the bird" on the expressway, WWJHYD?  When you're on a trip alone in a hotel room, and pornography abounds, WWJHYD?  When you haven't read the Bible in a week but it's opening day of Tiger baseball, WWJHYD?  Men, are we living in obedience to God's Word?  

Challenge to Choose then Commit

"At the end of the day it comes down to a choice.  You have to choose whom you are going to serve. It is an unavoidable choice."  Left alone, children will NOT follow God - it is part of our fallen nature.  As parents, we have to intentionally show our children how to live for God.  No choice is STILL a choice - it's a choice to NOT follow Him.  

We must commit to spending time with Jesus and then passing that story down to our children.  Can we be as committed to our raising Godly children as much as we are committed to our favorite sports team?  Can we be committed to following Jesus even when "times are tough."  

Your Influence

Now the good news!  You still have the chance to turn things around!!!  Men, you have the 2nd most influential position in your child's spiritual development - 2nd only to your wife!  You exert more influence than pastors, sport figures, youth group, youth sponsors, and (believe it or not) well above their friends!  Are you ready to stand and fight for your kids to escape an eternity of fire and pain?  Are you ready to fight for your kids against the powers and schemes of Darkness?  It's time to take a STAND!!!

His, Dean Butterfield

I Hate People!

Ahhhh, got your attention, didn't I.

This is a title of a book I heard about on my way to work this morning. It also has a corresponding website. The interview I heard on the radio was from one of the authors discussing some of the elements of the book. Briefly, it lists out 10 types of personalities that exist in the workplace and how to best interact with them. For instance, "Stop Sign" is someone who puts the kabosh on any and all creative ideas or thoughts - saying things like "I think you've had enough fun" or "You'll put an eye out with that thing."

There are dozens of books out there on this kind of topic; that is, how to relate to the differnet types of people in your work/school/family/world....

What makes this one interesting is that the authors chose the title for thier book, "I Hate People." There is an implication here that I don't agree with, nor do I think it is Biblical - that implied idea is that "I HATE the poeple who are not like me!" Think of it, why would "Stop Sign" bother you? Why would "Spreadsheet" bug you? The issues they would bring up are ones to be dealt with in business, ministry or life... We "hate" them because they are not like us, and whatever type WE may be. Afterall, all of us is one type or another, right? What if YOU are Mr. or Mrs. "Smiley Face?"

God's Word tells us something very different: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves" (Phil. 2:3). We are to put the needs of others before our own! I could go on, but you get the point.

In the way of recommending a good book on dealing with personality types, especially those in your church or business, check out "5 Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni. Great book that helps us all realize what we bring, and don't bring, to the table.

Til next time, Dean

The Purpose of Christmas

Well, it's closing in on us again - Christmas. This time of year brings about many emotions for people depenging on where one is in their life. Rick Warren of Saddleback Church and of "Purpose Driven Life" fame was recently on The Today Show.

He has also recently released a book "The Purpose of Christmas." Thought you might be interested in these.

Dean

Just finished

I just finished reading this book by Dr. Voddie Baucham, Jr., called Family Driven Faith. I was convicted, enlightened but also a little disgruntled with the book. I agree with mostly everything he had to say, mostly because he certainly covers the Biblical basis for his arguments.

Some of what he covers in this book includes:

• Amount of time families pour into sports vs. church and family life
• Biblical worldview and why it is important
• Multigenerational faith—passing down Christianity
• Priority of good marriages
• Parents being the main teachers of their children
• Homeschooling
• Biblical manhood and womanhood
• Stay-at-home moms—importance of motherhood
• Failure of modern day youth ministry
• Emerging Church
• Family Integrated Churches
• Qualifications of a man to be in ministry

I would encourage all of you to get your hands on a copy to read. Dads, I especially recommend this for you, and begin to implement some of his ideas.

Let me know if you decide to get it and read it, I would love to start a dialouge about it.

Blessings, Dean