9 Things - A Little Bit of My Story

This is a post I wrote for the Cory Center website, but thought it to be apropos for the Anchor Children's Ministry blog as well....

So, over the next 9 weeks or so I’ll be blogging about “9 Things I’ve Learned about Family Ministry” as a way to piggy back off of Ryan Frank’s new book, 9 Things They Didn’t Teach Me in College About Children’s Ministry.  I plan on focusing on various issues within the family ministry paradigm; things that I’ve along the way through my education at Bethel Seminary, reading of various family ministry resources and some of my own thoughts.  But, I’ll first start off with a little bit of my story…

9 Things I've Learned about Family Ministry

I grew up a pretty normal kid, going to church every week, going to public school from K through 12^th grade, went away to a private Christian college, got a job in the field of social work, got married, had a couple of kids, answered the call to ministry, started attending Seminary, had a few more kids and continued to expand from there.

So, why do I mention all that?  Well, to show that I’m just an average guy who’s trying to figure out how this whole family ministry idea fits within the framework we are to follow as Bible-believing Christians.  Our concern should not just be what the Bible says about it (though that certainly is MOST important) but also how do we encourage others to see what we see and follow what we follow – assuming we are striving to see and follow the right things – within God’s Word.  That’s what being a leader is all about…

So, as a leader, I take what I am learning and what God is teaching me, and attempt to share that with others in hopes to improve the current state of the church and it’s discipleship process.  And make no mistake, children’s & family ministry is certainly about discipleship; because parenting is about discipleship,  everything I do (or don’t do) with my kids should be aimed at teaching them to Love God and Love Others.  And because that responsibility falls on parents, everything we do as CFM leaders should be aimed at equipping THEM to fulfill that responsibility.

So over the next two months, here are the topics I’m going to cover:

• Just how important is it?
• Styles or Methods of Family Ministry
• List of resources, websites and leaders
• Should children worship with their parents?
• A picture of inter-generational faithfulness
• The Primary Plan for Evangelism & Discipleship
• The link between church & family
• Where will we go from here?

We would love to have you share your thoughts as we seek to delve into this topic of family ministry – hope you enjoy it.

Is Relevance Important?

If you run in any ministry leadership circles (which many of you do), you've likely heard the phrase or idea that the church must strive to be relevant to the world / community around it.  I wonder just how true that is....

On the one hand it seems to make sense Biblically:  "I have become all things to all people, that  by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings" (1 Cor. 9:22-23).  It also makes sense logically:  If we cannot relate to those around us, how do we expect to have a voice to speak into their lives?


However, here are some elements we should keep in mind:

1. What's relevant in one community is not relevant in another.  Think of ministering in rural Michigan vs. inner city Detroit...
2. How easy is it to compromise on elements of the gospel as we seek to be relevant?  Granted, a lot of church don't compromise, but many have and continue to do so.
3. The gospel - more specifically being the 'good news' to others - is ALWAYS relevant.  Let's focus on being the gospel in the flesh rather than figuring out how to make the message fit.
4. The idea of relevancy only entrenches the consumerist mentality within the church.  That is, "We need to meet the needs of everyone."  

I'm sure there are other points to make, but these are just intended to start the conversation...we need to strike a balance between the issues of being relevant, being real, being loving and seeking Christ in every aspect of life.

An Open Apology

Over the last few weeks the Lord has continued to reveal things in my life that are not honoring or glorifying Him.  Some of these has been family related, but some of this has been ministry related.  I balance many roles in my life: Husband, father, Children's Ministry Pastor, leader, follower, servant, and so on...  There are certain areas that I am better at than others and the Lord is bringing me along in the areas in which I fall short.

This may came as no shock to you, but at times my personality can come on pretty strong.  There are times when I want people to value the same things I value; to believe the same things I believe; to think the same way I think.  Of course, I think we all have similar thoughts within us - namely when it comes to our kids - and we do a lot of things to strive to make that happen.  But....

I owe you an apology!  Because no matter how we qualify our actions, there are times where we have acted unjustly and sinfully.  I'm intentionally leaving this vague as details are not the issue.  The issue is the heart, a love of God's people, and my desire to live out God's Word in Romans 12:18: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."  So, for what it's worth...I have offended some of you - I was wrong - and I am sorry.


His, Dean

PS - Feel free to leave a comment if you've ever been in a position where you needed to apologize.  I'm sure we've all been there.

A breakthrough I Didn't Know Was Needed

Ever have one of those moments that you didn't see coming at ya?  Tonight was one of those nights for me...

We recently started having intentional Family Worship times as a way to pass on faith to our kids.  Tonight, we used the Family Reading Bible and read through the story of Cain and Abel.  We talked about why Cain's offering wasn't acceptable and why Cain killed his brother.  I noticed my oldest, Isaac, was a little red eyed the entire time - something I attributed to the fact he had gotten into trouble before worship time for talking back.  I even asked him if he was all right...

When I mentioned that Jesus said even if we think hateful things in our head / heart it's the same thing as actually committed the act, Isaac said, "OK, I'm sorry - I have thought that about you.  I hated you."  He was talking to me!!  He told me that he has "wanted me gone" for a little more than two years now.  I did not see that coming - AND IT BROKE MY HEART!!

I gave him a hug, told him I love him - and confessed my own sin.  I had often been angry and shown that to him. While I've never gone off the deep end with my kids, I was most certainly being too hard on my kids.  I had NO idea Isaac thought this of me; moreover, I'm the Children's Pastor and yet one of my own children hated me (at least according to what he told me tonight).

Fathers, it's time to figure out just what our kids think of us!  It is not enough to just discipline our kids, we must show them they are LOVED above all us first.   The good news:  it's never too late!  Fathers, don't go another day without knowing for sure your kids are willing to hear your instruction.  Fast forward 30 years from now: what do you hope your son will say about his relationship with you?  Will he make it a priority?

This is the just the beginning for Isaac and I...

A little Straw Poll

This is a non-binding straw poll:


 

Visionary Parenting Conference

I cannot fully express how excited I am to announce (again) of an exciting opportunity for parents to attend a conference next February!  Dr. Rob Rienow is a gifted communicator and loving husband & father - you won't want to miss this!  Here is a brochure with all the information on it:

Visionary Parenting Seminar Brochure

Be on the lookout for more information as the time approaches!

A Better Way

OK, so I've gotta get something off my chest - so allow me to vent for a brief moment!

What's up with the "in a relationship" statuses on Facebook?  I see tons (and I do mean tons) of young people's "relationship status" changing almost daily!  Going from single, to "in a relationship," to "it's complicated" all in a week's time!  Young people, take it from someone who's been there (albeit a loooong time ago):  THERE IS A BETTER WAY."

I realize that as God-created humans we have a need to be relationships - even ones with those of the opposite sex.  But I think we've gotten this whole relationship & dating thing all messed up!  Teens:  God doesn't want you to waste sooo much time on some random boy or girl, trying to "define" the relationship, then letting everyone know about it (through Facebook or otherwise).....He wants you to focus on the things that matter:  Loving Him, THEN loving others!  There is so much you have yet to experience, memories to be made - but you are so focused on the present you cannot see it, yet!

Parents:  help your teenage sons and daughters understand that being "in a relationship" is not the epitome of the teenage existence!!!  There is much that God has in store for your child/children - encourage them to spend time on that!  Help them understand that all that relationship "stuff" will work itself out as we follow Him.  Dads, let your daughters know they don't need to seek the approval from anyone other than you and their Heavenly Father.  Moms, let your sons know you love them unconditionally no matter what!

When I was in high school and even college, I spent an incredible amount of time trying to figure out who I could "go out" with or who would be my girlfriend.  It was a waste of time!!!  Instead, 5 months after finally deciding I would "Kiss Dating Goodbye" I met the love of my life.  She will even tell you that the first thing out of my mouth after meeting her was "Hi, my name is Dean and I'm NOT interested in a relationship."  That turned out to be a challenge for her - and she won!!!!

OK, I'm done with that rant!  Thanks for listening!

To what are we called to be?

If I believe there is a God, and if I believe that God has His hand in creating and running things on this planet, but what would His desire be for my life?  For what purpose do I exist?  Well, we may have not got that answer figured out completely yet, but I would venture to say there a place we can go to help us.....

• "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..." - 1 Peter 2:9
• Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  - Romans 12:2
• Since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  - 1 Peter 1:16
• We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.  - Romans 6:6

There are lots of versus in God's Word that point to how we are supposed to be "different."  Different than the world around us.  Different than those who don't have the Spirit living within them.  Different than those we run into every day.  But if you look around, can you tell if someone is a Christ-follower?

We hear a lot of talk today about "Being Culturally Relevant" - a phrase common in modern & emergent churches.  It's another way of saying we are to be "in the world, but not of the world."  But did you know that phrase is not anywhere in the Bible?  It's not.....search for it!  Furthermore, the Greek word is cosmos, and is most often referred to the place where Satan reigns.  We are to be physically present in this cosmos, but not follow its values.  

So I'll ask a different question:  Are we called to be 'relevant' or to be 'set-apart?'  Because I don't think we can be both!  I believe that we are to "be Holy as God is Holy."  And, as we are growing Holy, that gives us the opportunity to be light in the darkness and to be "inf the world, but not of it."

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!

Family Worship Guide

A Family Pastor, Rob Rienow from Wheaton Bible Church and Visionary Parenting, has put together Family Worship Guide to help families conduct some Worship events in their own homes.  This guide coincides which what is traditionally known as Ascension Week - the time when Jesus rose to Heaven and commissioned the Disciples.  Thought I would pass it along to you!
Family Worship Guide From VP

Blessing of Your Home

Mark Holmen visited our church last week and conducted a Parenting Workshop.  One of the things he talked about was conducting a Home Blessing.  I went online and did a little research and found a few helpful resources.  The one I like the best is this one:

Home Blessing

Here are a few more:

http://ezinearticles.com/?House-Blessings---Bless-Yours-NOW!&id=120835

http://www.hannahscupboard.com/ST-house-blessing.html

http://homepages.sover.net/~hkfamily/Pages/HouseBlessing.html

If you live in the Thumb area of Michigan or attend CWMC and would like help conducting this ceremony, give me a shout!

God Bless

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

How is the Family Different? - A Facebook Comment Transplant

A Co-Worker recently asked a great question on Facebook that I think has implications for how we do Kid's & Family Ministry, so I thought I would share it here:

In what ways has the concept of "the family" changed from Biblical times until now? In what ways do conservative Christians view "the family" similarly and differently than they did in the New Testament era? In what ways are these changes good and in what ways are they not so good?

There were several responses, but here are my initial thoughts:

The definition and make up of family has changed drastically over the centuries - and it is hard to put labels on those, but here are a few:

1) Extended Family vs. Nuclear Family - in NT extended families living in the same abode (or on the same compound) was common place.  Aunts, Uncles, G-parents, cousins grew up and often stayed in the same area their whole life.  Nowadays, in CC circles, extended families are the exception and not the norm.  Of course, nuclear families in the "traditional sense" (mom, dad, kids in one house) is quickly becoming the exception as well.  This is not a statement of good or bad, just one of observation - but one that does carry implications for ministry

2) Transience - families today are far more mobile than they were in the OT.  Simply b/c of the inability to cover vast areas of land easily and quickly, families in OT and NT times most often just stayed together.  Today, children are often living in different states and different countries than where they grew up and where their parents may be.

3)  Individual vs. Corporate - Families are far more isolative today than in Biblical times.  When we lived in Colorado, the neighborhood I lived in looked like cattle stockyards b/c everyone had a 6 ft privacy fence keep their own piece of land separated from everyone else's.  Also, with the invention of the garage and garage door opener, families never even have to come in contact with others if they choose to.  They simply press a button to open and close their home without ever being seen.

4)  Family size - Families today are far smaller than in Biblical times as well.  I couldn't venture a guess what family size was back then, but I would imagine it is far more than the 1.8 kids per families today.  On the surface this doesn't seem like a big deal, but when you understand the reasons behind having numerous children back in OT & NT times, it becomes a bigger issue:  kids for working the family business/farm, kids to carry on the beliefs and values of the Spiritual family are just 2 of them. 

5)  Priorities & Values - Overall the values and priorities of the family has changed drastically.  It seems one of the main thrusts of the family in the OT & NT was to promote certain values or at the least maintain certain priorities - maintaining a certain level of livelihood was one of them (i.e., you grew crops and raised cattle to make a living and to be able to eat vs. going to the grocery store and buying whatever is needed). 

The priorities and values of our families today show a very different culture.  With the rise of entertainment - music, sports, computer technology, etc. - families have shifted into focusing on things that they believe will benefit their kids more in the long run.  Not that these things are BAD in and of themselves, but I often wonder what is being left out to make room for all of these things?

6)  Outsourcing – We have become a nation that outsources just about everything.  We get our kids lessons for sports, music lessons, tutoring, spiritual training, etc.  We buy our groceries at a store rather than grow them ourselves.  We use technology to outsource our entertainment so kids don’t have to entertain themselves.  In part, this has been driven by necessity – working 40-70 hours a week doesn’t leave a lot of time for other things.  But there are also choices the family has made to value certain things over others; so to make time for those things we see how we can cut time to “make room” for it all.

7)  Maturity & Rite of Passage - By and large, in European and American cultures, the age of maturity and marriageability has risen since OT & NT times.  We tend to think of young people not being adults until they reach 18-21 years of age; and even then they not really ready to be married until much later in their twenties.  This wasn't the case for a LOOOOONG time!  A Rite of Passage typically took place (Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs in Jewish culture) took place at age 13-16 - and it is then they were marriage eligible.  You still see this in various cultures around the world - Quinceanera, for example - but by and large has gone by the wayside.

That’s all I got to say about that…..

What are your thoughts????

What's up with Prayer?

That's the title of our next Family Journey in Faith Take-It Home Event on February 28th during the 10:45 service in the gym at Colonial Woods Missionary Church.  This event will bring 4th & 5th Graders and their parents together to see what it means to be praying daily to God.  We have a couple of speakers lined up to come and inspire both the parents and kids as well as a resource to give to each child who attends.  There is also a possibility that Pastor Phil will come and kick off the morning for us as well.....???


During these Take-It Home events, the kids will separated from their regular Children's Church programming in order to participate.  Children's Ministry still happens for all other ages/grades.  FJIF is a ministry designed to encourage, inspire and equip parents to carry about our Biblical responsibility to disciple our children to be like Christ.  It helps us as parents carry out the Deuteronomy 6 mandate to "Impress [the Commands of God] on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."


If you have a 4th or 5th grader, you won't want to miss this special time to connect in worship with your kids.

The Race is On for our Kids

I ran across this recording from a website - Visionary Parenting - and needed to share with all of you.  Dr. Rob Rienow is the Family Pastor at Wheaton Bible Church in Wheaton, IL.  It's a little long, but you could listen to it while checking out Facebook, your email or other work.

Here is the description from Dr. Rienow's website:

How effective is your Children's Ministry at supporting parents and helping children discover and grow in Christ?  This message from Rob Rienow was given to the 200 Children's Ministry leaders/volunteers at Wheaton Bible Church. Please consider sharing this message with the Children's team at your church. Listen by clicking below, or download via the podcast link. After listening to the message, view the powerpoint (warning: VERY graphic) that Rob refers to HERE!


Our kids are being sought after HIGHLY by Satan - will we win the fight for the next generation?  Are we being the parents God wants us to be in carrying out our MAIN purpose in our families?  


In Him, Dean

This may come as a surprise

I know this is going to be a huge shock for you, but it appears the Gosselin children are beginning to act out!  Duhn, duhn duhn.......  The last few months have been wracked with pain, jealousy, anger and bitterness between John and Kate; and all is not well in the perfect little world of Kate.  OK, you've got to read this quote:


"'I'm trying to give them the grace to see, if they’re acting out of line, I'm trying to look deeper into why that is," she says in the article. "Why the kids are acting out. Cause it’s all inter-related. I mean, they don’t see it, but it’s all interconnected'."


What????  Why are the kids acting out????  IT'S BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS ARE MUD-SLINGING AT EACH OTHER AND YOU'VE TORN THEIR WORLD APART!!!  


It doesn't take any analyzing or seeing how things are inter-related!!!  The only thing that is going to make it any better (besides a complete miracle of God) is to let them say what they want to say and grovel for their forgiveness!!!  Once you've done that, then you can begin to rebuild their trust in you as their parents - and with that trust will come obedience!


There is a bigger purpose for this post, though.  There are families in churches all across our country that are right now going through divorce and CHOOSING to ignore Biblical truth for their own selfish desires.  I know this is messy, ugly and nasty stuff, and from a human and emotional perspective, I get it!  But long before divorce papers are filed, long before bitterness and apathy forms - married couples must be willing to step and say "Enough is enough!  I don't like living this way and I want to make this work!!!"  If you are on that edge in your marriage, talk to someone who will encourage and help you bring peace and reconciliation back into your relationship.


Dean


PS - Sorry about the "rawness" of this post, but I am pretty passionate about this topic - especially right now.

Stepping Up His Game

Last year NFL Quarterback Vince Young had a breakdown under the pressure of life. This year, he's stepping up his game - at least as far as real life is concerned. After the death of Steve McNair earlier this year, Vince decided to step into the lives of Steve's two boys: Trenton & Tyler.

"Those are my boys,'' Young told The Tennessean. "I wouldn't say it was to pay anyone back; it was just out of love. Steve would do it for me. He pretty much did it for me when I was growing up." Seems Vince and Steve knew each other long before becoming teammates.

Quite the dramatic turn-around in his life. Almost as maybe Someone is orchestrating it???

The World is Changing....Rapidly

Saw this video on Facebook a few days ago and hesitated to put it on my blog. Take a look at it when you can. It's a little long, but provides some eye opening facts about how Christians are decreasing rapidly and Muslims are increasing.

Thoughts??

Google Search: Why Did I Get Married

If you've come to this site from Google, read below!!!!!!!!! Oh year, everyone else too.

OK, so you see that little Site Meter Stats box down a little bit on the right? That is a little way I can track how many people have visited Anchor CM's blog. It also tells me:

• Where they live - Port Huron, Toledo, etc.
• What Internet service provider they are using - Comcast, Verizon, etc.
• What pages or blog entries they visited
• what web browser - Internet Explorer, FireFox, etc., and
• How they came across my website - Linked from another blog, etc.

So get this: the overwhelming reason people visit my site has NOTHING to do with Children's Ministry or Colonial Woods (the church I work in)!!! I get at least 5 visits per day people referred from the Google search: why did I get married. A while back I had a couple of posts talking about those popular films by Tyler Perry using them as a springboard to encourage us to be more vulnerable with our spouse.

Now, I find that interesting because I wonder why people are searching for the answer to that question. Is it because they are looking for information on the movie? Or are they searching for answers to that question for THEMSELVES??? Given our current culture and the rate of divorce in our nation, it wouldn't surprise me that people might just be turning to the Internet to give me a 1 good reason why they should stay married.

Perhaps I am reading more into this that what is necessary, but what if people do happen to stop by this site on their search for answers? What should we tell them? What would you tell them? If I had to give the one answer as to why they should stay married, it is for the reason that you got married to begin with!!!!!!!!!!

You're asking the right question - why did U get married - because the reason you got married should be the SAME reason you STAY married. What is that reason? Depends.....

• Because I couldn't imagine spending my life without her.
• Because I came alive when I met her (had to borrow that one, but it's TRUE).
• Because there is no one on earth like her.
• Because my Love for her is only bettered by God's Love for me.

What would you say to that person if you knew someone was reading this blog and asking "Why am I married?"

Dean

President's Speech - So Any thoughts?

Whether you watched "The Speech" here or somewhere else (or not at all), do you have any thoughts on what the President said? Basically, it seems to have come and gone much like any other thing politicians seem to say.

The President seemed to focus on the broad topic of Personal Responsibility - a topic also well covered in the Bible. Nothing earth shattering or that upsetting in the speech....except I do have one thought.

As believers, we are called to have Christ at the VERY CENTER of our lives. Seemingly everything we do and say should be done with keeping Him there. So, the millions of lost people that saw this video today: Did it help them come any closer to a relationship with their Creator? Did it help the thousands (likely more) Christian kids in public schools grow any deeper in their walk with Christ? See I don't have an issue with the President speaking to the kids in our schools...I think with parental notification and coaching they SHOULD watch the video. What I struggle with is whether or not this helps our kids and families to KNOW God more? (Even if I do not favor his opinoins and policies, his story is one many public school kids can relate to!)

I think it can if the parents step into that process. Human behavior defaults to the sinful and negative side of things. We must be intentional in teaching our kids to see God and take on Biblical values. If we leave things up to "nature," our kids will not come to it on their own. And if we believe that God's Word is sufficient for ALL OF LIFE, then a speech by some guy in a powerful office won't even phase them - one way or another.

But just don't leave it hanging there either. Take this and ANY opportunity to teach your kids about God and His Word to us.

Dean

PS - The pic is one of an actual cover off Time Magazine back in 2007. You can read the article online HERE.