Category: family

Thirteen-year-old John and I went to visit our friends, the Bendicksons, in Iowa the first weekend of our Spring Break. What I love to witness in the Bendickson family is the way they invest in people. Their Heartshot Ministry uses archery as the means to connect with children, teenagers, and adults. Many that become involved with Heartshot take the opportunity to give to the community by serving the widows in the area.

While in Iowa, I noticed how Troy loved John. From archery to guns to four-wheelers to simple conversations, Troy took the time to invest in a young man – doing things teenage boys like to do. I also noticed how John did the same thing with their six-year-old twin boys Ollie and Archer. Every time I turned around they were wrestling or running or playing – things that little boys like to do.

God loves to witness such living and, of course, He teaches us by example. The Father loved us so much He gave His most precious possession so that we could be forgiven and saved. Why would He invest in those who did not deserve it? Because He loves us.

The wonderful plan of God is to give us the supernatural life of His Son through the power of resurrection. “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly be united with Him in His resurrection.” (Romans 6:3-5)

God gives us His Spirit as Living Water (see John 7:37-39). He continually invests Himself into His children. Praise God for His wonderful ways.

“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:4-10

Wilkes turned two this week and Saturday we had a party. All three of our grandchildren had a blast! Of course, Wilkes was the center of attention, but nine-month old Owen seemed to enjoy himself too. And though we couldn’t see her, I think Wilkes’ little sister also had a grand time.

Toddlers, babies, and children still in the womb have a great perspective on life: “If I have everything I need – nourishment, proper rest, love – I am happy. Why worry if my parents are taking care of me?”

Jesus wanted to convey this simple message to those He encountered on earth. “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds in the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:25-27)

Jesus also spoke what parents and grandparents feel about protecting their little ones. “If anyone causes one of these little ones – those who believe in Me – to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)

On the day of the party, Emma had a 3-D ultrasound. Here’s Macy a few weeks from a birthday. His works are wonderful…

“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Psalm 139:13-14

This will be the last writing of the month since next week is Thanksgiving. We look forward to gathering with family at my parents’ house in Chattanooga. My mom and dad always help make Thanksgiving my favorite holiday of the year.

When Taylor was a little boy, Susan’s mom bought him a Cabbage Patch doll named Owen. Susan dad’s name was Robert Owen Taylor and he was known as Owen growing up in Alabama. Susan found the doll in the attic in time for Kinsey and Jordan to visit this past weekend. Two ‘Baby Owens’ brought a smile to our faces and reminded us of many reasons to be thankful.

We can be thankful for those who are no longer with us but whose lives still influence ours profoundly. We can be thankful for those who have only recently come into this world, with the hopeful expectation of a wonderful future in God’s plan. And we can be thankful for all those God has placed in our lives to love and encourage.

As we give thanks for our precious relationships, we can easily understand why Jesus told such parables as the Prodigal Son to reveal the love of the Father. Such love naturally produces thanksgiving for what is most important. The older brother did not comprehend his father’s emotions or actions. In response to his objections, the father said: “Son, all I have is yours… I love you too! But I have to celebrate the homecoming of your brother! He’s alive and back where he should be!!”

May we grow to love like the Father. And may we not forget to express such love in real ways.

Happy Thanksgiving!

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

“’For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be married to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the Church. However, each of you must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:31-33

I was honored to help my niece get married in Knoxville, Tennessee this past weekend. Both husband and wife graduated from UT, so thankfully their team pulled out a victory the Thursday before the wedding and everyone was happy.

God does not talk much about how to be a proper football fan (though it would seem that good sportsmanship should be advised), but He does tell us how to live as husbands and wives. In the ‘profound mystery’ it seems God wants a Christian marriage to reflect the beautiful relationship between Jesus and His Church.

As the Church gladly submits to Christ and loves Him in such a way that shines brightly, so a wife is to respect, honor, and love her husband with a joy that makes everyone take note. And as Jesus has demonstrated perfect love by sacrificing Himself for His Bride the Church, so a husband is to lay down his life for the one he loves.

When the world witnesses the sacrificial love a man has for his wife and the beautiful loyalty a woman shows her husband, an impression is made. “Why is this marriage different?” the world asks. We answer, “Because of what we’ve experienced! We’ve had a Savior give up His life for us and we will never be the same!”

“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the Church, His Body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the Church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself up for her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the Church – for we are members of His Body.” Ephesians 5:22-30

“May we never lose our wonder; may we never lose our wonder…
Wide eyed and mystified, may we be just like a child…
Staring at the beauty of our King.” (‘Wonder’ from Bethel Music)

A new school year is underway and the joys of education are beginning afresh. We had a great summer with the highlight being a child born to Kinsey and Jordan Stanley. Owen Gabriel is a healthy little boy and we are thankful to our Father in Heaven, the Author of life.

There’s nothing like the miracle of a baby. To think of all that happens in the womb, then to meet a little one for the first time awakens our wonder. A labor and delivery nurse, Kinsey finished her degree to become a midwife last spring. She then passed her boards on Wednesday, June 22 and had the baby on Sunday the 26th. She and Jordan are so happy.

Karlyn and Susan are also happy. To watch sister or grandmother hold little Owen makes me smile. Of course I enjoy holding babies too, but I think I’m a little more comfortable when they get a bit older.

Wilkes is almost seventeen months old now and he is so much fun. Often he will see something new and say, “Whoa!” I think he and Owen both live in a state of wonder that holds lessons for us all.

“Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 18:2-3) Perhaps Jesus intends to remind us of ‘wonder’ when He calls us to be like children. Our two grandsons don’t worry, they live simply, and they trust those who love them. I want to follow this example.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable then they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? …

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:25-27, 33)