Our Summer So Far

swimming

gardening

reading

mowing
eating

napping

running
learning
writing
earning
planning
thinking
studying

playing

texting
cleaning
memorizing
laughing

growing

working
exercising
watching
saving
tweeting

volunteering
delivering

helping

wishing
loving

trusting
believing
baking 

giving
praying
snacking

driving

healing

teaching

hugging

kissing

Oh yeah, and blogging!

"Fight The Good Fight"

Fight the good fight with all thy might;
Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right:
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.

John S. B. Monsell, 1863

More Christian Manhood

  Tonight in our study of Christian Manhood we learned that we need men in our life.  The most important man in your life should be your father.  As you grow older there are many other men with whom you will have the opportunity to listen, watch, and spend time with.  These include relatives, men in school, men in the neighborhood, men at church, and men on t.v.  The Bible tells us to watch men whose Christian walk shows that they are faithful servants of Jesus Christ and to use them as examples for your own life.  Phil. 3:17  You also must withdraw from those who claim to be Christians but are living a sinful lifestyle.  2 Thes. 3:26  The things you take into your life by listening to, talking with, watching, and reading about men will determine what kind of man you will be.  Prov. 4:23

To become a man of God you must listen to instruction, remember what you have been taught, and then practice daily so that when you reach physical manhood you will also be known as a godly man.  Everyday you should be growing spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.

To learn to become a man of God:

*First, be sure that you are a child of God. Romans 10:9,10

*Pray now that the Lord will make you into a man He can use for His glory.  Pray that the Lord will instruct you through His word and through men and women.  2Tim. 14,15

*Listen to godly men; listen carefully to the conversation of men of God, their instruction, their correction, and their teaching.  Prov. 4:13, 20:18

*Talk with men of God as much as you can. 

*Read about godly men; spend time with men of God, living or dead, in books.  Read biographies and autobiographies of men that have been greatly used by God and men that have helped make this country great.  

*Watch men of God; watch how they walk, sit, stand, express themselves, how they treat others, and how they do things.  

A Word From The Word

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have for he has said,''I will never leave you nor forsake you."  So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?  Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Hebrews 13:5-8

Have You Decided?

Last night in family devotions Dad led us in our book Christian Manhood.  We talked about making decisions.  Here is what we talked about....

Are you sowing to the flesh or are you sowing to the Spirit?

Are you sowing.....
*Ungodly knowledge and attitudes from worldly music OR godly knowledge and attitudes from God honoring music.

*Ungodly knowledge and attitudes from Hollywood movies and T.V. shows that do not bring glory to God OR personal Bible reading and meditation, prayer and attention to Bible teaching from church, home and school.  Prov.4:23

*Advice and counsel from the unsaved or friends; OR listening to instruction and counsel from adults.  Psalm. 1:1

*Unclean thoughts and activities OR clean thoughts; pure activities.  Phil. 4:8, 2 Cor.10:5

*Seeking constant pleasure and entertainment OR character building activities .

*Ungodly reading material OR reading material that builds you up mentally and/or spiritually.
1Tim. 5:22b

*Sinful, loose living OR righteous living;  Biblical standards.


And we talked about setting goals.....

Have you decided to be:
*Preparing for eternity? or living for today?

*Tenderhearted? or hard-hearted?

*A hard worker? or a lazy, pleasure seeker?

*Leading others in what is right? or leading others in the wrong direction?

*Warning others who are unruly? or encouraging of those who are unruly?

*A submissive, obedient servant? or an uncooperative, disobedient child?

*A friend of God fighting against worldly temptations? or a friend of the world, and an enemy of God? James 4:4

*A godly child? or a rebellious child?

*Bold in witnessing? or ashamed of Jesus Christ?

What have you decided?

Our 4th of July

We celebrated our country's birthday for two days, July 3rd AND 4th.  We had so much fun! I can't possibly put it all into words.  Here are the highlights...

(By the way, these are in random order.)

We partied at Coolidge Park.

Enjoyed some snacks, played UNO, played soccer, and saw AMAZING fireworks!  Oh, and enjoyed a great concert by the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra.

Made a trip to the mall and Clare left with diamonds.

Olivia "built" a bear at the Build a Bear Workshop.

We napped during the afternoon.

Friends came over for another night of fireworks.  (about 2 hours worth, we could see perfectly right from our deck!)
Mom handed out glow in the dark bracelets and we snacked on Skittles and Licorice.

Spent the night (all night) sleeping on the deck.

Ate cupcakes.

Did a few art projects...

Roasted marshmallows and ate Smores!

And spent another night sleeping out on the deck!

I'm loving summer!

God is so good!

Best Dad in the World

 

  This year on Father's Day, Mom made a delicious meal, Olivia made Dad a cute and creative gift, and we boys bought him some gifts and cards.  Also, Olivia made Dad some really special cupcakes. 

 Here are some of Dad's gifts.  They may seem crazy but we know what Dad likes.

Clare giving Daddy kisses!

 We all love our dad so much!

Mom's good cooking - Parmesan Chicken, squash &onions, peas and cheddar garlic biscuits!

My dad is a wonderful dad.  He is a great teacher, coach, family leader and he is also very funny.  
Dad is very smart (and I'm thankful since he is my Algebra II teacher).  Dad is a godly man who teaches us the Bible and demonstrates Christian character.  He is super strong and by example he shows us how to be men.  I love him so much.  I am thankful God gave me my dad.  I really feel he is the best dad in the world.