Walking by faith is not only a difficult thing, it’s a very unnatural thing,

at least to us fallen souls.

From an early age we are raised toward independence, self-sufficiency and self-reliance. But our true need is to be less of a maverick and more of an obedient child.

But that realization is only the beginning of a faith-walk. Being human beings with physical bodies and senses, we judge and live 95% of the time according to what I would call “sight.” That doesn’t mean that we only do what we can see with our eyes. It means that we live according to what WE see as important or true or needful or urgent, whether the facts actually line up with it or not. Emotion, presumption, past wrongs, personal wounds – these and hundreds of other things become “sight” for us. They are the things that lodge in us as “real” and dictate the way we think and act.

To walk by faith not by sight is to make a shift of monumental proportions.

It’s not a decision we make one day and forevermore carry out in our lives. It’s a belabored, painfully slow practice of learning to recognize and undo the false things upon which we base our perceptions and decisions, and to move forward in a new way… a way more connected to God that is better attuned to His leadership.

It takes years, a lifetime of growing and careful dependence on THE LORD.

It takes a lifetime of diligent consideration and analyzation of personal motives and the source of them.

It takes a tenacious determination to root out falsehood, replace it with truth, and live more fully and freely as a result of obediently stepping out in faith through reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide us in those truths.

It is hard, tiresome, painfully slow, violent work at times. But it is worth every tear and drop of blood we may shed.

For the first time in my life I am experiencing joy in the necessity of living by faith.

These past 6 months have been unlike any others in my history.

Though it is amazing to me that I’m able to actually live this way, the most unbelievable and baffling thing is that I’m doing so with enjoyment.

It has been fun (yes, it has) to seek the LORD’s provision, to have no clue where it will come from, and to watch as He faithfully provides.

It has been a delight to come more fully to the realization that He is ultimately trustworthy and entirely faithful to us as His chosen adoptees.

It has been convicting and powerfully motivating to recognize that fear, worry, stress, and anxiety dishonor Him, malign Him, and serve as indictments of my own too-small faith.

For the first time in my 41 years of Christian discipleship the responsibility of walking by faith not by sight has been a pure joy.

And it is the LORD Himself who has taken me there…

… through wearisome years of toil and consistent effort.

It is the LORD who has used every trying circumstance of the past to refocus my eyes on truth, to reprogram my default patterns of thinking and choosing, to lead me to consider His purposes and ways.

It is the LORD who has provided the conviction over sin and shame over my lack of faith.

It is the LORD who has provided the eagerness to live out what I profess.

It is the LORD who has done this laborious, snail-paced renovation of my soul, and the results are exactly what He has promised.

Teaching your children to walk by faith, not by sight

One of the most encouraging outcomes of this journey toward walking by faith is the knowledge of how to train, teach, and help my children live more consistently along these lines from an earlier age than I did.

Walking by faith is not an adult-only venture. Children, raised in the discipline and instruction of the LORD (Ephesians 6:4) can and should be able to apply the same truths to their own experience.

My children need to face their own limitations, fears, sins, and lack of faith – and learn how to violently oppose them through godly sorrow that leads to humble repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10).

They need my encouragement and help in discerning what those things are, but more importantly they need my help and instruction in how to depend on the LORD in spite of their unique versions of what is “seen” – things like fear, doubt, the unknown, personal failings, and feelings.

They need to be taught the truth, how to embrace it, and how to trust it more than their emotion or personal desires.

They need to learn how to act in faith, based on that truth, in the daily things of life; things like arguments with siblings, conflicts with classmates, bad grades, loss of a dearly loved pet, broken toys, ruined lego (c) projects, illness in the family, financial uncertainty, and death of a grandparent.

I am to lead them in the path I’ve been walking and compassionately teach them how to live faithfully in a fallen world and as a fallen person. I must bare my own soul, confess my own sins, expose my own weakness and pettiness, and testify tot he faithfulness and greatness of God through and in spite of those realities.

I must give them hope that the calling of God to walk by faith is a life-long road the we can walk with victory, because the LORD is faithful to walk it with us… and to teach us as we go.

Teaching your children to walk by faith not by sight Christian Home and Family -

Stages of grief and the sovereignty of God – a conversation with R.C. Sproul, Jr.

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NEXT EPISODE: May 29, 2013 – Podcast 38- Gender roles in marriage

The main music track used in the Christian Home and Family Podcast is entitled, “Midian” and is from Adam Rey’s instrumental album Meat & Potatoes – Adam has generously given me permission to use his music, so please, support his generosity by checking out and purchasing his music at www.heyreyguitar.com – (no affiliate relationship, Adam’s just my friend.)

** these are affiliate links

Share your stories about grief and the sovereignty of God. Leave your comments below!

Stages of grief and the sovereignty of God, a conversation with R.C. Sproul, Jr. – podcast episode 37 Christian Home and Family -

You’ve heard the phrase, “Go with God.” In this series of posts I’m trying to unpack what the Bible describes that to look like.

In the previous post, I opened the door to Galatians 2:20… let’s walk on through today to try to understand what it means.

Notice what it says is fundamentally true – of you and of Jesus.

1. YOU have been crucified, right alongside Jesus

There are some very natural questions that arise from such a statement…

How can that be? You weren’t even alive when Jesus was crucified. Nevertheless, God (for whom nothing is impossible – Luke 18:27) says it is true.

• So somehow, on a fundamental, spiritual level, when you trusted in Jesus Christ, He took you back in time to the cross, and killed you there.
• Never forget the cross. It’s where Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sin… and it’s also where YOU, the sinner died.

But you are still living, how can it be that you died?

• Paul says it’s a certain part of you that died… your “old self.” Look how he describes it in Romans chapter 6, verse 6:

The old, sinful sinner that was you, is now dead. You do not have to be enslaved to the power of sin anymore.

2. The life you are now living is to be lived by Jesus

What if you didn’t have to be “on the hook” for making the right choices in the tough, dreadful, impossible things of life?

Things like:

What if Jesus would step in and take your place, offering to make the call on all of those things?

THAT IS THE REALITY OF WHAT IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU (and your children).

Jesus DOES live in you, to live His life through you.

• So when the tough decision needs to be made, you need to know how to let Him make it.
• When the hurtful words come, you need to know how to draw on His strength to handle it.

And how do you do that?

3. You now live by faith in the Son of God

Faith is kind of a nebulous term… hard to get a handle on sometimes.

But think of it as trust, reliance, dependence on what God has said is true.

Let’s consider a practical situation:

How do you live by faith in the Son of God in this situation?

1. You believe that Jesus is really living in you (that’s faith in what God has said, isn’t it?).
2. You rely on Him to give you wisdom, strength, discernment, sensitivity… whatever is needed for the situation (that is faith in Him personally, isn’t it?).
3. You open your heart and mind to receive instructions from Him regarding what He wants to do (through you) in this situation (that is faith in Him personally also, isn’t it?).
4. HERE’S THE HARD PART: You ACT according to what He’s leading you to do.

For some Christians, especially those who are very “word-of-God centered” (which should be all of us), that seems a bit too mystical, too ambiguous. How can you really KNOW that it’s Jesus guiding you in that situation rather than your own emotion or desires?

I’m glad you asked my word-of-God-centered bretheren!

You know by judging what you believe the LORD to be telling you according TO the word of God.

Jesus would never instruct you to contradict or go against what He’s already revealed in His word.

It’s HIS word after all, revealing HIS will for human relationships, life, the world… everything.

So we should always, always, ALWAYS utilize the word of God as our gauge of what is truly from the LORD.

Back to the purpose of introducing this topic: YOUR KIDS

What would your children’s lives be like, years from now, if they were able to learn and apply this truth beginning now?

It’s a question worth asking… and one I’ll tackle in a future post.

What PRACTICAL difference does it make to you that Christ truly lives in you? Share below!

How to practically Go with God (one example) Christian Home and Family -

Knowing that Christ really lives in you can change your life forever

I wrote briefly about this as one biblical value to teach your children earlier.

It’s a HUGE and strange idea for “modern” people to hear. In a nutshell it’s this…

Jesus Christ literally LIVES WITHIN YOU (if you’ve trusted Him as Savior and LORD).

Not in a symbolic way…

Not in a “touchy-feely” sort of way…

But in a REAL way. Literally.

And what it PRACTICALLY MEANS for you and your children is enormous!

It will impact:

Those are vital, life-altering questions that you and your children need to be able to answer with confidence and conviction, because they will change your life radically if you can answer them truthfully, according to God’s word.

What does it mean, “Christ in you?”

The New Testament refers to Christ being in us and us being in Him so many times I’m not sure we can actually count them. It’s woven intricately into almost every doctrinal passage.

It’s fundamental to what it means to be a Christian, in the deepest, truest sense of the word.

One of the most clear and oft-quoted passages on the subject is Galatians chapter 2, verse 20…

In the next post, I’m going to unpack this verse a bit and help you walk through what it looks like in a practical, day to day situation.

Take some time between now and then to think about the verse. Ponder it. Meditate on it. Let it sink deeply into your heart and mind. Consider how it might change your life if the things it is teaching really are true.

What are your initial thoughts about the significance of this verse? Share them below…

Change your life (and your child’s) forever Christian Home and Family -

Jesus restores the original

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRISTIAN HOME AND FAMILY PODCAST

Or if you are using a “podcatcher” here is the feed address: http://www.christianhomeandfamily.com/feed/podcast/

LEAVE FEEDBACK AND A REVIEW ON I-TUNES

NEXT EPISODE: May 22, 2013 – Podcast 37- Stages of grief and the sovereignty of God with R.C. Sproul, Jr.

The main music track used in the Christian Home and Family Podcast is entitled, “Midian” and is from Adam Rey’s instrumental album Meat & Potatoes – Adam has generously given me permission to use his music, so please, support his generosity by checking out and purchasing his music at www.heyreyguitar.com – (no affiliate relationship, Adam’s just my friend.)

** these are affiliate links

What are your thoughts about adult children turning away from the faith? Leave your comments below!

Jesus restores the original in male/female relationships – podcast episode 36 Christian Home and Family -

I just returned from being a panel speaker and vendor at the Family Economics conference in St. Charles, MO.

I was able to go with my buddy Don, which made it an even better time.

There are many people who hear the term “family economics” and don’t really know what to think.

Is it a new idea? No.

In fact, it’s an age-old idea – almost as old as the human race.

It’s pretty simple: Families not only live together, they work together… and the work that every member does contributes to the overall good of the family. It may be housework, or work that provides income, but everyone learns to be a part.

The argument can be made that when Dad, or sons, or daughters have to work “outside” the home, it contributes to the dissolution of the family unit.

I don’t feel quite that strongly about it, because I believe that if communication is happening as it should, then relationships will remain strong even when family members work outside the home.

But I do think that working together is better, and developing multiple streams of income that are within your own control (not that of an employer) is ultimately a best-case scenario. Ideally, it seems to me that it’s best to work toward recurring, even passive streams of income that will support the family’s goals long-term.

I’ve become pretty convinced that this way of thinking is  healthier and more beneficial for the family. So, I’ve started a “Christian Family Economy Mastermind” – an online community for people interested in or practicing home-business endeavors. Inside the mastermind you can to get together with other believers who are working toward a family economic model and…

• brainstorm
• share experiences
• give advice
• ask questions
• hold each other accountable
• share resources
• build encouraging and helpful relationships
• possibly even form partnerships and alliances

The CFE Mastermind has a very simple mission:

If you’d like to learn more about family economics or the CFE Mastermind, you can do so here.

Unpacking the idea of “family economics” Christian Home and Family -

10 Things I’m so Thankful I Learned from My Mom

Melinda is the 19-year old daughter of Carey and Mindi Green.

by Melinda Green

#1 The Truth of My Identity in Christ

Ever since I was little, my mom has been teaching me about who I am because of Jesus and His work in me. I am a new creation. No matter how I fall short and mess up, I know that I am pure and holy because of Christ. Because of this knowledge, I can live life confident in God, and who He is making me to be. When insecurities and doubts rise up to make life difficult, I can fight them and live according to the truth because I know the truth about who I am. I am in Christ, and He is in me.

#2 Not to be Controlled by My Emotions

Emotions are powerful things, and it’s easy to live life and make decisions based on how we feel. Without even knowing it, we let our feelings dictate our thoughts and actions. As long as I can remember, my mom has shown me the difference between living according to emotion and living according to reality and God’s truth. Because of this, I have learned over time how to push aside my emotions when they don’t line up with reality and strive to obey God, not only when I feel like it, but especially when I don’t.

#3 The Importance of Communication

Throughout my life, I have seen the relationships in my family thrive. I realize that this would not be the case, if God had not given my mom the wisdom to initiate good communication in our home. The example she has set: talking about everything, always asking us kids how we feel about things, always telling us if there is something bothering her, or some way that we hurt her, asking us if there is something bothering us… this has enabled us to “keep the slate clean” between one another, and learn to love each other on a deeper level. This habit of communicating has also enabled us to become unified as a family. Now that I am an adult, I see that there is no way to have a good relationship without open communication about EVERYTHING. I pray that I will one day be able to continue this legacy of good communication in my home and family.

#4 The Importance of Living an Organized Life

God has enable my mom to live an orderly life, and run an orderly home in reflection of who He is – an orderly God. She has taught me how to live my life in the same way: keeping things simple and organized. This has enabled me to keep my life relatively stress free and peaceful. I also believe that learning to live an organized life has enabled me honor God by being a good steward of the life He’s given me.

#5 To Strive for God’s Best in All of Life

My mom wants her life to be “more than fine.” She wants to live in obedience to God in every area of life, and she can’t stand it when something in her life doesn’t measure up to God’s best. Seeing her example in this area has really helped me fight my complacency in many areas of life, and desire God’s best, in order to be pleasing to Him.

#6 The Importance of Wisdom

My mom has taught me the value of wisdom in every area of life. She has shown me the importance of asking God what He thinks about things, and living accordingly. She has encouraged me to read the Proverbs and ask God for His wisdom daily. I see God’s wisdom in her life everyday, and desire to become more like her; the wisest person I know.

#7 The Value of a Personal Relationship with God

Ever since I was little, my mom has encouraged me to spend time with God, reading my Bible and praying. She has stressed that the most important thing in my life is my relationship with Him. As I’ve grown, I’ve seen how this diligence to seek God has deepened my relationship with Him and has grown me to become more like Him. I am so thankful for the example that my mom has been of seeking God diligently and putting her relationship of Him first in all of life.

#8 The Value of Being a Home-Maker

My mom is a stay-at-home-mom, a wife and mother, a home-maker. My whole life, she has made a cozy, peaceful home for us to live in. She has taken the time to teach her kids about God and life, and has never been too busy with work or other pursuits. I have come to realize that her dedication to her home and family has been the main thing that has enabled our family to thrive. Through her example I see that her job as wife and mother is crucial to the health of our family. Thanks to her, I am excited to one day follow in her steps and be a home-maker in my own home.

#9 The Value of Being a “Helper”

When I say “Helper”, I am referring to the wife’s role as “Helper” to her husband. My mom has taught me that the wife’s job in marriage is to be the “crown of her husband” – to help her husband grow and become all that God desires for him to be. God has graciously enabled my mom to be a wonderful helper to my dad, and I am excited to one day be the same for my future husband.

#10 The Importance of Fearing God

Last, but definitely not least, I would say that my mom has taught me to fear God, and surrender my will to Him in all things. I have seen my mom surrender her will to God’s will time and time again. She has suffered through much pain and hard times, but she has always chosen to cling to God and obey Him. Her fear of God, and her desire to glorify Him even when it causes her pain, has enabled her to have a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God than many Christians experience. Her life has shown me the benefits of fearing God above all else, and I desire for my life to be characterized by the same humble attitude of fear and surrender.

10 things I learned from my mom – by Melinda Green – Happy Mother’s Day Christian Home and Family -

When adult children turn away from the faith

Links & Resources mentioned in this podcast:

• My Compass Weekend for Young Men
• Visionary Family Ministries
• “When They Turn Away” book
• “Never Too Late” DVD curriculum (4 items down the page)

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRISTIAN HOME AND FAMILY PODCAST

Or if you are using a “podcatcher” here is the feed address: http://www.christianhomeandfamily.com/feed/podcast/

LEAVE FEEDBACK AND A REVIEW ON I-TUNES

NEXT EPISODE: May 15, 2013 – Podcast 36- Jesus restores the original

The main music track used in the Christian Home and Family Podcast is entitled, “Midian” and is from Adam Rey’s instrumental album Meat & Potatoes – Adam has generously given me permission to use his music, so please, support his generosity by checking out and purchasing his music at www.heyreyguitar.com – (no affiliate relationship, Adam’s just my friend.)

** these are affiliate links

What are your thoughts about adult children turning away from the faith? Leave your comments below!

When adult children turn away, a conversation with Rob Rienow – Podcast episode 35 Christian Home and Family -

Some core biblical values to consider.

When Mindi and I were expecting our first child, we did the typical “new parent” things.

• We read books on pregnancy. (and we watched a video or two like the one at the bottom of this post)
• We read books on parenting.
• We talked a lot about our hopes and dreams for our family.

It was a very exciting time.

But one of the most important conversations we had, had to do with the “biblical values” we wanted to characterize our home and family.

Have you given that much thought?

Since our goal was to have a Christ-centered home, we wanted the things characteristic of God/Christ to be characteristic of our home and family.

Here is a short-list of things that we saw as “nonnegotiable” for our home.

THE INDWELLING OF CHRIST

In Galatians chapter 2, verse 20 Paul wrote…

This is one of the most important biblical values we taught our kids. Everything else we had to teach them depended on this one.

Admittedly, it’s one of the deeper truths of the New Testament… even difficult for adults to grasp at times (which is one reason why I’m making a video curriculum on the topic).

Of course, we brought it down to their level, but we didn’t down-play or soften its meaning or significance in doing so.

Our kids need to recognize that their Christian life is not about a “new law” they are to follow (which is how many people deal with the New Testament).

They (and we) need to understand that because of their faith in Christ, they have Jesus Himself living in and through them via the power of the Holy Spirit.

The promise of new life is no joke.

Who Am I? By Frank Friedmann / Evergreen Press ~ There is a difference between doing and being. A delightful story that teaches children this truth: what they do does not determine who they are.

Practically…

We talked about these truths from day one, when they were infants, when they were toddlers, when they were beginning to learn the basics of language, and beyond… to this day.

We read them books that taught and emphasized these truths (see the box on the right for one of our favorites.**)

We talked to them in the course of real life about Jesus living in them.

We drew out examples from their attitudes and behaviors where we could see Christ producing His fruit in them.

We encouraged them to learn to listen to the Spirit in the decisions and actions of daily live.

This one is foundational. It is what is underneath every other one I will mention. If it’s not, then all you are doing is raising little legalists.

TRUTH/HONESTY

Jesus said, in John chapter 18, verse 27

Truth is a big deal to God. It always has been. From the entrance of sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1) we see God dealing with untruth quite severely.

As parents, we not only wanted our children to understand that lying (even white lies) was bad – but WHY it was wrong.

Lying (untruth) is wrong because it violates the very nature and character of God.

He created language to reveal truth. When it is used to pervert truth (to say lies), it is not being used for its intended purpose and brings dishonor to God, the Creator of language.

LOVE/CONSIDERATION

In first John chapter 14, verse 8 the scriptures teach that love is another thing that is fundamental to God’s nature.

And notice the way this verse connects the dots…

GOD IS LOVE…

THEREFORE ANYONE WHO KNOWS HIM WILL BE LOVING.

As parents, we not only wanted our kids to be “nice,” we wanted them to understand that being “loving” was a reflection of the character of God, and of their relationship with Him.

Tell me how these ideas strike you. Have you had these kinds of conversations together as parents? Are you beginning these kinds of conversations with your spouse?

Biblical values to build into your home Christian Home and Family -

We live in a culture where self esteem is the buzzword when it comes to the problems we have as individuals.

We’re told that if we’d just think better of ourselves, we’d be a lot healthier.

But the Bible approaches that issue from an entirely different perspective.

God says our problem is not that we think too little of ourselves, but that we think entirely TOO MUCH of ourselves.

Instead of focusing so much on self esteem, we need to learn (and teach our kids) that anything and everything we are that is good, comes from God.

So really, we need to learn to have God-esteem, not self esteem.

That means instead of encouraging our kids about what THEY did, we can draw out the gifts that GOD has given them, to help them see that He is active in their lives, USING them to accomplish His work.

Self esteem or God esteem? – VIDEO: Christian family quick tips Christian Home and Family -