Category: Family

Need a Pastor?

by Dale, posted in Family, Ministry, Pastoring, Uncategorized

“There are so many churches without pastors today! Why are there so few pastors?”

“What’s wrong with the colleges and seminaries? They are not turning out pastors like they used to!”

The first comment and question is valid.

The second question and comment is what I want to address.

First of all, the issue is not solely with the colleges and seminaries. Yes, there are institutions of higher learning that have drifted in their emphasis on pastoral ministry, but there is a greater need.

Where should future pastors and missionaries come from? Without question, they should come from our homes and local churches. May I offer the following?

Continue reading “Need a Pastor?” →

Mommas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To BE Cowboys (#3)

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Family, Parenting

Are the children you parent YOURS? Or do they belong to God?

In the past two Wednesday posts, my heart has been to encourage all of us parents to see the children that God has loaned to us, whether born naturally into our family, adopted and/or fostered, as belonging to God and not to us. What a special grace blessing from the hand of God to be a parent, to point precious lives to Christ, and to know that we have all we need by His grace to do so!! 2 Corinthians 9:8 reminds us, And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

So far, my encouragement has been . . .

1. Parents, live and train with an eternal viewpoint.

2. Parents, prepare your children to leave home as God so planned.

Today, the third encouragement is parents, fulfill your privilege with the grace of God not the fleshly grit of man.

Continue reading “Mommas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To BE Cowboys (#3)” →

Mommas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys! (#2)

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Family, Parenting

Are the children you parent YOURS? Or do to they belong to God?

In last Wednesday’s post, I mentioned that Psalm 127:3 says, Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward. God creates children in the womb, beginning at conception, and causes them to be formed. Once they are born, our goal as parents is to bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4), and their goal all the days of their life is to live for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). You see, God owns our children; they belong to Him. For by Him (Christ) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible . . . . All things were created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16).

Therefore, the word “your” does not apply to the popular definition of parenting. Our children are not “yours,” they belong to God. That adds great weight to how we train them.

1. Parents, live and train with an eternal viewpoint.

2. Parents, prepare your children to leave home as God so planned.

Continue reading “Mommas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys! (#2)” →

The Greatest Joy Of Being a Dad!

by Dale, posted in Discipleship, Family, Father - Daughter, Father - Son, Uncategorized

As a dad, life presents its share of joy-filled moments:

  • The birth of your child!
  • The first steps of your child!
  • That first meal prepared by your child (that you can eat)!
  • Going off to camp!
  • That clutch home run in the ninth inning to win the championship!
  • Their first job and receiving their first paycheck!
  • Getting their driver’s license!
  • Finding God’s mate in marriage!
  • Watching your own children become parents!

Most certainly, this could be an expansive list! But in this post, I am sharing what I believe to be the greatest joy of being a dad! It is all wrapped up in one word – discipleship!

Continue reading “The Greatest Joy Of Being a Dad!” →

Highlights of 2022

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Family, Grace, Praise & Worship, Prayer Advances, Uncategorized

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits (Psalm 103:1-2).

Looking back over this year, these familiar words can be uttered from my heart as if I just heard them for the very first time. My, how good the Lord has been through all the ups and downs, triumphs and trials, laughter and lessons, provisions and pruning, and times of waiting and answers to prayer of 2022. He is the constant, faithful, grace-filled, mercy-bestowing, ever-loving, immutable One Who is worthy of all praise and thanksgiving!!

Continue reading “Highlights of 2022” →

Get Off the Interstate: Meals, Lodging & Strolls in Weaverville, NC

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Family, Joy, Love, Marriage, Rest, Scenic Route In Marriage, Uncategorized

“So teach us to number our days” prays Moses as recorded in Psalm 90:13. Not years but days. So much is missed in our life if we do not live in the moment, the day, and enjoy the scenic route!!

So you’re travelling on Interstate 26 between Asheville, NC, and Johnson City, TN. Exchange the hustle and bustle of four-lane life for a slower change of pace. Here you go!

Well-Bred Bakery

Nestled on the corner of N. Main and Florida Street, you will enter a piece of bakery paradise!

For breakfast, how about the Quiche which comes in three flavors or the Chorizo Breakfast Burrito or . . . have mercy, the Pecan Streusel Roll!!!

Coffee? Yes . . . Jamaican Me Crazy!!

For lunch, I highly recommend their Turkey Pretzel Roll or Grilled Cheese and if available, the Tomato Soup!

Don’t leave without taking a Ginger Molasses Cookie or a Mountain Éclair to enjoy later.

There is limited outdoor seating on the front sidewalk and along Florida Street.

Many times over the years I have left the interstate for a coffee and cookie at Well Bred!!

You will want to stroll the couple of blocks on either side of Well-bred on Main Street of this cozy community.

Stoney Knob Cafe

Be ready for eclectic décor and excellent food! Their website says it well!

Begin with a trendy location just 10 minutes from Asheville, NC. Stir in a whimsical blend of artifacts and artful spaces. Season with provocative offerings of American, Greek and European cuisine. Add a dash of funk and a smidgen of comfy cool. Top it off with owners who bring tremendous heart and skill to the table, treating you more like family. Garnish with smiles all around.

Denise and I, and friends, have tried many of their menu offerings over the years and have never been disappointed. For lunch, I suggest the Jamaican Shrimp Wrap or Tacos Pescado. For supper, how about the Meatloaf or Salmon or Chicken Piccatta!!

I’m ready to stop typing and head on down the road to the Knob!!!

Sourwood Inn

You have to be going there on purpose to find it, but once you drive down the lane, you are surrounded by the stillness of it all! Yes, you are tucked away from busy life, yet you are minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and the uniqueness of Asheville, NC.

Our stay included the Trillium Room, which had a great view, plus playing ping pong and pool. Rest and enjoying each other’s company was enhanced by the sitting room and a walk around the property. This would be a great place for a birthday or anniversary celebration!

So, number your days. Live in the moment. Plan or be spontaneous!

Scenic Route Marriage Tip: Husbands, you may be wired to get from point A to point B in the quickest, shortest time possible. Unwire and surprise your wife with an intentional get-out-of-the-car-nofastfood meal or get a cookie and coffee and enjoy time seated on the sidewalk with your sweetheart! Live today!

DADS

by Dale, posted in Children, Christian Living, Discipleship, Family, Father - Daughter, Father - Son, Men, Parenting, Uncategorized

One of the greatest needs in our homes, churches, schools, sports teams, and nation today is DADS, . . .

Delivered by the gospel.

All of us dads were born spiritually dead, living under the control of Satan, self and the world and under God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3). As much as we think as a man we can fix our sinful condition, work our way to heaven, fill the hole in our soul, we are forever lost. We cannot fix the greatest crisis in our lives.

Here’s the Good News! But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:4-9)

The most important aspect of being a dad is for Christ to live in us that He may live His life out of us so that our children see Christ and not us (Romans 6-8; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 3:4-10; Colossians 1:27).

Daily we surrender to Christ. Daily we come to Christ (Matthew 11:28-30). Daily we seek Christ (Matthew 6:24-34). Daily we look for Christ return (John 14:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Christ is our life (John 10:10; Galatians 2:20).

Adores his wife

Merriman-Webster defines “adore” as “to regard with loving admiration and devotion.” According to Ephesians 2:7, the reason God saves us is to show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Dads, just as God demonstrates His grace toward us through Christ every moment of each day, we can through Christ adore our children’s mom, our wife. God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:5).

Dad, show your children how to love and respect their future spouse.

Demonstrate before them a grace-enabled, God-honored marriage (Ephesians 5:18-33)!!

Disciples his children

Dads spend hours teaching and coaching their children how to hit or field a baseball. Perhaps it’s how to drive a car. Maybe it’s training in construction.

The best training a dad can give his son or daughter is how to know Christ as personal Lord and Savior (Ephesians 2:1-9); to love, read, and study the Bible (Psalms 19:7-11; 119:1-176); to know how to share Jesus with others (1 Peter 3:15); to know how to pray (Study how Jesus prayed and the prayers of Paul, Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Colossians 1:9-12); to know how to praise the Lord and enjoy life (Psalms 100, 150; Hebrews 13:15); to know how to live the Christ-life (Romans 6-8; Galatians 2:20) and to know how to laugh and have fun (Proverbs 17:22)!!

Seeks the eternal things

One day your children will depart from your home and your training. May that which they love above all things and seek after be the eternal things. Life here is so temporal as is power, prestige, position, possessions, and property. We will leave it all behind one day.

May you live in such a way that your children see you seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), having set your mind/affection on things above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2)., that in all things Christ has the preeminence (Colossians 1:18) because the passion of your life is to know Christ (Philippians 3:4-10).

Happy DADS Day!! Be encouraged!! Stay the course!! Grace is sufficient!!

So very grateful for my Christ-centered dad, for the blessing of being of dad, and for my sons-in-law who are and will be godly dads!!!