On this past Saturday night, the Broome family once again experienced a family worship time. We again sang "Shout to the Lord," Joshua's favorite. This time, Joshua sang with us in between strumming on my guitar and making sure that everyone had a beaded pillow to sit on (such a caring little child, isn't he?). We read Genesis, and explained that God had "separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. God called the expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day."
Ever tried to explain this to a 2 year old? It was interesting. We explained that God had made the sky on the second day, and Joshua and I pretended to be airplanes flying through the house. He loves airplanes, and so we used his passion to point to the Word.
Following up on the first worship time, Joshua now can tell you that God made light and dark on the first day. Isn't it amazing? I probably did not know that truth myself until I was 16 or 17 (I came to Christ as a teenager). My son already is memorizing the Scripture! What will God do with him? I pray that God will allow me to live to see His mighty plans for our family. When we are obedient to the Lord, we find that He is capable of doing more than we could ever conceive.
On another note, my wife is amazing. She prompted the family worship time on Saturday. She also sings beautifully and helps lead in the discipleship time. What a blessing from the Lord!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Help for Parents on Podcast?
Thanks to Al Gore (self proclaimed inventor of the net:), great resources are available to today's parents. I would like to encourage you to go to www.visionaryparenting.com and to sign up for the VP Podcast. If you go to this homepage, you'll see the link to the Podcast on the menu on the left side of the site. As you receive this podcast, you'll be blessed by the insight and knowledge of Rob Rienow. You'll find answers and practical aids to assist you in parenting. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what you might learn!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Family Worship Time...scene 1 - take 1
Last night Lindsey and I had our first family worship time. Of course, we've read Bible stories to our children and prayed with them each day at meals and bedtime. This effort was altogether different.
Last night marked the first time we'd sat down intentionally with the kids for the purpose of family discipleship. We played and sang Shout To The Lord and then I read the beginning of Genesis 1. As you might imagine, family devo time with a 2 year old and 1 year old was interesting. Joshua didn't care to sing (even though it's his favorite song of all time and he'd just sang it earlier), and Anna Bell was busy finding things in the carpet to eat. Still, this was quite possibly the best worship time I've ever experienced. Worshipping the Lord with my family in our family room, I felt the sense that we were doing exactly what we were supposed to do as parents.
It may not have gone perfectly, but we taught the Word to our children. We shared that God had made the night and day on the 1st day. To explain that God made the light, we turned on the lights in the family room.
I implore you to join us on this journey of family worship time. You and I as parents have the responsibility to disciple our children. I'll be sharing more about our adventures, and I'd love to hear some of yours.
If you are one of our Middle School parents, please give this a shot. Maybe today, ask your son or daughter to read through 1 Peter and pick a couple of verses to discuss over dinner the next day. Your children want you to lead them, and they are looking to you for guidance.
Last night marked the first time we'd sat down intentionally with the kids for the purpose of family discipleship. We played and sang Shout To The Lord and then I read the beginning of Genesis 1. As you might imagine, family devo time with a 2 year old and 1 year old was interesting. Joshua didn't care to sing (even though it's his favorite song of all time and he'd just sang it earlier), and Anna Bell was busy finding things in the carpet to eat. Still, this was quite possibly the best worship time I've ever experienced. Worshipping the Lord with my family in our family room, I felt the sense that we were doing exactly what we were supposed to do as parents.
It may not have gone perfectly, but we taught the Word to our children. We shared that God had made the night and day on the 1st day. To explain that God made the light, we turned on the lights in the family room.
I implore you to join us on this journey of family worship time. You and I as parents have the responsibility to disciple our children. I'll be sharing more about our adventures, and I'd love to hear some of yours.
If you are one of our Middle School parents, please give this a shot. Maybe today, ask your son or daughter to read through 1 Peter and pick a couple of verses to discuss over dinner the next day. Your children want you to lead them, and they are looking to you for guidance.
Luther on Christian Parenting...
I have recently been reading Family-Based Youth Ministry, by Mark DeVries. In chapter 4, "Sitting on a Gold Mine," DeVries quotes Martin Luther. The words Luther penned resonate today just as they did 500 years ago:
"Most certainly father and mother are apostles, bishops, and priests to their children, for it is they who make them acquainted with the gospel. In short, there is no greater or nobler authority on earth than that of parents over their children, for this authority is both spiritual and temporal."
What a statement about the importance of Christian parents! I'm struck by the question, "Am I doing all that I can to expose my children to the glory of the gospel of the King?"
May we never be fooled into thinking that the spiritual formation of our children is primarily the responsibility of student pastors or teachers (though they are important). The Biblical mandate is for Lindsey and I to raise our children in the fear of the Most Holy God. What a great privilege!
"Most certainly father and mother are apostles, bishops, and priests to their children, for it is they who make them acquainted with the gospel. In short, there is no greater or nobler authority on earth than that of parents over their children, for this authority is both spiritual and temporal."
What a statement about the importance of Christian parents! I'm struck by the question, "Am I doing all that I can to expose my children to the glory of the gospel of the King?"
May we never be fooled into thinking that the spiritual formation of our children is primarily the responsibility of student pastors or teachers (though they are important). The Biblical mandate is for Lindsey and I to raise our children in the fear of the Most Holy God. What a great privilege!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
God's Grand Vision for the Home
- Dr. Rob Rienow
My mother-in-law recently purchased this insightful book for me. She'd attended Rienow's conference, Visionary Parenting, in St. Louis and was greatly impacted.
I must say after reading the book I was challenged, convicted, broken, and encouraged. The call of Rienow is for families to return to the high calling found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
I am greatly encouraged to develop a family worship time with my wife and children. I realize that it is ultimately my God-given responsibility to train my children up in the Lord, and to lovingly lead my wife in this walk together. I strongly challenge you to pick up a copy of this book ($5 from visionaryparenting.com) and allow the Holy Spirit to lead your heart, mind, and soul. If we will commit to discipling our families, the world (especially the churched world) would be radically Biblical.
Ephebiphobia = a fear of adolescents
I am the Middle School Pastor at Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon, GA (www.ingleside.org). This is an amazing local church with dynamic leadership.
Recently, I began a quest. I was searching for a quality book written about Junior High Ministry. Now I've read certain "great books" about the subject previously, but found them lacking in substantive information.
My most recent read, Junior High Ministry, by Wayne Rice, was the best thus far. If you are looking for a resource to help you understand the physical, psychological, emotional, and social changes of a middle schooler, this is a great book to start. He's also written a companion book, Enjoy Your Middle Schooler, for parents.
For those in the ministry, we have a Biblical responsibility to learn about our flock. We must rely on the knowledge and wisdom of others who've traveled the road before us. We must continue to be learners as we lead. Mental laziness is not acceptable.
Recently, I began a quest. I was searching for a quality book written about Junior High Ministry. Now I've read certain "great books" about the subject previously, but found them lacking in substantive information.
My most recent read, Junior High Ministry, by Wayne Rice, was the best thus far. If you are looking for a resource to help you understand the physical, psychological, emotional, and social changes of a middle schooler, this is a great book to start. He's also written a companion book, Enjoy Your Middle Schooler, for parents.
For those in the ministry, we have a Biblical responsibility to learn about our flock. We must rely on the knowledge and wisdom of others who've traveled the road before us. We must continue to be learners as we lead. Mental laziness is not acceptable.
Latest Leadings and Readings...
Hello everyone (assuming anyone is reading this other than my wife - hey babe),
I have been thinking about whether or not to blog for quite some time now. While blogging can be a productive use of time, I've often wondered if there was validity in putting words to the thoughts rattling around in my gray matter. Recently, however, God has been leading me into new directions in life and ministry, and I thought you might be interested in going on the journey with me.
As for my family, my wife does an incredible job keeping up the blog for all viewing enjoyment. You can check it out at www.fourbroomes.blogspot.com. As I read her blog, it truly humbles me to see my great family and Godly wife. Why did God bless me in this way? It is undeserved.
I'll be interested to know your thoughts and responses to my entries. Maybe we can use this as an iron sharpening experience.
I have been thinking about whether or not to blog for quite some time now. While blogging can be a productive use of time, I've often wondered if there was validity in putting words to the thoughts rattling around in my gray matter. Recently, however, God has been leading me into new directions in life and ministry, and I thought you might be interested in going on the journey with me.
As for my family, my wife does an incredible job keeping up the blog for all viewing enjoyment. You can check it out at www.fourbroomes.blogspot.com. As I read her blog, it truly humbles me to see my great family and Godly wife. Why did God bless me in this way? It is undeserved.
I'll be interested to know your thoughts and responses to my entries. Maybe we can use this as an iron sharpening experience.
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