Belated Blogging...

Since the last blog, the Broome family has been holding it down (well, that's not entirely true. You see, Lindsey hasn't been able to keep much down due to the pregnancy...but I digress). Last week, we had our first corporate family worship time with good friends of ours in Macon. The Jones' have a daughter Anna Bell's age, and we had dinner and then had a time of worship that covered the fourth day of creation. The children behaved, well, like children.

My Dad and I took Joshua fishing last Saturday for the first time. We went to a local pond to baptize my son into the world of catch and release. As we ventured down the hill and to the pond, we could see the bluegill clustering together. It was as if they knew my son was coming, and they were awaiting a nice worm buffet catered by a new Snoopy rod and reel. Long story short, my son, my fishing son, caught 5 bluegill in just a shade under 5 minutes. It was amazing! He reeled them in on his own, and made his dad and Paw Paw proud.

I've also been reading a great book by Steve Wright called ReThink. This book implores youth pastors to re-think the typical strategies of youth ministry. It has been an encouraging book thus far, and I'll give you a better review when I finish it this week.

Don't Be Another Family Statistic...

One of the great professors at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Alvin Reid, penned Raising the Bar: Ministry to Youth in the New Millennium. In this work, Dr. Reid cites many alarming statistics. May these excerpts both encourage and convict us all:

"Do youth observe their parents having daily devotions? Do parents pray with their youth? A survey by LifeWay Christian Resources found 92 percent of Southern Baptist homes have no devotional times during the year. Praying with their youth needs to be elevated as one of the highest priorities in the home. Strong parent ministry is a necessary component if we are going to win this generation to Christ."

Dr. Reid provides great advice to Christian parents who are trying to get back to a Biblical model of parenting:

1. Remember this basic principle of time management: if you do not control your time, someone else will.

2. A second factor of time management, make time to do what is important - like faithful attendance in worship. Like family times of devotion. Like times to get away as a family. Like regular family nights and meals together.

3. Men, give your wife and kids the very best of your discretionary time...You may work and eight-to-five job and never go anywhere, but if you don't want to be home, your kids will know it.

4. Everyday, do something in your children's world.

5. Discover what your kids love to do, and regularly do it with them. That shows your kids that they matter to you. Take your daughter roller skating. Shoot hoops with your son. It's okay if you're pitiful at it; if your child loves doing it, spend time doing it with your child.

These are only a couple examples of the incredible insights from Dr. Reid as he applies Scripture to the family. I personally know Dr. Reid and have met his family. He is quite possibly one of the busiest people I know (teaching, writing a book a year, preaching constantly), but he also places a priority on his family. Dr. Reid, you are a great example to all who believe!

Check him out at www.alvinreid.com

Family Discipleship...

Last night, Lindsey and I attempted to have another family worship time. We began by singing "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever." I'd love to tell you that our 2 year old and 1 year old sat there, hands raised, and worshipped the Lord fervently. Here's the real picture: Joshua is making sure that everyone has the proper beaded pillow and running around the family room. Anna Bell is sitting with Lindsey, laughing at her brother's entertainment. Nonetheless, we pressed on with our family time.
We taught about the 3rd day of creation. We taught that God made the ground and vegetation, and used the visual illustration of bananas to explain what God had made. Truthfully, Joshua was more interested in eating the bananas. Overall, it was a great time of discipleship for our children.
If I could encourage you in one thing, I would implore you to develop a discipleship time for your family. I know what you are thinking, "But you are in the ministry!" So are you. God has given you a ministry; it's called your family. You are responsible. God has equipped you to train your children. Listen, it's not easy. It's not perfect. Sometimes it can be frustrating. But we must let the Word be our guide, and the Word instructs us to teach our children (of all ages) the great news of the gospel of peace. You can do it!

The Next Doogie Howser?

Ah...the life of a father of two. In the past week, Joshua has learned to put on his own Pull-up diaper after (well..you know). While some may not consider this to be a great feat of wisdom or strength, I must share with you what I've learned about my 2 1/2 year old son from this event.

1. Joshua perseveres in difficulties. As I watched him repeatedly put two legs in one hole and then start all over again, I realized that my son never gives up. He didn't even get frustrated. He simply tried and tried again until he realized his goal.
2. Joshua is independent. He didn't ask for help. He didn't cry or complain. He continued the trial and error process on his own.

3. Joshua is my hero. My son is amazing. He can do anything (except drive, prepare his own dinner, operate the DVD correctly...uh...you get the point).

Parenthood is such an amazing experience! I pray that I will have the perseverance that my son has. I pray that I can persevere in my faith in Christ. I pray that I'll persevere in the midst of trials. I pray that I'll persevere in my marriage and family life.

I know that there is a little bit of me in Joshua, and I hope there's a little bit of Joshua in me.

"Be strong and courageous!" - Joshua 1

Leader Appreciation

On Saturday night, we held our leader appreciation banquet. We had a wonderful time together!
I would just like to say again, "Thank you." Thank you again for all you do. You have given sacrificially and lovingly to these Middle School students, and you have been an incredible blessing to Lindsey and I.
Because of your love and service, you allow me to minister, dream, and listen to the voice of God more easily. You allow me to spend more time with my family, my primary ministry. Because you care, the students know they are loved.
You are more than volunteers, you are leaders of youth. You are making a great impact on these students! Let's continue to run this race together!
Thanks for everything you do and are.

Chuck on Moses...

I've recently been reading Charles Swindoll's book, Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication. Speaking of the high calling of God on Moses, Swindoll pens these words:
"Why did he (Moses) resist? I am convinced in my heart that Moses wasn't hearing God correctly. Moses, I believe, thought God intended him to be the deliverer of Israel, and that blew all his circuit breakers.
But God didn't tell him that! God told him that he would be an instrument in the deliverance, but God Himself would be the deliverer. Huge difference. In God's calling, He has a plan; but He never expects you to carry out that plan. He's going to pull it off. He simply wants you to be the instrument of action."
While some thoughts Swindoll expresses in this work are subjective, I believe this is a great truth. Go back and look over the first 4 chapters of Exodus and watch as the great Moses resists the calling of God. To be sure, God could have chosen a more noble man than Moses (a murderer in Egypt). God could have chosen a great orator to lead his people. He could have chosen the latest and flashiest young preacher boy to pull off the Exodus.
But God chose to use Moses, a man of imperfections.
So, how about you and me? Fortunately, we can relate to Moses all too well. We resist the call of God to take leadership in our culture, community, and family because we think we have to pull all the "God-sized weight" ourselves. My friends, this is not so. God is calling us to lead, and He will provide all the power for us to do so.
So, what should our response be? Let's take the next step of faith to lead.