"Calls things as though they were..."
Romans 4:17 (New International Version)
17As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.
Whatever may be going on in your life and family at this moment may seem to be a mountain to big to climb and a problem to big to solve. It may seem there is no way out, over or through it. I can tell you through experience today that to God it is not a problem, God looks at it and sees it how He would have it to be. He will guide you and open doors, perform miracles and move mountains for you. Trust Him, most importantly listen to Him and love and worship Him as he does you. God Bless, Don
Don Collette
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Print"You and your family have been chosen.."
1 Peter 2:10 (The Message)
9-10 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.
You and your family have been chosen by God. That is a fact. Chosen and paid for by the blood of Jesus. We did not earn it in any way or deserve it. At such a high price it is not hard to understand how much God must love us and how much He wants to best for us and our families. As mothers and fathers, sons and daughters and grandparents it is our honor to care for our families. God has placed them in our lives to encourage, love and honor. To build up, pray over and guard there safety, personal and spiritual. To do His work is to care for the people He has placed in our lives. To be used as He leads us with His spirit. Let God use you as He desires in your family today and every day. God Bless your family each day. Don and Karen.
"War..."
"Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet if God wills that it continues... until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid another drawn with the sword... so still it must be said that the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. With malice toward none, with charity for all, in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us finish the work we are in, to bind up the nations wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphans, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and all nations."
Second Inaugural Address
Abraham Lincoln
March, 4, 1865
Let us remember that today we are at war, that over 4000 young men and women have died in battle. Let us remember to pray with our families, to discuss with them the battle at hand and what is at stake. Let us most of all remember to cover our nation and those on the front lines of battle with daily prayer... God Bless, Don and Karen
"Don't remove the boundries..."
Proverbs 22:28 (The Message)
staked out long ago by your ancestors.
"Guard their imaginations..."
Isaiah 65:1-2 (New International Version)
I was found by those who did not seek me.
To a nation that did not call on my name,
I said, 'Here am I, here am I.'
2 All day long I have held out my hands
to an obstinate people,
who walk in ways not good,
pursuing their own imaginations-
God was speaking about his children here, the children of Israel. The part that gets my attention is that they were; "pursuing their own imaginations..." As parents it is our responsibility to guide the forming of our families "imaginations". Where to they get them from? From what they see and hear in us, what they see and hear on t.v. and in public. We can't hide our children away, but we can control what goes into their imaginations. The children of Israel had learned bad habits and seen things that were not right. Those things got into their "imaginations". Be careful about what gets into yours and your children's. God Bless, Don and Karen
"Make sure you all get rest..."
Psalm 4:8 (New International Version)
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
"Delayed Gratification"
Hal Runkel, LMFT
ScreamFree Parenting
Remember the movie Minority Report? The Cruise/Spielberg collaboration a few years ago was a haunting picture of the future, a future that included the most personalized advertising possible. Whenever you entered a mall, or shopping venue of any kind, eye-retina scans would identify you. And then every sign, every screen, and every sales placard would call you by name, show you all the products you have purchased or perused in the past, and showcase all the new, similar products for you in your preferred color, shape, and size. Yikes. Thank goodness our world isn’t really like that.
Hang on just a minute before you dismiss this merely as a thing of the future or a vision of a director; log on to amazon.com. On their front page will appear books and music that you have viewed in the past, along with similar products that other people with your viewing history have purchased. Sound familiar? The personalized advertising of our futuristic movies is already at hand.
Without the self-discipline to remain objective, see the advertising for what it is, and only pursue those products you most want, the onslaught of advertising will pale in comparison to the onslaught of personal debt and emptiness it will no doubt bring.
The way out is what Scott Peck called The Road Less Traveled. The road out is the path of most resistance but most reward-it is the road of delayed gratification. If you want to teach your children one skill to help them most in this life, teach them to delay gratification.
Careful here, this does not mean to deny gratification. So often we equate delaying gratification with denying any at all. This is what our kids pick up on when they ask us for something and we respond with, "We'll see." They always read that (usually correctly) as a not-too-honest way of us just saying no. At least that's the way I saw my own dad do it. If we do this often enough, they see delaying gratification as a way of simply denying happiness.
This is not what I want to teach my kids, or my clients and readers, for that matter. I want to teach my kids that the key to life is to absolutely pursue what you want most, as opposed to whatever you want right now. Failure in life is whenever we neglect what we want most in order to get what we want right now. Think of eating extra dessert (what I want right now) instead of pursuing what I want most (a healthy, vibrant, energetic body). Think of buying the newest gadget instead of investing in a wealth-building asset (and then having plenty of extra money for even newer gadgets later). Think of telling your spouse “I told you so!” when they are clearly in the wrong instead of quickly forgiving and loving him/her through their mistake and walking alongside them as they repair the damage.
You want to equip your kids against the onslaught of advertising? Ask them continually about what they want most. Timing is important here. Don't ask them about this in the middle of a commercial (your advice will literally be seen as the enemy to the endorphins encouraged by the ad); instead, ask them about their strongest desires in the park, over a card game, in the car, or at bedtime. Make every effort to listen without manipulating, a difficult task, to be sure. Every once in a while, talk about your frustration with your own lack of discipline and subsequent buyer's remorse, just be careful not to turn it into a "don't make the same mistake, kid" type of moment. In fact, occasionally, let them make that mistake. Experience is a great teacher. Overall, just gently, and calmly, introduce your kids to your own journey of discovery and life education.
And then hope they don't watch and listen and learn as you scarf that extra dessert.
Hal E. Runkel
Hal E. Runkel, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist and author of the groundbreaking book ScreamFree Parenting: Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool, from Waterbrook Press. Visit www.screamfree.com for more information.
"Steel and Velvet"
An unusual tribute was paid to Abraham Lincoln by Carl Sandburg. The poet wrote, "Not often in the story of mankind does a man arrive on earth who is both steel and velvet, who is as hard as rock and soft as drifting fog, who holds in his heart and mind the paradox of terrible storm and peace unspeakable and perfect."
Lincoln demonstrated then and now how a person can possess both a will of iron and a heart of tenderness. Nothing deterred the president during the American Civil War from his "noble" cause, and few persons have ever endured more criticism and detractors than Lincoln. Yet he was no more a man of steel than one of velvet.
When General Robert E. Lee surrendered his army, Lincoln sent an unexpected message to the enemy commander. "Tell your men they may keep their horses; they'll need them for plowing," said the president. Then this: "Tell your men they may keep their rifles; they'll need them for hunting." When Lee read those words he wept.
Steve Goodier, Life Support System
http://www.lifesupportsystem.com
Cited on www.witandwisdom.org
"He did nothing to stop them..."
1 Samuel 3:11-14 (The Message)
"Where can I get help?..."
Psalm 121:1-2 (The Message)
No, my strength comes from God,
who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
Mon and dad....where can you get help raising your kids? Where can you get help with your budget? Where can you get help to teach your teen what is right and wrong? Where can you get help to be a better mom and dad? Where can you learn to have more patience? Show more love? Have more strength? Where can you learn what kind of example to be? All the help you need can come from God and his word and the power of the Holy Spirit, who wants to help you more than you realize.....try it...........God Bless, Don and Karen
"Fan the Flame..."
Fathers Fanning the Flames of Faith
by Dennis Rainey
Barbara and I have been blessed with six children. A few weeks ago our youngest, Laura, graduated from high school. Sitting in the auditorium that afternoon, my heart swelled with a mixture of delight and sadness. Sure, I was thrilled at her accomplishment. Barbara and I are so very proud of her.
Still, my mind couldn't let go of the fact that it was just yesterday when I, the proud daddy, held Laura in my arms for the first time. Forgive me for being a tad sentimental, but as she walked across the stage to receive her diploma, I remembered when she took her first steps. As she adjusted her cap and gown, I recalled her first day she played dress-up.
Talk about a bittersweet moment.
The night before the ceremony, we gathered at our home to celebrate the completion of Laura's undergraduate life. Room after room was filled with family, friends and guests who came honor Laura. At the end of the evening, Barbara and I cleaned-up the cups and dishes in what was a satisfied silence. We returned the chairs and furniture to their assigned places, took down the party banners, and carried out the trash.
Now 24 hours later I thought back to the graduation. A school official had handed Laura a diploma certifying she had completed her studies. She had learned her lessons well. She was ready to move on.
Or was she?
Actually, yes. While I knew that piece of paper wouldn't sustain her when the storms of life thundered in, Barbara and I worked hard to instill in her something that would: A heart for Jesus. And you know what? One of the single best things I did as a father to enhance her spiritual heritage, as well as that of each of our children, might surprise you.
I built a fire pit.
That's right. A good, old fashioned campfire pit in our backyard. The kids loved to sit on a log or on a stone around the flames as we'd swap stories, share the scriptures, talk about the day, or sing a favorite song. With the crickets adding their serenade, we'd roast hotdogs, marshmallows . . . and occasionally smores.
One thing is sure. Those countless visits to the campfire sparked the fire of faith that burned brightly in Laura's eyes as she walked the aisle.
How about you? Do you want to pass along your faith, your values, and your heart for God to your children? This summer, why not consider something as "low tech" as a campfire. As the Apostle Paul said, "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you" (2Timothy 1:6a).
A week after her graduation I stood by the fire pit and pondered: The days of fanning the flames of our children's faith are not over—it's just a new season. Our children will never lose their need to be cheered on in the race of life by their parents. I pray that my life "glows" as one who continually points them back to the Savior.
"He led everyone in his house..."
Acts 10 1:3 (The Message)
1-3 There was a man named Cornelius who lived in Caesarea, captain of the Italian Guard stationed there. He was a thoroughly good man. He had led everyone in his house to live worshipfully before God, was always helping people in need, and had the habit of prayer. One day about three o'clock in the afternoon he had a vision. An angel of God, as real as his next-door neighbor, came in and said, "Cornelius."
Are you leading everyone in your house to live worshipfully before God? Are you demonstrating God's love and mercy by helping who and when you can? Do your spouse and children know you to be in the habit of prayer? The example we live before our family will have lasting consequences to be sure. What the nature of them are, is up to you. God may having an angel waiting to visit you..... God Bless you and your family today. Don and Karen
"Family Life Web site."
We have placed a very good link to www.familylife.com on the link section. You will be blessed by it. God bless, Don and Karen
"Shaped by things...and feelings..."
Colossians 3:5-8 (The Message)
"Peace...."
Philippians 4:9 (New International Version)
9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
More than ever before what families need is peace. In such busy times and with all the things available to do there seems that there is not a moments peace. Do what you know to do and learned in God's word. Put into practice these things. Peace will come to your family. Put God first...practice the discipline of "simplicity"... make your families life as simple as possible. You will thank God you did. God Bless, Don and Karen
"They walked away from God's promises..."
Psalm 119: 153-160
153-160 Take a good look at my trouble, and help me—
I haven't forgotten your revelation.
Take my side and get me out of this;
give me back my life, just as you promised.
"Salvation" is only gibberish to the wicked
because they've never looked it up in your dictionary.
Your mercies, God, run into the billions;
following your guidelines, revive me.
My antagonists are too many to count,
but I don't swerve from the directions you gave.
I took one look at the quitters and was filled with loathing;
they walked away from your promises so casually!
Take note of how I love what you tell me;
out of your life of love, prolong my life.
Your words all add up to the sum total: Truth.
Your righteous decisions are eternal.
Literally thousands upon thousands of families have been given over to the devil, drugs, divorce, adultery, abuse and turmoil for one reason.... "they walked away from God's promises" and they did it casually. Decide today as the head of your family that you are going to live by God's Word and seek to obey it for every promise in it for your family, to raise your family as God directs. To walk towards the promises instead of away. We are praying for every family. God Bless, Don and Karen
"Tell everything God has done in you..."
Luke 8:39 (The Message)
"What we've seen and heard..."
Deuteronomy 4 (The Message)
9 Just make sure you stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves. Don't forget anything of what you've seen. Don't let your heart wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live. Teach what you've seen and heard to your children and grandchildren.
Deuteronomy 4 (King James Version)
9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;
I posted both the "Message" and "KJV" translation here so that you could see them side by side....but as you can see the point is as mothers and fathers, grandmothers and fathers we must stay alert for the sake of our children and grandchildren. The world is growing more and more desensitized to the crime, hate, terror and all else that goes on. Our children and grandkids must see us pray and we must pray with them. They must see us come to God for our needs and praise Him for all that we have. God didn't want the children of Israel to forget what happened in the wilderness and we shouldn't either. God help us all be the example we should be for our families. God Bless......... Don and Karen
"What we've learned is this...)
27-28 So where does that leave our proud Jewish insider claims and counter-claims? Canceled? Yes, canceled. What we've learned is this: God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade. (Romans 3:27-28 The Message)
How are you responding to what God is trying to do in your family? In your marraige? In your Husband/Wife and Children. Let God set the pace in your life........the prade will wear you out.... God Bless, Don and Karen
"More than Enough..."
Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, More " they say, "More, More". I have God's more than enough, More joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees
(Psalm 4:7 The Message)
Maybe we should all stop for a minute...and try to see if God is more than enough...and If there is more joy...than all the "things" can bring? What are we teaching our children and them to teach there children... ?
God Bless, Don
