My LOVELY bride and I have been married for 29 years... the Lord has tremendously blessed US in so many ways.. our two grown children are at the top of the blessing list.. don't worry... this isn't going to be a " brag- a-blog" about how wonderful our kids are.. I do that all the time... ;) this is more of an admonition blog... a warning blog.... or as we in the "church world " say.... a word of " exhortation"( that's a nice way of saying... " listen to me... cuz I am about to tell you something you need to do...:) well... in this case... I want to tell you WHat NOT TO DO....
LIKE MANY PARENTS... we taught our children All the " basics" of the Christian faith... you know... stuff like :
1.)God loves you and sent JESUS to keep the Law for you and to suffer for your sin
2.)His love is a free gift... He loves you with all His love.
3.) Whatever He calls you to do... He will equip you.. He will guide you... He will provide.. no matter what your life's calling turns out to be...whether you are a doctor lawyer janitor or missionary.. He will work it all out according to His plan
Maria and I taught our children these truths...our church family taught our children these truths....we were thankful that "truths 1 and 2" took root... and The Father lovingly gave them new hearts so that they could REST in His love...
But... when it came to "truth number three".???....well......
My greatest fear... ( although... I would have NEVER ADMITTED IT) WAS that they would BELIEVE " truth number three)... because... deep down in my heart... I didn't believe it... especially the "MISSIONARY " part...I mean.. after all... missionaries lots of times have to raise their own support... it's a tough job...we have all heard the stories...
" the THING THAT I FEARED THE MOST CAME UPON ME"- CLAY CALLAWAY( the day his daughter told him she was going into full time ministry )
" the thing I FEARED the most came upon me AGAIN) CLAY CALLAWAY( the day his SON TOLD HIM HE WANTS TO GO INTO FULL TIME MINISTRY)
I had it all planned out... Hannah would graduate from college.. get a job teaching school...and ministry could COME LATER... I TOLD HER "my" plan. ... she saw between the lines...she saw the subtitles of the language of fear that I spoke... the words scrolling across the bottom of the screen said the following: " get a REAL JOB... WITH A SECURE PAYCHECK.. MAKE SOME MONEY AND DO MINISTRY LATER...OR PART TIME"
My lines betrayed my heart... a heart of unbelief...
I had to confess... repent... and believe truth number three...
When I STARTED BELIEVING IN OUR FATHERS LOVE AND PROVISION..we saw many miracles... Our daughter felt that she received " my blessing" for the Lord's calling upon her life... yep... she had to raise her own support.. the Lord provides each and every month.. miracle after miracle unfolds before our eyes... the students that she works with are being reminded of the greatest gift of all.. the love of our Heavenly Father... those who support Hannah in her ministry with their prayers and financial gifts feel blessed to be able to give and partner in the spreading of the gospel... They believe truth number THREE... THEY UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS..
He really is our Loving Father.. He always provides... HE WANTS US TO TRUST HIM..
SO PARENTS... BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU TEACH YOUR CHILDREN... THEY WILL REALLY BELIEVE IT.. EVEN IF YOU DON'T...
" but seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.. and all these things shall be added unto you"
Next post: a report on what our son John Calvin is doing... He believed truth number three as well......:)
Sunday, July 28, 2013
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