Bringing up Godly Children
Last Sunday was “Father’s Day.” You may have honored your dad with a call or a card. Maybe you
gave him one of those “dad appropriate” gifts. You may have allowed him to choose and enjoy
his favorite meal. I’m sure that every expression of love was well received and appreciated by every
dad. Speaking from experience, just being a father, especially a grandfather, is joy enough without
all the fuss.
We will have a very special “Father’s Day Supper” for our dads at St. Andrews Road this
Saturday, June 21st, at 5:00 p.m. We usually have our Father’s Day celebration on the Saturday
before Father’s Day, but this year we decided to be different. Please make plans to be here for this
wonderful time of fellowship together. Please let us know if you plan to attend.
Congratulations to Brian and Lauren Larmon! Brian and Lauren were joined in marriage this
past Sunday evening, June 15th, in Charleston. Thank you for allowing me to make the trip to
Charleston to officiate their beautiful wedding ceremony.
On Sunday morning we have been looking at “Marriage and the Home – Building a Foundation
against the Storms.” As Jesus ended His sermon on the mount (Matthew 7:24-27), He spoke of two
distinct groups of people: the wise - those who hear and obey and the foolish - those who hear but
do not obey. The rain will fall, the floods will rise, and the winds will blow in every life. Hearing and
obeying is the only way to withstand the storms.
This past Sunday we focused our attention on “The Rain – The Culture We Live In.” Our text
was 2 Timothy 3:1-9. Here Paul warns us of “perilous times.” He tells us that our culture will become
such that the Christian will have a tough time withstanding the storm. In our lesson we looked at the
“forces” that can erode our relationships: alternative lifestyles, radical feminism and male dominance,
materialism, and the sexual revolution. We, also, looked at the “ideas” that can erode our marriages:
humanism, materialism, and hedonism.
After Paul paints a picture of the culture in the last days, he tells us how to withstand the rain.
Carefully follow God’s word (3:10). Continue in the things which you have learned from God’s word
(3:14). Become complete and equipped for every good work through a daily walk with God
(3:16-17).
This Sunday we will look at “The Floods – The Crises We Live Through.” We all must go
through the floods: trials, tests, and crises. We must learn to RELAX in God’s plan, RECOGNIZE
God’s presence, and RELY on God’s promises and protection.
On Sunday night we will focus on “Bringing up Godly Children.” We have looked at providence
and guidance. This week we will focus on BALANCE in bringing up our children in the way they
should go. Paul instructed Timothy to 1) Be an example, 2) Give attention, and 3) Use your gifts. We
will use Paul’s instructions to Timothy as a lesson for parents and grandparents today.
Remember to mark your calendar for our HUGE Vacation Bible School at SAR on
July 20th-24th, Sunday night through Thursday night. We’re getting everything ready for a
wonderful VBS, “Walking in Son Light.”
Where should every Christian be on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and on Wednesday night?
Of course, we should be at the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. I look forward to
sharing time together with you.