Thursday, August 27, 2020
God does tell men how to lead their family
The husband is the head of the wife. And he is to raise his children in the Lord. That is truth from Ephesians 5:21-6:4.
I hear a lot of talk about this passage. Mostly negative. How it does not mean what it seems to say. How it cannot mean today what it did then. How it is abused.
I thought today it might be helpful to see what God said about how to exercise that authority.
Love your wives like Christ does the church. Everything you do must come out of love. That is a high bar. But that is the standard we seek when trying to lead our family.
Give yourself up. That is what Jesus did for the church. You come last. You pour yourself out in love for your wife and kids. It is not about you. It is about them.
Jesus made the church holy. The most important job you have as the head of your household is to lead them to follow Jesus. That is your job. Make sure Jesus is the center of your home.
Feed and care for your family. Physical care of course. Provide for your family. But also spiritual care. You are responsible to feed and care for the spiritual needs of your family. To bring them up in Jesus.
Head of the house.
God said it.
Then He told us what it means.
It is all about Jesus. So be like him. It starts with you.
Set the example in your family. Serve. Love. Give up your life for your wife and kids.
The Christian husband and father leads like Jesus.
What an awesome responsibility.
And one we do because of love.
Love God. Love Jesus. Love your wife. Love your kids.
Be more like Jesus.
It will change everything in your family.
Forever.
Labels: Family
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
My son Joe Don is 42
So Joe Don turned 42. I always blog about why I love and am proud of my people on their birthday. I do this so they see in print what they already know. so here goes...
Great Dad. His kids -- all three -- adore him. They want to hang out with him, be with him. He is intentional in speaking -- and showing -- love to them. Models forgiveness. Holds them accountable. But there is no doubt that they know they are loved.
Great husband. He really loves Jamie. Works hard to help her. Does projects to enhance their home and backyard. takes time to be with her. She is his Queen. He listens, loves, and cherishes her.
Great son. He is really good to Jamie's folks. Treats them like he does us. And he is great with us. Calls -- tho not as much as Jamie. :) He does stuff for us. Changed our car battery just this last weekend.
Will be the extended family patriarch someday, and will be good at it. Siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews all want to be with him. All ask him for advice. Will come to him when they are in trouble. My time as the leader of our family will pass someday. He will -- already is -- ready to take that mantle.
Loves Jesus. He is 100% sold out to Jesus. Good Bible teacher. Good shepherd already. Will make a great elder someday. Generous.
Every Dad wants his son to be a better man than he is.
Mission accomplished.
Thanks God for blessing me with a son like Joe Don. Protect him and watch over him. Give him many years to serve you and others. Do great things with him and through him. For Jesus.
Labels: Family
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Five Reasons I love Family Vacation at the Beach
We recently took our annual Ridgell vacation to the beach. Port Aransas, TX. Thanks Cinnamon Shores. So here are five reasons I love it and suggest you figure our what it is your family can do that gives the same benefit.
1. We are together. No ballgames, no preaching, no other friends to keep up with. Just the ten of us. It keeps us connected. Legacy stories are told. Lots of laughs. Lots of conversations.
2. The ocean. We don't see the ocean often so it always amazing to us. Just majesty and power of the ocean. Marveling at God's creation. In awe.
3. Fishing. The guys charter a boat every year and fish one morning. Love it. This year we limited on trout the first hour. :) I can see the day coming where it will not be me being sure the boys are doing OK. It will be them seeing if Pops is doing OK. And that is the way it should be.
4. Food, games, and movies. We love to hang out. Nice that we great cooks and grillers in our family, including some of the grands. Jigsaw puzzles, lots of beach games. Talking and laughing thru the movies.
5. Family worship. My favorite church service every year. Listening to my grands. Sharing communion. Knowing when I die that faith will go on in my family.
So you see the common themes. Lots of God. Lots of family. Being together. Loving each other.
Not too far off from what I think heaven might be.
So find your beach, mountains, retreat, farm, place for family get-away.
Be intentional about conversations and listening.
Make memories.
Thank God.
Share faith.
We do it every year and it is a blessing.
So... thanks God.
Labels: Family
