Time to breathe...

Well, we just finished the last of our childbirth preparation classes, and aside from being freaked out by all the things that could go wrong with childbirth, I found it a bit disappointing. Seeing all of the different types of parents (and especially dads) really reminded me of how so many parents spend so much time preparing for the BIRTH of the child (classes, nursery, showers, registries, etc.), but overlook preparing for the UPBRINGING of the child (being parents!)

Working with junior highers, high schoolers, and college students, I realize that the first few years are so crucial in laying down the values and formative family dynamics that will shape a kid into adolescence. There really is only one shot at it!

This past Monday, Sarah and I had the chance to spend some time reading, eating lunch, praying and meditating over Scripture, and discussing the first two chapters of a book we're reading together, "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Ted Tripp. We talked about some family values that we were brought up in - different roles that our moms and dads took on, how we resolved conflict, how our parents demonstrated their faith and made it visible...and what we wanted to shape in our family. It was a precious time that had a profound impact on me.

It's a fantastic book because of it's Gospel-centered approach to parenting the heart, not just behavior. For all you new parents out there like us, let me commend it to you.

Well, much thanks to Jim & Pat Schiltz for giving us use of your beautiful home and garden for the day to retreat. You really gave us the gift of time. May God give us the grace to be parents who love Jesus even more than we love our kid!

Dear children...

"...Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth."

Thank you to our CF family for demonstrating 1 John 3:18 to us! More than the gifts, the tremendous outpouring of time and energy in preparing a bash and the interest have been such a blessing. Our church family demonstrated to us this past Wed. night what the relationship between a church and a pastor ought to be about - mutual love! It was amazing looking out and seeing the various people whom God has given me the privilege to love and serve. It actually made me speechless...(I know, I can't believe it either.)

More than that, I can understand Paul's love for the Philippians in Chapt. 1, and how he must have had the desire to serve and love them in the best way he knows how - by showing them Christ. I want so badly to teach well so that these families whom I love would have the best thing in the world - Christ. It's funny because I feel a lot of the same things towards my wife and my forthcoming son.

I only pray that I would love Christ more and that my knowledge and understanding of His majesty would deepen in order that I might make Him clearer and more beautiful to my family, both Sarah and baby and CF.

Thank you for loving us!!!