It Starts at Home

May I share something quite personal? (Warning: this is an open book-blog of where God is working with me)

The Lord has been really working on me regarding my relationship with my wife, Elizabeth, and my children; Rachel, Jaron, Justus, Judah and baby #5.

Questions I'm wrestling with: How well am I leading them? Am I leading them in a righteous spiritual walk before the Lord; walking with Jesus as their Savior and Lord? Are my children being fed the Word of God? Am I being an example to them on how to worship and pray? In regards to my wife, am I being the prophetic voice, the spiritual covering, the righteous protector, provider and priest she needs?

These are not rhetorical questions by the way; the demand an answer.

God's Word commands me to lead my family in every area of life. From faithfulness to discipline, from holy living to a life of worship for the King...I'm the leader of my home.

Ladies, please do not take offense. My wife is my partner in ministering to my family but I have been positioned by God to lead and to lead strong; to cast the vision for my own household. I can tell you right now, I am so very thankful for my wife. Her gift of discernment is strong and I'm learning to listen. I need her help to lead! Man that's good stuff. Let me say it again...I need her help to lead.

Elizabeth and I don't have it all figured out. We're seeking the Lord continually for wisdom, peace and answers on how to parent, grow in our marriage covenant and more. And He's providing that wisdom, peace, and the answers come as we grow closer to Him and as we learn. The Lord is continually making our marriage stronger but we have to submit to His correction, discipline and love. That's the key. We must, together, submit to the Father's teaching and rebuke.

The spirit of divorce is working overtime lately. DO NOT GIVE THAT DEMONIC SPIRIT ANY ROOM WHATSOEVER. Don't even utter the 'd' word. Grow closer to your spouse and wrap your arms around your children declaring the sovereignty of God over your household.

Husbands, stand firm in God's Word and declare peace and the presence of God in your house. Show your family how to worship, to pray, to memorize scripture, to know the commandments! Teach them how to listen for the voice of God.

Listen, these are things I'm doing. I'm joining Apostle Paul's bandwagon on this one. He claimed he didn't have it all together but one thing he had figured out...forgetting what is behind!!! Praise God for His grace to help us more forward and forget bad history. Pressing forward people!

I want this open book-blog to be an encouragement to you today. It starts at home...revival.

It hit me the other day, what if my children do not serve the Lord? What if my children do not experience His power and presence like I have? These are sobering questions my friend. My children will be impacted by my every decision, both spiritually and physically. 'GOD HELP ME!' I am desperate for the Lord to show me how to lead them. I can feel when my family is running on empty or needing my special and spiritual attention.

Let me be bold right now and proclaim to you that I will lead my family in prayer on their knees. I will teach them to live righteously even though I may falter at times; even then, I will teach them about the grace and forgiveness of our Savior Jesus. I will help them know God and hear His voice. I will show them how to walk uprightly and in God's identity and purpose for their lives. My children will experience God's love and power and presence like Elizabeth and I have...and they'll do more things for the Kingdom than we ever have!

It starts at home. Join me in the journey. Lead your family by following Jesus. His precious and powerful Holy Spirit will guide us, lead us and yes, correct us.

We're doing this for our family. So that generations from now we'll see our children's, children's, children serving the Lord with zeal and passion.

Thanks for letting me share the journey of leading my family. More to come.

A Holy Legacy...why should your life be lived any differently?

This past Sunday, November 17th, around noon, my Grandmother Hazel Carson (my mom's mom) took her last breath on earth and then opened her eyes to witness the glorious presence of God the Father. She was a saint, a generous and hospitable woman, who genuinely loved the Lord.

Grandma was generous, kind and caring even when the pain of liver cancer was too much for her to bear. Even in her pain she thought of others; providing us with food, gifts, keepsakes, and more. A few weeks ago she was walking around the house, sharing stories and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. A couple weeks later, one evening while visiting her, I held her hand as she cried out in pain, 'Help me', as the morphine wore off and the pain increased. To calm her and bring her peace I prayed with her and all while I prayed and the pain continued, she prayed along calling on Jesus. She called on Jesus.

Forgive me for my humble boasting right now but...this is my legacy. Listen. Cancer did not win, my Grandma won. For now she has finished the race and she ran well my friend. Very well.

This is my holy legacy. A legacy that has been handed down from one generation to another...to call on Jesus. Ponder that for a moment. We have been given something precious, perfect and powerful. Call on Jesus. What a legacy!

Because of their faithfulness to Jesus from my Grandpa & Grandma Herald and my Grandpa & Grandma Carson, my family now serves Jesus Christ...even unto death. My children love Jesus and they are learning what it means to believe in Him as Savior and Lord, and what it means to live for Him.

I see the generational blessings flowing from the former generations to the generations yet to be born and I am amazed at the goodness of God.

My Grandma Carson lived for Christ and held nothing back. So, why should my life be lived any different? To her last breath, she believed. To her last heart beat, she held on to hope and faith. To her last moment on earth, she showed us how to live compassionately and generously.

Why should my life be lived any different? Why should my praise be any different?

This is my holy legacy to hand down from generation to generation. Honestly, I don't believe it's just mine. To the Body of Christ, there lived such a saint named Hazel Carson who now encourages us from the Great Cloud of Witnesses to hold nothing back. It's your holy legacy too Believer!

How will you respond?

Let me close with this. A few weeks ago my wife Elizabeth, 4 kids, and I arrived early at the church to prepare for a worship and choir rehearsal. I turned on the sound system in the sanctuary to play some music on the CD player. After getting it going, I left the sanctuary to get music and plans ready. About 10 minutes later I hear someone playing the drums and noticed our kids weren't in the office area with us. (Our kids' ages range from 1 to 7 years old so they are small and can move quick; disappearing very easily. :0)

As I opened the sanctuary door and entered, I see the view shown in the photo below. My intention in going in to the sanctuary was to escort the children off the platform. But I was amazed and humbled to see my 4 kids prophetically making music to the CD playing over the speakers. They love Jesus and want to serve Him too. This is their legacy too....they ARE the legacy. Because my forefathers and mothers showed us the way to live for Jesus...now our children are serving him.

A holy legacy given to all of us. So, I ask you, why should your life be lived any differently?


From Left to Right: Rachel (7) leading on vocals, Justus (3) playing keys,
Jaron (5) on drums, Judah (1) on background vocals

My kids definitely can feel and understand music very well. They can keep a beat, make rhythms, write songs and they definitely aren't tone deaf. (Sorry, a proud daddy moment.)