Growing Up Colt

Like many people, I became very impressed with Colt McCoy after he lost the BCS Championship Game in January 2010. Colt was the quarterback of the Texas Longhorns. Early in the first quarter of the football game, he was knocked out of the game after being injured during a tackle by one of the University of Alabama's defensive ends. His dream of winning the national championship was crushed.

In the nationally broadcast post-game television interview immediately following the game, Colt McCoy congratulated the winners, complimented his teammates for working hard to win, and expressed his disappointment at being injured and unable to do more for his team. Then he made a fascinating statement: "I always give God the glory. I never question why things happen the way they do. God is in control of my life, and I know that if nothing else, I am standing on the Rock."

It's fairly common to hear an athlete thank God after a victory. But Colt McCoy gave glory to God after a major defeat. His response stood out. I kept hearing portions of his interview the next day on ESPN radio. He had made an impact in his disappointment and defeat that others do not make in victory.

In Growing Up Colt, current Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and his father, Brad McCoy, tell the story of how Colt grew up to be the man he has become. (Professional writer Mike Yorkey, author of an excellent book titled Playing With Purpose, also collaborated in writing this book.) The book is filled with stories of faith, family, and football.

As a father, I was impressed with the counter-cultural mindset and positive attitude nurtured in Colt by his parents. Colt grew up with parents who helped him to develop a strong faith in Jesus Christ, a commitment to high ethical standards (including sexual purity and compassion for others), and a winsome style of leadership which he has used to bring out the best in the people around him.

Growing Up Colt is a good book for anyone who likes football. But it's an even better book for Christian parents who want to be inspired to raise good and godly children who will make a positive difference in their world.

Casting Crowns - Courageous

Something Special in Memphis

I witnessed something special while on vacation in Memphis, Tennessee, this week.

The National Civil Rights Museum had nothing to do with it. The musicians of Beale Street were not involved. Neither the panda bears nor the Komodo dragons at the Memphis Zoo had anything to do with it.

Instead, it involved a small family eating lunch together at the Incredible Pizza Company.

When I first caught a glimpse of the husband, he didn't appear to be anything special. He looked a little overweight and unkempt as he picked up a tray and a couple of plates to fill with pizza. Nobody special, I assumed.

However, he began to seem quite a bit more special as he approached the table where his wife and young son were sitting. They were waiting patiently as the husband and father brought their meals to them.

As the man left the table in order to get his own pizza, I noticed his wife for the first time. She looked like a normal young woman in her twenties, but something about the manner in which her head jerked and her hands trembled indicated a problem with her motor skills. Upon a closer look, I realized that she was sitting in a wheelchair.

Had the young woman experienced a stroke or suffered a severe brain injury during an accident in the couple of years since her son's birth? I didn't know. But I knew that I had just witnessed something special: a man who was serious about loving his wife and providing his son with a good example.

This man had not merely remained with his wife following her debilitating injury. He had not merely met her basic physical needs. This man went out of his way to serve his wife.

He made sure that his wife would be present for both the meal and the games that their son would play afterwards in the restaurant's arcade. She would not be able to fully participate, but her husband made certain that she would at least be there.

It was simple, but thoughtful. It was something special in Memphis.

"Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman..." (1 Peter 3:7).

Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood

In his latest book, Dennis Rainey writes, "I believe there's something in the chest of a man that responds in a unique way to stories of courage. There's a piece of every man's heart that longs to be courageous, to be bold and gutsy and etch a masculine mark of bravery on the human landscape. In our hearts, we know that a part of the core of true manhood is courage" (page 5).

Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood contains many stories of courage to inspire a man's heart. From reciting tales of physical courage to feats of moral courage, Dennis Rainey demonstrates what it means to be a man through five stages of a man's life. In this book, he acknowledges the identity crisis that many men in our culture face due to poor training from fathers who were either silent, or missing, or who provided inappropriate advice and examples to their sons as their boys were growing up. But he meets men where they are and gives them the guidance and encouragement they need in order to take the next steps toward fulfilling their duties as men in their families and communities. Rather than approaching the subject in a condemning manner, Mr. Rainey seeks to instill the courage men need to take responsibility and initiative.

He outlines five stages in a man's life:

1. Boyhood: a time of adventure and exploration in which a boy needs guidance from responsible fathers and other men in his life. He needs to learn to differentiate wisdom from foolishness and how to love others. He needs to understand his spiritual identity, his sexual identity, and his purpose in life. As the author explains, "One of my favorite passages about children in the Scriptures is found in Psalm 127: 'Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them' (verses 4-5, NASB). This is powerful imagery. Think about what an arrow is created to do. Was it designed to stay in the quiver, comfortable and protected? No, it was made to be aimed and shot by a warrior at a target, to deliver a blow in battle. Can you see the connection? Boys need to understand that they are not here on earth just to achieve worldly success and comfort. They're here to strike a blow against evil, to make a mark on their world. Just like you. After all, dads are arrows too" (page 47).

2. Adolescence: a time of further training as a boy transitions into manhood. This is when a boy needs to start the process of thinking like a man. "They need help assassinating selfishness and pride...They need to learn and apply fundamental convictions and character qualities to real-life issues" (pages 78-79).

3. Manhood: a time in which a man takes the initiative and steps up to protect those in his care. Primarily, he protects his family, but he also takes responsibility to protect his community from evil. He does this physically, of course, by locking the doors of his home at night and holding his small child's hand while crossing the street. But that is rather easy. It gets more challenging when he seeks to protect his marriage by meeting the needs of his wife, when he seeks to instruct his children in the moral choices they face among their peers, when he stands up against unethical business practices on his job, or when he challenges his children's peers to treat each other with dignity. This is a time for courage to be displayed with wisdom.

4. Mentor: a time in which an experienced man teaches younger and less experienced men how to meet the challenges they face every day. He shares his successes and failures. He intentionally connects with younger men who want to approach life with more wisdom than they possess. He guides them in their quest to be the men God intended them to be. "A mentor purposefully builds life lessons into those he mentors," Dennis Rainey writes. "As you consider being a mentor, think through what makes life work for you--at work, at home, and in your relationship with Christ. What have you learned about the following?

*handling pressure and balancing the pace of life
*working with people
*building and keeping friendships with other men
*investing in your marriage
*resolving conflict
*facing unexpected crises or tragedy
*managing your finances
*developing a real relationship with God
*reading, understanding, and applying the Scriptures
*raising your children
*developing the type of character needed to succeed at work
*growing through failure" (page 147).

5. Patriarch: a time in which a man moves from the role of an authority figure to the role of a dignified older man who leads and impacts his world through the intentional good influence of his life. He keeps the extended family together. He connects with his adult children, their spouses, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He refrains from exercising authority over the lives of his adult children--after all, they are leading their own families now--but he is always available to give wise counsel when asked. His priority is to have a positive influence on his extended family; and he spends much time in prayer for the future of his family. He works at leaving a good and godly legacy for his family and community.

Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood is an excellent book. I can highly recommend it for any man who wants some encouragement and guidance toward being a good man. I purchased the book from FamilyLife. It can be ordered at www.shopfamilylife.com/stepping-up.html or by calling 1-800-FLTODAY.

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love" (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).

Change of Plans

Change of Plans looks like a good family movie about adoption. It's scheduled to air on Fox at 7:00 PM (Central) on Saturday, January 8.

2:30 Change Of Plans Trailer from Moms4FamilyTV.com on Vimeo.

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The Hope for Orphans ministry shared this trailer on Facebook yesterday.

A Quiet Life of Courage and Faith

In 1962, for the first time in American history, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against prayer in public schools in the Engel v. Vitale case.

However, I had no knowledge of the prohibition against prayer in public schools when I entered first grade at Catoosa (Oklahoma) Elementary School in 1973. Each day, my teacher opened the school day with a prayer. She would ask a student to lead the prayer. If one declined, she would ask the next student in line until one wanted to say a prayer.

My first grade teacher wanted her students to have the opportunity to seek God each morning. Without fanfare, she defied the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings because she had always allowed her students to pray, and it was a matter of conviction with her. She wanted her students to have a chance to know the Lord. More than 10 years after it became illegal, my teacher continued to allow her students to seek God in a public school classroom.

At the time, I did not know enough to appreciate what she was doing. I did not know that she was engaging in civil disobedience. But I knew that she was a woman of faith and conviction. She may not have been an activist, but she was active and courageous in living out her faith in Christ.

She was a "Daniel" in government service who continued the habit of prayer after it had been forbidden by the highest authority in the land. She was my teacher. She was my role model. And, most importantly, she was my grandmother.

Thank you, Granny Laudett. You have been gone for a decade now, but I still appreciate your life of quiet courage and faith. In my own way and in my own circumstances, I want to follow your example.

Thanksgiving

A strong and loving family, perseverance in hard work, and faith in Jesus Christ can go a long way toward alleviating poverty. (I found this video on Mark Merrill's blog.)

Have I Wasted My Life?

Seminary professor Haddon Robinson has spoken about the dreams that he entertained as a young Christian. As I remember the story, at one time, he thought that he would become a missionary. By the time he was 30, he would convert Asia to Christ. Then, he would move on to Africa where he would die as a martyr. At the place of his death, people would build a statue honoring the memory of Saint Haddon.

Of course, Dr. Robinson tells the story with his tongue firmly implanted in his cheek, but I understand the sentiment behind the story. I'm inspired by the great heroes of the faith. I want to be like them. I want to make a difference for Christ in this world, too.

But at the end of my life, what if my impact on the world is minimal? What if I have been only a faithful husband and father? What if I have been only a good friend? What if I have lived to see relatively few people come to Jesus because I have shared the message with them or have encouraged them to follow him? What if my acts of kindness and faithfulness go largely unnoticed? Have I wasted my life?

No. I am responsible for investing my life in bringing glory to God as I live by faith in Christ. I am responsible for taking risks to further the kingdom of God. My impact on the world may be more or less than others who follow Jesus; but by making the investment and taking the risks, I can still hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:23).

Truth in Blogging

If you have read my blog for very long, you will not be surprised by anything that I am about to share. But I thought it might be a good idea to write a few words about myself and my perspectives so that any reader would know where I'm coming from theologically and socially.

My Theology

I am a member of the Church of Christ. My theology can be best described as conservative evangelical. I don't try to be innovative in doctrine. I try to be accurate and biblically orthodox. For example,

I believe in the doctrine of the trinity. I believe that the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit are (or is) God. (I'm not sure how to write that sentence in a grammatically correct way.) I believe that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, always present in his creation, and completely holy in his character.

I believe that God created the universe as it is revealed in Genesis. I believe that he prepared the earth for people in six days. I believe that he made Adam and Eve in his image from the dust of the ground on the sixth day.

I believe that Satan tempted Eve. I believe that the sin of Adam led to the corruption of a good universe and to the alienation between God and man.

I believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that he needed to die in my place in order to turn away God's just wrath against me and sinners like me. His resurrection gives me confidence that his Father accepted his sacrifice on my behalf.

I believe that I am saved by God's grace (as seen in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection) through faith (in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior) apart from any work on my part that could cause anyone to think that I deserved to be saved.

I believe that the Holy Spirit lives in God's church today. I believe that he is active in making believers more like Jesus.

I believe that the Holy Spirit inspired the words of the Bible. I believe that the Bible was given to humanity as God's completely accurate message to us...without error because God is completely honest and completely competent.

I believe that repentant believers in Christ need to be baptized, because we need to identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. We need to be able to mark the end of our lives without Christ and the beginning of our lives with Christ.

I believe that Christ's church consists all repentant baptized believers who are committed to following Jesus Christ and glorifying God.

I believe that Jesus Christ will return and usher in new heavens and a new earth that will be the home of righteousness. The Day of Judgment will come. Heaven and hell are equally real and equally eternal.

My Social Concerns

This will be much shorter.

I am concerned about loving people. According to Jesus, it's the second greatest commandment (behind loving God).

I concentrate on loving the people around me first. I want to be a good husband, father, son, brother, employee, neighbor, citizen, and church member.

Then, I focus on broader social concerns that affect people. Many of my posts will reveal that I think a lot about abortion, adoption, caring for God's creation, poverty, racial harmony, and strengthening marriages and families.

If anyone was confused about where I'm coming from, I hope this helps. I try to be honest and open.

Merry Christmas

Photograph courtesy of Kathy Austin Photography

The Family Man and Me

Last week, I was involved in a conversation with a few co-workers concerning our favorite movies. After mentioning The Family Man, one of my friends said, "You've mentioned that movie before. You must really identify with it."

I don't want to get carried away with her analysis. After all, I'm afraid that she may realize that I identify with Dumb and Dumber, too.

However, I think my co-worker may have been right about why I like the movie.

In the movie, Jack Campbell is a very successful businessman who believes that he has everything he could possibly want in the world. However, an encounter with an angel reveals to Jack that he may not be living the best life possible. Instead of a powerful businessman-playboy, Jack wakes up one Christmas morning as a confused family man with a modest job. Over a period of a few months, he learns that wealth and power cannot replace a loving wife and children (and a few good friends). Success cannot be defined by accomplishments alone; relationships are an essential ingredient to a satisfying life. When he wakes up from his fantasy, he pursues a renewed relationship with his old college girlfriend whom he dumped in order to gain his enviable position in society.

Like Jack in his fantasy world, I am not in a position of great wealth and influence. However, I have a loving wife and son. I have some really good friends. And they make a huge difference in the way I view life. I am a rich man.

"He who finds a wife finds what is good

and receives favor from the LORD" (Proverbs 18:22).

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD,

children a reward from him" (Psalm 127:3).

Are There Really Men Like That?

The young woman's father abused her mother and repeatedly committed adultery. To this day, she does not know how many siblings she has. Her father had too many mistresses to count.

In addition, she is married to an irresponsible man. He does not keep a job for more than a few weeks at a time. He is an alcoholic.

However, the young woman has become interested in something better than she has experienced in life. She has become interested in following Christ.

While listening to a radio program one day, she heard a man explaining Ephesians 5:25 ("Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her"). The preacher encouraged men to step up and love their wives by protecting them and providing for their needs. He told them to care for their wives and children.

After listening to the program, she asked a penetrating question: "Are there really men like that?" The men in her life had been nothing like that.

Her question prompted me to consider two important thoughts:

1. Many people have never seen the Christian faith in action...at least not up close and personally. They have lived without the benefit of really knowing a committed Christian. They need to see that there really are "men like that."

2. It's okay to be different. A man who loves, protects, and provides for his family may be atypical among some people, but he is playing a vital role in making the Christian faith attractive. Followers of Jesus Christ do not need to think and act like everyone around them in order to be relevant to the culture. As Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet" (Matthew 5:13, English Standard Version).

The world needs a few more men and women who are different, who are involved in the lives of hurting people, and who think and act like they have been influenced by the Spirit of God.

I Hope These Days Last Forever

"Me and my dad are riding a T-Rex" by Christopher Laudett

Christopher keeps a journal in his kindergarten class. A couple of days ago, he brought it home and I found this picture of him and me riding a T-Rex. It's nice to know that my son is thinking of me while he does his school work. I hope we stay close forever.

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD..." (Psalm 127:3).

The Gift Exchange

A faint knock at the door awakened the old man.

"Dad?"

"Yes, come on in, son," the old man said from his hospital bed.

"Where are Mom and the people from church?" asked the young man.

"I asked them to take your mother out to eat. She needs a break, and I wanted to talk with you alone."

A little nervous, the young man asked, "Is everything all right, Dad?"

"Well, you know what the doctor has said. I'm not going to be around much longer." The old man coughed. "But I wanted to give you a gift before the end comes."

"A gift?" the son said with curiosity.

"Yes. You see, son, I've been thinking about the day your grandfather died. I would have wanted him to tell me something like I'm going to tell you tonight." The old man paused and wiped away a tear before continuing. "I remember as a boy when my dad walked down a church aisle to give his life to Christ. I even remember his baptism--that sort of thing makes a huge impression on a young boy. I remember how he led prayer around the dinner table as I was growing up, and I even remember how he led prayers in church every once in a while. But long before you were born, something changed in Grandpa's life. He stopped praying, or going to church, or expressing any interest in Jesus-- as far as I could see. I could not tell whether he really believed in Jesus Christ or not. I never knew whether he was ready to meet God when he died."

The young man did not know how to respond.

The father continued, "I would have loved for him to have given me the gift of assurance that he truly trusted in Christ and expected to be with God forever."

The older man looked at the muted TV before going on. "I just wanted to let you know that you don't need to worry about me. I really do believe in Jesus Christ. I really am committed to him. And I really do expect to be in heaven in a short time from now."

"Dad, you did not have to tell me," the young man answered. "I have seen your faith in the way you live. When I was growing up, I never told you, but I often found you in the early mornings reading your Bible and praying while you thought you were alone. I heard your prayers, when you thought no one but God was listening. I saw how you treated Mom. I know how you treated me. I saw how you would help friends, strangers, and even people who did not like you much. I saw God's Spirit in you. So you didn't really need to give me the gift of letting me know that you were right with God. I knew it, but I'm glad you told me anyway."

Choking up a little, the father hugged his son and said, "Thank you for that gift. Now I have only one more thing to ask from you: Meet me in heaven some day, son."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Dad."

"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13).

Family Photos (December 2008)

Our family at the Contact Church last Sunday. Christopher led the congregation in Jesus Loves Me last Sunday morning. During our prayer and praise time, he told the church, "I'm thankful that Christ is coming back!"

After worship services, we went ice skating in downtown Tulsa. Christopher and I are in the picture above. Janet and Christopher are in the picture below.

All I Really Want

These are the lyrics of Steven Curtis Chapman's song All I Really Want:

Well I don't know if you remember me or not
I'm one of the kids they brought in from the home
I was the red-haired boy in an old green flannel shirt
You may not have seen me - I was standing off alone
I didn't come and talk to you, 'cause that's never worked before
And you'll prob'ly never see this letter anyway
But just in case there's something you can do to help me out
I'll ask you one more time

All I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose
Shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for
But there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family

Well I guess I should go ahead and tell you now
If it's really true about that list you have
Somehow I always seem to end up in a fight
But I'm really trying hard not to be bad
But maybe if I had a brother or a dad to wrestle with
Well, maybe they could teach me how to get along
And from everything I've heard
Sounds like the greatest gift on earth would be a mom

All I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose
Shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for
But there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas

Is someone who'll be there
To sing me "Happy Birthday"
For the next 100 years
And it's OK if they're not perfect
Well, even if they're a little broken, that's alright
'Cause so am I

Well, I guess I should go
It's almost time for bed
And maybe next time I write you
I'll be at home

'Cause all I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
Tell me I'll never be alone
Someone whose love will never end
Of all that I could ask for
Well, there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas
All I really want for Christmas is a family

Just a family

That's all I really need

Interesting Items on the Internet

Here are a few interesting items on the Internet this week:

Jackie Chesnutt wrote about "Behind the Scenes Greatness" on his blog at http://sscocrogers.org/jackie/?p=59. He mentioned several of the great things happening at the Southside Church of Christ in Rogers, Arkansas, where he serves as a preacher and elder. Jackie noted that the good being done could not happen without the people behind the scenes who are serving and honoring God in quiet ways. (I think that some of those "behind the scenes" people might be some of my family members. My mom, her husband, my sister, brother-in-law, nephews, and niece attend the Southside Church in Rogers.)

Whatever happened to A.C. Green, the professional basketball player for the L.A. Lakers who made a commitment to remain a virgin until marriage? Did he succeed or fail? An update on A.C. Green may be found at http://www.familylifeculturewatch.com/2008/07/i-took-a-stand.html.

Finally, the NAACP held its annual convention this week. It received some media coverage, but something important received little attention. African American pro-lifers held a demonstration in which they attempted to persuade the NAACP to change from a neutral position on abortion to a pro-life position. I would love to see the organization known for protecting minorities broaden its fight for justice to include seeking legal protection for pre-born children. It has not happened yet, but the time could come. More of the story can be found at http://www.nrlc.org/news_and_Views/July08/nv071508.html.

Vacation Memories 2008

We spent the past week on vacation in Oklahoma City and Dallas.

On Sunday morning, we headed to Oklahoma City for the annual Oklahoma Rural Letter Carriers Association convention. I served as a delegate from the state's northeastern district. While I learned a little during the informational sessions, I found myself in the minority during every vote on substantial issues that would make a positive impact on my job or reform my union. I'm accustomed to being in the minority, though.

Before arriving at the convention, we met Bobby Ross (http://www.therossnews.com) and his family for worship with the Edmond Church of Christ. Unfortunately, Tamie was feeling sick. However, we were able to enjoy a nice lunch with Bobby, Brady, and Keaton.

On Monday, I skipped the convention and took the family to the Science Museum. Christopher loved all of the hands-on activities and the Storm Chasers movie in the Omnidome.

On Tuesday, the convention wrapped up. Jason and Tara Hicks (http://thehixaregrowinglikeweeds.blogspot.com) invited us to dinner at their house. Tara is the former children's minister for the Contact Church of Christ. Time flew as we ate a great meal and talked for hours. Christopher enjoyed playing with their son Liam.

On Wednesday, we visited the Frontier City amusement park. (Thanks, Bobby, for letting us know about the coupons!) In some ways, we were reminded of Silver Dollar City. Then we went to see the latest Indiana Jones movie. (Is it just me, or is the latest movie much more ridiculous than those made in the 1980s?)

On Thursday, we spent the day at the Oklahoma City Zoo. We enjoyed watching the sea lions perform tricks in their new show, feeding the ducks and geese at the lake, and seeing the new lion cubs.

On Friday, we traveled south to Dallas so that we could spend the weekend with Janet's brother Ken. Since he was home on vacation from his job in Iraq for the first time in about 16 months, we joined most of the family in visiting him and his wife in Dallas.

Before returning home on Sunday, we visited Stonebriar Community Church to hear Chuck Swindoll speak.

In the next day or so, I will try to post a few photographs of our vacation. Thanks for reading!

Barton W. Stone: Family Man

With Father's Day approaching, I would like to share John Rogers' description of Barton W. Stone as a devoted family man. Two hundred years ago, Mr. Stone was a leader among the early American Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. Mr. Rogers' description of his family life helps explain why so many disciples of Christ respected his leadership during his lifetime.

I have retained the original spelling in this excerpt:

"B.W. Stone possessed all the elements of a truly great and good man. In the domestic and private walks of life, where men act under least restraint--where they develope their true principles, there he shone with peculiar lustre, as the imbodiment of every private and domestic virtue. As a husband, he was kind, devoted, tender, obliging, faithful; as a father, he was fond and attentive; he lived to promote the happiness of his family. Never man loved the domestic circle more than he. He carefully brought up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; night and morning asking the divine blessing upon his family, and committing and commending himself and them to the care and protection of the Heavenly Father. His was truly a house of prayer--his a Joshua's resolution: 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.' The writer of this sketch was much about the house of the venerated Stone, for many, many years; and it affords him peculiar pleasure to say, he never heard him speak a harsh or unkind word to any member of his family; nor does he remember to have seen him angry, during an acquaintance of a quarter of a century. In patience he possessed his soul" (The Biography of Barton Warren Stone by B.W. Stone and John Rogers, p. 248).

Happy Mother's Day

"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you" (Deuteronomy 5:16, NIV).

Happy Mother's Day to my mom, my mother-in-law, my sister, my wife, and all other mothers who may be reading this post!

A good devotional thought from Our Daily Bread may be found at http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2008/05/11/devotion.aspx.