Being a father is important. The following information is from It's Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men by S. Truett Cathy (pages 14-15):
"The Results of Fatherlessness
The United States is the world's leader in fatherless homes. The results of our actions, according to the Father's Manifesto:
63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes.
90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes.
80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes.
71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes.
85% of youth in prison grew up in fatherless homes.
75% of all adolescent patients in drug treatment centers come from fatherless homes.
Children from Fatherless Homes Are:
5 times more likely to commit suicide.
32 times more likely to run away.
20 times more likely to have behavioral disorders.
14 times more likely to commit rape.
9 times more likely to drop out of school.
10 times more likely to abuse chemical substances.
9 times more likely to end up in a state-operated institution.
20 times more likely to end up in prison."
As the apostle Paul wrote, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, October 09, 2009
Cookson Hills Christian Ministries
Each year during this time, Federal employees (including both civilian and military personnel) are given an opportunity to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), a program in which participants may send a portion of their paychecks to up to 5 approved charities. Thousands of charities are listed in the brochure that is given to each employee.
In the past few years, I have become aware of the need for Christian ministries that seek to help children who have gotten into trouble. I have had 3 co-workers who have had to place their sons in residential programs because of the problems faced by each family. Each of my co-workers was a single mother whose son had fallen into destructive behavior patterns. The boys were out of control and in great danger of ruining their lives. The mothers were determined to help their children, but they could not do it alone. One sent her son to a military school. The other two sent their sons to Christian-based children's homes. Those programs made a tremendous difference in the lives of each family.
While I hope we never need such a program, I have seen how they help families in crisis situations. I've been impressed.
While browsing through the CFC brochure last week, I found a local ministry that helps such families: Cookson Hills Christian Ministries (www.cooksonhills.org). My wife Janet knew about the ministry (which includes a children's home and a Christian school), because the church in which she grew up has been involved with it for decades.
We have decided to allocate a portion of my paycheck to Cookson Hills Christian Ministries. If you are a Federal Employee in the Tulsa area, you may want to check out Cookson Hills, too. If you choose to donate, the CFC number is 39211. If you are not a Federal employee, you may donate by checking out their Web site.
In the past few years, I have become aware of the need for Christian ministries that seek to help children who have gotten into trouble. I have had 3 co-workers who have had to place their sons in residential programs because of the problems faced by each family. Each of my co-workers was a single mother whose son had fallen into destructive behavior patterns. The boys were out of control and in great danger of ruining their lives. The mothers were determined to help their children, but they could not do it alone. One sent her son to a military school. The other two sent their sons to Christian-based children's homes. Those programs made a tremendous difference in the lives of each family.
While I hope we never need such a program, I have seen how they help families in crisis situations. I've been impressed.
While browsing through the CFC brochure last week, I found a local ministry that helps such families: Cookson Hills Christian Ministries (www.cooksonhills.org). My wife Janet knew about the ministry (which includes a children's home and a Christian school), because the church in which she grew up has been involved with it for decades.
We have decided to allocate a portion of my paycheck to Cookson Hills Christian Ministries. If you are a Federal Employee in the Tulsa area, you may want to check out Cookson Hills, too. If you choose to donate, the CFC number is 39211. If you are not a Federal employee, you may donate by checking out their Web site.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
A Church of Heroes
This is my planned communion meditation for this coming Sunday.
I'm not sure that I've ever mentioned it to you, but I consider the Contact Church to be a church full of heroes. Over the years, I've noticed you make heroic choices.
I have noticed when
...you have moved from homeless to homeowner.
...you have opened your homes to others who were homeless.
...you have provided rides for those who did not have vehicles.
...you have given up drugs and alcohol.
...you have not given up after a failure or a sin.
...you have moved from living in isolation to living in friendship.
...you have moved from living in the county jail to bringing spiritual freedom to others.
...you have gone from never opening a Bible to teaching the Bible.
You have become heroes because you have become followers of the ultimate hero, Jesus Christ. You have allowed yourselves to be led by the Spirit of Christ.
As we prepare to take the Lord's Supper, we remember the most heroic act in human history. We remember that "when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). He saved us by dying in our place. He overcame death in his resurrection. He changed us and gave us the hope we needed.
Let's remember Jesus' heroism as we take the bread and the cup in his memory.
I'm not sure that I've ever mentioned it to you, but I consider the Contact Church to be a church full of heroes. Over the years, I've noticed you make heroic choices.
I have noticed when
...you have moved from homeless to homeowner.
...you have opened your homes to others who were homeless.
...you have provided rides for those who did not have vehicles.
...you have given up drugs and alcohol.
...you have not given up after a failure or a sin.
...you have moved from living in isolation to living in friendship.
...you have moved from living in the county jail to bringing spiritual freedom to others.
...you have gone from never opening a Bible to teaching the Bible.
You have become heroes because you have become followers of the ultimate hero, Jesus Christ. You have allowed yourselves to be led by the Spirit of Christ.
As we prepare to take the Lord's Supper, we remember the most heroic act in human history. We remember that "when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). He saved us by dying in our place. He overcame death in his resurrection. He changed us and gave us the hope we needed.
Let's remember Jesus' heroism as we take the bread and the cup in his memory.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Legalism, Grace, Holiness, and Service
This is an excerpt from Bob Lepine's blog on September 30:
"I'm afraid that in our desire to steer clear of legalism today, we have tuned out the call of Christ to holy, set apart living. We can and should celebrate our freedom in Christ. But we must remember, as Paul says in Galatians 5:13: 'do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.'
"Your friends, your co-workers, your children, and everyone with whom you come in contact today will be observing your conduct, your aim in life, your faith, your patience, your love, and your steadfastness. They will be looking carefully to see if your holiness and your willingness to serve others authenticates what you say you believe is true about Jesus and the gospel."
You may read the rest of Bob Lepine's post from September 30, 2009 on his blog. Please click on his name on my Blog Roll at the right to find his blog.
His thoughts reminded me of the apostle Paul's words to his friend and co-worker Titus: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good" (Titus 2:11-14).
"I'm afraid that in our desire to steer clear of legalism today, we have tuned out the call of Christ to holy, set apart living. We can and should celebrate our freedom in Christ. But we must remember, as Paul says in Galatians 5:13: 'do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.'
"Your friends, your co-workers, your children, and everyone with whom you come in contact today will be observing your conduct, your aim in life, your faith, your patience, your love, and your steadfastness. They will be looking carefully to see if your holiness and your willingness to serve others authenticates what you say you believe is true about Jesus and the gospel."
You may read the rest of Bob Lepine's post from September 30, 2009 on his blog. Please click on his name on my Blog Roll at the right to find his blog.
His thoughts reminded me of the apostle Paul's words to his friend and co-worker Titus: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good" (Titus 2:11-14).
Saturday, October 03, 2009
How Do You Want to be Remembered?
This is my planned communion meditation for tomorrow.
Have you ever thought about what you would like your funeral to look like? Would you like a slide show? What photographs would you want people to see? What kind of music would best represent your life as people watch the slide show?
Have you thought about your obituary or eulogy? What do you want people to remember about you? Do you want us to remember your personality? Your sense of humor? Your accomplishments? Your faith? Your kindness? Your character?
As Jesus faced his death, he was eating a meal with his closest friends.
The Bible describes the scene in Luke 22:
"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'
"In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'"
Christ wanted to be remembered for his sacrifice on behalf of his followers. He wanted them to know how much he loved them. He wanted them to remember that he was taking on their punishment in his death. He wanted them to know that in his death, he was making a new covenant between them and God, a covenant in blood that would not be broken, a covenant that would bind them to their God forever. He wanted them to remember that he was going through a process of saving them from their sins and the eternal consequences of their sins.
Today, nearly 2000 years after Jesus' death and resurrection, we gather as a group of Jesus' friends in the Contact Church to remember our Savior as he wanted to be remembered until he returns for us.
Have you ever thought about what you would like your funeral to look like? Would you like a slide show? What photographs would you want people to see? What kind of music would best represent your life as people watch the slide show?
Have you thought about your obituary or eulogy? What do you want people to remember about you? Do you want us to remember your personality? Your sense of humor? Your accomplishments? Your faith? Your kindness? Your character?
As Jesus faced his death, he was eating a meal with his closest friends.
The Bible describes the scene in Luke 22:
"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'
"In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'"
Christ wanted to be remembered for his sacrifice on behalf of his followers. He wanted them to know how much he loved them. He wanted them to remember that he was taking on their punishment in his death. He wanted them to know that in his death, he was making a new covenant between them and God, a covenant in blood that would not be broken, a covenant that would bind them to their God forever. He wanted them to remember that he was going through a process of saving them from their sins and the eternal consequences of their sins.
Today, nearly 2000 years after Jesus' death and resurrection, we gather as a group of Jesus' friends in the Contact Church to remember our Savior as he wanted to be remembered until he returns for us.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Murder and Urban Ministry
I've been thinking about the importance of urban ministry in a violent society for the last few days.
At the end of last week, a 16-year old boy was walking home from his bus stop when a car pulled up alongside him. After an exchange of a few words, someone in the car opened fire and murdered the kid.
According to news accounts of the incident, the murdered young man was a good student with a pleasant personality and respectful attitude. Unfortunately, he lived in a "bad part of town"--a euphemism for the poor, black, and violent section of the city.
On Sunday morning, a few of the teenagers in the Contact Church requested prayers for the murdered boy's family as they mourned his death. According to the prayer requests, the criminals who murdered the boy did so after he could not (or would not) tell them the location of someone else for whom they were looking.
As I have thought about the situation this week, I have come to have a deeper appreciation for the Contact Church. The urban poor need such churches. Like everyone else, they need safe people with whom they can share their struggles. They need to be able to get together in safe places and pray for the people they deeply love. They need the encouragement of gathering with and working alongside people who share their faith in Jesus Christ. They need people who will share the gospel of God's love with them so that, if they meet a violent end to their lives this week, they will be prepared for heaven.
During times like these, I feel honored to be a part of such a church.
At the end of last week, a 16-year old boy was walking home from his bus stop when a car pulled up alongside him. After an exchange of a few words, someone in the car opened fire and murdered the kid.
According to news accounts of the incident, the murdered young man was a good student with a pleasant personality and respectful attitude. Unfortunately, he lived in a "bad part of town"--a euphemism for the poor, black, and violent section of the city.
On Sunday morning, a few of the teenagers in the Contact Church requested prayers for the murdered boy's family as they mourned his death. According to the prayer requests, the criminals who murdered the boy did so after he could not (or would not) tell them the location of someone else for whom they were looking.
As I have thought about the situation this week, I have come to have a deeper appreciation for the Contact Church. The urban poor need such churches. Like everyone else, they need safe people with whom they can share their struggles. They need to be able to get together in safe places and pray for the people they deeply love. They need the encouragement of gathering with and working alongside people who share their faith in Jesus Christ. They need people who will share the gospel of God's love with them so that, if they meet a violent end to their lives this week, they will be prepared for heaven.
During times like these, I feel honored to be a part of such a church.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Is Hollywood Pro-Life?
In the recent edition of The Lookout, Dr. Charlie Starr has written an article titled How Hollywood Proves Abortion is Wrong.
When I saw the title, I was a little skeptical. After all, celebrities have not been known for being vocally pro-life. I could not even think of a handful of pro-life celebrities. I could remember only Patricia Heaton of Everybody Loves Raymond, Ben Stein of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and supermodel Kathy Ireland.
However, Dr. Starr does not argue that celebrities overwhelmingly support the pro-life position. He argues that despite themselves, the people in charge of Hollywood tell stories with pro-life themes.
Dr. Starr writes, "Stories can circumvent this tendency to self-deception. They can teach truths we all know even when we don't know that we know them. Story writing happens in the heart as well as the head. When imaginatively exploring life and the human condition, a writer pens not only the truth he knows, but the truth he doesn't know--the truth his heart knows even if his head has forgotten it. In other words, common sense often speaks up despite the fact that we've trained ourselves to think against it...Based on this understanding, I can prove that abortion is wrong and most everyone thinks so--even Hollywood."
He continues, "The proof is simple: there are no happy abortion movies."
The rest of the article may be read at www.lookoutmag.com/articles/culture.asp?id=1901.
When I saw the title, I was a little skeptical. After all, celebrities have not been known for being vocally pro-life. I could not even think of a handful of pro-life celebrities. I could remember only Patricia Heaton of Everybody Loves Raymond, Ben Stein of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and supermodel Kathy Ireland.
However, Dr. Starr does not argue that celebrities overwhelmingly support the pro-life position. He argues that despite themselves, the people in charge of Hollywood tell stories with pro-life themes.
Dr. Starr writes, "Stories can circumvent this tendency to self-deception. They can teach truths we all know even when we don't know that we know them. Story writing happens in the heart as well as the head. When imaginatively exploring life and the human condition, a writer pens not only the truth he knows, but the truth he doesn't know--the truth his heart knows even if his head has forgotten it. In other words, common sense often speaks up despite the fact that we've trained ourselves to think against it...Based on this understanding, I can prove that abortion is wrong and most everyone thinks so--even Hollywood."
He continues, "The proof is simple: there are no happy abortion movies."
The rest of the article may be read at www.lookoutmag.com/articles/culture.asp?id=1901.
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