Porch Swing Observations: Thoughts From The Desk Of A Geek

Father’s Day: Understanding The Impact Of Fathers 2025

That’s My Job

Fathers often play a pivotal role in shaping our identities, values, and understanding of the world. They teach us important life skills, share wisdom, and provide emotional support. The bonds we form with them can be profound, influencing our relationships and how we view ourselves. When a father passes away, the void left behind can be significant. Grieving this loss is a natural and necessary process. It’s essential to acknowledge and embrace the feelings that arise, whether they be sadness, anger, or nostalgia. Each emotion reflects the love that was shared and the impact that father had on our lives.

*Celebrating Their Legacy

1. **Cherishing Memories:** Reflecting on specific memories can be a powerful way to honor our fathers. Think about moments that made you laugh, lessons learned during difficult times, or traditions that brought your family together. These memories can serve as a source of comfort and strength.

2. **Sharing Stories:** Sharing stories about your father with family and friends can keep his memory alive. It can also provide a sense of community and support, as others may relate their own experiences with loss.

3. **Creating a Tribute:** Consider creating a tribute in your father's honor. This could be a photo album, a scrapbook, or even a video compilation of memories. You might also plant a tree or a flower in his memory, symbolizing growth and the continuation of life.

4. **Acts of Kindness:** Engaging in acts of kindness or volunteering in his honor can be a meaningful way to celebrate his life. Whether it’s helping at a local charity, supporting a cause he cared about, or simply performing random acts of kindness, these actions can reflect the values he instilled in you.

*Finding Peace Through Faith

Faith can be an essential source of comfort during times of loss. Many find solace in prayer, scripture, or community worship. Here are a few biblical passages that may provide encouragement:

**Psalm 34:18 (NIV):** "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." This verse reassures us that God is with us in our grief.

**2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV):** "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles." This reminds us that God provides comfort and support in our times of sorrow.

**John 14:1-3 (NIV):** "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" This passage offers hope of eternal life and reunion.

Conclusion

Father's Day can be a reminder of both the joy of having had a father and the sorrow of his absence. By reflecting on the love, lessons, and memories shared, we can honor their legacy and find ways to keep their spirit alive within us. Embracing our grief while celebrating their life allows us to navigate this day with both reverence and remembrance. Ultimately, every tear shed is a testament to the love shared, and every act of remembrance is a way to say, "Thank you" for the role they played in our lives.

Lonnie

Porch Swing Observations

Electrified

On the evening of July 25, 1965, Bob Dylan took the stage at Newport Folk Festival backed by an electric band and roared into a blistering version of "Maggie's Farm," followed by his new rock hit, "Like a Rolling Stone." The audience of committed folkies and political activists who had hailed him as their acoustic prophet. Dylan’s  new sound was reacted with a mix of shock, booing, and cheers. It was the shot heard round the world Dylan’s declaration of musical independence, the end of the folk revival, and the birth of rock as the voice of a generation and one of the defining moments in twentieth century music.

In a world that often pressures us to conform to societal norms and values, the call to be set apart can feel daunting. As believers in Christ, we are called to embrace our identity as children of God, which means adopting a different mindset and lifestyle than what is often celebrated around us.

The Apostle Paul encourages us in Romans 12:2 to resist the patterns of this world. This doesn’t merely mean avoiding sinful actions; it extends to our thoughts, choices, and the influences we allow in our lives. The process of renewal begins in our minds, shaping our perspectives and guiding our actions. By focusing on God’s Word, we allow His truth to transform us, enabling us to discern His will for our lives.

Setting ourselves apart is an act of obedience and faith. It reflects our commitment to God and our desire to live according to His purpose. When we choose to stand firm in our beliefs and values, we may face challenges and isolation, but we also open ourselves to extraordinary experiences of God’s presence and guidance.

Setting yourself apart is a beautiful calling that reflects your commitment to God. It requires courage, perseverance, and a willingness to grow. As you navigate this journey, remember that God is with you, equipping you to shine brightly in a world that desperately needs His light. Embrace your identity in Christ, and let His love transform you as you aim to make a difference in the lives of those around you.

Lonnie…

The Chair And The Fishing Pole

Beyond The Lamp Post: Thoughts From The Desk Of A Geek

The Chair And The Fishing Pole

At Christmas of 1995, after dating Catherine E. Love for almost two years, I decided to “pop the question”. I knew she would be graduating from Morehead State University’s Veterinary Technician School in the spring so I thought why not surprise her at Christmas. Like a gentleman I asked for the blessing from her father Roger, then her mother Darlene, they both gave me their blessing, so on Christmas morning I asked..

During the engagement months, Darlene had refurbished a chair that I absolutely had to have. So I begged and begged until she finally gave in and gave me the chair… with the condition I make sure to take Cathy with it ..!!

The fishing pole was a surprise on its own it was a wedding gift from Darlene also she said it belonged to her “daddy” and she wanted me to have it… I never got to meet Darlene’s father, but seeing the way she loves her family and friends he must of been an amazing man and father.

Imagine a quiet lakeside, where the sun is rising, casting golden hues over the water’s surface. In this serene setting, a simple chair and a fishing pole sit side by side. The chair represents a place of rest and reflection, while the fishing pole symbolizes the act of waiting and trusting in hope.

As we sit in the chair, we are reminded to take a moment to pause in our busy lives. In our fast-paced world, we often rush from one task to another, seeking immediate results and instant gratification. However, God invites us to be still and find solace in Him. Just as we settle into the chair, we find comfort in knowing that our Heavenly Father is always present, ready to listen and guide us.

The fishing pole, on the other hand, teaches us about patience. Fishing requires a willingness to wait, to trust that the fish will come in due time. Similarly, in our spiritual lives, we are often called to wait on the Lord. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Our time of waiting is not wasted; it is a time of growth, preparation, and deepening faith.

As we cast our lines into the water, we remind ourselves that God is in control. The act of fishing can be unpredictable, just like life itself. There will be days when we catch nothing, and days when we are blessed with an abundance. In both cases, we are called to trust God’s plan for us. We learn that the journey is as important as the destination and that every moment spent waiting is an opportunity to grow closer to Him.

The chair and the fishing pole serve as powerful reminders of the Christian walk. They invite us to rest in God’s presence and patiently trust His timing. As we navigate life’s waters, may we find joy in the waiting, strength in our faith, and peace in knowing that God is always with us, guiding our paths. Each day offers a new opportunity to grow closer to Him, and with every cast of our fishing pole, we can trust that He has something beautiful in store for us.

Lonnie…. — at Geeks With Grace Studios At Grace Ridge Farm.

Beyond The Lamp Post: Thoughts From The Desk Of A Geek

Homesick

As Christians, we often find ourselves caught between two worlds: the earthly home we inhabit and the heavenly home we long for. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our true citizenship is in heaven, a place where pain, sorrow, and sin will be no more. This promise ignites a longing within us a deep desire for the eternal joy and peace that comes from have a personal relationship, ane being in the presence of our Savior.

As we journey through life, it’s not uncommon to feel a sense of homesickness, a longing for something more, something that feels like home. For the Christian, this homesickness is a powerful reminder of our true identity and our eternal home in heaven.

In Philippians 3:20-21, Paul speaks to the heart of our longing by reminding us that our citizenship is in heaven. This truth should inspire in us a deep yearning for the day when we will be fully united with our Savior. The world around us can often feel disorienting and chaotic, filled with pain and sorrow. Yet, as believers, we have the hope of transformation, a glorious promise that our earthly struggles are temporary, and our future is secure in Christ.

Our homesickness for heaven can lead us to deeper faith and reliance on God. It can ignite a passion for sharing the message of hope with those around us. Just as we await the return of Christ, we can live with a sense of purpose, motivated by the promise of our eternal home.

Take a moment to close your eyes and envision your heavenly home. What does it look like to you? What feelings are present as you think about being in the presence of God? Allow this vision to inspire your faith and guide your actions in the present.

Lonnie…

Why I Enjoy Doing the Geeks with Grace Podcast

Podcasts have become a staple in our daily lives, offering a unique blend of entertainment, education, and community. Among the myriad of podcasts out there, one that holds a special place in my heart is the Geeks with Grace podcast. Here’s why I find such joy in being a part of this incredible journey.

1. Connecting with Like-Minded Individuals

One of the most rewarding aspects of hosting the Geeks with Grace podcast is the opportunity to connect with passionate individuals who share similar interests. Whether it’s fellow podcasters, guests who join us for interviews, or listeners who engage with us on social media, the sense of community is palpable. It’s inspiring to hear diverse perspectives and ideas, fostering an environment where everyone can learn and grow together.

2. Exploring a Variety of Topics

The tech world is ever-evolving, and the podcast provides a platform to explore a wide range of topics. From discussions on the latest innovations in technology to deep dives into ethical considerations surrounding geek culture, each episode is an adventure. This variety keeps me engaged and excited, as I never know what fascinating subject we’ll tackle next.

3. Learning from Guests

One of the highlights of the Geeks with Grace podcast is the opportunity to interview experts and enthusiasts from different fields. Each guest brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and I love the chance to learn from them. Their insights not only enrich our discussions but also provide valuable information for our listeners. It’s a privilege to facilitate these conversations and share their wisdom with a broader audience.

4. Encouraging Thoughtful Dialogue

In a world filled with noise and quick opinions, I appreciate the space that the podcast provides for thoughtful dialogue. We strive to create an atmosphere where complex issues can be discussed respectfully and thoughtfully. This is especially important in the realm of technology, where ethical considerations and societal impacts often go overlooked. Engaging in these conversations encourages listeners to think critically about the world around them.

5. Creative Expression

Podcasting is a form of creative expression that allows me to explore my interests in a dynamic way. Each episode is a chance to craft a narrative, plan engaging discussions, and even experiment with different formats. This creative freedom makes the process enjoyable and fulfilling, as I can bring my unique voice and perspective to the table.

6. Building Personal Skills

Hosting a podcast has significantly contributed to my personal development. From honing my communication skills to improving my research abilities, each episode presents an opportunity to grow. I’ve learned how to engage an audience, ask compelling questions, and manage the logistics of production. These skills are invaluable, not just for podcasting but for many aspects of life.

7. Creating Lasting Impact

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of the Geeks with Grace podcast is the impact it can have on our listeners. Hearing feedback from those who’ve found inspiration or solace in our discussions is incredibly fulfilling. It reminds me that our conversations matter and can make a difference in someone’s life, even in small ways.

Conclusion

The Geeks with Grace podcast is more than just a show; it’s a passion project that brings together a community of curious minds. Through connection, exploration, and thoughtful dialogue, I find joy in every episode we create. As we continue this journey, I look forward to the exciting topics and guests that lie ahead, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share this experience with all of you. Here’s to many more episodes and meaningful conversations!

The Narrative of the Scientific Evidence Surrounding the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The narrative of the scientific evidence surrounding the resurrection of Jesus Christ intertwines historical inquiry, archaeological discoveries, and analyses of psychological and sociological phenomena.

In the early days of Christianity, the resurrection was proclaimed by Jesus’ disciples as a pivotal event. This claim is documented in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels, where multiple accounts describe encounters with the risen Christ. The consistency of these testimonies across different sources suggests that they stem from a collective experience rather than a mere fabrication.

Historians have noted the significant transformation in the disciples after Jesus’ death. Initially fearful and disheartened, they became bold proclaimers of the resurrection. This dramatic shift raises questions about what could have triggered such a profound change. Scholars argue that the only plausible explanation for their newfound courage and conviction is that they genuinely believed they had witnessed the risen Christ.

Archaeological findings further support the historical context of these events. The discovery of ancient manuscripts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and early Christian writings, has provided insights into the beliefs and practices of early Christians. These texts often reference the resurrection, indicating that it was a central tenet of their faith from the outset.

Moreover, psychological studies on belief systems reveal that transformative experiences can lead to significant changes in individuals and communities. The overwhelming belief in the resurrection among early Christians can be seen as a collective psychological phenomenon, where shared experiences and convictions fostered a strong community identity.

Additionally, the rapid spread of Christianity in the face of persecution suggests that the resurrection resonated deeply with people, providing hope and purpose. The willingness of early Christians to face martyrdom for their beliefs implies a conviction rooted in profound personal experiences.

While scientific inquiry may not provide definitive proof of the resurrection, the convergence of historical evidence, archaeological findings, and psychological insights creates a compelling narrative. This narrative portrays the resurrection not just as a theological claim, but as a transformative event that shaped the course of history and continues to influence millions today. Ultimately, it invites individuals to explore the profound implications of this event within the broader context of faith, hope, and the quest for meaning.

Lonnie

Our Story

Alex decided to say at Morehead State this weekend, and Landon was with his girlfriend, so after dinner Cathy wanted to watch a movie, so being the good husband that I am I let her pick. She chose the movie, “Love At First Sight.” It’s basically a story of two strangers from different countries who meet together by fate, fall in love, and get separated at the airport… and …I won’t spoil it for you. I only told what was mentioned in the trailer, so yeah, watch the movie and you will know what happens next. It has some good “love” quotes in it, some that I wished I wrote down to use for Valentine’s Day or apologies 😀. But one quote stuck with me….. “You only really know what kind of story yours is when you know the ending.” (Love At First-2024) It got me thinking about God’s plan for us “our story” and our own ending. We are reminded in scripture, more specifically 1 Peter “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” When Peter talks about a crown, he is talking about a symbol of honor. Way back in the Old Testament, God said, “Those who honor me I will honor”. In other words, the one who serves Christ well in this life will be highly honored in the presence of God for all eternity. Peter takes up this theme again in when he speaks of “the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ.” God calls all His followers, the whole flock of Christ, to share the brightness and splendor of His immediate presence for all eternity. Of course, it took the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ to open the way, but this is where the Christian life ultimately leads. This is our destiny. When God’s work in you is complete, you will be in glory, and God’s glory will be in you. It’s not just that you will be surrounded by the brightness and splendor of God’s immediate presence. Rather, the brightness and splendor of God will be reflected in us, as well. That’s why the Bible says, “When he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is”. God will bring you though everything you face from here to there. The greatest trials of your life are passages on this journey to this eternal destiny. There is peace, because whatever the difficulties of your life, you know that this is the outcome. Think about your destiny and the destiny for all those who are in Christ Jesus. Lonnie

The Dark Side Of The Moon

From The Desk Of A Geek Dark Side Of The Moon “And God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night, and the stars.… And God saw that it was good” The sun and the moon are the two great lights that determine our days and mark the passage of time. Remember in the creation story that God created two lights. Genesis chapter one tells us that the greater light was to govern the day (the sun), and the lesser to govern the night (the moon). The sun provides light and from that light comes life and strength. The moon does not produce light, it only reflects the light of the sun. Therefore, in the moonlight, there is not as much brightness. You can still stumble around in the moonlight. The comparison is this; those that are walking in the light (the Son) have that light coming through them. It illuminates all that is around them and draws others to that light of Jesus inside them. Those that are merely talking about the things of the Kingdom and yet giving their first thoughts and best attention to the things of the world are merely reflectors of that light. There is no power within that reflected light to lead others away from darkness. There is no life in that light. In the same way, moonlight offers no life to the world. Notice that farmers do not require moonlight for their seeds to produce a crop. There are times in each of our lives that we talk a good game about the things of the Lord, but it is mostly nothing more than that, just talk. We are not living in the Word and the power of the light and life that comes from the Word. Ask yourself this: “Which light are others seeing from you? Is it the greater or the lesser?” Today determine not to be a reflected light that is of no value to yourself or others. Rather be a source for the greater light that will draw others to the Lord. Choose for yourself which light will govern the rest of your days. Lonnie…

It's Not Personal It's Just Business

From The Desk Of A Geek

It's Not Personal It's Just Business 

The term masterpiece is often seen as subjective, as some films will be considered masterpieces, but individual viewers may find them displeasing and dull. Often, those are reactions from people who want films to jump out at them such as certain action or horror films. However, most critics and scholars of film see The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II as masterpieces along with many film fans.

I find watching these films entertaining as well as educational. There are lessons about history (how immigration changed the landscape of large cities), culture (how values differ from one culture to another), and human nature (how people “take care” of each other).  But there are also moral lessons to be learned from The Godfather.

For example, sometimes “bad guys” are charming.  Don’t think of ‘Evil’ as always parading around with a pitchfork!  And, you can’t keep your private life ‘private’ – thinking that it will not affect your family – no matter how hard you may try.  And, ruthless Machiavellian schemes may make you rich, but there is a price to pay – guilt, loss, regret, betrayal – and damnation. 

One particular line from Michael Corleone in The Godfather II reminded me a great deal of how many Christians wrongly react to people who wrong them.  Tom Hagen, who is the family consigliere (legal advisor), asks Michael why he has become so filled with hate and why he wants to kill everyone.  Michael stares back at Tom, unfazed by the question and responds with coldness, “I don’t want to kill everyone, Tom.  Just my enemies.”  In other words, “Don’t make me out to be a bad person.  I don’t hate everyone.  I just hate my enemies.”  Of course one of the problems with this policy is that eventually the lines become blurred between ‘friends and enemies’, leaving no one around us safe. 

This unfortunately has become our justification for hatred.  We don’t hate everyone – we just hate the people who hate us, or annoy us, or defraud us, or wrong us, or take advantage of us.  And somehow, like Michael Corleone, we find this sort of response acceptable. Soon the lines become blurred between friends and enemies, and we justify behavior we would have never condoned.  

What happened to the words of Jesus?

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?"

(Matthew 5:44-47)

I am not arguing that we should be naïve. Jesus certainly wasn’t and he called us to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”  I think the call of Jesus needs to be recovered in our treatment of those inside and outside of the Christian community. This does not mean we need to vacation together, or go out to eat as couples, or send our friends to patronize their businesses (especially if we don’t trust them).  

But, we can at least “greet” them, to use the words of Jesus. We can say ‘hi,’, ask how the family is doing, treat them with respect as image bearers of God, and pray for them as we go on your way.

Devastated by this loss, Michael retired to Sicily and and lived in Don Tommasino's old villa, where he once lived with his first wife Apollonia. He died there in 1997, distraught and alone, of a stroke while sitting in a chair in front of the villa.

I’m a sinner like everyone else, I do not want my life to end like Michael Corleone, bitter, lonely, and with regrets that cannot be undone.

My prayer for us is that we allow God help us to follow Christ, by loving those who despise us, and doing so wisely, while we trust Him to bring justice into our lives at the right time.

Lonnie...

Who Are You

From The Desk Of A Geek:

Who Are You

Here's a shocker, not only do I collect comic books, coins, stamps, and love superheros, I'm also a fan of TV crime shows.

Sometimes I learn things in strange ways. And I annoy the people around me because I get so excited about the things I learn, and the weird ways I learn them that I just have to tell all about it.

For example, I had a couple of thoughts the other day while watching a rerun episode of one of my favorite crime shows...C.S.I, I'm talking about the orginal C.S.I with Gill Grissom.

My first thought was, “Never eat while watching an episode of CSI.” My second thought was, “What if you could do a forensic investigation on a soul?” That question reminded me of King Saul.

The story of King Saul holds a strange and gnawing fascination for me. It covers miles of emotional ground. Some average guy finds out one day that he is king. I love that. Who among us hasn’t stapled a paper crown together and walked regally around our first grade classroom? Most of us secretly want to be king one day, and if it comes suddenly and as a surprise, 

all the better! 

That’s exactly what happened to Saul, son of Kish. He wasn’t in line for kingship for several reasons. He was from the wrong tribe. And more significantly, up until that point, Israel wasn’t ruled by a king. Saul was raised up out of total obscurity and given a unique opportunity to be a mighty man of God and a blessing to his people. He could’ve been great.

Most men that we think of as great aren't. Mostly they’re just high achievers. But the Bible never commands anyone to be a high achiever. It never tells men to amass great fortunes, build tall buildings, or wield great power. The Bible records one ultimate purpose for us: to love God (Matthew 22:37-38). 

This love will naturally work its way out into a number of behaviors, like Bible study and obedience. However, the first priority, our most important goal, is to deeply and wholly love God. In addition to that, fathers are to pass this deep love along to their children (Deuteronomy 6:5-7). 

That’s the true measure of greatness.

King David had all of these gifts, and he was for the most part a wonderful, shining example of a godly king. On the contrary, every one of these gifts were first given to Saul, son of Kish, but his knees buckled under the weight. He was crushed by the blessing

It is only fair to give Saul his due. He wasn’t the worst king Israel ever had. I would even argue that to the average man on the street, he would have to be considered in the top five of Israel’s better kings. He didn’t amass numerous wives. He didn’t marry foreign wives. 

He didn’t build and then worship idols. To his credit he achieved quite a bit. He fought against the Philistines, and he actually built a working kingdom where none had existed before. King Saul was a high achiever. But even with all of these achievements, Saul was a spectacular failure in God’s eyes

Let’s be the CSI team assigned to the disaster that is the life of Saul. Let’s do the forensic investigation. If we were to zoom in to the soul of King Saul, we would find it underdeveloped, emaciated, and diseased. Now a first-year forensic investigator of the soul might conclude that this resulted from all of the rebellious sins Saul had committed. The older, wiser, and more seasoned investigator would know from experience that though sin can cause this kind of damage, in the case of King Saul, total spiritual negligence warped his soul into this pathetic condition. One day while studying this story, I realized that King Saul is the absolute embodiment of the lukewarm believer.

He was neither the vilest nor the most wicked king of Israel. He was uniquely... lukewarm. That’s what scares me the most about the story of Saul. I would like to think that I am a little bit like King David. But truth be told, I am more like Saul. I am tempted to be lukewarm.

One of the most insidious symptoms of being lukewarm is a lack of pain. Leprosy is like that. It damages your nerves so you can’t feel any pain. You’re slowly being destroyed by the disease, but you just don’t feel it. The lukewarm soul is slowly being destroyed as well, and yet there is no discomfort. To even become aware that you are lukewarm, you need a jolt. You need to be shocked out of your complacency. 

Some years back I was jolted out of my complacency by a good wife, I was inspired by godly men, and I saw that love for Christ is my calling. I determined to be a godly man and pass my love for Him along to my kids and to a couple of younger men. I’m working at it. If the CSI team was looking into my soul today, they would see one perhaps on the smallish side, but one that clearly shows signs of recent growth

What about you? If you’ve been ignoring God’s prompting, snap out of it! Call out to God for help, However, let’s not be naïve, this is not for the faint of heart. It’s hard work. It’s routinely frustrating, and at times you want to give up. However, it’s more important than pursuing great power. It’s more important than amassing great wealth, and it’s even more important than becoming a king.

Lonnie...

Remember Me This Way

From The Desk Of A Geek:

Remember Me This Way

After taking prom pictures with Landon, my niece Lainey, and the family, and of course posting the "obligated" historical parental prom pictures😀

I started doing a little reminiscing myself, remembering when cousins, Landon and Lainey were young, and everything was new and exciting. Now they have grown into young Christian adults. Time does fly..!!

That got me thinking about my own memories and I thought I would share a few thoughts....

Do you remember that famous Broadway musical "Cats"? And the Grammy Award winning song Memories 

"Memory, all alone in the moonlight

I can dream of the old days

Life was beautiful then

I remember the time I knew what happiness was

Let the memory live again...."

Mark Twain once said, “I have such a good memory that I recall things that never happened.” 

Mark Twain was making fun, but in fact, his ‘tongue-in-cheek’ remark about memory says more than we realise.

How good is your memory? Without a doubt, a memory is a great blessing.

Poet Wendell Berry has observed that when we are young, our lives are all time and little memory. As we grow older, we discover that our lives are almost entirely memory and very little time. That's why, in visits with older family members or acquaintances, we often talk about the past and the roads they have traveled. 

Conversations like that are not mere reminiscing about "good old days." They are crammed with evidence of God's grace and faithfulness. Our memories of the past give us courage for the road ahead. 

Israel practiced a similar faith dynamic. The psalmist offers memories of the Exodus. Why remember things that happened centuries earlier? Because such memories inspire hope for tomorrow. 

Alistair MacGrath has compared the Christian to a trapeze artist who has let go of one bar and is soaring through the air to catch the other bar swinging toward him. There's a moment when the trapeze artist is suspended in midair caught in an act of faith. That's the nature of the Christian life. 

A memory can be a wonderful blessing. It can bring smiles, laughs, or even tears of joy as we look at pictures, share stories, or just think about the good times of bygone days. One writer said, “Memory is the way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.”

I think it’s important to know that every memory you have is filtered through the lens of your own personal perspective. Which is why eye-witnesses will have completely different stories when giving detailed accounts of an event. Emotions and past experiences will always influence your perspective, perception, and therefore, your memories.

Psalm 143:5–6 reminds us:

"I remember the days gone by;

I think about all that You have done,

I bring to mind all Your deeds.

I lift up my hands to You in prayer;

like dry ground, my soul is thirsty for you."

We journey by faith. Often the insecurity of the moment overwhelms us. That's why we cultivate a spiritual memory. God's grace is woven into our own personal stories. Consider your own life. Now is the time to make new memories! Make lots of happy memories. Everyone has painful memories but with intentional effort, it’s possible to make plenty of positive memories to overshadow the difficult ones.

What stories might you share with family, and friends about God's goodness?

Lonnie....

The Villains

From The Desk Of A Geek: 

The Villains

Comic book villains have always been as important as heroes. Their acts and roles do not make it an easy feat to like them or understand them. But their major purpose is to bring out the best in our favorite superheroes, and they do that job perfectly.

Without these supervillains, there would be no one for our heroes to conquer, create chaotic situations to calm, and create dangerous scenarios for them to save people. While the greatness of their conquests measures heroes, the strength and chaos of their acts measures villains.

Heroes are easy to admire in the Bible. They're the ones God wants us to be like. Sure, they have problems here and there, but they always get right with God eventually.

But the Bible has plenty of villains too—and we may feel a little awkward about them. It might even seem disrespectful to the good guys to spend time studying the bad guys. Think about this though: Eight of the Ten Commandments define God's law by listing wrong actions and thinking to avoid. Learning what to steer clear of helps us to live a better life. God's law is the bottom line for how to act, and lessons from the Bible's bad stories can help us to know how God's law applies.

Let's extract the good lessons from the bad examples.

We need to get the whole story to learn from Bible villains (and heroes for that matter). The details help us understand and avoid the mistakes.

Look at the story of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, who inherited the throne over the united kingdom of Israel in the north and Judah in the south. 

When he came to power the northern 10 tribes of Israel were on the verge of seceding.

To pay for decades of his high-cost building projects, Solomon had levied high taxes. The northern tribes, with Jeroboam of the tribe of Ephraim newly returned from exile as a principal leader among them, asked for an easier tax burden (still something we often hear debated in political circles today!) as Rehoboam's first royal decision. They wanted a revived economy with personal finances restored.

Rehoboam had a good shot at becoming a great leader. He started off well by seeking the advice of the elders who served Solomon. They wisely counseled that the northerners were right and that lower taxes would be healthy for all. They said that the king would be loved for being so generous. He then asked for advice from his younger peers. They gave the opposite and ultimately fatal advice to increase taxes by leaps and bounds. It was far beyond what the people were willing to bear.

Rehoboam unwisely took the advice of his peers, raised taxes, and lost over half his kingdom. The northern kingdom of Israel split away, taking its own path separate from the southern kingdom of Judah. When all was said and done, the king lost far more income than all his taxes could have ever gained him. He chose poorly, and everyone suffered because of it.

The story of Rehoboam's mistake provides an essential lesson. Without the background we wouldn't realize that he should have heeded the advice of his elder advisors rather than his foolish peers who offered him nothing but a greedy ego trip.

For important decisions, we need to seek a multitude of counsel as advisedin Proverbs 11:14, and ask God for discernment to know what is wise counsel and what is just bad advice.

We also need to sift out reasons for villains' choices. What motivated their bad decisions? Why did they sin and rebel against God?

It's hard to find a more despicable biblical villain than Queen Jezebel, the foreign wife of King Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel. She was the daughter of the king of the Phoenician city-state of Sidon and a priestess of the false god Baal.

Jezebel led her Israelite husband Ahab into the worship of Baal rather than the true God. This was a direct affront to God, who hated Baal worship not only because it was idolatry, but also because it often required human sacrifice. Often the sacrifices were the worshippers' own babies.

Jezebel had the true prophets of Israel murdered, and she called for the assassination of the prophet Elijah. 

She schemed to have a wealthy vineyard owner murdered so that her husband could steal his land. And she fought against the true worship of God whenever she could.

Why did she do all this? We think of her as totally immoral, and she certainly behaved that way. But to learn a deeper lesson we have to analyze a bit more. Jezebel was a priestess of her god Baal, and in that position she had power. So clearly, by trying over and over again to destroy the worship of the true God, she was trying to hold on to and increase what she saw as her source of power.

Do not trust in some other perceived source of power false gods of our own making, wealth, authority, weapons, position, etc. in place of God. If we look to anything other than God for strength, we may find it for a while, but ultimately it will fail.

What happened to Jezebel? She was thrown from a window and eaten by dogs. No power, no strength. Enough said.

What about someone who was both villain and hero? Seems complicated, but there is one such man who was the ultimate villain, only to become one of the ultimate heroes of the faith. His name was Saul of Tarsus. He is also known as the apostle Paul.

Saul was a Pharisee, a young leader within the religious and political scene of Judea during and just after the time of Jesus Christ. He was the heavy-handed type and had the authority to punish anyone he believed to be a heretic within the Jewish community. He saw the teachings of Jesus as blasphemy and all Christians as heretics. Saul tracked down and prosecuted them to the fullest extent of the local law—resulting in their imprisonment and sometimes death.

Saul is mentioned in the book of Acts shortly after the passionate speech by Stephen the martyr: "And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul", while they threw rocks at Stephen until he was bludgeoned to death.

Saul continued to harass the Church and was on his way to the Jewish community in Damascus to arrest members of the faith and send them back to Jerusalem when God intervened and struck him down. Blind and helpless, Saul was shown the futility of fighting against God's plan. After his spiritual conversion, he went on to preach the truth with the same vigor with which he had previously fought against it.

Saul followed God as best he understood, but after his conversion he was able to follow God in both Spirit and truth. He saw his previous mistakes and turned to God.

When we are completely wrong, we need to be humble and willing to turn 180 degrees and do what's right. Saul the persecutor became Paul the faithful.

To learn from the Bible's bad guys, get the details of the story clearly in mind, understand what motivated people to do wrong, as well as what some bad guys did right to change their lives. Avoid the mistakes of the wrongdoers, and follow the good examples of the righteous. Being a skilled Bible student can help us lead a better life!

Lonnie....

Stronger To Love

From The Desk Of A Geek:

Stronger To Love 

While Cathy was working on homework, and the boys were off in their room playing video games, I decided to take the free time I had and watched a few episodes of Smallville.

For those who don't know, 

Smallville is based on the popular DC Comics character, Superman. The series follows the life of a teenage Clark Kent living in the town of Smallville, Kansas that is set at the start of the 21st century. It shows Clark Kent coping with adolescence while he is developing super powers (X-ray vision, super speed, etc.), exploring his extraterrestrial origins, and struggling to find his destiny.

In the series finale, Clark gave a grand inspirational speech to close out the show, but also, I think, to mark the moment when he really became Superman.  

That was Smallville, a pre-Superman.  Not just because he didn’t know how to use all his powers yet, or because he didn’t have the spandex suit, or because he wasn’t world famous. Clark wasn’t Superman yet, not because he wasn’t a superhero, but because he wasn’t even really Clark Kent yet.  

Little baby Clark wasn’t born with kindness and goodness and morality built into him.  All those pure qualities we know Clark/Superman to have, were something he had to be taught, and something he had to work at.  It was even something he failed at, quite often, and not even just because of red kryptonite. 

All those failures are what make his speech such a turning point.

“They may not be perfect, but I believe even in the darkest soul, there’s always hope.  People want to believe in something greater, and it may be easier to hate, but it’s stronger to love.”

(Clark Kent)

“They may not be perfect, but I believe even in the darkest soul, there’s always hope.” 

I don’t think this is something Clark always believed, at least not completely.  To be fair, he had to deal with quite a few dark people who never changed.  It’s not an easy thing to believe. After seeing so much crime and corruption, how do you believe there’s hope for the dirty businessman? the corrupt politician? the serial killer? 

How did Clark come to this belief? 

He saw what a loss of hope could do to a person.

Clark and Lex Luthor start the series as best friends, their relationship the “stuff of legend”.  But as we know, Superman and Lex are archenemies.  So how did they get to that point?  In Smallville, we see Lex’s dark past and his obsession with power.  But those things aren’t enough to change these legendary best friends into mortal enemies.  

What happens (according to Smallville) is that the trust of the relationship is broken.  Lex is too obsessed with the “weird” and unexplainable side of Clark, Clark loses trust in him, false accusations fly, and Lex loses trust in Clark.  Lex is alone, and hope is lost.

Clark completely gave up on Lex and believed that a dark soul was just who Lex was.  Clark’s and the world’s hopeless evaluation of Lex weighed him down, and it became easy to live up to people’s expectations of him.  

Clark had to learn the hard way, with lasting consequences, to never lose hope, no matter hopeless a person or situation might seem.

So what about you?  After seeing so much pain in your life, how can you believe there’s hope for the person you can’t get along with at work, or the friend who betrayed you, or the family member who can’t seem to say anything kind to you?  How do you stay hopeful?

I'm reminded of what the scriptures tells us...

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...” (1 Peter 1:3 NIV).

We may not be able to see the good in others, but Jesus saw the good in us and gave us hope for a new life.  So if we can receive hope to change for the better from Jesus, so can those other people.

Clark learned a lot about love and hate in his young years, often the hard way, through tumultuous romantic relationships and rocky friendships.  His many adversaries throughout the years also added to his experience.  Clark saw countless times the painful effects that a loveless past could have on a person.  How many of his villains have some sort of tragic backstory?  

Hate bred hate. It could’ve been so easy to continue that cycle and hate the villains. In his relationship with Lex, he did give in to the easy thing. It takes a strong person to return love for hate, and even our beloved Superman wasn’t always that strong. 

We know from our own experience how much easier hate can be, we can just say the hurtful things we want, we can just cut those people out of our lives, we can just write people off.  But love, love is the better option.

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” 

(Luke 6:27)

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 

(1 Peter 4:8)

I know, much easier said than done.  We’ve all heard it said that “hate is a pretty strong word.”  So what makes love stronger?

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 

(1 John 4:8)

If God is the greatest thing we can believe in, and God is love, love is the strongest tool we have to fight our enemies. 

As we all know, Superman’s insignia is the Krypton symbol for hope.  As he flies through the air, he wants to stand for that value, being a symbol people can look up to.  He wants to point people to those greater things, proving their existence and power. 

How can you be a Superman – a symbol of hope and love that can point people to greater things?  

Lonnie....

From The Desk Of A Geek

From The Desk Of A Geek 

A Christian Knight 

I was finally able to sit down and watch the new Marvel comic TV show, 

Moon Knight with Cathy, Landon and Alex.

Moon Knight is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The son of a rabbi, Marc Spector served as a Marine and briefly as a CIA operative before becoming a mercenary After fighting Bushman and being left for dead, a mortally wounded Spector reaches Alraune's recently unearthed tomb and is placed before a statue of the Egyptian moon god Khonshu. Spector dies, then suddenly revives, fully healed. He claims Khonshu wants him to be the "moon's knight", the left "Fist of Khonshu."

Many consider Moon Knight to be Marvel's answer to The Batman. 

Like a certain vigilante based out of Gotham City, Moon Knight certainly understood the value of brand recognition. As such, his tools kept to a lunar design philosophy. These ranged from simpler tools like his crescent moon boomerangs, all the way to the more extravagant like his crescent moon helicopter. Aside from being based around the moon, all of his vast collection of toys and his uniform were white in color to match their namesake’s pale glow.

I have always been fascinated by the idea of knighthood in books and historical literature such as The Knights Templars, and King Arthur.

In medieval times, knights were the heroes that people looked up to. They represented the highest form of service, morals, and faith. Of course, I am speaking of the ideal and not necessarily the reality. Men like King Arthur, Sir Galahad, and Sir Percival likely never existed in real life. However, the legacy remains as a standard for valor and virtue that mirrors the Christian life in many ways.

There are three principle areas where the standard of knighthood, and the Christian run in parallel. They share similarities of *Service, *Conduct, and *Warfare.

 Knights of old were first and foremost servants. Their lives, possessions, and honor were pledged in service to their lord and king. The parallels between the knight’s devotion to his lord and the Christian’s duty to Christ should be obvious. As a Christian, my life is not my own, I have been bought with a price He is the King whom we serve. 

One cannot think of the knights of old without thinking of the code of chivalry. This code governed the life of the knight and their conduct with others. As a Christian I also have demands on my conscience that my King has required. We are free from the curse of the Law but we are under obligation to Christ for the salvation we have in Him. 

Our conduct does not earn our salvation but it does reflect the gratitude we have in the salvation He has provided and demonstrates that we are His.

A knight’s primary duty was in the arena of war. He was no mere foot soldier but a specialized warrior and commander. He defended his king and lord with the sword and lance. As a Christian I am not involved in physical warfare for His Kingdom but I am a soldier in my King’s army for the ongoing spiritual war. I am called to arm myself, defend the truth, and protect those in need.

I believe that the ideal knight is a good analogy of the Christian life. Many in the church today are very comfortable with treating Christ as Savior, Lord, Mediator, and Friend but we need to also remember that we are under the monarchy of the King of kings and in His service. 

Just like the real knights of old we may fail to live up to this standard from time to time. Unlike them, we have a merciful King who has paid our debts and stands ready to forgive. Our honor for serving this King should far outshine the knights of old. Our King is far greater than any earthly ruler.

In my Christian walk it has often helped me to think of my relationship to Christ as that of a knight’s service to a benevolent King. Do not misunderstand. I hold very dear the fact that Christ is my Mediator, Savior, and Friend. The relationship we have with Christ is far more intimate than the lord to the vassal and the love we are to have toward Him is far more personal than even the greatest earthly relationship.

Regardless, in our western culture we have grown very used to thinking democratically. Our leaders are typically elected by the majority and their human faults are laid bare for all to see. We have lost the sense of respect for our leaders that was held by the knights of old for their kings. All too often this is translated to our relationship with God.

I make it my goal to serve Christ with the same honor and integrity equal to the ideal knight.

To be a Christian Knight is to accept Him as Lord and devote your Service, Conduct, and Warfare to His cause. Do I fail in this from time to time? Absolutely, but praise God that my King is also my Savior and Friend. 

I call upon my Christian brothers and sisters to join me in pursuing the goals of being a Christian Knight. 

Lonnie....

From The Desk Of A Geek

From The Desk Of A Geek:

Leader of the Band - Your Legacy 

"An only child, alone and wild, a cabinet maker's son

His hands were meant for different work and his heart was known to none

He left his home and went his lone and solitary way

And he gave to me a gift I know I never can repay......"

In 1981 singer/song writer Dan Fogelberg released a song entitled “Leader of the Band” as a tribute to his father who was, professionally, a music teacher and actual leader of a college marching band. This is one of Fogelberg's most personal songs. 

There was a man who had the unique opportunity of reading his own obituary. One day over his morning toast, he opened the paper and saw his name in the obituary column. Obviously it had been printed by mistake, but what really distressed him was the fact that he was remembered as the man who created dynamite.

He thought, “Of all of the things I’ll be remembered for, it will be my creation of something that is used for mass destruction.” So he decided to make some dramatic changes in his life. The man’s name was Alfred Nobel, and he went on to create the Nobel Peace Prize.

How obvious it is that our life does have a meaning, and we need to discover the meaning for ourself. And when we die, everything we own or did becomes useless unless it brought value and joy to others. 

So, your legacy is all that really matters in the end. Did you help others? Did you give encouragement and hope to others? It’s not really about money – it’s more than that.

If you have a family, I guess you want to leave good memories for your children and grandchildren .. will you be remembered as a genuine, kind, caring and generous person? I think as we get older we need to make a conscious decision to love others unconditionally – it is so important, because we don’t know how many years God will give us to live. Hopefully it will be long.

Do we have convictions, and beliefs that matter? It was Thomas Carlyle who said “conviction is worthless until it can convert itself into daily conduct”. 

I like what the Bible says about legacy. In Psalm 112 we read this... 

“The Lord blesses everyone who worships him and gladly obeys his teachings. Their descendants will have great power in the land, because the Lord blesses all who do right they will always be remembered for their fairness they will be so kind and merciful and good, that they will be a light in the dark for others who do the right thing”. 

 Proverbs 10:7 says “Good people are remembered long after they are gone; but the wicked are soon forgotten”.

The old saying is true – “you can’t take it with you when you die”. When our lives come to an end, it wont matter how much was in the bank, or how many cars we owned, or how big our houses were, or whether we could afford to eat out in the best restaurants .. it will be “what impact did I make on the lives of people who God bought across my path?”

To leave a Godly legacy, we must focus on living life God’s way. Someone has wisely said, “The test of your leadership is not while you are living. It comes after you are gone. Then what will people do with what you gave them?” The way we live now and the choices we make today affect those around us. Our legacies live on the lives of others.

Proverbs 22:1 says “A good reputation and respect are worth much more than silver and gold”.  

I think of the great people of the New Testament who died tragically because of their faith and belief in Jesus,those like the Apostle Peter who was crucified upside down. He felt he was not good enough to die as Jesus did. Paul the apostle was beheaded outside the city of Rome. 

Their legacies are very clear, and inspirational, because they lived for Jesus Christ. They lived for His glory, not their own.

Lonnie...

The Way of The Fist

The Way of The Fist

"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." 

I'm still recovering from New Year's Eve..!! After spending some time with all the family playing games, telling stories and remembering 2021, Landon, Alex and myself sat down in front of Netflix and did our New Year's Eve/ Day tradition... WATCH THE ENTIRE NEW SEASON OF COBRA KAI..!! We stayed awake until 7am..sort of like a 

Cobra Kai "lock in"

Cobra Kai is the continuation story of Daniel Larusso and Johnny Lawrence of the original Karate Kid movie of 1984.

When it comes to old movies, there’s really no beating the 1984 Karate Kid. It’s the classic coming-of-age story of a young boy who finds his potential with the help of a wise, old man. Of course, back then all I cared about were the awesome fight scenes. The first time I saw the movie I must have spent a week doing “Crane kicks” around the house like an inebriated flamingo. Those same action sequences haven’t aged well, and these days The Karate Kid looks downright corny, but the film still contains some valuable lessons for people who listen.

At one point in the movie Daniel grows frustrated with his training. He’s tired of being bullied, tired of being treated like a loser, he wants some payback and karate seems like the best way to get it. Mr. Miyagi listens patiently as his young pupil vents his anger, then pulls him aside and in broken English tries to explain the essence of what he’s teaching.

Pointing to his head, Miyagi says, “Daniel san, karate here.” He then points to his heart and says “Karate here.” Lastly, he points at his fists and say, “karate never, never here.”

The Karate Kid might be a cheesy movie, but I think a lot of Christians could take a lesson from Mr. Miyagi. It bothers me how often I hear pastors and Christian leaders say things like, “We’re soldiers in the army of God”, “We’re fighting a Culture War”, or “The line is being drawn in the sand”. I understand how hard it is to live as a Christian in modern culture, believe me, but that doesn’t mean we start living our faith with our fists. In fact, that sounds almost counter to what Jesus told his disciples to do. Listen to what Jesus has to say...

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

( Luke 6:27-31)

The truth is Jesus doesn’t need us to fight His battles. Our job is to be reflections of His love and mercy, and we can’t do that when we’re branding people as enemies of the Church. The same principles Mr. Miyagi taught Daniel about karate are true for Christians. God is in our hearts, God is in our minds, but God is never, never in our fists.

Lonnie...

From The Desk of a Geek

From The Desk of a Geek 

Twenty-four 

Kobe Bryant is probably my favorite basketball player of all time. He is famous for being one of the best basketball players in the history of the NBA. He played guard for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years. He was known for his tough defense, vertical leap, and ability to score winning baskets at the end of the game. He is widely considered the best basketball player of the 2000s and perhaps one of the best of all time.

Kobe died in a tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. His daughter Gianna and seven others also passed in the accident.

I recently saw one of his game worn jerseys on Ebay with a starting bid of $350,000.00.

That is an incredible amount of money for a sports jersey that probably cost $75.00 retail, but then I started to think it was "Who the jersey belonged to" as to why it cost so much...

"If just touch his clothes, I will be healed."

That's what she told herself, this nameless, bleeding woman who'd traveled 30 miles, fueled by nothing but faith.

It was a daring plan. According to Mosaic Law, women who were ceremonially unclean weren't allowed to touch anyone, let alone the Son of God. But desperate women do desperate things. For 12 long years blood had flowed from her body, making her physically sick and socially unacceptable.

The physicians of her time were unable to relieve her suffering. She "spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse". Some of us have been there, dealing with a prolonged illness or stubborn medical condition. It's frustrating, even embarrassing, to keep going to the doctor, only to return home with an expensive prescription, yet little hope.

The true miracle in this story is what remained healthy: her faith. Her willingness to believe she could be well again, despite all evidence to the contrary. When she heard about a man who'd "healed many who had various diseases", she made a beeline for Capernaum.

After a 30-mile journey, I would have thrown myself in his path, begging him to help me. Instead our bleeding sister quietly "came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak".

By law, her touch would have made him unclean. By grace, just the opposite happened. "Immediately her bleeding stopped". Without a word, a look, or a touch from Jesus, she was made whole simply by believing he could heal her—and daring to act on that belief.

When her faith was rewarded, she wasn't the only one who noticed. "He turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my clothes?'". How her heart must have pounded. She'd just stolen a miracle!

When the disciples pointed out that many in the crowded street were touching him, "Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it". He wasn't looking to accuse but to affirm.

The same faith that empowered her to stretch out her hand now gave her the strength to step forward. She "fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth".

She risked everything—public humiliation, if not punishment—to make her confession of faith, explaining to the crowd "why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed".

With a single word from Jesus, 12 years of pain and isolation were swept away: "Daughter … ". In no other gospel account does Jesus use this term of endearment and respect. Daughter. She was a member of the family now, restored to her community, setting an example for others who "begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed".

This woman literally put feet to her faith: traveling to Capernaum, reaching out to touch Jesus' garment, and walking forward at his invitation. By faith, we too can go first in our families, in our workplaces, and in our circles of influence, stepping forward to proclaim, "There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole."

Lonnie ...

From The Desk of a Geek

From The Desk of a Geek 

Dad, Do You Remember When...

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Brady, Landon, and Alex. My three sons [see how I made a reference to an old TV show] we went shopping and lunch and of course had some laughter and crazy times.

And tonight, Landon, Alex and myself continued a tradition of seeing any new MCU movie on opening night. Landon even made a big deal out of it by wearing a shirt and tie..!

There is no verse in the Bible that says, “Spend time with your children.” 

But....did you know 100 years ago the average parent spent 54 percent of his waking hours with his children? Today that figure is only 18 percent. In fact, one study said the average father spends only eight to ten minutes per day with his children. No wonder when our children run into problems and temptations, parents are among the last to whom they turn for help.

In the Old Testament, Eli was a faithful and successful priest. He was successful in his work and successful in his ministry. But Eli was not a successful father–his sons were very rebellious. In fact, the Bible calls them “worthless men” (1 Samuel 2:12). They stole from the Lord’s altar and committed acts of sexual immorality. Verse 17 says of Eli’s sons, “the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for the men despised the offering of the Lord.” 

So how did Eli respond when he heard about his sons’ sin and rebellion? “Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting. He said to them, ‘Why do you do such things, the evil things that I hear from all these people?’ . . . But they would not listen to the voice of their father”. 

God judged Eli and his sons for their unrepentant sin. As a result, when we think of Eli, we don’t think of his success in his work. We only think of his legacy of failure as a parent.

Parents, if you fail your children, you lose everything. That is why it is so important that we apply these biblical parenting principles. 

What we do or we fail to do as a parent does not just stop with our children, but it reverberates through generation after generation. You see, when we leave this earth, our likeness will continue to appear again and again in the children and the grandchildren we leave behind. And that is why it is crucial that we learn to parent with success

One of the most important things you can do for your children is to give them your time and to enjoy being with them. Kids aren’t dumb--they sense when you feel like they’re a bother. They also sense when you genuinely like them and enjoy their company. You communicate your attitude toward them, in part, by little gestures: a warm smile, eye contact, a gentle nudge or hug, a shared laugh.

Just putting down what you’re doing for a minute and giving them your undivided attention says, “You are important to me and I want to hear what you have to say.” Even though what they want at the moment may not be an important issue, if you express a welcome response, it can open the way for communicating at other times on more important things, such as spiritual values and character issues. Influence is imparted through time together, genuinely enjoying their company.

I see so many parents, even in Christian families, and especially dads, who destroy their relationships with their kids by being perpetual­ly angry. Their only communica­tion toward them seems to be the high-decibel rhetorical question: “How many times do I have to tell you ...!!!” Or, their anger burns through with sarcastic remarks, name calling, and put downs: “Hey, stupid, use your head!” Sometimes they just shake their heads in disgust, communi­cating non-verbally, but unmistakably, to the child you are saying, “You’re an idiot!”

I’ve seen people in public places talk to their children in ways that wouldn’t be appropriate for correcting your dog. 

Then, when the kids rebel as teenagers, the parents shrug their shoulders and say weakly, “It’s just a normal phase they have to go through!”

The Bible commands us to put off such rotten speech, and instead use words that build up others. It tells us to put off anger and to be kind and tender to each other.

Time is a vapor. Blink once and it’s gone. We all have a responsibility to steward and invest the time God gives us in things that produce lasting and eternal dividends. Let’s use the precious and limited time we have with our children by investing in their hearts. Life is short. By God’s grace, don’t waste it.

Lonnie...

The Social Media Generation

From The Desk of a Geek 

The Social Media Generation 

Social media wields a powerful influence on our teens. Their world is colored by Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Youtube. They probably get their news from Twitter and Facebook, although my kids tell me mainly ancient people over 30 use Facebook now. Social media can be a powerful communicator of God’s truth, but it can also hurt. Some kids use it to bully and compete with others, or to subtweet at friends they’re upset with. 

No doubt about it, social media can shake us up, and I have to admit I’m not so different from my teen boys. When we look at lives, and images on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook we start to feel not so attractive ourselves, and  what we have, the places we go, and the people we know don’t look as exciting as the glamourous images we see, and before we know it, we start to feel less positively about ourselves, social media can shake our self-image.

One important difference between my boys, and I is that I’ve had 30 +  more years to learn how much God loves me and who I am in Christ. Although social media can present a powerful challenge for our teens, their greatest problem is a "VULNERABLE SELF IMAGE".

They haven’t had the time to develop a strong identity based on who God is and how much He loves and values them.

When we understand better how God values us, His love becomes an internal filter through which we see the images and words that social media throws at us. As parents, we can help our teens get to know God better, experience more of His Love, and learn more of who they are in Christ.

To be able to build a more positive self-image and let God’s love filter out the world’s negative voices, our teens need to know one of the most amazing truths about our Creator is that He cares deeply about His children and actually draws near when we call out to Him. We spend a lifetime learning this, but Psalm 145 provides a glimpse of God’s character and care for man: “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made… The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him”.  

Most of us can’t imagine anyone loving us more than our mother does, but Scripture tells us God’s love and care go beyond that of a mother for her child. His passion for us goes so deep that He has even engraved our names on the palm of His hand. He loves your teen and mine with an everlasting love, and He demonstrated that love by sending Jesus to die on the cross. 

Our true value rests on the blood Christ shed for us, not on the number of likes we get on social media. Scripture teaches that God knit your teen together in the womb, fearfully and wonderfully Our sons and daughters are His workmanship, created with a purpose.

Our teens will continue learning these truths their whole life, but we can help them get started on the right track by seeking to reflect God’s love in the context of a healthy relationship with them. God can be a nebulous concept, but our kids see us in the flesh every day. We can’t be perfect parents, but we can reflect some of His love to our children by giving them three important gifts:

I love the passage in Deuteronomy 33 where Moses speaks a blessing over each tribe of Israel. It reminds me that as a parent, one of my roles is to bless my children through affirmation. When they were younger, I used to pray over them individually each night, thanking God for such a wonderful child and mentioning specific traits and talents I saw in each one. I still do this occasionally, but not near often enough. 

As I write this, I realize all over again that my teens and adult son and daughter inlaw still need affirmation from their mother and me. 

We can counteract the negative voices our kids might hear through social media  when we take the time to tell them the special qualities we love about them. Ultimately a positive, loving relationship with us opens the channel for our teens to receive more of God’s love and truth. 

We can encourage our teens to grow a stronger self-image based on who God is and how He loves them. Let’s encourage them to spend a few minutes each day reading Scripture, so they’ll have truth in their minds to counteract the lies the world may throw at them. Sometimes the world may send us negative messages via Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, but we can learn to let God’s love filter what we see on social media. 

Lonnie...

From The Desk of a Geek

From The Desk of a Geek 

Go Into All The World

January 2, 1956, was the day that 29-year-old Jim Elliot had waited for most of his life. He jumped out of bed, dressed as quickly as he could, and got ready for the short flight over the thick Ecuador jungle. Almost three years of jungle ministry and many hours of planning and praying had led Jim to this day. Within hours, he and four other missionaries would be setting up camp in the territory of a dangerous and uncivilized Indian tribe known then as the Aucas, known now as the Waodani. The Aucas had killed all outsiders ever caught in their area. Even though it was dangerous, Jim Elliot had no doubt God wanted him to tell the Aucas about Jesus........

Maybe you’re afraid to share your faith because you don’t know what to say, or feel like you may be persecuted. Or maybe you’re sharing the Gospel but nothing is happening; people aren’t committing their lives to Christ, and you ask yourself, Am I doing something wrong"?

You can’t open someone’s heart to the truth of the Gospel—but God can, by His Spirit. The Apostle Paul wasn’t eloquent, but God used him because he depended on the Holy Spirit to guide him. 

God guided many others in the Bible as well—like Moses, who at first asked God to get someone else to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land, or Jonah, who didn’t think the wicked Ninevites deserved God’s mercy and tried to run the other way.

Remember that God does not call the equipped; He equips the called—and as Christians, we are all called to share what Christ has done. 

Some of Christ’s last words on earth were, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Sharing our faith isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a command. And God is with us when we obey Him.

One of the best ways to share your faith is to live a godly life. Non-Christians often look at Christians as hypocritical because we say one thing but do another. Show those close to you that you care—spend time with them, help meet their needs and offer to listen when they have problems. You might not be able to answer all of their questions, but they can’t deny the reality of what Christ has done in your life. If you find this is hard to do, perhaps God is speaking to you about your own need to walk more closely with Him every day.

Another important part of sharing your faith is to pray for those you interact with. If you can’t think of anyone who isn’t a Christian, pray for God to place someone in your life who needs Him.

Also make a habit of reading the Bible, praying and going to church.These things shouldn’t be done for attention or for the sake of doing them, but to help you grow in your own faith. Being passionate about Christ will help others see that there’s something different about you, and they will want to know what it is. 

You can also reflect Christ through kind words, patience, a gentle temperament, choosing to love even difficult people, carefully monitoring what you watch or listen to, and treating others with respect.

At the same time, we must do more than live godly lives. People need to hear the Gospel—to hear that God loves them, Christ died for them and that they can have eternal life. And how can they hear without someone teaching and encouraging them?”

It was on day six of Jim Elliot and his missionary team that two Auca women walked out of the jungle. Jim and fellow missionary Pete excitedly jumped in the river and waded over to them. As they got closer, these women did not appear friendly. Jim and Pete almost immediately heard a terrifying cry behind them. As they turned they saw a group of Auca warriors with their spears raised, ready to throw. Jim Elliot reached for the gun in his pocket. He had to decide instantly if he should use it. But he knew he couldn't. Each of the missionaries had promised they would not kill an Auca who did not know Jesus to save himself from being killed. 

Within seconds, the Auca warriors threw their spears, killing all the missionaries: Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Nate Saint, Pete Fleming and Jim Elliot.News quickly spread around the world about the five missing missionaries. A United States search team went to the beach, found the missionaries' bodies, and buried them.

But don't think Operation Auca ended there because it didn't. In less than two years Elisabeth Elliot, her daughter Valerie, and Rachel Saint (Nate's sister) were able to move to the Auca village. Many Aucas became Christians. They are now a friendly tribe. Missionaries, including Nate Saint's son and his family, still live among the Aucas today.

Lonnie..