Did you hear the one about the insurance man, the atheist, and the preacher who went to Virginia to see Mr. Jefferson? Probably not until now, but that is exactly what happened this summer. No, it is not a joke. Yes, it is a strange mixture of personalities. Yes, we had a blast. So why? And what happened on the trip?

For the longest time, I have been promising my friend John Rankin (pictured at left)- the  exploring, seeking,  self-proclaimed “free thinking secular humanist seeker” that I would take him to see the home of one of our favorite presidents. When I was a kid growing up in New Orleans, I made a game of memorizing all the presidents in 1^st grade and the first book I ever bought as a child was about Thomas Jefferson.  My interest in presidents grew during my teen years and swelled in college as a political science/pre-law major. I did a paper on Jefferson in college and read widely about him.  John had admired him for years for his ideas and Renaissance Man persona. And my friend, Ronnie Hallman, the insurance guy with a big smile is really a closet historian who loves to study American history and meet people.

Besides all that, Thomas Jefferson, the 3^rd President Of the United States, is a rich subject.  At a dinner of Nobel Prize winners, John F. Kennedy  said, “This may be the greatest assembly of minds to dine in the White House with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.” Jefferson was THAT smart and gifted and diverse. And strangely enough, John, Ronnie, and I admire him even though we don’t share everything in common.

From the get-go, we all hit it off. We talked politics, people, faith, and ideas on the picturesque ride north and arrived shortly before lunch. In a whirlwind of 48 hours, we saw not only Monticello (Jefferson’s home), but the University of Virginia (which Jefferson called his greatest achievement), Montpelier- the home of James Madison, the 4^th President of the United States, and Ash Lawn-Highland, the home of President James Monroe, the 5^th President of the United States. We capped off the trip with a foray into Lexington, Virginia visiting VMI, Washington and Lee University, and the Lee Chapel where Robert E. Lee is interred as well as the final resting place of Lee’s favorite general, Stonewall Jackson.

All along the way, we shared some of the finest cuisine at the rustic colonial Michie Tavern; at on the balcony veranda of Michael’s Bistro overlooking Main Street and U. Va. in downtown Charlottesville, and McAdoo’s in downtown Lexington (home of the SINsation- a mixture of cinnamon bun topped with generous helpings of chocolate-chip cookie dough ice cream)

Most of all, we had a great time connecting as friends. I love to introduce friends to friends.  Ronnie and John hit it off although they­ don’t share much in common.  On the balcony of the restaurant in Charlottesville, Ronnie admitted that he read John’s columns in the paper from the Faith Debate John and I carried on in the Gazette for a couple of years and found him to be a little “out there.”  As a matter of fact, Ronnie (pictured below) with a lifesize statue of Thomas Jefferson) said, “I thought you were crazy.” But after meeting one another and sharing good food and companionship around common interests, they grew to respect one another. Ronnie summarized the weekend jaunt through history with “I’ve found a new friend.”

We can be different, but still show respect.   We don’t surrender our faith or convictions when we hang out with others of different faith persuasions. Quite often, they are strengthened. And it gives us a chance to prove that our faith is real.  Jesus said, “The world will know that you are truly my disciples if you have love for one another.”

Ronnie and I get to prove our faith is real by demonstrating love and respect to one another, but also to John and others who don’t share our faith. And we can do so without surrendering our faith.

Maybe the author of the document that laid the foundation for this nation of freedom to have “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” would have smiled to know that such a dream is possible even among those who are quite different.

Besides, Jesus said, “The world will know that you belong to me if you love one another.”  God gave two Christ-Followers a chance to show an atheist that the love of Christ is real while we actually enjoyed one another’s company.  I have to think that God smiled on us as He shown through two of us the love that He still has especially for the one who is “not yet “one of us.

Geoff and Laura Swanson are young professionals on the move. They’ve got MOMENTUM in their lives.  And they really needed some because at one time things were tough and they felt like they had a financial noose around their throat,

Laura says, “When we started dating, Geoff was $80,000 in debt.  Didn’t seem like such a big deal, as everyone has credit card debt and school loans and he was trying to pay them off. In 2005, when we got married, we added it up.  Our total was now at $160,000.”

And some of us think we have problems! Laura continues,

“Unfortunately, most of this was Geoff’s, due to school loans and living off credit cards.

We decided to start paying it off, smallest bill first.  But, we continued to shop, buy cars, buy another house, and go on incredible trips. We put it on credit cards, paying those off every month while we paid extra on the others. We had an amazing life because we thought we could handle it all.  But the economy tanked, Geoff’s income was cut in half, and he wanted to start working toward his Master’s degree.”

But then, a ray of hope dawned and began to shine through. They found a solution- and it was not the right lottery ticket or a rich relative leaving them a big inheritance.

“We participated in Financial Peace University at Forest Pointe Church in the spring of 2010.  We followed Dave’s rules-no credit cards, a lot of overtime, using the envelopes, and cutting our spending to the bare minimum (no vacations or extra shopping, very little eating out).  We followed a strict budget that we agreed on every other week according to our paychecks.  As of August 13^th, we have PAID OFF our last $35,000 of debt, and are DEBT-FREE EXCEPT FOR THE HOUSE! “

And they have another gift awaiting them if they can stay on track. “We will also have a fully-funded emergency fund of 3-6 months of living expenses by our 5^th wedding anniversary in September, and are paying extra on our mortgage too!”

We wish we had found Financial Peace University five years ago.  We would have been able to “live like no one else” sooner.  But, it’s never too late!  We have learned about budgeting and other financial principles we can use now…like investing, insurance, and best of all, giving.  We communicate better, and that has improved our marriage exponentially.  Our home is peaceful, and we are dreaming again…this time saving up for purchases and making sure we are helping others too.  Our friends don’t tease us about Geoff’s credit cards or the changes in our lifestyle anymore…they want to know how we did it!

Think about it- Geoff and Laura Swanson of Gastonia, NC $245,000 in 5 years with the last $35,000 in 6 months!   They are breathing easy again. You can too! Sign up for a Financial Peace University group by going to forestpointe.org, selecting one of 37 groups meeting at convenient times every day of the week. You can also call 704-825-1709.  Tuition is free with a materials cost of only $100.

Living Like No One Else

Tammy Gordon is special- a woman on a mission and a real gift to our world.  She serves as a first grade teacher at Gaston Christian School and a regular favorite around this time of year.  You see, as school approaches, parents (mothers in particular) and children begin wondering “Who are you going to get?” in reference to the teacher selected to teach those children during that school year.  Ever popular, she is structured, disciplined, friendly, and pretty too (Just the kind of teacher that little boys fall in love with when they are in the first grade.)

Maybe the most telling thing about Tammy is from the glowing praise of those who work with her. Janice Robinson, a friend and co-worker at Gaston Christian, says, “She has always been among the most popular teachers.  And she does such special things with her students. At the end of each school year, she hosts a sleepover in her own home for all the first graders who have been in her class that year. It has become such a tradition that even her former students who are now in high school come back to help her with her end of the year sleepover.”

Tammy takes a project and dives in. Once she catches a vision for the difference it can make in the world, she is “all in.”   About 8 years ago, she took a mission trip to Charleston, SC with the students in our church.  MissionFuge is an experience designed to not only entertain students for a week of summer camp, but put them to work serving the poor and needy in a given community.  I was there when Tammy got off the bus from her missions experience. She looked at me with thoughtful determination and said, “I found my calling this week. I want to do missions here in at home like we did it there in Charleston.”

Ever since then, she has done missions with passion- organizing teams for service in the community, helping determine aid to those seeking help, and working tirelessly to help the poor and needy in countless other ways.  She truly leads with purpose and passion.

Recently, she has also gotten a handle on her money and finances to help her “live like no one else so that she could one day live like no one else.”  Tammy has become a fan of Dave Ramsey, the popular host of The Dave Ramsey Show, and adherent of his popular series, Financial Peace University.  Famous for making personal finance simple and impactful, FPU has changed Tammy’s life.  She and her husband, Ron, live like no one else because they live like no one else.  Ever resourceful, Ron recycles cooking oil from grocery stores to become fuel for one of their cars.  They have put their son Keith through school with the discipline of living, saving, and investing like no one else so they could reap the benefits like no one else.  She is working tirelessly to help her church implement a program called MOMENTUM this fall, which encourages people to establish great personal finance habits.  (For more information about how to get a handle on personal finances, go to forestpointe.org and click on the MOMENTUM button).

Tammy says,  “Dave Ramsey and Financial Peace University changed our lives.  We quit using credit cards early in our marriage (the last card I had was from Ivey’s).  But we couldn’t understand where our money was going.  After doing a budget and discovering that my debit card was getting us into trouble because of impulse purchases, we began paying with cash. By using the envelope system of putting cash into envelopes for specific purposes and using that cash for the purpose specified in that envelope, we were back in control.  We will never buy another new car, but pay cash for the used cars that we do buy. Plus, we paid cash for our son Keith to go to UNC-CH and are now able to pay for law school for him as well.  And we are in a position where we can pay off our house soon.”

She is a wife, mother, teacher, and missionary. And best of all for me, she and Ron are my friends.  And the show that it is POSSIBLE to, in the words of Dave Ramsey, “LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE so that one day you can LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE.”

Signup for a a group and the beginning of the path to personal freedom at forestpointe.org. Click on the MOMENTUM site on the front page. YOU can live like no one else too!

Peace. God wants peace for you. As your pastor, I want that peace for you. So often, people think I am trying to get something from them while using God and His word to get it.  Nothing could be further from the truth. I want peace for you because that is what God wants for His children. He loved us so much that He made peace possible through Christ.

Do you sometimes wonder if peace is possible in the fast-paced world we live in? How can I make the best decisions possible, in order to make peace real in my life? Can I have lasting peace in my life emotionally, relationally and financially? Absolutely!

This fall, we are taking a journey to peace called Momentum. Specifically, it is about developing personal momentum in your financial life and incorporates the teachings of Dave Ramsey and Financial Peace University, a 12 week course to help you attain personal financial peace.  It is the singular group study focus this fall, for our entire church. It will change your life and the life of those you love.

I hope you will take the trip with us, and sign up for Financial Peace University.  The average family completing the course pays off $5300 in debt and saves $2700 in the first 91 days after beginning FPU and is completely out of debt, except for the Mortgage, in 18-24 months. 47 families at Forest Pointe, including our full-time staff, have already completed FPU and many have exceeded these averages. We invite you to be next.

Each family will need to purchase a kit for the class by contacting Micheal Mustian, our Momentum Groups Coordinator. The first 10 people to order a kit will receive them at a $15 discount.

E-mail him at michael@forestpointe.org or call 704-825-1709.

Chapter 6 – Christ Unveils The Future

A summary of the events of the future of progressive devastation are presented here and depicted by the use of Horse and Seals. God has Christ open the seals and give the message of each seal.

1. The White Horse and Its Rider (The Antichrist) who comes with a pseudo-peace.

2. The Red Horse and its rider who comes to mass murder

3. The Black Horse and its rider who comes to bring scarcity and famine

4. The Pale Horse and its rider who comes to kill 25% of the world’s population through this progressive devastation from the four riders

5. The Martyrs or Witnesses for Christ who have given their lives for Him cry out -”HOW LONG will all these deathly occurrences take place and God restrain His judgment?” It is a constant cry in heaven right now.

6. Cosmic disturbances such as earthquakes, the sun darkening, the moon turning to blood, the stars falling from the sky, mountains and islands moving, the earth literally splitting. These disturbances are accompanied by a cry from all the rich, powerful, elite, poor, and every man and woman on earth begging to be killed rather than face God’s progressive wrath.

Chapter 7 – Israel, 144,000 Jewish Witnesses, Two Special Witnesses, And Worship

During the beginning or first 3 1/2 years (1260 days) of the tribulation, God saves and appoints 144,000 Jewish evangelists (12,000 from each of the 12,000 tribes of Israel) who are evangelists or good news declarers. They share God’s plan of salvation and are protected for this time by God and thousands and perhaps even millions are converted to Christ during this time. These converts were from the people who have remained after Christ took the church in what is commonly called The Rapture.  Among them are two special witnesses that cannot be touched in any way because fire comes out of their mouths to consume anyone who comes against them and, more importantly, their message. We see after that period one of the MOST ENCOURAGING scenes in The Revelation of Jesus Christ. I’ll include it here because of its power to encourage us:

Revelation 7:9-17 (ESV)

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 
16 they shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, or any scorching heat. 
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

BE ENCOURAGED TODAY! GOD WINS !!!

Some Helpful Resources For Further Study (Reources are numbered for your convenience.):

1. davidjeremiah.org (teaching from David jeremiah)

2. A specific article about Armageddon and the Return of Christ can be found here; http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/content.aspx?id=2096&terms=revelation

3. lproof.org (teaching from Beth Moore)

4. HELPFUL CHARTS can be downloaded here: http://www.jesuswalk.com/revelation/ (NOTE: You do not have to purchase the Bible Study. Simply scroll to the bottom of the pdf charts for quick visibility.)

A GREAT Q & A ABOUT THE FINAL BATTLE AND THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST:

5. http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/content.aspx?id=2096&terms=revelation

THE BEST TWO RESOURCES TO PURCHASE THAT CAN HELP YOU IN YOUR REVELATION JOURNEY ARE:

6. Escape The Coming Night By David jeremiah

7. Here and Now… There And Then By Beth Moore

FREE HELPFUL SUMMARY:

8. “A Jet Tour Of Revelation” By John Macarthur can be accessed here: http://www.biblebb.com/files/mac/gc1290.htm

ANOTHER HELPFUL SUMMARY:

(I include this summary for intellectual honesty. There are good and righteous people who love God who differ with me about the perspective. Again, I do not concur with all of these conclusions. They are included as a useful and honest intellectual comparison.

9. http://www.apocalipsis.org/rev-int.htm

10. Revelation: Four Views: A Parallel Commentary   Edited By Steve Gregg

http://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Four-Views-Parallel-Commentary/dp/0840721285/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279745569&sr=1-1

(All pictures included in this post are artist renderings from The Revelation Of Jesus Christ. Obviously, we don’t know exactly how these images actually look.)

Chapters 4 and 5 – TRUE WORSHIP

Worship in heaven is happening right now! These chapters show what is going on and describe clearly what true worship is all about.  We see the incredible POWER and BEAUTY and GLORY of JESUS CHRIST- who was and is and is to come!  We see everything and every creature in heaven falling on their faces before God to worship Him. They are throwing their praise and their rewards back to God. We see those who have died for Christ and gone before us begging God on our behalf and holding our prayers as in golden bowls. Nothing exists in the lives of those who belief in Christ that He does not care about.

The chapter’s exclamation point is when Christ is given the scroll of God’s unveiled (apocalyptic) plan for the future and we are told that every created thing worships Christ in simple submission and love and adoring Christ for what he has done and WILL DO for us and those that follow Him.

God takes the Church prior to Tribulation and we see in the next chapter an overview of devastation.

Some Helpful Resources For Further Study (Reources are numbered for your convenience.):

1. davidjeremiah.org (teaching from David jeremiah)

2. A specific article about Armageddon and the Return of Christ can be found here; http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/content.aspx?id=2096&terms=revelation

3. lproof.org (teaching from Beth Moore)

4. HELPFUL CHARTS can be downloaded here: http://www.jesuswalk.com/revelation/ (NOTE: You do not have to purchase the Bible Study. Simply scroll to the bottom of the pdf charts for quick visibility.)

A GREAT Q & A ABOUT THE FINAL BATTLE AND THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST:

5. http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/content.aspx?id=2096&terms=revelation

THE BEST TWO RESOURCES TO PURCHASE THAT CAN HELP YOU IN YOUR REVELATION JOURNEY ARE:

6. Escape The Coming Night By David jeremiah

7. Here and Now… There And Then By Beth Moore

FREE HELPFUL SUMMARY:

8. “A Jet Tour Of Revelation” By John Macarthur can be accessed here: http://www.biblebb.com/files/mac/gc1290.htm

ANOTHER HELPFUL SUMMARY:

(I include this summary for intellectual honesty. There are good and righteous people who love God who differ with me about the perspective. Again, I do not concur with all of these conclusions. They are included as a useful and honest intellectual comparison.

9. http://www.apocalipsis.org/rev-int.htm

10. Revelation: Four Views: A Parallel Commentary   Edited By Steve Gregg

http://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Four-Views-Parallel-Commentary/dp/0840721285/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279745569&sr=1-1

(All pictures included in this post are artist renderings from The Revelation Of Jesus Christ. Obviously, we don’t know exactly how these images actually look.)

The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Revelation) fascinates and takes me through all kinds of emotions.  There is joy in thinking about the future when GOD WINS, but there are also feelings of hurt and pain for the suffering it describes for those who reject Christ.  I promised to supplement my talks with some thoughts in this blog.  I will include my thoughts and then some helpful links to help you go further up and further in to God’s story.  In regards to these links, please understand that I do not necessarily agree with everything their respective authors propose, but they are inserted so that you can give thoughtful interpretation to this book.

Some of the GREATEST things about Revelation:

1. It features the current and future words of Christ.

2. It demonstrates God’s complete power over every age and His constant defeat of evil in the face of constant conflict throughout the ages.

3. Jesus Christ will return again and we should look forward to it expectantly.

4. GOD WINS in the end and regularly along the way even though evil appears to be winning at times.

5. There are a variety of views on Revelation.   The one I lean towards, is commonly called the FUTURIST Perspective.

Chapter 1 – JESUS CHRIST (Front and Center, “Was, Is, Is To Come, I Am”)

Jesus is THE all-powerful Savior, the Alpha and Omega-the beginning and the end of God’s story. Life begins with Christ in Creation and ends in Re-Creation as He makes all things new. He was and is and is to come. That means Christ was there before what we call the beginning. The Bible tells us that He was the agent through whom God created the world and the universe. He comes to the Apostle John in a real vision and leaves specific messages to the church THEN and NOW! John is told to listen up, observe carefully, and write it down.  Jesus assures John and us that He has defeated death and lives forever. He speaks to 7 Churches that existed at that time, to 7 ages of the church from the first century until now, and to churches like them here and now. So prophecy can have meanings in every generation.

Chapters 2 and 3 – “LISTEN UP AND LOOK OUT!”

Jesus tells John about 7 specific churches and gives them very specified messages.

The summary of those messages is found here: http://www.bibleexplained.com/revelation/r-seg01-3/rev03c-smaller-table.html

Keep in mind that these 7 churches are symbolized by 7 lamp stands and Christ is walking among them. It is important for us to remember that Christ has a message for all churches of all types and all times. We can pay specific attention to the fact that Jesus has a clear message for us individually and the church together if we listen up and look up to hear and see what he is saying to us. These are messages for THEN and for NOW.

Essentially, God reminds us through Christ to:

1. …Return to our first love – Him

2. …Be faithful even if it means dying for Him

3. …Avoid compromise, turn to good, do the next right thing, and overcome for Him

4. …Follow good leaders and avoid evil ones and hold fast to Christ and his true leaders in the church

5. …WAKE UP and do the right thing regularly for Christ.

6. …Keep My Word and do not deny My Name.

7. …Be zealous for Me and not half-hearted in ANY way.

KEEP IT REAL AND LIVE IT OUT!

Some Helpful Resources For Further Study (Reources are numbered for your convenience.):

1. davidjeremiah.org (teaching from David jeremiah)

2. A specific article about Armageddon and the Return of Christ can be found here; http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/content.aspx?id=2096&terms=revelation

3. lproof.org (teaching from Beth Moore)

4. HELPFUL CHARTS can be downloaded here: http://www.jesuswalk.com/revelation/ (NOTE: You do not have to purchase the Bible Study. Simply scroll to the bottom of the pdf charts for quick visibility.)

A GREAT Q & A ABOUT THE FINAL BATTLE AND THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST:

5. http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/content.aspx?id=2096&terms=revelation

THE BEST TWO RESOURCES TO PURCHASE THAT CAN HELP YOU IN YOUR REVELATION JOURNEY ARE:

6. Escape The Coming Night By David jeremiah

7. Here and Now… There And Then By Beth Moore

FREE HELPFUL SUMMARY:

8. “A Jet Tour Of Revelation” By John Macarthur can be accessed here: http://www.biblebb.com/files/mac/gc1290.htm

ANOTHER HELPFUL SUMMARY:

(I include this summary for intellectual honesty. There are good and righteous people who love God who differ with me about the perspective. Again, I do not concur with all of these conclusions. They are included as a useful and honest intellectual comparison.

9. http://www.apocalipsis.org/rev-int.htm

(All pictures included in this post are artist renderings from The Revelation Of Jesus Christ. Obviously, we don’t know exactly how these images actually look.)

10. Revelation: Four Views: A Parallel Commentary   Edited By Steve Gregg

http://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Four-Views-Parallel-Commentary/dp/0840721285/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279745569&sr=1-1

[As we celebrate the birth of our nation this weekend, it is important to remember that these people were regular people like us with common struggles to all of us. One of the most common issues we deal with as Christ-Followers is how to handle it when somebody does you wrong. What do you do with the bitterness and resentment that comes with people who attack you, let you down, and hurt you.  How does that square with “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ has forgiven you.”  Here is a real life story of forgiveness from two of those who founded our country].

“It is the 4^th?” said the patriarch of American liberty and the author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson.  It was indeed July 4^th, 1826 and Jefferson lay dying on his bed on the Monticello hilltop. Upon learning that it was indeed the 4^th, Jefferson said simply, “It is the 4^th.’  It was almost as if he had willed himself to die on the day when the country had been born.   It was 50 years to the day since he had penned the document that established a country and then signed by the 56 founding fathers.  It was a declaration to which they pledged “their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

Earlier that same morning, John Adams awoke and learning that it was the 4^th of July said, “It is a great day. It is a good day.”  It rang true for the man that wrote of that great Independence Day 50 years earlier:

It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

What is plainly known among historians is that these two founders of liberty became bitter enemies and rivals for power. Their disagreement grew so sharp that they refused to speak with one another for a period of more than 12 years. But Benjamin Rush, the father of modern psychiatry in America, diplomatically helped the men to reconcile. Adams said of Jefferson, “I have always loved Jefferson and I still love him.” Jefferson wrote to Adams in his first letter after the bitter estrangement, “A letter from you calls up recollections very dear to my mind…It carries me back to the times when, beset with difficulties and dangers, we were fellow laborers in the same cause.  The men began exchanging letters and continued to do so for the last dozen or so years of their lives. They grew to respect and admire one another anew as the country matured. They began to see themselves as part of a grand continuum of liberty.

And as God in his providence would have it, both lions of liberty died on the same day within hours of one another.

David McCullough writes in his biography of John Adams:

That John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had died on the same day, and that it was, of all days, the Fourth of July, could not be seen as a mere coincidence: it was a “visible and palpable” manifestation of “Divine favor,” wrote John Quincy Adams in his diary that night, expressing what was felt and would be said again and again everywhere the news spread.

And what did these lions of liberty have to say about one another as their lives ebbed and ultimately extinguished?

Thomas Jefferson continued to address his co-founder and one time rival as “Friend.” John Adams’ last words were “Jefferson … still lives.”

No longer were they rivals in a Jefferson “vs.” Adams way. They returned to Jefferson “AND” Adams, two patirots united forever in a common cause bound forever by mutual respect.

“It is never too late to mend a quarrel” may be the most profound lesson that these founding fathers showed us.

Happy 4th of July!

New Idea- Interact with parents who want to share their stories, struggles, and successes in parenting.

How? Read a book together and enhance life skills.

What Book? Parenting Beyond Your Capacity: Connect Your Family To A Wider Community By Reggie Joiner and Carey Niieuhof.  We gave away free copies of the introduction and first chapter over the last several weeks. If you didn’t get one, send me an email to pastor@forestpointe.org. I’ll get you the preview booklet sent in the mail this week.

Why? To make a positive impact on our individual families and our church family.  You are NOT alone. We are here to help.

And HOW WILL THIS WORK?

Each week, I or a member of our Family Ministry Team will be blogging on a chapter from the book YOU get to post comments, ask questions, and begin an online dialogue about what matters most- our families.  (You can also send a secure email to us at christa@forestpointe.org. Christa Pratt, our Family Ministry Coach will help us to take special request questions that involve your privacy if so desired).

So What’s Up 1st?  The Authors write in their introduction.

The best thing about the beginning of this book is the admission by the experts that they are:

somewhat dysfunctional

a little insecure

More stressed out than we should be

Now, I feel better. It’s not just me who is NOT a perfect parent.

And I am pumped by what they say from the get-go- you don’t have to do this alone. You can become intentional about partnering with others who can also have an influence with your child.

How cool is that?! I don’t have to do it alone.

And what I rediscover all the time is that being a parent is a relational journey that never ends. Andrea I have three children- Princess Anna (23), Alexander the Great (20), and Dear Abigail (15). All of them are different and at different stages in their life and each is unique. But one thing is constant- we love them desperately and have given our lives for them. IN that way, being a parent is a lot like God loving us and creating us to love and be loved in return.

So What Do We Hope To Get Out Of This Interaction This Summer? CONNECTION & HOPE. We want you to feel connected even if it is by electronic means. We want you to know that there IS hope and that we can be “there” for one another.

We hope, along with the authors, that you will:

REDISCOVER your family’s role in a bigger story.

WIDEN THE CIRCLES of influence in the lives of your sons and daughters.

STAY FOCUSED on what REALLY MATTERS for your children’s future.

RENEW THE FIGHT for your closest relationships.

CREATE A HEALTHY RHYTHM in how you interact with one another.

LEARN TO LEAD YOURSELF as a parent.

Simple. Let the journey begin. Have a comment or question. POST AWAY! And have a great summer.

Fighting for the heart is THE primary duty as a man leads those he loves.

I write about men so often because we are primary.  God created us as the first human. He did it for a reason. He also took the time to do one better when He created Eve (at the very least in the appearance department).  Consider the facts about men:

God created Adam to name the animals and subdue creation. Tony Evans says, “Before God gave Adam a wife, He gave Him a job.”

Adam was created in the wilderness and then put into the garden.

Adam named the animals.

Adam never saw a helper suitable for him.

God caused him to sleep and while he slept, He created Eve from part of his own body.

Eve had the WOW factor and when Adam saw her he said the equivalent of “WOW!”

Adam reveled in her beauty.

Adam was to be the provider and protector of his family

Adam was silent when he should have stepped in to a conversation between Eve and the serpent.

We have paid for that silence ever since.

After spending time with men in the wilderness and in various environments including my Friday men’s group meeting at 7:00, I am convinced that we should step up and step together.

We MUST be in the front and center, standing in the gap, sit side by side, and FIGHT FOR THE HEART OF OUR FAMILY.  The battle never stops that we must continually win.  Stay in the fight! Protect them from bad choices. Protect them from evil that lies at their fingertips. Take them to the good instead. Show them the good with your life. Make sure that the people you love know that you would die for them and stand to protect them no matter what. Protect them for GOOD…standing front and center.