Growing up my parents did many things well.  One of the finest legacies they passed along to me is my love for travel.  I can remember from very early on, taking trips to Arkansas in the car to visit Mike’s mother.  As we got a little older and our bodies grew even bigger those trips became cross-country trips to California in the mini-van.  Those were the days!  I treasure those memories.

Ever since those days, I have longed to pass along that same legacy to my sons.

Tomorrow Warren and I embark on a cross-country trip to San Diego.  Crazy, I know, but I couldn’t be more excited! I am blessed to work for Randall House and to get to go to some cool events.  This week I am headed to Children’s Pastors Conference – San Diego, CA where I will meet up with my other partner in crime, Randy Walser.

As we head out tomorrow our first destination is Tulsa, OK.  We leave mid-day, so it will be a long one!

In addition to the pure adventure of traveling across country with Warren, there is an even greater adventure going on: He and I will “begin” having so Pre-Adolescent conversations.  He is 7 now, and 7 will soon turn into 9 then 11, then 17 and he’s gone!  It’s hard to believe he’s already 7 as it is!  I am looking forward to these talks together.

My prayer for this trip is that our relationship will be strengthened even further, and that Warren will have yet one more layer of understanding as to what it means to be a young man in the pursuit of the heart of God.

Walking in Grace,

Matt

What does your discipleship model at your church look like?  Do you have a model of spiritual formation from birth to young adults?  Have you considered the power of what can happen when churches and parents partner together?

Brian Haynes is a voice of reason, wisdom, and authority on this topic and I am becoming more and more impressed with him and what I see coming out of Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy, TX.

I was thrilled to see that Children’s Ministry Magazine chose to do a story on Brian, the Legacy Milestones model, and his church.  It’s in the June/July issue if you have not read it.

I also would like to recommend Brian’s blog and his churche’s Legacy Milestones website.

In light of yesterday’s post, I highly recommend this book.  Although this resource is not exhaustive and it does not cover everything, it is a helpful tool in processing what it takes to be a spiritual leader in your home.

Check out this video.  Sorry about the music…get’s a little interesting near the end.  Never the less the interaction between the Croc & the Otter family is pretty cool!

Last night the boys, Katie, and I were watching one of my favorite DVD’s, Planet Earth (the Fresh Water episode) and I saw one of the most interesting encounters I have seen in a long time.  A family of otters took on an 11 foot crocodile…and the crocodile backed down!

Have you ever watched otters?  They are not the most threatening creature in the animal kingdom, but when it comes to standing up against a giant predator, they seem to have no fear.  I was really impressed with this…it sort of gave me a little more sense of pride for being high on the “otter scale” on John Trent’s Leading From Your Strengths assessment…but that’s not the point.

Anyway, what really intrigued me (as someone who spends a great deal of time thinking about family, parenting, and what the next generation will look like) was the power of a united family of otters.  As a group, they had power and authority.  As a family, they had confidence to take on the hostile environment around them.

Forgive me for offending (sometimes the truth can be hurtful for all of us…I know it can be for me), but I see far too many Christian families who are just going through the motions, doing little to nothing intentional to raise up spiritual champions for Christ.  If we are not intentional about helping our kids see a clear division between what is going on in our culture and the kingdom that is in the next world, then we stand a great chance of losing them.  How can we expect our families to stay tight and united in Christ when we do little to nothing to disciple our children at home?  If parents are not leading their kids spiritually at home (conversations, talks, teachable moments, faith breakthroughs, spiritual milestones…a whole mixed bag of opportunities to impress Christ on the hearts of our kids), then why should we expect them to be passionate about following Christ as an adult?  What do they see in you? Why would they follow you if it’s not important enough to you to take time to talk about your relationship with God at home?  Why would they grow up to be a Christ follower if it’s not important enough to you to plan time to invest in them spiritually at home?  This is the breeding ground for lukewarm/nominal Christianity. Read the rest of this entry »

As of today, we have groups coming from 29 different states: coast to coast, north to south.  If your group has not yet registered, you can register at D6conference.com by this Friday May 1st using the KWHD6 discount code and save $25 per person on groups of 2 – 9 people.  Individuals can save $30 per person.  Groups of 10+ can save $15 per person.  See you in Dallas!

Katie pointed out to me the verse at the bottom the previous post.  I don’t remember reading that before (Dr. Outlaw, I am sure I did read it in OT Survey…I just don’t remember it).

Anyway, what an amazing passage about passing along what matters most.

Psalm 71:18

¹⁸ Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.

I first met Angela this past December.  I was thoroughly impressed with the depth of her walk with Christ in our interview.  This is a woman who has experienced real pain and the joy that comes through obedience in times of trial.  I sense her humility and her deep dedication to God, her family and to ministering to women and families.  I look forward to her sharing at the D6 Conference.

Someone recently asked me this question.  What a great question!  Although much of the emphasis of D6 is on “impressing” God’s commands and His love onto the hearts of children, Deuteronomy 6 is for everyone on the face of the planet.

Essentially it says three things: Love God, Know his Word, and Teach it to your Kids.

Two out of those three items apply to everyone in the universe, regardless of your parental status.  Each of us are called to love God with our heart, soul and strength.  Everyone is called to know His Word and His message.  Many may not have children.  If we do not have kids we are still called to live out Timothy 2:2.  If we do not have kids, we can still invest in the lives of the next generation.  If we do not have kids, we can still help resource, train and equip parents and grandparents…this should be our holy ambition.

Check out what pastor Morgan says in this video: that everyone is called to Love God and to Know His Word.  Even though it is directed to parents, if you really listen to what he is saying, you will see that it emphasizes how D6 is relevant to any follower of Christ regardless of whether you have kids or not.

Last night we had time to catch up with Dr. Richard Ross for a quick meal.  I left our time with him wanting more…feeling a little cheated because an hour and fifteen minutes, just wasn’t enough.

Although he is a professor of student ministries at Southwestern Seminary, he spends many Sunday’s and Wednesday nights helping parents restore relationships with their teenagers all across the country.  I don’t have time to share the stories he shared with us, but I can say that we share a common passion.  The life transformation stories he shared with Ron Hunter and I nearly left me in tears.

You see the average Christian parent today doesn’t know how to authentically communicate with their teens, to affirm them, and to lead them.  Wounds happen, walls get built up, and it’s just too much work.  So let the distance and emotional scars begin.  He has found a way to heal and correct this process, and it’s completely biblical!  I wish every youth minister across the country would listen to him and implement what he is saying.

If we would integrate his message into our ministries, we could live out D6 like never before.  But if we don’t bridge the gap, healing won’t begin, and our students will not listen, and they will not own their faith (in mass numbers).

I will forever treasure the time that I spent with him last night.

Dr. Ross will be speaking at D6. I hope you will come listen to him and have the chance to meet him.

Check out this article on Baptist Press about Tim Tebow and the way he was raised.  Nothing normal about them…that family is sold out to Christ.  When you are sold out to Christ, your family tends to look a little different.

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?Id=29633

Enjoy!