Tag: parenting

Patience in the Drive-Thru

Date: August 15, 2023

Bible Verse:

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19, NIV)

Message (Longer with a Fun Twist):

I’ll never forget the day daughter and I tried to grab breakfast on our way to church. We were already running late… my hair was half-brushed, daughter was missing a sock, and I was operating on about four hours of sleep. We pulled up to the drive-thru, desperately hoping to save time.

Little did we know, the car in front of us had apparently never seen a menu before. They asked about every single item, from the sausage biscuit to the special “limited-time” breakfast burrito. My stomach growled so loudly, daughter started giggling.

I felt my impatience rising like steam in a kettle. I tapped the steering wheel, checking the clock every five seconds, mentally calculating exactly how many minutes of the sermon we’d miss. The comedic irony? I was on my way to church to preach about patience that day.

That’s when James 1:19 popped into my head. It reminded me that God cares about how we respond in these everyday, inconvenient moments. Patience isn’t tested only in big trials, it’s refined in drive-thru lines, traffic jams, and unexpected sock hunts. I took a deep breath, said a quick prayer for grace, and, believe it or not, felt the tension melt away.

Eventually, we made it through, biscuit sandwiches in hand. We did miss the worship opener, but we still arrived before the sermon started. As I preached on patience, I realized God had just given me a fresh illustration that very morning.

Bible Promise:

God gives us grace to handle the small frustrations in life.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that patience matters even in the smallest moments. Help me to slow down, breathe, and reflect Your love, even when I’m frustrated. May Your grace shine through my actions today. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that patience matters even in the smallest moments. Help me to slow down, breathe, and reflect Your love, even when I’m frustrated. May Your grace shine through my actions today. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Guarding the Minds of Our Children

In a world filled with competing messages, one of our greatest responsibilities as parents is to guard the hearts and minds of our children. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us of the importance of vigilance because everything we do flows from the condition of our hearts.

Raising my daughter has taught me the importance of protecting what she sees, hears, and absorbs. From the shows she watches to the music she listens to, I’ve seen how easily culture can influence her thoughts and actions. But I’ve also learned that protection alone isn’t enough… discipleship is key.

Guarding their hearts means teaching them God’s Word and helping them develop discernment. It’s about having conversations about what they see and hear, pointing them back to biblical truth, and modeling what it looks like to follow Christ in our own lives. When we prioritize their spiritual growth, we equip them to navigate the world with wisdom and faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. What steps can you take to guard your children’s hearts and minds against harmful influences?
  2. How can you model a life rooted in God’s truth for your children?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the gift of children. Teach me to guard their hearts and minds with wisdom and love. Help me to lead by example, pointing them to Your truth in all I do. Equip them to navigate this world with discernment and faith. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

A Year of Growth and Ministry Together

Another year of marriage, and my heart is full of gratitude. This past year has been one of growth, ministry, and seeing God move in incredible ways. Whether we’re working side by side in the church or cheering on our daughter and our son at home, I’m continually amazed by the life we’ve built together.

My wife’s passion for people and her love for God inspire me daily. Watching her pour into others, both in and outside of the church, reminds me why I fell in love with her in the first place. She is a gift to our family, our ministry, and everyone she meets.

As we celebrate today, I’m reminded of the beauty of partnership. God has brought us together not just for our own happiness but to glorify Him through our love, family, and calling. I can’t wait to see what He has in store for us in the coming years.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you celebrate the blessings of partnership in marriage?
  2. What ways can you continue to serve God together as a couple?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the gift of marriage and for the ways You’ve blessed my wife and me this past year. Teach us to honor You in our love, our family, and our ministry. Help us to grow closer to You and each other every day. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Evangelism

daughter and I were at a park last summer when she struck up a conversation with another little girl. Within minutes, they were talking about their favorite things, and before I knew it, daughter said, “Do you know Jesus? He’s my best friend!”

Her boldness amazed me. I thought about how natural it was for her to share her faith, without fear of rejection or overthinking her words. As adults, we often complicate evangelism, worrying about how others might respond or whether we’ll say the right thing. But Jesus simply calls us to share the good news.

Evangelism isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about pointing people to Jesus. It’s living in a way that reflects His love and being ready to speak when opportunities arise. Sometimes that means having deep conversations about faith, and other times it’s as simple as offering a kind word or prayer.

I’ve learned that evangelism starts with prayer. I ask God to give me opportunities to share His love and to help me recognize them when they come. Whether it’s a stranger at the grocery store or a friend who’s struggling, I want my life to be a testimony of His grace.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of sharing Your good news. Give me boldness and wisdom to speak about the hope I have in You. Let my words and actions point others to Your love. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Where Did the Time Go?

Scripture:
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

I blinked… and another month flew by.

Sometimes I wonder where all the time goes. Not in a lazy, “Oops I forgot to write” kind of way, but in that deeper, soul-level way that makes you sit still and ask:

Am I spending my time on what matters most?

Life is full right now. Parenting. Ministry. Marriage. Work. Bills. Ballgames. Church events. Texts I haven’t answered. People I haven’t checked on. Prayers I keep putting off till tomorrow. And somewhere in all of it… the days just slip away.

But God doesn’t waste time, even when we do.
And He’s not asking us to do more. He’s asking us to be more; more present, more faithful, more intentional with what He’s already placed in our hands.

Time isn’t just measured in hours or days. It’s measured in impact.
It’s in the way we sit and listen, the way we show up, the way we honor the Lord in the ordinary.

So maybe the better question isn’t Where did the time go?
Maybe it’s What did I do with the time God gave me?

Today, I’m slowing down just long enough to give Him thanks. For the breath in my lungs. For the people I get to love. For the grace that keeps chasing me down. And for the gentle way He keeps pulling me back when my pace runs ahead of His purpose.

Bible Promise:
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)

Reflection Questions:

  1. Are you spending your time on what truly matters?
  2. What is one area where God is asking you to slow down and be present?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for each moment You’ve given me. Forgive me for rushing through days and missing Your presence in the small things. Teach me to value time, not as something to control, but as something to steward. Help me be present with the people You’ve entrusted to me. Help me follow Your pace. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Forgiveness Through My Daughter’s Eyes

Forgiveness is one of the hardest journeys I’ve ever walked. When my marriage ended, I thought I understood forgiveness. I prayed daily, asking God to help me release the hurt and betrayal. But the truth is, I was holding on to bitterness, even as I convinced myself I had moved on.

One day, my daughter asked a question that pierced my heart: “Daddy, why don’t you ever say anything mean about Mom?” Her innocent words stopped me in my tracks. I realized that while I wasn’t vocalizing my hurt, I hadn’t truly forgiven. I was merely suppressing it, keeping it bottled up. God used our daughter’s question to show me that forgiveness wasn’t just about what I said or didn’t say. It was about the posture of my heart.

From that moment on, I knew I had to do better. Not just for myself, but for our daughter. She needed to see forgiveness in action, not just as a concept but as a lived-out example of grace. I wanted her to understand that forgiving someone doesn’t mean excusing their actions or pretending the pain didn’t exist. It means choosing to let go, trusting God to heal what’s broken.

Forgiveness didn’t happen overnight. It took prayer, tears, and a lot of surrender. I had to bring my hurt to God every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. Slowly but surely, I began to feel the weight lift. The bitterness that had taken root in my heart was replaced by peace. Not because the circumstances changed, but because God changed me.

Now, I see the power of forgiveness not just in my own life but in the way it impacts those around me. our daughter taught me that our children watch how we respond to pain. They learn how to navigate hurt and disappointment by watching us. I’m far from perfect, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to show her that forgiveness is possible, even when it feels impossible.

Bible Promise:

Forgiveness brings freedom. “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Reflection Questions

  1. How can your example of forgiveness impact those around you, especially your children?
  2. Are there areas in your life where you need to release bitterness and trust God for healing?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for forgiving me time and time again. Help me to extend that same grace to others, even when it’s hard. Teach me to forgive fully, trusting You to heal my heart. Let my life reflect Your love and grace to my children and those around me. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Our Daughter’s Seventh Birthday: Growing in Grace

Our daughter turned seven today, and it feels like time is moving far too quickly. As we celebrated her special day, I was struck by how much she’s grown. Not just physically but in her understanding of the world and her faith.

This past year, she’s shown such a hunger for learning about God. Her questions about Scripture and prayer are a reminder of the childlike faith Jesus calls us all to have. Seeing her grow spiritually is one of the greatest joys of my life as a parent.

My wife and I continue to pray over her daily, asking God to guide her steps and to help us raise her in His truth. Birthdays like this are a chance to celebrate not just her life but also the ways God is working in her heart.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you encourage childlike faith in your children?
  2. What are some ways to celebrate your child’s spiritual growth as they grow older?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for our daughter and for the privilege of watching her grow. Teach me to nurture her faith, helping her to know and trust You more deeply each day. Bless her with wisdom, joy, and a heart that seeks after You. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Praying for Those Who Hurt Us

Praying for those who have hurt us is one of the hardest commands Jesus gave us. When someone wounds us deeply, our natural reaction is to protect ourselves, lash out, or avoid them entirely. Yet Jesus calls us to love them and to pray for them. A challenge that often feels impossible.

There was a season in my life when this command became very real. I carried the hurt of betrayal, and it weighed heavily on my heart. Every time I thought about what had happened, anger and sadness consumed me. Then, during a prayer time, I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me: “Pray for them.” My immediate response was, “Lord, I can’t.” But the nudge didn’t go away.

Reluctantly, I began to pray. At first, the words felt empty, and my heart wasn’t in it. But over time, something shifted. As I prayed for the person who hurt me, my anger began to fade. I started to see them not as an enemy but as someone who needed God’s grace. Just as much as I did.

Jesus knew that prayer changes hearts. When we pray for those who have hurt us, we invite God into the situation, and He works not only in their lives but in ours as well. Prayer doesn’t excuse the wrongs done to us, but it frees us from the chains of bitterness and opens the door to healing.

Steps to Pray for Those Who Hurt You

Be Honest with God: Share your pain and anger with Him. He can handle your emotions.

Ask for Help: Pray for the strength to forgive, even if you don’t feel ready.

Start Small: Begin by praying for their well-being and salvation. Let God guide your prayers.

Reflection Questions

  1. Is there someone in your life who has hurt you that you need to pray for?
  2. How can praying for them bring healing to your heart?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace and forgiveness in my life. Help me to extend that same grace to those who have hurt me. Teach me to pray for them with a sincere heart, trusting You to work in their lives and mine. Free me from bitterness, and fill me with Your peace. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Jesus’ Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane

In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see the most heartfelt and vulnerable prayer of Jesus. Faced with the weight of the cross, He prayed, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” This moment teaches us the power of surrender in prayer.

Honest Prayer: Jesus didn’t hide His emotions. He brought His anguish to the Father, showing us that we can be honest with God about our struggles.

Surrendered Prayer: Even in His distress, Jesus submitted to God’s will. True prayer aligns our desires with God’s purposes, trusting that His plan is best.

Empowered Prayer: Jesus rose from that prayer strengthened to fulfill His mission. Prayer equips us to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

The Garden of Gethsemane reminds us that prayer is not about changing God’s mind, it’s about transforming our hearts to trust Him fully.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you bring honesty and surrender into your prayer life?
  2. What situations in your life require you to pray, “Not my will, but Yours be done”?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the example of Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane. Teach me to come to You with honesty, to trust in Your will, and to be strengthened through prayer. Help Kneel Ministries guide others to pray with surrender and faith. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Walking in Forgiveness

Reflection Questions

  1. Is there someone you need to forgive?
  2. How can forgiveness lead to greater peace in your life?

Prayer

Father, thank You for forgiving me through Christ. Teach me to extend that same grace to others, letting go of bitterness and trusting You for healing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.