Elementary children somewhere today are listening intently as their teacher reads to them during story time. The book is about a biological boy who decided he was really a girl. Naturally, as the children listen, they become confused and begin to wonder how this can possibly be.
This past week America experienced yet another horrific shooting that involved the murdering of young children. Such senseless loss is heartbreaking. Every day, news outlets are filled with stories that demonstrate the depravity of a society that is spiraling out of control. The sheer weight of such evil can be overwhelming. Yet, even in the face of such tragedy and wickedness, we have hope. This is something we must never forget.
Having been involved in family ministry for over 18 years, I have walked alongside many men struggling with some form of pornography. I can count on one hand the men that I've known that truly are not tempted and don't struggle with the unabashed access we now have to online sex and nudity.
I grew up in an era where the prevailing thought was, "You can look as long as you don't touch." Sadly, this was the "manly motto" that most boys heard as they matured into young men. It was a lie then, and it still is today. The natural outcome of this philosophy has led millions of boys and men into a pattern of porn that has reached pandemic proportions.
As a Christian dad, it's my calling to raise my children in a manner that is consistent with God's divine truth. Anything less, and I'm compromising one of my greatest objectives in life — to raise my sons and daughters to be godly men and women. And I must never forget this: If I don't engage my children's hearts and minds, the world will gladly do it for me, especially on the topic of human sexuality. Tragically, as our culture further perverts God's truth regarding masculinity and femininity, the mental health statistics for our teens only get worse.
Literally, within a generation, the culture in America has turned upside down, and our kids are standing at ground zero. What was right just ten years ago is now seen as wrong and vice versa. How do parents in this environment raise their children to change the culture and not become victims of it?
Have you ever heard a husband, wife, dad, mom, or grandparent say, "Because that's what families do?" This comment usually precedes an act of sacrifice, unconditional love, or an outpouring of grace to another family member.
I'm not a huge New Year's resolution guy. However, as a new year begins, it is another opportunity to raise the bar in my effort to be the best dad I can be. I'm also reminded that the opportune time to pour into my sons and daughters is limited to a couple of precious decades. This is not to say I can't still influence my older children, but those initial years while my kids are still at home are critical ones. By God's grace, if I can help influence and shape these formative years, my children will have a great launching point as they prepare to build their own lives and families apart from me.
July/August 2022 Newsletter: LIFE WINS! Roe v. Wade Overturned
