I Want to be a Good Dad and Son

As a parent and a son, the next section of Ephesians takes on two meanings for me. The relationship of parents and children is a unique picture of our relationship with God. At face value Ephesians 6:1-4 is mainly about the human relationship. Children are to obey and honor their parents. And Fathers are to bring their children up in discipline and instruction of the Lord without provoking them to anger. But there is more.

God makes a promise to us that if we honor our parents we will live long and prosper (Sorry, I worded it that way because I'm a huge Star Trek fan, which I actually watched all the time with my dad). God also instructs fathers to raise their children with discipline in a Godly home. But, this is really a picture of the rewards of being a child of God. By living a life of obedience to God we will understand and live a life of joy and happiness based on the understanding that all we do and go through and experience is for His glory and the furtherance of His kingdom. There is nothing better than obeying God and honoring Him with our lives.

I do want to mention my dad. After all, I mentioned my mom in a past entry and it seems only fair to mention my dad. He is a quiet person; slow to anger and quick to listen. Although my sister and I did make him mad at times and we were disciplined, I NEVER thought he reacted out of anger. I always knew that his discipline was deserved and necessary for the wrong we'd done. I was spanked for things and I had things taken away or suspended, but it was always explained to me in love and patience and concern for my life. My dad raised my sister and I to understand our responsibility as Christians and as adults participating in life. We both still call him for advice and help in times of struggle, and we know he will listen and always turn us back to the Word of God. I actually find it amazing how much of the Bible he knows by memory and understands to explain and apply to any situation. He also set a good example for us in how to glorify God in the things we do. Sometimes I still wish I could be under his rule and guidance more. I often feel I was held more accountable for my actions and I was less likely to make bad choices. I know that he would say God is always watching and the Spirit is guiding, but I do love my parents and the way they brought us up.

Praise God for My Parents.
Praise God our Father.

Husbands, Love Your Wives, as Christ Loved the Church

Again with the commands that seem impossible. Ephesians 5:25-33 is a long discription of how Christ is the ultimate example for husbands in how to love their wives. Not that I don't want to love my wife this much, but I don't think humans have the capacity for the amount of love shown by Christ. Although, I'd say I would die for my wife, I'm not sure it translates the same as the saving sacrifice Christ made for His chosen. How about an easier seen failure as an example...

There are times my wife wants to do something or go somewhere I don't want to. I make "sacrifices" of my own plans to participate in the things she wants. I don't; however, do this without grumbling and complaining. I whine about it; sometimes behind her back to my friends. That is not loving or respectful. That is not the love Christ lavishes on us. But, I'm commanded to love my wife.

Christ (God's Son, God as man) came to earth, lowering himself to the level of a man, releasing some of his Godly powers and abilities, to save men from sin. He was mocked, beaten, and killed on a cross for us. That is love. That is sacrifice for His bride. What are we as husbands doing to sanctify, cleanse, and prepare our wives to be presented before God in all His glory? That is love. Christ prepares us for presentation before the mighty God. We must do the same for our wives.

Praise God for Him Example.
Praise God for His Love.
Praise God for my wife.

Pepsi vs. Coke Follow-up

I think I said something about the U.S. Bank internal poll on Pepsi vs. Coke. Well here is the graph from the internal website.

Remember This?

I just saw this again, and I had to re-post it for all my readers.

ALERT!!!!! Virus Warning for MySpace Users.

I was using the new browser from Google called Chrome. I was checking my Gmail and saw a myspace friend request. I clicked to view the profile and was taken to myspace.com. Suddenly my Norton anti-virus detected and blocked 2 viruses. Here is a screen shoot of the warning of the blocked viruses: At first I was writing this to users of the new browser but then I decided to try the link again in Firefox. The same fake Windows "Automatic Update" window showed up over the website. Notice it is faded a little. DON'T click on this if you go to the link. I wouldn't normally, but it popped up right as I clicked. MySpace SUX!!!!!!!!!!! I don't even use it but thought I'd try this friend request to see how Chrome handled it. Well, a virus is how it handled it. Watch out MySpacers. Actually, it's such a horrible website, I hope all myspace users get viruses. HAHA. That's just mean.

Head of the House...Too Much for Me

Well, I almost skipped these next verses, not wanting to be considered a sexist or a womanizer. But hey, its in the Bible so it's important. Ephesians 5:22-24 tells wives to "submit to your husbands, as to the Lord." Now if the passage ended there, men could really take advantage of this passage. But it doesn't.

Verse 23 says, "For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, the body, and is himself its Savior." As a husband I look at my role from the perspective of this verse. I'm to lead by the example of Christ. Christ came to earth, lived a perfect sinless life, glorified God as His sole purpose, and then died for sinners. So as a husband I'm to live a life without sin, glorifying God in all I do, and sacrifice even my life to help my wife. Sounds like too hard a job for me alone.

As the wife submits to the husband, like the church submits to Christ, she should be willing and understanding of the importance of that duty. I remember my mom saying once that it was easier for her to submit and follow my dad's decisions because she knew that it was how God designed, and God would protect the decisions they made if they were done according to God's design. She also took comfort in knowing if the decision was not the appropriate one, God would still bless her life for submitting to my dad. Ultimately, my mom and dad worked together to make the decisions in my family but my mom was such a respectful woman. And even when my dad did things she did not agree with, there was NEVER a fight or loud argument. She knew the decision would be blessed by God if she submitted to God's will and under the authority given to my father as the husband.

I hope that in my marriage, Lisa and I can work together on everything. I am overwhelmed by the responsibility God gives to the husband. I pray that I lead my family by example. I want them to see a man who's number one desire is to glorify God in everything I do. I pray that out of that desire stems a life without sin and a love for people and a desire to fulfill my responsibility to spread the good news of God's gift of grace.

Praise God for His Son, the ultimate example of a leader.