James Dobson Resigns as Chair of Focus

James Dobson announced that he is stepping down as chairman of Focus on the Family today. Before there was any such thing as conservative talk radio or the blogosphere, James Dobson took to the airwaves to lead the charge for biblical family values. When there were basically no resources out there for married couples and parents to find their bearings and put their faith into practice on the home front, Dr. Dobson and Focus on the Family provided us with some tools that many are still using effectively.

Dr. Dobson has taken some hits over the last few years for making his politics front and center rather than his faith, but there is no denying that Christians would not have near the voice we have in Washington D.C. without his leadership. I'm sure that this succession plan will allow him to focus more on what he does best, be a voice for the traditional family. Thank you Dr. Dobson for keeping a vision for the family at the forefront of American culture.

Read More at:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-02-27-dobson-focus-on-the-family_N.htm

Words of Wisdom...

Most of you know what my political and cultural views are, either by reading this blog or following my preaching. After reflecting on the President's address last night, I was reminded of these words from one of the preachers that I have most admired through the years, Dr. Adrian Rogers. I came across this quote from Dr. Rogers recently on David Dykes' blog (pastor of Green Acres Baptist in Tyler, Texas). Although he has now been promoted to glory, Dr. Rogers words speak to me this morning more powerfully than ever.

“You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom.

What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation.

You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”

Dr. Adrian Rogers (1931-2005)

Fear isn't Fruitful!

Tonight we will hear our first address from new President Barack Obama. If you were President, what would you say to the nation during these troubled times? I have a thought about what I would say. It was a nugget of wisdom that my financial advisor passed on to me a few weeks ago. I'm glad he's a believer. "Keith," he said, "last time I checked, fear isn't a fruit of the Spirit." You know, he's right. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..." When the Spirit of God is controlling my life, there is no evidence of fear, because fear isn't fruitful.

Attitude Determines Your Altitude...

The economy is in shambles. People are losing their jobs. The polar ice cap is melting. Everybody hates us. Dogs and cats are living together (okay, I made that one up, but nothing like a Bill Murray line to give you a little perspective). If you take your tips from the media, then you are probably just a few remote control clicks away from putting a gun to your head.

So don't. Don't put a gun to your head and don't take your tips from the media. First of all, I think a lot of it is political strategy. I will pray for and support our President when I can, but I get the sense that a lot of the gloom and doom is posturing by the party that has the power in Washington right now. The worse they can make things seem, the more credit they can take when ANY form of progress is made. And the more they can claim they are justified to do some dangerous things (like saddle our kids with billions of dollars in debt). We might not like it, but that's just how politics work my friends.

Second, remember that the media tends to have a short memory. I saw the other day where every recession we have experienced tends to last about eighteen months. We aren't even six months into this one, so I think that a lot of the pessimism and gloom is overreacting. We may indeed be facing one of the worst ecomomic crises in our history, but it's irresponsible to call it that until you have the benefit of seeing the big picture.

None of that really matters for my point this morning anyway. I believe that your attitude determines your altitude. You will rise to the level that your attitude takes you today. If the world forms your attitude, get ready to crash and burn. But as believers we have the Holy Spirit that can give us the mind of Christ. We can develop an attitude that will take us to a much higher level.

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:14 (ESV)

God's goal for your life is higher and better than the things of this world. Your call is an UPWARD call, not a downward one. Don't be pulled down by the negative thinking of those around you. Be careful about what you're listening to. Look up!

The Success "Secret"

I just got back this morning from a special discussion panel I was asked to be a part of for our Mothers of Preschoolers ministry at church.  This is a wonderful group of young ladies that are seeking to become godly moms, godly wives, and do that during one of the most stressful periods of life.  They had a few Dads on a panel and got to grill us.

We were asked a lot of questions  about how we try make our marriage work, how to keep your family on track, and all of those issues that we struggle with daily as families.  I was struck by my own answers, because I was reminded of what real success in our relationships is really about.

Success isn't a destination; it's a journey.  In other words, success isn't some "magic" moment on the horizon where my husband suddenly meets all of my needs or my wife becomes the fulfillment of all my fantasies.  Success is what we do every day to love and serve each other. It's the little things.  The one million decisions you make this day and the next.  

If you keep focusing on the destination, you will get frustrated and weary before you ever see any progress.  Make the decision today to just enjoy the journey.  Be thankful.  Honor and serve each other.  Smile.  Laugh.  Enjoy the trip.

The State of Marriage

This article from USA Today has some interesting insight into the state of marriage in our country today...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-02-17-marriage-campaign_N.htm

We need a little perspective...

Every where you turn it seems like folks are quite sure that the sky is falling. I understand that the economy is in bad shape and the immediate future doesn't look all that promising, but what I think most of us need is a little perspective.

This morning in my quiet time, I read from Psalm 46-

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter, He utters His voice, the earth melts (v. 6).

While the inhabitants of planet earth wring their hands and argue with one another, God sets the course of our future with a simple grunt. God, grant me the peace and confidence that can only come from seeing this life from your perspective. You alone are in total control.