Our Associate Pastor, Tim Rackley, has been teaching from the Gospel of Luke. Today's lesson included the following verses:
Luke 6:43-45
"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. [45] The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Our church was also in the nomination process for elders and deacons. I have been nominated for the position of elder, and I expect to begin training and entering a mentoring relationship in the near future. Because of this, I have been contemplating the qualifications the Bible sets forth for serving in this office.
Well, the sometimes disjointed thoughts that I have jumped from "good fruit" to that popular saying that "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree..." which prompted me to start thinking about children...my children...and the following verses:
1 Tim. 3:2-5
Now the overseer... [4] He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. [5] (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)
Titus 1:6
An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
I am proud of my family and children. They have loved and encouraged me through some challenging times. My family also continues to grow, and God has brought two faithful young men as husbands for my oldest and youngest daughters. God's blessing have continued as he has given our family a new generation...three wonderful and loving grandchildren. The following photos are from Megan's wedding in June of this last summer.
My three girls...Kierstyn, Megan and Shannon.
Maryanne and me with our daughters...
Now all of us...including the new generation...Elizabeth (standing), Micah (with his Dad), and Benjamin (with his Mom).
I am a blessed man who is grateful to God for the grace that has brought forth such beautiful fruit. We are a testimony to His purposes in creation.
1 comment:
Awwww. Good post!
As Curtis went through the process of becoming a deacon, we too were very aware of the qualifications laid out in scripture. What a blessing it is to have such a role model as you and Mom to emulate as we begin and grow our family.
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