Monday, August 07, 2006

Thanks for the Laughs, Rap Star

August 7, 2006


Dear Katie,

I love those times we have together when we laugh so hard that tears come to our eyes. Such was the case recently as we 'rapped' into a microphone on your keyboard. I would 'rap,' and then you would start to 'rap,' but almost immediately get so tickled that 'rapping' became impossible. Then, I would start laughing hysterically, and it was utter insanity! It is no wonder Luke just looked at us in a daze!

However, as you know, life has not always been about 'rapping' and laughter in our house, has it? You have known of your father's discipline that has led to tears of a different nature. I trust you realize that both silliness and seriousness are not only appropriate but necessary components of parenting. I'm hopeful that I will always be a dad who spends quality time playing and laughing with you, but also a father who brings you up "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). I'm learning to see that the two are uniquely intertwined: How could I ever discipline you in love, and why would you ever want to listen to me teach you the Bible, if I haven't also loved you through other more relaxed and even sometimes silly ways (like 'rapping'!)? Shortstop, would you please forgive me for the times I have fallen short of this Biblical balance and exasperated you (Eph. 6:4)?

And, by the way, thanks for the tears of joy!

Hoping Mommy didn't secretly record our 'rapping',
Daddy (Aaahhh YYYeeeaaahhh)

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Bring the Books

August 5, 2006

Dear Children,

I hope your mother and I have trained you to be readers. We pray that your #1 reading source is the Bible. Katie, the other day, when Mommy asked what you read about in the Bible that day (as if you can read at age 3), you said, "Jesus." Great answer!

Along with consistent Bible intake, I truly hope you are reading other books of solid content. With the Bible a given, here's a list of some of the books that I am currently reading:
  • The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction, by Sinclair Ferguson
  • George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the Eighteenth-Century Revival, Vol. I, by Arnold A. Dallimore
  • Love Your God With All Your Mind, by J.P. Moreland
  • Money, Possessions, and Eternity, by Randy Alcorn
  • Speaking Truth in Love, by David Powlison

Of these books, they are all excellent so far, but if you would ask me which one to read first, I think I would say the book by Sinclair Ferguson, but then be sure to read Randy Alcorn's book because it is a devestating blow to the idea of "The American Dream."

In Second Timothy 4:13, the apostle Paul says to Timothy, "When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments." Here's what Charles Spurgeon said about this verse, "He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He has had wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up in the third heaven, and had heard things unlawful for a man to utter, yet he wants books! He has written a major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books! The apostle says to Timothy and so he says to every Christian, ‘Give thyself to reading.’ The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains proves he has no brains of his own."

Lastly, here's one more exhortation that might help you to become better readers even today: Turn off the T.V.!!!

Sincerely in Love,

Daddy