Monday Morning E-Mail

**preacherman** · 07-08-2007, 06:09 PM

I send out a Monday morning e-mail every Monday morning to my church people. And I wanted to post this one on here and see what you guys think. Don't be to harsh with me; but please tell me what you think.

Yes, INDEED!!!!!!! It is about that time of the year again, and I can’t wait! I know, I know, I know. Many of you are thinking that I am crazy for having a desire to climb a tree again and attempt to hunt whitetails after I broke my leg in action last year. But I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!
Someone introduced me to a little thing called a “ticker” online the other day. It is a thing that helps you keep track of how long that it actually is until a big event takes place in your life. The person who introduced me to it, had his plugged into the beginning of archery season. And as of today, Sunday July 8, 2007, it reads 2 months 23 days until the beginning of Archery season!

Well, that is both exciting news and busy news as well. Exciting because it is less than 3 months until we get to hunt the illusive whitetail deer again. But busy, because that means that there is much work to do. There are always arrows to refletch, broadheads to sharpen, strings to wax and some more things to buy (I know that this one always excites Susan!). But most importantly, there is PRACTICE…………..PRACTICE and when I think that I have done enough, there is more PRACTICE to do. It is this time of year that people who hunt begin to take their bows out of the case and begin to make sure that their equipment is set and then begin to shoot their bows as much as they can. And the reason that they do this…………is so that when that big buck or little doe, or whatever it is that walks out in front of you, while you are in your stand, that you will be ready.

Well, that brings to mind a conversation that I had a few weeks ago with a few friends of mine concerning youth. Several of them were talking about children in their church and how that they were struggling with certain things. Some of the things mentioned were sex before marriage, drugs, drinking, lesbianism and these are just some of the things that scratch the surface. But it brought to mind something of vital importance to me as an adult. And that is how important that our children are. We cannot fathom the things that they face on a daily basis. Many times we will only hear of the struggles and temptations that they face. And it is because of this, that we have a great responsibility.

Responsibility, yes, I know that this is not a word that anyone likes to hear………………..but it is something that is indeed a great reality……………………to even us as adults. And our responsibility is to teach them and encourage them and love them while we have them. The Bible puts it this way in Psalm 127:4, “As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth.” This is a verse that has always interested me, so I wanted to make sure that my estimation of it was accurate, so I pulled out “With the Word” by Warren Wiersbe this afternoon. He said, “What good are a lovely house and a big income if the people in your life are robbed of the joys of a happy home? Children are a gift and a heritage, so appreciate them and guard them. They are like fruit, so lovingly cultivate them. They can be arrows for fighting the Lord’s battles, so keep them polished and sharp and aimed in the right direction. Give yourself to building a home, not just a house, and building for the future, not just the present.”

Now, I thought that to be mighty interesting…………………..because it was in this that he referred to children as four things:
A: A Gift (so we are to appreciate them)
B: A Heritage (so we are to guard them)
C: Fruit (so we are to cultivate them in spiritual things)
D: Arrows (so we are to aim them in the right direction to go)

As an archery hunter, I understand the importance of making sure that my equipment is what it needs to be. I understand that it can either prove to be great things for me and my freezer or something that is not so good. But I also understand that it is important that the one behind the equipment is just as vitally important. I came to this harsh reality a few years ago………….I was having trouble with my bow and finally gave in and took it into my favorite archery shop. Told the guy behind the counter what was wrong and he took me in the back and wanted me to shoot the bow. He then told me the harsh truth. He said, “Scott, there is nothing wrong with the equipment, but the shooter is the one who needs to go back and work a little harder.”

Reminds me of what Wiersbe said again, and then I promise I am finished, when he said, “Give yourself to building a home, not just a house, and building for the future, not just the present.” Sometimes the greatest enemy to children today is not the things that they face in the world; but rather the influence that they have at home. I remind you again of something that I said a few weeks ago in a sermon, “many a person is ruined because of choosing the good over the best.” So, I want to encourage you as you are encouraging your children and attempting to teach them right and wrong and good and bad and spiritual things. That you are careful in your life to make sure that you choose the best over the good when it comes to spiritual things. And the reason being…………….is because there may be eternal consequences that rest on the very decisions that you make!

Ladies and Gentlemen, everyday of my life I am more concerned for the youth of this country, as well as, the youth of our church. And I realize that the main direction that they need, but often don’t get, is at home. So, please I beg you make sure that in everything that you do and every decision that you make……………to make sure that this would be something that God would do and something that would be pleasing to Him. Make your decisions based not on the priorities and planning of the world; but rather the Word of God. And I can guarantee you, that if you do this……………that you will lead your children in the right direction!

I love each and everyone of you so much. Sorry for the long post; but sometimes you just have to bear your heart. I can’t wait to see you guys Wednesday night! Let’s keep “Building Spiritual Champions”

**Dawg** · 07-08-2007, 10:18 PM

I don't think anyone can add one thing to this. You are right, our youth are facing a lot of temptations today, peer presure, I believe is at an all time high. We are the one's who will make a difference in their lives. I don't think we can blame the "children" of today with the way this world is going, it isn't their fault. We all follow direction. If they don't have a good role model to follow at home, someone else has to step up to bat. This is where Christian people need to step in. Here's an idea to pass along to your cheif of police. Chief Todd Hunter here in Jasper, TX has started what he calls POP.
Pastors on Patrol. Every pastor in our community has the chance to join forces with the police and go into the drug ravenged areas of Jasper and introduce the children and young adults to the Gospel. This is a non-denomational program that I believe will help in guiding our "arrows" in the right direction.

From one pastor to another keep up the good work and stick by the stuff!!