Raising Godly Boys

Today I fearfully consider the position of a father. Even more so as a Pastor who has boys.

“Eli's sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD.” (1 Samuel 2:12) This blows me away. What a profound and awful statement to be said of anyone’s children, much less of a man committed to the Lord.

Here are some thoughts from Mathew Henry on this reality, “Eli shunned trouble and exertion. This led him to indulge his children, without using parental authority to restrain and correct them when young. He winked at the abuses in the service of the sanctuary till they became customs, and led to abominations; and his sons, who should have taught those that engaged in the service of the sanctuary what was good, solicited them to wickedness. Their offence was committed even in offering the sacrifices for sins, which typified the atonement of the Saviour! Sins against the remedy, the atonement itself, are most dangerous, they tread under foot the blood of the covenant. Eli's reproof was far too mild and gentle. In general, none are more abandoned than the degenerate children of godly persons, when they break through restraints.”

And the opposite which is said of Samuel, “Samuel, being devoted to the Lord in a special manner, was from a child employed about the sanctuary in the services he was capable of. As he did this with a pious disposition of mind, it was called ministering unto the Lord. He received a blessing from the Lord. Those young people who serve God as well as they can, he will enable to improve, that they may serve him better.”

God, make me the father I need to be. Protect my boys from the world. Protect them from my scars and inability. Make them into Godly men, who become Godly husbands and fathers themselves. Make them men who “serve you as well as they can” that you might enable to improve, and that they may serve you better. Amen.

Joshua 14 – “Number Two”

Joshua 14 – Brandon Hatmaker “Number Two”
Tuesday, August 12th, 2008

“Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. Then the land had rest from war.” – Joshua 14:13-15

After a 45 year journey, mostly riddled with battle, Caleb was finally given his inheritance. He himself said that at 85 years old that he was, “still as strong today” as the day Moses sent him out. He was willing and capable for more, but he was ready for a home. He asked for it, and it was granted. It was his time.

“Then the land had rest from war.”

That final verse is a great verse. Makes me think of what it feels like when I come home from a long trip. There is nothing quite like walking into your own house, sleeping in your own bed, eating your own food, and watching your children play in familiar places not worried if they’ll break someone else’s rules or worse, their stuff.

This was a huge blessing and reward for Caleb’s season of courage, confidence, and faithfulness. He did everything the Lord asked of him. He did everything Joshua, who was once just a fellow spy, asked of Him. He never complained about not being the number one guy. He just played his role. And when his time came, he was blessed, and his request was granted… it was granted by God's provision, it was promised by Moses, and it was blessed by Joshua.

As a Pastor, I’m humbled by the role I get to play in this journey. But I’m even more humbled by the amazing team of guys God has brought us. From an amazing staff who are also some of my best friends, to a faithful team of lay leaders who have become the same, I’m thankful for their work, their courage, their confidence, and for their faithfulness.

So I’ll write this directly to them as a prayer of blessing:

I pray that each of you find “rest” from war. I pray that you each experience reward for your faithfulness. I pray that your lives are laced with amazing ministry opportunities and are filled with joy, whether it’s at Austin New Church, through Austin New Church, or wherever you may be called. Thank you, not only “that” you serve, but also for “how” you serve.