Like an automobile that will break down without maintenance, every marriage needs a realignment and tune up now and then. These resources have helped me and I trust will be a blessing to you as well. Just click on an image above to go to its page on Amazon.
I am reading a newly released book by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson, Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus. Although I am only half-way through, I can say with confidence that this is the best book on parenting I have ever read. The best (and yes, I have read the Tripp's books, which are fantastic, too). In fact, Give Them Grace is one of the best books on the gospel that I have ever read. I'm blown away. Anyway, here is a quote that sets the tone for what many (including myself) will find to be a "world rocking" parenting book.
"Even though our children cannot and will not obey God's law, we need to teach it to them again and again. and when they tell us that they can't love God or others in this way, we are not to argue with them. We are to agree with them and tell them of their (and our our) need for a Savior... We are commanded to give them the law so that they will be crushed by it and see their need for a Savior. They law won't make them good. It will make them despair of ever being good enough, and in that way it will make them open to the love, sacrifice, and welcome of their Savior, Jesus Christ... Yes, give them God's law. Teach it to them and tell them that God commands obedience. But before you are done, give them grace and explain again the beautiful story of Christ's perfectly keeping of it for them... This is the message we all need to hear, and is the only message that will transform our hearts."
Oh, and this only sets the tone. PLEASE get this book (order it here). Read it. Digest it. It WILL change your parenting radically, and maybe even your own life. It is changing mine.
I just started reading a book by David Platt entitled, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. Even though it is devestating my western, American, comfortable ideas of Christianity, I am sensing a strange joy in the pain. Anyway, here is one quote that I found particularly helpful for preacher types like myself:
The modern-day gospel says, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Therefore, follow these steps and you can be saved." Meanwhile, the biblical gospel says, "You are an enemy of God, dead in your sin, and in your present state of rebellion, you are not even able to see that you need life, much less to cause yourself to come to life. Therefore, you are radically dependent on God to do something in your life that you could never do." (p. 32, italics mine)
That is why Paul says that we are saved by—and must continually live by—grace and grace alone.
Thanks for the reminder, David.
Today is Cyber Monday at Lulu.com, where they are offering my book, The Bronze Serpent, for 25% off until 11:59 p.m. PST. Just go to the site and search The Bronze Serpent, or McKay Caston. Then enter the code: MONDAY305 for your 25% discount! If you have Amazon Prime, you may order it at Amazon.com with free shipping.
I am reading Restoring Broken Things, by Scotty Smith and Stephen Curtis Chapman. One sentence stood out to me today that I think is profound and helpful. They say, "Christians, more than anything else, are called to 'make much of Jesus.'" Sounds great, but how? How do I make much of Jesus? I have thought of some ways.
What would you add? How can we make much of Jesus?
At the encouragement of long-time friend and fellow running enthusiast/addict, Stu Keyes, I am reading Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen, by Christopher McDougall. Absolutely fascinating! I'll let y'all know how it turns out. Thanks, Stu.
