Took my 7 year old daughter to a show last night. She was being her usual shy self when meeting new people, etc. I was holding her in my arms and she wouldn't really say "hello" to greetings. Kutless' manager asked her, "What, are you four years old?" (she's short and was kind of curled up in my arms). This potential insult got her out of her shell. "No, I'm seven and a half," she said.
We saw the first night of a tour, with full production a travelling emcee, and bands running on a tight schedule. It was cool. It was exciting to see her respond to the emcee and Disciple's Kevin Young asking questions about prayer and asking God to work in our lives. It was encouraging to see her respond, and I was grateful for opportunities like this. As much as I'd like to tell her exactly what to believe and why, even at a young age she is deciding for herself and choosing God's way. That's cool.
In 2 Timothy 3 Paul gives an uncanny description of modern life. It's not too far off today, although it was written sometime in the first century, when the Roman empire was widespread in Europe and the Middle East.
"There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God -- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
He goes on to encourage Timothy (and us):
"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
I like how familiarity with teachers and mentors is brought up here. When dealing with such personal and intimate things as our relationship with God and our training in right-living, it's important to trust (and be able to trust) the ones who are instructing us. Timothy did, and that gave him even more confidence to continue on in these things, because he had a chance to see it lived out over a period of time (and not hear it in a one-time slick presentation of some new doctrine). Consistent "body life" in a local church provides this healthy role modelling and training. Sometimes the benefit from participating in a local church cannot be seen in real-time. It's that consistency over time, day-in, day-out or week-in, week-out that builds familiarity and trust. Only attending "when we feel like it" won't give us the same building blocks for a firm foundation set for growth. These things are subtle, but important.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at February 24, 2006 08:26 AMI love this blog today. It brought back memories of the first concert I took my oldest daughter to when she was 10 or 11. It was some "Christian" staples: Audio Adrenaline, Raze (remember Raze?- my daughter loved them), and the first band of the night, Fono. (who blew us away) I remember speaking to the guys from Fono who were just great to her, and of course secruing autographs from all the members of Raze. Audio Adrenaline had quickly split the scene, however.
I also rememeber talking with her on the way home after the show. While she was still buzzing, she said to me: "can you imagine Hanson taking the time after a show with everyone like these bands did?" My response was of course, "no". I couldn't.
You know, litle things like this seem to disappear into memory as the kids grow older. But I hope and pray that little things like this continue to point them toward God, and his grace. Today, my oldest daughter is more caught up with the Jessie McCartney's of the world, and other pop stars. But she remains grounded in God and his blessings, and serves him first in all she does. I am blessed to have her as a daughter. There is nothing easy about being a Dad. I only hope I am doing a good job.
Posted by: Bill at February 27, 2006 08:12 AMDoug,
Even though my wife and I are old 70's Jesus Freaks still living in the past with the likes of Larry Norman, Stonehill, REZ Band and others we have taken a real shine to Disciple over the past 3 years and believe they are what we call the "real deal". Kevin Young is truely a gifted singer but we believe his real blessings come when he talks and he always challanges the crown to look to Jesus for everything first and foremost.