New Blog

I don't visit this blog that often, however, if you want to keep up with our family then go to: www.austinchurchplanting.com

It is a blog that has been recording the events of starting a new church in central Austin. I am sure we will pick this blog back up in time, but until then the aforementioned website is a better place to check in.

Thanks!

Tucker

This is my son, Tucker. I love him so much. He loves footballs, soccer balls, basket balls..basically he is just a balla! Ya, he has red hair, two dimples, a little chubby, and kind of shy, but he is awesome! First, his name is Tucker. It took us three days, after his birth, to name him, but it is perfect. His big sister calls him Tuck and I call him Tuckerooski!

The best part of the day is when I come home and I can hear Tucker from inside, before I get to the door, calling out, "Dahd-dy, dahd-dy". It is awesome. He will come and give me the longest hugs. The kind of hugs that are like, "Where have you been all day...don't ever leave again."

So far he is dominated by his sister. She has hit him, sat on him, pushed him, thrown things at him so much that just when she comes toward him he screams out loud and falls to the ground in a duck and cover position. Son after his dad's own heart. That's how I made it through Jr. High.

So Ya, he gets dominated by his sister but he is only 1.5 and his sister is 4. He already out weighs her and when he learns he can use his weight she will be running from him the rest of their childhood. Until then she just sits on him and giggles, as he cries out for help. "Dahd-dy, elp"

Poor guy :)

How Focus on the Family Ruined the Gospel?

On their website Focus on the Family states their vision as, "Redeeming families, communities, and societies worldwide through Christ." They state their guiding principles as evangelism, marriage, children, etc., however, it is possible they might be hindering the gospel more than redeeming culture through Christ.

Simply stated, they are calling culture to focus on the family. Seems it is going in the wrong direction right out of the gate. Obviously they came into existence in response to the 1980's when families focused on work, accomplishments, and climbing the corporate ladder. You can't fault that generation really, because they were a product of parents who went through the depression, World War and they were the first generation in the United States to do significantly better than their parents. They were college educated, women had rights, duel income families, and purchasing items through credit was becoming the norm. They could have bigger houses, bigger cars, greater vacations, and they left the home and the raising of their children to baby sitters, latch keys, and television. As a product of the 80's it really wasn't that bad. Between the hours of 3:00pm - 6:00pm I got to do whatever I wanted, and I thought that was great. Nevertheless, this cultural trend left a void in the family, an absence of morals, and an avoidance of church.

In recognition of this cultural trend Focus on the Family, as well as others, began to wave the family flag and fight cultural trends for the last 30 years, and now those kids of the 80's have families and children and are looking for direction. They experienced a family that was consumed with consumerism, therefore, they are making some changes. Making less income, living in smaller houses, and driving smaller cars so they can be with their family. Avoid the mistakes made by the previous generation. They are going to do it different. They are going to focus on their children, their activities, their education, their friends, their clothes, their music; heck they are even going to listen to their music and dress like their children. They devour magazines on parenting, shows on raising children, read books, seminars, anything they can get their hands on to be better parents to their children than their parents were to them. The only problem is that they leave Jesus out of the equation.

Oh, don't misunderstand, they want Christianity for what it can do for their children. If it helps their kids avoid drugs or not get pregnant then they are a fan, but Jesus is often secondary, if not tertiary. Jesus is great for safe activities, finding good friends, and not hanging out with the "wrong people." The problem is that their children are seeing the gospel elevated in their family, but not lived out. Parents aren't consumed with consumerism like their parents, but they are consumed with their children instead of the gospel. They make decisions with their money, their marriage, their future all based on what is best for their children, when it might be better to consider how those areas of their lives could be best lived out for His glory and kingdom. What if our families were challenged, educated, and inspired to "Focus on Christ" instead of focusing on the family, which is ultimately focused on self, but doesn't sound as bad?

I am not saying the family should be abandoned, children should be neglected, or marriage is insignificant, but possibly it shouldn't be the "focus." Now those who are offended will contest, "Of course, we want people to focus on Christ, it is implied" and I am just getting caught up in semantics. Obviously, I disagree. Parents of today are consumed with their children. Changing schools, churches, neighborhoods, all for their children, to the point their identity is defined by their parenting. Again, please don't misunderstand, I love my children. Look at them! How could I not? But I think the greatest message I could send to them is that Christ is my greatest affection. They grow up seeing their mom and dad devouring scripture. They see people in their home that their parents are pouing their life into. They not only read about God's transforming power in scripture, but they see it lived out in the lives of their parents, themselves, and the people around them. I wonder what a difference it would make if Instead of our children perceiving that they are at the center of our lives, our routine, and our day, but instead they see it is Christ. Now I could use a radio show, magazine, books, articles, and seminars that would help me learn how to do that.

Kennedy: Round 1

Round 2

Kennedy: Round 3

Kennedy's Singing Debut

6 Weeks and Smiling

Well, we are 6 weeks into this and it seems like we are just getting into a routine. Routines are big for us and sometimes we find more comfort in our routine than in our relationship with Jesus. Needless to say these last few weeks have been challenging.

It is in the midst of our routines that we find comfort, control, stability, and it gives us the illusion we are making progress. I like progress. This doesn't mean routines are bad, however, it can show us when we are taken out of our routines where we might be placing our security. I am not sure if this has been resolved as much as we have been reminded that our circumstances can be deceiving in the midst of comfort or chaos. If I could pick, I would always err on the side of comfort but it is in the midst of chaos when our faith is being deepened and broadened for Him.

As for Tuck, looks like he is enjoying some comfort. Got to love those dimples!

Getting Ready For Thanksgiving

Ya, we put up some Christmas lights. They are a little linear right now, but we are just getting started. Our goal is to re-create the house on Christmas Vacation. I love that movie.




How cute is Tucker? A couple of weeks ago he was diagnosed with severe reflux and the doctors thought he might need surgery if the medicine isn't helpful. We are on our second attempt at medicine and it is better but he seems to still be in a lot of pain. Hopefully it will keep getting better. He looks pretty happy here! I have found a little Jack Daniels around his gums does wonders.




Kennedy doesn't seem to be handling the crying too well! She has suddenly picked up a favorite pass time of listening to music through her head phones. I am not sure what this says about her feelings toward her little brother :).