Thinking Routines

Thinking

Routines can be good… or bad. As parents, we try to establish good routines in our children. Routines can become so familiar that they are like habits, requiring little concentration and not much effort. 

According to Ron Richhart, author of Creating Cultures of Thinking,  a thinking routine is a set of questions or a brief sequence of steps used to support student thinking. Thinking routines are great tools for getting students to engage with new learning. 

Pre-learning

Recently, in Bible study, I introduced a thinking routine called 3-2-1 Bridge. The purpose of this routine is to help students understand their own learning by connecting their conceptions of a topic before and after a learning experience.

For this routine, we focused on the verse: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4)

The way the routine works is that you start by identifying three words, two questions, and a metaphor that comes to mind. I encouraged the class to capture their thoughts quickly, using words and questions that they think of first. In our case, the words, questions, and metaphors focused on the second part of this verse. This did not surprise me, as this is the way that I had thought about this verse focusing on the “desires of my heart” that he would give me. 

New Learning

As I introduced the new learning, I explained that God had “shifted” my thinking to the first phrase, “take delight in the Lord.” This is kind of an abstract idea. I can say that I love the Lord, which is a good thing and I encourage you to say this. But, what does it mean? Are we describing a feeling that we get when we think about him, maybe a tingly feeling? No, that is not it. 

Then, I asked the class to make a list of the things they loved. Some of the lists were long, with things we shared in common: chocolate, the smell of cut grass, the satisfaction of a job well done, laughter around the dinner table.

I suggesedt to the class that when I wrote my list, I found that there were many things for which I delight, but God was not on my list. They checked their lists. He was missing on theirs as well.

I explained that I went through my list again: The way my granddaughters hug me tight. They are big huggers. The sparkly way the air feels before a thunderstorm. Then, it occurred to me; as I expressed thankfulness for the goodness of God, I was taking delight in him. It is truly God’s grace that has blessed me with each of these things that I love.

Post Learning

Finally,  the students were asked to complete the “After Learning” part of the routine. This included the “Bridge” where students explain how and why their thinking changed. In our case, it was a simple shift from focusing on us… to focusing on him. 

Thinking routines can help focus our attention on learning, providing us fresh insight. Focusing on learning is a good habit to establish in your children.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Brain Development.

Choose Kindness

Becoming lost or disoriented is a common experience. As we travel the roads of this life, we are forced to travel new paths. We sometimes feel we have lost our way, our perspective, and our connection to God… and each other. It provides great encouragement when someone chooses to show kindness. We can choose kindness.

Reality of Life

While the Bible provides clear direction, it is not always easy to apply it’s truths to our daily lives. There are moments, for all of us, when the reality of living can really jar our soul. Have you ever prayed for something, that was the most important thing to you, and God did not answer in a way that made any sense at all. I have. 

Because we love Jesus, we are called to take care of one another. 

We are the hands and feet of Jesus. We can best show our love for him by caring for one another. The care that we provide for our community is a powerful, holy example of carrying others through the difficulties of life. Often our words are less important than the care given in a hug, in doing household chores, and spending time to visit. Just like Peter, we are all called to take care of one another because we love Jesus. We are all called to share kindness because we love him. 

Kindness is one of the Fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22:23. By displaying this fruit, people will know that we are the children of God. In so doing, we are displaying a family resemblance and helping others find God.

Overcome Evil with Good

In Romans we are told, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Yes, there is evil in the world. We have all suffered, felt betrayed, been let down. And, we can all find ourselves closing our heart to doing good for others. We think, that’s people for you, you try to help and this is the thanks you get. So, you just quit. Or, you find yourself thinking I try to live a life for God, but only get disappointment in return.

So, you drift away. But, here is a truth, the evil is not God’s fault. We live in a world damaged by sin, because of the first man Adam. One day this will change. We will have new bodies and live in a city where the Son of God is the only light needed. But, until then we are to “…overcome evil with good.” 

Kindness is a choice! Every day, we have a choice as to which type of person we want to be. Do we want to be part of an evil, hate-filled world, or do we want to be kind and loving? The more we choose kindness, the more our once-closed hearts are cracked open wide. We are adding to the kindness in the world. We are overcoming evil with good. Lord, help us to choose kindness.

“The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’”

John 21:17

Also, see Lost and Alone.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

The Definition of Courage

Two brothers

What is the quality that can turn a slave into a king?  According to the Cowardly Lion in the movie The Wizard of Oz, it is courage. I propose bumping it up to the next level; we need courage based on our confidence in God or “Godfidence.” That is the definition of courage.

Common Theme

In the bible, courage or Godfidence is a common theme. Likely, King David, who fought Goliath, is the first to come to mind. Or, perhaps, Moses who faced off against Pharaoh and led the people through many challenges to the edge of the promised land. Joshua, sometimes over looked, provides another example of courage. Moses proclaimed the commandments of God to the Israelites, but Joshua fought the battles.  When the 12 scouts came back from exploring Canaan, Joshua said to the people, “We’ve got this.”

Joshua never deviated from his loyalty to God. So, it was no surprise that God chose Joshua, after the death of Moses, to lead his people into the land he had promised. Joshua had Godfidence!

Think of how Joshua must have felt, knowing the fate of the people was now in his hands. How could he inspire faithfulness in the Israelites when Moses himself had failed? Looking over into the promised land with unknown, but certain perils and enemies, how could he not have been filled with fear? It is no wonder that God, in the opening message to the Book of Joshua, repeatedly admonished Joshua to have courage.  But the message didn’t stop there; he said “Be careful to obey all the laws my servant Moses gave you” (Joshua 1:7, NIV). God was saying, “Put your faith in me and my laws.” These two directives go hand-in-hand. Have courage and be faithful. In other words, “Have Godfidence.”

Change Is Certain

As we face the future, we need to hold on to things that don’t change. We need a foundation on which we can build. Despite the dangers and challenges we face, the promises of God are a sure foundation. Fear is a natural reaction when faced with uncertainty. It seems that today’s world forces us to cope with greater uncertainty than ever. According to CNN: Business, “The new normal is for Millennials to jump jobs four times in their first decade out of college.” [i]  That’s nearly twice the number of job changes as the previous generation.  

I guess I’m ahead of my time. I’ve experienced many job changes. . . assembly-line worker, auto mechanic, teacher, instructional developer, curriculum coordinator, video producer, magazine publisher, account manager, dean, pastor. . . who knows what’s next. Each of these changes required courage. Change forces us to take on new responsibilities, make new friends, and try new things, at some of which we will not be successful. Facing change is easier if you have Godfidence.

Courage Definition

Maybe like the cowardly Lion, you are looking for the nerve to face the future like “a lion, not a mouse.”  Take courage, have Godfidence! God’s message to us is the same as the one he gave Joshua: “I am with you and the promises I have made shall certainly be fulfilled. . . be sure to follow my commandments, without swerving to the right or the left.” With the certainty of God’s promises, we can face the future with courage. If we keep our focus, not swerving to the right or left, it doesn’t matter what changes the future may bring. That is the definition of courage.

“The Lord is with us: fear them not” (Numbers 14:9, KJV).

Copyright © 2020 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Unconditional Love.


[i] Long, Heather, “The New Normal: 4 Job Changes By the Time You’re 32.” CNN: Business. April 12, 2016

A Grandfather’s Love

Advice from a grandfather

As a grandfather, I can tell you that when one of my little ones ask for something, it melts my heart. I will move heaven and earth to give them what they request. This grandfather’s desire is to bless my grandchildren. This is how it is with our heavenly father. Jesus said we could ask the father anything, in his name, and it will be done for us. Yes, you heard that right: anything.

God wants to hear us ask for what we need.

Speak Your Heart

In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus teaches us how to pray. There are many lessons that we can learn from the Lord’s Prayer. My intention is to focus on one lesson that God placed on my heart. This lesson is, when we pray, we are speaking to our father. Jesus starts with these word, “Our Father.” Our father is not the name of God. So, Jesus is not providing us with the proper way to address God. He is telling us that we need to talk to God as we would speak to our earthly fathers. 

God doesn’t want fancy words and vain repetition. We won’t impress him with our vocabulary. He wants to hear our hearts. I know how to give good gifts to my grandchildren. Because of my love for my grandchildren, I better understand God’s love for me.

Like a Grandfather

Our heavenly father desires to give us good gifts. Yes, he desired to give us exceeding more that we could hope for or imagine. However, God wants to hear us ask for what we need. When he hears us, he will “move heaven and earth” to give us anything and everything we need. Like this grandfather, God loves and desires to bless his children and grandchildren. Unlike me, he is the god of the universe. Just imagine the resources that comes along with that title. 

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Matthew 7:11  

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Advice From A Grandmother.

Romance In Paris

Greg is my son-in-law, but he is like a son to me. This year he blessed Lizzy and I with the trip of a lifetime. One of the stops was Paris. We stayed at the Prince da Galles, Prince of Wales, Hotel on George V street, which was a short walk to the Arc de Triomphe, one of the most famous monuments in Paris. This is the monument where the newsreel footage shows the Nazis marching into Paris. It is in the center of town and the main roads form the spokes of a wheel, just like in downtown Detroit.  

Chuck & Lizzy at Versailles

Palace of Versailles

Lizzy and I also spent the day at a significant historical site, the Palace of Versailles. First built as a hunting lodge in 1624 by King Louis III and expanded to the largest and most luxurious palace in the world by his son Louis IV. The building and gardens are so grand that you must visit to believe it. One room, the Hall of Mirrors is 240 feet long, it has 357 mirrors, each about 5 or 6 feet in dimension. At the time of construction, just one cost the same as a house for a common person in Paris. This room is a reminder: Nothing is grander or outlasts God’s love for us (Ephesians 3:18)

Ceiling in Versailles
Chuck in Versailles

Within Mirror Hall, two historic treaties were signed; the German Empire was declared in 1871 by Otto von Bismarck (prime minister) after the victory of the German states in the Franco-Prussian War and the Treaty of Versailles to end World War I in 1919.The Treaty of Versailles also guaranteed the events leading to World War II.  

French Revolution

Visiting Versailles allowed me to understand the French Revolution. Lots of awe and beauty, but so sad. The Third Estate (that would be us) represented 97% of the population.They were forced to pay for this palace, while they struggled. Louis XIV built the Palace, but Louis XVI paid for it with his life. According to archival records, at least 16,594 people lost their heads under the guillotine during the French Revolution, including Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. Remember, she was the one who said, “Let them eat cake,” when told that the people were starving. Standing in the Palace of Versailles, it was easy to see how one could become so isolated. She lived in a different world and had no idea what life was like outside the palace. Four Kings lived a life of luxury in Versailles until the start of the French Revolution in 1789.

Grandkids at the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower

Of course, we also visited the most famous monument in Paris, the Eiffel Tower. No historical significance at all. It was built for the 1889 World’s Fair and the French fell in love with it. It has become the symbol for romance around the world. The Eiffel Tower was definitely Liz’s favorite part of our trip. At the Eiffel tower, it is easy to be infected with romance. We were blessed because Chan and Greg had arranged and paid for a reservation at the 58 Eiffel Tower Restaurant, very fancy. Luckily, we had packed dressy clothes. We waited in line for almost an hour to ride up the elevator to the restaurant. 

Paris is Romance

One couple waiting with us was a young man and woman, elegantly dressed. He was handsome and she was beautiful. They stood out, however, because the man seemed so nervous. We later found out why. Sitting just two tables from us he got down on one knee and pulled out a small box with a ring. People clapped.  The photographer took pictures.  The love between husband and wife is a symbol of Christ’s love for his Church (Ephesians 5:25).

Chuck & Lizzy dining in the Eiffel Tower

When we were led up the stairs to our table, it was now dark outside and the lights of the city were majestic.  The host led us to a table at the window and proclaimed, “Best seat in the house.”  I looked at Lizzy and she was crying.  It was a multiple course meal and we tried lots of new things, including duck pate, but everything was delicious and magical. It was late when the night ended with a taxi ride back to our hotel.  But, here is the money shot of the entire trip.  No, I did not take it. If you look close you can see the photographer’s reflection. It cost me 25 euros, but worth every cent. 

It was the trip of a lifetime and a reminder to me of God’s great love for us. The fact is that God is “pro you.”  He loves each of us more than all the things and places in this world. He picked you. God desires a relationship with you, to communicate and enjoy you, forever (Romans 8:31-38).

© 2019 Chuck Locklear All rights reserved

Also, see Victorious Living.

Love and Faith

Faith produces love and love produces more faith. We can’t fix all of the problems in the world. No one can do it all, but we can all do something.

Start a Ripple Effect

Our faith in Jesus should produce love for others. Even if you just make an impact on one person, you are serving Jesus. Think about what I just said. Let me state it a different way. If you are not helping anyone, you are not serving Jesus. We were put on this earth to be like Jesus. . . to serve. It’s that simple. Therefore, if you change one life and that person impacts others, the ripple effect starts. 

I define faithfulness as continuing loyalty and support. Faithfulness is important to God. One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Hebrews chapter 11 entitled “Faith in Action” or faithfulness. “Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.”  This chapter describes the faithfulness of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, “and what shall I more say? For the time would fail me. . . Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. . .” Therefore, having faith and being faithful are necessary characteristics of Christians. 

Love and Faithfulness go hand-in-hand. They are strong characteristics to possess. 

“Love and faithfulness meet, we behold Your glory.”

Rise by Housefires

Look For Faith and Love

My dad was loyal to his church. He retired from Chrysler after 30 years and then opened a church on Packard Street and ministered there for over 30 years. And, he was faithful, two to three times a week, week in and week out. He took care of the flock. He prayed for the sick and even helped three church families buy houses to live in. Young girls, when looking for a mate, you want a mate who is loyal.

So, if you are overwhelmed with the task of helping so many in need, start by doing something for one person. Don’t wait. Remember, as you serve, you are serving Jesus not for the credit or reward, but because you want to be a child of the most-high God. Start today, pray: “Jesus, how can I serve someone…today? He will answer that request!”

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Go Fly a Kite

Go Fly a kite

“Let’s Go Fly a Kite.” I can hear the song, made popular by the movie Mary Poppins, in my head. As the Queen of Science, one of the highlights of the year was building and flying kites. Lizzy reserved this activity for the third-grade students in her school, but kites can cause the spirits of kids… and adults to soar.

“There is a lot of science that keeps a kite or eagle in the air.”

The Mystery of Flight

The four forces of flight (i.e. Lift, Weight, Drag, and Thrust) affect kites in the same way they affect airplanes, eagles, and anything that flies. Kites are great for teaching the physics of all four forces, but we’ll focus on lift, or the upward force that pushes a kite into the air. The big flat part of a kite is called the sail. As it flies through the air, the sail is tilted with the back being lower than the front. The tilte or angle of the sail is critical to creating lift. The tail weighs down the back of the sail, helping to keep the kite tilted. The tilt changes the way air flows over the kite.

The tilt causes the air moving over the top to move faster than the air moving over the bottom. Daniel Bernoulli, an 18th century Swiss mathematician, made an amazing discovery. He found that the pressure of a fluid (like air) decreases as it speeds up. Since the speed of the air above the kite is greater than the speed below it, the pressure above is less than the pressure below. Low pressure on top and high pressure on the bottom causes the kite to climb.… that is the mystery of flight.

Learning From Experience

Over the years, Lizzy tried a lot of kite designs. With the goal of having every third-grade student (about 120) experience success, Lizzy found that “wind sled kites” were pretty much guaranteed to fly. Also, the large flat sail provides a lot of space for creating custom artwork. Of course, you can make your own, but the Frustrationless Flyer kit is just like it says, frustrationless. Lizzy purchased kites in bulk, but, if you do a quick Internet search, you can find  a kit for about $8.00. Each kit includes everything you need, a pre-cut kite sail, two wooden dowels, and a pre-measured bridle. This kite does not require a tail to fly, but you can add streamers to dress it up. What you will need are a hole punch and permanent markers for the artwork.

Kites fly best in 5-15 mph winds. You can feel wind in this range or see leaves rustling in the wind. Wind more than this, enough to make tree limbs toss, and it is more difficult to fly.

There is a lot of science that keeps a kite or eagle in the air. Kites are just one more wonder of the world that God has provided us. “Oh, let’s go fly a kite, up to the highest height. Let’s go fly a kite and send it soaring…” Now, it’s your turn, go fly a kite.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

—Isaiah 40:31

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

also, see Science Can Be Fun.

Superhero

Mr. and Mrs. Incredible

“And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.”

 —John 1:16, NKJV

Did you know there is a national “Make a Difference Day?” It is celebrated annually on the fourth Saturday of October and is co-sponsored by USA Today and Points of Light, a non-profit founded by former U.S. President George H. W. Bush. A desire to make our life count lives inside of each of us, but we often think it is beyond our ability. The truth, however, is you don’t need to be a superhero to make a difference.

Making a Difference

It is tempting to look back over life and recall the failures and stupid things one has done. We all have failures and have done things we deeply regret. Recently, I read a Facebook challenge. “If given the choice, would you choose a million dollars or the ability to go back and redo your biggest mistakes?” I’d take the million dollars. My choice is not because I need the money. God has supplied all of my needs. My decision is based on the fact that I do not want to go back and relive the dark moments of my life. Truthfully, I doubt I could do things any better anyway.

When one gets to my age, you inevitably ask yourself, “Have I made a difference?” Yes, I want to be a “good and faithful” servant, one who invests the gifts that God has given me for profit in his Kingdom. So, how many lives do I have to bless to justify my time on this planet? Thinking about my dad provided the answer.

Amazing Life

My father had a truly amazing life. He grew up dirt poor on a farm in rural North Carolina. As a Native American, he had many stories of racial segregation in the south. He moved to the big city, worked a full career at Chrysler Corporation, raised and supported a family for which he was very proud, saw all of his grandkids go to college, owned property is three states, became a pastor, and pastored for 30 plus years, after retiring from Chrysler.

An amazing life, but all of these accomplishments did not answer my question about being a good and faithful servant. Then, God brought to my mind the people that my father had blessed. There are many examples, but I’m going to pick on my Mexican brother. Yes, I have an “adopted” Mexican brother.

My father was a blessing to Tony and Donna. You only need to ask them and they will give testament to this truth. My father helped them move out of a rough neighborhood to a safer one, closer to him. He provided the money to help them purchase their first home. Using his example, we have since started a non-profit to help others move from being renters to homeowners, just as he did for Tony and Donna.

Superhero Not Required

My dad helped Tony become a better husband and father. Tony learned, over time, that instead of arguing with Donna he needed to bless her life. Tony’s entire attitude about his marriage and life changed because of my father. There was the answer to my question: I only need to bless one person to justify my time on this planet?

Like everyone, I am busy. The pace of my life has increased. It is easy to push grace aside and let impatience become my first response to those around me. It is good, however, to remember that no one is good enough to earn God’s love; it is only because of his unmerited favor that we are blessed in this life and the one to come. Our proper response should be to extend the same grace to others.

We do not need to be a superhero to make a difference. We only need to bless one person at a time. Let’s start today.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Victorious.

It’s Spring

Most everyone loves spring…including me. This year Lizzy and I have had lots of time hiking on trails around our home.  It has been wonderful…and good for our health.  We have been able to see the coming of spring, up close, in all of God’s well-ordered splendor, buds first appearing on trees, blooming into flowers, and giving way to green, luscious leaves. Additionally, we have experienced birds singing and flying enthusiastically around our heads. I can hear their songs saying, “It’s spring. It’s spring.  Glory to God, it’s spring.”

God is bringing order to our world. 

My favorite tree on our hikes is the Eastern White Pine. It is the state tree of Michigan. It’s long needles are green and fragrant reminding us of spring all year long. This distinct smell is shared among most species of pine trees. Moreover, the Eastern White Pine is a related species to the Longleaf Pine that I have heard my father and his brothers talk about often as they remembered growing up in North Carolina. 

Walking with My Dad

I can recall walking through a pine forest with my dad and remembering him telling me of trees over 100 feet tall, with trunks of 50 inches thick.  I can hear him saying, “These longleaf pines take 200-400 years to mature. They are slow growing and just about vanished from this country.” I can see him bend down and picked up a pine cone, tossing it to me as he continued to talk, “The problem for the longleaf pine is that it is the most favored tree for all construction.” He looked back at me as he spoke saying, “I’m told that longleaf ship masts would sell at prices 30% above other masts. And, with a boom in big cities, there was a need for good quality building materials. These longleaf pines were in big demand.”

Its Not Just the Lumber

 “It’s not just the lumber that was desirable. People in these parts would burn pine logs in shallow pits and then collect the pitch, dripping out of the logs, into barrels sunken into the ground. They’d extract tar from the pitch. This sticky mess was good for waterproofing the seams between the planks of ships, and sailors use it to coat the rigging. It seems the salty air would eat at the canvas and ropes.” Looking at me he shook his head and said, “I guess people will do anything for money.” He laughed, “I heard it said that ‘tarheels’ is what they called folks in this business, because they got plenty of the goo on the soles of their shoes and feet.”

Additionally, as we came to the edge of the forest, I can hear him say. “I’ve even heard that you can tap a living longleaf pine, like you would a sugar maple for syrup, and get sap that can be distilled to make turpentine. Yup, it’s a mighty valuable tree, won’t be long before there ain’t any left in this country.”

My Uncle Grover

My Uncle Grover told me, “The Longleaf Pine wood itself is dense. As strong as red oak and resistant to decay.” He said, “You can bury a post in the ground and it won’t rot. A bug won’t bother it either.” The wood has an amber to reddish color and my uncle said “It never needs painting. Also, the more it rains, the slicker it gets.” Yes, a very valuable tree.

With every new start, every spring, every new bud on every tree, God demonstrates his purpose to restore his creation. Spring reminds us not to despair. God is bringing order to our world.  

Also, see Random Acts of Kindness.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Change Is Tough

Growing requires action. This is true for spiritual growth as well. It is not just about hearing and forgetting. It is about… change.

Most people are uncomfortable with change. 

So, how have you changed lately? What have you done that was difficult? Yes, difficult is the key word, because change is tough. It is often not pleasant. You have to push yourself to do it. It goes against your nature. Most people are uncomfortable with change. 

Model It

Let me give you some examples. Did you say, I love you, to someone for whom it was difficult? Did you provide ten dollars, your last ten dollars, even when you were not sure they deserved it? You know people think that I am rich, because I’m always giving away money. I’m not wealthy, only in love. My father modeled love for me. So, maybe it is easier for me, but you can do it and you will receive great satisfaction afterwards. 

Here is another example. Did you go the extra mile? “Sure it is out of my way, but I can bring it to you.” “Yes, I had planned to go to the store, but I can do that later.” Did you do something that was hard today? How about yesterday? 

Probably, the best example of a changed life is faithfulness. Faithfulness means you can be counted on. We are not wired to be faithful. It is not in our human nature. We lose interest fast. You only need to think about all of the failed New Year’s resolutions for proof. We make a commitment and do it once or twice. Then, we lose interest and are off doing something that is “more enjoyable.” If you are a Christian, you made a commitment. The tough question is are you faithful to that commitment? Can you be counted on, good weather or bad, feeling good or not, even when it is not convenient?

Change and Succeed

I can say as a former employer that faithful workers, those that can be counted on are the most valuable. They get the best assignments. They get promotions. If you can be counted on to get it done, you will be successful. 

This is true in the kingdom of God as well. I can confidently make the following statement, God loves faithfulness. In the Parable of the Bags of Gold, Jesus links faithfulness to the invitation to “Enter into the joy of your Lord.” Do you want that invitation? Then, be faithful. Even in the little things. Show up, set up the sound system, sing in the choir, teach the children, greet people at the door. There is lots to be done in the kingdom of God. Show that you are the one to get it done.

Change is not easy, but required for growth. Make the effort and you will find that it is doable.  Make the choice to be healthier… happier… more like Jesus.

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

Matthew 25:23, NKJV

Prayer

Father, allow us to model faithfulness to our children. Help us to teach them to approach each task as though they were doing it onto you. I know their faithfulness will please you and lead to success in life. Amen.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Follow the Directions.

Chuck Locklear

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