We finally got around to putting up our Christmas tree last night. And we did it under 4 minutes! Impressive, huh? Check it out here:
Here’s how we did it:
Family
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
The Christmas season has officially kicked off once the Agnews has gone to the Connie Maxwell Christmas, put on some Elmer Fudd hats, drank some “warm” chocolate, and seen some Christmas lights. Hope you are ready for a great month!
It Really Wasn’t Eve’s Fault
Men must resolve to take responsibility for their families. Passivity is not an option. Whenever a man fails to accept his God-given responsibility, his family is in serious danger.
The first family in the Bible provides an example of what happens when a man fails to lead. Take some time to read Genesis 3:1-13. As you read, make note of key phrases that characterize Adam’s passivity.
Sin was ushered into the world in this tragic account of the Fall. In Genesis 2, God gave Adam the command not to eat from the tree. Eve was not around to hear this original message. If she were to receive that piece of instruction, she probably received it from her husband, Adam. What’s shocking about Genesis 3 is that the reader isn’t even aware that Adam is in the scene until verse 6. The Bible describes a conversation with Eve and the Devil and there is no sign of Adam.
Happy Thanksgiving
In the last week, the Agnews have been busy. It’s actually been a busy couple of months for us really. We rounded up last weekend with a wedding I officiated with some dear friends. The picture above is Eli and Obadiah getting dressed up in the photo booth at the wedding reception.
From there we were able to have our album release worship service, get a lot of stuff done in the office, work on a bunch of home projects over the week.
These boys, and their lil’ sister on the way, bring so much joy to my life. With busy weeks and exciting stuff happening, they are always there to remind me of the important things in life. Very thankful today.
When asked this morning what they were thankful for, they said:
The Frustration with National Adoption Day
I was appreciative of a text message this morning from a dear friend telling me they were inspired by an article in this morning’s Index Journal. I still have only read the short version on the website and not read the entire article, but I was interviewed earlier this week concerning adoption.
Honestly, it took me a moment to realize why I was being interviewed for two reasons: 1) There are plenty of other families that do more than us for the cause of adoption, and 2) I forget that Eli is adopted. In fact, I don’t like talking about it when one child is distinguished as the biological child and one as the adoptive child. God brought both of our children into our family. Different ways, but they are both our sons.
I went along with the interview because today is National Adoption Day, and I figured, if our family could inspire others to adopt, that’s a good thing. That’s worth it.
We had a wonderful day as a family today playing in our home and helping with some friends’ wedding, but it ended on a very bitter note. Right before family worship tonight, I read a tweet from a dear friend that read:
Preparing Families for Worship
As mentioned earlier, the role of ministers are to equip the saints for the work of ministry (Eph 4:12). We do expect our parents to lead their families in worship, but we partner with them by providing family worship guides to equip the parents for this endeavor. Many approaches exist for how to equip families for time spent at the family altar. Like many other churches, we provide parents with information concerning what their children have learned in church programming they have attended. In addition, we provide weekly family worship guides that correspond with what we are focusing on together as a church body.
On Thursdays, I post a family worship guide that any family, regardless of size or context, can utilize before Sunday morning’s services in order to worship together. Some families do it on Saturday nights. Some families gather around the breakfast table on Sunday morning. Others go out to the park on an afternoon. It is a simple guide that is adaptable to different family situations.
There Is Something Worse Than Being Single
We had a great time at North Greenville this past week. The students were such a blessing to the whole Agnew clan and the boys already miss all of our friends!
Coming home Wednesday after 4 chapels and many side conversations, I thought of a few things I wish I would have said. Dealing with issues of dating and marriage, I talked with the students concerning how to find that person and what you do once you found them.
Many students would comment that they just can’t find someone to even start the possible partnership with. That reminded me of something I forgot to share with the students and might be a good reminder to you today.
There is something worse than being single.
Bloodlines
Pastor John Piper’s newest book, Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian, is now available. Earlier this year Crossway traveled with Pastor John to his hometown of Greenville, SC to revisit the world in which he grew up. This 18-minute documentary takes us through his experience of racism in the 1960’s American South. Watch the video above! Incredible, honest, convicting.
Don’t Drop Your Kids Off at Church – Now Available!
My new book is available today! Order Don’t Drop Your Kids Off at Church here.
Synopsis: Parents have often developed misplaced priorities when it comes to their children. Many children in America are so busy with numerous activities that their spiritual lives are unfortunately neglected. Our approach is to drop our children off at the best church in town which we qualify by which one has the hippest youth minister, most attended programs, and nicest facilities. For all our efforts, children are still walking away from church once they leave the nest. There is another way. Don’t drop your kids off at church — bring them home to it.
Lil’ Agnew #3 is a…
The ultrasound was this morning. The boys have something to share. Lil’ Agnew #3 is a… GIRL! Gloria Beth Agnew is on her way, and her big brothers are ecstatic. God is faithful. All for His glory!
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