Family Strong

SALVATION

rtimberlake — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:24:56 +0000

The Paul Anderson Youth Home was founded 50 years ago by Paul and Glenda Anderson, who professed faith in Jesus Christ as the only means of enjoying a restored relationship with God. That faith foundation has proved to be strong and true. In fact, the only way we are able to offer life change and lasting transformation to the young men we serve is through the good news of the gospel. Here’s the truth that has changed our lives and that of over 1200 troubled young men:

A. Admit that you have a sin problem. Whether our problems are exterior (obvious from the way we treat others) or interior (through our attitudes), all of us fall short each day of the way God would have us live. That sin separates us from God, who is holy. He cannot look on us or be close to us when we are covered with sin. On our own, we are condemned and helpless apart from God. But God’s word promises, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). Confess your sins to God right now.

B. Believe that Jesus has both removed your sin and given you His righteousness. Many people believe that God will help them if they “try harder” to be good. The truth is, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith” (Romans 3: 23.25). A cosmic exchange happened on the cross: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Picture your sin – everything that keeps you from getting close to God – being laid on Jesus, who accepts a criminal’s death in your place. Now picture all of His goodness, kindness, love, and righteousness being placed on you. That changes forever how God the Father sees you: you are now His beloved and delightful child. You are now free to enter His presence in prayer, in confession, and in constant fellowship with God – all based on what Jesus has done for you.

C. Commit your life into God’s hands. If Jesus Christ demonstrated His love for you by dying in your place, He deserves to be not only your Savior, but also your Lord. That means that from this day forward, you are in the process of dying to self and learning to living in Christ. Instead of making your own decisions and plans, you will consult God in His word and in prayer to receive His will and direction. The Holy Spirit of God now lives in your heart, guiding you into truth, comforting, and encouraging you to become more like Jesus.

You can pray this prayer right now to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ:

“Lord, I know I have lived in a way that dishonors You. I have done what I shouldn’t have done, and I haven’t done what I should have. I ask you to forgive me for my sins and to remove them from my account. Thank you for placing them instead to the account of Jesus, and thank you for giving me His righteousness. I receive your forgiveness and His righteousness by faith. I now give you my life, and ask you to guide me day by day to live in a way that brings You honor. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

Other Resources:

Want to connect with some great online “parenting wisdom”?

Go to www.parentspurpose.com.

Who was Paul Anderson? What does Paul Anderson Ministries offer?

Go to payh.org

Real Teens Talk: Pornography Part I

rtimberlake — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 19:19:08 +0000

Real Teens Talk: Pornography Part II

rtimberlake — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:22:39 +0000

Love Daily

rtimberlake — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:49:02 +0000

Maybe you have a creative way of communicating your love for your child each day. How have you learned to “make love a verb”? Do you tuck them into bed with a special story or song? Do you fill their car with gas once in a while “just because”? Or do you make a special point of saying “I love you” every day to your child? Whatever it is, we (and thousands of other parents out there) would love to hear about it.

Leave a comment and let others know how you LOVE DAILY.

FamilyStrong

rtimberlake — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:39:54 +0000

What will it take to change a generation? Can making one pledge make a difference in the future of our children?

Real Teens Talk: Pornography Part III

rtimberlake — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:23:59 +0000

Protect Faithfully

rtimberlake — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:43:35 +0000

What steps did you take this week to faithfully protect your child? Did you install a web guardian? Did you check the phone history on your child’s cell phone? Did you teach them something new about the dangers that they will face in this world in which we live?

Whatever it is, we (and thousands of other parents out there) would love to hear about it.

Leave a comment and let other’s know how you PROTECT FAITHFULLY.

Train Consistently

rtimberlake — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:46:28 +0000

Raising children is like rounding up a sky full of fireflies. Often times the task can seem overwhelming. What did you do this week to instill some consistency in your home? How are you beginning to train up your children in the way they should go? Did you create a list of “house rules” with corresponding consequences? Did you have a situation arise in which you were able to let your yes be yes and your no be no?

Whatever it is, we (and thousands of other parents out there) would love to hear about it.

Leave a comment and let other’s know how you TRAIN CONSISTENTLY.

Communicate Effectively

rtimberlake — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 12:41:48 +0000

Communicating with your child can be challenging. What have you done this week to communicate more effectively with them? Did you ask them about their day? Did you spend some extra time talking with them about their hopes and dreams for their future? Did you go out of your way to find something that interested them?

Whatever it is, we (and thousands of other parents out there) would love to hear about it.

Leave a comment and let other’s know how you COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY.

Real Teens Talk: Drugs Part I

rtimberlake — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:25:32 +0000