The Pain of Miscarriage

Here is a very helpful Kevin Swanson - Generations program. I'd encourage you to give it a listen.

I Was Mugged?

The news of my mugging has been greatly exaggerated:

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-handicapped-man-at-knifepoint-story,0,6635769.story

Anyone who tries to mug this Mike Southerland better come with more than a knife. I've got a 9mm round waiting for him. Plus, 13 more in the magazine. :-)

19 Years Ago

…was the best day of my life. On August 25, 1990 Sheri Cross became Mrs. Sheri Southerland. The Lord has carried us through many changes. Through it all He has richly blessed us. She has faithfully followed my lead with each new milestone that God has brought us through. Many women would have grown frustrated long ago. Yet, the Lord blessed me with a wife who understands what it means to trust her husband. While she has always been my faithful counselor, she also knows that God has placed the responsibility to lead our family upon my shoulders. To face this challenge alone would have been an insurmountable burden. But with Sheri by my side, I joyfully embrace each new lesson the Lord is teaching us.

To my sons, seek a wife like your mother. She is a godly lady. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her. A wife like her will be the greatest blessing you will ever have in your life.

To my daughters, seek to be like your mother. Her love for her husband and children is striking. Her patience and self sacrificing is honorable. Her undying faith is a beauty beyond compare.

To my beautiful bride, I love you. I am so very blessed to have you by my side.

Happy Anniversary sweetheart.

Marriage - The Story of the Gospel

Just a quick update as we retire for the evening. My wife and I are currently in Wake Forest, NC where we have just completed the first night of a marriage conference hosted by Scott Brown at his home.

Dan Horn spoke tonight on the picture of marriage as being a picture of the Gospel. What a powerful message! The Lord has really put it on my heart lately of the importance of the Gospel in every message preached from the pulpit, and the primacy of it in every facet of our lives.

Does our marriage, does your marriage show the world a picture of the Gospel? Or is it skewed? The reason sodomite "marriage" is such an abomination is that it blasphemes Christ and His Church. There are not two Christs or two Churches. Yet that is what sodomy tries to declare.

I'll go into more details later next week, Lord willing. But for now I want to say that the messages are powerful and I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend with my bride.

Roe v. Wade

Roe v. Wade was the landmark Supreme Court decision that struck down state laws prohibiting abortion. I’m going to use a word in this article that I don’t believe is entirely accurate when applied to this case. That term is “legalized.” It is said that Roe v. Wade “legalized” abortion. And in a sense, that is correct. Though if we simply consider the form of government that we have, you will realize that it is not the job of the Supreme Court to make law. That dirty work is supposed to be left to the legislative branch of government. Yet, despite overstepping their jurisdictional boundaries, the Supreme Court has, in effect, legalized elective abortion for all nine months of pregnancy for any reason whatsoever.

Roe v. Wade was decided on January 22, 1973. The plaintiff was an anonymous “Jane Roe.” The defendant was District Attorney of Dallas County Henry Wade. The case revolved around Jane Roe, later identified as Norma McCorvey who claimed she had been raped and desired an abortion. Texas law denied her the abortion. Attorneys Linda Coffee and Sarah Weddington jumped at the opportunity to advance their own agenda at the expense of McCorvey. They filed suit on her behalf. Norma McCorvey is now an outspoken pro-life advocate, though she was once a worker in an abortion mill. She admits that she lied about being raped. In her book, Won By Love, she details how a little seven year old girl, a daughter of a pro-life protester loved her unconditionally. Emily would constantly tell Norma, “Miss Norma, we’re praying for you.” At the time Norma’s identity was still protected. This small group of protesters had no idea they were talking with the very Roe of Roe v. Wade. The little girl’s persistence finally paid off when Norma McCorvey repented of her sin and turned to Christ. Norma McCorvey now leads a pro-life ministry called “Roe No More.” Listen to her testimony about the effects that this little girl had on her.

As my mind was challenged to consider the truth of the Gospel, God began working on my heart through a 7-year-old girl named Emily, the daughter of O.R. volunteer Ronda Mackey.

Quite understandably, I had difficulty relating to children. I had given birth to three, all of whom had been placed for adoption (one of them against my will). And because I worked in an abortion clinic, I was fearful of bonding with anyone so young. It was part of my denial. When you know what is happening to the children behind closed doors, it's difficult to become attached to them outside.

Emily's blatant affection, frequent hugs, and direct pursuit disarmed me. The little girl's interest was all the more surprising considering Emily made it very clear that her acceptance of me wasn't an acceptance of my lifestyle. Early on in our relationship, I explained to Emily, "I like kids and wouldn't let anyone hurt little kids," to which Emily responded, "Then why do you let them kill the babies at the clinic?"

On another occasion, I invited Emily into my office. As I made appointments, Emily kept herself occupied. During one phone call, I lost my temper and said to a caller, "I'd just as soon see you in hell as see you in here," and Emily responded, "You don't have to go to hell, Miss Norma. You can pray right now and Jesus will forgive you."

This childlike faith cut open my heart, making me receptive to the truth being shared by the adult volunteers at Rescue. I wasn't won over by compelling apologetics. I had a ninth grade education and a very soft heart. While the O.R. adults targeted my mind, Emily went straight for the heart. And over time, Emily began to personify the issue of abortion--especially when Ronda broke down and told me that Emily had almost been aborted.

If any of you are familiar with this case, or you have been told that Roe v. Wade only prohibited abortions in the first three months, you have been fed a half truth. Roe indeed declares that abortion is legal for any reason for the first three months. However, it also allows for abortions after the three month time period for reasons of rape, incest, or the health of the mother. There is a much less publicized companion case, Doe v. Bolton that was also decided on the same day as Roe. This case defined “health of the mother” to be anything that a woman and her doctor decide it to be, including psychological health. Here is the official statement:

Whether, in the words of the Georgia statute, "an abortion is necessary" is a professional judgment that the Georgia physician will be called upon to make routinely. We agree with the District Court… that the medical judgment may be exercised in the light of all factors - physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman's age - relevant to the well-being of the patient. All these factors may relate to health.

So, with the supported of the companion case, Roe indeed legalizes abortion for all nine months of pregnancy for any reason whatsoever. This is also why pro-lifers are so adamant about not including exceptions in any pro-life legislation that is proposed. We are particularly opposed to any language that makes “health of the mother” a valid exception. As a side note, “Mary Doe,” later identified as Sandra Cano, identifies herself as pro-life and claims that her attorney, Margie Pitts Hames, lied to her in order to have a plantiff.

Roe v. Wade did not come to us in a vacuum. Like most bad law, it came from bad precedent. In 1965 another egregious case was decided in Griswold v. Connecticut. This is the Supreme Court decision that struck down state prohibitions on birth control. In this decision the Supreme Court somehow “discovered” a secret “right to privacy” that had been hidden in the "penumbras" and "emanations" of other constitutional protections besides the original Bill of Rights. What most of the American people do not understand is that chemical forms of birth control often cause spontaneous abortion. How appropriate then, for it to be the precedent used for the outright killing of children through mechanical means. This assertion is thoroughly documented in Randy Alcorn’s book, Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortion? Sadly, just like the abortion issue today, the churches of 1965 had already failed to speak out against the deadly effects of chemical birth control. When God’s people are silent, depraved human nature takes over and commits terrible sins.

As Christ Loved the Church

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
(Eph 5:25-27)

When I think of that admonition that I am to love my wife as Christ loved the church, I am overwhelmed. I do love my wife. But do I love her to that degree? I am mere mortal. Christ is divine. I can't possibly love my wife like Christ loved His church. Christ lived a sinless life for His church. Then He bled and died on her behalf. He took her place. He who was without sin died for me! This He did so that she (I) should have no spot or wrinkle, but that she (I) should be holy and without blemish.

Yet, the very thing that Christ did for me (as a member of His church) is the only thing that enables me to do the same for my wife. No, I can't live a sinless life for her. But when I walk in the spirit, I'll not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. I can't make her pure and holy, but as I admonish her through the scriptures I lead her to the One who can.

Lord, wash me in your Word, so that I can wash her in your Word. Amen.

Lessons Learned

There's nothing so devastating to a parent than losing a child. Yet the Lord has been pleased to bring us through that trial twice this year. The world may consider it no great loss. After all, these children were lost very early. We never were able to hold them in our arms. We never even knew if they were boys or girls.

I've found that when the Lord brings you through a trial He will teach you things, if you are willing to learn. I share these with you in hopes that it may help another hurting soul and draw you closer to our Father God.

1) In times of great heartbreak and trial, pour your heart out to the Lord. Tell Him your sorrows and your griefs. He tells us in His word that He is familiar with suffering.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

(Isa 53:3)

Our Lord can relate. Christ suffered greatly on our behalf. He has a compassionate heart to those who are going through hardship.

2) Turn to the scriptures for your comfort and guide. The Psalms are replete with passages exhorting us to trust in the Lord. For this particular trial Job 1:21 helped me to face it.

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

(Job 1:21)

3) Realize that all of our children belong to the Lord. He has only entrusted us as stewards to care for them here on Earth. If He takes them home, then He is within His right to do so.

4) Use this as an occasion to draw near to your spouse. I am a husband. So I mainly speak through that perspective. When the miscarriage is going on I feel so helpless. I've found that often the best thing I can do is to pray for my wife, hold her, and comfort her.

5) Love your other children. If you don't have other children, then this may not apply to you, but in my case the Lord has blessed us with seven beautiful children. Hold them close. Praise the Lord that He gave you the ones that you do have. Give them grace as they grieve in their own way.

6) Finally, appreciate the church universal. I received a great outpouring of support from Christians around the world. Technology has brought us together. The Lord has provided the bond.

The Family or the Church?

A friend of mine mentioned to me today an experience whereby an elderly gentlemen was commenting on how nice my friend's family was. This man was a World War II veteran who was in the second wave of the Normandy invasion. He was 91 years old and had trusted Christ as his saviour in 1947 after he returned home from the war.

His comments to my friend was that "God loves families. You know, He created families before He created the church."

I love families too. I love my own family enormously. Yet, as my friend relayed this story to me I felt an uneasyness. There was just something that wasn't quite right about this man's comments.

I began to ponder the question, "Which came first, the family or the church?"

The Belgic Confession declares in Article 27:

This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end, as appears from the fact that Christ is eternal King who cannot be without subjects.

So, the author of the Belgic Confession confirmed my suspusion. But I wanted something a little more concrete than a confession that is not even the primary confession that I adhere to. (which is the London Baptist Confession of 1689)

Scripture is the ultimate authority. What does it have to say about the family?

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

(Luk 14:26)

What does it have to say about the church?

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

(Eph 5:25-27)

So, I believe it is clear from scripture that Christ esteems His church above families. But there is still the nagging question; Did He create the family before He created the church?

The first family was made up of Adam and Eve. They had their beginning in the Garden of Eden. But when did Christ create His Church? First we must ask who is the Church? The Church is made up of all Christ's elect. The Church is and has always been God's people throughout the ages. Thus it is not incorrect to call ancient Israel, "The Church."

So, when was the Church created? It was created when He elected His own. I believe this verse speaks clearly as to when the Church was created:

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

(Eph 1:4)

So then, I submit to you that this elderly gentleman, in spite of the honour I have for him in serving our country, is wrong when it comes to the dicotomy between the Church and the family. The family is certainly a blessing from God. But His Church is the apple of His eye.

Our Lord's Apples

"Take no heavier lift of your children, than your Lord alloweth; give them room beside your heart, but not in the yolk of your heart, where Christ should be; for then they are your idols, not your bairns. If your Lord take any of them home to his house before the storm come on, take it well, the owner of the orchard may take down two or three apples off his own trees, before midsummer, and ere they get the harvest sun; and it would not be seemly that his servant, the gardener, should chide him for it. Let our Lord pluck his own fruit at any season he pleaseth; they are not lost to you, they are laid up so well, as that they are coffered in heaven, where our Lord's best jewels lie." - Samuel Rutherford (1600 - 1661)

Baby's Blood

"You have baby's blood." That's what the Oklahoma Blood Institute told me yesterday when I gave blood. I just looked at the lady puzzled. She explained that since I am O- and CMV negative that my type of blood is in great demand for giving to babies. CMV is a virus that about 50% of the population carry, but they never know they have it. It doesn't usually cause problems for adults, but for babies whose immune systems are weak, it could be hazardous.

Now, I suppose I can trust what they are telling me, but I'm also a little suspicious! Have they been reading my blog? The point is that they really know how to "push my buttons." Whereas before I gave blood because I thought it was the right thing to do, now I have a renewed zeal knowing that my blood may save the lives of babies. How I could I, as a dyed in the wool pro-lifer, resist doing something that could save babies' lives?

So, here's a big "howdy" to all you Oklahoma Blood Institute employees who are reading my blog! See you in 112 days. (I donate double red blood cells. Whole blood donations can be done every 56 days.)

Here's a link to their website: http://www.obi.org

Thou Shalt Not Kill

Thou shalt not kill.
(Deu 5:17)

Last night after family worship I looked at my email on my Blackberry and learned some shocking news. Late term abortionist George Tiller had been shot and killed yesterday during his church service.

We don't have a TV, and we didn't listen to the radio at all yesterday, so it's likely that you heard about this sooner than I did.

For those unfamiliar with the abortion debate you may be unfamiliar with George Tiller. He was, by far, the most ruthless, blood thirsty, and money hungry abortionist I had ever read or heard about. He performed gruesome "partial-birth" abortions. Indeed, he was one of a very few in the country willing to kill children in this manner.

Yet, in all of this, I must decry his killing. It is not given unto man, as individuals, to carry out justice. As sinful as he was, George Tiller was made in the image of God. Our responsibility was to pray for his soul. I am convinced that he is burning in hell right now, and that saddens me greatly. The torments of hell are too much to wish upon even our greatest enemy. How much better would it have been for George Tiller to have joined the ranks of other abortion "turncoats" like Dr. Benard Nathanson, Carol Everett, and Norma McCorvey?

Pray for the Tiller family. Pray for our country. Pray that the liberals will not be allowed to use the actions of a crazed mad man to paint pro-lifers as "violent." The man who shot Tiller was not "pro-life" at all. I join with my brothers and sisters fighting this great abortion holocaust in declaring that:

...we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
(Eph 6:12)

God help us.

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Deadly Medicine

A couple of weeks ago I visited the Oklahoma City Science Museum and viewed a traveling exhibit they have entitled, Deadly Medicine. It is all about eugenics. For lack of a better term eugenics could be described as a science, though it’s a sinister idea that seems undeserving of the title of science. Basically, eugenics involves the process of creating a “master race” by encouraging many children among the desired race of people and discouraging and even killing the offspring of undesirables. Who are the undesirables you may ask? Well, that’s entirely at the whim of the leader making the decisions.

A huge focus of this particular exhibit was the Nazi regime. Hitler’s policies were on display. It was very saddening, but quite interesting to read about all the steps he took to produce genetically flawless Germans. There were rules concerning who was allowed to marry who based solely on the heritage of the individuals. A German certainly could not marry a full blood Jew. He was disallowed from marrying a half Jew. If I remember correctly, a German could only marry if they could prove full German blood for four generations previous. Even someone with only partial Jewish blood could not marry a full blood Jew. For those families who could prove their German heritage, mothers were given medals when they bore a particular number of children. I saw a picture of a proud German grandmother showing her golden medal that symbolized her birth of twelve or more children.

There was a huge push to eliminate any genetic disability. Those with mental disabilities were labeled as “feeble minded” and either forcibly sterilized or simply killed. The exhibit made a brief mention of eugenics right here in the borders of America. The famous Supreme Court decision Buck v. Bell was exposed as an American eugenics policy whereby the mentally disabled could be forcibly sterilized against their will. Speaking for the majority, Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes declared,

“It is better for all the world, if instead of waiting to execute degenerate offspring for crime or to let them starve for their imbecility, society can prevent those who are manifestly unfit from continuing their kind… Three generations of imbeciles are enough.”

Carrie Buck was the first person to be forcibly sterilized in the United States under this decision. Eugenics was also the reason for laws passed that forbad interracial marriage. The exhibit mentioned Virginia’s law against this passed in 1927.

For those who’ve never been exposed to this type of information, this exhibit was a huge eye opener. Yet, the real missing link in this exhibit was the link between abortion and eugenics. Dr. Josef Mengele was the most active of the SS doctors at Auschwitz. Mengele routinely conducted experiments on humans. After the war, Josef Mengele practiced medicine in Buenos Aires in the 1950’s. He had a reputation as a specialist in abortions, which were illegal at the time.
Not all former Nazi doctors set up shop outside the borders of the United States. Villis Kruze was a former SS officer who, after the war, worked as an abortionist for Kaiser Permenente in Ohio and Hawaii.

One thing that the exhibit did not mention was that abortion was legalized in Germany in 1933 under the Third Reich. There were approximately 500,000 abortions annually in a country of 60 to 70 million people. In Nazi Germany, the “health of the mother” could refer to racial “health.” By definition, a Jewish or black mother was considered racially “unhealthy.” This is very interesting as "health of the mother" is favored loophole used today to try and detooth any pro-life legislation.

The biggest of all omissions in this exhibit, however, was the deafening silence in exposing the mother of the American eugenics movement, Margaret Sanger. How you can devote a museum exhibit to eugenics and not bring up Sanger’s name is beyond me. I can think of only two possible reasons for this.

1) This was an exhibit set up by the National Holocaust Museum, and Sanger’s eugenic bent targeted not only Jews, but Southern Europeans, Slavs, Latins, Blacks, Hispanics, Fundamentalists, and Catholics. Basically she was an equal opportunity eugenicist. Every non-Aryan – Red or Yellow, Black or White, all were noxious in her sight.

2) Perhaps the biggest reason that Sanger’s history was not included is that the modern mammoth organization that she formed holds tremendous political power. Planned Parenthood is an international “charitable” organization. There’s a tremendous financial incentive to keep under wraps the racist intentions of their founder, and the racist policies that they continue to advance today.

Margaret Sanger unashamedly called for the elimination of “human weeds,” for the “cessation of charity,” for the segregation of “morons, misfits, and the maladjusted” and for the sterilization of “genetically inferior races.” (Margaret Sanger, The Pivot of Civilization (New York: Brentano’s, 1922), p. 101.)

Sanger had a particular hatred for blacks. In 1939, she designed a “Negro Project” in which she proposed the following:

“The mass of Negroes, particularly in the South, still breed carelessly and disastrously, with the result that the increase among Negroes, even more than among Whites, is from that portion of the population least intelligent and fit.” (Madeline Gray, Margaret Sanger: A Biography (New York: Marek, 1979), p. 332)

Her solution , according to the same reference source, was to hire three or four:
“Colored Ministers, preferably with social service backgrounds, and with engaging personalities” to travel to various African-American enclaves and propagandize for birth control.

Commenting on this approach, she reasoned:
“The most successful educational approach to the Negro is through a religious appeal. We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population and the Minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.”
Sanger’s agenda against African Americans did not die with her. The worldwide organization she established, Planned Parenthood, continues to promote her racist agenda. Today 78% of Planned Parenthood clinics are in minority communities. Blacks make up 12% of the population, but account for 35% of all the abortions in America.

It is vital that we expose Margaret Sanger for who she was, and Planned Parenthood for the evils they continue to employ today. For more information check the sources I have provided in the footnotes above and in the references I have listed below.

References:
http://www.blackgenocide.org/
http://www.blackgenocide.com/
Grand Illusions: The Legacy of Planned Parenthood by George Grant, Highland Books, Fourth edition 2000

"Public" Schools

The following is an excerpt from a thought out response to a lady who challenged me, "by name" on an internet e-mail list I participate in. While slightly "off-topic" from the purpose of the list, the lady had challenged my disapproval of government schools. As she named me by name, I assumed the moderator would have let me offer the rebuttal. Unfortunately, the post was axed. But so as not to go to the trouble writing something that will never be seen, I offer the following exerpt, with all the identifying information removed, for your perusal. To set the scene, she opined that public schools are not all bad, because she's seen real live Christian kids who are doing well there, including her own. Here is my response.


-----------------
Experience is a fickle standard by which we make our decisions. For every child who exemplifies a Christian walk in the government schools, you can count five who are just the way I described. Now, the standard line I've heard is that parents want to send their children to these places so they can be a "light" or a good witness. I must make all my decisions, where possible, based on the standard of the Word of God. I Cor. 15:33 reads:


Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.(1Co 15:33)


Other translations render this as "bad company corrupts good morals."


No, not every child that attends government schools is going to conform to the baggy pants, gothic style, head banger image that seems to be growing more prevalent. More and more may be coming out as clean cut, smooth talking, athletic, and charismatic types (such as our current U.S. President) who have bought the establishment line, hook, line, and sinker.


The fact remains that even a solid, Christian adult would have a hard time keeping a renewed mind if he were fed the new age, earth worship, diversity, "all religions equal" dogma that is crammed down the throats of innocent children 8 hours every single day.


Our own American Caesar, Abraham Lincoln, once said, "The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next." How right he was, as we now see our state governments one by one passing sodomite "marriage" bills. How could this be avoided when millions of school children are taught that homosexuality is equal to heterosexuality? And to bring this subject back to the focus of this list in particular, the whole anti-child mindset is implanted in the minds of our children in a pro-feminism, anti-life agenda that has been prominent every since the 1920's and the establishment of the eugenic organization known as Planned Parenthood (which is now welcomed in many high schools).


>>>>
Please allow the same respect to children that attend public school. Some families do very well at homeshcool (sic) and some do not, the same can be said of public school families.
>>>>


It is not a matter of whether I respect them or not. Actually the children rarely have a say in whether they are homeschooled or not. The fact of the matter remains that in our homeschool, I love the "socialization" that it offers. I know for sure that every child in our school is under the same love and care as everyone else...for they are all brothers and sisters. I know for a fact that my children do not need to live in fear of one of their classmates pulling a"Columbine" stunt.

>>>>
My husband and I have prayed about homeschool many times and God has never once led us there.
>>>>
My question to you is this: How would you know if God were leading you there? In fact, how do you know that God has led you to government schooling? Is He neutral on the subject? God speaks to us through His Word (Hebrews, chapter 1). The Word of God declares:

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.(Deu 6:6-7)

I would be interested in reading a similar passage that instructs parents to delegate the instruction of their children to someone else. I can't seem to find that one.

Certainly as a godly wife, you must follow your husband's lead on this. I would urge him to know that Deut. 6 is directed at *fathers*and he will give account to Father God regarding to whom he delegated the authority to teach the nine precious souls that God entrusted to his care. As for me and my house, I teach whatever I can myself and delegate much to my loving helpmeet, who is the only one I trust with such an important task.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.(Psa 23:4)



This week has been one of the hardest weeks of my life. Yet, I grasp to the promise that God is with me. What hope do people have if they do not trust in Christ? They have no hope.



Trusting in the Sovereignty of God is so easy to speak, yet sometimes it's the most painful thing to walk out.



Experience is a cruel teacher, yet it teaches lessons that are never forgotten. The lessons of empathy are the hardest.



To my little one, I trust that I will see you in perfection some day. I love you forever.



Rest in peace...

Southerland Baby #8 5/5/2009 - 5/5/2009

He That Tilleth His Land

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. (Pro 12:11)


Here's my newest "toy."

And here are the firstfruits of our harvest:

A Shepherd and His Unregenerate Sheep

I heard the following message today:A Shepherd and His Unregenerate Sheep

It is by Matt Chandler at the Desiring God 2009 Conference for Pastors.
Here is a text excerpt of what he said that touched me.
----------------------------
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

I learned this one the hard way. Two years ago, this was probably one of the most heartbreaking things in my years of ministry. I was at lunch with some people that had just gotten back from a missions trip in India.

I was listening to different people and was hearing a story. There were two buses that took our crew and another crew to get out to a place. Our crew decided to tell the best joke they’ve ever heard. When they pull up, the other group gets out and there’s tears running down their face.
It disturbed me. I couldn’t let it go. I didn’t know what to do with it. Why, on the way out to do missions, are people who are covenant members of The Village doing knock-knock jokes when the people in the other van are calling out for mercy to God?

One morning I was reading the Bible and journaling my thoughts. I had a surly professor in college who I loved and hated. He had an extreme, high expectation of you. He said, “Five years in, what’s wrong with your church is wrong with you.” I don’t know if he’s right, but the Holy Spirit said, “Remember?” I laid on the floor and sobbed because my witty, sarcastic humor had been embedded into The Village so much that on the way out to such a dark, spiritual destination, we’re doing knock-knock jokes. It devastated me. I constantly pray that God would protect the people of The Village from me.

Be the example in word, in deed, in purity, in love, in prayer. Be the example.
---------------------------
Mike commenting again...

As our church ponders the issue of eldership, this is a sobering reality. If the Lord places me in an eldership role I may face similar circumstances to what Pastor Chandler experienced. What's more, though, is that I think we can apply the same reasoning to the leadership of our families. As a father, God has already called me to that position of leadership.

As much as I love my children, there are times when I become irritated at attitudes, comments, or actions that they may do. Yet, it doesn't take long to realize that the undesirable behaviour I see in them, in most cases, is simply a parroting of what they have seen me say or do. When I discipline them, my heart is pricked that I am more or less guilty of the same thing. The circumstances may be different. I may be more mature in hiding my feelings, and in judging the appropriateness of a particular comment at a particular time. But the fact remains that there is sin in my heart that shows up in the actions of my children way too much. My prayer right now is for humility and brokenness, and that those are the things that my children would emulate in my life.

The Delight of a Father When His Children Learn to Read

Today, Paton and I finished his reading book, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.

Paton is the fifth child I have taught to read using this resource. It is phonics based. Every day Paton would hold me accountable to teaching him when I got home from work. Usually before he even said, "Hello," he'd be asking, "Daddy, can we do reading now?"

I love seeing the progress of the children as they make their way through this book. This is really the only formal reading curriculum that we give our children. After that, the assignment is to read, read, read. Brittney, my oldest daughter, has heartily embraced this assignment. She is a voracious reader. Her younger brothers Michael and Justin, and her younger sister Brianna have also made great strides in their reading since finishing this book. I remember, in 1998, a friend of mine from work asking if he could buy this book from me when I got done with it. His, then four year old, son would be needing to learn to read. I told him I didn't think I'd be done with it any time soon. Eleven years later I'm still using this book, with two more children "in the queue" before I'm done (and that's if God does not bless us with any more children). I sure hope that father bought his own copy and gave up waiting for me to get done with mine.

By teaching your child to read, you give him a wonderful gift. In reading, a child can travel to far away places where he may never actually be able to go. By reading, he can even travel back in time to relive world or American history. By picking up an old book my children can learn theology from great men of God who died hundreds of years ago. But most of all, in learning to read, a child can read the very Word of God that He has preserved for us in the Holy pages of scripture.

Each evening we read the Bible together as a family during our family worship time. Paton took his turn reading two scriptures tonight. As he improves, he'll read more and more until eventually he'll take his "normal" turn reading two scriptures at a time until our entire two chapters for the night are fulfilled. To be reminded of this blessing I need look no further than Justin, who at age seven easily reads from the Geneva Bible each night.

Paton, my son, read the Word of God. Devour it. Memorize it. Teach your own children to read it someday.

Don't Mess with the Special Olympics!

I had to smile when I read the following after I posted my blog entry on Obama's blunder earlier:

http://www.onenewsnow.com/AP/Search/US/Default.aspx?id=459670

Apparently Special Olympics participant Kolan McConiughey, who is mentally disabled, has bowled five perfect games since 2005.

I think we should have a televised competition between Mr. McConiughey and Mr. Obama. Let's see who has the last laugh.

From the article:
"The 35-year-old McConiughey has been bowling since he was 8 or 9. His advice for Obama? Practice every day."

I think the President needs to practice more than just his bowling.

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
(Jas 3:2-8)

Commander in Chief Maligns Americans With Disabilities

Some of the most special people in the world are those individuals who go through life bearing the challenge of Down Syndrome. My sister-in-law, Lori, was just such an individual. She passed away in 2002 due to cancer. She is sorely missed by her parents, her brother, my wife, my children, and myself, as well as many others whom she touched in her brief 26 years. Lori was much more like a cousin than an aunt to my children. She used to sit down at the table and color in her coloring book or draw pictures along with my three oldest. My second son, and fourth oldest child was a baby when we lost Lori, and Lori loved him.

One special memory I have with Lori is showing up to watch her run in the Special Olympics. If you've never been to such an event, I would highly recommend going. It is a day full of competition, but also full of love. It's a time when you stand and cheer the person who comes in last place and congratulate them for finishing the race. It's not uncommon to see participants stop to help a fellow competitor if they fall down. At the end of the race everyone gets hugs.

Though we are all born with a sin nature, the sin nature of precious souls who have Down Syndrome are often the same type of sin nature you observe in your toddler. Yes, they are selfish at times. They may cry on a whim, but they are some of the most loving people you will ever know.

So you can imagine my shock when I read the following news story out of the Washington Post this morning:
Click here for the story

Flippantly commenting to Jay Leno on his poor skill at bowling, President Hussein remarked, "It's like -- it was like Special Olympics, or something." How dare he insult Americans with disabilities like this?!!! To make such a trite remark shows his utter disregard for human life. It emphasizes that his pre-election comment that determining when life begins is "above his pay grade" truly reflects his core beliefs.

What more can I say? The American people have truly elected a despicable, evil person for a commander in chief. I used to think Bill Clinton was the worst modern president we've ever had. But the Democratic party has outdone themselves with this character. They are going to have to work really hard to find a lower low life than this guy next time around.

And the Winner Is...

Robert Leever of Lebanon, OR. Thanks to all who entered. Robert answered my question:

"Why do Christians need to have a firm understanding of our United States Constitution?"

He won a copy of The 2008 Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy.

Here is his well thought out reply:

Here's a bit of the passage (NIV) I used for my conclusions: Romans 13:1-71

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Of course, the dilemma in our country today is what to do when the authority is not acting according to the AUTHORITY of the land (not to mention the LAWS of nature and of nature's God). We actually live in a day where people turn their backs on the LAW thinking it is for our own good...like the law is an inconvenience to GOOD governing...

If we are honest with ourselves we see it is just the same old sin problem--us wanting to be God and have others submit to our whims instead of the other way around. So, I believe, the only way for a believing Christian (strange I have to phrase it that way) to be truly adhering to the passage from Paul, is to submit to the Constitution since it is the SUPREME law of the land. How can one do that, if he knows not what the law is? Indeed, how can one understand his freedoms without studying from whence they come? If we do not know our freedoms, we are DOOMED to loose them.

Indeed, our elections reflect this problem in a larger and more personal sense. Our government was devised by the most intellectual and God fearing men of their day. Today, our government is being "run" by the least intellectual and least God fearing people of our day. Is it any wonder when you ask the question, "What does it mean to be an American?" No grade school student can give an answer...and college students begin to quote our Nation's misdeeds...even to the point of tears and anger.

Why should we learn the Constitution? God clearly demands obedience and how can we obey Godly authority when we cannot obey earthly authority? How can we obey earthly authority if we don't learn how and what it is? Our American authority is NO single governing body or individual. It is a unique Document. Devised by the most brilliant of minds to ensure that no governing body (oligarchy) or individual (dictator/dictating king-earthly, that is) could easily take over and control this nation...indeed, it has take over 200 years for this to begin to happen...The more intriguing question is, Can we again regain what our Constitution meant? I'm hopeful, but doubtful.

2 1/2 Days Left Until Witherspoon Deadline

Thus far I've received only a few small number of entries for the Witherspoon contest. I hope that's because you all are working hard to write an excellent essay. About 2 1/2 days left to submit one. You have a great chance of winning this wonderful resource.

Win Free Witherspoon!

How would you like to add an excellent resource to your homeschool library with no cost to your family?

The 2008 Witherspoon School of Law & Public Policy is packed full of vital information that you need. Our Christian forefathers left us a godly, Constitutional government. Yet each and every day, we see our freedoms slipping away. Whether we are talking about our First Amendment right to free speech being attacked through the "Fairness Doctrine" or "hate crimes" legislation, the constant attack on our Second Amendment right to bear arms, or simply our rights as parents to lead our children according to God's principles; our adversary, the devil, and his cohorts on the political left are pulling out all the stops in trying to squash our Constitutional Republic.

It is imperative that Christian fathers and mothers be equipped to meet these attacks and have a firm understanding of the foundation on which our Constitution was built.

I am pleased to offer a free copy of this valuable resource to the man, woman, or child who best, in my own opinion, answers the following question:

"Why do Christians need to have a firm understanding of our United States Constitution?"

Please limit your response to 1500 words or less. Please email me (at mike@mikesoutherland.com) your submission no later than 11:59 PM on February 26. I will review them and post the winner by midnight on February 27. I will also post the text of the winning entry on my blog. You can either type your essay in an email, or send it as a Microsoft Word attachment. I will contact the winner directly on Februrary 27 to find out shipping information. This contest is open to U.S. residents only. If you are under 18, please get your parents' permission to enter.

Even if your entry is not selected as the winner, please consider ordering this excellent resource. You can order it here.

Reason #5742 *NOT* to Send Your Children to Government Schools

Click here to see yet another reason (out of how many now?) to keep your children out of government schools.

The Blessing of Children

Rite of Passage

Last Saturday, the work of about four years of preparation culminated in the "Rite of Passage" ceremony for my oldest son, Michael A Southerland III. He turned 13 on December 27, 2008. At the ceremony he received advice from his great-grandfather (via recorded video since "Pepaw" passed away in September), both of his grandfathers, his mother, his uncle, our provisional church elders, and of course, yours truly, his father.

I charged Michael with the responsibility of preparing to undertake the three roles that a man should fill while leading his family. Mirroring directly from the example of our Lord toward His Church, these roles are those of a prophet, priest, and king. Michael received a gift corresponding to each of the roles for which he was charged.

For the role of Prophet, I charged Michael with the following responsibilities:
- Speak Vision Into Your Family
- Hold Yourself to the Highest Standard of Ethics
- Bridle Your Tongue
- Never Stop Learning
- Know "What You Want to Be When You Grow Up"
- Use Civil Disobedience Appropriately
- Seek a Godly Wife
- Encourage Your Wife and Children
- Be Consistent With Discipline
- Direct Your Family's Ministry
- Realize the Blessing of Children



After charging him with these responsibilities and getting an affirmative answer from him, I presented him with a copy of Charges for a Southerland Son. This leatherbound book represents many, many hours of labor in writing down my charges and thoughts to him. I intend for him to keep it updated in subsequent editions in order to pass down the message to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

For the role of Priest, I charged Michael with the following responsibilities:
- Intercede on Behalf of Your Family
- Be Cautious of Charismatic Gifts
- Teach the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith
- Teach the Five Points of Calvinism
- Teach the Five Solas of the Reformation
- Catechize Your Children


After charging him with these responsibilities and receiving an affirmative answer, I presented him with a leatherbound copy of the Geneva Bible in a family Bible edition. This is the Bible used by the Reformers and the Pilgrims. This particular Bible has room to record his family tree information.







For the role of King I charged Michael with the following responsibilities:
- Defend Your Family
- Be a Good Steward of Resources Entrusted to You
- Walk With Honor
- Be Sober Minded
- Be a Leader
- Make or Influence Public Policy
- Guard Your Time
- Guard Your Family's Purity


















After charging him with these responsibilities and receiving an affirmative answer, I presented him with a Scottish Highland Claymore sword encased in a custom made leather scabbard adorned with our family crest and inlaid with our Southerland (Sutherland) tartan.

I have so many people to thank that helped bring this project to fruition. Some I have personal relationships with. Some I have met. Some I haven't. Some only through e-mail. First and foremost, I thank the Lord Jesus Christ. Without Him, this is all meaningless. Next, my bride and Michael's mother, Sheri. She has supported me throughout all this. The other list of credits include my brother Jason who originally planted this thought in my head; my parents for laying a Christian foundation for me on which to build; Doug Phillips and Geoff Botkin for their visionary messages on fathers leading their families; Phil Lancaster for his book, Family Man, Family Leader from which I pulled the whole concept of a man serving as Prophet, Priest, and King like our Lord; Scott Brown for his counsel on what traits should be found in a young man from the perspective of a father evaluating a suitor for his daughter; Russ Ellis, of Tritonworks, the artisan that gave me advice on where to order the sword and did an excellent job of crafting a custom made scabbard for it.



My goal is that this will not die in my generation. I plan to do these ceremonies for each of my sons (and similar, though not exact, celebrations for my daughters). They are to charge their sons as well. This should be kept up ad infinitum throughout the generations. Yet, I will be satisfied if it at least propagates through 200 years. That is the vision, sons. Now let's make it happen with God's help.

End of the Year Sale!

From now until December 31, save on over 250 items from Vision Forum!

Raising a Mighty Man of God

This Saturday, my oldest son Michael will turn 13. In light of this event, I highly recommend this sermon by Kevin Swanson. Swanson nails several of the convictions that I have for Michael. A lot of what he says is what was on my mind in thinking of various goals that I have for my sons. If you are a friend or family member reading this, and you'd like a better idea of my thoughts toward raising sons, I'd encourage you to click through and listen to Kevin Swanson's thoughts on the subject.



SermonAudio has proven itself to be an excellent resource for solid Christian teaching. The link to this particular message is as follows:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=62006154842

Lose Your Job, Kill Your Baby...So Sad

In a disturbing article I read this morning, it seems as though Planned Parenthood is getting a surge of new business. If this is true, then it is truly despicable, but believable in this wicked society in which we live.

The Bible calls children a blessing. A family with many children is truly wealthy. Though in our society that wealth is often seen in heritage and non-monetary ways, I believe that God intends for children to bring financial wealth to a family as well. I know several families who work together on their farms or family businesses. Many hands make light work.

So, if God provendentially removes your job, don't cut off His blessings. Rather, find a way to work beside the children He has given you and rejoice that He is sending another helping hand into your fold. Those are my long term plans that could be shortened anytime God wills it. Remember that He is in control and, if you belong to Him, He works all things in your life for good.

Play Kitchen Tries to Teach my Daughter to Swear!

This past Thursday we had a great time as a family. We give our children gifts on Thanksgiving instead of "Christ-mass." (But that's a topic for a whole other blog post.) All the boys except for our one year old got tools. These aren't toys, but "real man" tools. So, they spent most of the day on Friday hammering and sawing into a 2 x 4 I bought them to go along with it. We gave my oldest daughter a book set as reading is one of her favorite things to do. I spent a couple of hours on Saturday working with my second oldest daughter on the doll house we got her. It looks like it may be quite a project, but it'll be some good time together. Oh, and the baby boy got a cloth book that he can stuff in his mouth to his heart's delight without us having to worry about him actually eating it (like all the other books). But the subject of this blog post is the gift we gave our youngest daughter. One of the best gifts we gave our oldest daughter when she was about 2 or 3 was a play kitchen. Little girls love to put the plastic food in bowls and in the skillet and play like they are cooking like Mommy. Brittney's kitchen lasted for years until we finally broke down and threw it away earlier this year. It had gotten really dirty and had been relegated to the back yard rather than the girls' bedroom. So, my wife and I took the opportunity this Thanksgiving to get our almost 3 year old a new play kitchen. We had a hard time selecting it. I liked the wooden ones, but they were quite a bit more expensive than the plastic ones. Plus, the one that Brittney enjoyed so much was plastic. So, we finally decided on the Little Tikes Cook 'N Learn Interactive Kitchen. On the side of the box it advertised that it would make sounds and tell your child, "Good job!" This certainly wasn't a selling point for me. Who of you has a "real" kitchen that talks to you? Hmm...maybe your microwave is fancy and will tell you "Food's done!" or something...but even then I bet this is pretty rare. I know our kitchen never talks back to us. Well, my objective was to get something that didn't look like it would fall apart in a week, but was still reasonably priced. So, we bought it in spite of, rather than because of, the "interactive" feature. After a struggle of about an hour putting it together (there's at least one design flaw that I found!), we were ready for my little girl to start playing with it. I was going to just leave the batteries out of it, but after persuasion from family I succumbed and brought the beast to life with 3 AA batteries. I must admit the first minute or two was pretty neat. The little play egg "sizzles" when you put it in the frying pan on the burner. (OK...so our real kitchen doesn't talk...but it does sizzle from time to time! :-) ) But then the talking started. I didn't hear anything harmful at first, so (here's my mistake) I left her to her play while I focused my attention on another child. Within a few minutes my wife noticed that the kitchen seemed to complain of work stating something like, "If I have to work I'll go berserk!" or something to that effect. OK. Strike one. But it didn't stir me enough to go shut it down based on just that. But, the last straw happened just a short while later. My oldest son comes in and tells me, "Daddy. The kitchen just said, 'I swear!'" Well, that's a no-no in our family. There are scriptural examples of swearing, but to do it flippantly is obviously wrong.

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
(Mat 5:34-37)

Yet, this arrogant little kitchen decides that it knows better than me what to teach my daughter. (Or more accurately, the big whigs at Little Tikes think they know better than parents what to teach children.) I went into the room and had my son show me how to make it say the offending language. The kitchen has this thing about rhyming. The "berserk" rhymed with work. So this phrase went something like, "I swear, it's a pear!" At that point, the batteries came out and haven't been back in. Now, some people think I'm extreme or overreacting on this, but I am determined not to have my little girl running around the house repeating "I swear!" to her brothers and sisters.

So here's the plan...we spent $79.99 on this "tutor." I think I'll take the silly thing apart, package it back in the box and take it back. Then I'll fork over another $40 to buy the wooden kitchen that doesn't "say" anything. Better yet, maybe I can get those boys with the new tools to make her one! :-)

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I was very excited when I learned that I could be an affiliate and promote their God honoring and family friendly books and products on my own website. From time to time I will post a special in one of these blog entries. You may have seen these links.

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- Mike

A Manly Man Has Fallen

This past Lord's Day, my grandfather, Malcom Alex Southerland went home to be with Jesus. He was "Pepaw" to his four grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Pepaw lived a life of bravery and fortitude. He served our country valiantly in the U.S. Navy in World War II. After returning home from the war he went to work for the Dallas Police Department. He served as an officer for 38 years before retiring. For as long as I can remember, until the very end of his life when he was physically unable to do so, he ran his small farm during his free time, raising cattle and growing hay primarily. Pepaw was born May 11, 1919. He was 89 years old.

Pepaw was an excellent example of manliness. In an age of ever increasingly effeminate men, Pepaw stood tall as a man who lived a man's life. Yet, he was tender to his wife, children, and grandchildren. I heard tales how he would come home after walking the beat and confronting criminals, and rock my father to sleep when he was a crying baby.

When I totaled his car as a 16 year old boy, his only concern was, "Are you OK?" Cars could be replaced, but he knew his family was paramount. He showed the same attitude when my brother drove the farm truck through the gate. No big deal. Gates, fences, and trucks can be fixed. His concern was for his grandchildren.

I remember the many mornings when I would wake up at his house while staying there as a boy. He'd have fried potatoes and bacon cooking on the stove. Sometimes it was even round steak for breakfast! It was usually the smell that woke me up. The sun would shine in the sliding glass door that overlooked the field of cattle in his back yard.

Pepaw will be missed. He was the last grandparent that Sheri and I had. I will always remember him as a very strong man with a very tender heart. It is those qualities of his that I wish to emulate in my life.

Family Reunited

Praise be to God who works all things according to the council of His
will! I am nearing the end of my second week away from my family as I
am working several hours away from them in Texas. God's heart is for
husbands and wives, fathers and children to live together, not apart.
It appears that God is making a way not only to be reunited with my
family, but also a way to remain in the Church where He has placed us.
I'm being deliberately vague until such time as things are finalized,
but suffice it to say that He is answering prayer and rescuing me out
of my own unwise decision that I made several months ago.

I believe that God had a purpose for the circumstances in which I
found myself over these past few months. But I also thank Him that it
is not a permanent arrangement and that restoration is right around
the corner.

Perhaps then, I can concentrate on bringing FatherToFather.net online.
No, I haven't forgotten it. But in the everyday bustle of what's
been going on in our lives, it has not received the attention it
deserves. Stay tuned. God is working…

God, Give Us Men for Sons

This weekend my two oldest sons and I are heading out to Colorado to participate in Vision Forum’s Father Son Conference.

Earlier this year I took my oldest daughters to the Father Daughter Conference. We had a great time and our relationships were strengthened. I pray the same will be the case for this conference as well.

Our culture is overflowing with immature boys who are encouraged in their immature foolish behaviour by media and peer groups. Vision Forum is a wonderful exception to this rule. They understand that a boy is distinctly different from a girl. There needs to be physical activity and times for boys to be loud. Yet there are also times of seriousness. As parents we are raising men and women for the glory of God. They start out as boys and girls, but maturity is our goal.

My prayer for us for this conference is that God would really strengthen the relationships I have with my sons. I pray that He would bring a new level of maturity to my oldest son as he approaches his 13th birthday this year. Boys are great, but I really desire to have men for sons. I want to raise godly men who can intelligently carry on a conversation regarding doctrine, politics, and family issues. I want men who desire to lead a family. I want men with whom I can work alongside once I break free from the chains of corporate America. I want godly, Christian men for sons that I can have serious conversation with on the scriptures. I want men who will read their Bibles and other works by godly authors and challenge me in my own life as I lead my own family with the help of God to the best of my ability.

God, give us men for sons. Let the world keep their immature, effeminate fools. I desire men of God to train for His service.

Is There No Hope?

My lovely wife read my blog article yesterday and advised me, "You've left them no hope."

In a way, that is true. When a nation defiantly shakes its fist in the face of God, trampling under foot the spiritual heritage He has given them, they can not long endure. One only need to read of the judgment of God toward a rebellious Israel. Thoughout the scriptures God judged His people. It was a big cycle. God's people would turn away from him. Their sin would become exceedingly great. God would judge them. They would realise the error of their way and repent. God would turn His heart back toward them. Then God's people would walk in His ways, for a while. Then the cycle would continue as they once again turn away from His precepts.

In thinking back on the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, a couple of thoughts come to mind. God was willing to save both cities if (ultimately through Abraham's pleading) only 10 righteous were found in the city. Now, I'm not sure what the population of Sodom and Gomorrah was, but I'm pretty sure that it was much smaller than the entire population of the state of California. If God's mercy was a matter of percentages, then it is likely we need a lot more than just 10 righteous in that state in order to appease God's wrath. There is one big fallacy in this view, however. Our mediator is much greater than Sodom's mediator was. Christ is our high priest. He is entirely God and entirely man. Abraham had a sinful nature that he inherited from Adam. Christ did not.

So, the answer to the quandry and the doom and gloom I left you with yesterday is found in the very same chapter of Romans.

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
-- Romans 3:22-26

So then, while there is none righteous, no not one, we can, by faith, apply the righteousness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to our account. Stop and let that soak in for a minute. Though born a vile and wretched sinner, I can be counted righteous in the eyes of God. This is possible only through faith in the blood of Christ.

I believe that it is solely due to the remnant of God's people, that He has scattered throughout this country, that this nation avoids catestrophic judgment. Don't be fooled. You may see a church on every corner, but only a tiny remnant can truly be called "God's people." You will not find God's people among the "ministers" performing sodomite marriages. You will not find them among the "Easter and Christmas" only crowd. God's people seek His face daily. They walk in His ways.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
-- Luke 9:23

Friend, turn to Him today. Deny yourself and take up your cross daily, and follow Him. It may well be that either:

1) You will be counted among the righteous so that the nation can be saved from the impending doom of judgment

...or...

2) God may provide a way of escape for you and your household, as he did for Lot, when the judgment comes.

Spitting in the Face of God

But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
-- Genesis 13:13

But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
-- Genesis 19:4-7

Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
-- Genesis 19:24-25

Today at 5:00 PM Pacific time, California will become the second state in the nation to legalize same-sex “marriage.” Adding to this madness is the fact that this was done in direct violation to the will of the people. Proposition 22 was passed by a 61.4% majority of the people in 2000 which explicitly defines the union of a man and a woman as the only valid or recognizable form of marriage in the State of California. Yet, through today’s renegade judicial activism, sodomites will be lining up to “exchange vows.” Californians will have to wait until the November elections to vote for an amendment to their constitution to try and undo the damage.

I’ve heard it said, As California goes, so goes the nation. As we stand by and watch our falling dollar, ask yourself if maybe this is just the beginning of God’s judgment on America. Abraham interceded on behalf of the people in the following conversation with God:

And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.
-- Genesis 18:23-32

Now read the sobering truth:

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
-- Romans 3:10

God help us.

FatherToFather.net

It's with great pleasure that I announce to you the "pre-launch" of FatherToFather.net. The Lord has laid it on my heart to offer encouragement to other Christian fathers out there trying, in spite of all the challenges the world throws their way, to raise a godly family.

It is by God's grace alone that I can ever hope to offer encouragement in this area, as I continue to learn so much myself in my journey as a father.

In the next few weeks I will be starting up a newsletter that I will send out on a weekly basis. There are still a few loose ends I need to tie up before I make this happen. But I am looking forward to it with eager anticipation, even as I work toward that end. I will continue to post articles out here as well, but the focus of the other site will be specific ministry to fathers.

An Unprofitable Servant

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
(Luk 17:10)

In each of the commentaries on this verse that I have consulted, there appears to be a common theme. We are "unprofitable" servants because even our best efforts are intermingled with error. We have no righteousness of our own. Everything that we have is due solely to God's working in us.

Now, I will not dispute the godly teachers of the past. Surely men such as John Gill and Matthew Henry spent many more hours in the Word of God than me. Yet, when I approach this passage, I must ask myself if this is just yet another passage speaking to the total depravity of man? Is it just one more reference that proves our inadequacy? Maybe. But what I read here is that a servant *has* successfully done his duty. Yet, he is still found lacking. He is described as "unprofitable."

Could it be that the servant is called unprofitable because he has done the bare minimum of his duty? Consider the following instruction of our Lord:

And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
(Mat 5:40-41)

In this passage, wouldn't the "duty" described be the bare minimum? Duty would dictate that you give up the coat that has been judged against you. But duty does not require the giving away of the cloke. Duty requires us to "go a mile." Yet going "twain" is above and beyond the call of duty.

I was listening to Geoff Botkin present a message from the 200 Year Plan Practicum. In it, he was relating the comparison of the army of Christ with an earthly military army. He was talking about ranks of privates, corporals, sergeants, captains, colonels, and generals. He stressed that being a private in Christ's army is not a bad thing. In an earthly military, we absolutely need the efforts of privates. There is honor in serving as a private. Yet, if the entire army is made up of privates, something is terribly wrong. There needs to be those who will rise above the ranks of private both in earthly armies, as well as Christ's army.

Mr. Botkin did not bring up the scripture from Luke 17:10, but I could not help but think of it while he was presenting. If all we ever do is just our bare minimum duty, which, by the way, includes daily Bible reading, prayer, homeschooling, family worship, and releasing control of the womb to the Lord, then we will never rise in the ranks to the officer status that the Lord needs in His army. The duties I mentioned above are vital. Sadly many Christians do not even strive to maintain these "minimum" standards. Indeed, observing someone doing these things is most often a rarity in today's depraved times in which we live. Yet, I agree with Mr. Botkin, that greater efforts need to be done. Bravery in the midst of battle should be apparent. God is calling men to be leaders who can make quick, wise decisions while engulfed in the thick of the battle.

If a young man comes desiring to court our daughters, and all he can claim is that he consistently reads his Bible, prays, desires to homeschool, desires to lead in family worship, and believes in having many children for the glory of God, is that really "enough" qualification to release our daughters into his care? If you have set yourself on having your daughters marry a "private" in Christ's army, then maybe it is "good enough." Yet, for those of us who desire leadership qualities, for those who have a clear vision and passion for the next 200 years, we will not hand our daughters over to someone who is an unprofitable servant that has simply done what was their duty to do.

Men, this is a challenge to you. This is a challenge to me. The answer is not to simply hold off in giving away our daughters until an officer in Christ's army comes to court. The answer is also that we must rise in the ranks ourselves, and we must raise sons who do likewise. In listening to Mr. Botkin's message, I realized that what he is describing is a range of ranks. In my own self assessment, I feel that I am above the rank of private. Yet, that same self assessment shows me that I have much, much further to go before advancing to the ranks of the upper leadership. And yet, that is my desire. I can think of no other purpose in living than in living a life that is constantly desiring the deeper, greater things of God. I take seriously our Lord's great commission:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(Mat 28:19-20)

So, if we see that being unprofitable is simply doing our duty, what things in scripture are described as "profitable?"
Consider:

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
(Tit 3:8)

Hmm... Are good works "profitable?" The scripture declares that they are profitable. But they are profitable unto men. It's a good thing to do things that are profitable unto men. The Lord has told us that we are to treat one another with kindness. Yet, my greater desire is to be profitable unto God.

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
(1Ti 4:8)

Godliness is profitable unto all things. True godliness cannot be faked. Godliness is not simply a matter of performing a check list of duties that bring us to a rank of private in Christ's army. I submit to you that godliness is the trait that God is looking for in His officers. This is not something we drum up within ourselves. It is God who imparts it. Yet, we are responsible to be willing vessels. We cannot hope to walk in godliness while harboring habitual sin. We all fail. But what does our heart look like after we fail? David was king. He certainly failed on more than one occasion. But when he did, his heart was sincerely grieved that He had sinned against His Lord. His repentance was deep and meaningful. And we are told that David was a man after God's own heart.

Buried With Him By Baptism

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:

that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
(Rom 6:4)

I had the great pleasure last Lord's Day (May 25, 2008) of baptizing my second son and fourth child, Justin Thomas Southerland. Afterward he participated in the Lord's Table for the first time in the meeting of the Church.

The Lord implores us in Matthew 28:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(Mat 28:19-20)

I believe that our children are the easiest ones to teach "to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Yes, we are told to go and teach the nations. But I believe that it must start at home and eminate out from there. Don't try to save the world while losing your children. Fathers, they are your first and foremost "congregation." Be faithful with the little flock He has given you, and He will entrust you with ministry to others He has called into His Kingdom.

Chuck Baldwin for President!

Are you feeling, like I am, that there are no good choices for president when viewing the top contenders of the Republican and the Democratic parties?

If there were ever a time when the American people are poised to choose between the lesser of two (three?) evils, it is now.

On the Democratic side, we have an ultra liberal woman who wants to slaughter even more babies through abortion than are being killed today. She wants to force a nationalized health care plan on us. She is anti-family, believing that it "takes a village" to raise a child. How anyone could vote for her is beyond me.

On the other hand, the Democrats offer to us a Muslim, masquerading as a Church of Christ Christian. Remember the old Sesame Street tune, "Which of things is not like the other? Which of these things just doesn't belong?" Consider these presidential names: Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Obama. Wait...Obama? How different is that from Osama? And it's not just his name that faults him. He's on the same boat as Hillary when it comes to slaughtering unborn children and shoving a national health care plan down our throats.

So...what choice does the Republican party give us? John McCain. The very same McCain whose name stood alongside Russell Feingold on the McCain-Feingold Act of 2002. This is a slam on the First Amendment rights of all Americans. Like his Democratic cohorts, McCain is no friend to unborn children. While slightly less vitriolic on the subject as compared to Hillary or Obama, his voting record has been much less than perfect on this very important issue. Yet, the only thing McCain has going for him is that the Democratic choices are so evil, that he is clearly the lesser of the three evils that are in the front running position.

Thankfully, we don't have to choose between the absolutely evil Democrats or the slightly less evil Republicans. We can vote for real change in our country. The Constitution Party has nominated Chuck Baldwin as its candidate for president. Listen to his acceptance speech and I think you'll agree that he is the right man for the job. All others represent God's judgement on our country.

Father Daughter Conference 2008

My two oldest daughters and I leave tomorrow morning for the Father Daughter Conference in Pine Mountain, GA. We are really looking forward to it! We'll try to post an update while we are there, but I wanted to squeeze in this announcement in the midst of us getting ready to go.

Here's a link for more information:
http://www.visionforumministries.org/events/fdr/006/

Be Sober Minded

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
(Tit 2:1-2)

Oh this is an important topic! There are so many men in our culture that have no idea what it means to be serious and wise. Our culture glorifies the man who is constantly joking and acting like a fool. I believe our culture idolizes that kind of man, because it is the polar opposite of what the scripture lays out what a man of God should look like.

There is a time for levity. There is nothing wrong with smiling or laughing. In fact, the scriptures implore us:

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
(Pro 15:13)

However, if you are known as a man who is always joking; if you have a reputation for never being serious; if you are generally known as the “life of the party;” then I urge you to take caution! Such men may be popular in our culture, but they lack the fortitude to keep their faith through the difficult times.

Look back in history. Note the truly great men. Was George Washington a prankster and a joker? A quick read through his Rules of Civility (which he authored sometime before his 16th birthday) will answer this question promptly. His rule number 19 reads:

Let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave.

Washington implores us in rule 47:
Mock not nor Jest at any thing of Importance break no Jest that are Sharp Biting and if you Deliver any thing witty and Pleasent abstain from Laughing there at yourself.

Number 108 reads: (eighteenth century spelling preserved)
When you Speak of God or his Atributes, let it be Seriously & wt. Reverence. Honour & Obey your Natural Parents altho they be Poor.

It is clearly seen that George Washington was a sober minded man. I believe that if you were to research them, you would find similar characteristics in other great leaders, both secular and in the church. Consider Jonathan Edwards, John Calvin, John Knox, Charles Spurgeon, A.W. Pink, Martin Luther, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson. The list goes on and on.

So, joke if you must, sparingly, but please do not lack for serious minded discussion as a typical rule of life.

Scrimmage Game 2008

There's a time in high school football when there are two groups of players contending for separate goals, yet regardless of the score at the end of the game, the home team is always the winner. Sometimes one side may be a little better than the other. But in the end, it doesn't really matter who wins. This particular game makes no difference in the team's season record. The type of game I'm referring to is that of a "scrimmage." For those of you familiar with high school football, this isn't a difficult concept. It's simply the same team, splitting their players into separate groups, and playing each other for practice. While there may be a bit of competition going on, the guy across the line from you is your buddy. You'll both be fighting for the same goals when it really matters. In fact, sometimes these scrimmage games can determine who the "starters" are. So, yes, there's a competition there, but when all is said and done, both of these groups form the same team.

So it is in today's presidential race. When I look at the slate of candidates, by and large, they all support the same things, whether they are Republican or Democrat. Some talk a different talk. Some "change their minds" where they stand on such important issues like abortion (i.e. Mitt Romney) when it seems politically expedient to do so. But by and large a vote for any of these tricksters is going to be a vote for four more years of "status quo." That's an optimistic attitude. The pessimist side of me is concerned that the status quo will not improve, but degrade—regardless of who wins the presidency. On the issue of abortion, we see that after eight years of the Bush presidency, a baby can still be killed through all nine months of pregnancy for any reason whatsoever, despite the rhetoric concerning the Partial Birth Abortion Ban. This is utterly unacceptable, considering he had a Republican Congress and Senate for half of that time. On the issue of sodomy, we see that President Bush has appointed far more sodomites to high ranking government positions and ambassadorships than President Clinton ever did. Likewise, under Bush's watch, we've seen sodomite "marriage" or "domestic partnerships" flourish in several states. Those are just a few of the social issues. On the financial side, we've seen Republicans raise taxes and increase spending just like the Democrats have done…repeatedly. Sure, Bush gave us some needed income tax cuts. But he didn't decrease government spending, but rather increased it. I'm only picking on President Bush and the Republicans because they have made themselves out to be the friend of conservatives. Yet, from what I've observed, I'd be hard pressed to say they were conservative by looking at their actions. It goes without saying that the Democrats are no saints themselves.

So, what do we do about it? There are only two candidates currently for whom I'd consider casting my vote. These candidates are Rep. Ron Paul and Gov. Mike Huckabee. Of the two, I perceive Rep. Paul to be a better agent in producing real change, though I tend to think Gov. Huckabee's position on abortion and sodomy are stronger. Short of either of these two winning the Republican primary, I think the general election is going to simply be a "scrimmage" game where no matter who wins it's the "bad guys" who'll be in power.