Radical
Dan Kunz
Not too long ago, I heard someone use the expression, “Radical humility.” I’m not sure of the context, but that certainly could be a description of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as he came to earth and lived out thirty-plus years as a human being. We really have no way of grasping the full impact of being the Creator, and then willingly becoming part of the creation. From his birth in a “barn” to his execution as a criminal, Jesus’ life was one of radical humility.
Anyone familiar with the 1960’s in our country, understands the significance of the term “radical”. Blowing up a research facility to protest a war, robbing banks to fund a movement to make the world a better place, and using psychedelics to “free” your mind are just a few of the radical ideas of that time in American history. It seems kind of crazy, doesn’t it? The same might be said of Jesus’ brand of humility. The king of the universe sleeping in a stinky, slobbery animal trough. The framer of the Ten Commandments willingly obeying his parents’ wishes. The judge of all mankind tried and convicted by a kangaroo court. Who would willingly go through that? His brand of humility is so far outside the box, it’s not even on the same page. You couldn’t even see it with binoculars! It was truly radical.
In our ever self-promoting world, such radical humility seems impossible and yet, what better way to reflect the grace which God himself has shown us? His grace is also radical. It’s beyond comprehension, really. Our Heavenly Father shows love, not just to the undeserving, but to those who hate him, disobey him, and want nothing to do with him. Radical love should prompt radical humility on our part. When we put others’ wants and needs ahead of our own, we are truly imitating Jesus. Out of absolute love, “God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” II Corinthians 5:21 Pastor Mike Novotny, of Time of Grace, has distilled radical humility into the phrase, “You first.” To much of the world, that’s a truly radical concept!
How do you know if you’re practicing radical humility? You could ask someone who knows you well and is willing to be honest, such as your parents, your children, or your spouse. You can do an occasional “checkup” of your interaction with others. For example, at the end of the workday you can ask yourself if you could have handled this situation or that with more humility. You can devise a plan of action in advance and ask, “How would Jesus approach this”? “Mindfulness” is a popular topic nowadays. Being mindful of your mood, feelings, and thoughts is important, but being mindful of your impact on others is equally important. Does your humility reflect your Savior’s humility and lead others to him?
No matter the situation or circumstances, radical humility is always a good character trait and one which we can learn from Jesus himself!
Through Their Eyes
Dan Kunz
Our six-year-old grandson is a kindergartener at a Christian Academy in the Twin Cities. Recently, he had the amazing experience of joining with his schoolmates from kindergarten through 3rd grade, in singing the national anthem at a Minnesota Twins game! Unfortunately, my wife and I were not able to attend the big event, but we were able to Face Time with the “star” that evening. He was super excited about the big day! I asked him what the best part of the day was. Of course, I expected him to say that singing The Star-Spangled Banner was the best. I also expected the size of the stadium and the crowd to be awesome to a six-year-old. I was wrong on both counts! The absolute best part of singing the national anthem at a major league baseball game? “I got to have red Gatorade, chips, and ice cream,” was the answer. Riding on a school bus to and from the game was a close second. How often we forget how life looks through the eyes of a child! The wonder, curiosity, and joy with which children observe the world around them is a source of delight. Oh, to be that age again!
Jesus truly loved little children and, I’m sure, appreciated their simple faith, their unfiltered view of life, and their complete reliance on the adults in their lives. When some parents tried to bring their children to Jesus to be blessed by him, the disciples wanted to hustle them away. God’s Word doesn’t go into detail, but perhaps they were thinking Jesus had “more important things to do”. Jesus himself straightens out the disciples’ perspective. Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Clearly, Jesus loves children and leaves no doubt children are a very important part of his kingdom. Earlier, he also touched on why it’s so important that we all need to remember to view life (and Jesus) through the eyes of a child. Matthew 18:3 And he said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” What aspect of a child’s perspective should we emulate? Simple faith - no question, no worry, no fear.
Over the years, our family drove across the state of Wisconsin many, many times to visit my parents and relatives. I don’t remember a single time when one of our four daughters asked me to slow down or even cast a nervous glance at the speedometer when roads were slippery or wet. They never warned me of an upcoming curve in the road or another vehicle approaching from a side road. No questions arose about maps, or road construction, or anything else which would jeopardize the trip or their safety. Instead, they played with their dolls, read books, or pestered each other. Complete trust comes easily to little children.
Are there any lessons to be learned from children? Absolutely! We, as adult Christians, can learn a lot from them. Stop. View things from the perspective of a child. Appreciate the little things which God provides every day. Wonder at the majesty and magnificence of creation. Love unconditionally. Trust the plans which God has put in place for your salvation through Jesus Christ. Sit in the back seat and enjoy the ride. When God pulls up with the bus, we’ll get to the destination. Who knows? God may even have red Gatorade, chips, and ice cream when we get there!
Bluebirds and People
Dan Kunz
A number of years ago, a friend of mine got me into the hobby of monitoring bluebird nests. Back in the 1960’s, bluebirds (along with bald eagles and quite a few other bird species) were in danger because of the insecticide DDT. Although it was a boon to farmers and others because it drastically cut down on insect pests, it also got into the bloodstream of birds and caused them to lay eggs that were exceptionally fragile or not viable – no reproduction endangers the whole species. After DDT was banned, people began to monitor bird populations and thus the birth of the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin. It’s a fun hobby and is very easy to do. Our property has eight bluebird houses and they are constructed in such a way that the side of the house can be opened to access the nest and its contents. Once per week I open the houses to check for eggs or hatchlings. (Bluebirds are very tolerant and don’t really mind an occasional intrusion into their space.)
We’ve probably all seen hatchlings or chicks with their eyes closed and mouths wide open, waiting for mom or dad to drop food down their gullet. This is the interesting thing about bluebirds. When I open their house, whether they’re recently hatched or ready to leave home, they simply sit quietly with their mouths closed and their beady eyes staring at me. When mom arrives, however, their necks stretch out and their mouths come wide open. They know the difference and I assume it’s a self-protection reaction.
It reminds me of the reaction of people when new information comes their way. Some people are ready to “swallow” anything that comes their way, while others are much more cautious about what’s being “fed them”. As Christians we need to be cautious about what information or ideas we “ingest” and what we reject, especially when it comes to Jesus Christ and our eternal salvation. I John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. A number of examples reveal the dangers of too readily accepting what is being offered.
Our current society pays a great deal of homage to “the truth”. The problem is that “truth” is a relative term in most people’s eyes. They talk about “my” truth and “your” truth. We know, of course, God doesn’t operate that way. John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth. The Devil is a liar and the father of it. God is just the opposite. We need to test statements, information, and opinions to see if they line up with God’s truth. Then and only then, can we accept what our society is selling.
One of our daughters’ teachers would purposely tell his class things which weren’t true. He did this to see if they were paying attention and to train them to be wise consumers. (Thank you, Mr. Gustafson!) Just as his class learned those valuable lessons, we, too, should pay attention and be wise consumers. We know not all religious leaders, tele-evangelists, and preachers are providing us with the “pure milk of the Gospel”. Questioning someone for clarification is not a bad thing. It’s how we can learn.
The most fledglings we’ve ever had in one summer was fifty-four. Perhaps this summer will provide more. Seeing those beautiful blue little bundles of feathers flitting around our property is a joy and it’s all because they ate the right food provided by a reliable source. May the same be said for us!
Mother's Day
Dan Kunz
Happy Mother’s Day! Mother's Day was first celebrated in the United States on May 10, 1908. It came about because of the efforts of Anna Jarvis. According to Wikipedia, her mother, Ann Jarvis, organized a committee in 1868, to establish a special day “to reunite families that had been divided during the Civil War.” Jarvis had the heart of a servant and worked tirelessly during the war to improve sanitation and health for soldier encampments during a typhoid outbreak. Although she never saw mothers honored nationally during her life, Ann’s daughter fulfilled her mother’s wishes just a few years after her death.
The history of this special day points out many of the reasons we celebrate it. Uniting families is, perhaps, the most important task which moms can perform. Whether it’s reminding siblings of upcoming birthdays or being the arbiter of fights and disagreements, our mothers try their best to keep families “on the same page”. Mothers model for us what it means to serve others with no thought for recognition or repayment. Making beds, packing lunches, nursing the sick, acting as chauffeur, and scrubbing the floor are just of few of the services which moms perform day after day, month after month, year after year. Even honoring those who came before us is part of a mom’s opportunity to impact us. My own mom and grandmother always took me along to the cemetery every year to place flowers and plants on the graves of deceased relatives, just before Memorial Day. I learned early it was a good thing to do.
Speaking of relatives, a special group of mothers deserves mention on Mother’s Day. Both my grandmother and my wife’s grandmother were “single moms”. They were both widows who had to raise children by themselves. Whether it’s through death or divorce, single mothers deserve our admiration, our support, and, if necessary, our help. They are, literally, doing the job of two people. Let them know you appreciate the difficult situation they’re in and offer whatever support they might need. Even attending church can be challenging because of the many “intact families”. It may be a reminder that something is missing.
Of course the most important reason for celebrating Mother’s Day is if we have the blessing of a Christian mom. If someone grows up as a Christian, it’s most likely because of the efforts of that person’s mother. Not to diminish the role of a faithful father, but many times Mom sees to it that Bible stories and prayers are part of the bedtime ritual. Mom makes sure that we’re signed up for Vacation Bible School or Sunday School. Mom won’t let us linger in bed on Sunday morning. The ways which a Christian mother impacts the growing faith of her child leaves a lasting impression.
God bless you, moms. This day’s for you! Proverbs 31:25-27 “Strength and honor are her clothing; she is confident about the future. Her mouth is full of wisdom; kindly teaching is on her tongue. She is vigilant over the activities of her household; she doesn’t eat the food of laziness.”
What’s Your Cause?
Dan Kunz
The tension on college campuses is mounting on an almost daily basis because of the war in Gaza. Protesters are becoming more and more vocal and more and more vehement in their condemnation of Israel and concern for the Palestinian people. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that the war or the protests will be over any time soon.
Why are so many young people across the country becoming involved? At least part of the reason is as old as civilization itself. Everybody wants to feel as if they are making a difference in the world. This is especially true of people who are not “spiritual”. As Christians you and I know the reason we’re here – to glorify God, to spread the Gospel, and to make a positive impact on the lives of other peosple. For people who don’t have a “God connection”, they’re missing the first two reasons. This explains their need to make a difference in the world. They want to know their life means something. Again, you and I know our lives mean enough to God that he sent his own Son into the world to redeem us and make us his own. We have value in God’s eyes and that’s all that really matters.
Of course, latching onto a “cause” is nothing new. Just last Monday the United States celebrated the anniversary of the very first Earth Day, back in 1970. The purpose of Earth Day was to raise awareness of our need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations. The movement gave rise to all sorts of “green” organizations over the years and more recently the “climate change” supporters. We could spend lots of time debating the negative impact which man has on the planet, but I’m not sure we can improve on God’s original command to Adam and Eve. Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion of the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. The key words are “subdue” and “dominion”. The first implies control and the second implies rule over. Neither of them implies destroy, waste, or obliterate. Certainly, God wanted Adam and Eve to make use of what he had given them, but he also wanted them to take care of it. One planet for two people isn’t bad. One planet for 8,000,000,000 people is a little different. We know God, ultimately, has everything under control, but we also know he has given us the intelligence, skills, and compassion to be good stewards of the home he’s given us.
In 1955 the treatment of an African American woman, Rosa Parks, on a Mongomery, Alabama bus, sparked the Civil Rights Movement. In the 1960’s, the War in Vietnam, complete with campus unrest and the “occupation” of campus buildings, was the cause for which many college-aged Americans protested. Another cause of the time was the plight of many native American people, bringing the founding of the American Indian Movement or AIM. In the fall of 2011, the cause of economic inequality brought Occupy Wall Street. The death of George Floyd in May of 2020 focused our attention on racial injustice in cities throughout the United States. Our country was actually founded on the cause of independence from Great Britain and the First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees our right to speak out for the causes about which we feel strongly.
Although not all causes evoke the same empathy or spark the same passion, it’s safe to say the cause of spreading the Gospel and glorifying God in the process, is the absolute best cause we could ever support. Whether we do so with our time, our treasures, or our talents, we could never find a cause more worthy or one which gives us more of a sense of purpose for our lives! I Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Disappointment
Dan Kunz
Did you see it or were you disappointed? A total eclipse of the sun is a fairly rare occurrence in most places. They happen every few years, but are often in remote locations where very few people see them. The eclipse this past week tracked right across the middle of America, so millions of people had access to it – unless it was cloudy where they were. Were you disappointed? The sky got a little darker in western Wisconsin where I live, but that was about it. Clouds covered the sky and the sun as well. It was somewhat disappointing. Imagine the people, though, who spent thousands of dollars and traveled thousands of miles to experience the eclipse, only to have it blotted out by the clouds. The ones who were interviewed on television tried to make it seem okay (they enjoyed the party atmosphere and all the hype), but you know they were disappointed. In the U.S. we’ll have to wait another twenty years to have the experience again - maybe.
Imagine God’s Old Testament people. They had anticipated the coming of the Savior for thousands of years. They longed for his appearance and what he would do when he came. Unfortunately, many of them looked for the wrong thing. Many knew the Christ would conquer sin and death, the scourges of the human race from the time of Adam and Eve, but many others believed, mistakenly, the Christ would conquer the hated Romans and restore the glory of Israel and, once again, make it a powerful and independent nation. The evidence was there. They could see it. Jesus fed thousands of people with a few fish and some bread. Jesus healed many who had been sick or handicapped for years, some for their entire lives. He even brought some people back from the dead! Jesus must be The One. They were sure of it. They were disappointed. He wasn’t the type of conqueror they anticipated. He was hidden by their clouds of unbelief and stubbornness.
How about you? For whom or what are you looking? If you seek a dazzling ruler who makes this life everything you hoped it would be, you’ll be disappointed. If you believe God’s chosen people will be healthy and wealthy and have every “wish” granted while on this earth, all you’ll see is clouds. If, on the other hand, you’re anticipating a Savior who causes a total eclipse of sin, death, and hell for eternity, you’ll join with millions and billions of people over the ages who recognize the real Christ, The One who came to earth as a lowly human being, lived a perfect life (which we cannot), and died a horrible, excruciating death in our place, all in order for us to be with him for eternity! The disappearance of mankind’s biggest enemies won’t be for a few fleeting moments, it will go on and on and on. The excitement of a total eclipse forever! We can’t begin to imagine the glory of it. No wonder mere words can’t describe the wonder of heaven!
Human beings all learn disappointment at an early age, but only earthly disappointment. When our eyes of faith are trained on the things of God, we’ll never be disappointed! Joshua 23:14 “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”
Happy Easter!
Dan Kunz
Chances are, by the time you read this, you’ve probably already colored your Easter eggs. If you don’t get at your emails right away, you may have already eaten some! When I was a boy, I learned a cool way to color eggs which our family still does today. (Okay, I mainly do.) Take out a box of old, broken crayons. (Everyone saves their old crayons, don’t they?) Take two or three different colors, peel off any remaining paper, break them into small pieces, and put them into a quart or sandwich-size plastic bag. After the eggs are boiled, while they are still relatively hot, put one into the bag and “massage” the crayon pieces around the egg. Unless you have hands of steel, I would strongly recommend wearing fairly thick gloves to do this. As you try this, you will become more creative in the colors you combine and the way you distribute them on the eggs. Two things become obvious about this method very quickly – the results are absolutely beautiful, and the eggs are completely unique. No two, even with the same colors, will turn out alike.
As we celebrate the joyous resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, it’s good to remember a few important lessons.
· Our Heavenly Father loved us so much, he sent his only Son to live the life of a lowly human being, submit to the cruelest and most excruciating death we can imagine, and be abandoned by God himself, all in our place. Such love (grace) is truly amazing!
· The price for our lives of rebellion has been paid in full. Jesus, himself, said it while hanging on the cross – “It is finished.” His resurrection on Easter Sunday morning is our guarantee. Not only that, it’s a promissory note which guarantees our resurrection through faith in the Savior’s perfect life and perfect death.
· Like my crayon eggs, you and I are now beautiful in God’s eyes! Because of Jesus’ robes of righteousness given to us (without cost), we are no longer ugly in God’s sight because of our lives of sin and wretchedness. God’s eyes sparkle and his mouth smiles when he sees us. We are now, literally, unforgettable to him.
· Also like the crayon eggs, we are truly unique. Psalm 139:13 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Our Heavenly Father created us for a life of service with all kinds of skills, abilities, gifts, and characteristics to do the job. Because each of us is one-of-a-kind, we have a special place in his plans and his world. We should remember that, not so we become vain and arrogant, but so we can thank God daily for all the mercies and blessings with which he has gifted us.
As you celebrate Easter throughout the year, remember God’s unbelievable love, Jesus willing payment of your bill, your beauty in God’s eyes, and your uniqueness among the billions of inhabitants of our world. Easter eggs don’t have to be just for Easter! Matthew 28:5-6 “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”
He is risen! He is risen, indeed!
Saint Patrick
Dan Kunz
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Whether you are Irish or not, this traditional Irish prayer is a “keeper”! As St. Patrick’s Day once again rolls around, it may serve all of us well to remember our own “Saint Patrick”.
According to the Internet, source of all wisdom (kidding), Saint Patrick has a lot of folklore and traditions surrounding him, but not much is verifiable. As a matter of fact, even his autobiography, Confessio, has been questioned by some for its truthfulness. Nevertheless, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated by a lot of people, all over the world. Let’s look at a few facts and a few traditions.
Patrick (not his original name) was born in England in 386. In other words, he wasn’t Irish. He was supposedly kidnapped at the age of sixteen by Irish raiders as the Roman Empire, especially in its farthest reaches, was becoming weaker. He was taken to Ireland and forced to tend sheep. According to his autobiography, he was visited by an angel and helped to escape, eventually returning to England. After receiving religious instruction and becoming a bishop, he chose to return to Ireland, the place of his captivity, to bring Christianity to the pagan country. Although he is referred to as “Saint” Patrick, he was never canonized by the Catholic Church. He is said to have driven the snakes from Ireland, but Ireland had very few, if any, snakes. (Perhaps this is a reference to eliminating heathen practices.). He is also said to have used the shamrock, a three-leafed plant, to teach the concept of the Trinity. Patrick died on March 17, 461 and thus, the date of Saint Patrick’s Day every year. Whether any or all of these things are true really isn’t the point. The one agreed-on fact is that he brought the truth of the Gospel to an entire nation.
So, who is your “Saint Patrick”? Do you know? I recently began to delve into my family tree and was surprised and excited to find at least one branch tracing back to the 1500’s in Germany and other nearby countries. My grandfather on my mother’s side, passed away at the age of 31, leaving behind a wife and four children under the age of seven. It’s that branch of the family tree which I was able to follow. I don’t know how far back in that line our family’s Christian roots go, but somewhere along the line there was a “Saint Patrick”. Somebody shared the Gospel with one of my relatives and, centuries later, I’m a Christian. I never met the person and I don’t even know who they were, but I thank God for them! I’m not Irish (that I know of) and I didn’t find even a twig of my family tree coming from Ireland. Nevertheless, I think I’ll celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, not by drinking a green beer, but by thanking God for every single person along the way, who brought the Gospel to and kept the Gospel in my family tree! Ephesians 3:21 “…to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”
Above and Beyond
Dan Kunz
On a recent fishing trip, my friend, Keith, and I had a guide each day. Enrique was our guide for the first two days. Mario was our guide on the third day. Jorge was our guide on the fourth and final day. (We were bass fishing in Mexico.) All three were nice guys. All three seemed to be knowledgeable about where to fish. All three were polite and took care of our basic needs, such as plenty of beverages, stowing our equipment, and bringing us back safely. All three, to some degree, even suggested which lures to use.
The similarity ended there. Keith and I didn’t catch many fish the first three days and no big fish at all. I wouldn’t describe us as professionals, but we aren’t novices, either. The other eight people in our group did far better than we did, which made the experience even more frustrating. Finally, out of great kindness, the “host” of our group offered us his guide, Jorge, for the fourth and final day of the trip. That made all the difference! We both caught more fish and each of us caught what most people would consider a “trophy” bass. The reason? Jorge went far above and beyond what the other two guides did. He not only suggested lures, he hand-picked them out of our tackle boxes (or provided them himself), tied them on for us, and told us where to cast them. He netted our fish and took them off the hook for us. He weighed them and released them, too. The topper came at the end of the day. Without my asking, Jorge retrieved the case for my sunglasses out of my bag and gave it to me to store them. He then put the case back in my bag. Unbelievable! He got a very nice tip from us for his excellent service.
Jorge’s name really should have been Jesus. (Insert the Spanish pronunciation if you’d like!). Our Lord and Savior didn’t just come to guide us, he came to do things for us we couldn’t do. He went so far above and beyond what we deserved, it’s not even measurable. He literally did everything for us. He lived a perfect life and died a perfect death in our place, so that we could have the joy of being in heaven with him. And the amazing part is that it wasn’t for a tip or even a pat on the back. He did it all out of pure, unselfish, love for us!
How could we ever say, “thank you” enough to our “guide”, Jesus? Two ways are by guiding others to him and also by going above and beyond in our service to our fellow travelers on this “fishing” trip we call life. Don’t just do the minimum, overwhelm people with your kindness, compassion, and grace. Reflect Jesus’ heart of a servant. Amaze others with your desire to make their lives better. Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
As my daughter’s college graduation class was told, “Don’t just go out and do well in the world. Go out and do good in the world.” Follow the example of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Have the heart of a servant and by your actions, reveal the faith from which those actions come. Your “tip” will be in heaven, good and faithful servant!
Little Pitchers
Dan Kunz
Have you ever noticed how people who have been married for some time begin to develop some of the same mannerisms? It’s true not just of married couples, but anybody who spends a fair amount of time around someone else. My mom used to sit with her elbow on the arm of her chair and her hand casually in the air. I’m told I do the same thing. Another relative has gone through some prolonged physical pain in the past year. He sometimes puffs his cheeks out and exhales through pursed lips. I recently found myself breathing the same way when I was having some pain. Whether we realize it or not, human beings many times subconsciously copy those around them.
You may be familiar with the expression, “Little pitchers have big ears.” The point of that old saying is that children may be listening, so be careful what you say. I’m sure more than one little kid learned some “salty language” from an older brother, cousin, or uncle! The same thing is true of our actions, and it’s not just kids who mimic those around them. Sometimes adults pick up the habits of others, as well. With that in mind, we, as Christians, should be extra careful of how we conduct ourselves - our language, our actions, the places we go, who we associate with and so on. Some things which others see or hear from us, may not be a big deal to imitate, but others are. Using inappropriate language, losing one’s temper, gossiping, telling a “white” lie, or having one too many cocktails, can all serve as a bad example for others to follow.
On the other hand, serving as a good example is something for which we should strive so others follow that lead. When we don’t take God’s name in vain, when we don’t lose our temper, when we refuse to stretch the truth, or when we limit our alcohol consumption, that also is noticeable, and, hopefully, copied by those around us, kids and adults alike. “Be like Mike” is a good thing, as long as Mike’s motto is, “Be like Jesus”!
Over the years it’s become obvious that others watch what we do and say even when we’re not aware of it ourselves. In a well-known scene from the movie, Jaws, the dad, played by Roy Scheider, is sitting and making a variety of faces as he ponders a problem. He slowly becomes aware that his young son, sitting nearby and watching him intently, is trying to make the exact same faces he’s making. He turns to his son and continues to make faces, while his son is still imitating him, until they both break out laughing. Little pitchers…
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. We usually think of that imperative from Solomon (God) in terms of the actual training which we, as parents or grandparents, give, but it also applies to how we live our lives. Former NBA star, Charles Barkley, once said, “I shouldn’t be your kids’ role model, you should be.” As Christians, we should all be role models, just as Jesus is for us!