Sitcoms from past decades provided some wholesome entertainment, but also glimpses of good parenting. 
“Little House on the Prairie” -  Pa always came through with wise counsel and loving support.
“Bonanza” -  Pa held three grown sons in check with a steady hand and strong work ethic.
“Andy Griffith” -  Pa answered Opie’s questions with wisdom and always found a way to convince his son to do the right thing.
In all three programs, church played a part and God was respected.
Now, God is being removed from the public arena. Church is a side note — just a hangout for the faithful. And advice based on God’s Word is mocked.
Where will our kids get a sound spiritual foundation? 
It’s up to the family. The home is the final line of defense. The influence of godly parents and grandparents is paramount if children are to receive and understand God’s plan of salvation and Christian living.
The church will do all it can to teach and lead toward godliness. But parents are primary teachers. May God give you all you need for the task.
 
Next Steps...
I will seek to be an example of godliness to the children in my life through love, prayer and Christian lifestyle.

Our theme this year is LOVE. It’s a topic that sparks hope and celebration.  But when we look around, we see a world reeling because love is absent.  The result is misunderstanding, anger, rage and murder. And that is just on the national scene. Add to that the element of world-wide terrorism, fueled by the spirit of anti-Christ. Wave after wave of horror and carnage. 
The temptation is to wade in with our opinions and join the debate. But do more arguments really help? What is the proper Christian response?
First, we mourn. God’s Spirit is certainly grieved and ours should be also.  What we see in the news is not His will. He is not the author of confusion and conflict, but of peace.
Next, we humble ourselves and pray. Pray for healing and unity. Pray for the families of victims. Pray for peace. Most of all, pray for conversions— true life-changing encounters with Jesus Christ.
Finally, quiet your heart and listen. Think before you blog, tweet or post a rant. Listen to those with a different world view. We may not agree, but we may begin to understand — and learn how to pray more effectively.
The message of Christ is love and redemption. It turned the world upside down two thousand years ago. It still has the power to change hearts and lives — here and around the world.
 
Next Steps...
I will choose to love those who differ from me, including those who consider me an enemy.

There are no sweeter words from the lips of a young toddler than, “I love you, Mommy.” Or, “I love you, Daddy.” These are words that melt the heart. Although the little one has no idea of all the implications of “love,”  these words come from a pure heart and express the tender emotion the child is feeling.
God seeks the same pure love from His children. But somehow, our love gets contaminated by selfish desires, hidden angers and fear. We want to love God, but we’re not really sure how. Still, He sees the heart—and He delights in our stumbling, bumbling words of affection. He gives us room and time to grow in our devotion to Him. And He prods us on by the reassurances of His love.
Loving God begins with an understanding of who He is. The more we know of Him, the more we find to love. That love is a mixture of awe, respect, and delight. As we spend time with Him, we are drawn into an intimacy that has no equal. Trust grows as we learn to lean on Him. 
Loving God requires a giving of the heart to Him. It means breaking every emotional tie to lesser things, and pledging our deepest commitment to Him alone. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart.” Pure love is total love. 

Next Steps...
I will allow God to cleanse my heart from every competing affection so I can give Him all my love. 

The topic of God’s love can never be exhausted. The Holy Spirit seeks to communicate that love to us daily, on many levels. And what does God ask in return? Our love, reflected back to Him. Heart, soul, mind and strength.
One way we give our love to God is through personal devotion. When we spend time in prayer, whether scripted or spontaneous, we are strengthening our relationship with Him. When we submit our lives to His will, we are  proving the sincerity of our heart to Him. When our thoughts turn to His Word, we are drawn by a love for His truth. 
But it doesn’t stop there. We also show our love to God by how we treat others, made in His image. When we give respect, loyalty, kindness and compassion to others, we are giving it to Him. 
Nowhere that challenge greater than in the home. This is the first testing ground of our love for God. This is where His commandments must be lived out if we intend to make them our guide for life. 
When God’s love captures our hearts and renews our minds, the family will receive the overflow. We will love them the way we love Him.
 
Next Steps...
I will seek to show God I love Him by putting Him first in all that I do.