So I read that Alex Kendrick was currently reading Anchor Man, a book by Steve Farrar so I decided it was a good book to be reading with a marriage beginning soon.  The book is something right up my alley and after chapter one today I know it’s going to be a great read.  Since I was a teenager I have always had my mind set on “the goal.”  With the application of Christ around that time, my goals began to change.  They didn’t change too much though to be honest, just why they were the way they were…the reason for that changed greatly.  It was no longer for me but for the Kingdom.  My brain just seems to move quickly from idea to “how can we make that happen.”  It’s how I operate my life, sometimes to great levels of stress, but I get things done!  I have been thinking about how to properly provide for my family for years and I’m happy to be getting started soon.  Denise has her last day at work today (it’s AM here already), and from this blog post and forward, I will be providing for both of us.  No easy task, and it’s the main concern I think of any man…but BRING IT ON, I’m game!

This book is about grounding your family and your children at home in such a way that you set them up for 100 years.  Not financially, although that can come into play when it comes to your goals.  It’s speaking spiritually.  Do I believe that salvation for an individual is a sovereign choice of God?  Yes, I do.  That isn’t in question here, because I know some might be thinking “Well how do you know that your child will be saved even if you bring him up properly and in a God fearing household?”  There are no guarantees of that, but the book goes so much farther.

It references the kinds of promises made in scripture for the fathers who walk in integrity before their wife and kids, who bring up their children in the Lord, who follow God with their whole heart, etc.  A promise from God is a promise you can count on.  His Word is his signature on the dotted line.  Also spoke of the word “blessing” and how often it’s mis-represented.  Blessing isn’t riches, it’s favor.  When the book spoke of America, it basically presented the idea that this country has been benefitting from the promises of God for quite a number of years and the tank is running dry.  Because of the strong foundations of the founding fathers, countless generations into the future have been living off the benefits, even if it’s in a very removed type of way.  The idea here isn’t to simply be an honorable father and husband for the sake of a reward, because the reward won’t be mine, it’ll be my children and their children, etc.  I’ll have the reward of watching it happen, if only for a spell…but it’s my children who will really “cash in” on the promises in the most direct way.

I’ve said this before but the kind of man I am today and the kind of man I strive to be tomorrow directly affects the next generation, hands down.  The man I’m determined to be tomorrow is either going to benefit my marriage or destroy it.  I don’t plan on “winging it” when it comes to parenting.  I plan to read whatever I can on the subject from Godly sources, ask questions from Godly men who have done this before (lol), read the Word to look for guidance, etc.  This isn’t a joke, and this isn’t just my future that I’m investing in everyday as I invest in myself and my walk.  It’s a longterm investment in my marriage, my wife, my children, and the children my children have.

I’ve had the pleasure of spending some time with Stephen Kendrick as I’ve mentioned before on a few occasions.  I’ve read what I can about him and his brother as well.  You know what those men had?  A tremendous father.  They had a father who prayed for them, poured into them spiritual truths, supported them in the direction God was leading, and look at things now?  Look how God is using them and Blessing.  Their father didn’t know what his sons would become for the Kingdom, and that didn’t matter.  He stayed faithful, and now look at the fruit.  I want that for my children.  I want to trust God for big things and look forward to the future of those alive long after me, but it’s gotta start with me.

I want to be an Anchor Man.  My father is a great man who I love dearly, and he did what he could during my childhood and while I was a teenager to give me all the life advice he could.  Much of what I’ve learned from my dad has been very helpful and I’m thankful.  But, I’ll be the first link in the Spiritual chain of future generations.  I’m the first link.  If I fail or if I let up and decide to do things my way…what a tragedy that would be.  I don’t know how much longer this planet is going to be around, but I can tell you what…whether I’m 1 of what becomes only 5 or 100 links in the chain, my children will have a strong anchor.  That must be the case, the future of my family depends on it.