Our Family Mission Statement - How you can lead others in your chirstian walk::Christians proclaim god as they witness

Telling others about what Jesus Christ has done in my life and that of my family is the most important thing I can do with the time i have left on this earth. I have something that has held a prominent spot on my refrigerator for a few years that I expect to be there as long as I am alive. It is a laminated card that has a magnet attached to hold it in place where it can be read by each member of my family every day and by anyone who visits our home and has the opportunity to see it. The object is not remarkable in itself, but I hope the words contained underneath the laminate face will inspire all who take the time to read the words and consider their meaning.

The purpose of this card is to proclaim to all the philosophy under which my house operates. It is a Christian based philosophy that was chosen after careful consideration, prayer and discussion with my wife. We agreed whole-heartedly with every word and seek to make each day a fulfillment of our pledge. I wish to share it with you in this forum in hopes that it may spur you to consider doing the same. This is our family mission statement.

We want others to see Christ in us. We want to bring our children up in the respect and love of the Lord to witness to our friends and family. We want our children to continue to witness as they do now. A major goal is to show our children we love them and each other, to show them repentance and how to accept Jesus Christ into their heart. We will also strive to live for God. We will also work to live the J.O.Y. principle. Jesus first, others second yourself last.

If you are a Christian you have an awesome responsibility to convey the teachings and ways of Christ in every action you complete on a daily basis. You cannot only “be Christian” on Sunday when surrounded by other Christians. The world knows you proclaim to be such, but actions as they say speak louder than words. Being true to your proclamations is a lifelong endeavor. It only takes one bad move to undo a hundred good or right ones.

To be honest there are times I do not feel like being what I claim. Every day there are human situations that drive me outside the range I feel is the limit I can operate within and still be living my faith. In those times the words of our family mission statement help me understand how I must readjust to continue to be the Christian man I want to be.

The decision to ask Jesus to live in our children’s heart is the primary goal we as parents have worked for since they were mere desires in our hearts. My wife and I have been Christians for decades and know the joy that following the Savior brings. The peace that fills you in the knowledge of his salvation is something you wish for everyone you encounter, but especially for your children. When you know they have that joy and peace you feel you have helped them receive the greatest gift God has ever given to mankind.

You any feel this is an overly dramatic statement. Suit yourself, I live in America where speech is protected, so all opinions are allowed. But know this; you will not convince me that this feeling is incorrect. I have been a Christian through many days of sorrow, loss and adversity and I have never felt alone. I know Christ is always by my side no matter what happens and have always been able to withstand the tempest to glorify my Lord.

Our world is not formulated in such a way to reinforce Christian values. The disintegration of the traditional family has wounded the fabric of continuity in so many lives and there are those who really have no idea what it is like to be in a supportive home. My children do know that as we make it a priority to let them know we love and care for them daily.

We cannot expect the generations that follow to just magically know how to survive in a world where sex, substance abuse and free living are rapidly becoming the norm. Teaching them what we believe to be right is our obligation. Anyone can be a father or mother; it only takes a few moments to complete that task. Being a parent is an honor given you by God that you should take very seriously.

Creating a loving and supporting environment means your children will want to be a part of your lives for as long as they breathe on the earth. They will not look for the first opportunity to leave when they reach an age that they feel confident enough to start their own lives. It is incumbent upon us as parents to reinforce our children’s development with a loving marriage as an example for our children to follow when they are on their own.

Children learn from the moment they are born, so they also learn what is acceptable by what we allow. If we allow harsh words between the husband and the wife in their presence they feel that is an acceptable norm. If we make the effort to treat them fairly and tell them we love them each day that can become their norm as well.

So you go to the Christian book store and get a book about how to live for God; or maybe a book to tell you to know why you believe what you do. Will either of these make you into the perfect Christian? Not be simply reading a book can you come to know the Christian philosophy. I believe it can only come by living a life the way Christ instructs us in the Christian bible.

While I was a teen ager a very precious woman who was my neighbor and primary Christian advisor taught me a principle that is a great tenet on which to base your life. It is called the J.O.Y. principle and simply says this” Put Jesus first in all you do, put others second, finding ways to lift them up and assist them in their life as you help them build their faith, leave your concerns and needs until last, as God will certainly partner with you to make them fulfilled.

This is the way Jesus Christ lived his 33 years on earth. He was only about proclaiming the truth of his Father’s word while helping others and developing their faith. His needs were not a priority. We must step back from the overbearing drive of the common day to see what it is doing to us. We are rushing along, tickling off the days toward our inevitable end. As mortal beings we only have one possible outcome and we think we can go on forever without considering that end. I have not, as I know where my future lies. Do you?