(with the Action Journal release I'll post some thoughts on this Live UP / IN / OUT Family on Mission rhythm...starting now)Living IN is found in that tension between being sinful man and righteous child of God. Of being both a strong man as well as a humble boy in the face of adversity. Of bold leadership in decision making and meek submission at the same time.
To worship the Father as a living sacrifice right here in this home, in this neighborhood, of the edge of those famous mountains...and to do so without pomp and faux-perfection and all of this right before the eyes of the same family that experiences my imperfections and witness' my weakness' daily is a wild spot to be in.
There is no hiding my shortcomings when it comes to derailed home projects, disappointments, hurts and missed expectations. So why on earth is there a false expectation for glam and show when it comes to my spiritual walk, my faithful living, right here in my home?
To Live IN as a Dad is:
to be honest about my gifts and abilities endowed by the Spirit.
to be open about my weakness' as a maturing disciple.
to be bold in faith in private and public as opportunity allows.
to be humble in circumstance as the Lord works.
to seek forgiveness when I'm wrong and hurtful.
to teach forgiveness when my kids are wrong and hurtful.
to model my faith in Christ as a slave to righteousness.
to model repentance as a slave to righteousness.
to love despite...
to allow myself to be loved despite...
to love my wife as Christ loves the Church.
to love my kids as the Fathers loves His.
to party.
to enjoy.
to discern.
to discipline.
to engage the Word in real time and in truth.
to engage the Word in our lives in real time and with grace.
The fruit of Living IN on purpose most intentionally this past year has been invaluable. Seriously. There has never been a more intentional season of life getting my house in order. I'm not talking about finances and comfort and career and ordering a serene and sterile home. No. Dear Lord No.
I mean a rekindling of Husbandry (not that kind). A reordering of values and expectations as a parent, as a Dad. A discovery through trial and error and discernment of how we engage IN here in my home.
Someone asked recently how discipling my kids interconnects with this Family on Mission Action Journal. Great Q! The Action Journal engages my family in disciplmaking a few of different ways:
- It offers us the opportunity to engage each area of life without neglecting the others (UP / IN / OUT).
- My wife and I discover more and more how we engage Word together. How we teach and model Truth at home, along the road, in our strengths and weakness'.
- It's all intentional, challenging, and full of kairos moments to experience and discern. Some things we won't do again. Ever. They're one-off experiences. This is part of discovering how we engage Jesus together in ways that will become part of our weekly / monthly rhythm. (and ways that won't)
- It fosters creative space for 1x1 kairos moments more and more so they become a natural part of our relationships and calendar rhythms.
So how does discipling my kids connect with the Action Journal? Deeper discipleship is fostered on mission together. And intentional / relational / exponential rhythmic time in the Word in the context of real experiences, struggles, convictions, discoveries and faith together is a fruit worth fostering on purpose.
Yep, being a dude for Christ in the home is a wild ride. It's painful and pure joy. Living IN with the good and the bad is invaluable.
Are you experiencing a Live IN life?
Are you open about your crap?
Are you engaging your gifts?
Are you a team? For real. Are you running the race together together? Or are you running the race together apart?