If you've ever noticed the left side of our website, you've probably seen a link to a place called the White Horse Inn. While you may have thought this was a link to a great bed and breakfast in Vermont, it's actually a link to one of our favorite weekly radio shows broadcast over the internet.

The original White Horse Inn was a tavern in Cambridge, England where Christians would gather in the 1500's to discuss their concern over wrong doctrine and the direction it was taking the church at that time. From these discussions began what I believe is the most significant revival in modern history – The Great Reformation. The link to the left is a group of pastors who are attempting to carry on this great tradition of getting Christians to think about what they believe and to hopefully, reform our generation in the same way.

Well last week, Kristin's dad was in England on business. Monday he sent us the picture above. It's of him standing in the place of the original White Horse Inn. In case you can't read the caption on the sign, it says:

Part 3 of J.C. Ryle's sermon: Primary Obligations of Parents

Train up your child with all tenderness, affection, and patience. I do not mean that you are to spoil him, but I do mean that you should let him see that you love him. Love should be the silver thread that runs through all your conduct. Kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, forbearance, patience, sympathy, a willingness to enter into childish troubles, a readiness to take part in childish joys - these are the cords by which a child may be led most easily - these are the clues you must follow if you would find the way to his heart...

Now children's minds are cast in much the same mold as our own. Sternness and severity of manner chill them and throw them back. It shuts up their hearts, and you will weary yourself to find the door. But let them only see that you have an affectionate feeling towards them- that you are really desirous to make them happy and do them good - that if you punish them, it is intended for their profit, and that, like the pelican, you would give your heart's blood to nourish their souls. Let them see this, I say, and they will soon be all your own. But they must be wooed with kindness if their attention is ever to be won... Love is one grand secret of successful training. Anger and harshness may frighten, but they will not persuade the child that you are right. If he sees you often out of temper, you will soon cease to have his respect. A father who speaks to his son as Saul did to Jonathan (1 Sa 20:30) need not expect to retain his influence over that son's mind.

Try hard to keep up a hold on your child's affections. It is a dangerous thing to make your children afraid of you. Anything is almost better than reserve and constraint between your child and yourself; and this will come in with fear. Fear puts an end to openness of manner. Fear leads to concealment - fear sows the seed of much hypocrisy and leads to many a lie. There is a mine of truth in the Apostle's words to the Colossians: "Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged" (Col 3:21). Let not the advice it contains be overlooked. (To be continued...)

I believe that Christian parents and children, Christian families, have a unique opportunity of witnessing to the world at this present time by just being different. We can be true evangelists by showing this discipline, this law and order, this true relationship between parents and children. We may be the means under God's hand of bringing many to a knowledge of Truth. Let us therefore think of it in that way.

From Life in the Spirit in Marriage, Home & Work:
An Exposition of Ephesians 5:18 to 6:9

Yesterday, we drove to Hodgen, Oklahoma to pick out our new pet. We were awarded the first pick out of a beautiful litter of Labrador puppies. After playing with them all, we picked our girl.

May we introduce you to the newest member of the Willingham family: Scout (from To Kill a Mockingbird fame). She becomes a permanent member in two weeks.

Last week, we had a really fun time at the Festa Junina party put on by the YMCA student-exchange program. This is an annual holiday celebrated in Brazil. Our exchange students, along with their friends, put together a really fun night complete with food, dancing and fun skits.

I've been reading a great book called Heaven on Earth. It was written in 1654 by the Puritan, Thomas Brooks. The theme of the book is Christian Assurance - something I'm striving to have more of and am resolved to obtain (making my calling and election sure - 2 Peter 1:10).

In chapter five, there is a great section on weak faith and strong faith. Read what Brooks wrote and be encouraged!

Strong faith and weak faith

In the first place, I shall give some hints concerning strong faith. In the second place, I shall give you some hints concerning weak faith. My design in both is, to keep precious souls from mistaking and fainting. Concerning strong faith, I shall give you these short hints:

(1) The first hint. Strong faith will make a soul resolute in resisting, and happy in conquering the strongest temptations, Heb. 11:3; Dan. 6:10.
(2) The second hint. It will make a man own God, and cleave to God, and hang upon God, in the face of the greatest difficulties and dangers, Rom. 4:18; Ps. 44:16-18. So Job will trust in God though he slay him, Job 13:15-16.
(3) The third hint. It will enable men to prefer Christ's cross before the world's crown, to prefer tortures before deliverance, Heb. 11:3.
(4) The fourth hint. Strong faith will make a soul divinely fearless, and divinely careless; it will make a man live as the child lives in the family, without fear or care, Ps. 23:4; Dan. 3:16. "We are not careful to answer thee, O king; our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, and he will deliver us." Micah 7:7-9.
(5) The fifth hint. Strong faith will make a man cleave to the promise when providence runs cross to the promise, Num. 10:29; 2 Chron. 20:9-11. Ps. 60:6-7. "God hath spoken in his holiness," saith David; "I will rejoice: I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, and Manesseh is mine," etc. Though David was in his banishment, yet his faith accounts all his as if he had all in possession, and that because God had spoken in his holiness. His faith hangs upon the promise, though present providences did run cross to the promise.
(6) The sixth hint. Strong faith will make men comply with those commands that do most cross them in their most desireable comforts, Heb. 11:8-9, and 10:34; Gen. 22.
Now, O precious souls! You are not to argue against your own souls, that surely you have no faith, because your faith doth not lead you forth to such and such noble things. Thou mayest have true faith, though thou hast not so great faith as others of the Lord's worthies have had.
The philosophers say that there are eight degrees of heat: we discern three. Now, if a man should define heat only by the highest degree, then all other degrees will be cast out from being heat. So if a man should define faith only by the highest degrees and operations of it, then that will be denied to be faith that indeed is faith, as I shall presently shew.

In the second place, I shall give you some hints concerning weak faith:
(1) The first hint. A weak faith doth as much justify and as much unite a man to Christ as a strong faith. It gives a man as much title to and interest in Christ as the strongest faith in the world. The babe hath as much interest in the father as he that is of grown years. A weak faith gives a man as good a title to Christ, and all the precious things of eternity, as the strongest faith in the world. A weak hand has receive a pearl as well as the strong hand of a giant. Faith is a receiving of Christ, John 1:12.
(2) The second hint. The promises of eternal happiness and blessedness are not made over to the strength of faith, but to the truth of faith; not to the degrees of faith, but to the reality of faith. He that believes shall be saved, though he hath not such a strength of faith as to stop the mouth of lions, as to work miracles, as to remove mountains, as to subdue kingdoms, as to quench the violence of fire, as to resist strong temptations, as to rejoice under great persecutions, Heb. 11:33-35. No man that is saved is saved upon the account of the strength of his faith, but upon the account of the truth of his faith. In the great day, Christ will not bring balances to weigh men's graces, but a touch-stone to try their graces; he will not look so much at the strength as at the truth of their graces.
(3) The third hint. The weakest faith shall grow stronger and stronger. A weak believer shall go on from faith to faith. Christ is the finisher as well as the author of our faith, Rom. 1:17; Heb. 12:2. Christ will use up this blessed babe, and will not suffer it to be strangled in its infancy. He that hath begun a good work will perfect it, Philip. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:5. Christ is as well bound to look after our graces as he is to look after our souls. Grace is Christ's work, therefore it must prosper in his hand; he is the great builder and repairer of our graces; he will turn thy spark into a flame, thy drop into an ocean, they penny into a pound, thy mite into a million, Mat. 12:20, and 13:32. Therefore do not sit down discouraged because thy faith is weak. That which is sown in weakness, shall rise in power. Thy weak faith shall have a glorious resurrection. Christ will not suffer such a pearl of price to be buried under a clod of earth.
(4) The fourth hint. A little faith is faith, as a spark of fire is fire, a drop of water is water, a little star is a star, a little pearl is a pearl. Verily, thy little faith is a jewel that God doth highly prize and value; and thy little faith will make thee put a higher price upon Christ and grace than upon all the world, Mat. 18:10; 1 Pet. 2:7. Well! remember this, that the least measure of true faith will bring these to salvation, and possess thee of salvation, as well as the greatest measure. A little faith accompanies salvation as well as a great faith, a weak faith as well as a strong. Therefore do not say, O precious soul, that thou hast not that faith that accompanies salvation, because thou hast not such a strong faith, or such and such degrees of faith. A great faith will yield a man a heaven here, a little faith will yield him a heaven hereafter.

This week, we've had the privilege of hosting two wonderful foreign exchange students from Brazil- Nayara and Camila. They are here for the summer through a really great exchange program with the YMCA. They are delightful girls and we've really enjoyed being with them.

Kristin subscribes to a really good Christian mom's magazine called Above Rubies (www.aboverubies.org). It's full of great articles to encourage moms in one of the greatest calling on their lives - training their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Kristin was reading this months issue when she came in to share an article she read. The editor had previously posted the question to its readers, "Children in Church? How can you keep them quiet?"

I thought you would enjoy hearing a few answers from some wise moms.

Sit in the Front

I was surprised that no one mentioned this secret for keeping children well-behaved in church. I found it a great blessing when raising our children. Sitting in the front seats, right under the eye of the preacher, and where the anointing is strongest, they were always better behaved.

Many parents sit with their children toward the back of the church thinking it will be easier to keep them in check. However, the back of the church is the worst place. There are many distractions which sidetrack the children more easily. They can also see what everyone else is doing in front of them which add more distractions again.

It might sound a little scary, but give it a try. I am sure you will be amazed at the difference.

Nancy Campbell; Primm Springs, Tennessee

Eliminate the Distractions

It has been our habit, from the arrival of our first child, (a very lively boy to say the least!) to train our children from birth to attend public worship with us as a family. They have all settled easily into a one-day-in-seven routine. Despite having certain patterns for nap, sleep and even feeding times, all our children have adapted to the Lord's Day being different.

I can testify that all the work pays off! My husband and I can sit through two services every Lord's Day, morning and evening, with our five children without almost any distraction. Of course, the process is ongoing; they need to be continually encouraged to apply themselves in worship. But, what a joy and privilege to worship the Lord together as a family.

Jane Dunlap; Lurgan, Northern Ireland

Part 2 of J.C. Ryle's sermon: Primary Obligation of Parents.

First, then, if you would train your children rightly, train them in the way they should go, and not in the way they would. Remember children are born with a decided bias toward evil. Therefore, if you let them choose for themselves, they are certain to choose wrong.

The mother cannot tell what her tender infant may grow up to be -- tall or short, weak or strong, wise or foolish. He may be any of these things or not -- it is all uncertain. But one thing the mother can say with certainty: he will have a corrupt and sinful heart. It is natural to us to do wrong. "Foolishness," says Solomon, "is bound in the heart of a child" (Pro 22:15). "A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame" (Pro 29:15). Our hearts are like the earth on which we tread: let it alone, and it is sure to bear weeds.

If, then, you would deal wisely with your child, you must not leave him to the guidance of his own will. Think for him, judge for him, act for him, just as you would for one weak and blind. But for pity's sake, give him not up to his own wayward tastes and inclinations. It must not be his likings and wishes that are consulted. He knows not yet what is good for his mind and soul any more than what is good for his body. You do not let him decide what he shall eat, what he shall drink, and how he shall be clothed. Be consistent, and deal with his mind in like manner. Train him in the way that is Scriptural and right and not in the way that he fancies.

If you cannot make up your mind to this first principle of Christian training, it is useless for you to read any further. Self-will is almost the first thing that appears in a child's mind. It must be your first step to resist it.

(to be continued...)

I've been reading a really neat booklet on Biblical parenting. Included in the book was a great sermon by the Puritan Bishop, J.C. Ryle. After reading it, I thought I would post sections of the sermon throughout the week for you to read. If you're a believing parent, it will hit you right in the heart.

Primary Obligations of Parents
J.C. Ryle (1816 - 1900)

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

I suppose that most professing Christians are acquainted with the text at the head of this page. The sound of it is probably familiar to your ears, like an old tune. It is likely you have heard it, read it, talked of it, or quoted it many a time. Is it not so? But after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! The doctrine it contains appears scarcely known, the duty it puts before us seems fearfully seldom practiced. Reader do I not speak the truth?

It cannot be said that the subject is a new one. The world is old, and we have the experience of nearly six thousand years to help us. We live in days when there is a mighty zeal for education in every quarter. We hear of new schools rising on all sides. We are told of new systems and new books for the young of every sort and description. Still for all this, the vast majority of children are manifestly not trained in the way they should go; for when they grow up to man's estate, they do not walk with God.

Now how shall we account for this state of things? The plain truth is the Lord's commandment in our text is not regarded. Therefore, the Lord's promise in our text is not fulfilled.

Reader, these things may well give rise to great searching of heart. Suffer then a word of exhortation from a minister about the right training of children. Believe me, the subject is one that should come home to every conscience and make every one ask himself the question, "Am I in this matter doing what I can?"

It is a subject that concerns almost all. There is hardly a household that it does not touch. Parents, nurses, teachers, godfathers, godmothers, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters - all have an interest in it. Few can be found, I think, who might not influence some parent in the management of his family or affect the training of some child by suggestion or advice. All of us, I suspect, can do something here, either directly or indirectly; and I wish to stir up all to bear this in remembrance....

First, then, if you would train your children rightly, train them in the way they should go, and not in the way that they would. (to be continued....)

Just because it's too funny.

Last night, we celebrated Kristin's dad's 61st birthday. To really celebrate, they hosted a dance party complete with dance lessons from a cousin of legendary crooner and actor, Dean Martin (really).

Princeton theologian, B.B. Warfield, once wrote in his book The Plan of Salvation, "There are fundamentally only two doctrines of salvation: that salvation is from God, and that salvation is from ourselves. The former is the doctrine of common Christianity; the latter is the doctrine of universal heathenism."

Have you ever strolled down the aisle of your favorite Christian bookstore to see what's available to read? I recently went to a large one here in Oklahoma City to buy a book for a friend on his 40th birthday. I was disheartened to find that historical Christian theology books were limited to only a handful of books (less than two small shelves) in this mega-Christian book store. What I did find were rows of books telling me how "I am the master of my fate, the captain of my soul."

It seems that Pelagianism has come back in the 21st Century for another visit.

So what is Pelagianism, and does it really matter that I know? Dr. Michael Horton has a great discussion on this topic in his 30-minute podcast on The White Horse Inn. I predict you'll come away convinced that Pelagianism has affected your view of Salvation more than you realize. You can click here to listen to it on-line.

In addition, Dr. Horton wrote a very good piece about Pelagianism, in the magazine Modern Reformation. if you are a better reader than listener, you can click here to read it.

Giving a brief history on the heresy, Dr. Horton writes:

First, this heresy originated with the first human couple, as we shall see soon. It was actually defined and labeled in the fifth century, when a British monk came to Rome. Immediately, Pelagius was deeply impressed with the immorality of this center of Christendom, and he set out to reform the morals of clergy and laity alike. This moral campaign required a great deal of energy and Pelagius found many supporters and admirers for his cause. The only thing that seemed to stand in his way was the emphasis that emanated particularly from the influential African bishop, Augustine. Augustine taught that human beings, because they are born in original sin, are incapable of saving themselves. Apart from God's grace, it is impossible for a person to obey or even to seek God. Representing the entire race, Adam sinned against God. This resulted in the total corruption of every human being since, so that our very wills are in bondage to our sinful condition. Only God's grace, which he bestows freely as he pleases upon his elect, is credited with the salvation of human beings.

In sharp contrast, Pelagius was driven by moral concerns and his theology was calculated to provide the most fuel for moral and social improvement. Augustine's emphasis on human helplessness and divine grace would surely paralyze the pursuit of moral improvement, since people could sin with impunity, fatalistically concluding, "I couldn't help it; I'm a sinner." So Pelagius countered by rejecting original sin. According to Pelagius, Adam was merely a bad example, not the father of our sinful condition-we are sinners because we sin-rather than vice versa. Consequently, of course, the Second Adam, Jesus Christ, was a good example. Salvation is a matter chiefly of following Christ instead of Adam, rather than being transferred from the condemnation and corruption of Adam's race and placed "in Christ," clothed in his righteousness and made alive by his gracious gift. What men and women need is moral direction, not a new birth; therefore, Pelagius saw salvation in purely naturalistic terms-the progress of human nature from sinful behavior to holy behavior, by following the example of Christ.

I don't know about you, but if my righteousness depends upon my human nature progressing from sinfulness to the required level of holy behavior (perfection), I'm sunk. However, if it depends on my faith in Jesus - who fulfilled the law and lived a perfectly holy life - and my trust that He'll impute His righteousness to me to cover my sins, then according to scripture, I'll be saved.

For the just shall live by faith...

Merriam-Webster is adding more than 100 words to their most recent version of their collegiate dictionary. The popular dictionary's eleventh edition will be released September 1st with words that have gained acceptance in our culture. Though many of the recent words might not make future editions, some seemingly obscure words from the past are still in print:

• Pescatarian (1993): vegetarian whose diet includes fish.
• Racino (1995): racetrack at which slot machines are available.
• Webinar (1998): live, online educational presentation.
• Fanboy (1919): a boy who is an enthusiastic devotee to comics or movies.

Kristin and I put together our list of words that we think should be included in this year's newly released list:

• A'ight: to acknowledge or affirm.
• Props: to give respect that is due.
• Peeps: my people.
• Ka-ching: to answer in the affirmative.
• Wang-chung: to let your hair down and enjoy the ride.
• Izzle: just add it to any word to make you sound cool.

We were all working hard in the backyard when the rain hit...

WorldNetDaily published an e-mail interview today on Dr. William Harrison, an OB-GYN who claims to have performed abortions on more than 20,000 unborn children.

2:1 - Unchurched Americans who prefer traditional church architecture over contemporary worship spaces, according to LifeWay Research.

We had our own version of "Dancing with the Stars" around here this morning.  After deep deliberation among the judges, first prize went to couple number one.

We had a really fun time this weekend with family at Lake Tenkiller.   The big news from the weekend is that Nicholas has become quite the proficient driver of the "club car" and Maddox spent an entire afternoon swimming in the pool with floaties - a big step from her usual clutch around mom's neck.

A couple of great reminders this Freedom weekend:

"Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:  'Do not handle!  Do not taste! Do not touch!' ? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.