The Faughn Family of Four

Friday Links Roundup: 2010 to 2011 Edition

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 3 Comments

As I type this, there are less than 20 hours remaining in 2010. Obviously, we may never see the end of this year. We are not promised tomorrow, but we rest in the promises of God that, if tomorrow comes (and a new year begins), He will continue to be faithful. As the old hymn suggests, “Morning by morning, new mercies I see.”

In 2010, our family had a great year. There were struggles at times (remember the car wreck???), but God is so good to us. We are blessed far beyond what we deserve, both physically and with countless spiritual blessings.

For those of you who read this from Lebanon Road: you are a blessing to us in ways you will never know. I am grateful every day to be “your preacher,” and I pray that each lesson that is presented is helpful to you. What more could a preacher want? The elders are supportive, members are encouraging, and you welcome my family as part of your own. That’s a great combination!

For our readers who are in our physical family: I hope you know what a blessing you are. We love one another and support one another. I just hope I come close to encouraging and loving you as much as you show your care for me. (By the way, a special “I love you” and “Godspeed” to my brother-in-law, sister, two nephews and niece. Jeremiah, Amber, Luke, Daniel and LyssaBeth begin a new work this week at the Willow Avenue church of Christ in Cookeville. He is a talented speaker with a great family supporting him. You guys are going to do great!!!)

For our other readers, some of whom we don’t even know: Thank you. You come here and read these little articles with great regularity, and some of you even pass articles along to others. Honestly, you honor us and humble us at the same time. We hope to get to know you as the Lord provides for us days and even years ahead. But, should He choose not to, I hope we spend eternity together in heaven, and enjoy praising the One who “blesses and blesses again” forevermore.

Make 2011 a year in which you glorify God. We are going to strive to do that as a family, and Lebanon Road is going to strive to do that as a congregation. May you do the same.

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On to the links for this week:

1. We’re always on the lookout for new blogs to read, so I’m glad to pass along a link to a good article from a blog that is “new to us.” Creation Faith Facts is a site that shares short, but well written and helpful, apologetics articles. My favorite so far is “Toxic Chemical Helps Birds to Navigate.” Enjoy!

2. Many of you are writing those 2011 Resolutions, but what are they based upon? Before you finalize your list, read “What Will He Say?” by my friend Neil Richey.

3. We like to pass along articles with statistics that are reliable and eye-opening. The Covenant Eyes blog shared some this week that every parent and youth minister needs to read. Take note of “13 Stats on Teens and Sexting.”

4. Ok, for one final link of the year, I want to link to a YouTube video of one of the most amazing and “ridiculous” things of 2010. In June, Leah’s family and I sat in front of their TV for hours watching the longest tennis match in history. John Isner and Nicolas Mahut played one match over 3 days that lasted a total of about 11 hours. If you didn’t see it, enjoy this brief highlight video to remember one of the most hilarious things of the year.

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We hope you have a great weekend, and a great turn of the year. Tonight at Lebanon Road, we are going to have a New Year’s Eve party that we are going to attend (at least part of!).

More importantly, though, we are going to worship God on Sunday as we open 2011. If you’re nearby (or just passing through), worship with us at 9AM as we start off the year, and our 2011 theme (that I’ll have more to say about next week).

Filed Under: Links Roundups

15 Things It’s Not Too Late to Do in 2010

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 5 Comments

Time is finite. We are only given so much time in a day, and only our Lord knows how many days we have on this earth. We often hear stories, read books, or watch movies about what people say they would do if they “knew” they only had a certain amount of time left to live on this earth. Sometimes, those stories make us think of the same scenario.

I want to think of something different today. While I know we are not promised any more days, it is not sinful to consider our future, so long as we do so within the realm of the Lord’s will for our lives. With that in mind, we know that 2010 is almost done. We can basically count the hours that remain in this year.

Some of you had lofty goals that were not reached. Others had difficulties through which you struggled, or relationships that were strained. Maybe you have thought, “If I can just get to 2011, I’ll work on that again.” Don’t wait that long! While there may not be much time left in 2010, there is time to do a lot.

What can you do in what remains of 2010? Here are 15 things it’s not too late to do:

1. Say “I love you” to someone who needs to hear those words.

2. Pray for wisdom.

3. Perform a random act of kindness.

4. Meet with the saints (it is Wednesday, after all!)

5. Take a meal to someone who is shut in.

6. Call, write, or email one who is hurting.

7. Extend a hand of friendship to a new neighbor.

8. Make the first move in repairing a hurt relationship.

9. Reflect on the cross of Jesus.

10. Surprise your family with a gift, meal, or just some extra time.

11. Refuse to give in to a temptation that has plagued your year (alcohol, pornography, wrath, etc.).

12. Send a message to an old friend.

13. Encourage a missionary via email, Twitter or Facebook.

14. Set a time for a Bible study with a friend, neighbor, or coworker.

15. Become a Christian! (As long as you are living, it’s never too late to do that!)

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What would you add?

Filed Under: Uncategorized

So…How Did You Do?

Posted on December 28, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 4 Comments

About a year ago, many of us sat down and thought of goals for the coming year. Those resolutions for 2010 were ideas of things we wanted to complete, mature in, quit, save for, of a myriad of other things. We wrote them down (or typed them) and put them in a place where we would see them.

And then… January 2nd came.

For some goals, they were already shot. Some made it a few weeks. Some never got off the ground. Some were completed.

If you wrote down more than 2 or 3, you probably finished a few, didn’t finish a few, altered a few, and never started a few. I will admit that I did a few of each. Some were highly personal goals, and, thankfully, I can say I at least showed improvement in those. But some were never even started.

Here are some of my goals that I don’t mind sharing, and how I did with them:

1. Keep and up-to-date prayer list (and I had specific areas to focus on). I did better on this than I have in the past, but never really wrote the list down. I continue to struggle with this, and will “re-up” that goal for 2011.

2. Read at least 50 books (and I had a few categories to work on). As of Sunday, that one is done! This was a major goal, since I used to strive for 40 in a year, and raised it to 50.

3. Exercise at least 25 minutes per day (for overall health). I didn’t start this right away, but have been doing it for the last 4 months or so. I altered this goal a little, as I only focus on exercise during the “work week.” For me, this is a major step forward.

4. Take Mary Carol on “daddy/daughter dates” starting with her 5th birthday. I waited a few weeks after her birthday, but this goal is underway, and I am glad!

5. Memorize one book of the Bible. I didn’t do this, but I altered it. Instead of a book of the Bible, I memorized the Sermon on the Mount.

6. (For Leah and me): finish emergency fund of 3-6 months expenses. When I make our next run to the bank, this will be done.

There were other goals, but they were quite personal to me. I hope you understand me not sharing those in such a public format.

So, how did you do in 2010? What are some 2011 goals?

Filed Under: Church Life

A Great “Set” of Reviews

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 1 Comment

Four reviews today, and I like all four books. Enjoy!

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Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters

Meg Meeker

Ballantine Books, 2006 (267 pages)

Simply put, this is one of the best (if not, “the” best) book on parenting I have ever read. Obviously, as a dad with a daughter, this book appealed to me, but I found some principles here, too, that will help in raising my son.

Meeker is able in this book to share very blunt truths with us fathers. Her approach is clear, concise and, at times, downright “in your face.” However, she backs up all her statements with almost countless references to research and also with life stories she has seen over decades of serving as a counselor.

The key word is “strong,” and Meeker never backs down from that concept. In a world that teaches girls to be “tough,” Meeker teaches us dads “10 Secrets” to making a girl become truly strong. Though not written from a true Christian perspective, the book still teaches that fathers are to pass along certain traits, including our faith.

Dads, read this book! While you may know much of what is said here, the book adds a lot of weight and depth to how you will approach your precious daughter.

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Words from the Fire

Albert Mohler

Moody Publishers, 2009 (200 pages)

Dr. Albert Mohler’s blog and podcast (“The Briefing”) are two of my favorite things to take in each day. So I was excited to get a book written by him. Also, considering it was on a subject that I enjoy, I was doubly excited.

And I wasn’t disappointed. The book deals with the 10 Commandments. While you may think there is nothing more to learn on these ten statements from God, Dr. Mohler is able to share with us some modern thoughts that are very needed.

The best chapters, to me, are those that deal with what we sometimes call the “vertical” commands (those dealing with our submission to God). Mohler hammers home the concept of the true holiness of God, and of our need to be absolutely reverent as it pertains to the Lord.

Preachers, you will find nearly every chapter to be helpful in your study of the 10 Commandments, and you will also find that each chapter can be “preached” with just a little work. I highly recommend this book.

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Fireproof

Eric Wilson

Thomas Nelson, 2008 (312 pages)

Rarely do I read novels, but I couldn’t pass on this one. Leah had read it and told me that it meant a lot to her, so I took the time to read it. I figured I would be bored out of my mind, but I could hardly put it down!

Due to the success of the movie by the same name, as well as the popularity of this novel, most of you know the basis of Fireproof. The novel is able to draw the reader in, and make you feel for this couple as they struggle through a horrible relationship, and as the husband strives to win back his wife.

The overall message that I gained was that my bride is worth fighting for. While the story is good, that application is priceless. Hopefully, Leah has seen that in me since I finished this novel.

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Living Life in the Zone

Kyle Rote, Jr. and Dr. Joe Pettigrew

Thomas Nelson, 2009 (329 pages)

I reviewed this book in another article for booksneeze.com. If you are interested, you can read that post here.

Filed Under: Books

Good Thought-Provoking Book

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Adam Faughn • 1 Comment

Living in the Zone walks men through 40 days of Bible study and self-evaluation. The book is designed for those who love sports, and each chapter contains a story of someone associated with the world of athletics who models a specific and needed trait.

The 40-day approach has been all the rage lately, probably due to the success of Fireproof and its 40-day Love Dare. “Zone” is a book that is challenging, and will really cause men to think.

The 40 days are divided into 6 “zones” in which men need to evaluate their success and maturity against what God has to say in His Word. Maybe the most challenging is the zone of “work.” We often place work in its own compartment and fail to use it for spiritual purposes. The words of this book help us balance that against God’s Word.

The book is very much “devotional level,” but it is still challenging. Each chapter ends with questions and an assignment. Some of these assignments, though, are truly challenging. Some are more than one-day assignments, which might turn a few readers away.

Overall, I found the book to be helpful, and a needed reminder. If you are looking for a simple devotional book for men, this is a book to pick up. If you are looking for a deeper Bible study, you might want to look elsewhere.

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I reviewed this book for Booksneeze.com, in exchange for a free copy of the book.