So much has happened since I last made an entry on this blog. Time goes by so fast. I see my boys in their activities and wonder where the time goes. I get so wrapped up in the political news and the economic turmoil. I wonder how much of that crap my kids or any other kid for that matter even pays attention to it. Unfortunately, I can't use my own experience as an example, because I don't remember a time when i didn't pay attention to it. That's probably why I don't have the greatest health in the world. I'm stressed, over weight and have high blood pressure. I really wish life was more carefree.
I worry that I won't be able to teach my kids the things they really need to know before they grow up or before I croak. That's why I go through the process of doing this rite of passage thing with the boys. When Jake turned 13, I took him out to eat at a nice Italian restaurant with a good friend of ours, sat him down and told him some things that I expected from him, gave him some key scriptures to become familiar with some new freedoms that he would have access to now that he is older. I get to do this same process with Sam come July of this year when he turns 13.
When Jake turned 16 this past October I did phase II of the rite of passage with him. This time I took him out to his Uncle Bob's farm and we shot all kinds of guns. He's a great shot and I think he really enjoyed that. Again, Bob and I took him to a Mexican restaurant this time. We discussed the rights and responsibilities of turning 16 and driving. We also discussed how he needs to become more responsible around the house. We even swerved into how he she treat girls, especially those whom he may have an interest in. There are a few more freedoms that come with responsibilities as well.
I think when Sam turns 13 and I go through the first phase of the rite of passage with him I am really going to stress to him the need to know scriptures. I want him to know the Ten Commandments and some key verses to refer to in the middle of spiritual warfare. Times are tough. I truly believe that two things are true. We all need to rely on memorized scripture to get us through the tough times in life. I also want him to know about what is said in the United States Constitution. If more people would truly follow what is said in the Holy Bible and the Constitution, we would all be in a much better place in this life.
There is no way that in the human condition I am in that I'll be able to teach them all they really need to know. If I can get them to get into the word, and follow the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, they just might have a chance of turning out okay. My family has declared that Proverbs 3:5 is our verse for this year where it says Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. My goal is to get enough of the Bible into them that the devil can't take their soul and that they know enough about the founding fathers of this great nation and what is in the Constitution that no one can take their freedoms away from them.
I want the boys to be equipped with the full armor of God before they head out into the real world. Initially, I wanted to go through 4 phases of the rite of passage with the boys, until Jake informed me he wants to go into the military at age 18. I couldn't hardly send him off to defend his country and then come back just so I can declare him to be a man. I will finish the process off when the boys turn 18 and officially declare them to be a man, but they must be prepared to face the real world as mighty men of valor.
If anyone wants any information on how I got involved in this whole process, please get in touch with me. It's one of my all time favorite subjects to discuss just like my boys. I will walk you through the rite of passage process or give you any reference material you want. I just feel it is so important to prepare our sons properly or they will get devoured by the world or the Devourer himself.
