Dwight Mason, the pastor here at NewPointe has written a book!!!
Today I'm writing to tell you (especially you moms) why you should go get this book and read it.
First let me say that Dwight has been a huge influence in the life of our family over the past year and a half. He has challenged us, loved us, and supported us in so many ways. We have been so blessed from his leadership. From his leadership and the man he is, he has gained our respect and love. Reading his book was awesome. It was so neat to know the man and the man's heart behind the words I was reading. Knowing that he is a true example for us (he's the "real deal") made what he wrote that much more meaningful and special.
The title of Dwight's book is Only God. It's about changing your story, and changing the world. Dwight has a huge vision for our church, one that Only God can deliver. It's to have 10 campuses by 2020. A huge vision that at times seems daunting, but Dwight in confident that it's a vision given by God, and one that will come to fruition because of God. In his book, he inspires you to create an Only God story of your own, and provides you with action steps to help write that story.
My life can seem quite mundane and insignificant in the grand scheme of things. I'm a stay at home mom, with my sphere of influence being 2 - Cooper and Andrew. But reading this book renewed my sense of purpose as a wife and mom. There is a chapter entitled "Helping your Children Write a Great Story." It has been my hope and prayer since I knew I was pregnant with Cooper that he do something great for God. I'm sure every parent feels the sense that their child is going to do great things. Naturally, this chapter stuck out to me. Let me share with you some quotes and notes from this chapter.
"I hope that you are working with God to break free of every bond and unhealthy pattern in your life, because giving your child a spiritually, emotionally, and relationally healthy parent is job number one in helping him or her write a great story."
"When you get into a radical relationship with the God who loves you and made you, you become free to become the person you were created to be - your authentic self. Then you are able to love, parent, and set your child on an exciting journey."
Dwight lists 12 ways we can help our children write a great story. Some of the ones that stuck out to me:
-Dismiss cynical attitudes and sarcasm from your home. "Enough exposure to cynicism, even under the cover of humor, will warp your children's perspectives and put them at a disadvantage in a world that needs hope and optimism."
-Work with God to balance grace and truth. "Grace lets a child know how deeply and completely she is loved; truth guides her into the reality of what she must do and become. Grace and truth say, 'I forgive you for what you did. But, here's the consequence we're facing.' Grace and truth say, 'I am 100 percent on your side, even if you don't feel like I am. But you have to respect the rules.'"
-Prioritize responsibility and self-control. "One of the most important tasks you as a parent must tackle is transforming your child's perspective from 'My life is your responsibility' to 'My life is my responsibility.'" "When your child learns that the pen really is in his hand, he will be on his way to writing a great story."
-Help your child develop a specific competence and poise. "Helping your child find areas where she can excel - a skill she can master - is a huge hand in the world of adults, where you have to kow something to make it. Solomon said it well: 'Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men' Prov. 22:29."
If you are inquisitive on how to help your children create their life story in an "Only God" way, this chapter will speak to you. But living out your own "Only God" story will speak high volumes to your child.
Two of my favorite quotes from the book are:
"God did not give you your one and only life to spend it in a monotonous repetition of meaningless and unfulfilling activity. He built you for greatness and contribution."
"Whenever change is an option, fear comes calling. We must remember that the counsel fear gives will always be tainted and twisted. It is our duty to gain victory over it."
Please, go buy the book. Let God speak to you while you read it. Then share your story, and help influence the story of others. Let others look at you and say "Only God."
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