I read an interesting article from Voice of the Marytrs challenging always putting ours kids first above everything else. That is our mindset in America. Parents are a virtual taxi service for children as they hurriedly wisk them from one practice to the next recital. What about God in the child's life? Church? Sunday School? Youth Group? There is a name for this kind of parent, Helicopter parents. They hover. Some even call or  drive to their student's college campues to argue with prof's over grades!

The Bible doesn't always argue for children first. Luke 8:19-21. There Jesus says His mother and brothers are those who put God's word into practice. In Luke 9:59-62, the first man wants to follow Jesus but needs to bury his father. The second man needs to say goodbye to his family first. Jesus challenges both that He comes first.

What are your thoughts?

Matthew 7:24-27 compares and contrasts 2 builders. One builds on the rock, that is he puts Jesus' words into practice. He obeys. The other builder builds on sand. That is, he doesn't obey. When the storm struck his house fell. Here is the interesting thing. It didn't fall before the storm. It looked fine. His house stood during good weather. That can be like us. We seem do be doing fine, then a storm hits and our true condition is revealed. 

In reading Matthew 7:21-23, it seems that the person is surprised that they won't be staying in heaven. They list all their great works for God. Jesus tells them, "depart from Me." This passage should cause us to grapple hard with our faith to make sure we are Christians. Do you think there will be surprises in heaven?

Jesus is very clear that the road to life is narrow and few find it. This goes against the prevailing attitude in our culture that all roads lead to God. Anyone want to weigh in?

Jesus is excited about prayer and invites us. Because He knows the Father, He is willing to even take the risk of being misunderstood in vs. 8: "for everyone who asks, receives...seeks, finds...knocks, it will be open." Do you see the Father this way?