My Resolution

This resolution hangs on a wall in my home as well as in my office. It is a resolution that I have made to take full responsibility for my life as well as the life of my wonderful wife and precious children. I gave it to them yesterday for Father's Day. I felt impressed of the Lord to not only make this resolution, but to also speak a word of affirmation to my wife, Nichole, and to each one of our children. After affirming each one, I prayed a blessing over them, individually. It was very special, a day I will never forget and a day that I pray my children will see lived out everyday by their dad. With God's help, I plan to affirm my wife and children and pray a blessing over each one of them every Father's Day for the rest of my life and for His glory.

I was challenged to commit to this resolution from a movie that I have not even seen, Courageous, which will be in theatres starting September 30th. Be sure to click on the link to read a synopsis and watch a trailor of the movie by Sherwood Pictures, a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA --the makers of Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof. My wife and I are looking forward to the privielge of prescreening the movie with my wife and church staff and their wives next Thursday. There is a scene in the movie that I cannot wait to see where men make the same resolution I have made to be the spiritual leaders in their homes. Throughout the movie they display heroic acts of courage on behalf of citizens in their community, but their most courageous moment comes when they choose to stand as men and take responsibility for their own lives and the lives of their families.

I have been looking forward to seeing Courageous because I believe it wll be what I need to encourage me as a man to lead spiritually not only my wife and children, but the church I pastor and the community I live in. But, more than seeing a movie such as Courageous on the screne, I want to live this resolution in real, everyday life before my Father in heaven, my family at home, and the future that is here.

I completely understand that to be able to live up to this commitment, I will need my Master, my mate, and other men. If you are a man and reading this post I encourage you to make the same resolution for your family. Let's see this become a movement in hearts and homes all across America and not just a scene in a movie!

My

RESOLUTION

I DO solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself,
Nichole, and Madison, Morgan, Mallory, Meghan, Joshua, Stephen, and Maleah.

I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them
the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home.

I WILL be faithful to my wife, Nichole, to love and honor her,
and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.

I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with
all of their hearts, all of their minds, all of their soul, and all of their strength.

I WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibly.

I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.

I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and compassion.

I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.

I WILL forgive those who have wronged me
and reconcile with those I have wronged.

I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins,
and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.

I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to
His church, obey His Word, and do His will.

I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides
to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.

Keith A. Boggs
On Father’s Day the 19th day of JUNE in the year 2011


As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15





My All Pro Dad!

Gene Boggs - My All Pro Dad

A few weeks ago my brothers (Larry and Kenny) and sister (Wanda) and I along with our families had a 70th birthday party for our dad. It was a great time and blessing. We invited 70 of his friends and family to the party at Legion Park in Austell, GA where we all participated in recreational sports as children and our dad coached the boys in baseball while Wanda was a cheerleader.

As I was thinking about my dad and what to give him for his birthday, I wanted it to be special and meaningful. The Lord brought my attention to what a retired man shared with me while having the privilege of serving as a Family Revivalist for Life Action Ministries during a Summit in Jackson, MI at Bethel Baptist Church. During that Summit on the Saturday we hosted a Home Life Cafe (4hrs of teaching on the family). The retired man told me that the 50 Ways to Coach Your Children was "good stuff" and very helpful. 50 Ways to Coach Your Children was something I typed up and gave to every dad from a book I have in my office by Steve Farrar entitled, Anchor Man How a Father Can Anchor His Family in Christ for the Next 100 Years.

As I thought about that man's encouragement, I took the time to sit down and write a letter to my dad, letting him know 70 things he coached me in throughout life. It was a blessing to think through certain things my dad has coached me in as a boy, teenager, young adult, and now a husband and a father. I would like to share the list with you, maybe you will want to do something similar for your dad on Father's Day. Below is the text of the letter I wrote...

To My All-Pro Dad,
Below is a list of things that you have coached me in over the years. Although some of your coaching was very intentional, some of the things I learned from you came out of how you have lived your life over the years. You have made a big difference in my life and for that I would like to say that you are an All-Pro Dad!

70 ways you have coached me that have and will impact me and my family…

1. You coached me how to give 110 per cent in everything.
2. You coached me that men protect women.
3. You coached me how to respect and obey authority—parents, teachers, pastors, police officers, etc.
4. You coached me how to do a job right—the first time.
5. You coached me how to do what is right when no one else is around.
6. You coached me not to lie.
7. You coached me how to be a gentleman.
8. You coached me how to stand up to a bully and defend myself.
9. You coached me that when you said “No.” You meant, “No.”
10. You coached me that honesty is the best policy.
11. You coached me how to be able to stand alone.
12. You coached me how to be a follower, so that one day I could be a leader.
13. You coached me that it is a father’s job to provide for his family.
14. You coached me how to know what to look for in a wife.
15. You coached me that there is nothing that I could ever do that would make you stop loving me.
16. You coached me how to spend the time scouting for deer so that opening day would be a success.
17. You coached me how to fish slow and to set the hook.
18. You coached me to look people in the eyes whether I am speaking to them or listening to them.
19. You coached me how to tie a “Texas Rig” and a “Carolina Rig” knot so that I could bass fish alone.
20. You coached me how to catch fish from the back of the boat.
21. You coached me that hard work pays off.
22. You coached me how to steady the rifle, take a deep breath, and to squeeze the trigger.
23. You coached me not to get to close to a deer trail.
24. You coached me how to step toward the outside pitch and drive the ball to right field.
25. You coached me to get in front of the ball and to keep my head down, and watch the ball in the glove.
26. You coached me to use two hands when making the catch.
27. You coached me to look down field at all times.
28. You coached me that it is best to wash the vehicle twice and not once.
29. You coached me that legacy is more important than lifestyle.
30. You coached me that the outdoors is a privilege.
31. You coached me how to fish a “Pig-n-Jig.”
32. You coached me to read the “Sports Page” first.
33. You coached me how to use a push mower.
34. You coached me that it is okay to have a good time at the right time.
35. You coached me how to be there for my wife as you were there for my mother.
36. You coached me that men can wash the clothes, do the dishes, and vacuum.
37. You coached me how to give to people.
38. You coached me that it is okay for men to cry.
39. You coached me that my brothers and sister and their families are very special.
40. You coached me to look right, left, and then right again before crossing the road.
41. You coached me to keep my eyes on the belt, put my nose there, and then wrap to make a tackle.
42. You coached me to always pay the bills on time.
43. You coached me that being responsible goes a long way.
44. You coached me to step toward the target while throwing a football or baseball.
45. You coached me to see the ball hit the bat.
46. You coached me that my mother was to be honored and respected.
47. You coached me to take a full, smooth swing when driving a golf ball.
48. You coached me that meals together as a family make lasting memories.
49. You coached me to say, “Yes, Mam.” and “No, Mam.”
50. You coached me to trust in the Lord with all my heart.
51. You coached me to make sure the oil gets changed.
52. You coached me to handle money rather than letting money handle me.
53. You coached me to use a cool towel from the cooler on a hot day while playing golf.
54. You coached me how to tuck my shirt in and keep it tucked in.
55. You coached me that prayer is a powerful thing.
56. You coached me that I am responsible for my actions.
57. You coached me that it is important to vote.
58. You coached me to be well read.
59. You coached me that men lead the home.
60. You coached me that with God’s help my children can do anything He desires.
61. You coached me that taking a shower for an hour is okay every now and then.
62. You coach that it is not how I start but how I finish that makes the difference.
63. You coached me to obey you and mama.
64. You coached me that spending time as a family will never be regretted.
65. You coached me by treating Martha Ann as a virtuous woman also.
66. You coached me to keep my mouth piece in and buckle my chin strap.
67. You coached me that it is okay to take a nap on Sunday afternoon.
68. You coached me that momma was so special that Jesus wanted her in heaven.
69. You coached me to understand that to be successful at work and to fail at home is to fail completely.
70. You coached me that Proverbs 20:7 is a reality for me and can be for my children.

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
- Proverbs 20:7 -

Grateful to Have an All-Pro Dad,

Keith

Simple Living and Nature's Bounty!

Keith and I have desired to simplify our lives as much as possible, and do you know that even as we have successfully done that, our lives still seem sooooo busy. I can't imagine how it is for those who do everything and go everywhere! Part of the definition of simple living is a desire not only to reduce one's possessions, but also to increase one's self-sufficiency. Slowly, but surely we are trying to learn as much as we can to become more self-sufficient. We both were not raised this way, so it is taking some time and lots of effort.

We have had our chickens now for almost a month and they are getting fat and sassy! We let them out during the day and watch them peck around at the grass and scratch to find bugs. The kids love them and Joshua in particular has taken a special interest in them. During this past month we have dug potatoes and canned them.We have picked buckets of blueberries and frozen several bags and baked blueberry cobbler and blueberry coffee cake. We have picked corn and blanched it and frozen it in gallon size bags. We have been blessed with people who have offered their abundance to us and we have tried very hard to not let any go to waste!

This was my first time ever canning potatoes and the directions, of course, had to call for a pressure canner. I have NEVER used one and was very intimidated by them. I borrowed one from a friend and I am glad to report nothing blew up and the potatoes did very well. I hope to save these for later and use them for mashed potatoes.

Our beloved tomatoes are coming in. They are heirloom and completely organic! We have about 25-30 plants. We hope to can some of them, but I am afraid that they may not make it past the supper table!

After waiting 6 long (really doesn't seem that long at all!) months, I finally have homemade vanilla extract. I was able to order some organic vanilla beans from the co-op that I am apart of at a reasonable price and a friend of mine (because I just couldn't bring myself to do it!) bought some vodka for me. I know that seems really terrible to say, but it was necessary to pull the good stuff from the beans to make the extract. And anyway, that is what is in your extract sitting in your pantry right now! It is very strong and delicious. I will be doing this again. Hopefully my next batch will make it into pretty jars with pretty labels and we will give some away at Christmas time. It is so super easy and I got the idea from http://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/.

This is definitely not very much in the arena of "self-sufficient" living, but it is a start. We have thoroughly enjoyed everything and the kids have been such a big help in every step of the way!

Thankful for black dirt under fingernails that have been digging potatoes, cucumbers on swollen eyes, chickens getting plump, tomatoes turning ripe, blueberry covered faces, warm cobbler, vanilla flavored everything, a God who makes all things grow (even me).

Nichole