09.19.06

Today’s devotional was written by Dr. Walker Moore who is president of AweStar Ministries in Tulsa, P. O. Box 470265, Tulsa 74147. You may contact Walker at walker@awestar.org or 800.293.7827. Visit their website at www.awestar.org.

God’s Word: For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. - 1 Timothy 4:8

Reflection: I am not one of those guys that must have a brand-new car. To me, a new car is one that has less than 100,000 miles on it. Cars have become so expensive and now,they have found a way to install everything but the kitchen sink (I’ll bet some even have that.) I rode in a friend’s car this morning and I thought I was having hot flashes. The part of my body that I sit on began to get hot, very hot. Finally, I mentioned it and the owner informed me that the car had built in seat warmers. Boy, was I ever relieved!

Both of my sons have talked to me about trading in their cars and getting a newer model. Personally, I think they both still have about 100,000 miles left before that needs to happen. I gave my sons some fatherly advice about when they need to trade their cars in for another one. 1

) If you are sitting at a stoplight and people keep running up to you asking if anyone was hurt, then you might need a new car. 

2) If thieves repeatedly break into your car just to steal the club, you might need to consider buying a new car.

 3) If your speedometer is written with Roman numerals then it might be time to get a new vehicle. 

4) If you lose the stoplight challenge to a 14-year old on a mo-ped, you may need a new mode of transportation.

 5) If your car’s air bag is a whoopee cushion taped to your steering wheel, then it is probably time to get another car.

I am not bragging, but my grandfather bought a brand new Chevrolet pickup in 1951 and it is 49 years later. Our family still drives it. This goes to show that if you keep a car maintained it should last you a long time.

Like your car, your relationship with your child also benefits from regular maintenance. After 3,000 miles, you have to replace the "I love you” oil. You cannot fill it up once and expect it to last forever. You need to make sure their self-esteem is adequately inflated. Two things that can ruin your child are over inflation or under inflation. You need to make that a regular check, because you do not want your children to have a blow out on the highway of life.

Take a look under the heart and see how their spiritual engine is running. This is such a delicate part of their lives and sometimes bad fuel can cause it to sputter or even to stall. There is nothing worse than a car sitting in your driveway that will not run. But even worse is to have a child that is sitting, going nowhere. So take care of your child—then both will last a lifetime.

Insight: Watch for your child’s check engine light and respond appropriately when needed

Prayer: Dear Father, help me be a responsible parent. You have put a delicate and complicated being in my home. Help me realize when something in my child is not running right. Then, please give me the wisdom to know how to fix it. Amen.