Just look at the difference in Lot and Rahab. Both made an impact on their families. Lot in his decision to cast his tent towards Sodom. Rahab in her decision to rescue the Israelite spies. Were they both "saved"? It would seem so. The question is not just are we saved? But are we making an IMPACT on the ones that should be the very most important to us in this world. Can we have an impact on our family? Can we have a positive impact on our family? YES, YES, MOST CERTAINLY YES!

I. Be Consecrated to Christ before your family

A. Allows you to pray for them
B. Allows them to see the power of Christ in ones life

A. Sacrifice if need be
B. Show and have a genuine interest

A. Don't do anything you would not have your grown child do.
B. They will become what you show them they can get away with.

A. Mutual respect for your family
B. Respect for others when they are not there.

A. So crucial that our family knows we love them
B. We must put them before self, church, job, friends, and more distant family!

Gary Marcum - East 38th Street Free Will Baptist - 101396am

Cat's in the Cradle
by Harry Chappin

My child arrived just the other day,
He came to the world in the usual way;
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay;
He learned to walk while I was away,
And he was talkin' afore I knew it,
And as he grew he'd say,
"I'm going to be like you, dad,
You know I'm going to be like you."

And the cat's in the cradle, and the silver spoon,
The little boy blue, and the man in the moon.
"When you comin' home, Dad?"
"Well I don't know when,
But we'll have a good time then,
Son, you know we'll have a good time, then."

Well my son turned ten just the other day.
"He said thanks for the ball, Dad,
Come on can you teach me to throw?"
I said, "Not today, I've got a lot to do."
He said, "That's okay!"
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed.
And he said, "I'm going to be like him, yeah,
You know I'm going to be like him. "

And the cat's in the cradle, and the silver spoon,
The little boy blue, and the man in the moon.
"When you comin' home, Dad?"
"Well I don't know when,
But we'll have a good time then,
Son, you know we'll have a good time,then."

Well he came home from college just the other day.
So much like a man that I just had to say,
"Son I'm proud of you, can you sit for awhile?"
He shook his head and he said with a smile,
"What I'd really like is to borrow the keys,
See you later, can I have them please?"
"When you coming home, Son?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then, Dad,
You know we'll have a good time, then."

Well' I've long since retired and my son's moved away,
And I called him up just the other day.
I said, "I'd sure like to see you if you don't mind."
He said, "I'd love to dad if I can find the time.
But you see my new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu
But it's sure been nice talkin' to you,
It's been nice talkin' to you"
And as I hung up the phone,
it occurred to me, he'd grown up just like me,
My boy was just like me.

And the cat's in the cradle, and the silver spoon,
The little boy blue, and the man in the moon.
"When you comin' home Son?"
"Well I don't know when,
But we'll have a good time then, Dad,
You know we'll have a good time, "then.