Signs
This is what it looks like when we began to surround ourselves with the truth of the gospel.
I can probably stop saying this, but our older children can affirm that above and beyond the typical household rules they were raised with strong undertones of religion and the rigid behavior associated. That was before we woke up from our gospel amnesia.
This sign stares down on our kitchen table. A daily reminder to all of us as to whose we are!
I have noticed a change though. The other day I grabbed my phone and took a few pictures of the art and posters that we have hanging around our house. Kendra has always been purposeful in what we hang on our walls, so I was particularly interested in a few of the signs and what they communicate. I am pretty stoked to see the change and what words are placed around our home, especially the ones that communicate to us that God's love is abundant and His grace is scandalous.
The idea behind a lot of these signs is to saturate our family with the gospel. Notice: I did not say saturate our kids. I said saturate our family. Long gone are the days that dad and mom have this all figured out and we put up things to teach the kids. We need the gospel communicated to us on a moment by moment basis just as much as our children. We need to learn what it looks like to be the chief confessors in our home and then model that in front of our kids. I want them to see that we fail and we need Jesus just as much as them.
These little signposts are used to help remind the entire family that we are all part of the same journey. We are all seeking after God. Compared to previous days in our home, these signs can help us to remember that we are pursuing Him and the righteousness that only Jesus can provide.
We sometimes need to remember that we serve a very big God who holds all of time and space within the palm of His hand. We need to remember to dream big and ask God to help us think beyond our limited resources. It is also okay to fail. Dream big. Let God fill in the gaps and meet the needs. It's good to watch Him open the doors that we think are shut tight and shut doors that we are trying to pry open.
Hey readers! I'm not writing this out to sound prideful. I'm not showing off. I'm not saying, "Hey look at our cool family and the stuff we put on our walls. You should be just like us." That's a bunch of crap and I don't play the comparison game. Nah, I just thought it was cool to see a physical change around our home that complements a non-visual change taking place in the family that lives in that home. That being said, are you looking for positive inspirational artwork? Consider the Fletchifesto!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
The Gospel, Andrew, Tattoos
"Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."
Upon encountering Jesus for the first time, Andrew immediately recognized Him as the messiah. He dropped his nets, his profession, and his livelihood and grabbed his brother Peter to go and follow Jesus.
For three years Andrew listened and learned and travelled with Jesus. He assisted personally with the ministry of Jesus. He was there during private moments of personal instruction. Andrew was involved and committed to the work and mission of the Messiah.
Fast forward to the end of the gospels and the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus. We get a peek into a few of the other disciple's thoughts and actions, but I wonder what Andrew thought when he saw that Christ was arrested, tried and then killed? According to the accounts of Matthew and Mark, we know that when Jesus was arrested, all the disciples fled. We know that his brother Peter hung around in the distance, but I wonder if Andrew hid in fear?
I'm not speculating from scripture, but considering what I would have done in the same situation. If I had followed someone and identified myself with them and their ministry, what would my reaction be to a swift arrest, trial and execution. What was Andrew's response? Did he (and the others) feared they would be next in line for the cross?
I wonder if Andrew ever felt like he had been duped. He gave up everything to follow Jesus and become a "fisher of men" only to end up with his leader being tried and executed as a criminal and blasphemer. Did it (even for a moment) cause him to second guess the previous few years of discipleship?
If so, his questions and doubts were quickly addressed within days as Christ began to make his appearances to the disciples and confirm that He was in fact alive! Then Pentecost and the filling with the Holy Spirit. All the disciples, Andrew included, received supernatural power and spilled out into the streets speaking in the dialects of all the pilgrims who were gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost.
Church history tells us that Andrew fulfilled his calling. He continued to fish for men throughout the near East and as far north as Russia. His eventual martyrdom took place in Patras, Greece. Legend states that when Andrew was crucified, he was bound on a cross and requested the shape of an X, so as not to find equality with Christ in death.
Some of the relics of Andrew can be found in Patras, including his cross, but several of his relics are located in a cathedral in Amalfi, Italy. We had the opportunity to travel through Italy last month and although I do not subscribe to saint worship, I loved the opportunity to visit Amalfi and visit the tributes to my favorite apostle.
I was not named after the apostle. My parents did not have hidden plans for me to become an evangelist. At my birth I was named after my Italian grandfather: Andrew Carlino. However, my new life with Christ began with a simple invitation to follow Jesus and along the way I have found many people willing to listen to the GREAT NEWS that Jesus offers to us here, now and in the future. Like Andrew's brother Peter, some of those people continue to follow Jesus with me today!
Was it worth getting the tattoo? You bet. I have more discussions about the calling of Andrew and the good news of Jesus because of that tattoo. Here's the bigger question: Will it be worth an X-shaped cross? Pray for me that the answer will always be yes.
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Movember
At the beginning of 2013, I received some disturbing results on a few blood tests (thanks Dr. John Beech) that showed my iron was very high. After some yoga, some weightloss and a few blood donations, I was right back to normal.
Throughout all the blood tests and efforts, suddenly my health became important to me.
Last year I had a few friends take part in the Movember movement. So, during the month of November, I will be growing out my moustache to help raise awareness and money for Men's health. Check out my Movember Page and consider donating or even better join my team: MoFletch and help me raise money for a great cause. Let me know if you want to participate and become my MoBro!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
The Homeschool Post
Follow this button to read what I have to say over at The Homeschool Post.
I am excited to announce that I will be blogging as a monthly contributor over at The Homeschool Post.
I am the first homeschool dad to write for The HSBA Post and look forward to representing the often under spoken voice of homeschool dads. By "under spoken," I don't mean that homeschool dads are not given a platform to express our thoughts, views, or beliefs. I mean that even when given the opportunity (blogging, conferences, etc...) most dads do not take the chance to speak up about homeschooling, choosing instead to push their wives into the arena of discussion and debate.
With a wife who is extremely involved in the world of homeschooling and blogging, I have been immersed in the homeschooling world for nearly 15 years. I've seen a lot of versions of homeschooling. The good, the bad and the ugly. It is my hope to bring everything I have to the table: experience, stimulating thoughts, gobs of humor, occasional frustration, regular encouragement, and my typical "stick-poking" to the broad topic of homeschooling.
Each month, I will let my readers here at theMangoTimes know what I am writing about over there and hopefully you will visit me at both locations.
Today's post is a basic introduction to who I am: Meet Fletch!
For those who have been around theMangoTimes, there's nothing much new about me to say, but I would still love it if you would drop by and leave me a comment at The HSBA Post. Thanks!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Happy Thanksgiving 2012
Every Thanksgiving, I make it a point to make contact with friends and family who have made an impact in my life over the years. Just a quick note or phone call to thank them for being in my life! I want to do the same to all of the readers of theMangoTimes!
Thanks for reading, thanks for interacting with me, thanks for helping me laugh, thanks for helping me think, thanks for reminding me when I've encouraged you, thanks for telling me when I've stepped on your toes! I am thankful for social media, blogging and the chance to interact with so many of you!
Eat well! Fellowship well! Be grateful!
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Homeschool Heartbea
This week on Homeschool Heartbeat...theMangoTimes!
I was recently interviewed by Mike Smith for five short snippets that begin airing this week on HSLDA's Homeschool Heartbeat. During the interview, I answered questions about homeschooling from my perspective as a dad.
I really had a great time sharing how I have practically been involved homeschooling our eight kids. Like a lot of dads, I work outside of our home full time, which for me means leaving the house before anyone wakes up and not getting home until dinner is being placed on the table. Let's face it, I'm not there for any of the schooling.
I was able to share a few ways that I have been able to encourage my wife and practically help her with school. I also shared why I believe my main responsibility is to keep us focused on the gospel and how I try to encourage all of us not to shift our hope in Christ onto homeschooling, curriculum or the best educational philosophies.
First time visitors to theMangoTimes? Here are a few recommended posts:
More information on the FourOneOne teen study that was mentioned : Four One One
More on family traditions: The Longest Day
A 3-Part series on Homeschooling Dads at my wife's blog: Part One, Part Two, Part Three
A snapshot at our dinner conversation/laughs: Dad's Death and Cannibals
Just in time for Christmas: The SkyMall Catalog
A Brilliant Invention: The Hands Free Coffee Cup
You can also check out any of the categories on the sidebar on the right. Also, If you missed the interviews you can link to the Homeschool Heartbeat Interviews directly by following the links below:
11/5/12 - Homeschooling Dad, Apologist
11/6/12 - Dad's Job Starts with Mom
11/7/12 - Making Memories
11/8/12 - Enter 4OneOne
11/9/12 - Mentoring Young Men
Quietly making noise,
Fletch