May 17, 2010
Abortion
Proverbs 18:17

EARS TO HEAR is the radio ministry of FAMILIES. BY GOD. For EARS TO HEAR, here’s Tim Glisson.

Why is it that a 14 year old girl in this country needs to have her parents consent to go to counseling but not to get an abortion?

Whoever is passing these laws is doing us and themselves a great disservice.

We wisely don’t trust 14 year old girls to deal with the responsibilities of driving cars, or voting, we’ll barely let them baby-sit without a mass of rules and regulations, but we’ll give them complete authority to kill their babies?

And it doesn’t matter how many of our nation’s abortions have been committed by teenagers, one is too many. The point is that anyone who doesn’t stand up and scream literally bloody murder is committing two sins: first as an accomplice to murder, and two child abuse of the girls.

People regret having abortions: it’s really that simple. And all around the country programs are popping up to help deal with grief, repentance, healing and restoration: Project Rachel in Florida, Hope and Healing in Illinois, as well as Listen and Heal right here in New York State.

Sadly enough an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Proverbs 18:17 tells us that any story sounds true until someone sets the record straight. So if the Body of Christ – you and me – doesn’t set the record straight about the lies of abortion, who will?

If you have EARS to HEAR the cry of the child, please visit our website at FAMILIESBYGOD.org. For EARS TO HEAR, I’m Tim Glisson.

May 11, 2010
“At Ease in Zion”
Amos 6:1

EARS TO HEAR is the radio ministry of FAMILIES. BY GOD. For EARS TO HEAR, here’s Tim Glisson.

We’re often asked why our focus is on domestic orphans rather than international. It’s a good question. The answer isn’t so much that we don’t care about those overseas, but that the fatherless in our own fields need more attention.

Let me give you an example. The Voice of the Martyr is an organization we greatly endorse: telling stories of Christian persecution world-wide including children being orphaned. As Voice of the Martyr gets these stories out, stories so painfully obvious any Christian with Ears will hear them, the Body of Christ naturally comes to these children’s aid.

But as the prophet Amos wrote “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion”, here in the U.S..
orphans often live their lives in anonymity or worse

When international orphans are harmed everybody knows it: when local orphans are abused even they sometimes don’t get it.

Young boys and girls who watch their father executed, their mother tortured while they are forced to flee for their lives understand there is a better way. In this country kids watch the same thing and grow up to unwittingly repeat the cycle: not knowing another way or maybe seeking the power it portrays.

They often end up mere statistics, first in the child welfare system and then the adult penal system. That’s tragic. That’s wrong. That’s why the Church needs to step in – right here in Zion.

If you have EARS to HEAR God’s heart for the fatherless, please visit our website at FAMILIESBYGOD.org. For EARS TO HEAR, I’m Tim Glisson.

May 10, 2010
Life and Joy
Psalm 13:12

EARS TO HEAR is the radio ministry of FAMILIES. BY GOD. For EARS TO HEAR, here’s Tim Glisson.

If you ever were the last kid picked for a team, asked to the prom, or offered a job out of college, you know the angst of waiting. As has been sung, “the waiting is the hardest part”.

Imagine then living in a shelter with 60 other kids all waiting to be adopted and having to watch one by one as your friends and peers are picked by families…and you’re not.

Can you feel the frustration? The anger? The pain, at not being picked.

How many other kids do you watch leave before you give up hope? Before you become so mad and bitter you start to act out?

Proverbs 13:12 tells us that “hope deferred makes the heart sick”. We all know the feeling of a broken heart, have you ever experienced a sick one?

For close to 200 thousand kids in our country that’s what awaits. That’s how many children in foster care are over the age of ten, have been waiting at least three years to be adopted, and facing a 50 percent chance of never being so.

At some point most of these kids will be labeled as having anger issues or oppositional defiance: who wouldn’t?

Yet, the flip side of proverbs 13:12 says “but when dreams come true, there is life and joy”.

Is God calling you to bring a little life and joy into your home?

If you have EARS TO HEAR His call please visit our website at FAMILIESBYGOD.org. For EARS TO HEAR, I’m Tim Glisson.

May 6, 2010
National Day of Prayer
Malachi 4:6

EARS TO HEAR is the radio ministry of FAMILIES. BY GOD. For EARS TO HEAR, here’s Tim Glisson.

The Bible is crystal clear in its calling for all believers to pass on their faith to their children. Psalm 78 composes it; Exodus 10:2 commands it; while Deuteronomy 4:9 confirms it: “tell in the ears of thy son, and of they son’s son, the signs I have done that ye may know I am Lord”.

Father’s teach your children well or like the Ehiopian prince Phillip encountered in the book of Acts “how would I understand if no one has taught me?”

Unfortunately that’s where the devil is defeating America these days. Increasingly men in the U.S. are abdicating their God given role of shepherd at rates far too rapid. The number of single mother heads of households has tripled in one generation. Government programs have only served to enable this unfortunate trend, and society has dropped the bar for manhood so low one only has to fall down to get over it.

The measure of a man should never be taken in the job he has, car he drives, race he runs, nor even in the number of children spawned. No the measure of a man in any generation should be his love of the Lord; and whether he passes that on to his children.

On this day of National Prayer won’t you please join us in petitioning God to return the hearts of fathers everywhere to their children lest God come and smite the earth with a curse.

If you have EARS to HEAR God’s heart for His children, please visit our website at FAMILIESBYGOD.org. For EARS TO HEAR, I’m Tim Glisson.

May 4, 2010
Meekness
Timothy 1:7

EARS TO HEAR is the radio ministry of FAMILIES. BY GOD. For EARS TO HEAR, here’s Tim Glisson.

Meekness is often mistaken for weaknesses. To most meek means spineless, cowardly, or timid. Not attractive words to describe a man, less so if that man is you. Yet, meek men are exactly what this world needs more of.

Consider the modern version of a strong man: Champions of Industry who prefer their work over their families; The Independent Man who can’t be tied down but is happy to spawn a family and run; or The Humanist who’s world-view begins and ends with himself, arrogantly confident that the whole notion of God is only for the “meek”.

Contrast this with the Bible, which describes two of the toughest alpha males to ever roam the earth, Moses and Jesus, as meek.

Jesus himself used the term. But when he said the meek shall inherit the earth, he wasn’t thinking of poor, pathetic, weeping souls, but rather wild stallions whose power would be harnessed by Christ himself for great and mighty things. To powerfully love and protect their wives. To powerfully raise and teach their children. To powerfully care for the poor, the oppressed, the orphans, and the widows.

Timothy 1:7 says that “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Men need to be meek. Raw power harnessed by Christ.

If you’re willing to be a meek man, please visit our website at FAMILIESBYGOD.org. For EARS TO HEAR, I’m Tim Glisson.

May 3, 2010
The Hays Code
Matthew 10:14; Galatians 5

EARS TO HEAR is the radio ministry of FAMILIES. BY GOD. For EARS TO HEAR, here’s Tim Glisson.

Oh how the mighty are fallen. Once society’s standard for morality and virtue, Hollywood and its products now set the bar for wickedness and vice with its incessant filth, lasciviousness and depravity.

Hollywood, once society’s standard for morality and virtue? That’s right, and by design too. In fact, when movies first started talking in the 30’s Hollywood initiated, installed, and enforced its own production code which largely mirrored the Apostle Paul’s moral code written to the Galatians close to two centuries prior.

Uncleanness, adultery, idolatry, and murders in the forms of nudity, illicit sex, homosexuality and violence all were taboo – not just hidden, but specifically not allowed!

Known as the Hays Code, the industry also prohibited movies from ridiculing religion, depicting drug use, or promoting “low, disgusting and unpleasant subjects”.

How did the once mighty fall so fast? The Body of Christ let its guard down of course and men who were lovers of their own selves, without natural affection, denying God crept in unawares. How do we help the fallen get back up? By lifting ourselves up naturally.

Next time you find yourself or any other member of your family in front of a screen, any screen – movie, TV, or computer – that promotes evil and pictures filth; get up, shake the dust from your sandals and flee.

If you have EARS to HEAR God’s Word, please visit our website at FAMILIESBYGOD.org. For EARS TO HEAR, I’m Tim Glisson.

April 29, 2010

Teach Your Children

Psalm 78

EARS TO HEAR is the radio ministry of FAMILIES. BY GOD. For EARS TO HEAR, here’s Tim Glisson.

If you have a heart for kids in the child welfare system, you can’t read Psalm 78 and not be moved.

All of American’s orphans are the fatherless our father’s heart aches for. Psalm 78 is all about father’s teaching their children all about God.

Who can deny the most-high God it begs? Who can forget His works, and His wonders that He showed them? Standing water up. Bringing streams from rocks. Raining food. Commanding the clouds and opening the doors of heaven? Who can deny all this?

Anyone who hasn’t been told, that’s who.

Like the Ethiopian prince taught by Phillip who asked “How would I know, no one has taught me”, children who have never had fathers certainly have no fathers to teach them about God.

And if you’ve never heard of God’s precious love, how could you ever put your faith in Him?

Second Peter 3:9 says that God is not willing that any should perish. Least of all His precious children. But in order to be saved they need to be taught. By their Fathers. According to God’s plan. Has the Lord placed a fatherless child on your heart…to teach?

If you have EARS TO HEAR His call please visit our website at FAMILIESBYGOD.org or call 315-687-5322. For EARS TO HEAR, I’m Tim Glisson.

April 27, 2010

God’s M.O.

EARS TO HEAR is the radio ministry of FAMILIES. BY GOD. For EARS TO HEAR, here’s Tim Glisson.

Studies suggest that only one out of every ten couple considering adoption actually go through with it. Why such a horrid ratio? Two reasons often given are that the problem is just too big or our talents are way too small. Some say “You can’t save them all”; others can’t believe God is calling them to such a critical assignment.

And maybe they’re right: we can’t save them all. But God can. As for disbelieving how God wants to use us: employing our paltry skills to overcome insurmountable odds is exactly God’s M.O.

Moses led his people right into ruin at the Red Sea until God saved the day. Do you actually believe David could’ve beaten Goliath with a slingshot if not for God’s help? Who could ever imagine trumpets toppling city walls, or 12 ignorant apostles spreading the Gospel? Please, thank God we don’t have to rely on our skills.

If God is calling you to adopt a child, don’t question His wisdom. He knows exactly how he made you and what is in store for you. He’ll go ahead of you and give you the right words at the right time. He’ll make your crooked paths straight. Don’t bother yourself with picking out the “right” child, or making sure it’s the right time. Your only job is to say “Yes, Lord” and obey.

If you have EARS to HEAR God’s heart for adoption, please visit our website at FAMILIESBYGOD.org. For EARS TO HEAR, I’m Tim Glisson.

April 26, 2010

The Elderly

Proverbs 23:22

EARS TO HEAR is the radio ministry of FAMILIES. BY GOD. For EARS TO HEAR, here’s Tim Glisson.

Why is it that with cheese, wines and artifacts, the older they are the more revered they become but with people aging appears repulsive? It’s hardly Biblical but age is currently viewed as some incurable disease to be fought or ignored – hardly embraced.

We know that’s not pleasing to God as “honor your father and mother” is not a suggestion but a command. And if that’s not enough Jesus, in Mark chapter 7, puts the exclamation mark on the decree telling the Pharisees who disgraced their parents “He who speaks evil of his father and mother, let him surely die”. That’s pretty strong.

So what does God intend by honor? Solomon gives us a clue in Proverbs 23 when he writes “listen to your Father and do not despise your mother when she is old.” Some of the greatest lessons of life can be learned from those who lived them.

Timothy put that advice to good use as he learned from the apostle Paul, who by the way is the same old warrior educating many of us today as we read much of the New Testament.

The elderly in our communities still have an assignment just as you and I do. They still have value, just as you and I do. And they still have something to give, maybe it’s a gift for you or me. Visit them won’t you?

If you have EARS to HEAR God’s love for His children, please visit our website at FAMILIESBYGOD.org. For EARS TO HEAR, I’m Tim Glisson.

April 22, 2010
“You Mean This Week?”

EARS TO HEAR is the radio ministry of FAMILIES.BY GOD. For EARS TO HEAR, here’s Tim Glisson.

Experts disagree on how to assess the vitality of a neighborhood: economists look at housing stock, politicians look at the sidewalks, and business looks at… well, business.

I say if you want to know how a neighborhood is doing ask the kids who their father is, and then watch their faces.

If you get a bright smile complete with wide eyes it’s a sure sign dad is present and correct. And that’s a great thing for a neighborhood to have. Dads who love their kids work hard to provide for them. Dads who love their kids train them up God’s way. Dad’s who love their kids don’t tolerate disrespect, delinquency, or dysfunction for them, or anyone near them.

But if you get a a downward glance, bewilderment, or even a question in return such as: “You mean this week?” and you’ve got troubles

Without a strong man guarding the house the devil will waltz right in and turn it over to reprobate minds: boys in men’s bodies full of profane and vain babblings stealing righteousness like a canker worm; drugs will run rampant, crime will sky high and fear of the Lord will cease.

It’s happening across the country. It’s happening in your city. It’s happening right down your street. Men, the fields of the fatherless need us.

If you have EARS to HEAR, please visit our website at FAMILIESBYGOD.org. For EARS TO HEAR, I’m Tim Glisson.