Hicks Family Blog

The Duggars: 20 and Counting / Do Hard Things

2009-06-29T14:01:00.003-06:00

Getting back to my book reviews. I finished up two this week.

First, Crystal and I read The Duggars: 20 and Counting, authored by Jim-Bob & Michelle Duggar (whom you've probably seen on TV). Since they have 18 children we hoped to glean some tips and tricks for managing a large family. While the book contained plenty of this sort of advice in the end that wasn't what drew my attention. The underlying theme of the book (and the Duggar family) is trusting God to direct every decision you make. The Duggars go into detail about their past and the decisions which they made both with and apart from God's guidance - and the results that followed. It is evident that God has richly blessed their family both financially and fertily (is that a word?) for seeking his will. Even if you don't have a bunch of kids this book is well worth the read simply to see God at work in their lives.

Second, I read Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris. This book is written by teenagers for teenagers, but it speaks a number of truths that I found quite relevant as an adult. The Harris twins challenge teens to step beyond the world's low expectations of them and truly do something extraordinary. Scattered thoughout the book are dozens of examples of teens who put down the game controller and TV remote and made something of their life - prior to turning 21. Even for me at age 28 this book served as a real challenge to move beyond what is expected and tackle what is truly challenging. Beyond the message of the book I appreciated that the authors included a chapter on practical steps of acting on what you learned (again with examples). So many books will try to sell an idea but in the end leave the reader with no direction for how to achieve that idea. I wish I would have read Do Hard Things as a teen - I'm suspect the challenge within may have motivated me to waste far less time during that period of my life. This is going to be mandatory reading for my kids once they're a bit older.

2009 Christian Family Conference

2009-06-24T14:41:00.002-06:00

We recently returned from the 2009 Christian Family Conference in Denver, sponsored by Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC). The conference served as encouragement a chance for Crystal and I to re-focus on our commitment to develop in our children a passion to follow Jesus in every aspect of their life. As a parent, I can not see any other goal that is more critical to us at this stage in life.

To be honest, I'm finding it to be a big challenge. I realize the only way we can instill those values in our children is if they first see them modeled in us...and that just isn't as easy as it sounds. I recently had to face up to this firsthand when Crystal brought to my attention that I was allowing addiction to my computer to frequently usurp my quality time with her and the kids. I was resistant to give it up, but agreed to leave my computer at work over the weekend and instead focus on my task as a dad and husband. In hindsight, I'm really glad I did - but believe me it wasn't easy at the time.

The conference trip also doubled as our anniversary getaway. Mom and Kate kept the kids, except for Emery who wen't with Grandpa "Wiggy" to California to work on airplanes (both their favorite!). It was nice to have some quality time to spend together without the kids....we don't get it very often. Our friends Brian & Jenny Jarrett were able to escape for four days too, and we had an enjoyable time discussing what we were learning at the conference over meals with them. Brian will be blogging about some of his observations on their family blog if you're interested in taking a look.

I'm hoping to do some more blogging here myself over the course of the next few months. Things have been far to bare around here for a while.

Long Time, No Post...

2009-03-18T14:19:00.002-06:00

Sorry for my lack of updates recently. During the month of February a lot of my spare time was consumed rehersing for a performance of Guys & Dolls, and therefore I didn't have much time to spare to update this blog. On the upside, I was able to work with a lot of great people among the cast, and I'm looking forward to being able to work with Upstage Shows again sometime in the future.

I hope to have some new content (more than just links) posted here soon, so stay tuned via the ATOM feed if you're interested.

Welcome Caedmon Jarrett

2009-01-29T08:55:00.002-07:00

Congratulations to our friends Brian and Jenny Jarrett who got a new addition to their family this week!

Great Video

2009-01-22T09:04:00.001-07:00

This sure puts an interesting perspective on things:

Call to Dunkirk

2009-01-19T15:06:00.000-07:00

Homeschooling goes boom in America

2009-01-06T08:55:00.001-07:00

Homeschooling goes boom in America

Faith Equals Fertility?

2008-12-17T13:12:00.001-07:00

Faith Equals Fertility?

The Second Reformation

2008-12-05T07:55:00.003-07:00

I just finished reading The Second Reformation by William A. Beckham. This is an older book that has been sitting on my shelf for a number of years (since the late 90s when we first started doing cell/simple church). It primarily focuses on the practical mechanics of what the author terms the "Two-Winged Church". One that includes both corporate large-gathering worship and smaller cell units.

The book appears to be aimed toward leadership staff of traditional churches who are attempting to transition their churches into cell groups. As a result there was much of it I didn't find to be applicable to our situation here in Parachute. However the author does discuss the requirements for founding a cell/house church based upon Christ's model: An initiating set of 2-3 people, a core group of 12 people, a critical mass of 120, and from there a fulfillment of vision including thousands.

Aloha Purity

2008-11-21T13:31:00.002-07:00

Purity is on her way back tomorrow from a two-week trip with Wiggy, Nana, and Aunt Kate to Hawaii and Santa Barbara. Here she is standing in front of the USS Bowfin at the Pearl Harbor Memorial.

The Greatest Mission Trip You'll Ever Take: Resource Friday - The Pineapple Story

2008-11-11T09:04:00.001-07:00

The Greatest Mission Trip You'll Ever Take: Resource Friday - The Pineapple Story.

Follow the above link and read about then listen to the Pineapple Story. The author is very entertaining and there is a really great message behind it all.

How Not to Raise a Pagan

2008-11-08T20:59:00.001-07:00

How Not to Raise a Pagan by Albert Mohler. Take a listen!

Is good ol' Abe rolling over in his grave?

2008-11-05T08:26:00.001-07:00

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts." - Abraham Lincoln

Interesting Quote

2008-10-31T16:41:00.002-06:00

"When an opponent declares, 'I will not come over to your side,' I calmly say, 'Your child belongs to us already… What are you? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing else but this new community.'" - Adolph Hitler

Do Hard Things

2008-10-21T15:05:00.003-06:00

I bought a copy but I haven't had the chance to read it yet. However, I have heard nothing but good about Alex & Brett Harris' book Do Hard Things. Here's an interesting interview with the authors.

Palin Power

2008-10-21T13:05:00.002-06:00

We went to go hear Sarah Palin speak last night in Grand Junction. Sitting in the bleachers for four hours wasn't terribly exciting, but it my opinion it was well worth it. It also made a good educational field trip for the kids.

She mostly talked about the economy, pointing out a few glaring flaws with Obama's economic and tax plans. She also touched briefly on the life issue, though I wish she would have said a little more about it. Overall though she had a lot of good things to say. I'm glad we went.

We tried to get up front for a handshake and an autograph but Sarah and her husband were whisked away by the secret service just before we could get there. My pictures are lousy and didn't turn out or I would post them.

Interesting Video

2008-10-17T10:00:00.001-06:00

Take a look at this video. Although twenty years old it includes rather interesting commentary on education and the current American political climate.

The Uneducated Public

2008-10-17T09:36:00.003-06:00

Well, here it is folks. What in the world could cause conservative evangelical Dr. Voddie Baucham to feature a Howard Stern piece on his blog? Check it out here and see.

Train Ride

2008-10-11T13:11:00.003-06:00

One of the things I like best about homeschooling is the ability to be flexible with the schedule. We take advantage of this often to get out and show the kids the world first-hand. On Thursday Kat and Crystal took the five oldest to ride the narrow-gauge railroad in Georgetown (thanks to Nana for generously buying the tickets!). Enjoy the slideshow:

Job

2008-10-08T21:17:00.003-06:00

I love Job's response in Job 1. Satan has just finished hitting Job with the worst he can imagine: killing his livestock, servants, and even his children. Job has almost certainly had the worst day of his life. His response? "Praise the Lord!":

Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Man, I want to be like that.

Our Church has a Pew!

2008-10-03T09:54:00.004-06:00

Our church has a pew! Does that make us a real church now?

Crystal and I bought two of these pews last fall from a guy in DeBeque for $50.00. We've had them upstairs around our dining room table but we decided to move one downstairs where we meet for church on Sundays to add a little more seating. Now we just need a pulpit :)

Antioch Community Church - Parents, kids should worship together

2008-09-24T12:10:00.003-06:00

Antioch Community Church - Parents, kids should worship together

Official Google Blog: Project 10^100

2008-09-24T12:01:00.001-06:00

Google announced today Project 10^100, an effort to help people around the world. Quoting from their announcement:

"But what would help, and what would be most helpful? We don't believe we have the answers, but we do believe the answers are out there. Maybe in a lab, or a company, or a university -- or maybe not."

Maybe here?:

Love your neighbor as yourself. - Matthew 22:39b (NIV)

I think that the humanitarian effort with the greatest effect on Earth comes from the untold daily actions of the individual devoted followers of Jesus Christ in their daily effort to serve others with the love and respect. This world would certainly be a far darker place without the love of Christ shining through his servants. On the flip side I think one of the major causes of the world falling into its present dismal state is a failure of the individuals that compose the Body of Christ (myself included) to love their neighbor as well as we should. Imagine the impact we could have if us "westernized Christians" spent a little less time entertaining ourselves and a little more time serving others.

I'm glad Google wants to help people - and I think it would be great if their Project 10^100 was put to use by Christians as a means to serve our fellow man - but the announcement does seem kind of hollow without giving recognition to the ultimate humanitarian act:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16 (KJV)

You can't top that one.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

Pray for the Crimmins Family

2008-09-17T16:43:00.002-06:00

The Nathaniel Crimmins family (their parents and my parents and grandparents have been friends for many years) lost their son Micah this week after a long battle with cancer. Micah's story is documented on their website pray4micah.com. Please keep them in your prayers.

Communion

2008-09-15T15:01:00.002-06:00

We took communion together as a church for the first time last night. It was clear God was present with us in what turned out to be a great time of worship and remembrance of Christ and his sacrifice as he fortells it in John 6. What's even more amazing, the kids seem to be getting the hang of participating with us!

Check out the photos below: