I want to start the new year right, and that means clearing up a misconception about these bulletins. It's been said to me that folks have to be nice or else they will wind up in one of these. In other words, apparently like the bogeyman you'd better be good or Randy is going to tell on you. Apparently, there's been too much teasing on my part (and maybe too many threats?) for this to be forming in people's minds, so I need to apologize right here. I'm sorry if anyone felt cruelly picked on in the past, or if anyone thought they had to behave differently around me than they otherwise would have. I have plenty of ideas for articles without hammering you all each week, yet I like to name-drop as much as I can, and many members have had a smile when they saw their name appear in here. Besides, I like to brag on all of you as much as I can and it is a great source of encouragement to me as well as to many who have commented so.

Today. I'm going to write about Robert. I'm naming him right up front, so you aren't left wondering who it's all about. Last week Sandy was in Atlanta and asked me to teach her class, the JR high class. Since Robert's kids make up two of the three students in there, I suggested he teach. 1 went so far as to make up all the material for him, all he had to do was show up and present the lesson.

He was scared at first, and really hesitated. Scared of his kids? Naw. Scared at the severity of it all (I mean, this is God's word we are talking about and it has to be handled correctly and with sobriety/gravity/respect due). Maybe. Afraid of failure? I don't think so. Just a little "anxious" about doing something he had never done before? That seemed like it to me, because his biggest argument was "What if they ask me something I don't know the answer to?" Well hey, that happens to me all the time. You just go find it for them and bring it back, chances are they don't remember wanting the info in the first place.

In any case, it didn't help that the class was going to be on Revelation! But Robert took the challenge, and armed with my questions went down to class. You know what happened, he really enjoyed it. He felt he did a good job, had some fun (at my expense - a typo of prision wasn't helpful especially in a crossword puzzle!) and really gleaned some satisfaction from doing it. Would Robert teach his kids again? Sure, why not, they don't bite (too hard).

I can't help but think what a great encouragement this is to me. I consider Eli and his sons. He didn't teach them so well, and they ended up torched. However, Isaac knew to ask his dad where the sacrifice was going to come from - apparently Abraham had spent some time teaching his son to give God his due, and how to actually go about it. Jesus as a son gave great homage to his father, and while he didn't look forward to the pain and anguish he did show great respect for the wisdom of his father and the plan he had for all of us.

Yep, Robert did what every dad should do. Spent time with his kids, discussing God's word. Showed love by putting forth the effort (and risking failure) for their good. Communicated things not "just for kids" but that he believes in, too. As a good example, he's shown his kids he is not afraid to teach them, so one day when MISTER Matt and MISTER Ben have kids of their own they should think back about their own dad and not balk at teaching theirs, too. This is just a little slice of the training, and discipline, that the bible talks about but it sure is an important part of it!

Is it always easy? No (says the father of a teenager). Is it always fun? Not hardly. But is it always worthwhile, right, and necessary? Absolutely! I hope the new year brings opportunities (and opportunity taken!) to not just Robert but to all the many others here who may have not taught a class before. Or led a prayer. Or preached a sermon.

Or written a bulletin...

Randy