GUEST POST | Family & Discipleship
Introducing Blake and Mandy Halvin
Introduction
One of our aspirations this year is to broaden the scope of our publication by inviting guest collaborators to write about topics they are both knowledgeable and passionate about. You will hear from diverse voices on particular topics in the broad categories of the intersection of faith and culture, theological meditations, apologetics, missions, church planting, and more.
I’m pleased to introduce you to our dear friends and co-laborers in the Gospel, Blake and Mandy Halvin. The Halvins currently reside in TN and actively support our mission in the UK through prayer and ongoing exhortation.
Blake and I met back in 2013 when I started working for an Ed Tech Company/for-profit University in San Diego. I still remember spending hours in training during the first week of our orientation when I happened to ask Blake for some help troubleshooting one of the modules. He called me over to his cubicle, and as soon as I peered over his shoulder, my gaze immediately met the words of Psalm 46:10, which was on his desktop background. Little did I know, from that moment on, we would form a deep friendship marked by encouragement, prayer, a mutual love for Jesus, and a common interest in theology, evangelism, and apologetics. At one point, we even started a Christian fellowship in our corporate workplace to engage in conversations about faith with believers and non-believers. And through him, we met his lovely wife, Mandy, who the love of Christ truly shines through, leaving an impression on all she meets.
The Halvins have extensive experience serving at a local church in El Cajon, CA, both in young adult ministry and as home fellowship leaders. Blake and I were part of one another’s bridal parties during our respective weddings. Stephanie was also the wedding photographer at Blake and Mandy’s wedding. It’s been an honor to see both of our families grow over the years and to witness the strengthening of our faith and conviction for discipleship as it relates to raising children.
Steph and I regularly engage in ongoing conversations about child-rearing and discipleship. We share a lot of common convictions and a great extent of mutuality with Mandy and Blake on this topic. Without further ado, here is their jointly written article about the importance of being intentional and resolute in raising children in the knowledge and reverence of the Lord.
Generational Gardening
Tending the lives given to us
“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward”
Psalm 127:3 (NASB).
Of all the blessings God has graciously given my wife, Mandy, and I, we consider our children the most precious of them all. And there is nothing we want more than for them to know, love, enjoy, and glorify Jesus with their lives. And with this in mind, we have determined to be hyper-intentional with how we raise our children and have four resolutions for accomplishing this.
1 - Scriptural Literacy
First, we have resolved to shamelessly saturate our children with the knowledge of God's Word. If Jesus' words in John 17:17 are true, and the Bible really is the ultimate standard of truth, then what else would we make sure our children know intimately? And our goal is not simply head knowledge but heart knowledge as well.
Just as federal agencies train their agents to spot counterfeits by making sure they know the authentic better than anything else, so, too, do we want our children to know and love what God says about every aspect of life. And when they are confronted with lies about God, themselves, or how they ought to live, they will be ready with the truth of God's Word to boldly confront the counterfeits.
We have determined not to shelter them from all the lies and craziness of the world but to help them see every aspect of life through the lens of God's unchanging truth and be prepared to face them head-on, with confidence and conviction.
2 - Social Influence
Second, we are intentional about who we let our kids spend time with and be influenced by. But, you might quickly object, aren't we the light of the world, and shouldn't we let our kids shine for non-believers? Sounds great, but the truth is, when our kids are really young and impressionable, they aren't ready to be dropped into a spiritual war zone. They need to be disciplined and have the love and truth of God fill their hearts and minds in a significant way before they can be considered missionaries to the lost. As the Apostle Paul said it, “Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals'”(1 Corinthians 15:33, NASB).
Does this mean that we completely shelter our kids from non-Christian friends? No. We just make sure that when they do spend time together, we have them over to our house and let them play on our turf. Especially with the advances in technology and the fact that nearly every kid is allowed to have access to the Internet now, for some reason, we've resolved not to send our kids out to be exposed to the insanity the world wants to throw at them before they are prepared.
3 - Spiritual Gifts
Third, we have resolved to discover who God has uniquely created each one of our children to be and to steward their gifts and talents for His glory.
Job 12:7 says, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you...” I (Mandy) try, as a philosophy for life, to ask, “What was God's original intent?” As an artist, I have the greatest awe and fear for Yahweh-Bore, the One who created all. In reverence, I would never want to alter His design or think that I could better it. I see my children not as topiaries to be trained and crafted to something of my vision but as plants who already have a perfect and unique design in the DNA of the seed. I am the caretaker God has graciously allowed to tend to this beautiful thing, I must take this responsibility with confidence, knowing God has crafted me for this, but also with fear and trembling, knowing that this is a grave responsibility.
As with plants, it is crucial to be vigilant to observe outward signs of change when they first appear and seek the root cause; life can become busy and overwhelming, but we must be diligent in spending time identifying the characteristics God has given our children and when lies have come into alter His design. Perhaps a creeping plant to cover the ground or a vine to climb, or a tree to stand tall to properly prune, we must know the plant and the design. Does a vine need to be rerouted or a branch cut off? All should be done with respect to the Creator and the creation. All pruning is designed to push the plant to bear more fruit; it discards the parts that will only take up valuable energy and pushes that energy to areas that will produce. To take up the pruning sheers is necessary, but we would be wise to saturate ourselves in the Bible and in prayer so we do not damage this precious gift.
The soil is of utmost importance, of course, it is where the plant pulls all nutrients to survive and thrive. The soil always needs to be examined and often amended. Each plant is unique in its needs. Some thrive off of nitrogen, some need calcium to produce good fruit. Nothing is more important than making the Word our children’s foundation (a tree planted by the river), but we also must feed the natural interests they display. The best example I know of is the mother of Thomas Edison. After Edison's teacher sent him home with a note saying he was too stupid to attend school, his mother spoke life over him, telling him that the letter said he was so gifted that he would have to continue schooling at home. His mother home-schooled him and fed his innovative mind with scientific books and supplies to experiment with. We need to introduce our children to God's wonders, and they will find their specific calling. His intent was for us to be in the garden, and that is where we will find all knowledge, inspiration, and nourishment.
4 - Supplications and Intercessions
Finally, we have resolved to saturate our kids in prayer. We know it is ultimately God that will cause them to grow in love for Him (1 Corinthians 3:7-8), and we trust Him wholeheartedly with their growth. I once heard a saying that has marked how we have decided to pray for our kids: “Pray as though it depends on God; work as though it depends on you.” Our constant prayer for our children is that He would capture their hearts and give them a deep love for Him and for His purposes in this world.
At the end of our lives, Mandy and I want to stand before our Lord confidently and hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servants.” And we want to raise our children in such a way that they hear Him say the same to them!
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