After over a year of writing, editing, proof reading and searching for a publisher, our first devotional will soon be released. I have learned from songwriting that the best, most effective songs are those which are written as we view our story through the lens of the Gospel. I have applied that same principle to this devotional, and as in the music, the whole family was involved.
I have formatted the after the way we do our own family devotions. Looking at a particular story and or a passage of scripture and then talking about what may have resonated with us.
Neither Lisa or I grew up in a home where corportate family devotions were the norm, so leading our family in scripture reading, discussion and prayer was something we had to learn how to do. I have enjoyed sharing my heart with my family and hearing from their hearts as well, discussions which may not have happened were it not for making a deliberate effort to have regular times of prayer and devotions.
My hope is that this devotional will help families and individuals alike draw closer to God and those around them, and feel a greater desire to serve others while living out their purpose.
I though I would close by sharing a few comments from a few of those who have read the transcript and also a couple devotional samples.
Preorders will be available soon at fryefamilyband.net
Blessings,
Tom
A Warriors Arrow – Tom Frye Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Psalm 127:4 A year and a half before we began homeschooling our oldest daughter, Lisa and I attended our first homeschool conference. No one in our family had ever set out on such an adventure, so we were starting from scratch and wanted to give ourselves plenty of time to make the best decision for our family. Throughout the weekend, Psalm 127:4 was referenced repeatedly and has since been a key verse in our parenting philosophy. Its implications speak volumes. A warrior’s arrow is meant for one thing: to be sent into the heat of the battle and pierce the heart of the enemy. As parents it is easy to yield to the temptation to protect our children, and certainly that is part of our responsibility, but ultimately it is preparation for battle, not safety, which should be the driving force in our parenting decisions. With this understanding we can most effectively prepare our children for a life of purpose: not stunting but honing, not succumbing to complacency but pressing through trials, not imposing our selfish desires or yielding to theirs but fostering within their hearts an understanding of the amazing purpose for which they have been created. Read & Discuss: Psalm 127 Consider your purpose as it relates to the arrow. How are you working to advance the Kingdom?
Create in Me a Pure Heart – Tom Frye Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 The heart is particularly important to God. Our heart determines so much about our lives, our character, our motives, our attitude, and how we relate to people and to God. Throughout scripture we are told to keep God’s word in our heart, seek God with all our heart and love God with all our heart…but why? As our heart goes, so goes the rest of us, body and soul. Our heart defines who we are. When we hold knowledge only in our head we can easily regurgitate facts without ever having to really understand what we are saying. To put it another way, head knowledge provides a false sense of security which can be quite dangerous to ourselves and those around us, but when we hold knowledge in our hearts we own it, it will lead and guide us and benefit both others and ourselves. But there is more. Scripture makes it clear God will give us over to the desires of our heart–good and evil desires alike. In Psalm 37:4, we are told when we delight ourselves in the Lord He will give us the desires of our heart, which of course is a positive, but Psalm 81:11-12 reflects a contrasting truth, “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.” David knew the importance of having a right heart before God. He had fallen so far when he penned the words of Psalm 51 and knew the only way back was through a repentant heart fully surrendered to God. Read & Discuss: Psalm 51, For additional discussion consider also Matthew 12:34 & Psalm 81
This devotional will challenge you…And that will lead to one thing … A stronger family! By writing this devotional, Tom encourages us to love God and our families … And to do it with scripture as our guide.” Tom is a friend of my parents, and they love what he and his family are all about … I encourage all to ponder the thoughts that Tom has to offer.
—Mary Beth Chapman, author of Choosing to See
It’s been an honor to work alongside Tom and to call him my friend. It is so refreshing to see someone so courageously share his story and to see the way it fits within The Story that frames it. Tom has written with wisdom, humility, and most importantly, honesty. This book is a great guide to diving into your own history and finding where the seeds of redemption have been sown in it.
—Andrew Osenga, singer/songwriter, former member of Caedmon’s Call
This devotional book is very inspirational. Tom Frye has used real life situations to express Spiritual Truth in all 101 writings. These devotionals are a great way to be uplifted, convicted and challenged in our everyday Christian life and Walk. Jim Stewart, NewLife FM Griffin, Georgia
This devotional will challenge you…And that will lead to one thing … A stronger family! By writing this devotional, Tom encourages us to love God and our families … And to do it with scripture as our guide.” Tom is a friend of my parents, and they love what he and his family are all about … I encourage all to ponder the thoughts that Tom has to offer.
—Mary Beth Chapman, author of Choosing to See
It’s been an honor to work alongside Tom and to call him my friend. It is so refreshing to see someone so courageously share his story and to see the way it fits within The Story that frames it. Tom has written with wisdom, humility, and most importantly, honesty. This book is a great guide to diving into your own history and finding where the seeds of redemption have been sown in it.
—Andrew Osenga, singer/songwriter, former member of Caedmon’s Call
This devotional book is very inspirational. Tom Frye has used real life situations to express Spiritual Truth in all 101 writings. These devotionals are a great way to be uplifted, convicted and challenged in our everyday Christian life and Walk.
—Jim Stewart, NewLife FM Griffin, Georgia
