one to one: no greater joy   Keith Burden is the executive secretary of the National Association of Free Will Baptists. Email Keith at keith@nafwb.org.   To learn more about the National Association of Free Will Baptists, visit www.nafwb.org.

LIKE MOST YOUNG, MARRIED COUPLES, our younger daughter and her husband have to keep an eye on their family finances. After paying bills each month there’s not a lot left in the “eating out/entertainment” section of their budget.

Recently, her husband surprised her with a night out—dinner at a nice restaurant and tickets to a play. The meal went fine. The play was a different story. The language of the performers unexpectedly became objectionable. Without making a scene our children left.

Obviously, I agree with their decision. They demonstrated character at that moment; however, it wasn’t a split-second or spur of the moment decision. Their choice to do the “right thing” came as a result of years of training. Both were raised in Christian homes by parents who made an honest effort to model biblical principles before them.

Scripture encourages godly parents with this promise—Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) There’s no guarantee your children will always make right decisions. They won’t! Neither do we. But, if you put the proper tools in their hands (i.e. a biblical worldview and godly example to follow) they are much more likely to make good choices.

As Father’s Day approaches, you may be contemplating what to give dear ole dad. A new necktie, a pair of slippers, or a coffee mug are popular choices; but if you really want to impress your dad, consider an intangible gift. If you’re not a Christian, commit your life to Christ. If you are a believer, I urge you to pay tribute to your father by making right decisions and good choices.

Take it from a man whose children honor him with their lives and you, too, can experience the reality of 3 John 4—I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.