Last week we had a party for Caleb, to celebrate his turning 13 and becoming a man. His actual birthday was in October. We had about 3 families over and all the boys went over to the grandparent's orchard and fought each other with high power airsoft rifles. Then all the survivors came back and ate sloppy joes and cake :) Just kidding - they all survived - but I still don't understand why they think it's fun to run around and shoot each other! lol After that they played ping pong with the new table that Caleb got on his birthday. Mom and Dad put together a paper to read to him at the party - to encourage and mentor him. It was really good, and made me cry :) I remember that on my 13th birthday they did that for me and I still have the paper they read. They also gave each of us a special present at 13 - I got a ring and Caleb got a hand gun. It is such a blessing to have parents that are always there for me, loving and discipling me even when I am unlovable! So, I am going to share what they read to Caleb with you. The blue text is what Dad read and the black Mom read.
"Caleb
On this special occasion - we want to take time to celebrate, to encourage and admonish you - today you have become a man - I am so proud of you, what a privilege and a joy to be your mother. I love you!
Our heavenly father has blessed us with the joy of children
Psalm 127:3
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward. I am so blessed to be your father and I love you!
We have talked about from a young age - that God's Word is our rule for all of life.
2nd Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
According to Biblical standards you are now an adult.
Psalm 144:12-15 says
That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace; that our garners may be full, affording all manner of store; that our sleep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets; that our oxen may be strong to labor; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people, that in such a case; yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
It is God's blessing on His children when sons are grown up in their youth - a sign of wisdom beyond years - following the Biblical example - there was no pattern of foolishness of the "teenage years" in scripture - that is a phenomenon of our modern culture.
This does not mean - like the culture - that you are now independent - you are under the protection of your father and I - until you begin you own household.
When your Mom and I thought of what to name you - we realized the importance of a name and what that means about a person's character and future.
Caleb Edward - your name means a lot about you
Caleb means "bold" and "faithful"
Edward - prosperous protector / guardian - named after your Grandpa Sitko - whose character and faith you should imitate.
You must strive to live up your name - be bold in your faith, bold for your family, for the weak, the lost - be bold in whatever the Lord calls you to do!
Be a faithful man - faithful to God, his church, your family and friends
Prosperous is not just about finances - it is to be blessed - when the Lord makes you to prosper - he makes what you undertake to succeed , may He bless you in every way - may He make you prosper in all your ways as you seek Him and His will.
Proverbs 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Deuteronomy 28:11 And the LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the fruit of your womb, and in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, within the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give you.
Protector - you are already a protector to your family, we are so proud of how you defend your little sister, watch over your big sister and mom. You have always had an exceptional tendency to protect young children around you, as well as animals. I would exhort you to seek ways to be a protector as you seek God's plan for your life - what will He call you to do? In what ways do Godly men guard or protect - the faith, the church, the weak, freedom, virtue
Deuteronomy 5:16
"Honor your father and mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you"
- you do honor, respect and obey us
- loving your family, being a good example and loving brother to Hannah and Megan
- caring for and being responsible for Hannah at times
- being a good friend
- you practice "good works" - helping others in the community, family, grandparents
As you come into adult hood, keep your eyes focused on Jesus - continue in faithfulness - pursuing all for the glory of God. In studies, in work, in caring for animals, in music, in play. And above all - cling to God and His Word - so that you continue to renew your mind as Romans 12:2 says:
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Your father and I wanted to read this exhortation to you - it was given by an 18 year old man of God to a 13 year old on his birthday - coming of age.
Written by Michael Billings:
"My exhortation to you is this: seek ye wisdom while there is yet time (Proverbs 4:7) and then apply this faithful understanding with humility to every aspect of your calling in Christ Jesus. "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11). Now, as a young man, your greatest opportunity is to serve your heavenly father, study implement, reform, apply, and learn to love the Law of God with all of your heart. The seemingly endless morning of youth is now, but the midday is soon come with all the responsibilities of family and business, and before you are even aware the twilight of the ancient will be upon you. Let not your years of spring fall into the chasm of idleness like so many around you. Read the writer of Ecclesiastes, "O young man...walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes, but know thou, that for all these thing God will bring thee into judgement? Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh for childhood and youth are vanity." And lying in your bed may years from now, an aged and dying man, looking into the grand panoply of the heaven, you will think back to your youth and not be ashamed as the sons of vanity and idleness most assuredly will. It is they who will be heard crying out in the dark of night, in the twilight of their years, "If only I had done more with the time that God gave me, rather than frittering away the most precious years of my life with the silliness of childhood.” There is no shortage of testimonies of sorrow, when men
recollect the days of their youth. The foolish acts that they did... the time that was
wasted... the openings of usefulness that they neglected... they that would not get wisdom at the time
when their minds were most able to retain it. And now it is too late. There is no time
to sit down and learn. Always remember that lost time can never be redeemed. These are the
things that build sorrow in a person’s heart when they are in their latter days.
I would again encourage you to heed the hour. There is
appointed for you a day to die and no matter how strong and healthy you may seem now, the
day of your death may be very near. “You must not boast of tomorrow, for you do not
know what a day may bring forth.” Satan does not care how spiritual your intentions
are, or how holy your resolutions are, if only they are determined to be done tomorrow. Your
days are but a brief shadow; a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes, a
story that is soon to be told. This life is but leaves in the wind; here for an instant and
then flees with the rouse of a tempest. It is but a vapor...
Night is Falling.... You must seize the day”.
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| Left to right: Sam, Nick, Logan, Daniel, Reuben and Caleb |
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| Dad, Mom, Sabrina, Mrs. DeMyer, Mrs. Heindl, Mrs. Krebs and Rebecca |
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| Sabrina got up and took my picture with everyone :) |
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| Lighting the birthday cake candles with the blow torch :) lol |
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| This might be a pretty good picture if the words weren't upside down :) lol Sorry about that..... |
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| They are all like "What - you are taking my picture?" |
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| Eating cake like boys will :) |
