Cherish Our Family Lifestyle

Anyone who knows the Carlisle family knows that we are very happy.  We enjoy life.  We enjoy our children, and we cherish our family lifestyle.  There is no doubt in my mind that the success of our family is due to our relationship with God, our Father. 

First, both Jessica and myself have a personal relationship with God, and we are constantly working to be better for one another.  

I could give several examples when I have failed to be the man that she deserves, but despite that she has always forgiven me and we have grown as a couple.  We insist on keeping God at the head of our family and our household.  We do our best to make sure that what we do as a family pleases and brings glory to the Father.  We believe that by raising our children to love Him we are fulfilling our call as parents, and by being obedient in the raising of our children, we qualify for the blessings and protections that God promises in His Word.

Most of us are familiar with the verses in Malachi chapter 3 and II Corinthians chapter 9 that talk about tithing and multiplying seed. 

Since we have been married, Jessica and I have tithed as we are commanded by God.  We don’t just believe, but we know that because we have been faithful to tithe, God has blessed us financially.  Not only does He provide use with resources to meet our needs, but we have above and beyond our desires.  Just as important as tithing, we make it a priority to speak the Word of God over our family everyday.  

The following confession is something that Shaun has been saying since he has been able to speak, and we believe that Ben will be saying it soon.

We are healed, whole, blessed, protected, safe, prosperous, obedient, good listeners, intelligent, athletic, anointed, tough, strong, patient, honest, and have a sound mind.

Shaun also blesses the food before every meal.  We thank God each and every day for the blessings that He has bestowed upon are family.  

It is important for us to make sure that what goes on within our family and our household is pleasing to God.  For that reason we are currently asking God to bring anything to our attention that does not please Him.  There is always some way that we can improve, and what is encouraging is that when we obey, we see obvious blessings and answers within our family.  

We teach our children that God is our answer in all things.  If Shaun complains of a physical ailment, we immediately instruct him to pray about it.  We also have Shaun pray for us if we have a headache or some other attack on our body.  I have had Shaun pray for my headaches and they have cleared up within seconds.  I am not going to say that it happens every time, but it has gotten to the point where I am not surprised when it does happen.  I have even told others, “let Shaun pray for your headache.” We don’t ask Shaun to pray for headaches or physical ailments because we don’t want to, but because God has given him a physical anointing through prayer and lying on of hands. By encouraging him to work in this anointing as a young child it allows him to see God work through him, building his faith.

What we are doing is more than teaching our children about the ways of God.  We are making it the norm for them.  I started really growing in my relationship with God and believing in the things of God when I was 19 years old.  I often wonder how great my relationship with God would be and how great my faith would be if it would have been bread in me from birth.  Well, we believe that we are going to see it through our children.  Part of our calling is to raise our children to have more faith in God than the tangible things of this world.  They will truly walk by faith and not by sight.