For those that cannot remember a time without smart phones and calendar apps, we use to have the ‘My-Time Success Planner’. It was a mini-notebook that provided monthly calendars and pages for planning each day. It was great for managing time, recording meeting notes and logging action to be taken. Of course, you had to remember to take the planner with you wherever you went.

These days I am glad there is a smart watch that reminds me where I left my smart phone that will remind me what meeting I am going to, when I need to be there and where it is located. It is not that my remembory is bad, it’s just that my forgetory is getting awfully good. I welcome all technology that helps me remember important stuff.

Let us now build an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice, but to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we do perform the service of the Lord in His presence with our burnt offerings and sacrifices and peace offerings, so your children will not say to our children in time to come, “You have no portion in the Lord.” – Joshua 22:26-27. The people of Reuben and Gad, along with the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar before they crossed over the Jordan to the land Joshua had promised them. They wanted to ensure that the other tribes, all the Israelites would remember across future generations that they had served Joshua well as God opened the door to the promised land. Even though the Jordan would separate them, they were one family under God. Today we have the Bible, and Bible apps, to remind us of all God has done for us. He sent His Son to be with us for a time; Jesus lived a sinless life and obeyed His Father all the way to the point of death on a cross; He rose from the dead, appeared to many and ascended back to the Father. He put death to sin and in doing so redeemed mankind. Jesus’ selfless and sacrificial life is presented as the standard for a husband’s relationship in marriage to his bride (Eph.5:25). Generations to follow are encouraged to remember the relationship Jesus opened the door to as they witness the day-to-day marriage relationship exemplified in the home.

In “Mere Christianity”, C.S. Lewis writes that most Christians need to be “reminded more often than they need to be instructed.” While we may not build the imposing altars of biblical times, we can build strong marriages that reflect the Light of Christ so brightly that generations that follow remember Who Jesus is and embrace His Light as their own.

Tips to help all remember:

• Utilize that calendar app for birthdays and anniversaries;
• Date your bride regularly;
• Show affection, hug and kiss in front of the kids;
• Lead the way to church;
• Love and serve your bride as Christ loved and served the Church.

Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your word and the history it reminds us of. I confess I have failed to remember Your example as the standard for husbands in marriage. Forgive me. I want to live into Your expectation that I reflect my relationship with You every day in marriage and family. May Your Light be so bright in our home that the kids are reminded of Who You are and embrace Your Light as their own. That is the dad You call me to be, and that’s the dad my kids need to see, and remember. Amen.

A faithful father helps all remember Who Jesus is.