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Kyle West Story-Truth Project
Why would God use a boy with cerebral palsy? That’s what 7 year-old Kyle West asked. Now 18, God has used Kyle in incredible ways, including on The Truth Project. Despite Kyle’s difficulties, God has a plan and purpose for his life and for yours. Watch Del's bonus teaching looking at the topic now or watch the full episode online now at Cross Examine's Facebook page www.facebook.com/CrossExamine.
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Dr. Del Tackett is the author, architect and teacher for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Fiery Trials
Posted on January 28, 2010
Filed Under Marriage & Family, Personal | 169 Comments
The last two weeks have been filled with a lot of issues. I don’t know if they rise to the level of Peter’s “fiery trials” or not (1 Peter 4:12), but they have been close to overwhelming at times.
This is a photo from my recent “hunting” trip to the mountains. I am posting it with this blog because I am longing to turn the clock back and return to that time and experience the great joy and peace I had there.
But, we only live in the present, do we not?
First, my very, very, dear sweet uncle passed away. He was a WWII vet, earned two bronze stars. He adored my Dad who cared for him when they were all abandoned at early ages. My uncle spent the rest of his life singing the praises of my Dad, as we all did. But the reality was that my uncle was one of those rare jewels of a man as well. I will miss him terribly.
Secondly, we have been hit with several family issues: one daughter is facing a very long deployment of her husband and other daughter facing serious issues with their children.
We, personally, are walking through another heart-breaking event with our “prodigal” son—our youngest. I know there are many who struggle with this and I hope that our new TV show, Cross Examine, will deal with it within the first few episodes. There are so many emotional and physical issues associated with a prodigal, some rather severe. There are strong feelings of guilt, bewilderment, frustration, hopelessness, anger, disappointment, sorrow…betrayal. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on it, another event occurs and they all come back. Even when they aren’t triggered by an “event”, your wandering son or daughter is never really far from your thoughts and it can break into your heart and mind and emotions without so much as a warning knock.
They just surge back and hit you like an unexpected ocean wave.
The issue isn’t minor. Beyond them walking away from the faith, I know some parents who are not allowed to see their grandchildren; others who are totally ignored or openly hated; others who are constantly faced with a child who won’t take responsibility in their own life and continually preys upon them for a “bail out”. For many, like us, it means the great family days like Thanksgiving and Christmas have an emptiness to them when the prodigal is conspicuously absent…their gifts sit under the tree unopened.
This issue seems to be almost at epidemic levels in our culture today.
On top of this, and for this I know you will say “big deal”, but it seems as if everything “electronic” around me has decided to rebel as well. I’ve had ugly computer problems, virus problems, internet problems (hence my “absence” for so long). One day was spent getting the furnace replaced. Another day was spent restoring files that had been trashed. Days on the phone trying to get someone with horrible English to understand my problems and trying to get it straightened out.
These are comedies when you see them in a movie but tragedies when you are the one doing the battle!
There is some good news, however! I “wowed” my physical therapist and he declared me to be back at “full strength” as far as my torn calf muscle is concerned. I still have a lot of swelling and so they think I also severed my plantaris tendon. That will take a long time before it no longer bleeds and produces fluid. He didn’t clear me to “sprint” just yet, so playing ultimate Frisbee with the new students (they arrived a few days ago) will have to wait.
Now, I know this is just a bunch of trivial personal stuff and there are a whole host of problems out there that are way, way bigger than any of these. My mind continually goes to the disaster that the Haitians have faced and are continuing to face. Pray for them.
Pray for our nation!
However, we are not like those who have no hope. There is a Larger Story, a Grand Story, that we are a part of. It helps us understand that God is working out our little stories in light of that ultimate story.
On a particularly difficult night for my daughter and her husband, we took them out for dinner and looked together at these verses from 1 Peter 4:12-13:
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
Are you going through “fiery trials”? The Lord is not far away. He knows every detail and every pain. But if you are His child, you can count on the fact that He is going to work this all out for good.
Trust Him.
Believe me, eventually the joy and peace will return!
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169 Responses to “Fiery Trials”
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Del,
You have been such a blessing to me. Know you are wonderfully appreciated. You and your prodigal are now added to my 2:00 AM prayer list, one specifically for prodigals. There are now 7 on that list. May grace and mercy follow you all. SDG!!
“However, we are not like those who have no hope. There is a Larger Story, a Grand Story, that we are a part of. It helps us understand that God is working out our little stories in light of that ultimate story.”
This is why I do not hold to the Postmodern or Modern Worldviews…there is no sense without the Larger Story.
I, too have been richly blessed by your ministry, Del, at The Truth Project and at New Geneva Seminary. Our gracious God is burnishing you for even greater work for His kingdom, it would appear. Our prayers are with you and your family.
JD W
Del, God bless you and what you have shared with us. Our family has been going through similar issues as we have continued to pray “LORD, use us up for YOU”. These prayers came more urgently as we go through our second TRUTH PROJECT (this one in our home). Once we get into stepping out for HIM, isn’t it amazing how the attacks do come. We have noticed they are accelerating in our lives and causing us to focus on small things but we must keep coming back to HIM!!! Even today as I went online to get our notes for the next tour #9, I found I couldn’t access that area because of an internal server problem. I tried other areas of the web page and it brought me here to your blog
Just what I needed….now I wonder WHO really caused that internal server problem.
My husband, Steve, and I are truly blessed by you and especially how CHRIST shines through you. That is my prayer, that CHRIST would be all they see of us. Keeping you in our prayers and the SON in our eyes!
Thank you Del for your posting. I want you to know that it has brought encouragement to me today. I also have a son who is not living according to the values in which we have raised him. I can relate to the pain felt in the void this has left in our lives and our hearts. I am a pastor and although my son is 25 and not living in our household I have questioned my ability to serve. It is good to know that I am not alone in these struggles. Today I’m trying to prepare and sermon and have been hit by another “event” with my son. 1 Peter 4:12-13 reminds me to push through the struggle and wait for “His Glory” to be revealed.
Del,
As I read this blog post, I can associate in many ways. My prayer is with you and your family.
I was touched deeply and wanted to share encouragement with you. As I moved from Google Reader to your actual blog site, I was so pleased to read the comments already posted. Collectively, they stated far better the encouragement I wanted to deliver, and that is great!
You are a servant leader. Thank you for your character, your commitment, your discipline, and your dedication to your mission and ministry.
Mr Tackett-thank you so much for sharing your lives with us as it gives us hope that the Truth of christian life can be lived successfully. I, too, have prodigals. When my eyes are struggling to see the God of my faith at work in even this-I find you. Thank you-I will continue to pray and seek God IN and THROUGH this.
May our Heavenly Father of many prodigals returned, give you the untiring love and strength to wait expectantly for your dear son.
As for the electronic/internet warfare, I deeply empathize! I am convinced that there is an electronic conspiracy probably programmed in every computer chip to wage war against me every time I need to switch internet providers or change a router or add a computer program! My last internet/router fiasco had me on my cell phone with a router technician and on my home phone with the Verizon technician telling me two different things (a “differnet” expierence!) I actually put both of them on speaker phone so they could argue while I ducked the bullets! What a joke! It certainly isn’t funny when you’re in the middle of it!
Glad to hear that you are recovering well. PTL!
We must never stop praying for our nation. We are living in incredible times! Who could imagine that a Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad promoting life in a beautiful way would prompt an effort to stop CBS from running it? Do women not have a right to promote life? God bless FOTF and contributers for buying the ad spot and Tebow and his family for the courageous testimony. I pray that CBS will run the ad.
Go Colts!
I am so grateful for you and for the Truth Project. Mostly Del, I tell my children that I have been the prodigal. I illustrate it for them this way- I tell them how I ran down the road they are considering running down. It seems harmless and enchanting but at the end of the road is hopelessness and despair and now I am on the road running back- screaming out to anyone who will listen…”warning danger ahead”.
In my wildest imagination I would not have guessed you had a prodigal- but yet your heart and your passion for the truth comes through in your teaching- maybe because of that. I praise God for your honesty! Never quit Del…MANY MANY MANY prodigals are listening.
From one who was lost, Jane
I believe I was “led” to this site today. The Lord used your wonderful words of encouragement to minister to my own Prodical Mother’s heart. I was actually pursuing information about the TTP in an effort to help me articulate my own faith more effectively when I discovered your blog. When I read your words, I wept because you described my own emotions exactly. I will be praying for your family. God Bless You!
Del,
My wife and I have been there my friend. Our youngest was determined to rebel, so much so that he was invited to leave high school his senior year. He initially lived with my sister in law who runs a counseling ministry, but quickly moved out due to the restrictions on his “freedom”. The next five years were tough. I won’t bore you with the details, but the next five years were straight from hell. We wore our knees out for that boy. One day, just like the prodigal, he came to his senses.
The greatest struggle we had during this was releasing him to God. I did much sooner than my wife (there is something about mom’s), but once we did that, God’s peace returned.
Hang in there my brother.
Del,
I lived the life of a prodigal son so I have some idea of what it entails. Although every story has different elements that make it unique I think it all comes down to not wanting to allow God to rule in your life. Even through the time I was rebelling from God’s truth, I realized deep inside that His was the only way and when I was unfaithful He was always faithful. He never let go and finally brought me to a place where there were no good choices left without Him. That is when I called my earthly father and like most any dad would he drove a thousand miles, picked me up and helped me back on my feet. Although there have been ups and downs since, I have been so blessed since that time of surrender and I know there is hope for any who have wandered away no matter what it looks like to the rest of us. Now with children of my own I know what my father must have been feeling and maybe have a slight insight into our heavenly fathers intense love for us. God continues to pursue us and who knows what blessings will come in the future? I was a person very into the drug culture at that time and now decades later I have a daughter enrolled in the nursing program at Biola who wants to use her talents in missions.
Praise be to God for his immeasurable patience and forgiveness and forbearance.
Kevin
Del,
Thanks for your honest sharing. I stopped by your blog today, facing some “ordeals” of my own. It was nice to be reminded that the firey ordeals may come and go, but God will work them for our good.
Del,
This is the first time I’ve visited your website and I am compelled to respond. Satan is crafty – yes? He’s a tempter, a deceiver, he uses the most important people – your strongest weaknesses to break you down… or so he hopes. But, to those of us who have been down – had our lives stripped of our worldly plans – and who have surrounded ourselves with Godly people to help us stay on the right path (even when we didn’t want to) – and amazingly made it to the other side with more blessings than we started with, can understand 1 Peter 4:12 – 13. We can now open our minds, empathize and encourage others, help them find hope, and help them through their storms – just as you have through your transparent sharing of very, very, personal and deep hurt, disappointment, and expression of faith. Thank you.
I REAP WHAT I SOW! – 01/30/2010
Through Every Righteous Stance I take, He’s Glorified…..
Through Every Honest Word I share, He’s Magnified…..
Most would have us Think with Every Word He Lied…..
That in vain He never sinned and that in vain He died.
But…..His Word has Changed my ways…..
it’s made my Life Worth Living…..
it’s made my COLD heart WARM…..
it’s made my EFFORT Worth Giving…..
But…..His Word has Changed my Mind…..
it’s made me Think before I speak…..
it’s made INTEGRITY STRONG…..
it’s made PRIDE So WEAK!
But…..His Word has Saved my Soul…..
it’s Drawn His Spirit Deep Within…..
PURE JOY has replaced…..
what was in this Skin!
But…..His Word has made me THINK…..
The More I THINK…..the More I KNOW…..
The More I KNOW…..the More I REAP…..
The More I REAP…..the More I SOW…..
God Bless,
Thomas
Del,
Thank you for the Truth Project we studied it in our small group and it inspired us in so many ways. You are perfect for this ministry. The passion you have is contagious, thank you.
I too had a prodigal daughter. It is very stressful. If your son is under 18 please look into Teenrescue.com This organization not only changed my daughters heart but it changed out whole family. I can not say enough about this program. It is very difficult but brilliant. I was so broken in 1999 as my daughter was on a path of self destruction and I was powerless or so I thought. Through prayer and humility God let me to this program. Through my obedience he delivered our whole family. He will turn a bad situation into good for those that love Him. My daughter is now assistant director at this very program. She returned 5 years ago and has worked her way up to management. What a blessing. I will pray for you and your son. That he will encounter Christ in a way he never thought possible. That this encounter will be so personal that he can not run any longer. God bless you Del. Thank you for your ministry. Gabriela
Del:
Thank you for sharing about your prodigal son. My husband and I also have a prodigal child…a daughter…and we miss her terribly. So, I understand your pain.
I keep reminding myself that I only see a small part of God’s canvas…He sees the whole canvas, so I must keep on trusting the artist.
I’ve found comfort in the words of Scott Krippayne’s song “Sometimes He Calms the Storm”
The Lord’s peace be with you. YSIC, Shari
Dear Del,
I just was looking around Focus’s site to find out more about Focus’ plans for the SUper Bowl commerical as I think it is such a creative avenue to speak Truth, and just noticed the link to your blog. Just read you most recent post about what your family is walking through at this time and wanted to say thank you for your honnesty!
I’m one of the few Canadian FFI alumi and remember you having us fill out a recipe card of prayer requests that you would pray for us. I will pray for your family; that God will bring restoration and wisdom. No, your family is thankfully not living through an earthquake…but be encouraged, God cares deeply…and He has not forgotten your loved ones.
Dear Mr. Tacket,
I too thank you for sharing. I too, think it must have been ordained that there was an internal server problem on your website, so I checked this out. I just found out about an “event” re my prodigal son, after just 1 week ago dealing with a big one, when I had thought he was growing and choosing to follow the Lord. ??? I don’t know but the Lord does. I just pray for wisdom as I try to maneuver through, and glorify the Lord in this. Thank you for the Truth Project. I hope it is another seed in all my other sons lives that will help lead them to follow Jesus. Bless you! May the Lord be with you and guide you and comfort you.
Del,
How thankful we are to receive your teaching at our little church up here in upstate NY! You have pieced together many of the mysteries of this life that have gone unanswered. The Truth Project is literally a work of Art that you sculpted and we cherish in our lives!!
Nevertheless, we live in the Devil’s backyard and must take one difficult day at a time.
Redemption is so precious, yet I watch my 19 yr old struggle to live in the Spirit. My worldly sister has cut me off due to her overly critical nature, and my Mom just had a stroke. It is all so overwhelming.
In Christ, We can do all things!!
Our love and prayers are with you and your family.
It was like looking at my own circumstances when I ready your blog today. my friend just shared her Truch Project with meso I decided to go online to look at your blog. I have been so discouraged because of all that has been happening for the past year with my youngest child, a son, who is far from the Lord. Also my daughter, who knows the lord, is removed from him because we are not seeing any change in my son – her brother. I feel like everything is against me and I pray fervently daily.
Thank you for your words and I look forward to listening to your words on the tapes.
Dale
I have been using your material. I must admit I seldom pause to give you and the Truth Project credit but it is very effective.Thank you.
I just saw Pastor Hagee’s sermon from the Pit to the Palace…I really needed that.
God please place a hedge of protection around Dale and his family.
In Jesus’s name I pray.
Amen.
Dr. Tackett
I attended your session in Birmingham a few weeks ago and came away encouraged like never before to press on in the “Great Struggle”. I have tried desperately to put into words something that would give you the same level of encouragement as we all struggle in a fallen world together. I fail with words but I commit to pray for you, your family and your ministry daily.
Press On My Friend.
Dr. Tackett
Satan often attacks, when we are in the midst of
great things. The Truth Project is so inspiring
and enlightening. I have never enjoyed a Bible
Study more than this one. I feel the very presence of GOD during each session. It is equally amazing to share on a human level.
Please know that the Love of God is in each one
of us Believers and therefore the Love for each
other is also. We understand the pain and the fatigue of seeing loved ones suffer, especially
when it is needlessly. But, we will suffer for
only a little while. Then, The Lord will see us through, as usual. GOD Bless and Keep you, we
know He will.
First of all, thank you for opening my eyes to so many things through the Truth Project. I to have a prodigal and do so relate your statement,
“your wandering son or daughter is never really far from your thoughts and it can break into your heart and mind and emotions without so much as a warning knock”. Can’t see grandchildren, are hated and ignored, yes these, too. My prayers to all are in the same place.
Dr. Tackett, I was the prodigal… and now as an adult, I can say that my love for Jesus and dedication to Truth is only because of the prayers of all who knew and prayed for me in those days (and of course God’s grace). I too will pray for you…peace as you pray, and him…safety as he searches.
Del: Thanks for sharing and giving space for others to do the same. We too have older adult “wayward” children. We know better, but thanks to the one who reminded us, we have given them over to the Lord. What a relief!
The last three Thursday evenings were spent with a mixture of adults and teenagers viewing and talking about the DVD series-The Truth Project presented in our home. These teenagers are angry and confused because of the lies told to them. We are praying that more home groups will come about because of this group.
Those who have like experiences can even more so understand hearts of both joys and hurts.
This is our fourth experience as a part of The Truth Project. Each time we get new insights. Thank you again. We will remember to include your family in our prayers tonight during The Truth Project presentation. Mary and Peter
Sir,
My Truth Project group will remember your family, the difficult deployments and your son when we meet again this Sunday afternoon. Anticipating Tour #4. This 1st Sgt has been stirred from complacency and boot-stomped into a new frame of mind. Thanks again for resurrecting such stark realities.
Yours,
MSgt Bucky B.
Del…I really haven’t checked your blog before, but I am so thankful that I did today. Two verses came to mind Romans 8:28 and I Corth 10:13.
Many times as I recall those particular verses, I find myself saying; “Are you sure LORD”? I receive a resounding YES as I read through the many journals I have kept throughout the years. He always proves Himself Faithful. The Mighty Keeper of HIS WORD! If we all had an opportunity to share with you, our stories would be amazingly similar. Just a couple of hours earlier, I was enjoying the blessing of praying for you and all of the 22 wonderful people that are attending TTP in our home on Wednesday nights. This next week we will be tour 5 (1). It was very special to hear from you in such a transparent and loving way. We are very much in the process of praying for and supporting our son Bryce who has been addicted to pornography since age 12. He accepted the Lord when he was 8. When he announced this to his wife and then to us…it was like we couldn’t even breathe. This is one of the most horrible, destructive addictions. He is working diligently to do all the necessary things to set him free. Most importantly he is reading the WORD daily and seeking the Face of God. We can see great improvement and just when we think we are on the way to total victory…he has a set back. But, we truly believe nothing is impossible with God and we are trusting HIM for a total healing for Bryce. Back to TTP. Even though our group is larger than it should be..we are experiencing some very good fruit. At the end of the session we break up into 5 separate prayer groups and each one has their own assigned room to pray. We will keep each prayer group with the same people through out the tours. We are staying well within the alloted time. Blessings and please know, we will keep you and your precious family in our prayers.
You, Del, thru the Truth Project series, have meant so much to my husband & me and our community group. Although I’ve claimed Rom.8:28 for decades, it was recently pointed out to me that God is not as interested in my HAPPINESS as in my HOLINESS (as in being conformed to His likeness)… so the “good” (that He is causing all things to work together for) may not be MY definition of good! I share your pain. I will pray for you. God bless you and Focus.
I am so sorry you have a prodigal. I too had a prodigal. Many told me it was my fault. I tried the best I could and prayed. God did what I could never do and returned him to me whole.
Dear Del:
Thanks for sharing your joys and your sorrow. We know how you feel. We’ve felt the same way for a long time with two saved sons who have turned their backs on the Lord – one with purposeful intent, the other with complacency. And we have a daughter who married a man promising him the only time he would ever have to go into a church would be for their wedding. We attribute that turn in her thinking to the devil… and the UC system. Thank goodness for the saved households of our other two kids!
But, through it all, we’ve found comfort and guidance in the words of my college pastor about the disciples in the storm. We think on these things in behalf of our kids – and ourselves, for that matter: “God sees us even when we don’t see Him; He never comes too late or with too little; He wants to take the storm out of us before He takes us out of the storm; and He won’t get into our ‘boat’ unless we invite Him.”
Not a meal passes without specific prayer for the turnaround of our prodigals and spouses, and for grandkids purposely deprived of knowledge of the Lord. We will add the general list of prodigals mentioned in these replies to our prayers.
Dear Lord, please bless this entire faith family.
Thanks again for sharing so candidly.
p.s. about to lead a third group through the Truth Project – it’s a continuing exercise in stretching our minds and strengthening our faith… thanks for that, too.
Del-
Thanks for your words and efforts. We are at video 10! It has been awesome to go through this with our small group. We are in California so need all the help we can get.
We join you in prayer for our country, and will pray for you and family.
As so many of written today is the first time that I read your blog or even heard of the truth project. Thank you for your truth and honesty. My son is only three but it helps to know how to pray and to do all I can to raise him to be that mighty man of God that he is called to be..although I do not know what the future holds I know that what he is learning now will make it difficult for him to live too long in sin if he ever walks away from God. I believe that all prodigals hear the voice of God and will return to him.
Dr. Tackett,
I just finished the Truth Project and will never be the same as I considered it a life changing experience.
My hope is that my brother, John, will also experience it. He left Texas several years ago and vanished in the mountains of Colorado. Our only way of keeping contact is through a mutual friend.
Bless you and yours,
Dan
I too have a child who has turned on me and is suffering personal dilemmas. I was in a state of shock when I heard all the accusations and anger directed at me for now and for when I raised her. She can only remember negativity all her life. I went to pieces until God reminded me that this is about her, not me and I was not to take what she said personally. That day God also sent two wonderful women to stand along side me; one to remind me that I was a good mother and the other to talk and pray with me as she had gone through a similar thing with her child.
Since then I have to watch myself to not wallow in self pity or hatred, but I am getting stronger with God’s help. And with His help, my daughter will too.
I too have been talking to many mothers who are going through similar situations with their children, I almost think we need to have our own support group. I say, keep your eyes focused on God and He will strengthen you and heal your hurt. It is not easy, but without Him we are lost. God Bless you
Hello Del,
I would like to encourage you by telling you I was once in “The Far Country” running as far and fast as I could from any semblance of Christianity. But I had a praying mother who never gave up on God…or me. Many years of following other gods- many years. But the “Hounds of Heaven” and, I`m certain, the prayers of a relentless praying mom were always with me. And so, here I am- an answer to prayer. Take courage…Tom
Del, I appreciate your openness and willingness to share your life with us. I have a prodigal child as well, and I also face the worldly trials of life with many unsettling resolve. I’ve learned to relax and enjoy the crises, even when reality is staring you in the face, for the crises and resolution is in God’s hands and through the many lessons learned from his teachings. Many thanks for the lessons learned from your tours within the Truth Project as I begin my second group.
thank you mr. tackett for being so vunerable and sharing from your families struggles. often Christians in your position are not always willing to share from their pain for fear of not being strong Christians, yet your sharing has the opposite effect. we need each other in the Body of Christ to carry each others burdens and to also know we are not alone in our struggles. like many who shared before me we have our prodigals. ours happened after attending a Christian college (who would have thought it). satan never wearies in going afer God’s children and I beieve our rebellion is in direct proportion to what we believe. like the Truth Project shares it is what we believe about life, (God) etc. that will ultimately be lived out with our lives. I once had a counselor share with me that God was the perfect parent and yet His children rebelled. Not that any of us would ever tout to being perfect, yet that thought brought me great comfort in knowing that really my children belong more to God, their Creator than they do to me. That being said releasing them to Him was of the utmost importance. what is so scary about children in rebellion is the reaping and sowing that takes place in their lives. but praying a thorny hedge of protection around them reminds me that God is in control. I also learned in my praying that much of my prayers was probably more about me than it was about my children. I grew so tired and weary of the anxiety and worry that my prayers was really more about a change in them for my comfort instead of their salvation or for their sake. God has taught me and is teaching me to allow Him to have His way in their lives. I never would have dreamed that they would have experience some of the things they have experienced and thus their father and I along with them….yet in all the reaping God is Redeeming. I don’t suppose it will ever be over till we make it to the other side. Yet God is Faithful and He is pressing me into the likeness of His Son and if that is what it takes than so be it. God bless you my brother….keep fighting the good fight for TRUTH.
a wyoming sister in Christ
Dear Del, We’ve been walking in “the fiery trial” now for the past 30 years. Sometimes I feel no hope in my heart even though in my head I know that God can do a miracle and bring our prodigal back. We keep asking God to keep His eye on him. Though this is not what we would ask for, God has used us in the lives of other hurting parents.
Our prayers will include your family too. My prayer is not only for your family members, but that God will continue to bless you in ministry. You have been a blessing to us, and to the Truth Study groups that we have facilitated.
We feel like we know you personally, and are thankful for your openness to share your heart.
Lovingly caring and praying….
Dear Tackett Family..
How fragile we all are. These end days are going to be so difficult for so many.
I am convinced the all we have is prayer to a mighty God who is the only one that can grace us with the peace even if we do not understand.
I took the Truth Project class twice, because for me, I needed to feel the fellowship of those seeking Truth even if it was only on a screen. This world is feeding itself more and from Satan’s cookbook of death, rather than God’s Book of Life.
I have also begun a Torah Study in which I have come to repair my foundation that this world, and it’s views have been silently undermining.
The fight is on..Big time..
I too have children, a girl, and one younger son, Noah, who was the only surviving son of a set of twin boys..my other boy died 2 hrs after birth, and know the pain that parents endure as we try so desperately to teach them the ways of God..And how in an instant, it can all be stripped away from us.
After I read you blog, I began to think about Abraham, and how he must have felt as he was given the unthinkable to do, and by the very God he loved..But in his faith how God
blessed him and spared him and his son..
I am not sure how much of the mountain I would have climbed with my son and so I look to these men and women of faith in the Holy Scriptures to find the real strength of
faith that defined true believers and this New Age anything goes believer.
I pray your family will be restored in tact and that God will grant you and your family peace, wisdom ans strength in your time of such severe trials.
I pray for a Nation and world that has been deceived by the evil one..
May God bless you and your family..and I thank you most sincerely for all your efforts for the Lord.
Peace & God’s Love
Baruch Hashem
Blessed is the Name
Debbie*
Thanks Del, for TTP and the way my eyes are opened anew to God’s designs. My Ladies Share Group went through it last year. Amazing!
I have a prodigal husband, who once taught Bible studies, but now considers himself a deist. I have grieved the loss of the spiritual connection in our marriage. Our daughter once served the Lord but, now at University, is wandering. Satan has such a hold on the secular institutions of “higher learning” (which my husband & I both teach at too). I pray that your program for young people reaches many with the TRUTH before they succumb to philosophies of this world. Even now, nothing is impossible with God. So I keep praying.
Our son attends youth group & church but rebels at home. So I hope to still influence him to surrender all to Christ. Thank you for the tools and encouragement to press on.
I enjoy personal details, it adds light to story.
I hope to one day be one of your students, it has been my hope to attend Focus. Currently at a uninspiring secular university.
Del, we have long suffered through that emptiness at Christmas and other “family” times without our prodigal daughter (and now 3 daughters of her own all kept from knowing us). We are blessed to have another daughter and a son through which it has been so clearly shown to us that this was not our “fault” but a choice by a prodigal child — although doesn’t cure the hurt or emptiness, allowed the guilt to be lifted. I pray for all prodigals to find their way back to the Christmas trees and the gifts waiting there for them.
Del: I am “new to The Truth Project having gone thru it this last late summer into fall. I enjoy it SO much and plan on buying the set of CD’s and holding a class in our home with our son. God bless you and your family for your faith and dedication – you are truly oone of God’s faithful servants. I am so sorry you are living thru a discouraging time with your son – bad things do happen to good people – and I pray the seeds you have planted will continue to take root when the weather is right and when God ordains it. You are much admired and respected and keep up the good work.
Del,
You have been a blessing through the Truth Project videos.
thank you for sharing your heart in these painful family situations.
I will uphold you and your family in prayer and will commend you to the prayer support our study group starting on Valentines day.
May you draw needed encouragement from Phil 4: 12 and 13.
You’ve been a messenger from the Lord through The Truth Project. SUCH a blessing to my family!
Take hope from “the Father of compassion and the God who comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:4) He’s pulling you closer, Del. Your life is ripe for another miracle. Praise Him!
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” ~Isaiah 40:31
I too have a son who has left the Faith I brought him up with and till this day he has not needed God in his life. It pains me and he is in my daily prayers…he has chosen a life style that I can not except..I love him so much and pray that someone will enter his life and that he will return. He is 30 now and has children and they do not even know who God is. When you described how you felt it was my story too. I will keep you in my prayers and keep me in yours.
Del, thank you for your willingness to share some of the trials you have been experiencing. My wife and I spent many years agonizing over a son who had become our “prodigal.” We prayed, cried and went through one episode after another with him. We wondered if he would ever return to the Lord. Each time the phone rang in the middle of the night we wondered…What has happened this time?
Finally came a day and a time when a friend we would not have chosen for him led him to the Lord. And we received that call in the middle of the night as our son said to me, “Dad, I just gave my heart to Jesus.”
As you, through your openness and sharing, have reminded me again of God’s goodness, know that He is faithful–you can trust Him!
Thank you for all you are doing through The Truth Project and beyond.
Dear Del,
It hit my spirit very strongly that it makes sense you would be targeted for spiritual attack, because your Truth Project, prayers, and ministry, have interferred with the Deceiver’s plans! Hallelujah! I will give my own example of that below.
I also am having fiery trials but not with either one of my sons (at least not yet), for me it is divorce.
The day of a preliminary hearing I felt very heart sick. I was battling all the emotions centered around rejection and failure, and had to prepare to justify my value in terms of dollars and cents for a judge.
I fought to remember my identity in Christ. It was a huge struggle. As I fought, I became more and more ill until I was vomiting, and had a headache so bad I had to sit in a dark room.
The pressure and strain mounted over the day until for the first time in my life I had an anxiety attack. Fortunately the Lord interceded on my behalf and a my lawyer called me and said he thought we could settle things over the phone and avoid the hearing.
Following the phone call, I laid in my and prayed my thanks to God for sparing me the hearing ordeal. Then a wondrous thing happened…my heart feeling a shade more vulnerable and open to the Spirit due to the nausea and pain I was in, prompted me to thank God for my nearly ex husband, my failed marriage, my pending divorce, and for the all the pain I had experienced, was experiencing, and would experience in the future.
The attack against me began to lift. I slowly began to feel my body “de-tox” from the stress of the battle. I fell asleep with the feeling of Jesus in my room.
I believe that the ability to authentically rejoice, praise, and thank God for the pain I had that day was directly a result of being in the middle of a Truth Project Class at my church. You, the course, and the Living Word breathing through the course was transforming me in ways I wasn’t even aware of until I was tested.
Satan wanted me to fail and feel failure. However, I stood against him and the temptation to dwell on the negative. Instead, I found the urge to ask God for help, thank God for the pain, and praise Him not just for what He does for me but for simply being Him, the Victor over death.
Now, I would like to thank you as well for all you do. I feel for your situation, and am grateful for your honesty and humilty. I will pray for you and your son.I know that when we take care of what is precious to Him, He takes care of what is precious to us.
Shalom and Gruss Gott,
Rachelle
Dear Del,
Like so many who have responded, I too, have a prodigal. I realized how far gone he was, when both scoffed and fell asleep, when I introduced him to The Truth Project, something that 5 short years ago he would have loved. This was a young man who led a bible study in high school and worship in his church. My heart breaks for him but I am encouraged by a co-worker who often tells me, “Just think of the incredible testimony he will have when he comes back to Christ.” My heart aches with fear that he will never come back. The most encouraging book I have ever read regarding this is Ruth Bell Graham’s Prodigals and Those Who Love Them. Anyone reading this post must get their hands on that precious book.
I will be praying for you in all your fiery trials and praising God for all the ways he uses you and your precious ministry.
Dr. Tackett,
Of course, you will never know this side of Glory just how powerfully God is using you and the Truth Project to transform lives and bring the prodigals home. We are seeing a powerful work in the lives of our group as a result of this study.
Please know that we are lifting you and your family up in prayer. After reading the many wonderful comments in this blog, I am also praising God for a family in Christ that is more precious than can be imagined.
Thanks for sharing your heart and His love with us.
Del, I feel your pain. My oldest daughter is going through her husband having had an affair, my youngest daughter just announced that she is pregnant, she and her boy friend will be getting married depending upon insurance coverage, my youngest son has been unemployed for going on 14 months, my oldest son, is still recovering from a messy divorce (his wife was unfaithful). Where to turn but to GOD and his SON? Only with THEM is there hope for the future. I have to keep reminding myself that the VICTORY is HIS, but, the battles along the way are messy. Del, may the peace of our LORD be with you during your trying times and comfort you and yours. PAX, Craig
Del: Thank you for sharing with all of us your time of uncertainty and anguish. You have become closer to many of us as a result. Be assured your family will be added to our prayers. The prodigals in our family are young and old. This is difficult to understand. Sharing our hearts helps, I think the Lord wants us to share. May the Lord give you His peace.
Dear Del, your words made me realize we are not the only family feeling the deep pain of a son wandering away. He is so loved and prayed for. Deployed to Iraq right now and in our thoughts daily. I was blessed by the words of those who have returned. I pray that they will hear His voice and run into His arms. Jesus loves them more than we do. Thanks for being open and honest,
may God answer your heart cry for your son….
Wow!! did you hit it dead on. The ocean wave without warning! We currently have a prodigal daughter and grandson. Each have forsaken the family and live their own way. But in God’s great mercy and love He brought our foster daughter, whom we raised, back to us after spending some time in the Wilderness. We will continue to pray for the daughter we adopted at one month old who has disowned us and when talking to anyone else refers to us by our first names instead of Mom and Dad
Dr. Tackett,
A couple of years ago, my husband and I attended
your seminar on “The Truth Project”. We both were
overwhelmed with tears flowing, during this seminar, all I could think of was, my 2 prodigal sons need to hear this. Once we returned home, we
ask them to give us 1 hour each Sunday evening to watch the Truth Project. It was amazing from that
point on how God started transforming their lives,
and their hearts returned to the Lord Jesus. From
that point on they have toured Israel with my husband and my eldest son is now completing a 6 month internship at the international house of prayer in Kansas City . Josiah my eldest said all he desires is more of the Lord. My second son threw out all of his new age materials, and pursued the Lord, he did slip back a little, but I believe in my hear “God is not finished with him yet” and he will return fully. You have been instrumental in my boys lives and I am so grateful. I have spent many days in prayer and fasting for my children over the years. I will add your son to my prayer list . Thank you again for all you’ve done.
Debi
My dear brother my heart and prayers are with you and your family. As a military leader you know the commander on the frontline draws heavy fire. You are and have been on the frontline in our great fight to reclaim the proper place for Christ in our land. I too have been critically wounded in the spiritual fight. I was told by trusted friends that I could not leave the front line. Focus on your mission as we lift you in our prayers. “Only God can…
Thanks so much for your open sharing. We have similar stories in our family. The scriptures in Peter are wonderful . . . our Women’s bible study is in Peter. Amazing how the Lord has us all saying the same thing . . . could that be the Holy Spirit keeping us all on the same track??
So glad God has such a big family and we will all be together some day soon. Meanwhile, we will continue to do battle since the Lord has already gotten us the victory. Praying for you.
Dearest Del,
I feel your heart’s pain and understand the spiritual warfare that tries your faith at this time. Having home educated our daughters, and being able to teach them a Biblical worldview, the only thing worse then learning the degree in which our youngest daughter had yielded herself to the desires of the flesh was the lack of assurance that she had EVER come to know Christ as her Savior in the first place. We, too, were bombarded, like you, with other attacks to weaken us, but truly believing that God is Sovereign remains our stay. Our children are rebelling against Truth, but even in this, God WILL be glorified! God forbid that I cease to pray for your family as I pray for mine.
Lamentations 3:21-26
Del,
We have a 14, 12, and 11 yr old. I worry about them and what the future holds. We are a homeschool family for many reasons. We can spend time together, teach from a biblical perspective, and teach the truth. Between my husband and I we have so many flaws I’m concerned about what choices my kids will make when they are on their own. I just pray that hosting The Truth Project with our small group, learning, and spending the little time we do have with our children will help them realize how much we love them no matter what. I pray for you and your family. It’s a hard road when our children stray.
Love and God bless…thanks for all you do!
Del and Family.
You are in my prayers for your prodigal. We had a prodigal and I can tell you that it was the darkest night I can imagine. But in that dark night, Jesus was closer than a brother. We were focused on Him because, frankly, it felt like Jesus was all we had. And….He was enough. God graciously answered our anguished cries for our son (and the prayers of other saints who joined us) and he repented, is currently walking with the Lord, has a beautiful family provided by a loving, gracious, forgiving heavenly Father. Remember, only God can change a human heart. Perfect parenting doesn’t count, only God’s Holy Spirit and being born again will do the job. We are with you all the way on this one. Weeping endures for a night but joy DOES come in the morning. We’ve lived it! Much love to you!
Del,
At my home Bible Study the other night we had such a beautiful time of worship and basking in God’s Spirit. I told my friends that if I were to title this chapter in my life it would be, “Having Mountain Top Experiences while in the Valley.”
I am faced with both physical issues and depression, yet God has given me so much to be thankful for, including the return of my wayward daughter a few years ago.
It is good to reflect on your hunting trip, but don’t forget to look for the next Mountian Top experience as sometimes they have come and gone before we realize it.
Scott
Del, I couldn’t help but tear up as I read your stuggles with computer and family problems for I am going through the same things. Frustrating isn’t it? I know things will work out eventually, though it is hard to see that at the moment and while one feels so helpless in fixing these problems. But what it brings home to me is that we really do need to depend on God to see us through and not on our own strength. Just now I have an uncooperative printer after our computer crashed and my son restored most of it on a new harddrive…but there is still loose ends to get it all working like before so in the meantime I feel frustrated and helpless against the technical intimidations it presents to me..a novice. But in a more humorous light, it just goes to show that we humans don’t know every thing there is to know and how wonderful that we have an ALL KNOWING GOD to lean on in times like these. I shall pray for you and your family. You have truely been a blessing to me and my husband through the Truth Project and I really love your passion and strength while presenting it. It is catching. By the way did you know you resemble Steve Martin a lot? : ) Expressions and gestures and all. Wow. For the first while I was so struck with the resemblance that I had a hard time consentrating on what you were saying. I finally got that behind me. I could have sworn it WAS Steve Martin.
Dear Dr. Tackett,
Thank you for sharing some of your trials with us. When I watched you in the Truth Project videos, I fell into the trap of assuming that somehow God had exempted you from similar difficulties my family and I face. Of course there was no good reason to believe that lie. Instead, we should realize that no Christian is immune. And, as you reference in 1 Pet.4:12, we are to rejoice that God is working in our lives through the trials imposed by our prodigal son and his family.
When we pray for our prodigal, we will remember and pray for you and your family. Thank you for the Truth Project Ministry. It has been a blessing to us and to the others in the class we led. In fact one of them does prison ministry, and he is planning to present the videos to his Bible class.
God bless,
While in the depth of my prodigal’s arrest and navigation of the criminal justice system (which I’ve concluded IS the punishment), I clung to the thought that I was sharing in the sufferings of Christ! Although my body wasn’t bruised, my mind certainly was – and I imagined Our Lord’s mind, too, bruised and bloodied as it burned from the agony of our sins and His separation from the Father. What comfort and closeness I felt with Him! I felt so alone otherwise – and deeply ashamed, guilt ridden from sins of my youth that led to a divorce and little stability for my children. Knowing that others who haven’t made the same mistakes have prodigal children, too – well, there is some comfort there.Ultimately, we all make choices – some choose well, and others choose poorly. Thank God He loves us all, never gives up on any of us, and allows us time to finally surrender that precious prodigal to the only One who can save Him. And He has, praise God! Thank you, Del, for your sharing. My husband and I will pray for you. We are Truth Project afficianados and spokespersons! Blessings, grace and peace!
Del,
Don’t know if you’re aware, at our church we have almost 600 people involved in The Truth Project.We’re in our 5th week. It’s so exciting!!!!!
Del. I’ll never forget what Chuck Swindoll said to parents of prodigals in a sermon many years ago.”Your child may be out of Gods will, but they are never out of Gods reach”. I was my parents prodigal. After a wonderful upbringing in a solid Christian home I took a walk on the wild side after graduating highschool. Drugs, booze, and sex consumed my life for many years. I turned my back on the people who loved me most. Like Nebuchadnezzar, one day out of the blue, reason was restored to me. GLORY! The Christian foundation my parents had established in my youth was instrumental in my repenting. The whole time I was living outside my faith there was always a still, small voice beckoning me back. Now I am living for Christ, leading a “Truth Project” group at my church, and constantly in awe of our awesome God. My prayers will be with you and your family as you navigate these troubled waters. Love, Dave
Del,
Thank you for being transparent. I have learned much about God from your teaching and from The Truth Project. But I have learned even more from your testimony and your personal walk with the Lord. Through your words, the frustration and pain you and your family are experiencing were so evident, yet I also felt the confidence you have in your Lord as you struggle through these times. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please keep us updated as to how the Lord works these things out.
Blessings, Janet
Thank you for sharing your heart and the struggles you are going through. Three out my four children are prodigals. I thank God that we have been able to maintain communication and relationships with them. I frequently have to “bite my tongue” and resist playing “Holy Spirit” in their lives. We continue to pray and wait expectantly for their return to the Lord.
This part of what you wrote really hit home with me: “There are so many emotional and physical issues associated with a prodigal, some rather severe. There are strong feelings of guilt, bewilderment, frustration, hopelessness, anger, disappointment, sorrow…betrayal. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on it, another event occurs and they all come back. Even when they aren’t triggered by an “event”, your wandering son or daughter is never really far from your thoughts and it can break into your heart and mind and emotions without so much as a warning knock.
They just surge back and hit you like an unexpected ocean wave.”
Sometimes it’s a daily,(hourly or minute-by- minute) releasing them back to the Lord and reminding myself that God loves them even more than I do and is in control of all things. I can rest in that.
I’ll be adding my prayers to yours for your prodigal and the other struggles you are facing.
Love and blessings to you and your family.
Your openness and honesty is appreciated more than I can express. Foolishly we sometimes see men of God, such as yourself, and think that your life must certainly be head and shoulders better than those of us who are more in the mode of learning about God than of teaching about Him. I suspect that it’t only a slight consolation to you but please be assured that your walk IS helping the multitudes.
God Bless you for sharing your heart.
Del,
It is a comfort to see the leadership that our mentors display when this life hurls it’s painful blows at them just as it does their students. It encourages us to keep on persevering when our teachers exemplify the faith for us. To God be the glory…and thank you.
Dear Del,
I’m so sorry to hear of all your family problems – all of you are going right on my prayer list. My husband & I have been through the Truth Project 4 times now & we find new insights each time. Things we have learned from you come up almost daily & we feel blessed by you. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing about your children and prodical. We, too, have one and there is no comfort when, as you said, when the grief takes over you and submerges your stomach into unbelievable turmoil.Just thinking of his lost condition and the possibility of him suffering and burning in hell drains me and makes me physically ill. Yet, God comes to comfort at the times I think there is no comfort.I know God’s will is for all to be saved and we pray for our son’s salvation daily. He knows we love him and he definitely knows we love him especially after some of the things he has done to us. We have always offered our unconditional and forgiving love as God would. This has to eventually make a difference to him. We will pray for your children. In the meantime, may God continue to bless you in your good works. We all need you.
Kay
Del,
Your transparency is speaking to me. I attended The Truth Project last winter and this season our Small Group of 20 is doing it in our home; we all sit trying to absorb the content and pray at least 5 to 10 percent of it will be absorbed into our hearts and spirits to make a difference in our lives and in those we touch. Your sharing somehow gives hope and puts words to the feelings we parents of troubled children feel. Feelings of guilt, sadness, and doubt trouble our hearts and we plead for the trouble to come to an end and the pain stop. What I am assured of is that Jesus’ presence is here NOW–with me and that I can do what He says I can do! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. His power is at work in me, in my family, in my church, my country, the world. It helps to know that God’s finest leaders are also children to the Father. May God bless us all.
Couldn’t help but think of how Billy and Ruth Graham went through so much that was similar to what you are experiencing as they raised their children for the Lord and then had to release them to His power to “finish that good thing He had begun in them.” How faithful God is! May He hold you close going through these deep waters and give you each great victory for His glory!
Del: When my son, a Marine lieutenant, deployed to Afghanistan, I felt so helpless as to know what to do. How could my sweet son, whom I played with as a baby,.. well, I’ll stop there. The Spirit led me to send an e-mail each week while he was gone to my other (adult) children, a few friends, and his girlfriend (now his wife). In them, I quoted a Bible passage, added a few thoughts, and included a prayer based on his needs as we knew them and the Scripture I cited. I found this to be an effective way to bind us together as a family, fill my role as the spiritual leader of my family, and keep my own sanity. I offer this as a suggestion. My prayers are with you.
Dear Del:
Just over 2 years ago my husband had a stroke which has left him permanently disabled and unable to work. I praise God as he is doing much better I think that anticipated but still not as good as he was before the stroke. The hardest part is the major lack of money to pay bills, car payments, or even have a place to live but especially after reading your trials I know that God is listening. I can understand the prodigal child as well. I never thought of my daughter in the prodigal sense but after reading your comments and those of others realize that is what she is. She ran away at 15, met and eventually married a man who is not a believer and he was 29 when she was 15. She got pregnate and our grandson was born just before she turned 16. She finally settled down I thought and we were on good terms for several years and then last spring she had a major temper tantrum and hates my husband, who is her step father, and me. She also has a beautiful 3 year old daughter who was born with spina bifida and other problems and since last spring will not let us see or talk on the phone with any of them. We will add your prodigal to ours and pray that they will return. Thank you for all you do and thank you for the Truth Project. All our love and prayers to you and yours.
Del,
Thank you the Truth Project experience. It has transformed my life and my relationship with the Lord is stronger. I too have a prodigal. He is my only child. The thought of losing him eternally is very painful. I find him to be more tender now that he lost his grandfather and grandmother. Our hope is in Christ alone. He will not fail us. Let’s continue to wait in faith for the breakthrough is coming even when the circumstances are devastating the “metamorphosis” will happen because He is Faithful who called you!
God bless you my brother.
Dear Del,
Our family is praying for you. God is with us and comforts us but we all know this journey on earth is not an easy one. We raise our children to follow God and when they do not it is heartbreaking. I know we serve a great God and I am praying for your child . I am as well as my family that God would speak to their heart and also strengthen you. God will honor our prayers and as your family in Christ, we unite with you in prayer for you and your family. Satan does not like the wonderful work you are doing and will do anything to destroy it but HE will not succeed.greater is HE THAT IS IN YOU THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD.
Dear Del,
I was just getting ready to close my computer for the night when I was drawn to open the email which led me to this posting.
My husband and I have had two groups in our home for Truth Project and have been so blessed as have the participants. Thank you for the truth you have brought to each of us who have been students of this project and for the many to come.
I have to admit that I was surprised to hear that you have a prodigal. Our only child is now living through a consequence of her bad choices. She is pregnant, 24 and single. She is a developmentally slow so much like a teenager going through rebellion. She is back living in our home for the time being and is connected to a Christian Crisis Pregnancy group with the intent of placing the baby for open adoption. Our hearts are broken for her and us. Her developmental issues have made life a struggle for her. Her pleaser personality and her need for acceptance have always been an issue but have turned into a lifestyle that is so against the way we taught her. We believe that God has a plan for her life but often fear that she won’t pay enough attention to get on board with it. Then He reminds me, with Him all things are possible. Nothing is too hard for our God. I believe this for her, her child, your son and every other child that has chosen to turn away. I rely on Him to remind me when I’m weak.
As is the song by Mark Schultz says:
He is.
He was.
He always will be.
He lives.
He loves.
He’s Always with me.
Even when it feels like there is no one holding me,
Be still my soul.
He is.
Thank you for sharing. Somehow it makes me feel less like a terrible parent when I see that someone whom I esteem so highly is going through something similar.
Del, Thank you for the TRUTH PROJECT…it is changing lives and building the body of Christ one by one in small groups. You can be assured that the TRUTH is stirring up the enemy and he would like to discredit God’s work or to wear us down and make us quit. Stand, Stand and Stand firm. Your son is God’s son first. God knows how to bring the prodigal home. God bless you and your family for your faithful work.
Del, and all the others going through this. In 1994 our then 17 year old bright daughter who finished high school in three years with 9 college credits at age 16 got on drugs. The group of ladies she ran with made big news in our city. They were killed. She left home and when we found her we had her kidnapped and put in a lockup program. Praise the Lord, today she is 32, loves our Lord, active at the pregnancy center in the city where she lives and doing wonderfully well. The Lord is good and you Del, and all the others, will be praising our Lord some day soon. He is good.
Thank you for the Truth Project. We went through it several years ago in Seattle. We have taken over 30 people through it and hope to do more. This all because you listened to the Lord and got it off the ground and really going. We love you and Focus.
In His service
Don
Dear Del, My husband and I are hosting TTP on Sunday evenings and it is changing our lives, and thru us hopefully changing the world around us. The whole group is growing together in a love we can’t explain. Thank you for the hard work of putting this series together. You really are perfectly equipped for it. Thank you for sharing on a personal level; this is what connects more deeply as the body of Christ. It was so marvelous that He made us a BODY and not a club or some other kind of organization. When you hurt, I hurt; and thankfully vice versa. God is so good. There is a plan!
It is in the most difficult times that we come face to face with our faith, our beliefs. The soverneignty of God is perhaps of all God’s attributes the most difficult to grasp. I have learned simply to trust that soverneignty. A.W. Tozer’s book The Knowledge of the Holy is a wonderful book to read on the attributes of God.
*Hug*
Psalm 121 – Protection Insurance
Psalm 20 – Needs met Insurance
Psalm 113 – Prodigal Insurance
Love to you and your dear family.
God has a way of keeping us humble and on our knees. The giants of the faith are those who press on in His strength in the midst of life’s trials. We have the victory and He gets the glory. He is faithful.
Our small group has thrived doing the Truth Project and we praise God that He has given men like you to take up the Sword of Truth. Amen!
Del,
I want to start by thanking God for you and all you do. We to have a prodigal and your heart does hurt but God is also the great redeemer and can restore, repair and we can rejoice with Him. It doesn’t make it any easier but it does allow us to have hope, not hope in what we can do but the only true hope in what He can do. You have had such an impact for Christ and an impact on our family and those around us. Our daughter went through the FFI and it has so impacted her life, the truth project has been a powerful tool use by God in so many ways. I know that when we have that prodigal it just hurts so deeply but the enemy wants to attack us right there.
I am praying for you and your family-may God give you encouragment and strength for the battle.
Blessings,
Jim
Shortly after I was saved, I was in the kitchen telling my husband that this Christianity stuff wasn’t ‘fun’ and I even tried to go back to my old shallow life.
God had better plans and, even though my life is dramatically different and much more difficult, it is focused on eternity instead of this fallen world and I am truly joyful in the Lord.
Because I have lowered my expectations from the world, the joys are even more sweet when God bestows them unto me … but they don’t capture my heart for the world anymore.
May we all diligently remember to look up, not around, for our Hope. God is still in control.
God bless you…the heartbreak of wayward children is one of the most grievous things. I know the feeling of just getting over one “wave” of situations, coming up for air only to look up and see the next “wave” rising over my head.
All we can do is hold on to the Anchor of our souls and ride it through sometimes…our trust/faith being battered but, by His grace, not severed. God be with you and your family…during this dark season. I had a friend who once said that sometimes when you are in darkness and all looks bleak you come to realize that the darkness that you wrestled in was only a crease in the palm of the Creator.
May you find rest in His palm….knowing He’s holding your son as well….
Shalom!
Del–God’s love, provision, and timing never cease to amaze me! I was able to finally check my e-mails this morning and read your blog. This, after witnessing my lovely daughter announce to her family last night that she was leaving them for another man. Her husband of 15 years and 7 children, who have all been home-schooled, are devastated. As are we. We have learned to take nothing for granted: her husband worked for a Christian ministry in the past, they were heavily involved in their church, she has even written articles for Christian women’s magazines! BUT God is faithful–even the children prayed for her AND quoted Scripture. We know HIS PLAN is PERFECT! Thanks for sharing your heart-breaking situation; I am confident God is working ALL things together for our good. This is just going to add a little sparkle to our tapestery as God continues to weave our stories!
Your family life with it ‘s heartaches and everyday “glitches” is actually encouraging to me and yet I deeply understand. I think that is why God gave us families!! We can look back and those around us can look in at our lives and gain strength for thier tomorrows.
For over 30 years my mom prayed for my sister to return to her faith. It took my son of 21 yrs of age to die of an axtremely rare disease to bring her back to faith. Hurt! More than you can ever know. Worth it, eternally, and forever YES. My son was handicapped, but she came for his last 2 wks of life and at his funeral said she saw my mom, my daughter and I give “unconditional love” so intently that she knew there was a GOd.
Remember Psalms 139:17-18 “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number that the sand; when I awake, I am still with thee.”
God will take care and watch over your child. I don’t even think of my own child as the sand, God loves them more!! Trust that!!
Lastly, for your child who’s loved one is going to be deployed, I love Psalms 4:8 “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for thou Lord, only makest me dwell in safety”
May God bless you richly! We’ll pray!
Del:
My husband Jeff and I had the privilege of meeting you at the Truth Project a couple of months back. Jeff himself is a Pastor, we thoroughly enjoyed the conference and came home and started reproducing them. Our church has had one small group, now out of that one, two more have sprung. It is such a powerful tool, and perfect for our day and age.
I read your article here this morning, and was laughing with you, crying with you, and having anxieties with you. I just looked up at the Lord and said, “I am not the only one”? I am not kidding when I tell you there have been days such as you described, that I actually had to write down the events, because no one would or could believe that all these things would happen in a DAY! I have 6 children, I have homeschooled them all through high school, and am still schooling 3. I have “the” stories too, the trials, the times where I have just fallen on my face and said, “Lord, how much more”? One year it was all our major appliances within a 3 month period. In 5 years we replaced out hot water tank about 4 times. Yes, trivial to some, but like yoiu said when you are in the midst of it, and it is an onslaught, it can be quite overwhelming.
Fiery trials indeed! We are currently doing 2 Truth Projects studies, and 1 Love and Respect study in our church. Do I need to say that since this, our marriage has been attacked, strained, and kicked around? We have been married 25 years and love each other to death, but the past few months have been difficult.
And honestly it’s not any “issue” per-se, I can just sense Satan on the attack. We are short with each other, or just irritable, for no real apparent reason. We know that “each other” is not the enemy, but it doesn’t make some days any easier. : ) I sure would covet your prayers, and I will pray for you. Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
Blessings to you and your ministry,
PLEASE continue to fight the good fight,
We need more soldiers,
Moe, PW (or is that POW, : ) )
You have been such a blessing to us I hope that just knowing we are praying for you and your family will be a blessing to you. Our son-in-law has been in the Navy for 15 years and has been deployed to the gulf several times.It is so hard on the family left behind. If it weren’t for email we would be so lost and out of touch with him. So a computer that is on the blink is a major deal as far as we are concerned. Which we are in the process of fixing with a new one as of yesterday. We will be praying for your son also. Children don’t understand the pain they cause by their rebellion. Hang in there, don’t let satan steal you joy. Lila
Thanks Del, I needed that!
Del, as we go through our first Truth Project as leaders we are so blessed by your teaching. We’ll be praying for your family. We too, are waiting for a great victory in the difficulties with our son and daughter-in-law. God is sustaining me through His word. Thank you for the Truth Project. It is amazing. May God keep you tucked in the palm of His hand. Ginny
Del,
This is the first time that I have visited your blog. Thank you for your willingness to open your heart and share your own need. God bless you and your wife and family.
We do not know your great pain in having a prodigal child, since all our children are serving the Lord, for which we are so very grateful. When we look at all the things we did wrong, we are really humbled and know that it is completely the grace of God.
From all the responses, the way God is pouring grace out to others is so evident. He is using your suffering to be a comfort to others. We have just started to watch the Truth Project and are being very blessed and challenged by it. Your open sharing will make your message even more precious.
again, thank you,and please give my greeting to your wife. Would you mind telling me her name so that I might pray for you both by name?
Rachel
Hi Del, I want to share something I wrote with you from when my son was gone. I think everyone can relate to his.
RUNNING AWAY
By Linda J. Humes
7-14-00
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
I have been most blessed. God has given me three wonderful boys to love, encourage, and enjoy. Each of them has a strong call of God upon their lives, all in different capacities. We call each one by the name God has placed upon our heart – Pastor Jon, Deacon Eli and Chaplain Paul. In the body of Christ, all positions are of equal importance (1 Cor 12:12), this we have show them so that neither feels of less importance than the other.
Having children called to the ministry is a tremendous challenge. The challenge isn’t in Bible study or scripture memorization, they strive to meet those desires themselves. The challenge is in recognizing the Spiritual Warfare and the schemes of the enemy that tempt them away from the call God has upon them.
Although there are many stories of miracles and answered prayer for each of them, our greatest challenge has been with our oldest, Paul. Paul is a teenager, raised most of his life in Christian education, but placed into the public school system during the 8th grade, when the Christian school he had been attending closed. Placed in an environment he had never been subjected to, the enemy tempted and attacked, stole and taunted. However difficult these trials were, they couldn’t compare to the luring and wooing that called his name.
With peer pressure and Satan’s enticing whispers, Paul was drawn into a life we never expected. Although the rejection of family values was difficult for us, it was the running away that tormented our family. Where was he? Was he eating? Did he have a safe place to sleep? Who is he with? Why has he left us? Doesn’t he love us anymore?
Doesn’t he love us anymore. Rejection by your own child. Harsh words and accusations fly about. Why didn’t we see this coming. Only prayer brings us peace, difficult travailing prayer. I can’t begin to explain the depth of emotions a parent goes through in circumstances such as these. Love, hope, anger, hopelessness. Faith, doubt, pain, faith. Sorrow, prayer, memories, trust.
As I prayed one night, I asked God if He could understand the special relationship that grows as you hold that baby, child, young man in your arms and protect him from every possible danger that could come against him – God showed me Jesus, sent to earth to be born in a lowly manger, vulnerable to man, protected by the angels; the same angels that he has sent to watch over my son. I asked God if He could ever understand the pain and the rejection of a child not wanting to be near you, after you’ve been his best friend for most of his life – God showed me Jesus, standing before the crowd, as they chose Barabas to live and Jesus to die. I asked God if He knew what it felt like to sit in your child’s room, empty, hollow, except for the memories that line the walls and shelves – God showed me Golgatha, and Jesus’ lifeless body on the cross. I asked God if He could understand the pain of searching every street, every car, looking closely at every child the same age and build, in hopes of seeing your child, even at a distance – God showed me the people at the cross, dividing Jesus’ clothes, cutting into His lifeless body with a spear, laughing at all He was, void of any righteousness or desire of God. I asked God if He knew what it was like, waiting for the phone to ring or the front door to open, just to hear your child’s voice calling again, waiting , praying – God opened my ears to hear Jesus’ last cry, “Why hast thou forsaken me?”
Yes, He knows. He gave His son willingly, to walk in places of evil that all may be saved, even my son. He gave His son to bring hope, life and peace, knowing the pain and agony His son had to feel before it could be done. He watched as everything His son did was rejected and scorned, even as He lay lifeless. Yes, He knows.
Then God reminded me of the many times I have turned from Him. How many times have I turned my back on the family He has placed me in? How many times have I rejected the values and desires He has placed inside me? How many times have I spoken harsh and hurting words to Him, as I ran away to a world of selfish pleasure? How many times have I simply chosen to be somewhere else instead of in the sweet relationship with my Father? How many times have I put other things, people, places before Him? How many others have done the same?
Forgive us Lord, with your unlimited mercy, for all the times we fell to temptation and disappointed You. Forgive me, Lord, for thinking that You could never understand the pain of a Mother. Remind me that you are in control of all things. Help me to trust You and run back to You all of my days.
God Bless you Del, for ALL you do. Linda
Thank you Mr. Tackett…on many levels & from the heart. Please be encouraged and understand that many know of what you speak & will/have joined in prayer to our Lord.
Thank you for sharing about your prodgical child. Sometime we get caught up in the moment and feel like we are the only ones that are going through these trials. It is refreshing to know and comforting to know that we are not alone with our experiences. I think it can be a way that God bind us together here in this world for support and comfort.All the while he is holding us.
Thanks for sharing. It helps to know that we all have dark moments in our lives. Not just the chosen ones. May God give you peace each step of the way. We do not know what tomorrow may bring or even the rest of the day. I too have a prodigal daughter. She is 21, pregant, and not married. As you say, you think it is over and then something else happens. Praise God, there is prayer, the comfort of the Holy Spirit and His continual working in situations we cannot see. May God hear your prayers and swiftly answer them. Praying God’s blessing and comfort for your family.
Beth
Dear Del,
My heart goes out to you and your family and I will pray for your family as well. Your blog is still beautiful in all that you had to say.. You give me inspiration and love of the Lord. Just know that none of us are in this alone.
God Bless
My prayers for you and yours. Trust God to provide HIS wisdom, comfort and peace while you endure this pain. Is quite clear we are serving a Living God for real living issues who cares for us and lead us from glory to glory. Thanks for sharing.
Your “fiery trials” email remind me how important it is for us to continuely pray for one another. And we will pray for you and your family.
Trials are tough and in James 1:2-4 God tells us to consider it an opportunity of great joy when troubles come our way for our endurance has a chance to grow…
We do not take anyone having a prodigal son lightly, for our children are our joy and we love them dearly. But remember the prodigal son in the Bible? He did return to his father. God has a plan for our sons too! We need to trust in His plan!
Thank you so much for the Truth Project. We have gained so much from those videos. I thank Him that He used you do make it possible and that you were obedient to His call.
Dear Dr. Tackett,
You cannot know how your words have helped me. Although my heart aches that you (and the other respondents) have prodigals, it helps me greatly to know we’re not alone. We also homeschooled our children hoping to spend that precious time not only keeping them from the humanist, godless influences in public school, but to use that time of influence while they are in our home to impart to them the truths of God as Deut. 6:4-7 instructs us to do. Right now it APPEARS that it was all for naught, but we all know better. God has a plan that I cannot even imagine. He calls us to be faithful, not successful and the hearts of all our children (whether we “turn them over” to God or not) are (and always have been) in His capable and precious hands. Praise be to His Holy and Righteous Name. May His name be maginified and glorified in each and every one of these situations! Thank you all for sharing your hearts.
Dear Del,
Just a note to let you know my wife and I are praying for you and yours. The Truth Project you
developed is a great tool. We have used it for the last two years and will continue to do so. It’s not funny but the first time we presented it we were almost in tears on the last session because we wouldn’t be seeing you again for a while.You are a dear friend to us in the faith.
God Bless You.
Del, thank you for sharing your heart. I will pray for you and your family……and trust God to work everything for your good.
We share similar issues in our own sojourn. And for me, just remembering this is but a sojourn, is very comforting. We all want to be “counted”, as Bethlehem’s crowds also clamored for room, but how merciful He is everyday to tell me, that there is no room at the Inn of Lies in this world. In fact, there is no “room” prepared for us at the stable, there is no “room” prepared for us at the cross, for Jesus is not there. The Stable of Truth, to the Tomb of Hope to my Home with Him, is where I prayerfully choose to sojourn daily. I love His promise for this moment, this today, in John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” Oh what peace and joy that brings to my spirit, especially when I am most fearful, and crying out as a child who sometimes “feels” abandoned by this world’s fiery trials. I am already home with Him.
The Truth Project has been wonderful at church and my womens group also. You are on the front lines of this battle in this world. I pray for your strength, wisdom and protection!
I was drawn to your blog today; OUR SON ALSO! who was on fire for God, traveling with missions, leading others to the Lord….but the past years very difficult with heavy & broken hearts. His home Bible group at college turned into a cult – we have not heard from him in 4 years. As believing Christians we are all in this spiritual warfare together. Thank you for revealing your heart, and those on this blog. I know more than ever we are not alone in our prayers of intercession and spiritual warfare…claiming the promise that “we have trained him in the way he should go” — one day we will rejoice to hear that your family has been restored (with many others and ours too). Our hopes and prayers not in vain – His faithfulness continues through all generation! Will be including all mentioned wayward children in our daily praises and petitions! amen!
I have often thought that Romans 8:28-29 were in the wrong order. Vrs 29 should have come first.
“For those he forknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His son…..” So we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Every single thing that comes to us, the called, in our lives is for the purpose of conforming us into the image of His son. That is an expression of God’s love I may never fully understand – that God would think enough of you and me that he would desire to mold us, form us, kneed us, prod us,allow us to suffer so that he could make us just a little more like Jesus. My dear brother I rejoice with you – you are taking steps forward – steps that will make you more into the image of our Savior and King.
Dear Del.
Thank you so much for resending this. I didn’t get it the first time. I am so sorry for all the trials you have been going through lately. I pray that God will be with you and that you will not tire of doing good. You do so much for others that I pray others will come along side of you to minister to you. God Bless You.
Del,
I was so able to identify with your pain…we have two prodigals. When I reflect on the sovereignty of our God, I can thankful for His leading us down this path, for it has driven me to my knees more than I think I would have been there had it not been for my prodigals. One of them has emotional issues due to a mental illness, but is able to understand the redemption and the saving grace of God. I have to remember to have compassion on them as well, for I was living in darkness for many years prior to experiencing salvation in Christ. I think of the heartache of my heavenly Father when we choose to live in sin…sin that required the sacrifice of His only Son to foregive. We will pray for your family, including your prodigals, so that God’s grace will bring them home and give you comfort. May you find that in our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thank you. Your words bless and encourage. I thank God that you share so honestly. I feel afraid to speak the truth about my struggles at times. Your candidness helps break my fears.
Thanks again for being a mentor for Brian last semester.
God bless you and yours.
Del — you are such a godly example to me! I had no idea of your personal struggles, especially your prodigal son. I have a prodigal daughter. I feel your pain immensely, and at times my peace and joy are totally absent, when all I feel is anger and then the meltdown of unstoppable tears. Then I remember that I must trust God to bring her back, and stay out of His way so I don’t make the process longer. And I also praise God as I know He loves her even more than I – a pretty unexplainable phenomena as I gave birth to her, have nurtured and loved her -but He knew her while still in my womb, in fact He knitted her together! WOW! I will be praying for you and your family.
I can imagine how you and your family are going through. There are no easy words. It must be very hard to have your own son giving up on God, and you wonder what you did that could lead him to make that decision. Ultimately he is an adult and he is responsible for his own life, just like everyone else. I have had some very difficult relationships which I have learned (very painful lessons!) to let go and let God. And when I let God have those painful parts, peace reigns. I wish you and your family the same. Shalom shalom.
AMEN! I can attest to the truth of that! God WILL use it all for good – and peace and joy DO return. We just have to place it in His hands and trust that He will mold it all for a higher purpose. In the meantime, the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and His mercies are new every morning. Cast your cares on Him and He WILL sustain you. I have been there, and I pray that God will bless your journeys; even the bumps and potholes in our lives will produce fruit if submitted to Him.
Thanks for being real. People need to know everyone has their struggles. Our God is faithful. Real grace for real life. So appreciative of the teaching and your heart for people and the decisions they make. You’re ministry is helping countless thousands of people. Our group of college and singles has been eating it up. May you look into His face today and know, it is well. Selah.
As I read your gut-wrenching comment about the prodigal son, I looked to my right and saw a sign that I placed on my computer rim, and I was drawn to it….”At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” Isaiah 60:22
Thank you for you and Happy Valentines Day
Dear Del, My husband and I have been so very blessed by The Truth Project. We are in the middle of our third group and have seen much blessing. We plan to do a fourth one in the spring. We also have been dealing with a prodigal son. Our hearts ache to see him and his dear young family walking the way of the world. Our hearts and prayers are with you. We are continually reminded that our loving Father is in control. We must continue to trust in His faithfulness, His mercy and His grace.
Dear Del,
Thanks for sharing your struggles. II Cor 4 says we go thru this to encourage others, and it does! Re: your prodigal… Keep your prayers focused for his salvation and keep hope in your heart…never give up; never give up; never give up! God will bless you and grow all involved in many ways. “May the peace that passes all understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”
we all are under heavy trial and through our prayers,Gods guidance and knowing His glory we press on with his strength thank you Del for being so open so we know how to pray strength to you in christ
Nothing is tivial when going through things in life. If you have seen the video, “How Great is Our GOD’” you will know that there is a protein in our bodies called Laminin. Look it up, this protein holds everything together in our bodies. The picture is more than enough to know that as this holds us together how much more the Cross of Jesus Christ will hold us together in the trials of life. We too, have a son and daughter-in-law going through a struggle right now. God is working. Our daughter and her husband are also in a spiritual struggle. He needs Christ and she needs a closer walk with God by getting rid of some more past. As we pray together God will work and He is STILL ON THE THRONE.
Thank you everyone for your posts. As the mother of a prodigal daughter I feel for you all. No one, except for God of course, can imagine the pain and heartache that comes from loving a prodigal. God is with us as well as our prodigals and I know He will bring blessings somehow, someway through it all. God bless you all. My prayers go out to you all.
I am certain that you struck a chord of commonality with many, myself included, when you speak of your ‘prodigal’. My wife and I also have [had] one as well. Our son, who is a very talented musician, chose to go his own way just out of high school. To make a long story shorter, he opted to join the Marines to ‘help’ with his lack of discipline. This help in some areas but in others he continued his downward spiral. Two years after his honorable discharge, he is now divorced and a recovering alcoholic. The good news is that he now is doing well at a University in the Pittsburgh area and is an accompanist at a local church. Even so, with all that our son gives us to be thankful for, we still wonder about areas that he still keeps from God. But he is [one of] God’s reminders to us not to lose heart or give up on anyone just as God does not give up on us.
And we had the privilege to lead a group in the Truth Project this last fall and were blessed again. Thanks so much for your ministry as well as the ministry of Focus.
There’s nothing trivial about your shared hurts my dear brother. Our enemy seeks to destroy families at every turn. The entire body is under strong attack as the liar seeks to disarm us. May we lift one another up on a daily basis praying without ceasing for one another. I pray for you and Melissa and your kids and grandkids every day but we are not guaranteed freedom from troubleare we.
I just started working with my 4th TP group and the joy is ever increasing.I am sure finding out about those cocoons though! Thanks for impacting so many lives for the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.
Dear Del,
As I read through your “Fiery Trial” piece, my heart began to interceed immediately. I could personally put a check by each of the items mentioned, with the addition of a spouse who left me with all the responsibliity. None of it is any fun, that is certain!
I know you must have felt overwhelmed, and maybe continue to feel the sting of many of these events which have no overnight solutions. I thnak God that you are upheld by the Word of God’s Mighty Power.
My prayer for you is that the Peace that passeth understanding will rule your mind and heart. I pray that, like a flood, the Spirit will raise up a standard agaist the attacks of the enemy. The many to whom you have ministered from afar, are glad to do battle of your behalf now.
The Psalms says the “light is sown for the righteous”. Also that, wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times and strength of thy salvation.” So be it, in Jesus Name.
Thank you fo ryour unselfish service to the Body of Christ.
Dear Del, Thank you for sharing your heart with us! We will be in prayer with you and for you! We are in the midst of our 5th TP small group and are still enjoying it and learning more each time we facilitate it. This time our whole church is participating, we have 7 groups meeting, with about 95 participants, and then our Pastor preaches from the weeks topic on Sunday. The Lord is transforming lives, Soli Deo Gloria! We can identify with you on the firey trials as each of our three children, their spouses and families have been going thru difficult times! One of the reasons we were attracted to the Truth Project is because we have 10 grandchildren, and we want them to be able to ‘Gaze on the Face of God’, and be transformed! Thanks again for sharing your life, and your passion for the Truth!! God bless you and your family!
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
I really appreciate your openness and vulnerability. Just this morning, after I spent time with the Lord, I wondered, “Should I call Focus on the family for prayer, AGAIN?” Different personal trials and tension in close relationships drain and confuse me. Let us all lift up the many in the body of Christ who are hurting and struggling. Thank you so much for the “Truth Project”. Lifting you all up in prayer.
Dear Del,
Our hearts go out to you and your family, you all are in our prayers. You are such a gift to the body of Christ and we just wanted to send a note to tell you that we are so grateful to our Lord for the gifts He has given you. Also, we are grateful to you that you so eloquently, respectfully and effectively live your love and passion for the truth, Jesus. We look forward to the series, Cross Examine!
Chris & Nedra
Hi Del,
This is my first time on yours or anyones blog so this is all new to me. What you said about your son really tugged at my heart. I know what it is like. My daughter rebelled too. I saw it coming and didn’t know what to do so I did the only thing I was sure of. I prayed and tried to be the kind of dad she could talk to. That was twenty years ago and God is in the process of restoring our relationship even now but more importantly I can see him drawing her toward himself. She’s not there yet but I can see it happening. It’s hard being patient.
Del,
Your reference to I Peter caught my eye, as this is a book I have been studying. I believe these kind of difficulties are exactly what Peter is referring to when he lables them “fiery trials”. His message to his readership is to keep focused on the coming deliverance that believers can look forward to as part of their inheritance. Peter calls this our “living hope”. A time when we will be rescued from the fall of creation and all the heartache it brings. Yet, our joy is in being used of God. You are being used in a mighty way.
I once hunted and packed in the intermountain west as you have. I no longer am able to enjoy these interludes into God’s art gallery. Nevertheless He has given me those memories. As for now, He has given me new opportunities to do His work. One of those opportunities is as a group leader for the Truth Project.
Jim
We stand together on the rock of Christ, brother.
May our character continue to be strengthened by our trials, as painful as they are, they just help us shed more of the flesh, and gain more of His Spirit.
May peace find you and your family soon. Though I’m constantly reminded through my own times of trial in Psalm 34:14 that we must “seek” peace, and “pursue” it.
His,
~Matthew
Blessings, Del, we wish you the best on your move to Coral Ridge. Our prodigal, now 20 years later, was just made Vice-President in her company, but we still remember the pain. George & Kathy
Hang in there, Peter and Mom said there would be days like this, however Jesus says “Look at Me”.
Your recent blog touched my heart. We started presenting our 5th Truth Project to a group of people in our home a few weeks ago. And guess what? Those trivial nuisances have plagued us as well. We, too have replaced our furnace, a modem and our computer, all in one week. The enemy knows the power of The Truth Project and tries to disrupt it from entering the world but we refuse to let anything get in the way. For now, our prodigal is doing okay and our prayers fervently surround him as well as all of our kids. Words seem lacking to express our heartfelt concern for your family but prayers are the means to love one another from afar and ours are being lifted up for you and yours. TTP has been significant in our lives, and true transformation has resulted. God has used you in such a meaningful way Del. May he hold you in the palm of His hand through every trial that comes your way. You are a formidable opponenet to the enemy!! God bless.
Del: My mamma done taught me that what goes
around, comes around. But Jesus is ALWAYS the
same. Looking at all things in our lives, yours,
mine, and everyone elses, in light of all HE
says about HEAVEN, is the reminder I need to
practice Phillip 4:. “I have learned the secret
of being content, whatever the circumstances.”
Doesn’t mean I’ll like’em, doesn’t mean Iwon’t
wail and sob and grieve, but my contentment doesn’t depend on how I feel. Thanks for your
transparency and humility. It will be worth itall.
You are an inspiration, Del. The Truth Project is definitely a gift. I am presently doing it with a ladies group, but now I have introduced it into my couples small group, and praise God, my 22 year old daughter is watching the sessions too. We have a prodigal “adopted/foster” son and his behavior is breaking our hearts. I have even written a book about the 5 years he has been part of our lives: “A Shattered Life An Amazing God.” Even though our children are out of control, we serve an Amazing God. I praise God even in my sadness. He is Mighty to save and I trust that he has His hand on all of these young people.
Wow, when it rains it pours, eh?
I think we all feel like this sometimes and our faith and perseverance are tested. I myself am coming off a particularly difficult year, mainly due to the sudden and tragic death of my mother at age 67. But as you said it pales in comparison to the weight of the world. We should always remember to count our blessings!
It has occurred to me lately that one of the most difficult things about being a Christian is having a heart for the lost. Jesus tells us that narrow is the way and that many will perish, but we somehow wish for our immediate friends, coworkers, family and acquaintances to all be saved. The harsh reality of the matter is that the majority will reject God’s free gift of salvation and choose to live for themselves instead. Thank God that He never gives up on them and never leaves them! So we stand heart broken and filled with sadness for those we love the most, but lest we not forget that if we stop loving unconditionally our own witness may contribute to their rebellion.
I pray that you and yours find solace in comfort in His broad loving arms Del. Know that you are not alone.
Thank you so much for baring your problems to us. We understand the difficulty of having a prodigal and the blessing of his return. So as you have said, trust Him, eventually the joy and peace will return! I pray that the Lord uses these trials for His glory.
Dr. Tackett,
I want to thank you for all of your work regarding The Truth Project. Like you, I am a former USAF officer and AF pilot. Fortunately, I was shielded at the USAF Academy from the postmodern worldview which pervades most colleges (one of my professors even utilized one of Dr. James Dobson’s books in class!).
I’m very sorry to hear of your current trials (especially relating to your son) and will pray for strength for you and your family. Two of my favorite pastors also have prodigal sons, and I’m sure that they provided the same Godly upbringing to their sons which you did for yours. It serves to prove that we can “do everything right” and it doesn’t guarantee that our children will make the right decisions. I will pray for your son’s speedy “return” and the joy it will eventually bring to you both.
Sean
Hello Dell! After my first trip through the Truth Project I feel as if I know you. ~ I was having difficulties with some people on an online site and your project helped me immensely to understand those individuals and how they think. I also realize I would have not gotten as much out of the Project without their challanges. THANK YOU for sharing such an insightful teaching. I have been devouring it and the online info you offer. It’s wonderful! ~ I will pray for your calamities as I have also had many of the same just recently, including the balking furnace, children and severe physical troubles. But as always, in Him, we win, praise God!
Hi Dell,
After reading your blog today, I am very sure that you and I were twins separated at birth. Everyone of the “problems” you are having are a carbon copy of my list. I have even had the calf separation, hmm. We also have the prodigal son that we haven’t see for ten years and we do not have a reason as to why he and his wife left the family and took one of our grandsons with them. I feel that the Lord led me to your blog today. My daughter-in-law has just called me with the latest misadventure with my beloved grandson. I am going to email her your blog and see if she can find a little comfort knowing that she is not the only one with these hurts and sorrows.
You bet that I will be following your blog from now own. God bless you and when I’m praying for my children (4) and grandchildren (7) I will pray for you and yours at the same time.
Dr. Tackett,
May the Lord bless and keep you. He is faithful.
Thank you for the Truth Project. I loved the Lessons on History and ‘The Divine Imprint.’
May your prodigal be ‘hedged’ with the Lord’s faithful protection and love.
Press on, Sir. May God strengthen you and your family.
Bless you and all the other parents who have shared regarding prodigals. We, too are part of that seeking, praying group. To know we are not alone – is giving my praying heart peace today.
Lately, it seems I think I see God above smiling as He sees His children down here – having discovered the internet HE made possible – using it to hold each other up and grow closer to Him…What a joy!
Thanks so much for sharing your burden. We are privilged to take your burdens to the Lord in prayer. We also have two prodicals a son and daughter, whom we pray for daily. My husband and I have become strong in the Lord because of our trials. Many years ago Phil. 3:10-14 became my life’s verse. We have four children with a type of muscular dystrophy – they are now adults with children of their own. One of the grandchildren has been diagnosed and two others are being watched to see if they also have the same medical issue. I was the first to hand it down to my children, from my dad. The Lord has protected us from the strike of the enemy – he often likes to give us a jolt. You gave us so much encouragement by sharing your burden. We have led four groups with the “Truth Project” and intend to do another in the fall. We feel you have given so much to others.The Lord is chizzling you for greater things to glorify Him. Today we are so focused on the outsider, because things are shaping up to the Lords return. This is good, but I have such a burden for the believer – the one who can fall into the trap of the enemy. The “Truth Project” strengthens our faith and #12 compels us to “go” I would love to sit and talk with you,but it may have to wait until the Lords return to meet face to face. May the Lord bless you and your family.
Because He lives, Elaine
Dr Tackett
We too have a prodical son. For about 20+ years he has led a homosexual lifestyle. We,and many others, have prayed for him on a daily basis. Many in our church pray as well. We still stand on God,s promise that he will reutrn as he was brought up in a Christian home and really knows the way back to Jesus. We now add your prodical to out prayer list for the lost in this lifestyle.
I was my parents prodigal son, and I know both of them spent many, many hours in prayer over me. They were amazing Christian parents, and I have always loved and respected them. They struggled to put me through a private Christian school when they could barely afford it. We were consistently at church, and we read the Bible daily in our home. It certainly wasn’t their fault that I didn’t follow their example. I am sure that any parent in your position feels guilt or wonders what they did wrong. In my case, at least, the poor choices were mine and mine alone. I thank God for his mercy and for the example they did set, because when He opened my eyes to the emptiness and meaninglessness of the worldly lifestyle, it was thanks to their example and the knowledge of Christ that they instilled in me that I returned to Him. I pray for you and your child. I hope that God will bring him to a point where he will really see himself and the hopelessness that surrounds him and turn to what you taught him.
Dear Del: This is my first visit to your blog. I appreciate your transparency in sharing about your recent trials–large and small–and especially those concerning your prodigal. As the grandmother of a prodigal who lives in another state, I know the emotions involved as we and his parents labored in prayer, feared for his safety, interceded when he endured a brain injury in a horrifying auto accident (another boy driving), recovered after several months, stayed home–repentant–leaving the “friends” who encouraged his wayward behavior, grateful to God for his survival… And now, seeing him discouraged, depressed, and drifting back into the old gang of rebels. Sigh. We keep praying that he will make new friends who know and love the Lord, and now, at age 20, be able to take a stand for the Lord he says he belongs to, and walk the walk of a believer. His Mom and Dad have led a “Truth Project” class in their church, and my husband and I started our third Truth Project group in our home on Feb. 14th. Thank you and God bless you for this wonderful material! You teach so effectively what we (with much less knowledge) have been trying to proclaim for years. Many who attended our classes have been changed. We have made new friends, and know that one or two who came to our group have now started their own. “Radical transformation, intimate fellowship, and multiplication”–your goals for the work–are happening here in NW Arkansas.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! My pastor is giving a sermon, this Sunday, Feb. 21, on the storms in our lives!
Your experience and words are a blessing.
Semper Fidelis!, Del, Semper Fidelis! God is,so shall we be!
God bless you and your family and thank you for letting Christ shine in your life! I hope that some day soon He will shine as brightly through me as He does through you!
O Lord Jesus I ask that you bless Del and his family with the safe return of their loved one and his heart open and willing to serve you! Lord Jesus we ask this in Your name Amen!
Sincerely Tony!
Del:
The Truth Project is truly a blessing to all of us who are or have taken it. Society today has become the tool of the devil. It bombards all of us daily with problems that sometimes overpower us. With that in mind, My family will pray for you and your family.
tom
Del: I pray for you every day,for what a blessing you are to me and my family, and that the Holy Spirit will bless you and your family. I am currently leading a group of 16 on Tour #5 of the Truth Project. I know that God has used you in a powerful way through the Truth Project. Please pray for our family and the members who need to accept Jesus as their savior.
God bless you and keep you in His care.
Del,
You have been used by God. My wife and I attended the truth project just last year. It was not only one of the best presentations of the truth, but deeply impacted us both. We are starting a group today. We have looked through all your preparation for leaders, been praying for the attendies, and anticipating God showing up. Thank you for your obedience to HIS call.
Secondly, Gods Word says “train them up in the way they should go when they are young, so that when they are older they will not depart from it.”
Prov. 22:6
We were youth pastors for a few years and I would read the parents this verse. There is probably a better translation then mine, but I believe God knew that some children would depart for a while to see what the world was like, I also believe that as parents, if we train them then pray for them, they will return to God, for if you have tasted of the Lord you will know that nothing else will satisfy. What seems tasty to us, will eventually end up as roten fruit, and we will return to the good stuff, CHRIST JESUS. So I incourage you that you are doing what is right in HIS eyes, your efforts are not in vain, and you will one day see your prodigle son return. Amen, may it be so LORD. Unitl next time GOD BLESS YOU.
Jerry
Del,
Thank you so much for your encouragement. I’ve got to tell you that I have two prodigals as we speak and during the last “Truth Project’ session I was thinking that I would sell our home and hire you to come and speak some sense into my prodigals.
After reading your blog it just reminds me that it will be the Lord that takes off their blinders and draws them back to Himself. My job is to pray and consistently love them. (And probably try to keep my home!)
I am so sorry for your prodigal. Every emotion you mentioned I deal with consistently. If I could die from a broken heart I would not be here. I love them so much.
You encourage me to continue in His service not letting the enemy convince me that God can’t use me if I have children who are rejecting him.
My dream is III John 4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
Thank you!
Shirley
Dear Brother Tackett,
I hope your abscence in updating your blog does not mean more fiery trials!
I am also wondering about the upcoming show Cross-Examine that you are part of and how I will be able to see it. I just recieved the True U DVD set and plan to start taking my freshman daughter and junior son through it tonite!!
God’s truth will not return to Him void. Thank you for your ministry! Love and prayers to you and yours!!
Del, I have never read your blog but I came here because I have felt strongly compelled to pray for you yesterday 3/22 and this morning (3/23). Please know that as a sister in Christ that I am praying for you right now. I pray for encouragement for you and your family, I pray for stamina, and I pray for protection.
I know I’m about a month late in reading this particular blog…but not according to God’s timing – I just needed to hear this TODAY! Thank you!
Having gone through the fire of a prodigal son, rebellious daughter, mental illness, etc. I can say for sure that there is still joy in the journey. Both children (now grown) have committed their lives to Christ and live in His presence. This is attributed to prayer and the power of God, more than any efforts on the part of their parents. God’s promises are true and He will bring it to pass. Deeper still is my love and trust of God by having passed through these difficult times. The adults they have become are in large part because of the journeys they each took. Painful for us, as well as for them, but those journeys have brought them to this place in life. I would not trade a moment of those trials, and I thank God for all He does.
We too have had a prodigal for off and on for 12 years. Drugs, alcohol, etc. have been a large part of of his life. Over the years we have suggested Teen Challenge as something that might help him. His response was always negative. The last time I brought it up, he responded something like, “Don’t you ever mention that to me again!” In December of 2009, our 26 year old son tried to commit suicide by hitting a telephone pole, going fast, without a seatbelt and while under the influence. Well, God said, “No! You will NOT die!” In comparison to what could have happened, he got off easy. After a week or more hospital stay and a week in rehab, he said he wanted to go to Teen Challenge! He is there today and this week, one of his instructors told us that it was a pleasure to have him around! There is hope.
Dear Del,
I know the heartache when our children willfully choose to ignore God. I love God’s promises and these two verses have comforted me. I pray that they will speak to you and your wife as well.
Isa. 57:18 I have seen his ways, but will heal him: I will guide him and restore comfort to him,
Jer.31:16 This is what the Lord says; Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded, declares the Lord. Your children will return to their own land.
Oops! I did not type the verse correctly!
Jer. 31:16-17 This is what the Lord says: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded, declares the Lord. They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your future,” declares the Lord. “Your children will return to their own land.”
Wow! I was told by a person I had asked for prayer to check out the truth project. My eye caught the fiery trials topic so I read on. Thank you for your story. I too have a prodigal son. We were once very close. We went for years with a great divide between us, the Lord has been restoring and healing our relationship though it is not yet what it was. He called last week to let me know he and his wife are expecting their first child, I was and am so excited to finally be a grandmother, I am praying this child will be a blessing and the Lord will bring further healing as a result. Well my joy has been overshadowed by my son telling me the other day that he is no longer a Christian and is now agnostic, it was hard when he wanted nothing to do with me but now the worse thing I can imagine as a mother has happened, my heart is broken it is all I can think about. Your article gave me encouragement, but as I was scrolling down the last person who posted left the scripture Jer31:16-17. the Lord gave me this scripture two years ago as I was praying for my son, I didn’t quite get it as he was still a believer at the time, I figured it was concerning our relationship, I was brought back to it the other day and there it was with his name written by it! Seeing it here has confirmed to me it was the Lord comforting me and giving me hope! the Lord is so good!
Dear Dr. Tackett,
I’m new to this “Truth Project” and your blog, and I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for putting this together in such a remarkable and applicable way. It appears that many people have been positively impacted by it, including me. I have compassion for what you may be going through with your youngest son; it’s a parent’s worst nightmare, and of course the loss of your dear uncle. I pray you have many loved ones to surround you and encourage you “…as you press on toward the prize.” God Bless you Dr. Tacket and all the great minds you can rally!
I was referred to your site by a blessed friend. My husband and I are also in the “prodigal” stages with our two daughters. The take and take, but don’t expect to give, even of their hearts when we need it. It is a heart breaker at times. I have found myself telling them time and again, to Let Go and Let God when they have trials and tribulations, but I forgot to do the same. So that is what I did yesterday and I instantly felt answered (I’m quite sure He said, just before my revelation, “why don’t you do the same my child). I know our Lord will take care of them for us, its just my “human” faults that want to fix them. God Bless your ministry.
I am constantly amazed at how God works his timing in my life! I have been a Truth Project leader for the last couple of years and am co-leading a group right now but have not been on Del’s blog for awhile. God brought me right to this “Firey Trials” post and I was captivated by the prodigal son reference. I had just received my copy of “Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children” by Allison Bottke that I had ordered from Focus on the Family to deal with our prodigal son. I was astonished at the number of comments here from people who are or have been dealing with prodigal children. It is encouraging and sad at the same time and I am grateful for the greater Christian community that can share their story so openly. Yes, with God all things are possible and there is always hope for us. What he has taught me through TTP is patience with all things and I must be patient in this prodigal situation, as well. But I must not be idle and so I cling to his word and keep my faith strong. My favorite verse is Isaiah 50:7 (amen, amen).
Hello Del,
I don’t think your computer problems were small problems. I sympathize with you. I have prayed for your child to come back to The Lord.
I sympathize with all your pain including your physical pain with your calf problems.
I keep thinking about this posting about the realities of your family situations as it struck with a deep sorrow. My heart is breaking as our daughter is being pulled into a life path where there is no place for God. She is being deceived. She is only 14 years old. I am trying to find my way back to hope as I know God loves me and her and He sees my tears. Everything I read within your posting points to spiritual attack. The Truth Project is having an impact. I am trying to learn how to pray in this type of situation. I think we need to pray differently. Thank you for sharing with honesty what you and your family are up against. Maybe you could write about hope in face of spiritual attack. May God bless you today with the encouragement you need.
I was pondering these bits of Peter’s words not long ago because of all my husband and I have been through in the last several months. This thought occurred to me – that while in this country we are not imprisoned or tortured for our faith,as perhaps Peter was alluding to, but we face fiery trials of different sorts. I must remember not to underestimate the enemy’s ability to use what is at his hand and then remember to yield and let God use it for His glory instead. Thank you for sharing part of the truth of your life!