Bob Stamps, chaplain at Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma, has a great sense of humor. He is also bald. His children have taught him to even laugh about that. One night he and his wife went out, leaving four year-old Peter Andrew and two year-old Ann, with a baby sitter. While they were out, the sitter became absorbed with a movie on TV. She forgot to watch her young charges. Peter found his father’s electric shaver. He proceeded to shave a big landing strip right down the middle of his head. When the Stamps returned, Bob became furious when he found his son. "Peter Andrew! I told you never to play with my shaver. Now you’re going to get a spanking you won’t forget!"

As he was about to apply the flat of the hand to the round of the bottom of his son, Peter looked up at him and said, "Wait ‘til you see sister." The two parents carried the boy to where Ann was. There they found her like a skinned rabbit. All her hair was shaved off! That did it. Bob blew up with frustration. "Now you’re going to get it!" "But, Daddy, WE WERE JUST TRYING TO LOOK LIKE YOU!" Maybe Peter Andrew was a great con artist, or stating a profound truth about children. They want to look like their dads and moms. That night Peter Andrew received an explanation and a hug. And Bob Stamps was on his way to becoming a PARENT-HEIR.

What is a PARENT-HEIR? Parents who love God and build His life into their children and His Church. I made up the word. I have been intrigued by the popular TV show, "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?" Maybe some of you watch it occasionally. I would not have a chance to win, but it’s fun to try answering those questions. . I was wondering - if parents could actually win some big bucks, there might be more parents trying harder.

Absentee fathers and mothers make parenting hard on those left to do the job. Statistics warn us that the family continues to be assaulted. I am not sure any amount of money would rescue a lot of the parents and children. In today’s world it is much tougher than when our own parents had the task of raising us. There are more single-parent families than ever before. They try to fill both roles of father and mother. And second marriages bring children and challenges from two previous marriages. No matter the kind of family you have, it is tough!

We need to affirm all who have the challenge of parenting. It is tough work, and often thankless! You might have experienced the famous Murphy’s Law as you try to be good parents: "If anything can go wrong, it will. If anything CAN’T go wrong, it will ANYWAY." The corollary, called The Parents’ Law: "By the time you’re right, you’re dead."

I want to encourage men and women who have the challenging task of being fathers and mothers. Christ wants to build and strengthen His life in the family...yours, mine...and the church family! Reach the goal of PARENT-HEIR - who love God and build His life into His children.

I’ve an idea, let’s play a version of "Millionaire." Sorry, no money will be given. But maybe some hope! How would we do -as children -as parents, if we could measure our success much like that game show? Winners would be PARENT-HEIRS. It might go something like this. Each time-frame of raising children and parents would be measured with basic questions to answer. I don’t know if the questions would be easier at any level. They could be checkpoints for you and me to see how we are doing. For the moment, we’ll keep it simple: The early years, the teen years, and the adult years would have a question to answer. How would you know you are the winner? Winners can be measured by the fruit - their children, who themselves grow up and live their lives with joy and integrity for God.

One difference: instead of Regis on "Millionaire," asking the questions, our Lord will ask the big questions. His Word gives us clues on how to answer. Maybe we can do better than those who get to face Regis. You have your life-lines: 50/50, ask the audience, and call a friend. Let’s play!

Here’s the first question to parents. Which of the following statements pleases God?

A: My child will find Jesus on his own, when he’s ready;

B: I will introduce a new religion each year of his life;

C: I will send my child to Sunday School;

D: I will lead my child to Jesus.

Do you need one of your life-lines? Those parents who were close to Jesus that day knew that they had to get their own children close to Him. He had changed their lives. They knew that He could do the same for their own children. One young mother asked her pastor, "When should I begin teaching my son about Jesus?" "How old is he?" "Four years old," replied the mother. "Madam, get home right away. You are about four years behind!"

Here is our greatest responsibility and joy as parents. Day-by-day we can bring our child into the presence of Jesus. Little things, the grace at meals, the Bible stories at bedtime, teaching your boy or girl to see Jesus at work in this world. Most important, take time to tell the story of Jesus who loved us and died on the cross for us. And pray! With them, for them! The mother of John and Charles Wesley took time each day to pray over her children - all 17 of them. Her prayer: they will be sold out completely for our Lord. How do you pray for your child?

When I read this story about the parents, children and Jesus, those disciples make me smile. They did not have a clue what happens when kids get around Jesus. It is always great to experience. They have a way of bringing chaotic joy to church meetings. Our son Joel was sitting in the back with his mother in a Christmas Eve service. A big church, there was a holy hush, until he heard my voice way up front beyond his view. Of course he announced to all around him: "THAT’S MY DAD!" That brought laughter and joy to us. But greater joy came to us when one day he said, "Yes," to Jesus and entered into life with him. Now, I know what you’re thinking - ‘Of course, he’s the preacher’s kid. He gets Jesus all the time.’ You don’t know how I wish it was that easy. One of our children you have not met, heard the same message, and until now says no. But where there is life there is yet the opportunity to embrace Him. Lead them to Christ!

Let’s go on. We’re moving to the next level. What do you say to your growing children, when they ask you how to live?

A: Do as I say, not as I do;

B: Do anything you want, just don’t tell me;

C: Go ask your mother;

D: Watch and learn from me.

If you need a life-line, be careful about asking the audience - some were not listening. And 50/50 might get you in trouble. Let me suggest that you call a friend - your Father in heaven.

Through prayer and His Word, He will stop you in your tracks. Are you sure you can take it? Be honest with yourself. Will you change something you do so your child can have more of you?

Review Proverbs 3. It stings. Here the young man, perhaps now a little older and wiser, hears again, the wonder of the word of God. His teaching brings long life and peace. Kindness and truth walk with you. Why? To be in favor with God and man. That takes time we think must be spent after a career. Go back to the first family, Adam and Eve.

God showed them how to approach Him after they disobeyed Him. He sacrificed animals and gave His first family garments of skin. Later they had their first child, Cain. They must have been busy. They seemed to neglect his training about the proper way to approach God. Cain brought the fruit of the ground. They taught Abel to approach God with animal sacrifice. The parents’ failure led to the first murderer and the first martyr.

One man who made it to the top in his business career said, "Your work must be the most important thing in your life. More so than even your family. If they get in the way, GET A NEW FAMILY." He meant it and did.

But when we blow it, we can be sure our heavenly Father is ready: DON’T REJECT THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD...FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE REPROVES, EVEN AS A FATHER, THE SON IN WHOM HE DELIGHTS. Parents, God really does love you! He will show you, if you but take the time and make some commitment to be with your child. It does not have to be much. The actor Kirk Douglas tells of his own father, an immigrant from Russia. A rag-picker. He worked long and hard to keep his family together. He was stern, hard, distant. Kirk wanted to be an actor. He needed affirmation from his father. He invited his father to a play where he had a major part. The father came halfway through. After, Kirk needed words of love from his father. Instead, he asked Kirk if he would like an ice cream cone. Of all the awards he earned, Kirk treasured that ice cream cone from his father the most. It came with attention.

I share from my own pain, an old story from my life. I wanted to show everyone that I was the best pastor in the world. Meetings every night! One night while I was stuffing food into me, Andrea sat stunned. Then, she asked, "Daddy, where are you going?" "To church." "Why?" "I have another meeting." "Daddy, if you go to that meeting, you won’t be my daddy anymore. You’ll just be my pastor." I made changes the next day! I am still in need of great changes.

I am still trying to understand what it means to be a grandfather! It hurts when I discover again and again...how off-base I get. I need a lot of forgiveness every day from my family.

Question: Will you lay down your zeal to reach the top of your profession to reach down and shape the child in your home? In your church? Fathers, take time. Mothers, take time...it will soon be over! If you will, you will find that your final answer will please the Lord!

Now, let’s go all the way to the top - the pot of gold! The million dollar question. Has the teaching of our Lord learned at home worked in your life as an adult? Here the answer is always before us. We can choose for God, or for our own way. Tested. TRUST IN THE LORD, NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT. When I consider Joseph, I would like to have a record of life like him. We don’t hear much about major sin in his life. His father Jacob must have finally taken time to be with his last two sons and teach them. Certainly his first ten were a rough bunch. We only hear of Joseph going through hard things with one great word: THE LORD WAS WITH HIM. That can be our word, too, if we have lived with Him in the quiet moments of life....with our parents...with our children.

Tom loved to read, and though in the military during World War II, he visited any library he could. During one of his visits to the library, he found a book that interested him, because it included a personal card of a woman named Susan. She had apparently read the same book and left the card in the book by accident. The soldier took a chance and wrote to the woman. He shared how he found her name, then began to share insights into the book that they had shared. One thing led to another. The soldier wanted to meet her. She was not sure. Months passed by, and only letters were exchanged, until one day she agreed to meet at Grand Central Station, New York City, on a certain date. How would he find her? She would wear a red rose corsage.

The day came, and the soldier was waiting nervously. He was looking for the special corsage, when suddenly there appeared one of the most stunning women he had ever seen. But she did not have the corsage. She came right up to him, but continued on her way, and his head turned to follow her. He turned back, and there was the corsage and a woman in her upper years, smiling and seeming to wait for the encounter.

The soldier took one last look over his shoulder at the lovely young woman, and then stepped forward and said, "I’m Tom, the one you’ve been corresponding with." The woman looked at him and said, "I don’t know what this is all about. But that lovely young woman asked me to wear this corsage and wait for you. She said that if you came and introduced yourself to me, I was to tell you that she will be in the café across the court, waiting for you."

Both the man and woman passed the test. They must have had PARENT-HEIRS. Parents who love God and build His life into their children and His Church. They were the good fruit of parents who led their children to Christ, and then showed them how to live!

I have good news for you. That kind of parent or child might be you. Living for our Lord. People who love our Lord and want to be those who will make the difference in this world and

the next. I guess you could say, that would be a great final answer for all of us!