I'm still young enough that I remember when the internet made it's way into the home offices of my friends and I. I can't remember if it was American Online or Prodigy, but I remember being at my friend's house when his family was one of the first to get online. He was able to chat with other people on his computer and it was completely unreal. He would click his mouse, then we'd hear a phone dialing followed by weird hisses, buzzes and tweets coming from the back of his computer as his modem connected.
In a short time we've come a long way. The internet is everywhere and part of our everyday lives. It's pretty darn amazing and has made the world a tiny place. Though the internet provides great things in our lives, most of us are aware that it also poses a great threat. Wherever you go online, you are only a click away from danger. There is a need today more than ever to protect our children from online predators (be it people or companies who push their ads in front of us) as well as accidently stumbling onto content we don't want them to experience. This goes for us parents, too - especially Dads who are very susceptible to the dangers of online content.
I have tried a number of filters and blockers and one that I now use, and am endorsing here, is Safe Eyes. Safe Eyes has offered satisfactory protection online. It has great features and control. It comes highly rated by many reputable sources.
Internet dangers will continue to grow. This is why I have an ad for Safe Eyes. If you click on it it will take you to their website where you can read more about their products and the reason they exist. Any commissions I receive through this will go back into this ministry. Don't be ignorant of Internet dangers!
Steven Curtis Chapman talks about the loss of his daughter and the inspiration behind his new song, Heaven is the Face. My wife and I were in agreement that we don't know how anyone gets through an ordeal like his family suffered through. It's a testimony of God's grace that they are able to heal and move forward. It's the hope we have in Heaven because of what Jesus has done that we are able to move on. Steven - thank you for sharing your heart with us. I know you will minister to many who have gone through similar pain and grief.
Warning to the sensitive: You might need to watch with tissues.
It has come to my attention more than one time recently that I have not had to suffer the loss of a close loved one. There are three people I work with who've each lost family members close to them: siblings, parents, spouses. Fortunately I have not had to go through such a loss. I can't imagine the pain one must go through. What about you? How have you dealt with loss in your life? Comment below.
Some sound advice about marriage. This video is very funny and well done. It's funny because it's true. This is nothing profound, just pure entertainment.
This blog and my debut song, "In Good Hands" marks the launch of my hobby music career! I just entered a new chapter in life with the birth of my 3rd child on the same day I turned 30. With the coming of our 3rd, I knew my extra time would be even more limited. I have had many creative ideas in the works with no definite plans to finish any of them. I decided to actually complete a project and put it out there in the event this is the last chance I have for a while to devote time to such a project.
As the years come, I hope to release more projects and discuss them on this website. Until then, I plan to share my thoughts about life, being a pastor, a dad, a husband, and many of the other things I think about.
In the music widget up top you can stream my song in its entirety. However, if you like the song, consider supporting a local artist by purchasing it (it costs less than a dollar!). I wouldn't mind at least covering the cost of distribution and copyrighting :) Also, if you find any of my music worth sharing, please do so. I have found "In Good Hands" to be a meaningful song to hum to my infant while holding him.
Finally, I'd love your input and feedback. Leave me a comment. I'd love to know your thoughts.
-Ben
About the Song
Our Baby Dedication Service was coming up (we do 2 a year at BCC) and the few songs that worked well for the service were getting well worn. I thought I'd try to write my own song for it. With a good 5 years of fatherhood behind me, I felt qualified to write about children and dedicating them to the Lord so I went to it. This is the song that resulted.
While writing the song I relied on God's inspiration and drew from my experience as a father. Early in marriage, my wife and I faced infertility. God guided us through 2 wonderful adoption experiences. Then in February of 2009 God gave us wonderful gift of a natural conception. Our third child was born on my 30th birthday. Needless to say, it was an answer to prayer. We see our children as gifts that God has entrusted to us to care for and raise to be obedient servants of Jesus.
I have found much joy and purpose in singing this song to our newborn. I hold him and sing this to him. What a wonderful prayer God has given me to speak into my children's lives. I pray this song will bless many more parents out there who realize the wonderful and scary task they have as a parent.
In Good Hands
Copyright 2009 Ben Chilcote
I closed my eyes and said a prayer
Who am I that God would trust
Your steps are ordered
How will I teach you how to walk
How will I teach you how to trust
Your steps are ordered
I am the only world you see
So I take you by the hand
And one day when you are grown
Through the tears and
He is longing
Our steps are ordered
The Video
About the Song
This song was a tribute to a man that was (and is) beloved by many. At our church, we went through a rough time in losing our senior pastor. Howard Brammer stepped in as our interim senior pastor. He originally was asked to stay for a number of months but ended up with us for a full year. For his going away dinner, our media director, Brent Thurston, and I worked up this video. I had the crazy idea to have Howard rap and Brent animate it Jib-Jab Style. I had always wanted to write a rap. I can now cross that off my list. Although, I'd really like to write another. All in all, I spent well over 40 hours on the project. Both Brent and I felt we could have done more with more time, but you do what you can! The lyrics are mostly inside jokes and things we knew about Howard.
My name is Ben Chilcote. I have a wife and 3 kids. I am ordained and have worked in full-time Christian ministry since 2004. I'm an artist, musician and have many other varied and perhaps unusual interests.
Above all, I’ve had a serious relationship with Jesus for most of my life and I continually asking Him how this world – and my life – is supposed to work. Recently He has opened my eyes to His Kingdom and I have began a journey of life transformation.
I feel like God has given me a gift of influence, which I must steward strategically and responsibly. Through my creative projects and blog posts on this website, I hope to share the things that God is teaching and showing me. I trust they will be valuable in building up others who are also seeking a life of obedience under the leadership of Jesus.
Sometimes I think I must be crazy. However, I trust I will find out I am not and that God is faithful.
I'd love to hear from you. Contact me at benchilcote@gmail.com
