Why do we need "Pictures with a Purpose?" "Pictures with a Purpose" gives us a method that enables us to pass down the spiritual heritage upon which our family is founded. This book will appeal to anyone who might be interested in learning how to pass down a tangible "baton of faith" to their children and their children's children. It will equip them with a powerful tool that will increase their faith using practical, personal experiences from their own life on a regular basis.

When our children are young they do not have many experiences on which to base their faith. They rely on "mom" and "dad" to share their stories and experiences with them so they can experience faith (sort of) second hand. Our children have to be trained to recognize the "fingerprints of God" in their lives. As parents, it is our responsibility to help our children recognize and remember the fingerprints of God in their lives on a regular basis. Peter understood this principal when he wrote in 2 Peter 1:15, "And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will ALWAYS be able to REMEMBER these things." Peter put a high priority on making sure his disciples remembered what he taught them even after he was gone.

The verse God used to challenge me to begin taking "Pictures with a Purpose" was Joshua 4:6-7 (New American Version).

"… to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. THESE STONES are to be a MEMORIAL to the PEOPLE of Israel FOREVER" (emphasis mine).

Why did Joshua want them to do this? What is the fruit of building this memorial of stone? The answer to that question lies in verse 24. "He did this so that all the people of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God."

Pastor John Fichtner of Liberty Church shares in his sermon series "How to Lead Others to Christ" a statement that echoes the passions of my heart.

"Deeply embedded in the heart of every Christian parent there is a longing desire that their children will embrace their FAITH values. That they will gain an understanding that a life separated from Christ is empty and meaningless, but a life filled with faith in Jesus Christ brings fulfillment and JOY."

Do you have mementos that remind you of special events? God used stones from the riverbed to remind His people of His miracle of stopping up the Jordan River. You may have some of these same kinds of "stones," such as baptismal certificates, gift Bibles, church bulletins, photo albums, or even T-shirts from youth camp. These objects will only have limited meaning for your family and others unless you are also able to share the precious memories that these mementos stir within you.

Examine your experiences and extract the lessons you have learned. Review your life and think about how it has shaped you. Moses told the Israelites, "Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him" (Deuteronomy 11:2, The English Version). "Forgotten experiences are worthless; that's a good reason to keep a spiritual journal" (Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life).

Joel 1:3 admonishes us to, "Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation." Through this verse, God is urging parents to pass down their history to their children, telling them over and over the important lessons they have learned. "One of the greatest gifts you can give younger people is your life's story to help them repeat your successes and avoid your mistakes" (Life Application Study Bible).

"God is telling a story. His story. He is intimately involved in the passing minutes of every one of my days and every one of yours. He also orchestrates and tells our stories. He is both author and narrator. Faith increases to the degree we are aware of, caught up in, enthralled by, and participating in His and our story" (Dan Allendar, The Healing Path).

As you aim your camera and look through the lens, ask yourself, "How can this picture increase my faith, my family's faith, and how will it glorify God?" The more you take Pictures with a Purpose, the more natural it will become. In fact, you will find yourself recognizing the activities of God in your life, and in the life of your family, more and more each day.

"We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power and the wonders He has done" (Psalm 78:4).

*excerpts from Pictures With a Purpose by Naomi Shedd