Peace is not the absence of conflict. Peace is knowing God in the middle of conflict. See Colossians 3:15
Monthly Archives: January 2013
30 posts
We still face the same problem that doctors did in Luke’s Gospel. We encounter diseases that we struggle to accurately diagnose and effectively treat. And patients endure much. The purpose of this book is to look at another area of medicine in which patients face the kind of problems this woman faced. The diagnosis and treatment of the disease do not result in a rapid and complete cure. The cost of treatment and the lost wages are a significant burden to those affected. Yet in a significant number of cases, the real solution may be found in a meaningful encounter with the “Great Physician.” Recent research would indicate that the current medical treatments do not seem to work well for […]
On first impression flat tires appear to offer little evidence of God’s love and care. But that is just unbelief spinning events in way that seeks to discredit God’s providential care. Yes, a flat tire is an inconvenient addition to an already busy day. But that is just from your perspective. Suppose you knew that having a flat tire would mean that you avoided a situation that would have resulted in harm to you or your family that otherwise would have occurred if you had been on schedule. From this vantage point the flat tire that was a curse now becomes a blessing! The point is that we don’t know what would have happened if… We are just left to […]
In all of the ease and comfort of modern life it is easy to forget what the world is truly like. It is easy to lose sight of the need to prepare your children for a world which is not their friend. It is easy to love the world. It is so easy that God has given you a clear and dramatic command not to love it. The world has only the appearance of beauty, not the reality. But the appearance of beauty is alluring and powerful, even though it is false. Satan is hard at work putting an appealing, beautiful veneer over the horrible world that he rules. Never underestimate the danger of false beauty! Your job as […]
Not all schoolwork issues are complex. The previous posts have addressed some of these complexities. Here are some basic goals that may help with the everyday challenges of schoolwork. It is important to be clear with your children about what you expect of them regarding schoolwork. It is not wise to assume anything. Develop clear easy-to-follow procedures about when and where schoolwork is to be done. Then, don’t just assume they will do it. Follow up. By teaching biblical motivation in doing things for the glory of God, using pleasant words, looking for troubling complicating issues, and providing clear steps to follow about when and where to do schoolwork, you will have addressed many of the reasons why […]
God’s love cannot be measured by earthly scales and values. One day, sooner or later, we will all stand before him. What will matter in most in that moment is what must matter most in this moment! Do you live for what you can see or for what can’t be seen? The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the […]
The Christian life is not for spectators. The Christian life is for combatants. Christian combat is not like the combat of the world; our weapons are spiritual. What do your children see – spectators or combatants? If they see combatants, do they see the Spirit’s weapons deployed? As parents, we must be skilled at wisely and lovingly using the sword of the Spirit in the battles of life. We must depend wholly on the power of Christ. Human sarcasm, manipulation, anger, hurt feelings, and pride have no place in Christian combat. What do your children see? Where is your strength?
The last issue to consider regarding schoolwork, at least for this series of posts, is what to do when schoolwork is not finished or it is not done well. Let me sound a strong word of caution: this is a complex topic. Parents, you must sort out what are matters that pertain to the struggles with sin and growth that your child has and what are the matters that are related to his schoolwork. Schoolwork assignments add another set of variables that goes beyond the immediate scope of the parent-child relationship. If you tell your child to take out the garbage, or take a few minutes to read to his little brother, the interaction is primarily between you and […]
In the previous post we saw that schoolwork is something given by God. When homework presents challenges, we have an opportunity to appeal to the gospel grace of God for strength and wisdom to complete the task at hand for his glory. In other words, schoolwork is part of the providential plan of God. In this post we will look at how to promote schoolwork to your children. “Promoting schoolwork” may seem like strange language. Sporting events, school plays, and political causes are promoted, but schoolwork? However, the Bible uses this language. Over and over, Proverbs pleads with young people to listen to instruction and warns of the folly of those who ignore it. Proverbs 16:21 assumes that […]
Here is a question asked by one of readers regarding schoolwork: I’d like to see you address the topic of motivation in schoolwork sometime on your blog. How do we use the Scriptures to instill in our kids a motivation to do their best in their studies? What form should discipline take for children who do not apply themselves the way they should? This is a great question. I will take several posts to address it. Let me start by quoting from the Proverbs: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. —Proverbs 3:5-6 This familiar proverb is often found […]