The underlying theme of these recent posts is not treating your children as their sins deserve. With regard to the middle years, what does this look like in everyday life? Parent, if your focus is primarily about how your child behaves, you have little option but to treat him as you think his sins deserve. But, as Tedd Tripp has pointed out, the goal for these middle years is the development of godly character. During this time you are training your children to love and honor God when you are not around to supervise them. You are preparing them for the teenage years and beyond. If you are primarily correcting behavior you are wasting valuable time! I have copied an […]
Gospel
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Here is a great comment and question from Maia on yesterday’s post: “Could you give a real-life or real-life like example of this in action. So Johnny is hitting his little brother. How do we correct this issue without setting Johnny up to learn the formula of what I did was wrong, I paid the price. My husband and I are living this right now and our prayer is that we will parent the way God desires.” Glad that you asked! Godly discipline always points to Christ. This is what Ephesians 6:4 is all about. Simply correcting behavior without challenging the heart is nothing more than manipulation. This leads to self-sufficiency, resignation, or rebellion. So, Paul says that children are […]
Psalm 103 mercifully proclaims that God does not treat us as our sins deserve. It is this truth that sets Christianity apart from every other religion. All paths, except the one leading to Christ, lead to some form of self-justification. This truth has important implications for parenting. It is important that children not be treated as their sins deserve! At first glance, this seems obvious. But, we must ask, how do our children believe they are treated. Words like accountability, responsibility, and obedience can come to be equated with fair treatment. (These words are wonderful words in their proper place.) When children sin they should be held accountable. This sounds right, but is it? In Psalm 103, David is rejoicing […]
Mother’s Day is typically a time to focus on giving gifts to Mom, in appreciation for all of her work and commitment as a mother. I certainly do not wish to detract from this tradition in any way! However, here is another way to look at Mother’s Day giving.
On a Thursday evening, some 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ had come to the end of his time on earth—the time of subjecting himself to life on earth. After 33 years of perfect obedience, doing all that his Father had given him to do, eighteen hours of crushing temptation and agony yet remained. Everything that Christ had accomplished in his life now came down to these final eighteen hours. From those to whom he had been the closest he would see jealousy, greed, betrayal and abandonment. From the Enemy he would again know temptation—though this time, he would not be tempted by the aroma of fresh bread, but by the unspeakable injustice and hatred of a world plunged into sin. […]
If you were to do a word association quiz about Easter for today’s man (or, to be politically correct, for today’s person on the street) what sort of responses might you expect? The culturally correct person would say things like egg hunts, bunnies, and chocolate eggs. Some would say new clothes and going to church. Still others might speak of spiritual renewal and the hope of Spring. Some might even mention that Easter marks the day that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. But the association that would be the most important consideration would be, “What difference does Easter make in your life?” This question places everything in perspective. The new clothes and the eggs and the bunnies are […]
Fox News recently ran a story about a Marine Corporal who had just won $2.9 million at a Las Vegas casino. The marine, 26 years old, had been accepted to be an anonymous bone marrow donor two days previous to winning the jackpot.
Easter is a celebration of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But how many children know why Jesus died and came to life again? This illustrated devotional contains 28 lessons — one for each day of the four weeks leading up to Easter — in a short, focused format designed to help parents show the Christ of Easter to their children. Pre-order now and receive a great discount off the retail price of $14.95. We’ll ship it to you as soon as it comes off the printer so that you can use it with your children this Easter season! Learn more here.
The news headlines have been consistent as of late – consistently discouraging. Moral norms continue to plummet. There seems to be little hope in our darkening world. However, in the Bible, the story of Ruth takes place in the time of the Judges and offers hope and encouragement for you.
His love cannot be eaten, will not wilt, cannot be bought, cannot be lost or stolen. It is yours to give as it has been given to you. There is no better gift! Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not boast. Love is not proud. Love is not rude. Love is not self-seeking. Love is not easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects. Love always trusts. Love always hopes. Love always perseveres.