For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. —2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Young David was undeterred by the huge champion Goliath. Unlike his fellow Israelites, he did not compare Goliath’s size and strength with his own. He compared the strength of Goliath with his God. This comparison gave David the courage to fight for the reputation of God. The world of biblical parenting is […]
Parenting
597 posts
I am grateful to you, the readers of this blog, for your participation in this new online community. Biblical parenting is both challenging and rewarding. This blog is one way to find encouragement as you face the challenges of addressing more than outward behavior in raising your children. Your reading of the blog and your comments are certainly an encouragement to me. Please continue to pray that God would richly bless our efforts to shepherd our children to love Jesus Christ deeply from the heart.
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17 In the latest mini-post I referenced the death and destruction that have occurred in Burma and China in the last few days. As of this date the AP reports that in Myanmar as many as 128,000 have died and over 2 ½ million have been severely impacted by the cyclone which devastated that region on May 3rd of this year. In China, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck the central part of that […]
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. —Isaiah 40:31 The Bible frequently describes the Christian life using the language of warfare. We are to overcome evil with good. We are to fight the good fight. We are to put on the full armor of God. The Word is the sword of the Spirit. This imagery is not given to alarm us but to remind us that the world around us is not a friendly place for Christians. But while the world is not friendly, God himself provides refuge and encouragement. The […]
Since there have been a few comments regarding the posts on praise and criticism here is a mini-post addressing a question from Dan. Sometimes parents hesitate to give praise for fear of encouraging pride and boasting. That is certainly understandable, and we need to think carefully how we offer praise so we’re not simply building up an ungodly, self-centered arrogance. Godly praise, on the other hand, is an opportunity to encourage your children by acknowledging God’s help and kindness to them. For example, Yes, Cameron, I saw you gave your truck to Colin. Remember how we prayed that God would help you to be unselfish? I think he answered that prayer and helped you to share, didn’t he? That’s wonderful! […]
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.” —Proverbs 27:2 Karen asked the following question in response to an earlier post. I find that my children often point out the good that they do. While I do thank them at that point and express how their good blessed me, what words should I use to make sure they do not crave the praise of man? Something to the effect of…"Yes, I am so blessed by your cleaning up without being told, but even more, Your Father in heaven is pleased at what you have done. Seek His praise instead of mine." Do you have any suggestions? Good question! You’re […]
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these… Galatians 5:19-21 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 2:1-3 Let’s consider one basic question […]
20 My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. 23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, 24 keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife. Proverbs 6:20-24 The last post focused on the danger […]
20 My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. We will be looking at Proverbs 6:20-24 in the next few posts. In this post we will look particularly at verse 22. This verse talks about the intimate activity of the Word being in the hearts of our children. This is another way to state the truth of Psalm 119:11: I have hidden your word in my heart […]
20 My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. 23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, 24 keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife. In the last post we talked about the upcoming […]