Jonathan Edwards was one of early America’s greatest preachers. His devotion to prayer and Bible study remains unparalleled, his biographer recording that he usually spent 13 hours a day studying the word, an hour talking with his wife and 11 kids, and prayed a prayer of blessing over each child, every day. When Edwards hadContinue reading “Sowing and Reaping Across Generations.”
Category Archives: Parenting
Delight.
New parents stare at baby and smile, anticipating—and then it happens: He laughs for the first time. She holds her head up for the first time. Sits up. Crawls. And baby’s first steps—what a moment! Parents call their friends and say things like, “He finally ate a vegetable!” or “She finally remembered to flush.” Continue reading “Delight.”
A Father’s Prayer.
When children are small, parents do everything for them. It is difficult work. It’s rewarding, of course—but parenting can be overwhelming. It consumes your entire life for a few years. In the beginning, parents have all the AGENCY, that is, parents have control over actions and consequences: everything important in a child’s life is decidedContinue reading “A Father’s Prayer.”
God Expects You to Teach Your Children.
God expects you to teach your children about Him. Will you be ready? Do you know enough? You will teach them to walk and talk and ride a bike and clean their rooms and cook a meal. What will you teach them about the Lord? “Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them WHATContinue reading “God Expects You to Teach Your Children.”
Parenting is Teaching.
Bringing home a newborn is overwhelming. There are diapers, bottles, and constant crying. Babies require 24-7 care, and it is an extraordinary challenge. But as quickly as some of the tasks become routine, new challenges crop up. Parents have to teach children … EVERYTHING. How to eat, how to dress, how to clean up, howContinue reading “Parenting is Teaching.”
It is Scary to Choose Your Own Punishment.
Once when David sinned against God, the prophet came to him with a message. God was going to let David choose his own punishment. That is scary. “Do you want three years of famine to come on the land, to flee from your foes for three months while they pursue you, or to have aContinue reading “It is Scary to Choose Your Own Punishment.”
Mercy.
“Corporal” or “bodily” punishment is effective with children because it is painful. There is also fearful anticipation associated with the instrument of punishment. In order of mildest to most severe, I would rank them: hand, wooden spoon, ruler, belt, tree branch/switch, the cricket-bat-style wooden paddle. I feared my father’s belt—that was his most severe tool. Continue reading “Mercy.”
Parent-as-Teacher: The Highest Calling.
Do you expect the church to teach your kids about God? Yesterday a friend posted words on Facebook that I found true and honest and vulnerable: “Please don’t make the same mistake I did. Don’t expect your church to train your children. That expectation isn’t even Biblical. Don’t breathe a sigh of relief and thinkContinue reading “Parent-as-Teacher: The Highest Calling.”
The Apple and the Tree.
You know the expression: Teachers say it about difficult parents, to explain the behavior of the children. People say it when the children of criminals become criminals themselves. Or when children raised by alcoholics become alcoholics: “THE APPLE DOES NOT FALL FAR FROM THE TREE.” Children follow the model placed before them. But there areContinue reading “The Apple and the Tree.”
Ask God for Wisdom.
The best answers to parenting questions come from God. You have to realize your deep need for wisdom, and you have to ASK. Jesus says, “You have not because you ask not.” So ASK. Always ask God for answers. When the Angel of the Lord (not a typical angel, but likely a vision of theContinue reading “Ask God for Wisdom.”
Household Words: 