Yesterday I read an interesting phrase. The writer said the father of Benjamin Franklin had 17 children “of which to dispose.” But it’s not what you think. The arcane phrase simply means Josiah Franklin had to find jobs, apprenticeships, husbands, or other arrangements to secure the future of each of his 17 children. Dispose, usedContinue reading “Ask Your Father for a Blessing! Joshua 15:19.”
Tag Archives: Parenting
FAMILY LINES. 1 Chronicles 23-26.
The Bible contains numerous genealogies—they make dull reading until you use imagination to see further. I ask myself what God is up to, why He chooses certain families. The first, most obvious lesson when reading genealogies is: GOD CARES MORE ABOUT FAMILY TREES/HERITAGE THAN WE DO. Clearly these things are important (and both Moses andContinue reading “FAMILY LINES. 1 Chronicles 23-26.”
AGENCY: Adult-Like Faith. Matthew 8:5-10.
Have you heard about the power of childlike faith? Have you ever faced a prayer need and wished you possessed the seemingly magical power of the faith of a child? Jesus said to come to God like a little child (Luke 18:17) and many can share testimonies of the amazing ways God has answered theContinue reading “AGENCY: Adult-Like Faith. Matthew 8:5-10.”
Proverbs: God’s Book on Parenting.
Parenting books are almost as popular as diet books; it’s a huge market. You would think babies were different today—but they are the same as always. And Solomon put the basics of parenting in the Book of Proverbs 3,000 years ago: DISCIPLINE YOUR KIDS. “Discipline your son and it will bring you peace of mindContinue reading “Proverbs: God’s Book on Parenting.”
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.”
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.”
When Your Children Ask You… Exodus 13.
God is greatly interested in the way we teach our children. Are you? Have you ever thought about how important that is? President Ronald Reagan put the idea into words: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for,Continue reading “When Your Children Ask You… Exodus 13.”
Tell Your Son and Grandson. Exodus 10:1-2.
Who is responsible for teaching children about God—parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, teachers, preachers, reporters, writers, actors, celebrities, sports stars? Perhaps all of the above are responsible to one degree or another. But parents have primary responsibility—and grandparents may come in second. God repeatedly tells the Israelites to talk to their children and grandchildrenContinue reading “Tell Your Son and Grandson. Exodus 10:1-2.”
Bless Your Children.
Even a casual reader of the Old Testament will notice that people took spoken words—blessings and curses—more seriously back then. Genesis is filled with powerful blessings spoken over people. Each patriarch blesses his sons: Abraham blesses Isaac, Isaac blesses Jacob and Esau, Jacob blesses his twelve sons, and more. Some of Jacob’s blessings are poetic:Continue reading “Bless Your Children.”
Household Words: 