Saturday, May 4, 2013
Educating a child
Do not educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy. So
when they grow up, they'll know the value of things, not the price.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Mothers: The Heart of the Family
by Gene Taylor
Nations rise and fall, empires prosper or crumble and men are stirred to great accomplishments or driven to shameful failure often because of the influence of a wife or mother. The wise poet has properly said, "The hand that rocks the cradle, is the hand that rules the world."
For most women, motherhood is a great privilege, a crowning joy and a sublime fulfillment. Perhaps the greatest privilege of motherhood is that of sharing and giving. No one shares and gives as a mother does. She shares her body with another in order to conceive. She shares it again with her unborn child. Then she shares her time, energy and talent with it after it is born in order to meet its needs and cause it to grow and develop. But most of all, she shares her heart and her love as she weeps, laughs, sorrows and rejoices with her child through the months and years of infancy, adolescence and youth and adulthood.
Motherhood, while being a great privilege, also involves obligation. No task on earth requires more dedication, greater skill or fuller commitment. Her responsibilities demand devotion to the highest ideals and patient perseverance over long years of time. Her task is formidable because there is no human obligation that is less adaptable to substitution than motherhood. You can substitute for the teacher, policeman, governor and almost anyone else but no one has found an adequate substitute for a mother’s love.
The greatest writers and speakers of the ages have tried to capture the fullness of motherhood but all have failed to maximize it. Only in Scripture do we see the blessedness of a good mother fully described. "Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.’ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised" (Prov. 31:28–31).
Happy and blessed is the home and the children of a loving mother -- one devoted to her husband, children and the Lord. Let us thank God if our home is so blessed.
Article Source: http://www.centervilleroad.com/articles/mothers.html
Nations rise and fall, empires prosper or crumble and men are stirred to great accomplishments or driven to shameful failure often because of the influence of a wife or mother. The wise poet has properly said, "The hand that rocks the cradle, is the hand that rules the world."
For most women, motherhood is a great privilege, a crowning joy and a sublime fulfillment. Perhaps the greatest privilege of motherhood is that of sharing and giving. No one shares and gives as a mother does. She shares her body with another in order to conceive. She shares it again with her unborn child. Then she shares her time, energy and talent with it after it is born in order to meet its needs and cause it to grow and develop. But most of all, she shares her heart and her love as she weeps, laughs, sorrows and rejoices with her child through the months and years of infancy, adolescence and youth and adulthood.
Motherhood, while being a great privilege, also involves obligation. No task on earth requires more dedication, greater skill or fuller commitment. Her responsibilities demand devotion to the highest ideals and patient perseverance over long years of time. Her task is formidable because there is no human obligation that is less adaptable to substitution than motherhood. You can substitute for the teacher, policeman, governor and almost anyone else but no one has found an adequate substitute for a mother’s love.
The greatest writers and speakers of the ages have tried to capture the fullness of motherhood but all have failed to maximize it. Only in Scripture do we see the blessedness of a good mother fully described. "Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.’ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised" (Prov. 31:28–31).
Happy and blessed is the home and the children of a loving mother -- one devoted to her husband, children and the Lord. Let us thank God if our home is so blessed.
Article Source: http://www.centervilleroad.com/articles/mothers.html
The Parent - Child Relationship
by Gene Taylor
The family is a divine arrangement. Children are "an heritage of the Lord" (Psa. 127:3) having been given to their parents by God (Gen. 48:9).
Children do not ask to be born. Parents are responsible for bringing them into the world. It is a grave responsibility to give birth to a child. Even graver is the responsibility to train that child in the way he ought to go because every child has a soul that is destined to live somewhere for eternity.
The Responsibility of Parents
They must provide for the material needs of their children (1 Tim. 5:8). Care must be exercised in this area because children can be given too much causing their sense of values to be distorted. Children need to learn the value of work. They need to learn about the cost of things.
They must "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). Nurture is "the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment" (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon). The physical, mental, social, and spiritual training of the child must be according to the teaching of God.
They must not provoke their children to wrath (Eph. 6:4). The parallel text in Colossians 3:21 says children are not to be provoked "lest they be discouraged." There are a number of ways parents can produce wrath in their children.
* They can make unreasonable demands of them. God requires all to do "justly" (Micah 6:8).
* They can correct with obvious and fierce anger. Proverbs 15:1 says that, "Grievous words stir up anger."
* They can punish excessively by inflicting a penalty that is unfit for the wrong which was done. Proverbs 16:20 states, "He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good.
They must set the right example before them. They must have a home where love, respect, and understanding prevails (Eph. 5:22-23; 4:32); where the Bible is studied and prayer is offered (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Thes. 5:17); and where a high standard of morality exists (Titus 2:11-12; 2:4-5). They must also set a proper example in their service to the Lord and His church in attendance to services (Heb. 10:25; Matt. 6:33), respect for leaders (1 Tim. 5:17), reverence for worship (Ex. 3:5; Matt. 8:20), work (Phil. 2:12), and giving of one's means (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7).
They must teach them. Children must be taught the Bible (Deut. 6:7; Eph. 6:4; Titus 2:4-5); respect for parents (Rom. 1:30; Eph. 6:1-2), for older people (1 Tim. 5:1), and law officials (1 Tim. 2:1,4; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:17); to work (2 Thes. 3:10); proper use of money (Luke 16:11); about the permancy and sanctity of marriage (Heb. 13:4; Matt. 19:9); and the necessity of being faithful to the Lord by obeying His gospel (2 Thes. 1:7-9) and living a godly, faithful life (Rev. 2:19; Heb. 2:14).
The Responsibility of Children
The parent-child relationship, like all relationships, is recriprocal, i.e., it works both ways or it does not work. Children have responsibilities to their parents.
They must obey their parents (Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:20). God would have children be obedient to parents "in all things" (Col. 3:20) as long as the instructions of the parents do not violate the will of God.
They are to honor father and mother (Eph. 6:2). Honor involves such principles as love, respect, and obedience. Jesus applied this command to the idea of providing for parents when they become old and cannot provide for themselves (Mark 7:9,13; cf. 1 Tim. 5:4,8,16).
Conclusion
Parents: examine yourselves to see if you measure up to the standards God has set for you. Children: look at yourselves honestly and see if you are doing the will of Christ in respecting and obeying your parents.
Article Source; http://www.centervilleroad.com/articles/parent-child.html
The family is a divine arrangement. Children are "an heritage of the Lord" (Psa. 127:3) having been given to their parents by God (Gen. 48:9).
Children do not ask to be born. Parents are responsible for bringing them into the world. It is a grave responsibility to give birth to a child. Even graver is the responsibility to train that child in the way he ought to go because every child has a soul that is destined to live somewhere for eternity.
The Responsibility of Parents
They must provide for the material needs of their children (1 Tim. 5:8). Care must be exercised in this area because children can be given too much causing their sense of values to be distorted. Children need to learn the value of work. They need to learn about the cost of things.
They must "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). Nurture is "the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment" (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon). The physical, mental, social, and spiritual training of the child must be according to the teaching of God.
They must not provoke their children to wrath (Eph. 6:4). The parallel text in Colossians 3:21 says children are not to be provoked "lest they be discouraged." There are a number of ways parents can produce wrath in their children.
* They can make unreasonable demands of them. God requires all to do "justly" (Micah 6:8).
* They can correct with obvious and fierce anger. Proverbs 15:1 says that, "Grievous words stir up anger."
* They can punish excessively by inflicting a penalty that is unfit for the wrong which was done. Proverbs 16:20 states, "He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good.
They must set the right example before them. They must have a home where love, respect, and understanding prevails (Eph. 5:22-23; 4:32); where the Bible is studied and prayer is offered (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Thes. 5:17); and where a high standard of morality exists (Titus 2:11-12; 2:4-5). They must also set a proper example in their service to the Lord and His church in attendance to services (Heb. 10:25; Matt. 6:33), respect for leaders (1 Tim. 5:17), reverence for worship (Ex. 3:5; Matt. 8:20), work (Phil. 2:12), and giving of one's means (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7).
They must teach them. Children must be taught the Bible (Deut. 6:7; Eph. 6:4; Titus 2:4-5); respect for parents (Rom. 1:30; Eph. 6:1-2), for older people (1 Tim. 5:1), and law officials (1 Tim. 2:1,4; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:17); to work (2 Thes. 3:10); proper use of money (Luke 16:11); about the permancy and sanctity of marriage (Heb. 13:4; Matt. 19:9); and the necessity of being faithful to the Lord by obeying His gospel (2 Thes. 1:7-9) and living a godly, faithful life (Rev. 2:19; Heb. 2:14).
The Responsibility of Children
The parent-child relationship, like all relationships, is recriprocal, i.e., it works both ways or it does not work. Children have responsibilities to their parents.
They must obey their parents (Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:20). God would have children be obedient to parents "in all things" (Col. 3:20) as long as the instructions of the parents do not violate the will of God.
They are to honor father and mother (Eph. 6:2). Honor involves such principles as love, respect, and obedience. Jesus applied this command to the idea of providing for parents when they become old and cannot provide for themselves (Mark 7:9,13; cf. 1 Tim. 5:4,8,16).
Conclusion
Parents: examine yourselves to see if you measure up to the standards God has set for you. Children: look at yourselves honestly and see if you are doing the will of Christ in respecting and obeying your parents.
Article Source; http://www.centervilleroad.com/articles/parent-child.html
Instilling Values in Our Children
by Gene Taylor
One of the most challenging tasks confronting parents is that of instilling within their children a proper set of values. This makes parenthood a tremendous responsibility for such values will provide them with motivation and guidance throughout their lives (Prov. 22:6). Parents should neither neglect this challenge nor start too early to accomplish it.
The General Basis for All Values
There is no better basis for selection of values upon which to base our own or our children's lives than the two principles Jesus suggested in Matthew 22 as the great commandments: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (v. 37). "You shall love your neighbor as your self" (v. 39).
These two principles form the basis of the Law and the instruction of the prophets and a proper set of values which will enable us and our children to live profitably before God and with our fellow man. Using them as a basis will enable us and our children to meet the lofty ideals God has set for us. But we must first be living by them ourselves before we ever attempt to teach them to our children.
It is important to reinforce our teaching with example. As our children see these values exemplified in our lives, they will want to duplicate them in their own lives.
Some Values We Should Instill Within Our Children
Children ought to have a proper perspective on the value of education. A well-rounded education is important, yet, knowledge of the word of God is most valuable. Sadly, some Christians instill within their children the concept that worldly attainment and knowledge is more valuable than spiritual knowledge. During the school year Bible class teachers are confronted with parental encouraged absences from Bible study with the excuse, "Junior just had to get his homework." Such permissiveness on the part of parents teaches children that their earthly education is of more value than a spiritual one. Children need to learn that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prov. 1:7).
Children ought to be taught to select careers which will facilitate faithfulness to God. Children must learn to recognize the importance of the decision of what one chooses to do with his/her life. Congregations everywhere suffer because too many who claim to be Christians become involved in the pursuit of a career and leave no time for serving God. Church growth cannot help but suffer. But the biggest problem is that one who focuses more on the "here and now" will soon be drawn away by it and their love for it and become apostate.
Parents must instill within children the importance of building their future as God's servants. Nearly all parents plan for the secular futures of their children but how much emphasis is placed on preparation for their futures in the kingdom of God? While many encourage their children to be doctors, lawyers, etc., how many encourage their children to plan on being deacons, elders, preachers and Bible class teachers. Do your children see in you a high regard for service to God and the work of the church or do they see parents who are apathetic and uninvolved in the good works one is to be doing in Christ (Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:14)?
How to Instill Proper Values in Children
1. Begin regular spiritual training in their first year of life and continue consistently through all their developing years (Prov. 22:6).
2. Demonstrate to them at all times that God is the most important thing in your life.
3. Let their earliest memories include daily readings of Bible stories and frequent discussions of the word of God.
4. Give them their own Bible even before they can read. Have them begin a lifetime habit of regular memorization and review of important Bible verses.
5. Teach them to pray.
6. Have regular "devotional" times as a family and speak often to your children of the joys of serving God.
7. Spend the necessary time to be the main spiritual teacher of your children -- more so than the preacher or Bible class teacher, etc. Remember, you have the primary responsibility of teaching your children the ways of the Lord.
8. Teach them that lying is one of the worst things they could ever do.
9. Train them early in principles of modesty.
10. Keep their speech pure by not allowing yourself or them to ever use profanity.
11. Help keep their minds pure by monitoring their reading and viewing materials and personal friendships closely in their early years (1 Cor. 15:33).
12. Be responsible enough to bring up the subject of sex and morality with your children. They will either learn about it from you or from the world.
13. Instill in your children a strong desire to save themselves for the one who will someday be their mate.
14. Reinforce your moral teaching by setting specific guidelines for dating.
15. Train your children to date only those who are morally upright and urge them to plan on marrying a Christian.
16. Teach them the virtue of work by giving them regular jobs and responsibilities around the home.
17. Train them to never get too busy with secular pursuits to do something for the Lord's cause.
18. Encourage them often to plan the future of their lives to include a "career" for Christ (Bible class teacher, song leader, preacher, deacon, elder, elder's wife, deacon's wife, etc.).
19. Build a family life in such a way that "home" is a happy place.
20. Be the kind of child your heavenly Father would have you to be. You will not only be pleasing God but will be the kind of parent who will be able to place within the hearts of your children the principles and values of Scripture.
Conclusion
If we want our children to grow into faithful, active Christians, we must begin with our examples, reinforcing them with our teaching and encouragement and then continue, prayerfully, to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).
Article Source: http://www.centervilleroad.com/articles/values-children.html
One of the most challenging tasks confronting parents is that of instilling within their children a proper set of values. This makes parenthood a tremendous responsibility for such values will provide them with motivation and guidance throughout their lives (Prov. 22:6). Parents should neither neglect this challenge nor start too early to accomplish it.
The General Basis for All Values
There is no better basis for selection of values upon which to base our own or our children's lives than the two principles Jesus suggested in Matthew 22 as the great commandments: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (v. 37). "You shall love your neighbor as your self" (v. 39).
These two principles form the basis of the Law and the instruction of the prophets and a proper set of values which will enable us and our children to live profitably before God and with our fellow man. Using them as a basis will enable us and our children to meet the lofty ideals God has set for us. But we must first be living by them ourselves before we ever attempt to teach them to our children.
It is important to reinforce our teaching with example. As our children see these values exemplified in our lives, they will want to duplicate them in their own lives.
Some Values We Should Instill Within Our Children
Children ought to have a proper perspective on the value of education. A well-rounded education is important, yet, knowledge of the word of God is most valuable. Sadly, some Christians instill within their children the concept that worldly attainment and knowledge is more valuable than spiritual knowledge. During the school year Bible class teachers are confronted with parental encouraged absences from Bible study with the excuse, "Junior just had to get his homework." Such permissiveness on the part of parents teaches children that their earthly education is of more value than a spiritual one. Children need to learn that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prov. 1:7).
Children ought to be taught to select careers which will facilitate faithfulness to God. Children must learn to recognize the importance of the decision of what one chooses to do with his/her life. Congregations everywhere suffer because too many who claim to be Christians become involved in the pursuit of a career and leave no time for serving God. Church growth cannot help but suffer. But the biggest problem is that one who focuses more on the "here and now" will soon be drawn away by it and their love for it and become apostate.
Parents must instill within children the importance of building their future as God's servants. Nearly all parents plan for the secular futures of their children but how much emphasis is placed on preparation for their futures in the kingdom of God? While many encourage their children to be doctors, lawyers, etc., how many encourage their children to plan on being deacons, elders, preachers and Bible class teachers. Do your children see in you a high regard for service to God and the work of the church or do they see parents who are apathetic and uninvolved in the good works one is to be doing in Christ (Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:14)?
How to Instill Proper Values in Children
1. Begin regular spiritual training in their first year of life and continue consistently through all their developing years (Prov. 22:6).
2. Demonstrate to them at all times that God is the most important thing in your life.
3. Let their earliest memories include daily readings of Bible stories and frequent discussions of the word of God.
4. Give them their own Bible even before they can read. Have them begin a lifetime habit of regular memorization and review of important Bible verses.
5. Teach them to pray.
6. Have regular "devotional" times as a family and speak often to your children of the joys of serving God.
7. Spend the necessary time to be the main spiritual teacher of your children -- more so than the preacher or Bible class teacher, etc. Remember, you have the primary responsibility of teaching your children the ways of the Lord.
8. Teach them that lying is one of the worst things they could ever do.
9. Train them early in principles of modesty.
10. Keep their speech pure by not allowing yourself or them to ever use profanity.
11. Help keep their minds pure by monitoring their reading and viewing materials and personal friendships closely in their early years (1 Cor. 15:33).
12. Be responsible enough to bring up the subject of sex and morality with your children. They will either learn about it from you or from the world.
13. Instill in your children a strong desire to save themselves for the one who will someday be their mate.
14. Reinforce your moral teaching by setting specific guidelines for dating.
15. Train your children to date only those who are morally upright and urge them to plan on marrying a Christian.
16. Teach them the virtue of work by giving them regular jobs and responsibilities around the home.
17. Train them to never get too busy with secular pursuits to do something for the Lord's cause.
18. Encourage them often to plan the future of their lives to include a "career" for Christ (Bible class teacher, song leader, preacher, deacon, elder, elder's wife, deacon's wife, etc.).
19. Build a family life in such a way that "home" is a happy place.
20. Be the kind of child your heavenly Father would have you to be. You will not only be pleasing God but will be the kind of parent who will be able to place within the hearts of your children the principles and values of Scripture.
Conclusion
If we want our children to grow into faithful, active Christians, we must begin with our examples, reinforcing them with our teaching and encouragement and then continue, prayerfully, to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).
Article Source: http://www.centervilleroad.com/articles/values-children.html
Saturday, November 13, 2010
If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again
By Diane Loomans
If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
From God with Love
~Author Unknown~
Children are a blessing sent from God above
For us to care and nurture and most of all to love.
God calls us to be parents and gives us all the tools
And when we feel like giving up, our strength He will renew.
Children are a gift from God that He so freely lends
To make it through the childhood years, on Him we must depend.
He must have a presence, you see it must take three
The parents, child and Christ at the center to be a family.
From childhood days to a child full grown
Their joys and hurts are a parent's own.
Times of joy and laughter and those times of tears
The times spent raising a child are surely the best of years.
There comes that time in life when a child will leave the nest
We must send them off with love and a prayer and leave to God the rest.
We've have shared the Word of God, we've taught them right from wrong
Now it's time to let them go and let them write their song.
The faith instilled, the examples lived, and the lessons taught
All gifts that we've given our child, which will never be forgotten.
There are many paths a child can take, right or wrong will remain unknown
But rest assured that in the end, they all lead back to home.
Children are a blessing sent from God above
For us to care and nurture and most of all to love.
God calls us to be parents and gives us all the tools
And when we feel like giving up, our strength He will renew.
Children are a gift from God that He so freely lends
To make it through the childhood years, on Him we must depend.
He must have a presence, you see it must take three
The parents, child and Christ at the center to be a family.
From childhood days to a child full grown
Their joys and hurts are a parent's own.
Times of joy and laughter and those times of tears
The times spent raising a child are surely the best of years.
There comes that time in life when a child will leave the nest
We must send them off with love and a prayer and leave to God the rest.
We've have shared the Word of God, we've taught them right from wrong
Now it's time to let them go and let them write their song.
The faith instilled, the examples lived, and the lessons taught
All gifts that we've given our child, which will never be forgotten.
There are many paths a child can take, right or wrong will remain unknown
But rest assured that in the end, they all lead back to home.
Memo from Your Child
1. Don't spoil me. I know quit well that I ought not have all that I ask for, I'm only testing you.
2. Don't be afraid to be firm with me, I prefer it. It makes me feel more secure.
3. Don't let me form bad habits, I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.
4. Don't make me feel smaller than I am, It only makes me behave stupidly big.
5. Don't correct me in front of people if you can help it.
6. Don't make me feel that my mistakes are sins, it upsets my set of values.
7. Don't be upset when I say "I hate you", it's not you I hate, but your power to hinder.
8. Don't protect me from consequences, I need to learn the painful way sometimes.
9. Don't nag, if you do I will need to protect myself by appearing deaf.
10. Don't make rash promises, remember I feel badly let down when promises are broken.
11. Don't tax my honesty too much, I am easily frightened into telling lies.
12. Don't be inconsistent, that completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.
13. Don't tell me my fears are silly, they are terribly real to me and you can do much to reassure me if you try to understand.
14. Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me to great a shock when I discover that you are neither.
15. Don't forget that I can't thrive without lots of love and understanding, but I don't need to tell you that, do I?
2. Don't be afraid to be firm with me, I prefer it. It makes me feel more secure.
3. Don't let me form bad habits, I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.
4. Don't make me feel smaller than I am, It only makes me behave stupidly big.
5. Don't correct me in front of people if you can help it.
6. Don't make me feel that my mistakes are sins, it upsets my set of values.
7. Don't be upset when I say "I hate you", it's not you I hate, but your power to hinder.
8. Don't protect me from consequences, I need to learn the painful way sometimes.
9. Don't nag, if you do I will need to protect myself by appearing deaf.
10. Don't make rash promises, remember I feel badly let down when promises are broken.
11. Don't tax my honesty too much, I am easily frightened into telling lies.
12. Don't be inconsistent, that completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.
13. Don't tell me my fears are silly, they are terribly real to me and you can do much to reassure me if you try to understand.
14. Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me to great a shock when I discover that you are neither.
15. Don't forget that I can't thrive without lots of love and understanding, but I don't need to tell you that, do I?
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