Conformity and peer pressure threaten to squeeze the individuality right out of teenag-ers. As they’re confronted with choices and expectations, kids are often terrified to be identified as different. Discouragement and hopelessness can leave teenagers even more vulnerable to unhealthy, unsafe pressures. In The Religious Life of Young Americans, George Gallup Jr. and Robert Bezilla … Continue reading
Psalm 78 offers a simple guideline for all of us moms and dads in nurturing in our children a love for the Lord. I. Model the truths of God’s Word (Believe and model the gospel.) An Old Testament Model for Contemporary Moms and Dads David shepherded and guided the people of God (Psalm 78:72) HOW? … Continue reading
This week Chris Ammen, our Children’s Ministries Director, ask me a number of questions. Here’s the first installment.
It is easy to despair when we realize how far we fall short as husbands, wives, fathers and mothers. Below is an excerpt from Eugene Peterson’s book Like Dew Your Youth: Growing Up with Your Teenager (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998). It has been a source of tremendous encouragement for me … Continue reading
As a follower of Jesus who is convinced that God’s design for sexuality does not include homosexual relationships, I am saddened by the development outlined in this article: http://outsmartmagazine.com/2011/05/presbyterian-church-usa-vote-affirms-lgbt-clergy-called-to-serve-the-church/ From my reading of Scripture, this movement (LGBT) grieves the heart of God and undermines his expressed will and original intention of one man… one woman… together … Continue reading
This coming weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day. It is fitting that we pray to our faithful God that He might “turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6). This coming weekend is an opportunity for us to take time out to honor our … Continue reading
Parents worthy of honor pass on to their children a legacy of the faithfulness of God in their family’s life and pilgrimage. Example of Joshua and his memorial stones. Joshua 4:7 declares God’s intent in having Joshua make this memorial: “So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.” We must … Continue reading
Parents worthy of honor engage in the ancient practice of blessing their children. Like Jacob (Israel) of old, fathers have a power to pronounce a blessing upon their children that will impact many generations to come (cf. Gen. 48:15; 49:25-26). Generally, this type of blessing takes the form of a prayer to God. For example, … Continue reading
Parents worthy of honor are energized for their task by the power of the Holy Spirit and the gospel of grace. Thus, they daily preach the gospel to themselves and are diligent to shepherd their children in the same manner. The Swiss Cheese Effect of the Ten Commandments. The Apostle Paul in Romans 7:7-8 spells … Continue reading
The purpose of this post is crystallized in the last verse of the Old Testament. Malachi 4:6, reminds us that one of the purposes of the forerunner to the Messiah, was to “turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers…” The only other alternative set … Continue reading
