The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
I find it hard sometimes to be full of both grace and truth to my children. Sometimes I'm all truth. Other times I'm all grace. But according to John 1:14, grace and truth can coexist. In fact, in relationships grace and truth need to work together.
So how do we do this? How do we administer both grace and truth to our children, especially during "in the moment" opportunities of discipline? I think the answer lies in our ability to emotionally separate ourselves from our child's sin. We are to discipline our children because of the sin, not the offense to us. If I discipline the offense, I have a need for my child to realize how he has wronged. The focus is, thus, on me and not the heart of my child. On the other hand, if I discipline my child for the sin he has committed, I take myself and my offended pride out of the equation and am able to focus on teaching, rebuking, correcting and training him in righteousness, so that he may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
the Light of Life
In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
John 1: 4-5
Rather than using your own words when correcting your children, use the words written in the Word of God. John 1 verse 14 tells us, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." Our very own Savior, Jesus Christ, is the Word of God in the flesh. It is He - and His words - that will reach beyond the behaviors of our children and into their hearts. In Him and His Word is the life which is the light of men, the light that shines into the darkness.
John 1: 4-5
Rather than using your own words when correcting your children, use the words written in the Word of God. John 1 verse 14 tells us, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." Our very own Savior, Jesus Christ, is the Word of God in the flesh. It is He - and His words - that will reach beyond the behaviors of our children and into their hearts. In Him and His Word is the life which is the light of men, the light that shines into the darkness.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Cure for Complaining
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
Have you ever found yourself stuck in the "poor me" rut? Growing up, my family used to call it having a 'pity party.' It wasn't allowed at my house - I'd have to go off by myself instead of try to get others to feel sorry for me. Looking back, I can see the great wisdom of my parents in enforcing this rule. Negativity spreads like wildfire. It feeds on itself, and spreads even more quickly in company. So what's the cure for complaining? Thanksgiving. Paul exhorts us in Philippians 4:6 to give thanks in everything. And the promise of verse seven so encourages my heart! That when we do bathe everything in thanksgiving and give it to the Lord, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." We all need the Lord to guard our hearts and the hearts of our family from a complaining spirit. When tempted to complain, instead think prayerfully of all that you're thankful for.
Philippians 4:6
Have you ever found yourself stuck in the "poor me" rut? Growing up, my family used to call it having a 'pity party.' It wasn't allowed at my house - I'd have to go off by myself instead of try to get others to feel sorry for me. Looking back, I can see the great wisdom of my parents in enforcing this rule. Negativity spreads like wildfire. It feeds on itself, and spreads even more quickly in company. So what's the cure for complaining? Thanksgiving. Paul exhorts us in Philippians 4:6 to give thanks in everything. And the promise of verse seven so encourages my heart! That when we do bathe everything in thanksgiving and give it to the Lord, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." We all need the Lord to guard our hearts and the hearts of our family from a complaining spirit. When tempted to complain, instead think prayerfully of all that you're thankful for.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Put These Words Into Action
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24
The wonderful parable found in Matthew 7:24-27 is great to use with children, to help them understand the importance of honoring God by not sinning. Read this parable to them, or relay it in story-like fashion. We have a wonderful book by Candle Books called "The Two Builders" that we read to my boys (who, of course, love the idea of building things). It is a great way to help them understand in yet another way the importance of obedience and putting the Word of God (i.e. honor your mother & father, do not lie, treat others as you want to be treated) into action.
Matthew 7:24
The wonderful parable found in Matthew 7:24-27 is great to use with children, to help them understand the importance of honoring God by not sinning. Read this parable to them, or relay it in story-like fashion. We have a wonderful book by Candle Books called "The Two Builders" that we read to my boys (who, of course, love the idea of building things). It is a great way to help them understand in yet another way the importance of obedience and putting the Word of God (i.e. honor your mother & father, do not lie, treat others as you want to be treated) into action.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Rejoice in the Lord!
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!
Philippians 3:1a
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4
Do my children see me rejoice in the Lord? As I write this, I lie in my bed recovering from strep throat, thinking about all the things on my family's plate right now, and completely convicted that my children may not see me choosing joy with all that's going on. That's right, I said choosing joy. Joy is an attitude, not an emotion.
James tells us straight out of the gate in 1:2, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds." As used in this context, to 'consider' is to choose the point of view you will take.
Peter instructs us in I Peter 4:12-13, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ..." You see, they had a choice. To be surprised, or to actively take on joy.
And take the example of Habakkuk, whose world was falling apart before him. In the midst of literal disaster, he unbelievably chose joy: "...yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights" (Habakkuk 3:18-19).
You, too, can choose joy. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you choose joy today. And use the opportunity, if appropriate, to talk with your children about choosing joy despite things not being what you want. After all, isn't that what we ask of our children all the time? We, too, can choose to have an attitude of joy because of the Holy Spirit who is at work in us!
Philippians 3:1a
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4
Do my children see me rejoice in the Lord? As I write this, I lie in my bed recovering from strep throat, thinking about all the things on my family's plate right now, and completely convicted that my children may not see me choosing joy with all that's going on. That's right, I said choosing joy. Joy is an attitude, not an emotion.
James tells us straight out of the gate in 1:2, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds." As used in this context, to 'consider' is to choose the point of view you will take.
Peter instructs us in I Peter 4:12-13, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ..." You see, they had a choice. To be surprised, or to actively take on joy.
And take the example of Habakkuk, whose world was falling apart before him. In the midst of literal disaster, he unbelievably chose joy: "...yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights" (Habakkuk 3:18-19).
You, too, can choose joy. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you choose joy today. And use the opportunity, if appropriate, to talk with your children about choosing joy despite things not being what you want. After all, isn't that what we ask of our children all the time? We, too, can choose to have an attitude of joy because of the Holy Spirit who is at work in us!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Abundant Grace
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2: 4-5
From time to time we moms just need to know grace. Show yourself grace today - you can't be perfect (otherwise it wouldn't be by grace that you have been saved), and you won't be perfect. Show your husband grace today - love deepens when we see one another's faults and choose to love and serve in the light of them. Show your children grace today - forgive them without strings and help them put mistakes behind them (and you) once accounted for.
God shows us such abundant grace. We glorify God when we do the same for others, including ourselves!
Ephesians 2: 4-5
From time to time we moms just need to know grace. Show yourself grace today - you can't be perfect (otherwise it wouldn't be by grace that you have been saved), and you won't be perfect. Show your husband grace today - love deepens when we see one another's faults and choose to love and serve in the light of them. Show your children grace today - forgive them without strings and help them put mistakes behind them (and you) once accounted for.
God shows us such abundant grace. We glorify God when we do the same for others, including ourselves!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
We were at my parents' house this weekend for some much needed R&R and shared responsibility of the children. Pouring myself a cup of coffee in an old, favorite mug, I reread the words printed there: Gentleness draws people together. I started to think about why, and the Holy Spirit brought to mind the verse above, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
How often we are tempted to answer harshly. I encourage you to identify trends in your tongue. Are there moments in which you are more prone to answer harshly instead of gently? Are you more likely to answer harshly to your family, or to service staff at a resturant, or to another driver on the road? Be aware that not only do your attitude and words incent your children towards or away from obedience, but also realize that you are setting an example for your children in word and deed.
Proverbs 15:1
We were at my parents' house this weekend for some much needed R&R and shared responsibility of the children. Pouring myself a cup of coffee in an old, favorite mug, I reread the words printed there: Gentleness draws people together. I started to think about why, and the Holy Spirit brought to mind the verse above, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
How often we are tempted to answer harshly. I encourage you to identify trends in your tongue. Are there moments in which you are more prone to answer harshly instead of gently? Are you more likely to answer harshly to your family, or to service staff at a resturant, or to another driver on the road? Be aware that not only do your attitude and words incent your children towards or away from obedience, but also realize that you are setting an example for your children in word and deed.
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