“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” – Psalms 127:3 (NKJV) What has happened in our country that so many no longer consider children a blessing as God intended? It seems that daily we hear of stories of children being mistreated that rend the heart of those who care. Consider these true stories told to me: • A church youth worker was informed by a student at a Christian camp that her mother was jealous of her because the mother’s boyfriend … [Read more...]
Back to school
“My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you….bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 7:1,3 Much time and attention is given to providing school supplies and new clothes to prepare children to go back to school in the fall. How much Spiritual preparation do we give our children to face the many challenges they will undoubtedly encounter? It seems that many of us are often guilty of waiting until problems arise and then attempting to … [Read more...]
Do we idolize fun?
“Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief.” Proverbs 14:13 Recently a little boy dropped out of summer school. When asked why he didn’t want to go, he said, “They told us two things. They said that it would be fun and that we wouldn’t have homework. Well, the first day they gave us a journal to take home each day and bring back, and it wasn’t fun at all while we were there.” How often we hear parents, leaders, teachers, and others tell children, “It will … [Read more...]
Where are the Shotguns?
How vividly I remember the saying that was going around my hometown of Verona, Mo, when I was growing up. “You better not date one of those Haddock girls! Old man Haddock has a shotgun!” My four sisters and I hated that. We knew that many guys would not go through the grueling experience of coming inside and being questioned by my dad with his booming voice. Only the strong of heart dared. When they walked out the door with one of Ernest Haddock’s daughters, there was no doubt in … [Read more...]
Light in a confused world
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 Few would dispute the fact that our world is becoming more confusing. Young children may question, “Am I a boy/girl, or am I a boy/girl who looks like a boy/girl?” While shopping, where do I go to us the bathroom when there may be new choices? What are the Ten Commandments? Do those Ten Commandments just apply sometimes, or are they no longer applicable at all? Is our country’s Constitution outdated? Who has the … [Read more...]
New tools, same rules
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 Recent comments about young people and their “devices” would lead one to believe that technology is the work of the devil. There are those who blame recent inventions for many undesirable actions. They are upset that young people will talk on their cell phones instead of talking to people around them. They feel that too much time is spent on computers, cell phones, etc. On the other hand, there are … [Read more...]
Guiding our children through election years
What a challenge we have at this time in our nation’s history to teach our children God’s way! A recent cartoon shows a mom and dad looking at their children as each child called the other a liar. The mom looked at the dad and said, “It was your idea to have them watch the debate!” Most will readily agree that children learn much by example. As parents and teachers try to teach children to love and respect their country, how can this be done with the example our leaders are setting … [Read more...]
Counterfeit Love
“Love you!” “Love you, too!” I hear these words almost every time my children phone me and we say goodbye. I also hear these words often at church as members say goodbye after meetings. It is common to hear these words in public places, as well. One might think there is a lot of love going around! Perhaps many of the love messages we hear are sincere. That is such a good, wonderful, feeling to know that Christian brothers and sisters in the church family and children in the … [Read more...]
‘Those Ungrateful Kids!’
Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name,make known his deeds among the people. – I Chronicles 16:8 How can we get kids to appreciate their blessings? Can we just tell them they should be thankful and expect their attitudes to change? In today’s culture of materialism, it is not surprising that children often do not feel thankful for what they have. Things come easily. In many middle-class homes, one can go into the room of a child and see hundreds of dollars worth of toys or other … [Read more...]
The Worth of a Child
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. – Psalm 127: 3-5 A little boy named John was born into a family that did not attend church. When he was old enough to go to Sunday School, a Sunday School teacher picked him up each Sunday and took him with her to Sunday School and church. When the church had picnics, the teacher always took the … [Read more...]
Turning in thanks to God
“ And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” What a sweet, warm feeling it is when a child spontaneously grabs a mom or dad and exuberantly says, “Thanks!” Everyone is smiling and feeling good for the moment. The child is like the leper who ran back to Jesus and glorified … [Read more...]
Halloween Hoopla
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,…” I John 4: 18 Halloween is a holiday that presents a real challenge to Christians. Many would like to ignore it. Some try to shield children from it by forbidding any participation in various activities at that time. Many Christians do not even know the origin of the holiday and allow their children to participate freely as they desire. What is a sensible way to deal with children at Halloween? Halloween is a holiday that will … [Read more...]