It was my lunch hour. I went to eat in a local family owned Asian restaurant. I don't go there often, but I always enjoy it when I do.
As I ate my lunch, I could hear a young boy on the other side of the restaurant. "A is for apple, B is ball, C is for Cat.." and he continued all the way through the alphabet. I thought perhaps he was looking at a picture book. Almost as soon as he finished, he would start over again.
This continued for quite some time. Every once in a while, an even younger voice joined in for a few of the letters. Occasionally, I heard an adult encouraging and cheering him on.
I could not help but smile as I listened to the young voice. He sounded so earnest. He wanted to get it just right. We don't often hear someone so young one with so much determination.
Almost immediately I began to think how wonderful it would be if parents were as concerned with their children learning about God as they were about them learning their ABCs and 1,2,3s! That scripture from Deuteronomy came to mind. Know the one I'm talking about? ....It is where God tells the Israelites:
"And these words that I command you shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise."
You can read these beautiful words in Deuteronomy 6:6-7. They are repeated almost word for word in chapter 11:8-19.
God loves us so much!! He wants us to be in heaven with Him. The question is do we love our children enough to tell them this? Do our children know first and foremost that God loves them?
His love is more important than our own love because God is the one who sent us a Savior. We cannot save our children's souls. We can only teach them about the One who can -- if they choose to follow Him.
I remember when we were growing up we brought our Bible class books home with us. Every Sunday morning on the way to worship, Dad would ask if we had our lessons up. Keeping up with our school work was important to our parents; but our Sunday school lesson was even more important! We better make sure those lessons were done! Mom and Dad wanted us to understand God comes first.
Christianity is maligned in the media these days. Christians are portrayed as hateful and intolerant. This is totally false. Please teach your children how good God is. Let them know Christ came to earth for all of us ... loves all of us ... died and rose again for all of us!
The gospel is a gospel of peace and joy. We need not only tell our children this -- we need to show them. We need to teach them good manners. They need to see us being courteous and respectful.
If we don't want our children to be bullies, maybe we shouldn't yell at umpires and referees at ballgames. If we want our children to learn about compassion, they should be able to see us being compassionate. If we want them to believe God answers prayer, we should pray with them. And when a prayer is answered give God the glory.
When we help them learn the alphabet, teach them about a book called the Bible that talks about the God who loves them. When they learn about our vast universe, tell them about the God who created it. When they study how the planets revolve around the sun, tell them a Christian's life should revolve around Christ, the Son of God.
When our children learn about caterpillars, cocoons and butterflies let's teach them Jesus rose from the grave and reigns in Heaven at the right hand of God. And when they learn about 'how babies are made' -- please tell them God is the giver of life! Teach them how precious every life is!
I finished my lunch that day and went to pay for my food. I saw the young man whose voice I heard during my meal. He was probably five or six. The other little boy appeared to be about four. They were both adorable!
All children should be cherished. They are priceless gifts from God! We should take great care in teaching them about the God who loves them.
"One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts" (Psalm 145:4)
Christ above all things,
Robin
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Sunday, September 15, 2019
A Conversation for a Never Time
Recently one of my sons and I were having a conversation via text. We were primarily just touching base with each other. Then a particular subject and he said, "That's another conversation for a never time." I thought that was not right, so I asked "You mean another time?"
Even though we were only texting, I could almost hear him chuckle when I read "No, I meant what I said." Then I got it. He didn't want to get into it because he thought we would disagree and then argue. So we changed the subject.
Now please don't get me wrong. I'm close to all three of my sons. I love being around them. I enjoy their very different styles of humor. I cherish my time with them (which isn't often anymore). And I love sinking into their big bear hugs. But we are all different people and we don't always agree on everything.
Still that phrase, "a conversation for a never time" stuck with me. I've been thinking about it for several days now. Adam was right. There are some conversations which should never take place. Sometimes we should simply choose not to talk about things we know would either cause strife or sadness.
There are some things we should simply never say. Ever. Think about it. The world would be a better if we realized some conversations were left unspoken. As Christians we are supposed to build people up - not put them down. We should encourage each other along the way -- not trip each other up.
Oh sure there are times when we must stand up for what's right. We have to correct one another sometimes. I have friends and sisters who love me enough to hold me accountable. Galatians 6:1 tells us to restore those who are caught up in sin; but in a spirit of gentleness.
The Bible also says there are times we need to keep our peace. Insisting on have a conversation we should never have could cause irrevocable damage. Why on earth would we want to do something like that?
We should never want to cause an argument. For instance (and this is a little thing compared to others), right now my husband is in the living room watching sports. I am in the kitchen typing this blog.
What good it would do either of us, if I told him we needed to talk about his watching sports too much or tried to insist on watching another channel? None. Nor would it be beneficial if he told me to stop with this blog. A statement becomes an argument - over something unimportant.
Let's give another example. Say for instance, someone in our family loves to tell the same stories or jokes over and over again. Most of us know someone like that. Should we tell Uncle So and So we really wished he would just be quiet? Maybe - if his jokes are vulgar or derogatory in some way. But if they cause no harm other than hearing them for the thousandth time, is it really worth hurting his feelings?
Maybe your son or daughter likes wearing the same shirt every day. If they are washing it every night - what's the big deal? Believe me, where our children are concerned, there are much more serious matters to consider.
Jesus didn't want his apostles to argue and He doesn't want us to either. The Savior said we should love one another as He has loved us. This means keeping the peace, not stirring the pot.
If your sister in Christ loves to sing and praise God loudly but she is really tone deaf, don't tell her. Don't steal her joy. Besides, she probably knows it already. Let her sing - let her rejoice in the Lord. Isn't that one of the reasons we all sing anyway?
All of this is Biblical folks. There really are "conversations for a never time." Some things are much better left unsaid. Several scriptures make this point. I was actually surprised at how many verses I did find.
Proverbs 15:28 says "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer; but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things." (ESV) When we ponder how to answer (think about our responses) we can avoid saying something we might regret later. We certainly don't want to be known as someone who is hurtful or spiteful with our words.
Here is another good one. Proverbs 30:33 says, "For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife." God just doesn't want His people to cause strife.
We find similar scriptures in Paul's writings. When he mentions the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19 -21 along with sexual immorality and drunkenness, he also lists enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions and divisions. Ephesians 4:29-31 and Colossians 3:8 are very similar readings.
I encourage to read all three passages and the verses surrounding them. They are all slightly different and carry their own significance. I think these scriptures make it pretty clear. Some conversations really are for a "never time." Sometimes we need to leave things alone.
What we say carries so much power. Our words can cut to the heart, or comfort the heart. They can tear someone down or build someone up. We are the ones who make that choice. No one else controls our tongue.
Our words might stick with someone forever. They may never be forgotten. Wouldn't we rather these words be kind, gentle, positive and loving?
"Gracious words are like a honeycomb;
sweetness to the soul and health to the body."
Proverbs 16:24
Christ above all things,
Robin
Even though we were only texting, I could almost hear him chuckle when I read "No, I meant what I said." Then I got it. He didn't want to get into it because he thought we would disagree and then argue. So we changed the subject.
Now please don't get me wrong. I'm close to all three of my sons. I love being around them. I enjoy their very different styles of humor. I cherish my time with them (which isn't often anymore). And I love sinking into their big bear hugs. But we are all different people and we don't always agree on everything.
Still that phrase, "a conversation for a never time" stuck with me. I've been thinking about it for several days now. Adam was right. There are some conversations which should never take place. Sometimes we should simply choose not to talk about things we know would either cause strife or sadness.
There are some things we should simply never say. Ever. Think about it. The world would be a better if we realized some conversations were left unspoken. As Christians we are supposed to build people up - not put them down. We should encourage each other along the way -- not trip each other up.
Oh sure there are times when we must stand up for what's right. We have to correct one another sometimes. I have friends and sisters who love me enough to hold me accountable. Galatians 6:1 tells us to restore those who are caught up in sin; but in a spirit of gentleness.
The Bible also says there are times we need to keep our peace. Insisting on have a conversation we should never have could cause irrevocable damage. Why on earth would we want to do something like that?
We should never want to cause an argument. For instance (and this is a little thing compared to others), right now my husband is in the living room watching sports. I am in the kitchen typing this blog.
What good it would do either of us, if I told him we needed to talk about his watching sports too much or tried to insist on watching another channel? None. Nor would it be beneficial if he told me to stop with this blog. A statement becomes an argument - over something unimportant.
Let's give another example. Say for instance, someone in our family loves to tell the same stories or jokes over and over again. Most of us know someone like that. Should we tell Uncle So and So we really wished he would just be quiet? Maybe - if his jokes are vulgar or derogatory in some way. But if they cause no harm other than hearing them for the thousandth time, is it really worth hurting his feelings?
Maybe your son or daughter likes wearing the same shirt every day. If they are washing it every night - what's the big deal? Believe me, where our children are concerned, there are much more serious matters to consider.
Jesus didn't want his apostles to argue and He doesn't want us to either. The Savior said we should love one another as He has loved us. This means keeping the peace, not stirring the pot.
If your sister in Christ loves to sing and praise God loudly but she is really tone deaf, don't tell her. Don't steal her joy. Besides, she probably knows it already. Let her sing - let her rejoice in the Lord. Isn't that one of the reasons we all sing anyway?
All of this is Biblical folks. There really are "conversations for a never time." Some things are much better left unsaid. Several scriptures make this point. I was actually surprised at how many verses I did find.
Proverbs 15:28 says "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer; but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things." (ESV) When we ponder how to answer (think about our responses) we can avoid saying something we might regret later. We certainly don't want to be known as someone who is hurtful or spiteful with our words.
Here is another good one. Proverbs 30:33 says, "For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife." God just doesn't want His people to cause strife.
We find similar scriptures in Paul's writings. When he mentions the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19 -21 along with sexual immorality and drunkenness, he also lists enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions and divisions. Ephesians 4:29-31 and Colossians 3:8 are very similar readings.
I encourage to read all three passages and the verses surrounding them. They are all slightly different and carry their own significance. I think these scriptures make it pretty clear. Some conversations really are for a "never time." Sometimes we need to leave things alone.
What we say carries so much power. Our words can cut to the heart, or comfort the heart. They can tear someone down or build someone up. We are the ones who make that choice. No one else controls our tongue.
Our words might stick with someone forever. They may never be forgotten. Wouldn't we rather these words be kind, gentle, positive and loving?
"Gracious words are like a honeycomb;
sweetness to the soul and health to the body."
Proverbs 16:24
Christ above all things,
Robin
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Did You Do That on Purpose?
"You did that on purpose!" Sound familiar? Most of us have heard children use that phrase during a quarrel. Sometimes the accusation comes from a toy being broken.
Other times it happens when one wants to be first to do something and the other races ahead to do it. It could be to open the door for Dad or take Grandpa his glasses or give Mom her birthday present. And sometimes we hear it when one child pushes, hits or kicks the other child.
All of these incidents are unfortunate but they happen among siblings and playmates. Almost always the one who "did it on purpose" ends up being punished. Albeit the one who is punished has been provoked in some way.
Wouldn't it be nice if "you did that on purpose" meant something good? A story about my youngest nephew comes to mind. He was in first grade and the school year had just begun. For days, he asked the teacher when they would get to go the playground.
Well, it had rained a good bit that year and the ground in the play area was quite muddy. Naturally, this made the playground off limits. It didn't stop my nephew from asking his teacher every day if the kids could go out and play.
Finally, the day came when the playground was dry enough for the children to go outside and enjoy it. When my sister in law picked up Will after school that day, he was so excited. "Mom," he said proudly. "We got to go to the playground today and it was all my fault!"
Asking every day "on purpose" turned out to be a good thing. Actually when we stop to think about it, many good things we do for each other are done intentionally. Oh sure, sometimes we might be at the right place at the right time and keep someone from stumbling -- or warn someone to stop because a car is coming. Even when the situation isn't one we planned, we are still acting with a purpose.
We should remember when we are the recipient of a good deed, a smile or a hug it is because the other person was "doing it on purpose." If your spouse brings you flowers or your child draws a picture for you, they meant to do it. If your co-worker says something encouraging it is because they made a deliberate choice to do so.
Let's think of it another way. God's favor is bestowed upon those who actually seek it. Noah and his family were not chosen by some willy nilly notion. Why do you think Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord? (Genesis 6:8). It is because he sought it!
Noah wanted God's favor. Do you think God would have chosen to save someone like all the rest of the people on earth at the time -- someone whose every intention was to do evil continually? No- Genesis 6:5 tells us everyone else on earth (except for Noah's family) were evil on purpose. It was what they chose - it was the intention of the thoughts of their heart.
If Noah had chosen the same evil ways, he would not have escaped the flood. But Noah intentionally sought God's favor. We have to be looking for something to find it folks! Noah made a deliberate choice different from everyone else. He and his family purposely chose to follow God. No one else made that choice.
Hebrews 11:6 tells us "And without faith it is impossible to please Him for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him." Do we get that? We have to seek God to find Him.
Seeking is a deliberate action. It is a choice - something done on purpose. We will not draw near to Him by some crazy accident. We will only do so if we want to. Believe me, there are plenty of people who do not want to. We need to pray for them.
Who does God reward? Those who seek Him through faith. What does that mean? Well, Hebrews chapter 11 explains it very well. Every person named in the chapter not only had faith but acted on it. They did something. They obeyed God's commands.
In verse 5, we are told Enoch was commended as having pleased God. How did he do that? By doing what God commanded him to do. Abraham left the land he knew. Why? He had faith in God. Abraham wanted to be near to God. He chose to obey God's command because he knew God would reward him.
Read through the chapter and see verse 6 in action over and over again. These people wanted to be near to God. They believed in His existence. They wanted Him to be part of their lives. So they obeyed because they had faith that He would reward them.
Faith is a deliberate purposeful lifestyle. It is choosing to study and obey God's word. It is "doing it on purpose." It is seeking to know the things He would have us do and the life He would have us live. It is having faith in His reward.
I want to live for God on purpose. Don't you?
Christ above all things,
Robin
Other times it happens when one wants to be first to do something and the other races ahead to do it. It could be to open the door for Dad or take Grandpa his glasses or give Mom her birthday present. And sometimes we hear it when one child pushes, hits or kicks the other child.
All of these incidents are unfortunate but they happen among siblings and playmates. Almost always the one who "did it on purpose" ends up being punished. Albeit the one who is punished has been provoked in some way.
Wouldn't it be nice if "you did that on purpose" meant something good? A story about my youngest nephew comes to mind. He was in first grade and the school year had just begun. For days, he asked the teacher when they would get to go the playground.
Well, it had rained a good bit that year and the ground in the play area was quite muddy. Naturally, this made the playground off limits. It didn't stop my nephew from asking his teacher every day if the kids could go out and play.
Finally, the day came when the playground was dry enough for the children to go outside and enjoy it. When my sister in law picked up Will after school that day, he was so excited. "Mom," he said proudly. "We got to go to the playground today and it was all my fault!"
Asking every day "on purpose" turned out to be a good thing. Actually when we stop to think about it, many good things we do for each other are done intentionally. Oh sure, sometimes we might be at the right place at the right time and keep someone from stumbling -- or warn someone to stop because a car is coming. Even when the situation isn't one we planned, we are still acting with a purpose.
We should remember when we are the recipient of a good deed, a smile or a hug it is because the other person was "doing it on purpose." If your spouse brings you flowers or your child draws a picture for you, they meant to do it. If your co-worker says something encouraging it is because they made a deliberate choice to do so.
Let's think of it another way. God's favor is bestowed upon those who actually seek it. Noah and his family were not chosen by some willy nilly notion. Why do you think Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord? (Genesis 6:8). It is because he sought it!
Noah wanted God's favor. Do you think God would have chosen to save someone like all the rest of the people on earth at the time -- someone whose every intention was to do evil continually? No- Genesis 6:5 tells us everyone else on earth (except for Noah's family) were evil on purpose. It was what they chose - it was the intention of the thoughts of their heart.
If Noah had chosen the same evil ways, he would not have escaped the flood. But Noah intentionally sought God's favor. We have to be looking for something to find it folks! Noah made a deliberate choice different from everyone else. He and his family purposely chose to follow God. No one else made that choice.
Hebrews 11:6 tells us "And without faith it is impossible to please Him for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him." Do we get that? We have to seek God to find Him.
Seeking is a deliberate action. It is a choice - something done on purpose. We will not draw near to Him by some crazy accident. We will only do so if we want to. Believe me, there are plenty of people who do not want to. We need to pray for them.
Who does God reward? Those who seek Him through faith. What does that mean? Well, Hebrews chapter 11 explains it very well. Every person named in the chapter not only had faith but acted on it. They did something. They obeyed God's commands.
In verse 5, we are told Enoch was commended as having pleased God. How did he do that? By doing what God commanded him to do. Abraham left the land he knew. Why? He had faith in God. Abraham wanted to be near to God. He chose to obey God's command because he knew God would reward him.
Read through the chapter and see verse 6 in action over and over again. These people wanted to be near to God. They believed in His existence. They wanted Him to be part of their lives. So they obeyed because they had faith that He would reward them.
Faith is a deliberate purposeful lifestyle. It is choosing to study and obey God's word. It is "doing it on purpose." It is seeking to know the things He would have us do and the life He would have us live. It is having faith in His reward.
I want to live for God on purpose. Don't you?
Christ above all things,
Robin
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