Laissez-faire parenting does not produce gracious, humble children. It produces brats. They are neither fun to be around, nor happy themselves. They are demanding and insolent. Their “freedom” is not a blessing to them or others. They are free the way a boat without a rudder is free. They are the victims of their whims. Sooner or later, these whims will be crossed. That spells misery. Or, even a deadly encounter with the police. Excerpt from John Piper‘s excellent... Read more
No matter how battered, abused, neglected, sin-ridden one be — if you live under a vow to the Lord (‘I do want to be your servant, my Lord; cover me with your love — I love you too, O God, from the depths of my heart’) you are safe! If you are crying, stymied by problems which are beyond your control (in the family, by one’s history, addiction), yet consecrated (=anointed by God’s Holy Spirit, sealed in the promise of... Read more
13 Ways To Lose Your Pre-Motherhood Moxie by: GraceLaced 1. Take yourself too seriously, and never laugh too much. 2. Keep tabs on all that’s failed to meet your expectations in life. 3. Define yourself by what you do, rather than who (and whose) you are. 4. Let circumstances determine your state of mind. 5. Avoid trying new things– you’re destined to fail anyway. 6. Keep up the authoritarian persona at all costs because that’s the only way you... Read more
Just because I have seen more pictures and read more blogs about starving children than anyone else doesn’t mean a thing for me or for those children, unless my heart is changed. I can keep reading until my eyes fall out and even if I become more science-y or articulate or vocal on the Internet I have nothing and have done nothing if I lack love.” -Excerpt from an excellent article, You Can’t Care About Every Issue, at Relevant Magazine. If... Read more
“I’m a yeller,” she said, she being the mother of three young children. “No,” I replied, “you’re not. There is no genetic predisposition toward yelling, and no biochemical or neurological condition that makes yelling inevitable much less irresistible.” “But I yell at my kids all the time it seems.” “I’m not arguing with that.” “Well, why then do I yell?” “My best answer, based on experience, is that you yell for the same reason many of today’s mothers yell: you’re... Read more
Pagan evolutionists say believe in yourself and you can do anything if you just put your mind to it. But this doesn’t make any sense if the world just fell down the stairs and might makes right. But if God invented this place, and we have met Him, we know Him, we are His sons and daughters, then we have every reason to dream big. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the center of the story, but the theme... Read more
If you are being blindsided by confrontations, examine the accusations and measure them by God’s standard. Maybe even ask someone (or several someones) you trust if there is any truth to the concern(s). You might be guilty and need to seek forgiveness and make restitution. On the other hand, God might be using you to convict others. The lady doth protest too much methinks, of sticks and yelping dogs, the guilty flee when nobody pursueth and all that. Humble yourself... Read more
“Never think that you need to protect God. Because anytime you think you need to protect God, you can be sure that you are worshipping an idol.” ― Stanley Hauerwas Read more
When I ask my 2 year old to clean up his room, I know he cannot perform the task perfectly. He is 2, he can barely enunciate. He still struggles not to spill his glass of milk at the dinner table. The kid still poops his pants, for goodness sake! I know what I have asked is beyond his abilities. He isn’t strong enough to disassemble the fort he made. The number of toys scattered everywhere are overwhelming to someone... Read more
“…every believer — immature, all right, but genuine, seeking believer in Jesus Christ — take heart, pray hard, and know that a man or woman’s labour, a person’s labour profits them nothing; even should they gain the whole world, it would still pass away. But know this, that whatever God works in you and through you in time — maybe God lets you find yourself by loosing your self in the Lord; maybe God teaches you gentleness and grace, cracks... Read more
Mere Breath
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