This morning I was reading a Bible passage from the book of Proverbs. It is well known to Christians and says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
I think everyone wants their children to have a good life, live well and stay out of trouble. This verse gives a very simple formula, but do we really follow the advice. The reason for my question is that in any life on life training, it is our example which will be followed, not our words. Our children will copy what we do. They may listen to what we say but they will believe and imitate what we do. As a Christian, if I live in such as way that I show Jesus to be the most important person in my life, and show I will obey Him always, then my children will see that and see I really mean what I teach them about Jesus. If I obey the laws of the land, as scripture tells me to do, then my children will see that it is important to me. This little verse from Proverbs is really about my life and example. What do I want to pass on to my children. Am I honest, loving, obedient to my Lord Jesus?
The words from the book of Proverbs were written a very long time ago but are just as meaningful today as they were thousands of years ago. It is my example which will train my children, and now my grandchildren. I must truly live for Jesus in obedience to Him if I want to teach my children to do the same.
Friday, March 20, 2020
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Careless Words
I was reading some things that friends had shared on the internet when it struck me that much of it was pretty negative. There were funny things, some good advice, but a lot of very negative words and articles making fun of people or their ideas or beliefs. In some cases it ridiculed the way that people in other cultures went about their daily life. This morning that started me thinking about what we say and do and share with others.
What do I want to do? Do I want to build up others or tear them down? Do I want to make fun of people or lift them up? Words, pictures, videos, all are powerful communicators of what we feel inside. The question I asked myself is, "How do I want to influence others?" I don't think I want to share things that tear down others. I think I would rather build them up and help them. If I have a different view of things then perhaps I should lovingly present my viewpoint, not angrily and mockingly dismiss theirs and in the process insult or belittle them.
For me, a Christian, the question becomes one of asking how God would like me to treat others and respond to ideas which are different from mine. In the Bible, in the fifth chapter of the book of Matthew, Jesus said, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," We are supposed to love even our enemies, even those whose ideas differ from ours. How much love am I showing to people if I mock them and their ideas? I am going to resolve to be careful what I share with others on the internet, or face to face. I think that is what Jesus wants me to do.
What do I want to do? Do I want to build up others or tear them down? Do I want to make fun of people or lift them up? Words, pictures, videos, all are powerful communicators of what we feel inside. The question I asked myself is, "How do I want to influence others?" I don't think I want to share things that tear down others. I think I would rather build them up and help them. If I have a different view of things then perhaps I should lovingly present my viewpoint, not angrily and mockingly dismiss theirs and in the process insult or belittle them.
For me, a Christian, the question becomes one of asking how God would like me to treat others and respond to ideas which are different from mine. In the Bible, in the fifth chapter of the book of Matthew, Jesus said, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," We are supposed to love even our enemies, even those whose ideas differ from ours. How much love am I showing to people if I mock them and their ideas? I am going to resolve to be careful what I share with others on the internet, or face to face. I think that is what Jesus wants me to do.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
No New Year’s Resolutions
The year has changed. For me, just a number, nothing more, nothing less. I don’t wait for the new year to make resolutions or changes or turn over a new leaf. Neither do I live for the moment with no thought of tomorrow. Then what do I do?
As life moves on and changes we need to change. It is so easy to get caught up in the past, in memories of the good old days, in the glory of past victories or the pain of past defeat. But those things are behind and should be left there. Learn lessons from mistakes and failures and successes, but move forward. Is a change needed? If so, make the change now, today, don’t wait for a new year. New Year’s resolutions seldom last more than a few weeks. They are usually made on a whim with little thought. When change is needed make a plan, think through what needs to be done, take steps forward. Change takes determination and a good plan. It also has more success when you have the help and support of others. If we would listen, it is often others, our friends, who are trying to tell us change is needed. Listen to them. Most importantly I listen to my Saviour, Jesus, as I pray. He is the filter for my thoughts and the one I look to when I need help to change. And I count on my friends for support when change is needed.
I have no New Year’s resolutions. Instead I make constant corrections to my life. Don’t postpone a needed change, do it now, today. Make a plan, get help from others, and most importantly, seek Jesus and let Him help you always.
As life moves on and changes we need to change. It is so easy to get caught up in the past, in memories of the good old days, in the glory of past victories or the pain of past defeat. But those things are behind and should be left there. Learn lessons from mistakes and failures and successes, but move forward. Is a change needed? If so, make the change now, today, don’t wait for a new year. New Year’s resolutions seldom last more than a few weeks. They are usually made on a whim with little thought. When change is needed make a plan, think through what needs to be done, take steps forward. Change takes determination and a good plan. It also has more success when you have the help and support of others. If we would listen, it is often others, our friends, who are trying to tell us change is needed. Listen to them. Most importantly I listen to my Saviour, Jesus, as I pray. He is the filter for my thoughts and the one I look to when I need help to change. And I count on my friends for support when change is needed.
I have no New Year’s resolutions. Instead I make constant corrections to my life. Don’t postpone a needed change, do it now, today. Make a plan, get help from others, and most importantly, seek Jesus and let Him help you always.
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Eclipse - Revealing the Hidden Corona
A week ago we drove to Oregon to see the eclipse of the sun. Lots of driving for a few days camping and a few minutes of indescribable excitement and beauty. The moon slid in front of the sun, blocking it's rays so that only the sun's glowing corona was seen. All the sun's brightness was blocked and we could stare at the corona, something normally hidden from us by the sun's brilliant glare.
In life, many things are seemingly hidden by bigger things going on around us. We don't notice details that we should, they are lost in the "noise" of daily life. It is difficult to see though the interference caused by our hectic lives. Do I see the neighbour suffering a tragic loss of a loved one? Do I see the single mom battling to stay afloat emotionally and financially so she can provide a normal life for her children? Do I see multitudes of people who do not know Jesus and are missing out on the best of life? These people, and many others, are lost in the busyness of our hectic life. We often don't notice them.
The solar eclipse was incredible. Once the sun's glare was blocked by the moon, we could see details that are normally invisible. Now I am thinking of all the things that Jesus can reveal to me when I take a step back, talk with Him and allow His Holy Spirit to teach me about the really important things in life, the things that are often hidden by my own hectic life.
In life, many things are seemingly hidden by bigger things going on around us. We don't notice details that we should, they are lost in the "noise" of daily life. It is difficult to see though the interference caused by our hectic lives. Do I see the neighbour suffering a tragic loss of a loved one? Do I see the single mom battling to stay afloat emotionally and financially so she can provide a normal life for her children? Do I see multitudes of people who do not know Jesus and are missing out on the best of life? These people, and many others, are lost in the busyness of our hectic life. We often don't notice them.
The solar eclipse was incredible. Once the sun's glare was blocked by the moon, we could see details that are normally invisible. Now I am thinking of all the things that Jesus can reveal to me when I take a step back, talk with Him and allow His Holy Spirit to teach me about the really important things in life, the things that are often hidden by my own hectic life.
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