October 2014
Let kids be kids! Part 3
25/10/14 21:38
At our family holiday I learnt how one of my great-grandchildren was given a children's book, seemingly harmless and quite entertaining.
But this book had a devastating effect on her thinking. It introduced the idea of robbers, and stealing property from homes. She wanted to know could robbers enter the caravan or steal her things from under the caravan. And she asked,“do robbers steal people?”
The good news is that this little girl comes from a protected and safe family who guard her from dwelling on unhelpful or damaging thoughts.
First, how can young minds be safeguarded? Certainly by taking seriously the G-rating of TV programmes, films and videos. And do we sit with our young children to watch PG-rated material?
Second, if your child is invited to a sleepover at a friend's home, do you first check with the host parents as to what video ratings might be watched?
Third, school teachers are often alarmed to learn of M-rated programmes with violent and sexual content which primary-age children are allowed to watch. They hear so many stories of children with nightmares, many of which are provoked by TV, books, computer games, etc.
How well are we protecting our child's mind?
But this book had a devastating effect on her thinking. It introduced the idea of robbers, and stealing property from homes. She wanted to know could robbers enter the caravan or steal her things from under the caravan. And she asked,“do robbers steal people?”
The good news is that this little girl comes from a protected and safe family who guard her from dwelling on unhelpful or damaging thoughts.
First, how can young minds be safeguarded? Certainly by taking seriously the G-rating of TV programmes, films and videos. And do we sit with our young children to watch PG-rated material?
Second, if your child is invited to a sleepover at a friend's home, do you first check with the host parents as to what video ratings might be watched?
Third, school teachers are often alarmed to learn of M-rated programmes with violent and sexual content which primary-age children are allowed to watch. They hear so many stories of children with nightmares, many of which are provoked by TV, books, computer games, etc.
How well are we protecting our child's mind?
* * *
“Whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report . . . meditate on these things.” Philippians 4.8.
Let kids be kids! Part 2
25/10/14 21:36
Part one explained that kids want love expressed through the avenue of quality time. But where do busy parents find such time?
First, one family used meal times. When they were all together in one place, a jar was placed on the table with questions inside, such as, “What is your favourite TV programme, and why?” “If we went for a drive, where would you like to go, and why?” “What are three things you can be grateful for today?” And so on. At least one question was drawn from the jar each evening with even the youngest child offering comment.
Second, parents in another family had to work long hours. This included weekends as well. But to ensure that this did not eliminate family time, these parents put their children (and their spouses) in their diaries. Business appointments were not permitted to crowd out important family time.
Third, parents can inspire their children to keep gratitude diaries, recording things in their lives they can daily thank God for. And imagine the impact if they also wrote and posted letters of gratitude to their grandparents or Sunday School teachers, or their favourite primary school teacher.
Let's inspire our youngsters and see what happens!
First, one family used meal times. When they were all together in one place, a jar was placed on the table with questions inside, such as, “What is your favourite TV programme, and why?” “If we went for a drive, where would you like to go, and why?” “What are three things you can be grateful for today?” And so on. At least one question was drawn from the jar each evening with even the youngest child offering comment.
Second, parents in another family had to work long hours. This included weekends as well. But to ensure that this did not eliminate family time, these parents put their children (and their spouses) in their diaries. Business appointments were not permitted to crowd out important family time.
Third, parents can inspire their children to keep gratitude diaries, recording things in their lives they can daily thank God for. And imagine the impact if they also wrote and posted letters of gratitude to their grandparents or Sunday School teachers, or their favourite primary school teacher.
Let's inspire our youngsters and see what happens!
* * *
Family joy can be found in simple pleasures.
Let kids be kids! Part 1
25/10/14 21:33
As a great-grandad, I share in our extended family's seaside vacation.
First, desk-top technology doesn't isolate or distract the youngsters from ongoing family interaction and fun. Time is spent making sandcastles, pondering why crabs live under rocks, enjoying swims. My great-granddaughters, aged 7 and 5, already snorkel!
Second, at our camp site we have games - monopoly, cards - reading and sharing books, or being intrigued with stories about our family history. And time at the playground brings contact with new friends.
Third, there's more! Learning skills from their parents - casting a fishing line, how to meet and greet adults, solving sibling conflict, how to grow 'self control' when upset.
Fourth, my son-in-law - a school principal - said that all this is so different from many children's normal lives where everything is hurry and rush - lives crowded with activities that leave no time to play or communicate and have fun.
He said that because kids want quality time from their parents, making such time available amounts to parental love. Parents who recognise this don't let television or other impersonal technology do their parenting for them.
Instead of just saying, “Go and play!” how wonderful when parents themselves join in the play.
First, desk-top technology doesn't isolate or distract the youngsters from ongoing family interaction and fun. Time is spent making sandcastles, pondering why crabs live under rocks, enjoying swims. My great-granddaughters, aged 7 and 5, already snorkel!
Second, at our camp site we have games - monopoly, cards - reading and sharing books, or being intrigued with stories about our family history. And time at the playground brings contact with new friends.
Third, there's more! Learning skills from their parents - casting a fishing line, how to meet and greet adults, solving sibling conflict, how to grow 'self control' when upset.
Fourth, my son-in-law - a school principal - said that all this is so different from many children's normal lives where everything is hurry and rush - lives crowded with activities that leave no time to play or communicate and have fun.
He said that because kids want quality time from their parents, making such time available amounts to parental love. Parents who recognise this don't let television or other impersonal technology do their parenting for them.
Instead of just saying, “Go and play!” how wonderful when parents themselves join in the play.
* * *
We are rich according to what we do rather than what we have.
I'm convinced!
25/10/14 21:32
How can God get our attention? How can he inspire our belief?
First, no human being knows the future, of course. So when, by his foreknowledge, God accurately foretells coming events, he totally convinces me as to his reality, proving beyond any shadow of doubt that he exists.
Second, everyone loves a hero. But did you know that many of the greatest heroes in the Bible were God's prophets? It was through Moses, Samuel, Elijah, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and other such heroes that God foretold coming events.
Third, as a bonus, those prophets also answer our most urgent questions: Why am I here? Where am I going? How do I get there?
Here is what they teach us: (1) you are here to live for God. (2) you can choose to share eternity with him. (3) “draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” James 4.8.
Fourth, to help resolve our uncertainties about life, God even went a step further. In the person of Jesus, he visited earth in human form! Jesus is not only the world's greatest prophet, but also our Saviour!
First, no human being knows the future, of course. So when, by his foreknowledge, God accurately foretells coming events, he totally convinces me as to his reality, proving beyond any shadow of doubt that he exists.
Second, everyone loves a hero. But did you know that many of the greatest heroes in the Bible were God's prophets? It was through Moses, Samuel, Elijah, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and other such heroes that God foretold coming events.
Third, as a bonus, those prophets also answer our most urgent questions: Why am I here? Where am I going? How do I get there?
Here is what they teach us: (1) you are here to live for God. (2) you can choose to share eternity with him. (3) “draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” James 4.8.
Fourth, to help resolve our uncertainties about life, God even went a step further. In the person of Jesus, he visited earth in human form! Jesus is not only the world's greatest prophet, but also our Saviour!
When I trusted my life to him, it took but a moment. But the outcome will last forever!
* * *
“As many as received him (Jesus), to them he gave the right to become children of God.”
John 1.12
Great secrets revealed!
25/10/14 21:27
“There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets”! Daniel 2.28.
In fact, one quarter of the Bible is prophetic, unveiling the future in a specific and extraordinary manner. How privileged we are to be given this secret knowledge.
First, thanks to Jesus, the best secret is out now - God loves the whole world! John 3.16. This global blessing was foreshadowed around two thousand years BC when Abraham was told “all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12.3.
Second, so important were the words and deeds of Jesus that he is the subject of more Bible prophecy than anyone else. Detailed forecasts of his birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection were all fulfilled to the letter! He himself draws attention to this. Luke 24.25-27.
Third, why are we given all this information? It's because God is seeking out those who want to share in what he has to offer, including forgiveness of our sins and spending eternity with him.
Fourth, why doesn't God make himself better known? Isaiah 11.9 reveals that he will. When at last current world events reach their climax, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”
In fact, one quarter of the Bible is prophetic, unveiling the future in a specific and extraordinary manner. How privileged we are to be given this secret knowledge.
First, thanks to Jesus, the best secret is out now - God loves the whole world! John 3.16. This global blessing was foreshadowed around two thousand years BC when Abraham was told “all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12.3.
Second, so important were the words and deeds of Jesus that he is the subject of more Bible prophecy than anyone else. Detailed forecasts of his birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection were all fulfilled to the letter! He himself draws attention to this. Luke 24.25-27.
Third, why are we given all this information? It's because God is seeking out those who want to share in what he has to offer, including forgiveness of our sins and spending eternity with him.
Fourth, why doesn't God make himself better known? Isaiah 11.9 reveals that he will. When at last current world events reach their climax, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”
* * *
Have we lost our way? Jesus shows us that he is THE WAY.
Who made God?
25/10/14 21:17
Good question?
First, some atheists say that we made God. What they mean is that God is an invention of the human mind.
But if we made God, then who made us? You see, trying to get rid of the Creator is not so easy!
Second, others reject the idea that any single being could create our enormously intricate universe. They say that the God we talk about is so complex that he is too improbable to exist.
But Christians are comforted by God's immensity! Indeed the Bible asks, “Who can measure . . . God?” Romans 11.33 (Bible for Today). How wonderful that he is able to deal, not just with a merely physical universe, but knows how to resolve the vast and disturbing problems man's sin and waywardness have brought to our world.
A third argument of atheists is that “if no one made God then he can't exist.” But while anything that is created necessarily has a beginning, by definition this cannot apply to the Eternal One. So it is a nonsense to ask “Who created the uncreated One?”
And God's eternal existence is clearly a necessity. If there ever was a time when nothing existed, then nothing would exist now!
First, some atheists say that we made God. What they mean is that God is an invention of the human mind.
But if we made God, then who made us? You see, trying to get rid of the Creator is not so easy!
Second, others reject the idea that any single being could create our enormously intricate universe. They say that the God we talk about is so complex that he is too improbable to exist.
But Christians are comforted by God's immensity! Indeed the Bible asks, “Who can measure . . . God?” Romans 11.33 (Bible for Today). How wonderful that he is able to deal, not just with a merely physical universe, but knows how to resolve the vast and disturbing problems man's sin and waywardness have brought to our world.
A third argument of atheists is that “if no one made God then he can't exist.” But while anything that is created necessarily has a beginning, by definition this cannot apply to the Eternal One. So it is a nonsense to ask “Who created the uncreated One?”
And God's eternal existence is clearly a necessity. If there ever was a time when nothing existed, then nothing would exist now!
* * *
The psalmist wrote this truth about God: “You have always ruled, and you are eternal.”
- Psalm 93.2 (Bible for Today)