Ok, so here's the information about the book from the quote in my previous post... Don't know much about it yet, but seems rather intriguing...
Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons & Daughters Who Walk with God
Author: Dr. Voddie Baucham
Format: Hardback (214 pages)
Dr. Voddie Baucham speaks at the Uniting Church and Family Conference
More teens are turning away from the faith than ever before — yet God’s Word provides the answer. In Family Driven Faith, Dr.Voddie Baucham identifies timeless precepts and principles from Scripture for raising our sons and daughters to stand firm in a post-Christian society.
God has not left parents alone in raising godly children, but has given us valuable and timeless precepts in His Word for successful training, if parents will only take the time to study and learn from the Heavenly Father.
Drawing from Deuteronomy 6 and other passages, Dr. Baucham explains the power of family-centered discipleship, demonstrating how the day-to-day training of our children can lay the groundwork for multi-generational faithfulness.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Giving Children a Biblical Worldview...
This article caught my attention because I realize how quickly I can fall into this very trap... May God give me the grace and help to avoid this type of "legalism" and help me teach them a true "biblical worldview" and the understanding of what it means to live a life to glorify Him... because of who He is and what He's done for me on the cross. I'm on an "adventure" to understand what it means to live a "cross-centered" life... Read with intent -
-Voddie Baucham, Family Driven Faith
"Sometimes we fall into the trap of substituting legalism for a biblical worldview. For example, we set hard and fast rules for what our children wear, watch, see, and hear but never take the time to develop the kind of thinking that would guide them in such decisions. Don't get me wrong. I believe wholeheartedly that parents must diligently protect their children from ungodly influences. I also believe that limits must be set and rules must be established. I am simply suggesting that limits and rules are insufficient in and of themselves.
If all I give my children is limits and rules, they will do what I tell them as long as I am around. But once they leave my home, they will live in accordance with their worldview, not my rules. Thus I must spend as much time shaping and molding their thinking as I do making rules. Legalism simply sets up external, extra-biblical standards that take the place of biblical thinking."
-Voddie Baucham, Family Driven Faith
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Thinking vs. Promises
II Corinthians 10:5b says, "...and take every thought captive to obey Christ." I found the following common temptations of wrong thinking and the Scriptures to help us change that thinking to obey what Christ has taught us! Pray that it is helpful...
"It's impossible"
All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
"I'm too tired"
I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
"Nobody really loves me"
I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
"I can't go on"
My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
"I can't figure things out"
I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"I can't do it"
You can do all things (Phillipians 4:13)
"I'm not able"
I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
"It's not worth it"
It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
"I can't forgive myself"
I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
"I can't manage"
I will supply all your needs (Phillipians 4:19)
"I'm afraid"
I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
"I'm always worried and frustrated"
Cast all your cares on Me (I Peter 5:7)
"I don't have enough faith"
I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
"I'm not smart enough"
I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
"I feel all alone"
I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
-Anonymous
"It's impossible"
All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
"I'm too tired"
I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
"Nobody really loves me"
I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
"I can't go on"
My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
"I can't figure things out"
I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"I can't do it"
You can do all things (Phillipians 4:13)
"I'm not able"
I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
"It's not worth it"
It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
"I can't forgive myself"
I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
"I can't manage"
I will supply all your needs (Phillipians 4:19)
"I'm afraid"
I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
"I'm always worried and frustrated"
Cast all your cares on Me (I Peter 5:7)
"I don't have enough faith"
I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
"I'm not smart enough"
I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
"I feel all alone"
I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
-Anonymous
"What Should a Woman Wear?"
Head covering and slacks: Two viewpoints
1 Corinthians 11:3-16
View 1-- Tina
"...I choose to cover.... I wear dresses 99% of the time because of the Scripture...." Tina
View 2 -- Lois
"I believe the Bible teaches that women are to dress modestly and in accordance with femine traditions of their day." Lois
Our "Stand" on the Head Covering Issue:
Paul concludes his instructions about head covering for women by saying in 1 Corinthians 11:16, "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God" (KJV).
I think this is teaching us that we are not to be contentious on the issue of head covering. Some women will wear a head covering for the glory of God. Some will dress modestly in accordance with accepted feminine attire of their day for the glory of God. Since either way we serve with a pure motive of honoring Christ, let us not be contentious among ourselves regarding this issue.
Romans 14:1-6 says
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
...Lois
Each woman has to decide for herself concerning the issue of covering.
...Tina
1 Corinthians 11:3-16
View 1-- Tina
"...I choose to cover.... I wear dresses 99% of the time because of the Scripture...." Tina
View 2 -- Lois
"I believe the Bible teaches that women are to dress modestly and in accordance with femine traditions of their day." Lois
Our "Stand" on the Head Covering Issue:
Paul concludes his instructions about head covering for women by saying in 1 Corinthians 11:16, "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God" (KJV).
I think this is teaching us that we are not to be contentious on the issue of head covering. Some women will wear a head covering for the glory of God. Some will dress modestly in accordance with accepted feminine attire of their day for the glory of God. Since either way we serve with a pure motive of honoring Christ, let us not be contentious among ourselves regarding this issue.
Romans 14:1-6 says
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
...Lois
Each woman has to decide for herself concerning the issue of covering.
...Tina
"Diary of a Selfish Christian"
Diary of a Selfish Christian
Studies from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
It's just not fair: one brown sock peeking out from under the recliner (and who knows where the other one is?); a brown and beige striped sport shirt crumpled under the stereo; and, slumped over the corner of the dresser, a pair of brown slacks spilling out a ring of keys and thirty-two cents.
"Love is patient..."
Here comes Diane again. Since she and her family moved next door last month, she has appeared at my door at least three times a week to "borrow a cup of sugar," or "see if you have a recipe for banana pudding." Once inside she'll follow me into the kitchen and ramble for two hours about her sister's wedding, or her gall-bladder surgery (I've heard that four times already), or what a great pitcher little Joey is. Maybe I'll tell her I don't have any -- no sugar, no recipes, no time.
"Love is kind..."
I wish she'd move again. Better still, I wish we could move to Lakeview Estates, like Sidney and Marie. What a house they've got. Split level with a sunken bathtub and private boat dock! And here I sit in this grey brick cracker box across from the convenience store.
"Love doesn't envy..."
Actually, I just don't have time to visit with Diane. I need to prepare for tonight's session of the ladies' Bible class I'm leading. Let's see...what is the topic? Oh, yes, the Golden Rule, I think. "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also unto them likewise" (Luke 6:31). That will be easy. I've done that since childhood. I'll tell them how just last week I gave ten dollars to the collection for underprivileged children. Some people never stop and think about others' needs.
"Love...doesn't brag, is not proud..."
Like Tom for instance. You'd think a twenty-eight-year old man could pick up after himself. I got even last night though. Tom's new friend commented that he likes his home to look lived in. "That's one thing you can say for Tom," I quipped. "When he comes home, he immediately begins to add that lived-in touch. He doesn't even know we own a hamper!" Tom looked embarrassed, but it served him right.
"Love...doesn't behave itself inappropriately..."
He never thinks about me. When he decides to go somewhere, he just goes. And I'm stuck here to referee three kids. But he is always here at time to eat. Why doesn't he ever consider my happiness?
"Love...doesn't seek its own way..."
Maybe I'll just tell him what I think of his behavior.
"Love...is not provoked..."
I think he is selfish, inconsiderate, and immature!
"Love...takes no account of evil..."
I am a better person than he is. At least I'm not selfish!
Love...doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth..."
He will never change. And I'm tired of putting up with his selfishness!
"Love...bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things..."
I think I'll just give up.
"Love never fails..."
Never?
God, my love fails. My love demands a return on its investment. My love is conditional.
O Lord, recreate me in your love.
Note: All circumstances and names in this diary are fictional.
Studies from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
It's just not fair: one brown sock peeking out from under the recliner (and who knows where the other one is?); a brown and beige striped sport shirt crumpled under the stereo; and, slumped over the corner of the dresser, a pair of brown slacks spilling out a ring of keys and thirty-two cents.
"Love is patient..."
Here comes Diane again. Since she and her family moved next door last month, she has appeared at my door at least three times a week to "borrow a cup of sugar," or "see if you have a recipe for banana pudding." Once inside she'll follow me into the kitchen and ramble for two hours about her sister's wedding, or her gall-bladder surgery (I've heard that four times already), or what a great pitcher little Joey is. Maybe I'll tell her I don't have any -- no sugar, no recipes, no time.
"Love is kind..."
I wish she'd move again. Better still, I wish we could move to Lakeview Estates, like Sidney and Marie. What a house they've got. Split level with a sunken bathtub and private boat dock! And here I sit in this grey brick cracker box across from the convenience store.
"Love doesn't envy..."
Actually, I just don't have time to visit with Diane. I need to prepare for tonight's session of the ladies' Bible class I'm leading. Let's see...what is the topic? Oh, yes, the Golden Rule, I think. "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also unto them likewise" (Luke 6:31). That will be easy. I've done that since childhood. I'll tell them how just last week I gave ten dollars to the collection for underprivileged children. Some people never stop and think about others' needs.
"Love...doesn't brag, is not proud..."
Like Tom for instance. You'd think a twenty-eight-year old man could pick up after himself. I got even last night though. Tom's new friend commented that he likes his home to look lived in. "That's one thing you can say for Tom," I quipped. "When he comes home, he immediately begins to add that lived-in touch. He doesn't even know we own a hamper!" Tom looked embarrassed, but it served him right.
"Love...doesn't behave itself inappropriately..."
He never thinks about me. When he decides to go somewhere, he just goes. And I'm stuck here to referee three kids. But he is always here at time to eat. Why doesn't he ever consider my happiness?
"Love...doesn't seek its own way..."
Maybe I'll just tell him what I think of his behavior.
"Love...is not provoked..."
I think he is selfish, inconsiderate, and immature!
"Love...takes no account of evil..."
I am a better person than he is. At least I'm not selfish!
Love...doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth..."
He will never change. And I'm tired of putting up with his selfishness!
"Love...bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things..."
I think I'll just give up.
"Love never fails..."
Never?
God, my love fails. My love demands a return on its investment. My love is conditional.
O Lord, recreate me in your love.
Note: All circumstances and names in this diary are fictional.
"On Modest Dress"
(the following is written by a GUY... and it is rather simple to understand yet eye-opening)
Perhaps it is fashionable or a sign of pride; possibly, it is an insecure call for attention; or maybe for them it is just a matter of comfort. Whichever the case, seeing girls wearing immodest clothing causes me to see more of them than I needed to and also robs me of a palpable amount of respect for them. It's not that I don't fancy the prepossesing physical features of my age mates, but being subjected to the sight of them takes something from me now that I will never regain.
Because someday, I will have a wonderful wife. I will share and enjoy life with her in ways that I will never share with another human. My wife will be the first (and only) person that I ever come to know as deeply, and the more aspects of a relationship that we can say that we have shared with no one else, the more meaningful our relationship will be.
For instance, I'm saving my first kiss for marriage. When I tell my wife that I love her more than anyone, and I kiss her to prove it, she'll know that I haven't kissed anyone else but her. That kiss will mean so much more than if she was just one of a collection of girls that I've kissed. She'll always know that I can never compare her kiss to the affection of another girl.
An antidiluvian anecdote depicts a married couple in bed on the night of their 75th anniversary. At 100 years old, the wife leans over in bed and slaps the man across his face, exclaiming: "That was for 75 years of terrible sex." After a moment's thought, the man slapped her back. "And that was for knowing the difference," he replied.
My contentedness with my wife should not be tainted by a comparison to someone else I've met, so I do my best to preserve myself for her in as many ways as possible. But sadly, being at college (or even at the grocery store) exposes me to far too many midriffs and cleavages - images that are very hard to forget.
I suspect that girls do dress so lightly and tightly in part to appear more attractive to guys. In reality, the knowledge that a girl is striving for male attention just conveys to guys that the girl is "easy" and not worth respect or pursuit. (And guys that are looking for easy girls usually aren't interested in a commited relationship.) Immodesty generates lose-lose situations.
So, to you modest, well dressed girls that abstain from flaunting your bodies in revealing clothing, I applaud you. You have my respect and my gratitude, and I find you far more attractive than your less well covered peers.
Perhaps it is fashionable or a sign of pride; possibly, it is an insecure call for attention; or maybe for them it is just a matter of comfort. Whichever the case, seeing girls wearing immodest clothing causes me to see more of them than I needed to and also robs me of a palpable amount of respect for them. It's not that I don't fancy the prepossesing physical features of my age mates, but being subjected to the sight of them takes something from me now that I will never regain.
Because someday, I will have a wonderful wife. I will share and enjoy life with her in ways that I will never share with another human. My wife will be the first (and only) person that I ever come to know as deeply, and the more aspects of a relationship that we can say that we have shared with no one else, the more meaningful our relationship will be.
For instance, I'm saving my first kiss for marriage. When I tell my wife that I love her more than anyone, and I kiss her to prove it, she'll know that I haven't kissed anyone else but her. That kiss will mean so much more than if she was just one of a collection of girls that I've kissed. She'll always know that I can never compare her kiss to the affection of another girl.
An antidiluvian anecdote depicts a married couple in bed on the night of their 75th anniversary. At 100 years old, the wife leans over in bed and slaps the man across his face, exclaiming: "That was for 75 years of terrible sex." After a moment's thought, the man slapped her back. "And that was for knowing the difference," he replied.
My contentedness with my wife should not be tainted by a comparison to someone else I've met, so I do my best to preserve myself for her in as many ways as possible. But sadly, being at college (or even at the grocery store) exposes me to far too many midriffs and cleavages - images that are very hard to forget.
I suspect that girls do dress so lightly and tightly in part to appear more attractive to guys. In reality, the knowledge that a girl is striving for male attention just conveys to guys that the girl is "easy" and not worth respect or pursuit. (And guys that are looking for easy girls usually aren't interested in a commited relationship.) Immodesty generates lose-lose situations.
So, to you modest, well dressed girls that abstain from flaunting your bodies in revealing clothing, I applaud you. You have my respect and my gratitude, and I find you far more attractive than your less well covered peers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)