by Joyce Meyer
How do you respond when someone hurts your feelings? Do you let it rob you of joy? Or maybe your emotions run wild?
Luke 6:27,28 NIV tells us what we should do when people hurt us:
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Can you believe that? We’re to pray something like, “Oh, Lord, I pray that You’d just make them so happy!”
I still don’t get that, but I’m willing to do it in obedience and say, “Lord, I don’t know that I really want them to be happy, but I’ll pray that in faith anyway, because You’re telling me to bless them with Your presence.”
Luke 6:35 NIV goes further. It says:
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
A Tip for Following Forgiveness
Now, let’s get practical about how to do this. If we have a coworker who gets the promotion that we’ve been believing God for, the minute we start to feel jealousy and envy, we need to go buy them a gift.
Yes, you heard me right: buy them a gift. It works. When we do it, it breaks the power of the devil because Romans 12:21 says that we overcome evil with good. It’s absolutely true too. I have learned this principle and it has been life-changing for me.
What I Did When Someone Hurt Me
For example, a few years ago someone told me about a person who was doing business with our ministry and making a good deal of money because of their relationship with us. My friend happened to be at the same restaurant, seated in the next booth and overheard their conversation, which just happened to be about me—and they weren’t saying good things either.
At first I got mad and just wanted to tell him that he was never getting our business again.
But in bed that night, the Holy Spirit said to me, “You’re not going to do any of those things.” He said, “No, you’re going to do what you teach. You’re going to go buy him a present, and you’re going to tell him how much you appreciate the services that he’s given you all these years.”
Needless to say, I resisted at first. But eventually I relented and bought him a gift.
What You Must Do When Someone Hurts You
What I remember most about the situation is that as soon as I started taking action to do something good for them, it just got so funny to me. I was laughing out loud in my house, all by myself.
Listen: When we can look at people who’ve hurt us with compassion and pray what Jesus prayed “…Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” there’s a party that goes on inside of us.
I think most of the time people don’t even realize what they are doing. That man in the restaurant who was talking about me had no idea what he was doing and the position that he was putting himself in.
Why You Must Follow Forgiveness
That’s why we need to pray for them and say, “God forgive them.” In fact, what does God say will happen to us when we obey His Word?
Luke 6:35 states “…and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High….” God tells us that we’ll receive a reward. We will get double for our trouble if we will do things His way.
The Bible says that love covers a multitude of sins. Do you know what that means? It means that love will even have you making excuses for your enemies. Someone might come up to us and say, “Well, I heard what so-and-so did to you.”
When we really decide to forgive someone and pray the prayer that blesses our enemies, making the decision that we will not talk bad about them, but instead, cover their fault and their mess, we still might not feel any different.
Now, I believe choosing forgiveness is one of the most difficult things God asks us to do, especially if we believe that whoever hurt us is in the wrong and doesn’t deserve to be forgiven.
But God instructs us to practice forgiveness. And when we choose to follow the path of forgiveness, we will experience the peace and joy that come through obeying God’s Word.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Christ is our supply
Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Matthew 15:29-37
Do you get worn out trying to "do" everything for everyone? Do you feel spent running around, trying to pour out of your paltry resources, trying to do things for others around you? God has called you to be a deliverer of His gifts, not the creator of them! He will be our full supply, apart from Him we have nothing to offer.
Life with little children can be very demanding and exhausting. Parenthood brings us face to face with our need to draw from Christ so that we can generously pour love and provision on our children.
That being said, it can be hard to practice because receiving our supply from God isn't always as tangible as a bag of grain, a fish, or a piece of bread that we walk up and take from His hand. A few weeks ago, as spring began it's warm up and we got the bikes out of storage it became clear that Sophie, my 5 year old, would need a new bike this year. As she was riding, her boney little knees were up in her chest! I was thinking about our budget and how we would provide this new bike for her. I don't even think I whispered a conscious prayer about it, but the next day a friend contacted me to see if Sophie would be interested in her daughter's bike that she had outgrown, saying it would be the perfect size for Sophie...wow, what a blessing! The thing I might have missed several years ago, is that this is not a coincidence, this is God working in my life. He does know our needs, and He does care about the little things we worry about!
It may be something this concrete, but many times what we desperately need is a supply of patience, fogiveness, love, wisdom, or comfort from Him so we can pour it out on someone else. This kind of spiritual supply comes from Jesus' presence. Meditating on the pages of Scripture. Committing to focused prayer. Waiting quietly on Him so our spirits can learn His voice.
(some of this is paraphrased from Kelly Minter's study on the book of Ruth)
Prepare
Are you trying to do it all in your own strength today? How can you ask God to be your supply and allow yourself to be a deliverer of His gifts to those around you today?
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Matthew 15:29-37
Do you get worn out trying to "do" everything for everyone? Do you feel spent running around, trying to pour out of your paltry resources, trying to do things for others around you? God has called you to be a deliverer of His gifts, not the creator of them! He will be our full supply, apart from Him we have nothing to offer.
Life with little children can be very demanding and exhausting. Parenthood brings us face to face with our need to draw from Christ so that we can generously pour love and provision on our children.
That being said, it can be hard to practice because receiving our supply from God isn't always as tangible as a bag of grain, a fish, or a piece of bread that we walk up and take from His hand. A few weeks ago, as spring began it's warm up and we got the bikes out of storage it became clear that Sophie, my 5 year old, would need a new bike this year. As she was riding, her boney little knees were up in her chest! I was thinking about our budget and how we would provide this new bike for her. I don't even think I whispered a conscious prayer about it, but the next day a friend contacted me to see if Sophie would be interested in her daughter's bike that she had outgrown, saying it would be the perfect size for Sophie...wow, what a blessing! The thing I might have missed several years ago, is that this is not a coincidence, this is God working in my life. He does know our needs, and He does care about the little things we worry about!
It may be something this concrete, but many times what we desperately need is a supply of patience, fogiveness, love, wisdom, or comfort from Him so we can pour it out on someone else. This kind of spiritual supply comes from Jesus' presence. Meditating on the pages of Scripture. Committing to focused prayer. Waiting quietly on Him so our spirits can learn His voice.
(some of this is paraphrased from Kelly Minter's study on the book of Ruth)
Prepare
Are you trying to do it all in your own strength today? How can you ask God to be your supply and allow yourself to be a deliverer of His gifts to those around you today?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A Work in Progress
I was finally able to get my husband to finish a project, but I wasn't as pleased as I thought I'd be.
by Mandy Houk
They mocked me for months. Every morning when I raised the blinds and looked out the window, I saw them. It was almost like they were winking: one Adirondack chair was a deep brick red; the other was white. White primer, to be exact.
We had not run out of red paint. My husband, Pete, had simply run out of daylight on the day he'd planned to paint both. And there they sat, still waiting for Pete to find another day to finish the job.
After 16 years of marriage, I know I shouldn't harp on unfinished household projects, even on those sunny Saturdays when he's playing video games or watching college football. I've heard enough sermons on marriage to know that nagging from me, though it might get the job done, also discourages and alienates my husband. I'd rather have mismatched chairs than a discouraged husband.
Or would I?
As much as I might resolve to leave the man in peace, my resolve has an expiration date. Ultimately, the day comes when I can't (won't) take it anymore. This tends to coincide with an upcoming visit from an out-of-town guest. Or a potluck dinner at our house. Or anything that involves someone from the outside coming inside our house where they might witness the evidence of our … gasp! … imperfections.
And that day finally arrived for the chairs.
So I exploded. I whined. I scolded. It wasn't pretty.
Pete took it silently. And when I'd exhausted my venom, he disappeared outside. After a while, I looked out the window to see where he'd gone. He was kneeling by that one white chair, slowly turning it red.
Looking at My Own Stuff
There's no real joy in the fact that the chairs match now. In fact, when we had our family photos taken in the middle of the mismatched era, the photographer was thrilled at the contrast and used it to great effect in our portraits.
Truth be told, those chairs still mock me. Because now, when I open the blinds and see their lovely, homogenous red-ness, what I really see is my own nastiness. I recall that day of my self-righteous explosion.
How easy it is for me to take note of all that Pete leaves undone. But what about everything that I leave undone? How many times have my daughters had a no-panties crisis in the morning because I failed to get their laundry done when I'd planned? How many years have I been working on that Christmas cross-stitch that's gathering dust in my sewing basket? (Hint: enough years that there's a rust stain from the needle that's neatly slipped through a couple of holes, as if I'll get right back to it in a minute.) And what about my growing dresser-dust collection?
If you'll indulge my adjustments, Matthew 7:3–5 goes something like this: "Why do you look at the unpainted chair in your husband's eye and pay no attention to the dusty dresser in your own eye? How can you say to him, 'Get your fanny out there and paint that!' when all the time there is a mountain of laundry in your hamper? You hypocrite! Get your own chores done, and then you can help him with his!"
What it comes down to, ultimately, is mercy. I can grit my teeth in self-powered "resolve" all I want, but it can't last. Because it's me-powered. Not until I fully absorb the astonishing volume of mercy that God has shown to me—and that Pete shows to me as well—will I be able to release the expectations that lead to my nagging in the first place.
When I catch myself starting to stare and squint at some unfinished project of Pete's, I let my eyes shift over to an unfinished project of my own. A project that my merciful husband has never once mentioned. That shuts me up pretty quick.
When I take note that he's playing video games, I also take note of our youngest daughter. She's sitting on the sofa beside him having a fabulous time with her daddy. And when he's watching football, I do something really radical. I remind myself that I happen to like football too. I grab some snacks and plop down at his side (where I'm careful not to talk during a long drive—but that's another article).
Finally, when he does get going on a long-awaited project—like adjusting the basketball hoop to a manageable height for our daughters—I don't sigh to myself and think, It's about time! I go out and help him. Inevitably, because neither of us is a descendant of Mr. Fixit, something goes wrong. After we've finished laughing about it, we figure out the solution together.
That beats staring out the window at chairs any day.
Prepare
Ok, perhaps this hits me harder than some of you because my love language is acts of service...so yeah, ouch is all I can say. I am very guilty of missing opportunities to just be with Tom because I'm too busy trying to get him to help me with a project, help me with the girls, help me, help me, help me...
How about you? Does this article speak to you? Does God care about our "to-do" list or our relationships? Where should our focus be?
by Mandy Houk
They mocked me for months. Every morning when I raised the blinds and looked out the window, I saw them. It was almost like they were winking: one Adirondack chair was a deep brick red; the other was white. White primer, to be exact.
We had not run out of red paint. My husband, Pete, had simply run out of daylight on the day he'd planned to paint both. And there they sat, still waiting for Pete to find another day to finish the job.
After 16 years of marriage, I know I shouldn't harp on unfinished household projects, even on those sunny Saturdays when he's playing video games or watching college football. I've heard enough sermons on marriage to know that nagging from me, though it might get the job done, also discourages and alienates my husband. I'd rather have mismatched chairs than a discouraged husband.
Or would I?
As much as I might resolve to leave the man in peace, my resolve has an expiration date. Ultimately, the day comes when I can't (won't) take it anymore. This tends to coincide with an upcoming visit from an out-of-town guest. Or a potluck dinner at our house. Or anything that involves someone from the outside coming inside our house where they might witness the evidence of our … gasp! … imperfections.
And that day finally arrived for the chairs.
So I exploded. I whined. I scolded. It wasn't pretty.
Pete took it silently. And when I'd exhausted my venom, he disappeared outside. After a while, I looked out the window to see where he'd gone. He was kneeling by that one white chair, slowly turning it red.
Looking at My Own Stuff
There's no real joy in the fact that the chairs match now. In fact, when we had our family photos taken in the middle of the mismatched era, the photographer was thrilled at the contrast and used it to great effect in our portraits.
Truth be told, those chairs still mock me. Because now, when I open the blinds and see their lovely, homogenous red-ness, what I really see is my own nastiness. I recall that day of my self-righteous explosion.
How easy it is for me to take note of all that Pete leaves undone. But what about everything that I leave undone? How many times have my daughters had a no-panties crisis in the morning because I failed to get their laundry done when I'd planned? How many years have I been working on that Christmas cross-stitch that's gathering dust in my sewing basket? (Hint: enough years that there's a rust stain from the needle that's neatly slipped through a couple of holes, as if I'll get right back to it in a minute.) And what about my growing dresser-dust collection?
If you'll indulge my adjustments, Matthew 7:3–5 goes something like this: "Why do you look at the unpainted chair in your husband's eye and pay no attention to the dusty dresser in your own eye? How can you say to him, 'Get your fanny out there and paint that!' when all the time there is a mountain of laundry in your hamper? You hypocrite! Get your own chores done, and then you can help him with his!"
What it comes down to, ultimately, is mercy. I can grit my teeth in self-powered "resolve" all I want, but it can't last. Because it's me-powered. Not until I fully absorb the astonishing volume of mercy that God has shown to me—and that Pete shows to me as well—will I be able to release the expectations that lead to my nagging in the first place.
When I catch myself starting to stare and squint at some unfinished project of Pete's, I let my eyes shift over to an unfinished project of my own. A project that my merciful husband has never once mentioned. That shuts me up pretty quick.
When I take note that he's playing video games, I also take note of our youngest daughter. She's sitting on the sofa beside him having a fabulous time with her daddy. And when he's watching football, I do something really radical. I remind myself that I happen to like football too. I grab some snacks and plop down at his side (where I'm careful not to talk during a long drive—but that's another article).
Finally, when he does get going on a long-awaited project—like adjusting the basketball hoop to a manageable height for our daughters—I don't sigh to myself and think, It's about time! I go out and help him. Inevitably, because neither of us is a descendant of Mr. Fixit, something goes wrong. After we've finished laughing about it, we figure out the solution together.
That beats staring out the window at chairs any day.
Prepare
Ok, perhaps this hits me harder than some of you because my love language is acts of service...so yeah, ouch is all I can say. I am very guilty of missing opportunities to just be with Tom because I'm too busy trying to get him to help me with a project, help me with the girls, help me, help me, help me...
How about you? Does this article speak to you? Does God care about our "to-do" list or our relationships? Where should our focus be?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Surrender
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
Surrendering all to Christ. This is a word that keeps popping up in my life. It's an incredibly hard concept for me. I'm going to share a passage from my reading this morning in a study of the book of Ruth, by Kelly Minter.
"This place of surrender is the most freeing of places to be and the hardest to get to. Some of us have been working, toiling, and struggling - we've done all we can do and now it's time to cease striving and lie down at the feet of Jesus. I'm not sure what plagues you, what you're carrying, or what fears loom in your life. But I want you to picture leaving those things behind...I'm not sure there is any more important move in our life with Christ than our total surrender to Him. Yes, this can be scary. Yes, it can be costly. But ... eternal blessings of submission to Jesus are unparalleled. What He can do with a willing life surrendered at His feet is more than we can comprehend. I just know I don't want to miss it for whatever I'm clutching in my hands."
Prepare
What keeps you from total surrender to Jesus today?
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
Surrendering all to Christ. This is a word that keeps popping up in my life. It's an incredibly hard concept for me. I'm going to share a passage from my reading this morning in a study of the book of Ruth, by Kelly Minter.
"This place of surrender is the most freeing of places to be and the hardest to get to. Some of us have been working, toiling, and struggling - we've done all we can do and now it's time to cease striving and lie down at the feet of Jesus. I'm not sure what plagues you, what you're carrying, or what fears loom in your life. But I want you to picture leaving those things behind...I'm not sure there is any more important move in our life with Christ than our total surrender to Him. Yes, this can be scary. Yes, it can be costly. But ... eternal blessings of submission to Jesus are unparalleled. What He can do with a willing life surrendered at His feet is more than we can comprehend. I just know I don't want to miss it for whatever I'm clutching in my hands."
Prepare
What keeps you from total surrender to Jesus today?
Friday, March 19, 2010
People Pleasing
I'm going to share an excerpt from Rob Bell's book, Velvet Elvis:
"Your job is the relentless pursuit of who God has made you to be. And anything else you do is sin and you need to repent of it.
The relentless pursuit of who God made me to be.
I started identifying how much of my life was about making sure the right people were pleased with me. And as this became more and more clear, I realized how less and less pleased I was with myself.What happens is our lives become so heavily oriented around the expectations of others that we become more and more like them and less and less like ourselves. We become split. . .
I had this person I knew I was made to be, yet it was mixed in with all of these other . . . people. As the lights were turned on, I saw I had all of this guilt and shame because I wasn't measuring up to the image of the perfect person I had in my head."
This passage jumped out at me yesterday as I was reading. Now, I am going to say that this book is a tough one for me. It's very challenging and pretty uncomfortable. I'm not sure I agree with all that is said in it. I'm not even sure I agree with the entire excerpt here...but some of it really hits me in a "wake up and pay attention" kind of way.
I think as women, we are especially predisposed to wanting to please others. We spend a lot of time and energy trying to please many, many people...but sometimes we don't consider if we are pleasing God in the process. The things we are doing for others may be really good things too like being involved in ministries, signing up for PTO, running car pool...people are going to "pleased" with you for helping out..at least initially. But is God pleased? Is that his plan for you right now?
And, what happens when a little while into "helping" someone or some ministry, there are bumps in the road? If you're not doing it with God's direction, but to please people, and the people aren't even happy with you...then what? That hurts. If we're subconsciously doing it to receive self-worth...we end up feeling pretty empty.
I have been resolving to commit my decisions to Him, and I have felt Him nudging me to "take a sharpie to my list." I have been dragging my heels, kicking and screaming in my head...why? Because I don't want to let anyone down. But, guess what? If I'm not doing it in His strength I'm going to let people down. It happened this week. It was painful to me. My busy schedule and distracted day resulted in me totally forgetting a commitment I had made with someone. I feel terrible about this. But, you know what? It's been a wake up call for me, too. I AM going to "take a sharpie to my list" this weekend. I'm going to surrender my schedule to God and let Him direct my people pleasing ways.
Prepare
Who are you trying to please today? What is on your calendar for today . . . is it God's agenda or yours?
"Your job is the relentless pursuit of who God has made you to be. And anything else you do is sin and you need to repent of it.
The relentless pursuit of who God made me to be.
I started identifying how much of my life was about making sure the right people were pleased with me. And as this became more and more clear, I realized how less and less pleased I was with myself.What happens is our lives become so heavily oriented around the expectations of others that we become more and more like them and less and less like ourselves. We become split. . .
I had this person I knew I was made to be, yet it was mixed in with all of these other . . . people. As the lights were turned on, I saw I had all of this guilt and shame because I wasn't measuring up to the image of the perfect person I had in my head."
This passage jumped out at me yesterday as I was reading. Now, I am going to say that this book is a tough one for me. It's very challenging and pretty uncomfortable. I'm not sure I agree with all that is said in it. I'm not even sure I agree with the entire excerpt here...but some of it really hits me in a "wake up and pay attention" kind of way.
I think as women, we are especially predisposed to wanting to please others. We spend a lot of time and energy trying to please many, many people...but sometimes we don't consider if we are pleasing God in the process. The things we are doing for others may be really good things too like being involved in ministries, signing up for PTO, running car pool...people are going to "pleased" with you for helping out..at least initially. But is God pleased? Is that his plan for you right now?
And, what happens when a little while into "helping" someone or some ministry, there are bumps in the road? If you're not doing it with God's direction, but to please people, and the people aren't even happy with you...then what? That hurts. If we're subconsciously doing it to receive self-worth...we end up feeling pretty empty.
I have been resolving to commit my decisions to Him, and I have felt Him nudging me to "take a sharpie to my list." I have been dragging my heels, kicking and screaming in my head...why? Because I don't want to let anyone down. But, guess what? If I'm not doing it in His strength I'm going to let people down. It happened this week. It was painful to me. My busy schedule and distracted day resulted in me totally forgetting a commitment I had made with someone. I feel terrible about this. But, you know what? It's been a wake up call for me, too. I AM going to "take a sharpie to my list" this weekend. I'm going to surrender my schedule to God and let Him direct my people pleasing ways.
Prepare
Who are you trying to please today? What is on your calendar for today . . . is it God's agenda or yours?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Worldviews and Children
by Marc A. Fey
James Sire, author of The Universe Next Door, tells a story that influenced the way I looked at the world. The story goes something like this:
A boy came home one day and asked his father, "What holds up the world, Dad?"
The father answered with a storybook reply, "A camel holds up the world, son."
But the next day the boy was back. "Dad, if a camel holds up the world, what holds up the camel?" The father answered quickly, "A kangaroo."
Soon, the son returned. "Dad, what holds up the kangaroo?" Knowing he was now in trouble, the father said emphatically, "An elephant!"
"Come on, Dad, what holds up the elephant?"
Exasperated, the father blurted, "It's . . . it's elephant — all the way down!"
Besides illustrating that kids ask the toughest questions, the story shows that when a parent doesn't answer thoughtfully or replies flippantly, it doesn't eliminate a child's curiosity. Tough questions shouldn't be avoided. In fact, they offer some of the best opportunities to teach a Christian worldview.
Del Tackett, president of the Focus Leadership Institute, describes a worldview as "the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world." The best tool we can give our children is to teach them how to accurately make sense of life.
Questions about life lead to teachable moments. Here are three ways you can teach your kids a Christian worldview so they interpret life by what is true — not what is trendy, easy or false.
1. What is really real?
When philosophies of the world compete with biblical truth, ask: "Is that really real?" When we are watching TV as a family and something comes on the screen that contradicts our Christian worldview, I might ask, "What are they really selling you?" The answer is often something like, "They want me to think that new car will make me cool." Bull's-eye! From here, we can talk about whether a car makes someone cool or if coolness is even important to God.
Our kids want — and need — to know what's really real. As Christians, we know that God's Word is what defines truth, not personal experience.
The truth? God is the ultimate reality, and the way we learn about that reality is from His Word — not our feelings, popular culture or peers.
2. What's the point of trials and difficulties?
Your child's worst days can be the best times to teach a Christian worldview. When my 14-year-old didn't make the basketball team, he struggled with disappointment, so we talked about whether God knew what was going to happen. My son was surprised when he realized God knew but allowed the circumstances anyway.
The even harder question was raised about our friend's son who died of cancer. This tragedy led to discussions about the reality that, without God, man doesn't have the resources needed to get through the difficult events in life.
The truth? Man, who is fallen, needs God.
3. What's the challenge for both parent and child?
A Christian worldview is about thinking rightly so we can have a strong relationship with God. In this way, loving God means thinking as a Christian and embracing the Bible's teachings. When my kids see that thinking about Truth is the first step in the process of living the Truth, they look differently at God’s Word.
The truth? The evidence of a Christian worldview is the life of a person who has a close relationship with Jesus Christ.
So, don't dodge your kids' hard questions. We need to build our lives on what can’t be shaken: God's Truth — all the way down.
James Sire, author of The Universe Next Door, tells a story that influenced the way I looked at the world. The story goes something like this:
A boy came home one day and asked his father, "What holds up the world, Dad?"
The father answered with a storybook reply, "A camel holds up the world, son."
But the next day the boy was back. "Dad, if a camel holds up the world, what holds up the camel?" The father answered quickly, "A kangaroo."
Soon, the son returned. "Dad, what holds up the kangaroo?" Knowing he was now in trouble, the father said emphatically, "An elephant!"
"Come on, Dad, what holds up the elephant?"
Exasperated, the father blurted, "It's . . . it's elephant — all the way down!"
Besides illustrating that kids ask the toughest questions, the story shows that when a parent doesn't answer thoughtfully or replies flippantly, it doesn't eliminate a child's curiosity. Tough questions shouldn't be avoided. In fact, they offer some of the best opportunities to teach a Christian worldview.
Del Tackett, president of the Focus Leadership Institute, describes a worldview as "the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world." The best tool we can give our children is to teach them how to accurately make sense of life.
Questions about life lead to teachable moments. Here are three ways you can teach your kids a Christian worldview so they interpret life by what is true — not what is trendy, easy or false.
1. What is really real?
When philosophies of the world compete with biblical truth, ask: "Is that really real?" When we are watching TV as a family and something comes on the screen that contradicts our Christian worldview, I might ask, "What are they really selling you?" The answer is often something like, "They want me to think that new car will make me cool." Bull's-eye! From here, we can talk about whether a car makes someone cool or if coolness is even important to God.
Our kids want — and need — to know what's really real. As Christians, we know that God's Word is what defines truth, not personal experience.
The truth? God is the ultimate reality, and the way we learn about that reality is from His Word — not our feelings, popular culture or peers.
2. What's the point of trials and difficulties?
Your child's worst days can be the best times to teach a Christian worldview. When my 14-year-old didn't make the basketball team, he struggled with disappointment, so we talked about whether God knew what was going to happen. My son was surprised when he realized God knew but allowed the circumstances anyway.
The even harder question was raised about our friend's son who died of cancer. This tragedy led to discussions about the reality that, without God, man doesn't have the resources needed to get through the difficult events in life.
The truth? Man, who is fallen, needs God.
3. What's the challenge for both parent and child?
A Christian worldview is about thinking rightly so we can have a strong relationship with God. In this way, loving God means thinking as a Christian and embracing the Bible's teachings. When my kids see that thinking about Truth is the first step in the process of living the Truth, they look differently at God’s Word.
The truth? The evidence of a Christian worldview is the life of a person who has a close relationship with Jesus Christ.
So, don't dodge your kids' hard questions. We need to build our lives on what can’t be shaken: God's Truth — all the way down.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Jesus Storybook Bible
Julie mentioned this book in MOPS on Friday. We have it, too, and it is wonderful. Amy Johnson tripped upon this blog entry on Friday about the very same book...serendipitous timing? Read her review and endorsement. You may want to pick one up for Easter this year! Enjoy!
http://www.sarahmarkley.com/2010/03/the-jesus-storybook-bible/
http://www.sarahmarkley.com/2010/03/the-jesus-storybook-bible/
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