Un-Divided!

“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 KJV

Such is the current controversy of the church collective today. There is in circulation a documentary called "Divided". Here’s a brief summary:

“There is a crisis. Christian youth are rapidly leaving evangelical churches for the world. This well-recognized disaster has been the topic of significant discussion in recent years for both church leaders and modern new media. DIVIDED follows young Christian filmmaker Philip Leclerc on a revealing journey as he seeks answers to what has led his generation away from the church. Traveling across the country conducting research and interviewing church kids, youth ministry experts, evangelists, statisticians, social commentators, and pastors, Philip discovers the shockingly sinister roots of modern, age-segregated church programs, and the equally shocking evidence that the pattern in the Bible for training future generations is at odds with modern church practices. He also discovers a growing number of churches that are abandoning age-segregated Sunday school and youth ministry to embrace the discipleship model that God prescribes in His Word.”

My husband and I, along with our oldest few children, watched this last week. It was highly thought provoking in reference to why this popular way of handling children happens in many churches today. I wonder when the division first became evident. When did the parents begin saying to God, “Someone else can teach our children about You.” Instead of discussing the sermon together after church on Sundays, we have to ask our little ones, “Johnny, what did Miss “Susie” teach you about God in Sunday school today?” Perish the thought! We must not let this be. We are a nation “Divided”. We are a people of God’s judgment. In our Reformed circles, we are in agreement at least, not to divide the families within our body and I know of other churches locally that may not be Reformed per se, but they don’t believe in a Sunday school forum of such. I love the way my kids take notes for instance. (Albeit they don’t do it every single time.) One Sunday My 6year old who is just learning to spell wrote down words she recognized like “submit”, and “respect”, though her spelling was way off, it was great to know she was paying attention. These are great opportunities for family discussions. We sit together and talk about what each one of us remembers most about the sermon and its practical application. Satan is a master of division. He knows one of the greatest strengths of the family is unity. He tries to divide child from parent, brother from brother and man from wife.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.”       1Peter 5:8

He does seek to devour our souls. We tend to be distracted at times and forget this truth. The devil preys on us! Aesop said, “United we stand, divided we fall.” Or similarly, Abraham Lincoln, “A house divided cannot stand.” Which originated from this verse in Matthew: And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. -Matt. 12:25 Oh the blessed truths of God!

I tell my kids to hold hands when crossing the road, or to stick together in a crowd like at a beach or a busy store etc. There is strength in numbers. The early Greeks knew this to be true and used it as a battle technique. They would form a solid unit and move in a single motion against their enemies, and they were very successful! Remember the battle of Thermopylae in Sparta, Greece? (The movie 300 was based on this battle.) We are a solid unit. We are Christ’s people, and we worship as families, not individuals. Division is for math class. Blessings.

Quips heard around our table…

"I want some beer."  ~Titus, age 4

"Put down your battle ax and your gun while you eat, Titus." ~Dad

Day of Art

Today started way too early for me. A son had a night mare around 3am. Alarm at 5:30am. I drove my husband to work around 6am and came home to go on my morning walk at 7am with my Mother in law, and due to rain, we chose to walk inside to a DVD. Kids awoke too soon. Breakfast-cooking-daughter slept in so everyone starved until 9am. Cranky 4 yr old whined and then fell asleep on me while reading a story around 10:00am. That is when it became a Day of Art. I got to practice a rarely used “Art” and so did my children. My unused “Art” of late is letting my kids have fun with messy stuff. I was able to let go (mostly) of worrying about spills and stains etc. I regularly allow Play Doh and water paints, markers and crayons, but not much more. All went well, except when my 2 year old decided to cut her hair with the “safety scissors” she was using at the time. Luckily I turned and saw her mischief before major damage was done! PTL! So each child got to pick a craft. (They All picked painting and then creative cutting.) I was able to paint an unfinished shelf for my girls’ room; while my Mother in law worked on her painting project beside me. As we finished up these projects, it was time for swimming and lawn mowing! Splashing isn’t fun for the splash-ee, only the splash-er among my children and myself included. So, needless to say, an ongoing faux pas in our pool is the “oops I splashed someone”. Well, that doesn’t go far with me. Once or twice and then it’s a “pool-time-out” or an out-of-pool-time? Anyway, you get the idea. The 2 year old is a fish, one that can’t swim. She gets mouths full of water, and it matters not. She simply loves the water just like my first born! Those two are natural mermaids at heart. Eldest boy ran out of gas in the mower before the lawn was finished and came and joined us in the pool. Soon Dad would be headed home and dinner was calling to me. As we gathered ourselves to enter the air conditioned house, my almost 6 year old bounded ahead of me with siblings here and there; I turned to say good bye to my MIL when she screamed. (My little Trinity stepped on a bee!) Big sister was there to save her by taking out the stinger and carrying her to the house as I followed holding on to the 2 year old. I doctored her up with baking soda paste on the wound and a dose of Benadryl. Dinner was cooked, served, and devoured. More swimming was done. Now I sit and type as the kids play with Daddy and I can smell popcorn in the air...mmm…

This day. This is only one day of thousands. This is the day which the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 This was a good day.

"There needs to be a homemaker exercising some measure of skill, imagination, creativity, desire to fulfill needs and give pleasure to others in the family. How precious a thing is the human family? Is it not worth some sacrifices in time, energy, safety, discomfort, work? Does anything come forth without work?"
— Edith Schaeffer

We certainly are called to give up our own fleshly desires in order to meet the needs of others, in humility putting their needs before our own. Do we remember to do this for those within our own four walls? Or are our “others” always those outside the home? Balance. Find the balance. As Nancy Wilson likes to say, “There’s a ditch on both sides of the road.” Meaning if we spend too much time obsessing over just family, family, family, we neglect the body of Christ, and vice versa. Find the balance, it’s out there. Blessings.

Loving Your Children

40 WAYS TO PRAY FOR YOUR CHILD

One of the great privileges of parenthood is that we can ask God to work in the lives of our children. These 40 prayers can be offered as a 40-day cycle of prayer {patterned after Jesus' own 40-day spiritual retreat in Matthew 4} or simply used during the course of each day.

For the knowledge of God

Dear God, the Psalmist declares, "Be still, and know that I am God" {Psalm 46:10}. In their busyness, may my children have quiet moments in which they think and reflect about God in their lives.

For salvation

Loving God, the Apostle Paul reminds us that the Gospel "is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" {Romans 1:16}. Help my children learn to trust in you early in their lives and remain faithfully committed to your ways throughout their lives.

For myself as a parent

Gracious God, fill me with sensitivity and insight that I may understand the best ways to guide my children so they may grow in your wisdom and love.

For parenting patience

Loving God, although family life is often hectic and busy, help me to listen with patience to the worries, troubles, and problems my children may have.

For kindness of speech

Gracious God, so many children have been deeply wounded because they have been the brunt of criticism, teasing, and taunting. May my children exhibit kindness in their speech. Let the words of Psalm 19:14 be true for my children: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight."

To recognize their mistakes

Dear God, may my children recognize when they are wrong and take responsibility where they are at fault. Give them a deep and sincere desire to put things right as quickly as possible.

For love

Gracious God, let my children follow the command of Jesus to "love one another" {John 13:34}. Let them reach out with love to all within their sphere of influence.

For spiritual stability

Oh God, in times of moral uncertainty and temptation, empower my children to exhibit spiritual stability. May the words of Joshua have a firm grip in their hearts: "You are to hold fast to the Lord your God" {Joshua 23:8}.

To help bear burdens

Loving God, let it be that my children are the ones who quickly reach out, helping to lift the burdens of others. Through my example, may my children understand the importance of fulfilling the call of Scripture to "carry each other's burdens" {Gal. 6:2}.

To be instruments of peace

Gracious God, may my children guide their thoughts, words, and actions by the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi: "Make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy."

To celebrate humanity

Dear God, this world is filled with beautiful people, all of whom are your children. May my own children be free of discriminatory and judgmental attitudes toward others. Let them appreciate and celebrate the fact that people are red and yellow, black and white, tall and short, fat and thin, rich and poor, young and old.

For spiritual & emotional growth

Loving God, let my children be like Jesus who "grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" {Luke 2:52}.

To be salt & light

Gracious God, may my children learn how to cooperate rather than compete, to respect rather than revile, and to console rather than condemn. Even in their limited circles of influence, may they be "the salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" {Matt. 5:13-14}.

For protection

Eternal God, as my children go out this day may your loving protection go ahead of them, be behind them, hover over them, and stand beside them. This day protect them from every danger, disease, and trauma.

For faith in times of difficulty

Dear God, whenever my children face trial, trouble, or fear, let them naturally turn to you for guidance and strength. May my children know this powerful promise of scripture: "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" {Deut. 33:27}.

To remember the marginalized

Dear God, create in my children hearts of love and compassion for those whom society overlooks. Let them understand the importance of this biblical command: "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" {Heb. 13:3}.

For growth in grace

Loving God, day by day and in every way, let my children "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" {2 Peter 3:18}.

For contentment

Loving God, let my children cultivate the same spiritual contentment as did the Apostle Paul, who said: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want" {Phil. 4:11-12}.

To be unselfish

          Gracious God, give my children more love, more self-denial, more willingness to sacrifice for others. Let them understand deeply that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

For wisdom

Loving God, may your spirit be so present in the lives of my children that their thoughts are your thoughts and their ideas are your ideas.

To offer confession & seek forgiveness

Gracious God, may there be in my children no propensity for denial of truth and reality. When they err and do wrong, may they offer you confession and seek your forgiveness. Let them take comfort in your word, which says: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" {1 John 1:9}.

To be "clothed" in virtues

Dear God, may my children constantly and consistently be clothed "with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" {Col. 3:12}.

For humility in victory & dignity in defeat

Dear God, life is made up of valleys and peaks, wins and losses. There will be times when my children will make important gains and other times when they will feel the sting of losing. May they have humility in their victory and dignity in defeat.

For appreciation of God's creation

Loving God, show my children how to love all animals, birds, creatures, and all green and growing things. Help them to cherish and protect your creation.

For gratitude

Dear God, let gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving continuously flow from the lips of my children. May they "give thanks in all circumstances" {1 Thess. 5:18}.

For the courage of convictions

Gracious God, convictions mean nothing unless there is the courage to stand up for them. May my children "be strong and courageous" {Joshua 1:6}, standing up for those treated unkindly and unjustly.

For emotional & spiritual strength

Eternal God, whenever my children feel the pain of rejection by friends or feel they are the objects of ridicule, infuse them with emotional and spiritual strength. May they always remember that you are the strength of the weak, the refreshment of the weary, and the comforter of the heartbroken.

To be joyful Christian

Loving God, bless my children with the spirit of joy. May they smile naturally, laugh easily, rejoice in your gifts large and small. Let the words of the Psalmist resound in their lives: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" {Psalm 118:24}.

To be free from materialism

Gracious God, even in their youth let my children be free from materialism. May they enjoy their benefits, privileges, and material possessions without the constant clamor for more and more and more. And, should they be blessed with wealth in their adult years, may they know the importance of sharing and using their abundance to bless others.

For peace & justice

Eternal God, nurture in my children a love for the many people who live in poverty and misery. Arouse in their hearts a deep and abiding hunger for justice and peace.

To be filled with hope

Loving God, no matter what may befall my children, may they be so filled with hope that it prevents any despair from taking hold. With the Apostle I pray that you, "the God of hope" {Romans 15:13}, will fill them with all joy and peace.

For perseverance

Dear God, keep my children from becoming impatient and quitting prematurely. Develop within them endurance and perseverance so that when faced with major challenges and crises they do not easily give up. Let my children be "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" {Romans 12:12}.

For a passionate love of God 

Gracious God, cultivate in my children a passion to love and serve you. May my children have the same kind of passionate love for you as did this Psalm writer: "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you" {Psalms 9:2}.

For generosity of spirit

Loving God, instill in my children a desire to give of themselves. May they always be honorable in action, sincere in words, and gentle in their treatment of others.

To be forgiving

Eternal God, fill my children with the spirit of forgiveness. Whenever they are hurt, may they naturally forgive and thereby free themselves from the burden of resentment. May they take seriously this word from the Apostle: "Forgive as the Lord forgave you" {Col. 3:13}.

To have a teachable spirit

Gracious God, infuse in each of my children the awareness that the world is filled with teachers. May they see others as being sent by you into their lives to teach them to learn better patience, greater love, more compassion.

For the wise use of their talents

Loving God, thank you for filling my children with numerous gifts, talents, and abilities. As they mature, let them exercise wisdom in using their gifts to help others.

To be honest

Gracious God, let my children always exhibit honesty of conduct and honesty of speech. May there be nothing deceitful in what they say and do. Instill in them the awareness that life flows more smoothly when it is built around honesty.

To practice hospitality

Eternal God, may my children be open and affirming of all others. May they be the ones who reach out, embracing those who are left out or left behind.

    To be faithful in prayer 

 Gracious and loving God, help my children to live lives punctuated by prayer. With the Apostle may they "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" {Eph. 6:18}. May they be persistent and powerful in their praying.

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Parenting Today magazine. Written by Victor M. Parachin. Victor M. Parachin is a minister and writer living in Oklahoma.

Heart-Throbs

Four chambers: right and left atria and right and left ventricles. It has been medically proven that arteries and veins pumping blood through the heart are keeping us alive. It is the main organ we cannot live without, except the brain, of course. (The human brain is yet a mystery within itself.) How can it be that this beating, bleeding tissue within my chest can with-hold so much love and pain simultaneously? Sometimes I think I feel so much that my heart will beat right through the walls of my chest. My Mamma used to tell me, “Leigh-Ann, you have always worn your heart on your sleeve. It’s too easy for people to break.” No matter how deeply I have been wounded by someone I seem to always find ways to love them again, eventually.

“The value of feeling depends upon its cause.” Charles Spurgeon

Christian martyrs or those known for fighting and/or dying for their faith such as Polycarp, William Tyndale, John Huss, King Charles I, Joan of Arc, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and one of my favorites, Corrie Ten Boom. These people had strengths I’m certain I don’t have. My heart wouldn’t survive the fires and prisons and tortures of their lives and their deaths.

My heart gets broken on a daily basis sometimes. My children, they are capable of much breaking; whether it be hearts or vases. Needless to say we have lots of glue in our house! God’s glue that is! Dad, being “Mr. Fixit”, always has the answer in his hand-his “super-phone”! Meaning, he has God’s Word on his phone. What troubles me most are the times when we are reading God’s word, and though the answers are right there before our eyes, sometimes our children can’t see it! Truly, sometimes I can’t see it. (Or at least know how I should apply it.) Isn’t that how it is with lessons learned? It is seemingly clearest to those furthest from the problems. I can see yours and you can see mine. Trouble is seeing your own. AKA: Log in the Eye Syndrome. Hence my heart-throbs on…Beats per minute, about 140-160. Breaks per week-superfluous. God’s own heart was broken on Calvary. Surely, He suffered greatly at seeing Jesus relinquish his life on the cross. Knowing it was the will of the Father still didn’t squelch the spirit when he cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46, Psalm 22:1)


“Love and self-denial for the object loved go hand-in-hand. If I profess to love a certain person, and yet will neither give my silver nor my gold to relieve his wants, nor in any way deny myself comfort or ease for his sake, such love is contemptible; it wears the name, but lacks the reality of love: true love must be measured by the degree to which the person loving will be willing to subject himself to crosses and losses, to suffering and self-denials. After all, the value of a thing in the market is what a man will give for it, and you must estimate the value of a man’s love by that which he is willing to give up for it.” Charles Spurgeon

Life can be so bittersweet at times. Hearts ache and hearts break, that’s life. God knows our hearts and that’s important as we are learning to love Him more fully and love one another the way He expects us to. Watching your baby, who you would swear was just a newborn, wake up on her 15th birthday and she’s taller than you, or the knowing that you have labored through the potty training years for the very last time. These are the “bittersweets” for sure. From weaned babe to tumultuous teen seeking our permission to lay hands on the wheel of a 4-wheeled weapon of mass destruction, otherwise known as our Suburban, has definitely put a new spin on life for this mother of seven! And I press on. For I know that, “He who has begun a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”         Philippians 1:6

Blessings.