The Shepherd Press Blog

The Super Bowl and Proverbs 4:23

 

The message of Proverbs 4:23 is an ominous, as well as a gracious, warning.

Above all else, guard your heart,
     for it is the wellspring of life.

There is urgency in these words of Solomon. Above all else carries an ominous tone. The Holy Spirit is saying, “Pay attention!” The warning is also gracious. You are being told what is really important. Parents, you must faithfully and frequently give this warning to your children.

The reason for warnings is that dangers often come when they are least expected. This weekend’s Super Bowl is no exception. After the infamous half-time “wardrobe malfunction” the NFL vowed to make the game more family-friendly, but I don’t think the league had Proverbs 4:23 in mind when they made that promise. The real dangers are more subtle and pervasive than those from which the NFL will guard you.

How I Hated Discipline

How I Hated Discipline

11 At the end of your life you will groan,
       when your flesh and body are spent.

12 You will say, "How I hated discipline!
       How my heart spurned correction!

13 I would not obey my teachers
       or listen to my instructors.

14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin
       in the midst of the whole assembly."

Two recent posts made a connection between the problems of midlife and the problems parents face in childrearing. It is encouraging to see that God so wonderfully provides for the issues of midlife in his Word. And also, it is essential to see that what happens now in childrearing may well bear fruit when your children reach midlife. Proverbs draws this comparison even more closely.

Guide to Family Worship

Psalm 78 verse 4 says:

We will not hide them from their children;
       we will tell the next generation
       the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
       his power, and the wonders he has done.

An important component of shepherding your family is to have regular family worship.

We are making available for you a free, downloadable guide to help you have a regular program of family worship.

There is no better gift to give your children than coming together as a family to honor God.

As you use this guide, let us know about it. In this way you can help encourage others in this important service to Christ.

Download family_worship_guide.pdf

Midlife: A Portrait #2

Powerful Personal Interpretations and Your Children

In this brief series of posts we are taking advantage of the excellent work done by Paul Tripp in his book Lost in the Middle. One thing that Paul and Tedd Tripp have made abundantly clear in their writings is that it is the heart that drives us as people. This is true for people of all ages. Whether it is in mid life, in the toddler years, in youth or in old age, humans are heart driven people. People seek the treasures that their hearts long for. Christ clearly teaches about this relationship between treasures and heart in Matthew 6:19-21:

19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Midlife: A Portrait

The next few posts are drawn from the penetrating insights of Paul David Tripp’s book Lost in the Middle. These insights intersect with the biblical perspectives taught in Tedd Tripp’s Shepherding a Child’s Heart. I can almost hear someone asking, “What does a book on midlife have to do with a book on childrearing?”  The connection is this: what rules those in midlife also rules children. That connection, of course, is the heart.

Proverbs 4:23 says:

Above all else, guard your heart,
       for it is the wellspring of life.

The heart determines the things that matter most to us. Our treasures in this world reflect the true longings of our hearts. This is true for everyone, including both the child and the midlife adult. In chapter 1 of Lost in the Middle Paul Tripp sketches a portrait of life. This sketch is helpful not only for those in midlife, but also for understanding the ruling desires of children. As we look at some of these dominant themes in midlife, also look at how these same themes are at work in your children. It is not difficult to project these ruling attitudes and desires into midlife. By identifying these themes in your children now you can begin to prepare your children to chart a safe course through the turbulent waters of midlife.

The Death of the Grown-Up

If you are a grown-up you may find it surprising to read that you have died! Diana West has written a timely book about the direction of our culture. The Death of the Grow-up is the title. Her book examines how the 20th century moved towards the worship of a youth culture, especially teenagers.

As Christians, this observation should not come as a surprise to us. Biblical principles of child-rearing have long been put aside. These principles were replaced with a child-centered approach advocated by the mainstream of 20^th century educational thinkers such as John Dewey.  Shepherding and instructing children are now seen as archaic in the dimming light of the 21st Century. It is now politically incorrect to think that parents should actually instruct children. This is the fruit of attempting to leave God out of the social fabric of our society. Instruction in the ways of righteousness is perceived as arrogance or even perversion itself.

West quotes Dwight MacDonald in her book, who observed this disturbing trend in 1958. MacDonald notes ” …it is not the duty of children toward their parents but precisely the opposite.” This observation has become reality. 

Now writing some 50 years later Paul David Tripp writes about those who have lost their way in midlife. In next few blog posts we will take a look at some of Paul’s insight into the struggles of midlife. One valuable lesson that can be learned from this journey is to recognize patterns in your children now that can lead to struggles in midlife later on. This is yet another reason to focus and hold on to the precious truths in the Scripture regarding raising your children.

See you next week!

Crisis Prevention 2008 – part two

As Tedd Tripp points out, too often problems arise when behavioral issues are not addressed at the source. When parents evaluate the challenges of child-rearing by looking only at behavior they find themselves in catch-up mode. Eventually, a full-blown crisis will emerge because symptoms and not root causes were addressed. Shepherding a Child's Heart redirected the thoughts of parents to the significance of the role of the heart in training children. In one sense, this book is about understanding the impact of one verse of Scripture - Proverbs 4:23:

Above all else, guard your heart,
        for it is the wellspring of life.

Parents, the most important step you can follow in leading your children is to understand the difference between only addressing behavior and biblically reaching out to the heart. Fixing behavior will eventually lead to a crisis, either in the short-term or in the months and years to come. Addressing the heart will turn potential crises into opportunities for growth and true spiritual change.

Shepherd Press offers books that will help you address the issues of the heart and the crucial role of the gospel in your parenting. In coming days we will post practical examples of what this looks like. These examples flow from the principles and teaching found in the books we publish. Below is a brief introduction to some of these titles.

Shepherding a Child’s Heart – by Tedd Tripp

Perhaps the foundational book on child rearing of our generation. 

 

Don’t Make Me Count to Three – by Ginger Plowman

Warmly written from a mom’s point of view, this book provides biblical insight about reaching the heart of your child.

 

Herein is Love Commentary Series – by Nancy Ganz

This series is deserving of a separate post which will be forthcoming. If parents are going to address the heart having regular family worship and bible study directed to children is essential. These commentaries fit this need.

 

Everyday Talk – by John Younts

Learn how to make conversations about God a natural part of your everyday life.

 

Why not take a moment to comment on how these books have made a difference in your life. Keep checking back for examples and other resources to help avoid behavioral crises in 2008!

 

 

Crisis Prevention 2008

Often new years bring new crises. Here is a plan to perhaps lower the number of crises you and your family may face in 2008.  Much of Christian writing about families addresses various crises in which folks may find themselves entangled in. In counterpoint to these materials, which are often needed, many of the titles from Shepherd Press actually help you eliminate some crises before they actually begin.

 

The Proverbs encourage you to a life of anticipation of evil snares which may lie ahead. This encouragement begins in the first chapter. Solomon’s wisdom is:

  2 for attaining wisdom and discipline;
       for understanding words of insight;

3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
       doing what is right and just and fair;

 

We offer titles which address biblically important topics for your family. These books will help prepare you for the challenges that lie ahead in 2008. Faithful application of the principles taught in these books may actually turn potential crises into solved problems where God is honored.  Check these out.

For marriage:

When Sinners say I do – Dave Harvey

"The best book on marriage I have read" - Paul David Tripp

WTSBOOKS.com #1 Book of the Year

 

Heaven at Home - Ginger Plowman

    "Heaven at Home is full of practical, biblical wisdom and counsel for women who want to experience the reality of God's presence in their home."

 

                  ─ Nancy Leigh DeMoss,     Host of Revive Our Hearts radio

The 7 Hardest Things God Asks a Woman to Do,

Kathie Reimer & Lisa Whittle

Prepare to be moved, inspired, mentored, and encouraged! I'll be recommending this book to all my friends.”       

       Lysa TerKeurst

Next time, a look at some parenting titles.

Happy New Year!!