The Shepherd Press Blog

Olympic Thoughts

Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD."

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

The Olympics are winding down this weekend. There have been many successes and many disappointments. Michael Phelps grabbed the attention of the world by winning 8 gold medals and setting 7 world records. Usain Bolt was equally impressive, setting three world records by winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes and the 4x100 men’s relay. The U.S. Volleyball teams are playing for gold after a tragic start to the games. But there are heartaches as well. The images of those who lost are as haunting as those of the winners are jubilant. The U.S.4x100 relay team efforts were forever defined by the video footage of a dropped baton rolling aimlessly across the lanes of the track.

Perspective – Talking to Your Children about the Midwest Floods

Your path led through the sea,
  your way through the mighty waters,
  though your footprints were not seen. Psalm 77:19

Last month I did a series of posts about the Asian floods and earthquakes and how the news media reported these events. Because these events happened on the other side of the world, they may not have seemed to be of immediate concern. It’s too bad, but life goes on. But now floods have come to the Midwest, the heartland of America. Many readers of this blog live in that area. Here is a quick survey of this morning’s headlines:

Flood Waters Keep Rising

Floods hit food prices

Cities of Sorrow

Another Levee Breaks in Western Illinois, threatening residents and farmland

 

God, Cyclones, Earthquakes and the News

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

In the latest mini-post I referenced the death and destruction that have occurred in Burma and China in the last few days. As of this date the AP reports that in Myanmar as many as 128,000 have died and over 2 ½ million have been severely impacted by the cyclone which devastated that region on May 3^rd of this year. In China, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck the  central part of that country this past Monday. The death toll is now estimated by the Chinese government to reach as high as 50,000. Fox News reports a Chinese government official as stating that over 4 million homes have been shattered in the region of the quake.

 

Mini-Post - Death & Destruction

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
       and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea...     Psalm 46:2

You have, no doubt, read or heard of the devastation in Burma and now in China. Tens of thousands are dead and many more are homeless. What do you think of these events? Why did they happen?

Your children are asking these questions. God wants you to give answers that will bring honor to him.

If you have questions about these events, please share them with us. The next post will look at what God has to say regarding what he has brought about.

God & Gas Prices

The law from your mouth is more precious to me
  than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. Psalm 119:72

Parenting that honors God must be consistent with what God says about himself in Scripture. Your appreciation and awe for God and his Son must increase, not decrease. In any relationship, if you begin to take someone for granted the strength of that relationship begins to decrease. Taking God for granted, as in not having growing love for him, will lead to inconsistency in the things you say and the things you do.  Children show particular expertise in detecting inconsistencies in parents. If you talk to you children about a God who is wonderful, about a Savior who means everything to you, but then you are down and discouraged about some event that didn’t go your way, you are being inconsistent. Your testimony about the wonder of God is diminished your children’s eyes.

 

Young Children, Teenagers & the National Day of Silence.

20 My son, keep your father's commands
       and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

21 Bind them upon your heart forever;
       fasten them around your neck.

22 When you walk, they will guide you;
       when you sleep, they will watch over you;
       when you awake, they will speak to you.

23 For these commands are a lamp,
       this teaching is a light,
       and the corrections of discipline
       are the way to life,

24 keeping you from the immoral woman,
       from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife.

In the last post we talked about the upcoming National Day of Silence. This event is sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Educational Network (GLSEN). You can check out the last post for details. In short this group is targeting middle and high schools across the United States in an effort to increase tolerance for those who have unbiblical sexual practices and  desires. These topics are difficult to talk to adults about, let alone middle school age children. Yet this is exactly what parents, church leaders and teachers must do if we are to prepare our children for the world they will enter.

 

 

Almost Always…

The fear of the LORD leads to life:
   Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.  —Proverbs 19:23

The fool says in his heart,
       "There is no God."  —Psalm 14:1

Note: a number of blogs and web sites have commented on this study.  It is important for parents to understand the movement of our culture towards a relativistic view of sin.

USA Today, on March 19^th, reported on the state of sin in  America. In an article titled “Has the notion of sin been lost?” the Nations’ Newspaper explores what people think about sin. The article highlights a study done by Ellison Research about sin. For purposes of the study, sin is defined as “something that is almost always considered wrong, particularly from a religious or moral perspective." We will examine this definition in a moment. First, here are some acts that Americans classify as sin. Next to each “sin” is the percentage of those surveyed who agreed that the action really is sin.