The Shepherd Press Blog

Parents and Life

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3

All of us can agree that the challenges of biblical parenting can at times appear overwhelming. Sometimes the responsibilities of parenting can loom so large as to distract us from the promises of God to care for us and the promise that the Scripture provides all that is needed for life and godliness. God calls upon us to be strong and courageous as we take up the challenge of parenting. It is this vital relationship of parents knowing, trusting and finding life from the word of God that is the most significant gift that can be given to children.

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

 

He has been good

I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.  —Psalm 13:6

Summer officially arrives 10 days from now. As the sun begins its six-month march southward amid days that relentlessly shorten, it seems that summer will be almost over before it even began. My wife and I used to look forward to summer as a time to get things done. We would plan ambitious projects for ourselves and our 5 children. Then, before we knew it, the leaves began to turn, signaling the approach of fall. Where did summer go?  (For those of you in the Southern Hemisphere I realize that winter is just beginning for you, so you have a six month head start to consider these things.)

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.

 

The Day After

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Modern culture has developed a curious practice for giving appreciation to others. It is a mixture of style and substance, with the emphasis on style. This practice is called Day. Day is an extremely flexible and adaptable concept. While Day has no particular religious significance, it is nonetheless observed with ritual and sacrifice. All one has to do to make Day fit almost any relational circumstance is to add an appropriate adjective. For example, there is Valentine’s Day, Secretary’s—oops, make that Administrative Professional’s—Day, Birth Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day. Day is able to adapt to almost any desire to show appreciation. Father’s Day and the just-celebrated Mother’s Day make Day a personal event. There is even a Day for gratitude. The retail industry is more than happy to help with the appreciation celebrations. Right now, Mother’s Day promotions are being replaced rapidly with themes for grads and dads.

 

Shaping Influences & Parental Legacy

2008 is a leap year. The Summer Olympic Games will be held. Who knows what memorable events from 2008 will go down in history? In America  there will be a presidential election.  That election also marks the end of a president’s term in office. As that term draws to a close much is made of the legacy of that president. Political observers ponder how history will view the legacy of a president. Some presidents become obsessed with their legacy—their place in history. Decisions are made with an eye towards protecting and enhancing the elusive prize of a favorable legacy. In the end, a president’s legacy is determined by what was done, not by how he wanted others to think of him.

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