"There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands,
there is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good. There is not even one."
"Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving."
"The poison of asps is under their lips";
"Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness";
"Their feet are swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their paths, and the path of peace have they not known."
"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Romans 3:10-18
The above passage was written by Paul, addressing the human condition. In the past I've heard that Paul was referring to the Pharisees when he wrote this, but in the hard-to-digest, but very meaty book "Renovation of the Heart", Dallas Willard purports that "the Pharisee only makes the true human condition more obvious by all his protestations of righteousness and his flamboyant religiosity." Ouch!
Here's another quote from the book, expounding on v. 18, "There is no fear of God before their eyes. Fear of God, the Proverb tells us, is the beginning of wisdom (Pro. 9:10). Although not the end or the outcome of wisdom, to be sure, it is the indispensable beginning, I believe, and the principle part. One begins to get smart when he or she fears being crosswise of God; fear of not doing what he wants and not being as he requires."
"Fear is the anticipation of harm. The intelligent person recognizes that his or her well-being lies in being in harmony with God and what God is doing in the kingdom. God is not mean, but he is dangerous. It is the same with great forces he has placed in reality. Electricity and nuclear power, for example, are not mean, but they are dangerous. One who does not, in a certain sense, "worry" about God, simply isn't smart. And that is the point of the verse."
This book is about spiritual maturity and getting serious about having the character of Christ. It's not full of cliches or formulas, but emphasizes the marred divinity in each of us. It feels trite (and dishonest) to say I'm enjoying it, but it rings true (unfortunately.)
Are you reading anything that is helping grow your spiritual life? I'd love to hear about it.
Showing posts with label Glorious Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Glorious Books. Show all posts
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Monday, January 12, 2009
Do What I Say, Not What I Did
Yesterday in Sunday School we watched the next video in the Shepherding Your Child's Heart series by Tedd Tripp. As I've mentioned before, the book by that name is my all-time favorite, #1 must read for parents. Unfortunately, Scriptural parenting must be second nature for Dr. Tripp because the book is a little short on application. And of course most parents would like to skip the foundation and get straight to what to do with their lazy, window-breaking (that would be Andrew...yesterday), ingrate of a child.
In the past I have suggested using Tripp's book as the foundation - then building on it with Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes ...In you and your Child, by Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller. I still love that book, especially the way the authors substitute honor for obedience (thus eliminating the "I'm not a child anymore" excuse). Since we never outgrow the command to extend honor - why not start with that verbage from the get-go? The book is extremely application-oriente and is an easy, fast read.
My second favorite thing about Say Goodbye, etc. is the way they teach children to make an appeal to a parent's instruction or a decision. It's a very respectful avenue for both the child and the parent. It's also less likely to be abused than other 'techniques' I've tried over the years. (Note to self: Reteach this to my kids ASAP!)
Back to the Tripp video yesterday -
The video series is WAY BETTER than the book. By watching Rev. Tripp you get a sense of his love for children and his amazing knowledge of the Word. He gives lots of examples and truly takes the parent from "hearing the Word" to "doing the Word" in relation to their child rearing. I can't recommend it enough. He's even funny at times.
Get your church to buy it and either watch it as a SS class, or use it as a tool in your home to help parents- or just hoard it for yourself. Actually, it's not just for parents. It would be beneficial for anyone who comes in contact with children (teachers, grandparents, singles who want a head-start, members of churches that teach covenant theology...) but since it is about using the Scriptures to change hearts - It's for all humans. That will cover almost everyone you know. Right?
Yesterday's video was about The Teen Years. I only wish I had learned this stuff about 17 years ago when I had my first teen! But I will console myself with the fact that I currently have 5 teens in my house, with two to go. So, I have 7 more chances to try and figure this thing out. On the off chance that God may be continuing to give me children to practice on, I aim to get it straight with my current brood.
Here are a few random notes from yesterday's video -
In the teen years the goal is to help your child internalize the gospel. Much will depend on our interaction with them. Dr. Tripp exhorts us to "engage" them and respectfully challenge their wrong decisions vs. using reckless words (Pro. 12:18). As parents see their power slip away, their words tend to become more reckless and destructive. (Truer words have never been spoken!)
When (not IF) your teen makes a decision you wouldn't have made the same way (Shocker!), try to understand their choice (again, by engaging them) and attempt to discern if that choice reflects a problem within their heart. If so, address that heart problem (vs. verbally attacking them - or locking yourself in your bedroom - or throwing your purse at them ...None of which work.....Or so I've heard from a Very Close Source.) Difficult circumstances should become triggers that provide for opportunities of engagement rather than a time when you put your foot down.
When teenagers have questions about their faith and Christianity, don't be defensive. Rather, have an attitude of - Bring the questions on! (This is why you should be studying your bibles now, young parents. There may not be time for cramming later.)
The lesson ended with Dr. Tripp encouraging us to help our teens internalize the Gospel by making sure they have plenty of opportunities to understand how glorious and great God is. (Be sure they're under good, solid biblical teaching - not "feel good, I'm OK - You're OK, mamby-pamby preaching". And share your love of God with your teen. Tell them about the amazing grace that saved a wretch like YOU!)
He also suggested the teen years as a great time to read through the prophets, with their focus on judgment for sin, and to make sure your teen understands the reality that they are accountable to this same God.
Well, that's enough for you to work on today. Come back when you finish (hah! hah!)
In the past I have suggested using Tripp's book as the foundation - then building on it with Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes ...In you and your Child, by Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller. I still love that book, especially the way the authors substitute honor for obedience (thus eliminating the "I'm not a child anymore" excuse). Since we never outgrow the command to extend honor - why not start with that verbage from the get-go? The book is extremely application-oriente and is an easy, fast read.
My second favorite thing about Say Goodbye, etc. is the way they teach children to make an appeal to a parent's instruction or a decision. It's a very respectful avenue for both the child and the parent. It's also less likely to be abused than other 'techniques' I've tried over the years. (Note to self: Reteach this to my kids ASAP!)
Back to the Tripp video yesterday -
The video series is WAY BETTER than the book. By watching Rev. Tripp you get a sense of his love for children and his amazing knowledge of the Word. He gives lots of examples and truly takes the parent from "hearing the Word" to "doing the Word" in relation to their child rearing. I can't recommend it enough. He's even funny at times.
Get your church to buy it and either watch it as a SS class, or use it as a tool in your home to help parents- or just hoard it for yourself. Actually, it's not just for parents. It would be beneficial for anyone who comes in contact with children (teachers, grandparents, singles who want a head-start, members of churches that teach covenant theology...) but since it is about using the Scriptures to change hearts - It's for all humans. That will cover almost everyone you know. Right?
Yesterday's video was about The Teen Years. I only wish I had learned this stuff about 17 years ago when I had my first teen! But I will console myself with the fact that I currently have 5 teens in my house, with two to go. So, I have 7 more chances to try and figure this thing out. On the off chance that God may be continuing to give me children to practice on, I aim to get it straight with my current brood.
Here are a few random notes from yesterday's video -
In the teen years the goal is to help your child internalize the gospel. Much will depend on our interaction with them. Dr. Tripp exhorts us to "engage" them and respectfully challenge their wrong decisions vs. using reckless words (Pro. 12:18). As parents see their power slip away, their words tend to become more reckless and destructive. (Truer words have never been spoken!)
When (not IF) your teen makes a decision you wouldn't have made the same way (Shocker!), try to understand their choice (again, by engaging them) and attempt to discern if that choice reflects a problem within their heart. If so, address that heart problem (vs. verbally attacking them - or locking yourself in your bedroom - or throwing your purse at them ...None of which work.....Or so I've heard from a Very Close Source.) Difficult circumstances should become triggers that provide for opportunities of engagement rather than a time when you put your foot down.
When teenagers have questions about their faith and Christianity, don't be defensive. Rather, have an attitude of - Bring the questions on! (This is why you should be studying your bibles now, young parents. There may not be time for cramming later.)
The lesson ended with Dr. Tripp encouraging us to help our teens internalize the Gospel by making sure they have plenty of opportunities to understand how glorious and great God is. (Be sure they're under good, solid biblical teaching - not "feel good, I'm OK - You're OK, mamby-pamby preaching". And share your love of God with your teen. Tell them about the amazing grace that saved a wretch like YOU!)
He also suggested the teen years as a great time to read through the prophets, with their focus on judgment for sin, and to make sure your teen understands the reality that they are accountable to this same God.
Well, that's enough for you to work on today. Come back when you finish (hah! hah!)
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Sabbath Reading - and an epiphany
In our effort to make the Sabbath a delight, a delight that might glorify God and help us enjoy Him forever (see catechism Q.1), we try to read certain books on Sunday afternoons instead of our usual weekday fare of school-related books or fiction, twaddle, etc. We're not legalistic about it, since the words that feed one person's soul might leave anothers hungry.
For instance, today Molly chose "A Child's Garden of Verses". Not exactly a theological treatise, but she said the poetry makes her feel close to God (and it is her mother's favorite poet.) I'm not one to argue (cough:cough:gag),and she also had an Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Story book in her hands, so I sent her off to her Sabbath Rest Reading with my approval.
Mary-Faith is reading The Holiness of God for her summer school reading, so I could hardly object to her using a Sunday afternoon for "academics".
Daniel always naps with me (he thinks this is a privilege, but I know he will fall asleep next to my warm, flabby body vs. being kept awake by his noise-making brothers in the Boys Dorm.) He's reading Prince Caspian (again...) This would not be soul-feeding to me, but he struggles to read anything at all, so again ...I'm not complaining (yet.)
Justin sleeps every Sunday afternoon. The whole two hours. He says his soul needs rest more than literature. He is the most phlegmatic child In.The.World.
Alex, who is a great reader, listens to tapes on Sundays because he says reading makes him sleepy (which I need to remind him, is a perfectly acceptable and even highly recommended Sabbath activity.) Today he listened to some Adventures in Odyssey bible tapes.
Andrew, who should be watched like a hawk at all times, chose Hank the Cowdog for his Sabbath reading. At best, an amoral book. And that's being gracious. Hank can at times be disrespectful and rude (and is absolutely hilarious!)
When confronted about the inappropriateness of his choice, Andrew responded, "I also read Click, Cow, Moo: Cows that Type - which we got from ChickFilA, which is closed on Sundays...so I thought it would be OK." He may be deceptive, but he should get some credit for thinking on his feet.
Winston did origami in his bed today instead of reading. He didn't even try to make up an excuse. He's at that 16yo age where he'd rather just take some reprimanding than use the energy to defend himself.
All that prelude just to prove that my choice for today wasn't so bad. I've been reading "Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning", by Douglas Wilson, in preparation for the kids to take classes at a local classical school.
It's overdue so I couldn't renew it online, and I'm feverishly trying to finish it up before Monday. While reading into the wee hours last night, I came to a chapter called "The Student in Adam", which I purposely saved for my reading time today.
I was feeling a bit hypocritical, perhaps stretching my logic a bit to justify my choice - but I feel redeemed because the chapter contains many soul-instructing pieces like this (if you put 'parent' in place of 'teacher', and your children's names in place of 'student' it will make more sense):
"...each child still bears the imago Dei, the image of God. That image has been marred and defaced through sin and must be restored in Christ, but it still remains. Although students are sinners, desperately in need of the grace of God, they have true dignity. J.C.Ryle addressed both aspects of man well when he said, 'We can acknowledge that man has all the marks of a majestic temple about him - a temple in which God once dwelt, but a temple which is now in utter ruins - a temple in which a shattered window here, and a doorway there, and a column there, still give some faint idea of the magnificence of the original design, but a temple which from end to end has lost its glory and fallen from its high estate.'
"This Christian perspective of man as a transgressor against the law of God does not destroy the concept of human dignity. Because man is fully responsible in his rebellion, he is treated as a person. His personhood and dignity are gifts to him from God and are to be respected. In education, the teacher must maintain, at all times, this respect for the student. For example, humiliating discipline should not be applied in front of the other students. Name calling should not be done at all. The discipline is to be administered privately. The student belongs to a sinful, fallen race, but the teacher came from that same race, and they both bear the image of God."
While I'm glad the teachers at the classical school have been required to read this book, the passage spoke to me as a parent. I confess - I don't think about my kids bearing the image of God and my need to respect them for that particular reason.
Brite, Shepherd, Jacqueline, Hunter, Winston, Mary-Faith, Justin, Alex, Andrew, Molly Grace, and Daniel .....and their parents, Temples of God - made in His image,
to be respected and treated with dignity in all our dealings - even during this slow walk towards sanctification. And only accomplished through the grace of God.
Hoping this new insight makes a difference in the way I view my family, warts and all....
Debbie
For instance, today Molly chose "A Child's Garden of Verses". Not exactly a theological treatise, but she said the poetry makes her feel close to God (and it is her mother's favorite poet.) I'm not one to argue (cough:cough:gag),and she also had an Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Story book in her hands, so I sent her off to her Sabbath Rest Reading with my approval.
Mary-Faith is reading The Holiness of God for her summer school reading, so I could hardly object to her using a Sunday afternoon for "academics".
Daniel always naps with me (he thinks this is a privilege, but I know he will fall asleep next to my warm, flabby body vs. being kept awake by his noise-making brothers in the Boys Dorm.) He's reading Prince Caspian (again...) This would not be soul-feeding to me, but he struggles to read anything at all, so again ...I'm not complaining (yet.)
Justin sleeps every Sunday afternoon. The whole two hours. He says his soul needs rest more than literature. He is the most phlegmatic child In.The.World.
Alex, who is a great reader, listens to tapes on Sundays because he says reading makes him sleepy (which I need to remind him, is a perfectly acceptable and even highly recommended Sabbath activity.) Today he listened to some Adventures in Odyssey bible tapes.
Andrew, who should be watched like a hawk at all times, chose Hank the Cowdog for his Sabbath reading. At best, an amoral book. And that's being gracious. Hank can at times be disrespectful and rude (and is absolutely hilarious!)
When confronted about the inappropriateness of his choice, Andrew responded, "I also read Click, Cow, Moo: Cows that Type - which we got from ChickFilA, which is closed on Sundays...so I thought it would be OK." He may be deceptive, but he should get some credit for thinking on his feet.
Winston did origami in his bed today instead of reading. He didn't even try to make up an excuse. He's at that 16yo age where he'd rather just take some reprimanding than use the energy to defend himself.
All that prelude just to prove that my choice for today wasn't so bad. I've been reading "Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning", by Douglas Wilson, in preparation for the kids to take classes at a local classical school.
It's overdue so I couldn't renew it online, and I'm feverishly trying to finish it up before Monday. While reading into the wee hours last night, I came to a chapter called "The Student in Adam", which I purposely saved for my reading time today.
I was feeling a bit hypocritical, perhaps stretching my logic a bit to justify my choice - but I feel redeemed because the chapter contains many soul-instructing pieces like this (if you put 'parent' in place of 'teacher', and your children's names in place of 'student' it will make more sense):
"...each child still bears the imago Dei, the image of God. That image has been marred and defaced through sin and must be restored in Christ, but it still remains. Although students are sinners, desperately in need of the grace of God, they have true dignity. J.C.Ryle addressed both aspects of man well when he said, 'We can acknowledge that man has all the marks of a majestic temple about him - a temple in which God once dwelt, but a temple which is now in utter ruins - a temple in which a shattered window here, and a doorway there, and a column there, still give some faint idea of the magnificence of the original design, but a temple which from end to end has lost its glory and fallen from its high estate.'
"This Christian perspective of man as a transgressor against the law of God does not destroy the concept of human dignity. Because man is fully responsible in his rebellion, he is treated as a person. His personhood and dignity are gifts to him from God and are to be respected. In education, the teacher must maintain, at all times, this respect for the student. For example, humiliating discipline should not be applied in front of the other students. Name calling should not be done at all. The discipline is to be administered privately. The student belongs to a sinful, fallen race, but the teacher came from that same race, and they both bear the image of God."
While I'm glad the teachers at the classical school have been required to read this book, the passage spoke to me as a parent. I confess - I don't think about my kids bearing the image of God and my need to respect them for that particular reason.
Brite, Shepherd, Jacqueline, Hunter, Winston, Mary-Faith, Justin, Alex, Andrew, Molly Grace, and Daniel .....and their parents, Temples of God - made in His image,
to be respected and treated with dignity in all our dealings - even during this slow walk towards sanctification. And only accomplished through the grace of God.
Hoping this new insight makes a difference in the way I view my family, warts and all....
Debbie
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