Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Biblical Daughters and Biblically Defined Sons

The traditional Judeo-Christian worldview is a thing of the past; moreover, the post-modern world in which we currently live is anything but relevant because there is no basis for truth. In fact, the contemporary idea that truth is relative, though not a new concept, is an amazingly destructive lie. Indeed, raising Biblical sons and daughters in today's culture is a rather daunting task! Yet this calling from God isn't an objective but a command. It says in Deuteronomy 6:6-8:

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home
and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hand and bind them
on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your
houses on on your gates" (NIV).

These words written thousands of years ago are just as relevant now as they were then. They are clear and instructive, and they are profoundly convicting!

Today's youth are woefully unprepared to enter into marriage, establish their own homes, or raise a godly generation of children. A lack of Biblical knowledge and discernment has certainly added to this, along with a culture replete with selfishness, an over abundance of entertainment and visual stimulation, and an early participation in sexual activity. Our children are being fed the lie that they can be and do anything that they want to be or do; that the Bible is silent on these matters.

Our daughters are led to believe that God has nothing to say on issues such as women enlisting in the military or mothers putting their children in daycare in order to pursue a more "fulfilling" career; moreover, our sons are ridiculed for recognizing the value of their roles as protectors.

Equally upsetting is the portrayal of men and women in today's movie culture. Masculine women, kicking and fighting their way into what once were traditionally male roles, and feminized men who let women lead them pervade our television sets and our minds each day.

Men and women are regarded as having no differences between them or their roles. However, the Bible very clearly distinguishes between the roles of men and women. Though equal in their image bearing and importance, they are not equal in their functions or responsibilities; instead they complement each other. In addition to these differences and roles the Bible instructs us and our children in areas of modesty, righteousness, and integrity. In short, it calls us to be Biblical men and women.

As we get caught up in the busyness of the world around us, we have to be very deliberate in our approach to training our children; it takes more than modeling. It takes time, hard work, prayer, and diligent instruction. It doesn't just happen! Let's help our children have a true knowledge and a firm conviction of what the Bible has to say about being men and women of God. Let's help our daughters embrace Biblical femininity and take pleasure in being godly wives and mothers. Let's create in our sons a desire to lead, protect, and restore godly masculinity to a world that has rejected the God-given differences between men and women. Finally, let's teach our children how to walk with the wise and gain instruction from them.

For resources to help you achieve these goals, visit BeautifulBiblicalWomanhood.com and BiblicallyDefinedManhood.com.


Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Delighting in the Law of God

Training sons and daughters to be Biblical young men and women is a daunting task and requires patience, diligence, perseverance, and much prayer. However, we are not left helpless in this task for God has given us much instruction about it in His word. The books of Psalms and Proverbs provide us with much material and the Holy Spirit guides us as we apply these truths in the upbringing of our children.

A huge lesson my husband and I learned as we raised our children was that the only way to get our children to delight in the laws of God was for us to truly delight in them ourselves and then to share that delight with them. As obvious as that may seem, it requires careful consideration of how we communicate with our children. For example, our delight in Sunday worship reflects to our children the love we have for the Lord and His people. The complaint, "Why do we have to go to church?" is replied with "Why are we so privileged and so honored to be able to go to church. What a blessing that we don't deserve!" If this is followed by genuine joy and our children see the love we have for worship, we have communicated much.

Psalm 119 reflects much on the blessings that are received to those who "walk according to the law of the Lord" and whose "statutes are my delight; they are my counselors"(Psalm 119: 1b,24). It would do our families and are children well to memorize scripture
and delight in it. Psalm 119:9-16 sums it up very well.

"How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word."

Delighting in the Law of God is the most important communication we can give our children as we train our daughters to be beautiful Biblical women and our sons to be Biblically defined men.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Do The Next Thing!

Biblical daughters and Biblically defined sons would richly benefit from reading great poetry. The beautiful book of Psalms in the Bible is a good place to start. Additionally, people throughout the ages have inspired us, both emotionally and spiritually, with timeless advice and wisdom through verse and song.

Elisabeth Elliot, speaker, author, and wife of the murdered missionary Jim Elliot, had an old English poem that she often shared in her writings and on her radio program Gateway to Joy. The poem which was entitled "Do The Next Thing" had a huge impact on my life. The memory of this poem has often encouraged me to keep on going when I have been discouraged, worried, or afraid.

Do The Next Thing

At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
There came in the twilight a message to me,
Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven
That, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.
And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
Like a low inspiration, Do The Next Thing.

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, Do The Next Thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer:
Do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
Leave all results, Do The Next Thing.

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering be thy demeanor;
In his dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance, be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing,
Then, as He beckons, Do The Next Thing.

Author Unknown

This poem has often come to my mind when I thought I couldn't go on. However, I would be reminded to first talk to God about it, worship Him with thankfulness, and then go and Do The Next Thing.