Showing posts with label Child Raising. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Child Raising. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Priceless Moments In Fatherhood

I have had a hard time in general when living in Denmark. Sure the summers are beautiful . . . it's just the other 11 months. They keep telling me global warming is coming but it's not coming fast enough. And, truth be told, these are petty and selfish grievances in the light of the sufferings of those in the persecuted church. The real struggle living in Denmark is the total lack of biblical churches. Prior to our church plant I had only attended one church meeting in three years where the Gospel was faithfully preached. And that guy never preached again! The nearest fellowship that feeds the flock with verse by verse expository preaching is in Berlin! For those of you who struggle with Geography, Berlin is in Germany - another country!

This forced my family into a corner. Either we start a church or leave altogether. Well we met a few other like-minded couples to help us venture into the uncharted waters of planting a church. We have now up and moved to another town in Denmark to be close to our colaborers. We are also very grateful for the great assistance that Paul Washer and Heart Cry Missionary provided in laying the groundwork for this pioneering work.

Now, by God's grace, we are up and running and have already had our first two official services. One of the great pleasures of this is that I no longer have to de-program my six year old daughter after being exposed to false teaching. But what has surprised me is how quickly the change has affected her.

To my total surprise, during our open prayer meeting, my little girl chimed in praying of her own initiative. You can't pay me money for that - and it was a good prayer too, thanking Jesus for dying on the cross. But it didn't end there. As the next hymn was announced she picked up a song book, found the aforementioned hymn, and sang along with us reading the words as she went. Cameron was one big proud daddy!

I can never claim to be a model father. But these experiences remind me of the importance of discipling our kids. One of the scariest phrases in the Bible is found in Proverbs concerning disciplining our children. It says to discipline them "while there is hope". I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but I know that verse is a stern warning that there comes a time when it is too late. Training up our children in the "way they should go" is a safe investment with certain dividends - even in a financial crisis. Denmark is a land where almost all children are being "discipled" in institutionalized day care while both parents work. It's not hard to see the gathering clouds of judgment on the horizon. Paul Washer was struck by the scale of this tragedy when he was in Denmark. This was his response . . .

Friday, September 18, 2009

Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 7)

The Savior

It has been said that as parents we spend the first two years of a child’s life teaching them to walk and talk and the next twenty years trying to make them sit down and shut up. But spanking done properly drives deeper than external behavior. It realizes that sinful external behavior is the fruit of a sinful heart. And only God is powerful enough to change that sinful heart. Rectifying behavior is a nice byproduct and a superficial goal. But if we approach discipline with an eternal perspective we will see something much bigger.

Every time that you discipline a child and every time that you decide not to discipline a child, you are telling that child something about God and you are hardwiring into that child lessons about God that are going to be there for the rest of the life of that child. (Russell D Moore – The Purpose Driven Paddle audio)

The heart of biblical discipline is to teach our children about God. It teaches them that sin has serious consequences. It reveals that sin is the fruit of their sinful nature and it cultivates a hunger for righteousness. Now we simply aren’t powerful enough to make our children righteous, but our loving discipline done right will point them to the only source of true righteousness – the Savior Jesus Christ.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (IICorinthians 5:21 ESV).

So don’t avoid that sacred cow called spanking. Trust the Maker’s Manual and
take it by the horns!

Go Back To Part 6
Go Back To Part 1

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 6)

The Scriptures

The big picture that hangs above this discussion is the authority of Scripture. What is most alarming about “Christian” parents who refuse to spank their children is not a low view of physical discipline, but a low view of Scripture. When you hear a friend utter the words “I know the Bible says this but . . . “ you can be sure that the rest of the sentence will be irrelevant. IITimothy 3:16 tells us that “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness”.

You might have seen the popular bumper sticker with the words “God said it, I believe it, that settles it!” But the fact of the matter is that when it comes to the necessity of physical discipline in child rearing – God said it and that settles it whether we believe it or not!

Concludes Friday with part 7 - The Savior

Go On To Part 7
Go Back To Part 5
Go Back To Part 1

Monday, September 14, 2009

Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 5)

The Straw Man

A “straw man argument” is when an opponent’s position is misrepresented and then argued against. Modern psychology has employed this tactic to great effect in distorting what Scripture says about physical discipline. Heated rhetoric is often deployed in an attempt to portray the “rod of correction” approach to discipline as one of violence, anger, and physical harm. Many churchgoers buy into this lie and shun what Scripture clearly teaches. Author Tedd Tripp sheds much needed light on what the “rod” really is:

The rod is a parent, in faith toward God and faithfulness toward his or her children, undertaking the responsibility of careful, timely, measured, and controlled use of physical punishment to underscore the importance of obeying God, thus rescuing the child from continuing in his foolishness until death (Shepherding a Child’s Heart p104).

The godly parent understands that healthy communication works hand in hand with physical discipline. He never disciplines out of frustration, anger, or revenge and never to inflict physical harm. Famous Bible teacher John Piper had these profound words to say “you don't damage a child. You don't give him a black eye or break his arm. Children have little fat bottoms so that they can be whopped” (http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/104/3594_Would_Jesus_spank_a_child/). Godly parenting sees spanking as a biblically mandated and integral part of lovingly raising children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord”. Better still is the joy of reconciliation that follows the satisfactory punishment of rebellion.

Physical discipline is merely a shadow of the discipline that God metes out to His children. In fact, Hebrews 12 tells us that discipline from our Heavenly Father confirms that we are His children. What better way to reflect this truth to our children than by discharging our God ordained duty as parents who lovingly discipline.

Continues on Wednesday with part 6 - The Scriptures

Go On To Part 6
Go Back To Part 4
Go Back To Part 1

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 4)

The Stakes

So how important is it to deal with the sinful nature? According to Scripture, the stakes are huge:

Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death (Proverbs 19:18 NASB). The imperative to discipline “while there is hope” certainly implies that a time is coming when it will be too late. “Do not desire his death” – it is clear that God sees discipline as a matter of life and death.

Thou shalt beat him with the rod and shalt deliver his soul from hell (Proverbs 23:14 KJV). Not only is discipline a matter of life and death, but physical discipline has eternal ramifications.

And if you love your children too much to spank them then consider this verse: Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him (Proverbs 13:24 ESV).

So why should spanking be an integral element of disciplining our children? Because God said so – that’s why!!!

Continues on Monday with part 5 - The Straw Man

Go On To Part 5
Go Back To Part 3
Go Back To Part 1

Friday, September 11, 2009

Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 3)

The Sinner

Recognizing our sinful nature should be a big no-brainer for any parent. It’s why doors have locks, banks have vaults, and jails are full. The Bible teaches that sin is transgression of God’s law (IJohn 3:4) and the Ten Commandments express this in our thoughts, words, and deeds. They reveal that our offences against God run much deeper than we can imagine, leaving all of humanity guilty before God (Romans 3:23).

The root of the problem goes way deeper than our sinful behavior. Scripture does not teach us that we are sinners because we sin, it teaches us that we sin because we are sinners. It is our nature. Nowhere is this more evident than in the lives of our children. We never have to teach them to lie, covet, rebel, or act selfishly - our little “angels” are all born with a PHD.

Continues on Sunday with part 4 - The Stakes

Go On To Part 4
Go Back To Part 2
Go Back To Part 1

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 2)

The Stronghold

When it comes to child rearing and discipline it would seem that modern psychology has hijacked the discussion altogether. The general thrust of this approach is aimed at building a healthy self esteem in the child rather than pointing out the error of his way. There are only two problems with the philosophy of self-esteem; one, it’s unbiblical and two, it doesn’t work (other than that it’s ok). Nowhere does Scripture teach us to have a high view of self. In fact it consistently teaches the exact opposite. Proverbs 3:5 tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not to lean on our own understanding.

Many secular “experts” insist that all forms of of physical punishment are abusive and seriously injurious to the psyche of the child. Some even claim that parents should use no form of negative correction with children – positive reinforcement alone is sufficient, they say. Scripture says otherwise. In fact, the Bible prescribes corporal punishment and says it is a necessary element of parental love. (John Macarthur – The Fulfilled Family p118-119)

Why doesn’t self-esteem work? It doesn’t work because it fails to recognize what lies at the core of human nature . . .

Continues on Friday with part 3 - The Sinner

Go On To Part 3
Go Back To Part 1

Monday, September 7, 2009

Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 1)

Have you ever seen the image of some sacred cow in an Indian village wandering aimlessly and unrestrained? The hungry villagers know the cow is there. They know that steak tastes good, but they would rather go hungry than rock the Hindu boat. To those of us who profess Christ the image is both offensive and ridiculous . . . . . or is it?? Do sacred cows roam the pages of your Bible, ignored and left alone? Are there doctrines you would rather leave untended? Do you shudder at the thought of wrestling with the hard truths of Scripture? Do you use Wite-out for a highlighter pen?

The prevailing wind of Modern Christianity has been a “consumer driven” approach to teaching and preaching. Potentially divisive subjects are either ignored or pushed to the sidelines in the pursuit of a doomed marriage between Scripture and Social Science. This consumer driven churchgoer is more comfortable hearing about hunger than hell, would rather focus on AIDS than abortion, and would sooner hear the virtues of self-esteem over spanking when it comes to raising his children.

It is this issue of spanking that has become a sacred cow in many modern churches and has become a subject so sensitive that many preachers just will not touch it. The Bible speaks explicitly on the subject so why the radio silence from the pastor in the pulpit to the person in the pew, and why has the discussion been blacklisted when parents compare notes? I believe it's high time that this sacred cow got carved up and grilled and served with a side of open dialogue!

Living in Europe it is seen as a huge taboo and something that secular humanist philosophy invalidates (by continually searching for and never finding any evidence for the innate goodness of man). Over the coming fortnight we are going to look at my six "s's" of the biblical case for spanking. The Stronghold, the Sinner, the Stakes, the Strawman, the Scriptures, and the Savior. Yes, I am a graduate of the Rick Warren school of alliteration and am very proud that I managed to begin each section with an "s".

Continued on Wednesday with part 2 - The Stronghold

Go On To Part 2

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

My Hero is Only Thirteen (Part 4)

These are the concluding videos on the fascinating story of thirteen year old Deborah who has grown up in a staunch Christian homeschooling family in rural England. Deborah is a real piece of work and never backward in coming forward "with a reason for the hope that lies within" her. As you watch Deborah it is easy to forget that she is only 13. Please keep that in mind if you are wont to critique her social skills.

Watch out for a cameo appearance by Todd Friel of Wretched Radio (at least in audio form).

Deborah is a forceful preacher of sin, righteousness, and judgment but at the end of this you will get to witness her tender heart motivated by Christ's love. Deborah is my hero!





Coming Thursday - Don't Waste Your Financial Crisis
The video of the sermon I preached to all the workers during my last day at work (I was laid off due to the economic crisis)

Go Back To Part 3
Go Back To Part 1

Monday, March 30, 2009

My Hero is Only Thirteen (Part 3)

Deborah's adventures continue where we get to have a look at the inner workings of a homeschooling Christian family. Liberal they aint! Deborah's father takes the authority of Scripture with utmost seriousness. We also join the whole family on their combined evangelistic puppet show outreach at a nearby caravan park. Anti-social behaviour is a crime they are certainly not guilty of. They are not afraid to talk about the necessary issues of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We get to hear a bit more of Deborah's theology before she ventures to the big city with her big brother and encounters aliens - otherwise known as college students.





Final installment tomorrow!

Go On To Part 4
Go Back To Part 2
Go Back To Part 1

Sunday, March 29, 2009

My Hero is Only Thirteen (Part 2)

The amazing story of 13 year old Deborah Drapper continues from yesterday. Here, in part two, we get to hear Deborah's views on relationships with the opposite sex, the authority of the Bible, as well as seeing her in action sharing the Gospel with typical "streetwise" British teens. Oh no, I'm so afraid for Deborah because she is home schooled and doesn't have many friends her own age and hasn't read a "church growth" manual. How can she possibly relate and contextualize in this hazardous mission field??? No worries about that - she follows the "Way of the Master" . . .



Continued tomorrow . . .

Go On To Part 3
Go Back To Part 1

Saturday, March 28, 2009

My Hero is Only Thirteen (Part 1)

This girl is just awesome! Deborah is thirteen, lives on an english farm with her very large family, is homeschooled, never watches TV, loves Jesus Christ, loves to share the Gospel with strangers, and shock horror - she doesn't know who Britney Spears is! How can she possibly function in the 21st century?

Deborah is my hero! She blows the myth apart that "Christians have to be hip, familiar with popular culture, and contextualize in order to reach the world". She is intelligent, articulate, socially capable, sharp as a razor, and a real piece of work. She shows herself to be more than a match for her interviewer.

Allow me to introduce you to Deborah Drapper . . .



Continued tomorrow . . .

Go On To Part 2

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Way Of The Master Profiles - EZ

EMEAL "EZ" ZWAYNE

EZ is the General Manager of Way of the Master / Living Waters ministries. He is highly organised, efficient, and disciplined - the perfect man for the job. I'm sure a cat scan would reveal something resembling the inside of an Ikea store with orderly rows and compartments of knowledge. His passion for order, structure, and cleanliness manifests itself in a level of germophobia not seen since Todd Friel's sanitised microphone. Rumor has it that EZ always travels with at least three pillowcases to maintain a comfortable buffer between himself and the microscopic world of bacteria and germs.

But beneath the responsibility and serious decision making that the job of General Manager carries is a man of a thousand faces and a million voices. EZ is simply one of the funniest people I know (aside from myself:) with an endless repertoire of impersonations and jokes. I spent a whole day on location filming for the TV series and EZ was there as a fellow "extra" making endless laughs between scenes.

You might recall him being mentioned in my profile of Duane Barnhart as one of the "chocaholic lynch mob". Please understand that those were very trying circumstances and completely out of character for a man who rarely eats more than a pound of chocolate in one sitting. The reality is that EZ is a man of impeccable character and integrity who is open to occasional bribery with good chocolate. Needless to say that EZ and I enjoy a strong friendship :)

As a poet and wordsmith of rare talent, EZ was about to embark on a career as a rapper before God radically saved him. God has now cultivated these talents to the point where EZ is one of the most eloquent, convicting, and powerful preachers I know of. His preaching seems to be one of the best kept secrets within the ministry. But that secret is now getting smaller and smaller and I, for one, hope to see a lot more of his sermons available on the web in the future.

One sermon that is a must hear is called "Passing the Torch" and needs to be ordered with a box of tissues. The message is based on the subject that EZ is probably most passionate about - raising and discipling children who will serve God faithfully and disciple the next generation. It contains some of the most powerful illustrations I have heard concerning teaching children the meaning of the Cross of Jesus Christ and Penal Substitutionary Atonement. The most lasting impact that EZ and his wife left on me is an attitude to parenting that demands hot pursuit of conformity to Christ and radical devotion to the task God gives parents of discipling children. It is a household climate where motherhood is shrouded in nobility that far surpasses any profession and fatherhood is embraced as a higher calling than public ministry.

Way of the Master is a ministry in very capable hands and Emeal Zwayne is a big part of that. A ministry where the main thing is always the main thing and is a major thrust behind the rise we are seeing in bold young preachers. Preachers who are willing to take the pure and undefiled Gospel outside the four walls of a church building. Here is a video of EZ in action open air preaching. He doesn't just teach it, he goes out to war on the frontlines as well. This is the heartbeat of Way of the Master ministries in raising up an army. After all "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).



Other Way Of The Master Profiles Can Be Read By Clicking On The Links Below:
Brainiac
Duane The Producer
EZ
Hip Hop
Kirk Cameron
Lawman
Mark Spence
Ray Comfort
Scotty
Todd Friel
Trish The Phone Fisher

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Sacred Cow Saturday - Episode 2 - Spanking Part 2

Continued from last Saturday where we heard from John Piper on the issue of disciplining and spanking children and why he is willing to go to jail over this issue.

One of the great priveledges in my life has been to meet Kirk Cameron who is well known for the lead role in the "Left Behind" trilogy and playing Mike Seaver in the hit late 80's/early 90's sitcom "Growing Pains". But I was excited to meet Kirk because I have learnt so much from him about witnessing and preaching the Gospel through the "Way of the Master" TV series and the radio show. There is nothing nominal about Kirk's Christianity - he's the real deal. I think of him as a preacher who can act.

Another thing about Kirk and his wife is that they are outstanding godly parents to their six children. Why can't one of these trashy Hollywood magazines do a story about how someone has held down a marriage for 17 years and is raising 6 children in the fear of the Lord? Kirk is dedicated to learning and growing in Christ and in turn discipling his children. So many people spoke so positively about Kirk that I became concerned (pondering Jesus' warning about beware when men speak well of you) but then the atheists took care of that with all their hate mail after Kirk and Ray Comfort's televised debate with the atheists (see my first post on this blog).

So when Kirk recommended a resource for raising children in a way that honors God and is faithful to Scripture I was all ears. And there is nothing Kirk recommends stronger than Tedd Tripps book and teaching series "Shepherding a Child's Heart".



One of the outstanding things about Tedd Tripp is that he does such a great job of expounding biblically on the taboo subject of spanking children. Here is an interview with Tedd on Way of the Master Radio where he discusses the issue of biblical spanking/discipline with host Todd Friel. The interview starts about 20 minutes into the program. Click here to download it.

I think this sacred cow has now been totally carved up!

Pro 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Go On To Episode 3
Go Back To Episode 1

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Sacred Cow Saturday - Episode 1 - Spanking Part 1

Pro 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Many people in eastern religions have sacred cows that they refuse to touch. But many in the west are no different. Subjects that are avoided in the name of "unity", diplomacy, political correctness, and ultimately the fear of man.

Here at The Bottom Line we love sacred cows and even think that they taste great on a barbecue. So much so that we plan to grill something every Saturday. In europe, among many churchgoers, the subject of spanking children is a very sacred cow. Due to many governments making it illegal, coupled with being heavily influenced by the secular humanist worldview, spanking is an "Area 51" as far as discussions go. Though Scripture speaks explicitly on the subject it is taboo in the pulpit and generally hushed up in private conversations - BUT NOT TODAY

It's high time this cow got carved up and served with a side of open dialogue. Who better to communicate truth profoundly, fervently and passionately than John Piper. John says that he's willing to go to jail over the issue - click HERE to hear

Pro 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Continued next saturday - Spanking Part 2 with Tedd Tripp

Go On To Episode 2

Monday, April 28, 2008

RECOMMENDED BOOKS - PARENTING

ADOPTED FOR LIFE
Russel D Moore

Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
Book reviewer extraordinaire Tim Challies pronounced this his book of the year for 2009. And with good reason. Russel D Moore has adopted children and has many helpful practical insights for those considering. But this book is so much more than that. This is a book that also transcends the subject of human adoption and soars in the clouds of the mystery of "as many as belived in Him, to them He gave the power to become the sons of God". Adoption ultimately points to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how we too can become "sons of Abraham" through the redemptive work of the Savior. This book will teach many practical helpful things about adoption, but it is ultimately all about the Gospel and how all these things point us to the cross. This book is not only for those considering adopting children, it is a book everyone should read.


FAMILY DRIVEN FAITH
Voddie Baucham

Category: Marriage, Parenting
Click Here To Order
More teens are turning away from the faith than ever before: it is estimated that 75 to 88% of Christian teens walk away from Christianity by the end of their freshman year of college. Something must be done. Family Driven Faith equips Christian parents with the tools they need to raise children biblically in a post-Christian, anti-family society. Voddie Baucham, who with his wife has overcome a multi-generational legacy of broken and dysfunctional homes, shows that God has not left us alone in raising godly children. He has given us timeless precepts and principles for multi-generational faithfulness, especially in Deuteronomy 6. God's simple command to Moses to teach the Word diligently to the children of Israel serves as the foundation of Family Driven Faith.


HOW TO BRING YOUR CHILDREN TO CHRIST
Ray Comfort

Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
Eighty-eight percent of children raised in evangelical homes leave church at the age of eighteen never to return. As a parent, you don’t want to suffer the heartache of your children rebelling against their Christian upbringing. While only God can save us and keep us, there are biblical principles you can implement to help prevent your children from tragically falling away from the faith. By countering the unscriptural belief that a child can be saved merely by “asking Jesus into his heart,” seasoned evangelist Ray Comfort shares time-tested principles to help you guide your children to experience genuine salvation and avoid the pitfall of rebellion.


REFORMING OUR FAMILIES
Peter Hammond

Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
The family is the basic building block of society. The battle for the family is in the very frontline of the World War of Worldviews. This powerful new resource for families is packed with positive and practical insights and strategies that fathers and mothers can use to raise God-fearing children. Reforming Our Families is a compendium including contributions from 8 different authors from a wide variety of backgrounds. Contributors include two young home schooled teenagers, one from America and the other from Africa; and parents from both sides of the Atlantic. The primary author is Lenora Hammond (wife of Peter Hammond) who is a home schooling mother of two daughters and two sons coupled with a wealth of missionary and ministry experience.


SAFE IN THE ARMS OF GOD
John Macarthur

Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
Every parent who has lost a child has dealt with disturbing, haunting questions. Why my child? Where is my baby now? Will I ever see my child again? Renowned Bible expositor John MacArthur tackles the question of infant death (in the womb or following birth) in his trademark style--with detailed attention to Scriptures that hold the answers. No death occurs apart from the purposes of God, MacArthur assures readers, just as no life occurs apart from the purposes of God. With a pastor's heart, he leads readers to an understanding of the eternal destination of these precious little ones. His conclusion: Babies - and anyone else who has not reached the condition of accountability - go to heaven when they die, and there will, indeed, be a time of blessed reunion with these souls. This is a beautiful and comforting apologetic on the eternal destiny of souls with an all too brief sojourn on this planet.


SHEPHERDING A CHILD'S HEART
Tedd Tripp

Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
Shepherding a Child's Heart is about how to speak to the heart of your child. The things your child does and says flow from the heart. Luke 6:45 puts it this way: "...out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Dr. Tedd Tripp not only draws on his thirty years experience as a pastor, counselor, school administrator, and father, but he also shares insights gained in many years of teaching this material in conferences worldwide, providing more valuable help for parents. This book is outstanding and rare because it is Gospel centered, adresses the biblical truth of our children's fallen sinful nature, and how their awareness of that truth is to lead them to the Savior.


TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY
Lou Priolo

Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
This is an outstanding Gospel centered and Bible based parenting manual. John Macarthur had this to say about Teach Them Diligently: "There is far more to teaching your children the Bible than merely telling them Bible stories. Unfortunately, many parents feel ill-equipped for the task, so they neglect this vital aspect of Christian parenting. In doing so, they forfeit many of the greatest blessings of parenthood. Here's a valuable aid for parents seeking help. Lou Priolo's Teach Them Diligently: How to use the Scriptures in Child Training holds a wealth of practical and biblical advice for parents seeking to fulfill the mandate of Deuteronomy 6:6-7."


THE FULFILLED FAMILY
John Macarthur

Category: Marriage, Parenting
Click Here To Order
With traditional family values in decline and under assault, how can parents convey Godly principles and morals amid competing messages? In The Fulfilled Family, John MacArthur, respected Bible teacher as well as experienced father and grandfather, takes a look at strategy for families as outlined in Ephesians 5 and 6. What is MacArthur's secret to his successful family? "There's no magic. There's no formula. There's no gimmick," he says. "It's not about how many times we did something, or who was in charge of this or that, or what kind of processes or methods we used. It comes down to questions that have to start in my heart: Am I committed to obedience to the Spirit of God? Am I committed to the controlling influences of the Word of God? Am I going to live out a Christian life? Because you must first answer yes to all of those questions before you have a successful family."

WAR OF WORDS
Paul Tripp

Category: Church, Marriage, Parenting
Click Here To Order
Getting to the heart of your communication struggles. A biblical look at our words and our God. Few of us really think about the power, the blessing, the gift, the effect, and the dangers of our words." "Filled with searching, realistic & honest illustrations coupled with large doses of biblical truth. One thing we do daily is talk. Communication is the lifeblood of a good relationship and the deadly weapon of a bad one. If you've ever said anything you've regretted - this book is for you. Few of us really think about the power, the blessing, the gift, the effect, and the dangers of our words. War of Words is filled with searching, realistic and honest illustrations coupled with large doses of biblical truth. Learn about your words and your God. Obtain biblical insight and tools for change as you get to the heart of your communication struggles.


WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT PARENTING
John Macarthur

Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
More than ever, Christians need to know what the Bible actually teaches about parenting, and put it into practice. In What the Bible Says About Parenting, pastor/teacher John MacArthure presents time-proven principles of biblical parenting clearly and carefully to help parents make sense of their duties before God and to bring up their children in the ways of the Lord. In addition to this new trade paper edition (previously titled Successful Christian Parenting), there is also a resource kit and two workbooks available to help Christian parents instruct their children in a godly manner.