I’m not an awesome cook, but every once in awhile I knock one out of the park. When that happens, I write down what I did and try to repeat it. Now I have a small and growing list of great recipes that my family raves about and others ask the recipes for. I’ve got a simple secret for developing these recipes and bulding my list; it’s two words, ‘The Best.’

Let me explain, I’ve been cooking turkeys for many years and up until recently the result has been hit and miss. I finally decided that I wanted to make the best turkey ever. I mean, why take the time to cook such a wonderful meal only to get mediocer results? So I opened my computer and Googled, ‘the best way to cook a turkey.’

I found three or four great articles that divulged a few secrets for cooking the ‘best turkey’ ever that really made sense. So I took five secrets I found in different places and made my own recipe using them all. Guess what? Everyone who ate it said that it was the best turkey they ever had! The white meat was so moist that it looked wet and fell apart in my mouth.

Using this method, ‘the best method’ I not only know the best way to cook a turkey and the best way to cook a roast, but according to others, I also have the best homemade burgers, the best salsa recipe ever, and a few more ‘bests’.

So if you’ve read this far, by now you’re asking yourself two questions, “Is he going to give us those recipes?” and, “Why is Rick Osborne sharing cooking secrets on a Christian Parenting web site?” Well the answer to the first question is easy. Yes, I’m going to share my secret best recipes for the best turkey and roast. The second one will take me a few more paragraphs to explain so please bear with me and I’ll get back to those recipes.

We can find best recipes online and improve our cooking. We can find the best fitness and diet tips online. We can find the best restaurants in our area online and we leave the old ones we used to frequent behind. We can find the best places to take ski lessons, cooking lessons, writing classes and every kind of lessons and classes online because we want to improve ourselves. But how many people type these words into Google, ‘the best way to parent’ or ‘the best parenting book’ or ‘the best parenting website’?

Parenting is one of the most important things we’ll ever do in our lives, yet many of us don’t think we need a better recipe for it . Most parents are frustrated with what’s going on in their household. The kids fight, the terrible twos are terrible, the kids won’t listen, there’s yelling and fighting and somehow most parents think this is normal or there’s nothing they can do about it. That’s nonsense. If you dry out your turkey and your roast, you’ll most likely try my recipes. So if the best parenting secrets were available, and these secrets promised you the way to a more peaceful home with cooperative kids that get along and are obedient, you’d buy the recipe book, right?

Well here it is, my newest book; ‘The Seven Mistakes The Parents of Toddlers Make’. I am convinced that if you implement the strategies outlined in this book, it will change your kids and your home. I’m so convinced that I’m offering to refund your money in full if you don’t agree that the parenting secrets in it are family transforming.

Here’s a early review:

“Rick Osborne gets to the point, explains the mistakes we all tend to make and offers practical solutions that are so simple to implement that it made me wonder why I didn’t think of them myself. I used his suggestions and was astounded how quickly the atmosphere in our house changed.

My kids don’t fight anymore and they listen and cooperate. It’s amazing.

This book doesn’t preach, it helps. It’s a simple map to great parenting.

I highly recommend 7 Mistakes. It’s a must on every parent’s bookshelf. This book will change your home.” Romana O

Click here for more info on this product.

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As promised here are a couple of my best recipes.

• The best way to cook a turkey
• The best way to cook a roast

I guarantee you won’t be disappointed with the book and you’ll love the the best secret recipes. If the book makes a difference in your family please tell all of your friends, and if you like the recipes please feel free to share the link to this blog.

SYNOPSIS:

GENRES: Action/Adventure and Science Fiction/Fantasy

TIME: 2 hr. 40 minutes

RATED: PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking.

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OUR THOUGHTS ON THIS MOVIE

(Recommended Age Group: 13+ years)

Obviously Avatar is not a movie for kids. However, if you have teens and you’re not offended by seeing movies made by non-Christians with a non-Christian worldview—which describes almost every movie that comes out of Hollywood—then you’ve probably already seen it.

We’ve spent quite a bit of time in preparation for writing this article, reading reviews and comments from viewers about this movie all over the web. Frankly, the thing we came away amazed about is how so many Christians seem to be offended with Avatar’s non-Christian content.

In the comments we read, it has been criticized for being anti-God, anti-America, politically biased and supportive of non Christian religions. The question we were left asking is, “You paid money to see a movie made by non Christians in Hollywood. Why were you expecting the movie to reflect a Christian worldview?”

We live in a fallen world, but we’re citizens of God’s Kingdom. We’re called to grow in our Faith and to help bring others into the Kingdom so they can do the same. We are not citizens of this world whose task is to make everyone else—non-Christians—behave themselves so that we can have a nice place to bring up our children. Yes, we should care what goes on around us, however, it’s our focus or emphasis that we’re talking about. We can’t make others behave differently than they believe they should, just so they don’t upset us or contradict our worldview.

There’s really only two honest ways for Christian parents to deal with Hollywood’s movies. Either do your homework and only go see movies that are made by Christians and have a Christian worldview. Or go see some reasonable and rating-appropriate movies fully expecting typical Hollywood content—because that’s what you are going to get—and then discuss the movies with your kids.

We at ChristianParentingDaily believe that movies can provide an awesome opportunity to talk with our kids about the difference between the way the world sees things and what the Bible teaches. We of course don’t believe that Christian parents should intentionally serve up a plate full of rotting food just so that they can have a discussion with their kids about how awful it made them feel. Watching ‘R’ rated movies and/or movies that you know contain a load of garbage, and fooling yourself that you’re seeing it so you can talk about it as a family is hypercritical.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

However, watching reasonable movies and using them to help your kids learn to chew on the meat—or fat—of the entertainment and spit out the bones of misconception, is a reasonable response to our culture.

Our purpose here isn’t to review the movie—most of you have seen it and have read the reviews—but to provide some talking points that you can use to generate conversation with your teenagers who have seen it. Print this out and drop it on the dinner table at meal time and let the discussion fly.

Lewd Language

The movie contains a fair amount of off-color language and a few occasions where God’s and Jesus’ names are used in swearing. This kind of language is rife in our culture and it would be difficult to imagine how we could prevent ourselves or our kids from hearing it at all. Fortunately, hearing offensive language isn’t forbidden in the Bible; it’s using it that we’re told not to do.

You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Exodus 20:7)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:4)

Unfortunately, unless we’re careful about our constant exposure to, and our attitudes towards swearing, we can find ourselves slipping into the habit of using language that’s unacceptable for Christians to use. Discuss with your kids why swearing is inappropriate for Christians—because “we’re not supposed to” only goes so far. Here are some questions to get the conversation started:

• Would you like your friends and family to use your name as a swear word and have your name—and person—become synonymous with frustration, stupidity and bad things happening? How do you think the Lord feels when we use his name merely as a throw away expression (OMG) or a swear word?
• Can we use God’s name carelessly in front of non-Christians and then expect them to believe us when we tell them about how good he is and how much he loves us? Do we diss the people we respect, or is that inconsistent?
• Read Ephesians 4:29 above: We are called to love others. When we swear at someone or about something they did, are we demonstrating that love? Love is patient, love is kind…
• Read Ephesians 5:4 above: The Bible says that we are to count it all joy when stuff goes wrong (James 1:2) because we know that God will work things out for us and that we’ll get stronger trusting him through it. When we swear when something bad happens, are we demonstrating our joy and our trust? Shouldn’t our immediate response show our thankfulness to God who’s willing to help us through trouble?
• God has called us to be holy; are we demonstrating our desire to be holy when we use language that’s crude and represents or depicts sinful acts?
• It’s not the words themselves that are wrong, it’s what they say about our attitudes, our Faith and our purity. If that’s true, is using substitute words (darn, frig, flipping, ship, omg etc.) any different?

Military Bashing

We read many viewer comments complaining that the movie had an anti-military message. The viewers taking the other side are quick to point out that the movie specifically states that the soldiers are EX marines who are now working for the corporation that is funding this expedition. The original group fires back that the uniforms, symbols and language all seem to identify these men as US soldiers, not mercenaries.

The Bible says that God is the one who set up the system of governments and the authorities to keep the peace and punish those who do wrong. (Read Romans 13:1 – 5) After reading this portion of scripture, start the conversation with these questions:

• Just as police help keep law and order within a country for a government, their army protects them from threats outside their borders. So don’t these verses show us that God uses armies as well as the police to keep those who do wrong in check?
• Even though God has ordained governments and their police departments and armies, isn’t it possible for politicians, police officers, judges and soldiers to also do wrong? Isn’t that why we have government authorities that check on government authorities? Also, in a democracy, aren’t the citizens similarly empowered to speak their mind or use their vote when they believe the government is abusing their power?
• Do you think this movie is anti-military or anti the misuse of military? Anti-American or anti-greed?

Racial Wranglings

Some have called the movie racist. The Bible is clear that we are to treat every human being, regardless of race, sex, status, financial position, etc. as equal and with respect whether they are believers or not.

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. (James 2:1)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

So we know what we believe, here are some questions about the movie:

• Do you think the movie’s message is racist or anti racist?
• Do you think the movie’s depiction of the Na’vi people is somehow a racist and negative depiction of Native Americans, African Americans or any other people group? Or do you think the movie is merely saying that, “Just because people are different from you, doesn’t mean they have less rights and just because you have more power than they do, that doesn’t mean you can take advantage of them”?

Religious Misconceptions

Many have complained about the worship and religion of the Na’vi, complaining that the movie is promoting earth worship or New Age Spiritualism. There are even scenes of worship rituals for, and prayer to, Na’vi’s unseen female deity.

In fantasy fiction, other worlds inhabited by otherworldly creatures with different customs, powers, and beliefs are created. Lord of The Rings, Narnia and even simple stories like Jack and The Beanstalk are fantasy fiction. The Lord of The Rings and the Narnia books were written by Christians, but we read very little in these books about prayer and Faith in God as the Bible presents it. There are even things done by the good people of these books that Christians should not do. Why?

It would be very awkward to impose Biblical accuracy on an imaginary world that God did not create as well as on imaginary people that he did not send his Son Jesus to die for.

The purpose for fantasy fiction is for entertainment and also—when it’s written with a message—to take us to another place that will help us reflect and observe something that may be good and/or wrong in ourselves. The message in The Lord of The Rings has to do with standing up for more than only your rights. It’s about courage in the face of adversity, friendship, acceptance of others despite their differences, servant leadership, and the true responsibility of, and not misuse of, power. All of these messages are Biblical, yet the Bible is not once mentioned in the story.

Here are some discussion starters:

• Do you feel that Avatar is merely a regular fantasy fiction—beliefs and all—trying to make a point, or do you believe its makers actually have a religious agenda that they are pushing?
• Do you think that the similarities that exist when you compare the Na’vi’s religion to some of the naturalistic and/or spiritualistic religions that are around today, were meant to promote those religions?
• Do you think that the creators of the movie created this religion for religious purposes or as a message on the environment or neither?
• Do you think the Na’vi religion will cause any of the movie’s viewers to be more open to naturalistic and spiritualistic religions?
• Not much is said about the Faith—or lack thereof—of the humans who have travelled to Pandora from Earth. What could be said about that part of the movie?

Political Maneuvering

Many have pointed to certain lines in the movie that seem to reveal a political agenda; “preemptive strikes,” “shock and awe” and fighting “terror with terror.”

A few simple questions:

• Do you see the movie as having a political agenda or as one speaking out against injustice, greed and the misuse of power, or both?
• Do you think it unfortunate that the writers added this language?
• Have you seen movies from Hollywood with political agendas? Do you expect it, or does it bother you and why?
• If a movie is supportive of a certain political view, does that make it anti-Christian?

Blue Modesty & Marriage

Some have complained about the fact that the Na’vi wear only a  lion cloth and very well placed bead and feather necklaces. There’s also one scene where two of the Na’vi ‘mate for life’.

Here’s a couple of discussion starters:

• Do you think that partial nudity is being promoted in the movie or that its creators wanted to properly reflect the way these people were most likely to dress? Or do you think they had another agenda, such as ticket sales?
• There are cultures in our world where partial nudity is acceptable and common-place. Do you believe there is a difference between depicting cultural partial nudity as a way of life and the sensual depiction of it?
• Jesus told us that looking on a member of the opposite sex with lust in your heart is the same as committing adultery (Matthew 5:28). How do you think that applies to this movie?
• The Bible book of Genesis tells the story of Isaac and Rebekah. Abraham’s servant was sent to get a wife for Isaac. With the Lord’s help he found a woman who agreed to go with him and to marry Isaac. When Isaac and Rebekah first met they went into a tent and became husband and wife forever (Genesis 24). The story seems to show that back then, agreeing to be husband and wife and then making love made you married for life. Different cultures have different marriage ceremonies. Did you find the Na’vi ‘wedding’ ceremony offensive? Or did you find it refreshing because the movie creators showed that sex is for marriage and marriage is forever? How is this different from the modern day—and unbiblical—concepts of casual sex, dating sex, and living together to see if it’s going to work?

The Road to Zion

The Bible teaches that God has written eternity on our hearts.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

…since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts… (Romans 2:15a)

You’ve heard it said that before we come to Jesus, we all have a God shaped hole in our hearts. The fact is God created us in such a way that His truth and the salvation story somehow ring true when we hear them—and if we’re open to hear the ringing. What I find fascinating is that writers who apparently don’t even understand God’s redemptive plan, will let the message that was written inside them by the hand of God, flow out of their hearts into their pens, creating uncanny parallels that end up finding a resonating ring in the hearts and minds of their audience.

Here are a few possible parallels to discuss;

• Fantasy Fiction usually takes place in a fantastic world and contains amazing creatures and/or beings with wonderful powers. Could it be that one of the reasons we all love this kind of movie is that it resonates with our interest in Heaven; an awesome place beyond imagining, with wonderful beings such as angels, cherubim and seraphim and amazing power and promise?
• Jesus always was and is part of the trinity. He became a human for the sake of our salvation. He died to help us, and then rose from the dead with a human body that he’ll have forever. Do you see a rough parallel in Avatar’s story?

If you’ve thought of other great discussion points or you’d like to share some great conversations that you had with your teens about this movie, feel free to add your comments.

The atheists accuse Christians of keeping their children cloistered away from other views and indoctrinating these young and impressionable minds as opposed to presenting them with a range of choices. Which they say is unfair to the children.

According to dictionary.com, the word ‘indoctrination’ means to instruct in a doctrine, principle, ideology etc. especially to imbue with a specific partisan or biased belief or point of view. It goes on to say that indoctrination involves teaching someone to accept doctrine uncritically and that a synonym for the word is brainwashing.

Although there are some Christians who knowingly attempt to indoctrinate their children, most Christian parents do not, or at least don’t do it intentionally. Having said that, I do not believe that the Bible teaches us to pass our Faith to our children in a way that requires them to not question or reason, but to blindly believe and obey what we teach them. If we’re doing this, we need to actually listen to the criticism leveled at us, and change. Let me explain why I believe that.

Let’s start with a basic premise of our Faith. God put the ‘Tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil’ in the Garden of Eden.  He allows each individual to accept or reject Christ and he also allows each person to live as they see fit, all because love always gives a choice. Logically then, how can we think that it’s right to ensure that our children won’t make the wrong choice by taking away their choice?

The Bible teaches that one of the keys to a deep and meaningful Faith is to seek God and to passionately search out truth. When we try to spoon feed our children a packaged truth and protect them from any objecting viewpoints, we unwittingly teach them that seeking and struggling for a meaningful relationship with God and for real understanding is not necessary. When we do this, we create another generation of unthinking Christians who remain baby Christians all of their lives.

Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth. (John 16:13) A guide directs someone who has already decided to go on a journey. How can the Holy Spirit guide our children to all truth if they’re not on a journey looking for it? If Jesus meant for our children to be only surrounded by truth and sheltered from all else, then they wouldn’t need a guide. If there’s only one clearly marked trail, what do you need a guide for?

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.” He didn’t say to force them or to leave them no other choice.

If we look at Jesus as the example of how our children should be educated, here’s what we come up with. He knew God and the Torah well. He also knew what was going on around him in culture, in politics, in religion, in economics, in his country and in the countries close to him. He was a learned man who knew the lies that were being told in the world around him and who could support or refute what was being said by anyone with God’s Words.

Our willingness to teach our children without cloistering them away or demanding unthinking alegence says to the world that we know that we have the truth.

We can confidently teach our kids this way because we know that truth will stand up to the test and that God is able to keep and guide our children. It’s in doing this that we raise Christ followers – young men and women who seek God, search out truth, study their Bibles, become strong in their Faith, are able to share and defend their Faith and who will make a difference in their world.

When we as Christian parents teach our children a thinking, reasoning Faith we protect them from the doubts and arguements of the world and atheists by equipping them to enguage in the conversation and influence with truth rather than be influenced by lies.

(RICK OSBORNE / Christian Author, Speaker & Bible Teacher)

Although the logic is highly flawed, the truth is when we hear that yet another disaster has happened, most of us wonder what part, if any, God had in it. Did he do it? Did he allow it? Why didn’t he prevent it? People in the media know that we wonder. Ever notice that when disaster strikes and some preacher somewhere seems to say, “God did it” it becomes front page news.

If we wonder, then what do we say to our children when they sit with us and see the TV images of rescue workers pulling damaged or dead humans from the aftermath? What do we say when they hear the report that Reverend so-and-so said God sent the killing blow?

The purpose of this blog is to provide parents with a little help giving their kids a basic, uncomplicated, Biblical explanation. Below is a break down of some key points that are involved in the bigger issue. They’re meant to be talking-points that you can print out and discuss with your kids.

1. Just because it happened doesn’t mean God came up with the idea or even approved of it. James 1:13 says,

“And remember that anyone who wants to do wrong should never say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else either.”

If your child got beaten up at school you would never say, “I wonder what God was trying to teach you?” That bully was sinning and God simply had nothing to do with it. James goes on to say that evil desires are the cause of sin and its effects.

The Bible also teaches that we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7), meaning that many things that happen in our lives aren’t a result of God’s intervention, but of our choices and actions. The book of Proverbs teaches that a lazy man will have difficulty getting ahead in life (Proverbs 6:6 – 11). None of us would be silly enough to tell a lazy person that God was causing him to go without. No, we’d politely ask him how the job hunting was going.

The Bible also records that the devil temped Jesus and stirred up wicked people against Paul, and that Jesus set people free who were possessed by demons. God did not author these things, the devil did. (Luke 11:14 – 20, John 10:10)

These and many other Biblical examples show us that things happen in this world and in our lives daily that aren’t authored by God.

2. We live in a broken world. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, sin entered the world with all its devastating effects. The Bible teaches that not only was man affected, but so was the actual creation.

“For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, everything on earth was subject to God’s curse. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Romans 8:19 – 22 NLT)

Our planet is broken and being further diminished as time goes by, by death and decay.

Jesus and his disciples were caught in a storm so fierce that the disciples thought they were all going to die. Jesus spoke to the wind and waves and all was calm. Jesus wasn’t bothered by the storm nor did he say it had anything to do with God. The storm was against them, not for them and Jesus took care of it. (Matthew 8:23 – 27)

The Apostle Paul was shipwrecked in a storm (Acts 27). He was a prisoner and was being taken to Rome. He warned the ship’s captain that if they set sail they would be shipwrecked, but he didn’t listen. Afterwards, Paul told the crew that they should have listened to him and not set sail. Yes, God ended up using the circumstances (Romans 8:28) to bring salvation to the crew, and to the people on the island of Malta, but he didn’t send the storm.

Jesus talked about a tragedy that happened in his time (Luke 13:1 – 5). A tower fell on eighteen men and killed them. The Jewish people believed that when tragedy struck it was God’s judgement. Jesus contradicted that belief and said that their deaths were not directly caused by their sins. In other words, God didn’t do it.

Jesus told us something interesting about famines and earthquakes when he was talking about the things that were to happen before his return.

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pangs. (Matthew 24:7, 8 NIV)

Jesus said that these things would come, but he didn’t say that they were sent by God. He said they were like the contractions a woman first has that signals that the baby is on the way. It’s interesting that Paul used the same picture as Jesus did when he was talking about creation being subject to the curse in Romans eight, “...all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth…”

• It’s estimated that an earthquake registering 7 or more happens somewhere in the world every three weeks, and moderate ones every three days. Each day on our planet, seismographs register almost 300 earthquakes of magnitude three or greater.
• The planet experiences an estimated 16 million storms annually and about 80 tropical cyclones, one-third of which achieve hurricane status.
• There are 500 active volcanoes worldwide. There are about 60 major volcanic eruptions annually, and two or three of those are huge and violent.
• There are between 100 – 150 extreme floods annually, worldwide.

It would be biblically and logically silly for us to conclude that God actively ’caused’ each of these natural occurrences. The earth is out of whack because of the curse that resulted from original sin, and the birth pangs will continue until Jesus returns and makes us a new one.

3. Humankind plays a part. Some recent court cases have challenged that a disaster was an ‘Act of God’ because there was good reason to speculate that man’s activities were the direct cause. Here’s what Wikipedia says in their article about ‘Act of God’:

“Recently, human activities have been identified by engineers as root causes of events until now considered natural disasters. In particular: – water pressure in dams releasing geological fault (earthquake in China) – geothermal injections of water provoking earthquakes (Zurich, Switzerland, 2003 – currently on trial).”

Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest hurricanes in US history. The damage and loss of life was huge and awful. However, the biggest loss of life occurred in New Orleans which flooded because the levee system failed.

Here’s another thing to consider. Through the centuries, certain areas have been wiped out by floods or volcanoes or earthquakes multiple times. It seems we have short memories. Once the pain of the devastation is gone, we go back to the side of the volcano, or to the unstable earth that moved violently under the earthquake, or to the area known for it’s hurricanes and we rebuild betting (I suppose) that it won’t happen again in our lifetime. At least now, in many places, building codes are being upgraded to help more people survive in areas that are prone to disaster. However, it’s hard to blame God when we keep building our homes on the proverbial sand, something Jesus said was unwise.

Many have asked if God had anything to do with what happened on 911 in New York. That answer is easy; the men who were responsible, committed mass murder which is sin. Again the book of James clearly tells us that God does not sin nor does he tempt (cause) people to sin. Nine-eleven was the result of man’s hate and/or misguided intentions, not God’s judgement. We would never say that a suicide bombing in Afghanistan that killed three innocents was orchestrated by God. So why would we say that God orchestrated the attack on the towers in New York?

4. God’s voice in judgement is clear. There are many examples of God’s judgement in the Bible. These judgements have several similarities that we can learn from. First of all, they serve as examples. Secondly, God clearly revealed his intent and purpose for them. Next, the righteous were always spared. Finally, they had more to do with his intervention to keep his plan for humankind on track than they did the individuals or cities or nations involved.

The natural disasters of today do not fit the Biblical pattern for God’s judgement. They cannot serve as an example without a clear message from God, that he’s involved and why.  There have been no clear messages from God in regards to these disasters. God’s a good communicator, so one guy in a church meeting somewhere who thought God showed him that God was going to judge New York or New Orleans, doesn’t cut it. Also, in all of these natural disasters, the Christians (the righteous) aren’t (as a whole) set apart and spared. God knows the difference between the righteous and the wicked; a birth pang from a broken planet does not. Finally, God’s plan for mankind is on track; the gospel is being preached throughout the world and disciples for Christ are being raised up. We are heading towards Jesus’ second coming with God being patient, not wanting any to perish (2 Peter 3:9). These events are the birth pangs Jesus spoke of, not specific judgements by God.

Jesus talked about the cities in his time being judged. However, he was clear that the judgment would take place in the final judgment when he returned. (Matthew 10:15, 11:20 – 24, 12:38 – 42)

Jesus also told a parable about the Kingdom, known as ‘The Wheat and The Weeds.’ In it he says that the wheat (the righteous) and the weeds (the wicked) are to be allowed to grow together until the final judgment, and then they would be separated. (Matthew 13:24 – 30)

5. God is speaking to the world today through his Son.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1, 2 NIV)

God’s message to today’s world is one of God’s love, grace, and salvation through Christ. Peter tells us that he’s being patient, stalling off the final judgment because he wants all to come to salvation. The gospel only contains two mentions of judgment. The first one happened on the cross; the world was judged for it’s sins (John 12:30) and Jesus paid the penalty. Secondly, we will all be judged at the end of this age by how we responded to what Jesus did.

I’m not saying that God cannot or will not judge when and how he sees fit, however, he has revealed his plans to us already, and those plans are to speak to the world in this age with the Gospel message, not with judgment.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16, 17 NIV)

6. A Kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Some of the religious leaders of Jesus’ time said that the only reason he could cast out demons was because the devil gave him the power to. Jesus pointed out how absurd this was by using common logic.

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, ”Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? (Matthew 12:25, 26)

When disaster strikes, two things happen; the survivors cry out to God and the compassionate run to help. If you talk to survivors of a major disaster you’ll find that people don’t call out to God because they think he’s judging them. They call out because they feel so small and vulnerable and they instinctively call on the only one they know can help. Christians who hear about the disaster respond with prayer, money, help and kindness. The earth pangs, and God and his people start loving and helping.

Forgive me for the simple logic, but I’m following Jesus’ example here. If God was punishing New York or New Orleans or Haiti, would he be there to help afterwards? Does he destroy so he can then build up. Even God’s Kingdom can not survive if it’s divided against itself. When God judged cities in the Old Testament there was nothing left to clean up. No people were sent to help, and the last minute prayers of those judged did not result in rescue.

The earth pangs because it’s fallen and subject to the curse. When it pangs big time we are all reminded of our frailty and our need for God’s help. Then we, as Christians, have yet another opportunity to reach out and show those affected by it, God’s love.

When sharing these things with your children, be careful to deal with their fears. The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is holding everything together until the last day (Hebrews 1:3) so there’s no need to be afraid that the whole planet will fall apart. If you live in an area that is prone to some kind of natural disaster, educate yourself and your kids as to what to do when trouble strikes and follow local instructions for safeguarding your family and for being prepared. Most importantly, pray with your children and ask God for his protection and then thank him for his protection. We live in a fallen world, but God has promised that he will help us through when we trust him (Psalm 91).

Natural disasters are not ‘Acts of God’. When our children understand this, it’s much easier to trust him through a disaster if they ever need to. If a child is taught that God is causing the destruction all around them, it’s hard to trust him. However, if they can picture the Lord right there beside them, helping them through something that he did not cause, and does not want them to be hurt by, it’s much easier to trust.

The home that I raised my kids in had many rooms, and sometimes I literally had to become a mini search party of one in order to find out where everyone was. I would be between tasks and hear the glorious but telltale sound of complete household silence; always glorious because there’s no noise, but telltale because the level of silence is a meter that gauges individual seclusion. Complete household silence usually indicates complete individual seclusion.

That’s when I would go on my one-man search party. As I found each child, I’d sit for a short time and engage him or her in a little “wazzup” talk. It takes only a few minutes, but it reconnects everyone to the family collective. The best part is that it doesn’t take long. You just need to take advantage of the minutes you have between tasks to personally connect with each of your children.

Another thing I did and still do to counteract individual seclusion and get in some quality family moments is to get some or all of us to seclude ourselves in the same room. If my wife and I are reading in the evening, sometimes we’ll grab our books and sit in the living room. Then we let the other family members know what we’re doing and they’ll sometimes grab their books and join us. I really love doing this because we end up laughing and talking and taking breaks together.

It takes only minutes to battle seclusion, but it’s worth it.

The Neighbor’s Dog

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard; I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious, I pinned a note to his collar:  ’I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.’

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: ‘He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 – he’s trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?’

Unfortunately, as with most email forwards, this came to me with no links or author credits so I don’t know where it came from or even if it actually happened. However, it’s hilarious, and most of us can see it happening and can identify with it.

Some families give their kids ‘timeouts’ when they’re misbehaving. Many times the misbehaving comes at times when the child is tired, hungry, frustrated, etc. and the time-out really just serves to settle them down so that they can be talked to and dealt with rationally.

This email forward reminded me that parents get tired and frustrated from time to time and also need a timeout. It’s when we push ourselves past our own strength and run ahead parenting, even when we’re tired and/or frustrated, that we end up misbehaving towards or in front of our children. Every parent needs an exit strategy. Kind of like a fire escape plan so that you can get a little rest when you feel the need before you reach the end of your rope and parent badly. Here are some ideas:

• If you’re a full time, at home parent, and your spouse has an outside job, arrange for your spouse to take the kids for a hour when they get home to let you escape to what ever relaxes you (a bath, exercise, a prayer walk, etc.).
• If your kids have nap times, coordinate the naps to happen all at once. Even kids who are older can have a ‘quiet time’ in their room while their younger siblings are napping. Take some of this time and do something that relaxes you. Resist the temptation to spend all of this time doing chores. You being rested for your kids is more important.
• If your kids take well to the stroller or riding in the car, get out and take a walk or a drive. Don’t have an agenda, just walk and/or drive to relax and maybe see some nice scenery.
• Make time each evening, after all the kids are bedded down, to do something that relaxes you, reading, praying, chatting with friends online etc. Identify which activities recharge you and spend even a small amount of time recharging.
• Plan a bigger timeout at least once a week. Get a babysitter and get out and about doing something you enjoy.

What do you do to make sure that your batteries are recharged so that you can parent calmly and in control? Leave your comments, they could be helpful to another parent. We may not be able to follow our dog to the neighbor’s house, but with a little bit of planning we can keep ourselves rested and ready to go.

(If you know where the email forward originated, please let me know so that I can give proper credit.)

Recently, there has been a rash of books written by atheists vilifying religion and blaming it for the woes of this world. One best-selling book generated a wave of controversy because it suggested that efforts be made to eradicate religion. The author also takes aim at parents who teach their children religion, calling it a form of child abuse.

Here’s their logic (as far as I can see it). There is no God. Humankind invented God and created religion. Religion is destructive in that it polarizes people, and therefore, causes wars and all sorts of atrocities. The reason religion continues to thrive is that religious parents indoctrinate their children. Therefore, stop allowing the indoctrination of children and the world will become atheistic and wonderfully peaceful.

First of all, let me touch on the things that I agree with. Humanity has suffered much in the name of religion. Also, there are some religious groups in the world that teach violence to their children. There are also many religious parents worldwide that indoctrinate their children, or in other words, tell them what to think instead of teaching them how to think. I agree that all of these things are inappropriate parental behavior.

However, the author in my estimation, has built a very flimsy argument when it comes to Christianity.

Yes, the history of Christianity gets demerits for violence, but to blame present day Christianity for the mistakes of those in the past who did wrong in the name of Christianity is hardly fair. That would be like calling for the end of today’s German culture because at one point it spawned misguided people who caused wars.

The very word Christian means Christ-like or follower of Christ. Everyone who has read the Gospels even once knows that Jesus promoted love, forgiveness, humility and godliness. He did not promote violence, war and insurrection.

The Body of Christ worldwide has come a long way and is a force for good on our planet. When a catastrophe puts people in harms way anywhere in the world, it’s the Christians and Christian relief organizations that dig the deepest and run to care. Millions of Christians and Christian churches worldwide reach out to help and love their families, neighbors and communities every day. These heartfelt charitable acts are a big part of what it is to live a Christian life.

It’s hard to study the history of Western Civilization without seeing the amazingly wonderful impact that Christianity and individual Christians, compelled by their Faith, have had on the world today.

For a great summary read this link:  http://crossandquill.com/journey/?page_id=267

Furthermore, what is it that Christian parents are teaching their children? If you examine the words in red (Jesus’ teaching), you’ll find that a large percentage of what he taught wasn’t about what we believe, but about who we are and how we behave. We teach our children to love, to be caring, kind, generous and considerate of others, to be involved in their communities, to be team players and to be respectful of others who have contrary opinions or beliefs. How can this be damaging to our planet?

Going back to the general arguments about religion being a planet damaging force, studies show that children raised in religion are happier, more other-focused, and less prone to get involved with crime and high-risk behavior. They even tend to exercise more, eat better, and volunteer more frequently.

(Check one of the studies here:  http://www.youthandreligion.org/news/preliminary.html )

A brief study of history will show even the casual reader that things like political agendas, territorial disputes, racial differences and yes, even atheism (the murder of countless religious people in the name of communism, for the sake of the state) have been behind some of the greatest carnages visited on mankind. Should we forbid the teaching of politics, patriotism, property rights, racial uniqueness and atheism?

If your children are old enough, have a chat with them about what the atheists believe and are saying. Perhaps even let them read this blog and help them think it through. Our children need to know their Faith well enough that they can refute this kind of distorted logic when it’s leveled at them.

(RICK OSBORNE / Christian Author, Speaker & Bible Teacher)

If our experience is not what God wants it to be, it is because of our unbelief in the love of God, in the power of God and in the reality of God’s promises. (Andrew Murray)

Here are two renditions of a portion of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-12) with very different perspectives on who God is. They are not meant to be a theological exploration of the meaning of the words in their original Greek. Rather, they illustrate that how we pray and what we expect from our relationship with God will reflect who we – and our children – believe God is, and what we believe him to be like.

“Our perfect, caring, and loving Father, who is in heaven – a place that reflects your character, a place that is wonderfully beautiful, where there is nothing sad or evil, only happiness, love, peace, and joy. May your name be honored because you are so great and so good that everyone should know you and experience your love. Let your awesome and perfect kingdom, full of right and happiness, come here on earth and set people free to be with you and to be loved by you. Let your will for the perfect peace, happiness, and complete fulfillment of your people be done here on earth just like it is now where you are in heaven – that beautiful place where your people know you, are like you, love each other perfectly, and enjoy everything you’ve made for them. Please meet our needs today and take care of us as you always do so wonderfully. Forgive us our mistakes and imperfections as we receive your grace to grow, and as we love, accept, and forgive the people you’ve so wonderfully placed in our lives….”

“Our all-seeing Father, who is far away in heaven. Holy and beyond what we can understand or relate to is your name. Your kingdom come, to squash all who refuse to obey you. Your will be imposed on everyone, like it is in heaven, where everyone finally has to be perfect. Please give us some bread today, so we don’t starve. (I don’t want to bother you with more than that.) Please forgive me my sins (don’t let me end up in the hot place) as I forgive the rotten sinners around me….”

It’s crucial: We must teach our children who God is, what he’s like, and what he is willing to do for them. That will affect how they pray. If our children don’t believe that God loves them, or if they somehow get the idea that he is always judging them to see if they measure up, the mechanics of prayer will not matter; the relationship and results won’t come. We need to teach them who God is and that he acts according to his character.

Three truths we can teach our children are: God loves them (1 John 4:16), is trustworthy (Psalm 9:10), and will forgive if they do something wrong (1 John 1:9). God is not a formidable judge; He’s a loving tutor who understands our weaknesses, loves us completely, will always encourage us beyond our failures, and will never give up on us.

God created us to be in relationship with himself. He wants us to know him, know what he is like, and receive his love.

When our children really understand who God is and what he’s willing to do for them, they won’t have a problem building a relationship with God and getting their prayers answered.

Here are two key verses that focus on the great love God has for us that you can read with your kids.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that there are times when your marriage isn’t always as great as you’d like it to be.

In my family, we have 3 very active children, a fourth one on the way, a family-run business, and we homeschool. Finding time to spend alone with my wife is a bit challenging.

Yet I know for an absolute fact that the times when I take her out on dates and give her my complete, undivided attention and focus means more to her… and to our marriage… than almost anything else I could do.

I know this because she has told me so… more than once.

All the flowers, chocolate, jewelry, movies, or anything else I “buy” for her don’t even come close to the love she feels from me when I simply give her my time and focused attention. It makes her feel valued and cherished by me.

One of the best dates we’ve ever had was exactly like this. Since Valentine’s Day is coming up,  I asked her to briefly share about it. (The book she mentions is called My Wife Journal, and I highly recommend it no matter what stage of marriage you are at.)

“This is what I can tell you from my heart. I will always remember our date on a cold winter night.

Thank you for dazzling me with something more beautiful than diamonds and much more significant than flowers!”

Fellow Dad, I can’t tell you enough how much my wife appreciated this date. I hope this encourages you in your marriage. 

You can learn more about the “My Wife Journal” here.

Blessings on your marriage,
Joey Watkins Founder, FamilyDads

PS – Don’t forget, Valentine’s Day is February 14th! 

FamilyDads is a dad-founded and dad-focused organization committed to helping dads prioritize and lead their families. Learn more at http://www.FamilyDads.com ]]> http://christianparentingdaily.com/2009/02/03/best-date-ever-by-joey-watkins/feed/ 0 http://christianparentingdaily.com/2009/02/03/jesus-laughing/ http://christianparentingdaily.com/2009/02/03/jesus-laughing/#comments Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:27:47 +0000 Christian Parenting Daily http://christianparentingdaily.com/?p=1098 The Greatest Mission Trip You’ll Ever Take

Jesus Laughing
Posted: 31 Jan 2009 04:38 AM CST

My Aunt Linda emailed these images to me. In the email it said that some people went to visit a seminary in Florida and found a man sketching large images of Jesus in about 30-45 minutes. The artist preferred anonymity, stating that he wanted the images to speak for themselves. If you’re able to zoom in, you’ll see that the drawings are signed, “Jesus Painter”.

I find them beautiful beyond words. This is what the ministry at TGMT is all about – bringing our children into the love and light of Jesus Christ so they can come into relationship with Him. go to article…