Today's prayers focus on avoiding foolishness. Brooke's encouragement in the LG is so good that I am literally going to quote it verbatim. (Why reinvent the wheel when what she shares is SO fitting for today."
"In their book, Instructing a Child's Heart, Tedd and Margy Tripp have this to say about foolishness:
"The Bible's definition of foolishness is concise. 'The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God." (Psalm 14:1) If there is no God, I am autonomous -- a law unto myself. There is no consideration in life more profound than, 'What will please ME?' Children don't say those words, but such foolish thoughts are the underlying justifications for hundreds of impulses every day. It is expressed in all the acts of disobedience, selfishness, willful temper, and compulsive self-love." (p 112)
He sits across from me with his head down, this little love of mine who steals my heart and breaks it all at the same time. I ask him for the fourth time that day to tell me how many kinds of men there are in this world. his answer? TWO.
The foolish man, who says in his heart there is no God, and acts like a law unto himself.
The wise man, who fears God and obeys Him.
Foolish choices bring unpleasant consequences. But the wise man has security in loving God and all the power of heaven on his side. And I ask him again to tell me what kind of man he wants to be. His answer? THE WISE MAN.
I know there will come a day when my little love will have to own this faith, but I believe with all my heart that teaching both of my sons to think in biblical terms now will help them choose in biblical terms later."
I could NOT have said it better myself -- particularly that last paragraph. It RARELY occurs to me to help my sons to understand the difference between the foolish man and the wise man using the Bible's definitions. Two great examples are in Psalm 14:1 ('The fool says in his heart, 'There is no god.") and Proverbs 9:10 ('The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.) Is this something you do with your sons? Such great wisdom lies in those two passages -- what other descriptions in Scripture of the foolish man could help your sons to understand that foolishness ALWAYS brings negative consequences?
I've heard it said before that all one needs to look at for convincing evidence of original sin is a toddler. Their world is all about me -- which is just what the Tripps state in their book. Whether your son is 2 months, 2 years, or 32 years old, pray that God will change int heir hearts -- that he will give them a warrior's heart that is set apart, just like Daniel's.
I think question 1 is perfect for today -- Take a moment and think about your dreams for your sons. BE HONEST. Do you dream of having sons who are "without blemish of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding, learning and competent to stand in the king's palace?" Share your thoughts here or on our facebook group page.
As you spend time with your families this weekend, I will be lifting you up in prayer -- asking God to cover you with strength and endurance. And I'll be praying for those special guys in your life, too -- that God will turn their hearts of stone to hearts of flesh and help them cling to the security the wise man has in loving God and having all the power of heaven on his side.
2 comments:
this is something we do daily,i do daily, and it has become such a "burden" Josiah(7) and Timothy (6) are getting to that age of accountability.... where they will be held accountable. where Jesus will say to them, depart i never knew you or, "Welcome my good and faithful servant" i (we as parents) want them to grow in the knowledge of the one who created them, the one who loves them. at the end of EVERY day, i ask myself," did i do what is required of me to show my (children) son that Jesus Loves him?" did i show him forgiveness in the area he needed it, did i show him rebuke in the area he may have needed it? this parenting thing is "fun" and tough at the same time. Thank you Lord that we don't have to do it alone. while we tech them theses, i believe we are teaching them the foundation they will need to be a well grounded Christian adult.
thank you for your prayers and please know that as the leader of this group we are lifting your family up as well.
I love what you shared -- DID I DO WHAT IS REQUIRED OF ME TO SHOW MY CHILDREN that JESUS LOVES THEM? I'm SO thankful that we don't have to do it alone -- I know I couldn't do it without HIM! Only HE makes it possible for me to show ANY example of choosing to avoid foolishness.
THANKS FOR SHARING! (And thanks for the prayers!)
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