tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25560132184605454802024-02-18T22:49:03.541-08:00Women of HopeWomen of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-63689638166650863252021-08-20T12:07:00.005-07:002021-08-22T19:08:25.313-07:00Idolatry Is Not Dead!<p><span style="font-size: medium;">by Betty Jackson </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjfZSx8lUgSJFHhSk0m2cTr11Yhx4klZRP936MSTpCiu6jIhRHgGrRZqAN81y1NJZl31v_b57cA-2tdNLc4LP2KcXJ-y73QHakznLmDWhSOHjF_HgO8tK3QqkqoKI3HFHJRBne_qSc-0/s791/Ganesha.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="633" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjfZSx8lUgSJFHhSk0m2cTr11Yhx4klZRP936MSTpCiu6jIhRHgGrRZqAN81y1NJZl31v_b57cA-2tdNLc4LP2KcXJ-y73QHakznLmDWhSOHjF_HgO8tK3QqkqoKI3HFHJRBne_qSc-0/w140-h204/Ganesha.jpg" width="140" /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Lord God said in Exodus 20:2-3, <i>“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of </i></span><span style="text-align: left;"><i>bondage before Me.”</i> </span><span style="text-align: left;">The Lord’s reminding the Israelites of his rescuing them from Egyptian slavery, causes one to recall </span><b style="text-align: left;">how</b><span style="text-align: left;"> he did that.The miracles of the ten plagues were grand demonstrations of his power in contrast to the impotent Egyptian gods.They also declared his sovereignty and authority over the earth and its inhabitants. </span><span style="text-align: left;">(See Ex. 7-14.) </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">(cf.</span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><u><span style="color: #0000ee;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/563-israels-exodus-from-egypt .</span>)</u></span></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because of who he is, our God commanded that they were not to have any other gods before him. Only he is worthy of worship. But who are these “other gods?” Are they living beings? The Bible describes these “gods” in Ps. 115:4-7, <i>“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but do not see. They have ears, but they do not hear; noses they have, but they do not smell. They have hands, but they do not handle; feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat…”</i></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> The Bible makes it clear that these gods were man-made idols. <i>“For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols; but the Lord made the heavens” </i>(1 Chron. 16:25-26).</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is a verifiable fact that human beings are generally worshiping creatures. Archaeological discoveries have shown that idolatry existed in earlier known civilizations.The relics of ancient Mesopotamia, otherwise known as the Cradle of Civilization, demonstrate that false gods were worshiped there.</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Leaving the truth of God can lead to being seduced by the doctrines of false teachers (1 Tim. 4:1-2) or idolatry. The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans concerning the foolishness of worshiping images of creatures.Those who sink into that hole of darkness are without excuse because the evidence for the power and divinity of God is declared by the created universe and all that is in it (Rom. 1:20-26).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lord further instructed the Israelites, <i>“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them…”</i> Sadly, they didn’t always obey that command. Like people of the ancient past, and the nations around them, they began to make and worship idols. The result was a spiral into deep, dark wickedness. Immorality and abuse of children as sacrifices to these false gods was common. Even Manasseh, one of the kings of Judah, sacrificed his sons by fire (2 Chron. 33:6). When one leaves biblical principals and the true God, evil can abound with debauchery.</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Elijah, the prophet, challenged Jezebel’s so-called prophets of her god, Baal, to a contest. Elijah chided them saying why doesn’t Baal answer? Is he using the bathroom, on a vacation, or taking a nap!? Of course, the Lord won the contest (1 Kgs. 18:25-29). Why did Baal lose? Because he was a man-made idol.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What about idolatry today? It still exists in our world. In India, and other countries ancestors are worshiped. According to Hinduism animals have souls. The cow is considered a caretaker, and so beef is not eaten by strict Hindus.The Hindu religion celebrates many gods and goddesses.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> Pictured above is one of these.</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are people who worship the stars. For some, this resides in astrology. Astrology or divination (telling the future by the stars or planets) is invalid and condemned in the Bible (Isaiah 47:13-15). If astrology is able to reveal secrets, King Nebuchadnezzar’s astrologers could have helped him with his dream (which was given by the Lord). Instead, Daniel, by the power of God was able to tell the king his dream and interpret it. (See Daniel 2.) Others are involved with witchcraft, the occult, and even the worship of Satan. More wickedness cannot be found on the face of this earth than in Satanism. The abuse and self-indulgence by these wicked people cannot be described here.</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But even those who may not slip into the sins associated with such things may be guilty of idolatry. Paul, the apostle, explained that covetousness is idolatry (Col. 3:5). What is covetousness? It is defined as excessive desire for what another has (wife, husband, property), or obsession with pursuing riches, power, popularity, loving possessions, or loving a person more than God. (cf. Matt. 19:16-22.) “Covetousness, therefore, is basic to the commandments against murder, adultery, stealing, and lying” (cf.</span><u style="font-family: Arial;"> </u><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/covetousness<span>/</span></u><span>.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">)</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let us beware! If we are more concerned with things of the earth (even things not intrinsically wrong) than setting our minds on things above (Colossians 3:1-2), we need to follow the example of the Christians of Thessalonica and turn to <i>“God from idols to serve the living and true God”</i> (1 Thess. 1:9).</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How can we keep ourselves free from idolatry? We must be aware that Satan is alive and aims to destroy us. However, we can resist him, and <i>“he will flee”</i> (James 4:7). He cannot overcome us against our will. He is powerful, but we have freedom of choice. When we choose to ignore the Lord, it is not Satan “making us” choose. There is due reward in hell for the devil and those who give him homage.</span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We need to have a deep faith in God. How can we do that? Have a good and honest heart (Lk. 8:15). <i>“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”</i>(Rom.10:17). Study and obey the Holy Bible. Assemble with God’s people, as they faithfully carry out his plan for worship. </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus has the answer for avoiding idolatry: <i>“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.</i><i>”</i><i> </i> (Lk. 10:27). </span></p><blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><br /></blockquote></blockquote><p></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>**************************</b></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><b>Note:</b> Biblical references are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible (NKJV).</p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><b>Suggested reading:</b></p><p class="p4" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial;"><u>https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/46-christianity-and-world-religions</u></span></p><p class="p4" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial;"><u>https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/997-1-thessalonians-1-9-conversion-a-turning-process</u></span></p><p class="p4" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial;"><u>https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/458-a-realistic-look-at-sin</u></span></p><p class="p5" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><br /></span></p><p class="p6" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 12px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-28704104816441932872021-07-17T09:42:00.000-07:002021-07-17T09:42:05.522-07:00Will Your Child Keep the Faith?<p><span style="font-family: Arial;">by Betty Jackson</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkrau6gbw8ZNFKKdoVfkalG7X64r-a2AHBpDxq5xlu6UrZSTJBullna9y0RbR9ZnwmQ85h0WH7uEnC2w-GaUpOLtpoPjl9uhogHaR9SC4UW5z85-Myl534Hf1MrwDcyEYHS8KxJ62q4k/s272/Fathers+with+Sons+in+Bible+study.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkrau6gbw8ZNFKKdoVfkalG7X64r-a2AHBpDxq5xlu6UrZSTJBullna9y0RbR9ZnwmQ85h0WH7uEnC2w-GaUpOLtpoPjl9uhogHaR9SC4UW5z85-Myl534Hf1MrwDcyEYHS8KxJ62q4k/s0/Fathers+with+Sons+in+Bible+study.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">The grip of unbelief is carrying our children away from the Lord. Are we unaware that humanism fostered by evolutionary propaganda has infiltrated the thinking of many young people?</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Research by David Kinnaman revealed that “three out of ten young adults with a “Christian background” feel that “churches are out of step with the scientific world we live in” (29%).</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Another one-quarter embrace the perception that “Christianity is anti-science.” And nearly the same proportion (23%) said they have been “turned off by the creation-versus-evolution debate.” (cf. https://www.barna.com/research/six-reasons-young-christians-leave-church/).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">In his book, </span><i style="font-family: Arial;">Already Gone, </i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ken Ham</span><i style="font-family: Arial;"> </i><span style="font-family: Arial;">reported that some young people began losing their faith during the middle grades. Evolution was aggressively taught as a fact and that the Bible contradicts science. In a companion book, </span><i style="font-family: Arial;">Already Compromised, </i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Mr. Ham indicts numerous so-called “Christian universities.”</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Many schools across the country, both denominational and those affiliated with the church of Christ are no longer strictly creationist. (cf. </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/760-creationism-in-our-schools" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/760-creationism-in-our-schools</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Evolution with all of its tenets is the tool of humanistic predators. In 1930, Charles F. Potter, the founder of the First Humanistic Society of New York, wrote, “Education is thus a most powerful ally of humanism, and every American school is a school of humanism. What can a theistic Sunday school’s meeting for an hour once a week and teaching only a fraction of the children do to stem the tide of the five-day program of humanistic teaching?” (cf. </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="http://creationrevolution.com/2011/03/charles-f-potter-on-secular-humanism-excluding-god-from-schools-society/" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="s1" style="color: #2b00fe;">http://creationrevolution.com/2011/03/charles-f-potter-on-secular-humanism-excluding-god-from-schools-society/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Humanist John J. Dunphy wrote, “I am convinced that the battle for humankind’s future must be waged and won in the public school classroom by teachers who correctly perceive their role as the proselytizers of a new faith… These teachers must … be ministers of another sort, utilizing a classroom instead of a pulpit to convey humanist values in whatever subject they teach, regardless of the educational level …</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">The classroom must and will become an arena of conflict between the old and the new — the rotting corpse of Christianity, together with all its adjacent evils and misery, and the new faith of humanism.” (Dunphy, John, <i>A Religion for a New Age</i>, Humanist, Jan. - Feb. 1983, p. 26. See at:</span><span class="s2" style="font-family: Arial;"> <a href="http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/secular-humanism.htm"><span class="s3"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/secular-humanism.htm</span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Isolation of our children will not protect them. Christianity is based on facts and reason (See Romans 1:20-21.) We need to prepare ourselves to teach children how to think logically. Otherwise, Charles F. Potter will be right—an hour a week will not be enough to keep our children from drowning in the mire of evolution and humanism propaganda.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">The fact is the fruits of atheism are discernible in world-wide culture. “Atheism is a bleak, worthless ideology. It robs the brain of reason, the conscience of moral guidance, the mind of tranquility, and the soul of hope.” (Wayne Jackson:</span><span class="s2" style="font-family: Arial;"> <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1533-atheism-the-no-god-religion"><span class="s3" style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1533-atheism-the-no-god-religion</span></a>.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Let us as parents, grandparents, Bible class teachers, youth ministers, church leaders seek to counter Satan’s working, snatching our children out of the fire of humanism. (cf. Jude 23). We cannot stand by and just let it happen.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p>*******</p><p>Other articles: </p><p>Wayne Jackson: <span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/764-fortifying-the-faith-of-our-children</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/866-the-value-of-youth-to-the-cause-of-god</span></p><p>Jason Jackson:<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1221-will-our-children-trust-in-the-lord</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-69945221911069268542021-02-18T11:12:00.002-08:002021-02-18T11:14:02.739-08:00 More about: Life Without Parole<p>by Betty Jackson</p><p>You may have read the previous article, <i>Life Without Parole</i>, posted almost a year and a half ago. Shyrl Lamar attempted several times over the past few years to obtain a parole. It was denied, until she had new legal representation. The Governor commuted her sentence to 34 years to life. Having served 35 years, she appealed the Parole Board again. The board agreed to her parole, based on her sincere regret for her past behaviors. There were a couple more hurdles, but she was paroled in December of 2020.</p><p>Shyrl did her best to honor Christ under difficult circumstances. Because of the Covid virus issues, she did not have to go to a type of "half-way" home for women. She is now living with her son and his wife and children. She is so excited to be there. </p><p>I pray for Shyrl. I believe she will do her best to be faithful to the Lord. </p><p><br /></p>Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-46613617952195906732019-09-03T11:14:00.001-07:002019-09-03T12:40:22.279-07:00Life Without Parole<style type="text/css">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Posted by Betty Jackson</span></div>
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<i style="font-size: x-large;"> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"> Shyrl Irene Lamar is my dear sister in Christ. But she is serving a life without parole sentence at the Central California Women’s Facility. Many years ago, our friends, Jack and Edie Wheeler, wanted us to meet and visit with Shyrl. After the required paperwork, we met the Wheelers at the prison to visit Shyrl. We felt affection for her right away.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> I asked Shyrl for a brief autobiography to share with </i><b><i>Women of Hope</i></b><i> readers.</i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Shyrl explains her reason for telling her story:</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> I have thought about how to discourage a person from doing the kinds of things that eventually led me to prison. We think our lives are hopeless and so we turn to people. When they let us down, we may turn to alcohol or drugs. Nearly 19 years of my life were wasted chasing drugs, alcohol and people. I have had to look within myself to find out exactly how, when and where those desires had warped me.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> At the age of 35 I was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for t</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">he deaths of two people due to my drug addiction. I have realized all the </span><span style="font-size: large;">unhappiness I have caused others. Discovering my indifference and lack of empathy </span><span style="font-size: large;">has helped me move forward towards correction. Now I know this is a lifetime </span><span style="font-size: large;">process of healing. I have dropped the blaming of others.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> I was abandoned and unloved growing up. So I drank, took drugs, slept </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">around to rid myself from the emptiness I felt. I was lost in shame, lying, fear, and </span><span style="font-size: large;">denial. Yet, by the grace of God, like a thermostat being turned down, those </span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">emotions are diminishing and less painful. I have learned to love myself, and </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">others (Matthew 22:39).</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> This year I will have been incarcerated for 31 years. My prayer is that you never let yourself get caught up in a lifestyle to take anything, especially another human being’s life. You will have to live with this pain for the rest of your life. Please don’t think I am making excuses or that I seek pity. I do seek that you never have to be behind bars. Thank you for letting me tell my story.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Shyrl’s story:</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> At the age of one month old my mother abandoned me and I was raised </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">by my grandmother in Madera, California. My step-grandfather would get drunk </span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">on the weekends and start shooting his shotgun in the house. My grandmother </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">and I would hide under the bed, or run down the road where my mother lived about a </span><span style="font-size: large;">mile away.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> While growing up there, my grandmother had to work in different homes, taking care of elderly people, occasionally spending the night at their homes.That left me with my step-grandfather who molested me. If I wasn’t with him, I was left with my next door neighbor whose grandfather also molested me. After learning how to avoid them, my boy cousins picked up the abuse where they left off. The molestation went on for about five years.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Being afraid and ashamed of what was done to me, I never shared it with my grandmother or any other family member. During my school years I was made fun of because I was more developed than the other girls my age and because of my dark skin. As I grew older, sex was the way to get attention and feel loved. I never felt loved by my mother. I know my grandmother loved me, though she never said the words. It was different seeing my cousins having that love from their mother.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> I never knew the man that my mother <i>hoped </i>was my father, except for the </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">time he brought his daughter to compare us. We didn’t look anything like each </span><span style="font-size: large;">other. My mother had a one night affair with my father. I only knew my real dad a </span><span style="font-size: large;">few years before he died.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> My mother would stop by my grandmother’s house and bring my brothers </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">and sister on occasion. I remember being ten years old, when she spanked me </span><span style="font-size: large;">just to let me know she was my mother. I can’t recall what I did, but she kept s</span><span style="font-size: large;">aying, “So you are not going to cry.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> When I was twelve years old, she took my half </span><span style="font-size: large;">siblings and moved to Michigan. My step-father said I was too black to go. All of </span><span style="font-size: large;">his family were lighter skinned.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> When I was sixteen, I met some kids from San Francisco and went to visit </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">their family. They gave me some kind of pill and something to drink. I passed out.</span><span style="font-size: large;">They said they thought I was dead; the only reason they did not throw me in the San Francisco bay was because I took a breath. They put me out at my grandmother’s house. This was my first experience with drugs and alcohol.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> After my mother came back from Michigan, she moved to Sacramento. My </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">grandmother sent me there for the summer. I ended up getting pregnant by an </span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">older man. I went back to my grandmother to tell her. She said I was an adult </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">now. I decided to go to San Francisco to visit a childhood crush guy. I always </span><span style="font-size: large;">gave my grandmother the addresses of where I would be. My mother got the </span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">address, and called the police and had me placed in juvenile hall. After that, my </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">grandmother did not let my mother interfere with trying to raise me “on the side.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> Growing up I witnessed the immorality of family members drinking, fighting, and wild behavior. This was what was normal was to me. I was taught you don’t call the police, or tell anyone what happened in the house. Keeping everything a secret was the core belief of my rearing.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> My son was born when I was seventeen. Then I married my high school </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">boyfriend. Less than a month after we were married, he was drafted into the </span><span style="font-size: large;">army and sent to Germany. My mother gave me Valium to help calm me down. </span><span style="font-size: large;">When they drank, I was offered some. That was the true beginning of my </span><span style="font-size: large;">addictions.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> A year later, my husband wrote me a “Dear Jane” letter while he was </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">overseas, so he could live the single life. Again, I felt abandoned. I started </span><span style="font-size: large;">drinking a lot. When he came back, we were reunited. We had a son. But after five years of being beaten by my husband, I left him. Later on, my daughter was born.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> In 1980 I was introduced to crack cocaine. It was an intense high that made me want more and activate my sex drive. My nightmare began. I wrote bad checks, stole from family members, whatever it took to buy drugs. During that time I met my co-defender. We were getting high together. We lived with family members because all the money we got was spent on drugs.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> From there, the nightmare went to rock bottom. On the night of September </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">18, 1986, my co-defendant and I planned the burglary of William Gruver and </span><span style="font-size: large;">Barbara Brien. We had sold them furniture. Later that evening, we went to their </span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">apartment and asked them if we could spend the night. Both Mr. Gruver and Ms. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Brien were killed in the course of that burglary. My addiction and dishonesty, </span><span style="font-size: large;">contributed to ending their lives.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> On December 20, 1990 I began serving a life without parole sentence at </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Central California Women’s Facility. While in the county waiting on my sentence, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I asked God not to give me more more than I could bear: life without the possibility of </span><span style="font-size: large;">parole or the death sentence. The night before sentencing I got on my knees and </span><span style="font-size: large;">prayed about it. The next day, I felt God had answered my prayer.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> My grandmother always took me to church (church of Christ). I remember </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">hearing them talk about someone always being there for you. I have memories of </span><span style="font-size: large;">her carrying me in her arms when we went. But I was too young to understand. </span><span style="font-size: large;">While I waited for my sentence in the country jail, I studied the Word on my own. </span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">I pretty much knew the plan of salvation while growing up. I surrendered, and </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">knew what I must do. I prayed to God about my wish to be baptized.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> After coming to the prison, I spoke to the chaplain about being baptized. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">He stated they did not do it. So I filed a grievance and won, so they purchased a “pool.” My next prayer was for someone from the church of Christ to baptize me. Joe Boe,* the minister for the Madera church of Christ at the time, came to visit me. On May 8, 1994, I was baptized for the remission of my sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). That was the happiest day of my life, to be added the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47). God heard my cry and knew I truly wanted to be His child.The feeling on that day cannot be described in words! The joy of knowing that I had been added to Christ’s church was the best thing in my entire life. (Matthew 16:16-18.)</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> I continued to study correspondence courses through the mail, and </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">reading my Bible. Today I am able to do this time knowing there is Someone who </span><span style="font-size: large;">loves me without any strings attached. I continue to turn my life over to God, and </span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">learn how we are to live righteously. To me that means to live with good and </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">correct behavior. In addition to conforming with the laws of the justice system, we </span><span style="font-size: large;">must be humane with honest principles. The knowledge that I have gained from </span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">reading my Bible and the self-help groups has helped me to learn and deal with </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">all my character defects and contributing factors which led me to prison. I am grateful to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for their restorative justice program that they have provided for me here. I take total responsibility for my actions.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> I am no longer a slave to drugs and alcohol because every day I call upon </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">the power of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to face the person I’ve feared the </span><span style="font-size: large;">most, the “drug me” and asked Him to guide me. I thank God who has shown me </span><span style="font-size: large;">freedom from alcohol and drugs through His Word.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> The person that I was, no longer exists. By the grace of God, I have learned that </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">all I did was wrong and it will never happen again. Though my life was not a bed </span><span style="font-size: large;">of roses, I now know I had choices and I took the wrong ones. I have felt so much shame that it held me hostage. Nothing I can say will undo the pain and suffering I caused the Gruver and Brien families. I have written them to try to apologize, but they have not answered. They have a right to their feelings about me. They still consider me a monster. I understand.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> When I came to prison, I talked to all of my kids and explained how sorry I </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">am for being a bad mother. I had wronged them. They said they understood, but </span><span style="font-size: large;">some still hold out, and I can understand how they feel. I pray that one day they </span><span style="font-size: large;">will forgive me.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> Beginning in 2003, I began sharing the word of God every Sunday with the </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">women at CCWF. I am an active representative for the Sliver Fox and Senior </span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Committee. This is for women 50 years and older. I work for the Facility </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Lieutenant’s/Sergeant’s, and am an elected Unit Representative for Building 512, </span><span style="font-size: large;">acting as a liaison between inmates and staff. This experience will give me an </span><span style="font-size: large;">opportunity to share should I ever be able to enter into society.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> Thank you for seeing me through my experience of life outside and inside </span></span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">a correctional facility. That monster, drugs, had a hold on me. But by the grace of </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">God it doesn’t exist anymore. If by sharing my shame and my story only one </span><span style="font-size: large;">person will stop using drugs, it will be a blessing.</span></div>
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<li class="li1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Joe Boe told me that Shyrl’s brother who was a Christian asked him to visit Shyrl. He did, and later baptized her. Though I don't know all the details, I was told the "co-defendant" did the actual killing of those two people.</span></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Shyrl plans to request a parole by filing with the California governor. Please pray for Shyrl that she will be faithful to the Lord, regardless of the outcome of her appeal.</span></span></li>
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Photo attribution: 123rf.com: Copyright: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Meiryo, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">George Tsartsianidis - Greece </span><br />
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-86426781513369100292019-08-14T20:00:00.000-07:002019-08-15T07:54:53.106-07:00Cultivating a Merry Heartby Alice Moore<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> The year was 1959, and a classmate from second grade had just moved back to our little town after an absence of four years. There was only one sixth grade class, and Mrs. Wortman, our teacher, asked Teresa, the returning student, if she remembered any of us. "Yes," Teresa said, "I do," and she pointed to me. Mrs. Wortman asked her, "Why is it that you remember Alice? Teresa answered, "Because she smiles all the time."</span><br />
I
still treasure that comment after all these years, but the credit for my happy
attitude toward life should go to my parents and Bible school teachers who
taught me from a very early age that life is easier when one has a merry
outlook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A heart that is consumed with
unhappiness is a bleak existence indeed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I grew and discovered God's word for
myself, I truly began to understand the need that each of us has for a merry
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet it is sometimes so very
challenging to cultivate and maintain a sense of joy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Still,
developing a merry heart is a process, and a happy viewpoint is a viable
achievement for each of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a
poster in my home library which I read often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It simply states, "One day I shall be what I am now becoming."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I working daily at nurturing a happy
heart?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The attitudes that I am fostering
this day will determine my mindset in the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is true--life can be difficult even during the best of times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pick up a newspaper, turn on the television, or
read about current events online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
can read of war-torn countries, mass shootings, turmoil at the border, and
epidemics of frightening illnesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a
personal level each of us, at some time or another, will have to deal with
disease and death, with lost hopes and opportunities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If
a beloved child is catastrophically ill or a mother has dementia or financial
difficulties loom, how can I choose joy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A merry heart is not only possible but necessary in order to deal with
this world's burdens, yet how is it possible to maintain a merry heart in the
midst of such turmoil?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First
of all, one should remember that for the Christian, any crisis in this life is
a temporary dilemma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our problems are
transient, and eternity offers joy untold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love the inspired words of Paul to the church at Corinth, "For
our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which
are seen, but at the things which are not seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are
not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A merry heart has its focus on the unseen, on
spiritual matters which can see us through our temporary heartaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When one focuses on the Father and His
blessed Son, it is possible to find joy even in the most excruciating
circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Paul could be joyful
in tribulation (2 Corinthians 7:4), we can be also.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Secondly,
feeding your soul on the word of God fosters a merry outlook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A psalmist wrote, "But my heart stands
in awe of Your word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rejoice As one
who finds great treasure" (Psalm 119: 161-162).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's true--the word of God brings gladness to
the soul of the Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The delight
to be found in Scriptures promotes the development of a merry heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David, the shepherd boy and king, wrote,
"In Your presence is fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What better place to step into the presence
of God and find that joy than in His holy word?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thirdly,
God provides comfort during times of sorrow, and He enables us to possess a
merry heart during life's challenges. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Father also uses Christians to comfort one
another when a merry heart seems unattainable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Apostle Paul wrote, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in
all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any
trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God" (2
Corinthians 1:3-4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we help others
to cope with unhappiness, we aid ourselves in dealing with our own sorrow. It
is impossible to cheer up someone else without making our own hearts gladder as
a side effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A merry heart really does
good like a medicine (Proverbs 17:22), not only for the one who possesses that
type of heart, but also for those with whom she comes in contact.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fourthly,
prayer and praise to God will cause our hearts to be merry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we read God's word, God speaks to us,
but when we go to Him in prayer, we are speaking to the Father directly,
placing our needs before His throne or thanking Him for His care of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul instructed the church at Thessalonica to
pray without ceasing, and just before that admonition, he told them to rejoice
always (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
two activities are connected; a prayerful heart will increase one's joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is impossible not to feel encouraged when
we willingly approach God, giving Him our concerns and heartaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, too, offering our praise and adoration
to the One who made us facilitates a joyful heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul said we can rejoice in hope and be
patient in tribulation as we continue to be steadfast in prayer (Romans 12:12).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fifthly,
generosity aids in developing a merry heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sharing whatever one possesses is uplifting behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture instructs us to show mercy with cheerfulness
(Romans 12:80) as well as give of our means with a cheerful heart (2
Corinthians 9:7), and cheerfulness is a trait we can develop as we do those
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A giving attitude toward our
fellowman engenders joyfulness, and that happiness has a rebound effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is like a boomerang that continually comes
back to us, making our own hearts glad. We can be generous with our time, our
financial assets, our talents, or simply our concern for others, and our hearts
will be merrier for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes
something as simple as the gift of a kind word makes for a joyful heart
(Proverbs 12:25).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sixthly,
in order to possess a merry heart, one must come to terms with the past, learn
to celebrate the present, and plan for the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dealing with past misdeeds and the guilt they
engender can dampen the joy in our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even though we have sought and been granted God's forgiveness, we often
have difficulty in forgiving ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We must learn to honor what is good in our past and put aside those
things we cannot change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a
bad-tempered young teenager--so very irritable and hard to get along with, and
I am ashamed of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because my mother
died when I was thirteen, I could never go back and make things right with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think she would be pleased with the adult I
became, and knowing that I will see her again has helped me to move on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sometimes
our hearts are not merry because we don't enjoy the present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are constantly thinking about what we
should be doing instead of embracing the joy of the current moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We allow anxiety to quench the fire of our
merry hearts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
can enable our hearts to be merrier by planning for the future with God at the
center of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>our activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul demonstrated that he knew how to pay
tribute to the future when he wrote, "Brethren, I do not count myself to
have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind
and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians
3:13-14).<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally,
we must practice joy; we must choose joy; we must hold joy close and welcome it
into every corner of our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rehearse
joy; train for joy; prepare for joy as a daily occurrence. Learn to recognize
it in the ordinary events of daily life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Laugh out loud when there is no one to hear but you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Smile as though you mean it; prepare to have
a merry heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that one day you
will be what you are now becoming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Alice Moore indeed has a ready smile for everyone. She is a pleasant and godly sister in Christ. Alice resides in Humbolt, Tennessee with her husband, Mark. They have five children and nine grandchildren. Alice and Mark are members at the North Jackson church of Christ. They are active in mission work each year. Alice is a retired teacher. She is a speaker and teacher for ladies events and Bible classes. Her excellent book <i>Lift Me Up </i>has recently been published by Publishing Designs Inc. <a href="http://www.publishingdesigns.com/newest.php">http://www.publishingdesigns.com/newest.php</a></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-44572579673319582462019-06-20T21:50:00.003-07:002019-06-20T21:50:58.875-07:00Paths in the Sea<style type="text/css">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDAavEzDKXQEJ8umwiJGSDi58EBJQnsORqxi7px34ebljKe1NZhXDdy2HI6bcTDBrucZOOG31W10DBZ218hLy16JA7BDV05m4JXCW9lLYQ3m3P5uyPQD-ScD2OyVOPraMvXE8ZTAe8dM/s1600/183px-Matthew_Fontaine_Maury_Statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="183" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDAavEzDKXQEJ8umwiJGSDi58EBJQnsORqxi7px34ebljKe1NZhXDdy2HI6bcTDBrucZOOG31W10DBZ218hLy16JA7BDV05m4JXCW9lLYQ3m3P5uyPQD-ScD2OyVOPraMvXE8ZTAe8dM/s320/183px-Matthew_Fontaine_Maury_Statue.jpg" width="245" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is a monument in Goshen, Virginia that honors Matthew Fontaine Maury as the pathfinder of the seas. The monument reads:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“<i>Matthew Fontaine Maury, pathfinder of the seas, the genius, who first snatched from the ocean and atmosphere the secret of their laws. Born January 14, 1806. Died at Lexington Virginia, February 1,1873 ... Every mariner for countless ages, as he takes his chart to shape his course through the seas, will think of thee. His inspiration: Holy Writ, Psalms 8 and 107, Verses 8, 23, and 24, Ecclesiastes Chapter 1 Verse 8” </i>(quoted in <i>Science in the Bible, </i>p. 119).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Charles L. Lewis wrote a book titled: </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Matthew Fontaine Maury: Pathfinder of the Seas </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that was published by the U.S. Naval Institute in 1927. (It is available as a free ebook. See: </span><a href="http://openlibrary.org/books/OL6710231M%C2%A0" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><span class="s2">http://openlibrary.org/books/OL6710231M</span> </span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">Mr. Lewis records many events in the life of this great man. It is said that one of his children typically read from the Scriptures each night. On one such evening, Mr. Maury was ill and confined to bed, when the child read Psalm 8:8 <i>“...the fish of the sea that passes through the paths of the seas.”</i> Maury exclaimed, “If God said there are paths in the sea, I am going to find them when I get out of this bed.” From all that I can determine, this story was true. However, he had been researching ocean currents before this incident.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In his book </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Physical Geography of the Seas</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, Mr. Maury eloquently wrote about how one must conclude that the design of a watch points to a designer. Then he wisely stated concerning the ocean:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“So, too, when one looks out upon the face of this beautiful world, he may admire the lovely scene, but his admiration can never grow into adoration unless he will take the trouble to look behind and study, in some of its details at least, the exquisite system of machinery by which such beautiful results are accomplished. To him who does this, the sea, with its physical geography, becomes as the main spring of a watch; its waters, and its currents, and its salts, and its inhabitants, with their adaptations, as balance-wheels, cogs and pinions, and jewels. Thus he perceives that they, too, are according to design; that they are the expression of One Thought, a unity with harmonies which One Intelligence, and One Intelligence alone, could utter.”</i><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="s1">(<a href="http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/"><span class="s2"><span style="color: purple;">http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/</span></span></a></span><span class="s2"><span style="color: purple;">Physical_Geography_Of_The_Sea_1855/2</span></span><span class="s1">. Scroll to p. 53-54 #68.) (Note: You will need to copy and paste the entire title to bring up the source.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> King David lived around 1,000 B.C. He was not a sailor, yet he recorded facts discovered about 2,800 years after him. Scientific accuracy and foreknowledge in the Scriptures is a wonderful faith-building study.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Others such as Prince Henry of Portugal and Benjamin Franklin knew about the existence of the ocean currents. However, Maury was the first to realize that the ocean is a circulating system, with specific patterns of wind and water movement which causes paths or currents. Using the wind and currents, he plotted shipping routes which have saved shipping companies great amounts of time and money.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Surface currents are wind driven. The greatest of these are the Gulf Stream and the Japan Current. Interestingly, there is a subsurface current which runs in the opposite direction. These were not discovered until the twentieth century. In 1964 photographs were taken of the ocean floor where subsurface currents had caused paths in the sand! What’s more, there is what is called “upwelling.” This occurs when the nutrient dense cool water churns from the bottom to the top to replace the depleted warm water. The movement is not only by currents but also by an amazing circulation from beneath the surface!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> The design of the circulating ocean keeps us all alive! If the ocean did not keep moving, it would become stagnant; without oxygen fish would die. The ocean is responsible for our well-being in many ways: rain, food, oxygen, and regulation of the temperature of the earth, etc. God is Almighty!</span><br />
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recommended Reading</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Note: </b>This article was adapted from the section "For the Teacher" in a lesson in my class material "We Believe Because..." a series of Christian evidences lessons for young children.</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne: <span class="s2"><span style="color: purple;"><u>https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1063-psalms-8-8-the-paths-of-the-sea</u></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Major, Trevor:</span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=13&article=361"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span class="s2"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>http://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=13&article=361</u></span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mortan, Dr. Jean Sloat (1978), </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Science in The Bible</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">, (Chicago: Moody Press)</span></div>
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<span class="s2"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/8q.html</u></span></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upwelling</u></span></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Fontaine_Maury"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Fontaine_Maury</span><span class="s3" style="color: purple;"></span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Note that the image of the statue is a photo taken by William Maury Morris. His comments about the picture are worth reading. See Wikipedia about Matthew Fontaine Maury.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The picture of the ship on the Red Sea is a stock photograph purchased from 123rf. Please do not copy from this site.</span>Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-29056093292064134902018-07-23T08:30:00.004-07:002018-07-23T08:37:10.760-07:00Was Archaeopteryx a Missing Link?<div class="" style="background-color: white; text-size-adjust: auto;">
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The following article is a section especially for teachers from my class material, We Believe Because... </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">Research has shown that many young people begin to lose their faith in the integrity of the Bible before they even reach high school. No wonder since evolutionary propaganda is taught in schools, as well as through other mediums, at very early grades. This section is part of a lesson on the design of birds. Where there is a design, there must be a designer! My hope is that this article will be helpful.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Evolutionists astound us with their wild claims that mutations and adaptations, along with eons of time, produced our “fine feathered friends.” They believe that birds are the offspring of reptiles. Consider the following information from Wayne Jackson: </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“</span><span class="s1" style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">B</span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">elieving that all organisms have derived from a primitive life source, evolutionists contend that the fossil record contains proof for their theory. They claim that intermediate life-forms, which supposedly bridge the gaps between the various kinds of living creatures, are revealed in the fossils of the earth. One such transitional link is said to be Archaeopteryx, a strange and extinct bird. George G. Simpson, popularly known as ‘Mr. Evolution,’ declared that Archaeopteryx is ‘the most famous intermediate…between reptiles and birds… The oldest known reptilian except in one respect: They had feathered wings’ (Simpson, Pittendrigh, Tiffany, Life–An Introduction to Biology, 1957, pp. 31, 591).</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While it appears to be true that this ancient creature had some features which are common to both birds and reptiles, this by no means establishes an evolutionary link between the two groups. That link exists only in the mind of evolutionists. Note the following facts: </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(1) Archaeopteryx had feathers similar to modern birds.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(2) Modern birds lived at the same time as Archaeopteryx. Since such was the case, that creature could not have been a link towards the development of modern birds.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(3) It is said that Archaeopteryx had claws on its wings – supposedly an exclusively reptilian trait. However, several modern birds (not considered transitional links) also have claws on their wings. The ostrich is an example.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">Some evolutionary scientists even admit that Archaeopteryx is not a missing link in the evolutionary chain. W. E. Swinton wrote: ‘There is no fossil evidence of the stages through which the remarkable change from reptile to bird was achieved’ </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">(</span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Biology and Comparative Physiology in Birds</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">, 1960, p. 1). </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">That would exclude Archaeopteryx!</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">And so, the missing links are just that – missing!”</span></span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">(<i>Archaeopteryx—A Missing Link That’s Still Missing - out of print)</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each species of birds has beaks or bills particularly designed for their life styles. For example, the woodpecker has an especially pointed and hard beak with cushioning tissue between his bill and skull to absorb the shock. Just imagine the scenario if evolution were true. Woodpeckers with dislocated and broken necks, shattered heads, etc. would litter the forest floor. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMk0QQfEJ_cnNy7S6JQZerddamYOEYRS3utvBaGMIbi0iB32wh3EJCfBB1bjSFMRxELL00KZ4yYgi5qTuLhG7uGtBtHIP68LqMFTauXyBUPOyPudJHbr7hr4J7-9M28Aw2K9xr5OgY8A/s1600/78148349_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="366" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMk0QQfEJ_cnNy7S6JQZerddamYOEYRS3utvBaGMIbi0iB32wh3EJCfBB1bjSFMRxELL00KZ4yYgi5qTuLhG7uGtBtHIP68LqMFTauXyBUPOyPudJHbr7hr4J7-9M28Aw2K9xr5OgY8A/s200/78148349_s.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Others would be flying dizzily about with splitting headaches! If evolution were true, there would be no woodpeckers, for the first attempts to develop into such creatures would have been quickly abandoned. Evolution is simply without basis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">As we consider the marvels of the bird family, we cannot but be awed by the Lord’s creative genius and power. Birds possess so many amazing </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">characteristics. Consider what it takes for a bird to fly: special wing design, lightweight skeletal system of hollow, porous bones, and feathers.Think about the mysteries of migratory patterns; ponder over the unique respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems. Enjoy the wonderful ability of songbirds. Puzzle over the engineering feats of nest construction. How can we not know that “the Lord He is God” (Psalms 100:3)!</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">All things bright and beautiful,</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">All creatures great and small,</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">All things wise and wonderful,</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Lord God made them all.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="s2"><i> </i></span><span class="s1"><i> Cecil Francis Alexander</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Recommended Reading</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Jackson, Wayne. "Those Missing Links." </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">ChristianCourier.com</i><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">. Access date: July 23, 2018. https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/306-those-missing-links</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: whitesmoke;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: whitesmoke;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jackson, Jason. "Evaluating Evolution in Plain English." ChristianCourier.com. Access date: July 23, 2018. https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1228-evaluating-evolution-in-plain-english</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Photo's purchased: not to be copied, covered by legal copyright.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_AlienCat'>AlienCat / 123RF Stock Photo</a></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i style="text-align: center;">Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.co</i><i style="text-align: center;">m/profile_PavelS'>PavelS / 123RF Stock Photo</a></i></span></span></div>
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</style>Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-37493716203078514922018-02-20T15:01:00.001-08:002018-02-20T15:02:51.350-08:00Atheist Children<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyBcof0qYCfuGLfasFZnVs3ar_IPZ-QI27DWwClQal8hR6pPTb8VB7xozR7F4wAxkDsZPTiVFMLDgtdMuh_q2XjWtyydKricZq_MoJVfh-dCxUYxe635mee8mpqdACilDWo4Y-MAqUYA/s1600/small+child+with+bible.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyBcof0qYCfuGLfasFZnVs3ar_IPZ-QI27DWwClQal8hR6pPTb8VB7xozR7F4wAxkDsZPTiVFMLDgtdMuh_q2XjWtyydKricZq_MoJVfh-dCxUYxe635mee8mpqdACilDWo4Y-MAqUYA/s200/small+child+with+bible.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">According to a recent survey by the Barna Group, youngsters of the United States between ages 13-18 (labeled as Generation Z) claim to be atheists. Barna states the percentage of this unbelieving generation is double that of adults. How firm these children are in disbelief is surely not knowable in this kind of survey. But it is no surprise that many of them are leaning toward atheism. The viral propaganda against belief in God is so pervasive. It is in the classroom, on television, social media, etc. <a href="https://www.barna.com/research/atheism-doubles-among-generation-z"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">https://www.barna.com/research/atheism-doubles-among-generation-z</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">We will briefly consider the reasons given by these polled young people, and the increasing secularism/unbelief among the general population. We have listed numerous articles to supplement the brevity here.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The primary reason these youngsters gave for their atheism is the fact of evil and suffering in our world. Surely, it is mused, there must be no God, or he wouldn’t allow evil and suffering to exist. This issue is problematic for many people, including believers in an Almighty God. Instead of jumping to the conclusion that God doesn’t exist because there is suffering and evil, the foremost question is: What is the evidence, if any, for the existence of Deity?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where there is design, there must be a designer; where there is an effect there must be an adequate cause. Our universe, our bodies contain the very evidence of a great Cause and Designer. The visible evidence for an invisible great mind and power that created all there is leads the reasoning and honest person to belief in God (Rom. 1:19-21). Wayne Jackson explains, “In Romans 1, Paul employed this type of reasoning to contend for the Creator’s existence. ‘For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and deity; that they may be without excuse’ (v. 20). By observing the intricacies of the visible creation (the obvious design, orchestration, etc.), one is expected to reason to the invisible, i.e., an ultimate, intelligent Cause exists.The logic is so transparent that to fail to reason in this fashion, Paul says, is inexcusable!” (<a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/892-reasoning-from-the-visible-to-the-invisible"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/892-reasoning-from-the-visible-to-the-invisible</span></a>)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">God has communicated to us by the Bible. How do we know that? There is plenty of evidence for its inspiration. It is the genuine Word. A study of this amazing Book will show its supernatural unity, though written over a period of 1500 or more years. The writers were from different backgrounds and experiences. There is scientific accuracy and foreknowledge, fulfilled prophecies, etc. All these point to the integrity of the Book as God’s Scripture. (cf. Wayne Jackson. <b>The Holy Bible Inspired of God—A Look at the Evidence</b>. <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1578-the-holy-bible-inspired-of-god-a-look-at-the-evidence"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1578-the-holy-bible-inspired-of-god-a-look-at-the-evidence</span></a>.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can we answer the question: Why is there a suffering in the world today? If we believe that the evidence is so strong for the existence of God that it cannot be denied (prima facie case), there must be a satisfying answer. At least enough to accept that God is; and that he loves and acts on behalf of his people, in spite of things we don’t understand. What can we learn from his Holy Word?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Adam and Eve chose to sin, they brought death upon their offspring, that is you and me (Gen. 2:15-17; 3). Disease and violations of natural laws lead to death. The earth itself has “suffered” the consequences of mankind’s sins. It isn’t the same pure globe it was before the fall. For example, there is geological evidence for a moderate climate upon all of the earth before the Flood in Noah’s day. Since then there are turbulent storms and weather extremes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because of God’s love (1 Jon. 4:8), we have been created with the power of personal choice. We are not robots geared to behave with no ability to make decisions. However, choices often lead to sufferings of various kinds for ourselves and others. For example alcohol and other drugs lead to a variety of heartaches: automobile accidents that kill or maim, family abuse, immorality, financial ruin, prison terms, and general unhappiness and depression. The lives of children are affected by the choices of their parents. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The acceptance of the theory of evolution as fact is a huge factor contributing to the growing disbelief in God. If one is simply a beast without a soul, there is no room for the demands of the Lord. The desire for unrestrained behaviors, without accountability, makes evolution an attractive idea to some. With evolution comes a disregard for human life (e.g. abortion). The fact is there is no proof for evolution as the creative power behind all that is. If nothing ever existed, there would be nothing now. Life comes from life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The children surveyed also listed hypocrisy among churches/Christians as a “reason” for their unbelief. This is probably the most shallow of excuses. However, it reminds us that we do not live “on an island” alone. We are seen. Yes, many people look for a weakness in others, and will find it or misjudge. But we must do our best not to behave in ways that bring disgrace to the cause of Christ (cf. 1 Peter 2:11-12). Yet, people who claim hypocrisy is the reason for their unbelief, seem to ignore the many good people who are exemplary of God’s influence in their lives. There are hypocrites in all walks of life, but that doesn’t keep us from going to the doctor or buying an automobile, home etc.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Guardians of the world’s children are their major influences, especially early in life. What are parents, grandparents, teachers doing? Do we live like Jesus commands? Do we communicate with children about God in a deep manner? Are we careful to watch over our youngsters to help them cultivate good companions? How much time is spent having fun or on media devices, versus time spent in service to the Lord or studying his word? Parenting is a responsibility; we will be held accountable. The lifestyle of many parents is focused upon the temporal. It is more important to spend time with our offspring, than it is earning and buying “stuff."</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyBcof0qYCfuGLfasFZnVs3ar_IPZ-QI27DWwClQal8hR6pPTb8VB7xozR7F4wAxkDsZPTiVFMLDgtdMuh_q2XjWtyydKricZq_MoJVfh-dCxUYxe635mee8mpqdACilDWo4Y-MAqUYA/s1600/small+child+with+bible.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The vulnerability of our youth is often under-estimated. We are swimming upstream against a world culture. Unless we prioritize the spiritual needs of ourselves and our children, we will “drown.” Just taking our kids to worship is not enough. A couple of hours a week in formal church services will not create an armor against the wiles of the devil, in all his craftiness (Eph. 6:10-16). Though influential, the preacher, elders, youth minister, Bible class teachers cannot replace parents. The inspired Moses wrote the words of God: “And these words which I command <b>you</b> today shall be in <b>your</b> heart. <b>You</b> shall teach them diligently to <b>your</b> children, and shall talk of them when <b>you</b> sit in <b>your</b> house, when <b>you</b> walk by the way, when <b>you</b> lie down, and when <b>you</b> rise up” (Emphasis mine. Deut. 6:4-9). It takes time, lots of time, to plant the word of God in our own hearts, and the hearts of our children. How much time is left?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Is God There?</b> <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/801-is-god-there"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/801-is-god-there</span></a><i>).</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Are Logic and Scripture Compatible? </b><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1173-are-logic-and-scripture-compatible"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1173-are-logic-and-scripture-compatible</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Penetrating Questions From the Book of Job. </b>https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/726-penetrating-questions-from-the-book-of-job</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Value of Human Suffering. </b><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/52-value-of-human-suffering-the"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/52-value-of-human-suffering-the</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Reasoning From the Visible to the Invisible. </b><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/892-reasoning-from-the-visible-to-the-invisible"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/892-reasoning-from-the-visible-to-the-invisible</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Is Evidence Needed For Faith. </b><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/629-is-evidence-needed-for-faith"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/629-is-evidence-needed-for-faith</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Why Do Natural Disasters Happen. </b><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/939-why-do-natural-disasters-happen"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/939-why-do-natural-disasters-happen</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Evaluating Evolution in Plain English.</b> <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1228-evaluating-evolution-in-plain-english"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1228-evaluating-evolution-in-plain-english</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Building Character Before the Concrete Sets. </b><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1233-building-character-before-the-concrete-sets">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1233-building-character-before-the-concrete-sets</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_anelina'>anelina / 123RF Stock </span></i>Photo</a></span></div>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-49205310085576364192017-09-22T09:34:00.002-07:002017-09-26T11:52:35.389-07:00Am I Old Enough to be Baptized?<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2px; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">by Debbie Bumbalough</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">Bible class teachers and parents are often asked by young children, “Am I old enough to be baptized?” or “How old do I have to be before I can be baptized?” </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because of the importance of this basic question and also the sensitivity of a child’s heart, our choice of words can have everlasting impressions. Because it is difficult to pinpoint an age when a child reaches the proper maturity level to make the decision to become a Christian, answering the question with a specific age would not necessarily be right or wrong. A middle of the road answer to the child might be, “When you have studied God’s Word, and talked the decision over with your parents or loved ones, then you’ll know when it’s time to be baptized.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because this is the most important decision any of us can make, further study on the question is needed. Statistics show that more than 80 percent of people make the decision to become a Christian before the age of 21. All of us know that the longer the decision is put off, the harder it is to make.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">How do we know that a child is old enough to be baptized? What criteria can we use to measure when a child is ready to obey the gospel? How can we as parents and teachers encourage children to not make decisions </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">based on fear or peer pressure?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Through teaching in the home, the pulpit and in the Bible class, each child is exposed to the Scriptures and to the belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. They learn to memorize the steps to salvation and quote verses about</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">baptism. But are they ready to make the commitment to a new life?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">These guidelines may help you determine if a child is</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">ready to be baptized:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">• Has the child moved from a literal understanding to more abstract concepts? For instance, a 7- or 8-year-old child would not be able to grasp the full symbolism of baptism, the blood of Christ, or even the Lord’s Supper.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">As children mature, they more easily understand the meaning of Romans 6:3-4 that states, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (NKJV). By the age of 12 or 13, a child will better understand that baptism is not just a ritual. As LaGard Smith* says in <i>Baptism, The Believer’s Wedding Ceremony</i>, “The true significance of baptism is not what happens on the outside of the package. It’s what happens on the inside that makes the outer act important.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">• The child is actively participating in the worship service. Listening, singing, praying and being attentive during the Lord’s Supper are strong indicators that a child is maturing and wants to be a part of the body. </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">Encouraging children from an early age to carry their Bibles, turning to passages and listening to the Bible reading are positive patterns for learning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">• The child repeatedly feels guilt when approached about wrongdoing. He also begins to understand forgiveness and reconciliation. Conversation reflects that he does not easily forgive himself of sins committed. Just as David felt the burden of his sin in Psalm 51:10,</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">“Create in me a clean heart, O God,” so will a child begin to talk about the pain of guilt. For a child to fully understand the blessings of baptism, he </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">needs to understand the depth of sin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">• The child understands the meaning of commitment. True conversion is a commitment to Christ and His teachings. Allowing a child to participate in other activities such as scouts, sports or a part-time job may indicate that he/she understands the meaning of commitment. If the child takes responsibility and follows through with these tasks, then he will have a better knowledge of commitment.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">• Children at the age of 6 to 8 want to please adults.As adults we talk about baptism in a hopeful light. We tell them, “We hope one day that you will want to be baptized.” They overhear us say to others, “We are </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">praying that [someone] will obey the Lord.” Children who grow up in the church absorb good feelings about baptism from other members. As a child grows older and matures, he has less need for adult approval. Because of this, a child at the age of 12 or 13 is less likely to be just pleasing his parents when he talks about being baptized.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, we must realize that all children are different in maturity levels and understanding. We would certainly not want to discourage a child who </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">was truly convicted in his heart to become a Christian, but at the same time we need to consider prayerfully each individual situation. Studying some of the books suggested in the editor’s note at left (below) may help parents determine a child’s readiness to be baptized.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our hope and prayer is for the child to mature to the level where he does not need to ask the question, “Am I old enough to be baptized?” Rather, with confidence and conviction he can confess “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and I want to be baptized!” With joy, we’ll respond with a resounding, “Yes!” And just as the eunuch did in Acts 8:39, your child will </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">go “on his way rejoicing.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Editor's note: This editorial is by no means a thorough or complete study of </span></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">baptism. After studying the Scriptures, you may want to consult these </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">additional resources*:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Becoming a Christian by Wayne Monroe and Mike Peters; </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Baptism,The Believer’s Wedding Ceremony by F. LaGard Smith; </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Basic Training: </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">A Manual for Teens by Randy Simmons; </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">Good As New! A Child’s Guide to Becoming a Christian by Doug Gibson;</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">Am I Old Enoughto Be Baptized? byJim McDaniel;</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">Now That You’ve Obeyed the Gospel by Delton Haun;</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">Now That I’m A Christian by R. B. Sweet;</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">and “Is Baptism Really Necessary?” by Dan Chambers.</span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: large;">The foregoing editorial article was written by Debbie Bumbalough, </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">while she was editor of the Gospel Advocate’s publication Ideashop. Note the License Agreement below.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>*Disclaimer: </b>Not having read those references, we cannot necessarily endorse the authors or the books recommended above (Betty Jackson).</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Recommended Reading: </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <b><i>What About the Baptism of Young Children.</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/499-what-about-the-baptism-of-young-children"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/499-what-about-the-baptism-of-young-children</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <b><i>Lagard Smith’s New Book, “After Life.</i><br />
</b><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/799-lagard-smiths-new-book-after-life"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/799-lagard-smiths-new-book-after-life</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This <b>License Agreement </b>("<b>Agreemen</b>t") is dated May 18, 2017, by and between Gospel Advocate Company ("<b>GAC</b>") and <u>Betty Jackson</u> ("<b>Licensee</b>") (collectively, the "<b>Parties</b>").</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">GAC hereby grants to Licensee and Licensee accepts from GAC, a nonexclusive, non transferable, and non-assignable right, strictly subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, to use the Licensed Work (as that term is defined below) solely in connection with the Manner of Distribution, in the Territory, and for the Duration, all of which are defined below. GAC retains all rights pertaining to the Licensed Work except as specifically granted to Licensee hereunder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">LICENSED WORK (See also </span><u><span style="font-size: x-small;">Exhibit A</span></u><span style="font-size: x-small;"> and incorporated herein by reference): The literary work entitled </span><i><u><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Am I</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Old Enough To Be Baptized" </span></u></i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>from Ideashop Jan 2003</u>.</span></div>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-45703472132642928692017-07-11T07:24:00.001-07:002017-07-11T07:24:11.054-07:00Securing Their Hearts #4<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">What About Discipline? </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the mind of some, discipline is simply about punishment. A simple study of how the word is used in scripture will show it is much more. Limiting discipline to punishment is to miss its purpose.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Greek word (paideía) translated discipline in Hebrews 12 and 2 Timothy 3:16 in some versions, is also translated as instruction or training.The purpose of discipline, whether it is by some kind of punishment, verbal reproof or instruction, is not to be characterized as revenge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Lord expects us to train our children. Ephesians 6:4. Paul prefaces his instruction about discipline with the word “nourish” or “bring up” This word is also used in Ephesians 5:29. There is a warmness or gentleness in the word. In contrast to the brutality common in the then ruling Roman Empire, fathers are to wisely train their children in the Lord. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">How important is discipline? Scripture explains, “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11). The purpose and the fruit of discipline is clear: training and righteousness. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Failure to properly discipline our offspring, jeopardizes the “peaceable fruit of righteousness.” (cf. Prov. 29:15.) Self control is as important as an honest heart wherein truth has been deeply planted. It is only by training and teaching the scriptures will our children learn to be the master of themselves.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every child needs to be trained, in harmony with his age, understanding and temperament. As we rear our children, we may question others about how to discipline our children. It may be daunting when we realize that Baby has his own personality and will. As he grows older, we learn he isn’t as easy to mold as we may have thought. And especially is this true of a stronger-willed child. Respect for authority is paramount. There will be a battle of wills. But deep affection with a dedication to loving chastisement will instruct our kids about authority, love, and self-mastery.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The scriptures have a lot to say about training children. <b><i>However, one cannot lead where one will not go! </i></b>Effective discipline begins with parents who are self-disciplined. Personal and honest evaluation of oneself may include asking: Do my spouse and I constantly bicker and hatefully disagree, even on unimportant things? Do I lose my temper and “throw a fit” when I need to hold my child accountable? Do I constantly criticize or “harp” at my youngster when correcting him? Do I try to say yes to my child’s requests, when I can; or do I usually say no? How do I go about my work? Am I haphazard, always leaving things to be done at the last minute, or always late! Am I always tardy for worship? What about the state of your home. None of us can have a perfectly kept home all the time. Life happens! But if it is always slovenly, it is a shame ( cf. Prov. 10:3-5; 12:23-24; 13:4). Are we inclined to be like the world in our habits, dress, and recreational pursuits?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Taking an honest inventory of our lives will be be a good indicator of how well we are training our children. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Youngsters will be exposed to all kinds of temptations. When they are little the temptation to lie will be common. Their little hearts must learn honesty, by gently, firmly teaching that lying is wrong. The very young have little idea of what all this means. They will respond to a sharp word with a lie, not even realizing that they were caught in wrong doing. It is important not to set a child up for a lie. if you saw her take the cookie, don’t ask if she did! </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">As they get older, when they understand what lying is, they must </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">face more significant consequences for not telling the truth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">“For whom the Lord loves He reproves. Even as father corrects the son in whom he delights”(Prov. 3:12). If the Lord loves us enough to reprove us, surely if we delight in our children, we will do all we can to train them in God’s way. When we are weak parents, we create an environment for our children to become self-centered and rebellious. Correction must be followed through. Promising discipline, whether it is a spanking or loss of privileges, then forgetting or unwilling to carry out the necessary measures is simply wrong. Under some circumstances, mercy might be extended, but not every day!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Peer pressure will become more real as children get older. They will be prompted to dress in a way that is provocative. Going to the beach is popular in many parts of the country. Is it alright to wear a bikini at the beach, but at a ball game or the grocery store it would be considered immodest? Why is it alright to wear a strapless wedding dress, yet immodest to wear a similar garment to worship or a party (or is it!)?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are so many issues that will face our children. If they have not developed confidence in their parents to lead in righteousness; if their hearts have not learned honesty, and self mastery, they will yearn to be like their friends and the world. They will dress (or undress) like the rest, behave like unbelievers. Without honest hearts that are under control because of love for the Lord, they will sink into sin that is ever knocking at the door.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">What have you done to help your children be pure and holy? Have you a laissez+faire attitude? Do you take the position that all will end well, no matter what you do? Have you encouraged your children to dress in a way that is provocative? Do you dress in clothes that leave little unrevealed? I do not understand mothers who wear those low necklines before their sons and daughters. In spite of the your own immodesty, would you be insulted if someone made a lewd comment to your nearly naked daughter or son?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mom’s need to set the right example in dress and behavior. Shorts are a problem these days. Even if they are knee length, gaping big-legged shorts reveal more than anyone needs (or wants) to see. Fathers, need to dress modestly too! They need to have the moral courage to correct their wives and children concerning the way they dress.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you watch movies that are filled with excess violence, sexual innuendos, and foul language? Do your children?It should be no surprise when our children become involved in bad behavior with sad consequences, when we fail to teach them honest, pure, and self disciplined living.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Nathan approached David for his sin with Bathsheba, he said, “Thou art the man!” As good as David was, he let his eyes fill with lust. He lapsed in self-mastery and sinned, bringing grave consequences into his own life and that of others.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Concerning Joseph, Reuben said, “Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? …” (Gen. 42:22). Have you sinned against your child by failing to train him in the Lord. I hope not. The church is filled with broken-hearted parents whose children have lost their way. May we not hear words such as “Thou art the man, woman!” for our lack of self-discipline. If we fail our children, we fail the Lord and the church. Some churches have dwindled in part because many parents have failed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">“‘Contrary to popular misguided cultural stereotypes and frequent parental misconceptions, the evidence clearly shows the the single most important social influence on the religious and spiritual lives of adolescents is their parents.’” “Parents are the most important determinants of their children’s spiritual life—or lack thereof.” (Sax, p. 183).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Researchers have learned exactly what Scripture has taught from the days of Moses. We can lead them in the Lord’s way. The general principle is “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). Let us live right, and love them right by setting examples and giving instructions from the Holy Bible.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Recommended Reading</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Some works are not recommended nor approved of in entirety. Certain writers do not make logical conclusions or their books may contain doctrinal errors. They are used for the research contained therein.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne, <i>The Value of Modesty</i>, <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/65-value-of-modesty-the"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/65-value-of-modesty-the</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sax, Leonard, M.D.; Ph.D.<i>Girls on the Edge. </i>2010. New York, NY. Basic Books. p.283 (Sax quoted: Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton, <i>Soul Searching. 2005.</i> New York: Oxford University Press. p. 261)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vaughn, David and Diane, <i>The Beauty of Modesty, 2005. Nashville, TN: Cumberland House Publishing.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span>Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_balazschristina'>balazschristina / 123RF Stock Photo</a></div>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-27624236579250252352017-07-11T06:15:00.001-07:002017-07-11T10:26:32.615-07:00A Personal Note<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">The past year has been filled with changes. Life is that way, is it not?</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">For us, those changes involved some decisions about our future. In September of 2016, Wayne underwent surgery to remove a small malignant tumor from his neck. This was a reoccurrence of thyroid cancer. He recovered from that circumstance. He still has times of not feeling well. The multiple surgeries he has endured have taken their toll on him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">About the same time, we came to the full realization that we needed to think about our remaining years. Wayne had retired from public teaching (though he continues to write.) So we considered our options. California is an expensive place to live. With our son, Jared and his family in Tennessee, with our daughter, Joy and her husband, George, only a few hours from them and Wayne’s sisters also residing in Tennessee, we decided that we would leave California.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This decision was not easy. We love the church family we had been a part of in Stockton for over five decades. We did not want to leave our youngest son and his family. That was heart rending. But we knew it was the best. As most preacher’s families know, congregations are usually unable to contribute to a retirement plan. Wisdom dictates that ministers of the gospel figure out how to take care of themselves in old age. Therefore, living in a less expensive area is the careful thing to do; living closer to more family to encourage us in our challenges of age is paramount.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">So we began making plans, purchased a house in Jackson Tennessee just behind Jared and Sandy. Packing seemed endless for weeks. Before that paper was sorted and files cleaned out. With the help of our kids and friends we loaded up the truck, and George and Joy drove our car to Jackson. On March 17 we flew out of Sacramento, for likely the last time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now we are here trying to get settled. More paintings, pictures to hang; cleaning, and organizing goes on. It will be a couple of months before everything is done. Then, I can get back to writing and keeping up with proof reading for Wayne. I have hopes of getting on a regular schedule for my Facebook page <i>We Believe Because</i>, and the blog <i>Women of Hope</i>. I had a final article written in the series, <i>Securing their Hearts</i>. However, there was so much I wanted to include. I couldn’t settle into “re-writing” while packing hours and hours at a time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has been a blessing to be here near Jared, Sandy, and Matthew, and Nicholas when he is home from college. George and Joy were here a few days to help us. We were blessed to be able to attend our eldest grandson’s wedding nearby the last of March.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are anxious for a visit from Jason, Jill, Natalie, Kara, and Allie. Natalie plans to begin her first semester at Freed-Hardeman University. We expect to see her as often as her school schedule allows. My sister and her husband have plans to see us this summer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will be posting the last article in the series “Securing Their Hearts.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">While some events of the past years have challenged our hearts and our energy, we are confident in the Lord’s love and the hope we have in Him. May we all be diligent in our service in the kingdom.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">And may God bless each of you.</span></span></div>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-22389402664728830932016-11-09T13:40:00.001-08:002016-11-09T13:47:53.860-08:00Securing Their Hearts #3<h4>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Love Doctor</span></span></h4>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a frequent commercial advertising the efforts of a non-profit hospital to help disabled children. In one of those ads the question is asked of children, “What is love?” One little boy responds, “Call the love doctor!” There is a love doctor! He is the Great Physician who tells us by his example of self sacrifice and in his wonderful words about love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is a sad reality that some children grow up angry, self hating, or without a godly self-esteem. Worse yet is what is described as a reactive emotional detachment disorder. What is the cause of such emotional suffering?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">We must wonder at the reports that between 1989 and 1999 there was an increase by 400% in the use of mental health services for female children and teenagers, and 70% for male children/teens. And more than one in eight females use antidepressants. (Note: this is not a condemnation of using mental health helps.) The question is, <i>why</i> are children/teens needing such help. Why the rise in anxiety and depression among the young, especially girls. (Sax, p. 5).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at the San Diego University, has researched this matter, comparing today’s statistics to 50 years ago. In her opinion there has been a decrease in “social connectedness.” She states that “Anxiety increases as social bonds weaken” (Sax, p. 5).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">How can we help our children grow up without the emotional turmoil of unbelief, low self-esteem and self-hate? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Though liberal in his theology, sociologist Anthony Campolo in his book, <i>Growing Up In America, </i>makes the valid observation that human beings are social beings, with needs for a “primary group.” We were designed that way. Each person feels the need to “belong.” The most important <i>primary group </i>in the healthy development of a young person is her family. When that relationship is poor, youngsters will seek out others with whom to bond. It is natural for all of us to develop close relationships with people outside our families. But youngsters whose family bonds are weak, will be more at risk for bonding with the wrong people, resulting in sinful behaviors.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The importance of a healthy love bond between parents and children cannot be overstated. The emotional attachment is natural. But there is a reason why so many of the young people, even among Christians, are involved in immorality. Development of a stable, moral, happy young person is complex, we know. But it must begin when a child is newborn.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Older women are instructed to train younger women to love their children. I was surprised that the word is not <i>agape</i>, the highest type of love. Instead it is the word <i>phileo</i>.(tender affection). In that ancient culture, and in ours, there is the reality of being without “natural affection.” To have the “agape type of love” for your children, you must have tender affection as well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our children need to be touched. Babies need to be held and rocked. Youngsters need comfort and love expressed by listening, in precious bedtime routines of prayer, story time, hugs, and tucking in. Teenagers may begin to recoil a bit, but they still need to be hugged often. They may not want a bedtime routine anymore, or they may. More likely it is that parents get busy and don’t realize their older kids could use more attention/affection. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Teen years are not easy. But they do not need to be the time when Christian values are lost. Paul explained “Be not deceived, evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33). Parents whose bond with their children is strong will be better able to help steer their offspring to developing friendships that are healthy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember, Christ developed a primary group in the apostolic band. They were his closest friends and chosen men to preach the first gospel sermons. They were special to him and each other. (See John 15:12-16.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">While it may seem simplistic, the type of love-bond we have with our children will greatly influence whether they will grow into balanced, moral and loving workers for the Lord.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is more than having love for your kids to raise them in the Lord. We will explore those themes in future articles. One of the great sorrows is that many young people are growing up without a connection not only with family, but with God and his church. In many cases, their faith is already compromised by the time they are in middle school, due to the influence of a godless society creating doubt in the integrity of the Scriptures (Ham, p. 111). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we attempt to answer questions of how to train our beloved children, let us be reminded that there is ample evidence for the existence of a loving Father. The apostle Paul declared there is no excuse for rejecting him (Rom.1:18-21).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you are not aware that there is a battle for the souls of your offspring, you need to be. Humanism is an aggressive movement around the world. (Use your search engine to find such associations in most countries.) Continuing from the early years of the American Humanist Society, the influence of atheists/humanists like John Dewey and John Dunphy has permeated our educational system. Note this quote: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">“</span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I am convinced that the battle for humankind's future must be waged and won in the public school classroom by teachers that correctly perceive their role as proselytizers of a new faith: a religion of humanity that recognizes and respects the spark of what theologians call divinity in every human being...</i><b><i>The classroom must and will become an arena of conflict between the old and new — the rotting corpse of Christianity</i></b><i>…”</i>— excerpt from an article by John Dunphy titled </span><span style="font-size: large;">“</span><span style="font-size: large;">Religion for a New Age,</span><span style="font-size: large;">” </span><span style="font-size: large;">appearing in the January/February 1983 issue of <b><i>The Humanist</i></b> Magazine. (emphasize mine).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Moses gave instructions to the generation of Jews who had survived the wilderness wanderings. He emphasized diligent teaching of their children, talking to them when they sit in the house, when they are walking in the way, when you lay down and when you get up (Dt. 6:4-9). One clear point is this: <b><i>It takes time, over time! </i></b>The common excuse that it takes quality time and not quantity time is misguided. We cannot spend every minute in a Bible class, but how much time we spend with our children matters. Going about daily activities can be teachable moments. Talking with our children bonds us together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">You cannot afford to leave your children’s minds in the hands of liberal religious teachers or the humanistically controlled public school. You must be an active teacher of your children, regardless of where they are schooled. Keeping that love-bond strong is the first line of defense for influencing our children.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">C.S. Lewis is quoted as saying, “There is always hope if we keep an unsolved problem fairly in view; there is none, if we pretend it is not there” (<i>Letters to Malcolm</i> - quoted by A.E. Wilder Smith). What is the problem before us? It is the fact that Satan is out to steal your children. His ways are subtle and sneaky. We must do all we can to protect them. Love them fervently enough to keep him on the run.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">For you to love your children the right way, you must love God, the right way: “with all your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength” (Mt. 22:37, Lk. 10:27). If you do not love Jesus enough to obey him (Jon. 14:15), you will not be the eternally successful parent you need to be. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Recommended Reading</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <i>Penetrating Questions From the Book of Job. </i><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/726-penetrating-questions-from-the-book-of-job"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/726-penetrating-questions-from-the-book-of-job</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Atheistic Religiion In The Classroom.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/112-atheistic-religion-in-the-classroom"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/112-atheistic-religion-in-the-classroom</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fortifying The Faith of Our Children. <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/764-fortifying-the-faith-of-our-children"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/764-fortifying-the-faith-of-our-children</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Jason. Will Our Children Trust in The Lord? <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1221-will-our-children-trust-in-the-lord"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1221-will-our-children-trust-in-the-lord</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><b>Study Questions</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Read Titus 2:3-4</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Define the Greek word “agape” translated love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Define the Greek word “phileo” translated love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is the difference between between the two?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Read 1 Corinthians 13.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Choose one of the words that you think you could grow in to be a better parent.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Have you given thought to each of your child’s specific needs? Pray for them individually, rather than collectively. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. Make a plan for teaching your children at home. Regardless of how they are receiving their secular education you still need to teach them. But don’t expect them to be happy about a typical school room sit down study. Try to make learning interesting. Memory verses are good. If you feel inapt about teaching your own children the Bible, ask for some help from a trusted Bible class teacher.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. Memorize: Matthew 22:37-39</span></span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sources:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ham, Ken/Britt Beemer. (2009). <i>Already Gone. </i>Green Forest, AR: Master Books.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sax, Leonard,M.D. Ph.D. (2010). <i>Girls on The Edge</i>. New York:Basic Books.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">A.E. Wilder Smith.(1968). <i>Man's Origin, Man's Destiny</i>. Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw Publishers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Note:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">A good online study site is <a href="http://www.studylight.org/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">http://www.studylight.org</span></a>. There you will find Bible dictionaries, commentaries, original language tools, etc.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Copyright for purchased photo: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_goodluz'>goodluz / 123RF Stock Photo</a></span></span></div>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-8123700010247701572016-10-14T11:18:00.000-07:002016-10-14T11:18:50.303-07:00Securing Their Hearts #2<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Good and Honest Heart</span></b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the Parable of the Sower, the Lord taught about different kinds of hearts (Matt. 13:1-23; Mk. 4:1-20; Lk. 8:1-15). The good soil represents the “good and honest heart” (Lk. 8:15). This kind of heart responds to the word of God by clinging to it and obeying it. If heaven is to be ours and our children’s, we must have honest hearts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gardeners can enrich poor soil, so that it will bear fruit. While we do not compare a child to poor soil, work must be done to develop the good and honest heart. Soil may be too alkaline or acidic. Amendments will change the soil so that it can support a particular kind of plant. Different plants require different soil composition. One interpretation of Proverbs 22:6 is “train up a child in the way of his goings,” implying the difference in the make up of children. Some children are mild in temperament, others are eager to keep things alive from the time they hit the floor in the morning!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are, however, basic truths that apply to every child. Parents are key for the development of honesty within the hearts of our children.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Considering Luke’s use of the word <i>honest</i> as it is translated in most versions is interesting (Lk. 8:15). It has several possible meanings. (Barclay, 151). Some translate it noble, a word that embraces every desirable sense of being honorable. Treating God’s word in an honorable way demands a good, honest, obedient attitude. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Bereans were described as being noble, because they “received the word with all readiness of mind.” Here “noble” is a different Greek word, but it carries with it what honesty and goodness mean in accepting the will of God. (Acts 17:11).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the future, we will consider the love-bond between parents and children and how important that is for the development of one’s offspring. For now we will focus on the good and honest heart. Once I heard a non-Christian exclaim her love for her little daughter, “I would give my life for her.” She had so much love and passion in her voice, I knew she meant that. Sadly, she wasn’t giving her life for her baby in every-day living, by seeking God and his will. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">As Christian parents, we love our children too. But we must <b>be </b>the kind of servants of God that will be productive (Matt. 13:23). Let us pray that first fruits of our labors are good and honest children who love the Lord with all their hearts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">How? What a complex task it is to train children in all areas. Young mothers need to be humble enough to seek the advice of kind and faithful older women (Titus 2:3-4), who have successfully brought up children for the Lord. Those ladies have made mistakes, and now understand better. They have had some wonderful successes, and can share wisdom from the Scriptures.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our examples speak volumes to our children. Are you honest? Most of us believe we are. Upon some serious self-evaluation, perhaps we find that we have room for improvement.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Honesty demands that we guard our own hearts. The conscience is a fragile part of our being. It is easily misled, if we do not protect it (cf. Prov. 4:23). We are instructed to, “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding” (Prov. 23:23). How important is truth to us? Will we expend every expense, every tireless effort to obtain or know it? Christ said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” (Matt. 5:6).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do we accept truth, even when it is difficult, or upsetting to our lives? Are we willing to repent for teaching our children error? Truth is demanding, but it will set us free from the burdens of guilt. (John 8:32).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">How can we communicate the value of truth and honesty to our children? Consider a few suggestions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some would argue that it is wrong to punish a child, especially by corporal punishment. The Bible is clear (Prov. 13:24, Heb. 12:5-11). Ephesians 6:4 instructs parents to bring up (nurture) children in “the admonishment or discipline of the Lord,” which includes physical restraint, correction, and verbal reproof. How honest is it to withhold just and <i>measured</i> discipline? (Mercy is a different topic.) How honest is it to <i>unfairly</i> punish a child? How honest is it to expect a 2 year old to behave like a 12 year old, or a 12 year old to act like a 19 year old, with the same understanding? A woman I knew said, “I wasn’t raised, I was just jerked up by the hair of my head!” To provoke a child to wrath by unfair, overly harsh methods is the easiest way to disturb the development of an honest heart (Eph. 6:4).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Little white lies” don’t seem so bad to some. Someone may ask her youngster to lie by telling the salesman that she is not home. Perhaps the cashier gave you too much change, and you exclaim how much you needed that money. Would you return it? What about the little lies someone may tell about how she is serving the Lord, her husband, or the church to impress others with how much she serves in the kingdom? Lying parents will not produce honest children. (See: Eph. 4:25).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Haven’t some of us set our child up to lie? A scenario such as this: Mother tells three year old junior not to bother or get a cookie from a plate you plan to deliver to someone. But junior disobeys and you catch him with melted chocolate chips on his face and crumbs on the floor. And you ask, “Did you get a cookie?” By your voice and stern appearance, he panics and says, “No.” So you spank him for lying. It would be better to make it easy for him to tell the truth, when possible. But he should not have been asked that question. Rather, he needs a lesson in <i>obedience</i>. Perhaps time out, perhaps a couple of swats on the backside or both. He doesn’t need 20 lashes! That would be an over reaction.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Manipulation is also a form of lying. Some women are really good at this device to get their way. Some even manipulate their children. Most children know how to do this very early in life. They will cry (or put on a good act!) until they get their way. Giving in isn’t a good idea. Now we aren’t talking about a little child whose parents have kept him out without a nap or past bedtime who has melt downs! If you have a child that habitually cries or pouts to get his/her way, train them to quit that behavior. Older children may use anger as manipulation. That kind of manipulation will lead a child into a grave life-style as he gets older.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Parents need to set the very best example. To ignore the Scriptures about anything will not influence our children for good. To manipulate or lie to our mates, to lie to others about our service in the Lord, to fail to attend as we ought (Heb. 12:25), or give as we ought (1 Cor. 16:2), will teach our children that the Lord’s commands are arbitrary. How sad that is!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever apologized to your child? Perhaps you punished the wrong child! Or failed to communicate as to why you did not keep a promise. For good communication in the home, noble parents will apologize, and do their best to correct their mistakes. Arrogant parents will not be the best communicators of honesty.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Regardless of how emotionally we’re attached to our children, we must love them with the highest form of love (agape) so that they will develop honest and good hearts. Your example of integrity will help your children trust you, not only for comfort, but in your efforts to teach them God’s word.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This article is too short to deal with this topic fully. However, the paramount importance of training our children to be honest has been stressed. May we strive for nobility in serving our Father so that we will help our children to walk with us in that narrow way that leads to eternal life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Recommended Reading</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Barclay, William. <i>New Testament Words. </i>1974. Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster Press.**</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">White, Jerry. <i>Honesty, Morality and Conscience</i>. 1986. Colorado Springs:CO:NavPress.**</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>** The sources above are recommended with the caviat that we do not endorse all the writings of these authors because of some doctrinal error. However, principles of the Bible are still true even when recognized by those whose teachings are imperfect.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Jason. <i>Know and Love the Truth. </i><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1209-know-and-love-the-truth">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1209-know-and-love-the-truth</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Jackson, Wayne.<i>What is </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; line-height: normal;"><i>Truth—A</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> Question For the Ages.</i> <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/890-what-is-truth-a-question-for-the-ages">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/890-what-is-truth-a-question-for-the-ages</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Study Questions</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Define the word noble.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Why do you think the virtue of honesty is so crucial to one learning God’s truth?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. What does “Buy the truth and sell it not” mean?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. Why is it important to guard the heart of conscience?</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">5. Explain why manipulation is a form of lying.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Photo Copyright: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_georgemuresan'>georgemuresan / 123RF Stock Photo</a></span></div>
Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-77385805530634318872016-09-30T15:08:00.000-07:002016-09-30T15:08:17.726-07:00Securing Their Hearts #1<h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Train Up A Child </span></b></span></span></h4>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by Betty Jackson</b></h4>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZY_zJ7dEs-iazw4aIOD7s8rXmt9Fc8Ii2un8KE5T4O6TQTLhF2cWNvjAXCa2paXz3pUUJHJXBU_hcHfax9ZqYuKU9peSETUNBY14Jm9duxT3L754rl-cgZEjPoB1jLf-4uP2MjJjCpQ/s1600/Mother+teaching+child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZY_zJ7dEs-iazw4aIOD7s8rXmt9Fc8Ii2un8KE5T4O6TQTLhF2cWNvjAXCa2paXz3pUUJHJXBU_hcHfax9ZqYuKU9peSETUNBY14Jm9duxT3L754rl-cgZEjPoB1jLf-4uP2MjJjCpQ/s320/Mother+teaching+child.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">This is the first article in a series intended to encourage parents in the most important work they will ever do: Securing the hearts of their children.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where do we begin? Perhaps with the word “HELP”! Only an arrogant parent would say that she did not need some advice during a crisis with her child. Often the crisis is not as earth shattering as one may think at the time. Yet none should be oblivious to the teachings of the Bible concerning parenthood.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Surely Christian parents concede they have the responsibility to train their children. However, we must be reminded that this is a serious responsibility put upon us by our Father in heaven (Eph. 6:4; Prov. 22:6). <i>Raising children to love and serve the Lord is not accidental</i>. How, then, do we train them to become dedicated Christians?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Puzzled parents exclaim that they took their children to all the services of the church, only to have them fall away as young adults. The periods of worship are commanded and vital to each of us in our maturing in the faith. However, three, two, or only one hour a week will not be enough to offset the many more hours doing a myriad of other things. Nor will it likely stem the tide of the influence of secular culture.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">One father said to the Bible class teacher about his youngster not doing the Bible class work, “But he is a busy boy.” No wonder that boy grew up to be worldly!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">With the hours whittled away each day, time will fly by without our spending the time necessary to truly train our children. Securing the hearts of our children, begins with securing our own. How secure are <i>our</i> souls in the Lord? Is he distant from our hearts and minds? If we rarely think about him, rarely pray, rarely study his word, how can our children learn to love and serve God?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let’s humbly look to the Helping Lord for divine guidance from his handbook on childrearing. Beg Him in prayer for the hearts and souls of your children to be secured. Then let us rivet our attention on the most important task of nourishing our children in the Lord.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Recommended Reading</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, <i>Jason.</i><b><i> Will Our Children Trust In The Lord? </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1221-will-our-children-trust-in-the-lord"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1221-will-our-children-trust-in-the-lord</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Questions to Ponder</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">How frequently did Moses declare that the Jews were to teach their children about the commands of God?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Read Ephesians 6:4. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Define what the words “bring up” (NASB) or “nurture them” means. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Circle or underline these words in Philippians 1:3-4 (NKJV):</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>every, always, every, joy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The apostle Paul loved the Philippians. Though he was in hardship (prison), he prayed for these Christians with joy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Think on this verse and these underlined words as you pray for your children.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Suggested Memory Verse</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Proverbs 22:6</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">(</span></span>Copyright for purchased picture: http://www.123rf.com/profile_vadimgozhda'>vadimgozhda / 123RF Stock Photo )</div>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-90005325522754018732016-08-25T23:58:00.001-07:002016-08-26T00:01:08.075-07:00Making A Christian Marriage #6<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">What About Divorce?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>by Betty Jackson</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">Statistics do not fully reveal all there is about the divorce rate. Some religious sources suggest that one out of two marriages will end in divorce. Others say that is not a correct way of working out the statistics. Another source says 31% of people ages 35-54 who are married, engaged, or illicitly living with someone have been married before. Whatever the correct numbers are, from our own evaluations we can logically conclude that divorce is common place in our society.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are some who claim the percentages of divorces is declining. We would love to know that is true for the right reasons. But there are more people living together without marriage than ever before. Some even question the need for marriage. They have accepted the sad idea that it is unrealistic for two people to expect to stay together throughout life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Divorce is a problem among Christians. The pain that brings people to the point of divorce is real. In the world, and the church, the scriptural regulations for divorce are often ignored. <b>If one even thinks about divorce, there is work to be done!</b> Granted some marriages cannot be saved because of a mate’s adultery and refusal to repent. (cf. Matthew 19:1-9.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is God’s design for marriage? Human beings are created social creatures. Marriage provides intimate companionship and the only God-approved sexual relationship. It is the best environment for the rearing of children. But there is another purpose: to promote the spreading of the gospel of Christ. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the problems for most of us is we are a bit self-centered. Unfortunately, many are adept at manipulation, which is damaging to any relationship. We generally see things through “our” eyes, and not those of God. If we kept our hearts and minds focused on marriage as an institution for serving God and his cause of redemption, many issues would simply dissolve. Marriage is truly an opportunity to grow up, to mature spiritually, and help another person get to heaven.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">This six </span>article <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">series has not been able to address the whole of making marriage work. Perhaps there have been some tidbits of advice that can help each of us work harder at the goal of making our spousal relationships special.Those of us who seek to serve the Lord know that we can grow and mature as long as we live. So with this final article, I would like to focus upon some words found in Philippians 4:8. The inspired apostle Paul instructs us to dwell upon things that are “worthy of praise” (NASV).</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is sad to witness couples who are in a verbal war. They are the antithesis of the old western song originally written by Brewster M. Higley, <i>Home on the Range, </i>with the chorus wherein are these words, “...where seldom is heard a discouraging word...” How life would be made pleasant if instead of the many discouraging, demanding put-downs and criticisms, words of praise were given.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our times are so void of social graces. Saying “thank you” is foreign vocabulary, as well as asking “please.” Some treat strangers with more courtesy than their spouses! Children will run over elderly people, and brush by without a care if they knock them down, stuff their pockets with food, eat with poor manners, etc. Pardon me, I stray! My point is, we need to return to a time of some etiquette. not only with people we do not know, but in the home.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">We can find something in our mates, and they in us, that is displeasing or thoughtless. We are all sinners. We don’t always do the right thing. If we want to be treated with tolerance and respect, we must give it. Peter encourages wives to live such godly and pure lives that husbands will take notice. Even Christian men can grow because of their chaste wives. (1 Peter 3:1-4)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we dwell on the negative, we will behave in a negative way. If we do our best to meditate upon the virtuous and praiseworthy, our hearts will be encouraged and more peaceful. Solomon said, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he...” (Proverbs 23:7). In context, it has to do with a person who is stingy in his thoughts, then begrudges the hospitality that he has given. The principle is we are what we think! If we think virtuous, peaceful, loving and praising thoughts, our actions will come to match the thoughts. Does that mean we always feel like acting sweet? No. Yet, Paul said to “think about these things.” We can <i>choose</i> to bring our thoughts under control, then, and only then, will we be able to act the way we should.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Paul considered giving up all that prestige and honor he had with the Jews before his conversion as loss, as waste. (cf. Philippians 3:7-11). Why not consider letting go of the negatives as giving up holding on to bitterness because we don’t get all we want from a spouse as loss for Christ, and positively live to influence our mates for his spiritual good. It is difficult to give up our “feelings” but feelings are fleeting in eternal terms. Live for the eternal.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">How wonderful it is to have the Lord’s description of the woman he wants us to be. Let us strive to become the “rare” woman, with the help of God. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">“An excellent wife who can find?<br />
She is far more precious than jewels.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The heart of her husband trusts in her,<br />
and he will have no lack of gain.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">She does him good, and not harm,<br />
all the days of her life.” (Proverbs 31:10-12, ESV).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Strength and dignity are her clothing,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">and she laughs at the time to come.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">She opens her mouth with wisdom,<br />
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue” (vss. 25-26).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Try This:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Read Philippians 4:7-9 twice a week for one month. Read 1 Peter 3:1-4 once a week for one month.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Make a mental note of the things your mate does that are praiseworthy. Do this with a good attitude. There must be something, unless he is an abusive man. In that case, you need some professional help. Remember thoughtlessness is not necessarily equal to abusiveness!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Do This:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Use good manners! If you have not been taught, find a book or article on line. Set your table at least part of the time with something nice, a flower from your yard, or a candle. Set the mood for good manners. Teach your children how to act at the table, greeting older people, and how to sit still during worship, according to their age. Be an example.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">(See: <a href="http://education.qld.gov.au/library/docs/edhistory/goodmanners">http://education.qld.gov.au/library/docs/edhistory/goodmanners</a>)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank your husband, sincerely, not in order to manipulate him into doing things you want him to do. Many times we may fail to thank our mates for things they do for us. How often do we fail to use good manners when we make requests? It is easy to become too comfortable and take our spouses for granted. It is easier to grumble about his failing to take out the garbage, than to pleasantly ask with a “please.” Is it easier to complain than to praise?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Read this article:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Marriage As Designed by God.<b> </b></i></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/843-marriage-as-designed-by-god">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/843-marriage-as-designed-by-god</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Memorize this:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”</span></span></div>
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<b>Questions</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Ask self: Am I really willing to do the hard work to make my marriage better?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Ask self: Am I a negative thinker?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Do I pray for the Lord’s providence to help me have wisdom?</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">4. Have I thought about how to improve manners in our home. Teach children by example. Good manners and courtesy is consideration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Recommended Reading</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Articles</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. Christian Courier:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Examine Yourselves. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1445-examine-yourselves">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1445-examine-yourselves</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Some Questions About Divorce and Remarriage.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1352-some-questions-about-divorce-and-remarriage">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1352-some-questions-about-divorce-and-remarriage</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Books</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <i>Divorce & Remarriage, as Study Discussion.</i> Stockton, CA. Christian Courier Publications. 1983.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ladd, Karol. <i>Power of A Positive Wife. </i>West Monroe, LA. Howard Publishing Co. 2003. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">(Note: Some of the contents of this book are not biblical. Yet Bible principles about marriage are true regardless of who says them.)</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Loden, Patsy. <i>Loving Your Husband</i> <i>—How to Transform Your Marriage and Honor Your Covenant. </i>Huntsville, AL. Publishing Designs, Inc. 2010. (Mrs. Loden is a member of the church of Christ.)</span></span></div>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-90888125568869275682016-08-11T19:29:00.004-07:002018-04-18T07:48:27.273-07:00Youth and the Age of the Earth<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am concerned about our youth. Nothing is new under the sun in principle; older folks </span><span style="font-size: large;">have always expressed godly worry for young people. The book of Proverbs tells us </span><span style="font-size: large;">about the advice a concerned father gave his son for his spiritual welfare, which is still </span><span style="font-size: large;">relevant (1-7). Paul warned his young protege to “flee youthful lusts” (2 Tim. 2:22).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Satan has always used tools to draw people away from God. Currently, one of his major </span><span style="font-size: large;">tools is the teaching of evolution. Every media from school textbooks to nature </span><span style="font-size: large;">programs promote the idea that the age of the earth is 4.5 to 5 billion years old, and that </span><span style="font-size: large;">mankind evolved between 6 to 2 million years ago (http://humanorigins.si.edu/ </span><span style="font-size: large;">education/introduction-human-evolution).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few years ago, I was teaching sixth grade students my </span><span style="font-size: large;">series <i>Reasoning to Believe. </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">Though I had carefully taught the biblical view of creation and logical reasons for the </span><span style="font-size: large;">young age of the earth, I was surprised that one of the brightest kids in the class was </span><span style="font-size: large;">sure that the earth was 5 billion years old. This is what he had learned from school and </span><span style="font-size: large;">other sources. Seeds of unbelief were already planted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our Bible classes need to include the investigation of when human beings arrived upon </span><span style="font-size: large;">the earth, the age of our planet, and the Bible. One may ask why study these topics in a </span><span style="font-size: large;">Bible class. Aren’t those only subjects for science? Well, it is a biblical topic, for the </span><span style="font-size: large;">Bible does indicate something about the age of the earth and human beings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-size: large;">he book titled <i>Already Gone</i> by Ken Ham and Britt Beemer includes surveys showing </span><span style="font-size: large;">that many young adults who lost their faith began having doubts in the early grades </span><span style="font-size: large;">when they were first exposed to evolutionary teaching about the age of the earth. What </span><span style="font-size: large;">better weapon does Satan have than destroying confidence in the Bible’s first chapter </span><span style="font-size: large;">as the historical record of creation?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am not naive enough to believe that the only reason young people, or old, leave God is </span><span style="font-size: large;">their lack of confidence in the Bible, or belief in evolution. Life is more complex than </span><span style="font-size: large;">that. But it is definitely a significant factor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">John Clayton who lectures about the existence of God and his conversion from atheism, </span><span style="font-size: large;">made this statement, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large;">"A scientist who is commenting on religion needs to be </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large;">treated very skeptically, and a religious figure who is </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large;">explaining science needs to be treated in the same way. ... </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large;">We cannot minimize the conflict between science and faith </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large;">as long as we listen to extremists on both sides who have an </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large;">agenda and explain things which they know very little about” (</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large;">cf.http://www.doesgodexist.org/JulAug10/Polarization-</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the first place there is no conflict between the Bible and true science. In his article, </span><span style="font-size: large;">the brother insinuates that homeschooling parents are not qualified to teach science. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This man is a theistic evolutionist, though he dislikes the label. However, he is quoted, </span><span style="font-size: large;">“A cursory look at the issues in evolution will make it clear that evolution itself does not </span><span style="font-size: large;">exclude a concept of an external monitoring agent (God)” (http://www.doesgodexist.org/</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Atheistic evolutionists believe that given enough time, the impossible can become </span><span style="font-size: large;">possible. With enough time, they are convinced that a big bang can bring a universe </span><span style="font-size: large;">into existence accidentally, and that life can spontaneously generate. It is a simple math </span><span style="font-size: large;">equation to answer those ideas. What is 0x0 or 0+0? If there was ever a time when </span><span style="font-size: large;">nothing existed, what would there be now? Sadly when one is so committed to “proving” </span><span style="font-size: large;">his pre-determined idea, nonsense will be marketed as sensible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The late professor of the University of Hawaii, Victor Stenger, in a magazine article, <i>Was </i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>the Universe Created?</i> (Free Inquiry. 1987, Summer, Vol. 7, No. 3), wrote:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“. . .[T]he universe is probably the result of a random </span><span style="font-size: large;">quantum fluctuation in a spaceless, timeless void. . . the earth </span><span style="font-size: large;">and humanity are not conscious creations but an accident. . . </span><span style="font-size: large;">it is not sufficient merely to say, ‘you can’t get something from </span><span style="font-size: large;">nothing.’ While everyday experience and common sense </span><span style="font-size: large;">seem to support this principle, if there is anything that we </span><span style="font-size: large;">have learned from twentieth-century physics, it is this: </span><span style="font-size: large;">Common sense is often wrong, and our normal experiences </span><span style="font-size: large;">are but a tiny fraction of reality.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Poor Victor! He believed that 0x0 equals something!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What shall we do? I want to make this point so very clear. You do not need to have a </span><span style="font-size: large;">PhD to figure out whether true science reveals an earth age of 4-5 billion years, </span><span style="font-size: large;">and whether humans evolved around 3 million years ago. You do not have to answer </span><span style="font-size: large;">every complicated argument that is made, to prove that the theory of an “aged earth” is </span><span style="font-size: large;">untrue. But what you do need to do, is to know the questions, and where the answers </span><span style="font-size: large;">are. There are links and recommended books listed below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let’s secure the hearts of our children, and ourselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Recommended Reading</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Articles</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are many articles worth reading on these two sites.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Apologetics Press Inc. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Butt, Kyle:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Apparent Age.</i> </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=548">http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=548</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lyon, Eric:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Creation and the Age of the Earth. </i></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=5000">http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=5000</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rodgers PhD, Justin:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Does the Hebrew Word Yōm Endorse an Old Earth? </i></span></div>
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<a href="http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=5215"><span style="font-size: large;">http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=5215</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Christian Courier Publishing Co.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Jason:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Evaluating Evolution in Plain English.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1228-evaluating-evolution-in-plain-english">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1228-evaluating-evolution-in-plain-english</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Are Genesis and Evolution Compatible. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1043-are-genesis-and-evolution-compatible">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1043-are-genesis-and-evolution-compatible</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>How Old is the Earth? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/7-how-old-is-the-earth">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/7-how-old-is-the-earth</a></i></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Creation “Days” <span style="line-height: normal;">— Literal or Figurative. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: normal;"><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/210-creation-days-literal-or-figurative-the">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/210-creation-days-literal-or-figurative-the</a></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Day-Day Age View: A Criticism Answered.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/409-day-day-view-a-criticism-answered-the">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/409-day-day-view-a-criticism-answered-the</a> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>False Charges Against Creationism. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1479-false-charges-against-creationism">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1479-false-charges-against-creationism</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Books</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Available from Christian Courier Publications</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">P.O. Box 690308, Stockton, CA 95269-0308.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(731) 256-7280 or (209) 472-2475</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Bible On Trial.</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Creation, Evolution and the Age of the Earth</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Available from Apologetics Press</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Use the links.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eric Lyons and Kyle Butt: <i>Truth Be Told…</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.apologeticspress.org/store/Product.aspx?pid=54">http://www.apologeticspress.org/store/Product.aspx?pid=54</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Available from Master Books, New Leaf Publications. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ken Hamm and Britt Beemer. <i>Already Gone.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.masterbooks.com/already-gone-paperback-single">http://www.masterbooks.com/already-gone-paperback-single</a></i></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>(Disclaimer: I do not endorse all of the doctrines of Ken Hamm and his associates.</b></i> The </span><span style="font-size: large;">recommended book has valuable information and surveys.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">(Picture copyright: <a</span>href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_fotomandm'>fotomandm / 123RF Stock Photo</a>)</div>
Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-78521511640334002042016-08-07T16:02:00.001-07:002016-08-07T16:02:19.720-07:00Making A Christian Marriage #5<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> by Betty Jackson</span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Making Choices</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joshua challenged the Israelites to make a choice. After urging the people to put away their idols and serve Jehovah in sincerity and truth, he said, “...choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served ...” (Joshua 24:14-15). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today, we have the same challenge. We can choose to serve those things we make into idols, or we can choose to serve God with all sincerity and truth. Jesus gave us the great commandments to love the Lord with all of our hearts, souls, strengths and minds. Then, we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. (cf. Matthew 22:37-39; Luke 10:27.) It is in our power to love as Christ commands.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of our most important decisions is choosing who we will marry. We need to realize that the Bible has something to say about choosing a mate. In the Old Testament the Israelites were taught to marry Israelites, and not pagans. The New Testament likewise teaches that Christians are to marry “in the Lord.” In 1 Corinthians 7:39, Paul wrote the words of God concerning a widow’s privilege to remarry, but “only in the Lord.” Some suggest this doesn’t apply to a young person. Is that logical? If a widowed woman, who has gained some wisdom by the experience of marriage, is to marry only a Christian, certainly a young, inexperienced person ought to choose a Christian to marry. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christian parents must begin from the earliest days to teach their children the Lord’s will about marriage. Choosing to marry a non-Christian is a failure to put the Lord first (Matthew 6:33). Who we marry just may influence where we spend eternity!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Peter acknowledges that some Christians will find themselves married to unbelievers. (cf. 1 Peter 3:1-6.) Perhaps they were converted to Christ after marrying. Others may never have been taught, or simply ignored the scriptures about marrying in the Lord. Whether married to a non-Christian or a Christian, there are choices to be made after the wedding day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Likely you have met people who seem to float along in life. Life just happens to them. They have no direction, no goals, no real ambition. They appear stunted in their growth. We can be that way within our marriages if we are not careful. What is the goal for your marriage?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Early on in marriage, most of us are of the mindset that this spouse of mine is going to “make” me happy. He will fulfill all my needs. In reality, that is typical of youthful thinking. Yet, it is in relationships, especially marriage, that we grow and mature. The fact is no human being is capable of “making” another happy. Only the Lord is able to provide real needs and happiness. The beatitudes in Matthew 5 explain how to be happy. Nothing there is about a spouse being the “happy-maker.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do not misunderstand. I know it is possible to have emotional sadness. We have met people who are living in difficult circumstances, who seek relief from the burdens of cruelty or the sadness of failed or troubled marriage. If we are honest, we will admit that all of us cross the lines of making our spouses unhappy at times. We are sinners. At times we misinterpret our mate’s actions and act foolish.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">In every marriage there are choices to be made. We can react or we can respond. None of us will become perfectly skilled at not over-reacting at times, but we can grow. How?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Foremost, we must know how God wants <b>us</b> to be. It is one thing to not react with the same bitterness someone may throw at us, and another to be without bitterness in the heart. Hard? Most certainly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">We must grow each day by studying God’s word. Then we will be able to overlook “the small stuff.” Only then will we learn how to deal with the more difficult issues that may arise. Herein we see the importance of making choices.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">No one <b>makes</b> us act in a bad way. We choose to react. Now, all of us have a bad day now and then, and act ugly! However, if it is habitual, there are serious heart problems.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">We must learn to make choices that are not self-centered. There are some women whose homes are their idols. Their husbands cannot relax there for fear they will be nagged. Money (or the lack of it) may become a serious issue that rules out God as first. Most anything can become an idol.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are choices to be made when a mate is not spiritually minded. Decisions must be made about attending worship on the Lord’s day. Since the real purpose of our relationship is to help our mate go to heaven, we need to stand firm, instead of giving in to the “don’t you want to be with me” arguments, or “let’s go somewhere together this morning.” Other choices in such a relationship have to do with the kind of entertainment to see or do. Peter’s admonition tells us how to be the example before that spouse for a greater possibility of converting him (1 Peter 3:1-6).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would like to recommend a book titled <i>How to Act Right, When Your Spouse Acts Wrong</i> by Leslie Vernick, a marriage counselor. Her book was written for men and women. It addresses this basic problem of how to make right choices for the situations that come up between marriage partners. She stresses the diligence we must have in making choices that are not from a self-absorbed frame of mind. Though a member of some denomination, she gives some good biblical advice. Biblical principles applied will even improve the lives of non-Christians. They won’t get to heaven without obeying the gospel, but there are effective, timeless principles in the Lord’s Word.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">While the Lord did not <b>make</b> each of us choose the mate we married, we can surely use the experiences of married life to help us grow, and be more like Jesus. His patience for our wrong doing is exemplary. (cf. Lamentations 3:22-23.) Let us do our best to follow the Lord; realizing we need to help our mates, our children, and grandchildren to love God. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Choose today to be like Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Perhaps you can’t at this moment speak for anyone besides yourself. But choosing the goal of doing everything you can to lead by example. Then you may eventually be able to include other family members. But it most likely won't happen if you don't choose the Lord over everyone and everything (Matthew 6:33). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Try this:</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Evaluate yourself:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you really made the choice to put the Lord first each and every day?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Honestly consider if you are a reactionary most of the time. Or, do you wait, think, then respond?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Do this:</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Read this article. </span><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1270-god-wants-me-to-be-happy"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(2, 30, 170); font-size: large;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1270-god-wants-me-to-be-happy</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look up some of the verses from the book of Psalms and Proverbs listed in the section of this article titled <i>Divine Happiness</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Memorize this: </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Luke 10:27 “And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’”</span></span></div>
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<b>Questions</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. What are some things that can become idols?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Define react.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Define respond.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. What is the most important purpose of marriage?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Recommended Reading</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <i>Should A Christian Marry Outside the Faith? </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/313-should-a-christian-marry-outside-the-faith"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/313-should-a-christian-marry-outside-the-faith</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Jason. <i>Is a Loveless Marriage Scriptural Grounds For Divorce? </i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1181-is-a-loveless-marriage-scriptural-grounds-for-divorce" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 26, 153); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1181-is-a-loveless-marriage-scriptural-grounds-for-divorce</span></a></div>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-51790660962027009852016-06-06T09:19:00.000-07:002016-06-08T08:18:29.881-07:00Making a Christian Marriage #4<div style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What About Forgiveness</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">During his ministry, Jesus taught his disciples about forgiveness. On one occasion Peter asked the Lord, “‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’” The response of the Lord was, “‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’” Now, does that mean you need to keep count, and on that 490th time, that is it? Of course not. The Lord was using figurative language. He went on to teach the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant. (See: Matthew 18:23-34).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">In this parable the king (representing God) forgave a servant of a debt that he would never be able to pay. But that servant failed to have patience with a fellow who owed him much less money. He took him by the throat, then had him put in prison. When the king found out about this, he punished the unmerciful servant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">The application of this story was “‘My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart’” (vs. 35). </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Paul gave this command, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">The marriage relationship requires a forgiving spirit. The woman who is a grudge-holder will only tear her relationship apart. The wise woman will build up her house, but the foolish will only tear it down (Proverbs 14:1).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Does the spirit of kindness and forgiveness mean that one will endure any kind of treatment, sin or abuse? Of course not. The adulterer can be divorced for his sin (Matthew 19:9, Mark 10:11-12). The contentious in the church brings isolation upon themselves (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; Titus 3:10). However, there will be plenty of times that forgiveness is necessary to move on to a better relationship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">We live in an imperfect world, and we all are part of the reason! If one does not fully appreciate the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:-6-8), it will be difficult to forgive others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Can you think of any time in your life that you have been forgiven for something you did that hurt or damaged another? How did you feel when you knew you were forgiven? Surely there was relief, and a sense of humble appreciation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">There are so many important challenges with which to cope that we simply must learn to not “sweat the small stuff.” Again, that doesn’t mean one ignores chronic problems. But the big problems can be magnified if one treats every single infraction as a major sin. Pick the right battles to work through. Don’t keep score of how many times your mate forgot to do something or if he isn’t as thoughtful as you would like. Learn to think ahead about how to righteously deal with situations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Think about this verse: <i>“A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly”</i> (Proverbs 15:1-2).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">In Ephesians 5:1-2, Paul instructs us to “walk in love.” This is that “agape-love.” It is a decision of the will. We can choose to walk in this kind of love, or keep our heads in the clouds waiting for that Hollywood love. That kind of “love” doesn’t last. It can’t endure through hard times of health crises or death of loved ones, etc. It is primarily a fleshly infatuation that is mostly self-centered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Let’s practice soft speaking when we are irritated, choosing the right words at the right time. Timing is everything. Don’t begin a heavy problem conversation when your mate is worn out and distracted by other burdens. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Gaining the kind of love a woman craves is done by being a woman approved by God, with the godly characteristics described in the Scriptures. The Bible is the “How To Book” for wives. Remember that we were created to be helpers for our mates. We must learn how to be that helper, with a gentle and tranquil spirit. By doing so we will not only be precious in the sight of God, but to our husbands. (See: 1 Peter 3:1-6; Proverbs 31:28-29.)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Consider this: </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Read 1 Peter 3:1-6 at least twice this coming week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Proverbs 15:1 </span><span style="font-size: large;">“<i>A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">(NASV)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Try this</span>:</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Think about the issues you may have in your marriage. Even if you have a good marriage, consider any improvements you can make in yourself that will bring greater happiness to your husband, thus to yourself.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Do This:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Go to<a href="http://www.studylight.org/"> http://www.studylight.org</a> Click “Original Language Tools” in the bar towards the top of the page. Type 1 Peter 3:1-6 in the box that comes up. Each verse will appear in the New American Standard Version. You will see the Greek version of the verse below the English. Click on the following English words one at a time: behavior, gentle, quiet, and precious. That will highlight the Greek word. Write each of those words, with their meanings, on a piece of paper. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Choose one area to work on this week. If you are a nervous person, calm yourself through prayer and meditation upon the Scriptures. If you tend to be loud when you are upset, try to speak with more quiet gentleness. Think about Jesus, the tenderhearted Son of God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pray for your mate. Pray that you will be able to help him in his efforts to serve the Lord. Express thanksgiving for the forgiveness of your sins.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Questions</span></b></div>
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<li style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Define forgiveness.</span></span></li>
<li style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Must one overlook <i>every sin </i>a mate might commit against his wife?</span></span></li>
<li style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">How do you think one can grow to be a more forgiving person?</span></span></li>
<li style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Read Matthew 5:7. How could this verse be applied in marriage?</span></span></li>
<li style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;"></span></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Pray for a more forgiving heart.</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;"><b>Recommended Reading</b></span><i> </i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson,Wayne. <i>Three Dimensions of Love.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/255-three-dimensions-of-love">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/255-three-dimensions-of-love</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <i>Understanding Forgiveness. </i><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/887-understanding-forgiveness">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/887-understanding-forgiveness</a></span><br />
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Photo Copyright: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_alexraths'>alexraths / 123RF Stock Photo</a></div>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-28587825960689493762016-04-12T16:42:00.001-07:002016-04-12T16:42:22.978-07:00Making a Christian Marriage #3<div style="line-height: normal;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqsEkDxVpjJyymMXTRX0Kw_Gm1VGfMHu9F50HzO876aaWyhDomaRE4Cc8caEYivZQ_5jE88FV4Qv1mGk4pzrb12qnYTNR8JyAskvZHXugRp3SspdeR14J4J83fBH7rEuD2GotD4dz70c/s1600/Young+couple+making+decisions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqsEkDxVpjJyymMXTRX0Kw_Gm1VGfMHu9F50HzO876aaWyhDomaRE4Cc8caEYivZQ_5jE88FV4Qv1mGk4pzrb12qnYTNR8JyAskvZHXugRp3SspdeR14J4J83fBH7rEuD2GotD4dz70c/s320/Young+couple+making+decisions.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>What Is Submission</b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Is it difficult for us to be in submission to our husbands, or the leadership of the church? Do we understand what biblical submission is?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Let’s think about what it is not. Biblical submission is not enduring physical or verbal abuse. Verbal abuse is not the same as saying regretful words during a disagreement. It is the habitual attack of degrading and threatening words. It creates fear and discouragement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Discouragement in marriage is not necessarily a sign of abuse. It does suggest there is work to be done. Creating a good marriage is not always simple. It is easier for some than for others. The history of each spouse affects the marriage. That history can be helpful, or create hurdles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What then is the biblical meaning of submission? Is it required of only women? No, submission is a way of thinking and accepting God’s designated leaders, as they lead according to his Word. (Ephesians 5:21; Hebrews 13:17). When we consider the needs of another above our own, we are submitting (Philippians 2:1-7).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A good husband makes it an honor to submit to his delegated authority. That authority is a responsibility, and not a position of dictatorship. Submission is recognizing and accepting another’s authority over you. A man cannot force a woman to have a submissive attitude. An abused wife or child may submit out of fear or other reasons, but that is not biblical submission. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In some situations, submission may be difficult, perhaps due to the lack of spirituality in the mate. Through the apostle Peter, the Lord demands the attitude of submission, even to a non-Christian (1 Peter 3:1ff). A godly woman will work to develop the prescribed gentle, quiet demeanor and conduct. That is the kind of lady who can expect more influence on her mate than the nagging wife that Solomon knew about (Proverbs 19:13; 21:9; 25:24; 27:15)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large;">The call of the modern feminists to be assertive, to stand up for your rights, don’t let a man tell you what to do, find yourself, etc. has influenced a significant number of women. Robin Morgan was the editor of a radical feminist magazine. She, with Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem established another media outlet propagating the hysterical feminist agenda. Ms. Morgan stated, "I feel that 'man-hating' is an honorable and viable political act, that the oppressed have a right to class-hatred against the class that is oppressing them" (<a href="http://www.azquotes.com/author/10390-Robin_Morgan"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.azquotes.com/author/10390-Robin_Morgan</span></a>). </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large;">Such hateful dispositions will not bring happiness! And the bitterness fostered by the feminists is condemned by God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">According to the late Judge Robert Bork, feminists have had influence upon curricula used in elementary and high school. They are teaching our girls these putrid ideas through various outlets. Question: Have they influenced us? I am afraid that many women have absorbed much of these ideas without realizing it. It surfaces within the home and the church. There are even “women preachers and elders” in some congregations claiming to be the church of Christ. It has become popular to suggest that Paul's instruction in 1 Timothy 2:8-15 are cultural, and not time lasting based upon principals of creation and the fall (1 Tim. 2:13-14; 1 Cor. 11:1-16).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The characteristics of a woman who has submission problems are nagging, bitterness, resentment, and bossiness. She habitually contradicts her husband. She looks down on him as beneath her. Such a woman may make all the decisions for the family, or secretly do things behind his back. She may squander their money. She may even be flirtatious with other men by actions or the way she dresses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In contrast, the godly wife recognizes her role. "Scripture indicates that it is the wife's responsibility to be submissive. Nowhere is the husband commanded to physically force his wife into submissions. Rather the wife is commanded to make herself submissive (Ephesians 5:22; 1 Peter 3:1" (Ken Wilson, p. 51). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Such a woman is characterized by wise and kind words (Proverbs 31:26). She is a strong, dignified and modest woman in the way she speaks and carries herself (vs. 25a). She has a sense of humor, instead of always being ready to be offended (vs. 25b). She has a spirit of gentleness and quietness (in contrast to boisterous vulgarity or sensuous speech). She is a calm person. She is a help to her husband. She is wise enough to be his best friend and counselor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Let us all seek to be more submissive to the Lord by being respectful in the way we interact with our mates and church leaders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Consider this:</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Read 1 Peter 3:1-6 two times this week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">See: 1 Corinthians 11:1-4; 1 Timothy 2:8-15.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Try this:</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Evaluate yourself. Think about ways you can improve your attitude of submissiveness? Do you treat your mate with respect? Being respectful does not mean you ignore problems, but it does show how communication is to be done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Do this: </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Step back a bit! Instead of forging ahead, help your husband to lead you, by considering him as God’s leader. Don’t make all decisions by yourself. Consult him. If you have a different perspective, talk it over without being condescending.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Can you think of anything you could do this coming week that would help your husband spend time studying his Bible? Can you clear some time for him? Perhaps he isn’t willing. Be creative in conversation about spiritual matters, such as a recent Bible class or sermon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Recommended Reading</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Bork, Robert. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: inherit;">Slouching Towards Gomorrah</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1996. Regan Books: HarperCollins Publishers. New York, NY.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne.<i> The Role of Woman.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/202-role-of-woman-the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <i>In What Sense Is Man the Head of Woman? </i><span style="color: blue;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1137-in-what-sense-is-man-the-head-of-woman</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Wilson, Ken. <i>The Christian Home by God's Design. </i>2004. Star Bible & Tract Corp. Fort Worth, TX.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Memorize this:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Proverbs 31:26 “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Questions To Ponder</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. Define submission.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. How may a woman convert her husband to the gospel? Give a scripture reference. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. List some ways to encourage spiritual thinking in one’s mate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. Look up the references in this lesson from the book of Proverbs. Make a list of descriptives of the unpleasant woman.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">5.Try to sincerely (not phony) compliment your mate about his work or something he has done for you.</span></div>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-58632095637976860352016-03-15T09:39:00.000-07:002016-06-06T09:20:01.758-07:00Making a Christian Marriage #2<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What Is Love?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you believe “being in love” is more important in marriage than commitment?” Most married people in our culture have experienced “being in love,” that feeling of infatuation. However, the honeymoon doesn’t last forever—at least in a 24/7 way. In a good marriage, there is still the being in love, but in a different and steady way. Soon the misconception that you found the perfect man is gone. He knows you aren’t perfect either. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In John 3:16 we are told: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son...” The Greek word “love” in this passage is <i>agapao. </i>This type of love is not so much about feelings, but of commitment to the person of worth. How much are you and your husband worth? Both of you are priceless! If God loves your husband so much that he gave Jesus to die for him, then he is worth all the effort you can give to love him with that kind of love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Agape-love is a deep and abiding commitment that considers the loved one worth saving. The most important role in marriage is helping our husbands. That was why we were created! (Genesis 2:18; 1 Corinthians 11:8). It is so easy to succumb to negative thinking: “But he doesn’t ... or he does thus and so all the time.” This series of lessons is not about husbands. It is to encourage us to grow stronger in the role God has assigned to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The primary helping task is spiritual (more about this in another lesson). The outstanding characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman are her strength, dignity, and kindness (v. 25-26). A consideration of her daily tasks reveals she was bound to have moments of fatigue. Bone weariness can bring temptations to be negative and combative. These are times to be in tune with our bodies, and to have a spiritual mind over matter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We must be the spiritual helpers we ought to be, in spite of our physical weaknesses. Improving our marriages takes deliberate and hard work. This short article cannot address all the ways to do that. However, we need to look at our schedules which get so out of control that our lives are in virtual chaos. One must address these kinds of things for the best spiritual good. There must be balance between tending to the necessary, and neglecting the spiritual.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Consider this:</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Read 1 Corinthians 13 through two times this coming week. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Try this: </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Choose a couple of things from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 to incorporate into your life this week. It might be good to choose the latter part of verse 5. In the American Standard Version, it reads: “Love ... taketh not account of evil.” In the New American Standard, it is translated: “does not take into account a wrong suffered.” I don’t think the ESV brings out the original, but perhaps it does help us to realize that keeping score of wrongs causes us to be resentful, producing an atmosphere that is detrimental to the spiritual environment of our homes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Communication breaks down when we keep bringing up past hurts that should have been forgotten. Dealing with the problems is not about keeping an account of how many times we have been hurt or ignored. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another consideration might be: “Love .... is not provoked.” When we make the decision to “agape-love,” we will overlook petty annoyances. Our level of irritation, exasperation will be less. There are right things to be annoyed about. Paul was upset at times with the ignorant behavior of his fellow Jews. But in the context of 1 Corinthians 13, we are talking about the characteristics Christians should possess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is it hard to have this kind of love? For sure. Yet, it can grow easier day by day, with practice. None of us grew up in perfect homes; we brought some baggage into our marriages. Some learned things must be unlearned. Becoming a Christian is a life of thankfulness and repentance, a life of changing and growing through committed effort to put on the new self (ESV, Ephesians 4:22-23).</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Do this: </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Evaluate yourself. Note how your attitude of irritation affects your treatment of other members of your family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be thankful for the Lord’s help when you acted in a good and kind way (without a haughty attitude), in spite of anything that you perceive as irritating.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Recommended Reading</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">Heald, Cynthia. <i>Loving Your Husband.</i> 1989.<i> </i>Colorado Springs, CO. NavPress Publishing Group.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Jill. </span></span></div>
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<u style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;">http://holy-women-of-hope.blogspot.com/2014/07/coping-with-baggage.html</span></u></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><u>https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/78-challenge-of-agape-love-the</u></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/255-three-dimensions-of-love</u></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Memorize this:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1 John 4:7-8(ESV)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Questions to Ponder</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><i>(Give Scripture references)</i></span></b></div>
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<ol>
<li style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Define “agape-love.”</span></li>
<li style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">How do wives show true love in marriage?</span></li>
<li style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why were women created?</span></li>
<li style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">What are some things one learns in youth that should be “unlearned” for marriage?</span></li>
<li style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">How does a Christian woman show she is penitent and thankful for the forgiveness of her sins?</span></li>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-10036060119321009602016-03-01T23:46:00.001-08:002016-03-15T09:57:59.203-07:00Making a Christian Marriage #1<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-EJuwjmGoO_PQ7WOl0WqYgKTC99O3twUgI3YCkcB3VcDfWxKMDZSERkMT70PsODHzS3Nmi5nTr9huURoMRJQQTKTsQXUvffKkT6Tb4C0mdGx7glFe2vSaNGHg4L0ScvfSKYTBkczhqM/s1600/rings+and+flowers+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-EJuwjmGoO_PQ7WOl0WqYgKTC99O3twUgI3YCkcB3VcDfWxKMDZSERkMT70PsODHzS3Nmi5nTr9huURoMRJQQTKTsQXUvffKkT6Tb4C0mdGx7glFe2vSaNGHg4L0ScvfSKYTBkczhqM/s320/rings+and+flowers+.jpg" width="212" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Loving Grace</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Scholars define grace, bestowed by God, as favor, loving-kindness. In biblical context it is “unmerited favor.” Without at least an inkling of the horridness of sin, grace will be unappreciated. “[T]o the praise of the glory of His </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>grace</b></span><span style="font-size: large;">, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">grace</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">” (Ephesians 1:6-7; ESV). (Emphasis-mine.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Consider the cost of the bestowment of that grace! “...For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the <b>grace</b> of God and the gift by the <b>grace</b> of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many” (Acts 20:28; Romans 5:15).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The offer of grace is an offer for salvation (Ephesians 2:1-10). Of course, that means we must know how to obtain grace. The Bible reveals that plan of grace, or salvation (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, 22:16).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Grace can be lost (Galatians 5:1-5). We are to grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18). Growing and changing takes deliberate effort. Habitual behavior is not easy to overcome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How can an appreciation of God’s grace help one’s marriage? How can growth improve relationships? A deep and abiding appreciation for God’s grace (unmerited favor) will motivate us to permeate our actions with grace and kindness toward others. Jesus had an attitude toward us. He did not look down upon us because of our sins. Rather, his goal was to rescue us, to help us go to heaven. Our individual goals need to be the same as the Lord’s—helping others go to heaven, without being condescending. Our immediate responsibility is to our mates and our children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Consider this:</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Make a list (at least mentally) of your sins for which you are especially grateful that God has forgiven. Thank the Lord for his grace that made it possible that you be forgiven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Make a list of things that you do that you know irritates your mate. These may be something as unimportant as the way you squeeze toothpaste out of the tube, or it may be a real sin. Don’t make a long list. Just one or two items.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Think about how your husband can show grace towards you, when you do these things he does not approve of, or that irritate him. Note: Grace doesn’t <i>always</i> overlook mistakes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Read Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29. How does one who speaks with grace, seasoned with salt (speech permeated with heart-felt love for God and others) speak and act towards another person, even an offending person? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Make a list of ways you can improve in speaking with grace to your mate. How often do you speak in an angry or condescending tone? Practice—not just when things are going great, but even when you are under stress. If you err, apologize; and start over!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Memorize this:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight” (Ephesians 1:7-8; ESV).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Recommended Reading</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Jill. </span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large;"><u>http://holy-women-of-hope.blogspot.com/2014/02/are-you-building-successful-marriage.html</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne.</span></div>
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<u><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1279-true-meaning-of-grace-the</span></u></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(2, 30, 170);"><span style="font-size: large;">Loden, Patsy. 2010. <i>Loving Your Husband</i>. Huntsville, AL. Publishing Designs, Inc.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Questions to Ponder</span></b></div>
<ol>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">What does the word <i>grace</i> mean?</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">How has God shown grace to us?</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can one be saved by grace alone?</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is Christ’s attitude toward those upon whom he has bestowed grace?</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">How can our speech destroy our influence as a Christian?</span></li>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-20661482525325074762016-02-11T13:12:00.002-08:002019-05-14T06:26:57.365-07:00Grandmothers and Reality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMa3jfkwISaAA2eJbaVKxe1AShtVWYx6OBJGFfuin_1a5xY0c_Y0BbsjENYJeEnbpg4g6UsGGiKe_GJwz5rTXVY5_bD-LJlMTTtU0kTXd8V6qxW7ZLIi6g2tWyi3euo2-Jg7Ir13QGIo/s1600/Joy+and+Preston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMa3jfkwISaAA2eJbaVKxe1AShtVWYx6OBJGFfuin_1a5xY0c_Y0BbsjENYJeEnbpg4g6UsGGiKe_GJwz5rTXVY5_bD-LJlMTTtU0kTXd8V6qxW7ZLIi6g2tWyi3euo2-Jg7Ir13QGIo/s200/Joy+and+Preston.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson</span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grandchildren can light up the aging years (Prov. 17:6). Some grandparents are apt to say they enjoy their grandchildren, and how happy they are to send them home! Most grandmothers will admit it is wonderful to be loved as grandchildren love them, without the stress of being completely responsible for their every need. However, the Lord explained the responsibility of grandparents. By inspiration, Moses wrote:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children”</i> (Deut. 4:9 - emphasis mine).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Families are so scattered from one another. It isn’t easy to have time with our grandchildren. However, the reputation of grandparents is established in the eyes of the young easily. Even some of the most despicable women show great affection for their grandchildren. Sadly, their influences are not for good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Note that there are some grandmothers of the Bible who were of that stripe. The period of the divided kingdom of Israel was permeated with the most horrendous acts of evil. The infamous Jezebel and her husband, Ahab, king of Israel, had three children together: Ahaziah, Jehoram, and Athaliah. (A few argue that Athaliah was Omri’s daughter.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jezebel and Athaliah were wicked to the bone. Athaliah (of Israel) married Jehoram, king of Judah. She was an evil influence upon her husband, who murdered his brothers to strengthen his hold as king. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Upon his death, their son Ahaziah became king. Athaliah was “his counselor in doing wickedly” (cf. 2 Chron. 22:1-9). Her co-counselors advised him… “to his destruction.” Jehu became the Lord’s executioner, and Ahaziah was killed. Athaliah took action and began killing off her own grandchildren. If it had not been for Ahaziah’s sister, her nephew, baby Joash, would have been slain. Athaliah made herself ruler over Judah, for a few years. It did not end well with her, as she was eventually executed; and the young Joash took his rightful place as king.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The purpose of this cursory review of that period of Old Testament history, is to show that a human being, even a grandmother, can become so wicked that she is willing to kill her own grandchildren for selfish purposes.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Are all the Athaliah’s Gone?</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The answer is, hardly! How many mothers are advising their unwed daughters to abort their babies? Rumor has it that even Christian mothers, have advised and paid for the murder of their own pre-born grandchildren. I hope the rumor isn’t true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are there other ways that grandmothers are counselors in wickedness? What a painful question. How much more painful is the answer: Yes! Perhaps it is out of a lack of spiritual knowledge or understanding, but the answer is still an affirmative.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">How are Grandmothers Failing their Grandchildren?</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Examples teach.</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Grandmothers may fail to teach godliness by their slothful worship attendance, stingy giving and minimal to no involvement in the work of the local church. Our grandchildren may rejoice when we spend our money on them. But the way we spend our time and money for the Lord has a more lasting impression.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What about the way Grandma dresses? Is Grannie’s neckline showing her cleavage? When she takes her granddaughter shopping, what kind of clothes does she buy for her?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One Christian Facebook grandmother extolled her husband for how well he made alcoholic cocktails! Does she advise that alcohol isn’t wise, but that it is not a sin (mistakenly)? Perhaps she even offers her grandchildren the first taste of that strong beverage. After all some say it is better done in the home, rather than elsewhere. Has she forgotten that alcohol can be addictive?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As Christians, do we listen to gossip and practice it ourselves? Do we “trash talk?” Do we join some millennials who trash talk the church, blaming congregations for the decline in faithful youth? The common statement that “millennials want what is real” is good, if true! But that in no way correctly charges the church with <i>not</i> being real for the last 2,000 years! What is real is sin condemns and Jesus saves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What else is real is that many parents have expected the church to spiritually raise their kids.Yes, we need “real” gospel preaching. We need “real” people who really care about the youth, and the elderly. We need “real” people who care about families. But what else is “real” is the fact that more parents and grandparents need to step up and do their jobs as spiritual mentors to their own families. Then, and only then, will there be less fall out by every age group.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Grandmother Goals</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Paul praised the grandmother and mother of Timothy for training him in the scriptures (2 Timothy 1:5, 3:14-15) Lois and Eunice are held up as examples. We are told very little about these two godly women. But this we do know. They taught what was “real”<span style="line-height: normal;">—</span> the Sacred Scriptures. Without a doubt, they also lived them. Without a doubt, these ladies had to be modest women, who were involved in the kind of works that professed godliness. (cf. 1 Tim. 2:9-10). I cannot imagine Mary, the mother of Jesus, Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, Mary and Martha, nor Lois and Eunice speaking with coarseness or vulgarity or dressing like harlots. They were women who knew Scripture and could advise from it. They were women of class, according to the teaching of the Word of God.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">How can we emulate these women for the sake of our grandchildren? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Learn the Word of God.</b> <i>You cannot teach what you do not know.</i> Be avid readers of the Bible. Study it. Be informed about current biblical issues. Learn how to address the concerns of your children and grandchildren. Can you answer their questions about when the dinosaurs were created, the age of the earth or evolution? Be prepared! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Learn to pray!</b> If you love God and his word, strive to be a devoted praying individual. Pray for your grandchildren constantly, and as opportunity permits in front of them while they are young.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Show love and trust for the Lord.</b> How much do you want your grandchildren to go to heaven? On the other side, how badly do you want them to avoid hell? There is only one life with which to teach our offspring. And for grandparents, it isn’t that long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love is more than giving things. We enjoy doing that. But deeper love is the love (agape) that sees more than the physical. <i>It sees what is real.</i> It sees that there is an eternity, that there is a God who loves us so much that he sent Jesus to die to purchase the church, the kingdom (cf. Col. 2:12-14).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love is seeing to it that we do everything within our power to be the example that will show our grandchildren that there is a better path than the broad way that so many are traveling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Does your grandchild own a Bible? Does he/she own age appropriate spiritual reading materials? Do your grandchildren have clothing suitable for going to worship, even if it is only occasionally when they visit you? Make sure that your gifts include these things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Talk to your grandchildren</b>. It is great to play with them, to take them to special places. But talk to these young ones about spiritual matters, about the church, about Jesus. When they are little, sing songs with them like “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” Read Bible stories to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let’s make it a resolution to do more to enhance their spiritual growth. Make a list of ways you can spiritually encourage your grandchildren. Do all you can to create a closer bond with them so that your influence can be felt. Perhaps you have neglected keeping in close contact. Write them paper letters, email, call them. Remember their special days. Make it a goal to do better. Be as present in their lives as is possible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Evil is extant in our world. The church can teach, support and encourage, but the <i>primary</i> responsibility for showing children what is real belongs to parents and grandparents. What more can you do to reduce the attrition of your young people? Hell is real. Heaven is real. Judgment day is real.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The love of grandparents is so very real. Let’s use it for eternal good, and not selfish motives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Again: “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and <b>your children's children</b>”( Deut. 4:9ff). <b>This is real!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Recommended Reading</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <b><i>John 2:1ff The Wine that Jesus Made</i>.</b> ChristianCourier.com. <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/666-john-2-1ff-the-wine-that-jesus-made">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/666-john-2-1ff-the-wine-that-jesus-made</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <b><i>What About Moderate Social Drinking? </i></b>ChristianCourier.com. Access date: <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/308-what-about-moderate-social-drinking">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/308-what-about-moderate-social-drinking</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <b><i>Thinking Straight About Abortion.</i></b> ChristianCourier.com. Access date: January 21, 2016. <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/259-thinking-straight-about-abortion">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/259-thinking-straight-about-abortion</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <i>T</i><b><i>elevision and Your Children</i></b>. <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/864-television-and-your-children">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/864-television-and-your-children</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <b><i>Genesis 1 and Dinosaurs.</i></b> ChristianCourier.com. Access date: January 20, 2016. <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1415-genesis-1-and-dinosaurs">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1415-genesis-1-and-dinosaurs</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Good materials for youngsters:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Truth Be Told</i></b><i>. </i>Kyle Butt and Eric Lyons. Apologetics Press. <a href="https://www.apologeticspress.org/store/Product.aspx?pid=54">https://www.apologeticspress.org/store/Product.aspx?pid=54</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Discovery Magazine.</i></b><i> </i>Apologetics Press. <a href="https://www.apologeticspress.org/store/Category.aspx?cid=3">https://www.apologeticspress.org/store/Category.aspx?cid=3</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Apologetics Press has numerous materials for children and teens.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">For homeschool or Bible class:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Betty. <b><i>We Believe Because.</i></b> Christian Courier Publications. See: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WeBelieveBecause">https://www.facebook.com/WeBelieveBecause</a> (Contact: <a href="mailto:betty@christiancourier.com">betty@christiancourier.com</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">See: <b><i>We Believe in God Because of Dinosaurs.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WeBelieveBecause/photos/a.1677256255886574.1073741831.1446500582295477/1677254519220081/?type=3&theater">https://www.facebook.com/WeBelieveBecause/photos/a.1677256255886574.1073741831.1446500582295477/1677254519220081/?type=3&theater</a></span></div>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-75116704545931824752015-09-08T11:09:00.000-07:002015-09-08T11:09:03.766-07:00What Have You Done for Me Lately?<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #383838;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAbPCNSpuvheHyTjusygDMp__wETjaLkHRRpQvn0G0UYj1_Ay9kzgBAywfjKkNIefaM1SoqzqcA0XlcvqEZao3Zbl-q1zXgxb0a0_ZYVwJF1X_EGRtLk9Rj4XKT7Os1BZc1Js_Nl2zKA/s1600/Sad+Woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAbPCNSpuvheHyTjusygDMp__wETjaLkHRRpQvn0G0UYj1_Ay9kzgBAywfjKkNIefaM1SoqzqcA0XlcvqEZao3Zbl-q1zXgxb0a0_ZYVwJF1X_EGRtLk9Rj4XKT7Os1BZc1Js_Nl2zKA/s320/Sad+Woman.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Kathy Pollard</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">No one came to see me. No one called me. No one sent me a card. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It seems like I’m doing all the work. No one is helping me.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m tired of being the one always making the first move. Let someone else make the effort for once.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I give and give and give, but never get anything back. I’m sick of it.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If I didn’t go out of my way to talk to people, then no one would talk to me. From now on I’m just going to sit back and see who cares enough to come speak to me.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I realize that sometimes we make statements like these in order to vent in moments of frustration, weariness or loneliness. But sometimes we’re just being self-absorbed. Discontentment sets in when we think we’ve been overlooked or neglected, or when we start comparing our good efforts to the seemingly nonexistent ones of others. What a dangerous and unattractive mindset!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we are tempted to accuse others of neglect, we need to ask ourselves, “How many visits have I made this past week? This past month? How many people have I called to encourage?” Could it be that we expect from others what we aren’t willing to do ourselves? “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” (Matt. 7:3).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we are tempted to give up because we feel like we’re the only ones making any effort, we need to inspect our motives. We shouldn’t serve for recognition or gratitude. We should serve in humility because Jesus commanded it (John 13:14, 15). We shouldn’t put forth only as much effort as we see others putting forth. We should only compare ourselves to Christ, which means we’ll keep on giving it our all (Phil. 2:5-8). Let’s not fall into the world’s mindset of selfish entitlement. Instead, let’s prayerfully and earnestly consider how we will answer when Jesus asks, “What have you done for Me lately?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:9,10).</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prayer for Today: Help me, Lord, fight the blinding trap of selfishness. May I always have the mindset of Your Son who was motivated by love to serve others.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Used by permission.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life and Favor</span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February 16, 2012</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our guest writer is Kathy Pollard, wife of Neal Pollard, minister for the Bear Valley Church of Christ in Denver.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kathy's book <b>Return To Me</b> sold out at the first printing. Contact Fortify Your Faith/Christian Courier</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Publications to order your copy. Phone: (209) 472-2475.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Recommended Reading:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Jill. <b>Has Someone You Love Turned Her Back on God?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> http://holy-women-of-hope.blogspot.com/2014/04/has-someone-you-love-turned-her-back-on.html</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Jill. <b>Does God Desire Positive Self-Esteem.</b> http://holy-women-of-hope.blogspot.com/2014/04/does-god-desire-positive-self-esteem.html</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <b>The Bible and Self Esteem. </b>https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/42-the-bible-and-self-esteem </span>Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-74314743802799427232015-08-28T09:45:00.000-07:002015-08-28T09:56:43.124-07:00Let Me Tell You A Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5npHlruLXO1lQN55cq5V9GprPyZLh3Hp_XSbR_sGApF0Zv_CtzCgUzdnmWEVVVrKCqY3zvx65s9DDyTrNqwRK6kQ3ey9kpAiipwvxaae5AdR7G_O_B9JbREJl4sk4IrpUnBj0FyxR1Is/s1600/21399872_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5npHlruLXO1lQN55cq5V9GprPyZLh3Hp_XSbR_sGApF0Zv_CtzCgUzdnmWEVVVrKCqY3zvx65s9DDyTrNqwRK6kQ3ey9kpAiipwvxaae5AdR7G_O_B9JbREJl4sk4IrpUnBj0FyxR1Is/s320/21399872_s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This title is that of an article in the May 5, 1996 issue of Parade Magazine about Thomas L. Harken. At the time the article was written he was a fifty-nine year old millionaire. He has been described as an “entrepreneur of the highest order and in the strictest sense of the word, with little formal education.” His was an amazing story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tom was stricken with polio when he was eleven years old. He was placed in a hospital ward in an iron lung with numerous other polio stricken children. He recalls crying and laying all night in his own vomit when no one came to his aide. Tom recalled, “I just needed a hug, real, real bad.” Finally a kind-hearted doctor found him, took him out of the iron lung, cleaned him up, and hugged him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At last he was well enough to go home. Then he came down with tuberculosis and was quarantined for another long year. By the time Tom was able to return to school, his classroom peers were small children. Being humiliated by the age difference and taunting by the young children, he quit school in the 7<sup>th</sup> grade, without learning to read.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In spite of Tom’s illiteracy, his burning work ethic and love of people brought him success in the sales work he pursued. His devoted wife, Melba, helped him keep his secret. He made excuses so he would not have to take his turn in a Sunday Bible class to read. Though he was a successful businessman, he could not even read to his own children. That saddened Tom, yet motivated him. It was a painstaking effort, but Melba taught him to read. He was delighted when he was able read to his grandchildren. Mr. Harken died on July 10, 2013. During his lifetime he was an outspoken activist for literacy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This wonderful story is an illustration of how a determined person who was handicapped by illiteracy became successful. He overcame his problem long after he had established himself in the business world. What an example some people are of determination and self-discipline. We need to have the ambition to set and accomplish some goals in our lives, especially in service to the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As Christian parents we must do everything within our power to see to it that our children learn to read. If we fail them, what valuable service <i>by them</i> might be lost. What rich knowledge of God's word will be unknown because of illiteracy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can teach your child to read. Begin early to read books to your babies. My nephew’s six month old baby boy was read to since his first days. One night on vacation they attempted to put Ethan to bed without reading to him. A normally easy-going baby, he became upset. They remembered they had not read to him, did so, and put him to bed with no further problems. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reading to your children simply must include reading Bible story books and the Bible. Emphasis upon the wonderful message of God will be absorbed early, if we expose our children daily. Some families make Bible reading their family devotional time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I remember one of my elementary teachers read stories to our class after lunch or recess. She was a beloved teacher, and demonstrated a love for written words. I read to my own children after they were older. Our daughter did so as well. All of our children and grandchildren have a love for reading and learning. It is a priceless gift to teach children to read, and show them a passion for learning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If your children learn to love books from the first days of their lives, they will learn to read! There are tools you can use on your own. (See: <span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.icanteachmychild.com/10-steps-to-teaching-your-child-to-read/"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 26, 153);">http://www.icanteachmychild.com/10-steps-to-teaching-your-child-to-read/</span></a></span>.) Your public library may offer literacy programs for children and adults.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We must be cautioned concerning the influence of the so-called educational circles. We may be impressed with some folks that are so far from God, simply because they are learned. Education should be a tool with which to serve God, and not for impressing the world with our monetary success or some other vision of greatness. Instead, any wealth or prestige we may gain resulting from the educational blessings should be used to further the kingdom. After all, many poor souls are lost in the poverty of ignorance and starvation for spiritual nourishment, as well as physical.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Children should be taught that the learning and material gain they receive are blessings to be used in the service of God. Seeking the righteousness of the kingdom must be the foremost mission statement for all we do (Mt. 6:33).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;">The Beaumont Enterprise: <a href="http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/beaumontenterprise/obituary.aspx?pid=165812820"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 26, 153);">http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/beaumontenterprise/obituary.aspx?pid=165812820</span></a></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: 12px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Horatio Alger Association: <a href="http://www.horatioalger.org/members_info.cfm?memberid=har92"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 26, 153);">http://www.horatioalger.org/members_info.cfm?memberid=har92</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jackson, Jason. <i>Building Character Before the Concrete Sets. </i><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1233-building-character-before-the-concrete-sets"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 26, 153);">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1233-building-character-before-the-concrete-sets</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jackson, Jason. <i>Have You Not Read?</i> <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1186-have-you-not-read"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 26, 153);">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1186-have-you-not-read</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jackson, Wayne. <i>Television and Your Children. </i><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/864-television-and-your-children"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 26, 153);">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/864-television-and-your-children</span></a></span></div>
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Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556013218460545480.post-85825935217838910352015-05-18T08:43:00.000-07:002015-05-18T08:43:00.137-07:00Sibling Rivalry—Part 2<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Betty Jackson</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAIL_bNFXL9W3oHBNG0q0GYxESN3Ib8jGh4WuGC7J9S4fPZ8sqGDhX6FaUYwb78gu2xYWVhUABMrozyVBYKTDb6J5-DhkaE8OKvusKe6iPZIFdBZuHsVjPzn4ibX0Fp3JNU8Po94QIA4/s1600/36377673_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAIL_bNFXL9W3oHBNG0q0GYxESN3Ib8jGh4WuGC7J9S4fPZ8sqGDhX6FaUYwb78gu2xYWVhUABMrozyVBYKTDb6J5-DhkaE8OKvusKe6iPZIFdBZuHsVjPzn4ibX0Fp3JNU8Po94QIA4/s320/36377673_s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Jesus is the Prince of Peace</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">There is no substitute for the Bible to educate the consciences of our children in how they are to treat others. Failing to teach our children what God wants in our homes, by neglecting the Scriptures, or by failing to live it, is a woeful error. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). We are to be a peaceable people (Matt. 5:9; Rom.12:18; Heb.12:14). Yet, we need to realize that the disposition of putting others before oneself is a learned behavior (cf. Phil. 2:1-4). We surely will never master this virtue perfectly</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By design babies are self-centered for survival. Gradually, with deliberate effort during formative years a child can be properly led to have concern for his fellows. Children who learn early in life to think of others, to have a servant's heart, will be more apt to become God's servant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Parents need to be examples of self-control, courtesy, and mercy. Parents who are more concerned with training, than control, will not be unnecessarily harsh. Anger and power will be effective only as long as parents are bigger and stronger. Parents who are always mad and mean when they discipline (or in their disagreements with one another) are teaching the false idea that might makes right. Parents who crave complete control of their children may be creating in their children a lust for power, or the opposite—rebellion to throw off overbearing control. How can we be recipients of the Lord's long-suffering, mercy and goodness, yet fail to extend tender mercy and patience toward our children? A wonderful passage of scripture for parents to think about is Lamentations 3:22-23:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"It is of Jehovah's loving-kindnesses that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Children should be encouraged, taught, and allowed to work things out on their own. Don't encourage tattling by responding as an umpire for every incident. Lay some ground rules for settling differences.These rules are not necessarily laid out by preaching a long list, but are learned from what is acceptable and explained as needed. Make suggestions for how they might compromise with each other. When necessary, separate children with some "time out" for thinking about resolutions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When children are embroiled in an ugly disagreement, understand that you usually cannot find out who the innocent party may be—likely there is none! However, if you know that one child is consistently criticizing or bullying another, the situation needs to be remedied by age appropriate, strong and consistent disciplinary measures. Bullying can come in various styles. Hitting or tattling, criticizing, taunting, loud crying to get one's way, pretending to be innocent—can be methods of a little power-thirsty child!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> It Is Never Right To Do Wrong</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fussing that escalates into verbal abuse or blows must be stopped. Simply do not allow it, regardless of who started it. It is wrong, period. Self-control must be taught. Angry screaming and hitting is not right. It must be corrected even if the screamer has been the victim of selfishness or bullying. Do not allow wrong behavior. Disagreeing is not wrong. But differences must be settled by cooperation, or in agreement to disagree, and not by who is the loudest, meanest, or who cries the most! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Name calling, hitting, biting, etc. need to be corrected the same way you would discipline any other behavior that you are trying to eliminate. Children who are allowed to use their fists, hateful words or pouting to solve their problems or to get their way may grow up into belligerent, manipulative or mean adults. Rules of behavior need to be understood. Both positive and negative re-enforcement have their places in teaching children to live peaceably with one another. In extreme cases, that may include a good old-fashioned, biblical spanking (Prov. 13:24; 22:15; 23:13; 29:15,17). Though this is an unacceptable method of discipline in many circles today, it is an effective and right tool. We admit that many parents who practice corporal punishment do not know how to use it effectively. It should be an "event," used with careful measure, for deliberate rebelliousness or repetitive disobedience, and not as an outburst of parental anger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Teach children to genuinely apologize to one another. When you have violated principles of right conduct with your spouse before them, let them hear you apologize. When you treat your child badly, apologize and make it right. But do not be over-indulgent just because you have been too harsh. They will learn to be more sincere as their consciences mature, and they witness your sincerity over your own poor behaviors. At first, this may be foreign to them, but habitually expecting each family member to become sorry for wrong actions will reap great rewards, eventually. Never be prideful, refusing to correct your own wrong-doings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Be sure that you are giving enough attention to your children. It seems that when parents are sidetracked with other responsibilities, war breaks out! If other tasks are unavoidably demanding attention, give them something to do (nap, work, reading, well chosen media. etc.) before trouble begins. Spend individual time with each child. Your child may open up and talk when he has your undivided attention.These are wonderful informal opportunities for teaching our children about the way God wants us to behave.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Be cautious about the kind of entertainment your children have. Studies have shown that youngsters who watch violent programs, exhibit more aggressive, hateful behaviors. Media games are not wrong per se, providing they are carefully chosen for content, as well as time limited. A steady diet of the fast moving action can thwart the desire for reading and calmer activities, and may heighten tensions. (See: <i>The Psychological Effects of Violent Media on Children</i>. Dr. Christopher L. Heffner. <a href="http://allpsych.com/journal/violentmedia/#.VUqXXc7yegE">http://allpsych.com/journal/violentmedia/#.VUqXXc7yegE</a>.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Consider the possibility that crabby kids may simply be hungry. Though they must learn, as they mature, that it is never right to do wrong, small children may need healthy snacks to hold them over until meal time to keep them in a happy disposition. Be sure that each day starts with a healthy breakfast. Just because you are not hungry does not mean that your children do not need something to eat. Eating at least a light breakfast should be encouraged for good metabolism for the day. Have you noticed that most of the ready-to-serve cereals have a considerable amount of sugar and corn syrup added? A bowl of sweet "air" will not last long in an active youngster. Do a little boning up on nutrition and what it takes to be healthy at any age. And don't forget to have meals together as a family at least once a day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Provide structure for daily activities. Most of us function better with some routines This does not mean you must have a rigid lifestyle. But regular bedtimes, scheduled times for dinner, or other activities, will go a long way towards establishing a peaceful home life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Pray As A Family</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is important to pray as a family. Pray before your children for a peaceful happy family. Be earnest in your prayers and in your living for the heavenly Father. Seek his righteousness in every day life (Mt. 6:33). Be faithful in your worship attendance (Heb. 10:25). Children learn from what they see and experience, as well as what they hear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">May you be blessed as you meet the challenges of rearing your children in the Lord (Duet. 6:5-7; Eph. 6:4). The rewards will be great when you succeed at the most important responsibility that you have (Prov. 31:28-31). Your young children will be the church of tomorrow—or not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Recommended Reading</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jason Jackson. <i>Who's Boss? </i><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1194-whos-the-boss">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1194-whos-the-boss</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wayne Jackson.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The Destiny of Our Children: Nature or Nurture. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/69-destiny-of-our-children-nature-or-nurture-the">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/69-destiny-of-our-children-nature-or-nurture-the</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wayne Jackson.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Television and Our Children. </i></span><a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/864-television-and-your-children" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/864-television-and-your-children</span></a><br />
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<br />Women of Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15881341615031729227noreply@blogger.com0