And it has brought great sadness to my heart.
I believe this is one of enemies greatest tools, this and division in the church.I will just be talking about the family in this discussion.Maybe there will be a discussion about division in the church later.
Mark 3:25 And if a house be divided against itself,that kingdom cannot stand.
In the 50's and early 60's you had images of the family like this.
The pictures these shows created were of a solid family with a strong, caring father.Usually a godly man,full of wisdom.You often saw the families at church,spending a lot of time together going to Sunday school or praying over dinner.
How many times did we see Beaver get into scrape after scrape (sin) usually because he listened to his friend Larry and did something stupid.
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise:but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Beaver always got caught in whatever wrong he had done,but his father Ward was always compassionate and loving in his discipline,he was firm and non-waivering,but was always fair and just.
Father is made out to be a bumbling fool,who does little more than sit on a couch or recliner in front of the television in his underwear guzzling beer.
Mother is pictured as either a loud mouthed,narcissist or extremely intelligent in contrast to fathers stupidity and the ultimate career woman with little time for her family,in fact they often are a burden to her.
Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house up,but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
The kids would usually get themselves into some kind of scrape(sin) they would always get caught and there would be some sort of consequence for their action,
like Marcia getting a super huge ego ,because she's playing Juliet in the school play.Her mom and the drama teacher decide for her 0wn good they would boot her from the play.
Contrast that with what you see today.Mouthy,sassy children that treat their parents and anyone in authority over them like they are morons and the shows have pretty much made any adult appear that way.
Don't even get me going on the trashy train wreck Jerry Springer type shows and their propheting off of families in conflict and pain.
I understand that these were not real families that were represented,but they did reflect the times.Children were to respect those in authority over them.Your family and teachers were there to guide and help you to become a productive citizen in society.
Ephesians 6:1 Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.Honor thy father and mother,which is the first commandment with promise,that it may be well with thee and though mayest live long in the earth.
Unfortunately a lot of schools are now bringing division in the home.Often telling kids that their parents have no rights,except to give them financial support.
The medical community is no better.Many times I've had them try to take my kids in a room off by themselves.I had one doctor tell my daughter that "she was a teen and got to make all choices for herself." Mind you my daughter is mentally impaired.This doctor had no right to do this,but they feel it is their right.
Have you ever heard of the U.N. rights of the child,look it up it's quite frightening.
Our society is waging a war against families.If you destroy the family you will destroy the nation.
I don't think there is one family that hasn't been affected in some way.
1 Peter 5:8,Be sober be vigilant,because your advesary the devil, as a roaring lion,walketh about,seeking who he may devour.
So how do we fight this war? The first is to recognize who we are fighting.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,but against pricipalities,against powers,against rulers of darkness of this world.
The next thing is to pray for Jesus' protection for our families.
Then we need to put on the whole armor of God.
Ephesians 6:13:Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God,that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,and having done all,to stand.
Stand therefore,having your loins girt about with truth,and having the breastplate of righteousness;And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all,taking the shield of faith,wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation,and the sword of the Spirit,which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit,and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Also remember that just because everyone says something is okay doesn't make it right.
Remember Noah
Genesis 6:5 God saw the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart were evil continually.6:6And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth,and it grieved him at his heart.
6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.These are the generations of Noah:Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations,and Noah walked with God.
Noah and his family were the only ones saved on that day,can you imagine being the only ones in the whole world doing what is right? Talk about peer pressure.
Matthew 10:34 Jesus says
34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
This verse has shown me that sometimes there will not be peace,no matter what we do how can light walk with darkness?
Finally
Paul says in Romans 12:1
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
The fact of the matter is it's the heart that needs to be changed.When the heart is changed lives will be changed.I am so thankful for God's Word and the peace I get from reading it in times of trial.
Linn: You have got to go see the movie courageous. Teachers can't teach the way a lot of them want to. The school district dicates it. Last year what was really discouraging as title1 I was told what programs I had to use and up it was step by steph dictated what you had to say. It's because these types of program has research to back it up but the kids will quickly say this is boring how does that story relate to me? The schools that don't pass ayp are forced to use these programs. It doesn't allowfor fun ways to learn grrrr makes me mad. It comes down to schools passing that test and yes the dr was stupid to just want her. There is a lot of that stupid drs out there. Hugs! Hope your day is great and at some point my phone should ring right
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Yes Sarah,I'm so sorry I have been so swamped and I know there are only certain times to call.When I finally get unbusy and look at the clock it's often too late or we are going to bed.I promise to call this week.Linn
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