This past Sunday, we finished our teaching series, Raise Him Up. Now the real work begins through implementing these practices.
- Begin with the end in mind
- God must come first
- Parents must teach their child to love
- Parents must fight for their child’s heart
- Parents must create a spiritual rhythm
- Parents must mark the home as God’s territory
No matter what stage you find yourself parenting through, these apply! Don’t get weary, there is too much at stake. If you have already made some huge mistakes, start with asking for forgiveness. Go to God, and ask for him to forgive you and wash you clean. Then go to whoever you have wronged, and ask for forgiveness there too (especially if it is your child). You don’t control someone’s heart, but amazing things can happen if you soften yours. Be strong and courageous!
I ran across this entry on parenting at another blog so I thought I would share. http://www.leadingsmart.com/leadingsmart/2008/07/thinking-about.html
Since you guys did a great job adding some of your own personal ideas about teachable moments, I thought it would be to hear more from you. This past Sunday, we talked about marking your home as God’s territory. What have done to make this happen in your happen? (please add to the list)
*Place Bible on end table!
*Hang picture that speaks of God!
*Prayer before meals
*Bible reading in the morning & before bed
*Visual pictures & crosses, in our home portraying our belief in God
I would like to first comment on the parenting blog.
If you read what the author writes, make sure you read the comments. Good insight on the readers’ parts. The last commenter to-date, in disagreement with the blog that states our influence on our children diminishes as they reach the teenage years, took the words right out of Pastor Todd’s mouth – “I do know that I’m going to keep fighting for my kids lives!” (i.e. hearts).
Pastor Todd:
I was raised in a Christian-based home – went to church on Sunday, prayed before our meals together and at bedtime individually, tried to lead good lives. Parents preached abstinence, getting a good education, not to do drugs. But, God wasn’t put first there. Thanks for teaching me through your years at Mt. Ararat, and especially with this series, what daily life really should be like when you are passionate about God and choose to put Him first; and how I can influence my son’s life as he grows older with not just his grandparent’s list of priorities, but the Ten Commandments and a home surrounded by God’s love and blessings.
We try to mark our home for God by making it a place where people always feel welcome. I hope that our children’s friends especially know that we love them and love to have them “hang out”. The story of the family that Pastor Todd was welcomed by as a child really encourages me. If you decide to go this route just try to keep plenty of snacks on hand, even if all you have is Bagel Bites!!!