It's Different

Being a Christian Parent is more different than not. This is mostly obvious right?

In our family’s experience we discover that our values are looked at as being old-fashioned or over-protective.  Does this stop us from proceeding to strive at raising a godly family? No.

“Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” - Romans 12:2 NLT

As Christians we are told to no conform to the customs of the world, so why would that be different as parents?

We will be different from those that are not Christ followers. We will have different values and different morals. Even within Christian circles there will be differences. This is where it becomes important to teach biblical truths.

One family may ban TV completely from their home due to the negative influences and another may just limit what is allowed to be watched. One family may ban all secular music and another may ban all music that isn’t approved by the parents first. There are extremes and I can’t tell you if they are right or wrong. What I can say is that if you take a stand with your children; make sure you have a Biblical stance that cannot be twisted. 

And The Winner Is...

The winner of the Personalized Bible Giveaway is Jen.

I apologize for the late announcement, our internet was down. 

Thank you to BibleCo for Sponsoring this Giveaway.

Thinking About… the broken.

In Church service Sunday, several ladies spoke about the women’s conference they attended this past week. It was a tremendous blessing to all, even if they had to demand to be blessed by God. (Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.)

In the service there was testimony of how the Lord corrected their vision of themselves, that each and every one of us is beautiful inside and out. There were those that were stirred to seek God daily instead of only during the tough times. Countless stories of how God touched these women in different ways. And then, there was one testimony that literally screamed out to my heart.

The testimony was how this woman was abandoned by her mother at the age of 5, and she didn’t know the Lord until she was an adult. Because of the loss of the relationship with her mother, she had difficulty in many relationships including with God. When a child is abandoned by a parent, regardless if there is just cause or not, they are flooded with so many different emotions.  This woman had her eyes opened and her heart healed, but my focus turned to a young teen I know that hurts because of her loss of a parent.

The Lord opened my eyes that because we have free will, none can be forced to accept God’s love.  The testimony has renewed my resolve for praying for this specific teen, but also making sure I let God’s love be shown through me.

What it all boils down to is that God is there for us, we merely have to accept His help.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”  Matthew 7:7 (KJV)

All we have to do is ask God for what we need and it will be given to us. If we need to be loved, we should turn to the Lord and accept the love from Him that He freely gives.  In my simple thinking, I can’t imagine why anybody would turn their back on love.

Relationships in the Home - God

In a Christian home the most important relationship is the family's relationship with God. It is extremely important that the family is rooted in the Word of God.

Ways to make sure your family is in the Word can consist of family devotions and individual Bible study. There are several devotional studies out there that are focused on family. There area also individual Bible studies that parents can tailor to the children. This works wonderfully if there is a large age difference in the children.

Another option to get in the word and stay in the word is to read the Bible. There are schedules available online and  in bookstores that allow for you to read the Bible in 90 days, a year, or even two years. This works well for budget conscience families that just need their Bible instead of purchasing another book.

By focusing on God's Word and storing it in your heart, it gives your family understanding. Then praying together and talking to God teaches your family that the relationship is not just one way.

The children in the home learn from the relationship the parents have with God. Knowing this parents in a Christian home need to make sure at the minimum that their children see that they are in the Word and that they pray.


 Bible Reading Plans from Zondervan

Search Amazon.com for devotions for families

And the Winner is...

 Congratulations to Marci J, Shirley and Christie!

 You are the winners of the Nikki & Babs: Dos and Doubts DVD giveaway!

 If you missed your chance to win one of the DVDs we were giving away you can order    one from Amazon.com

 Many thanks to CloudTen Pictures for sponsoring the giveaway.

Original review is at Nikki & Babs: Dos & Doubts Review & Giveaway