Dec 1 - Training up a child... (only blogged on DRP so far...)

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(Daily Readings: (Message Translation at www.biblegateway.com)

Esther 9

Jonah 1

Hebrews 6+7

Daily Discipler (Neil Anderson) : p324 "Training up a Child" (Prov 22:6)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=prov%2022:6&version=NKJV

Memory Verse:

2 Tim 3:16-17

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Reflections on Todays Readings (Maybe not all of them...)

DD: Train up a Child:

Still thinking about this reading: May have some reflections later in the day...

(Later the same day.... :)

I have been thinking about this reading all day. I have had mixed feelings about the reality that we see many who have been brought up by Christian parents, and yet, have rebelled. I think that the roots for this lie deeper than the way that the children were brought up , because in one sense, Adam and Eve were the perfect children of a perfect parent, and they still chose to rebel. Even when they had never seen what sin and rebellion looked like. Our children have the opportunity to see a fallen world, and make an informed choice to rebel or test it out for themselves.

The emphasis in Neil Andersons writing was that the "Style" of parenting has repercussions. He emphasizes that Authoratative Parenting seems to bear the most eternal fruit. (as opposed to auhoritarian) He makes the distinction between the two based on the desire for "Control" above all. An authoritarian parent is more concerned with control. The Authoritative parent is motivated by Love.

As I have reflected on the passage through the day, I have come to the conclusion that "Train up a child" is a principle that naturally bears fruit (along with many other common sense proverbs) but it is not a promise. Because it is a promise that could not be kept without God violating his own design to give us "Free Will". Which is the blessing and the curse of every believer. Free will is the ability to choose for good or bad, regardless of how we were parented.

Thought for the day : Why does Scripture want the father and not the mother about exasperating or embittering children ?

I reckon fathers are more likely to exasperate their children. They are more control driven and tend to be less maternal (at least I am...) Maybe history shows us that Fathers have a particular weakness (pride) that wants their children to obey (I certainly have this too), that can lead towards exasperation. I am committed to showing my kids EVERY DAY that I love them.

DRP:

Esther 9 + Jonah 1

Both of these readings today seemed to emphasize God's amazing work within the details of life, whether it be Supernatural Storms in the case of Jonah, or working through the hearts of men, as God turned Artixerxes heart towards Esther and her people, allowing them to defend themselves, and in the end be victorious, throwing off the chains of slavery. God is placing us in positions of life "For Such a Time as This". What is it God has placed me in this position for. (and you ?) My mum always used to say "Bloom where you are planted". I have always been looking for the next "BIG" thing, when I should be looking at what God is doing in the current thing...." And sometimes, if we don't get the message, God brings a storm into our path, to push us (or perhaps even others) into action.

Hebrews 6-7