TRAIN UP A CHILD ~ HOW?

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (nasb)

“Teach children in a way that fits their needs, and even when they are old, they will not leave the right path.” Proverbs 22:6 (erv)

With experience, and as time goes by, I’ve come to look more agreeably on the application of the Easy Read Version. Following are some thoughts as to how I’ve gleaned such a conclusion.

As with our first, when our second child was born, we offered him a pacifier, which he willingly took. However, he also chose to add his two middle fingers of one hand. His persistence was such that I finally decided it was a losing battle, that he was going to end up with a misshapen mouth, and eventually we would deal with the fingers out of the mouth as we would have had to the pacifier.

This was one example of individuality shown by a child from the first moments in the crib. How do we parents teach and treat these gifts from the Lord that He expects us to help train and give back to Him? The early part of the verse does say to “Train up a child” so let’s not let that get lost in the effort to make so much of the “in the way He should go” part.

What do you understand “Train up a child” to mean? For years I have absolutely “loved” the word pictures presented in Deuteronomy. It seems to me these verses help us understand what it means to “train up a child”. I’ve used Easy Read Version here because it is more as we speak every day.

Deuteronomy 11:2-5 (erv): 2 Remember today all the great things the Lord your God has done to teach you. It was you, not your children, who saw those things happen and lived through them. You saw how great he is. You saw how strong he is, and you saw the powerful things he does. 3 You, not your children, saw the miracles he did in Egypt. You saw what he did to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and to his whole country. 4 You, not your children, saw what he did to the Egyptian army—to their horses and chariots. They were chasing you, but you saw him cover them with the water from the Red Sea. You saw how the Lord completely destroyed them. 5 It was you, not your children, who saw everything he did for you in the desert until you came to this place.

Here, we have a reminder that regardless of the personality type of each child, as parents we must remember we have experiences to share that will be new to each of our children, that we are to use those experiences to teach our children about God and His ways. Following are verses that remind us that we are to take advantage of every moment and style to teach our children, remembering that what is of strong interest to one child may hold little interest to another.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (erv):

5 You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

>>> How can we set the example if we don’t practice what we are told we must do ourselves?<<<

6 Always remember these commands that I give you today.

>>>Again, we must set the example; if we don’t remember, how can we teach?<<<

>>>FOLLOWING is the HOW TO MANUAL of the TRAIN UP A CHILD<<<

7 Be sure to teach them to your children.

>>>Here are some suggestions:<<<

“Talk about these commands when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road.”

>>>We had a Bible scene that was of particular interest to one of our children. There is so much available through technology for visual aids, although on occasion, just a quiet time of thinking and using vivid imagination is a really great idea.<<<

>>>One of our children and I used to quote one particular Bible verse as we looked out over the vast morning field while we waited for the school bus to come.<<<

>>>One of my favorite songs has become, “This Is My Father’s World” and sometimes I picture Maltbie Babcock as he walked about picking the words he chose so very well to honor our Father, while never knowing his words became a hymn.<<<

“Talk about them when you lie down and when you get up.”

>>>Make use of every possible way you can think of to talk, talk, talk of God’s commands, teaching of His desire for always the best for us, therefore the reason for His firmness in demanding obedience. There’s the story about the 4-y-o who knew his mother was not well and they needed bread. He told her he could ride his tricycle to the store down on the corner, that he would be careful when he had to cross the street, that he would use the walk light. Like we ask God if we can do something, he had every good intention, but like God, his mom said “No.” As adults, we can see the reasoning. As adults, we must take time to explain to children, as best we are able, that God’s thinking is different than ours is sometimes.<<<

“ 8 Tie them on your hands and wear them on your foreheads to help you remember my teachings.”

>>>Make bracelets, headbands, with Bible verses written on them. Even if they are not worn, the act of creating them will help imprint the verses on their minds.<<<

“9 Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.”

>>>Verses on Sticky Notes placed on over the house works! J<<<

These are just a few suggestions I’ve made with the verses. I am sure you’ll have plenty of your own ideas to match your own family’s individuality.

 (Deuteronomy 6:5-9 are basically repeated in Deuteronomy 11:18-25.)

Again, it’s important that we see our children as individuals; however, in seeing that, we must still be alert to applying the instruction of God as primary.

Our task is to figure out how to apply the instruction first in our own life, then our example sets the tone. However, there are occasions when neither the example or word is seen or heard because there is a built-in closed door of the mind or the child simply chooses to not see. One example in our home was the arrival home from Kindergarten with the very exciting news that, “Teacher said that vegetables are good for us! Carrots help our eyes see better!” (“Oh, really? I’ve only been telling you that for how many years now, and today is the first time you heard it?”)

And even though we studied God’s Word together in our home, ended up with a collection of notes written by the children for the Bible lessons they presented, etc., I’m sad to have come to the realization that somewhere, somehow, the same thing is true in that the teaching of the scripture was missed in much the same way as that of the vegetables. How? Why? And I thought I was doing such a good job, too!   :-( 

I read a quote about failure. It says: “Failure is an event, not an identity.” Having chosen as my identity to be a wife and mother through a prayer at age 8 or 9, and having become a Christian at 17, married at 18, become a mother at 19, 21, and 24, and not having fulfilled the greatest goal for which I strove , I cannot agree that failure is not an identity. That, in part, is why I am writing this, to warn others, to say, I am more convinced than ever, that as parents, we must be alert to “the way he/she should go”, each individual child. I missed some things along the way; however, I read something a couple of days ago that gave me the most hope I’ve had in weeks. The person who wrote the little article spoke of the great failure of Peter recorded Matthew 26:33-35 (nasb) 33 But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.

>>>I’m sure Peter believed it when he said it, but . . . <<< 59 After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

>>>But then, following Jesus’ resurrection, before He ascended to Heaven <<<  John 21:15-17 (nasb) 15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep."

Such a lesson- this that Jesus did for Peter! It is pure hope that He is doing likewise for me; not only that He is forgiving me for missing the places in the lives of my children that I missed in their growing-up years, but also that He is using me and the lessons I learned along the way to feed His sheep by helping others to train up their children in the way THEY should go! May it be so ~

© M Sue Libby Moore       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

JUST AS THE LORD COMMANDED

Isn’t it interesting that this morning’s Bible message from the pulpit dove-tailed with a particular matter that has held my interest over the past few weeks of my own Bible Study? I like to think of such things as God’s doing such especially for me! Oh, I know others benefit by it as well, but an occasion such as this just reinforces my faith in His very individual care for me.

With the decision to do a chronological read-through of the Bible this year, I’d not gone very far before choosing to use the Easy Read Version for a change. Since I was already using the YOU BIBLE on my iPad, I knew it would be easy to switch back and forth between versions should I question anything that sounded different than my recall.

Having read a few chapters, I decided to start marking each verse that said or indicated that this particular person “did just as the Lord commanded.” I’d always been impressed with the verse stating, “Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him.” (Genesis 7:5) This, of course, was in regard to his obedience in the building of the ark, as well as the follow-through.

As I continued to read through some of the additional OT books, the number of nearly identical scriptures, with more identifying character’s named, was astounding. This afternoon, I counted the scriptures I’d saved so far, a few of which are not in regard to this matter, but of the 178, most in the ERV are.  The primary reason for this standing out with such importance to me was based on how reminiscent it was to what Jesus plainly stated, “If you love Me, keep My commands.” (John 14:15) Once I kept coming across first one, and then another of those Old Testament verses stating, “And ___ (name) did all that the Lord commanded,” each one was a personal reminder of that New Testament verse from Jesus, too. 

With the thoughts in mind of doing all that the Lord commands from both the Old and New Testaments, let’s go back to the beginning paragraph’s thoughts regarding this morning’s message.  (THANK YOU, PAUL SHERO.) Particular focus was placed on consideration of the word “MUST” as it is found in regard to the selection of elders and deacons in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1.Though those are scriptures with which I am quite familiar, today it was time to consider them with the word MUST in context in depth. MUST isn’t just another word here. It’s meaning includes: ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, UNCONDITIONAL, NOT JUST A SUGGESTION, BROOKS NO ARGUMENT, NO QUESTION, NO WIGGLE-ROOM, COMPELLLED. Sounds positively definite, don’t you think? Let’s look at a few of the verses with MUST added where the commas originally left the words out:

I Timothy 3:1-7

It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer (i.e.elder), it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer (i.e.elder), then, MUST be above reproach, MUST be the husband of one wife, MUST be temperate, MUST be prudent, MUST be respectable, MUST be hospitable, MUST be able to teach, 3 MUST not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but MUST be gentle, MUST be peaceable, MUST be free from the love of money. 4 He MUST be one who manages his own household well, MUST be keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 and MUST not be a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he MUST have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

To sum this up, remembering back, the Old Testament leaders “did all that the Lord commanded”, the elders are to be the leaders in the church today with Christ as the Head, and Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commands.” When we look at what is past and what is ahead, we sometimes have a tendency to say, “But that’s impossible today.” Simple faith says, really look at the past. Consume those verses from the leaders of the Old Testament along with the commands and promises in the New, because Jesus promised to be with us always, (Matthew 28:20) and through Paul’s teaching we have learned that ,”I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

“Remember those who led you,

who spoke the word of God to you,

and considering the result of their conduct,

imitate their faith.”

Hebrews 13: 7 NASB)

© M Sue    2-26-2017

JESUS CHOSE - I CAN CHOOSE, TOO

When the thought JESUS CHOSE comes to mind, along with the many facets of His life choices, I am reminded of how giving He was.

Of the many choices Jesus made, His outstanding selfless deed to leave heaven to come to live on earth with His full knowledge of what lay ahead, truly boggles my human mind! It seems to me that once in heaven, were it even possible, I, (and likely not one of you!) would ever want to return to earth! I am so very thankful for the life He lived in this world, for the true stories of how He handled so many of life’s situations, of how He must have looked people directly in the eye as He dealt with them, maybe with a hand resting upon a strong shoulder during a conversation, sometimes with an arm around a frail body, giving strength as He spoke Truth, because His very being exuded Truth, Truth in a simple human body.

When He gave the admonition to “Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you,” (Matthew 7:12) He showed He’d already done so by His life. But, when someone is unkind to me, the temptation is to pay them back when I know I should rather have a Jesus attitude, both because it would mean my obedience to Him and because that is truly how I’d prefer to be treated! “But it’s so hard, Lord.” Can you imagine me looking my Lord in the eye and saying that to him, the One Who hung on that cross for hours so my picky little sins as well as my tremendous blunders could be forgiven? In one sense, neither can I*, but if I believe the Bible (and I do) Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) says, “He was tempted in all ways just as we are.” THAT was the human Jesus. (And because of that, I could and I can talk to Him about anything*!)

First of all, it should be obvious if I choose to treat others as I want to be treated, then I’m going to be thoughtful, kind, and compassionate. Yet, when someone is unkind to me and my first thoughts are far from kind and compassionate, how opposite of the way of Jesus is that? So how did He handle such?

I Peter 2:23

“and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;”

Ah, do you see the secret there? Instead of responding in kind, He turned it over to His Father God! We read in other passages where He went aside to pray, often to be alone, sometimes early in the morning, sometimes all night. (Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12; Matthew 14:23; Mark1:35) Yes, the human Jesus left Himself totally in His Father’s care. How did He do that? I’m going to suggest it was through His practice of making a choice. Yes, He had made THE CHOICE to follow His Father (“Don’t you know I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49) but He, like we, had to keep on making the decision to follow that choice. Part of that choice was keeping in close contact with His Father, God.

Oh, my! What a long way I have yet to go! I am so thankful for the compassionate kindness Jesus has chosen to show me. How can I help but want to be more like Him? In my thankfulness for the life He lived on the earth and for the example He chose to set for me, I know Jesus chose, therefore, I can choose, too.

© M Sue

JESUS CHOSE

How often do I think, and share with others, the memory, JESUS CHOSE?

As I consider those two words, so many thoughts come tumbling one on top of another, I can scarcely keep up with them in my own mind, let alone put them down on a page to share!

First off comes, “Take up your cross daily.” (Luke 9:23) Okay, from the moment I decided I wanted to be a follower of Jesus, I had made THE CHOICE; therefore, with that decision (i.e. choice) having been made, what else is there to consider? It’s simple, right? Two ways to turn, right or left, one being His Way, one being the way of the world; I’ve already made my decision, haven’t I? Then, “Take up your cross daily,” should be my life,” not just a verse to remind me that this was a choice I made so many years ago.

I was such a baby in Him at that time, I was not fully aware that the new life in Him (Romans 6:4) meant not only were my past sins washed away, but also as long as I kept on choosing to faithfully walk with Him, my sins would continue to be washed away! (I John 1:7)

How does all this fit together, this choosing as Jesus chose, when I remember He was without sin (I Peter 2:22) and I know that even though I make the effort to remember to make the right choices,  I sometimes react rather than act? Therefore, in my sin, I am not like Jesus. This is where I can choose to follow His example of humility and confess to Him I have sinned. Because He is waiting and watching in love, I can choose to return to taking up my cross and following Him His way.

JESUS CHOSE; I CAN, TOO.

© M Sue

DREAMS DO COME TRUE

    The recommended reading upon which this evening’s daily article was based was I Kings 3:5-15.It speaks of how Solomon loved the Lord and walked in the statutes of his father, David. In remembering additional scripture that points out that David was a man after God’s own heart, we know more about Solomon based on these few comments.

    Additionally, we read of how the Lord came to Solomon in a dream one night and asked him, “What shall I give you?” Oh, what a dream! What would you say in answer to such a question?

 Solomon had a ready response. He started off by praising God for His great and steadfast love, then proceeded to humble himself by acknowledging his inadequacies to govern such a huge number of people. He asked for an understanding mind that he might be able to discern between good and evil.

The passage we have quoted states that God was so pleased that Solomon asked for this that He was not only granting it, but far more as well.

Let’s consider the simplicity of Solomon’s request and God’s being pleased:

SOLOMON DID NOT REQUEST:

    LONG LIFE  

    RICHES  

    LIFE OF HIS ENEMIES

SOLOMON DID REQUEST:

    UNDERSTANDING TO DISCERN WHAT IS RIGHT

    Since God was pleased with this request from Solomon, doesn’t it seem to follow that He would be pleased with the same/similar request from each one of us? Not that we are going to be in the exact position of a Solomon, but we are always going to be in the position of needing wisdom to discern between right and wrong.

    Just think of it! Being presented with the opportunity to ask God for anything . . . absolutely anything at all . . . and all Solomon asked for was wisdom. That was it. That was all. And that was AFTER he had praised God! We have the same such opportunity as well! Didn’t think about it like that? Are we thinking, “But God doesn’t come to us in a dream like He did to Solomon”? Right. God doesn’t come to us in a dream with such an offer, nor does He have the exact plan for us that He did for Solomon; however, do not question but what God does have an answer for our requests and He does have plans for us as surely as He did for Solomon. Simple faith shows us that the answers and the plans differ because we differ; however, just as surely as He did for Solomon, God has particular plans for us . . . and  just as surely as Solomon’s dream came true, so, too, can ours!

“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

                                                                         Matthew 21:22 (NASB)                                  

© M Sue Moore       1-17-17

CHOICE - MY MOTHER ALSO MADE A CHOICE

I am unsure how many of you are aware that MY MOTHER ALSO MADE A CHOICE. Therefore I am here today, God's having blessed me with a good life of well past "threescore and ten years." Though she had been told HAVING ME COULD KILL HER, to my mother, my daddy, and the rest of the family, THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS CHOICE. The choice was already made. With a plan for not only my life, but also for the lives I'd be part of in the future, I was implanted in my mother’s womb by the hand of God . Once they realized I was enjoying the water bed provided, my mother chose to lay ten weeks in early pregnancy in order to carry me, my dad moving her each morning from the upstairs bed to the downstairs couch, the reverse order each night, my aunt coming in to stay because help was necessary with my brother who was 3-and-1/2 years when I was born. The older brothers, 13 and 15, had school, sports, and each had jobs as golf caddies, scrapers of barnacles from boats, whatever they could find for odd jobs. I was a family project, and my being born in September of 1939, the same month and year of the actual start of WW2, life in our household was very soon to change with more drama than just what was going on on that island off the coast of Maine. Within two years those two teens were forced to grow up awfully fast, one being called to serve even before his junior year in high school was completed. Change was in the air for my daddy as well. He was able to move the family from his work as a truck garden farmer (yes, I am a farmer's daughter) inland to a small village where my first memories are mostly happy one and where he added his machinist talents to the war effort by making airplane parts.

Throughout  my life, I never knew a healthy mother. The advice she never should have had her third child was one thing, but you see I was the fourth, and as it turn out, the only girl . . . with curly hair besides! As I grew into womanhood, I knew I was special, and though my mother said they didn’t spoil me, I always say, “Ask John!” (my husband).  . . As to the being spoiled, in some ways, I am sure I was, but can we blame my mother’s health issues (weary and giving in rather than battling one more time some days, perhaps?) but “when push came to shove”, there was no compromise . . .rules were definitely NOT made to be broken. There is no question but that I was taught obedience and for that I have always been truly thankful.  While my daddy and my three older brothers, my grandparents, my aunts and uncles all had influence on my life, I have to say I am exceptionally thankful for the tremendous love given when my mother chose to literally lay down her life to give me a chance to live. To lay there ten whole weeks and have neighborly visitors offer such helpful comments as,  “Why don’t you just take a bicycle ride and get rid of that problem?” while my mother looked across the room to see my toddler brother, “Busy,” as another neighbor described, “as a spider!” must have presented sour and sweet moments somewhat akin to those of Job.  My mother didn’t need to read or to see today’s available images of the horrors of abortion to understand such was anathema to our Creator. She only knew she and He were partners together in this marvelous act of creation; all she had to do was look across the room - she had proof in that gorgeous dark-eyed, deep-dimpled busy boy. Lifting her eyes, she could look outside and see her two teens, one a blondish-tempted to have a touch of red in his hair, blue-eyed, slight-built boy, who spent a lot of time following his big brother lots of places, yet was his own person, too. Also in her vision, she could see her firstborn, the other dark-haired, dark-eyed, almost an older twin figure to the little one also growing up too fast.  And so she lay there knowing that ten weeks was not long, not long at all in comparison to the life she was seeing all around and the life she had opportunity to nurture within. Thank You, God, for the choice my mamma made. She’s not here today for me to tell her, “Thank you,” but throughout hr life, I believe my life was thank you enough because though I often heard her say “I have three sons,” by my being her only daughter, I could smile because I knew I was the exception, the one and only, the only girl . . . and the girl with the curly hair, too!  She and Daddy couldn’t have made a better choice - a wiser way to complete their family!

M Sue Moore

10-21-2016

THE BARGAIN

    Bargains ~ I’m so often searching for bargains that, although he has yet to either accuse or verbalize it, my husband may be convinced I am a (dare I even say of for fear I’ll be repeated?) a “hoarder”? Goodwill has become my place of relaxation and if (I hope, I hope) I happen upon a bargain (or two or three, or even four), well then, I can think of dozens of ways I can use it (them), but frequently not just for me. Therefore there’s good justification in that it’s not selfish at all! Yesterday was just such a day, and while I must admit, THIS was quite selfish, THE BARGAIN was still not purely selfish and has turned out to be something even I had not bargained for! J

     As usual, I carefully perused the shelves, but this time, I went out of my usual order. Instead of heading directly to the inspirational books, I looked in the office supplies. Careful to choose and place in my cart a couple of the smaller-size 99-cent notebooks (that had I gone to one of the larger chain stores I could have purchased for $2.49 each - I know because I had recently priced them), I went on with a smile on my face, to the area where I generally find the better supply of books to my liking. Indeed I did find one that had a previous bookstore sticker on the back “$20.00” but at Goodwill, because it was a paperback, it was 50-cents, a beautiful, informative coffee table worthy book titled, “YOUR JEWISH HERITAGE”. Being happy with my so-far successful trip, I pressed on to another books sales area, studied the shelved books row upon row, bending this way and that to be sure I didn’t miss any titles, I might want, pulled out my cell phone to compare pictures with a book I picked out but realized I already had, put it back, pressed on, and THERE! THERE IT WAS- a huge book, laying face down on a bottom shelf. When I turned it over, I may have gasped aloud as I saw, JOHN-90 Days With The Beloved Disciple by Beth Moore!  Ever since I’d had DAVID-90 Days With A Heart Like His written by her, I’d secretly wanted to have this book about JOHN, secret even to myself I realized as I held it in my hands this day!

    The book appeared in mint condition so I never thought to look inside and this has become the absolute best part! Not just is Beth Moore’s presentation all that I had envisioned it would be, but there, on the first few pages, is some very precise handwriting in response to the questions posed by the author to enrich personal interaction. Oh, my! Do I read these? Never a question in my mind; however, questions galore filled my mind now! For all intents and purposes, the book was “trashed.” Why, and by whom? The answers show such devotion and intent on following the Lord and His Way. Filled in faithfully for a few weeks by, I assume a young college girl, who got busy with an active daily life, and then, as has happened by so many, myself top of the list, good intentions went awry and the rest of the book is as clean as when it was brand new.

    The book contains a date of the past decade, allowing me to figure the approximate age of this now young woman, and do some imagining of what her life may have become. Did she, unlike her penning answers to the questions in the book, finish college? It appears obvious she was a relatively new Christian at the time of her writing; did she remain faithful or was she caught up in the drug culture? Did she become a successful career woman and /or a homemaker, happy with a husband and family? As I sat there with her book in my lap, I prayed for her. I determined that not only was I given the gift of such a book, but also in the bargain, I had received a precious new gift, someone for whom to pray that I will likely never know, but God does! She is in His keeping, always has been, but now she is also on my radar and my SIMPLE FAITH says God is hearing my pleas on her behalf. How great is that!

    I believe I will hoard this one in my heart!

M Sue 9-9-16