The lighter side of child discipline

While searching  for something my computer's documents earlier, this diddy, which I had long forgotten, came up in my search.

I wrote this out with my young teenage son (who is almost 16 now, is taller than me, and has hands that could easily smash a Gallagher watermelon), with whom I was having some disagreements, we'll say, about discipline and respect in our home. 

Every time a new behavior, attitude or phrase was exhibited, I added to the list. We did this in one sitting, by the way. 

Typing out these things actually diffused the situation, and while I was serious, we managed to laugh together, too. 

Looking it over again gave me a chuckle. Enjoy :)

Some actions not allowed in our home:

IGNORING INSTRUCTIONS,

ACTING DISINTERESTED,

ROLLING EYES,

TURNING TO OTHER PARENT DURING INSTRUCTIONS,

WALKING AWAY BEFORE CONVERSATION IS OVER,

ACTING OUT ONE’S IMPATIENCE,

The following sayings are forbidden:

1) CALLING PARENTS’ INSTRUCTIONS “STUPID.”

2) RESPONDING, “OH, MY GOODNESS!” WHEN ASKED TO DO SOMETHING.

3) ASKING, “MAY I PUH-LEASE GET UP? (OR PUH-LEASE ANYTHING ELSE) WHEN SERVING TIME IN DISCIPLINE.

4) SAYING, “I’VE BEEN SITTING HERE ALL DAY!” WHEN YOU’RE STILL SERVING DISCIPLINE TIME.

5) SAYING, “I THINK THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!” WHEN BEING CORRECTED BY A PARENT.

6) SAYING, “STOP ADDING RULES!”

7) ASKING, “ARE YOU SERIOUS?”

8) PROCLAIMING, “DAD, THIS IS NOT FUNNY!” WHEN REVIEWING THE LIST OF BEHAVIORS THAT ARE UNACCEPTABLE IN OUR HOME.

9) ASKING “WHY?”

10) SAYING, “THIS MAKES NO SENSE,” AND “THIS IS SO RESTRICTIVE."

11) “I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING.”

12) CALLING PARENTS’ RULES “INSANITY.”

13) “WHY ME?”

14) “I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!”

15) “Oh, come on!”

16) OH, and LYING.

I am glad to say, by the way, that I am the proud father one of the finest 15 year-old boys you'll ever know.

Just a little courtesy

Something happened yesterday that got under my skin, so let me start with this analogy.

Our kids get candy at worship services sometimes. I get a little annoyed at times with the sticky, chocolate-y mess, but at the same time, I consider the source. I know the people. They love the children, and love to see their face light up when they get a little piece of candy.

So I push my instinct of wanting a clean kid with clean clothes aside, and let them enjoy their childhood - the grown-ups, that is.

However, I don't want people that I don't know giving candy to my kids. It may be good candy, but if I don't know you, I just don't trust you. And at the very least, I think it a reasonable courtesy to ask first. Wouldn't you agree?

Recently at a worship service, a husband and wife, passing through from one place to another, stopped in to worship with us. Pleasant, unassuming couple.

Or so it seemed.

I realized after Bible study that they had given something to one of our members who greeted them. A pamphlet. And a personal "business" card. And it was a preacher.

I am always grateful to have preachers visit our assembly. We preachers don't have as many occasions as the common person to hear good preaching, and while I was sorry for his luck on this occasion, I know how refreshing it might otherwise be. But I digress.

That afternoon, when I returned to the building for study before evening worship, I walked by the seat our visiting preacher had occupied. There sat a stack of pamphlets, all written by this individual.

At this point, I was disturbed. I grabbed them all and took them to my office.

I noticed that they all had the same title (at least, this is what I first recognized. Later, I realized that there was another subject among them).

Long story short, the materials were no in error, so far as I can tell. Fortunately. I have no idea who may have gotten them, nor did our elders.

I am disturbed by someone dropping materials on our people without permission. This, in my opinion, is a violation of sacred trust. It takes a long time to develop trust in the realm of preaching and teaching the Bible, and it must be earned.

At best, this is a nuisance. At worst, it is contrary to God's will. The feeding of the flock is the elders' responsibility (cf. Acts 20:28-32), which includes all teachers and teachings, both spoken and written, that make their way into hearts and hands of our congregation.

If you come into an assembly with which you are not familiar and drop literature without seeking permission, then you will likely be viewed with suspicion, and your material will be dismissed, regardless of the content.

This careless act could undo years of diligent and prayerful work. A visitor could pick up something that is not approved and be misled by it. A weak or newer member could be led into error unknowingly.

By the way, one of the pamphlets involved the misgivings of Bible translations. I find it ironic that someone so seemingly concerned for the intricacies of biblical language would not concern himself in the least with an act of common courtesy.

Isn't it biblical to ask the parents first before giving the kids some candy? 

What are you looking for?

Friday Reflection - 3/15/2013

"What are you looking for in a church?"

"What are you looking for in a preacher?"

Let's turn the tables, and tell you what God is looking for:

1) He's looking for someone who is interested in the truth. If you think that truth is not knowable, or that truth only comes from within the individual, then you are probably not a candidate for God. His word is the only source of objective truth (John 17:17). 

2) God is looking for someone who has a penitent heart. This means that you are ready change/drop/forsake anything that puts you at odds with God. There can't be any rationalizing, or, "I know what the Bible says, but..." 

3) God is looking for someone who is ready to count the cost. A book has been written recently entitled, Not a fan. Another is entitled, Stop Dating the Church. These both have as their premises the commitments and sacrifices necessary to live the Christian life. Those who are half-hearted make a mockery of God and His love. These need not apply. 

4) God is looking for someone who is broken, and will admit it. It must have been horrifying for pious, religious Pharisees to hear Jesus tell them that tax-collectors and prostitutes were more prepared for His kingdom than they were. Its not that they were better, they just faced the truth more readily. Are you ready to face the truth about your sin? 

5) God is looking for someone who will examine the evidence honestly. God has not provided tangible evidence to everyone for the resurrection of Jesus; but He did provide tangible evidence to many. The men Jesus chose were capable of examining evidence. They were credible eye witnesses of His ministry, death and resurrection. And they were competent witnesses, even being executed for their testimony.

If you are ready to face the conclusions that come by honestly examining the valid evidence God has provided, then God is certainly interested in you. 

 If you aren't interested in the truth, aren't willing to sacrifice, aren't willing to admit your sins, and not honestly ready to evaluate the evidence for Jesus Christ, then you are simply not ready for Him, not the other way around. Will you accept His challenge?

"'Come now, let us reason together' says the Lord" (Isa. 1:18).