Would God be pleased with my example to my children?
Question: I would like to ask a question since it deals with teaching my children. Will the Lord be pleased with the way I am teaching my children to live in this world today? Lying example – I have a son who is disabled and has a life expectancy in the early twenties. I’m trying…
Read MoreWhat do I do with a 20-year-old who continues to lie?
Question: My 20-year-old daughter is a liar. Her pattern of lying has been consistently punished. She knows that she will get caught and punished. From a young age, she has been told that this is unacceptable behavior and the sin nature. She feels it is best to run the risk of getting caught. Her punishments…
Read MoreHow do I move on after the death of a loved one?
Question: The only man I thought I would ever love died in a car accident. I feel lost, cold, and alone; and I can’t even think of anything else. He’s in my mind all the time, as I last saw him, and I don’t feel that I will ever love anyone the way that I…
Read MoreCircular Reasoning in the Book of Mormon
by Jon Gary Williams The book of Mormon closes with an appeal to pray to God asking Him to reveal that the book is true. An assurance is then given that if one is “sincere” God will “manifest” that it is true (see Moroni 10:4). However, this is circular reasoning. First, after assuming (expecting) the…
Read MoreThe Church Will Never Be the Same
by Bob Plunket via The Sower, Vol. 54, No. 3, May/June 2009. Several years ago, Time Magazine carried an article, with the caption, “The Church Will Never Be The Same,” because, they say, “The baby boomers are coming back to church.” The article said among other things, “These returnees are described as traveling from church…
Read MoreCan people receive Christ after the Rapture?
Question: I know the Left Behind series is fictional, but is there any truth to the part where so many people received Christ after the rapture, or is it too late by then? Answer: The problem with the fictional series Left Behind is that it is based on religious concepts not found in the Bible. You see, the Bible…
Read MoreThe Christian’s Growth in the Lord
by Richard Thetford Once an individual puts on Christ in baptism, they should be determined to please God in all aspects of their life. But before one can begin to grow, one must first possess an attitude that says; “I want to grow as a Christian in order to be pleasing to God.” We are…
Read MoreChristians and Christmas
by Ethan R. Longhenry It’s that time of year again: the weather is getting cold, snow is beginning to fall, and we are constantly bombarded by retail stores and their marketing blitzes. Christmastime is upon us yet again, and every year it seems more commercialized, more cutthroat, and less about family and togetherness. Many attempts…
Read MoreChanging Churches
by Benjamin M. Shropshire via bulletin of the Leeward church of Christ in Waipahu, Hawaii, August 12, 2007 Someone who had moved his membership from one church to another was asked why he had left his former church. He answered, “I didn’t leave my church; my church left me.” By that, he meant his former…
Read MoreCan Satan Read My Mind?
by Mark N. Posey Question: Can Satan read my mind and know what I’m thinking? Is this how he tempts me with specific things that are only unique to me? Answer: There is no scripture that indicates that Satan can read our minds and know what we are thinking. Why? First, Satan is a created being,…
Read MoreThe Buzzard, Bat, and Bumblebee
Author Unknown BUZZARD If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run…
Read MoreWhen There Are Problems in the Church
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. One way to learn how to handle various situations that arise in any congregation is to examine similar situations A. Our problem will not be exactly similar, but what was done, how it was done and why it was done can be greatly useful. B. Sometimes we think that the perfect church will…
Read MoreThe Book of Lamentations
by Philip North This book, believed to be written by the prophet Jeremiah between 586 and 585 B.C., is centered around the aftermath of the first destruction of Jerusalem, due to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Jeremiah had prophesied of Jerusalem’s destruction for forty years before it finally took place. Since Jeremiah is known as “the…
Read MoreDoes “honoring your mother and father” mean following their religious beliefs?
Question: I was just reading the essay on your website about “honoring your father and mother”. I have been doing some research on the meaning of the word “honor”, and I was wondering if you could answer a question for me, or just give me your opinion? Let’s say that a young adult male was of…
Read MoreWhat is the Commonwealth of Israel?
Question: What is the Commonwealth of Israel? Answer: I assume you are referring to the small religious group that calls itself “Twelve Tribes: The Commonwealth of Israel.” It was started in the 1970s by Gene Spriggs in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It contains an odd blend of beliefs arising from its attempt to blend Old and New…
Read MoreWhat is Prayer?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Prayer is not necessarily natural A. The disciples asked their Lord to teach them to pray – Lk 11:1-4 B. We know a lot about prayer, because we have seen others pray and we imitate them. C. But sometimes we assume things that are not true because we don’t know exactly what is going…
Read MoreI believe some people are born with homosexual tendencies
Question: I am almost 69 years old. I married a man when I was twenty, and he was twenty. He never liked me sexually. I was married to him for seven years, and we had sex five times. Under the influence of sodium pentathol, he admitted he liked men sexually. After this, he became involved…
Read MoreWhat happens if you swear to tell the truth, but you don’t?
Question: What happens if you put your hand on the Bible and someone asks you a question to reply to and you swear to God you are telling the truth, but you don’t? Answer: Jesus stated, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil…
Read MoreAre recent natural disasters signs?
Question: What about the sign that is happening in recent times where natural disasters become such a frequent thing? What is your view toward it? Answer: There is built within your question an assumption that frequent natural disasters are a sign. A sign of what, I’m not told, but it obviously must be a sign…
Read MoreWhy shouldn’t people drink alcohol?
Question: Why shouldn’t people drink alcohol? Answer: See the article “New Testament Beverages” for details. The brief answer is that the New Testament allows Christians to use alcohol for medicinal purposes, but not for recreational purposes. Christians are to strive to be sober and watchful at all times.
Read MoreHow do you handle a child with ADD or ADHD?
Question: A Christian friend has a child that has been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. I keep this child once a week and I have several questions for those of you who are familiar with ADD or ADHD. The mother doesn’t want to give me much information because she feels I already have prejudiced views…
Read MoreHow do I tell my son about puberty?
Question: How do I tell my son about puberty? Answer: First, as your child grows, look for teachable moments. These are times when your child asks you questions that can be used to discuss important matters without making it seem like a major production. For example, your little boy might tell you “I’m glad my…
Read MoreIs Talmudism different from Zionism?
Question: Is Talmudism different from Zionism? Answer: Zionism is the movement dedicated to creating and maintaining a country for Jewish people in the region that is now called Israel. Talmud is the Hebrew word for “instruction.” It has come to mean the body of rabbinical commentary on Jewish law, ethics, customs, and stories. The Torah…
Read MoreAre bare-bottom spankings necessary?
Question: I’m glad I came across your website and read so many things from other dads of older boys. I’m a single dad of a 13-year-old boy. I’ve been needing to spank him for his improper attitude, but I have been very afraid to. Mostly because I’m uptight about male nudity, but I realize that…
Read MoreHow do I deal with my daughters stealing?
Question: I need some help solving a problem that I have with my daughters. Any advice or suggestions would be welcomed. I am writing in simple Spanish in hopes that you will not have difficulties in understanding it. If you do have problems, I will write in broken English. I believe that in Spanish or…
Read MoreHow can you spank when the child refuses to submit to a spanking?
Question: In relation to using the rod with our sons who are 14 and 10, we started to use a switch and made changes to the way we spanked about a year ago after reading the information on your website. We talked with the boys and we all decided to use spanking in certain acts…
Read MoreMy nine-year-old son doesn’t want to sleep in his own bedroom
Question: My nine-year-old son doesn’t want to sleep in his own bedroom. Is this good for his self-esteem? Answer: Self-esteem is just a nicer way to discuss pride (see Self-Esteem for more information). A Christian parent should not be concerned with developing or maintaining a child’s pride. The question should be, is it good for…
Read MoreSelf-Esteem (Hamilton)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Let me tell you about a man I know A. He tells me that while he is not incapable, he is the most insignificant person in the group he associates with. Sometimes, he is ashamed to be connected with his friends because of the awful things that he has done in his…
Read MoreHow do I deal with a sassy daughter?
Question: I need some advice on how to handle a sassy daughter. Time outs don’t work (even long ones!) and she is too old to spank. She is a very sensitive child with a sharp tongue and quick temper, constantly testing the boundaries. My husband and I are having a hard time figuring out how…
Read MoreHow do I deal with a rebellious attitude in a nine-year-old?
Question: When asking my nine-year-old daughter to do various chores she always obeys, but sometimes with a “humph,” a little puff of air which blows her hair up, sometimes with eye-rolling, and on rare occasions with stomping. I wonder if this is rebellion biblically? How do I get happy obedience? I find myself putting up…
Read MoreMy fifteen-year-old has become violent and domineering
Question: My oldest boy is 15 years old. Recently he has become violent and domineering. All the conversations that we have had with him haven’t helped much. He continues to pretend that now he is 15 years old he has the right to be free and to behave as he pleases. When we threaten punishment,…
Read MoreHow can I help someone who attempted suicide?
Question: I have a problem that I have never had to deal with before and pray that I will not experience anything like it again. One of our member’s granddaughter attempted suicide, by an overdose of prescription medication, last night. She is only fifteen years old, a very sweet young girl, but one that is…
Read MoreWhy does my son lie about his homework?
Question: Why does my son lie about his homework? Answer: People commit sins because they determine that momentary pleasure exceeds the consequences. The Bible mentions: “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy…
Read MoreWhat do you suggest is a proper bedtime for preteens and teenagers?
Question: Thank you for a great site. I have one question. I have three children: two girls (ages 15 and 9) and a boy (age 12). One of my daughters asked permission to sleepover at one of her girlfriend’s home. I contacted the girlfriend’s mother and informed her about my daughter’s bedtime. She was very…
Read MoreMy son has become defiant and repeats the same sins
Question: I have a question in relation to child training. My son is 14 and I have to occasionally give him a spanking. However, he has been getting in trouble with the same sin. He continues to defy his mom. I read your articles on the website in regards to using the rod. I usually…
Read MoreHow do I prepare my nine-year-old daughter for puberty?
Question: I have a young 9-year-old girl and I’m trying to learn more about how to handle her upcoming puberty. It’s going to be hard for her to learn how to handle her young sexual desires. I have no idea what it’s like for girls. I’ll have to lean on my wife quite a bit.…
Read MoreDo boys get into trouble more because they are not taught to communicate?
Question: It’s good to know there are men like yourself in the world. It’s unfortunate that not enough men use old fashioned values for raising their sons. And it’s made worse when fathers do not support each other. I have two boys, 13 and 15. Good kids but rowdy as lots of boys are. My…
Read MoreShould kids swim with the opposite sex?
Question: I want to ask why mixed swimming wasn’t discussed in your article, “Proper Attire”? To me, wearing any bathing suit is as close to being naked as you can get. There is nothing left to anyone’s imagination. Even if a person is clothed from head to toe, going to a public swimming pool or…
Read MoreI can’t get my daughter to drink enough liquids
Question: I am having trouble with my daughter not drinking enough fluids. She gets really constipated and we all suffer for it. She may be in physical pain, but it messes with our bath and bedtimes. She was on the toilet for 45 minutes last night. She also makes us late for church, school, etc.…
Read MoreMy seven-year-old complains every time he has to do something
Question: I am once again in need of advice from those of you that have been at this longer than I. I am having a problem with my 7-year-old son. He is completing his chores and his schoolwork, but I am troubled by his attitude. I feel like I have to push him through his…
Read More