Not Too Young

Author Unknown Recent research has revealed what teenagers truly desire from the adults in their lives. The Search Institute study found that teens want parents and other older influencers to do the following: Look at us. Spend time talking with us. Listen. Be dependable. Show appreciation for what we do. Relax. Show that you’re interested.…

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A Christian and a Young Parent

by Larry W. Bailey After Solomon died, Rehoboam was to be made king of Israel. The people asked him for more consideration than they had received in the past. Rehoboam asked counsel of the “old men, that stood before Solomon” (I Kings 12:6). However, I Kings 12:8 tells us “he forsook the counsel of the…

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If I Were a Young Parent

by Gardner Hall It is God’s will that young married couples be parents if possible. “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully” (I Timothy 5:14). “Not withstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity…

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Thank you for sharing “Searching for My Friend”

Question: Just a note of thanks for sharing this post and the notes to your friend. I pray that he is still on the right path. There was much wisdom in your notes. I have a son who is headed down the same path that your friend was on. Your approach has given me hope,…

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Your Belief about Origins and Your Children’s Behavior

by Alan Smith PBS film critic and columnist Michael Medved shared this anecdote out of his Jewish heritage: “A few years ago, Rabbi Jacob Karmenetky made a trip to Israel accompanied by his teenage grandson. Ironically, these two deeply religious people were seated In the airplane next to a prominent Israeli socialist leader and outspoken…

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What My Parents Taught Me

by Jefferson David Tant Vanguard Magazine, November 1982 All parents teach their children — consciously, subconsciously, positively, negatively, by example, by word. Children are even taught to be what their parents fail to teach. In our generation, many parents have abdicated their teaching roles to TV, schools, their children’s peers, and other influences. I am…

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“I Don’t Want My Kids to be Different”

by Greg Gwin The Beacon, January 22, 2013 Although most Christians wouldn’t say it in so many words, many parents seem to be very concerned about things that might make their kids look ‘different.’ They are concerned about raising their children in strict, disciplined ways that might make them stand out in contrast to others.…

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The Tie that Binds

by Dixie Bowman Sentry Magazine, December 2000 Earthly relationships often inspire and encourage us as we live our lives as Christians. While this is not another article about marriage, divorce, and remarriage, I would fail in my effort to write concerning relationships if I did not first mention the most intimate association of mankind, and…

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A Passage To Ponder: Ephesians 6:1-4

by Ken Weliever In a 2014 sermon, Steve Malone asked “What do the following have in common?” 90% of homeless and runaway children 63% of youth who commit suicide 80% of all rapists 85% of children with behavioral problems 71% of all high school dropouts 75% of all teens in chemical abuse centers 85% of…

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Parental Abdication

by Jefferson David Tant There are many things that tend to discourage and dishearten those who are striving to teach others, but few things can do the job more effectively than when members allow their children to put school activities and/or selfish desires first in their lives. We wonder if it is possible that some…

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Children Are Special

by Doy Moyer According to Jesus, children are special and need to be protected. In Mark 9:36-37, we read this: And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever…

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Nourishment

by Jefferson David Tant The pictures of little Emma before and after receiving nourishment are typical of a huge number of starving children in impoverished nations around the world. Manna Pack is the product of “Feed My Starving Children,” and was the work of Cargill food scientists and colleagues from General Mills and Pillsbury, who…

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Eleven Days Old

by Jefferson David Tant (Note:  While going through some old documents, I came across this article which was written in 1990. It’s a bit nostalgic, but there are some good points worth considering even today.) It was my turn to babysit while the others were busy. As long as I sang to him while we…

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A Father’s Gift

by Jefferson David Tant Fathers are often clueless about gift-giving for their children. That’s Mom’s job. But when we think of gifts, we usually think of material gifts—toys for toddlers, clothes, games, and sports equipment for teens. Or maybe the ultimate gift for a teen—a car! Many who are reading these words are prosperous by…

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Obscenity and Profanity

by Marc Hinds I was ten years old in 1982 when I went and saw Steven Spielberg’s science-fiction blockbuster, E. T. It was the first time I remember hearing foul language. To make matters worse, it was a teenager in the movie who said it. While I was shocked, my parents were horrified. Over the…

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God’s Mornin’

 by Whit Sasser Cameron S. Smith tells a wonderful story. It is about the only white person in the state of Georgia buried in a cemetery reserved exclusively for African-Americans. This man had lost his mother when he was just a baby. His father, who never married again, hired a black woman named Mandy to…

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Has the Media Desensitized Us to Sin?

by Jason Moore Biblical Insights, July 2007 Yes … and no. It is so that the media fills the airwaves with programs, movies, music, ads, games, and even news reports of sexual indulgence, sexual perversion, sexual innuendo, violence, irreverence, godlessness, shamelessness, and other deviant and damnable behaviors. It is true that every form of human…

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My four-year-old hates God

Question: Good morning. I have a few questions I am needing guidance on. My mother passed away a year ago. Then close to her one year, my grandmother passed away. I have a 4-year-old son who is struggling hard. We are a church family but now he does not want to go to church ever…

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What Is Your Legacy?

by Jefferson David Tant An old saying says there are only two things that are certain — death and taxes. And there is much truth in that. 😊 Something in today’s paper got my mind thinking about one of those certainties —death. And what about death? The word “legacy” came to mind, so I looked…

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The Battlefield: Your Family

by Mark Broyles Biblical Insights, July 2007 “And there arose another generation after them, who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10). How could that happen? How could Satan get such a position of strength among God’s people in such a short time? The nation…

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TV May Be Bad for Children!

by Floyd Chappelear Stand, October 1993 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he …” (Proverbs 23:7). Image by Vidmir Raic from Pixabay Learned thought patterns can lead to sociologically unacceptable behavior, liberals have finally learned. According to an article by Mike Woods (Scripps Hoard pl; j News Service), “some kids spend more time watching TV…

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What Will Your Children Remember?

by Lowell Blasingame The Psalmist said that a man’s children are “a heritage of the Lord,” (Psalms 127:4). Most admit that there is something badly wrong with parents who do not love and value their children as such. Parental love motivates us to be concerned about our children’s welfare and seek what is best for…

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Thank you for explaining why coed sleepovers are a bad idea

Question: Thank you for the coed slumber party article. My son said that if I could give him biblical reasons, he wouldn’t go to a coed campout with him and two girls in the forest. In this current age, these kids innocently think they don’t see a difference between girls and boys and don’t understand…

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He Restrained Them Not

by John Iverson Do you think juvenile delinquency is an evil that is peculiar to our day? If so, then you would do well to read your Bible, particularly such passages as are found in the book of First Samuel. I Samuel 2:1 Bible Illustrations by Sweet Media Eli was a judge in Israel and…

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My daughter, whom I had from an affair, ignores me

Question: In my younger days, I met this woman and got her pregnant after a prolonged friendship. We were not ready for marriage and we went our separate ways. Later, both of us married to other people. I followed up on our daughter and even got her a job where she met her future husband.…

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How do I start being a good parent?

Question: Hello, I am a babe in Christ. I was just baptized last month. My life has changed very much since then, and I have no desire to go back to the way I was. I still have struggles, but I am trying to live a Christian life. A major problem that I have right…

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How do I deal with my son declaring he is a homosexual?

Question: Good Morning I’m struggling. Not long ago, my son announced that he is gay. We are members of the Lord’s church and have been all my life, and he has been all his life. I have told him from day one that I do not support his decision and I cannot allow him to…

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Fatherhood

by Alex Krutov Becoming a Father This is something, I wanted to write for our son’s 1-month birthday. It is hard to believe that Levi is going to turn 1 month old in a few days. Where did the time go? Yes, many people told us, do not rush the time and enjoy every moment…

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Today’s Child Experts: “Punishment Does Not Help”

by Mark Roberts Journalist Betsy Flagler writes the syndicated “Parent to Parent” column that asks readers to write in with parenting problems and then tries to get expert help to those troubles. A mother in California recently wrote in that her first-grader has been pushing and hitting, been kicked out of the library, and all…

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My Beloved Children

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018Spring1MyBelovedChildren.mp3 by Raymond Warfel, Jr. 2018 Spring Meeting

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Do parents need to explain why they made their decision?

Question: Not too long ago, I asked you a question about honoring parents. You led me to some very helpful links. Thanks. My new question to you is: What if the parents abuse their power? For example, what if a child owns a car and wants to drive it, and the parents tell him not…

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Should we allow our son to get an earring?

Question: Dear brother Jeffrey, I hope you are doing well, and that everything is going well in your work and in the local church. Brother, I wanted to ask about this personal matter. I have a 15-year-old son who is not a Christian. He is generally a good boy and obedient to us like his…

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Godly Fathers

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/GodlyFathers.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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Those Who Will Give an Account

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17). Most recognize the quote from Hebrews 13:17 as referring to the…

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How do you handle in-laws who are evil toward your child?

Question: What do you do in a situation when your in-laws are evil toward your child because they don’t like you? They take it out on her — nice one minute and evil demonic the next — even using profanity and bodily harm against her, and all you say is “I’ll pray for you.” Answer:…

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A Father’s Reply

by Dave Beckley Long ago, my husband wrote the following to one of our sons. To our many sons and daughters today, please read, for he longs the same for each of you. Joanne Beckley Dear son, Your letter was very revealing and open, a reflection of your honesty and confidence in us. We are…

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Teach Your Children

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/TeachYourChildren.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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Where Is Your Dad?

by Kevin Sutton During the interview, the young man confessed to a crime that no doubt would send him to prison. I turned the recorder off, interview over, case solved, I had done my job. Even though I was certain that I knew the answer, I ask the young man anyway. I ask, “Son, where’s…

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