It takes commitment and determination to bring up a
child to become a responsible adult. Ed Cole gave a Promise Keepers
presentation in Los Angeles several years ago in which he listed the seven
characteristics of a child:
1. Center of own universe
2. Insensitive to others
3. Demands own way
4. Temper tantrum
5. Unable to reason with
6. Irresponsible
7. Obeys only concrete authority.
Between the ages of three and thirteen the child
must be taught to reason and be brought under submission with reason. In Isaiah
1:18 it says, "Come now, and let us
reason together." Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, they
will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like
wool.” Children must be taught the difference between right and wrong along
with other principles of life. They want
to have boundaries—those set by someone in authority over their lives and that
it is the father’s responsibility to draw those lines.
The father establishes the atmosphere and attitude
of the home. God gave Adam the responsibility of the Garden of Eden…then the
LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and
keep it. Genesis 2:15. That’s how it is with the father in the home—he is
the leader with the responsibility to guide, govern and guard their home. It is
a big commitment—but one of great reward. How does this tie in with Jesus’
character traits? Well, Jesus was committed to obedience to His Father and that
is the same commitment that parents need to have to our Heavenly Father, and to
each other as they raise their children. Paul give us a good example in 1
Timothy 6:20 when he says… guard what has
been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing
arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"…. Guard what has
been entrusted to you. For parents, that is your children. Guard them, protect
them and teach them to love the Lord our God—for He is the center of our
universe and worthy of our praise.
Training
Tip – Purposefully commit with your spouse to analyzing
the character of each of your children. Then decide just how you want to
encourage that child in order to develop good character traits in him or her.
It takes commitment with your spouse and to your children—as well as to the
Lord to train up your children.
Lord – Thank you for
being an example to me and for the children You have given me to raise. Help me
as I seek to be obedient to You.
Friday’s
Feast at the Lord’s Table
Spinach
Salad – with Candied Pecans and Blueberry Vinaigrette Dressing
This was actually a go-to favorite over the
Christmas season and I took it to a couple of gatherings.
6 cups baby spinach (this will serve at least eight)
½ cup Craisins
½ cup Feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup candied pecans, chopped into 1/4" pieces (recipe follows) or plain
pecans for fewer calories
Salad Dressing -
Blueberry Vinegrette (purchase or use recipe below)
Combine ingredients and top with salad dressing when
served.
Add grilled chicken strips and serve with warm wheat
rolls for a complete meal.
Candied Pecans
1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
1 pound pecan halves
(I chopped some into smaller
pieces prior to candy prep.)
1 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 250 degrees
F. Grease one baking sheet, or line with foil.
In a mixing bowl, whip
together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together
sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
Add pecans to egg whites,
stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar
mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet. Bake at
250 degrees F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool and enjoy.
Blueberry Vinaigrette
1
cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/3
cup balsamic vinegar
2
tablespoons water
2
tablespoons honey
1/2
teaspoon sea salt
Ground
pepper - to taste
2/3
cup olive
oil
Blend blueberries, vinegar, water,
honey, with salt and pepper in blender until smooth. Slowly add olive oil while
blender is running. Refrigerate up to two weeks or serve immediately.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB)
unless otherwise noted.
© 2013
by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
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