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LOST RIVER CHURCH OF CHRIST | |||||||
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Things I Want For My Childrenby Lawrence Kelley At this time of year, children are very mindful of what they want for Christmas and as a father I am reminded of what I most want to give my children, not only at Christmas time, but throughout the year. Here are few things I want for my kids and for yours and every child in the world as well. First, I want my children to know who their Father is. Knowing whose we are is an important part of our identity. Of course there are much more important questions than knowing our biological paternity, and when I say that I want my children to known their father, I mean I want them to know their Heavenly Father (Psalm 100:3; Jer 1:5). I never want them to fall for the sad lie of evolution. The belief that they are the product of impersonal energy and matter. The belief that they exist by accident, are here for no ultimate reason and that when they die there is nothing but a void waiting to receive them. Instead, I want my children to know that: they were created on purpose and for a reason, they are watched over and cared for by a loving Father, that what they do matters because their Father is always watching. Now if I want this for my children, I must strive to reflect The Father to them in my life. Second, I want them to know the most important things in life are not things. Jesus said, "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses." In 25 years how much will it matter what your kids get for Christmas this year? We are called to work and provide for our families, but we must remember that what your children need most is you. Related tot his is the truth that what is most important about people is not what they have but who they are. That's why I want my sons to be more concerned about building their character than their free throw percentage (Matt 6:31-33) and my daughter to be more concerned about her faith and deeds of kindness than her makeup and hair (Prov. 31:30). Third, I want my children to view marriage as a great blessing from God defined as a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman. This view of marriage is under attack in our country. On a theoretical level we hear the arguments being pressed for an entire redefinition of marriage; a definition that includes the relationships of gays, lesbians and polygamist. But it isn't the social engineering of liberals who pose the greatest threat to marriage today. The root of the problem is with the millions of Americans who claim to be Christians and yet degrade marriage by infidelity, frivolous divorce and opting to live together without marrying. Furthermore we have the epidemic of bad marriages caused either by men who are lousy husbands or women who are sorry wives or sometimes both. The key to strengthening marriage in America is not an amendment to the constitution or anything else done in Washington or Frankfort. The key is for Christian husbands to do what God calls them to do - reflect the love of Christ for His church. This means they are to love their wives exclusively, sacrificially, and passionately. The key is for wives to respond by honoring their husbands, respecting them and devoting themselves to the good of their families. The fact is our children's views on marriage will be developed less by what we tell them about marriage and more by what they see in our marriages. Finally, I want my children to know and experience the power of God's love in Jesus Christ. I want them to feel the relief of forgiveness and joy of salvation. I want them to have an undefeatable hope. I want them to experience the strength that comes from sharing their lives with brothers and sisters who will rejoice with them and weep with them and wrap their arms so tightly around them that one cannot fall for the other. |
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Copyright © 2006, Lost River
Church of Christ |
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