Tim Stanford wrote an informative and helpful article defining destructive patterns and solutions for dysfunctional behaviors within families. We all have some dysfunction in our family relationships. The link to his article is at the bottom of this page: Destructive relationship patterns can get passed down from one generation to the next. Here's how you can set a new precedent for your future family: Boys who witness domestic violence in their own home are three times more likely to … [Read more...] about 8 Steps to Breaking the Cycle of Family Dysfunction
Children
A Silent Tragedy in How We Are Raising Our Children
There is a silent tragedy that is unfolding today in our homes and concerns our most precious jewels: our children. Our children are in a devastating emotional state. In the last 15 years, researchers have given us increasingly alarming statistics on a sharp and steady increase in childhood mental illness that is now reaching epidemic proportions: Statistics do not lie: What is happening and what are we doing wrong? Today’s children are being over-stimulated and over-gifted with … [Read more...] about A Silent Tragedy in How We Are Raising Our Children
Misunderstood Authority?
The subject of authority is a difficult one because of the many negative applications we see around us. It’s primary association with power, clashes with the natural human desire for autonomy. In our present day, the subject of authority is often confused with authoritarianism and the abuse of power, which creates a negative perception. However, authority is a vital ingredient for godly living, and it is therefore important for us to be clear minded about what it is and what it is … [Read more...] about Misunderstood Authority?
There is a Generation. . .
We are shown four things in scripture that God considers to be incredibly important at any point in time. The four characteristics in Proverbs 30 are referenced by the phrase "there is a generation”. The Hebrew does not identify a particular generation. This generation can exist at any point in time as can the characteristics that are listed. We will see that each one provokes separation from God, as Satan works his work to separate man from God. The first point: “There is a … [Read more...] about There is a Generation. . .
A Word of Encouragement
“A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.” The author of that statement is unknown, but what can be known is that there is a lot of wisdom in it. The author did not say that offering praise after a success is bad – it’s not, it is a good thing. It is, however, not nearly as valuable as the encouragement needed to get to that eventual praise for success. When our children are little, there will always be certain things that they fail at, at … [Read more...] about A Word of Encouragement
Becoming As A Little Child
Through an understanding of the family model of government, we can more clearly understand our relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father. In the family relationship, children play an important role and help contextualize the meaning of God’s government in the realm of human beings. Adults think and reason differently than children do. In some ways, this is a good and natural progression, as Paul mentions in his letter to the Corinthian (1 Corinthians 13:11). However, in the spiritual … [Read more...] about Becoming As A Little Child