Why Didn't I Think of That?

A great parenting insight from a bulletin insert from Grace Covenant Church:


One of the roadblocks to sibling harmony is selfishness.  Children want to be first or best.  Teaching kids to serve others is an important way for them to learn honor.  A servant gives more than half, considers others' needs, and looks for ways to benefit those around him.  Children who learn to be servants make better employees, develop meaningful friendships, and enjoy relationships more.


One fun way to teach children to be servants is the "I Cut, You Pick" rule.  It helps children who both want the last piece of cake, or plan to split a chocolate bar.  It simply goes like this.  When children must divide something between the two of them, ask one child if he would rather cut or pick.  The other task goes to the second child.  This plan motivates the person cutting to be as equal as possible.


Now, instead of two children arguing about who got the biggest piece, they are both involved in the solution.  The "I Cut, You Pick" rule equips children with a tool they can use in many situations to bring peace instead of frustration in relationships.


The technique actually comes from a Bible story of Abraham and Lot.  They had too many herds and not enough food so they decided to divide the land between the two huge families.  Abraham, being a wise servant of God, said, "I'll cut the land into two pieces and you pick which one you'd like."  In the story, Lot chose what appeared to be the better piece but Abraham was rewarded in the end and, most importantly, their relationship was preserved.


~ Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN

* The whole story of Abraham and Lot's conversation is recorded in Genesis 13.

Mixed Up and Muddled

[Feminism] is mixed up with a muddled idea that women are free when they serve their employers but slaves when they help their husbands.
~ G. K. Chesterton,
The Collected Works of G. K. Chesterton, vol. 4, p. 440

The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him"
~ Genesis 2:18

The Accuser

One of the names of the enemy is the Accuser. It is his doing, when we have sought God's guidance and been as obedient as we knew how, and then remain in an agony of doubt as to whether God did guide, whether we really did obey. There is no end to the "proofs" the Accuser can present to sow doubt in our minds. "Hath God said?" (Gn. 3:1 AV) was the first seed he sowed in the mind of Eve, and he has had a great deal of practice at that kind of planting ever since.

It is to be expected that every decision made with the desire to be obedient to God will be attacked. Spread your doubts before the Lord. Pray for correction of any wrong in thinking or doing and for his word of assurance as to the action you must take. If there is nothing else required of you at this moment, leave it at that. Trust God. Put the whole weight of your doubts and cares on Him--that will foil the Accuser.

"It is God who pronounces our acquittal...It is Christ who pleads...our cause" (Rom. 8:33,34 EB).

~ Elisabeth Elliot,

from A Lamp for My Feet

Did God Really Say?

At the Defending the Faith conference...

A verse that has been referred to a number of times during this conference is this one:

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

~ Genesis 3:1

The Genesis 3 attack has been used ever since. "Did God really say..." that children are a blessing and should be welcomed not killed? that marriage is between one man and one woman? etc.

I think, if the conference could be summed up in one sentence, it would be this: Yes, God really said it; the whole Bible, from beginning to end, is true.

The Purpose of Marriage

I never know where I'm going to find a bite of spiritual food. This evening, for example, I was reading the newspaper (something I do only when my mother cuts out articles and gives them to me) and discovered this gem.

The goal of our life should not be to find joy in marriage, but to bring more love and truth into the world. We marry to assist each other in this task. The highest calling is that of the man who has dedicated his life to serving God and doing good, and who unites with a woman in order to further that purpose.

~ Leo Tolstoy,

in a letter he wrote

This reminds me of another quote I appreciate:

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.

~ Maya Angelou

The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

~ Genesis 2:18

Marriage can be wonderful--truly a precious part of life. But if the reason for marrying is selfish, just so I will be taken care of and have my needs met, disappointment will inevitably come. How much better to work together with my spouse to bring glory to God and accomplish His purposes on earth!