He Has Overcome The World

By Pat

This morning, for my morning devotional, I read Acts 12:1-19. I am familiar with the story...as you may be too. Peter had been imprisoned by Herod, and the situation was dire. He was in chains and was guarded as well, so there seemed to be no hope for escape. But Peter was in for a big surprise. The night before he was to go on trial, angels came to the prison and Peter was set free.

Now, the timing of me reading that particular scripture could not have been better. I have been struggling of late with very heavy and difficult issues, but instead of being imprisoned by tangible chains, I have been imprisoned by invisible chains of doubt and fear. I have allowed Satan, not King Herod, to lock me up and fill me with terrible feelings. Feelings that I don't even like to acknowledge to myself.

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The Paideia of the Lord, Part 2

By Jason, M.Ed., M.A.R., Headmaster

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction (paideia) of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)

It is God's charge to parents, and to fathers in particular to bring up their children in the instruction (paideia) of the Lord.  This work happens primarily at home and only secondarily at school.  If that's true, what are we supposed to be teaching our children exactly?

Fathers, let's suppose you wanted to teach your children about football. (I know that's a real stretch, but hang with me.)  Where would you start? Most likely, you would start by watching a game together and get your children interested in watching football.  You would likely share your passion for your favorite team.  Then, so your child could understand what was going on in the game, you would explain the rules and the roles of the players so that, as you watch the game, your time together would be more meaningful.

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A Moment That Could Change Your Life... And Someone Else's

By MAD21

Please take 15 minutes out of your day to watch this video. This is just one moment out of the Catalyst 2009 Conference for Compassion International. If you ever wondered if sponsoring children ever really makes a difference, listen to Jimmy Wambua's testimony. A man who was sponsored for 19 years by man named Mark.

Catalyst 2009 Compassion Moment from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Seriously. As much as those of you who are reading this post struggle to make ends meet for your families, you are far better off than millions of people around the world. Consider the fact that you probably have a roof over your head, clothes to wear, food to eat, a computer to work on, and you've had an education. You have choices.

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Being Still

By MAD21

I have written before about one of my favorite times of the day. I was reminded of this post tonight when tucking my oldest daughter into bed. She's been having a rough time adjusting to being in school everyday, and therefore, not with me. She is a very social child. She loves her friends, her school, and her teachers. But apparently, they don't take the place of Mom. Which I am actually happy about (I know, that might change in about 8-10 years). I'm glad she misses me and is still unhindered and unafraid to express herself to me.

I have to admit, I struggle with the separation a lot myself. Since school started, we've all been insanely busy. Two different school schedules, work schedules, working on this blog, soccer, riding lessons, friend's needs, family needs, baths, shopping, keeping the house from overflowing with toys, dirty clothes, dishes, and dust bunnies... It can be a bit overwhelming at times.

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The Paideia of the Lord

By Jason, M.Ed., M.A.R., Headmaster

I’d like to take a moment to speak as a father to other fathers. Dads, have you read Ephesians 6:4 lately? As a husband and a father, I am always convicted whenever I read Ephesians 5 and 6. In Ephesians 5:25-31, God commands me to love my wife as Christ loves the church, to lay down my life for her well-being, for her ultimate good. Then, in Ephesians 6:4, God commands me with these words, “do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

As I reflect on this verse as a dad, I think of all the things I do that tend to provoke my children to anger. God isn’t telling me to just give my children everything they ask for as soon as they ask for it so they’ll never be upset. Actually, that kind of spoiling and over-indulging usually leads to kids who are even angrier because the answer cannot always be yes. Children are provoked to anger when their dads are inconsistent, hypocritical or overly controlling. As a sinner prone to all three of these faults, I find great reason to pray for forgiveness and grace when I examine my own behaviors.

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