The Debt I Could Not Pay

By Heather Allen –

Last week my son Noah and I had a conflict of interests. I was interested in him obeying.  He was interested in playing and ignored what I asked him to do. After ten minutes of discussion and internal prayer, I sat him down. I looked into his bright teary eyes and told him the consequences of his continued disobedience: a week without any video games.

The week before this fairly normal event, I read through a few pages of parenting tips.  On occasion I have given a consequence and then released my child in order to show what mercy is. But one of the tips I read took that idea a step further, encouraging parents to take their children’s consequences from time to time. As much as I like Tetris, it is a rarity for me to play video games. But my, oh my how I love a hot bath after a long day.

I looked at his sad face and felt compassion. I said I would take his discipline. I would forego a pleasure bath for one week. Honestly, I am not sure what response I was hoping for, but  he smiled and said, “You mean I can play video games?”  I repeated what redemption is, and why we need it. I thought about pulling out a dry erase board for some illustrations. He looked so happy. Surely, he does not understand how much I like baths!

I did not expect my older children, lingering nearby, to offer to take the consequences by giving up what was important to them. One thought ran through my head as I asked them to join us at the table—I should have thought this through.  I felt we were standing on the brink of great spiritual understanding and I was not sure which direction to go.

If I were having this conversation with God, what would he emphasize? I spent moments throughout the day thinking about this.

I talked to my husband about it as I climbed into bed and kept talking as he snored. Do I remind Noah that his sin costs more than a bath and an apology? Does God remind me of my sin to reveal his salvation?

Romans 7:7 says we know what sin is because of the law. The Ten Commandments are the law. If we break one of these, we have broken them all. Saying sorry does not cover it.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood” (Romans 3:23-25, NIV).

Sometimes I will be able to carry my children’s consequences but I cannot atone for their sin. Correction can be used to show children their need for a Savior, even if it takes awhile for them to understand. In our case, it meant showing Noah that God’s word says children are to obey their parents. When he chooses not to, he not only disobeys me, he disobeys God.

When he understands he has sinned against God, my son can also understand there is a consequence. The consequence of his sin is death. The only one who can cover this debt is Christ. And He already has.

God exposes sin, to reveal his love. Christ died to pay a debt I could not. Salvation is miraculous and beautiful only to those who know how badly they need it. The law exposes sin and grace covers it, remembering it no more.

“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him” (Romans 4:7-8, NIV).

Heather Allen spends most of her time caring for her hubby and three kids.  Check out her blog at http://www.thebloodknot.blogspot.com.

I Will Not Bless That Behavior

By Teresa Lusk –

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord” (Colossians 3:20, NIV). This is what I keep telling our daughter when I have to discipline her.

First, I explain that God gave her parents to prepare her to obey Him when she becomes an adult living without our direction and we are simply her training ground. Then, I tell her God expects her to honor her father and mother (Deuteronomy 5:16, NIV).

Recently, she gave me attitude and was very sassy about a situation. I got onto her about the behavior but did not punish her. However, not long after this incident she came to ask if she could play computer games. This is her favorite pastime, by the way. When she was done requesting a reward for her disobedience, I responded with, “No, absolutely not! I will not bless your behavior.” At the same time I said this, I happened to be on the phone with a friend who commented about the power of that statement.

I know that as a parent, I find myself saying NO a whole lot, and I bet you do as well. The conclusion I came to that day was that from now on, my answer will not only be NO, but when applicable, it will be followed by, “I will not bless that behavior.” I know that my God loves me and forgives me, but He also disciplines those He loves (Proverbs 3:12). Our children must be taught that the ultimate obedience is to Jesus Christ and obedience brings blessings (John 15:7-14, NIV).

Teresa G. Lusk is a public speaker and the author of Good Enough to be a Homemaker and CEO. Visit www.teresalusk.com.

Oooh, Baby

By Jane Thornton –

This spring my bi-annual case of nature fever struck as scheduled. Some time every March, when the sun has shone for seven days straight, and the daffodils and redbuds sing of the coming season, I get a yearning to be outdoors and plant flowers. The bug attacks again in September when the temperature stays below ninety degrees for seven days in a row. Unfortunately for my garden, the passion is always short-lived, and I tend to migrate to my habitual pastimes of reading novels or watching movies during every spare moment.

As usual, when my zeal peaked this year, I binged at Home Depot then came home to don my gardening attire. Since my lily-white skin rarely sees the light of day, I need to take advantage of these fits. On went the raggedy shorts and the T-shirt with arms and neck scooped out for tanning purposes.

After a few hours, my hair straggled over my forehead although a kinder person might have described it as tousled or windblown. Potting soil clung to my knees and had seeped through my gloves to embed itself under my nails. And, to use the southern, feminine term, I glowed.

At this point, my husband, Wes, drove up, returning from some long errand. I smeared my dirt-encrusted glove across my face, trying to see through the rattails of my hair. With a hand braced in the small of my back, I creaked to a stand, making it to an almost-erect position.

“Wow! You’re working.” He strode across the lawn, swept me into an embrace, and laid a fervent kiss upon my lips. Apparently he found the unusual aroma of perspiration an effective aphrodisiac.

I have noticed another aberration over the years. Wes finds the vision of me behind an ironing board a bigger turn on than me in a skimpy nightie, perhaps because the ironing is a rarer sight. We once went to a marriage seminar at which we were asked to share with each other actions which made us feel cherished. Ironing came up. So much for the impression gained by my novels and movies—they suggested a smoldering look was all it took. Recently, Wes threw out another shocker. He opened the cabinet and, finding I had stocked up on his favorite grape Kool-Aid, casually commented that a plentiful supply of the drink made him feel loved.

Now, I’m not knocking the usefulness of a beautiful negligee, but the desire for a successful marriage requires us to learn some of these other quirks—and to do something about them. Look at the description of a wife of noble character in Proverbs 31:10-31, NIV.  This woman “gets up while it is still dark,” “sets about her work vigorously,” “grasps the spindle with her fingers,” “makes coverings for her bed,” etc. The result? “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:28 NIV). I have a new habit of buying a few containers of grape Kool-Aid every time I’m at the store.  And at this moment, the ironing basket is calling my name.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

By Nina Medrano –

Have you ever found yourself speaking pleasantries to a fellow co-worker, a team member, an equal, who through self-elevation began to speak in tones of authority over you? Read more

Hand in Hand

By Jane Thornton –

One hot August Monday morning I walked hand in hand with five-year-old Matthew up the wide concrete steps to Plummer Elementary. My heart was in turmoil; his probably was too. Read more

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