VBS last week

Mija attended a VBS last week. We are very picky about letting her attend a VBS. We have to know the church, it's beliefs, and if it actually practices what it believes. 

This VBS was a new experience because it was at an inner-city church. Intrepid mija knew no difference. It was a church. It was VBS. That was all that mattered.

Her class sang the plagues of Egypt to the tune of
The Twelve Days of Christmas. 

Well, I'll take that back. She wanted to make sure the church "believed right" before we went. 

It is such a blessing to see her evaluate a group or church based on their doctrinal stance rather than location or skin color!

We had a great time. I said we because they actually offered an adult class during VBS. I've never seen that before but it was very well attended.

Oh, over a thousand dollars was raised for a missionary and about a dozen souls saved during the week!

Yee-haw!

You child: Sinner or self-esteem?

My friend, Julie Ganschow, of Reigning Grace Counseling Center posted a great piece today on her blog about the cross. I especially appreciated her comments about her children. Read it and let me know what you think!

Biblical Counseling for Women: No Longer on the Cross: What is the cross to you? When you see it in your church or in your minds eye what do you see? As a child in my former religion the cross a...

Comfort for Christian Parents of Unconverted Children

There are many godly women I know who are concerned about their children's salvation. Actually, we all are, but I'm referring to those who have teen and older. Those whose children are their "own people" so to speak. This is for them, but also for those of us who still have some input!


Here's an article by Jim Elliff of Christian Communicators Worldwide.

All Christian parents wish that God would show us something to do that would secure our child's salvation, and then "we'll do it with all our might" because we love our child so much. Yet, God has not made salvation the effect of somebody else's faith; our son or daughter must come to Christ on his or her own. John shows us that all Christians are born into God's family "not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, [that is, somebody else's will] but of God." (John 1:13)

Although salvation is the work of God and not something that we can do for our child, there is hope. Consider the following:

1. A true burden in prayer for your child is a gift from God. A persistent burden may indicate that God intends to give your child eternal life because authentic prayer always begins with God. Though we cannot be absolutely certain that we know all that God is doing, we should be optimistic if the burden continues.

2. The miracle of the new birth is no less possible to God if our child is attentive to Him or running away from Him. Our child is like all other children when it comes to God's grace. He is dead spiritually whether he is in church or not, whether he listened well to the truths we tried to teach him or did not, whether he has some interest in God now or has none at all. He may be converted in the pig pen or the pew and we do not know in this case what is preferred by God.

3. God does hear our prayers. Though God has taught us that He chooses all who are His before the foundation of the world, He also taught us that we should pray, and not only pray, but expect the answer to our prayers. It is true that God is sovereign and it is just as true that He answers prayer. In fact, He could not answer prayer if He were not in control of all things.

4. We may have hope because of God's election of those who will come to Him. Every child is on his way to hell unless God stops him. God's election is our friend. We would have no hope for our child's salvation without it, because no child would turn to Christ if left in the state depravity (Romans 3:9-11). But given God's election of people for Himself, we can be encouraged.

5. Your child has some clear knowledge of what it means to be a true Christian. The Spirit certainly may bring this to bear at any time if this is His chosen method. Though it is no less a miracle for a knowledgeable child to be converted than a child with little knowledge; God always uses the gospel seed in every conversion.

6. Your own disobedience in the past will not ultimately keep your child from becoming a believer. It is pointless to berate yourself for any wrong behavior on your part as if it were the reason your child is without Christ. This does not mean that we as parents should not repent and do better, and even admit wrong to our children. But the reason your child is without Christ is related to his or her own sin. Every parent is sinful and inconsistent. This has never been a barrier to God if He desires to save your child. Illustrations abound of children who come from far less godly families who are nonetheless converted to Christ. In fact, this may have been the case in your own experience.

7. Some children may need the experience of being away from parental care in order to face up to their own need for Christ. The sense of need for many may be discovered only in the context of difficulties. We should not be surprised if it takes some solo flying before a child learns that he or she really needs another as his pilot.

8. Remember that there are lots of people who have come to appreciate their history prior to coming to Christ. I'm not saying that these people would not have wanted conversion earlier, but that the pain of the their pre-conversion history has left them with compassion, understanding, knowledge, testimony, and a burden that they would perhaps not have had any other way. They've seen God's wisdom in the timing of their conversion. This may well be so with your child. Paul said that there was a reason he was chosen to be converted even though he was a murderer, blasphemer and violent aggressor—so that people will see and have hope that God can save anyone.

9. You cannot save your child yourself no matter how hard you try. You are in a position of trust alone. This is good because it is the only way to please God (Heb. 11:6). Your rest in God, while simultaneously praying to the God who answers prayer, will be an encouragement to others in the same situation It will also help you respond to your child more positively, and will make your life far more joyful than your anxiety ever could.

10. Finally, remember that God has a purpose in all He does. We will one day rejoice that God has done a perfect job of ruling His universe. When we acknowledge this and put God even above our children, we will actually demonstrate to our child the way a Christian is to live.

Copyright © 2003 Jim Elliff
Christian Communicators Worldwide, Inc.
Permission granted for not-for-sale reproduction in unedited form
including author's name, title, complete content, copyright and weblink.
Other uses require written permission.
www.CCWtoday.org

She hasn't cried--My daughter dealing with the death of her grandfather

Mija in her dress for the funeral

Last week on Monday afternoon, my step-father died. He was mija's only living grandfather and now he's gone. She actually was with us as we rushed to the hospital after being told he had stopped breathing, and witnessed my sister collapsing and sobbing in my arms as she told me he had died.
We explained to her that Papa was in heaven with Jesus now. His body is still here and will one day be raised, but what's most important is that the real him was in heaven.  She's heard this before since we've dealt with a few deaths but, of course, none this close to her. She didn't cry.


The next day, she had asked me why abuelita (grandma) had wanted to wear colorful clothing while one of her aunts insisted on black. I explained that was the two sides of death for a Christian. Abuelita wanted to focus on being happy that Papa was with Jesus and knowing that we would see him again. The other side of the death is a sadness that we don't get to see him now for awhile, so we'll miss him. It's the sad part that makes us wear dark colors. She didn't cry.


She also wanted to know about the kind of things I had to do with my mom and sisters at the funeral home. She's never been involved or aware of the "backstage" elements, so to speak. I explained how the casket goes in a vault which goes in the ground. I explained how the visitation and service was going to work. I explained how papa would buried in his Marine uniform (yes, it still fit from 1960) and have a color guard. She didn't cry.


On Wednesday, we worked on figuring out what clothes she was going to wear. Abuelita went with me to pick up a few things for her. I wanted her to be a little girl yet somewhat somber. I had a cute black tunic with white and pink dots with capris for the visitation. We picked up a cute dress that was also black with white and pink dots for the funeral. She liked everything when we got home. She helped me pick out the background and music for the video I made. She went to AWANA that evening. She didn't cry.


Thursday was visitation. I thought maybe seeing Papa's body in the casket might make it real for her. She came up with me and looked and was quickly ready to go play with her cousins. I did notice, however, whenever she walked past the casket, she would peek in. She had made a hand-print flower (still planning on blogging about making it) for Papa on Monday and since he passed before she could give it to him, we put it in the casket. She found out that some of her cousins were writing notes to put into the casket the next day. When we came home, she made it a priority to write a note and draw a picture of her and Papa. I will share it here just because I thought it was so precious, but please don't let her know that I shared it with you.

What is also so cute about it was how accurate she tried make the picture. Papa always had his hair "high and tight" and was mostly bald right on top. While he was tall, however, he didn't wear high-waters! She still didn't cry.


Friday was the funeral. We got dressed and I threatened reminded her several times about being solemn during the funeral. She's used to sitting through church, so it wasn't a foreign concept, but there's a different attitude during a funeral than during a regular church service. She was there while we watched them close the lid to the casket and there when mom let out a gut-wrenching sob upon seeing the Marines salute the arrival of the hearse. Mija relished in the food and fellowship after the funeral. She didn't cry.


The next day we had a tea party where we discussed important things like the dogs, art, my sister's house being clean (unlike ours), and the pros and cons of possibly living in one relative's basement vs. another's garage now that my husband is unemployed for the second time in less than a year. I also asked her which was her "favorite" part of the funeral and which was the least "favorite." Mija's favorite was the pastor telling stories about Papa liking buses. Her least favorite was watching them close the coffin. She still didn't cry.


Me? Yes, I've cried numerous times and in numerous ways. My least favorite part was some individuals not understanding the importance and significance of the pastor taking the time to share the Gospel during the funeral. It makes me concerned. Oh, and for future reference, share all the stories you want about me during the visitation, but I want my funeral to be about celebration and salvation. Sorry if you think it's boring.  In fact, if you think sharing salvation is boring, you probably need to hear it the most!


Mija still hasn't cried.


Should I be concerned?

Ten Ways to Bring the Gospel Home This Christmas

Another great post from Desiring God.

Ten Ways to Bring the Gospel Home This Christmas

by Jonathan Parnell | December 21, 2011

Tis' the most wonderful time of the year . . . and it's a unique opportunity to give the good news of Jesus to your unbelieving family.

Randy Newman's book, Bringing the Gospel Home, is a resource meant to equip Christians in how to talk about the gospel in their closest relationships. Because of the book's relevance in this season, Crossway is currently offering a free download.

Christmas with Family Who Don't Know Jesus

David Mathis recently extracted some practical ideas from the book in connection to all the family gatherings accustomed to the holidays. Here are those ten points again, or in his words, "a few thoughts from a fellow bungler to help us think ahead and pray about how we might grow in being proxies for the gospel, in word and deed, among our families."

Read about the TEN WAYS HERE.

Childhood Salvation

I participate in a Yahoo group called Above Rubies.  One of the ladies asked about children getting saved.  Below is my response.  I just thought I'd post it here in case others might have some thoughts to share.

Neither my husband nor I were raised in a Christian home. Both of us came to the saving knowledge of our salvation as teens. I just mentioned a few things we've considered and done so far concerning our 6 year old.

First, we were determined not to give false assurance of salvation. We've seen too many children "pray for salvation" as children that then get assure over and over again by their parents of their salvation vs "making sure" own salvation (2 Peter 1:10).


So, whenever we've talked about salvation, we mention our salvation, but we've used qualifiers when talking about her such as, "If you are a Christian...," "When you accept Jesus...,"

When she did ask if she was a Christian, we just turn the question around and ask her if she was. "I don't know, if you've accept Jesus as your Savior you are."

As far as communion went, we made sure she understood that it was only for believer's and therefore, she couldn't have it unless Jesus was in her heart.

It truly is amazing to see a child grow up in a Christian home. I totally know what you're talking about. The things of God are just as normal for her as breathing... praying, Bible reading and memory, singing praise, etc. Talking about Scripture and doctrine are just a normal part of conversation.

Eventually, after hearing my husband and I talk about our salvation, she became more curious about her own. One night she asked specifically, and she prayed about it. My husband and I were excited, but again, determined that if she was sincere, it would be her assurance and not ours.

She started refering to herself as being saved. Communion was our first "test". We did not mention to her about partaking when it was time, but she told us, "I'm a Christian now, so I can have communion."

So, we are fairly sure of her salvation because of her assurances not because we are telling her.

Now, I recently heard a lady at our church give her testimony, and she made an awesome point. She was saved at 8, but as she said, outwardly, you may not notice a big difference between a saved 8 year old and a unsaved 8 year old. They're only 8. Doesn't make it less real or sincere, but it's not like they're necessarily going to have a tremendous change in lifestyle.

One thing I would suggest for you and your husband, however, is to start discussing and planning on how you want to handle things or encourage things before they happened. We discussed how we wanted to handle communion, for instance, long before she was even able to eat communion! I know kids can always throw curves that we're not expecting, but discussing some of these things not only help us know how we want to handle them, but also helps us be sure of our beliefs on the subjects as well.