And you guys think I just say it outright?!
“If you do not worship God in your family, you are living in positive sin; you may be quite sure you do not care for the souls of your family. If you neglect to spread a meal for your children to eat, would it not be said that you did not care for their bodies? And if you do not lead your children and servants to the green pastures of God’s Word, and to seek the living water, how plain is it that you do not care for their souls!
Do it regularly, morning and evening. It is more needful than your daily food, more needful than your work. How vain and silly all your excuses will appear, when you look back from Hell! Do it fully. Some clip off the psalm, and some the reading of the Word; and so the worship of God is reduced to a mockery. Do it in a spiritual, lively manner, go to it as to a well of salvation.” – Robert Murray M’Cheyne
Hat tip to Autumn @ Homeschooling in Kerrville for finding this quote
65 comments
Oh wow, he’s not much of a sugar-coater, is he??! Yikes.
One doesn’t like to look at it quite so harshly, but it’s good to get these painful reminders now and again so we realize the importance and change our beliefs, attitudes, and actions appropriately.
He makes an important point. But “when you look back from hell”? Good grief.
I don’t think most Christians, nowdays, would feel too comfortable hearing the words of Jonathan Edwards or George Whitefield either. It’s not that tickling, comforting sound that we want in our ears. But how does the saying go?…Sometimes the truth hurts.
Most I know love John Edwards, C.S. Lewis, Oswald Chambers, etc.
Most I know love the inspiring quotes from these gentlemen, but not so much the convicting ones!
Yes, I imagine “Sinners in The Hands Of An Angry God” would hurt alot of feelings.
It’s not about “hurting feelings”; some writers are too condemning. A balance in any believer is vital. But no, I don’t know anyone who cherry-picks the works of those gentlemen.
That’s not to say the tough stuff isn’t important, or that people haven’t softened their shells in the faith to the point of alarming vulnerability, but while stuff like the line about burning in hell might be a wake-up call to Christians, it would do nothing for non-believers to draw them in. It seems the world, as ever, lacks balance and chokes with cotton candy just as easily as it does with swallowing sharp bones alongside the meat.
Many would’ve found Jesus “too condemning” also. To borrow a bit from Mark Driscoll, Jesus wasn’t all the lamb cuddling, cozy stuff that is so often pictued. He got ANGRY, really, really ANGRY! (He just had a “long wick”.)
The difference is, Charity, that Jesus also had the greatest love in the universe. Some people don’t show ANY love in their teachings at all.
Perhaps their love is shown by speaking the truth.
Charity, it’s not the truth that God has only punishment and no love. There is nothing truthful about all condemnation and hell with no love. There’s no truth in hate (of people) and consistent, acidic fear (and I’m NOT speaking of holy fear in God, in case you’d ask).
I love this guy. Sometimes, the flowery stuff is so in the way that I feel the time being stolen just trying to pick through it all, and I just end up tuning it out. I appreciate when the spiritual is rightly in it’s place over the emotional. They aren’t the same thing, but are so often confused.
“How vain and silly all your excuses will appear, when you look back from Hell!”….isn’t that the truth.
“Looking back from hell” – It is isn’t it.
How horrible will it be when Jesus comes back if we aren’t looking for Him? How many of us actually take to time to look up and wonder “Will it be today?” How many of us wake up with that wonderful thought on our mind? I think that is the eptimone of the Christian life. That is even the last thought in the Bible, Rev. 22:20-21.
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Thanks for the link 🙂 Lately, I’ve been thinking hard on the boldness that Paul had and prayed for. I am saddened that in our culture it’s all about making sure not to hurt someone’s feelings. M’Cheyne, Spurgeon, Whitfield, Knox, Calvin, Luther…can you imagine if they held back the truth for the sake of making sure everyone liked them?
Knox and Calvin spread a lot of harmful stuff, so yes, I’d greatly prefer that they kept their “truths” to themselves.
Just out of curiosity, what exactly do you find so harmful?
Hi, Grace. I hate both their words about women (especially Knox’s, constantly griping about our servant-state) and Calvinism, as a whole.
Hi Yourself! 🙂
Aren’t we supposed, even commanded, to be servants? I understand that we live in a fallen world but Christ came to serve – He’ll come for judgment next time though. How is it offensive to preach to women that they should serve? Is it because he focused so much on women? Did he not also state that men should serve as well. I know we’ve talked of the “Regiment” before and that the whole idea offends you. I take a different approach – I found it amusing. Seriously though, scripturally speaking aren’t women ( and men ) called upon to serve, in different functions to be sure but aren’t we all to have servants hearts?
Also, do you really find nothing relevant in the works of Calvin? Calvin apparently taught the sovereignty of God for salvation & eternal damnation do you not agree with that. Don’t get me wrong I don’t necessarily agree with Calvin. I’m just discussing.
Like I said before the only thing I take as it is and go with completely is Scripture. That I won’t argue with – most everything else is up for grabs though – ha! 🙂
Actually, it was the Regiment I was referring to, because in that he spoke of nothing but women being servants..to MEN. You know how it goes. And you’re right, it is amusing, except it irks me when I hear him still praised. Still, it’s better to focus on the amusing part; thanks for reminding me.
You’re discussing well 🙂 Sure, some things are relevant about Calvin. But the system he created threatened my faith more than once, and from what I understand it also drove several Christians of his time to despair; it’s a terrible thing, believing you have no real choice in your life or faith. To his credit, he was better to women than Knox; according to Liz Curtis Higgs, he was very vocal about his distaste regarding Laban’s treatment of his daughters.
Very true, Autumn! It bothers me as well to see many Christians not willing to speak up, because they want to be politically correct or they don’t want to offend. I couldn’t imagine if those religious “greats” of the past were to act like that. And, more importantly, what about Jesus? He definitely ruffled more than a few feathers. 🙂 Great post, Kelly!
Harsh? I certainly wouldn’t call that message harsh. We need to grow some thicker skin if the word Hell offends us. Loved the post, great message 🙂
Natasha, the message of hell is very harsh. Hell is a harsh truth, if you want to make a gigantic understatement.
Jennifer-I thought his message was right on, and not Harsh, I thought he put it very politely and said the truth. I love a good serving of vegetables, it’s good for me. When I read the Proverbs I feel great conviction and yeah it is harsh, but it’s good stuff. I love it when the Lord convicts me, I actually pray for him to convict me daily so I can repent be more like Him.
Oh it was harsh, Natasha. But then, as I said before, hell itself is a harsh truth. Sometimes harsh is good, but I don’t generally see threats of hell pulled out randomly as being helpful. Nor have I said there’s a thing wrong with conviction; I love gutsy teachers, have no patience with cotton, and know that conviction is good; if it was otherwise, I wouldn’t visit this site. I don’t how I’m being unclear anywhere.
I think the guy was making a good point by speaking of harm towards children; the hell threat just seemed like an unnecessary addition. I admire his guts, and it was true, but it seemed like he was trying to pull out too many stops. Generally you can get Christians’ minds working by focusing on their children and the sin of neglect alone; these are IMPORTANT to loving parents, and his words thus were powerful enough themselves. So blurting out, “By the way, you’ll go to HELL if you don’t improve, and what would you say then!” along with everything else was just unnecessary, and frankly immature to me. When I was around younger teens, still developing in Christian faith and their maturity, any time they witnessed, the “you’re going to hell” line was the first thing out of their mouths. Mo appeal to another person’s humanity or their heart; just a random cold threat that meant nothing to them.
Hey anyone else want to talk about the MEAT of this post?
I’d sure like to hear how mothers worship God with their children on an everyday basis? My children are 4years old and 3 years old, and I am amazed at how much they understand, and I want to tell them more about God.
Back to the post…..This has always been my driving force since I first looked into the eyes of my first born. I said to God ” Lord please help me raise her up to love you and know you and serve you, because I do not want to let you down”
The last thing I want God to say to me on judgement day is that I did not teach my children to know,love and serve Him. I can’t imagine the shame.
I am talking about God to my girls daily, when we are outside especially. I told them that God made all those wonderful flowers and trees that they so dearly love. It’s amazing how quickly children just accept God and love him, even though they have soo many questions that we can’t answer. Melts my heart, and also makes me thankful that I was convicted early to teach my kids about the Lord, while their hearts were ready to accept Him.
” it’s not the truth that God has only punishment and no love. There is nothing truthful about all condemnation and hell with no love. There’s no truth in hate (of people) and consistent, acidic fear”
Did I miss something? I don’t see where the post said anything like this, or anyone’s comments either.
I was responding specifically to your comment. I mentioned people who condemn without telling of God’s love, and your response was, “Perhaps they show love by telling the truth”. Thus my answer: there’s no truth in painting God entirely as a condemner with no love.
There was nothing of that nature in my comment. Be sure you aren’t reading between the lines when you read posts and comments, unless you enjoy company with Peter Cotton-Tail 😉
The point is, you werent getting my point. Here’s the exact exchange:
Me-The difference is, Charity, that Jesus also had the greatest love in the universe. Some people don’t show ANY love in their teachings at all.
You-Perhaps their love is shown by speaking the truth.
Clearer? There’s NO truth in people with no love, and that’s the kind of person I was speaking of. I don’t know where the clarity of my point started wandering off into a mist.
“Be sure you aren’t reading between the lines when you read posts and comments, unless you enjoy company with Peter Cotton-Tail”
I wasn’t mis-reading at all. And how is that so many conservative moms use animated characters to make a point or analogy? I’ve seen them use Ursula, the Cat in the Hat, and now Peter Cotton-Tail?
” And how is that so many conservative moms use animated characters to make a point or analogy? I’ve seen them use Ursula, the Cat in the Hat, and now Peter Cotton-Tail?”
You have proved my point 😉 You are reading into things that *are not there*, and therefore hopping down bunny trails.
Hey, it’s what I’ve seen and heard; I would not have expected something like a nursery rhyme rabbit to come into this discussion. And you are quite deliberately it seems hopping like a bunny yourself around my point. It is you not reading, deliberately not reading my clear message.
Jennifer, I shouldn’t have continued to respond to you, it was clearly a futile effort, you are one hard egg to crack 😉 I wanted so badly for you to understand what I was saying. I thought about this alot last night as I sat awake nursing a terrible headache (pregnancy hormones). I said “Perhaps their love is shown by speaking the truth.” We must remember that love is not all fluffy, fuzzy, and good feeling. More often than not, love is doing the right thing, making the tough choice, choosing to submit to your husband, being patient with your children, being kind to someone who is hateful, laying down your life by putting others first, the icky, gritty, not fun stuff… even speaking the *truth*, even though others may think it harsh or offensive. I am glad the truth was spoken by M’Cheyne. I am thankful to read that, and feel jolted to the realization of what I should be doing as a Christian mother of my three (soon to be four) precious blessings.
Before you quickly respond, literally walk away for a 1/2 hour or so and chew on it, think about what someone has said to you. There is alot a young, unmarried, woman as yourself can learn here from the older, wiser, further in their walk with the Lord, women, here on this blog (not me). (And if you marry and have children you may look at this writing by M’Cheyne much differently when you realize the ginormous responsibility of raising and rearing your children!) Just be willing to listen and take to heart somthing that it said to you. I have yet to read a post where you comment and do not have the last word, and that is fine with me, because I’m not wanting to argue with you, I just want you to see the truth. I say all of this in Christian love, as iron sharpening iron. May God bless you, Jennifer, in your journey with Him.
“I wanted so badly for you to understand what I was saying”
And I wanted you to understand what I was saying; I didn’t think this would be hard.
The fact is, Charity, I know the truth. I know the importance of tough love, and this is what I don’t understand you not getting last night. I was talking about people with NO love, only condemnation, not people with tough love; you know such people exist. I made it very clear what I was talking about. And you, it seemed, almost deliberately missed my point; you leapt around it, told me I misread, then compared me to Peter Cotton-Tail. Scathing mockery was what I saw, you not taking to heart MY words either or trying to understand them. I do misread things sometimes, but I’m not taking sole blame this time.
The reason I get the last word is because when something upsets me, I become hooked by it. Part anxiety, part OCD, part stubborn passion. No one else apparently has the unstoppable simultaneous strength and weakness I have of being drawn back again and again to an online discussion where something’s upsetting my peace of mind, the sometimes horrible compulsion of resolving something or ending it before I can put it behind me. I don’t like to be misunderstood either, and I really don’t like people refusing to read my words properly or mocking my attempts to clarify and my observations. You and another woman both delivered verbal barbs last night; whether deliberately or not, you both misread my words and you both then accused me of doing so to you. One response was like mockery, another like a slap in the face after an earnest attempt to have a meaningful conversation. Misreading is a two-way road here. I’ve learned greatly from Kelly and appreciated the patient and graceful words of SavedbyGrace, Cottage Child and Lori. I’m aware of my own mistakes, admitted them, and endured criticism for them and repeated admonitions telling me to listen more carefully and respect older women. Some things I won’t agree with you ladies on, no matter how much older you are. I like listening, and I also like being listened to. I appreciate your sincerity and kind-hearted wishes, and I’m sorry for both our sakes that any misunderstanding took place. Be sure that I know the importance of witnessing to children and others. Hell is very real to me, and I’ve experienced it more than you might imagine.
Sorry I meant to reply down here
Hey anyone else want to talk about the MEAT of this post?
I’d sure like to hear how mothers worship God with their children on an everyday basis? My children are 4years old and 3 years old, and I am amazed at how much they understand, and I want to tell them more about God.
My mother reads Bible board books to my little niece, and we love showing her nature; she loves being outside.
Nature is how I first introduced my kids to God. They love hearing me tell them that God made the leaves turn all the beautiful colors in the fall so we would have more beautiful things to look at and see how amazing He is.
They love to ask me things like ” Mom who made this house?” and I say ” Carpenters did” and they reply with “and God made the carpenters” and we talk about our rose garden and how God made all the beautiful roses and He gave them to us to take care of then and enjoy them.
I have always known God and have loved Him. I want my girls to to look back on their past and not remember a single day without knowing Him. It’s an incredible responsibility.
My parents stopped taking me to church before I was five, luckily they sent me to Catholic School and I learned about God there. My parents believed, and I knew they did, but worshipping God and teaching us about God did NOT happen in my house. My mother, who is now a much more disciplined Christian has deep regrets about this. She told me she knows she will have to answer to God. It’s very shameful for her now to see me and my husband desiring to teach them the ways of God every single day, but she is thankful that we won’t be following in her footsteps. And I am thankful that my girls have a grandmother who fully commits her life to Christ.
I welcome Robert Murray M’Cheyne words, because I cannot imagine anything more horrifying than having to face God and tell Him that you failed to raise His children to worship God when you know that it is the right way but let too many worldly things get in the way.
She may have already answered to God. In any case, if she’s confessed her sins and been forgiven, she’s in no danger of the fate M’Cheyne described.
I LOVE nature too. It’s sad, Natasha, when I see people especially denying God in nature. I spoke to a proud atheist just tonight, who was comparing the theory of evolution to the LAW of gravity (in other words, it shouldn’t even be a choice to believe in it). He mocked intelligent design, which is SO clear it’s mortifying to see people do that. Our bodies alone are clearly calculated for a purpose. And then there are our minds, human and otherwise. How could anything else explain the incredible love of a dog, the human expressions? The amazing design of birds, God’s hand-painted ornaments? The clever sharpness of cats, practically animal royalty? The majesty of horses and their deep empathy? The playful amusement and utter insight of our sweet dolphins? When you look at the great canines, felines, horses, birds of the wild, I swear you can see God in their eyes. At their greatest moments, tigers and lions demand respect and attention, aware of what they are and what you are; wolves have deep, old knowledge, the great birds God’s own eyesight. Dolphins know instantly we’re created to be playmates, dogs that we’re meant to be lifelong companions, horses that we have so much to teach each other about both freedom and discipline; cats constantly tell us with their facial expressions that they’re very aware of both our failings and our worthiness. I didn’t even mean to type so much, but that’s how God inspires me with His creation! And then of course there’s us, the sometimes golden and sometimes corrupt, petty little almost demi-gods. We’re amazing: our compassion, vision, complexity are all from Him, all tiny copies of His own. We get SO confused, SO without balance, but other times we come up with different truths, different vital pieces of His truth. I don’t know how any painter, any writer, any creator of music couldn’t see that their vision comes from their Father.
I’m sure Natasha knows the natural rules of nature, Anon. God made those rules.
Natasha expressed the truth that God created the planet greatly for our enjoyment; this means that He also created rules to allow plants and humans to function and survive, and she didn’t indicate that she was unaware of these rules or that God created plants to change at our will. They change because of natural design, a design that He created.
Not as egostical as believing we’re the greatest beings in the universe. I know plenty about science, Anon, and I believe in its rules; I also believe God designed those rules. God designed us for HIM, so it’s really not about us at all. He created the world mainly to spread His glory. And don’t think that I believe we can use it however we want; I’m a tree-hugger and an animal lover, believing His creation should be treated with reverence and study. I also believe the world WAS indeed created millions of years ago. I think it took six days in heaven, but years upon years on Earth.
She is not in danger of going to hell Jennifer, my Mother knows this and this is not what I meant. You just suck the life out of everything I write.
Although if her kids were to be prodigals I am sure her life would be a living hell on earth. I know this is how I would feel if I did not raise my kids to obey God and they turned their life into a mess. That is how I see Roberts message.
Good Lord Natasha, I didn’t think you did believe that; I just hope SHE has that reassurance. I can’t believe you took my words in such a hostile manner, deciding I intended on a personal attack instead of even regarding a single other thing I said.
Goodness…my heart is racing, I’ve been warned not to read comments but my curiosity is undisciplined.
My dear precious women of God; If I were a new Christian and was seeking wisdom from you as to how I would suddenly begin leading my children toward God; where would I begin? What does new worship look like in a home that had no worship of God last week?
How would you mentor to her? I dare say; the quote of M’Cheyne would not trouble her or perplex her as much as reading these comments.
Although I will say that it was a very stimulating banter 🙂
Maybe more emphasis should be put on meditating on scripture rather than commentary.
Your heart was racing? That made two of us.
I’m sorry your daughter would be disturbed, but disagreements on strong topics are not uncommon, and the complexity of these matters would be perplexing in any case. I don’t think there was anything wrong with beginning to discuss nature, which arose from a good idea and question (how to teach kids about God).
“Maybe more emphasis should be put on meditating on scripture rather than commentary”
When there’s FRUITFUL discussion, it is a form of reflection.
I’m pretty sure the concept of parents burning in hell would disturb children more than reading these comments.
Jennifer I made know mention of a daughter in my comment. I only asked how all of you would mentor to a new believer seeking direction with her children in regards to worshiping God when there was no worship before.
This discussion is not fruitful if considered argumentative. The Bible speaks very clearly about Hell. A commentary referencing Hell is used to get a point across, whether you agree with it or not, it is was only a quote by a man. If you have an issue with what M’Cheyne writes then why don’t you have an issue with the Bible? It speaks of Hell too and the the consequences of not being obedient.
It seems the pendulum as swung too far in this discussion, the iron sharpening has turned to beating over the head with your opinion and where no one else can express theirs without an argument.
There is no hidden agenda here other than raising your children in the word and worshiping the Lord.
correction: I made “no” mention of a daughter.
“How would you mentor to her? I dare say; the quote of M’Cheyne would not trouble her or perplex her as much as reading these comments”
When you said “her”, I thought you meant a daughter.
I already explined my problems with this quote. The Bible doesn’t use hell every single time it admonishes believers.
“It seems the pendulum as swung too far in this discussion, the iron sharpening has turned to beating over the head with your opinion and where no one else can express theirs without an argument”
It sounds like you’re addressing only me, not using “you” as a general term. I say “sounds like” to avoid any more “you’re reading it wrong” accusations.
If you are addressing me alone, I don’t either beat people over the head or start arguments randomly, and I certainly don’t need your one-sided scolding. If hell doesn’t bother you and yet you have a problem with heated discussion, I’d say you needed some adjustment in your thinking. And btw, I made no mention of any “hidden agenda”.
“It seems the pendulum as swung too far in this discussion, the iron sharpening has turned to beating over the head with your opinion and where no one else can express theirs without an argument”
Because you used the word “your” and then said “no one else” as in no one else besides me, I got the impression you were speaking to and of me alone. I’m telling you this just in case you weren’t, to prevent yet another potential “Where’d you get that?” argument.
If you weren’t addressing me alone, my apologies (I meant to say this in the last post). My brain and heart are exhausted not just from the Youth Ministry debate and the arguments that sprung unexpectedly here (I never even cared THAT much about the quote), but also from seeing a bunch of arrogant atheists on Amazon spew several non-reviews attacking a Creationist book about dinosaurs. These are petty, sometimes one-line reviews that do nothing but tear down and insult Christians and I feel like I’ve been fighting a battle alone. Heck, if anyone else wishes to defend Ken Ham’s book for children and/or place a complaint about these hateful non-reviews, here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/Dinosaurs-Kids-Ken-Ham/product-reviews/0890515557/ref=cm_cr_pr_recent?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
It is chilling for me to know that I personally will have to answer for every one of my idle words. Matthew 12:35-37 says that out of the good treasure of his heart a good man brings forth good things, and vice versa, and that for every idle word, we will give an account of it on the day of judgment. By our words we will be justified and/or condemned.
How sobering to think that I will bow before Him and give an account of those things I’ve said that were destructive and hasty. I have plenty to repent of, and am such a work in progress. I am so thankful that He is not finished with refining me, and that through His mercy and grace He has put women in my path who are so much more gracious than me, and demonstrate so much more love than I do. Some of these Titus 2 women are online (Thanks, Kelly!), and some are in my community. I am so humbled, convicted, and encouraged by those around me who share Him with others every day by serving Him and others with such humility and purpose, just by their quiet lives and well-chosen words.
M’Cheyne makes such a good point about handling the Scriptures frivolously. When I am teaching my five young children, I have to be careful to not just have them mindlessly spout off the latest Bible memory verse we’ve been working on, and then check it off our list. It is HARD to be diligent throughout the day, and to actually apply the words of God to our lives. And yet I know, through experiencing His peace, when we’ve done well. The other times, I realize I was just tearing down my own house, and everyone in it, by missing some beautiful moments of reconciliation and grace-filled love for each of my precious children. And worst of all, by adding to the confusion with hasty, idle words that discourage.
Praise God for His forgiveness and His victory though Christ.
Thank you, Cindi. I am not exactly a new Christian… newish. But I am unseasoned maybe and I am wondering, am I going to go to hell if my husband doesn’t seem to think it’s important to worship as a family? What is worship anyway? Do we have to sing songs or go to hell? I’m really asking.
Reader, you can teach the children on your own, when they’re with you, to worship God and the importance of it. By studying His word, giving thanks, praying and rejoicing, you are worshipping Him (you’re also worshipping by teaching His Word, in a fashion). I’m sure more of the older ladies will give you more suggestions. You do not HAVE to sing songs; we don’t get to heaven by works, but singing is one of the most joyful things you can do and kids love it.. Keep praying for your husband, and I’ll do the same.
What does it look like to worship God, in spirit and in truth…in a family…as an individual, and specifically, as a mother as she leads her children through the day?
Romans 12:1,2 encapsulates all the elements of true worship…
“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable, or well pleasing and perfect.”
Maybe “singing songs” is just an extension, a reaction of our love for God and the actual worship isn’t as visible as we usually think of it.
Worship is the obedience of a whole life–a life given in sacrifice to God. What a concept! But see, worship the way we think of it is SO much easier than obeying, isn’t it? It’s much easier to teach my children to sing worship songs than to submit to my husband in reverence and love.
It’s much easier to recite passages of Scripture (which I fully think we should do!) than to die to my flesh daily.
“And be not conformed to this world…”
Am I teaching my children true worship by living a life that cares what God thinks apart from what man thinks? Am I making daily life choices that “do not conform to this world”? (I think of a lot of controversial topics we discuss here…finding a marriage partner, the attitude of children, education–do my choices conform to God’s Word, unaffected by the world’s conformity?)
Might I suggest that this is true worship.
And now I’m heavily convicted on this quiet Sunday morning while I’m home with a sick child. I think I’ll go spend some time repenting.
We’re staying home too, my mom doesn’t feel up to going. I hope your little one feels better.
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! Yes It is always difficult to see when we have sinned, but Thank-you in the mighty name of Jesus!!! I need to hear this even if I do not want to, even if it makes me angry, even if it is embarressing and especially if it’s right. Thank-you for not sugar coating my sin for me. My sin is sin and it is detestable to GOD and it should be detestable to me. Whatever it takes to be more like Jesus then that is what I need to and to hear. Thank you Lord for never giving up on me or my family!!!
I have to say. I appreciated the quote, and I also appreciated the comments by Jennifer (maybe others I can’t remember) that reminded us that sometimes it’s not fruitful or loving to threaten people with Hell. I understood what she was saying, and didn’t think she was being inflammatory or confusing.
I was pretty surprised when it seemed like many ladies were taking everything she said as if she was saying it in a negative light. That isn’t very charitable. Shouldn’t we as Christian women assume the best about our sisters? Especially in a forum like this, where tone and facial expressions are absent? It is essential here, to take what people say at face value. And it is essential as a Christian to be respectful of others, and charitable when interpreting their actions/words. Also, consider others better than yourselves for goodness sake. Consider how you would want to be responded to, and what might hurt your feelings or disturb you if it was directed at you.
If I was a new Christian, I would be very scared to speak and disappointed at the judgments and cutting/sarcastic words (laced with smiley faces even) that I’ve seen here.
Thank you for your kindness, Sara.
I have 6 children (4-14)… and I take trainging them very seriously.
When my husband and I did a study of God’s word concerning children, many years ago… one of the things we noticed was this… when you look up the word children, you’ll usually find something to the effect of … train them to fear the Lord… or to fear God and live. Not the “I’m affraid of Him” fear, but the fear that knows who has the power to throw you into Hell.
Some words are hard for people to hear, yet they need to be said.
We are constantly teaching/training our children. We try to pray with them daily, but we don’t stop there We also teach, laugh, hug, encourage, train, reward, and dicipline.
We write His word on our walls (we really do) and we talk about Him every chance we get.
We are not perfect in this, but by humbling ourselves daily and crying out to Him.. we do our best. And that is all we can do.
Blessings to you all,
Cathy
I have really developed a fear of the Lord since I’v had children. And it is a good fear. I do not want to disappoint God, He gave me these precious babies to raise into disciples.
I’ve taken the Fear of the Lord, as the same as fearing your parents. I didn’t do drugs because I feared my parents punishment and also the fear of shaming them and disappointing them. There are other reasons why I didn’t do drugs, but I can still say the main reason was because I feared my parents response, and the last people I wanted to disappoint was them.
It’s the same with the Lord for me. It’s even more important to me because I know the truth and the right way to raise my kids, I am not ignorant which makes me completely accountable for my actions. I have zero excuses if I fail.
I want to show my kids how amazing God is, how BIG He is. When I learned about the human body, I was dumbfounded. Every little detail was thought of and it all works so perfectly together. Space is something else I marvel at, His creation is not limited to this Earth and that is mind boggling to me. I want my kids to be in constant Awe of our God and to see that His hand is everywhere, so we He truly is the Center of our lives.
It’s a crazy huge responsibility, and I am thankful that I am continually learning how to love and raise my children God’s way, I am blessed to have access to good biblical mothers.
Sorry it got off topic for a while, Kelly :S
Hebrews 6:18
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
He said 6 days, He pretty well meant 6 days, no re-interpretation is necessary. God cannot lie. He spoke the truth from Genesis to Revelation.