NowTHINK!AboutIt

Jesus Among Many Saviors, Part 2

January 13, 2014 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Jesus Isn’t The Only Savior
But He Is Unique

With so many people and institutions providing life saving help for those in need, it isn’t quite accurate to say Jesus is the only Savior. But it is fair to say He is unique and that is the point of this and the following post.

When you understand the difference between Jesus and all the other saviors in the world you realize that He’s not only unique but also superior.

Let’s take a look. [Read more…] about Jesus Among Many Saviors, Part 2

Jesus Among Many Saviors, Part 1

January 13, 2014 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

The Season For Life Saving
Is Always Open
To Everyone

From an early stage in my Christian experience I was told that “Jesus is ‘THE‘ Savior not ‘A‘ Savior,” with no qualification. The meaning was obvious. There was only one Savior and Jesus was it. When said, the idea was expressed enthusiastically, with a hint of accusation.

If you didn’t agree, you were in trouble.

Needing to think about it was reason to question one’s loyalty.

Of course, in the early years I loved it and thought it was a very clever way to make a strong point. It made a great party cry for believers.

Looking back, I now realize that statement is a little misleading and smacks of religious totalitarianism.

When you think about it, and I’ve had a lot of time to do that, you realize that Jesus isn’t the only Savior. In fact, there are many saviors in the world and you really can’t get the right perspective on Jesus till you’ve given all of them due consideration.

Let’s take a look at a few. [Read more…] about Jesus Among Many Saviors, Part 1

Good Parenting: Material Provision Not Enough

January 6, 2014 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Material Provision Is Inconsequential
It Can Be Destructive

I know you’ve heard it. The parent who groans in response to a wayward child, “I provided my child a roof over their head, a shirt on their back, a good school to attend and food to eat and this is how they repay me.”

This is usually a statement of defense, not grief. Wayward children reflect badly on parents. What better way to defend the failure than to point to all the material things provided as if providing materially is all one can or need do to raise happy, healthy, reliable kids.

It’s a way of shifting blame.

The fact is, parents do provide all those things for kids and many times kids aren’t grateful. Instead, they learn to expect more and then become demanding. They don’t want just a shirt. They want a particular style and specific brand.

Since they aren’t beggars, they assume the role of choosers.

This scenario could describe many first world economies, the ones that provide everything a person’s heart could desire. The parents are the conduits through which all material things are made available. The children do all the receiving and the one-way nature of the relationship changes little over time. The parents keep doling out. The kids keep consuming.

There is a reason this becomes chronic. [Read more…] about Good Parenting: Material Provision Not Enough

Good Parenting: Five Mistakes Parents Make

January 5, 2014 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Parents Guide Children
They Neither Design Them
Nor Own Them

When writing about parenting, it isn’t overstepping to assume that every parent wants the best for their children and plans to do everything in their power to make sure their kids have the best chance in life.

Any other attitude is the exception. Most new parents really care. You can see it in their faces. You can hear in their voices.

But the “Caring” thing makes us a bit vulnerable. It sets us and the kids up for a big fail. There are several mistakes induced by misplaced caring.

Mistake: Entertaining The Wrong Expectations

Because we care, we expect our children to succeed. That isn’t wrong to do but it is easy to over cook the idea.

We visualize their future. We even give the image detail: not just a doctor, we imagine, but the best doctor. A world class “whatever.”

Not very realistic. Only one person at a time can be the best at anything so expecting this for your child puts a lot of pressure on him or her and you.

Wanting to be the best parent possible is a valid aspiration. Expecting your child to be the absolute best at the particular occupation you choose is nothing but pure unwarranted presumption.

Even if this expectation was rational, it’s a mistake to think any parent could guarantee it. [Read more…] about Good Parenting: Five Mistakes Parents Make

Good Parenting: Don’t Chirp

January 3, 2014 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Chirping Is Like Sniping
It Hits The Mark
But Kills The Target

Chirping was my Dad’s parenting style, and he did it a lot but don’t get me wrong. I mean no disrespect. I never doubted he loved me and he did many things to show it.

From what I can tell, though, many parents employ the chirp and they, like him, are really good parents in many ways. These are not bad people.

My father, for example, provided all the basic things a family needs.

A roof over our heads, good nutrition, access to good schooling, good medical care and great dental care. In fact, the dentist was the best in our city. No lie. I have fillings today that are over 50 years old. They will outlast the ivory. Also, to my great delight, every Christmas I got everything I wanted and more.

He was a good father but one area in which he didn’t do so well was chirping. That doesn’t mean he was bad. It means he was imperfect and that’s Okay because there is no such thing as a perfect parent.

I tried to honor him by remembering all the great things he did and there are many good memories. But I also honored him by trying to isolate his parenting mistakes and improve on them.

I’ve told my kids the same. Don’t mimic me. Copy the things I did well and improve on what I did wrong.

There’s nothing worse than a father who thinks he can do no wrong. Authenticity is a great relationship tool even between parents and children.

Well, as I mentioned, one thing my Dad did wrong was “Chirp” and he did it a lot. Here’s what I mean by that. [Read more…] about Good Parenting: Don’t Chirp