NowTHINK!AboutIt

Review: Words Kids Need to Hear by David Staal

March 1, 2011 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Words Kids Need to Hear is another parenting-how-to offering by David Staal in which he explores seven key phrases or words every child needs to hear, words that strengthen the heart.

Although these words should be heard first and most from parents, they are universal. Every relationship can benefit by using these words sincerely, often, in the right context and in any language.

I Believe In you
You Can Count On Me
I Treasure You
I’m Sorry, Please Forgive Me
Because
No
I Love You

The book isn’t long – 138 pages – but it is sufficiently deep to merit reading. Dave doesn’t hide the wisdom it contains behind excessive verbiage. Its pithy statements shoot right to the heart of the issue.

“Sometimes the words kids really need to hear are those they say to a parent willing to listen.”
Parents to children: “We will stand by your side when you make good choices and bad choices.”
“A world of difference exists between I congratulate you and I treasure you.”
“The skill to apologize and request forgiveness typically comes handed down from a parent or other close adult who models such behavior.”
“The words kids need to hear can also arrive as words they read.”
“It’s not your child’s responsibility to make you feel loved”…but…”few parents know how to transfer their heartfelt love to the hearts of their children.”

And that last remark expresses the real intent of the book. Dave isn’t encouraging us to speak to the heads of our children – only with words – he gives these principles context. [Read more…] about Review: Words Kids Need to Hear by David Staal

Review: Voices From The Edge of Eternity

February 25, 2011 by EnnisP 1 Comment

The Dead Have No Voice
But The Dying Do

Voices From The Edge Of Eternity, is a compilation of death bed remarks from 242 individuals dating as far back as the first century AD and including eighty-five famous people.

Famous or not they were all equalized by death. Some died with visions of heaven and others expressing agony and terror at their first glimpse of hell.

Throughout the book, believers reported seeing angels coming to escort them, deceased friends and family ready to greet them and beautiful peaceful visions of heaven. Unbelievers reported dread and anxiety at being unprepared to meet God. Some died completely alone.

Eleanor Smith, after spending several days in pain from illness, exclaimed to her sister Natalie in her moment of death, “There are so many of them. There’s Fred…and Ruth – what’s she doing here? Oh, I know!” Ruth, her cousin, died unexpectedly the week before, but Eleanor hadn’t been told.

Eye Witnesses To Heaven – Are They Genuine?

February 24, 2011 by EnnisP 2 Comments

There are two categories of people that refuse to believe eye witness reports of heaven.

One is the atheist-type who rejects any idea of an afterlife that includes heaven and God.

But, since atheists have very few standard beliefs and they suggest so many different afterlife possibilities it would take too long to consider their ideas.

We will save them and their concepts for another post.

The other category of individual who refuses to accept any eye witness reports of heaven is the conservative Christian. A few passages in the Bible seem to stand in the way so they approach the topic incredulously, intending to discredit the idea.

There are, of course, all kinds of so called death experience tales being pushed, many of which are strange and unusual to say the least but there are also reasons to expect temporary glimpses of heaven on the odd occasion.

Heaven is never given geographic coordinates but we know it isn’t far away. Paul said to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, so our last breath on earth is the doorway to heaven and the transition is instantaneous.

The after-life is so close we shouldn’t be surprised visions of heaven or hell overlap our last minuets in this world.

Rather than ignore the subject and leave it open for shady suggestions we should explore the topic thoroughly from a biblical perspective. A fair look at the key passages may clarify the issue. [Read more…] about Eye Witnesses To Heaven – Are They Genuine?

90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper

February 22, 2011 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

From Heaven To
Almost Hell

“90 Minutes in Heaven” is a true story that covers 15 years of Don Piper’s life and is best described as a tragedy with an unusual twist. We know what is happening in Don’s life now and where his journey eventually ends.

What is surprising is the beginning.

Traveling home from a church conference, Don’s car is met head-on by an eighteen-wheeler. The car was totaled and so was Don, at least for the better part of two hours.

Don was trapped in his car with all four limbs broken, those on the left side mangled. Pronounced dead by medical personnel, he remained in his car for 90 minutes (hence the name of the book) while traffic was being cleared.

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Though glum it wasn’t all bad. Don, while dead, found himself in heaven experiencing what he confesses is difficult to put into words:

Being met by a host of friends and family who seemed to know he was coming.
Being enveloped by a light the brilliance of which was beyond earthly comprehension.
The ravages of old age, slumped postures and wrinkles, gone.
Time had no meaning.
Joy pulsating through him.
An array of colors not known on earth.
Celestial tunes that surpassed anything he had ever heard.

But, for whatever reason, after experiencing a taste of heavenly bliss, God sent Don back to earth. . .and excruciating pain. His dream was countered with a nightmare.

Confined to a bed for over a year and living with constant pain, he longed for death – his return ticket to heaven.

Initially the pain was so severe and constant, sleep only came when he passed out. [Read more…] about 90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper

Divorce – Is It Really A Sin?

February 19, 2011 by EnnisP 4 Comments

Can It Be More Sinful
To Stay Married
Than Get Divorced

Divorce is a touchy subject and has been for a very long time.

General discussions on the topic will often generate friction – especially in religious circles.

When it happens between people we know, conversations are hushed as if something terribly sinful has happened.

Whispered responses and righteous posturing, however, serve no biblical purpose. It only evokes a sense of condemnation in those breaking-up and that, on top of the negative feelings already caused by the experience.

Heck, even people trying to support parting couples feel tainted.

But in spite of popular ideas to the contrary, divorce is not the bad-dy some people make it out to be and should not be viewed as sin. Divorce “may” be caused by sin but should never be considered a punishable or shameful offense.

Controversial statement, I know, but if divorce was a sin God would never have written it into law.

Remember this. Marriage was designed for sinless people in a perfect world. Those conditions no longer exist. The only marriage candidates left are sinful people and the world is no longer a museum of family values and virtue. We shouldn’t be surprised when marriages wobble and we mustn’t become judgmental when they fall part.

Marriage was NOT designed to handle the pressures brought on by one bite of the forbidden fruit. Something else was needed to do that – divorce.

Divorce was legislated as a means of alleviating some of the pressures. It is the safety valve, so to speak – the humane way of dealing with the problems that arise when two human natures – both sinful – are united in one relationship. Even when one person, for sinful reasons, decides they can no longer remain in the marriage, divorce is still a solution for the other. Who would want to stay where they aren’t wanted.

No, I’m not suggesting that every failure can now be excused because we are sinners. I’m saying that divorce, which is not a sin, was created as a means of graciously managing unbearable, sometimes unsafe, marriage situations.

And contrary to what is commonly suggested, the problems that follow a divorce are not caused by the divorce. They are only reflections of the pre-divorce state of the marriage and they are compounded by culturally generated condemning attitudes, usually condescendingly expressed, by friends and family.

Whatever we do in response to divorce should be helpful. Unfortunately, our responses often add to the hurt and divorce gets the blame. [Read more…] about Divorce – Is It Really A Sin?