Generation Next

So Jesus called the children over to him and said, "Let the children come to me! Don't try to stop them. People who are like these children belong to God's kingdom."

-- Luke 18:16     

Maybe you read the newspaper editorial from a few years back. It wasn't about politics, the economy, terrorism or even a Hollywood celebrity. Instead, the author expressed his deep concern about our nation's children. He wrote that this generation lacked good manners and showed no respect for their elders. Moreover, these misguided young people reflected negative societal influences, violence and danger.

"What will become of our children?" was the distraught editor's rhetorical (but sincere) question. His opinion was that without a drastic change in direction, their future would be quite bleak.

Maybe a little background here will put things into perspective. Yes, this editorial appeared in a newspaper a few years ago. But it was more than just a few. Many more.

How about 170 years ago!

It all goes to show that some issues are timeless. And when it comes to showing concern about raising children right, that's a very good thing. "Children," as the saying goes, "are the future." And the Bible tells us that respectful, obedient children don't just happen by accident. Godly parenting involves intentional actions and instruction. Consider what the Old Testament Book of Deuteronomy says to parents about emphasizing God's ways to their kids:

"Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Children not only look for boundaries of acceptable behavior, they crave direction and seek love and approval. It's when they don't get enough of this from their parents that they can act out, perform poorly at school and gravitate toward the wrong crowd and bad influences.

So what's a parent (brand new or experienced) to do? First, understand that parenting is privilege rather than a burden. And second, remember that God is our heavenly parent. That means that human parents have the great responsibility of playing His role in the child-rearing process. Therefore, follow God's example for raising us--His followers: 

Give your children unconditional love, apply consistent discipline and give them spiritual direction. And don't forget to lead through your own positive attitude and outlook on life.

No one said that parenting is easy. But in a society that's quickly turning its back on God, it's arguably the most important job in the world...and one with literal world-changing consequences. 

Mama's Boy

Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.

-- Genesis 3:20     

Are you a mama's boy (or girl)? 

It's not necessary a bad thing. In fact, many great leaders had a close relationship with their mothers and credited them for their success. For instance, Sam Houston, one of the founding fathers of Texas, needed his mother's permission to join the army because he was not yet 21. Elizabeth Houston agreed to Sam's request and gave him a musket and a gold ring. The ring was inscribed with the word honor--the attribute she hoped would forever be a part of her son's life. Sam Houston wore this precious ring until his death. 

Then there was the mother of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ("FDR"). Her name was Sara Roosevelt, and she was a woman described as a "strong-willed widow who wasn't about to give up her hold on her only child." She made Franklin wear a dress until he was five-years-old. When he left home to attend Harvard, his mother followed him to college and moved to Boston. And after FDR's marriage to his fourth cousin, his mother bought the newlyweds a fine home in New York City--and then moved in to run the household! It was years later that FDR's wife, Eleanor, wrote, ''...you were never quite sure when (my mother-in-law) would appear, day or night.''

Maybe Sara Roosevelt took her role as a mother just a bit too far. But the devoted FDR would do almost anything for her. And when Sara died in 1941, the grieving president wore a black armband to signify his deep mourning and affection. Perhaps FDR's old-fashioned attitude can teach us a thing or two about appreciating our mothers and their irreplaceable role in our lives.

With the traditional family under attack from "progressive" thinkers, Hollywood celebrities and the so-called cultural elite, it's God's Word--the Bible--that once again proves to be our source of truth about the strength and value of motherhood. Where would our society be without strong mothers teaching the next generation to walk in God's ways? It's through the examples of good mothers that we learn about compassion, character, work ethic and faith.

King Lemuel shared his observations on the topic through the Old Testament book of Proverbs :

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

These were words of wisdom and truth centuries ago--and they still are for Christ-followers today. So maybe there's something to be said these days for being a mama's boy...or girl.

United We Stand

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity
among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.

-- Romans 15:5     

A good Bible lesson might be jingling in your pants pockets or hiding under your sofa cushions.

Take a look at a quarter and you'll see the phrase E Pluribus Unum, which is Latin for "out of many, one." An early motto of the United States, it signifies that our nation was founded when the 13 original colonies united behind the common cause of liberty. The Founding Fathers from Massachusetts often clashed politically and socially with their compatriots in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Georgia. But they put aside their many differences to write the Declaration of Independence, win the Revolutionary War and eventually ratify the Constitution.

Out of 13 small, divergent colonies was born a great nation, which today boasts more than 300 million people representing dozens of cultures. From San Francisco's Chinatown to New York City's Little Italy, it's no wonder that the United States is called The Great Melting Pot.

And that's where the Bible lesson comes in: The Church--meaning all the Christ-followers on Earth--is also a place of immense diversity. Christ-followers come from different religious traditions, have different preferences in worship music and distinct likes and dislikes regarding sermon styles. The church is a place where all races are welcome and present. It mingles the rich, the poor and everyone in between. But what unites them all--or at least what should unite them--is a common faith and focus on Jesus as their Lord and Savior. As the saying goes, "The ground beneath the cross is level."

And that's just the way God wants it. Shortly before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus prayed to His Father about the Church--meaning not only His original followers, but also those in the centuries to follow: 

"I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

Jesus' prayer spans the dusty streets of 1st Century Jerusalem to present day Christ-followers across the globe. And how do we unify His Church? It all starts with a common focus on Him and resting our faith on God's power rather than man's wisdom. What then springs forth is unity--not uniformity.

Let's take the first step by embracing the Apostle Paul's words from 2,000 years ago to some of the earliest Christ-followers:

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another," he wrote to the Colossians. "Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Conflict of Interest

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

-- Matthew 6:24     

When you hear the term conflict of interest, maybe you envision a supposedly neutral politician who supports the pet projects of his or her largest campaign contributors. But according to a paper published in the Electronic Journal of Business Ethics and Organizational Studies, such double-dealing extends well beyond local government offices and the Washington Beltway. In fact, the authors tell us, conflicts of interest are all around us--from investment banks to accounting firms to the Pentagon to the publishing industry...even the medical community is involved. And it's an extremely costly problem. For instance, the consulting firm Marsh & McClennan lost nearly $12 billion in just a few days in 2004 after New York's attorney general announced his investigation into the firm's alleged conflict of interest involving price fixing and collusion. 

The study also reports that such conflicts prevent organizations from running efficiently and remaining competitive in the marketplace. Indeed, it concludes that conflicts of interest have arguably produced the greatest and most widespread management failure ever!

That's quite an assertion. With so much at stake, what should be evident is the importance of eliminating even the appearance of such conflicts. And this principle is just as applicable to our own careers. Our reputation in the office should be beyond reproach. But how do conflicts of interest affect something that's much more important than any job: our spiritual life?

As Christ-followers, we've accepted God's invitation to meet all our needs. This covers deeply intimate issues involving our significance, happiness, value and self-worth. And let's not forget our money and possessions. Deep down, too many of us depend on the size of our bank account, 401-K and stock portfolio for security. We struggle for years to build up our nest egg. But even if we ever make it to the top by the world's standards, this supposed victory turns out to be a worthless idol that gains us nothing once we leave this life.

As the saying goes, money is a wonderful servant...but a horrible master. It's yet another illustration of what happens when we turn a good thing into a god thing. Money and possessions can become an idol that conflicts with the real God for the loyalty of our heart and mind.

We read in the Old Testament that King Solomon had his own problems with conflicting spiritual interests. Rather than depending strictly on God and following His Word, Solomon pursued a life of pleasure by accumulating hundreds of wives and concubines. He relied on them for his happiness instead of looking toward his Creator. 

What about you? Do you have conflicts when it comes to your relationships, money and possessions? The fact is that what we do with each paycheck and how we treat others is a test of how well we use God's blessings. As Jesus reminds us, we'll one day be rewarded with the opportunity to manage many things. But first, we need to demonstrate that we're faithful with just a few things. 

Family Feud

Jesus asked, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!"

-- Matthew 12:48-50     

We probably don't need the American Psychological Association (APA) to remind us, but the stress we tend to experience at home, in the workplace--and even on vacations or Christmas--can test our relationships, job performance...and even our health. A recent APA survey reveals that about 75% of respondents experience physical or psychological symptoms from stress. And it turns out that the leading causes of stress include job issues, finances, nutrition and relationships. Media overload from television, radio, the Internet, E-mail and social networking are also culprits. What's more, you could be especially vulnerable to increased anxiety during the holidays if you're already experiencing stress in these areas. 

Whenever families gather--for just about any reason at all--tensions can peak. Sometimes it's because of intrusions into precious personal space--like when the in-laws spend the night (or week) in a house that's already too close for comfort. There's also that outcast teenager who perceives their older relatives as judgmental, critical or demanding. And let's not forget those pleasant conversations over Christmas dinner about relationships, politics and religion! As stress expert Elizabeth Scott, M.S., rightly observes, "Many a happy holiday has been found by groups of people who have decided to celebrate with friends instead of family."

  

If this hits too close to home, you're in good company. Jesus Himself--the Son of God--was often misunderstood by those closest to him.

"A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family," Mark's Gospel records Him telling His disciples.

We know that our friends and family can misinterpret our words and actions. But what about God? Does He really understands all of the problems, annoyances and trials we face every day? Luke's Gospel tells us that Jesus came into this world in the poorest of circumstances: with a manger--an animal's feeding trough--as His first bed. It was an unusual entrance. As the King's Son, Jesus could have lived in a marble palace while enjoying only the finest things in life. And God could have commanded His creation to worship and obey Him.

But something would have been missing. As a loving Father, our God refuses to force anyone to accept His free gift of forgiveness and salvation. And since He knew that mankind is without hope because it consistently falls short of His perfect standards for living, God decided to demonstrate the perfect life by entering the world in human form. That meant living among us through the sin-free Jesus Christ--the only acceptable sacrifice to pay for our countless offenses.

   

That's the way it had to be. And because Jesus fulfilled this mission (one that God had planned since the foundation of the world), our sin debt was paid in full. God came not only to live out the turbulent human experience, He came to understand both you and me.

Jesus knew all about stress and conflict centuries before the American Psychological Association released its survey. "In this world you will have trouble," He says. But there is a solution.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls," Christ explains. "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Queen for a Day

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." 

-- Isaiah 43:19 

    

Have you ever contemplated some of the great problems of the world...and then decided how you'd fix them right away if you could somehow become the king or queen? 

Back in the 1950's and 60's, there was a popular TV show called Queen for a Day that's considered a forerunner of today's reality television genre. Every episode, viewers could count on host Jack Bailey's heartfelt interviews with three or four female contestants about their troubled lives and families. The would-be queens typically requested medical care for a child or a lifestyle-changing appliance like a refrigerator or washing machine. And it wasn't unusual to see at least one of the women burst into tears in front of the live studio audience.

An applause meter determined each week's winner, who was adorned with a red velvet robe and jeweled crown as she proceeded to an upholstered throne--and all while Pomp and Circumstance played in the background. As Queen for a Day, her prizes usually included the help she requested during her interview with Jack Bailey. She might also receive vacations, appliances and clothing donated by the sponsor companies (much like today's product placements).

Winning an over-the-top game show is one way to solve some of life's problems. But a truth that we find in the Old Testament's Book of Isaiah is that God's ways aren't our ways. All too often, our nearsighted choices result in our actually choosing against Him. We want to create our own options rather than obeying our Creator. What's more, we tend to seek power for ourselves rather than blessing others. And we can become ensnared in life's circumstances rather than waiting on His salvation.

Again and again, we also see through Scripture that God often carries out His will by doing what's completely unexpected--and then choosing the most unqualified people as His agents. Why does He do things this way? The short answer is that HE CAN. Accomplishing the impossible by using the unlikely demonstrates His power and omniscience. After all, if we could always save ourselves and solve our own problems, we'd soon believe that we don't need a Savior.

Of course, we all DO need a Savior--even when life seems to be going fine. And this leads us to the BIG question: Whether your life is good or it's falling apart, are you trying to handle things by being your own Queen (or King) for a Day? What's far better is to live by Jesus' simple words in Luke 22 as He prayed to His Father--the one and only real King--about what lay ahead at the cross:

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me," Christ asked. "Yet not my will, but yours be done."

With Friends Like These

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

-- Proverbs 18:24 

   

Who is your BFF (Best Friend Forever)? And for that matter, what's the mark of a true friend?

Writer Elbert Hubbard defined a friend as "...someone who knows all about you and still loves you." Actress Marlene Dietrich remarked that the friends who matter are the ones you can call at 4 a.m. But President Harry S. Truman was less sentimental about friendship. "If you want a friend in Washington," he said, "get a dog."

Maybe President Truman was onto something. After all, dogs are known to be loyal and committed. And it so happens that loyalty and commitment are qualities that God values in His people. Joshua--one of the great servant leaders of the Old Testament--demonstrated these traits when he challenged the tribes of Israel to choose who they would serve: the false gods of their ancestors or the one True God.

"But for me and my household," declared Joshua, "we will serve the Lord."

Jesus also seeks this same level of total commitment from His modern-day followers. Rather than would-be believers who might help build His kingdom if it's not too inconvenient for them, Christ demands an all-or-nothing relationship from those willing to give the little they have to eventually gain everything.

Does this sound unrealistic? Jesus' closest friends once thought so. One day, a rich young man asked Christ what he needed to do to gain eternal life. Knowing what was in the man's heart, Jesus reminded him about following God's commandments regarding theft, adultery, murder, lying, and honoring one's parents. When the man replied that he had kept these laws since childhood, the Savior told him that he lacked just one thing: the need to sell all his possessions.

Jesus knew that rather than loving God with all of his heart, soul and mind (the first of the Ten Commandments), the rich young man was actually more devoted to money. The would-be follower was crushed by Jesus' harsh revelation and turned away.

How about you? As Christ-followers, we demonstrate our commitment and loyalty--as well as our friendship with Him--by showing kindness to those Jesus calls "the least of these." They might be famine victims in Africa, tsunami survivors in Asia or folks who are literally picking up the pieces after a tornado in the American Midwest. But then again, those who most need our kindness are often as close as down the street, next door or even across the living room. They might be total strangers. Or they could be your family members, your friends...or even your BFF.