WELCOME THE LITTLE ONES

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes me… If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.” Mark 9:37,42

In his book “Too Small To Be Ignored”, Wess Stafford, President of Compassion International speaks passionately out of his own personal experience about the power an unkind word or a single act of cruelty and abuse has to destroy or seriously damage a young life. Facing the wrath of the boarding school superintendent because he had begged his mother not to send him back to a place that beat him and the other kids incessantly, young Wesley was now call to the front in a “special meeting” and told to stand on a chair facing his classmates.

“’Let me introduce you to Satan’s favorite tool,’ Mr. Edwards began. I looked up in shock. I felt my bowels begin to quiver. ‘Wesley has decided to serve Satan. He told his mother about what happens here, and now she is not able to do her important work here on the mission field. Satan has won,’ the man continued. ‘He used Wesley, and now there will be Africans in hell because of this boy you see standing before you.’” (I urge you to read the book for the rest of the story!)

Our Lord made it very clear how seriously God takes any act or words that would cause the little ones to sin. If we fear God, we will heed this warning with all our being. And if we take delight in that which God delights in, then we will compassionately welcome and bless these who are so precious to God. And we will do so, not only with our own grandchildren, but with all the children in our sphere of influence. To do so, is to do it unto our Lord.

FANNING THE FLAME
What do you see when you see the children of our world, not just your own grandchildren? Do you see the hunger for love and value? Do see children being taken captive by the Enemy through the empty deceptions of worldly attractions and religious hypocrisy? Do you see the children the way Jesus sees them and do you respond with the same indignation when you see them hindered from coming to Him?

Take the lead in your church to be the hands and voice of Jesus for the children. CGN can help organize an inter-generational retreat for parents, grandparents and grandchildren to talk about some of these issues. Choose to play in the game and not sit on the sideline. This is the final quarter, and it’s no time to head for the locker room.

GRANDPAUSE: “The only thing more painful than obedience is disobedience.” — Unknown

THE GIFT OF PLEASURE

It’s In Our DNA!

“You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” Ps. 145:16

Is pleasure really a gift from God? Doesn’t God warn us about the evils of pleasure: “He who loves pleasure will become poor” or “The hearts of fools is in the house of pleasure”? What about warnings about being “enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures” or how in the last days people will be “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God”? Pleasure sounds more like a curse than a gift. Is something missing here?

Eric Liddell, also known as the “Flying Scotsman” and gold medal winner in the 400 m track race at the 1924 Paris Olympics, made this intriguing comment: “God made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” There is no doubt that Eric Liddell experienced pleasure in running, but he also understood that his pleasure was God’s pleasure as well. He knew his Creator and that he was made for pleasure – both his and God’s. Knowing Him who is the source of all pleasure, it was an easy decision to set worldly fame aside for a greater joy as a missionary in China.

When it comes right down to it, the problem is not our desire for pleasure, but what we do with those desires. Many good things can become idols so that pleasure becomes the goal rather than the One who has blessed us with that pleasure. Reality is that pleasure is part of our DNA. The problem is not pleasure, but the pleasures that we choose and the place we give them in our lives.

For the follower of Christ, authentic pleasure is the evidence of God’s goodness, which compels us to worship Him with gratitude in our hearts. Though corrupted by sin, in Christ we are once again renewed in the knowledge that at “His right hand are pleasures evermore.” (Ps. 16:11)

CARRYING THE TORCH:
Our children and grandchildren often sense that Christianity is about joyless living in which pleasure is confined to a church potluck where we eat fried chicken on Styrofoam plates and stand around “socializing” with our Styrofoam cups of coffee or lemonade. Find out what gives your grandchildren pleasure and try to participate in that activity with them. Use it as a time to talk about why it gives them such pleasure, the source of that pleasure, and the goal of pleasure – to worship the Father with gratitude in our hearts!

PURCHASE THE TIME

I think we all know that we do not purchase what is already ours. We purchase what is not ours as it becomes available. Failure to “purchase” the time we receive for God’s purposes and glory means we lose that time for that purpose – forever. Death purchases it instead.

A grasp of the value of time is something worth leaving our grandchildren – both in terms of the limited amount we have, and in terms of the urgency to use it well because they understand what the Lord’s will is. I’d love to hear your comments on how we, as grandparents and parents, can teach this to our children effectively. What kinds of things are you doing to teach the value of time and how to “purchase it” rather than waste it?

A Time For Everything

Time is like a coin God has given me to spend. I determine how it will be spent, but if I am not careful, I will come to the end of the day, and eventually, the end of my life, only to discover the coins are gone without much to show for them. Wisdom knows that it’s not just a matter of spending, but spending at the right time for the right thing – kind of like climbing up in someone’s lap and just helping them cry.

As wise grandparents, we all want our grandkids to know the value and preciousness of this gift called TIME. What are some things you do as a grandparent to communicate the importance of wisely using time?   Do you take time for some “crazy” time stuff?  After all, not every moment has to be a “teachable moment”, you know — or does it?

EXTREME GRANDPARENTING

Extreme living stands in contrast to Popeye’s view of life that says “I yam what I yam”. Extreme living requires us to grow and become ALL that “I yam” toward that special purpose to which God has called us–to live faithfully right to the end. It is the kind of living that neither gives up, nor tries to be what we are not. It is life with purpose, perseverance and hope in the One who gave us life. It is extreme in its devotion to the One who has called us.

Sometimes our grandchildren see life as having as much fun as possible for as long as possible with little thought of God or His plans for their life (sound vaguely familiar?). As a grandparent, what are you doing to teach your grandchildren that fun means more than being constantly entertained? What kind of things do you do to show them that a really fun time can be rich with substance and service? What have you found that worked for you with your grandchildren?

HOLY GRANDPARENTING

Holiness describes a life wholly given to our Lord and Creator that stands out from the crowd of godlessness so prevalent in the world in which we live. It’s not just about being “different”, but authentic – a REAL follower and servant of Christ wholeheartedly set apart for His purposes. Holiness stands out, not because of what it is against, but what it is FOR — truth, righteousness, faith and love. A holy life is a courageous life so consumed with what is good that it stands apart from all the rest.

As grandparents, how do you teach and model a holy life among your grandchildren? What poses the greatest hindrance to your grandchildren for holy living? Share your insights and experiences for others to benefit.

HELPING GRANDCHILDREN APPRECIATE THE FAMILY OF GOD

While our immediate family is a special gift, to miss the treasure of being part of the greater family of God is like having a birthday cake without candles, ice cream and a party. It is imperative that our grandchildren discover the indescribable blessing and privilege that is theirs through Christ as joint heirs with the rest of the family of God in Heaven and on earth. The fact is that to be in Christ is also to be part of God’s family for all eternity. It is my earnest prayer that my grandchildren and your grandchildren may genuinely delight in singing, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God!”

Guard against speaking negatively in front of your grandchildren or their parents about what goes on in your church or any other church. Go out of your way to speak highly about the blessings of being part of God’s family, even when things aren’t how you like them. Speaking kindly about the music, preaching, people and programs will help them understand that the family God is not about my preferences, but God’s purposes.

GRANDPARENTS & HEALTHY FAMILIES

Healthy families don’t happen without intentional effort. They require lots of work and deliberate action. God’s Word suggests that healthy families – in fact, healthy relationships in general – are the product of correct assumptions about God and ourselves that direct the way we live and relate. Healthy, stable families live beyond themselves. Two characteristics particularly stand out in such families:

1) God-fearing (Dt. 6:1-2): Living in the context of a biblical high view of God and who we are as His creation!
2) Humble (Phil. 2:4): Living with a view to the interest of others beyond our own.

No matter what has happened in the past, grandparentS are in unique position to build a legacy for a healthy family. Modeling what it means to know God intimately and correctly will help your grandchildren understand that the world does not revolve around them. Healthy families love God wholeheartedly and love each other unconditionally. Grandparents have the power to lead them on the path of a long and healthy life.

What do you think? What have you learned in this process you can share with other grandparents?

Cavin Harper, CGN

Family Code of Honor

“The only way to achieve real freedom from the effects of a dishonoring parent is to honor that person.” –Gary Smalley & John Trent

I believe honor expresses the high value God places on the role of parents in the life of their children, and that grandparents are in a unique position to teach their grandchildren the value of and the purpose for giving honor to parents. To do so effectively, we must lead by example as we give honor to our own parents — in life or death. While a parent may not always fulfill that role well, we are not exempted from our responsibility to give honor. Scripture makes no allowance for any kind of exceptions, even for parents we may not deem worthy of honor.

God holds us to a higher standard – a code of honor that is built on a foundation of respect. An atmosphere of mutual respect for each other breathes life into a family. This command to honor our parents is so important to God that He attached the promise of “long life” to those who practice it. Therefore, if grandparents are to lead their grandchildren into a long and fruitful life, we must ourselves give honor and be intentional about showing them how to honor their parents.

So, what do you think?

The Gift of Laughter

“Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.” Prov. 14:13

I love being around people who laugh regularly and robustly. I find myself laughing more when I am around them. These people seem to be able to laugh in spite of the circumstances around them. In fact, people who laugh easily seem to do so in spite of and seldom because of anything.

Many people are “if only” laughers. If only our finances were better, if only other people would treat me better, if only I had the same talent that other person has. “If only” people rarely laugh. “In spite of” people have learned to laugh regularly and heartily. If they can’t laugh, they at least know how to smile.

Life has plenty of “joy killers” that can rob us of joy and the ability to laugh if we let it. Grief and heartache are frequent companions in life. Yet, more of ANYTHING never made anyone more joyful. The Apostle Paul understood that. In the midst of terrible persecution, trial and imprisonment, he could still talk about joy and encourage others with these words: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil 3:4)

How will you encourage and model an “in spite of” attitude for your grandchildren that shows them it is possible to laugh and smile in spite of anything?