Please Help (Part One)
Hello Mark,
Ok I'll give e-mail a shot. My greatest hurt.... brothers death (he's
w/ Jesus) Past sins (but I am forgiven) Greatest need....to walk like Jesus. Know how to train kids in sinful areas, anger,attitudes, whining and so on. Relationship w/ most conflict..... 11 year old son. Relationship w/parents.....Good Abuse...none Marriage....10 (The best) and then 3or4(poop) Talking to the Lord throughout the day....All day long. Then my flesh speaks louder and I stop.
Time in the Word....10 to 30 min. Godly woman in my life.... A couple. Who advised me to contact you...My husband and I heard you at chea, we both left in tears. Bought your tapes and books.
My daughter (13) likes to read finally!!! We got some wisdom.
Every thing you told about yourself, I could relate.
Thank you,
Dear Sister in Christ:
You win the prize of sending me the most brief email in the last ten
years! OK, we've started. How old was your brother when he died and
how did he die?
When were the poop years in marriage? How is your marriage now?
Let's talk about the word "train" your kids in sinful areas. I have
found that we as parents don't need any further help in training our
children in
sinful areas. We already do a good job in modeling these areas for them
to
follow. Yes, I know I'm being facetious :) but that is how you wrote
the
sentence. But though you meant something entirely different (training
our
kids NOT to do these things)the root reason that they act this way is
primarily from watching us. It really isn't that difficult to assess.
When
I change, my children's attitudes change. When I listen to their
hearts,
when I exercise more mercy and compassion, when I truly love---and by
the
way, you know that love never fails don't you? Why don't is use this
fail
proof method more often? It really is that simple...and it works every
time!!! NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS
NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS,
NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS
NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS
NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS
NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS, NEVER FAILS
LOVE Never fails. It really is that simple.
Now for the hard part. God's grace is free, right? You know the old
adage
for GRACE, "God Riches At Christ's Expense." You see, grace is free
for the
recipient, but very EXPENSIVE for those who give grace. Giving grace
to our
children must, and will cost us something. It will cost us our pride,
we
will have to pay the price of humbling ourselves, of listening more
than
speaking, of learning to let them make some mistakes without always
having
to correct them, of not responding in our first emotion or in their
first
emotion, of patiently giving God time to work in their hearts, and
above all
it will cost dearly in the form of FORGIVENESS. Your son has been given
to
you by our Lord to conform you into His image. Your son is going to be
your
spiritual barometer. Don't try to change him---this is God's
department.
Look how long it has taken us to get where we are! He's only eleven!!!
Psalm 103, say that God doesn't deal with us according to our sins,
but has
compassion upon us. This is what your son needs more than ever. Yes,
it
really is that simple--humility, forgiveness, and LOVE--Never fails!
Have you ever read Families Where Grace is in Place? Education of a
Child
by Fenelon? Let Go by Fenelon? There are two books that you and
your son
must read together (your 13 yr old will love them as well), they are
called
Ishmael
and Self Raised. I have never read their equal. Both your son and
daughter
and yourself will experience role models that have influenced me more
than
any other role model. Let's continue to dialogue. By the way, I
believe
that this email would be helpful to others who are experiencing similar
struggles. Without mentioning names, could this be used to help
counsel
others via our web counseling site? Oh, the next time we
talk,
make sure I mention about your son going on a mission trip.
Mark
Dearest Mark,
Thank you for blessing me with your wisdom.
My brother died when he was 21years old 20
years ago today. I was 20 years old. My brother was
my best friend. He died in a car accident.
My marriage is awesome and poopy just like
every relationship in my life. I'm a friend,
wife, daughter, mommy awesome one
moment and gross the next.
So funny that I would make a mistake
like asking for help in the area of sinful
example. I'm sooooo good at it.
LOVE- NEVER FAILS. Lord show me
reveal to me what that looks like.
When we went to convention we learned
from you all about grace. My husband got
it better than me. How and when do we
discipline our children? We are trained by
Growing Kids Gods Way. Spank Spank Spank
Now we have no tools. Do we just love,give
grace and forgive? What about when they don't obey
and have fits of anger?
Yes you can help others with the e-mail.
Willie has been to at least 5 missions
trips. Why?
My son loves Jesus. He's a
deep thinker. Awesome kid.
Love, your sister in Christ
The counseling session that answers these questions is continued on Please
Help Part 2.
