Raising Up Children!
It's a different day in time that we live in. The problems our children face are not necessarily completely different than the problems we face they just faced them earlier and in different ways. They have access to so many things and so much information right at their fingertips.
I will never understand the parents that allow their children on social media sites and they themselves are not on those sights. JP and I do all we can to stay up-to-date with the postings and sites that our children visit. I'm not going to say that they won't post/do things that we don't know about but it won't be because we weren't trying to be vigilant about their doings.
I know as Christian parents we want our children to remain Holy and Pure before the Lord until their wedding day! We say these things and yet we allow them to be in situations where they might lose their purity. Whether that be through social media or physically.
I don't know why, we as parents, are afraid to tell our children no. Are we afraid that they won't like us? Well, if they like us all of the time we are doing something wrong! Are we trying to be the "cool parent"? Let me tell you, you can be cool and remain strict at the same time, just look at me! No, I'm just kidding, but I do know of a guidebook that is the best tool to use in rearing children and that is the Bible!
If we would use the verses in the Bible that guide us and lead us in child rearing the world would be so much better off! If we would just use the Bible for EVERYTHING in our lives we would be better off!
Just last week we had the privilege of taking several of the youth from our church on a mission/youth trip. On our last night there one of the chaperones shared his personal testimony. It was so powerful that the girls went up to their room to talk and share. One of them was struggling and one of the other girls asked her if, when she died, and she stood before the Lord was she going to explain to Him that she was so busy worrying about what her friends thought that she couldn't serve Him and live for Him?
That is the question we need to be asking ourselves about our own children and our relationship with the Lord (one day we will give an answer as to how we raised our children that He entrusted us with). Are we so busy trying to make them happy that we don't care what the Lord says about raising them?
I recently bought the book Growing Up Duggar for our 16 year old daughter. (I'm reading it before I give it to her :) ). In the book they talk about a girl who was longing for her father to care about her. She felt he didn't care because he never checked out the boys whom she was going out with. (p. 25-26; Growing Up Duggar) http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Duggar-About-Relationships/dp/1451679165/ref=sr_1_1/181-2204313-3054216?ie=UTF8&qid=1404829109&sr=8-1&keywords=growing+up+duggar+book
Our kids are begging for attention and to know that they have parents, not best friends! It's hard! We fall short so many times, we pray continuously for guidance and help!
The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 to "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. If we train our child to serve the Lord and do good, the Bible promises that they will not depart from that training. I also believe in turn that if we train our children to be selfish, manipulative, and ungrateful they will not depart from that either.
Here are several more verses about child rearing, don't give up, if you are parents of teenagers (like we are) it's extremely difficult. We believe the Bible precepts that are taught and if they are taught consistently and enforced consistently you CAN NOT go wrong! The Bible promises that!!
Ephesians 6:4 - And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Proverbs 29:15 - The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame.
Colossians 3:20 - Children, obey [your] parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Proverbs 29:17 - Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
Proverbs 22:15 - Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Psalms 127:3 - Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.
Proverbs 13:24 - He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Our kids are begging for attention and to know that they have parents, not best friends! It's hard! We fall short so many times, we pray continuously for guidance and help! 
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