A Father In His Image

 by Chris Jones

Parents, how many times have our reactions to our children been triggered in a moment of our own frustration or anger? I’d guess that, in an easy majority of those instances, we’ve reacted with emotion and consequences that were well disproportionate to the perceived offense. Let it stand as reason enough to live in the power of The Holy Spirit, relying on His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control to rule over the emotions we’d otherwise release.

Ephesians 6:4 says, “And now a word to you fathers. Don’t make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord.

A comment to this verse in my Life Application Study Bible says, “The purpose of parental discipline is to help children grow, not to exasperate and provoke them to anger or discouragement. Parenting is not easy. It takes lots of patience to raise children in a loving, Christ-honoring manner. But frustration and anger should not be causes for discipline. Instead, parents should act in love, treating their children as Jesus treats the people he loves. This is vital to children’s development and to their understanding of what Christ is like.”

I like the way Paul’s letter is interpreted in Colossians 3:21 (NLT), where he warns, “Fathers, don’t aggravate your children. If you do, they will become discouraged and quit trying.”

God, help us to love like you love and discipline like you discipline. Help us to nurture the tender spirits in our children. Help us to always build, and never tear down. Holy Spirit, help us exhibit the image and character of Jesus in our interactions with those over whom we’re in positions of authority. Allow us to clearly see the mercy and grace we’ve been shown by the Father, and dispense guidance and correction accordingly. I pray that your peace and presence will rule in our homes, as we yield ourselves to Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Bring God Your Best

 by Chris Jones

How many times have you heard someone say something like, “give God your best”?  I imagine this elicits similar images for many, a church without spot or wrinkle perhaps.  Our basic response might be to put our best foot forward, covering up the mess within, to appear worthy of being counted among the faithful.  This, however, seems to conflict with other advice, that we come to God with all of our hurts and pains and bumps and bruises, knowing only He can rebuild our broken lives.

Last year, I sat in on a Father’s Day Sunday-school class that my friend was teaching the middle-school students at our church.  He presented a great message about how, as a father, he wanted his sons to come to him with anything, and for anything.  I think it’s the desire of all fathers, to be that to our children, a totally open door and inexhaustible resource for everything they need.

In that context, I think I better understand what God would mean if He said, “bring me your best.”  Certainly He desires our best service, our best devotion, our best efforts.  On the other hand, I hear him also saying, “bring me your best desperation, your best hurt, your best brokenness.  Bring me your best anger, your best sadness, your best resentment.”  Whatever you’re feeling, feel it completely.

Holding nothing back, bring God your best.  Find, in Him, a Father whose love is unfailing, and whose resources are without end.

Next Generation

 by Chris Jones

I had a cool experience Sunday.  I participate as a member of the video team at our church.  Yesterday, I had my eleven-year-old son in the booth with me, running video.  This was his second week in “big church”, since he graduated from kid’s church at the beginning of this school year.  He did an awesome job!  He got the words up for all the songs.  He was ready for every transition.  He followed Pastor through his notes.  Needless to say, I was a very proud daddy.

During worship I brought his attention to all the people around the altar, praising God.  I made sure he took a second to look down and see what was happening.  I wanted him to understand his contribution to that moment.   God was obviously touching lives, and he played no small part in creating an atmosphere for it.

It’s easy to miss the role we play in God working in people’s lives.  He puts us in the right places at the right times, as He moves according to His will.  I want my sons to always recognize the contributions they make to the Kingdom of God.  I don’t want them to think they have to be front and center to have an impact.  I want them to understand that every link in the chain is important, no matter how inconsequential it may seem to us.

I know he’ll remember these lessons, and pray that he’ll always determine, as it says in Colossians 3:23-24, to do everything for the Lord.

Father and Son

 by Chris Jones

I spent the weekend celebrating the birthday of one of my best friends in the whole world, my nine-year-old son. Both of our boys are tremendous blessings to my wife and me. I sincerely hope I can teach them half of what God is teaching me through the gift of being their father. With them, I feel I better understand the relentless love God has for us.I take very seriously the role I play in their lives.

Just as God is teaching me about being a father, I want them to understand their position as His children. I want them to be confident of His total provision for their lives, understanding their best course is in complete obedience to His will. I try to not miss an opportunity to further refine the example I attempt to set for them, of God as a loving father.

My favorite moments come when I pray with them each night. I see the evidence that God is answering those prayers. I want them to sink in deeply. They’re simple, but powerful. I pray…”Dear Jesus, watch over and protect this precious little buddy of mine. Thank you for everything he says and does. Let it all be for your glory. I pray that You’ll keep him safe. I pray that he’ll grow up strong and healthy and loving you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

You’re being watched!!!

 by Chris Jones

As parents, like it or not, for better or worse, your children are always watching.  Your every word and action is recorded and evaluated.  Your witness is among the weightiest evidence they’ll have as a basis for their belief in God.  Will they have a proper context within which they can accept a revered, almighty, powerful, sovereign God as a loving, gracious, merciful Father?

In Matthew 22:29-30, when responding to the Sadducees’ challenge concerning the resurrection, Jesus seems to suggest that we don’t understand the eternal nature of our temporary, earthly relationships.  If we believe the Bible, we know that everything we have is God’s.  Since this also applies to our families, before we consider our children ours’, we need to recognize them as men and women of God’s Kingdom.  We have a great responsibility to live before them as an example of Christ, being quick to recognize and apologize when we fail.

Do you commonly speak judgmentally and out of frustration to them, or with grace and understanding?  What habits are they seeing?  How do they see you treat your spouse?  What do they hear you say about others?  Let your witness to them be powerful and decisive.  Let there be no room for gray.  You will either lay a solid foundation for their faith or raise obstacles to it.

Set a clear example for your children.  As they grow, they’ll want to be like you, like Christ.