Bringing Up Children

Dear friends,

The 4th of July Independence Day celebration is upon us. Most folks will take the day off to celebrate with family and friends. Others will spend the time protecting and serving the rest of us. For the years we were ranching, July 4th signaled the beginning of the haying season. Although we are not in the hayfield any longer, I still remember the long hot hours and days of trying to get that hay crop harvested in a timely manner, in order to preserve its quality for livestock feed. To those of you in the hayfield and to others checking center pivots, or checking those pastures, I pray you have a safe and productive summer.

Surveys and the statistics they produce are indicating that more and more, fewer and fewer young adults are attending worship services on an regular basis. Not all churches are experiencing this, but very many are. It seems there is a general feeling that "religion" is not  relevant to the times, or that it is simply unimportant.

I believe for one thing, that there is a mindset among our young and not-so-young men that says "church is for women and little kids". I wonder then, if it hasn't filtered down to where young mothers consciously or not, have decided if Dad isn't going to take part in the spiritual nurturing of the family, then why should she give up her "precious hours", to do work they should be sharing?

Our church conducted a Vacation Bible School last week. The majority of children who attended were brought to the church by their grandparents. In another time, mothers brought their kids to VBS, and stayed to help out with various activities and to provide snacks for the kids. Not so anymore.

I thank God for godly grandparents who will take the initiative to take their grandchildren to Sunday school or to Vacation Bible School when mom and dad are too busy with their own lives.

The Bible instructs parents, and specifically fathers, to teach children the ways of the Lord: In Mark 10:14, Jesus said, "Bring the little children to me."

Paul's words in Ephesians 6:4 are, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

I'm not here as a prophet of doom, but I believe parents must bring up children in the knowledge and instruction of God's moral law and his truth. If we continue down the path we are on, not only is the church in serious trouble, but the culture as well. I do not believe it is too late, but that time is coming.

Praying for revival,

Pastor Jerry