Friday, September 29, 2006
Counter Culture Christianity
I've been wanting to blog some about living out biblical truths in a post-modern world. John Piper's Fall Conference this year is on this very subject. Go to his site and watch the videos for the conference. Powerful!
On the way to my parents house we listened to an Iowa radio station. There is a local man that does a talk show in the morning. He is very pro-homeschooling. I'm so thankful how he has supported the homeschooling community through his radio program.
This morning he was discussing a Michelle Malkin recent column. I personally quit reading Michelle Malkin's blog because although conservative, she wasn't inline with my value system. Anyway, Michelle was talking about how she had to say no to her daughter. She had given in to her daughter for a Bratz lunchbox and now her daughter wanted to be a Bratz for halloween. And Michelle had to say no, then went on to discuss how there are no good role models for today's children.
He also talked about famed singer Charlotte Church. Who has totally rebelled her "good girl" image to become a foul-mouthed, pop-singer in England.
The host took callers after that. All the callers were very supportive that parents have to say no to their children. That we still can say no, without being "bad" parents. A few tried to offer explanations about how we got to this point in our society. My husband wanted me to call in, but I didn't know the phone number.
I would have mentioned several things including, homeschooling, family as our children's main peer group, the power of pray to combat evil. Also, faith in the Lord Jesus as the Rock to establish my children's futures on, not pipe dreams in popped-stars.
I'll end with the question that the talk-show host asked. How do you protect your children without sealing them in a bubble that will one day be burst in "real" world experiences?
~~~~remaining in prayer, until His glorious return,
Linda
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Saturday, September 30, 2006 - Great Question!
Posted by trinaleah
That is such a great and intense question. Isn't that what most of our public schooled friends say that we are doing, "sealing them in a bubble, but waiting for it to burst in real life experiences?"
I believe that we are not sealing them in a bubble so much as we are taking these formative years and giving them tools to fight against the pop culture later in life. Once they gain maturity and education they will be better equipped and coordinated to use them against the harsh realities. I don't shield my boys completley from the real world, in fact we talk a great deal about the realities of it, so that they understand why we need to take the stance that we do. When children are young and immature it is very difficult for them to do the right thing. My answer probably sounds pretty basic, but so far it's working.
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Saturday, September 30, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ReneeM
Hi Linda,
My first thought of my kids isn't sheltering them from harm. I think the church has gotten into a lot of fear based parenting, and we parent out of fear of the world and post modernism (which in and of itself isn't bad) etc. God is SO much bigger than our surrounding culture, the world and its "lostness". Of course, no one would disagree with that, but at the same time we tend to act like that, I think.
I think our roll is to prepare them to be active and useful / effective members of the community (not church community - that would be a given) but of the world, where they will bring God's light into the greed of the workplace, and the darkness of a college campus, etc.
How to get there is a balance, and I think its different for each family, and different at different times of our lives. Does that make sense?
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Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - Speak the truth in love
Posted by EEEEMommy
The whole situation with my little sister has popped our bubble. This is someone they adore who lied to them and the entire family. We couldn't avoid it or hide it, so we have to speak the truth to them about sin, in love, encouraging them to continue to love their aunt, while understanding that she needs to repent and turn to our Saviour. So we pray a lot too. They have another aunt who is living in sin, and they aren't aware yet, when they do discover the truth of her life, we'll have many more tough, honest, discussions. We don't hide things from our kids about family, we may delay in telling them until they are more mature (if that is possible) or until it is necessary to tell them, but we are generally very open, and then we pray, A LOT!
My husband also initiated sharing news stories which he had read during the day with us around the dinner table. The kids are exposed to real things that happen in the world and we all discuss how God feels about them.
I can think of numerous other examples (TV, Books (missionary ones are great for introducing worldy concepts), interactions with non-Christians, or even other Christians), but bottom line, when they are exposed to sin in the world, we deal with it honestly and lovingly, always instructing them in God's point of view.
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Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - Love WHO
Posted by momatpeace
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Thanks for visiting my blog this morning.
I listen to Jan Mikelson too, sometimes... when time allows. Usually in the car. I just talk back to him -- don't bother calling in. LOL My kids think I'm crazy.
So -- who did you cheer for Saturday night. Iowa or Iowa State? I'm not a fan -- but my dh was cheering for Iowa. Too bad. But I love living in Iowa. Nice to meet you. I'm adding you to my friends list.
I have 5 children; Victoria - 11, Mansel - 7, Milo - 5(in a few days), Danielle - 3, and Wayne 15 months. Schooling 2 right now. Using 100 EZ lessons too. You like it? I do -- going to save it for the youngers to use.
Thanks again for stopping by. Wish I had more time to read... I'll catch up later. For now I have some printing to do. Madam How and Lady Why...
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Sunday, October 15, 2006 - interesting
Posted by BunnyBear
I was just reading Michelle Malkin's commentary earlier this evening. I don't frequent it, just happened to browse that way while looking at worldnetdaily.
We too are very open and honest with our kids. We probably shelter them less than some, but more than others. I see it more as building the foundation under them. The foundation of Jesus Christ as the solid rock. Until they are firm in that foundation, they aren't ready to weather the wind, rain and storms of this world.
I was just talking to my sister about this. She was saying how a pastor was discussing how his kids go to public school because he wants them to be a light to the world. I applaude this, but also realize that most children are not ready to be lights and to face the pressure of this world's negative influence until they are older. Right now I'm building the foundation so that when they are ready they can slowly be released and be that light.
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