Posted in Encouragement

I have not been able to get away from Psalm 19 this week. I've set up camp. My tent is up but my sleeping bag is out in the wide open next to the fire pit. What a place to be under the poetic words of Psalm 19:1-6.
To feast on burnt marshmallows and s'mores while telling stories is as devouring the words of Psalm 19:7-11. Sitting peacefully recalling the days events is as ruminating on Psalm 19:12-14.

Camping is one of my favorite spring, summer and early fall activities. It brings me refreshing, relaxation and joy to be out in G-d's glorious creation. It is pure enjoyment to teach my children the skills they need to be in the outdoors. They need to know how to fish, gut a fish, put up a tent, make a fire, make marshmallow roasting sticks from willows and many other things to make a successful camping trip or for survival if need be.

As parents it is our responsibility to train our children, to prepare their hearts and minds so that they will be successful adults. It is our responsibility to teach our children the ways of the Lord - to teach His laws, His testimony, His statutes, His commandments and to fear Him. His way brings our souls closer to Him. They give us wisdom, understanding, joy and strength.

Psalm 19:12-14 set before us a way to clean up camp and to make things look better than when you first set up camp.

"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my Redeemer."

What comes out of our mouth that is directed at our children, ( or anyone) can cause encouragement or hurt.  What is in our heart is bound to come out of our mouth.

"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man." Matthew 15:18

Ouch.

As parents we need to allow the Lord to prepare us so that we can teach and prepare our children with  the heritage that Christ has given us.

I encourage you to find a place in the Word and set up camp. Listen, chew, enjoy.