"Brainwashing" children

Guess today is my Monday.  Somehow Monday, (the day I like to blog), came and went and no profound or interesting thoughts transferred from brain to fingers, to BlogSpot.  I had promised more musings on the importance of being raised and trained in the ways of God. 

The foundation of who you and I are is sealed in the fiber of our being by parents, mentors, teachers, pastors, and friends.  Psychologists tell us that personality is formed by age six.  Core values that result in the shaping of our character are a vital part of the mix of the mortar used for the foundation of our life.  These character traits are also framed and set at an early age.


Being taught the ways of God, according to Scripture is the rebar that strengthens that foundation.  The "forms" used to determine the depth of the "slab" is vital.  Christian parents and schools are accused of "brainwashing" children.  Let's face it--the mind and heart of a child is an open page that will be filled with all sorts of information--depending on what they are exposed to.  So, what will you stir into the mix of the mortar of your child's foundation?  Truth and life sustaining Spiritual food, or emptiness and the ways of a corrupt world--the choices seem clear! 

I'm not a builder and don't know a lot about construction--but I do know that the foundation is the most important part of a structure.  If it is not laid right--the building will crumble and fall.  Luke 6:46-49 Jesus gives a great example of how to build. Building on a rock brings a lasting structure, while building on sand results in collapse.   It makes sense--but then Jesus always did!

If a physical building must have a proper foundation to stand--how much more important is it for us, for our children to have a solid foundation.  If it is sure, even if something goes wrong with  rest of the building--all is not lost.  Repairs and restoration are possible when there is a rock-solid base.  Restoring a house is only worthwhile if the foundation is strong.

So, "train up a child in the way they should go...."  Will they always make the right decisions, shun what is wrong and destructive?  Will they fall into harmful relationships?  If they don't continue to follow the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit--they may.  The good news is, if you have, according to God's Word:  (Deuteronomy, chapter 6), trained them in the ways of God--they will return and rebuild their life--because their foundation is right!

Then, there is a wonderful truth:  The mercy of God comes into play in the life of anyone who seeks Him.  Those with a good foundation can return if they stray--because of God's mercy.  But, also those who have no solid base, can turn to Him and find forgiveness, mercy, and power to live a worthwhile life.

So, should we take careful purpose in training children in the ways of God?  Absolutely!  It's promised to be effective in God's Word.    I treasure the way I was taught by my parents, grandparents and others who had a part in directing me on a path of serving God.  Have I always been true to their teachings and examples?  No, but because of their prayers and the foundation they laid in me, from the time of my birth, I'm able to follow God's path for my life.

I'll admit, I'm hung up on God's promises to families and the fact that God is very "family oriented".  His Word bears this out.  I live, breathe and rely on His promises:

"'As for me,' says the Lord, 'this is my covenant with them (you), My Spirit who is upon you, and my words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants', says the Lord, 'from this time and forevermore.'"  Isaiah 59:21

Genesis 1:2

I didn't intend to blog until Monday.  Blogging helps chase the "Monday blues" away.  But I couldn't control my fingers as they took me to BlogSpot and they began to type!

Woke up this morning with a heavy heart.  Feeling the weight of evil everywhere, pulling good, God-fearing people toward destruction really brings me to my knees...which is a good thing :).  (Going to my knees that is).

A young person, (disillusioned by life), made a statement that sent a spiritual electric shock through me.  They said:  "It's better not to be raised 'Christian'."  The betrayal they've witnessed by "Christians" is what, I'm sure, brings them to this decision.  But I couldn't shake off the cloak of grief enveloping me as those words--reverberating through my mind-- pierced me to the heart.

I began to pray for that young lady, and so many of my youthful acquaintances that suffer doubt and wonder about the purpose of serving God.  This morning--the burden was overwhelming as I called their names before Christ;  He stopped me cold with:  Pray for a Holy Ghost revival to sweep through your family, your church, your nation--just as it did at the turn of the century.  Just as He (the Holy Spirit) moved upon the face of the waters in Genesis 1:2--changing what was dark, void and without form into the beauty and wonders of creation!  Only He can bring change to the darkness that envelops our present-day world.

Communion with Jesus, always brings comfort, answers, and power.  As I prayed--the irrefutable answer to the statement thrown at me--became crystal clear.   "Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they'll not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6  That is the Word of God and it is true and undeniable.  When the foundation is laid, according to God's Word, even if a person strays from what is right--they have a core foundation to return to for truth, redemption, forgiveness, mercy, and restoration to be set on the right path. 

The core of my ministry was attacked--I've devoted my life to educating young people for life and training them in the ways of God with eternity in view.  The enemy took an ill-thought-out statement to try to shatter my resolve--but thank God the foundation is solid;  built on Christ and His Word, we stand and will continue to do so. 

I have many more thoughts racing through my mind about the foundation we build for our children and grandchildren.  Stay tuned in.  Monday is my regular blog day.  I heard the whispers of God today as I prayed; I'll attempt to share them Monday.  He is so faithful!

God's Thoughts of You

Here it is Monday morning.  As I reflect on the weekend and the busy stretch of last week--I realize I forgot something very important--my niece, Rachel's birthday.  It was yesterday and the day came and went without sending her a greeting, or calling her to remind her that I love her and pray for her--that she is of value to me.

It brought to mind the fact that our Heavenly Father not only knows what day we were born--He was aware of us well before the momentous occasion.  David relates in Psalm 139 that He was not only aware of us while we were being "fashioned" in our mother's womb--but He actually began a book detailing everything about us.  This is a powerful thought.

When my niece, aforementioned, Rachel was born--her mother's labor was difficult.  In the course of her delivery, one of her arms was injured.  This resulted in no use of the appendage.  It hung limp at her side.  She was healthy and happy otherwise and developed into a bubbly, toddler.  Her parents and grandparents continued to pray about this condition and as they months passed--they saw no improvement.  It was obvious, and documented by physicians that she would have no use of the arm.

One day, after special prayer--Rachel was observed using the lifeless limb.  It was a documented miracle.  Once again, the hand of God overruled the impossible! 

Not only did I forget Rachel's birthday yesterday--I hadn't thought about this miracle in her body for a long time.  Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has a plan for us, that His thoughts are for us, for good, and not for evil.  I don't know why Rachel was healed and some people aren't.  But I do know God has a plan for each one.  He has his hand on Rachel, and He has His hand on each of us.  The difficult part is accepting that He knows what's best for us.

His love and thoughts toward us are always for good.  Our will gets in the way a lot of times, sending us through things we wouldn't have to encounter if we'd only wise up--that the one who even knows how many hairs are on our head--has a better plan than we do.  (That brings up another point--have you ever wondered why the great God of Creation takes time to number the hair on our head?)  Really, I don't think He sits in the Heavens counting them all day and night.  He just knows without counting--because He's God.

  Who we are and His plan for us is close to His heart.  "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God; how great is the sum of them.  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand:  when I awake, I am still with thee."  Psalm 139:17-18.

I still feel bad that I forgot Rachel's birthday yesterday.  But hope she realizes that someone who loves her more than anyone in her earthly family--didn't forget.  She is, and always will be very important to Him. 

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY RACHEL.  I REALLY DO LOVE YOU,

YOUR FORGETFUL AUNT SHARON

So many thoughts churning in my head this morning.  It's Monday, the beginning of a new week.  Lots of things to do; classes to teach, laundry, cleaning, planning for activities when "Generations" is released, family activities, its all there in my mind.

I don't feel organized, in fact I seem to be stagnant, unable to focus on any one task, (although I do have a load of laundry ready for the dryer).  Sleeping late didn't help my frame of mind--it never does.  Where's my motivation?  I'm usually on overload with that--at least--even if there's not much productivity.

So, what to do...take a deep breath, spend some time communicating with Christ--my strength, comfort, supplier of all I need--and opening His Word.  And guess what, He never fails me.  Oh, I still have a lot of busy stuff in my mind, and I'm not sure how much I'll accomplish today--but whatever I do--it will be with the knowledge that God is with me, for me, and working for my good!

I realize that I was feeling dry in my spirit.  I've had so many wonderful blessings recently.  Then yesterday was a bit discouraging.  Guess I'm just one of God's spoiled brats.  I think every moment of every day I should be showered with an abundance of God's attention.  Because yesterday didn't work perfectly for me--I was feeling down. 

But when I went to God's Word I found the antidote for my problem:  "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring."  Isaiah 44:3 

What promises, powerful!  Reminded me of King David in Psalm 73 when he was disheartened because of the wicked prospering and increasing in wealth while he suffered.  He wrote that his

 thoughts regarding this were too painful:  "Until I went into the sanctuary of God..."  Psalm 73:17. 

Drawing close to God, communicating with Him through prayer and reading His Word, brings peace, comfort and strength.  It's the only cure for discouragement. 

So I'll see what I can accomplish today, with His help, and wait for the refreshing "rain" of Heaven as I rest in His promises.

"It Is Well With My Soul"

So, I'm a year older, 68 years old to be exact.  One of the things I realized quite some time ago is that the soul never ages.  It was created, by God, afterall--to live forever.  I will always exist--as will you.  Of course, I was taught this in church--but it hit me one day that the "me" inside, my Spirit & Soul do not really age. 

Oh, hopefully we grow closer to God, (His intention for us), and mature in that respect--but I feel inside no different than I did when I was 12 years old.  Ageless, immortal.  Unfortunately this body that houses my soul does add wrinkles, aches, pains, limitations, etc.  And, will do so until this corruptible puts on incorruption and this mortal puts on immortality.

I had a wonderful birthday yesterday--68; and I vividly remember my 12th birthday--even the gifts:  a book from my Grandmother Garlock, (Unwanted Legacy was the title), money from my Angell Grandparents in Rhode Island, a cute tennis outfit--pink checkered from my parents and also a little gray transistor radio.  I would listen to Frankie Avalon, the Everly Brothers, Annette Funacello, (singing "Tall Paul, He's my All").  I actually liked a boy named Paul Magyar.  We would walk to and from school together.  

Now I am married to my wonderful husband, Roger Spiegel.  Our lives took some twists and turns, taking me from the East Coast and him from a farm in Iowa to meet in Springfield, Missouri.  We have fourteen grandchildren and a very busy life in ministry and things are getting even busier as I have a book, "Generations" about to be released.  But my soul remains ageless.  With Christ at the "controls" of my life, I'm happy to say:  "It Is Well With My Soul"

 

 The younger Sharon--same soul.                                  The older Sharon today--same soul.

Guided by His Eye

Wanted to share a wonderful story of God's direction in my Uncle Henry's life.  (Missionary H. B. Garlock)  As told by him:

"In June 1949 I checked out a Piper Cub from the factory and filed a flight plan which called for a landing at the airport in Steubenville, Ohio, just across the Ohio River from Pennsylvania.  The weather was reported to be good, and I was scheduled to reach Steubenville well before dark.

"However, as I flew over Three Rivers Stadium, home of the Pittsburg Pirates baseball club (where the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers converge to form the Ohio), I was confronted by a thunderstorm and violent winds.  The western sky became dark and streaked with forked lightening.  I could see there was no way of outflanking the storm and decided I better land as soon as possible.

"I was over mountainous country--a stretch known in those days as 'The Pilot's Graveyard'.  What was I to do?  It became so dark cars traveling below me were switching on their lights.  I must land, but could not find on my map any airport I could hope to reach in time.

"I began to quote my lifelong Scripture, Psalm 32:8:  'I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye. 

"I was desperate, I prayed, 'Lord, I am on an errand for You.  This is a Speed-the-Light plane to be used in Your service in Africa.  There is no place to land in this heavily wooded, mountainous country, Please guide me.

"Almost instantly an inner voice said:  'Make a 45-degree turn to the left.'  I did so immediately.  By now darkness was really upon me.  I was 25 miles north of Wheeling, West Virginia.  Claps of thunder and terrific downdrafts shook the little plane.

"Quite suddently I saw amid the threatening expanse of trees below me a bare, cone-shaped mountain peak.  A spot free of trees!  But could a plane land on such steep terrain?  I circled once, cut the throttle, pulled back on the stick, and set the Cub down on the steep, bare upslope, managing to stop its roll just before it could top the summit and plunge down the other side.   After catching my breathe, I stopped to thank the Lord for being guided by His eye."