Much Depends Upon You

III. Train your children with an abiding persuasion on your mind that much depends upon you.

"And all this is one of God's merciful arrangements. He gives your children a mind that will receive impressions like most clay. He gives them a disposition at the starting point of life to believe what you tell them, and to take for granted what you advise them, and to trust your word rather than a stranger's. He gives you, in short, a golden opportunity of doing them good. See that the opportunity be not neglected, and thrown away. Once let slip, it is gone for ever. . .

"I know that you cannot convert your child. I know well that they who are born again are born, not of the will of man, but of God. But I know also that God says expressly, "Train up a child in the way he should go," and that He never laid a command on man which He would not give man grace to perform. And I know, too, that our duty is not to stand still and dispute, but to go forward and obey. It is just in the going forward that God will meet us. . ."

Our duty, then, is to obey our Master.

Maypole!

Two days before the first of May but it's not too late to make something special. When I was young, we played around an actual maypole in the school playground with crepe paper streamers. But those days are over. But you still can have a maypole! Make the day special with your own little party in your home. This cake is a great idea and I have NO doubt the average child will love it.

Source: studiodiy.com via Speakable Gifts on Pinterest

Walking?

What walks on 4 legs in the morning, 2 legs in the afternoon, and 3 legs in the evening? 

See if you can answer. I'll have a link to the answer in a comment. But not yet. :)

Train with Love

Part II - "Train up your child with all tenderness, affection, and patience."

"Love should be the silver thread that runs through all your conduct. Kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, forbearance, patience, sympathy, a willingness to enter into childish troubles, a readiness to take part in childish joys,--these are the cords by which a child may be led most easily,--these are the clues you must follow if you would find the way to his heart. . .

"Nothing will compensate for the absence of this tenderness and love. A minister may speak the truth as it is in Jesus, clearly, forcibly, unanswerably; but if he does not speak it in love, few souls will be won. Just so you must set before your children their duty,--command, threaten, punish, reason,--but if affection be wanting in your treatment, your labour will be all in vain.

From The Duties of Parents, J. C. Ryle
(See our first post in this series)

O How I Love Jesus

Such wonderful words for your family to learn together, especially the kids. Enjoy and turn up.

Don't Leave Them to Themselves

Nineteenth century minister and writer J. C. Ryle is a favorite around here for quite a few reasons, among which are his concern for and advice to parents and children in many of his writings. So it seems fitting that we should from time to time bless you with some of his words. 

We're going to start with a little weekly installment of quotes from his beloved booklet entitled "The Duties of Parents." This book is a gem. There is no other way to put it. The various pieces of advice he gives parents in this work are beyond rich and valuable for any home where children are being brought up and nurtured. And if that's your situation, I'd urge you to get this book. One of many places you can find it is here.

Well, today is as good as any to start. The book is separated into twelve sections, or topics. So let's digest a "piece", or nugget from the first one. Mostly we'll be quoting directly from the book with little or no comment. After all, what can we add to what Mr. Ryle has to say?

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6. This is the text for the entire book, in which Mr Ryle discusses many of the various ways we should "train" our children. So first:

I. Train them in the way they should go, and not in the way that they would.

"...He knows not yet what is good for his mind and soul, any more than what is good for his body. You do not let him decide what he shall eat, and what he shall drink, and how he shall be clothed. Be consistent, and deal with his mind in like manner. Train him in the way that is scriptural and right, and not in the way that he fancies.

"If you cannot make up your mind to this first principle of Christian training, it is useless for you to read any further. Self-will is almost the first thing that appears in a child's mind; and it must be your first step to resist it." ~ J.C. Ryle


(Remember now, this is just a portion of the first topic. He says much more about why we need to help steer them away from their natural bent, because after all, they're sinners...as are we all.)

UPDATE 10/24/13: While we started out with the intention of making this a weekly post, as it turned out, it's been more like every other week or so. It seemed better to stretch it out more. ~ mr 

Love and Compassion

(Image: FB Expect Miracles)

"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive." ~ ~ Dalai Lama. 

I stumbled upon this gem on Facebook at a page called "Expect Miracles." I'm linking back to it here. I don't know much about this ministry but this picture is so real and true  and shows a blessedness in any child's life that cannot be surpassed. Is this sort of thing dying in today's world?  Oh please, I surely hope not.  

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

East or West

East or West,

Home is best.

~ Henry Bohn

Isn't that the truth? And all the more when God is ever present there. May these be the sentiments of you and your children.

Ten Terrific Birthday Traditions

Source: creativewithkids.com via Alissa :: Creative With Kids on Pinterest

Enjoy Your Corn Flakes

William Kellogg, the co-discoverer of flaked cereals, was born on April 7, 1860. He and his brother, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, created cornflakes by accident. After a patient of Dr. Kellogg's broke her false teeth on a piece of hard toast, the Kelloggs tried to find a new breakfast food for her. They experimented by boiling wheat and then feeding the porridge-like mixture through a roller. The wheat came out in flakes. (Source)

Gardening With The Kids

Some links for you about gardening with your kids. We highly recommend it! The article at our website should be a real help.

Happy spring! Trust us, it's here.

Sermon Listening Sheet for Kids

Too good not to share.

Source: donotdepart.com via Speakable Gifts on Pinterest

Happy April First

Source: Uploaded by user via Snoopy on Pinterest

There is a Green Hill Far Away

 

There is a green hill far away,
Outside a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified,
Who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell,
What pains He had to bear;
But we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.

He died that we might be forgiv’n,
He died to make us good,
That we might go at last to Heav’n,
Saved by His precious blood.

There was no other good enough
To pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate
Of heaven and let us in.

O dearly, dearly has He loved,
And we must love Him, too,
And trust in His redeeming blood,
And try His works to do.

~ Cecil Frances Alexander

This song is a wonderful one to teach children on this Good Friday, but then again, to teach them at any day of the year. It was written by Cecil Frances Alexander, and she was a lover of children. Christian Heroes come in many forms and here we have another one. Read more about Mrs. Alexander here.

 
 

"I Will Love You Forever"

This pin we made recently is being repinned like mad and can't you understand why? Last I heard, the Golden Retriever was the most popular breed in our country and it must still be true because the only pin we've made which beats this one insofar as repins is one from a couple of weeks ago of a bunch of gorgeous Golden Retriever older pups being let out of the back of a SUV with the caption "Who Let the Dogs Out?" 

Lets see if there's ever a pin that gets a higher repin count than these two (that is, for SG). And whether it's something that's not one of our beloved best friends. Do you have a pet? Whether it's a dog or something else, I hope your youngsters get many good lessons in love and compassion that can be had in pet ownership. If so, that critter will indeed love you for as long as it has an existence on this earth. And even the sadness and grief of seeing them go is a needful growing experience for your children.