Partners in Parenting

Place and Time!

We have a new puppy at home.  He's been with us for a week now, and we are trying to teach him the important lesson of place and time.  Let me explain:  There is a place for our puppy to go "potty", and it is NOT inside the house.  There is a time to go "potty" too, and it is in the designated area we have set apart for that purpose in the yard.  By continually using the word "potty" every time he goes to the bathroom, we have trained him to basically go outside in the part of the lawn we use the least.  He has started to go sit at the door when he has to go find the right place and time to relieve himself.  In a week, he has learned this order to his world at the Petzold home.  Have you considered lately the order God put into His world in the seven days of creation?  Coincidentally, I have had three totally separate conversations in the past week about creation.  At the time of creation, God put so many things in their proper "place and time."  It is remarkable that we continue to "discover" what He put here so long ago.  Review the creation account from the very beginning of the Bible (Genesis Chapter 1).  You'll find it full of references to both "place and time."  Enjoy!

Family Discussion Points!

Read Genesis Chapter 1 as a family - actually into Chapter 2 as well.

Was a day 24 hours or longer in Genesis Chapter 1 as some people believe?  Look at vs. 5 for the answer.

What are other things that have an appropriate "place and time" in your family.

Partners in Parenting

"Who are YOU?"
My family and I were out of town visiting our family members this past weekend.  We attended the church Jen attended while growing up.  There was clearly some kind of small commotion following the Lord's Prayer just across the aisle to my right.  I couldn't tell what it was, but three elderly ladies were looking around for some help.  I went over to see what was happening, and I found a thin elderly woman (probably in her 80s) on the ground between the pews.  The ladies got her back up to her seat, and I asked if I could help.  I helped her get her coat off.  I took her pulse.  I felt her skin - clammy and sweaty. I began to ask her lots of questions to determine if she was coherent.  What is your name?  When is your birthday?  Did you eat breakfast?  What did you have to eat?  How did you get here today?  Then, she did something that made me laugh.  She said, "Hey, let me ask you a question:  Who are YOU?"  And she had a big smile on her face.  I introduced myself since I apparently skipped that part at the beginning of getting involved, and we had a really nice conversations for the next 5 minutes as she relaxed and fully got her "bearings" back.  I believe she is fine and just overheated because she still had her coat on.  She walked to church on that morning -  seven degrees outside. 
Her question to me (Who are YOU?) reminded me of when Jesus asked His disciples who people thought He was.  Then He asked the bigger question: 
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi.  On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; other say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 
"But what about you?" he asked.  "Who do YOU (capitalization added) say I am?"
Peter answered, "You are the Christ."  Mark 8:27-29
Parents, our kids need to have the answer to that question:  Who is Jesus?  If he is a "good guy," prophet, Biblical character, someone who died for others, etc., that's not the right answer.  He is the Christ.  He is our Savior from sin, death, and the devil.  He is nothing less than that.  Make sure your kids hear that at least once a day.  They need to know who YOU say that He is!

 Family Discussion Points!

Who is Jesus to you personally?  Let each person in the family share.
Are you ever confused about the Bible?  How can you get answers to your questions?
Why is this such an important question?

Partners in Parenting

Get Busy or Slow Down - which is it?

Every once in a while, I just open up the book of Proverbs to read some of the amazing "pearls of wisdom" contained there.  Proverbs Chapter 6 warns of folly (or foolishness) in daily living.  Verse 6 asks the reader to consider the life of an ant and imitate it.  Ants are not busy this time of year due to the cold temperatures outside, but in the summer, they are constantly "on the go."  They never seem to rest or slow down.  So, is Solomon telling us in Proverbs to keep busy?  Actually, NO!  He is giving advice to the lazy man who wastes his time.  He is referring to laziness as folly or foolishness.  He is reminding the people that work is good for a person to do.  "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!?  Proverbs 6:6

So lazy people (sluggards) should get busy working since it is wise to use God's gifts while you are here on earth.  HOWEVER, too much busyness in life will detract you and your home from time with God and His Word.  Busyness has become a part of our American fabric as far as I'm concerned.  I think some slowing down is important for most of us parents.  Running ourselves ragged is not helping our relationship with Christ.  Consider your life and the lives of your kids.  Do you need to get busy or slow down?  I bet you might benefit greatly by slowing down with life so you can get busy spending time with God and your family.  I know I can benefit from that!!

Family Discussion Points!

Are you generally busy or lazy?  Answer that individually and as a family.

Parents, listen carefully to how your kids answer.  It may be a "call out" to you.

Talk about what a night at home with no TV, radio, computer, video games, etc. might be like in your home.  Be daring - give it a try!