Family Update April 2025
Greetings
Believe it or not, 25% of '25 is behind us! Whammo! Just like that! As they say, "Time's fun when you're having flies!" and with Spring upon us, those flies should be just around the corner :). In the mean time, we hope this month's (shall we say healthy? substantive? long-ish?) newsletter provides you with information, motivation, clarification, and explanation of all things April as they relate to our church family. Included in this edition is a summary of the Spring 2025 Knox Presbytery meeting, a graphic invitation to this month's Psalm Roar, this month's book review, and a report on Presbytery, along with dates and times of various and sundry gatherings. Blessings on your reading, planning, and execution!
Devotional Fuel For Life And Joy
A while back (almost a year ago) we were introduced to a thought-provoking title for men in general, and husbands and fathers in particular: Chief Hope Officer (CHO). Unlike most C?Os, the goal of a CHO is not to organize, schedule, and otherwise manage other people’s hope, but rather to be the primary human agent of strategically fueling, sustaining, and directing the hope of those entrusted to their care. Married or not, children or not, men are called to tether and buoy the hope within their homes and in their communities. Positively, there are ways to buoy hope: lots of smiles, spontaneous handshakes and appropriate hugs, acknowledging kindness, or going “the extra mile” to anticipate ways of blessing others. Alternatively, there are ways to tether hope so that it does not break free and drift off out of reach. One of the best ways to do this is to be a spiritual, emotional, and mental “shock absorber.”
Homes, lives, and communities are impacted every day by those within them, or others outside, that would threaten the joy. The disobedience of a child that can erode a parent’s hope they will mature; chronic physical pain that can eat away at the hope of wellness; a failure at work that destroys other’s confidence in you; someone else’s short-sighted comment that can turn one’s mood upside down. Whatever the occasion, these words or actions of others “hit” the home, and its impact will either be distributed throughout the home or absorbed by those who lead it.
In his book on leadership, Joe Rigney writes, “Sober-minded leaders have stamina and endurance, because they are able to retain a healthy emotional distance while remaining connected to those in their care. Rather than channeling the reactive passions in the [home], they are shock absorbers who know that crises often cannot be fixed, but instead must be endured.” We might call this kind of leadership, “weathering the storm with confident joy.”
Notice that the effective leader is not merely distant or removed from the situation, running away to avoid the figurative shrapnel that may be flying every which way. These kind of leaders simply avoid the trauma of the situation as it finds other targets (and thus usually spreads). Nor is the effective leader involved in such a way that he actually spreads the trauma. These kind of leaders, rather than leading, actually become contagious with the dis-ease of the moment, communicating it to others just as effectively as those entrusted to his care.
Instead, the Chief Hope Officer will neither ignore, nor identify with, the trauma or crisis that his people are experiencing. Like Christ, he will take upon himself as much of the impact as he can, absorbing it’s traumatic effects, distributing as little of it as possible, reminding those of his home that God in Christ works all things together for our good. Period. He will, by the grace of God, weather the storm with calm and deliberate joy because he knows the end of the story, and the welfare of those under his care depends upon it.
Homes, lives, and communities are impacted every day by those within them, or others outside, that would threaten the joy. The disobedience of a child that can erode a parent’s hope they will mature; chronic physical pain that can eat away at the hope of wellness; a failure at work that destroys other’s confidence in you; someone else’s short-sighted comment that can turn one’s mood upside down. Whatever the occasion, these words or actions of others “hit” the home, and its impact will either be distributed throughout the home or absorbed by those who lead it.
In his book on leadership, Joe Rigney writes, “Sober-minded leaders have stamina and endurance, because they are able to retain a healthy emotional distance while remaining connected to those in their care. Rather than channeling the reactive passions in the [home], they are shock absorbers who know that crises often cannot be fixed, but instead must be endured.” We might call this kind of leadership, “weathering the storm with confident joy.”
Notice that the effective leader is not merely distant or removed from the situation, running away to avoid the figurative shrapnel that may be flying every which way. These kind of leaders simply avoid the trauma of the situation as it finds other targets (and thus usually spreads). Nor is the effective leader involved in such a way that he actually spreads the trauma. These kind of leaders, rather than leading, actually become contagious with the dis-ease of the moment, communicating it to others just as effectively as those entrusted to his care.
Instead, the Chief Hope Officer will neither ignore, nor identify with, the trauma or crisis that his people are experiencing. Like Christ, he will take upon himself as much of the impact as he can, absorbing it’s traumatic effects, distributing as little of it as possible, reminding those of his home that God in Christ works all things together for our good. Period. He will, by the grace of God, weather the storm with calm and deliberate joy because he knows the end of the story, and the welfare of those under his care depends upon it.
Table Talk Question
The “how to” question has been largely addressed already above. Perhaps a bigger, more lurking question, is, “How do I know I’ll succeed in giving and sustaining hope to others?” The answer, happily, has nothing to do with you, and it’s something like this: “You will succeed because the joy of which you are a conduit is not your joy, it’s the Lord’s. And the power by which you are communicating God’s joy is not your power but his. And it’s worth mentioning that when he chose to use you, the Lord knew that he was choosing a leaky, weak, and deficient conduit.”
Many might hear their call to be the Chief Hope Officer with slumped shoulders or discouragement, either due to failed attempts in the past or the sheer weight of the responsibility. Without denying either of those real temptations to despair, we might instead look to the omnipotent promises and indomitable joy of the Lord and remember Augustine’s prayer, “Command what you will, and grant what you command.” If God calls men to stoke the hope of their homes and surroundings, then let men look to God for their own hope. And in the meantime, actively depend on the Spirit for those gifts that both encourage and protect hope: self-control with words, initiating kind and generous deeds, anticipating others’ needs, or even surprising them with true compliments. Anticipate those situations when hope is most fragile, and strategize (Heb. 10:24-25) ways to shore it up.
And don’t forget that the call to hope is built on nothing less than the blood of Jesus and his righteousness. Which is why neither our hope nor our efforts to bring others into it can or will fail!
Many might hear their call to be the Chief Hope Officer with slumped shoulders or discouragement, either due to failed attempts in the past or the sheer weight of the responsibility. Without denying either of those real temptations to despair, we might instead look to the omnipotent promises and indomitable joy of the Lord and remember Augustine’s prayer, “Command what you will, and grant what you command.” If God calls men to stoke the hope of their homes and surroundings, then let men look to God for their own hope. And in the meantime, actively depend on the Spirit for those gifts that both encourage and protect hope: self-control with words, initiating kind and generous deeds, anticipating others’ needs, or even surprising them with true compliments. Anticipate those situations when hope is most fragile, and strategize (Heb. 10:24-25) ways to shore it up.
And don’t forget that the call to hope is built on nothing less than the blood of Jesus and his righteousness. Which is why neither our hope nor our efforts to bring others into it can or will fail!
Catechism at Home
Lord’s Day 19
WSC Q. 32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
WSC Q. 33. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Lord’s Day 20
WSC Q. 34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.
WSC Q. 35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Lord’s Day 21
WSC Q. 36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Lord’s Day 22
WSC Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united in Christ, do rest in their graves, till the resurrection.
WSC Q. 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers, being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
WSC Q. 32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
WSC Q. 33. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Lord’s Day 20
WSC Q. 34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.
WSC Q. 35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Lord’s Day 21
WSC Q. 36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Lord’s Day 22
WSC Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united in Christ, do rest in their graves, till the resurrection.
WSC Q. 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers, being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
Elder Report
Path of Life Conference
This past March 14-15 we hosted the Path of Life "Go and Tell" conference which featured guest speakers Nancy Pearcey, Geoff Swnidler, and Garry Ingraham. In partnership with The Oaks, we were able to provide abundant and beautiful space for the community to come hear about important issues related to life and sexuality and how to think biblically about them. Many folks commented on how much they appreciated the space, the food we (King's Church) provided, and the overall hospitality they received. Praise God for this important step in partnering with Path of Life Ministries for the good of Spokane!
Emails, Calendars, and Contacts, Oh My!
As our congregation grows, so do our communication and planning needs. In an effort to make information more accessible, usable, and clear, the elders have given the "go ahead" on a plan to transition away from Mailchimp and Breeze toward a Subsplash platform. Our hope is to streamline the communication process and enable better access to information for the congregation. More details to come, so keep an eye open for them...
Knox Presbytery Report Spring 2025
As you may recall, our congregation belongs to the NW region of the CREC known as Knox Presbytery, and every Spring and Fall representatives from all/most of those congregations gather at "presbytery". I was gladly able to attend yet again this past Wednesday, March 26, and Ken and I wanted to give you a brief but meaningful summary of the goings-on.
Ordination Exam: Zach Wilke
First, one of our own visiting preachers, Zach Wilke, was up for his ordination exam, and he passed with flying colors. The oral exam took nearly 2 hours and it was a delightful time. At him were thrown such questions as,
Holy Covenant Particularizes!
At just about each meeting, some congregation or other becomes a full member (i.e. "particularizes") of the CREC. It was a joy to witness the particularization of Holy Covenant, our neighbors to the north, at this Spring's meeting. They are in the midst of assisting a smaller church in the Sandpoint area make steps to join the CREC, and this change in status from "mission church" to "particularized" enables them to do that work more effectively.
Presiding Minister's (PM) Report
Inquiring into the health and wellbeing of the Knox congregations is part of the PM's job, and Toby Sumpter brought to our attention a constitutionally problematic issue for Knox to address/resolve. The issue stems from appeals made within the denomination after rulings or findings have been rendered. In 2017, CC Moscow was issued a report by the then-PM, Virgil Hurt, composed by the then-current PMs of each presbytery (7 of them). CCM took exception to Part 2 of the report, but gratefully received Part 1, and clarified that if an appeal were made in the future, CCM would not comply, thus being in violation of their denominational vows. CCM offered to leave the CREC to resolve the issue of conscience, and upon further discussion with CCM, the PM of the CREC and PM of Knox recommended CCM to not leave the CREC, and the matter has remained unresolved. That tension/violation remains, and a committee was thus formed with the express purpose of wordsmithing a request of Council in 2026 regarding the rescinding/removal/amending of the Report in keeping with the original request.
Empathy Lecture, Joe Rigney
In the afternoon, Dr. Rigney gave a lecture, largely based on content from his recent book, The Sin of Empathy, and opened it up for discussion. Major points were noting the ways in which our society in general as conflated the qualities of empathy/sympathy, and used compassion as a tool of manipulation, particularly within the Church. It was noted that proper use of compassion accomplishes the good of those who are hurting, and often at cost to those who are exercising that compassion. Too many examples exist today of those compelling others to be compassionate under threat of punishment of some kind or other. To be the one whose truth-telling or questions expose an existing problem is not always the same as causing the problem. The book can be found on Canon+ here: https://canonplus.com/tabs/discover/audiobooks/40866
Memorials: "On the Nations" and "Sacramental Cooperation"
Two memorials were discussed, one already adopted at Council 2026 and one related to membership and communion that the denomination is still working through at the presbytery level throughout the CREC. The memorial titled "On the Nations" that was adopted in 2023 has since come under reconsideration as one that could be worded more effectively, precisely, and clearly. A proposal was offered and discussed, and will continue to be crafted and considered in the Fall for submission in 2026. The other memorial was on accepting the membership status cross-congregationally when some CREC churches are credo-communion and others are paedo-communion. The proposed resolution was to not draw a hard line of enforcing a rule but to state what we, as CREC churches "ordinarily" do when it comes to administering communion (to baptized children or not). The distinction between signaling what our denominational preference is and requiring churches to do this or that was made, and the former was favored. Further work will be dong on wording and considered in the Fall, 2025.
Pulpit Supply
Here is a schedule of who will be filling our pulpit for the next several weeks. Please consider praying for them as they prepare to minister to us in word and prayer.
April 6: Samuel Davidson
April 13: Jeremiah Jasso
April 20: Kaleb Trotter
April 27: Chase Fluhart
Scripture Readers
April 6: Ken Trotter, Isaiah 43:16-21, Phil 3:8-14
April 13: Tim Ansett, Zech 9:1-10, John 12:12-19
April 20: Warren Lewis, Isaiah 55:1-13, Mark 16:1-18
April 27: Merrill Miller, Psalm 148, Acts 3:11-26
This past March 14-15 we hosted the Path of Life "Go and Tell" conference which featured guest speakers Nancy Pearcey, Geoff Swnidler, and Garry Ingraham. In partnership with The Oaks, we were able to provide abundant and beautiful space for the community to come hear about important issues related to life and sexuality and how to think biblically about them. Many folks commented on how much they appreciated the space, the food we (King's Church) provided, and the overall hospitality they received. Praise God for this important step in partnering with Path of Life Ministries for the good of Spokane!
Emails, Calendars, and Contacts, Oh My!
As our congregation grows, so do our communication and planning needs. In an effort to make information more accessible, usable, and clear, the elders have given the "go ahead" on a plan to transition away from Mailchimp and Breeze toward a Subsplash platform. Our hope is to streamline the communication process and enable better access to information for the congregation. More details to come, so keep an eye open for them...
Knox Presbytery Report Spring 2025
As you may recall, our congregation belongs to the NW region of the CREC known as Knox Presbytery, and every Spring and Fall representatives from all/most of those congregations gather at "presbytery". I was gladly able to attend yet again this past Wednesday, March 26, and Ken and I wanted to give you a brief but meaningful summary of the goings-on.
Ordination Exam: Zach Wilke
First, one of our own visiting preachers, Zach Wilke, was up for his ordination exam, and he passed with flying colors. The oral exam took nearly 2 hours and it was a delightful time. At him were thrown such questions as,
- “How would you describe your home and family?”
- “What is meant by divine simplicity and how do believers benefit from it?”
- “Can you give a summary and outline of Exodus? Daniel? 2 Chronicles? and Romans?”
- “How do you defend from Scripture the filioque clause? The definition of ‘sacrament’ as we understand it?”
- “How would you respond to a new family that recently acquired an infant by means of surrogacy?”
Holy Covenant Particularizes!
At just about each meeting, some congregation or other becomes a full member (i.e. "particularizes") of the CREC. It was a joy to witness the particularization of Holy Covenant, our neighbors to the north, at this Spring's meeting. They are in the midst of assisting a smaller church in the Sandpoint area make steps to join the CREC, and this change in status from "mission church" to "particularized" enables them to do that work more effectively.
Presiding Minister's (PM) Report
Inquiring into the health and wellbeing of the Knox congregations is part of the PM's job, and Toby Sumpter brought to our attention a constitutionally problematic issue for Knox to address/resolve. The issue stems from appeals made within the denomination after rulings or findings have been rendered. In 2017, CC Moscow was issued a report by the then-PM, Virgil Hurt, composed by the then-current PMs of each presbytery (7 of them). CCM took exception to Part 2 of the report, but gratefully received Part 1, and clarified that if an appeal were made in the future, CCM would not comply, thus being in violation of their denominational vows. CCM offered to leave the CREC to resolve the issue of conscience, and upon further discussion with CCM, the PM of the CREC and PM of Knox recommended CCM to not leave the CREC, and the matter has remained unresolved. That tension/violation remains, and a committee was thus formed with the express purpose of wordsmithing a request of Council in 2026 regarding the rescinding/removal/amending of the Report in keeping with the original request.
Empathy Lecture, Joe Rigney
In the afternoon, Dr. Rigney gave a lecture, largely based on content from his recent book, The Sin of Empathy, and opened it up for discussion. Major points were noting the ways in which our society in general as conflated the qualities of empathy/sympathy, and used compassion as a tool of manipulation, particularly within the Church. It was noted that proper use of compassion accomplishes the good of those who are hurting, and often at cost to those who are exercising that compassion. Too many examples exist today of those compelling others to be compassionate under threat of punishment of some kind or other. To be the one whose truth-telling or questions expose an existing problem is not always the same as causing the problem. The book can be found on Canon+ here: https://canonplus.com/tabs/discover/audiobooks/40866
Memorials: "On the Nations" and "Sacramental Cooperation"
Two memorials were discussed, one already adopted at Council 2026 and one related to membership and communion that the denomination is still working through at the presbytery level throughout the CREC. The memorial titled "On the Nations" that was adopted in 2023 has since come under reconsideration as one that could be worded more effectively, precisely, and clearly. A proposal was offered and discussed, and will continue to be crafted and considered in the Fall for submission in 2026. The other memorial was on accepting the membership status cross-congregationally when some CREC churches are credo-communion and others are paedo-communion. The proposed resolution was to not draw a hard line of enforcing a rule but to state what we, as CREC churches "ordinarily" do when it comes to administering communion (to baptized children or not). The distinction between signaling what our denominational preference is and requiring churches to do this or that was made, and the former was favored. Further work will be dong on wording and considered in the Fall, 2025.
Pulpit Supply
Here is a schedule of who will be filling our pulpit for the next several weeks. Please consider praying for them as they prepare to minister to us in word and prayer.
April 6: Samuel Davidson
April 13: Jeremiah Jasso
April 20: Kaleb Trotter
April 27: Chase Fluhart
Scripture Readers
April 6: Ken Trotter, Isaiah 43:16-21, Phil 3:8-14
April 13: Tim Ansett, Zech 9:1-10, John 12:12-19
April 20: Warren Lewis, Isaiah 55:1-13, Mark 16:1-18
April 27: Merrill Miller, Psalm 148, Acts 3:11-26
Digging for Diamons
This month's book review is supplied by Ben Tate, for which we are grateful. We would be even more grateful for others' reviews in the future :). If there is a book you have found valuable and think needs a wider audience, and you would like to be instrumental in giving it that wider audience, please contact Ben.
Digging for Diamonds: 8 Errors Parents Make, and How to Avoid Them, by Michael Brock
by Ben Tate
Intro
Within the world of non-fiction, some books are one long sustained argument toward a thesis or conclusion. Others are broken up into smaller sections, sometimes forming their own independent point that also supports an overall point. Yet other books are pretty much a smattering of thoughts grouped together by topic and organized as such. 8 Errors is this last kind of book, and this is no criticism. There is a time for everything, the Preacher said, and that includes soundbites and bumper stickers.
So, if you’re looking for meticulously arranged theological premises all working toward a particular orthodox conclusion, you’ll need to look elsewhere. But if you want sharp, clear, concise, unfettered comment on how to mess up parenting :), then you’ve come to the right place. It’s worth noting that even though the title has in view the errors of parenting, there’s a good bit of success discussed, and all of it in clear, helpful, practical terms. In fact, the errors portion is really just a page or two, followed by a half dozen (or more) sections outlining “a better way.”
The errors are simple enough, and listed here:
First, it really is quite accessible and easy to read (or listen to here at Canon+: https://canonplus.com/tabs/search/audiobooks/33585). There is no real “on ramp,” nor need for a detailed introduction, just a quick jump in the water and off you go! For this reason, it makes for easy listening in the car on short little errands or back and forth to work or school. In fact, try listening with your kids eavesdropping for a few minutes and see if they don’t have questions, or even thoughts, about what is said. Because most things the author states are without qualification, it makes for an almost provocative read, especially with young ears that are trying to grow up.
Second, the errors that Brock points out are common, and so are the remedies. It’s not “new” information, but it is a refreshingly straightforward treatment of familiar territory, and so is very helpful way to review what you might have believed about parenting (but have fallen short on implementing and not realized it).
Third, there are so many ways described by which to encourage your children (or others’ children) that, although the title sounds like a bit of a rebuke, it reads like a shot in the arm. Yes, there is instruction to “take no lip,” and the reminder that “slow obedience is disobedience,” but also littered throughout are reminders that children can (and do) get exasperated and therefore need (and thrive under) affirmation, affection, demonstrations of sacrifice, and many other ways parents can die to themselves for their kids’ wellbeing.
I’ll spare you quotations, since the book is full of them, but know that each chapter is made up of 10 or so sections describing how to avoid the errors mentioned and how to pursue the kind of parenting that, by the grace of God, secures the affection and loyalty of your kids. It’s worth the read and one that is not hard to get through, even plodding through 2 minutes at a time.
If you are looking for an accessible, clear, truthful, and motivating book on how to relate to your children fruitfully, and with joyful courage, pick it up (or listen). You’ll still make the errors, but at least you’ll see them for what they are sooner rather than later, and you’ll gain some ideas for how to course-correct, or even some encouragement for a few things you’re doing well already.
Digging for Diamonds: 8 Errors Parents Make, and How to Avoid Them, by Michael Brock
by Ben Tate
Intro
Within the world of non-fiction, some books are one long sustained argument toward a thesis or conclusion. Others are broken up into smaller sections, sometimes forming their own independent point that also supports an overall point. Yet other books are pretty much a smattering of thoughts grouped together by topic and organized as such. 8 Errors is this last kind of book, and this is no criticism. There is a time for everything, the Preacher said, and that includes soundbites and bumper stickers.
So, if you’re looking for meticulously arranged theological premises all working toward a particular orthodox conclusion, you’ll need to look elsewhere. But if you want sharp, clear, concise, unfettered comment on how to mess up parenting :), then you’ve come to the right place. It’s worth noting that even though the title has in view the errors of parenting, there’s a good bit of success discussed, and all of it in clear, helpful, practical terms. In fact, the errors portion is really just a page or two, followed by a half dozen (or more) sections outlining “a better way.”
The errors are simple enough, and listed here:
- Shifting Blame
- Low Expectations
- A Child-Centered Home
- Failing to Discipline
- Reasoning with Your Toddler
- Neglecting Your Grade-Schooler
- Disrespecting Your Teenager
- Missing Christ
First, it really is quite accessible and easy to read (or listen to here at Canon+: https://canonplus.com/tabs/search/audiobooks/33585). There is no real “on ramp,” nor need for a detailed introduction, just a quick jump in the water and off you go! For this reason, it makes for easy listening in the car on short little errands or back and forth to work or school. In fact, try listening with your kids eavesdropping for a few minutes and see if they don’t have questions, or even thoughts, about what is said. Because most things the author states are without qualification, it makes for an almost provocative read, especially with young ears that are trying to grow up.
Second, the errors that Brock points out are common, and so are the remedies. It’s not “new” information, but it is a refreshingly straightforward treatment of familiar territory, and so is very helpful way to review what you might have believed about parenting (but have fallen short on implementing and not realized it).
Third, there are so many ways described by which to encourage your children (or others’ children) that, although the title sounds like a bit of a rebuke, it reads like a shot in the arm. Yes, there is instruction to “take no lip,” and the reminder that “slow obedience is disobedience,” but also littered throughout are reminders that children can (and do) get exasperated and therefore need (and thrive under) affirmation, affection, demonstrations of sacrifice, and many other ways parents can die to themselves for their kids’ wellbeing.
I’ll spare you quotations, since the book is full of them, but know that each chapter is made up of 10 or so sections describing how to avoid the errors mentioned and how to pursue the kind of parenting that, by the grace of God, secures the affection and loyalty of your kids. It’s worth the read and one that is not hard to get through, even plodding through 2 minutes at a time.
If you are looking for an accessible, clear, truthful, and motivating book on how to relate to your children fruitfully, and with joyful courage, pick it up (or listen). You’ll still make the errors, but at least you’ll see them for what they are sooner rather than later, and you’ll gain some ideas for how to course-correct, or even some encouragement for a few things you’re doing well already.
Prayers to Pray at Home
O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, pour down the Holy Spirit upon our country. Revive Thy work amongst us. Increase true religion in the land, and especially in our own parish. Touch the hearts of the careless, the thoughtless, and the unbelieving. Show them their sin, their guilt, and their danger. Stir them up to think, and grant them repentance. May thousands this year seek Christ, believe, and be saved. Arouse the hearts of all true Christians. Fill them with true zeal for Thy glory, and for the spread of the Gospel. May they be more holy, more charitable, and more diligent in trying to do good. May they pray much and often.
Pour down the Holy Spirit upon me. Let me not be deceived about the state of my own soul. If I am not yet converted, convert me without delay. Create in me a new heart. Show me what I am. Show me what Thou art. Show me Christ. Teach me to pray. Let me not die in my sins. If I am converted, give me more grace. Lead me on. Build me up. Stablish me. Strengthen me. Perfect me. Increase my faith, and hope, and love. Grant that I may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pour down the Holy Spirit upon all ministers of the Gospel. Make them more zealous and more faithful. May Christ be preached this year more fully, freely, and affectionately, than He has ever been yet preached in our country.
Pour down the Holy Spirit upon all congregations. May there be more life, earnestness, and fervor in all our religious assemblies. May hearers of the Gospel this year always meet together really desiring a blessing, and always go home to pray.
Pour down the Holy Spirit upon all ranks and classes – upon the rich and upon the poor, upon the old and upon the young. May there be less Sabbath-breaking, and drunkenness, and worldliness, and covetousness, and pride, and formality, and self-righteousness in the land this year. May there be more thinking, praying, Bible reading, holy living, and diligence in the use of means of grace. May we all feel more deeply the value of our own souls, and care more for the souls of others.
Gracious Lord, deal not with us according to our sins. We confess with shame that we are a sinful, proud, ungrateful nation. But spare us according to Thy mercy. Pour down the Holy Spirit upon us. Revive Thy work and make us a nation fearing God and working righteousness. We ask all for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
~ J.C. Ryle, 18th century
Pour down the Holy Spirit upon me. Let me not be deceived about the state of my own soul. If I am not yet converted, convert me without delay. Create in me a new heart. Show me what I am. Show me what Thou art. Show me Christ. Teach me to pray. Let me not die in my sins. If I am converted, give me more grace. Lead me on. Build me up. Stablish me. Strengthen me. Perfect me. Increase my faith, and hope, and love. Grant that I may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pour down the Holy Spirit upon all ministers of the Gospel. Make them more zealous and more faithful. May Christ be preached this year more fully, freely, and affectionately, than He has ever been yet preached in our country.
Pour down the Holy Spirit upon all congregations. May there be more life, earnestness, and fervor in all our religious assemblies. May hearers of the Gospel this year always meet together really desiring a blessing, and always go home to pray.
Pour down the Holy Spirit upon all ranks and classes – upon the rich and upon the poor, upon the old and upon the young. May there be less Sabbath-breaking, and drunkenness, and worldliness, and covetousness, and pride, and formality, and self-righteousness in the land this year. May there be more thinking, praying, Bible reading, holy living, and diligence in the use of means of grace. May we all feel more deeply the value of our own souls, and care more for the souls of others.
Gracious Lord, deal not with us according to our sins. We confess with shame that we are a sinful, proud, ungrateful nation. But spare us according to Thy mercy. Pour down the Holy Spirit upon us. Revive Thy work and make us a nation fearing God and working righteousness. We ask all for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
~ J.C. Ryle, 18th century
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