Monday, November 20, 2006

PARENTING/DISCIPLINE IN PROVERBS - Ch 20

20:3 "Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel."

~As this theme continues in Proverbs, I continue to think about avoiding strife. I do not get the sense that this is talking about cowardly compromising your beliefs in order to avoid strife. I think this means that we must NOT be quarrelsome - even while taking our stances. Make it our goal to be as Jesus was, "full of grace and truth".

~I must avoid unnecessary strife

~This will mirror for my children how to avoid strife in their own lives with siblings, parents, and friends

~I must not let my parenting become quarrelsome

20:7 "A righteous man who walks in his integrity, how blessed are his children after him."

~integrity - strongs# 8537, "tom" -
Strongs: completeness, innocence, full, perfect
Dr. Zodhiates: Complete

~Word would mean sound, complete, unbroken wholeness, sound....morally whole, morally sound, morally complete...

~I must walk in integrity, Mike must walk in integrity....as we walk in wholeness our children are blessed....God OFFERS wholeness as we submit to His healing work in our lives. Don't give up, it is possible! If for no other reason, allow God to do whatever it takes to make you "sound" because your children deserve to have parents who walk in integrity.

20:19 "He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip."

~Pretty clearly states not to associate with gossips. Why? Detrimental to my walk, destroys trusts others have in me...

~If my children observe me gossiping they will not be confident to trust me with their hearts.

~No young person wants to think Mom calls all her friends with his/her confidences.

~If we want to HAVE trustworthy children we must BE trustworthy parents! I'm very careful what I share with friends, family etc about my children. In fact, they are ASKED before I post things about them, even on this blog or online lists.

~Beware even of Internet gossip.....God takes gossip seriously.

No comments: