Session Notes

Q&A: The Damned Oldness of the Letter:

“ mostly hear bondage in the so-called ”defense“ of the ”inspired word of God“.  That damned oldness of the letter!!!  I can hear so clearly the words of the religious as they stood upon the inspired words of Moses!!  Hypocrites we were, huh?  Written words, written standards, written modes of comparison, written traps of logic, written formulas, written principles – all supposedly brought to completion in one leather-bound volume that is said to be the only source by which we can know God and/or truth.  Yuck, puke, vomitous lies all intended to bring us back under a ”written in stone“ kind of relationship with God that never worked before and can never work in any circumstances!!! 
 
Law came through Moses, Grace came through Christ!!!”

The is a excellent, bold, and brief article explains the difference between law and Christ. I pray the lies of only knowing God and His truth from the Bible would be replaced in believing Him/His Finished Work in us. Believers are new/soft/willing at every moment in our heart and not sinners. Although we do have the choice to live under the law which seems to create hardness/disobedience of the heart. This tends to leads to sin.

Q&A: Relating with a mom whose son is on drugs and stealing from :

“You know, when your child fails so badly it goes right to the core of you. It is right THERE that you are tempted to view yourself according to the measuring stick of performance. ”Where did I fail?“ will become the REAL question behind a million others. Do you try to ”fix“ things in the hopes of making up for your failure? Do you take a ”stand“ against the ”evil influences“ and the ”evil doers“ in our society? Do you begin to wonder why your child doesn’t measure up to your own standards? Or do you beat yourself up because you are sure that he/she has become the thing you might have been? ”

This article poses good questions to get to the heart of the matter of parenting issues. There is a touching grieving poem with hope.

Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy:

“n a therapy session, a husband’s numb withdrawal expands into a sense
of intimidation and helplessness. He can now assert his need for respect
and become more accessible to his wife.

He
moves from ”There is no point in talking to you. I don’t want to
fight.“ to ”I do want to be close. I want you to give me a chance.
Stop poking me and let me learn to dance with you.“
His
wife’s critical anger then expands into fear and sadness. She can now
ask for and elicit comfort.

She moves from ”You just don’t care. You don’t get it.“ to ”It
is so difficult to say – but I need you to hold me – reassure
me – can you?“”

I good overview of the process that grieving to the Lord can lead to in marital therapy.

Q&A: How do you raise children by grace?:

“ It is how they will try to keep you from knowing what they have done as they sense shame and inadequacy from it no matter how much you try to convince them Jesus took care of it. They will think like this no matter how hard you try to teach them grace. Don’t get depressed by this … it is the backdrop by which they will realize true grace in time. ”

This is a good article stressing the importance of not pretending the flesh can ever be righteous.

calgary.ctv.ca – Calgary news from CTV:

“At the end of the observation time, doctors found no impact on the rate of allergies or asthma.

But this did find breastfeeding babies, until they turned one, did have some obvious benefits.

”This study really quite definitively shows that, in infancy, breastfeeding did have an impact on eczema and bowel infections,“ says Dr. Reg Sauve from the University of Calgary.”

Q&A: Do you have any insight on raising kids?:

“I don’t have anything written about raising children … not sure I want to get into that. I will say this much, though … most of the stuff that has been said about, ”training them in the way they should go“ is detrimental to the identity of your child. It’s not ”in the way YOU want them to go“, or ”in the way YOU think GOD wants them to go“, but ”in the way THEY should go“.”

This is good article discussing the importance of not turning grace into a nicety. I pray all children would see Jesus came to save sinners. When children see/hear of our hurt and unconditionallove/grace, they will turn to Jesus and not be discouraged. God live give them His faith/way to do His good will.

Q&A: How do I tell my kids about different religions and beliefs?:

“every group has its problems because every group is made up of other people who are just as confused as you and I are, and that the reason you favor one group over another is that, at least in what you can determine, there is a stronger general leaning toward the miraculous reality of Christ, and that this is the only reality that will cut through our confusion.* Don’t be afraid to tell them that many groups are simply built around the name and concept of Christianity and have become social clubs … and may be pretty good social clubs if you were to ignore the religious factors.* religions will often shift and sometimes do things simply to protect itself.* are you prepared to go elsewhere if the group is causing more harm than good in your family?

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This is a good article on questions to consider about church/regligion and Life being found in Christ alone. It is not solely in a group.

Q&A: How to relate to my kids without sounding dogmatic?:

“ avoid the game. Tell your children about the real you. You know, the one that is alive in Christ because of what HE has done, but one who also struggles every day with the same kind of things they struggle with. Your children want to know if they are worthwhile, if they are important, if they are loved, and how they can be right. If you level with them about your own futile attempts to justify yourself through your day then they may be able to see that others, even religious others, are trying to do the same thing. They will really see truth when they realize that that is exactly what they are desperately searching for in the world around them. When it ceases to be a mystery then they won’t be enticed to go chasing after any system of man for their worth. Show them CHRIST vs. EVERYTHING ELSE!! ”

The is an excellent/concise article on parenting with a real risen Christ focus. One needs to keep in mind that we are saved through FAITH not belief.

Q&A: My daughter just told me she is a lesbian:

“also realize that grace does not teach us that we are supposed to be accepting of perverse behavior, but that this is what we have been delivered out of. In Christ, ALL OF IT has been condemned EQUALLY. Christ’s death and resurrection did not make it OK, He put it to death and has raised US to new life.”

This is a really clear brief article that encourages us to say when we feel hurt/fear, the impact, over others choices, as this is our heart, and that we do love that individual. As well we can ask for limits so their free will has less of an affect on us. This is the treasure of grace and honesty in the freedom of Christ’s work on the cross. I pray we can all do it.

Q&A: How to discipline daughter in rebellion?:

“”Grades“ have become like gods to us. What is your real concern in knowing that her grades have slipped? The fact that her grades have fallen simply points to the fact that she has become distracted. Not unusual for a 15 year old girl – especially considering her situation with a mom and a dad who don’t live together anymore. I’m not rebuking you in any way, just adding it all together to give a fuller picture of her world. Once again, consider this: grades vs. relationship. The picture will always become clear when you can see what you’re dealing with. I personally think it is wise on your part to not buy her a car – for what would be the real purpose of it? Don’t let the temporary sense that ”Daddy loves me because he bought me a car!“ fool you into thinking it will do anything in the long run as far as showing your daughter that you love her.I appreciate your concern for your daughter, and thank you for taking the chance to ask me what you did. I look forward to continuing our discussion. ”

I love that the author believes children can be believers of Jesus. It makes a good point that depending on your microculture something may be considered better or worse. It still is a narrow-minded perspective. I am not saying anything goes. As parents we need to realize that what we model, ourselves is most important. Loving her for who she is, not who you would like her to be. I pray so for all us parents.