I learned Solomon’s system.” The teen ager frowned not understanding. “Don’t you mean Sullivan? John A. Sullivan? You’ve got it wrong. It’s not Solomon.” The pastor insisted, “No, I really mean Solomon. You look it up in the 15th chapter of Proverbs. You’ll find these words. They’re what I learned years ago. They’re the best defense any body could possibly have. Let me quote them, “A soft answer tumeth away wrath!” The youth got the point. The problem is that too often we know the words, but seldom to we practice the truth! The life of faith is a wonderful day-by-day experience. THE HAND OF HOPE We endeavor to stress the importance of rearing children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. How easy it is to become exasperated, especially when we’re tired and things haven’t gone too well. A father may take it out on his pre-school child just because his boss hasn’t understood him at the office. A mother may be cross with her children simply because she doesn’t feel too well, or has had a fight with her husband. Never forget that when that boy or girl places that small hand into yours, it may be smeared with chocolate ice cream or grimy from petting a dog and making mud pies, there may be a little wart under the right thumb and a bandaged index finger, but the most important thing about that hand is that it’s one of the future. The Lord has entrusted that precious life to your heart and home. Some day those hands may hold a Bible or a Smith and Wes son revolver. Those hands may play the church piano or spin a gambling wheel. Those hands may gently dress a leper’s wound or tremble wretchedly because of alcohol or narcotics. Right now, when they’re little, it all depends upon you. That hand represents a full- fledged personality in miniature. That life needs encouragement to grow into Christian adulthood, in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, ultimately, it’s your responsibility. 31 The person who is kicking continually will soon lose his balance.
easy for Christian parents to fail in providing proper home life by allow ing the house to become boring or un pleasant, just a way station in between engagements. There must be fellowship and fun, as well as devotion and love. It’s all too easy for Christian parents to have many worth-while outside in terests, including church ministries, yet their own children may be neglected. Whether preacher or layman, our first responsibility is our own home! My home must have a much greater influ ence on my work, than my work has on my home. By indulging our children we can spoil and ruin the very lives which' we profess to love. There needs to be discipline and correction. It will make all of the difference for the future. The greatest sheet-anchor any young person can have is a personal experi ence with the Lord Jesus Christ. The most fertile field for that relationship to be nourished and in which to mature is in a home where Jesus Christ hasn’t just been given a place or even a promi nent position, but where He has the total pre-eminence! DEFENSE SYSTEM 7fs not easy to love people when they continually do unpleasant things to us. Sometimes young people want to know what they should do if a person causes them trouble. Scripture says to turn the other cheek; to go the extra mile, if rebuffed. Unfortunately, that’s more easily said than done. Greatly disturbed over such a problem, a young man asked his pastor, “Do you think it’s wrong for me to learn the art of self defense?” The man of God smilingly assured, “Why, certainly it isn’t! That’s what I learned when I was your age. It’s been a great value during all my life.” That got the youth interested and excited. He pressed further. “Well, did you learn the Old English system or Sullivan’s Method? And I suppose you know judo and karate, too.” The pas tor had to laugh out loud at the ob servation, and then confessed, “Actually I don’t know any of those things, Son. Treasures in Heaven are laid up when treasures on earth are laid down.
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