The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

I realize that every day people of every age read “Dr. Mike’s Daily Prescriptions.” Many of the subscribers are older folks and some are retired. But still there are a good many younger folks who are reading this. You are young enough that your parents are still living. I’m thinking of my mother who went Home to be with the Lord at age ninety-three.

Recently I received a humorous little article entitled “Mom’s Favorite Sayings!” There was no author listed. It made me smile. Have you ever heard your mom say any of these things?

1. What part of no don’t you understand?
2. I don’t care who started it!
3. Money doesn’t grow on trees.
4. Your face is going to freeze like that.
5. Your hands are not broken.
6. Beds are made for sleeping, not jumping.
7. No one said life is fair.
8. Eat your vegetables.
9. I don’t know is NOT an answer!
10. Because I said so….That’s why!

Children are to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1). They also are to honor their father and mother (Ephesians 6:2). But an interesting statement also is listed, “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). The list of statements to our children made me smile. But the reminder to live in such a way so as to not unnecessarily provoke my children is a good reminder for each of us.

How will all these play out in your life today, my friends?

It is no secret. I love words!

Every day I receive a little email from dictionary.com with a new word along with how to pronounce it and the definition. The word of the day came this morning and made me smile. It is the word BAFFLEGAB.

Pronounced BAF-uhl-gab, it is a noun meaning “confusing or generally unintelligible jargon; gobbledegook.”

How do you like that? This word describes the intention of wording a document in such a way as to be confusing, deliberately hard to understand. The illustration used stated, “The company’s financial report was so laden with bafflegob that even seasoned analysts struggled to make sense of it.”

I am so glad that God’s Word is so different from this. While I may not fully grasp everything in God’s Word, we can read it, believe it, understand it, apply it and rejoice that God has communicated with us. Think of just a few verses of encouragement today from Psalm 119 that are anything but bafflegob!

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (119:11).

“Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors” (119:24)

“For ever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven” (119:89).

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (119:105).

“My heart stands in awe of Thy word. I rejoice at Thy word” (119:161-162).

Let me encourage you to take some time today to open your Bible and read it. If you are not currently in a Bible reading plan, read the Gospel of John and see our awesome Lord in His greatness and grace.

This took place years and years ago, but I can remember it like it was yesterday. I don’t know what brought it to mind, but let me share this experience with you as well as a couple of Scripture verses.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3).

Karen and I were seated by the hostess and were told, “Your server will be with you in just a few moments.” We had been given a gift card to the restaurant and were going to get a little bite of supper out that night. Both Karen and I were looking at the menu when our attention was caught by the sudden commotion near us. A family was eating at a table located rather close to us. If it were not so tragic it would have been humorous to watch this dysfunctional family. None of the four children were made to sit at the table. They were loud. They fought amongst themselves. Food was falling on the floor. Direct disobedience took place with no consequences. By the time our order arrived, they were on their way. Three busboys and several servers worked on cleaning up their mess.

As soon as the area was cleaned up and made ready, another family was seated at that table. They spoke quietly with each other. The children sat in their seats. They were orderly and had good manners. When we finished eating, I stopped by their table and spoke to the dad.

I said to him, “There was another family in before you. I’ve watched two different families sit at this table. It is evident that your children are very well-behaved. I know that doesn’t just happen, and I want to thank you and commend your children for their good behavior.” The dad and mom were just a little embarrassed but very grateful. We need to be praying for parents these days. It is more difficult than ever to raise children in such a culture as ours.

Pray for parents today and encourage them: I want to encourage parents. How about you?

“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed” (2 John 10).

The Epistle of 2 John is only one chapter long. Though the Book is brief, a careful study finds the message to be rich in practical and powerful principles. One such principle is the encountering of those who come door-to-door trying to hand out their heretical and wicked paperbacks. In the times of the Apostle John, fast food places and the Motel 6 didn’t exist. Travelers were invited to come in and join the family for supper and overnight. It seems strange to us, but hosts would commonly welcome those who came to their door and help them along their way. Blessings would be pronounced as the guest would leave as the host family wished them a successful journey.

John warns believers not to do so with cultists and those who were propagating wrong doctrine. Evangelism must take place at the doorstep and then no blessings were to be pronounced such as “God bless you” as the cultist leaves. The same certainly is true for us as well. The warmer weather is here, and no doubt your doorbell will be rung at least once this summer by those who are propagating false religion. Remember how John says to handle them. Evangelize and witness at the door. Do not bless them along the way.

For today: I am all for evangelism. But I don’t want to give them the impression that I appreciate what they are doing.

I ran across a saying recently that made me stop what I was doing and really think about it. Here’s the saying by Joni Eareckson Tada.

“Though gradually, though no one remembers exactly how it happened, the unthinkable becomes tolerable. And then acceptable. And then legal. And then applaudable.”

There is one more level I would add beyond applaudable. It would be: And then it dare not be questioned or challenged in any manner lest the one who questions would be labeled INTOLERANT.

I hope I don’t sound like a grouchy old man today. I have never loved the sinner any more than I do today. But I am sickened at the celebration of what God calls an abomination. My pastor said in a recent sermon, “Those who love Christ love the things that Christ loves and hates the things that Christ hates.” I totally agree with him.

“Ye that love the LORD, hate evil” (Psalm 97:10).
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood; a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13).

It’s a matter of perspective. I need to be gracious, loving, and truthful. But I also need to love the things God loves and hate the things that He hates. Yes, I probably will be called intolerant. Believers have been called lots of worse things than this! Make it a great day of celebrating your relationship with your awesome Lord today.