Should Our Children Be Taught About Other Religions?

Some schools are taking it upon themselves to teach children about other religions. Is this okay? After all, we want them to understand the world around them. We want our children to accept other people and have a wide worldview.

I don’t believe teaching them other religions is acceptable, and there are several reasons why:

• The parents have no say. They aren’t asked, “Do you approve of Johnny being taught Religion X?” They’re also not able to opt out of classes.
• Children are easily confused. They don’t have the maturity to weigh ideas in a logical manner. Depending on how Religions X, Y, and Z are presented, these religions might appeal to vulnerable children. Children might also become confused about basic biblical doctrines. After all, they told them in school . . . .
• In religious instruction, the children might be asked to actually perform acts of worship. These contradict the First and Second Commandments, which say, Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them (Exodus 20:3-5a).

Children should understand that other religions exist. They need to be taught that “religion” is about people trying to please God (or their concept of god). They should understand that no religion can please God, since all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 6:23). This leads children to the Truth—to the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the only One who can save people from their sins, because He offered Himself on the cross and rose again.

Children can be taught the truth about idols. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield (Psalm 115:4-9). You can also teach them that other religions’ founders have died and remained dead, but Jesus rose again, and we can have life through Him!

The Bible is very strong about false teaching. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9).

So, what can a parent do?

• My first choice is Christian education—either homeschooling or in a good Christian school.
• If you cannot put your child in a Christian school, make it crystal clear to your child’s teacher—and the principal—that you do not want your child to participate in any class about other religions. Make sure there’s a provision for your child to leave the room, if a class of this sort will be taught. Schools are supposed to honor your wishes.

I believe it’s important to have a biblical understanding of education. The Bible tells us exactly what children are supposed to learn. It’s a very easy two-point outline. Are you ready?

1. Educating children begins with their parents. The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.
2. Parents are to teach children to love God and to obey His commandments. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up (Deuteronomy 6:4b-7). This is obviously an all-day teaching. That’s why I love Christian education, whether in the home or school. Your children are learning love for God and for His Word, the Bible. If they go to a public or secular private school, it’s still your obligation to teach them to love God and the Bible.

One of the huge failures in Christian homes is teaching their children to love God and the Bible. Why is this happening? I’m not completely sure, but I think part of the cause is that the parents don’t seriously love God with all their heart, soul, and might, and they probably don’t demonstrate a sincere love for the Bible in their home. How many parents sit down with an open Bible and read it to their children? How many parents are distracted by television and computers? How many parents convey their own love of God in the way they live, treat their spouses, and interact with their children? How many pray with their children?

What should a parent teach his child? These biblical concepts provide a starting place:

• Love for God—Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind (Matthew 22:37).
• The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17)
• Salvation—Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:10, 12).
• Kindness—And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32).
• Obedience—Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour 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).
• Scripture memory—Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalm 119:11).
• Character traits: honesty, industry, responsibility, keeping one’s word, etc.
• Wisdom—Study the Book of Proverbs with your junior high and high school children.

Of course, there’s much more! Biblical teaching all boils down to teaching children to love God and obey His commandments. That’s our duty. We must not allow our children’s school to sidetrack this!

  

Why Marriage is Out of Style

As Christians, sometimes we get hung up about other people’s hang-ups. For example, we get frustrated that people don’t get married anymore. We look at all the singles, divorced people, and “friends” living together, and we tend to think, “Why don’t they get married? What’s the problem?”

Without going into “problems,” I really and truly believe the biggest issue with marriage is marriage. I mean, what is marriage? Marriage is a life-long commitment to another human being.

And, most people don’t want to commit to anything for a long time.

Nada. Zilch. No strings.

Marriage is the ultimate string tier. Marriage is actually becoming one—for life. It’s as permanent a bond as you can get on this earth. It’s better than Gorilla Glue!

We laugh at the goofy priest in the Princess Bride who says “Mawage.” We see disasters at weddings on YouTube. (I love the ones where the whole wedding party is posing on an old pier, which slowly gives way, dunking almost everyone in the lake!) But, the wedding isn’t the issue; it’s the commitment.

What if it doesn’t work out? (Anyone who asks that is doomed to failure before he begins. The same goes for pre-nups.) What if . . . .

What kind of examples have our kids seen? Do they think it’s so cool how Mom and Dad still hug, laugh, and kiss? Do they want a relationship like we have? Are we modeling a great marriage for them? Have we given them security? Have we demonstrated how to resolve conflicts in a peaceful, non plate-throwing way? Have we shown them what it’s like for the husband to sacrificially love his wife and a wife to respect her husband? Have they actually learned how to do it by watching us? Would our kids like to grow up and have a marriage like ours?

Not trying to send anyone on a guilt trip, you understand, but the truth is, most marriages—at least 90% of them—aren’t the kind that anyone would want to copy. So, why are we surprised when young people just aren’t interested?

Another hindrance is cultural. Watch any movie that was made after 1980. (I rarely ever do, by the way, and this is one of the reasons why.) There’s a dysfunctional family at best and a non-family is the norm. I remember seeing E.T. at someone’s home many years ago. At the beginning, I almost left the room because of the rude talk between parents and children. Nasty! Why would anyone want a home like that?

Nowadays, it’s worse. A film “family” has a million definitions, and they’re not convincing enough that people want one. I looked up “family” on a photo-sharing site. Seriously, I got: skunk families, ape families, some couples, a few couples with children—very few—and even insect families! “Family” no longer seems to mean human marriage. No wonder people are confused!

I believe another reason for the non-marriage phenomenon is financial. Years ago, any man with a decent job—just about any full-time job—could provide basic housing and food for his family. His wife wouldn’t absolutely need to work outside of the home, and his children could grow up comfortably, if not richly. Today, with the same full-time job, most men can’t provide housing and food for their family. The wife must work—either from home or outside the home. When they’re blessed with children, they have extra stresses: costs of childcare, schooling, etc. Many singles look at this scenario and feel like why get married, if it’s financially even harder than what I’m struggling to do to take care of myself?

Some people are “running scared.” Through the years, I’ve known some wonderful young women who actually met and dated Mr. Right. They admired him, respected him, and knew he was top quality—but they couldn’t commit. They wouldn’t let themselves love. They couldn’t take that huge (to them) step from a great friendship to marriage.

It’s a sad state of affairs, but I believe it’s not a problem we need to live with. Let’s do more modeling, more praying, and more biblical counseling. Let’s encourage true, normal friendships—not matchmaking or setting up blind dates for people. Let’s just be Christians who live seeking God’s will.

I fully believe that if our churches were full of more truly Christ-like Christians, we’d see more lovely marriages.* They might even come into style again!

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

(Mark 10:7-9)

_______________

* No, I don’t believe it’s God’s will for everyone to marry. It’s not Scriptural. Neither is it biblical for women to go out looking for a man. But, it is God’s will for most people to marry. If you follow my blog, you’ll know that I have a heart for singles. (Many of my best friends are single women.) Do a search, and you’ll see!

  

Fiction Review--Restored: Never Give Up Hope

Restored: Never Give Up Hope, by Kimberly Rae is the third book in The Broken Series. I’ve reviewed the first two books, Shredded (here) and Shattered (here). They’re about childhood sexual abuse and human trafficking and slavery. These three books are best read in order so that you know the characters and understand the backstories.

Slash, the trafficker of women, is in prison for murder and attempted murder. Elderly Florence is about to be married, and horror of all horrors, bridesmaid Candy—a former prostitute—is trying on her bridesmaid gown. It’s bright yellow polyester and covered in yellow tulle. It even features puffed sleeves and a bow! No way is Candy going down any aisle in that!

The fashion emergency ends once and for all when Florence sees her. She’s so pleased! “Candy, you look exactly as I always imagined my bridesmaids would look . . . . You probably feel silly wearing something so old-fashioned, but it means so much to me to see this dress that I dreamed of for years . . . .” Candy wonders if she’ll get a reward of heaven. She knows she’ll have to wear it. At least Jean has one, too!

Grant is still in the hospital, depressed and trying to figure out his possibilities. He’s in denial about his paralysis and not dealing with that at all. He doesn’t understand that his fiancée, Jean, is working through even more than he is—and she’s sleep deprived.

Jean tries on her yellow polyester creation while Candy uses the opportunity to have a heart-to-heart with Grant. She tells him he’s being selfish and a few other things. She also confides in him about her fears—which are life-and-death reality.

Champagne is missing, and someone’s talking to the media. Slash will soon be released from jail, and Candy feels her world is turning upside down. Plus, Candy realizes if she talks, her friends might be killed. She’s afraid. She doesn’t want to paint big round targets on everyone she loves.

Read this wonderful concluding book to find out what happens when Florence gets married, Slash gets out of jail, and two others secretly get married and search for answers. I know you’ll enjoy this and be challenged anew to reach others for Christ. No one is beyond His reach and His forgiveness.

There is some violence, no sensuality outside of marriage (only hinted at), and no bad language. This is a distinctly Christian book and the perfect ending to this series. It's probably not for teens due to the adult subject matter.

What Can You Give God?

My husband recently showed me this verse: Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength (Psalm 29:1). Did you ever think about it? I mean, did you ever think it strange that we could give God anything? Yet, here it is: the Great God of the Universe wants us—commands us—to give Him glory and strength!

When we go through the Bible, God does most of the giving—to sinful man. How could He love us like this?

But, what does God want us to give Him? You might be surprised!

Glory and strength—1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 29:2; 96:7-8; 115:1; Isaiah 42:12; and 1 Samuel 6:5. It was hard to get my head around this concept, so I looked up what it means to give glory to God. This is what I found: “We ‘ascribe’ or give glory to Him because it is His due. No one else deserves the praise and worship that we give to glorify Him. . . . We also glorify God by rehearsing His attributes and His deeds. To glorify God is to extol His attributes—His holiness, faithfulness, mercy, grace, love, majesty, sovereignty, power, and omniscience, to name a few—rehearsing them over and over in our minds and telling others about the singular nature of the salvation only He offers.”* What is the Bible saying when we give God strength? Doesn’t He have all power already? Of course, He does! This is talking about lending Him our own efforts, so that He can use them for His glory. That’s why, in so many of these verses, glory and strength go together.

Tithes and offerings—Genesis 28:22; Exodus 30:14; Leviticus 23:38; Numbers 15:21; Deuteronomy 15:14; 16:10; 18:4; 1 Chronicles 16:29; and Psalm 96:8. A tithe was/is the expected amount of giving from any believer—a tenth of any gross income. In some of these passages, it’s about crops. In two of them, it refers to dough, as a heave offering. (I had to chuckle about a tenth of the dough!) An offering can refer to the tithe and also above the tithe, an offering of love. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Songs of praise, thanks—Judges 5:3; 2 Samuel 22:50; 1 Chronicles 16:8, 34; Psalm 18:49; 30:12; 105:1; 106:1, 47; 107:1; 118:1, 29; 122:4; and 136:1. Anyone who’s ever read the book of Psalms should know that God loves praise. He wants to be adored, and He wants us to be thankful. A heart of praise and thanks pleases Him. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name (Psalm 100:1, 2-4).

On one occasion, a mother (Hannah) gave God her firstborn child in service to God. This is how she prayed: And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head (1 Samuel 1:11). God answered her prayer, gave her Samuel, who was given back to the Lord in Tabernacle service. After Samuel, God blessed her with five more children.

Serving others is the same as giving service to Christ Himself. Jesus told this parable: Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (Matthew 25:34-40).

What does God want from Christians? Glory, strength, tithes and offerings, singing, praise, thanks, and service.

I wonder. What are we giving God today?

_______________

* https://www.gotquestions.org/glorify-God.html

Thirty-nine Years: Where Did They Go?

We were married in my home church on a steamy day in July. Mostly, the wedding went without a snag. I was a glowing bride. Not enjoying being the center of attention, my husband wanted the wedding to be over as soon as possible. We held the reception at my home, and before we knew it, we were driving away in our little red Volkswagen Beetle. My cousins and the groomsmen did a thorough job of rigging our little car with cans, pebbles in the hubcaps, and a few other interesting surprises. It was all in fun, and we drove down the highway, clanging and losing cans as we went. People stared and we were laughing. Our first stop was a car wash, and our second was Lloyd’s Steak House. After a hardy meal, we drove to our honeymoon spot, a rented cabin.

A few months later, our car’s engine blew a rod. We didn't have a car, and I still needed a job. (No one ever told me an art degree wasn’t practical without experience!) We bought another car for $200. It was worth even less than that.

Two years went by, and my husband was an ordained gospel minister and had earned his master’s degree in Bible. Both of us were working full-time and searching for God’s will. We were volunteers for the mission field. Our problem was that the world’s a big place, and we didn’t know where God wanted us.

Through open and closed doors, the Lord began to show us His way. It was incredible to watch even while it was happening. Soon, we were on deputation to work with veteran missionaries. The die was cast. It took us two years to raise support, and then we left for Spain, taking our deputation baby with us.

Near the JFK airport, the day we left for Spain

In 1984, Spain was much more primitive than it is now. The highways were only two lanes, and there were lots of potholes and trucks. The cars weren’t very comfortable, either. (That’s an understatement!) We jostled along in our co-workers’ Siata van and began the eight-hour trip to our new home. We’d lost two whole nights of sleep and said good-bye to our families, and we still had eight hours ahead of us! I’m surprised we made it through that day. We ended up in our co-workers’ bedroom, while they slept on their foldout couch.

In our thirty-nine-year marriage, we’ve lived in eight different homes, five of those in Spain. We’ve parented and homeschooled two delightful children. We've had the joy of seeing them married to wonderful spouses and having children of their own. We learned Spanish from zero, served in two churches on the field, and have remodeled two of the places we lived—while living in them. We’ve tent camped in fields in Europe (back in the days when you could legally do that), and our family  laughs about it. Oh, the memories!

at the Roman aqueduct, Segovia, Spain

My husband and I have learned a lot together, especially about yielding and kindness. We’ve found out that fighting isn’t worth it; it’s much more pleasant to live in peace. We enjoy being together and appreciate comfortable silences. Over the years, we’ve almost switched roles. A lot of times now, my husband is the funny one—and I’m the one that needs the levity. We understand each other so well that we finish each other’s sentences and translate the other’s thoughts (a bilingual issue). And now that we’re older, we try to take care of each other. It’s almost cute!

We love the same atmosphere—quiet, trees, beauty, and birdsong. There’s nothing like walking through towns with hundreds of years of history. We enjoy beautiful architecture and cobblestone streets, antique shops, and interesting people. We both also love smiling dogs.

It’s a funny thing to be married this long. You look back over a lifetime. In our case, we had a “life before Spain” and then most of our lives (coming up on thirty-three years) here. 

My husband has proved through the years to be kind, faithful, and a servant to all. He’s consistent and constantly growing and maturing. He’s wonderful! I am so privileged to go through life with him.

This is one of the Bible verses that was printed on our wedding invitations:

O magnify the LORD with me,

and let us exalt his name together.

(Psalm 34:3)

This is still our goal as a married couple. With whatever time we have left, we want to magnify the Lord's name together.

Someone Wants You Dead (and the Good News)

Cults of death are nothing new, but they take different forms. There’s a Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why about the reasons a girl named Hannah commits suicide. There’s a new club called “The Blue Whale” which instructs members to perform certain tasks. The last one before death is carving the image of a blue whale on one’s forearm. After that, the participant is told to kill himself. A teen girl coaches her boyfriend to commit suicide in his truck. "Don't think about it; just do it," she says. I remember when I was in junior high school that some of the kids in my hometown killed other young people in a Satanic ritual.

Why would anyone think it was okay to commit suicide or kill someone else? Why would any teen actually play a suicide game?

Because someone wants everyone dead.

On June 24, CNN aired a special report about Silicon Valley and the executives that had committed suicide. Why did they do it? Because they felt the pressure to always be strong and successful, to never be down, never fail. When they suffered mentally, they felt they couldn’t share their feelings with anyone else. So, they went further down into deep depression. Some took their own lives.

Someone wanted them dead.

Parents published a unique obituary for their daughter, who hung herself. She’d been bullied at school. Her parents sent a message to the bullies, telling them they’d been effective in making their daughter feel worthless. She was a beautiful teen with long red hair. Why would anyone bully her?

Someone wanted her to consider suicide.

It has always been this way. Satan wants to kill people. He can’t stand the thought that humans would want to live happy lives and serve God. He is constantly lying to people’s minds so they think if they kill themselves, they’ll be done with their suffering. Even some Christians believe this lie.

Read these descriptions of Satan all through the Bible:

• God said, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die (Genesis 2:17). Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die (Genesis 3:1-4). When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they died spiritually. Later, they died physically, too. Before sin, there was no death. The Bible describes it this way, Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (Romans 5:12).
• Jesus said, Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44).
• When God gave Satan permission to afflict Job, Satan would have killed him, but the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life (Job 2:6).
• Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve (Luke 22:3). And, Judas decided to betray Jesus, so that the Jewish leaders could kill Him.
• Jesus said, And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28).
• Jesus said, I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God (John 8:37, 40).
• Jesus said, The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
• The Apostle Paul was instructing the believers about a disobedient brother: To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 5:5).
• Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
• Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14).

Satan—the devil—is the person who wants to drag everyone he can to their deaths. He would like for everyone to go to hell, too. By the way, hell wasn’t made for people. Jesus said that the everlasting fire was prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41b). It’s sad and unnecessary that any humans would go there!

The devil wants death, but the good news is that Jesus is life! What a contrast!

Jesus said, The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(John 14:6)

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son,

and believeth on him, may have everlasting life:

and I will raise him up at the last day.

(John 6:40)

There’s even more good news! The devil was conquered at the cross. His end is sure. This will happen after the millennial reign of Christ: And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10).

Jesus died so that you don’t need to die. He paid the price for your sins on the cross. Probably the best-known Bible verse of all is this:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

(John 3:16)

Do you know Him? Jesus came to give you LIFE.