If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile… (I Cor. 15:17)
What would you say if one of your grandchildren or adult children were to ask you what you believe is the most important thing you know? The apostle Paul’s answer to that question is the resurrection of Jesus… and our promised resurrection when Christ returns.
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins (the reason we observe Good Friday), that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (vs. 3-4). Read more
https://i0.wp.com/gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Resurrection_Tomb.jpg?fit=387%2C310&ssl=1310387Cavin Harperhttps://gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GSFLogo_darkgray_v3.pngCavin Harper2016-03-25 16:33:102016-03-25 16:33:10Of First Importance!
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” Luke 6:21
Many years ago, Bob Benson wrote about the house he built for his family. He reminisced about all the years of wonderful memories crowded into every corner, room and nook of their home. In the end Benson wrote of those autumn years of life: “Peg and I now sit quietly by the fire and listen to the laughter in the walls.” What are the sounds that will be heard in the walls of your home? Read more
https://i0.wp.com/gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/WALL-HOME.jpg?fit=424%2C283&ssl=1283424Cavin Harperhttps://gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GSFLogo_darkgray_v3.pngCavin Harper2016-03-19 11:03:372016-03-19 11:03:37Is There Laugher in Your Walls?
“Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.” Prov. 14:13
Most of us love being around people who laugh regularly and robustly. I know I find myself laughing more when I am around people who laugh well—those who seem to be able to laugh in spite of the circumstances around them. I am impacted by people who laugh easily in spite of and seldom because of anything in particular.
If only people, on the other hand, rarely laugh. They are too focused on their sad state of affairs: if only our finances were better; if only other people would treat me better; if only I had talent like that person. If only people tend to laugh at people rather than with them. They are more likely to snivel and see themselves as victims. It is too hard for them to see through the circumstances and see the gracious hand of God at work in the pain.
https://i0.wp.com/gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OLD_MAN_LAUGHING.jpg?fit=424%2C283&ssl=1283424Cavin Harperhttps://gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GSFLogo_darkgray_v3.pngCavin Harper2016-03-05 17:39:242016-03-05 17:39:24Are You an In-Spite-Of or If-Only Grandparent?
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity [fear], but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
It is a presidential election year. Have you noticed how many people are driven by fear in their choices for a presidential candidate? The constant messages of nominee front-runners feed on the fears of people because they know that people are often manipulated by the candidates’ abilities to use forceful, charismatic appeals to both real and imaginary fears. We are seeing more and more votes driven by emotions and fear rather than thoughtful evaluation of a person’s character and qualifications to lead this nation.
Fear is a strong motivational force, but it can also paralyze so that appropriate action is not taken when action is needed. In my travels and conversations with grandparents, it is not uncommon to encounter those who are paralyzed by the fear of inadequacy, or the fear that the generation gap is so huge we could never relate to one another. After all, why would either be interested in what the other has to say?
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance…
I Corinthians 15:3-5
A delightful couple, who are passionate grandparents, recently applied for one of our leadership training events. These events equip grandparents to represent our ministry as teachers through our grandparenting seminars and workshops. The application requires a written testimony about their own faith journey.
I was intrigued by a statement in that testimony that said, “I am pleased with [our pastor’s] multi-faith outlook and attitude.” To be sure I accurately understood what was being said, I asked for clarification. Unfortunately, the response I received confirmed what I suspected—a belief in many definitions of God and many ways to God. Why is this so important?
https://i0.wp.com/gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/71c216a9-e6fa-48a7-874e-b22410e8f3bb.jpg?fit=437%2C153&ssl=1153437Cavin Harperhttps://gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GSFLogo_darkgray_v3.pngCavin Harper2016-02-20 22:23:002016-02-20 22:23:00You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have
One of the important biblical roles of parents and grandparents is the spoken blessing. I thought it might be helpful to have another voice speak into this important topic, so I received permission from Vincent Muli Kituku to reprint portions of an article he published in a newspaper column last Fall. My prayer is that each of you will understand and put into practice the power of spoken blessing as a way to influence your grandchildren’s lives.
Grandpause: The light of a holy example is the gospel’s main argument. –R. L. Dabney
What does intentionality as a grandparent look like? It might surprise you to know that being intentional mean talking to your grandkids about faith and the Bible in every conversation you have. But it did mean taking seriously the Biblical mandate to tell the next generations who God is and the amazing things He has done when the opportunity presents itself.
Intentionality is a way of living out that responsibility in the natural course of doing life together. Here are five components of intentionality that will hopefully make sense to you whatever your situation: Read more
https://i0.wp.com/gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Standing_In_The_Gap_Masthead_copy.png?fit=842%2C276&ssl=1276842Cavin Harperhttps://gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GSFLogo_darkgray_v3.pngCavin Harper2016-01-17 00:11:212016-01-17 00:11:21What Does Intentionality Look Like?
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22.6
GrandPause: All our activity is sowing; and so is our inactivity. -John Blanchard
What would you think of a football coach sitting down with his players at the beginning of the season and saying, “We are not going to work on building an offensive unit anymore because if we can build the best defensive unit possible, we don’t have to worry about losing any games”? I suspect you would say that’s the most ridiculous thing you ever heard.
Yet, when it comes to parenting and grandparenting, that’s often the kind of approach taken when it comes to the spiritual training of our children and grandchildren. We can be lulled into thinking that if we put our energies and resources into building defensive mechanisms—stay off drugs, guard your virginity, don’t do this, don’t watch that—or get them active the church youth group, they will be okay. But where do they learn character development and how to know what is true? Where do they learn to embrace the life God has for them? Where do they learn how to seek and build healthy relationships? Where do they learn to love their neighbor as themselves and how to make wise choices in a very dangerous and hostile world?
https://i0.wp.com/gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/FOOTBALL_PLAY_SCHEME.jpg?fit=423%2C283&ssl=1283423Cavin Harperhttps://gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GSFLogo_darkgray_v3.pngCavin Harper2015-12-24 01:23:382015-12-24 01:23:38What Does It Mean to Train Up a Child?
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given… (Isa. 9:6)
If you or I were aliens (just indulge me on this) arriving on earth for the first time during the Christmas season, what would we learn about this earth holiday called Christmas from the songs played on the radio or television airways? Would we only hear about Santa, toys, shopping and such, or would we be able to pick up on the message of a coming Savior?
While I’m pretty sure aliens don’t exist, our grandchildren do. And so do the noisy Christmas messages in their young ears. What sings louder in their hearing—the songs of Santa and gifts, or songs of our Savior’s coming? I think we know the answer to that.
Parents and grandparents are challenged with finding effective ways to filter out all the messages that distract from the real meaning of Christmas, and impress upon these young minds the glorious truth about the story of the greatest gift ever given to mankind.
That is why I am excited to share this blog from my friend, Mike Young, founder of Noble Warriors and the Let’s Build a Manger project he created. While this project is designed specifically for dads and granddads to engage with their children, single grandmothers can do it as well. Even better, why not make it a multi-generational project for the entire family?
I’ve said enough. I’ll let Mike tell you more about this great family tool.
https://i0.wp.com/gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Grandpa-Manger_Build.jpg?fit=2189%2C1459&ssl=114592189Cavin Harperhttps://gospelshapedfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GSFLogo_darkgray_v3.pngCavin Harper2015-12-11 18:55:042015-12-11 18:55:04A Cool Tool for Telling the Christmas Story
Many grandparents take a comment attitributed to Jesus by Paul that “it is better to give than to receive” quite literally when it comes to buying gifts for the grandkids. I’m sure there are a lot of grandchildren in this country who can’t wait for Christmas because they know grandma and grandpa will make their Christmas dreams come true. Yes, some of us have limited resources, so we can’t indulge our grandkids like some grandparents I know, but if we could we probably would. Am I right?
When it comes to gift-giving at Christmas, should grandparents be extravagant or exercise moderation? There are many opinions on both sides of that question. So, perhaps we should address a more basic question: If it is better to give than to receive, what does our gift-giving approach today have to do with what Christmas is all about, and do our gift-giving practices help or hinder our grandchildren understand and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas?
Okay, so that may be well and good, but does the Bible give us any definitive answers?
Let me be so bold as to suggest three biblical principles surface in my study that ought to be considered when it comes to gift-giving practices. I believe we all want to promote, rather than hinder, a way to keep the real reason for celebrating Christmas foremost in our grandkids’ thinking. So, here are three things for to ponder as you plan your gift-giving for this year:
