Tag Archives: Father Knows Best

Waking Up in the Wrong World

In the not so distant past, complainers were once ignored.  As time was wasted by being petty, hard working individuals built this country, trying to earn a piece of the pie.  Dreams were acted upon, not just idle talk without action.  Like waking up in a daze, I now find myself stuck in the wrong world, trying to figure out how this happened so fast.

Unfortunately, atheists have led the way, convincing lawyers that being offended by God has to stop.  Thus, the minority is the majority, transforming the spiritual climate of the United States.  When you add in political correctness, education without morality and families without faith, the days of Father Knows Best and Leave It To Beaver are gone.

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. – 1 Peter

While driving back and forth to work, I stumbled across House of Their Dreams by Casting Crowns.  These lyrics talk about people who come to the realization that their career and or life isn’t what they had in mind.  This stunning truth is like a prodigal who comes to their senses, Luke 15:17.  Whether its Christmas or the dawn of a new year, may the state of your soul inspire you to seek something more, John 10:10.  Although we all have to cope with a wrong world, apply the principles of 1 Peter 2:11-12 so that you don’t wake up in the wrong eternal destination.

by Jay Mankus

 

So That’s Where It Comes From

Adults have different styles of communication, producing a wide range of reactions, even within their own children.  The authoritarian will claim, “this is the way its always been so there is no highway option.”  Meanwhile the laissez faire, who are often soft spoken will allow flexibility, offering little resistance to correction.  This broad spectrum of coaching, parenting  and or teaching leaves a gap, with many blanks to fill in between to properly convey crucial information.

As I child, I remember hearing daily pleas such as “wash your hands, brush your teeth and think before you speak.”  Maybe I was naive, but I never questioned or wondered why these things were so important.  I simply assumed by father knew best so I tried my best to follow directions.  While reading the Old Testament last week, I stumbled upon the source of my dad’s first command, Leviticus 15:11.

Before the invention of microscopes, God understood how germs spread.  Thus, to combat this concern, the Lord told Moses to tell the Israelites to wash their hands after going to the bathroom or before eating.  Although Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has influenced many to go to extremes, washing your hands is a simple way to remain healthy.  As Paul Harvey says in his famous radio deliveries, “Now you know, the rest of the story!”

What commands do you recall from your childhood?

by Jay Mankus

 

Great Cloud of Witnesses

In the beginning of Hebrews 12:1-3, the author is reminding believers of a great cloud of witnesses.  People who have finished the race, fought the good fight and are seated in heaven cheering us on until we have completed God’s will for our own life.  Today, Christians need to follow the example of these witnesses, taking them to heart by studying the Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11.

Like the classic show Father Knows Best, sometimes we need to humble ourselves to heed the advice of our elders.  Christians must swallow their pride, seek godly counsel and begin walking by faith, not by sight.  Since the author of Hebrews compares life to a marathon, we need to take every day serious, seize each moment and be on guard for days can be evil,  Ephesians 5:15-16.

While life may appear easy for certain individuals, the great cloud of witnesses risked failure for the kingdom of God.  Building an boat before rain existed, telling others that your 90 year old wife was going to have God’s chosen son and that you would rather be a slave than grow up in royalty.  Although, the world still thinks Christians are crazy today, remember Hebrews 12:1-3.  Prepare yourself for life’s race through prayer, scripture reading and fasting so that whatever obstacles you endure along life’s road, faith will bring you home!

by Jay Mankus