On Guard

Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

“The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the LordAlmighty.

So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful. Malachi 2:15,16

Once there was a village set high on a cliff. The children were held close in the village for there were no fences on the cliff's edge. One day a man passing through the village suggested the villagers erect fences around the cliff so the children could freely play. The children would see the fence and not be afraid of going over the cliff. 

Perhaps you've heard this tale or one similar, but I think it bears telling again. So many of society's boundaries are coming down. Our children become more and more at risk of falling into step with a culture that will eventually take them the edge of life's cliff. Opioid addiction, immoral lifestyles, and teen suicide are all on the rise. Society has been tearing down the walls of morality for several decades. The voice of the church has largely been quieted by the loud voice of the media, convincing many that those who object are marginal weirdos. 

For the sake of our children, we must raise our voices and rebuild the walls. It may cost us financially and socially, but we are not forsaken. We must begin to rebuild the family, with moms and dads who put the nurturing of their children ahead of finances and society's expectations. Bond with families who are willing to share their knowledge and make sacrifices for the sake of the children. Learn skills that will save your family money. Most importantly, return to the God of our Fathers. Families that pray together, stay together. It all begins at the family altar. 

Hey Kids: 

My four-year-old class planted flower seeds for Mother's Day gifts. One of the boys asked if I had a garden. "Yes," I said.''Do you?"

"Yes, we have all the vegetables in it. We all help, even me."

Families have always worked together until jobs and stores took the place of family work. 

An old proverb says, "Many hands make light work."

Helping makes the work go faster, seem easier, and more fun.

Ask Mom and Dad to help you make a list of ways you can help your family.

Here are some suggestions to get you started.

1. Makeup beds.

2. Set the table and clean the table.

3. Wash dishes.

4. Help plant a garden. Then pick and help preserve.

5. Older kids may mow the lawn.

6. Learn to hunt and fish. Don't forget to clean and eat what you kill.

7. Learn to sew, knit and crochet. Begin simple but you may find your passion here.

8. Learn to build things and fix cars. Here again, begin small but this can become a passion.

9.

10.

What else can you do to help your family? By the way, all of this is without pay. You're helping your family, not working a job.