My son is a lot like his father, which is certainly a mixed blessing. For instance, both Spencer and I are prone to resistance when someone orders us to do something, even though we’d probably do it gladly if we had merely been asked instead. Unfortunately, I recently realized that I’ve gotten in the bad habit of ordering him to do everything, especially small, even trivial things.
So a couple of times last week I deliberately made him aware of something that I wanted him to do, but I emphasized that he didn’t have to do it and that no punishment would follow if he didn’t. The results were interesting. So far, and I admit it’s only been a handful of times, he’s done it every single time, quickly and without resistance.
Now obviously this can’t be the only way I instruct him, but, now that I’m more aware of it, I really like the idea of giving him the chance to practice pleasing his father freely out of love rather than merely obeying his father out of compulsion. Perhaps I’m not the first father to figure this out.
TOD 03.31.08
I love a good deal. In fact, in my perfect world, everything I desire would be free. But there’s a problem with this inclination. In a world where everything is free, I would take everything home. And I don’t have enough storage space for everything, nor enough time to use it all. And if I buy something, I have to store it, care for it, insure it, move it from home to home, and either use it or feel guilty for not doing so.
That’s why it’s so important to realize that things cost much more over the time you own them than when you first purchase them. And this is why it can actually be a blessing for an item to have a higher sticker price. If you’re reluctant to pay so much in the beginning, maybe that’s a way of helping you realize that you’re actually going to be better off not having it over time as well.
It’s important to know that the price of a thing may be the least of the costs associated with its acquisition. As one caller to the show recently quipped, “You may not get everything you pay for, but you will pay for everything you get.”
That’s why it’s so important to realize that things cost much more over the time you own them than when you first purchase them. And this is why it can actually be a blessing for an item to have a higher sticker price. If you’re reluctant to pay so much in the beginning, maybe that’s a way of helping you realize that you’re actually going to be better off not having it over time as well.
It’s important to know that the price of a thing may be the least of the costs associated with its acquisition. As one caller to the show recently quipped, “You may not get everything you pay for, but you will pay for everything you get.”
TOD 03.28.08
Is Christianity objectively true or subjectively true? Because of our fear of the dangers of relativism, we’ve been conditioned to think that objective truth is good and subjective truth is either dangerous or not truth at all. Thus, we eagerly proclaim Christianity objectively true. And it is.
But what about experiencing the presence of God? His power? His Love? And what about our own yearning and love for Him? These are not objective facts. No scientist can measure or verify them. And yet it is precisely these subjective truths experienced alike by all by all Christians that makes our fellowship together possible and our conversations about God meaningful.
Without true facts, we have false religion. But without true experience, we have dead religion or a mere belief system. Yet with both working together, we have a living God Who Is Truth and also loves each precious, individual person with whom He has a personal relationship.
But what about experiencing the presence of God? His power? His Love? And what about our own yearning and love for Him? These are not objective facts. No scientist can measure or verify them. And yet it is precisely these subjective truths experienced alike by all by all Christians that makes our fellowship together possible and our conversations about God meaningful.
Without true facts, we have false religion. But without true experience, we have dead religion or a mere belief system. Yet with both working together, we have a living God Who Is Truth and also loves each precious, individual person with whom He has a personal relationship.
TOD 03.27.08
Imagine for a moment that America suffered a violent coup-d’etat which radically changed the laws in our country. As people adjusted and conformed to the new standards, things seemed to be working fairly well.
But then a guy shows up and tells you that the President, most of Congress, and the Supreme Court secretly survived the revolution by escaping to a island in the Pacific. Right now, they’re planning their return, and, when they come back, everyone who cooperated with the new government will be killed. But everyone who resisted it by encouraging people to live by the old rules and honor the legitimate government will be rewarded for their loyalty. How much effort would you put forth for this new agenda, and what would you be willing to risk for it if you really believed him? And then, how do you think the current government would likely treat you?
See, we’d all like to think that it’s possible to please both God and the other guy who has temporarily been allowed to act like he’s in charge of this world. But it’s just not true. You must pick a side and act accordingly.
But then a guy shows up and tells you that the President, most of Congress, and the Supreme Court secretly survived the revolution by escaping to a island in the Pacific. Right now, they’re planning their return, and, when they come back, everyone who cooperated with the new government will be killed. But everyone who resisted it by encouraging people to live by the old rules and honor the legitimate government will be rewarded for their loyalty. How much effort would you put forth for this new agenda, and what would you be willing to risk for it if you really believed him? And then, how do you think the current government would likely treat you?
See, we’d all like to think that it’s possible to please both God and the other guy who has temporarily been allowed to act like he’s in charge of this world. But it’s just not true. You must pick a side and act accordingly.
TOD 03.26.08
Which is better: permissive parenting or strict parenting? If you’re wise, you resist the impulse to answer such a ridiculous question. The correct response is, “It depends upon the child.” Older children nearing adulthood require less parental control because they should be able to function mostly on their own, whereas younger children need almost total control.
One child at eight may need less than another child at twelve because they have matured unequally. And certainly even one particular child’s need for oversight will change in shape and size over time. The appropriate level of parenting is thus determined by the maturity of the child.
And so it is with governments, where the right amount depends entirely upon the character of the people being governed. Imposing too much government upon wise people is oppression, but imposing too little upon fools is negligent. And just as with parents, the goal should be to structure government in such a way that it properly fits the populace, while doing as much as it can to reduce the need for its own interference.
One child at eight may need less than another child at twelve because they have matured unequally. And certainly even one particular child’s need for oversight will change in shape and size over time. The appropriate level of parenting is thus determined by the maturity of the child.
And so it is with governments, where the right amount depends entirely upon the character of the people being governed. Imposing too much government upon wise people is oppression, but imposing too little upon fools is negligent. And just as with parents, the goal should be to structure government in such a way that it properly fits the populace, while doing as much as it can to reduce the need for its own interference.
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