By Mike Glenn As a grandfather, I’m committed to making my house the place that my grandchildren want to visit most. If there’s a toy or snack they want, then I’ll make sure it’s at my house. Right now, the toy of choice is a shopping cart loved first by my granddaughter, Rowen. Whenever she comes over, she’ll put her iPad in the child's seat and angle it so she can continue to watch her favorite cartoon and shop with her cart.
Oh man. What a timely read. My oldest son just got his second semester sophomore year report card. Reading this, I hear the Spirit reminding me, “I’m more interested in developing his character and preparing him for life than his getting B’s or higher.“ (Which wasn’t quite the vibe this grading period) With college and his “future” in mind, I had already started to communicate failure to him, in ways that probably shamed him. Even though I know the school system isn’t set up well for young men. Even though I know how bright he is, and what a positive image bearer he’s becoming. And even though I know that God doesn’t need exceptional grades for my son to fulfill his purposes in this world. Thank you for this perspective. I’m now both convicted and inspired to parent and shepherd him differently in the coming days and months.
My experience with churches is they try to force people into what their idea of a "Christian" and "discipleship" is with no imagination, deviation or spiritual leading. Churches miss Jesus because they use checklists (like attend church x times, read Bible x times, tithe every time, volunteer x times, etc.) When I have heard Jesus speak, He did so on his own time and not because I completed a churches checklists. No imagination
Oh man. What a timely read. My oldest son just got his second semester sophomore year report card. Reading this, I hear the Spirit reminding me, “I’m more interested in developing his character and preparing him for life than his getting B’s or higher.“ (Which wasn’t quite the vibe this grading period) With college and his “future” in mind, I had already started to communicate failure to him, in ways that probably shamed him. Even though I know the school system isn’t set up well for young men. Even though I know how bright he is, and what a positive image bearer he’s becoming. And even though I know that God doesn’t need exceptional grades for my son to fulfill his purposes in this world. Thank you for this perspective. I’m now both convicted and inspired to parent and shepherd him differently in the coming days and months.
Fully appreciate everything you say here, but I’m also thankful that my experience at Northern Seminary was not like you described.
My experience with churches is they try to force people into what their idea of a "Christian" and "discipleship" is with no imagination, deviation or spiritual leading. Churches miss Jesus because they use checklists (like attend church x times, read Bible x times, tithe every time, volunteer x times, etc.) When I have heard Jesus speak, He did so on his own time and not because I completed a churches checklists. No imagination
Imagine