The midland journal., 1945-10-12

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even as God for Christ's sake natn forgiven
you-Ephesians 4:32
"Juvenile delinquency" is an ex-
preston often heard in our day. II
speaks of the awful way in which
our boys and girls have gone astray
spiritually and morally in recent
years. Fortunately, we are begin
ming to realize that most OF the
blame falls on the parents. 1t IS
parental delinquency in the matter
of proper rearing OF the chlidren
which needs our earnest attention.
The home is the right place for
the fostering of Christian principles
of living, but all too often even
Christian people have put that whole
load on the Sunday school and
church. They can help, but they
cannot do the job which should pe
done in the home.
Home should be place where:
I. Gods Word Is Accepted (Deut.
6:4-9).
The Bible teaches us the truth
about God and that is information
of the highest value and usefulness
in the home. He is our God, and
He is one God. There is no other
God, and at the same time this in
finite and eternal One is very close
| to us-our God. How precious!
The acceptance of the truth con-
cerning God draws forth our love
| a ic
heather gods who cause only crlng-
ing fear. He loves us and we love
Him, with all our might ". 81.
This Word of God and the truth
concerning Him should be the nor
NAL and natural subject OF CONVEX
sation in the home.
Any time, night or day, and any
where, in the house or on the street,
1t should be as easy for a boy to
talk to his father about God as to
discuss his school work, or sports,
or any other thing.
Let's make it natural, normal,
accepted thing that God and His
| Word are talked about in the home.
III. Growth Is Expected Luke z:
ST, 52).
! In the p7ell-ordered home the child
finds his place as Jesus did, as an
| obedient, well-mannered, co-opera-
tive member.
There, too, is the natural place
| for normnl, well-balanced develop
j ment. There must first be growth
in wisdom. The mind and will must
be in control, lest the physical get
out of hand. They must develop,
even as the body grows. Thus the
growth or the body becomes not just
an animal development, but one
amenabln to proper restraints, cul-
tivated ind poised for full useful
ness.
But the home fails if it does not
at the same time give the child
chance to grow "in favor with God
and man." The boy Jesus contin-
ued to grow in gracious personality,
with both God and man as the in
terested recipients of the fruits OF
His spiritual development.
/ Every home should be Christian
home and every Christian home
should be center Of normal growth
for children. This should give us
| cultured Christian men and women
for the next generation.
iii. Love Is Expressed (Eph. S:
%, 25).
Love is not just warm and ten
der feeling hidden away in the
heart. II shows in the homely de-
tails Of daily life in the home.
A Christian wife expresses her af-
fection for her husband by giving
him his God-appointed place as head
of the house. There is graceful
and voluntary submission to Gods
plan for the home which makes for
order and unity. Happy is the wom-
an who seeks that place and lives
in it! Her life will be blessedl
A Christian husband will learn to
control that natural masculine ten
dency to dominate. He will study
the gentle art of courtesy and kind
ly affection. He will love his wife
as Christ loved the Church, and that
means willingness to both live and
die for her.
Christianity really should show
forth at its very best in the home
but, alas, so often just the contrary
is true! Let us get that thing
Strengthened out and keep it right
Nv. Rights Are Respected (Eph.
61-4).
Mutual devotion between husband
and wife, and nStual trust between
parents and children-there we have
the basis of real God-honoring
home.
We must give attention to the
matter of fair and full recognition
Of the rights Of others. The parent
who rides roughshod over the wills
of his children need not profess to
be a true follower of Christ. Like
wise, children who are disobedient
and insolent to their parents have
no real testimony for Christ.
This business Of being Chris