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A Great Parenting Book!

I love the refreshment that I get when I find the water after going through the desert! Since I had Eli, I have just felt like I'm wandering when I read God's word and haven't felt purposeful. I've also felt overwhelmed in my parenting just trying to do everything I did before, but now with three!

But, a few weeks ago I came across a book and thought about ordering. I wanted to make sure it was in our budget for the month, so I waited another two weeks and then ordered it. It arrived yesterday. It is the Parent's Handbook for the book Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp. It has been such a blessing to me! I'm always skeptical about having to buy a study book to go with a book that I've read, but this one is worth it!

The study guide is really a separate book aimed at looking at what the Bible says about parenting. In the first chapter (I'm not even done yet!) God has impressed 2 things upon my heart.

#1: Proverbs 4:23 "Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life." It is where EVERYTHING stems from and we have to guard what goes into it and be careful what we read and watch. And we have to guard the hearts of our children as well. And everything we do stems from our hearts--it's that important!

#2: Romans 3:14 "Their mouths were filled with cursing and bitterness." The question in regard to this verse was what leads to sin. Answer: Bitterness and cursing. It was as if a huge light bulb went on! Just a few weeks ago, a dear friend of mine and I were talking about people cussing. We both knew it was wrong and not honoring to God, but outside of "do not take the Lord's name in vain", I couldn't explain why. But, this verse helped me understand! I thought back on the times when I hear people cuss (and when I've uttered words I shouldn't) and their was a seed of bitterness in all of it! That is why cussing is wrong--because it reflects that our hearts are bitter and angry. It reflects that our hearts are not loving and glorifying to the Lord. I am so excited to be able to put into words why something is wrong that I've known for so long is wrong, but just couldn't explain!

If Shepherding A Child's Heart has encouraged you, I'm certain the Parent's Handbook will too!

Comments

Kim said…
Very well put. I'm slowly starting to understand the connection between the mouth and the heart. And that our words have power because they reflect what is in our hearts...good or bad. Thank you for sharing.
July 22, 2008 at 5:59 PM
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