Monday, August 19, 2013

DARE TO DISCIPLINE

Time with Jesus - 20 Aug. 2013

Hi all,
Over the past year or so, I’ve stated my position concerning the need to discipline children. For a change it seems it would be worthwhile hearing from a professional, respected by many. 
The man is Dr Phil from US Television. Hereunder are his comments along with a couple of remarks from Phyllida and me.
The idea behind parental discipline is to ultimately create self-discipline within your child. That means the kid has to learn something -- your value system and the difference between right and wrong -- that will guide him or her throughout life. So what do kids learn from being spanked? The hitting itself doesn't teach them anything. Whether you believe in physical punishment or not, Dr Phil has some disciplining tips and alternatives to spanking: (by Dr Phil - Courtesy Google)
Dr Phil
Phyllida and Jim
1
Don't take out your frustrations while spanking. Ask yourself if the spanking is truly warranted because of the child's behaviour, or whether it's an excuse for you to have an adult temper tantrum? Are you more prone to spank when you are in a bad mood?
This comment is “right on”. If you are feeling angry, it’s possible you can move the matter beyond discipline into physical abuse. When God says “spanking will not kill the child”, it’s only true if you are behaving responsibly. Never spank when angry!
2
There needs to be a sense of calmness and order in the house. If you are spanking your kid for being physical and chaotic, aren't you adding to the physical chaos by being physical and violent with your child? What are you teaching them?
A good point. If things at home are calm and peaceful, it may be fine to give a spanking. Don’t rush into it. Think ahead and decide whether a spanking will make a better point than a good dressing down. Spanking should be used as a last resort.
3
Make a commitment to your child's discipline. You have to do what you say you're going to do. Consequences should be highly predictable for your child.
In nature, if you jump off the roof, you will “hit the ground”. It might kill you. Keep your word. If you say there is a consequence to an action, good or bad, stick to it.
4
Define your child's currency. What does he/she value? You can withdraw a positive (take away a favorite toy) or introduce a negative (giving a time-out) event -- but be consistent.
As a 9 year old child, the penalty for most misdemeanours in school was to write out Exodus 20! Always let the punishment fit the crime, or the reward fit the achievement.
5
Develop a child-level logic. For example, kids know you are less likely to discipline them in public, so that's where they'll act out.
In this case the need to discourage the behaviour is vital. Be sure the child knows in advance what the outcome of his action will be.
6
When you have a confrontation with your kid -- don't ever lose! They will miss out on the opportunity to learn an important lesson if you cave in and let them get away with a behavior that is unacceptable.
This is right on. The rule of thumb is, “make sure you’re right before the fight”. He/she must know in advance that it is wrong to e.g. “pull his sister’s pigtails”. He/she must know that there will be a consequence.
7
Two things you should NEVER say to your child if you want him/her to behave are: "I'll give you something to cry about," and "Wait until your father gets home." Children can see through idle threats and will eventually ignore them. They will also take advantage of the fact that one parent doesn't want to deal with doling out the discipline and tries to hand it over to the other parent.
It is vital that both parents must speak as one. Decide this before marriage. The question of disciplining children needs to be agreed beforehand. Phyllida and I decided that we would support each other, even if we disagreed! We had agreed we would sort things out between ourselves later. No child should ever be able to get a decision by one parent reversed by the other parent.
Correct error
Don't rule with Terror
Discipline is not exactly a favourite topic, particularly for children. But it’s an essential part of growing up. It’s a bit like a garden. Left to itself it goes wild. Children are the same. They need discipline. The Bible tells us: 24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. Pro 13:24 ESV
Unacceptable behaviour
It’s not easy for a loving parent to discipline a child, but it’s necessary. 
The greatest responsibility God gives parents is the nurture and guidance of their children. Lack of discipline puts parents' love in question. It shows a lack of concern for the character development of their children. 
The Last Resort
Never in anger
Always in love
Disciplining children averts long-range disaster. Without correction, children grow up with no clear understanding of right and wrong and with little direction to their lives. Don't be afraid to discipline your children. It’s an act of love. 
Listen Carefully
Remember, however, your efforts cannot make your children wise; they can only encourage your children to seek God's wisdom above all else! (courtesy Life Application Bible)
Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Explain NOT inflicting
PAIN

Discipline must be Balanced with Love








Allow a child to be child
Allow a baby to be a baby
Let them have Fun!


Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give
Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give
©
These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes
©
INTRODUCTION
DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
DARE TO DISCIPLINE
Today’s meditation is fictional, but is invariably true. Bad things happen. Kids get killed walking across the motor-way. They take chances. Sometimes the cost to you is your life. I’m reminded of an old poem. Not one of mine, But it went; Here lies the body of Jonathan Grey. He died defending his right of way; He was right, dead right as he drove along. But he’s just as dead as if he were wrong! I heard that little poem when I was in primary school. Sadly, it’s still true.
The accident statistics in South Africa for the “Christmas holidays” are shocking. Lunatic drivers, taxi drivers and drunk drivers create carnage on our roads each and every year. Mostly, it’s the perpetrators that get killed. But in many cases the victim is an ordinary driver; sober, alert and not over tired. But they get killed by those who should not be driving. Frankly, I believe that drunk drivers, who cause the death of others, should be tried for murder. Furthermore, those who are convicted of drunken driving offences should have their cars confiscated and face a very stiff penalty.
Sometimes accidents happen as a result of poor road maintenance. In this case, the local authority should be responsible for all costs associated with the accident. Perhaps I’m a bit paranoid about this? But we as a nation must bring down accident figures. It should not be optional. Our first Scripture takes an imaginary look at a scenario all too familiar to most of us. When the law and/or God’s Word is ignored, it could bring death around our ears. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12 ESV
There is another situation that needs to be raised at this point. I’m referring to the disciplining of children. God’s Word makes it very clear: 24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. Proverbs 13:24 NLT
Obviously, discipline should never be child abuse. That must never be the case. But children need discipline to grow into responsible, well balanced adults. Unfortunately, in most countries of the Western World, the law has been adjusted such that if you attempt to discipline a child – spank his/her bottom, it is seen as illegal. Many parents risk the wrath of the law by spanking their children anyway. They refuse to be intimidated by a law that restricts their ability to bring up children God’s way. The danger comes when little Tommy or Mary complains to the authorities that their father and/or mother have spanked them. So their children grow up to have no regard for the law or the “rights” of other people. There is little doubt in my mind that society is now “reaping what was sown”. A society where children and young people run amuck and cannot be controlled. The incidents in Norway and USA are good examples of what can happen when children are left to their own devices. Perhaps I’m not a good example, but the fact is my Dad was not shy about loving and the need to discipline. I got a hiding when I deserved it. Most of my school fellows received the same type of discipline from their parents. We all grew into manhood (it was an all boy’s school) and have become responsible citizens. Discipline is good!
Jim & Phyllida
Strickland.

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 14:12 ESV

Go to the next corner. Turn left and then turn right.
You should be on the proper road, to get you home tonight.
The route is full of potholes and some of them are deep.
But if you pay attention and do not fall asleep,
You’ll be as safe as houses and get there in good time.
If you decide to drive top speed, your life’s not worth a dime.
So easy on the gasoline; sit back; enjoy the drive.
But if you doze and fall asleep, you won’t get there alive.
These words were in the manual and it was good advice.
Provided that you follow it, your journey will be nice.
But if you play the macho and try to beat the clock,
You’ll do yourself an injury and smash into a rock.
But Tommy wouldn’t listen; He knew just what to do.
He thought “I’m indestructible; my car is still brand new.
I’m sure that it can reach the ton if I increase the speed.
A big rush of adrenaline is just the thing I need.
And so he put his foot down. His car was very quick.
He thought that he was floating and felt a wee bit sick.
“Tanked up” drinking alcohol; far higher than a kite.
To make things worse, he couldn’t see while driving late at night!
Oblivious of danger he watched his “speedo” climb.
One hundred; then one twenty. He heard alarm bells chime.
But in his drunken stupor, they didn’t reach his brain.
And long before he knew it, he’d smashed into a train.
He’d written off the motor car. His body crushed and bent.
They put him in an ambulance. To hospital they went.
The doctors had a look at him, but he was D.O.A
Although his family prayed for him, there wasn’t any way,
To snatch him from the jaws of death. It had too strong a grip.
And he had paid the penalty. This was his final trip.
His friends all gathered round him and eulogised his life.
But that could not restore him to family and wife.
God gave him ample warning in the manual that day.
It was his own stupidity that took his life away.
The moral of this story is, keep yourself alert.
Let the Father lead you; and keep you from such hurt.
Listen to Him carefully. He will not let you down.
And you will not be D.O.A. when you arrive in town.
Never mind the voices you hear inside your head.
Mostly it’s the devil and he desires you dead.
Take all your decisions and ask God please to show,
The way you should be living and what you need to know!
Jim Strickland
Written 20th August 2012

26 Anyone who trusts in himself is foolish. But a person who lives wisely is kept safe.
Proverbs 28:26 NIrV


Nun. 1 Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me.
Psalms 119:105 NIrV


4 Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded.
Psalms 17:4 TNIV


1 "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, 'Let us go after other gods,' which you have not known, 'and let us serve them,' 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.
Deuteronomy 13:1-4 ESV


8 The LORD says, "I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you.
Psalms 32:8 GW

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