I am reading "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp. (What's up with the double D and Double P?)
I'm also doing the workbook alongside it.
I have not finished it yet, so a disclaimer could pheasably come later, but I am LOVING this book!
It's all about guiding our children's hearts to the Lord in everything!
Having biblically-based discipline and correction, focused on the heart issues, not behavior modification.
What are our goals for our kids? Are they our society's goals, or are they from God?
What are our methods of motivation, discipline, and communication? The world's, that which you might find on Dr. Phil or any Parenting magazine (by the way, most of that parenting advice from the "experts" in parenting magazines is JUNK if you ask me) or is it from God?
What is the purpose of our families? To be good, successful, happy, well-respected, or ONLY to glorify God? So far, I feel he is so on target, using so much scripture, and I feel challenged and excited about what I'm reading. It's very practical, and focused on our relationship to God and how this plays out in relation to our children.
I'm only on Chapter 9, so I'll keep you updated, but I just had to share this! Buying this book is worth the first 9 chapters alone!
I'm so anxious to throw out all the thoughts, goals, or hidden motivations I have for my children that are according to wordly standards, and making sure that what I'm doing ALL THE TIME is in line with my greatest burning desire for them- to know and love the Lord, to make their whole life about Him, to bring glory to God with all of their lives, and to hide His Word in their hearts in order to keep them from wandering away from Him. Let me share some verses with you that I pray over my kids everyday.
"How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your Word and following it's rules. I have tried my best to find you- don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your Word in my heart, that I may not sin against you."
Psalm 119:9-11
"I am overwhelmed with the joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation, and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, filled with young plants springing up everywhere."
Isaiah 61:10-11
This is our greatest desire for them! We are teaching them God's Word EVERYDAY, watching them hide it in their heart, knowing God will use it to keep them from sin. We pray for their salvation (praise God for Emma whose heart already belongs to Him!) and know that our first job is to bring up a little bride and three grooms for the Lord Jesus. I love this word picture of young plants springing up everywhere. Our home is that garden!
But it's not enough to just want that for them. I want to stop sending them even the smallest mixed message, conflicting with these desires. I want to be purposeful every second of everyday with them. I don't want to hold back any tiny crevice of our lives from the Lord. It's all His.
All that to say...I like the book.
It can be our first Bacak Book Club book! Who's in?
8 comments:
I'm in.
It is on my list of books to read.
Hiding God's Word in their little hearts when the world wants such a big chunk of them in my greatest desire.
Thank You Jesus for capturing Michael's heart.
I love praying for you and your children.
This is great Jenn. You should mention it in Her Hands when we talk about 'Wise Women Love Their Children'. Love you!
This book is a requirement for our teachers at Providence Classical School. They also encourage all parents to read it. I'm not even half way into it yet - I keep re-reading what I've read so it soaks in...
My mom gave me this book for Christmas. I'm only on chapter 4 because I keep rereading and rereading.
I love this book too. It is very practical and every time I pick it up, I immediately find something I simply must incorporate into interactions with my children. I love how it addresses hidden motives. This book has brought new energy into parenting. I love it so far! Definitely, a must-read for every parent.
Tedd Tripp (double d and double p) should quote us on the cover of his next edition!
I also pray that Isaiah verse for my children on a regular basis. It's beautiful.
Thanks, Jen!
Hi Jenn! My name is Simonne Broussard (from Lafayette, LA). I've stumbled upon your blog's link from the Hendrick's site (Hendrick family blog and Mamma Didn't Raise No Fool blog). I've enjoyed your blog so much and have prayed for your family often.
Our dear friend, Claire Borne, was in Heather's HOPE Group while in school at A&M. She turned us on to Her Hands and a small group of women here in Lafayette are about to start our own gathering to read The Excellent Wife and Her Hands, to pray together, and to begin to allow the Lord to form our hearts, marriages, and homes into that which He so desires them to be.
All of this to say THANK YOU for your YES to the Lord! I am encouraged each time I visit your blog and this time in particular- wow! I have been on the lookout for just such a book. I have a precious 16 month old son, Noah. My husband, Ben, and I are in constant conversation and prayer about raising our children according to God's standards and have been on the lookout lately for a scripture based resource to turn to for references. This sounds like just the book we need!
I teach 8th grade in a public school in Lafayette and am faced daily with the challenge of trying to discipline and love my students according to God's Word without being able to share His Word (verbally of course).
Thank you again for sharing your heart with others through your blog. You just never know when and how the Lord will use you to encourage others- even strangers who live a state away!
May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Simonne :)
I bet you'd like Clay Clarkson's "Heartfelt Discipline," too.
It's on my to read list also! I just finished the Pearl's book so it's rising to the top! So it looks like your book club is coming right along!
Kyle
Jenn, I'm on a hunt for the book but can't find it in print in Lafayette. I'm planning to order it online from Lifeway, but I'm having a hard time finding the workbook that accompanies it. You mentioned working through one in your blog. What is the title of the workbook and where did you find it?
Thanks!
Simonne Broussard
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