Celebrate Grandparents Day
this September 11!
this September 11!
What does the Bible say related to grandparents? Grandparents are critically important to God. They help us know the authenticity of real people. Our Sovereign God focuses on the existence and value of each life He formed. He prioritizes high value on heritage, legacy, and generations.
Even in the New Testament we see Paul recognizing Timothy’s grandmother for having assume an imperative role in Timothy's faith. He states, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy’s grandmother first educated her own daughter in faith, but then she continued by teaching that faith in her grandson as well.
There is another example of fondness in the story of Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth. Naomi’s son (Ruth’s husband) died and Ruth wed another relative and gave birth to a son. “Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse” (Ruth 4:16). Despite this baby was not her grandson by blood, Naomi adopted him as such and became his nurture provider. Grandparenting can come in many ways and should not be limited to those who are related through blood. In this day and age of broken families and blended families, there are plentiful opportunities for older generations to develop positive relationships with children who need that.
In God’s plan, the blessing of faithful grandparent provides a spiritual influence for grandchildren, carrying down God’s teachings from generation to generation.
Even in the New Testament we see Paul recognizing Timothy’s grandmother for having assume an imperative role in Timothy's faith. He states, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy’s grandmother first educated her own daughter in faith, but then she continued by teaching that faith in her grandson as well.
There is another example of fondness in the story of Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth. Naomi’s son (Ruth’s husband) died and Ruth wed another relative and gave birth to a son. “Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse” (Ruth 4:16). Despite this baby was not her grandson by blood, Naomi adopted him as such and became his nurture provider. Grandparenting can come in many ways and should not be limited to those who are related through blood. In this day and age of broken families and blended families, there are plentiful opportunities for older generations to develop positive relationships with children who need that.
In God’s plan, the blessing of faithful grandparent provides a spiritual influence for grandchildren, carrying down God’s teachings from generation to generation.
“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them” Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV.
In Titus 2, Paul directs older men and older women to teach those younger. God covers generations from beginning to end of the Bible. He created the family and its structure. He wrote laws to assist them. God’s purpose forms truth into the next generation, intentionally building one upon another, perpetuating faith throughout generations.
Several Ways to Assist Grandparents Today
Ask God to educate them from His Word. Pray for ongoing spiritual growth. In 1 Timothy 1:6, Paul tells his followers to “fan into flame the gift of God.” This is an excellent prayer for grandparents, that in contrast to dying embers, they may reignite in their faith and service. Give an opportunity for them to share facts from the Bible. Listen to their past stories, but encourage them.
Grandparents deal with critical needs and many decisions. Even though physical, mental, and often financial changes, grandparents still have a purpose in God’s view. Pray for them to discover and seek God’s purpose in their season of life.
Pray for excellent relationships with the parents of their grandchildren. Bring before the Lord their most precious relationships and call God to defend those.
Pray they end well. Some people will have years like “Golden years aren’t so golden.” We all likely acknowledge tales of godly people who did not end well. Spiritual battles have no boundary line.
Pray seriously. Pray their special influence to become a blessing for their grandchildren. Moses asked, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NIV
~~Pastor Andy
Several Ways to Assist Grandparents Today
Ask God to educate them from His Word. Pray for ongoing spiritual growth. In 1 Timothy 1:6, Paul tells his followers to “fan into flame the gift of God.” This is an excellent prayer for grandparents, that in contrast to dying embers, they may reignite in their faith and service. Give an opportunity for them to share facts from the Bible. Listen to their past stories, but encourage them.
Grandparents deal with critical needs and many decisions. Even though physical, mental, and often financial changes, grandparents still have a purpose in God’s view. Pray for them to discover and seek God’s purpose in their season of life.
Pray for excellent relationships with the parents of their grandchildren. Bring before the Lord their most precious relationships and call God to defend those.
Pray they end well. Some people will have years like “Golden years aren’t so golden.” We all likely acknowledge tales of godly people who did not end well. Spiritual battles have no boundary line.
Pray seriously. Pray their special influence to become a blessing for their grandchildren. Moses asked, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NIV
~~Pastor Andy
Why is Israel called the “promised land”?
God promised Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3...
1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
God challenged Abraham to depart from his homeland and distant relatives to follow divine guidance. God promised to deliver Abraham to a new land and to create his offspring a great nation. Although Abraham didn’t know what the future held, he trusted God with his journey, permitting God to choose a homeland for his family. Now, Israel (Abraham’s primary descendants) is as much a promised nation as the promised land.
~~Pastor Andy
~~Pastor Andy
“What do I need to do when I get out?”
This was a question from an inmate who was on schedule for release from prison. He wasn’t asking about his professional life or his social life. He was concerned about his spiritual life. He was new in his Christian faith and he wanted to continue growing. He was very aware of the many temptations that were waiting for him outside.
People who come to faith in Christ while in prison discover that on the outside “Following Jesus is hard!” (...the exact words of one former inmate.) While in prison, you are never alone. The institution sets your daily schedule. You have few choices that you can make. Other Christian brothers are nearby to challenge you and encourage you.
When you are on the outside, all that changes. New freedom brings new choices. You find that all the old habits and desires that sent you to prison are still lurking in the back of your mind. You experience the Apostle Paul’s words: “I want to do what is good, but I can’t. I don’t do the good things I want to do. I keep on doing the evil things I don’t want to do.” (Romans 7:18-19)
Those who went to prison with drug addictions, when they are released, find the craving to get high is still with them. Even though they trust Christ, they might not have the disciplines or the support they need to stay clean. They may become self-confident and fall again into the devil’s trap. I have stopped counting the number of men I know who sincerely participated in Christian fellowship in prison, but they were unable to handle freedom on the outside. Several have died from a drug over-dose, and others suffered a more violent end to their lives.
Only those have strong families and Christian friends to encourage them and keep the accountable do well.
~~ Pastor Ron
People who come to faith in Christ while in prison discover that on the outside “Following Jesus is hard!” (...the exact words of one former inmate.) While in prison, you are never alone. The institution sets your daily schedule. You have few choices that you can make. Other Christian brothers are nearby to challenge you and encourage you.
When you are on the outside, all that changes. New freedom brings new choices. You find that all the old habits and desires that sent you to prison are still lurking in the back of your mind. You experience the Apostle Paul’s words: “I want to do what is good, but I can’t. I don’t do the good things I want to do. I keep on doing the evil things I don’t want to do.” (Romans 7:18-19)
Those who went to prison with drug addictions, when they are released, find the craving to get high is still with them. Even though they trust Christ, they might not have the disciplines or the support they need to stay clean. They may become self-confident and fall again into the devil’s trap. I have stopped counting the number of men I know who sincerely participated in Christian fellowship in prison, but they were unable to handle freedom on the outside. Several have died from a drug over-dose, and others suffered a more violent end to their lives.
Only those have strong families and Christian friends to encourage them and keep the accountable do well.
~~ Pastor Ron
Remember those who are in prison
as if you were in prison with them.
Hebrews 13:3
as if you were in prison with them.
Hebrews 13:3
(reprinted from October 2009 Mustard Seed)
In the year 1517, a troubled young German priest named Martin Luther saw something that bothered him deeply. The church headquarters had launched a major fund raising program for a new building project -- St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. To meet the challenge, a clever Dominican monk, Johann Tetzel, began promoting a scheme that would get peasants to contribute their life savings. With his bishop's permission, Tetzel traveled from town to town selling forgiveness! All folks had to do was pay the price, and then they received a certificate of “indulgence,” in which the Pope forgave their sins, freeing them from the penalties of “purgatory,” and guaranteeing their place in heaven. You could also buy indulgences on behalf of your dead relatives, whose souls would be freed from purgatory at the precise moment you paid the price. [After Tetzel was paid his sales commission, the bishop sent half the money to Rome, and the other half he kept to pay off own debts.]
During this time, Martin Luther still had serious doubts about his own salvation. But watching church officials pull this scam on members of his congregation was more than he could endure. He wrote his objections about indulgences, and on October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 Theses on the University of Wittenberg bulletin board, which happened to be his church door. He wrote his Theses in Latin, intending that they should be debated among the church officials and theologians. But someone copied them, translated them into German, and published them for everyone to read. The result was an “explosion” known today as the Protestant Reformation.
During this time, Martin Luther still had serious doubts about his own salvation. But watching church officials pull this scam on members of his congregation was more than he could endure. He wrote his objections about indulgences, and on October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 Theses on the University of Wittenberg bulletin board, which happened to be his church door. He wrote his Theses in Latin, intending that they should be debated among the church officials and theologians. But someone copied them, translated them into German, and published them for everyone to read. The result was an “explosion” known today as the Protestant Reformation.
(Reprinted from June 2000 Mustard Seed)
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Day by day
O Lord Three things I pray: to see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, follow Thee more nearly, day by day. ~~ St. Richard of Chichester [This became a song in Godspell.] |
The humor of children:
- The fourth commandment is “Humor thy father and mother.”
- Christians have only one wife. This is called monotony.
- The plane that brought Jesus to Egypt was flown by Pontius the pilot.
- It is sometimes difficult to hear in church because the agnostics are so terrible.
- Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark.
Recipe for happiness:
Each morning when I open my eyes, I say to myself, “I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.” ~~ Groucho Marx
Bye to August!
Hello to September and October!
Hello to September and October!
August has been a busy month, FOLDA has not forgotten the Deaf of many cultures whenever we honor the firsts and notable pioneers, heroes, or celebrities for giving back – founding, birth, and the related.
Ready for September or October?
Both months are like any other month with many local community events and anniversaries. The public library has the accountability for local quality community resources. In the case of the Deaf of many cultures, the library would collaborate with local appropriate organization or affiliate of the three national organizations (profession, charities, or government).
National OSD (Organizations Serving the Deaf)
The Deaf or deaf (adj) refers to partially or wholly lacking the sense of hearing. Webster's Dictionary. The Deaf is a noun. School for the Deaf; The Deaf of American culture.
September 15 – October 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month – US Presidential Proclamation
OSD: Council de Manos The Deaf of Latinx culture.
September 23 – International Day of Sign Languages - General Assembly of the United Nations Proclamation. Observed during the International Week of Deaf People the last week of September that includes "23" sponsored by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD).
OSD - NAD is a non-governmental organization affiliated with the WFD.
Much more!
Ready for September or October?
Both months are like any other month with many local community events and anniversaries. The public library has the accountability for local quality community resources. In the case of the Deaf of many cultures, the library would collaborate with local appropriate organization or affiliate of the three national organizations (profession, charities, or government).
National OSD (Organizations Serving the Deaf)
- Profession – Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD) Deaf State Schools, Colleges/Universities, "Mainstream", etc.
- Charities – National Association of the Deaf (NAD) State / local Deaf organizations, museums, alumni, etc.
- Government – National Association of State Agencies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NASADHH) Deaf-owned businesses, agencies with a special interest in communication access or government services, etc.
The Deaf or deaf (adj) refers to partially or wholly lacking the sense of hearing. Webster's Dictionary. The Deaf is a noun. School for the Deaf; The Deaf of American culture.
September 15 – October 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month – US Presidential Proclamation
OSD: Council de Manos The Deaf of Latinx culture.
September 23 – International Day of Sign Languages - General Assembly of the United Nations Proclamation. Observed during the International Week of Deaf People the last week of September that includes "23" sponsored by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD).
OSD - NAD is a non-governmental organization affiliated with the WFD.
Much more!
Deaf History
- Why is it important to know deaf history as part of American culture?
- History repeats. The Deaf of heritage culture continues to learn from failure, not from success such as in MD and Ohio.
- E.g. Maryland’s Deaf Culture Digital Library was signed into state law by the MD governor in 2014.
- Ohio Deaf History Month, March 13 - April 15 by the Ohio governor in 2017.
- Deaf members of the American Library Association (ALA) want to see more Deaf librarians and better relationships with the Deaf in local communities.
Three First Historical Events That Change America today.
- March 13, 1988 – The Deaf of Political Culture. Deaf President Now Victory, Americans with the Disabilities Act, The Deaf of Disability Culture.
- April 8, 1864 – The Deaf of Organizational Culture Deaf Grassroots Movement, Deaf Culture Digital Library
- April 15, 1817 – The Deaf of Family Culture Diversity, Inclusive deaf community engagement
Questions You May Have Never Thought to Ask?
How many NAD Presidents were born in September or October?
Eight (1880 -2016) The immediate 34th and current president (35th) are unknown yet.
Source: Abbé de L'Épée, in America by Alice L. Hagemeyer 2012. (toolkit) 2023 FOLDA Tool Kit: Deaf Culture: Libraries Connect Communities. (Work in progress)
How many NAD Presidents were born in September or October?
Eight (1880 -2016) The immediate 34th and current president (35th) are unknown yet.
Source: Abbé de L'Épée, in America by Alice L. Hagemeyer 2012. (toolkit) 2023 FOLDA Tool Kit: Deaf Culture: Libraries Connect Communities. (Work in progress)
