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My dear sheep in Jesus Christ our Lord: There is an olde church quote that states: “If the church neglects the children, it is certain that the children will someday neglect the church.” It doesn’t take much talking to prove that statement to be correct. We have so many living, walking examples that today prove this statement it seems to be unnecessary and an overstatement. The Bible says the same thing in different words in many places. Jesus had dire words of warning for people who cause a child to be an unbeliever. He tells all, especially parents, how terrible it will be for them if they don’t follow His directions for the raising of children. We, the church, and our parents must get our children heading in the right direction. Another quote states: “The reason parents no longer lead their children in the right direction is because parents aren’t going that way themselves.” You can’t lead without going first. If you drop your children off at church and pick them up later without attending yourself, you are in big trouble. The Bible says you are! God the loving Father says you are! Boy oh boy, that is some very strict law. Because of our God given conscience, we all know what we ought to be doing. Most of us understand that today is the day to get around to it. Devil promoted laz”I”ness is the reason for our lack of going in the right direction and our own sin enjoys the easy way. Now is the time to follow the lead of your faith. God the Father in Christ Jesus is calling you to get about the job of bringing the children up in the way they should go. The way we think is right is usually wrong. It takes real courage and love to listen to the Father – in church – where His Word is taught and used in its truth and purity and then to act upon it. Nothing else, no other way, of bringing up children has worked or is working. His way is the only way. Let us all as a loving family in this own congregational home re-double our efforts to follow the loving direction of our Saviour and nourish our children with the real Bread of Life. They can’t eat if we don’t bring them near the table and they won’t eat unless they see us eat first with real enjoyment. Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life,” and the Holy Word sates in another place “tastes and see, that the Lord is good. Rejoicing in His days,
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