Happy Father’s Day
By mstrohm | June 21, 2009
God bless each father who takes time every day to invest in his or her child! In a world that praises those who succeed in positions, power or finances, I say thanks to those who succeed as Dad! Your time and efforts will be a blessing not only to your children, but to those who come in contact with your children and for generations to come.
Thanks!
Mark Strohm, Jr.
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Mothers
By mstrohm | May 10, 2009
When Ellen and I had two children and another on the way we had a conversation with a neighbor who had been married many more years than we were. When asked about the possibility of children, she emphatically stated that children were not in her life goals. She had many milestones she had hoped to accomplish and motherhood was not one of them. I was so taken back by her self centeredness. The world was all about her and what she had wanted to accomplish. In many ways she was right. She would have to give up much to become a mother!
I believe that God clearly places the calling of motherhood upon individuals. The concept of “calling” is not always clear in today’s world. The idea that God places abilities and gifts within you and would therefore choose you for a particular task seems odd to us. God gives mothers a special grace, along with capabilities, so that they can be that special blend of love, patience and sacrifice we call mother.
So, to all of you who have the special calling of motherhood, thanks for all you do and for all you have given up to take on the title of mother.
Mark Strohm, Jr.
Colossians 2
Ministry
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Parent’s Rights
By mstrohm | April 15, 2009
As Christians and personally, as someone who has appreciated the right to choose a Christian education for my children, I am alarmed when government feels they need to issue “rights” for our children. Nearly always these “rights” are not at all intended for the good of our children, but rather for the propagation of specific organizations whose desires are to use the arm of the law to force their agenda on another group.
The U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child is now gaining support among many in the US Congress. It would apprear they desire for the US and all countries to turn parental rights over to UN regulations. This is the same UN who has not made any serious efforts to stop human trafficking around the world and will not take a stand against 12 year old prostitutes in Europe. Yet, somehow we are supposed to believe that the UN has our children’s best interest in mind. Many believe that joining the UN Treaty for children’s rights will eventually be used against Christians and conservatives to limit their right to home school, provide a Christian school education, to decide which church a child will attend, as well as limit other parental authority.
As a young man I can remember listening to the debates concerning a women’s right to abortion. “How can anyone beleive that a women should not be able to abort when her life was in danger?” the argument was presented. Yet, as soon as abortion became legal, any and every “excuse” was quickly presented to allow for abortions. No one can argue that abortions now being preformed have anything to do with “protecting the life of the mother.” In the same way I hear “How can anyone be against simple rights for our children?”
Watching the abortion issue unfold, I seriously wonder what the real motives are behind the UN Treaty.
For more information visit: http://parentsrights.us/
Mark Strohm, Jr.
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Embryology Lesson
By mstrohm | March 15, 2009
chicks
It was my privilege this week to listen to a lesson on the development of chicken eggs. The third grade teacher explained to her pupils the difficult struggle a chick will go through in an effort to break out of its egg. Each child listened as the teacher explained that even with a special egg tooth, the struggle is immense. Just to break a small hole in the egg is so exhausting it typically results in the chick resting for more than an hour. The teacher used her charts to showed the egg pecking pattern and explained how the struggle could last a day and often resulted in the chick resting so heavily that it might look dead.
Because the students would all be experiencing the hatching of chicks in the coming weeks, they were all warned not to touch and never to help the chick in its struggle. To do so would bring serious consequences including possible deformities and even death. As you could imagine, the students were quite surprised that such a large struggle could possibly be so critical to the well being of the chick. As they learned, the difficult struggle was essential to blood flow and strengthening the chick’s body and wings.
As I was writing up the lesson observation I reflected on how several students were confused. Wouldn’t it be compassionate to help the chick in its struggle? The realization that what appeared to be compassionate would actually cause deformities was difficult for the 9 and 10 year olds to understand.
I see many parents who experience the same confusion when it comes to wanting their child to avoid the struggles and sufferings of life. In an effort to make things better parents will complain to the coach for not playing their child enough. Excuses are made when their child does not get school work done and blame is cast if their child does not finish first. I can’t help but wonder if the consequences to a child’s emotional well being are just as severe as to the chick’s physical wel being when parents try to protect children from natural consequences. Maybe life’s bumps and bruises are vital to children’s emotional development. I wonder if the child’s emotional deformities from over protection are just as drastic as the chick’s phisical deformities.
I am sure there will be an entire class of third graders who will be lending support and prayer while chicks go through a great struggle. Those 3rd grade students will be sharing in great joy as each chick is born. But none will dare interfere with God’s plan for the hard physical journey they now know will be key to the development of the chick. Parents, please give your child prayer, biblical advice and support! But, before you interfere in an effort to make life “better” for your child, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons, lest your child grow up underdeveloped emotionally. Recognize that many of the typical childhood difficulties are actually part of the maturing process that God has designed. As parents we can take a lesson from a class of third grade students!
Mark Strohm, Jr.
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Reaching The “Whatever” Generation
By mstrohm | December 27, 2008
The Mid Atlantic Christian School Association (MACSA) has a blog promoting Christian School issues. Recently Steve Cornell, Senior Pastor at Millersville Bible Church presented a seminar on Reaching The “Whatever” Generation to Christian School Administrators. I have provided a link to the message. It is a bit lengthy but well worth the read!
http://www.macsaonline.org/318804.ihtml#h_5875
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Happy New Year
By mstrohm | December 26, 2008
To many children the New Year is nothing but another vacation. But to parents, being more reflective, New Years is a time to assess and evaluate how life is going. As parents this is a good time to reflect on our children. Is your parenting putting your children in the best position possible to learn and grow according to the ways of the Lord? Parenting is not an easy job! Godly parenting is always an act of our will. It never happens automatically without any effort. Therefore, to prevent ourselves from slipping into poor parenting habits we need assess our present practices to make sure we are accomplishing what we desire. Here are some questions to ponder to help you in setting some Parenting New Year’s Resolutions. Of course you will have more questions to ask yourself, these are just to get you started.
- Do I regularly take time to say “I love you” to each of my children?
- Have I been praising my children for what they do right?
- Am I keeping my primary focus on the development of Godly Character?
- Have I slipped into a “multiple request” parent?
- Have I followed through on promises – both the “rewards” and “punishments?”
- Do I have a regular way to teach my children the ways of the Lord? (family devotions, regularly scheduled discussions, etc.)
- Am I pleased with my child’s friends?
May God bless your parenting efforts! Remember, this is a job well worth all the effort.
May God’s grace and peace be with you,
Mark Strohm, Jr.
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The Wonder Of Christmas
By mstrohm | December 23, 2008
When I was young I would love to help my dad hang up the Christmas lights on the house. The lights were bigger back then and would shine brightly. Vivid memories of those shinning lights remain today.
Last week a mom at the school where I work relayed that her first grade son called called for his dad after having been put to bed. He asked if his dad could tell him how many days there were to Christmas. They counted together on the calendar and talked about how exciting Christmas will be when it finally comes.
Parents, I understand how tough this time of year can be on you. Special programs at school and church, parties, gift buying and increased road traffic are just some of the added pressures of the season. Don’t let your little ones fall prey to the seasonal frustrations that arise. Remember to take time to enjoy the season. Remember the awe and wonder you had as a child and help your children enjoy this very special holiday.
May God’s awsome gift inspire and encourage you.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Mark
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Is Christ In Your Christmas?
By mstrohm | December 15, 2008
During this Christmas season I have listened to many disgruntled conservative Christians talk about how the media and retail industry are systematically removing Christ from Christmas. “Merry Christmas” no longer is spoken or printed they complain. I experienced this truth just yesterday when I was buying books at a Goodwill where the cashier greeted the customer ahead of me with a “happy holidays.”
“You mean ‘Merry Christmas’” the women in front of me stated.
“I know” the cashier replied “but I am required to be politically correct here” she finished.
OK, so those around us, most of whom do not have a personal relationship with Christ, have indeed removed Christ from Christmas. While that upsets me I am far more concerned by the many professing Christians who seem to have kept the phrase “Merry Christmas” but who have also systematically removed Christ from Christmas.
When my children were young they could practically quote Luke 2 and the Christmas story. “We get it at school, church and home!” they would offer as explanation for knowing it so well. However, I work with predominantly Christian families and can report to you that many of these children do not know the story well. They know all manner of Christmas stories, typically from TV movies, but not the original story!
Families have struggled with keeping perspective at Christmas time for many years. I would guess this struggle has increased as many Churches have replaced teaching Biblical stories with simple Scriptural applications. Add a public that no longer even uses the phrase “Christmas” and has eliminated songs, as well as videos and shows on the true Christmas story and you get Christian families having to carry the entire load of passing on the real meaning of Christmas.
Parents, let me encourage you to make room for Christ this Christmas. Use traditional tools such as Advent wreaths, read the Biblical account and above all take time to pass on the wonderful miracle of a loving God who chose to send His only Son to a lost and needy people!
Merry Christmas!
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Some Good Parenting Books
By mstrohm | December 7, 2008
After laying low for a year I have been stirring with a desire to begin blogging again.
I have come across two books I believe will be of help to parents. First, a book for older elementary through middle school students (as well as immature high school students) entitled The Essential 55
My concern for over-booked children led me to pick up a book entitled The Overachievers
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School Is Back In Session
By mstrohm | September 2, 2008
Ahh, the start of school. Once again our streets are filled with yellow school busses, crossing guards and
children in backpacks. This time each year parents turn over their beloved little ones to be shapped and molded by well trained adults who spend a good amount of time carefully planning what they will teach those children.
Each of those teachers has a set of values and views they hold to. Willingly or unwillingly they will present these values and views to our children. Together these values and views make a worldview. Some of these worldviews may or may not align with your views. If we were just talking about political or policy preferences I would agree that a diversity of views is healthy. However, Christianity has some unconditional foundational beliefs that cannot be compromised. But the truth is that many teachers have a distinctly unchristian worldview. Some, though clearly the minority even have an anti-Christian worldview.
As we begin this school year there will be many matters that will demand your attention. Yet as parents it is important that you also pay attention to the many worldvies that will be presented to your child. Make sure he or she understands why some beliefs are not to be compromised.
I often thank God that Ellen and I have been able to provide a Christian education to each of our children. That has greatly helped our efforts in presenting a biblical worldview to each of them. However, a Christian education alone is not enough. As parents we must be diligent in helping our children understand the many worldviews that come their way through school, TV and movies, songs, video games, books, etc.
Remember to teach diligently the ways of the Lord!
Mark Strohm
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