Parents and Families!

For Friday, December 13, 2024:

Deuteronomy 5:16 NLT, God’s words: “Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Oh my, it’s Friday the 13^th! Good thing Christians don’t believe in superstition and sorcery!

Interestingly, when little babies are born into a family, there is no doubt who will care for them – their parents! But when the tables are turned, when the parents grow old, who will care for them? The answer is not as clear as it used to be!

The Bible says that a man will leave his parents and take a wife, thereby creating a new family. In Jesus’ day, that might mean building a second house on the family farm, or at least within the same city. Nowadays the new family might reside in a different state or a different country, wherever work or life’s circumstances might take them. So it becomes honor and respect, and not so much ‘care.’ By the way, there are bad parents, and that changes the rules somewhat. We can still honor them as our parents, not speaking ill of them, but also steering clear of them. Sometimes going your separate ways is the best way to honor someone.

Personally, I have become a fan of extended families. Grandchildren are the best! I think that honoring parents makes a lot of sense when those parents honor their children and their children’s progeny. It’s kind of like loving your neighbor, except this is family!

This is the only commandment with a promise!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Joy of the Lord!

August 15, 2022 Monday Message:

Psalm 112:1-2 NLT: “Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.”

I have always believed that serving the Lord and attending worship should be fun, something we anticipate and enjoy. If people lament, “I HAVE to go to church,” there’s something wrong with church. It should be, “I GET to go to church!”

If mom and dad are excited about the Lord, it can’t help but show up in the next generation, and I believe that was God’s intention. Parents are the best teachers their children will ever have. From an early age, we can shape shape their attitude toward the Lord, church and life in general. Children with with a positive attitude will be blessed, as will their children and their grandchildren.

Whether called to a sacred or secular career, God promises success to those who are joyful in the Lord.

The joy of the Lord is more than a moment of happiness; it’s a way of life!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406