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Why raising your family is difficult work

challenge children family Feb 10, 2021

By Doug Snyder

“Family” is intended to reflect God on earth, namely in loving community. And this is why the Devil wants the family destroyed. 

Note, if marriage becomes outlawed, it will only be outlaws who have in-laws.

God is love. Love is other-centered. Love gives. 

A woman, struggling with her recent divorce, relayed how she remained loving under the stressed circumstances. My recent ex texted, “Sell the Mercedes and send the money. So I listed and sold it the same day for $100. I hope he’s happy.”

The fountainhead of generosity is God, who lavished His love on us. For God so loved the world that He gave… This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

God is community. Think Trinity, three in one, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is forever community. Family is intended to reflect this community on earth.

Family begins, as God created, with...

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Understanding "the Turn"

children trust turn May 22, 2019

By Doug Snyder

As a first-time grandpa, the most endearing memory is that of my granddaughter exploring the world around her, turning, whirling in wide-eyed wonder. No concern. No worry. No anxiety. No fear. Just exploring. Trusting. Learning.

Grandpa and grandma are quick to the rescue when a foreseen action warrants. Sometimes we rescue and rescue and…rescue. 

Frankly, that’s a lot like God with me. The older I grow, the more I see God like a gentle grandfather, lovingly enjoying his grandchildren.

Is God more an angry Father or loving Grandfather to you?

I used to think of God as an angry father. Repent meant “turn from your enjoyable season of sin to the stale existence of Christian self-denial.” Repent meant an intense finger-wagging scolding, like an old-time evangelist in fever pitched convulsion, or, the angry furrow-browed adult, warning wrong-doers.

Yes, I do believe sin separates us from God. I believe in evil, a devil, and hell. Yet, I...

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