In my last post, I talked about the importance of raising Godly Tomatoes, er, children. In this post I'll explain how a True Christian™ parent makes it work.
First is important that as beautiful as our little children may seem to us, how sweet the smell of a newborn babe snuggled up close, we must never forget it was born in rebellion against the LORD.
And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake;
for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
Genesis 8:21
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
Job 14:4
What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
Job 15:14
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Psalm 51:5
The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
Psalm 58:3
What "Tomato Staking" Means
Take a look at this image of a few tomato plants:
Notice how neat and orderly the plants are. Notice how easily the gardener can get from one plant to another.
Now notice this abandoned garden.
How can the gardener find anything she needs here? How can she make anything work for her?
Plants can grow to be enormous and when left unattended, can be dangerous. This one has overtaken the house.
And this one has caused damage to the neighbor's property.
No parent wants their sweet child to grow up to be destructive and overwhelming. You know what they say, Little Monsters with little bad habits become Big Monsters with big bad habits. Don't let your child become a Big Monster. Be a good gardener to your child, just as the LORD is to you (Isaiah 58:11) and
stake that plant!
Temper Tantrums
Temper tantrums are not okay. They are nothing more than giving into one's sinful nature, demanding the opportunity to rebel against authority. (Jeremiah 28:16)
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise,
she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Genesis 3:6
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James 1:14-15
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Romans 5:12
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Ephesians 2:1-3
Are you starting to understand the importance discipline has for the True Christian™ family? The True Christian™ knows her child is attracted to evil ways from the very beginning. It is a born sinner and until it can conceive of God's Will and accept Jesus as its personal LORD and Master (Romans 10:9), it has no hope of escaping the very pits of Hell created as a Just and Righteous consequence for its evil rebellion against the LORD.
Don't let their big doe-like eyes fool you. These little humans are nothing but sinning machines.
Sinner
Sinners
Sinner
Sinner
Don't let the newborn baby smell fool you, this one is born to sin
God already got the jump on punishing this evil thing because its sins will no doubt be bold and terrible
A devout True Christian™ won't see the big eyes, the clear skin, the sweet lips. A devout True Christian™ parent will see an evil rebel who must be corrected lest it never cares to know God at all.
Little monsters grow up to become big monsters.
Little temper tantrums grow up to become big temper tantrums. We see this every day in behaviors like swearing, road rage, homicide, animal abuse, homosexuality, atheism, voting for Obama (Proverbs 25:28). There's no excuse for it. These are all faults of the parent for not taking control of the child!
TAKE CONTROL!!
It doesn't matter how. Yelling, shaking, striking, spanking, hours spent in a small and uncomfortable prayer closet spending time only with the LORD, shaming, and ridiculing are all appropriate and effective tools for the parent. Like the gardener that controls that tomato plant, control your children! Keep them close to you (no more than three feet until they are at least 12 years old and can be trusted). Remind them often of your authority. Frequently tell them No so they are never surprised to hear that from you. Do not allow crying. Do not allow sullen attitudes. Remind them frequently that they are weak and vulnerable and if it weren't for your benevolence, they would be hungry and cold and in constant danger out there in the vast, dangerous world. Do not loose hope! Jesus is rooting for you!
The LORD has provided you a perfect Guide Book - the Holy Bible (King James Version, 1611). In it you will find tried and true facts such as:
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Proverbs 13:24
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
Proverbs 19:18
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him
Proverbs 22:15
Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.
Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 23:13-14
The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
Proverbs 20:30
First Time Obedience
In the Etheldreda home, we demand First Time Obedience of our children. Just like it sounds, it means that the first time Mr. Etheldreda or I give a command or make a request of a child, they are expected to comply quickly, efficiently, and with a good attitude. If they fail, they will be disciplined thoroughly physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We believe in caring for the Whole Child.
We know this to be scripturally sound.
Among other things, First Time Obedience:
- Shows parent’s obedience to the LORD (Joshua 24:15)
- Teaches children to obey the LORD (Deuteronomy 11:19)
- Keeps home and country organized and free from God's Holy and Perfect Wrath (Numbers 21:5-6)
- Raises the child in a healthy fear of the LORD allowing them to avoid embracing homosexuality and atheism (Proverbs 1:7)
- Trains child to have good subservient attitude (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
If it's not considered "abuse" for God to remind us He has the right and authority to punish us for our disobedience, and it isn't "abuse" for a parent to do the same thing for the sake of the child's immortal soul. So rest assured, you'll be doing your child a favor. A controlled home is a happy home.
The difference:
This Is Abuse:
(teaching false religion and getting ready for private smooching later)
This is not:
(child being baptized in the icy waters of Russia)