The Kingdom-Driven Family

Children’s Children

Andrea Schwartz

June 11, 2015

I used to think that there was no greater joy than being a mommy. However, being a grandmother is in a class by itself. This joy, quite different from parenting, opens up a special place in the heart. For those who have experienced the phenomenon, you know what I’m talking about. For those who haven’t, take my word for it.

A grandchild is living evidence of the passage of time. In order to make sense of the relationship, one must acknowledge that the grandchild/grandparent relationship exists because your child has become a parent. As one moves from parent to grandparent, there is a sense of perspective that allows for the reevaluation of all those “important” aspects of life that gained prominence when one’s children were young. Questions arise: Was the time investment worthwhile? Did it produce positive results? Is our family the better off for it? Was God honored in the process? Continue reading

Kingdom-driven Family Ministry

Andrea Schwartz

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June 5, 2015

Many people sincerely grieve over the persecution of Christians around the world. But one family I know did something about it. This musical, sibling trio decided to use their God-given talents to make a difference by spearheading a benefit concert.

I have known the Merjanian family since these young people were children. We participated in homeschooling activities together, specifically the homeschool choir. Our friendship developed over a shared faith in Jesus Christ and a love for music. As our children grew and we went our separate ways, Mrs. M and I would meet in random places (usually the grocery store), and bring each other up to date about what was going on in our lives. Continue reading

Underlying Themes

Andrea Schwartz

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June 3, 2015

I recently watched two films dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and how it affects those diagnosed and their families. While each movie did a good job of showing the challenges and burdens experienced when a family member is afflicted, they also presented worldviews, complete with presuppositions, subtly woven into these personal stories. Continue reading

Be Not Deceived

Andrea Schwartz

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May 28, 2015

In a world where someone is always touting the latest breakthrough in health, education, living, or some other utopian dream, it is tempting to jump on the bandwagon and re-order one’s life to conform to the latest fad or research study. While it is laudable to seek ways to improve one’s life, family, or health, as parents, we need to be aware of the potential damage to our children if it turns out we are wrong.

Many years ago, I went to a meeting where the speaker indicated that many allergies in children were due to having pets inside the house. He was quite convincing. When I returned home, I informed the family that our dog was going to become an outside dog. No one liked the idea, but I was eager to address the allergies that were plaguing the household.

For two weeks, our Springer Spaniel lived outside and everyone (including the dog) was miserable. The health guru also suggested stripping the home of carpet (another potential allergen) which we could not do, as we were renters. Therefore, I had embarked on a journey that was only partially in line with the “expert” whose advice I was taking. There were other facets to this experiment that, in short time, proved unworkable. We were not witnessing any appreciable improvement in the allergy situation, and we reversed course. Everyone was relieved, and the dog moved back in with the family. Continue reading

Taking Correction

Andrea Schwartz

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May 22, 2015

Customarily people don’t enjoy being told they did something incorrectly. Common reactions include denying the mistake, pointing out that others do the same thing, or failing to listen at all. Why is it so difficult to be corrected?

Correction should be something we seek in order to be more competent at the tasks we are called to accomplish. Only a prideful person assumes that he will perform excellently all the time. Most worthwhile activities require training and practice. Without correction, we could make the same error over and over. Continue reading

Maybe It’s Just Too Simple

Andrea Schwartz

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May 15, 2015

There is an account in Scripture that is pertinent to our day. In 2 Kings 5, a commander in the army was distraught because he had leprosy. God used a young Hebrew captive to direct him to the prophet Elisha for help. As Namaan journeyed to see the prophet, Elisha sent him a message to go and wash in the Jordan River for healing.

Namaan took offense for a number of reasons. First, Elisha did not come to meet him face-to-face. Second, he took exception to the manner in which he would find relief. He was expecting something dramatic, possibly a big ceremony to request healing. Third, he could not reconcile why the Jordan River was better than the rivers in his country. He left in an angry rage prepared to return home without healing.

One of his servants told him, ^“If the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” Namaan finally obeyed Elisha and his flesh was restored to health.

How many of us suffer from the plagues of modern life: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc., but never consider going to the Word of God as the first step in our road to health? Is it just too simple to examine our habits and practices to see if they are in keeping with “every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4), and then alter our lifestyle accordingly? Do we need to get to the point of resorting to extreme measures in the face of debilitating and life-threatening illness? Continue reading

Anecdotal Evidence

Andrea Schwartz

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May 12, 2015

In an age when experts abound, many often dismiss as unscientific and unproven positive results from new approaches to problems. They assert that what is being reported is merely anecdotal evidence. They often further assert that, since there are no scientific studies to back up the anecdotal evidence, people need to proceed with extreme caution.

I find this amusing at times and annoying at others. I have witnessed medical professionals caution against adding vitamins and minerals to one’s diet while encouraging the exclusive use of pharmaceutical remedies. Much of today’s accepted protocols stem from earlier, natural remedies such as oils, serums, and plant based products. The discerning person needs to be ready to question, question, question dismissal by an “expert” of new approaches to a problem in order to discover if there are simpler, less invasive options. Do not come to such interactions without having read up on the subject at hand. By being knowledgeable, you will have the basis for pertinent questions, and solid ammunition against the charge of the reported results being merely anecdotal.

The charge of anecdotal evidence is often levied against a person’s faith. Are there studies to show that I am a new creature in Christ Jesus? Should my profession of faith only be determined to be true once a team of experts can verify that there is no longer any condemnation for me because of my Savior’s substitutionary atonement for my sins? Isn’t it true that the gospel spreads as people share their anecdotal experiences, “I was lost, but now am found”? Continue reading

Doing It All

Andrea Schwartz

2 comments

May 8, 2015

If you are like me, you have many projects around your home waiting to be dealt with. Whether it is a messy room, a closet that hasn’t been arranged in a decade or so, or a bathroom cabinet with all sorts of outdated content, the thought of someone other than your family getting a look at one of these terrifies you. Then, one day, you become motivated to deal with a project and tackle it.

For me, there is a mixture of horror and being proud of myself. Horror that I let things get so dirty and disorganized, and a sense of pride that I am finally engaged. My “perfectionist” persona appears at this point and I focus on minute details that extend over and above what a professional cleaning service might deem important. In other words, after years of neglect I am going to right all wrongs. The problem is that what ends up happening is that I forget about staying on top of the job for another ten years. Continue reading

The Bible’s High Estimation of Women

Andrea Schwartz

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May 4, 2015

Those who embrace the law of God as binding on their lives see God’s laws as blessings; those who do not, see them as hindrances to their autonomy. God’s law acts as a boundary that we move at our peril. By obeying it we are performing our duty before the Lord, (Eccles. 12:13) and we are living a life that is lived according to God’s instruction manual.

There are many laws in Scripture that are intended to preserve and enhance the primary institution ordained by God—the family. One is the dowry system. Although greatly maligned and often portrayed as the purchasing of a wife as property, when understood properly, the dowry is evidence of God’s intent to build strong families and to protect and cover women.