The Kingdom-Driven Family

When Our Heroes Disappoint Us

Andrea Schwartz

August 12, 2014

Social media lights up when a well-known and well-loved celebrity dies in a deliberate suicide or an accidental one by drug overdose. On purpose or unintended, the person is still dead and fans are heartbroken. More questions abound than answers. After all, don’t fame, wealth, and preferential treatment bring about happiness?

The words hypocrisy and acting have similar meanings in the Greek. A good actor can convince you of words, ideas, and motives that he doesn’t hold. Whether he makes you laugh or cry, he is pretending. What’s more, with the state of technology today, actors go to work on a set, and much of the actual context in which they are placed is a bare propless studio, with a background inserted during the editing process. So, these “hypocrites” really are playing dress-up and pretend. Yet, their adoring fans credit them with super heroic powers, clever comebacks, breathtaking stunts, and beautiful complexions to boot. How difficult it must be to have to be “regular” when the silver screen has made you bigger than life, and when the “you” loved by the fans is not the real you at all! Continue reading

Thriving with a Disability ~ An Interview with Anna Menges

Andrea Schwartz

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August 11, 2014

Spina bifida is a diagnosis expectant parents do not want to hear regarding their unborn child. Statistically, after Downs Syndrome, this condition comes in a close second when it comes to reasons for abortion. But, is it true that children with spina bifida would be better off dead rather than live with a significant disability? Twenty-one year old Anna Menges, who has lived with this condition all her life, gives an unqualified “no” to this question.

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It Is Not Good For Man To Be Alone

Andrea Schwartz

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August 9, 2014

Once, I was joking with my husband about an instance where I had followed through on something he’d forgotten to do. I commented, “Honey, God knew you’d need me. That’s why I’m your wife.” He laughed and I laughed. Then, I got to thinking about what I had just said and realized that, not only was it true, but I hadn’t stated it completely. God did not merely know my husband would need me, he fashioned ME and foreordained ME to be my husband’s helpmeet.

This may sound trite and obvious, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that during those very times when I am upset with things my husband “is” or “isn’t,” my complaint really isn’t with him, but with God. You see, part and parcel of who I am and what talents I possess has everything to do with the reality that I was fashioned to HELP my husband—my specific husband. What’s more, in stating that it isn’t good for man to be alone, God was outlining for me, and wives in general, the high calling that we’ve being given. In a very real sense, we were designed to fill the holes and smooth over the rough spots of the husbands God gave us. Continue reading

Reflections on Fatherhood (Guest Post)

Andrea Schwartz

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August 8, 2014

FATHERHOOD by Ford Schwartz*

How we raise our children reveals who we are. I am passionate about the law. I am convinced that in God’s Word there are directions for every, even the most bizarre, situation we can encounter. It is important to have the right theology. It is important to know the right answers. It is more important to know how to think Biblically. When we teach the Faith like multiplication flash cards, we can have neat rows of children who can spout the right words. But, the fabric of character that brings forth the self-sacrificing courage we are called to as Christians includes having freely come to one’s own conclusions. The creativity we are capable of as Children of the Promise is a product of intellectual freedom as much as righteous discipline. When the devastating blows of life impact our children’s lives, when impossible inconsistencies and unresolved aspects of their understanding of the Faith trouble their souls, will pat answers do? When our children can teach their children and we are not there to watch, what will they teach?

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Profession of Faith or Faithfulness to God’s Word?

Andrea Schwartz

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August 7, 2014

How can it be that someone who is “saved” can act so contrary to the clear commandments of God? What can you say about someone who professes a faith in Jesus Christ, but who fails to learn or apply His law-word?

Jesus never said, “You will know them by their professions of faith.” What He did say was that a person’s fruits will identify him/her as one who loves the Lord (Matt. 7:16). Additionally, we are told that those who love God will keep His commandments (John 14:15, 23). In light of this, a better way to discern whether or not you are talking to a brother or sister in Christ is whether or not they endeavor to act faithfully to the directives of God.

When faithfulness is used as a benchmark, God’s standard of righteousness (His law) is the only valid criteria with which to judge. Then, we don’t have to become confused when relatives, friends, fellow-church goers, or celebrities who have professed Jesus as their savior act in defiance of the commandments of God. We don’t have to wonder how they could do such things if they were truly saved. Being saved or not-saved is not our call, and Jesus never instructed us to make that judgment. He did tell us not to be fooled when those we encounter behave contrary to the teaching of Scripture. Continue reading

Chasing the Bear

Andrea Schwartz

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August 5, 2014

One of the constants of life is change. For the female gender, the changes are not only physical, but emotional as well, and a woman’s physiology and calling put her through many life stages. As the “weaker vessel” this takes some getting used to. Just when you feel like you have things under control, a pregnancy or two alters things once again. Then, when your child bearing days are over, there comes another transition, one that many people, especially women, don’t really want to talk about–aging. This stage can be especially cruel if a woman has bought into the idea of perpetual youth and the need to cover each and every gray hair that appears.

I have a recommendation for women of all ages. Whether you are at the beginning of the journey or nearing the finish line, there are a number of terms that you should research in order to avoid becoming a casualty of poor health and nutrition. Among them are: puberty, premenstrual syndrome, adrenal fatigue, gluten intolerance, anovulatory cycles, post-partum hormonal changes, perimenopause, metabolic syndrome, and fatty liver, just to name a few. Continue reading

The Role of Wives & Mothers in Building a Kingdom-Driven Family

Andrea Schwartz

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July 31, 2014

This presentation was delivered on June 14, 2014 during the Chalcedon Foundation’s Law & Liberty Tour event in Campbell, CA.

You can download an mp3 version here:

Health Care, Hospitals, Hospice, and End of Life Issues ~ An Interview with Jerri Lynn Ward J.D.

Andrea Schwartz

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July 28, 2014

Facing the future regarding aging parents or children with disabilities can be daunting. With Obamacare looming as a threat to individual choice and preference, what should families do?

In this podcast interview, Andrea Schwartz chats with attorney Jerri Lynn Ward regarding the current issues facing families in the area of healthcare, and why putting off thinking about such matters isn’t wise.

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Frustration

Andrea Schwartz

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July 22, 2014

The dictionary defines frustration as: the feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of inability to change or achieve something.

Frustration can be a huge source of stress in anyone’s life, but among parents of a growing family, it can wear out both mother and father and result in unnecessary conflict. When the expectations are unrealistic or ill-defined, progress cannot be easily ascertained or experienced. As the expression goes, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”

The most important areas to work on are attitude and behavior. Establishing acceptable attitudes and identifying toxic ones will lead to behavior changes. Children need to understand that a Christian family does not operate in terms of entitlements. Thus, it isn’t their room, or their toys. They are recipients of grace (God’s and that of their parents), and it is important that they learn to express gratitude early in their lives. They also need to comprehend that what is truly theirs, is their need for repentance. Continue reading

From Darkness to Light

Andrea Schwartz

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July 18, 2014

I was interviewed by Apologia Radio on July 16, 2014 about my journey from being in a cult (Scientology). to receiving the gift of faith in Jesus Christ, and becoming affiliated with the Chalcedon Foundation. This is an edited version. You can hear the entire show by going to their website.