Saturday, February 27, 2010

Saddened and Horrified

I have never heard of this horrific, biblically unsound method of parenting or child training.
 
My heart aches for the children who are forced to endure it, especially for the ones who have died from it.

This method need to be decried loudly!!!

Here's a heart-wrenching blog post by a woman who had a speical friendship with the latest victim.

I totally agree with this from Gentle Christian Mothers:

A GCM Statement: It is Time to Speak Out Against the Teachings of Michael and Debi Pearl
This statement may be re-posted in it's entirety.


The admins of Gentle Christian Mothers (GCM) have felt led at this time, as we mourn the loss of seven year old Lydia Shatz[1], to issue a statement of disagreement with Michael and Debi Pearl and their child rearing methods. Not only are their methods extreme and outside the realm of normal and healthy child rearing practices, but the doctrinal foundation for these methods contain a level of heresy, including denial of the Christian doctrine of original sin[2][3], which leave them without biblical basis and at odds with the truth that all are in need of salvation which has been provided through Jesus alone[4].

Though the Pearls affirm the value of relationships in parenting in their attractive "tying heartstrings" message, their harsh teachings are in diametric contrast to building healthy relationships. They advocate "training" and "chastisement" of children, starting in infancy[5][6], using methods and means not described in Scripture -- including using ¼ inch plumber’s supply line as a spanking instrument[7] and claiming that a "proper spanking leaves children without breath to complain"[8] -- for stated purposes of absolving guilt and cleansing the child's soul[9].

The combination of an adversarial us vs. them mindset where the parents must "win," physically "disciplining" children until they surrender their will and show total submission, and false doctrine makes the Pearls' methods dangerous. They present a very distorted picture to the world of what it means to be a follower of Jesus and a Christian parent in the world today. It is time for Michael and Debi Pearl to be held accountable for their teachings. We urge other Christians to join us in speaking out against what Michael and Debi Pearl have been teaching for far too long.

References
1. Godly discipline turned deadly: A controversial child "training" practice comes under fire -- this time from Christians themselves, Lynn Harris, Feb. 22, 2010

2. Second Council of Orange (529)

3. Teaching tape on Romans 5:12-21 by M. Pearl

4. Michael Pearl on Original Sin: An Analysis, Catez Stevens, October 11, 2005

5. To Train Up a Child, M. Pearl, D. Pearl, chapter 1

6. "In Defense of Biblical Chastisement Part 2," M. Pearl, October 2001

7. Ibid.

8. "Angry Child," M. Pearl, August 1998

9. "In Defense of Biblical Chastisement Part 1," M. Pearl, May 2001

May God have mercy.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Fledglings Fly


The house is quieter than usual tonight. 

Scattered evidence remains:
a pair of shoes,
a jacket thrown in a chair,
they can stay for now.
A half full glass on the table,
two extra cars in the driveway; keys hanging on their hooks,
who knows when they'll be used again. 

Two of our three flew  today.  Thankfully, landed safely in their new home (temporary albeit) for technical school.

Praising God for making a way, a different way than what we'd planned. His ways are different; His plans are different. 

Praying for His sustaining grace to adjust to the new quiet, for His protecting hand, guiding, teaching, growing boys into men. 

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Be Out There - National Wildlife Federation

We've had a gratefully wonderful taste of Spring in our neck of the woods.

After weeks of rain, snow or ice, my yard is finally drying up, the daffodils are poking through and I'm feeling the beginnings of Spring Fever coming on!

Perfect time for this newsletter in my e-mailbox!

Be Out There - National Wildlife Federation

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Baltimore Oriole - Whatbird.com

Baltimore Oriole - Whatbird.com

For our Great Backyard Bird count, we saw the usual suspects:
Carolina Chickadees,
Song Sparrows,
Eastern Towhees,
American Goldfinches,
Mourning Doves
(no baked potato birds??, inside joke, sorry),
Northern Cardinals and
Tufted Titmice.

Just this morning, one day after the offical bird count, we saw our fist Baltimore Oriole!

We believe it to be a female. After munching on nuts and seeds, she flew back into our woods, happily ringing our wind chimes as she went.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

The Word of the Day: LOVE

A friend recently asked: "What does LOVE mean to you?"

To me it means:

Sacrifice.

"This is love: not that we loved God,
but that he loved us
and sent his Son
as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
1 John 4:10


Just as Christ put our needs before His own; as He poured out His life for ours, we are also called to Love in this way.

"A new command I give you:
Love one another.
As I have loved you,
so you must love one another."
John 13:34
 
How about you, friend? What does LOVE mean to you?

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Great Backyard Bird Count is...

...right up my alley! 

This weekend is the annual Great Backyard Bird Count! 

Surpisingly, I've never participated! This is the year for me!

What is it?
"The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds."