The responsibility of rearing children in our society today, is awesome. Yet, it is the most rewarding experience that anyone will ever go through. It is an experience that will last a life time. There will be some sadness, but the many, many hours of joy and happiness will, to a great degree, over shadow the sad times.

God has given unto us the Bible, which is the perfect manual on rearing children. Yet, multitudes of fathers have and are ignoring these perfect instructions. I don't mean to say that all mothers are following God's instructions, certainly not! But God has placed the main part of rearing children upon the fathers.

Let us notice some of these instructions. The great apostle Paul wrote, "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). The word "nurture" means training in the Lord. The word "admonition " means a mild reproof; or warning counsel; reprimand (Webster). Here God commands that fathers train and discipline their children in the teachings of Christ revealed in the Bible.

Through the years, I have seen so many faithful, godly mothers bring more children to worship than she could handle. Why? Because she loved God and wanted her children to love and serve God also. There is also another reason why they do it. The children's father will not assume the responsibility that God has placed upon all fathers!

There are many excuses use by fathers to justify their action. One that I have heard more often is, "I just don't have time " I certainly understand how rushed we all are in our modem day society. I also know that God commands us to be good stewards of our time. There is a horrible reality that fathers need to think seriously about. Most boys grow up following in the foot steps of their father. Therefore, there is no way to imagine how horrible it will be to see our sons condemned to hell on judgment day, knowing that it was our fault.

Fathers it will not matter one bit at the end of time if we were wealthy or not, in this life. But it will matter how we lived this life! After King Solomon had sought pleasure and happiness in every possible way, he came near the end of his life, knowing that his sons had not been train in the way of the Lord, he wrote: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty Of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13). To Solomon it didn't matter now, that he was the richest man in the world. He knew that he had not fulfilled his duty to God and his family.

Fathers, the most precious thing you have in this world or ever will have is your family. I beg of you to assume your God given responsibility and lead your family in putting God and His kingdom first in your life, and your families. Please, think seriously about it. ?

SOME ADVICE FOR FATHERS
Teach your children as many of the seven hundred thousand words of the English language as you have time to, but make sure they know that.....

• ...the greatest word is GOD
• ...the longest word is ETERNITY
• ...the swiftest word is TIME
• ...the nearest word is NOW
• ...the darkest word is SIN
• ...the meanest word is HYPOCRISY
• ...the deepest word is SOUL.

For Your Information
We now working on a “Sick List” on the church web-site, that will always be current and that will not only tell you who is sick – but where they are, what is wrong, and who they are. Wanda Greene is doing the updates and those that have current and/or new information about the sick, should either call her at the church office or e-mail her at:  secretary@orangestreetcofc.com .
     This will be a valuable asset if you will help us keep the list current.

Where father and mother rule badly and let the children have their own way; neither city, town, village, district, principality, kingdom nor empire can be well and peacefully governed.
–Martin Luther
Let us today remember God's word also, "Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise".

"A child needs very little advice -- if he's watching good examples."