Learning to be "dad"

So, a friend of mine, Joseph Thompson, asked on Facebook several weeks back if anyone knew of any dads in the blogging world writing for dads. "Well," I thought, "why don't I get on that." Then, the end of my last semester at SEBTS kicked in, and here we are, several weeks later. So, what I know hope to do is a series of blog entries called "Learning to be Dad" where I want to interact with Scripture, take some cues from the book Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp, and hopefully give life insights as I learn to be a "dad."

Chapter 1: "Getting to the Heart of Behavior"

A couple of things I really like about this first chapter:

1. A child's behavior (or...misbehavior) is a sin issue. I really wonder if we actually wrestle with this reality, especially when we want a new kid by Friday (and that's not a knock on the book that bears a similar title to what I've just said...I've never read the book). The issue is not so much a behavior issue as it is a fallen nature issue. And, I know for me, I miss the boat a lot of times dealing with our boys. Just this morning, as my oldest son (3 1/2) was arguing and being mean to a friend, what did I say? "That is not the way that we act!" Sorry, but this seems a little...inadequate...to say the least. I should've been asking myself first, "Why did he act that way?" One of the answers I would have found is that he was being selfish...he believed the issue was the key to his happiness. It was a selfish, prideful, self-centered motive that responded in a mean behavior.

2. He brought the issue to the heart, pointing to Luke 6:45: "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (ESV). Tedd Tripp goes on to say that "All behavior is linked to attitudes of the heart. Therefore, discipline must address attitudes of the heart."

3. Tripp then notes that he feels that Scripture is "robust enough" to answer all of the questions and give ample instruction to parents. Did you catch that? Refreshing, huh? I, too, believe in the sufficiency of Scripture. What about you? As a matter of fact, Paul gives the assurance to Timothy that Scripture is so sufficient that it can make us "competent, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:17 - ESV). He even goes on to say that the church has tried to integrate non-biblical and biblical parenting forms and the result has been bitter fruit. I'll leave that one to you to figure out (but I think he may be on to something).

So what's his goal in writing Shepherding a Child's Heart? To see Christian parents "raise from our homes a holy seed for the church." That's my desire, too. Really, to see my kids develop a deep-seated love for Jesus, and to live a life fully committed to Him.