View the complete article from our discussion at The 5 Most Important Issues Christian Families Face - Beliefnet
We won't get through all of this article in this episode. Make sure you join us next time for the conclusion!
1. Divorce
We’ve all read the statistics. Divorce rates have steadily increased over the past few decades, and splitting up is more commonplace and acceptable than ever before—sometimes even applauded. With the shrinking of religious ties, the stigma of divorce has ebbed away, creating a culture where commitment has become only a word.

There’s a reason for God’s commands. They’re not arbitrary—God hands them down because He knows what’s best for us, and wants us to be happy. He was talking about when He forbade divorce. Christ spoke on the topic, saying that “What God has joined together, let no one separate,” urging against divorce except in cases of infidelity.

2. Money
Every day, we’re all encouraged to be materialistic. The advertisements are everywhere—banners proclaiming the inherent value of jewelry, of cars and houses and high-paying jobs. For Christian families, the movement toward materialism can be insidious, beginning with parents who simply want to give their children more than they had. If left unchecked, though, these desires can remove a family’s focus from God, and onto whatever the hot, must-have items of the year are. God calls us to give to His ministry.

3. Media
The problem with modern forms of media is not merely that it’s less morally fettered than ever before, but that morally depraved characters and acts are now being portrayed as sympathetic protagonists—as people who we are to identify with and root for. The anti-hero is one of the most destructive forces in all of media when it comes to negative influence. These characters follow their own moral code, eschewing the institutionalized law or government that they deem “too weak” to do what must be done. They break the law, kill, steal, and murder, all to the fanfare of viewers. They often are a representation of moral relativism at its worst.

4. Abuse
There are few things which grieve God, as well as damage the reputation of Christianity in the eyes of the secular world like abuse within Christian families. The family is a representation of God’s character, of his love and unity. We are under God’s command to love and care for one another, both for our own happiness, and so that others will be drawn to that kind of love and come to know God.

It can sometimes be easy to misinterpret scripture to support the idea that abuse is somehow acceptable, that a spouse or children “belong” to you. But this isn’t true. They belong to God. We are called to love one another just as God loves us. To do anything less is to break the image of God’s love which family is meant to represent.

5. Anti-Christian Culture
Our culture is steeped in moral apathy, making it harder than ever to remain united as a Christian family. This culture pulls at us, constantly giving us the message that we are to put our own, individual happiness over that of others—the most powerful breaker of Christian families, of any family, there is.

But We are called to be different
Christian families are held not only to a different standard than others, but to a higher—that of God. When we recognize these 5 issues and face them, employing scriptural principles to overcome them, we become who God wishes us to be, and in doing so, we do the very best we can for our families.

God wants us to be happy, and to have a great family life. Don’t forget that.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: Helping Aging Parents-Part 2 of 2

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

• It is a biblical mandate to honor elderly loved ones. Honoring parents is a way to love others as yourself and to love God.
• Prayer and meditationPrayer and meditating on Scripture can provide comfort, wisdom, and protection. Trusting GodPsalm 28 provides language to understand God's heart toward those who are overwhelmed or confused about how to help. Being humbleThe Bible calls people to be caring and humble to those in need, starting with family. Setting boundariesIt's important to set boundaries so that people aren't doing things for others that they can do for themselves. Preparing for medical issuesA durable power of attorney can help someone make financial decisions for an elderly parent if they are unable to.

From Focus on the Family

For the caregiving children coping with the emotional, practical and financial ways of loving your aging parents can be challenging.

Managing our aging parents has a common thread to all of the management. It is important that we manage with emotional, practical and financial ways of loving them.

As followers of Christ, ours is to intentionally and thankfully steward each day that has been so graciously given to us by our Creator. And as our aging parents grow older, that includes helping them steward the day.

What May Appear To Be An Unfair Illness

What can be difficult to reconcile with our faith is when our loved one might have led a life following their Savior and yet, they are stricken and suffering with illnesses. This can seem unfair. This can feel unjust. But Jesus gets it. He understands because He faced unfair suffering too:

” But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”

– Isaiah 53:5

What We Are Feeling As Our Parents Age Makes It Difficult For Them To Manage Their Life (Scott’s first reaction: HUH? DIFFICULT FOR THEM?)

We are experiencing grief. We are grieving the mom or dad that they once knew.

What makes this even harder is the fact that the children are grieving while trying to take care of their challenging parents.

Encouraging practical Helps:

1. Allow yourself the grace to grieve. That includes experiencing and expressing your sorrow.

2.It is possible and important to grieve what once was even if they are he lived ones are still alive.

3.Tell them today how much you love them rather than waiting for the person to pass.

4.Day to day care can be done with the child who lives the closest. He or she should be supported by siblings who can offer respite care.

*HERE'S WHERE WE PICK UP IN THIS EPISODE:

16 practical ways children can help their aging parents:

1. Grocery shop

2. Pick up prescriptions

3. Take their trash can to and from the curb weekly

4. Pick up their mail

5. Invite them out for a meal

6. Bring a meal to their house and eat it together

7. Have coffee or tea together

8. Write a handwritten letter

9. Bake something for them and either mail it or hand deliver

10. Send a care package

11. Call them and tell them you love them

12. Sign them up on Facebook so they can see your pictures

13.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: Helping Aging Parents-Part 1 of 2

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

• It is a biblical mandate to honor elderly loved ones. Honoring parents is a way to love others as yourself and to love God.
• Prayer and meditationPrayer and meditating on Scripture can provide comfort, wisdom, and protection. Trusting GodPsalm 28 provides language to understand God's heart toward those who are overwhelmed or confused about how to help. Being humbleThe Bible calls people to be caring and humble to those in need, starting with family. Setting boundariesIt's important to set boundaries so that people aren't doing things for others that they can do for themselves. Preparing for medical issuesA durable power of attorney can help someone make financial decisions for an elderly parent if they are unable to.

From Focus on the Family

For the caregiving children coping with the emotional, practical and financial ways of loving your aging parents can be challenging.

Managing our aging parents has a common thread to all of the management. It is important that we manage with emotional, practical and financial ways of loving them.

As followers of Christ, ours is to intentionally and thankfully steward each day that has been so graciously given to us by our Creator. And as our aging parents grow older, that includes helping them steward the day.

What May Appear To Be An Unfair Illness

What can be difficult to reconcile with our faith is when our loved one might have led a life following their Savior and yet, they are stricken and suffering with illnesses. This can seem unfair. This can feel unjust. But Jesus gets it. He understands because He faced unfair suffering too:

” But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”

– Isaiah 53:5

What We Are Feeling As Our Parents Age Makes It Difficult For Them To Manage Their Life (Scott’s first reaction: HUH? DIFFICULT FOR THEM?)

We are experiencing grief. We are grieving the mom or dad that they once knew.

What makes this even harder is the fact that the children are grieving while trying to take care of their challenging parents.

Encouraging practical Helps:

1. Allow yourself the grace to grieve. That includes experiencing and expressing your sorrow.

2.It is possible and important to grieve what once was even if they are he lived ones are still alive.

3.Tell them today how much you love them rather than waiting for the person to pass.

4.Day to day care can be done with the child who lives the closest. He or she should be supported by siblings who can offer respite care.

*THIS WAS AS FAR AS WE GOT WITH THE FIRST EPISODE. IN PART 2, WE WILL DISCUSS:

16 practical ways children can help their aging parents:

1. Grocery shop

2. Pick up prescriptions

3. Take their trash can to and from the curb weekly

4. Pick up their mail

5. Invite them out for a meal

6. Bring a meal to their house and eat it together

7. Have coffee or tea together

8. Write a handwritten letter

9. Bake something for them and either mail it or hand deliver

10. Send a care package

11. Call them and tell them you love them

12. Sign them up on Facebook so they ca

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.