Youth Convention | God’s Final Offer | Pray For Rain | CFC Offering Totals | Provoking Your Child to Anger The Official Magazine of the Oregon District UPCI
accent
March 2012
A Note From the Editor Oregon District Apostolic Accent
Several years ago, a lady started coming to our church that had brain cancer. She was quite an amazing lady who trusted God and grew in Him tremendously through the time we had the privilege of knowing www.ORUPC.com her. Through all the chemo and through all the pain and humiliating experiences in her last months, there was sorrow but she knew there Editor……………………..........…………….Kassie Meyer was more to her life than that. kassiemeyer@hotmail.com In her final days of living, I would go down to hospice and visit with (503) 689-3589 her and pray with her. But what I remember the most is she would alGraphic Assistance............................Jason Di Senso ways say, “Joy comes in the morning, joy comes in the morning.” Even after all that she had been through, she still knew and held on to the District Officials Superintendent……………......……………Ted Graves promise that with Christ, joy would come on that great morning....she Secretary/Treasurer…….......……..Randy Langley knew that getting through all this would lead to joy in the morning with her Maker and Savior. Presbyters Throughout scripture and from personal experiences, you will find Section 1…………………......…..…………Gary Gleason that even through the sorrow, through the pain, or through persecution Section 2……………………........…M. Dennis Johnson joy can and will come. It doesn’t matter what we are going through or Section 3………………………......……..Kevin Goodwin what we have had to deal with, He is our source. The Bible has so many Section 4…………………………......Steven L. Johnson passages describing what different men and women went through but Honorary Board Member in the end, still had their joy or it was coming. M. David Johnson Acts 13:50-52 amazes me because I have such a hard time handling rejection yet the disciples still had their joy through rejection North American Missions “But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the Director…………………………….......…..Steve Hanson Secretary…………………………….....…Dan Sargeant chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, Global Missions and expelled them from their region. Director……………………………….......James Bigelow But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came Apostolic Man to Iconium. Director……………………………..……......Mark Edday And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Ladies Ministries With Christ we have the privilege of experiencing His joy to greater Director…………………………......….Geanice Langley Secretary…………………...…….....…….Rachel Sparks extent than someone who does not know Him. Being with Him in His presence alone gives us such joy. During a time when Jesus talked with Sunday School Director………………………….…......…Darrell Sparks His disciples about the sorrow they would go through, He told them Secretary…………………………….....…..Loren Brown their joy would come. Oregon Youth “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the President…………………………….......…Stan Gleason world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be Secretary………………………………......……Kevin Neu turned into joy. Spanish Ministries A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has Director……………………………………......Fito Avenia come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer Life in Focus Coordinator…...........Bill Tittsworth remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into Prison Ministry Coordinator….....….Doug Lethin the world. “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your Media Missions Director……......David P. Johnson A.C.T.S. President………...….......M. Dennis Johnson heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” John 16:20Senior Quiz Coordinator.…......…..Brian Huffman 22 Junior Quiz Coordinator.…......…Jonathan Toews God is amazing and fills our hearts with joy. Grab a hold of Him and know that He is your source of joy. Don’t let anyone or anything rob you of the joy He has for you! No circumstance is too great for the joy of the Lord. Joy comes in the morning... Kassie Meyer 2 APOSTOLIC ACCENT March 2012 Volume 48, Number 1
Inside this Issue Articles/Columns 2 A Note From the Editor KASSIE MEYER 4 God’s Final Offer M. DENNIS JOHNSON 5 When, God? When BONNIE PEACOCK 6 Pray for Rain STEVE HANSON 8 There’s a Miracle in the Making STAN GLEASON 13 Patience with Yourself
SUBMITTED BY SHIRLEY DILLON
11 Global Missions
JAMES BIIGELOW
12 Discipline: Provoking Your Child to Anger DAVID REYNOLDS
Promotions 5 Marriage Retreat Pictures
YOUTH DIVISION
7 Christmas For Christ Offerings
North American Missions
9 The Drive
SUNDAY SCHOOL DIVISION
10 Missionaries in Oregon
GLOBAL MISSIONS
13 Youth Convention
God’s Final Offer By M. Dennis Johnson
W
HEN GOD CREATED to Noah seven laws to govern far greater than I who is coming. ADAM AND EVE, HE mankind, including the command He will baptize you with the Holy SET THEM IN A BEAUTIFUL to set up courts and execute Ghost (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, ENVIRONMENT AND OFFERED murderers so that the new earth Luke 3:16, John 1:33). THEM HIS CLOSE FELLOWSHIP would not suffer the level of Jesus did come into His world. AND COMPANIONSHIP IF THEY violence that filled the pre-flood From the stable in Bethlehem WOULD JUST KEEP ONE SIMPLE era. But in short order mankind He stepped into a world that COMMANDMENT. As you know, again forgot God, forsook His had for four thousand years they opted to rebel, thinking laws, and concocted gods of their witnessed the effects of sin, for their choice would bring them own imagination. Yet God did four thousand years seen how new vistas of But in short order mankind not give up on utterly helpless are man’s efforts understanding to overcome evil. Into this world again forgot God, forsook mankind. and higher God set He came to offer Himself as a His laws, and concocted levels of gods of their own in motion a sacrifice so that mankind could fulfillment. But imagination. Yet God did plan through be completely forgiven of all past instead they Abraham to sins and given the assistance of not give up on mankind. were slammed attempt to a measure of God’s own Spirit with negative bring man into within our hearts and minds. emotions--fear, guilt, selfishness, fellowship with Himself. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is anxiety, pain, grief—and God was He gave them the Ten God’s final offer: the forgiveness forced away from His creation. But Commandments and all the rest of sins and the power of the Holy God did not give up on mankind. of the Old Testament laws, 613 in Ghost to overcome sin and bring The next phase of God’s plan all, so that mankind could learn us into fellowship with Him in allowed mankind to operate with, righteousness and draw closer holiness and purity. apparently, some oral instructions, to God. But again, man failed In II Corinthians 9:15 Paul and an inner sense of right and to measure up to God’s design writes, “Thanks be unto God for wrong that we call conscience. and even the chosen nation his unspeakable gift.” The Greek Some (such as Enos, Enoch and was rejected, and God to a great word used here for unspeakable Noah) heeded God’s directives degree withdrew from the Jews is found nowhere else in the New and the inner voice. According and the human race. But God still Testament. This word is used to tradition, the descendants had not given up on mankind. to indicate that something has of Seth were greatly blessed for He had one more offer to finally qualities that are simply beyond seven generations. But the crowd bridge the gap the power “Thanks be who followed Cain’s evil ways and between man of words to unto God for his ignored the voice of conscience in his sinfulness describe. unspeakable gift.” eventually engulfed the followers and God in His The value and of God. Humanity again suffered holiness. John greatness of the God’s judgment, this time with the Baptist was the herald of this gift of salvation remains beyond the flood. But God did not give up offer. All four gospels record John’s our ability to comprehend, on mankind. thundering message: Repent and let alone put into words. The After the flood, God entrusted prepare yourselves for the One magnificence of the New
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Birth is greater than the mind can conceive. The degree of condescension God breached is beyond our understanding. The blackness of His pain and sorrow is past human reference. We cannot even begin to grasp the meaning of the promise of eternal life. The greatness of His love is indeed unfathomable. Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift! Let us proclaim it to our world! There is no other plan. The gospel is God’s final offer.◊ ____________________________ M. Dennis Johnson is the Pastor of United Pentecostal Church in Albany, Oregon. He also serves as the Section 2 Presbyter and A.C.T.S. President for the Oregon District.
When, God? When? By Bonnie Peacock “I wish God would get with it! What’s the holdup?” I’ve said it, or at least thought it. Have you? An amazing revival has been prophesied for our local assembly. God is moving, but a major Holy Ghost blowout has yet to materialize. Ministers have prayed for me and spoken words that have still not come to fruition. I have laid hands on the sick, why don’t they recover? What’s God waiting on? I often think God is dragging His feet, when I’m the one who
is delaying my own ministry and anointing. The truth is, God longs for my life to bear fruit, for me to be effective, anointed, and in tune with His Spirit. He is ready to show up and show out. It is my hesitancy to step out, my fear of failure, my pride, my agenda, my tendency to take the credit that only belongs to God, my doubt that impedes Him. I want God to do things on my terms — on my timetable. God wants to move. He desires for His kingdom to come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (See Matthew 6:10.) He wants His kingdom to come in me. The problem is my inconsistencies. I run hot and cold, committed and exhausted, passionate and lackadaisical. It is too easy for me to get my eyes off God and onto doing His work, meeting deadlines, and juggling responsibilities. And then, there are people. I can be intimidated by those who excel in their walk with God or become distracted and discouraged by those who are floundering. Actually, I do not need anyone or anything to get me off course. I can do it all by myself. I can get my eyes on myself. What’s going wrong in my life. What’s happening to me. Focusing on the way others are treating me. My comfort. My needs. My reputation. My goals, dreams, and aspirations. I have lived for God for a long time. I know the ropes. Sometimes I plateau for awhile. After all, everyone gets tired, don’t they? The problem is, we cannot coast in our walk with God. No
neutral gear exists in a Spirit-filled transmission. It is either forward or reverse. A victorious walk with God is contingent upon keeping God as my prize. Not the work I do for Him, the credentials I hold, or the positions I am given. Pressing continually closer to the Lord is all that matters. The opportunities to minister, a place for my talents, and affirmation are byproducts of a committed, focused, sold out walk with God. So, instead of stressing over what God is doing, what God is not doing, or when He is going to get His act together, I must focus on keeping myself aligned with His will — His way — His Word. Keeping my eyes on Him is all that is really necessary, the rest is a given. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (II Chronicles 16:9). ____________________________ Bonnie Peacock is a freelance writer for various religious publications. She and her husband attend the First Untied Pentecostal Church in Odessa, Texas.
March 2012 APOSTOLIC ACCENT 5
Pray for RAIN By Steve Hanson On February 3rd of this year more than 300 Apostolic believers gathered at Christian World Fellowship in Salem Oregon for the first ever Northwest SoulWinners Conference which was sponsored by your Christmas for Christ giving. Our spirits were challenged by speakers such as J. Marrell Cornwell, Kelly Caywood, Doug Lethin & Bill Tittsworth. The emphasis of this meeting was the need of our world to hear the gospel and the church to teach the gospel to every man, woman and child. Many have been motivated to go back into the field of the world, evangelize their communities and teach Home Bible Studies to the lost. If the lost souls of Oregon are to ever find salvation it will be because Apostolic believers share the message of deliverance and salvation to those who have never known. The prophet Zechariah is a spokesman to the children of God that are in Babylon. He is speaking of a time in the future when the LORD will bring restoration to his people. His message is one of challenging hope. It is a word from the LORD that allows for the participation of everyone of God’s children. Zechariah 10:1 NKJV “Ask the
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LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone. “ The command of the prophet is important to understand. There are many things that the children of God could ask from the LORD. Zechariah is writing to an agrarian society who understands the way of the farmer. Most of the farmers in their society would be what we call ‘dry farmers’. These were individuals that would sow seed at the proper time and rely upon the forces of nature to bring rain to water the seed that they had generously sown. It would be a foolhardy thing for the farmer to water a fallow field. It would be a waste of rain for God to send rain on a field on which no seed has been spread. All there would be hope of growing would be thorns, thistles and wild grasses. There is only one reason that a farmer would ask for rain. The rain was essential to fill out the ear of the grain near the time of harvest. This latter rain would ensure the best yield. The control of the rain was in
the hand of the LORD. It would be a waste of the energy of God to pour out the rain of his Spirit if the seed of his Word has not been sown in the hearts of man. Yes, GOD is the LORD of the harvest in Oregon. But the Apostolic believers are in control of the ‘seed-sowing’! We need to learn to celebrate the sowing of the seed as much as we do the reaping of the harvest. Isaiah 32:20 NKJV “Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, Who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey.” The LORD is not just promising decorative grass for our personal enjoyment. The master of the rain is declaring that grain, barley and other life sustaining grasses will grow. We have often prayed for the LORD of the harvest to send a great harvest but the prayer of the LORD was for laborers. One of the promises of God for the end of the age flows from the pen of David, the man after God’s own heart; Psalm 72:16 NKJV “There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, On the top of the mountains; Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon; And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.” The very chapter we often quote from concerning the promise that came on the Day of Pentecost brings another sure word to
the children of God. Joel 2:23-24 NKJV “Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you — The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall
overflow with new wine and oil.” Steve Hanson is the We want grass in every field, Pastor of Portland wheat on every threshing floor Pentecostals in and an unprecedented harvest in Portland, Oregon. He Oregon. We have prayed for rain. also serves as the We must keep praying for the rain North American of the Spirit. But we must sow the Missions Director for the Oregon seed generously! Go into the field, District. sow beside all waters.◊ ____________________________
2011 Christmas for Christ Offerings CHURCH APOSTOLIC WORSHIP CENTER UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OREGON CITY UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH CHRISTIAN WORLD FELLOWSHIP PORTLAND PENTECOSTALS APOSTOLICS OF PORTLAND BETHEL UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH LANDMARK UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH NEW HOPE LIFE CENTER PALACE OF PRAISE UPC REDMOND HEIGHTS PENTECOSTAL UPC UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH HARVEST MINISTRIES NEW LIFE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH APOSTOLIC LIGHTHOUSE OF REEDSPORT APOSTOLIC TRUTH TABERNACLE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH LIGHTHOUSE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH GRACE POINT MINISTRIES THE SANCTUARY HOPE FELLOWSHIP UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH TABERNACULO DE SALEM TRUE GOSPEL UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH TRUE LIGHT APOSTOLIC CHURCH CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER TABERNACULO DE VIDA APOSTOLIC UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH LIVING WATERS FELLOWSHIP TEMPLO LA HERMOSA IGLESIA PENTECOSTAL UNIDA LIFE CHURCH ABUNDANT LIFE UPC VICTORY LIGHTHOUSE RIVERS OF LIVING WATER UPC OF SANDY UPCI TABERNACULO DE LA VERDAD ILLINOIS VALLEY PENTECOSTALS UPC APOSTOLIC LIGHTHOUSE
PASTOR P. TED GRAVES RANDY LANGLEY GARY W GLEASON JAMES W DILLON STEVEN C HANSON VIRGIL E ALLDRITT RONALD E BOHDE KEVIN D GOODWIN BILL A TITTSWORTH BARRY A KING KEVIN D SEIBOLD DENNIS JOHNSON DAVID VANBEEK ALFRED S. STARR RICHARD A FOSSUM MARK J EDDAY DONALD L EASTHAM DANIEL E SARGEANT J.R. MEYER GERRY D MALLORY DAVID P BRAGG JIMMIE D SWANK JERRY MIRANDA STEVEN L JOHNSON BERNARD W BEER GARY L MILES TIMOTHY R WIGGINS JAMES P MCGRATH DALLAS E BROCK ALFREDO H BARBOSA G. FRANK VANDEVENDER PHILLIP A DUGAS LARRY J BANKSTON RUSSELL A COLLIER RUBEN BAHENA WENDELL W OWENS KEITH WHORTEN
CITY OFFERING PORTLAND $23,000.00 KLAMATH FALLS $16,926.30 OREGON CITY $7,208.38 SALEM $4,400.00 PORTLAND $3,585.00 BEAVERTON $2,500.00 HILLSBORO $2,001.00 NORTH BEND $2,000.00 MONROE $1,545.00 ALOHA $1,035.00 REDMOND $1,020.11 ALBANY $1,000.00 PORTLAND $800.00 SALEM $563.00 REEDSPORT $550.00 HOOD RIVER $500.00 CORVALLIS $400.00 NEWPORT $400.00 PORTLAND $377.05 NEWBERG $350.00 COTTAGE GROVE $350.00 SPRINGFIELD $305.00 SALEM $300.00 BEND $171.00 BROOKINGS $150.00 ROSEBURG $150.00 CANBY $121.00 FLORENCE $120.00 BEAVERTON $100.00 BEAVERTON $100.00 MEDFORD $100.00 PORTLAND $50.00 HERMISTON $0.00 SANDY $0.00 SPRINGFIELD $0.00 CAVE JUNCTION $0.00 PRINEVILLE $0.00 Total $72,177.84
There’s a Miracle In the Making In 1 Kings 17, Elijah was instructed to go to Zarephath so that a woman could sustain him through a drought. When he got there, she was gathering sticks to make one last meal before her supplies ran out and she and her son starved to death. Elijah instructed her to make him a cake from the last of her provisions and that God would continue to provide her food until the drought was over. The miracle of provision only took place when she was making the cake. Not when Elijah
said it, not when he prophesied it, but when she, in faith, began to make it. There’s a miracle in the making! Miracles don’t happen when we talk about obeying God, about prayer, or about faith. Miracles happen when we obey, when we pray, and when we actively believe – when we have faith as of a grain of mustard seed. Mustard seed faith is dormant as long as nothing is done with it, but just as soon as it is planted, something begins to grow. Our faith will be
By Stan Gleason
dormant as long as we just hold it in our hand and think about how much potential it has, but when we plant it, when we put it into action, something will begin to grow. ◊ ____________________________ Stan Gleason is an Evangelist from Oregon City, Oregon. He also serves as the Oregon District Youth Presisdent.
A big, burly man visited the Pastor’s home and asked to see the minister’s wife, a woman well known for her charitable impulses. “Madam,” he said in a broken voice, “I wish to draw your attention to the terrible plight of a poor family in this area. The father is dead, the mother is too ill to work, and the nine children are starving. They are about to be turned into the cold, empty streets unless someone pays their rent, which amounts to $400.” “How terrible!” exclaimed the preacher’s wife. “May The sympathetic visitor applied his handkerchief to his eyes. “I’m the landlord,” he sobbed. An old preacher was dying. He sent a message for his banker and his lawyer, both church members, to come to his home. When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room, the preacher held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of the bed. The preacher grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled, and stared at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything. Both the banker and lawyer were touched and flattered that the preacher would ask them to be with him during his final moments. They were also puzzled; the preacher had never given them any indication that he particularly liked either of them. They both remembered his many long, uncomfortable sermons about greed, covetousness, and avaricious behavior that made them squirm in their seats. Finally, the banker said, “Pastor, why did you ask us to come?” The old preacher mustered up his strength and then said weakly, “I just want to be like Jesus and die between two thieves.”
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PATIENCE WITH YOURSELF Patience with ourselves is a duty for Christians and the only real humility. For it means patience with a growing creature whom God has taken in hand and whose completion He will effect in His own time and His own way. “Rest in the Lord, wait patiently on Him and He shall give thee thy heart’s desire.” The more central this thought becomes, the less difficult you will find its outward expression, that is to say, longsuffering and gentleness in all the encounters of everyday life. It is not always easy to entertain that pair of heavenly twins properly--in fact, we can hardly manage it
at all without the help of the Spirit and constant resort to prayer. Yet even from the most practical point of view, longsuffering is as essential a factor in the art of living as in the art of prayer. The constant tension of resisting this, grasping that, pressing forward, never relaxing, never lying quiet on the waves, destroys the strongest in the end and wastes precious energy all the time. On every level of life from housework to heights of prayer, in all judgment and all forts to get things done, hurry and impatience are sure marks of the amateur. A great artist treats his material with gentle-
Lead them to the Cross
ness and reverence and is always ready to wait; the great teacher never drives or hustles the pupil; the great climber waits till conditions are suitable before trying the awkward traverse. All these accept conditions and conform to them; and so too must we do in the spiritual with humility and cultivate the quiet spirit of acceptance; to adjust our will to His great rhythm, and not waste the strength he has given us in fighting against the stream. “In the midst of the waters, I shall be with thee.” ----Evelyn Underbill submitted by Shirley Dillon
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14 Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. Luke 14:23
“The Drive” Bring Someone to Sunday School
“Old Fashion Sunday School Attendance Drive”
Oregon Sunday School Department
Begins on
March 18th Concludes on
Easter Sunday
Richard & Patricia Porter
March 12-18 (Scheduled Mon- Albany: Section 2 Ministers Meeting)
Swaziland Richard & Coral Denny April 10-15 (Sun AM- Oregon City) RD Pacific
Dwayne Abernathy April 24-29 Belize
Kevin & Lolita Vacca May 1-6 Philippines
Stan Scism May 22-27 So Asia/UK
Robert & Elizabeth McFarland Jun 5-10 Israel/Pal
Jayson & Nellie Long
Crystal Reece July 24-29 Tonga
James & Stacy Marse
August 28-September 2 (Tue- Tigard) Bolivia
Cynthia White September 4-9 Middle East
Steve & Loy Bennett November 6-11 Israel/Pal
Keith & Elizabeth Ikerd
November 13-18 (Sat/Sun AM/PM- Oregon City) Namibia
July 10-15 (Sun 2PM- Gresham: Spanish) Nicaragua Information on each missionary and country, plus many helps, can be viewed or downloaded at www.globalmissions.com Pastors can place their request for specific missionaries to visit their church by contacting James Bigelow at: 541.756.7141 or 541.217.4310 jamesLbigelow@hotmail.com
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The R.E.S.T of
His-Story
<A Look back from the Future>
THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST WITH ITS RESULTANT BLESSINGS FOR THE CHURCH WERE IN THE MIND OF GOD BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. Bible prophecy also determined as God’s reason for choosing us, the stuff: they shall part alike” (1 many other historical trends. In “that ye should shew forth the Samuel 30.24). recognition of the positive or praises of him who hath called Consider this: All dictators are negative response of believers, you…” The term “shew forth” driven by a lust for power which our Lord still allows the trends of according to Vine’s Expository they seek to acquire by use of an history to gravitate in accordance Dictionary means oratorical veil with those collective decisions. “to tell out, proclaim “the whole gospel that promotes I pointed out in my February abroad, to publish to the whole world equality for all. the whole However, there article that the divinely mandated completely... it by mission for Israel was for her to be indicates a complete church.” is always a ruling witnesses to all the other nations, proclamation (verbs class that seizes thus bringing glory to the one compounded with ek often hold of such utopian ideas floated true and living LORD. Looking suggest what is to be done fully).” by a ‘guru’ so that once “change” back from the This verse (1 Peter is finally instituted they are left ye should 2:9) thus validates eating high on the hog while future, we see that “that forth the the stated purpose the rank and file are left with its Israel often failed shew to do that; instead, praises of him who of the UPCI, which cracklings, chitlins, and tail.◊ the chosen nation hath called you…” is “the whole gospel ____________________________ repeatedly turned to the whole world James Bigelow is the Global away from the LORD and from by the whole church.” Missions Director for the His Word, becoming less and less Let us not fail the Lord in our Oregon District. different from the peoples that global mission! It is a tremendous lived around them and evidencing privilege to give so that others reluctance to proclaim the word may go. And it has its reward, for of God to them. the principle established in the In one of his epistles, Peter Holy Scriptures is this: “As his part declares that the church is “an holy is that goeth down to the battle, nation, a peculiar people,” citing so shall his part be that tarrieth by
March 2012 APOSTOLIC ACCENT 11
Discipline:
Provoking Your Child To Anger Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Colossians 3:21 “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
Children and Teens will usually accept discipline without anger, if they know the rules, know the consequences and if these consequences are enforced consistently. The penalties must also be fair and enforced without undo harshness. The word ‘provoke’ can be translated ‘exasperate’, or ‘aggravate’. The NIV says it this way, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” [Eph. 6:4] I believe in ‘discipline’ not ‘punishment’.
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Discipline should make the child uncomfortable to the point of wanting to change their behavior. It should also produce a desire never to repeat the infraction—but never to the point of exasperation and aggravation. I maintain that it is not the act of discipline, many times, that brings the irritation so much as the way the discipline is administrated. Punishment is an act to get back at someone for open defiance or disobeying. Discipline, on the other hand, has the ultimate good of the child in mind—to change the child for the better. Let me point out some problems to avoid: 1. Overly Harsh Treatment When you use the term ‘harsh treatment’—you are really talking about punishment. When you punish you are setting up a situation to hurt the child for defying or embarrassing you. Your anger will only reap anger in return. When we punish in anger, the consequence is usually too harsh and usually does not fit the infraction. I rather talk in the terms of ‘discipline’. The action you take may be the same but your motives are different, and a child can sense your motives. When we discipline a child; changing the future behavior is our goal. Jesus is our model. Jesus hates sin and allows us to reap the consequences—but he always loves the sinner. When your child knows you love him unconditionally, he will accept discipline—even if it hurts. It is best to use natural consequences, when possible, and discipline
only with enough force to change the behavior. 2.Inconsistency Nothing exasperates a child more than not knowing the rules-not having consistent rules, and not having the rules enforced consistently. Consistency is as a fence in your child’s life. Knowing where the fences are brings security to your child. Sadly, discipline is too often determined by how we feel at the moment. If we are feeling good many times we are lenient, and overlook the rules, however, if we are feeling stressed or irritated—child watch out. The training of our child is too important to be left up to feelings. Our child needs to know the rules at all times—and what to expect if he does not obey. “Rules that are not enforced--are not rules”. I have heard it said: “Never threaten—only promise—and always keep your promises”. 3.Poor Use of Words, or a Harsh Tone No matter the age we should always speak to our child with respect. The tone and the words we use, many times, determines his response. The closer a young person approaches adulthood the more he should be treated as an adult. His teen-age years are given to him as a time to assert himself and to try his wings in a safe environment. The family should always be near enough to pick him up when he crashes. If you as a parent are too demanding or use a harsh voice--do not be
surprised if your child feels honorbound to assert his will. ‘Request’ often--and if you mean it as a request, make it a courteous request. If it must be a command—do not raise your voice, but state your instructions calmly and assertively. State your reasons why you must be obeyed and the consequences if you are not. A parent should never lower himself to debate the issue. Let us not forget the last part of this verse. As an alternative to ‘exasperating’ our children we are to, “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”.◊ ____________________________ David Reynolds has been the Minister of Discipleship at Portland Pentecostals since 2007. He is a graduate of Conquerors Bible College, Cascade College, Portland State University and post graduate work at the University of Oregon. He served as a teacher, assistant Principle & Principle. Since retiring from public education he has traveled extensively to over 37 countries preaching & teaching in Bible Schools and has written several books on Education, The Family & Parenting.
Attention: Watch for ‘Christian Advice for The Family’ coming in Booklet Form!
March 2012 APOSTOLIC ACCENT 13
Marriage Retreat 2012 It was a great time of fellowship, food and marriage nuggets from Bro. Mallory on the Oregon Coast in Depoe Bay. Unfortunately, all the pictures except this one were well, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just say rejected on a memory card so they were all lost but believe me, it was a great time! If you were unable to make it this year, you should aim for next year. We can all learn and glean from the speakers and gain nuggets of wisdom from our elders (or in some cases, those younger).