--------------------
The Gospel Observer

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
--------------------
August 26, 1990
--------------------

Contents:

1) If I Were a Young Parent (Leslie Diestelkamp)
2)
Lessons from a Flock of Geese (anonymous)
3) No Need for Love? (selected)
---------------------

-1-

If I Were A Young Parent
by Leslie Diestelkamp

Today's young parents may be inclined to think that those of us whose children were babies four decades ago cannot understand the problems that must be faced by this present generation. Certainly it would be unrealistic to suggest that there are not differences in the degree of difficulty. I think none of us who are older envy the young parents today and most of us feel a great sense of anxiety and sympathy regarding the problems that prevail in the permissive society today. Yet there are indeed some very real principles that never change. From generation to generation they are the same. Let me tell you just a few things I would try to be and do if I were a young parent today.

1. I would try to make our home a place of peace and security for my children. Our home life together should cause them to know that I want to be at home, I want them to be at home and I want home to be a happy contrast to the vicious world of sin outside.

2. I would try to have one parent at home all the time when the children were there, and two parents there as much as possible. A house without a parent in it is not a good home for children, and a house where the children see only one parent at a time for five days and nights a week is far from the best home for children.

3. I would try to accept no employment that would prevent me from having a close association with my children. It would be better to live in a humble cottage and be a real parent than to live in a beautiful mansion and fail my family.

4. I would try to provide the best possible associations for my children.  I would teach them to choose wisely among the children at school and in the neighborhood. I would try to have them be with other children from the families in the church. I would even try to have them know such children from other congregations, and have the opportunity to participate in recreation with them. And I would especially guide them to choose educational opportunities that would help and not hinder their moral and spiritual development.

5. I would try to train them so that I never had to require them to attend services of the church. They would go because they wanted to do so. And I would remember that it is easier to get them to willingly attend all the services of the church than it is to get them to go once a week!!!

6. I would try to train them to so behave in church services that both parents and children could be happy there. This means that I would not allow other mothers and grandmothers nor other children or teenagers to play with my babies before services. Everyone should be able to see that such activity only stirs up the baby's spirits and produces trouble for the mother during services. You see, if they play with the baby before services, how is the baby to know when the playing should end?

7. I would try to take my religion home with me. In other words, I would try hard to demonstrate the same character at home that I do at church services.

All of the items I have mentioned in this article will not constitute me a good and successful parent, but I believe these will help. And if I do my part, God will give me wisdom to be and to do what He wants.  I pray for young parents. May God bless you and yours abundantly.
--------------------

-2-

Lessons from a Flock of Geese

Scientists have discovered the secret of the great strength of the Canadian geese in their long flights. Some flocks fly from the Hudson Bay to the Midwest at a powerful 70 miles per hour, nonstop. Together, cooperating as a flock in a V-shape formation, wingtip to wingtip, none misses a stroke. They are able to fly a 71% longer range than when a solitary goose tries to make it. The lead goose cuts a swath through the air resistance, and creates a helping uplift for the two birds behind him, and in turn they make it easier on the birds behind them. It is much like a drag of a race car sucked in behind a lead car. Each bird rotates as the lead. In this manner the tired ones fan out to the edges of the "V" for a rest and the rested ones go toward the point of the "V" to lead the flock.     

Scientists think the incessant honking is a way the stronger ones lend encouragement in the weaker ones. If a goose becomes exhausted or ill and has to drop out of the flight, a stronger member of the flock will follow the weak one to his resting place and stay with him until he is well enough to fly again. This is a valuable lesson to Christians.  Just as geese can go farther and accomplish more by flying "in a family" we can, with the support of fellow Christians and friends who care for us, go farther in the Lord's work than we could go alone.

If I "fly" in the "family," the church, I will never fly alone, neither feel rejected or ignored. Another will support me and my efforts will help other members of the church.

This lesson of the geese adds strength to the conclusion that "if we help others, we are helping ourselves." In serving and giving of ourselves, we ourselves are lifted up and helped along. On one occasion Jesus' disciples were arguing over which one of them would be the greatest in the Kingdom. Jesus' reply was short and sure. He indicated that one's care for others is the measure of one's greatness (Luke 9:48).

-- Anonymous
--------------------

-3-

No Need For Love?

About 200 years ago one of our well-known encyclopedias discussed the word "atom" with the use of only four lines.  But five pages were devoted to a discussion of "love."

In a recent edition of the same encyclopedia, five pages were given to the word "atom"; "love" was omitted.

-- Selected
--------------------

Without the "agape" love, which the Bible can help one to develop, life is incomplete (1 Cor. 13:1-8).  Why not turn to His word today to learn how you, too, can have this greatest love of all dwelling in your heart?  

-- Tom
--------------------

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation


1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17;  John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
--------------------

First published for the Tri-state church of Christ in Ashland, Kentucky, at 713 13th Street.

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards
tedwards1109@gmail.com
--------------------