Comments on: Protecting our Children while Caring for Others

By: Ariah

Ariah — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 19:42:56 +0000

Jerri,

Thanks for stopping and checking out the site. I’ve written quite a few more things I think you’d be interested in about breaking out of the “americanized” version of Christianity. Stay tuned you won’t be disappointed.

I do find it amazing, as I think about us having our first, that you’ve managed to raise 12 children. I know that will make any lifestyles changes a difficult task, but I believe it will be worth it.

By: jerri

jerri — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 00:45:56 +0000

I too am here from Meredith’s blog. I really appreciate your answers to here and your insight. I was especially spoken to with this paragraph:

“Too many kids are being raised in “Christian” homes where the Christianity that is being modeled is nothing like what we see in the stories of the Bible, but a safe religious practice, that holds personal protection and well being and satisfaction above all other callings in Scripture (which by the way I don’t really see the former in scripture at all). So, we have whole generations that grow up assuming there is no conflict between their suburban living and the scripture that they read. The Christianity we see modeled today is not the same as that we see lived out in Scripture. ”

I wish I could share why this means so much to me, but for now all I can say is God is working on my and my husbands heart about some of these very things and this road may lead us to make some big changes in our life. It was refreshing to see someone else put into words part of what I am feeling about our “comfortable suburban Christian life” and how it doesn’t seem to be teaching our kids much of “real” life. **sigh**

Thanks again!

By: Lindsey @ enjoythejourney

Lindsey @ enjoythejourney — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 15:24:47 +0000

Here via Meredith’s blog.

Excellent post. And you are spot-on when you say “christians” are protecting our kids from the wrong things. This really made me think today. thank you.

By: Zach

Zach — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 13:27:38 +0000

Ariah I love you man. What a great post!

By: Christy

Christy — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 23:25:16 +0000

Thanks so much for sharing this. We’re in the Nashville area, and I’m tickled to find your website (through Meredith). Can’t wait to check out all the resources you mentioned especially The Homeless Guy. I have so many questions.

We encountered a homeless man on a roadtrip last week when the weather was so cold, which I wrote about it on my blog.

Looking forward to visiting your blog.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 13:41:29 +0000

Nice post here. Thanks for the mention.
I don’t think I have much more to add, but will tell you what happened just night before last, at South End United Methodist Church, during RITI.

The family that was scheduled to prepare the dinner for the night had a death in the family, so a group of girl scouts volunteered to fill in. The dinner was great. So was the conversation, as homeless men and the parents of the scouts talked over the dinner - and their kids ran around the place.

Then after dinner I took out my origami paper and started to fold a box. This immediately drew the kids attention. I then folded a bird, the kind that you can make the wings flap. And I gave it to one of the kids. Right then another kid asked, “can you make me one too?”

I ended up making several birds and the kids were running around with them - pretending flight. It made me feel like a dad again. It was good to do something for them, to be able to make them happy.

By: Meredith

Meredith — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 02:58:40 +0000

Thanks for all the resources and suggestions.
I’ve linked to your answer in hopes that other moms like me will find it equally helpful.

By: indie

indie — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 20:25:46 +0000

Our church sometimes hosts Room in the Inn and we also help the church across the street when they host it instead of us. The last time that we hosted it, I took my children to the area where our RITI guests were eating after the children and I attended our midweek service. I admit, I was a little scared and I didn’t know if the homeless people wanted to talk to me, but I jumped out of my comfort zone and talked anyway and it was a good experience. My children interacted with our guests too, with much less fear than I actually. Later, I read on the homeless guy’s blog that the churches where the church goers come and interact with them are rated more highly by the homeless even when they don’t have other amenities. He also said that they love it when there are children around. It makes them feel more normal. The Homeless Guy also says that RITI is much, much better than the Rescue Mission. So I would recommend getting involved with the RITI program if your church hosts it. If your church doesn’t host it, suggest that they do. I have heard that Wed nights have the fewest open beds, I’m guessing because churches don’t want to interfere with their midweek services.