As promised in a previous post, Our Posture As Parents, here is a reading of Chapter 3 “Innocents or Devils? The Spiritual Nature of Children” from Our Covenant with Kids by Dr. Timothy Sisemore. Before I possibly offend people with the title of this chapter, I just wanted to share that I struggled for a moment with sharing this reading because of the title in which the author calls children devils. I believed it to be super harsh and could see some taking offense to this and Dr. Sisemore does not call them devils in the actual chapter. But here it is because I came across this article, “Don’t Be Embarrassed by the Doctrine of Sin” by Caleb Greggsen that made me understand my pause and encouraged me to press on. He also quotes, “To ignore, euphemize, or otherwise mute the lethal reality of sin is to cut the nerve of the gospel.” Cornelius PlantingaAnd so, although a very long listen, I hope you will take a listen because a biblical understanding of the nature of children is very important. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Here’s a clearer description of the reading: Many parents are guilty of "adopting parenting techniques without understanding exactly why they are supposed to work." We have parenting methods and techniques that include the Bible in some way, but "fail to incorporate the 'big picture' of all that Scripture has to say about children and raising them.” He also states that "Parenting techniques must flow from a biblical understanding of the nature of children." So are children sinners or innocent? The reading included topics like: the roots of popular thought, the image of God, original sin, image of God after the fall. It's an important biblical discussion on the nature of children. I hope it encourages others to pick up this book, Our Covenant with Kids: Biblical Nurture in Home and Church by Timothy A. Sisemore. Please excuse my humble reading and unprofessional recording as you listen. As always, thanks for being here! God-willing, in between homeschooling and VBSing, I will find time to do the other writings that I have promised this summer. Hope everyone is having a blessed summer of much growth in becoming childwise, gaining much wisdom about who you are as a child of God, and growing deeper in the knowledge of God as love. Happy summering!This reading was done with permission from the publisher. Get full access to Becoming (Child)Wise at becomingchildwise.substack.com/subscribe

Inspired by the themes in my latest newsletter, Teaching Our Children Who They Are, I wrote a poem about what it means to be found in God. It was difficult to convey this in a newsletter format, so here it is in a poem. Please listen to the reading of it as well. I hope and pray that it conveys a glimpse of what it means that we are image bearers and I hope it does it well.   Get full access to Becoming (Child)Wise at becomingchildwise.substack.com/subscribe

Rosalyn shares a reading of an older Becoming (Child)wise newsletter: Babel Redeemed in hopes that it will help others in light of recent events with anti-Asian hate crimes on the rise and the worst of it—violence, brutalization and murder of innocent lives because the color of one’s skin. It’s important to hear how God views all nations and what better way than to go back to where it all started, Babel. In honor of all those who have lost their lives or whose lives have been severely altered and traumatized because of hate, racism, and evil. Our hearts go out to the families of the Buffalo victims. Rosalyn hopes you can hear and be reminded of God’s heart for all nations through this reading. Get full access to Becoming (Child)Wise at becomingchildwise.substack.com/subscribe

Reading from her latest newsletter: reflections on Holy Wednesday and Gospel-Oriented parenting vs. works-oriented. Rosalyn also shares Affirmations she reads with her children in the morning. Get full access to Becoming (Child)Wise at becomingchildwise.substack.com/subscribe

Excerpt from, Not Just Sadness Bombs, but Walks TooAnd so yes, there are days where it’s more like crying in Jesus’ arms, but there are and will be days where you're just walking with Him too. He doesn’t go away just because we have forgotten Him. He is there ever-present. We just have to get into the habit of remembering and living in this truth. It’s a life thing. Not only when I’m doing “spiritual” things. It’s every moment holy: the mundane and the heart-wrenching. Again, a reading for those who prefer to listen to my weekly newsletter rather than read. I apologize for the one moment where you can hear one of my kids laughing. It’s pretty opportune as the line I read said, “My children…” and then there’s a distant laugh from my son in the background. All that to say, despite some flaws, I hope it blesses you today. Here’s the newsletter for the links provided.Thanks for listening. Get full access to Becoming (Child)Wise at becomingchildwise.substack.com/subscribe

For those of you who prefer to listen rather than read. Here is the newsletter where you can find links and references to scripture and quotes. Get full access to Becoming (Child)Wise at becomingchildwise.substack.com/subscribe

Here is the Newsletter Prone to Wander that was based off of this chapter. Application Questions from the Chapter (Answer in the Comments)* What do you think your children would list as “big sins” in your home?* What would they list as “little sins?”* When are you mostly to enforce the rules of your household? Least likely? * What does the previous answer reflect concerning your functional priorities? I highly recommend reading Everyday Talk by John A. Younts. Thank you to Shepherd Press for allowing me to read this to you all today. Please share if this reading was a blessing to you. Get full access to Becoming (Child)Wise at becomingchildwise.substack.com/subscribe