Happy Father’s Day
By mstrohm | June 14, 2008
To all the dads out there - Happy Father’s Day!
I pray God enables you to be a loving father who is able to impress and impart spiritual truths to your children. May your actions be filled with patience, love and grace. God help you to find the time to invest in each of your children!
Mark Strohm
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The Importance of Grandparents, Part 2
By mstrohm | April 28, 2008
Andrew, my oldest of 4 children, who by the way is getting married in a week, was in 7th grade. As with so many boys that age he decided that home work was an option. Despite the best attempts of teachers his mother and even his educator father, Andy continued to have missing homework assignments show up on his weekly reports.
At first we nagged, then we punished. However, instead of soliciting a response of obedience within months we were going head to head in the battle of the wills. Ellen and I were determined. We drew up a behavior contract complete with increasing levels of punishments for increased number of missing assignments. We required that each missing assignment be completed even if there was no possibility of credit for that assignment.
While the battle raged and the possibility of peace negotiations seemed impossible it was Andrew’s grandparents who stepped in to save the day! Each one of them, both my wife’s parents and my parents, explained to Andy the importance of completing his assignments. One grandparent pleaded with him and tried to use guilt. Another tried to reason with him. But it was the carefully worded encouragement that Ellen’s father gave Andy that convinced him to repent of his ways.
How did “Grandpa Bob” convince him? Simply by letting him know how stupid it was to finish assignments and get a zero, when he could complete them a week earlier for credit.
“Yeah, that makes sense” Andy agreed. He then began to complete his assignments. I have often thought about this time in Andy’s life and why he responded to his grandfather’s encouragement and not mine. I know I had given him that same reasoning. I know I had invested much time explaining how important it was to get a good education. So why did he respond to my father-in-law and not me?
Because of that special relationship between a grandparent and a grandchild. As Andrew’s parents Ellen and I had to make sure he brushed his teeth, cleaned his room and performed a host of important but not very pleasurable duties. We had direct command over our son. However his grandparents had great influence. I am thankful for godly grandparents who helped influence my four children in several important areas of life. Grandparent, your influence is often just what a child needs!
Thanks Grandparents for being there when needed!
Thanks for accepting your grandchildren for who they are.
Thanks for understand life from a long term perspective and reminding your children what is important in the life of your grandchildren.
Thanks for looking deep into the eyes of these precious kids and just listening.
Thanks for using your powerful influence on a goofy seventh grade boy when he is being dumb!
Mark Strohm, Jr.
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The Importance of Grandparents
By mstrohm | April 20, 2008
It was another busy morning in the life of the Strohm family. At that time in our lives my wife, four children and I moved out of our three bedroom home into a 5 bedroom one and added my wife Ellen’s parents and grandmother to the household.
This particular daybreak the house was filled with bodies in motion. Everyone had morning duties in an effort to get ready for the day. Everyone that is except for the youngest and the oldest in the house. Abigail, our preschool child had a habit of wanting to be held each morning, or as she would ask “will you snuggle with me?” Typically she was up early enough for someone to sit and hold her, but this morning most members of the family were too busy.
One by one Abby approached each member of the house. Her mom, myself, her granny, her grandfather, even her two sisters and brother! One by one each person told her they simply did not have time to snuggle with her. As people eventually came to rest for a few moments around the breakfast table someone asked where Abby was. Each had mentioned that she was looking for attention, but none of us had time to give it to her. It was then we noticed the door of the first floor bedroom was opened.
Ellen’s grandmother Ruthie has suffered from three major strokes. She was bedridden and while she could speak it could be difficult to have a cohesive conversation with her. By the world’s standards time had passed her by. Her value to society was over. She did not earn money, could not help with the children. In fact it took considerable effort to take care of Ruthie! But this morning was different!
With great curiosity I got up and went into Ruthie’s room. There was Abby and Ruthie. Ruthie was laying on her back looking straight ahead like she often did. Abby had crawled into bed with her, Abby’s head on Ruthie’s shoulder, Abby’s arms wrapped around Ruthie’s arm, Abby slowly stroking her hand.
“Your so soft!” Abby exclaimed.
“Your so sweet!” Ruthie called back.
There they were, two precious people meeting each others needs! Neither too busy for the other. Both with great value to each other and to God.
Thanks Grandparents for being there when needed!
Thanks for accepting your grandchildren for who they are.
Thanks for understand life from a long term perspective and reminding your children what is important in the life of your grandchildren.
Thanks for looking deep into the eyes of these precious kids and just listening.
Thanks for not being too busy to snuggle once in a while.
Mark Strohm, Jr.
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Seed Corn
By mstrohm | April 10, 2008
It has been some time since I have walked through Illinois corn fields with my dog. I love the Pennsylvania rolling hills and green trees but every once in a while I do miss the vastness of acre upon acre of corn.
For the most part the acres of corn are never touched by a farmer’s hand. Machines turn over the ground, plant, weed, spray and harvest the corn. Farmers simply do not have enough time to mess with the corn stalks. That is except for the select stalks they intend to use for seed corn. There is a distinct difference between the ways Illinois farmers treat their seed corn verses their feed corn.
While the farmer seems to place much concern on efficiency, carefully watching costs, his seed corn gets great care. Seed corn rows are carefully marked, have special farm equipment to detassle, get the best fertilizer and irrigation systems. It is not uncommon to see individuals walking through rows inspecting the seed corn.
While I have never interviewed a farmer as to why the difference in treatment I personally have several reasons why Ellen and I have spent so much time and money on our children – our seed corn. Over the years many have questioned why Ellen and I have invested so much into our children including providing Christian school, missions trips, Christian camps, Christian clubs, Sunday School, hour upon hour of teaching and training some of these at great financial cost and time investment. Just like the farmer who takes great care and expense out of concern for the future, so Ellen and I have chosen to invest in our children to provide for their futures. We truly believe Psalms 127:3 which states: “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.” How could we possibly treat a heritage any differently?
In Deuteronomy 11:18-21 God encourages his people to “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.” Cleary God also sees sons and daughters as the farmer sees his “seed corn” worthy of a higher investment than the time and money we put into mere objects.
Proverbs 22:6 declares we should “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Thank you for your investment in the lives of your children. Thanks not only for providing a Christian School education, but thanks for bringing them to Church each Sunday, for teaching and correcting them according to God’s Word.
Since your children may not thank you for all you do, allow me to commend you for all the extra effort you invest in your children.
May God’s grace and peace be with you, especially as you invest and take extra care for your little “seed corn plants,”
Mark Strohm, Jr.
Elementary Principal
Delaware County Christian School
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No Greater Joy
By mstrohm | April 4, 2008
3 John 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
There are a few things that bring me great joy. Nearly all of them are costly. A wonderful meal prepared and presented with perfection is one. Funny how day old microwaved pizza on a paper plate takes little effort, and brings little joy. But when my wife prepares a magnificent meal, often taking her hours, it brings great joy.
When I lived in Illinois I would drive past a prairie preserve. The spring was always a beautiful time of year. One spring a combination of temperatures, the natural seeding from the fall, the amount of rain, among other factors produced one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen. The entire field was covered with flowers. Not just a few areas as in past years but acre after acre covered with white, yellow and purple flowers!
Yet all the joy of a fine meal and a once in a lifetime beautiful field cannot compare to the joy of hearing that my children are walking in the truth. Now that I am mostly on the other side I look back at the investment of time into Andy, Alli, Julie and Abby’s lives. Yes, it was far greater than the time put into a meal. Yes, there were stretches of time I was convinced we would never see anything but weeds. But God is faithful, and the time invested has indeed brought great joy.
Hang in there!
May God’s grace and peace be with you,
Mark Strohm, Jr.
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The Three Legged Stool
By mstrohm | March 31, 2008
I have been reading the book Prude by Carol Platt Liebau. It has been a real eye opener for me. As the father of three girls I have been angered at how a large portion of our culture has bombarded our girls with message after message telling them that only sad, unintelligent, ugly people keep their virginity. I was shocked to see how the ACLU and teachers unions demanded that a government website be closed down because it stated that abstinence was the safest way to avoid disease. Somehow this was too close to a government endorsement of morality.
As I read this book I have looked at the influences in my children’s lives and can honestly say I am very, very grateful for equally powerful forces – home, church and school – that have given a decisively different message to my children. I realize that I have not been able to completely shut out the mass media’s messages. However, I can now clearly see some of the reasons God commanded us to be diligent in passing on His commands – when we get up, when we walk, as we go to bed. He never intended for us to passively pass on our faith.
I pray you will agressively teach not only your daughters, but your sons as well, the truths that God has for them. This cannot be done from a distance. Take time away from whatever you are doing and give it to loving and investing in the lives of your child. Get them to church weekly! If at all possible, get them into a good Christian school where truth is taught and the worldly influences are challenged.
It is a big job, but you can do it! Your child is worth it.
May God’s grace and peace be with you,
Mark Strohm, Jr.
Topics: From Mark, Parenting | 1 Comment »
Some things God Does Not Want Us To Know
By mstrohm | March 24, 2008
Years ago when I would study a subject I would gather as many Scriptures on the subject as I could. I would then read and re-read those Scriptures until I could see a clear pattern or a clear Biblical instruction.
Here are some Scriptures on what God does not want us (or our children) to know.
I Timothy 6:20,21 “ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.”
II Timothy 2:15, 16 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”
Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”
Jeremiah 10:2 “This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the sky, though the nations are terrified by them.”
Psalm 119:113 “Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!”
May God help you and your family as you carefully and prayerfully decide what you should and should not allow to enter your home and the minds of your children.
Mark Strohm
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Are All Children Of Value?
By mstrohm | March 24, 2008
Chuck Colson has written a very powerful article on the value of babies. I urge you to read it.
May God’s grace and peace be with you,
Mark Strohm
Topics: From Mark | 1 Comment »
Do We Teach Our Children To Lie?
By mstrohm | February 25, 2008
My daughter Alli pointed me to this excellent blog entry from Albert Mohler, author of Culture Shift. In it he challenges us to think about a topic we would rather push under the rug - that of lying. It is an excellent read.
http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1101
May God’s grace and peace be with you,
Mark Strohm
Topics: Parenting | 1 Comment »
Imaginative Play
By mstrohm | February 22, 2008
Here is an excellent article from NPR on the importance of Old Fashioned Play!
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