Jesus says in John 15:1, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” Jesus, the Son of God, describes His father as a husbandman. What a wonderful description of a Father. We men would be wise to take note. I was excited when the Holy Spirit first highlighted to me the amazing description of the true prototype of fatherhood.

A husbandman is a vinedresser. I have never actually grown a grape vine, but I understand that it requires much wisdom, knowledge and work to be a successful vinedresser. Although men know they are the husband of their wife, many fail to realize the magnitude of what it really means to be a husbandman—a keeper, tender and cultivator of vines.

A friend of the family in New Zealand grew specialty grapes for the Japanese market and exported them daily to Japan. Over the years he developed an enormous amount of wisdom and knowledge on how to grow the very best grapes. He was successful and worked hard to maintain his success.

Could we not be as enthusiastic about our family vines as this man was about his “specialty” grapes? We must see our children as “specialty” grapes, the very best!

To be continued tomorrow.

Be encouraged. Colin Campbell

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Fathers, please take note: Every child who has loving, wise, and fun-loving parents, coupled with healthy discipline, is at a great advantage to others in this world!

I believe that discipline must be balanced with lots of healthy encouragement. Soon after a child is disciplined wise parents will spend some time hugging, encouraging and reaffirming their belief that the child will, through embracing the right attitude, become a much better person.

It is a good thing to also pray with the disciplined child. We all need God to help us and children need God’s help, especially during their early learning years. It is a healthy thing for a child to be taught to say “Sorry” to the offended party.

If we are always correcting our children without sufficient encouragement they will become morose, discouraged, and lack self esteem. Lots of encouragement will help the child to want to please you because they know you believe in them. Good parenting will also think of fun things to do with the children. Play games with them, read stories to them, and take them on fun excursions.

Use your eyes to communicate your approval. Use your arms to hug. Use your voice to bless.

As fathers, we should seek to be around our children as much as possible. Children love fun, therefore we fathers should daily make time to have fun with all of them. Take time to watch them show you what they have learned. Become interested in what they are interested in. Encourage them every day. You will be surprised what a little encouragement will do.

Be encouraged to encourage. Colin Campbell

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It saddens me when I see a worn-out, frustrated mother trying to control an undisciplined rebellious child. I wonder if the father is taking his responsibility in the home. Men, we must not leave all the responsibility of disciplining our children to our wife. It will make motherhood a frustrating experience for her, rather than a joyful one.

The Scriptures teach discipline. Discipline is God-ordained for fathers to wisely administer to their children as needed. Discipline that is appropriate for misbehavior will put an end to misconduct and will also produce peace and order in the home. Proverbs 29:17 says, “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.”

Wise non-abusive spanking is biblical and should not be withheld from an unruly child. Time-out and withholding of certain privileges is often insufficient to stop bad behavior.

In certain cases, time-out and withholding privileges maybe all that is required. In some cases, a strong word of correction may be sufficient. In certain instances a soft word of correction may be all that is needed. However, a strong will that is defiant of parental instructions must be overcome and spanking must not be ruled out.

Good character is not something that we are born with unfortunately. Rather, good character requires training and discipline by loving, caring parents. Our over-filled prisons and correctional facilities are clear evidence that modern, humanistic, no-spanking parenting does not work, and will never work.

Parents who have violent tempers are the result of inadequate parenting when they were young.

If parents cannot control their children, for whatever reason, what hope do the children have to succeed in this world? Very little, I think. It is a definite disadvantage to a child to have parents who have little understanding on child discipline.

An undisciplined child is a deprived child.

We must raise children of character who will make their mark in this world.

Be encouraged. Colin
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The second chapter of II Samuel gives great lessons to us fathers on how to restrain our children from evil.

1. We should give godly admonishment. Eli gave very godly admonishment (I Samuel 2:23-25).

2. If the admonishment is ignored, we must take appropriate action and discipline. Eli failed in this point. His sons should have been dismissed from the ministry because of their evil behavior.

3. If we do not effectively restrain our children from evil by appropriate discipline we open the door for God’s severe judgment to fall on them, on ourselves, and future generations (I Samuel 31-36).

4. We must warn our children of coming discipline if our admonishment is ignored.

5. The process of admonishment, with appropriate discipline, should start early in a child’s life. If not, not only your children, but you and your wife, and others will suffer much grief.

6. It is wrong for the father to want to discipline. This reveals meanness, harshness and over-bearing severity. It is better for the child to know that the father has to discipline rather than wants to discipline. Loving discipline will help overcome resentment and rebellion.

7. We fathers must realize that in many cases of wayward children, the father is most likely the main problem. We do not love your children by being soft on them.

To be continued tomorrow.

Be encouraged. Colin
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