Tina Webb's Blog, page 2

Parenting 101 in 2022

Doug and I have talked about family-related topics in our last two podcasts.  Our episode, “Know What’s Going On Or Else” is a timely challenge that parents who are familiar with the parental-rights issues in Loudoun County, VA will appreciate. We also talk about why every American needs to be every of current trends in politics and culture that are coming against our individual and family destinies.

Then for the 14 Min Momlife Pause, I did a talk called “Get Ready Moms of Tweens!“ that I know many of you will enjoy!

In “Know What’s Going On Or Else”, my husband gave an analogy for parents to know why they need to stay involved in their children’s schooling. Here is a paraphrase:

Child: Human beings are created from giraffes! 2+3 = 17!
Parent: What?! Why do you think those things?
Child: My teacher taught us. 

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Some are trying to create a world that they believe will be better, a upgrade to human DNA if you will, a resetting of how we live and what we know to be true.

Like what it the definition of “child”.
And is sexual intimacy a legitimate expression for human beings under 12, even with someone who is consider an adult, or a relative.

Yep, there’s a whole lotta resetting going on.

How will you decide what is Truth?

An Ebook Bundle! (or buy paperbacks on Amazon)

How Do You View God?

I don’t know what 2022 will bring, but our view of God will determine how we get through any challenge that comes.

The body of this article is taken from the last chapter, “Embracing His Likeness” from my book, Cultivating the Souls of Parents. With this global trial still affecting every aspect of our lives and our kids’ lives, considering who God is becomes vital.

God’s Parenting Style

As kids, many of us were introduced to a stern God. An All-Knowing Being that would strike us down if we ever used His name in vain.  His holiness made us nervous as we walked into the church sanctuary thinking “Will God tell the pastor what I did yesterday?”  Because of the way we thought of God, communing with Him was mostly an act of religious practice—reciting phrases from prayer books, taking communion, and fear-laden silence.  We were timid in the presence of the God of the Old Testament, who killed His enemies with no remorse. But look at this passage:

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3: 17

And then we read John 14:9 which says, He who has seen Me, has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me?” We scratch our heads because Jesus is far too kind and friendly—even letting a disciple lay back on His chest, to be like the Father. Passages like this reveal a different version of God, or I’d say a deeper revelation of God than we were first taught. His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime (Psalm 30:5). This is the revelation that David had of God. David, the one who killed a man and then slept with his wife, tells us in many verses that God’s anger doesn’t last long. In fact, He doesn’t get angry with us quickly. Furthermore, Psalm 86:15 says that His favor, compassion, and mercy are abounding! Is this your view of God?

First 2022 small group begins Jan 16th!Tina Webb, Spiritual Director, Author, Podcast Co-Host

A spiritual director is a mentor who bridges your emotional wellness with your spiritual growth. She supports you in your journey toward shalom: mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wholeness. Throughout the year, Tina not only provides 1-on-1 mentoring but she also hosts virtual small groups for moms. Virtual group mentoring provides Christian moms with opportunities to be encouraged with fellow sisters-in-Christ throughout the nation. Past participants have been from various ethnicities and in different stages of motherhood. We grow best when we learn together.  Past guests have been Dr. Ivy Bonk and Author Sara Hagerty.

Tina also produces teaching videos for those who need a self-paced approach. Several of these videos can be viewed at no charge. See below.

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Favorite Ministry Memories of 2021

Before I write about my favorite moments of 2021, when I witnessed how the love and power of God heals and transforms lives, I want to share pictures and videos of my other favorite events of 2021. (And having Covid, then pneumonia was NOT one of them!) 

Our annual Thanksgiving family picture taking session was fun. As you see we tried to coordinate our colors. In this picture, child #5 is telling child #1 that she should be standing in front of him. (Definitely next year!)

As a wife and mom, the home is my main ministry location. Years ago, I said to myself, “If I pray for and listen to people share their hurts and needs, yet don’t do this for my family, what kind of person am I?” So, even after I ended my 20 year role as a home educator, I tried to stay engaged and available to nurture the spiritual and emotional needs of my main peeps.

January kicked off my new Interview Series – one based on my book, Culture Changers, and the other series “Cultivating Better Days”, is based on Cultivating the Souls of Parents. I interviewed some AMAZING women: Dr. Ivy Bonk who has become a dear friend, Gabby Heusser, Patti Pilkington Reed, and Donna Scott. 

I also got my feet wet in being interviewed. Thanks to Amy Wicks  and Joseph Mancuso of The Full Life TV for having me on their shows. Take a listen to Episode 2.18 of The Full Life TV “Tina Webb & What is Biblical Justice?” on Apple Podcasts.

It was nice seeing my 101 year old grandfather for a brief time. (click to play)

Kids #1 and #5 after an AAU tournament in VA Beach. That was a fun long weekend!

My friend, Sara Hagerty was SO kind to record her endorsement of Culture Changers. (Her endorsement of Cultivating the Souls of Parents is great too!). Sara has authored many books; her most recent is Adore: A Simple Practice for Experiencing God in the Middle Minutes of Your Day. (click to play brief excerpt)

Hearing Bob Woodson speak in Richmond was a highlight. He is one of the wisest Americans of our day and keeps the discussion of justice and faith center stage.

Besides vacation in North Carolina with my youngest sister’s family, and spending a few days at Smith Mountain Lake where I was invited to speak to Boo Andrews’ bible study, I mentored several women last year–mostly moms, and those vulnerable moments of spiritual freedom are my favorite. Meeting 1-on-1 or in a small group setting with women who want healing from past hurts, freedom from demonic oppression, or a life changing encounter with the Holy Spirit far outweighs these other memories. Experiencing God is priceless. This type of holistic counseling brings fruit that remains. I have no pictures to share…those moments are too private and holy. But here are three testimonies:

Woman #1 – Grew up with an alcoholic mother. Emotional neglect and other horrors colored her childhood and teen years. She participating in a small group that read the book, Soul Care by Dr. Rob Reimer (100% recommend!) and I was asked to lead the ministry time one weekend. God’s hand was gentle and powerful as finally she released pent-up sobs while I extended her a mother’s blessing. She was set free from a spirit of heaviness. Those around her saw an immediate difference in her countenance and manner! (Isaiah 61: 1-3).

Woman #2 – This new college graduate had been physically abused as a little girl. Various family members practiced forms of occult. In order to cope during episodes of abuse, she would “go away in her head and count numbers.” Years later, this escape mechanism led to a degree of obsessive-compulsive disorder that would emerge when challenges came her way. Around week 12 of our meetings, as I prayed, God took her back into a memory, and comforted those hurting parts of her soul. She no longer felt bound to this counting mechanism because God’s Spirit brought closure. (Psalm 34:18)

Woman #3 – Grew up the only child. Compounded loss caused anxiety and depression. She felt hated by her grandmother who practiced voodoo. This woman spent weeks processing generational issues, present grief, sin issues, her identity in Christ before I met with her several times. She found a degree of breakthrough from spiritual oppression, but the most significant fruit that I recall is a simple process that I talk her which helped her regain calm in times of agitation. Learning the benefit of “stillness” (Psalm 46:10) and acknowledging the Holy Spirit as Comforter and Guide in stressful times, minimized the enraged outbursts she had with her kids.  This calming exercise began to be a habit that months later she told me she was still doing.

Why Do I Do This?

…because I remember when I was oppressed and emotionally wounded. I grew up in a home where violence lived. At 16, I became born again and salvation was the beginning of my journey toward healing. I’ve experienced the freedom that comes when buried childhood anguish is finally released…with the demons that are attracted to sin, curses, and generational darkness.

2021 reflected my journey and the mission God wants me to continue to extend to others:

They shall build up the ancient ruins;
    they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
    the devastations of many generations.

I started Cultivate A Better Life to bring all that I learned from decades of ministry to the platform of mentoring. I am what is now being called a spiritual director. (A mentor with the component of spiritual insight and prayer ministry.) My #1 goal is to equip mothers with various tools and insight to live out the freedom and healing they receive so that they can walk alongside others who need a touch from God (including their kids)!

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Many Christians scoff at the thought of spiritual warfare on a personal level. But Scripture is clear: evil spirits must be dealt with and hurting hearts must be made whole.  Individual wholeness has corporate benefits–healthy families and prosperous communities.

God Bless You In 2022!

Special Extended Gift for My Subscribers

Happy Giving Tuesday!

This is NOT a donation request, but a gift to all of you who subscribe to my website First of all thank you. I am encouraged by your support and interest. 

Yesterday was Cyber Monday and I forgot to let you all know about my offers. So I am sending you the information today. The prices for all items will return to normal at 5 pm EST today.

Next week, I’ll be writing a regular post.
God bless!
Tina

Cyber Monday Specials – 50% off Today

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Promo Code: save50Every item is discounted 50% today. Enjoy shopping on my Gumroad online store. You don’t have to join to shop. 50% off on Many of Our Paperbacks
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2 Volumes, 50% off ea.  

Doug and I have done two parenting webinars. You can get access to the 3 hr Summer Webinar: Navigating Emotion in Family Life, for 50% off today online.

Our Fall Webinar, Building An Ark for Your Family is available to watch for free! (90 min)

Get 50% off of Navigating Emotion in Family Life Videos Watch Building An Ark For Your Family for FREE Subscribe to our Podcast Warmly, Tina Webb
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No Longer Defined By Trauma

“He needs us to start looking in the mirror of His Word instead of the mess of our lives.”

“I love reaching hurting Christian women”

Donna is one of my St. Louis Christian Products Expo (CPE) sisters.  Our divinely-ordained meeting wasn’t initiated because we were one of the few women of color at the event. Rather, we connected over mission – we serve the Lord by walking alongside women in their journey to healing.

Read her complete bio below, but let me just say, you are gonna love this interview! My favorite part was when Donna explained how the making of a tapestry is a divine symbol of what God does with the pain of our past.

Donna is no longer a survivor of childhood trauma, she is a “thriver” who wrote a book, The Tapestry of Trauma and ties practical application, her personal story,  with a biblical perspective of the healing journey. 

 

“Imagine a file cabinet, things happen to us…imagine you can put the file back in the slot and you are able to close the file drawer. With trauma, the file sticks out and no matter how much you try to close the drawer, it will not close.”

Donna Scott is a licensed marriage and family therapist who combines her professional experience and training with compassion and insight from God’s Word.  Her goal is to empower, educate, enlighten, and equip one’s relationship with God and others. With over 30 years of experience providing Christian counseling, Donna is passionate to help those with hurting hearts heal.

As a speaker, Donna engages her listeners with her dynamic visual demonstrations and provides tangible, practical tools designed to improve relationships and quality of life. Her desire is to live a life worthy of the calling she has received from God.

Donna also served as an Adjunct Professor at Azusa Pacific University, Bethel Seminary, and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in the Marriage and Family Department in San Diego, California. Donna is a graduate of Biola University holding a B.A. in Psychology, and a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from United States International University.

On a personal note, Donna praises God for 34 years of marriage and the blessing of their four adult children. She serves at the New Seasons Church in Spring Valley, California as a new member’s counselor and women’s Bible study leader. Her desire is to live a life “worthy of the calling” she has received. 

https://www.donnascotttherapy.com/

Part 3 Refusing To Comply: What Does Jesus Teach?

The Consequences of Civil Disobedience or Non-Compliance

The Bible contains stories of real people doing good and evil; a solid historical context, divine  recommendations for godly living, relationship building tools, etc. The Bible also contains actual logos from the mouth of the Almighty through Jesus and the prophets. So the Bible is God’s communication tool to help human beings understand: 

His intents and purposes for humanity.Knowledge about the angelic realm.What His nature is like.The problems on earth due to sin and the kingdom of darkness. Our part in all of this. His mission to rescue humankind from bondage to sin.Information about realms, times, and seasons.

When reading the Bible, I’ve been asking myself these questions: 
1) Should the epistles first be read through the lens of what Jesus said and did in the Gospels and Act 1 versus stand alone NT documents?

2) What scriptures must be understood based on: Old Covenant vs New Covenant standing, or Jesus’ appropriation of sin: Pre-Cross vs Post-Cross?

3) What scriptures reveal an unchanging principle of God’s intent for how we govern ourselves despite the situation?

When it comes to obeying manmade laws, I have used these three questions to analyze whether Scripture supports civil disobedience under certain conditions. 

Civil Law vs Natural Law

The American Heritage Dictionary defines civil law: “The body of law of a state or nation governing the behavior of individuals and corporations”.

History is a great teacher as long as it’s not revised or miscontrued. Many governments throughout time have imposed restrictions upon its citizens that have robbed them of their God-given rights. Whole people groups have been subjected to injustices due to manmade secular or religious laws. 

The Webster’s Dictionary defines natural law:  “A body of law or a specific principle of law that is held to be derived from nature and binding upon human society in the absence of or in addition to positive law.” (Read about the origin of the concept of positive law My takeaway is that positive law is manmade, a lesser law than that laws of nature and nature’s God.) When we look at the natural world, we see that animals and even some plants have a proclivity to protect themselves and their offspring from predators and even the environment when necessary. Human beings are created with this same constitution.

As I was finishing this final part of the series, I came across this:

“Nothing in the initial grant of civil power, or the creation of nations and the formation of civil governments, nullified, superseded, or altered the authority which God previously gave to individuals and to families (i.e., the private sector). That which is most important, is that which God gave first. In the beginning, God gave mankind everything people need to survive and thrive. The addition of nations and civil government into the mix of human society was not a culmination point, but an additional support mechanism designed to help people overcome their abject failure in exercising self-government up to that point.” https://lonang.com/commentaries/foundation/romans-13-a-short-primer/

I encourage anyone wondering about the limitations of the jurisdiction of civil government to read that article. Reading it has encouraged me. Writing a series like this and challenging specific views of scripture  is not easy. I believe my challenge regarding how I was always taught about Romans 13 has been justified.

My conclusion: When a rule encroaches on our God-given propensity to protect ourselves or our offspring from predatorial and life-stealing forces, we honor God by opposing this rule.

 In Part 1, you’ll remember that I presented Paul’s teaching about submission to civil authority as an instruction that we follow through the lens of Jesus’ point about about rendering.  (Matthew 22:21) Here is an excerpt:

I believe that Jesus was teaching that human beings belong to God alone, not to the state… “Caesar” (a government) has no right to subjugate human beings to do anything that would affect our ability to be an imager of God. In other words, if civil government demands us to do something that would not reflect the One whose image we bear, we must answer or render to God first.  Jesus was teaching that civil government needs to recognize the authority of God and that His authority trumps their authority.

In Part 1, I later wrote: While honor and respect is something that God expects of us, if a husband tells a wife to do something sinful, she must refuse and render to God’s ways – the care of her spirit, soul, and body, because she belongs to God first.

(This applies if any person in authority tells someone to do something that is sinful–out of alignment with God’s virtues, intent and purposes).

The Bible contains critical lessons that we must discern how to apply. As I’ve pondered this topic and others, I’ve come to give the teaching and demonstration of Jesus more weight than the instructions in Paul’s epistles.  So again, I propose that every lesson, story, encounter, letter in both Testaments must be held under the light of what Jesus said and did in order for us to rightly apply the verse in our lives. e.g. His response to women in that culture. 

The Jews had their own religious leaders that also assumed the function of what we would call local civil leaders. They were a autonomous nation of people whose land had been taken over by the Roman empire. The religious leaders: chief priests, elders, scribes assumed not just spiritual authority, but civil authority over every aspect of Jewish life. This was wrong and Jesus refused to comply. He allowed his disciples to pick grain to eat despite the Sabbath laws, Jesus healed on the Sabbath although the Pharisees taught that this was “work”, and frequently Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy in religious leadership (Matthew 21: 23-27; Matthew 23).

Based on Paul’s instructions in Romans 13:1, it would seem that Jesus wasn’t doing what Paul suggested: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” but as my husband and I always say, “sometimes there’s more to a verse than meets the eye”. There are scriptures that we will not understand with a cursory reading.

As I have stated previously, Jesus’ interaction with the Roman civil government was limited. Besides Matthew 22:21, we see Jesus before Pilate in Mark 15. It is noteworthy that Pilate wasn’t seeking to interfere with the Jewish community as a group. He and his leaders weren’t telling the Jews to end their worship practices or teach their children Roman ideas. The only reason John the Baptist got beheaded by the Roman civil authorities was because Herodias (Herod’s brother’s wife whom he was intimate with) wanted revenge. Matthew 14 says “And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.”

Passages in the Gospels convey that Rome wasn’t interested in how the Jews lived their lives. The Roman civil government didn’t micro-manage, they just wanted bragging rights over the region. Read below how Pilate leaves the decision about Jesus’ demise up to the Jewish authorities. Pilate was a people pleaser; it was all about his image. 

Mark 15:11-15
11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. 12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”

14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”

15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.”

Rome killed Jesus because the Jewish leaders wanted them to. And we know that the time had come. He submitted to his arrest and crucifixion because His mission was to die an unjust death. Although he broke the hypocritical and unjust laws of the Jewish authorities, breaking these laws was no sin.

So before reading the rest of this last part, pray and ask God this question: How are Paul’s teachings about submission to authority to be applied?  Considering the words and actions of Jesus, is there a context for submission and a context for civil disobedience or noncompliance?

We have to make the right connection with Jesus’ statement about our image. Remember what Jesus said about the coin? (Read Part 1 of this series). Who is the image of God? Human beings. So while looking at the Roman coin, Jesus is saying that human beings have a higher value than what rulers and their governments  may give them. God created each individual to reflect Him and He is a God of freedom, not bondage.

Our image-bearing identity has great significance, (Christian or non-Christian). Our distinct personhood –our individuality is its own jurisdiction and a higher jurisdiction than that of civil government. Take note that our jurisdiction as individuals falls under the authority of God. We are the created, He is the Creator.

We must  understand our divine significance as imagers and His application of levels of authority. Here’s an excellent explanation that ties in natural law.

...Rom. 13 is not a command to obey all purported authorities that people have created – it only applies to authorities instituted by God. And there is no presumption that merely because some form of human government exists, it was made (or put there) by God. It is the laws of God, which define and restrict all institutions of human authority, that people are to obey and respect.

Even the defenders of the so-called divine right of kings back in the 17th century, never made the argument which people now commonly ascribe to Romans 13 – “the mere fact I am king necessarily proves that God put me here.” You see, the English kings knew that such a claim is easily refuted – all one has to do is assassinate the king and install a successor. Then the new king can claim “it must have been God’s will, because He allowed it to happen.” There isn’t a whole lot of security in that argument.

It’s funny that people today gravitate towards a line of reasoning that at the time, when the divine right of kings was popular, was known to be impractical and foolish. Oh, how far we have fallen!

Which leaves us with a terrible irony. Jesus came to bring liberty (Lk. 4:18) and God intended that civil rulers would be for our good. Yet, the way many people read Romans 13, it brings only bondage and evil. Shame on us! The solution? Change the way we understand the scriptures. And if your pastor or teacher is leading you into submission and subjection as a way of life instead of freedom and liberty, don’t just sit there like a dummy. https://lonang.com/

Here’s a conclusion on obedience: obey God’s intents and purposes as delegated through human beings: our parents, teachers, civil government, unless what they tell us to do is sin or will undermine the godly stewardship of our personhood, which includes freedoms (see below).

Should we be law-abiding citizens? YES! Submit unless there is a law or decree or mandate that in some way affects the godly stewardship of your personhood (spirit, soul, and body). Allowing yourself to be put in bondage is not good stewardship of your personhood.

Noncompliance/civil disobedience guards us from tyranny. It is an offensive posture to restrain injustice from another jurisdiction. Again, If any person: elected official, parent, spouse, boss, pastor, or system wants you to do something that would impair your ability to function as an imager of God  (freedom to protect yourself, your family and your belongings, freedom to speak and make known your views, freedom to worship, freedom to gather and move freely across God’s earth) then we don’t have “to render to Caesar”.

There are many civil laws that actually encourage me to steward my personhood, like driving the speed limit, not trespassing on someone else’s property, and not stealing. I should by all means obey these and others like them!

There is an important caveat to civil disobedience. MLK was prepared to go to jail in his protest of unjust laws. His ultimate hope was to get hearts and laws changed and it came at a cost. American colonists protested and eventually a war ensued.  Many lost their lives.

Even an abolitionist who ignored the law and harbored a runaway slave knew that if they were caught, they and their families could face a penalty. However, overturning a law that hindered the personhood of another human being was more important than their personal comfort.

Look at those in power today, will you comply?

Thank you for reading this series. Feel free to leave a comment or subscribe to receive future posts.

Go to Part 1
Go to Part 2

Part 2 of Refusing to Comply: What Does Jesus Think?

What Does God Think of Civil Government?

God likes respect and honor. Positions of rulership are not evil. His angelic kingdom has rank and file. Delegated authority is the way God works through humanity and the spiritual realm.

Here’s the thing, God’s delegated authority, men and women in positions of  rule, don’t necessarily honor Him. Their sin will produce ungodly laws, rules, mandates, decrees etc. Stories in the Gospels show that the sin of Jewish leaders produced laws that Jesus rejected.  (Luke 13:15, Matt. 23) 

We must remember the origin of civil government. Way back in the Old Testament, the people begged for a king, and God finally complied. Before this, we can glean that God wanted his people to govern their own hearts in a posture of worship to Him (Gen. 4:3-7)  but we know this didn’t work very well. God tells Cain that he has the ability to “rule over sin” that is tempting him, but Cain chooses not to. This is an amazing revelation regarding what God thinks about choice. He doesn’t control, he come down and forcibly stop Cain from killing his brother; instead He warns and exhorts, and then lets Cain choose whether he is going to rule over sin or not. Cain’s choice affected his generations, perhaps even stil today.

Another important point to note about self-government and God’s instructions to humankind: God is clear about our role of authority before civil government was established. After the Flood, God repeats the dominion mandate of Gen 1:28 but expounds on it because sin is now affecting the realm of Earth.

And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. 2 The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. 3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. 4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. 5 And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man.

6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man,
    by man shall his blood be shed,
for God made man in his own image.

7 And you,a]”>[a] be fruitful and multiply, increase greatly on the earth and multiply in it.”

The passage goes on and there are so many wonderful things we can learn from studying it and considering the times in which we live, but my one point is that us being created in God’s image is a significant point for God, especially when we are dealing with a person’s life/blood. (v.6) The instructions in this passage pointed Noah and future generations to the heart of the Ten Commandments: surrender our hearts to the Creator God, and conduct ourselves in ways that promote life-giving relationships based on what God deems right and wrong. 

Later in the OT, we learn that adhering to what God said was “right” was difficult for everyone. Even the prophet Samuel’s sons started “taking bribes and perverting justice” (1 Sam. 8:2). Sin is really that powerful. Those called into a  leadership role are not immune.

Civil government was allowed because the Israelites wanted to look like the idolatrous nations around them that had a king: a man in authority that ruled as ultimate authority. In fact, God said that their desire for a king was because “they have rejected me from being king over them.” (v. 7)

Did God allow the establishment of civil government to oversee every aspect of life? NO! But I think He knew it would happen.  He knew that the temptation to control and dominate would be hard for leaders to resist. In addition, the kings of the other nations were self-proclaimed gods. God knew Israel’s desire to look like other nations would become a problem for His chosen people because of the sin of tyranny.

God established roles, functions and jurisdictions. (Gen 3, 14:18, Ex 18, Num 3) Civil government was to deal with the jurisdiction of  justice: making wise decisions when the people had complaints with one another.  God had already established the authority of parents to govern family life;  priests and prophets to oversee and declare God purposes to the people. God established elders, heads of family clans, judges and officers (Joshua 24:1) as delegated authority roles over their assigned jurisdictions.  So God is not opposed to delegated authority even though sin is a problem for everyone.

What God wants is for human beings to know is that to prosper in our  leadership roles, we must worship Him alone, surrender our reasonings to what He says is good, right, pure, and just; and that the condition of sin needs atonement.

No parent, teacher, governing official, doctor, or scientist is without weakness. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So forgiveness is tantamount for moving forward when authority figures take bribes, pervert justice, ignore widows and orphans, worship other gods like Molech (child-sacrifice), etc. But consequences  are to be expected as well. God is just. Eternal forgiveness is one thing, natural consequences and penalties are another. Delegated authorities in every jurisdiction can avoid those sinful pitfalls by 1) worshipping the one true God and Creator of all (Col 1), being accountable to those they serve, having integrity and humility and acknowledging a person’s God-given freedom of choice and the right to question anything that could impact our image-bearing role in the earth.

Consider all of that and ask yourself, is it sin if we ignore Paul’s charge (Romans 13:1-3) and imitate Jesus by rejected ungodly laws?

(Was practicing civil disobedience a sin? Did the colonists sin when they resisted British tyranny? Did slaves sin when they ran away from their masters to get freedom? Did abolitionists sin when they hid slaves even though that was illegal because a slave was someone’s property?)

First, what is sin? Sin is missing the mark of God’s will. Getting out of alignment with His intents and purposes.

If delegated authorities honor their jurisdictional limitations, enact laws that do not infringe on our God-given purposes, then YES we obey. Let’s remember who Paul was, a man who followed orders to kill Christians. so we know he believes in submission to authority. As a transformed man we know he realized how sinful and oppressive civil authority can be. 

It is true that we don’t see Jesus have much direct contact with civil authorities in the gospels, which is why Matthew 22:21 is so important for us to understand. (see Part 1) Civil authorities have enticed citizens to do sinful things. Civil authorities have enacted  laws, regulations, rules, mandates etc. that citizens have broken to protect their divine rights, and to maintain their ability to fulfill the dominion mandate. When civil or (other) authority imposes on our lives in a way that affects any of these things, we can flee or refuse and expect God’s favor. Here are some examples:

1. Mary and Joseph fled Bethlehem because of a tyrannical order to murder babies. 
2. Daniel refused to comply with the King’s order about his diet. It worked out.
3. Noah must have refused to comply with the laws of his day, since God found him to be the only one righteous. (Gen 6:8-9, 11-13) It worked out for him too. 
4. Jesus regularly resisted the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, ate with “defiled hands” (Mark 7:6-8), and healed on the Sabbath. 

Paul’s instruction also considers church leadership, but there is a safety mechanism in place: 1 Timothy 5:19 teaches that a believer can bring an accusation against an elder as long as he has two or three who can support the claim. The next verse is astounding. If an elder doesn’t change their mind about whatever they were doing or saying, then believers can bring a public rebuke.

Always honor a God-ordained role (secular or spiritual), but sometimes the person in that role brings dishonor upon himself or herself and faces a consequence.

20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Believers today must ask themselves, what regulations are being submitted to that cross their own jurisdictional authority? Where are their inalienable rights being ignored by a delegated authority in another jurisdiction? Our inalienable rights go back to Gen 1:28: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Regulations, laws, mandates, rules etc that potentially deny your ability to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth etc…should be questioned or resisted if necessary. Any of these that compromise your identity as an “image-bearer” (Gen 1:27), or your biological health should be resisted.

In God’s eyes, civil government/the state cannot ignore or cross the delegated authority of parents and the jurisdiction of a family as defined by God.

No one can cross the jurisdiction of a man, woman, girl, or boy’s “personhood”, because of their image-bearing significance. This is why value of life, even at conception, is important. Anything that violates a person’s dignity, function, and significance as being created in God’s image is a violation of His intents and purposes for human beings in the earth.

Coming soon Part 3: The Consequences of Civil Disobedience

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Refusing to Comply: What Does Jesus Teach?

Is Civil Disobedience A Sin? - Part 1

Who doesn’t want their child to respect them? Or respect the law? Every Christian parent wants to raise kids who obey governing authorities without complaining. What I want to offer you today is a thought that our obedience to civil authority can’t solely be based on  Hebrews 13:17 and Romans 13:1-7, and that Jesus teaches us the principle behind civil disobedience.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. Romans 13:1-3 (I recommend reading the whole passage!)

Lately, I have been thinking about civil disobedience, specifically how both Martin Luther King Jr and the American colonists dealt with laws they believed were unjust in the eyes of God. They didn’t hesitate to disobey governing authorities, but believed that they had God’s endorsement to disobey certain manmade laws and decrees. 

So would God approve if we disobeyed a mandate or a law or were MLK and the colonists in sin by disobeying laws?
(I refer to mandates of any kind, not just the popular ones these days…)

By the way, Jesus’ example shows us that He desires reform to laws that are ungodly. Compare Leviticus 20:10 to John 8:1-11.

“If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.” (Leviticus 10:10)

In the NT, the scribes and Pharisees were just obeying an accepted law when they were stoning a woman for adultery. But John 8 shows us that Jesus destroys this law by putting it under a higher principle. 

 1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]]

Render to Caesar What Belongs to Caesar, Render to God What Belongs to God

During Jesus’ day, Caesar was the boss. His leadership and the authority of those he delegated was to be followed or else serious penalties were enacted.  Who else had a place of authority during that time? The Sanhedrin. This was a council of priests and scribes that had authority over the religious life of the Jews. However, their problem was the Roman empire.  Roman tyranny put them in subjection to Caesar and as a result the Roman powers-that-be in Judea could override a religious practice if they believed it would interfere with Caesar’s rule.  

The sin nature of humankind loves domination and control.

“Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, render to God what belongs to God!”
(Matt. 22:15-22) 

This was Jesus’ response when a coin was put before him by disciples of a group of scheming Pharisees. Before stating these now famous words, Jesus had asked the group of trouble-makers to show him a coin and to tell him whose image was on the coin. Their answer was correct, “Caesar’s”. Jesus then responded, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s”. His point astonished them and they went away. (Render – (1) to return; to pay back, (2) to inflict, as a retribution, (3) to give on demand; to give; to assign (Webster’s Dictionary 1828)

What was Jesus’ point?

I believe Jesus was releasing a principle that we need to understand for today. Remember, Jesus went against  Levitical authority at times. On occasion, He broke or transformed laws to teach a higher principle. (Matthew 15, Matthew 5)

When we read this famous phrase, we must remember the object referred to: the coin.

The coin was manmade and bore the engraved image Caesar. 
But human beings are God-created and bear His image.

I believe that Jesus was teaching that human beings belong to God alone, not to the state. Social conscience  must keep God’s rule in mind, and this implication in Jesus’ reply gave the group something to think about.

“Caesar” (a government) has no right to subjugate human beings to do anything that would affect our ability to be an imager of God. In other words, if civil government demands us to do something that would not reflect the One whose image we bear, we must answer or render to God first.  Jesus was teaching that civil government needs to recognize the authority of God and that His authority trumps their authority.  As far as the taxes referred to in this passage, unless the Jewish people got free enough to develop their own monetary and economic system, they are going to have to pay taxes to Caesar because they use his money.

“But what about what Paul taught in Romans 13:1-7” 

Verse 1 states, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

The canon of Scripture shows us that God likes delegated authority for the purpose of the function of roles. For example, the Bible teaches that husbands have the final say in a family matter, that rulers have the right to incur equitable penalties for wrongdoing, and church elders are responsible for church discipline, as well as preaching the Word, and humbly shepherding their flock. While honor and respect is something that God expects of us, if a husband tells a wife to do something sinful, she must refuse and render to God’s ways – the care of her spirit, soul, and body, because she belongs to God first.

Are local, state, federal, health care, private entities telling us or requiring us to do something that God considers is sinful?

Go to Part 2

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Communicating With Your Teen Or Young Adult

“It’s time to stop telling, selling and yelling and it’s time to allow them to make a decision…”

We want what’s best for our teens and young adults, but there comes a time where we need to let go and let them navigate the myriad of decisions that face them these days.

I met Patti in St. Louis at the Christian Product Expo. We are both authors who have books to help parents navigate the sometimes gut-wrenching, but truly heart-warming drama of raising kids. Her book is a great weekend read for you moms who don’t have much time, but really want to figure out how to have healthier conversations and vibrant relationships with your teens and young adults. 

“if we don’t give them that space, there’s going to be consequences…they can feel the control…that doesn’t bear fruit that you want in your life”

Both Patti and I are now moms to young adults. It’s a new type of “being there for them”. In this interview Patti gives great practical tips, references content from her book, and shares personal examples of how she  learned how to trust God as she “let them go”.

“we are raising them up to be independent–dependant upon God, but independent individuals”

Patti has received training and certification in Conversational Intelligence®️ and is a certified C-IQ coach.

Patti’s aspiration for FACE TO FACE: SMART CONVERSATIONS WITH YOURSELF, YOUR TEENAGER, AND YOUR YOUNG ADULT is to create an opportunity for parents to be intentional and courageous through conversation to discover the God-given greatness within each of their children. As a result, a relationship that is enduring, sustaining, and life-giving will emerge.

Patti and her husband Frank of the Frank, Starlene, and Hudson morning show (KLTY radio 94.9) reside in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and have been married for almost 30 years.

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Don’t Wait For Someone Else, Use Your Voice.

Bring the change. The time has come.

If you are like me and Gabby Heusser, whom I interviewed this week, you will agree with the following statement: 

“We’ve experienced a degree of victory over many challenges.  Our lives have changed, and we feel an urge to wade  back out on to the battleground and help our brothers and  sisters who are still struggling. ” (Culture Changers: Understand the Roots of Brokenness and Help Heal Your Family and Community)

But not just our brothers and sisters, we have a testimony that will impact anyone we meet. This testimony is based on the gospel: what Jesus did for us. The why and the how. It’s a message of hope and vision and right now on the anniversary of 9-11, we need hope and vision to get through not only the next two decades, but the next week!

Faced with  questions like “What will I do for employment if…?” “Will my kids be in-class all year?” to “Will my relative recover?”, we need vision that strengthens us no matter what storm is coming.

So then, strengthen hands that are weak and knees that  tremble. Cut through and make smooth, straight paths  for your feet [that are safe and go in the right direction],  so that the leg which is lame may not be put out of joint,  but rather healed. (Heb. 12:12–13 AMP)  

Gabby Heusser, author of In His Footsteps wakes up daily with the intention of making space to meet someone who needs to hear the gospel. Mother of two teen girls, she overcome childhood adversity and ended up in the foster care system.  Her book tell the journey but a result of her meeting Jesus was developing a huge heart for the lost. 

From the interview: “We’re all called to preach the gospel. It’s going to look different for all of us. We have different personalities, the message is the same, but it’s going to look different for a stay-at-home mom than for someone like me where my kids are older teenagers and this is what I do…I will leave 5-10 minutes early because I know I’m gonna be stopping for somebody…I don’t want a pending appointment or something that I need to be at to be the thing that deters me from stopping for somebody that God puts on my heart.” “Mommas you can do it. Look for other moms because you will reach moms.”

The word edify means to build up. As Culture Changers, we are called to build up those whose lives intersect with ours for a few minutes or a lifetime. We bring change as we oppose the conditions and mindsets that diminish the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.” Let’s turn the tide by coaching people how to move themselves and others into a constructive trajectory.  

I encourage you to watch parts 1 and 2 of this interview. Be inspired!

 

To learn more about Gabby and her upcoming book projects: http://gabbyheusser.com/