I have often seen this type of thing done among Christians, who will not for some reason follow the scriptures and privately bring up a matter to the one they have the issue with, but instead go to another person and repeat it first. I find that sneaky in the extreme, because they get to get their point across without having to face the one they’re accusing. And I think that’s probably the point.

I also think lots of people don’t understand what it really takes to be a wise parent either, especially of girls, of whom you have to be even more protective, because of the increasing danger they face nowadays from perverts and sex offenders. I’d much rather be accused of being over protective than neglectful like so many parents I know of who have no idea where their children are at any given moment, or what they’re up to, and with who.

Just to share a little example with you, my daughter came home from high school one day, fuming, and said, ” Mom, you have a reputation among my friends for being the second strictest parent in town”. “What?” I replied, “That really upsets me. I want to be number one.” Years later when she was applying for a job with a police department the chief asked her if she could follow rules even if she didn’t agree with them. She told him that story and got the job.

It sounds as if you have made being an accountable parent a high priority as well. That is a very Godly committment by the way, for I believe having responsible role models as parents is essential for our children to learn to become productive and responsible adults themselves.

They might stray for a while, but as scripture says. “Train a child up in the way they should go, and they will return to it.”

” Brothers, if anyone is caught in any trangression you who are spiritual should restore Him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourselves, lest you too be tempted.”

I had an interesting experience last week. My husband was at the dental office and a deacon came in from our church and they started chatting and he started criticizing me saying things like I was an over protective mother, I drive my kids around too much, I need to get a job etc. My husband was actually angry, but didn’t tell him off

When he came home he shared it with me and I was angry, because his wife tried the same line with me last year. Please understand I now have three girls at university and only one at home. Of course they all come back.

Whatever caused this man and woman to muse about my committment before God and judge me I have no idea. I got directly on the phone and told him that he had no right to judge my convictions etc. and speak into my life so flippantly when I wasn’t even doing anything wrong. I’m so glad I cleared it up with him and spoke up because I quite frankly still don’t get it. He apologized, but I don’t know why he thought he was so spiritual. It makes me sick.

In my Bible read this morning I came across another scripture regarding the accountability we are to have as Christians.

Ephesians 5:3

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”

Many people are concerned now about the recent escalation of scandals in the American church. A missionary friend of mine in India recenty told me that that Indian Christians look to American Christians for spiritual guidance.

Despite the criticism of our foreign policy, we are still considered the strongest Christian nation in the world. That should give us all the more reason to want to model the integrity of Christ in all our ways.

This is a true statement Margaret but I think that this has always been the way. I do not think that this in any way is a new phenomenon. just look at the history of the church and you will see the rejection and barbarism of the world towards those of Christ who dared to tell the truth. The starnge thing today is that in the western world we have such cowardly attitudes from so caled beleivers. The Christians in China know what it is like living under the oppression of a communist state or middle eastern or north african Christians know the pressure to stay silent in an Islamic nation. Actually any islamic nation!

The shame of the churches lack of religious opposition and even persecution is a stigma western christians will have to carry to the judgement seat of Christ.