Author Topic: The Tree and its Fruit (Read 1049 times)

Gener · « **on:** January 08, 2009, 03:53:28 PM »

The Tree and its Fruit

A University Professor in his e-mail reacted on a recent article I wrote concerning rich kids who had lost their ways in life and how parents at times consenting to it. His reaction ended with a question: â€œWould you let your child rot in jail if you have the money?â€

I know the good Professor was just trying to challenge the paradigm of parentâ€™s role in order to stir up our discussion. The fact that the Professor is teaching in this University famously known as the oldest learning institution in Asia, if not in the world, Iâ€™m sure he is up for something. I sent him a reply and what I told him is this: â€œA tree is known by the fruit it bears.â€

This phrase painted the sad but true scenario in our present society. Gone are the days when parents imposed â€œcurfewâ€ to their children attending social gatherings and how a child could lose this privilege if he fails to abide by this rule. Gone are the days when parents are the first persons that children confide with issues that affect them; dreams and aspirations in life, successes and failures and even affairs of the heart. Nowadays, parentâ€™s roles are relegated to simply a provider. Thereâ€™s nothing wrong in giving our children nothing but the best, and who doesnâ€™t want to? I grope for words to describe parentâ€™s wishful thinking of giving in to all their childrenâ€™s pleading. But sometimes, itâ€™s what you gave that put your children where they are; either good or bad situation. But what is worst than seeing a parent doing exactly what a child ought not to do or see? Do you practice what you preach? A good tree bears good fruit and a bad fruit surely comes from a bad tree for no good tree will bear bad fruit.

Going back to the question; if would I let my child rot in jail if I have the money? Well, I will let the money rot in jail instead of my child. And the sure of way of doing that is for him not to do things that will put him in jail, otherwise, how would one learn the lesson if there is no difference in the consequence of doing right and wrong? As what the Lord said; â€œResent not your fatherâ€™s discipline for he treats you as his own in the same way as I treated you all as my sons.â€

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2009, 08:06:41 AM »

The Tree and its Fruit

A University Professor in his e-mail reacted on a recent article I wrote concerning rich kids who had lost their ways in life and how parents at times consenting to it. His reaction ended with a question: “Would you let your child rot in jail if you have the money?”

I know the good Professor was just trying to challenge the paradigm of parent’s role in order to stir up our discussion. The fact that the Professor is teaching in this University famously known as the oldest learning institution in Asia, if not in the world, I’m sure he is up for something. I sent him a reply and what I told him is this: “A tree is known by the fruit it bears.”

This phrase painted the sad but true scenario in our present society. Gone are the days when parents imposed “curfew” to their children attending social gatherings and how a child could lose this privilege if he fails to abide by this rule. Gone are the days when parents are the first persons that children confide with issues that affect them; dreams and aspirations in life, successes and failures and even affairs of the heart. Nowadays, parent’s roles are relegated to simply a provider. There’s nothing wrong in giving our children nothing but the best, and who doesn’t want to? I grope for words to describe parent’s wishful thinking of giving in to all their children’s pleading. But sometimes, it’s what you gave that put your children where they are; either good or bad situation. But what is worst than seeing a parent doing exactly what a child ought not to do or see? Do you practice what you preach? A good tree bears good fruit and a bad fruit surely comes from a bad tree for no good tree will bear bad fruit.

Going back to the question; if would I let my child rot in jail if I have the money? Well, I will let the money rot in jail instead of my child. And the sure of way of doing that is for him not to do things that will put him in jail, otherwise, how would one learn the lesson if there is no difference in the consequence of doing right and wrong? As what the Lord said; “Resent not your father’s discipline for he treats you as his own in the same way as I treated you all as my sons.”

It has come to my attention that many youth in this new generation are growing up spoiled that or are not disciplined accordingly. My siblings and I grew up in a very strict household, strict in the sense of moral conservancy. When I grew up, I thought that my father was too conservative, as he did not spare the belt when we overstepped our line.

Only to realize, as an adult, that his way was the right way. It is better to be disciplined by one's father or mother--to correct a wrong. As one learns the meaning of right and wrong and the Fear and Respect of the law.

Children should be disciplined accordingly in regard to their actions. And praised in regard to their accomplishments.

Just a view,

Proverbs 6: 20-23
20. My son, obey your father's commands, and don't neglect your mother's teaching.
21. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck.
22. Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you.
23. For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way of life.

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A Layman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2009, 04:31:30 PM »

For me as a parent, it would be un-Christian not to spare a rod in imposing discipline to erring and hard headed children. Striking a rod means a parental love to straighten a child to become a responsible citizen of the society we belong. Our family is the simplest form of social structure in a community. While the children are still at their growing age, they must be disciplined properly by the parents to prepare them how to face all the societal realities when they become mature and independent. The family foundation serves as the starting element in building a just, harmonious, and obedient people in a strong and peaceful society. Parental irresposibilities and neglect are identified as the root cause of a chaotic society. A weak family upbringing snaps the thinner fiber of morality leading to breakdown and chaos among men.

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ZecurB · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2009, 08:03:09 PM »

Without batting an eyelash I'll let my kid rot in jail if he/she indeed committed the crime! We were brought up to take responsibilities for our actions and face their consequences no matter how dire. And I intend to continue instilling this even to my grandchildren if I am lucky to live long enough...

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Macky Ferniz · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2009, 12:34:31 AM »

I am using the psychological approach to my children, like if you don't study tonight, you can not enjoy your Playstation this weekend.

I don't hide reality to my kids and I am not sensoring anything before thier eyes. They see the world as it is happening.

There are many games which are educational like "Harvest Moon" where they will be practiced to produce farm products and sell to market while playing. They will learn to manage financially at a very early age while playing.

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fdaray · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2009, 09:31:59 AM »

The Tree and its Fruits
Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. 18 A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.

Meditation: What do grapes, thorns, figs, and thistles have to teach us about the kingdom of God? The imagery used by Jesus would have been very familiar to his audience. A certain thornbush had berries which resembled grapes. And a certain thistle had a flower, which at least from a distance, resembled the fig. Isn't it the same today? What we "hear" might have a resemblance of the truth, but, in fact, when you inspect it closely, it's actually false. False prophets or teachers abound today as much as they did in biblical times. What's the test of a true or false teacher? Jesus connects soundness with good fruit. Something is sound when it is free from defect, decay, or disease and is healthy. Good fruit is the result of sound living â€” living according to moral truth and upright character. The prophet Isaiah warned against the dangers of falsehood: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness (Isaiah 5:20). The fruits of falsehood produce an easy religion which takes the iron out of religion, the cross out of Christianity, and any teaching which eliminates the hard sayings of Jesus, and which push the judgments of God into the background and makes us think lightly of sin. How do we avoid falsehood? By being true â€” true to God, his word, and his grace. And that takes character! Those who are true to God know that their strength lies not in themselves but in God who supplies what we need. The fruit of a disciple is marked by faith, hope and love, justice, prudence, fortitude and temperance. Do you cultivate good fruit in your life and reject whatever produces bad fruit?

"Lord, may I bear good fruit for your sake. Help me to reject whatever will produce evil fruit. And help me grow in faith, hope, love, sound judgment, justice, courage, and self control."

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Author Topic: The Tree and its Fruit (Read 1049 times)

Gener

The Tree and its Fruit

Lorenzo

Re: The Tree and its Fruit

A Layman

Re: The Tree and its Fruit

ZecurB

Re: The Tree and its Fruit

Macky Ferniz

Re: The Tree and its Fruit

fdaray

Re: The Tree and its Fruit