I have never met a nice dogcatcher

You may have just assumed that the post's title means...

All dogcatchers I know are mean.

But what if it meant?

I have never met a dogcatcher...Therefore, I have never met a nice dogcatcher.

Usually we take statements at their face value rather than start critical thinking.  The world is full of misleading information.  If we neglect to teach our children how to discern meaning in a confusing world, we make them vulnerable to those who would try to sway their convictions. 

Colossians 2:8 exhorts us: "See that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human traditions and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." 

The belief that there is absolute truth is essential for logic.  A worldview without Christ is a worldview devoid of reason, because in relativism all notions are equally valid.  

I am so thankful that God is Truth.  I am so thankful that His Word is our authority. 

Colossians 2:2-4  "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  I tell you this so no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments."

So how do we teach our children sound judgment?  We lead them back to Christ.  We encourage them to know God better.  We don't encourage them with words alone, we live it out for them.  True knowledge and wisdom are gained by spending time with Him who is All-knowing and Wise.  We don't want the academic, heavy-head kind.  We want the faith-filled, tender heart kind. 

If we want wise children, if we want children that are not waylaid by the schemes of the devil, then Christ better be the focus of our eyes.  When we seek to know the Mind Maker, it is the natural outworking to have our minds transformed.  May we commune with God who delights in revealing the mystery of himself to us.

Forbid us, Lord, satisfaction in a substitute for Your Presence. Make known to us kingdom knowledge versus sham intellect.  Let us not morph back into an overly analytical people, but grant us the desire to move into obedience just because You say so.  May You speak 3 John 1:4 over this family, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 

And Lord, catch the mongrel dogs that wish to maim and destroy the work you have begun in us.



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