Another ‘news’ item from the satirical Christian news website The Babylon Bee.  (For more on that website, see previous meditation #1111)

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After 12 Years Of Quarterly Church Attendance, Parents Shocked By Daughter’s Lack Of Faith

Fullerton, CA—Local father Trevor Michelson, 48, and his wife Kerri, 45, are reeling after discovering that after 12 years of steadily taking their daughter Janie to church every Sunday they didn’t have a more pressing sporting commitment— which meant they were in church at least once every three months— she no longer demonstrates the strong quarterly commitment to the faith they raised her with, now that she is college-aged.

Trevor Michelson was simply stunned at the revelation.  “I just don’t understand it.  Almost every single time there was a rained-out game, or a break between school and club team seasons, we had Janie in church.  It was at least four times a year.  And aside from the one tournament in 2011, we never missed an Easter.  It was obviously a priority in our family— I just don’t get where her spiritual apathy is coming from.”

“I can’t tell you how often we prayed the prayer of Jabez on the way to a game,” added Janie’s mother.

“You know, the more I think about it, the more this illustrates how the church just keeps failing this generation,” lamented Trevor, citing a recently googled study by Barna or someone.

The Michelsons further noted plans to have a chat with the pastor of their church after their younger son Robert’s soccer season calms down a bit.

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Exodus 20:8  —  Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7  —   These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Psalm 34:11  — Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4  —  Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

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The prayer of Jabez (referred to above) is a good Biblical prayer, but raising children in the faith may require more than just praying it every once in a while on the way to a game.

I Chronicles 4:10  —  Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.