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Start them young by being a very present parent

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 19.7 million children, more than 1 in 4, live without a father in the home.  Many social ills follow as a result.  This type of lifestyle is being subtly promoted through many government and multilateral agencies.  What is wrong with these people.  Studies have shown that parents have a great deal of impact on a child's development.  A parent's absence reaps great long term challenges for society.  The same can be seen in the children of Israel.

Lamentations 1:5
Her adversaries have become the master, Her enemies prosper; For the Lord has afflicted her. Because of the multitude of her transgressions. Her children have gone into captivity before the enemy. 

Such was the lament of Jeremiah the prophet. The old renowned Jerusalem was no more. Such would be the case when the Lord departs from you. The people were worshiping other gods that could not save them. Such was the dire situation resulting from the disobedience of the people of Israel. You wonder why the people of Israel did this. Foreign wives? Improperly discipled children? Poor counsel?

I am convinced that you attract trouble when you poorly disciple your children into adulthood at their preadolescence stage. They need strong mentoring from age 10. So that by 13 they are ready to lead. The kings of Israel and Judah lacked good mentoring and they strayed.  I am also not perfect in this area and I need to do better.

Father please help me with this truth to help many families and the nations. The once great nation of the US is crumbling because the family unit is breaking and children are left without proper discipleship.

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