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Being raised in a Christian home is a wonderful experience. Many of the attributes needed to live a successful, spirit-filled life can be learned while growing up in a Christian home. SpringHill recording artist, Janet Paschal obviously has come from such a background, as reflected in her newest radio single, "Thank God for My Christian Home." Eloquently sung by Janet, the song is an old Louvin Brothers tune written years ago.
Janet's new single clearly holds a special place in her heart, as she fondly recalls special memories of growing up. "All through my childhood I remember sitting on a church pew listening to my dad and his brothers sing. Occasionally, my parents and my older sister sang as a trio, as well. My favorite song they'd sing was, 'Thank God For My Christian Home'. My sister's tenor would soar and my mom would cry and my dad would blend. It was just a beautiful moment; in fact, I've never heard the song performed as well as then." Janet comes from a simple background, bathed in Christian love and enriched by gospel music. Looking back on her growing up years, she shares, "Our lives centered around church and music. We lived simply - never had a lot of money, but always had a home rich in love and faith. My sister and I began singing early on and traveled locally on weekends. We missed most of our school functions because we preferred to be in a little church somewhere singing and testifying. I'm grateful for every one of the pastors who gave us a platform, and for the gracious hearers as we sang about God's strength through tough times."
Growing up with a strong Christian influence can, and should, play a positive role in your adult life. According to Janet, "I think having Christian 'heroes' helped steer me in the right direction. The people who surround us affect us. That is at least something I've always believed anyway. We also grow by the things we watch and read; we glean behaviors and attitudes without even realizing it." Janet adamantly feels that her being raised in a Christian home has positively molded her into the person she is today. She shares, "the bottom line has always been knowing Christ. We were taught to obey His Word because that was what pleased God. We were taught to be kind to people because that was Christ like. We were taught to work hard and give selflessly and to speak kindly of people because they were all traits that Jesus admonished. While it can be taxing working out different belief systems, theological points, complex scenarios, it is simple to make this the crux of the matter - to know Christ and to work toward becoming like Him. That always makes for a Christian home."
Though not every believer was raised in a Christian home, everyone can still relate and grasp hold of what Janet is trying to say in the song, "I'm hoping the idea behind this song will accomplish two things - to help boys and girls and teenagers realize that all those trips to church, revivals and Sunday School are not in vain - that they are being grounded in principles and morals which will affect the entire span of their lives.
Secondly, I hope it will challenge parents to teach their children those same principles - to set an example and to live the lives that their children will want to emulate."
Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Setting a positive example for others to follow; that is one of the trademarks of Christ, as He is the ultimate example for us to strive to be like. Through exemplifying His attributes, parents can teach their children to live as Christ lived. To live holy and righteous before Him, and when the children grow up, they too can proudly sing, "Thank God for my Christian Home."
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Written: 05/31/2003 
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