Joy In The Family

Joy In The Family.............................................!by Gary B. Patterson

God's purpose in redemption is to provide for all of His children to be at peace and joy in the family. The Gloria sung by the angels at the Annunciation clearly states this purpose. "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to men." We sing the same in the chorus taken from Jesus' words to His disciples recorded in John 15: "These things have I spoken unto you,...that your joy might be full...Love one another" (verses 11,12).

Stern harshness is not in keeping with the joy and love God wishes us to experience in His family. When we do not understand our relationship with our heavenly Father in the light of joy and love, we are unable to understand or comprehend the joy and love that are to be found in the earthly family.

So crucial is the family relationship that our concept of God rises or falls with it. In the same way that children relate to and understand their parents we relate to and understand God. God designed it that way. The Bible uses the experience of family as a helical loop illustration: God is as family, and family is as God. When God wishes to describe His love for His people He calls them His bride and His children. And conversely, when He speaks of the love that should exist in families He urges, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church" (Eph. 5:25).

Family Experience
Neither God nor family can be understood properly without the other. Our family experience draws on our God concept and our God concept is informed by the relationship that exists in our families. Either these two concepts contribute to the up building of each other or they become a black hole, drawing us into a pit of destruction. It is absolutely crucial; it is absolutely mandatory; it is absolutely determinative, that the future of our church as a whole and our salvation individually rises or falls with the family relationship. (JT emphasis)

Although I am addressing primarily the family as a unit, I cannot avoid considering the church institution in the context of this family model. The church also in a sense is the parent of the individual.

G.B.Patterson, President, G.C. Conf. SDA. Advent Review. 9-24-1981.

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FAMILY, BUSINESS (FIRM), SALVATION: All Three have Similar Psychodynamics!

Psychology Today says that all organizations are run like families...They can, therefore be psychoanalyzed...All organizations recapitulate the basic family structure in a culture. Our earliest experience with our parents are repeated in our subsequent relationships with authority. Early family life determines our assumptions of how power is distributed, and as we grow up, we form groups on the some model. Organizations encourage this by action "in local parents." If everyone knows what the rules are, things run smoothly. Since a business and a family shares similar psychodynamic, you find the same sorts or problems in business - or any organization - that you uncover in therapy" (JT's unlined emphasis)

Psychology Today. December 1971 pg.45.

In any organization, a system of authority is necessary in order to "get things done."

J.C. McCollister The Christian Book of Why. (Testament Books, New York 1983) pg. 277
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Respect for the law is taught to most of us in our childhood. But here again, the teaching which shapes a lasting attitude is that which is conveyed less by word than by example. In homes where the law {AUTHORITY?} is flouted, there is less likelihood that the upcoming generation will learn to respect it...Children who are unhappy and insecure because of a home environment that is marred by bickering and conflict often will resort to alcohol or drugs in order to escape the problems that press in upon them, uncontrollably and through no fault of their own. Alcohol or marijuana may supply at least for a time, a much needed feeling of comfort and sense of adequacy.

Marvin A. Block: Reprinted From M. D's. Wife.

(Respect for the law {AUTHORITY? Jt.} is taught to most of us in our childhood.)

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The book "Education" says that one of the first lessons a child needs to learn is the lesson of obedience. Before he is old enough to reason, he may be taught to obey. By gentle persistent effort the habit should be established. Thus to a great degree, may be prevented those later conflicts between will and authority that do so much to create alienation and bitterness toward parents and teachers, and too, often resistance of all authority, human and divine.

E.G. White?: Education. p.287
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Submission

So many people resent authority today. I'm sure it's been a common attitude in every generation, but in my lifetime, there has been a surge in this type of rebellion among young people. During the sixties, an inordinate number of teens rebelled against their parents and rejected the values of the previous generation. Today a lot of those sixties children are parents. Because these parents are still dealing with their own lack of respect for authority, they are teaching the same attitude to their children. Many of these young parents embrace the belief that they have no right to expect their children to submit to their authority. They don't believe their parents had the right to tell them what to do, so they feel it is unfair to demand obedience from their own children. If this describes you, and you want to raise godly children, you will have to change that way of thinking. It is not consistent with scripture, where we are clearly taught to submit to those God has put in authority over us, and that starts with our parents.

"Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves."

- Romans 13:1-2 (NAS)

Raising Godly Tomatoes ( or: Loving Parenting With Only Occasional Trips to the Woodshed )

by Elizabeth, a mother of ten (so far)

Women should not have children after 35; thirty-five children are enough. - anonymous

Not Sigmund Freud 's Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality (Ego, Id, Super-Ego plus the Greek Pantheon),

But it was Mrs. E. G. White who was a good commentator, writer and divine porringer who suggested that we accept these ideas of God's powers. Jehovah's Thoughts (Mentally, after Him), His Relationships (Physically, after Him) and of Acceptances (Spiritually, with Him) are noted by the use of colors in this site..

Co-ordinate the Physical, Mental, and Spiritual.-- The physical, mental, and spiritual capabilities should be developed in order to form a properly balanced character. Children should be watched, guarded, and disciplined in order to successfully accomplish this.

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May the Lord help the brethren who have borne their testimony in the early days of the message, to be wise in regard to the preservation of their physical, mental, and spiritual powers. I have been instructed by the Lord to say that He has endowed you with the power of reason, and He desires you to understand the laws that affect the health of the being, and to resolve to obey them. These laws are God's laws. He desires every pioneer worker to stand in his lot and place, that he may do his part in saving the people from being swept downward to destruction by the mighty current of evil-of physical, mental, and spiritual declension. My brethren, He desires you to keep your armor on to the very close of the conflict. Do not be imprudent; do not overwork. Take periods of rest.

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Spiritual, Mental, and Physical Powers Influenced by Diet.--Mothers who gratify the desires of their children at the expense of health and happy tempers are sowing seeds of evil that will spring up and bear fruit. Self-indulgence grows with the growth of the little ones, and both mental and physical vigor are sacrificed. Mothers who do this work reap with bitterness the seed they have sown. They see their children grow up unfitted in mind and character to act a noble and useful part in society or in the home. The spiritual as well as the mental and physical powers suffer under the influence of unhealthful food. The conscience becomes stupefied, and the susceptibility to good impressions is impaired.

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NOTICE: Care for the Gift reflects your value of Its Giver!