Discipline,
duty, spirit growth, and parenting are topics, today. Christian
parents are wise to correctly teach their children the meaning of
accountability, accepting discipline, interdependence, and mutual
obligation. Often, the living must rely upon discipline and “staying
the course” for survival during crises, emergencies, and extreme
conditions, rather than upon courage, emotion, opinions, and sentiment.
It is discipline that allows us to embrace new experiences, and to face
the future as if we have no fear or uncertainty. Only by discipline do
we continue to function effectively in spite of disappointments,
errors, personal losses, the unexpected, and tragedies. One of the
fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile
information shared) posted the following:
My parents grounded me for refusing to read scriptures with them and say a prayer with them at bedtime. Isn't that ridiculous?
My
parents said that I'm being rebellious and letting Satan into my life.
That's not it...I just wasn't in the mood to read and pray. I had a bad
day and wanted to go to sleep. After my parents told me that I was going
to be grounded for refusing I told them that I would do what they
wanted, but it was already too late. I read scriptures and prayed with
them, but I still got grounded. I don't think it's fair for me to be in
trouble over something like this.
Update:
I'm 13 and its summer break. I don't want to be grounded. I'm going to
try to do what my parents want so that they will end it.
Update 2: Oleg: I don't care if you believe me or not.
Update 3:
Thanks for the answers everyone. I need to get off the computer now. My
parents will be mad if they see that I'm on the computer and not in
bed. I'm not supposed to be on the computer right now. :(
Update 4: A few of these answers are a little ridiculous...
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will
be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving,
and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and
idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which
burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
(Revelation 21: 7-8, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: Why Pray For Victims? (06/14/2016); Called Slaves by
GOD? (02/10/2016); Divine Discipline? (12/24/2015); Growing Up Again?
(12/09/2015); Punishment To Show Love? (11/29/2015); Called To Be
Servants? (11/25/2015); Understanding Spiritual Growth? (03/13/2015);
The Benefit of Law? (11/15/2013); Are Holidays Bad? (11/16/2013)
“Anonymous”,
mature Christian believers understand that the death of Jesus Christ
upon the cross has also been a divine demonstration of the discipline
mankind must achieve to fulfill the possibilities of eternal life. Most
minor children and many parents do not properly understand that
“discipline” means practice, preparation, self-control, and
training—rather than “punishment”, “reprimand” or “scolding”. Obedience
is demonstrated through discipline; and is one of the highest
expressions of love seen in the wedding vows because, “to obey” is to
put asides ones own desires and to perform the will of another. More
than by commitment, or on the basis of what one likes and prefers,
success in carrying out adult responsibilities that include sexual
purity and restraint, marriage, family life, military service, and
various vocations results from having discipline, endurance, and the
will to persevere. It is not unreasonable that parents expect their
children to be capable of demanding from themselves efforts and
responses that contribute to the well-being of their shared home, its
honor, quality, and value. However, parents often do so expressing
their own feelings, rather than correctly acknowledging the faithfulness
and maturity and of their child. Consider again how some of this is
stated in language from the Scriptures:
(1.) Proverbs 22: 4-6, King James Version (KJV): 4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. 5 Thorns and snares are
in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far
from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is
old, he will not depart from it.
(2.)
Proverbs 9: 6-10, KJV: 6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the
way of understanding. 7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself
shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
(3.)
Hebrews 5: 5-10, KJV: 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be
made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day
have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art
a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of
his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong
crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was
heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he
obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he
became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
There
is far more that should be carefully said, thoughtfully examined, and
spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) Hebrews 12: 3-8, KJV: 3
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against
himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet
resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the
exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise
not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of
him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son
whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as
with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if
ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye
bastards, and not sons.) Even so, I am sure this fragment will be
useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Today, focus is upon childbearing, family, and marriage as devices to maintain modern cities and nations. Just as all the problems within such urban centers as Baltimore (MD) and Detroit (MI) may not be blamed upon a single class, ethnic group, or political alliance, neither should they all be attributed to broken homes, dysfunctional families, and single-parenting. The quality of life among us yet depends upon the quality of our shared communication and exchange while prosperity continues to vary according to how we acknowledge divinity. The nature of law is forward-looking and promissory. For a truly useful public dialog to occur, we must be careful to declare what we mean by “strong” families along with more precise statements to describe “success”. For Christian believers there can be no success through the things that promote complaining, hate, selfishness, and ungodliness with hidden and open violence in our society (e.g., passive aggression, domestic violence, child abuse, riots, corporate raiding). Consider again the following from the Bible, and the discussion appearing below: Proverbs 29: 18, King James Version (KJV): 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Also, 1st Timothy 5: 8, KJV: 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Proverbs 3: 9-10, KJV: 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase. 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Proverbs 11: 9-11, KJV: 9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. 10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Elliot” (Level 7 with 43,799 points, a member since April 11, 2011) posted the following:
Is the real problem in places like Baltimore and Detroit that so many children are born out of wedlock, and kids need strong families...?
in order to achieve to success?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. (Genesis 18: 16-22, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Why the Jews Were Called Out? (06/15/2015); Secular Israel? (04/08/2015); Babies Given A Second Life? (01/25/2015); Family and Beliefs of Children (08/29/2014); Stories Repeated in the Bible? (08/20/2014); Blessing and Inheritance from Abraham? (06/05/2014); On Christians Executing Judgment (06/06/2014); God Bless America? (09/12/2013); Law, Slavery and Redemption (09/13/2013)
“Elliot”, we can regard the family as one of many social groups. Few of the problems for modern cities, communities, and nations can be directly traced to such elements as family size, gender dominance (matriarch or patriarch), and the absence of behavior models and emotional nourishment from specific relationships and roles (e.g., husband, wife, son, daughter, parent). On the one hand, all such things have an impact upon the intended benefits of family life. On the other hand, the demands and provisions from larger social groups (e.g., gangs, sororities, the military, the workplace) may counterfeit, replace, supplement and surpass the contributions of family.
Instability and weakness within families can not be described or remedied in the same way as instability and weakness in multi-family groups. For these two types of association, the operation of such elements as aggressiveness, authority, fear, intimacy, respect, and trust may be entirely different. In general, we assume the benefits of family for its members to be growth, learning, protection, and security; and these are to be carried over and maintained at the level of every larger community.
For Christian believers, a great part of our expectation for families have been generated through what we see from the model of Israel in covenant to divinity. Continuity and stability for a nation are most completely established through law addressing such elements as birth order, prenatal care, dynasty, inheritance, marriage, and management of sexual appetite. Correctly understood, however, increase and prosperity for Israel resulted from their being in a continuing contract as instruments of divinity for revelation to all mankind.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, we could agree, perhaps, that what children need from the family unit is an inner sense of value and worth that comes by unconditional acceptance, love, and knowing you have permanent membership. To save the cities, the young must be taught to acknowledge their duty, their ownership, their opportunities, and the tools they are being given that are to be mastered and applied.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
