Parents so called rights

[WayneB]

Bottom line - and I know this is a tight rope and you need the Lord's wisdom here - you do need to submit to your parents' authority where authority is due but not to their sin. Then ask the Lord for wisdom to discern the difference and wisdom for how to stand in this and how to show love to your parents but not bowing to any "false gods."

Thanks Nebula for emphasizing the truth. We must all rely on the Wisdom from Heaven in order to discern right from wrong in every situation...this one included.

From what I could read and understand, some of the saints were responding from their own circumstances rather than realize that there are many BAD parents out there...and I don't mean just non-believing parents. How about the single mother who gets high on crack with her baby in the crib next to her? What about the father who spends all night out getting drunk coming home with a belt in one hand and a bottle in the other looking for any target to exercise his toughness? Y'all get my point?

There are some very very bad parents out there so to tell a young person "honor & obey" without emphasizing the importance of obedience to God first and foremost is shortsighted.

Now, please do not read anything into my post. I am not characterizing Hippo's parents...I don't know them. What I am stating is obedience to God and His will comes first and foremost! Luke 12:49-53, Matthew 10:34-38, Micah 7:6,7

I will restate my earlier post...

The family was created by God for us to learn how to relate to Him, our heavenly Father. If we refuse to submit to the authority of our earthly father, how can we ever learn to submit to our heavenly Father? Jesus taught that we are to submit to the authority of earthly rulers and that even includes Godless leaders and parents but ONLY up to the point that submission to them does not interfere with our relationship with Him, our Heavenly Father.

I like how Nebula put it. She wrote, "submit to your parents' authority where authority is due but not to their sin."

Bless you saints,

Wayne

[Ovedya]

1) When you ask a favor, or when you ask for something I have the right to tell you yes. I also have the right to tell you no without a long drawn out explaination, or justification. I love you.

2) I have the right to give you chores when you are of the appropriate age or maturity level to handle responsibilities. I have the right to expect this out of you as a member of this family and household, free of charge. When you show that you can handle your chores without complaint, and that you can do a complete job, I may decide to start compensating you for your time. Just know that if you begin to slack off, you will suffer a cut in salary. I love you.

3) I have the right to be wrong. I am human, and I make mistakes too. If I shout at you too much sometimes, or if I seem unjust in my decisions, even if I seem to hard on you at times, please remember that I am not perfect. Usually I will come to my senses if you give me enough time. Remember that I love you.

4) I have the right to launch into a full and complete inquisition into your affairs at any time - especially when you come home 2 hours late from a high school dance. I am your father, and I care where you've been, what you've been doing, and who you've been doing it with. Don't forget, I love you.

5) I have the right to hug and/or kiss you any time I need to, or when I sense that you need one. Even if it's in front of your friends. It is my firm belief that families do not express enough love for one another in the home, much less outside of the home. It is my goal to start a global movement of families who show love for each other, in spite of the problems they may have. This movement will begin here, in our home, with our family.

6) I have the right to brag and boast about you to my friends and to whomever else will listen to me. I will show them pictures of you as a baby asleep in the crib, or even naked in the bathtub. I will show them movies, slides, and I will show them awards that you've won and crafts that you've made for your mother and I. I'm sorry if this embarasses you, but I love you, and I am proud of who you are.

That's all I can think of for now, saints. Anyone else care to add to the list?

[Nicks Girl]

H'sHIIH> Don't sweat it. I take things way too personally. .and I understand that you wanted to hear the PARENTS advice, I guess I took it wrong. Anyways, I totally agree with Neb. You should put GOD before your parents. If they tell you to do something that goes against what God has commanded you to do, or something you know is against God, your first responsibility is to obey God.

[hippo's hope is HIM]

Thanks for the list God-man.

PTL Nicksgirl, I was beginning to get worried.

Amen Dr.Luke,

The family was created by God for us to learn how to relate to Him, our heavenly Father. If we refuse to submit to the authority of our earthly father, how can we ever learn to submit to our heavenly Father? Jesus taught that we are to submit to the authority of earthly rulers and that even includes Godless leaders and parents but ONLY up to the point that submission to them does not interfere with our relationship with Him, our Heavenly Father.

Submit= to yield or to surrender

Submissive= Inclined or willing to submit

hmmm. I think I need to be more submissive I obey I just don't do it willingly a lot. And That bugs me too. That if I am not submissive and obediant to earthly leaders, how can I be to God.....because it is true. And I am definatly guilty of not jumping when my leaders shout. Teachers/ homework mom/dishes/clothes dad/driving just simple stuff like that. I say, oh, I'll get a round to it. and either I don't to it, or in my paretns case, they yell at me, and then I remember what I was supposed to do. I just seriously, despite their faults, despite how much I disagree, regardless of what they say, need to be submissive.

How can I ever expect to listen to the Lord, obey Him and walk in His will, if I don't attune my ears and my heart now???

Guys, would ya'll just pray for me??? There are many things that I seem to have issues with, and I'd appreciate it, if ya'll'd pray.

Thanks.

[nebula]

Beth -

This may seem like a strange question - maybe not -

But is your image of God one of Him holding a sledge hammer over your head, waiting for you to do something wrong, and smacking you over the head everytime you mess up?

[WayneB]

That's all I can think of for now, saints. Anyone else care to add to the list?

I like your list bro. If my man-children were younger and still at home, I'd print it out and put it on the refrigerator! I may do it regardless.

[hippo's hope is HIM]

NOOO most definatley not Neb!

My God is an awesome loving and tender God. Merciful, and joyeous. I picture Him holding me, wiping away my tears, not beating me up. I do not fear messing up, I fear disappointing my Heavenly Father.

Yes God does get angry, but I know that He loves me, even when I mess up...... and that He forgives me, and that He understands that I as a mere human, a sinful child, messes up, but I still love Him, and He me.

What is the basis for this questioning? I haven't said something that would make one assume that, that is how I see God. If I have, what was it? Because I certainly don't feel that way.

[WayneB]

Not in my book Beth.

You are asking good questions and your love for the Lord is always reflected in your words sweet sister. Philemon verses 4-7 :t: :hug:

Love ya sister,

Wayne

[Anonymous]

That's all I can think of for now, saints. Anyone else care to add to the list?

I like your list bro. If my man-children were younger and still at home, I'd print it out and put it on the refrigerator! I may do it regardless.

"I would/will too....!"

...notice how each parental right statement was followed with an "I love you?" :hug:

[nebula]

NOOO most definatley not Neb!

OK - that's good!

I know , it was a strange question. I asked because I am aware that our image of our earthly fathers tends to reflect onto our image of God the Father. I know I have to be careful about comparing your experience too much with mine, but I know my dad was over-controlling and would snap at me if I asked, "How high?" when he said, "Jump!' (Jump means JUMP! No questions asked! - even if I had no idea what type of jump he expected out of me.)

I was terrified of doing anything wrong - yet I kept finding myself not doing everything right. I tried to be submissive where I could but it was never good enough. I felt like my greatest sin was disobedience because I just couldn't get it all right.

And so I feared God being mad at me all the time, too. It made me fearful to confess anything to Him. If ever I felt mad at Him for something (like we all tend to do at times), I would try to deny and bury it; I could never be honest with Him about those types of feelings for fear His wrath would turn against me. But, of course, this is how my dad would react.

So, with some of the expressions you had given, I was wanting to be sure whether or not you were undergoing a similar struggle or not.

If you are OK with such things with the Lord, than that is a good thing!