We have a saying here in the Dobra household, “the family is God’s smallest battle formation.”
God did not create the executive, then take a rib from the executive to create the legislative, and the executive and legislative did not conceive and give birth to the judicial.
In other words, government is not God’s signature creation. People are! And the family unit, father, mother, and children, reflects God’s love and creative design.
Education decisions should be made with the centrality of God’s authority and design in mind.
HSLDA, Home School Legal Defense Association, “The Home School Court Report” vol. 35 no. 1 hslda.org
Before any governments or churches, God ordained the family!
“Haven’t you read,” [Jesus] replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
Matthew 19:4-6
“The natural family, creation of God, is the fundamental human community, based on the life-long marriage between a man and a woman, in which new individuals are conceived, born and raised.”
– World Congress of Families. The Warsaw Declaration, 2007.
The Family is God’s smallest battle formation!
“then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature…
The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man…
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.”
Faith and reliance on God was the “sacred fire” that motivated the American colonists. And in the midst of the struggle they prayed for the Education of future generations.
Pray that God would take all of the Classical Conversations groups, all homeschool families, and all “schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand” so that students might know God and live to make Him known.
“[Samuel] Adams’ faith-filled and prophetic encouragement was followed by the announcement that British General John Burgoyne had surrendered 5,800 British troops to American General Horatio Gates at Saratoga, New York on October 17, just two weeks after Adams’ impassioned plea to look to God for deliverance. It was a turning point in the war. Motivated by the victory, Congress adopted a proclamation on November 1st to declare Thursday, December 18th, [1777] ‘a day of thanksgiving to God…’ Many refer to it as ‘The First Thanksgiving Proclamation in the United States’. The Proclamation closes by requesting prayer for God to:”
take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth “in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
Education, to educate, is neither good nor bad. No virtue can be assigned to a verb, but who is teaching and what is being taught is where virtue can be measured.
“That depends on who keeps the school and what is taught there. The schoolhouse May become a place for polishing fiends and graduating outlaws.”
“‘What you sow in the school you reap in the nation.’ Correct principles sown in the soil of the young mind… and ripened by the sun of gracious Providence… will sacredly preserve the past and guarantee the glory of the future.”
Source:
“Christianity and the American Commonwealth” by Bishop Charles B. Galloway, 1898, American Vision, inc. https://americanvision.org
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
The New Life
17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
I feel a bit like a hypocrite during Fourth of July celebrations.
Americans have collectively been giving away their liberties for the past 60 years or more. In 2019 we have actual socialists running for president.
And a large portion of blame is on my fellow citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven for abdicating their worldly civil duties to the shame of our eternal King.
“Sadly, it seems that far too many Americans have come to take the blessings of liberty and proper government for granted and have become more like the proverbial boiled frog than most would ever dare to suppose.”
“I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, and that posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not.”
– John Adams to his wife, Abigail, dated July 3, 1776
“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” –George Washington, October 3, 1789
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” – Psalm 33:12
Excerpt from wall Builders 2019 Fathers Day email…
“John Adams, signer of the Declaration of Independence and America’s second President, was the father of six children. During the War for Independence he spentmuch timein public service and away from his family. Not wanting to neglect his children, he and Abigail Adams wrote letters to each other about how the children’s education should proceed, including these suggestions:
Teach to make God known, so our children might grasp their “divine purpose” and “sacred enthusiasm.”
“The divine purpose… the ancient method by which from age to age mighty nations… have comprehended their heaven-appointed missions… and rendered themselves illustrious in human annals.”
“Let a man grasp, in honest conviction, a real thought of God, and spend his days in striving to realize it, and he is on the highway to glory, honor, and immortality.”
“The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States” by Benjamin F. Morris, 1864, American Vision, Inc. americanvision.org
“Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know! Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Be honest and content…
“Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”
“Jesus said, “My house will be called a house of prayer…” (Matthew 21:13). Our response to Christ’s declaration, coupled with the promises of 2 Chronicles 7:14, give hope to our nation. A massive interdenominational prayer movement is underway, standing in the gap for America.
“Repent, pray, and seek God’s face for our nation on Sunday, June 30th.
“Lead your family in repentant prayer for our nation. The only thing we ask is that you take at least five minutes (those who are able) to fall on your knees in humble prayer before the Lord.
“The Call2Fall Declaration: “I will answer God’s call to fall on my knees in humility and seek His face in repentance so that He might forgive my sins and heal our land.”
“Watch Tony Perkins’ short video about the First Prayer in the Continental Congress. At another desperate time in our nation’s history, pastor-led prayer moved many of our Founding Fathers to their knees and even tears. Eventually, they declared their independence from Great Britain, but at the same time, declared their dependence on the Providence of God. Like these Founders, my prayer is that we will do the same!
Repent of coveting and jealousy.
“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah” Psalms 32:1-5 ESV
Shout for joy, praise, and give thanks.
“Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.” Psalms 33:1-4 ESV
God is mighty!
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” Psalms 95:1-6 ESV
Work hard, don’t be like the lazy sluggard.
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” Proverbs 6:6-11 ESV
Shout for joy to God!
“Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!” Psalms 66:1-2 ESV
Repent!
“If a man does not repent,
God will whet his sword;
he has bent and readied his bow;
he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts.
Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies.
His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.” Psalms 7:12-14, 16 ESV
Love the Lord and hate evil!
“O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!” Psalms 97:10, 12 ESV
Justice will come to unjust leaders of the nations.
“The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. The Lord has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah
The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.
Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O Lord!
Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah”
There is hope in God because He forgives sins and redeems us.
“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.”
“In Washington, there’s a memorial to the victims of Communism. A statue depicting the goddess of Democracy holds a flame over an inscription reading
“To the more than 100 million victims of communism and those who love liberty.”
“For the past 170 years Socialism, the brainchild of Karl Marx and Fridrich Engels has been tried in its various forms around the world often followed by oppression, poverty, and failure...
“Webster defines socialism as a system or society in which there’s no private property, where means of production are owned and controlled by the state and a transition between capitalism and communism...
“The first thing they do is to close down the churches. Close them up and eliminate if you will, eradicate, execute priests, pastors, sisters, nuns – people of faith,” Edwards tells CBN News.
“James Madison wrote an essay on property in 1792 in which he connects property rights to all human rights, including freedom of religion, speech, and the press. Madison defines property as ‘every thing to which a man may attach a value and have a right, andwhich leaves to every one else the like advantage‘ (emphasis in original)—the italicized words distinguish the natural rights of the Declaration of Independence from the kind of rights proclaimed by socialism, such as the right to a guaranteed income or to free education, which by definition make claims on the property of others…
Madison concludes: ‘In a word, as a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights.’ …
Knowing the horrors of modern war, Churchill hated and feared war all his life. Yet he made this speech to rally his cabinet, as he would rally the British nation, to war. Why? Because he was possessed of the knowledge ofthe nature of the human being—the fact that we are made in God’s image to confront the eternal questions from inside a mortal body, and that our rights to our property and our rights to conscience and religious liberty are aspects of the two parts that integrate to make the human being. Churchill thought the human being was a thing produced by nature and by God and that no man, not even Adolf Hitler with his vast divisions, could ever conquer that. He fought for that belief. I think we are going to have to fight for it too.”
Dobra Family Ministry 