Comments on: The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father in Heaven http://mitchambaptist.org.au/2008/02/27/the-lords-prayer-our-father-in-heaven/ 8-12 Simla Street, Mitcham 3132. Ph: 03 9873 2576 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 07:05:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Tiggs http://mitchambaptist.org.au/2008/02/27/the-lords-prayer-our-father-in-heaven/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Tiggs Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:22:01 +0000 http://mitchambaptist.org.au/2008/02/27/the-lords-prayer-our-father-in-heaven/#comment-9 I myself have had bad experiences involving my earthly father and to know that i have a father in heaven, that always cared, is what got me through those tough times. I find that i always feel comfortable refering to God as heavenly father or father God because it reminds me that he is my real dad. I find this title very comforting. And at the same time it gives God the praise and honour he deserves. I myself have had bad experiences involving my earthly father and to know that i have a father in heaven, that always cared, is what got me through those tough times.
I find that i always feel comfortable refering to God as heavenly father or father God because it reminds me that he is my real dad. I find this title very comforting. And at the same time it gives God the praise and honour he deserves.

]]> By: Philip Woodall http://mitchambaptist.org.au/2008/02/27/the-lords-prayer-our-father-in-heaven/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Philip Woodall Wed, 27 Feb 2008 03:07:24 +0000 http://mitchambaptist.org.au/2008/02/27/the-lords-prayer-our-father-in-heaven/#comment-8 Thinking of these 4 words in form "our heavenly father" may also be useful. It reminds us that our own existence starts from God. Even those with the worst earthly father experiences still owe their physical existence to that father. Also those with bad experiences may be able to acknowledge the better earthly father experiences of others. With a perfect God, these better experiences of others may be seen as paralleling the good things from their heavenly father that can be claimed and held by those damaged by their earthly fathers. While those so damaged may blame God for allowing their hurt, they may be able to take some solace that they are not without a good father. All may have an earthly and heavenly father, and at least one of these is always good. Lastly, there may be parallels between our earthly and heavenly father re actions and inactions which may be for our good, but not so recognised by us until well into the future. Not a perfect parallel. God makes no mistakes, whereas earthly fathers do, in some cases making many terrible mistakes. I also believe God does not always intervene, even though he could, to save us from bad things on earth, including abuse from an earthly father. I believe that is a reality to be accepted, limiting our expectations, and understanding, of how God fathers us. Thinking of these 4 words in form “our heavenly father” may also be useful.

It reminds us that our own existence starts from God. Even those with the worst earthly father experiences still owe their physical existence to that father.

Also those with bad experiences may be able to acknowledge the better earthly father experiences of others. With a perfect God, these better experiences of others may be seen as paralleling the good things from their heavenly father that can be claimed and held by those damaged by their earthly fathers.

While those so damaged may blame God for allowing their hurt, they may be able to take some solace that they are not without a good father. All may have an earthly and heavenly father, and at least one of these is always good.

Lastly, there may be parallels between our earthly and heavenly father re actions and inactions which may be for our good, but not so recognised by us until well into the future. Not a perfect parallel. God makes no mistakes, whereas earthly fathers do, in some cases making many terrible mistakes. I also believe God does not always intervene, even though he could, to save us from bad things on earth, including abuse from an earthly father. I believe that is a reality to be accepted, limiting our expectations, and understanding, of how God fathers us.

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