The Benefits of Physical Discipline of a Child

              A young mother in Eau Claire, WI was recently charged with “child abuse” in regard to spanking her seven year-old daughter. The issue centers on a mother’s right and responsibility to discipline her child as she sees fit. While there are certainly cases of reckless child “beatings” creating bodily and emotional trauma, this should not be compared to the firm and loving action of a mother’s corporal discipline. This young mother was right, and within her rights. She understands the traits of human nature and how to deal with them. Let me explain.

            It’s no secret that everything in the universe is under control. The 24-hour cycle of light and darkness is proof enough. Unfortunately, dealing with daily life on the planet is not so simple. Imperfection and struggle characterize so much of our interaction with others, particularly our own children. While the heavenly creatures like the sun, moon, and stars pose no moral dilemma, that cannot be said for those who inhabit this earth.

            We live in a fallen society, filled with greed, hatred, and violence. The daily news in any part of the world testifies to such. The increase in crime seems to correlate with the breakdown of the home. The attack on marriage and family structure has paid its toll. Even families with a father and mother are facing real challenges in the raising of their children. War begins in the human heart, and therefore is a constant threat to the well-being of our society.

            Having been on this earth for more than 75 years has convinced me that we have strayed from the basic understanding of children. Unlike the predictable sunrise and sunset, these young creatures are not predictable. Psychologists have given the impression that children are born morally “neutral,” allowing parents to mold them as a piece of clay. Any honest parent knows that isn’t the case; each child is born with a bent toward evil and rebellion. The first word out of his mouth is “no!” Soon after is the word “mine!”

            No matter how sweet the child may be otherwise, the battle for supremacy is on. He is quick to let you know that the universe revolves around him. It’s a fight from the beginning as to who will run the show (home). Parents have been charged with the responsibility to raise their children in an orderly and fruitful manner. That is no easy task, but one requiring wisdom, love, courage, and perseverance.

            As a boy with a rebellious streak, I was taught to respect those in authority, like parents, teachers, police, etc. That understanding, however, did not automatically change my behavior. Someone’s “command” for me to “do right” did not make it happen. But training or discipline with reinforcement did make a difference. When all else failed, the “board of education applied to the seat of learning” in the principal’s office was effective.   Anyone who has been through Boot Camp in the military knows this principle only too well. But the intent of such training is important, i.e. to prepare the soldier for the battles ahead and hopefully save his life. In this military setting, was not the “verbal abuse” and agonizing tactics of the Drill Sergeant really acts of true love and concern? Talk to those who came home alive from the battle field. Is this not the same motivating principle of a loving parent who desires the best for his child?

            There is something to be said about “sparing the rod and hating (spoiling) the child.” In a perverted and immoral society, where genuine parental guidance is becoming a rarity, spanking has become “child brutality.” If the truth were known, loving and firm child discipline is a preventative to such brutality. When the child is not “put is his place” in a proper way, the rebellion escalates; eventually, the parent “loses his cool” and retaliates; thus, he crosses the line from true discipline to unfair, criminal abuse.

            I found over the years, that the “rod” was a definite deterrent to further negative behavior. In fact when used wisely and “up front” it changed the tide of disrespect, and was not needed anymore. Taking a firm stand with the child at an early age got his or her attention. The loving object is to break his stubborn will, while encouraging and cultivating his spirit.

            Everyone is born under authority, and that never changes. A child’s freedom comes when he learns to submit to authority and thus enjoy the resulting freedom of personal development. Rebels are not free, but are slaves to their own warped nature. No one has authority and the respect of others who refuses to submit to those in authority. This is what prisons are about, in the extreme case. This scenario of love begins in the home. Years ago, someone coined the statement, “If we pay more attention to the high chair, we’ll be able to pay less attention to the electric chair.”

            The lack of child discipline at home has had disastrous consequences in our schools. A big part of the problem is undisciplined parents who grew up having their own way. Now they have no clue as to how to make their children obey. Then when teachers attempt to “quell junior’s rebellion” in the classroom, the parents take offense. Thus, teachers and principals are disarmed, with no authority to put down the rebellion. Instead, the student can talk back, cuss and even punch the teacher out, and no one can touch him! The “inmates” are running the “asylum.” No wonder our educational system is in shambles!

            Years ago, parents and teachers were friends on the same team. The teacher was always right, and was given parental approval to deal justly with the student. To get in trouble at school, was to get in trouble at home. Spanking was in, as a last resort, and the so-called “woodshed revival” under Dad’s administration was very effective. Few people my age look back on these days with any regret. People loved us enough to set us straight and mold our character for the future. Now it seems that everything in the house is controlled by a switch, except the children!

            Child discipline is education with enforcement. Children are basically lazy and need to be stimulated with structure. Children also have different temperaments; some respond properly with just a look or a word. Others are more defiant, needing stronger persuasion. The need for parental wisdom and love is paramount; especially in a country whose growing liberal bent is making criminals out of parents who dare impose their personal convictions and rights in child rearing. Loving and firm child discipline is not to be interpreted as “child abuse;” Quite the opposite! Proper and loving child training is an antidote or preventative to “abuse,” and promotes a lifestyle of obedience to the law.

             As mentioned above, the ongoing case of the young mother in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, illustrates the growing encroachment of the law in parental matters. Her two children were removed from her home because of some bruises found on her daughter’s backside. In her affidavit, Amanda Parramoure relates how her daughter “repeatedly disobeyed clear instructions I had given…and imperiling her life and the life of her (five year-old) brother.”  She went on to say that the bruises disappeared, were not disabling, and “her pain was momentary;” she (the daughter) “expressed remorse for her disobedience; I hugged her, forgave her; she fell asleep quickly and slept the night through without disturbance.” There was no “abuse” here, but a normal procedure of parental correction. The court case is still pending.

            Criminal acts of child abuse are increasing. Children are hospitalized and even murdered by parents who have “lost it.” But to designate loving discipline, or a few firm strokes on the behind as “criminal” behavior, is in itself criminal.  “Bruising” on the bottom could well promote a positive sensitivity to authority. It may also prevent the deep and irreparable “bruising” of the child’s conscience and character in the future. What can be more beneficial?

"HALLELUJAH" ---What Does it Mean?

            It’s interesting how the secular world has picked up on the Biblical term “Hallelujah.” It’s not uncommon to hear it in songs, articles, TV programs, and verbiage on the street. I think the forerunner was the word “amen.” That has been the common expression or response of church folks when hearing something in the sermon to which they heartily agreed. Amen means “true;” i.e. that which lines up with reality. It’s answering a statement of agreement with “right on,” or “that’s right!” But like many other things, what was once unique to the church scene, has increasingly become commonplace. Even the term “born-again” is widely used, not referring to conversion to Christ, but the reformation or new-start in one’s life or business. Folks are ignorant of what these Biblical expressions mean; thus, they have been decimated and misapplied, with the true meaning being all but lost.

            Hallelujah, like the word “awesome” is overworked; but it poses an opportunity to explain its right meaning. In the Bible, Psalm 146:1 opens with, “Praise ye the LORD,” which is the Hebrew word “HALLELUJAH;” notice that it is translated in English, not by one word, but four.

            Breaking it down, the word “hallel” means to “boast” or “brag;” both actions are commanded and totally appropriate when directed toward the God of the universe. Unfortunately, this has been misdirected and applied to sinful man. The “Jah” in hallelujah is the abbreviation of Jehovah or “the LORD.” (Yaweh---meaning “I AM WHO I AM;” cf. Exodus 3:14)

            Sandwiched between “HALLEL” (Praise) and “JAH” (Jehovah) is “U” –translated “Ye” (You). Who are these people? They are those who have placed their trust (faith) in the LORD, who gave His Son Jesus Christ to die on the Cross for sinners; these are those who have been savingly joined to the LORD, and now are characterized by a life of Praise and Thanksgiving.

            Since HALLELUJAH is one word, we cannot separate Jehovah from Praise—they are inseparable. In the same way, the “U” (Ye—the believers), being in the middle, are inseparately connected to both HALLEL (“Praise”) and JAH (“Jehovah”)! What a fabulous position to be in!

            That’s why David the Psalmist exclaims, “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Which made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is…Who executeth judgment (justice) for the oppressed: Who giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners.” (Psalm 146:5-7)

            The One who made us, knows what we need to be complete and satisfied. He placed within us a “God-shaped” vacuum, which He alone can fill. This is why true happiness and fulfillment cannot be found in man, money, or the world system. “It’s appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment.” The creation is dying, but the Creator is the Author and Sustainer of Life. (John 3:16).

            To believe on Jesus Christ is to be snatched from the clutches of Satan, sin and death, and placed into God’s eternal family. Indeed, it means to be “translated” (transplanted) from the Devil’s domain into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son.” (Col.1:13) That can only mean a life of security and fruitfulness, joined inseparately to the Sovereign LORD of the universe. HALLELUJAH!

Triumph in Adversity

            A remarkable eleven-year old boy recently became the focus of a moving saga of endurance and determination. Ben Baltz had just entered his third triathlon held on Pensacola Beach, Florida when some unusual events occurred. He had finished the 150-yard swim and the three-mile bike ride, but something went wrong about a half-mile into the run. The screws on his prosthetic leg came loose, breaking in half, and down he went on the track. You see, Ben is a triathlete with one leg!

            According to Katie Tammen’s reporting of the story in “The News Herald,” what followed has captured the attention of the nation. While Ben was debating whether he could hop or maybe crawl the rest of the mile, a young Marine, who was volunteering in the youth event, stepped in. According to Ben, Matt Morgan said, ‘You need help?’ and I said, ‘Sure,’ and he picked me up and carried me.” For the next half mile, Ben held on to Pfc. Morgan with one arm, while holding the prosthetic leg in the other. As they reached the finish line, the crowd began to roar. Ben and Morgan didn’t speak much at that point, but other Marines gathered around and “sang a cadence.”

            Although grateful for the help, Ben admitted that he was frustrated and embarrassed that he couldn’t finish the course on his own. He had enjoyed great freedom of movement since being fitted for the prosthetic leg in 2009. Bone cancer (osteosarcoma) resulted in the removal of his lower right leg. He has accomplished some amazing feats, and, up to this triathlon, the worst malfunction came during a soccer game when he finished by using duct tape to hold the “leg” together.

            The news of this latest episode spread quickly on CNN’s website, and elsewhere. Ben continues to be mystified as to why so many want to speak with him, especially since he didn’t finish the race on his own. According to John Murray, who was involved in organizing the event, those who gathered at the finish line were deeply moved by the sight. He said, “There wasn’t a dry eye in the place. …I was just overcome with emotion.”

            Just what did the crowd witness that would bring such a response? First, they saw a young “handicapped” boy with amazing intestinal fortitude (“guts”); one who displayed phenomenal determination in participating in the race, and then in the midst of extreme trial, refused to quit. He planned to finish the event, one way or the other. At that point, Pfc. Morgan demonstrated a deed of loving intervention, as he picked up Ben and carried him across the line. Such a sight could only stir the hearts of all who gathered there.

            Reflecting on the saga, one can only be challenged by the example of Ben Baltz who has so wonderfully overcome a severe handicap, not only physically, but mentally. This is commendable and refreshing in a day when so many young people with lesser problems have “coped out” of personal responsibility. Someone has said, “The test of your character is what it takes to stop you.” Ben certainly passed that test. Pfc. Morgan witnessed Ben’s determination, and, in turn, he was compelled get personally involved.        The lessons taught by this episode are countless. It’s refreshing in this day to hear of a so-called “handicapped” sixth-grader who refuses to be another statistic; but rather he has accepted his uniqueness, and has chosen to triumph in his circumstance, despite all the on-going adversity. That’s a powerful word for us all.