Dave Henderson and I discuss two aspects of Fatherlessness on a individual from both a natural and spiritual perspective. The Natural perspective is the effect on a person’s life of not having a father to provide or protect them in their childhood years. The Spiritual perspective of not having an understanding of Who God the Father is and not having a connection with God the Father in the cosmos of their thinking. How does the lack of either of these aspects on Fatherlessness have on a person emotionally and psychologically? This latter point being the subject of Papa Tom’s Tales, the Book Series written by Papa Tom.
In the absence of the influence and connection with a natural father or God the Father creates a vacuum into which fear in all its forms can get a foothold (perhaps a stronghold into an individual’s mind and heart). Fear causes Stress; Stress dampens the immune system allowing for the susceptibility for sickness and disease to come onto the body. When a father gives his children protection and provision, he creates a safe environment in which to grow.
Tom Clark shares a personal anecdote about Thanksgiving Dinner and giving thanks to God for the excellent health of all his six children; never once experiencing a significant sickness or disease. Furthermore, praying a blessing his grandchildren to enjoy excellent health all the days of their lives.
A discussion of how our brain cells are wired according to Dr. Caroline Leaf in her book “Switch on Your Brain”. A neurosurgeon Dr. Leaf shows how our brains are wired for love: love thoughts; love words; love pictures attract proteins to our brains and create new brain cells. The opposite happens with worry, anxiety, fear and any negative words/thoughts performs brain surgery destroying brain cells.
Dave shares his experience attending a Four Day Course on Stress and what he learned were the insidious and pervasive thoughts that we have that involve and create stress in our bodies.
Lastly, we discussed the effect of Biblical discipline (in the true meaning of the word discipline in a Biblical context) between a father and his children giving them boundaries within which to live and enjoy life. The aspect of building up personal capital with our children through loving them rather than punishing them. Discipline in the form of teaching and training, sharing our personal experiences of teaching our own children not to fear God the Father as One who will punish them.
