The language of family is one of the ways by which God explains himself and his church. We learn that God is our heavenly Father, that we are his adopted children, and that the church is the family of God. But we shouldn’t think that it is God who borrows from us. God doesn’t take our concept of family and apply it to himself; it is we who have borrowed from God. Fatherhood derives from him. Family is rightly understood only in relation to him. A day is coming when everything good about family will find its fulfillment in him—and on that day family will finally and fully be all that it was ever intended to be.

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From Series: "CCEF Conference: Family"

Embracing the Blessing. Facing the Brokenness. Family. What image springs to your mind? Big smiles and warm hugs? Dark looks and harsh words? An empty frame and yearning for what never was and may never be? Perhaps it’s more complicated than that–maybe the smile is real, but the eyes reveal something more. Perhaps blessing and brokenness are tangled together. Or perhaps we’re troubled when we compare the snapshots in our mind with images of family immortalized by Norman Rockwell or the picture we envision of what a “Christian family” is supposed to be. But what are we to make of the fact that in all of Scripture not one single family is held up as an idealized role model? How can that be? Because the Bible is no stranger to the complexities of family. At this year’s National Conference, we’ll be exploring the ways God forms and reforms family, how he shapes and reshapes us through family. Whatever our situation or experience, whether single or married, old or young, whatever roles we play, this conference will help us face the brokenness and embrace the blessing of family. Used with permission. This recording is copyrighted by the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). This recording is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws and may not be reproduced, transmitted, displayed, prepared as a derivative work, or performed in any form without the prior written consent of CCEF. The distribution of this audio is done with full permission from CCEF. All rights reserved. For more information on classes, materials, speaking events, distance education and other services, please visit www.ccef.org.

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