Category: Father’s Day

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Father’s Day 2020

Thirty seven years ago, our son was born and I became a father. Even though thirty seven years seems like a long time (it is over half my life), as I look back it really doesn’t feel like all that long ago. Because there are so many memories, they crowd together and make the time seem somehow compressed, as if the years have joined together and decreased their number.

There have been a lot of changes over those years. We added a daughter three years later. There have been different jobs, as I went back and forth between working as a teacher and coach and various other jobs. Some times were tough financially, and I felt sorry that we couldn’t do everything we wanted as a family, or for our children. God has always provided for us, but there were times when there wasn’t any extra. What I value most about the teaching/coaching gigs are the opportunities provided when it came to Josh and Jennie. We all had the same vacation schedule, and went to the same place every morning during the school year. I had the opportunity to coach both of them, something I will always cherish.

It has been an absolute joy to see both of them grow up into responsible, caring people. I have always been proud of them, no more so than now. I see Jesus in them in the way they interact with others, and in the way they care for those around them. When they were growing up, I was always known as “Josh’s and Jennie’s dad,” and I am still proud to wear that title.

Now I am blessed to have another title: “Granddaddy.” That makes this day even more special. I get to participate in some way in the raising up of the next generation, and for that I am grateful. I have no worries because I know that my grandchildren are in good hands.

Josh and Jennie, I am so proud and thankful for the privilege of being your father. I thank God for you and pray that you will know his love in increasing measure in the days and years ahead. I love you.

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Father

All of us have fathers. My father was a good man. Not perfect, but good. There never was a time when I didn’t know he loved me. He was a good provider and role model. I learned a great deal from him, although not as much as I could, or should, have. He was the kind of father that makes me proud to be his son.

Many folks don’t have a father like that. It is heartbreaking to hear those who had fathers who were absent. Some of their fathers died while they were young, others were absent because of work or simply lack of interest. More heartbreaking are the stories of the fathers who were abusive, who treated their children in ways that no one should be treated.

Our picture of God is often colored by our experience with our earthly fathers. Some of us see God as Abba, as the loving Father who cares perfectly for his children. To us, he is Papa, Daddy. Others unfortunately, have a hard time seeing God as their Father. Their image of God is that of a King who is hard, who is demanding, who is always asking more and more of us. That saddens me, because I believe the picture we have of God has a great deal to do with how free we are able to live as his children.

I once heard someone say something which I  believe will help those who struggle with the idea of God as Father. If you have trouble with that, try to imagine the perfect father, with all of the best attributes and no bad qualities. Imagine a father who always makes good and loving decisions, and who always does what is best for his children. Then, take that image and magnify it beyond comprehension. Do that and you have God.

Even the best of earthly fathers are imperfect. My father had his flaws, and I definitely have mine. But our heavenly Father, our Abba, has no flaws. He is absolutely perfect. He is everything anyone would want in a father, and more. We can’t begin to imagine such a perfect father. But we can accept that he is and trust him to be exactly what we need.

Cry out to Abba. Let his furious love wash over you and let him wrap you in his arms. Crawl up in his lap and rest in his perfect care.

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Weekend Wanderings

It’s Fathers’ Day here in the sunny South, as it is in the rest of the country. I am grateful for the two wonderful children the Father has blessed me with, and a wonderful daughter-in-law. Pray for the folks in Colorado who have lost homes, and in some cases loved ones, in the fires there. It’s more contained, but there is still a fair bit of danger for many.

Here are the links:

Swanny wants a cliche free church.
Frank Viola rethinks sickness.
Kansas Bob on the ordinary presence of God.
Dan Edelen didn’t go to church.

The temple.
iMonk classic.
Vindicated, or not.
But what do you do?

Zack Hunt on Stephen Colbert.
Just one more thing.
Josh Daffern on committees.
Grace versus indulgence.

What did Jesus look like?
A post on the information collection controversy.
Jesus is the great High Priest.
This is pretty amazing.

Have a blessed week!

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Weekend Wanderings

Today is Father’s Day. I think of those without fathers and I pray for God to make himself real as your true Father. I think of the single moms out there who have to do many of the things a father is supposed to do, and I pray for strength and grace to fulfill a difficult task. I think of the single dads who also have a hard job to do and I pray for strength and grace for you as well. I think of fathers and I pray that our Father would keep us mindful of the awesome privilege we have and give us the grace to reflect his image as we serve our children. Happy Father’s Day to all of you.

I’m behind in my blog reading, so here is just a sampling of the good stuff out there:

Eric Carpenter on unity.
Frank Viola talks about destiny.
Brant Hansen on guilt.
Simon Jenkins on Facebook piety (HT: Jake Belder).
My blues name is Hollerin’ Liver Davis (HT: iMonk).

Good question from J.R. Miller.
Coming home.
God the (ultimate) Father.
Letting go.
Silent sentinels.

Scot McKnight with some research on shoes.
Arthur Sido on the wounded.
Jeff Dunn takes another look at God.
Nate Pruitt writes about the life “with.”
Alan Knox on church.

Free XXX Christian porn!
Repent, and believe..and…
The hammer and the life raft.
Jesus, the stronger man.
Jesus love me, this I know…

Have a blessed week!

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Fathers’ Day

Today is a day when fathers are remembered. It is a day of feelings, some good, and some bad. There are many who have loving Fathers, and today is a day of celebration. Others have absent or abusive fathers, and today is a day of hurt feelings. Still others have fathers who have passed on, and today is a day of remembrance. For me, this fourth Father’s Day since Dad passed away has been such a day.

Along with remembering my own father, I have been thinking today of the great privilege it is to be a father. This is my twenty-eighth Fathers’ Day, and I can say that I have been blessed beyond measure with my son and daughter. Those years have had their ups and downs, but I wouldn’t give them up for anything.

They say that having a child come into your life changes things, and that is certainly true. Not only does it change your lifestyle, it also causes you to become a student again. The lessons are not presented in a classroom, but are taught right in the middle of life. Sometimes the lessons are simple, and only need to be learned once. Other times the lessons are hard, and need to be repeated. The classroom is also a place of danger, for unlike an algebra or science lesson, failure to learn can have negative life-changing results. On the flip side, successful learning can have results that can be amazing.

*WARNING!* BRAGGING ALERT!

My heavenly Father has been gracious to me. Through the years of teaching and learning, Josh and Jennie have grown into young adults who are a source of great pride to Jan and me. They successfully navigated the teenage years, and have done well in the world of higher education. Josh has earned an undergraduate degree in mass communications, and a Master’s in architecture (anyone know of any firms that are hiring? 🙂 ). Jennie earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and photography, and created the marketing department at a visual effects studio in Los Angeles (look up Stargate Studios on youtube). I am confident that both of them will be successful in what their careers.

The thing that brings me more joy than their academic and career success is the knowledge that both of them have grown into responsible, caring individuals who are not afraid to walk a different path. They both have a heart for helping those less fortunate, and seeing God’s justice carried out in this world. If you are fortunate to have one of them as your friend, you have a friend that is loyal.

They are not afraid to ask questions, and are not satisfied with stock answers. Their relationship with Jesus has not followed what some would say is standard path, but their love for him is evident. The Father has had his hand on each of them from birth, and he is forming them into the image of Jesus. The Kingdom will benefit from the grace and glory of God shining through them.

As you may have guessed by now, I am extremely proud of my children and grateful to God for allowing me the awesome privilege of being their father. Josh and Jennie, I love you beyond words, and I am thankful for you.

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TGIF

It’s the Friday before Father’s Day. On Sunday, the family and I are driving down to Miami, where we’ll depart on Monday on a cruise in the Caribbean. I get to spend the entire week of Father’s Day with my wife and children. It’s a rare treat.

Check these posts out:

Ed Stetzer has some questions for McChurch.

Jared Wilson has some concerns about leadership.

Next Reformation blogs about purpose and people.

Jonathan Brink wonders about sovereignty and love.

Jeff McQ thinks about mistaken identity. Part 1 and Part 2.

Brant Hansen wonders how the rapture would affect the election.

John Armstrong wonders if God is Green.

Ever wonder why the chicken crossed the road? Some answers here.

The Gospel Driven Blog has an urgent request.

Molly is stumbling. Don’t worry, it’s a good thing.

A Hopeful Heretic is being bent.

Have a great Father’s Day! I am grateful for the privilege of being a father of two wonderful adults. Josh and Jennie, I am proud of you and I love you.