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June 11, 2008
In Pastor's Words
Celebrate A Father’s Love
This week, fathers all over America will enjoy some special attention being showered on them by their kids of all ages with cards, calls, cook-outs, gifts and visits. Why all this attention? Because dads are special and our Christian dads are extra special because of their love shown to us in our “growing up” years. A Christian father’s love is demonstrated in his caring, disciplining, training and forgiving.
First, we celebrate our father’s love because he cares for us. Dad provides, guards and nurtures us in our formative years. Jesus alludes to this in Mathew 7:11 when he says, “If you (fathers), then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Second, we celebrate our father’s love because he disciplines us. The writer of Hebrews (12:7-11) captures this thought in comparing God’s discipline with a human father’s discipline: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest or righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Third, we celebrate our father’s love because he trains us. Paul instructs, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” The writer of Proverbs states, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:1-4).
Finally, we celebrate our father’s love because he forgives us. One woman shared this story of her father’s forgiveness. On a cold winter evening a man suffered a heart attack and after being admitted to the hospital, asked the nurse to call his daughter. He explained, “you see, I live alone and she is the only family I have.” When the nurse called the daughter, the daughter became very upset and pled, “you must not let him die! You see, Dad and I had a terrible argument almost a year ago and I haven’t seen him since. All these months I’ve wanted to go to him for forgiveness. The last thing I said to him was ‘I hate you.’” The daughter, crying, said, “I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” When the daughter arrived, the patient had already gone into cardiac arrest from which he did not recover. The nurse observed one of the doctors talking to the daughter outside the room and could see the pathetic look on her face. The nurse took the daughter aside and expressed her deep regret and sympathy. The daughter responded, “I never hated him, you know. I loved him and now I want to go see him.” When the nurse took her to the room, the daughter buried her face in the sheets as she said good-bye to her deceased dad. The nurse noticed a scrap of paper on the bedside table and handed it to the daughter. It read, “My dearest Jeanie, I forgive you. I pray you will also forgive me. I know that you love me. I love you, too. Daddy.”
Whether your dad is living here or living in heaven, celebrate his love this Sunday on Father’s Day.
Pastor Ralph Partelow
Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at June 11, 2008 03:34 PM