3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
Yes Friends, today is dedicated to Father’s all over the world. Now, once upon a time, Father’s were held in high esteem, with almost godly reverence and much physical fear, and though many did not deserve that respect, that’s how society was set up. Father provided the strong, manly presence, both mentally and physically. He was breadwinner, master of the household, the one to whom everyone looked up and aspired to be like, and he took his responsibility of caretaker of his family seriously. But sadly, today that august reputation has suffered serious damage due to things like technological advances; we’re less important in reproduction. Economic necessity; one income is no longer sufficient, so more mothers are working. Relaxed, lax mores, with an upsurge in women’s independence and responsibility, and a corresponding decrease in those of young men, while fathering ever more children out of wedlock, with different women. Consequently, the basic unit of society, the family has suffered irreparable damage. Too many households now consist of single parent families. The 2006 Census states that 281,406 of those were headed by men; 20 % of the 1.4 million one parent families in Canada. So we’re not all dead beat dads. But Friends, there are still too many out there. And it’s the innocent children who suffer the most because of it. I’ve told my children that my job is to raise them as close to perfection as possible. And they’ll all say that I’ve done a marvellous job. (smile) And though I haven’t done too badly, there’s still room for improvement. Yes children, I still stand by that. But the only way to raise them with high standards is by teaching them a godly lifestyle. That itself isn’t easy, cause you raise the children and not their minds. But if you inculcate the right things, when the enemy comes a calling, at least they’ll have an option, and hopefully will choose the right one. A Father’s job is also to set a decent example. What kind of example is having several children with different women, or even one with one, and not taking part in their upbringing, neither through physical presence or financial support? Unpaid child support runs in the millions of dollars. The women are partly to blame too, with lax morals, having children with different men, most of them low life, unemployed, with no good intentions. Our young people have to learn to take responsibility for their actions. But how can they when the role models we’re dishing up are the so called celebs who are in and out of jail and /or drug rehab, short lasting illicit relationships, while making the most money, living the most luxurious lifestyle but have little or no education or common sense? How can you expect a youngster to believe in education or morals when the few who do, are often belittled and ridiculed.? Friends, it all boils down to respect for ourselves and each other, which derives from our commitment to God and obedience to His dictates. When John wrote ‘I have no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth,’ he was referring to a group of believers he had mentored and was glad to hear they were living their faith in a good manner. I found it a very appropriate Bit for Father’s Day. We can ask nothing better from our children. But Fathers, that requires a deliberate commitment to a long process, involving financial support and some physical presence in your children’s lives. By trying to set a good example, by admitting mistakes, giving up things that don’t jive with the the LOVE we’re teaching for God, ourselves and our neighbours. And most important Fathers, please, I implore you; TEACH THEM TO PRAY. It will stand them in good stead all their lives. Much LOVE!…if we follow the Father…our children probably will too…
SCRIP-BITS 