Father's Day 2008 is Upon Us...

Father's Day has always been a weird day for me. My dad passed away when I was six years old...so I've never really had a father that I got to know. There was a span from age six to age thirteen where there wasn't a consistent father figure present. Therefore...I missed out on a lot of the things that a father would teach his son. Thus I've never really hunted, fished, got into sports. I had to learn all I know myself. My older brother filled that gap as much as he could...he would take me fishing, out hunting horns, hunting...but he wasn't into the sports stuff. My mom tried, but there is a definite necessity for a father in a child's life. I am a father though and this is my second Father's Day. I'm enjoying fatherhood. I'm making an effort to be around for my little girl.

This day set aside for father's got me thinking about some stuff from God's word.

I hope your Father's Day is a good one...have fun!

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.
Romans 8:15-16

I love the the way this is worded ...adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. We, as followers of Christ, are part of a family larger and greater than anything we can imagine. I pray that I can consistently ask "What's next, Papa?!" We are God's children and he's our Father. Therefore, we needn't worry about things. He's got things under control. He's got things planned for us that are better than what we can come up with...it's a matter of choice that we look to Him for what's next.

How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
Ephesians 1:3-6

This is just a reminder that He's got us in mind...and has had us in mind. So, again...we probably shouldn't waste our time worrying about too much.

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.
Ephesians 4:4-6

We need to remember to encourage each other...we're all headed down the same road and in the same direction. Now, this doesn't mean we all need to be the same necessarily, but we are all part of the family.

Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. "Honor your father and mother" is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, "so you will live well and have a long life." Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.
Ephesians 6:1-3

This is just one of those passages that you've probably heard in messages around Father's Day. It's a good reminder for living well and long...leading our kids in the way of the Master.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
Colossians 3:14-16

So...being part of this family...we are need to dress a certain way...compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, and discipline. If you notice, all of things are great things to use as filters for life.

So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."

You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.

Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.
1 Peter 1:16-21

We need to live a life energetic and blazing with holiness...I love that! God's a good father...as well as a responsible father. We need to remember this and look to Him for our future and present lives.