Father-Son

Over the past few days I have witnessed the special bond that can exist between a father and his son. I say 'can' because not all fathers and sons have that kind of relationship.

Sadly, some fathers couldn't care less about the children they sire. They were just interested in their own sexual gratification. They are just interested in themselves. A TRUE father is more interested in His wife and children than he is in his own welfare.

My wife and I watched our grandson play in a football game on Saturday. After the game our grandson couldn't wait to tell his dad about the whole thing, even though his dad had already watched the entire game. A special bond.

I played a few rounds of disc golf later that same day with a man and his nephew - a relationship similar to that of a father and his son. After we had finished playing, the older man said to me, speaking about BOTH of his nephews, "I can't tell you how much it means to me to be out here with these boys."

Many of today's societal issues could be eliminated all together if sons and fathers loved and respected one another.

Jesus and His Father are our perfect example of this ideal father-son relationship. Jesus was, and still is, very obedient to doing His Father's will.

And God the Father's relationship His Son?

"And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:17 - Matthew

I am grateful to have a good relationship with my son. And equally as grateful to see that same relationship exists between MY son and HIS son.

As I reflect back on my life I can remember similar relationships with fatherless sons in youth groups at church, encountered while playing disc golf, or while attending Christian music festivals.

Hen a father loves a son, and a son loves his father, the results are NEVER disappointing.

"The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands." - John 3:35

"For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does." - John 5:20

"I am in the Father and the Father is in me." - John 14:11

Walk With Me

Just one more picture for you this morning from the wedding I shot this past weekend. Looking out into the church parking lot I saw these two good-looking gents. What an incredible reminder for us today!

The first verse that popped into my head was Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

Then, after looking at this picture for a while, another "image" came to mind. That of Jesus carrying us through all of our struggles. It reminded me of the two sets of foot prints along the beach. Then there was only one set of foot prints, then two again. The one set of footprints in our walk with Jesus represents the times He carried us through them.

So I look at these two men, one big, one small. The man doing the carrying will do so willingly until the younger man is capable of walking through life's trials on his own. And still, the older will always be willing to support the younger. Always. Why?

Love.

It's also a picture of how God used to go walking through the garden with Adam. It's the way things SHOULD be. And will be again one day.

In The Garden - Alan Jackson

The Parable of The Faithful Servants

UPS delivery on Mackinac Island

As my wife and I sat eating our dinner in one of the many downtown restaurants on Mackinac Island I was impressed be the faithful behavior of two of the animals we saw.

One was an old, grey-muzzeled black lab who was walking along the sidewalk with his master. The leash was limp. There was no need for it really. Wherever his master went, he went. Whenever his master stopped, so did he. The dog was an amazing example of obedience.

The second example was a pair of horses hooked up to a freight wagon in front of our restaurant. Their driver was loading up empty LP tanks which the horses would then be hauling somewhere to be filled.

The horses just stood there, patiently. There were hundreds of people and bicycles flying around them in every direction, yet they stood still. Just their tails and heads moved to swat away the occasional fly.

When the load was ready the driver climbed aboard and with a quick click of the tongue and a tap with the reins, the horses were plodded off, pulling the wagon down the street. They had clearly done this before. They new the drivers commands and the obeyed.

Can we say the same in our obedience to God's commands? Are we always that obedient as we wait for God to answer our prayers or to tell us what He'd like us to do in a certain situation? Yeah, probably not.

I think we have a lot to learn from the example of obedient animals.

When the dog lies down at night he is fed and petted on the head. The horse is fed his oats and watered. They are both excellent examples of obedience. Their masters are also excellent examples of our Father in heaven - caring, loving and appreciative as they guide and train. So God is with us.

There are all kinds relationships. Husband and wife, the relationship between two best friends, the relationship between a servant and his master. Our relationship with God is ALL those things. May our relationships with Him be one of love, respect, obedience and faithfulness. If it is, our relationships, ALL relationships, will flourish.

"But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.' - Jeremiah 7:23

Obedience - An Essential Part of The Christian Life - Sade Burrell

Of Fathers and Sons

My wife and I just returned from a wonderful weekend in Michigan, visiting my side of our family. It was my mother's 90th birthday. Quite the cause for celebration!

Before we left home, I packed some clothes to wear. I packed the Compassion tee shirt you see me wearing in the picture standing next to my dad. I packed it specifically because of this photo of me and my father. Dad is no longer with us here on earth but I wanted to honor him this weekend - a time he always loved - with his family.

The men in our family went disc golfing on Saturday. I have played disc golf all of my adult life. Usually in these family contests I somehow manage to eek out wins over my closest competitors - my brother and my son.

This year however, my son beat me and quite handily too. Was I disappointed? No. I actually felt proud. There are times when we pass things on to the next generation and this weekend, for me anyway, was one of those times.

I'd like you to read a passage of scripture from 1st Chronicles 17 - God's Promise To David to hand down something to HIS son. This is God speaking to David through the prophet Nathan.

^"11 And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. ¹² He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. ¹³ I will be his Father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, as I took it from him who was before you. ¹⁴ And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.”’” - 1 Chronicles 17:11-14

Passing things on to the next generation is something to be valued. Treasured. It is an honor bestowed upon fathers - the command of God to teach our children. It brings us great joy when we see our children growing and ultimately surpassing us. What a challenge and an honor!

Before my wife and I left for the return trip home my grandson asked me to teach him to play paper football. My grandson was asking to learn something! Men, never pass up an opportunity to teach something to your child . . . or grandchild. Especially if they are willing.

And let us teach them in such a way that they will remember life's lessons for the rest of their lives. Just as our fathers taught us and their fathers taught them. And let us teach them with honor and in truth. In so doing we will honor our Father in heaven. And so may it be . . . with ALL Fathers and Sons.

Fishing With Father - A River Runs Through ItWhat Is That?
The Parable of The Lost Son - Luke 15

In Your Eyes

Driving through the darkness on my 45-minute morning commute to work can lead to some amazing thoughts as my mind wanders where it will. It can also be pretty boring!

I had slept in yesterday and was running late. The radio show I usually listen to was over so I groped around my car for a CD to listen to. God picked out a good one - The Book of John.

It was good to hear those stories again. Jesus and Nicodemus, turning water into wine, the woman at the well . . . but the story that touched my heart that day was from John 5. The story of a father's love for his son.

I invite you to look at this picture that my daughter-in-law took of her son and her husband - my son. What an amazing picture! It says a lot all by itself. I also invite you to read this passage from John 5, then take another look at the picture.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does" - John 5:19-20

Jesus was, of course, talking about HIS Father, Our Father in heaven. Jesus spent His whole life doing what His Father taught Him, speaking the words his Father wanted Him to say. The life that Jesus lived prompted God to say this about His Son.

“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." - Matthew 17:5

I look at this picture from a unique point of view - the father of the son (no capital letters). It's not hard to watch my son now, teaching HIS son, and not feel proud. This is MY son with whom I am well pleased.

Still, I find it hard to imagine God's love for us, that He would send His one and only Son, the Son He loved, to die on our behalf. If you think that God does not love you, think again.

Unless you have children it is hard to understand what self-sacrificing, unconditional love is. Walking around at 2:00 AM, carrying a child who has an ear infection or is colicky. Caring for a sick child, not caring in you yourself get sick. You only want your child to get well.

But to see your child, grown, and doing the same thing for their child. Loving THEM unconditionally . . . well, that is very special indeed. It kind of makes me wonder . . . how God must have felt, watching His Son honoring Him in all that He did.

So on this day I pray for all of the world's fathers as they teach their sons. May they do what is right in your eyes, God. I pray also for the sons. One day they will be fathers themselves, teaching their sons the same things. And may we all do what is right in your eyes, Father. May we make YOU proud of us in the way we live our lives. Always serving, always loving, always intentionally teaching our sons and daughters your ways, with the same unconditional love that you first showed us. This is how we will honor you, by living . . . in your eyes.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel
You Raise Me Up - Westlife