Columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. grew up with a father he
describes as physically present but emotionally absent. In his first book on
parenting, Pitts openly chronicles his struggle to come to terms with his
alcoholic father and the climate of fear he had created in their home. Pitts
challenges all men to resolve the resentment toward their absent or abusive
fathers instead of passing it on to the next generation.
There's a passage in Hebrews 12 that applies to all
Christians, but it has special relevance to dads. It reads: "Pursue peace
with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking
carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of
bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled"
(vv.14-15).
Think of what could happen in our families if we emptied our
hearts of bitterness and made peaceful relationships our goal! If we have been
blessed with a wise and loving father, we should be grateful and follow his
example. But if our father has failed us, we must rely on God's grace, resolve
our anger toward him, and strive to be the kind of dad we never had. It won't
be easy, but with our heavenly Father as a perfect example, we can learn to be
good dads.
A faithful father leads by love with tender firmness from
above, for he himself has learned from God The lessons of His chastening rod.
A good father reflects the love of the heavenly Father.
Come and see
“Can anything good
from Nazareth?” Philip answered, “Come and see.” John 1:46
Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Come and see.
See Wilberforce fighting to free slaves in England . . .
Journey into the jungles and hear the drums beating in praise
. . .
Venture into the gulags and dungeons of the world and hear the
songs of the saved refusing to be silent. Come and see.
Evangelism
"Continuing instant in prayer (Rom. 12:12). The Greek is
a metaphor taken from hunting dogs that never give over the game till they have
their prey." - Thomas Brooks
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