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So what is that thing that fathers do so well, and that we all can employ as men to help the next generation?
The Father Factor
I
f you’re a father, you’re an asset, not
single mothers [typically]. That is, kids raised
simply to your family, but to the world.
by dad tend to anticipate difficulty and
The type of rearing a father gives his
achieve in spite of it. Whereas kids raised by
children makes for a better society at large. In
mom only look for father figures elsewhere
fact, the studies show that families lead by a
that can teach them how.
single father are better off than those lead by
Father Love So what is that thing that fathers do so well,
Love’, that unique discipline from a man
and that we all can employ as men to help the
rearing his children in justice and love. Where
next generation? I’m convinced it’s, ‘Father
is it in the bible?
The type of rearing a father gives his children makes for a better society at large.
God proclaimed Jesus as “his beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Then He immediately cast that beloved son into the wilderness for a brutal testing. Jesus rebuked adoring crowds, calling them “a wicked and perverse generation.” Christ ridiculed his own disciples, calling them “dull” (more accurately translated, “stupid.”) Jesus called a desperate Canaanite woman and her people “dogs.” God struck dead a couple that made a generous gift to the church after they fudged on the amount Of course we can’t forget the Pharisees, Jesus’ perennial foil. The Gospels contain page after page of stinging rebukes, curses and condemnations for these religious know-it-alls.
This is how God treated people he
What’s going on here? How could God be so
deeply loved. He dealt with them through
mean to people he loved so intently? People
deprivation, rebukes, insults and even death.
he wanted to bless? People whose
repentance he sought? He was practicing
men crave father love. Why do they join the
father love. When Jesus swung the whip and
football team? The Army? Street Gangs? The
cleared the temple? Father love. When he
mosque? These are among the few venues
called the Pharisees “whitewashed tombs?�
where men can still find the unyielding style of
Father love. When he accused his dinner host
love they are not getting at home.
of murdering the prophets? Father love. Father love is like a vaccination: it causes
momentary pain, but promotes long-term health. We hate to be on the receiving end of
a needle, but we know we need it. Young
Make up your mind to be a father type
leader first in your home and then abroad. And if our research is any sign, the world will
be a better place.
What advice do you have for dads who’ve separated from their child’s mother?
Q
A
staying engaged in the lives of your children
in spite of the women you currently date. This means you don’t move five states away or live
R
as though you’re a single man with no
than many of us are in the same predicament
goes by that your kids don’t hear from, see
[1 Cor 10:13]. There is nothing wrong with
you, or are able to if they wanted.
ealize you’re not alone. Connect
children. Your sons and daughters are a part
with other men who are working to
of you now and God expects you to live
be godly dads and you’ll soon learn
accordingly. There shouldn’t be a day that
your situation, you surely can’t control whether or not a woman decides to stay with
you or may be the reason the breakup happened, but in either case, what’s done is
done and your response is your new responsibility. Your focus must now be
But most importantly, get before God on
just what He would have you do in particular to be the father He knows you can be. He,
more than anyone, understands what it means to be a father who’s temporarily separated from His kids.
Bulletins If you’re interested in being commissioned for the 2014-2015 process email Gmen at Gmen@mobcc.org Connect with us online by clicking here.
Events Our commissioning ceremony is on June 22nd after 3rd service
Scripture Deuteronomy 1:29-31 The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place."
Thought Father love is like a vaccination: it causes momentary pain, but promotes long-term health.