If anybody that thinks the Bible is too old to speak to the problems of our day, then it's proof he's never read much of it. For example, Proverbs deals with all kinds of timeless issues because human nature doesn't change. That's why we need to read the book of Proverbs. It speaks to life. I've taken many young men through it. Monday we noted that Proverbs is presented as a father urging wise, skillful living upon his son. 20 times in the first section of the book (ch.1-9), "my son(s)" is used. Right near the beginning of the book, the father directly speaks to his son. Three times in 1:8-19 he says, "my son." It sounds like what he has to say is of utmost importance. So let's read his vital words of advice now in 1:8-19. (Wow! A warning against joining gangs! How up to date!)
I grew up in Michigan, far from any gangs, though I came to Chicago as a youth missionary in gang-banging Humboldt Park. "Whachubeabout?" If you grew up around gangs, maybe your dad or mom warned you to stay away from them. Or maybe not.
1.-My dad was not a man given to giving advice as we see this father doing so often in Proverbs. My dad had his faults, but he also modeled some great traits. Some of you may have grown up with no dad or a very bad dad. But rather than staying bitter, we can choose to forgive and get better. Even the 10 commandments remind us to "honor your father and mother." So what's one thing you could say in honor of your father? You can start by sharing his hurtful faults if that helps. With your permission, I'd like to share your stories with teenage guys that will be joining us down the road. So please write with them in mind.
Many of you have made peace with your past. But you will meet men who have tried to bury their bitterness. It doesn't work. Hopefully you can help such a man forgive those who have painfully wronged him, so he can get free and move forward.
If it's been a long time since you verbally honored your father, why not seek to pay honor to him this week, if he is still living?
2.-Write out Prov.1:8 on your MP3 card.
1:9 speaks of honor being bestowed and worn on the obedient son. I look forward on Sunday to bestowing rightful honor on many of you. Be unstoppable!
Young men and old need to be a part of a good gang, a band of brothers. It is not good for man to be alone. Yet so many men are lone strangers. So keep seeking to enrich and enlist others to join our life changing group versus a life taking group.
Announcements
Please pray for Roger's wife Julie. She is having surgery today to remove half of her thyroid gland that was found to have a benign nodule on it. Please pray that the surgery will go well and that both Julie and Roger will have peace through this whole process.
I commend the men on today's fire team- Sam, Gary, Israel, Daniel and Oscar. Please give a word of encouragement to Guillermo and Lucas who were MIA on the blog yesterday. If those two are in your fire team, please contact them as well.
Here's a late edition add on illustrating- "Do not forsake your mother's teaching." This Baltimore mom was determined to keep her son from joining in with the wrong crowd!
1. My dad was person that was filled with a lot of anger and was very hard to please. I don't ever remember him telling me that he was proud of me or ever building me up with words. He actually did the total opposite.
ReplyDeleteThe one positive thing that I do remember about him is that he was a hard worker. He always took his job seriously and with responsibility which in turn gave me a good example to follow when it comes to work.
As I got to know God I got to experience His love and realized that I was very valuable to Him, so much that he sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for me. All of that void and need to be accepted by my dad disappeared as I allowed God to fill that emptiness with His joy and love.
Thank you Lord for your salvation and transforming power.
Oh wow Roger, you are so gracious. I never would have guessed you had such a dad. Christ has marvelously transformed you!
DeletePS- Woke up praying for Julie.
Praying for your wife: Lord you are the Great Physician I pray that you give the doctors wisdom as Julie goes for the surgery, guide their hands, be with Jack in Jesus name Amen.
DeleteYes God's transforming power is amazing.Amen Roger and also praying for Julie.
DeleteBrother Roger, I'm sorry you had that experience. We can thank God that He is our perfect Father and as Psalm 27:10 says "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me."
Delete1.I was around 10 years old when my father and mother separated.Growing up I had memories of having to go out and sit in the car to visit with him. My mother would not let him in the house. I thank my father for coming to this country and bringing his family to Chicago. Although he was not there to raised us the opportunity to live here in Chicago was good for our family.
ReplyDeleteGeorge thank you for sharing that important part of your life. I am sure glad that we serve our Heavenly Father together. I really appreciate your prayers. Thank you.
DeleteYes, George thanks for sharing. You're a great man George. I met a fellow fire fighter. I was at the gym wearing the shirt you gave me and he said is that your house and I kindy smiled and told him it was a gift from you. Guy said his name was Jim and that he drove you from 2 or 3 years...but had nothing but good words of you. : )
DeleteBrother George, I'm sure that through your experience you've made a stronger effort to be the father to your children that yours couldn't be.
DeleteDespite the trauma, God shines through you George So glad that your dad did bring you to Chicago.
Delete1. Dave thank you for bringing this up, verbally honor your father, pay honor to Him.
ReplyDeleteI know my dad as a hard-working man. Diligent, strong, a protector, disciplinarian. I have a lot of respect for my father. When I was 18, he walked out and my family and I. This was one of the darkest most difficult times in our family. I resented him, lost respect for him. He divorced my mom and took everything he had and spent it all. Little did we know this situation that broke our family, would be a major factor that busted our hearts and lead us to the cross. To make a long story short, God's redemptive hand was at work. He brought my father back into the picture. He was at rock-bottom, bi-polar, depressed, ashamed, guilty, he lost everything. I still remember the day my mom got the call. My dad was staying at a motel close by...i never seen my dad more broken, in fact I hesitated for a long time to even enter the room. I didn't want to see him like that, thay wasn't the man I knew as my father. My mom agreed to have him come back, only if he was willing to get help. Months in and out of rehab, counseling, my dad finally was showing signs of recovery. But with his depression he wouldn't want to do anything. We were attending a Christian church at the time, but it had recently closed due to lack of financial support. My parents were recommended to a support and recovery group at NL Oak Forest. That's how we found NL. We were in between three locations for the first year, Oak Forest, Midway and Tri-taylor. Ended up settling on Midway. After a year God really got a hold of my heart through another series of events and I finally bowed down In surrender. But little by little God's redemptive hand has been restoring and healing my family. I made a bold step at my first mens retreat and forgave my father for everything that happened. I felt like that changed the dynamic of our relationship big time. Little by little my dad has been growing in the Lord and he is just a complete 180 from 6 years ago. It's amazing but I know it's all God. I love my dad very much and super proud of the journey he has taken. He was involved in the wrong things growing up, but made sure my brother and I stood away from all that. Definitely try to encourage my dad when I can. Actually was on my heart yesterday to reach out to him more. So this comes at a great time. Thanks Dave and thanks be to God for His continuing restorative powers.
Wow Eddie awesome testimony. Thanks for sharing how to forgive. Your dads a hard and committed work. Had a good time working with him.
DeleteThank you for sharing your testimony, very uplifting and encouraging to see how God continues to work in your family.
DeleteBrother Eddie, what a wonderful story of restoration and reconciliation. When I see you with your family at service it fills me with joy :-)
DeleteGreat to see God's redemption and forgiveness. God bless you and your family
DeleteI could cry Eddie! What a tremendous testimony of God's transforming grace in your family. Thank you for sharing!
Delete1. Growing up my dad always encouraged me to stay strong in my faith. He always asked how my walk was going and pointed out when I was wrong. I don't really know if I would still believe if it wasnt for that man. I'm blessed to have such an awesome man of god as my father.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome James. Father's are important. Excited to see you lead and have an impact in fatherhood in the future! You're gonna make a great dad.
DeleteBrother James, you're greatly blessed to have such a great father. I have no doubt you follow in his examples and footsteps :-)
DeleteSo glad I know your dad, James. My son had your dad as his substitute Sunday school teacher. Sometimes your dad would get asked at the last minute to fill in for an absent teacher. David told me that your dad would come into the classroom and pray that God would give him the story and lesson to teach, then God would give him a great lesson. :)
DeletePlease greet him for me.
Well this is a life experience that I have not over come and still live in fear of it and anger and resentment that I don't know how to handle or even think about handling I guess, I get extremely emotional.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately my father did the same thing he did to my and my first sister, to my little sister so kinda like a double whammy of lack of courage and commitment and LOVE. I'm sorry but that's all I have for today.
Copied on my MP3 and only God knows when my feelings and emotions will change. My daughters have asked at times but I don't know what to properly say.
Brother Guillermo, I'm sorry to hear that. I can't imagine just how difficult it must be for you to process the emotional hurts. But I know that you have made a conscious effort to be a great father to your own daughters. I hear it in your voice when you mention them, just how precious and loved they are by you!
Delete2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
I pray that God will restore you brother. I think of it this way. Had I not gone through what my father and mother put me through, I might not be a good father and example for my children. Sounds like you a good father yourself.
DeleteJeremy Camp - He Knows (Lyric Video)
https://youtu.be/OsccUg4TDd8
Matthew West - Story Behind the Song "Forgiveness"
https://youtu.be/wz3tkHv5sbg
Glad we could text early this morning a bit about this Guillermo. As I mentioned before, please call me anytime. Let's talk. You are surrounded by a band of brothers that care about you and have had to work though hurts as well. Now matter how great yours may be God's grace to forgive and live in freedom is far greater. We're here for you.
DeleteThanks guys sooner or later I will be relieved of those feelings and yes I try really hard to be the best father I can be to my daughters regardless of my situations. God bless all of you
DeleteI'm the youngest offspring of my father in his second attempt at a family. He was reared without the benefit of a father and the only child to my grandmother. I have a lifetime of memories of him, mostly good but some bad. Much like Jacob with his son Joseph in Genesis 37:3, my father loved/favored me more than any of my siblings, because I had been born to him in his old age. As a result, my siblings felt less loved. To this very day, there's not a family gathering where I'm not reminded by them of my privileged position. To which all I can reply, that none of us had a choice or input as to when or where we'd be born.
ReplyDeleteI have early memories of being loved & showered with affection. I held him in high esteem & in my eyes he could do no wrong. In my formative years, I virtually worshiped the ground he walked on. But like any person, he had his faults to which I was either too young and/or in denial of such. In my eyes, he was my superman.
As the years passed, I began to see flaws, kinks in his armor & realized that he too was struggling through life. He went on to be with the Lord on 9/13/07 after battling cancer, he was a man of great faith. He instilled in me Christian values and modeled what a man of God can be. While he was with us, I would honor him with respect. Regardless of where I was or who I was with (even when being around my street thug friends) I would greet him with a hug and kiss. OH HOW I WISH I COULD DO SO THIS VERY MOMENT!!!! All I can do now is honor him with my words and the occasional visit to his grave site.
I thank God for your father Robert. He sounds like an amazing man. I love how you speak highly of him and you still honor him. Im sure he is looking down at you and that you have made him proud.
DeleteI am so glad Robert that you had a good father who loved you and that you so loved him. That's the way it should be, but sadly so many men have not had that. May the Lord continue to use you to strengthen others. GBY!
DeleteThanks for sharing Robert.
DeleteThanks for already texting me back Guillermo and your willingness to call me when you're free.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a horrible father. I think you will find that other men came out of bad backgrounds as well. Perhaps not as bad as yours, but the same cure works for all- forgiveness. Not that your dad deserves it, but because forgiveness of others is a gift we give to ourselves. It is the only cure that works. It is what Christ did for unworthy sinners like ourselves.
My Dad struggled with drug addiction and so did my mother. My Dad sold a lot of drugs and our home was the party house. I saw him be violent toward my mom and others. As i got older i started shooting heroin and smoking crack on my own and eventually started using with him. He cried the first time i asked to use with him but he gave in and we became using buddies. As my addiction progressed, my mom, dad, sister and i would get high together everyday at the kitchen table at dinner time while my 3 year old nephew was running wild through the house. The drugs were our dinner.
ReplyDeleteLong story short, I eventually gave my life to Christ and was able to get clean. With Gods guidance, i was able to see that my Dad was a great man, that had made some very bad choices. Sin controlled his life and he was stuck. I also realized that if i had continued using i would have probably made the same choices with my kids (that i had years later). Even tho my Dad was an addict he still did the best he could to take care of his family. He taught me how to ride a bike, play basketball and baseball, he would sit me on his lap and teach me math with flash cards, he was the coach on my little league baseball team, he did a lot for me and i will be forever grateful for him.
He passed away last month due to cirrhosis of the liver, caused by the drugs. I no longer care about the mistakes that he made, i just try to learn from them. I look back at all the good times I had with him and it makes me smile. God has helped me to forgive, understand, appreciate, and love him unconditionally. I love you Dad. (I just teared up at work) Thank you Jesus!
Brother Philip, my heart goes out to you. My deepest condolences for your loss. By your accounts I see your father attempted to do his best at living a normal life and love you. I'm glad you're able to appreciate his efforts "With Gods guidance, i was able to see that my Dad was a great man, that had made some very bad choices. Sin controlled his life and he was stuck."
DeleteYou're in my heart, thoughts and prayers brother, thanks for candidly sharing your experience.
Oh wow Phil! Thanks for sharing. You are a walking miracle of what God has not only brought you through, but also how he has given you a heart of forgiveness and love for your dad. Glad I could be at his memorial service with you.
DeleteThank you for sharing brother. I pray that we see our fathers through God's eye.
DeleteThanks for sharing Phil.
DeleteMy father left my mother when I was nine years old. At the age of twelve I had to make a tuff decision and that was to leave my mother and go live with my father. I asked my grandmother if I could live with her but she said she was going through a nervous break down and could not take care of me. I really did not want to live with my father but I knew I could not live with my mother anymore. My mother kept meeting men that would beat her in front of me and try to beat me but my mother would shield me. She did not have the resources to sustain both of us. My father was a hard working man all his life. He could not read and write and still doesn't. He got drunk every weekend and still does. He only showed me physical and verbal love three times in my life. Twice when he was drunk and once when my nephew and niece die in a fire. Don't get me wrong I do love my earthly father but I will always love my Heavenly Father a lot more. I have told my father I loved him on several occasions as well. I recently made a commitment to call my father once a week and go to his house once a month.
ReplyDeleteThe two things I learned from my father was not to drink alcohol and how to work on my houses. The one thing I struggle with is showing my children the fatherly love they deserve. I have gotten better throughout their life's but it's still a struggle.
The funny thing about todays blog is when I moved into my father's apartment it was right across the street from Humboldt Park. Gangs were trying to recruit me but I remained strong and did not join. At the age of ten while at my cousin who was a Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty, funeral I made a commitment to be come a Police Officer. That commitment was reached and I retired last year after 27 years of service with the Chicago Police Department.
Life is great when God is in the center of it.
Wow Mike! God has brought you through so much. Thanks for your honest sharing and allowing God's love to flow through you to your father. I was in Humboldt Park from 1981-88. How about you?
DeleteThanks for sharing Mike!
DeleteDave I resided in the Humboldt Park area from 1976 to 1979. My father was there from 1973-1979. I use to go to his apartment on the weekend before I moved in with him.
Delete1) my father is alive today, he came from Mexico and worked his way to owning a business for a short time and a small trucking company. He never came to understand the inportance of education and saving. He understood hard work and so I never got to grow up with him really in my life even though we live together I still rarely see him it's one of those things I got use too. I had many male figures in my life to help me get through life. My dad is man that gives thanks to God for everything he has and he has passed that on to me.
ReplyDeleteAndre, The 1 gift he gave you is important and I am sure it will continue to help you grow further in your relationship with the Lord. God Bless you
DeleteAndre, I'm so glad you learned from your father gratitude to God, rather than being bitter. I agree with Jack's good words as well.
DeletePrayer request update: thank you very much for your prayers, they were surely felt and thank God for his presence throughout this day. Surgery went well, we are now at home and Julie is resting. Thank you once again to my brothers. It is such an honor and privilege to serve our Lord and Savior with all of you.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know my father personally. He committed adultery against his wife with my mother and that's how I came about. He did however financially support his wife and children in mexico. He was in a partnership with his brothers they owned the aragon ball room, it seems he was a good businessman. Last I herd He was 86 and retired.
ReplyDeleteUgh! You have undoubtedly struggled and overcome much Antonio. I am do glad you came about. You are wanted by God your Father.
DeleteThanks for sharing Antonio. I'm glad you drew lines in the sand and are working on having a strong healthy marriage and being involved in your children's lives.
DeleteMy Father was a very good Man he was a hard working man, strong protector, good provider and disciplinarian which was a good thing it help me be the man I am today
ReplyDeleteThe only thing was my Father was 54 years old when I was born so we didn't spend
to mush time together cause he worked 2 jobs. So I and all my brothers and sister
Known is that are father love us. He was catholic and believe in God but like most man
don't go to church much but he was big on family being together, my Farther and mother
Stay together until they both went to be with the lord. That why I try to be like my Farther
But I went to give my children and grandchildren to know God and teach them about God.
Thank you for sharing this part of your life. I am fully confident that with your dedication to God you will continue to point your children and grandchildren in the path of righteousness.
DeleteI too am glad you had a good father whom you love and respect. What a great gift! And I appreciate your desire to pass on such love to your children and grandchildren.
DeleteMy father passed away at the beginning of this year and it still feels likely was yesterday. He had been very sick for the past year. I am thankful though that he was saved, and had been for over 26 years! My father had a very rough upbringing and was involved in gangs and violence. He had given it all up before I was born, but he was a struggling alcoholic. He gave his life to
ReplyDeleteChrist when I was about 13 years old. He was actually a part of new life since they were on 44th n Paulina and brother Dave garret actually mentored him. He was a strong believer of Christ and did all He could to instill it in our lives as well. He always started his day with a reading and held bible studies as well. I can go on but it still pains me to speak of him in past tense, but I will say he was a great father, husband and grandfather and especially a great soldier for Christ.
I'm glad I knew your dad Rich and had a small part of spiritual influence in his life, including the Bible studies in your home. I'm also glad that you have such love for him.
DeleteThank you Dave for this topic today and Praise God for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely say that may father was present persistent and encouraging. While I was not completely equipped with everything that was needed before he passed away, I believe he left the importance of commitment and staying resilient in the Dark places as well as instilling a correct attitude through discipline when my brother and I would make mistakes. Also it was his spearheading\leadership that moved my family to first go to Church many years ago.
Did it
I'm smiling Gary reading your words. So glad for you and your positive perspective. I'm confident that you will be a very loving dad.
Delete1. My dad was a link in the generational alcoholic chain which also included adultery--for generations they were abusive.
ReplyDeleteMy dad continued this horrific lifestyle and didn't change until he was retired and aged significantly. I forgave him!
But the good that came out of my dad was that he removed us from the gang environment that he did want more for his children and was determined to accomplish that goal. We did get out of that environment, which led to exposure to a much better environment with exposure to professionals and less violence. he did push us to advance in education and have motivation to live a more righteous life than he had exposure to--and he did repent and accept Jesus as his Savior on his death bed.
Wow!
2. Did it
Wow is right Jack! How the Lord has broken that cycle now through Christ in your life. You are loved and admired.
DeleteI can't complain. My Dad continues to do the best he can for us. Migrating from Mexico when he was a teenager, he was always a hard worker and determined to succeed.in the United States. He grew up Catholic like myself, and started going to New Life around the same time I went. He started going because of my mom and I started going because of my wife. I'm lucky that he is still around for my kids to know him.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lord for Chuy, his dad, and the way you have been working in their lives. Use Chuy to make a godly impact on many people Father.
Delete1) I guess the one thing about my dad I would honor is his commitment to God. He is just relentless in his faith in God. He used to drink a lot and he was a man who would fight anyone who looked at him the wrong way. Now that is just a bit of what he was. I have seen Gods mighty work in his life. I want to pass my deep desire for God to my children. That they may see Gods mighty work in my life.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to know how much the Lord has changed your dad Vince. It's good to see you and him together in church. And I truly believe that our Father is going to use you to influence many other men. He already has been.
DeleteMy father, Hugo, is my role model of what a man should be like. He loved God fervently and dedicated his whole life to ministering as an evangelist, a missionary, a pastor and as a father. He showed me how to be a man that loves God and loves people. His patience, kindness, and care were always evident, as was his ready smile and hearty laugh. For my entire life, I would wake up in the morning and see him in the living room on his knees, having been up from very early reading the word and praying. To this day, I am convinced that his years of prayers over my life and that of my wife and my children are responsible for the grace and blessings over me and my loved ones, during good times and most definitely during trying times. I still feel his love and in quiet moments, I speak to him and I pray that I am making him proud.
ReplyDeletePraise God that your father was such a godly example to you and your family Daniel. Your testimony highly honors him.
DeleteWow! What a great tribute Daniel! I'm sure he is proud of you. What great fruitfulness is going to come in and through your life as you continue in Him.
DeleteSo glad to about those super dads. What a great example to follow. I pray that there will be more like him. You are certainly following in his footsteps.
Delete1) My Dad departed this world this past October, 2014. He fathered 8 children, of which I am the oldest. I and most of his offspring have wonderful childhood memories of our Dad. In order to marry my mother, he converted to become Roman Catholic and made a vow to never to turn away from that religion. I saw at a young age, that my father's faith was real in what he believed. At mass he would sing those Catholic hymns loudly with all his heart. He volunteered on Sunday's (his only day off from work) using his skills as a store manager to be an usher and help count the offerings after each service. This made a lasting impression on me. I noticed that this man, who I admired, was very serious about belief in God and going to church. It encouraged me also to believe in God and be God fearing. I carried that with me into the military service where God began to call me to truly know Him. My Dad was very hard working and very honest. Those are two traits that I have learned from him and still strive to practice.
ReplyDelete2) Did It
Dave, that's a wonderful tribute to your dad. You gave him good reason to be proud of you. And your wife and children are proud and love you much as well, just to mention a few.
Delete1. I grew up with my stepfather and we had a good friendship . He passed two years ago due to diabetes. He was an outdoor man and also played in a band. He taught me how to work on cars and would take me fishing every summer. My mother left my biological father when I was still a little boy. I reunited with my father after God touch my heart to forgive my father for whatever he did (abandonment). I visit my father every other year when I make plans to go to Mexico on vacations. After I learned that God was my real father and had been with me through my childhood and through my youth, I was free to seek the love of my biological father without any hard feelings. I was a young man ready to embraced my father, just how God embrace me despite my many sins. I thank God I am free to care and love my dad and God, Amen.
ReplyDelete2. Did it. Prov.1:8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Great words Oscar- "After I learned that God was my real father and had been with me through my childhood and through my youth, I was free to seek the love of my biological father without any hard feelings."
DeleteMy father passed away in 2011. He was an alcoholic who quit drinking when I was older and not living in the same house. I got a good work ethic from him, even though he was an alcoholic he still got up and went to work every day. Growing up I don’t remember spending a lot of quality time with him but I remember driving into the city to visit his mother and him chaperoning camping trips with the Boy Scouts. In the last couple of years I’ve realized that I should have made more of an effort to spend time with him. After he quit drinking I was still resenting things from the past which I should have let go long before I did.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you George. As i read your post, one verse comes to mind, Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." We have peace with God! May the Lord use you, as a man of God, in countless lives for the sake of the Gospel.
DeleteMy father and my mother separated when I was two.Alcoholism, unfaithfulness, abuse and who knows what else between them ended the marriage. My older siblings and I were shipped off to Mexico to be bounced around with family members until I was nine. My father called for us and we were back in Illinois. I remember my father working all the time. I also remember his abusive discipline and his drunkenness. I remember eating cereal for dinner at times. One of the reasons we survived was because we lived with his brother and wife's family. I still remember when the police arrested my father for what he did to my sister. My sister actually forgave him before I ever did. We ended up in a foster home and eventually with my mother. My step-father was a good man. He was kind and treated me like his own. He also had some faults (drinking, abusive (physically & emotionally)) towards my mother.Unfortunately, he passed away about a year after I met him of stomach cancer. The next guy that came in to my life was not fatherly at all but at least he treated my mother better. I grew up with him through my high-school years and there was no love for or from him. My brothers and I all got into physical confrontations with him.I have to give him credit for helping us out financially and loving my mother. I have to say that I have a good work ethic partly due to my biological and step-father. I also have to give him credit for being man enough to apologize for his mistakes. I talk to him and see him a few times a year. The last conversation I had with him was about the past and how my mother was no saint. I told him that I had forgiven both of them and that we must move on. I thank God that He has given me resiliency and had I not been through that, I would not be the good father that I am. I have told my children that if something happens to me and I leave this earth, to thank God that they have had an earthly father for this long, since I certainly didn't growing up. I also tell them that we have our Heavenly Father to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteWow.... God bless you Sam. I am sure that you are an awesome dad with a very powerful influence in your kids lives :) I know for sure that you are an "Unstoppable Man of God" as well to so many other people, so keep on pursuing Christ with all of your heart, body, and soul, my brother :)
Delete1. My dad is a very good father to me and my siblings and a very good husband to my mother. He has always been hardworking and full of faith. In addition, he has always displayed love and respect for my mom, surprising her with gifts and taking her out on dates. He makes a lot of sacrifices for my entire family and me, and he has always modeled a good example for us . He did all this despite the fact that he himself was abandoned by his father when he was at a very young age. My entire family and I are very blessed to have him.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% Alex. Your dad has been an awesome Dad and husband to all of you and my sister. We are all truly blessed to have him in all of our lives :)
Delete1. I didn't have good father when i was growing up. He used to beat my brothers, sister, my mom and my self. He abused drugs and alcohol and continues to be an alcoholic today. He has always been a liar and never keeps his word. He never really supported us finically or emotionally. He is completely undependable and has a terrible anger problem and has only really made every situation worse. I had take the male role of the house hold at very young age. So I missed out on some of my childhood.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Lucas. I cannot even imagine what you may have gone through, as a young boy and as a young man, but one thing I do know, that God is good all the time. He truly does have a special plan for the remainder of your life, even though it may not be easy. My prayer is that God will help you to totally forgive your biological dad for his mistakes and sins against your family (if you have not already) and that God will help you to walk in the Power of the Spirit as you submit yourself to God and resist the devil. Keep your eyes on Christ, my dear brother!
DeleteMy dad, Reynaldo Fuentes, many of you know him at NL Midway, is one of the Most Awesome Men to ever walk the face of this earth, I truly mean that! Ask anyone who really knows him, and you will get the same answer :) As a non-believer, he divorced my mother when i was a young man due to his adultery. My dad was not always there growing up, but whenever he showed up, he still had the biggest influence in my life and always taught me, my brother's Steve and Rey and my sister Maricela to be hard workers in life and to always "Love" family. Throughout my entire life, my dad has always been my biggest cheerleader and because of his love for me, I am convinced that he made it easier for me to trust my Heavenly Father with my life.
ReplyDeleteMy dad came to know Christ at a much later date in his life, and his love for his family has only increased to the tenth degree. He loves being a Dad and especially a Grandfather!! This past Sunday, I was kidding around with many of my younger nieces and nephews, and I asked them if they would turn me in to the police if a $1,000 reward was given to them and they all said "Yes" ( I hope they were joking :) and then I asked them if they would turn in Papa, my Dad, for $ 1 Billion dollars and they all said "Never, Papa is priceless!!" I honestly cannot sum up in words what my Dad has meant to me and the influence he has had in my life for the good. Today, he stands as my best friend, an unbelievable example of Christ whom has so many Christlike characteristics, and as a Man after God's own heart! He truly is Priceless !!!
All true, I can attest to that, your father has always been a strong shoulder to lean on when I have needed a power boost. He is great and I love him. Thank you Rey for all your attentive concern.
DeleteI'm happy that God provided an awesome father for you. Its good to see the impact of a powerful man of God.
DeleteMy Father Vicente came from Mexico to Chicago in 1953, leaving behind my mom and my 4 older brothers because he was blacklisted in Monterrey and not able to find work. Worked in factories mostly at first and eventually send for my mother and brothers to join him 2 years later. A retired steel mill worker. Always working doing something around the house never relaxed, I think this was his way of being in his confine solitude away from interacting with anyone. My father loved us and never mistreated or hurt us, but as I look back I feel he just didn't know how to show any emotional love, he never once said I love you to any of us. I believe this was because his father was a alcoholic and never provided for his family which put the burden on my father at a early age to work and provide for his mother and younger siblings, my grandfather died from cirrhosis of the liver. I can see now how I was so disconnected from my fatherly duties, I was reliving my fathers life again through me, emotionless, not demonstrating any caring love to family, I am presently separated from my family since 8/2011 and going through divorce proceeding. This change has done some good, it has brought me to Christ my Lord Savior, I have repent and come clean of my sinful way and have been forgiven by my Fatherly God, who now instructs me on how to be a Godly father figure and a good person. I pray for my boy's that they can break the chain of bondage that has hindered me, my father and grandfather from expressing true fatherly and the caring love to there family.
ReplyDeleteMy father was and is a man of very few words. But one it comes to criticism especially to his own family oh would we never stop. My father a devoted and hard worker, he has been with same company for the last 40yrs. God willing, last year before he retires but also a perfectionist sort of speak ex: I remember growing up that's all we would do is work, I mean from the age of 8or9yrs everyweekend we would work on something whether it be construction remodeling,changing brakes on car,working Seward channel (he owns a building) or even on our vacation to mexico, he had us working out in the fields getting up at 5a.m ready to plow the fields,pick up crops or herd the animals... I took light of that because all I wanted to do is be with and next to my dad. I always said to myself "I want to be like my dad" such a man and provider.... but through all that he would constantly complain of how bad our works were and hit us or belittle us. He would be dissatisfied about everything we did including to himself, nothing was never good enough.. Thinking to myself as I got older "this man is never pleased and is always looking for a way to do it better, efficient.... Also another one is he was a heavy drinker. I used play baseball summer leagues and yes he would come to my games to see me play (I'm all happy he and family would come) but reflecting on it now he would come with his buddies to watch and to drink heavily and criticize us for playing. After the game he would come to me and just let me have it with my flaws and errors that he would point out only, and never say "I'm proud of you" actually still hasn't. .... All in all I am so thankful that I have a heavenly father who is exactly the opposite of my earthly father and has shown me compassion,love,mercy, and has shown me to love and always honor my dad in which I do. My dad is a man set in his ways but will continue to pray for him that he will one day see the mercy and grace of our Father and see His great love for us all.
ReplyDeleteOh Ismael, it pains me to read that. You are such a positive person. I never knew you had grown up in the shadow of such ongoing criticism. You are a cycle breaker and a legacy maker through Christ! Much admiration for you!
DeleteGod bless you bro. I know you will learn from your father and one day you will be a positive impact on your children.
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