Happy FATHERs Day…what is in a name?

Depending on the version of the bible you read FATHER is mentioned about 950+ times. Have you ever wondered why it is used so many times? What is truly in the name FATHER? As we all celebrated Father’s Day last Sunday I thought it fitting to write on that very subject. You see, I was the bad example and not deserving of the wife I have until I learned five core responsibilities that I will blog about. You have to open your mind to the truth and be willing to obey. The Father’s role is not an easy one by any means. So here we go…the five responsibilities.

First, he is a leader. Nowhere is it plainer than in the qualifications to be an overseer. 1 Timothy 1:2-5; Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?). Unfortunately, in today’s world, the father thinks he is the leader of the house, and mom may even let him believe it. In reality, she manages nearly everything! Father’s don’t even know what’s going on and sadly some don’t even care or even enjoy the arrangement. Let me wipe my hands of my responsibilities so I can enjoy ESPN, etc they say. The wife decides what the kids will and will not do. She is the disciplinarian. She checks all the homework, does the teacher conferences etc. Where is the Father? Is he the yelling figure in the background? Nice presence to have huh?  Fathers leading means providing for the family with food, clothing, shelter, medical care, instruction, discussions about the bible, worship and encouraging church involvement. I am in no way saying a Father should lead as a dictator, iron hand, making every decision and doing everything himself. He recognizes his wife’s abilities and encourages her to develop them and use them.

Second, he is a Spiritual leader. Far too often Father’s just don’t care about the spiritual things or are too scared to start and the mother takes the lead, leaving the kids with the impression that involvement in church is for the woman to do. Drop the PRIDE, stand up and become the spiritual leader of your home. Father’s should be in PRAYER over all their decisions.

Third, he is a good lover. He must love his wife with an unselfish, forgiving love, a love that transcends all love except for God himself. That means that after God your wife comes first in your life--before you, before your boss, before your friends, before your brother’s in Christ, even before your children. And those very children will be the beneficiaries of your faithfulness. Your love for their mom, openly expressed, will give them a sense of satisfaction and security that nothing else in this world can provide. So, Father’s, take your wife out for dinner periodically. Bring her something that says “I love you.” Spend time talking about the things that are burdening her. Be sensitive to her needs and live to meet those needs. If she’s had a frustrating day, cheerfully encourage her. Don’t mock her or argue in your kid’s presence.

Fourth, he is a disciplinarian. Fathers who rule by force and fear will produce angry rebellious or worse a child that feels unworthy and completely rejected. Good discipline begins with self-discipline, not with a loud mouth or a lot of muscle. Offering spirit-directed discipline is the way.

Fifth, he is a companion. I am not saying a PAL. Fathers have made fools of themselves palling around with their kids and trying to do everything they do, often to the embarrassment of the younger children. By companion I mean comrade, confidant, and friend.

A boy particularly needs to know his Father. His Father represents the man he will become--the husband he will be to his wife, the father he will be to his children, the provider he will be for his family, the leader he will be in his church. He needs an example to follow, a model to identify with, and a Father he can be proud of. Sons will repeat patterns set by their Fathers. That’s a scary thought, isn’t it?

Daughters too need to know their Fathers. A girl learns from her Father what men are like. He represents the husband she will one day marry, the Father of her children. So, become the kind of husband you want your daughter to marry. If Fathers deprive their daughter’s companionship, the resentment she feels will be transferred to other men.

So those are my five core responsibilities...

Lastly, let me name off a few of the greatest Father’s in the bible (My opinion of course):

Noah
Abraham

Isaac

Jacob

Saul

David

Job

Did I get your curiosity up…do some simple research on each of these Fathers, yes you will find faults but in history they are the biggest names of our time.

So Father’s I hope you enjoyed your day! Remember what a FATHER truly is.

The choice is yours!

Seasons Are Like Puzzles

Puzzles; we have at some point in our lives put one together, or tried and got angry and put the pieces back in the box and shelved it for later, sold it in a garage sale, or donated it to the Thrift Store, Goodwill or Salvation Army. They can be 10, 500, 5,000 pieces. Regardless of the size as you take them out of the box and look at them for the first time, you wonder how it will all fit together. I always jump in and find the corner pieces. As the pieces are spread out you start looking at the edges of each individual piece to see what will fit together. Soon, a picture develops, yes we see it on the front of the box, but imagine for a minute if you didn’t see the picture on the front of the box, nor had it at all. Would you be curious or frustrated?

Now, think of the pieces of this puzzle as events happening in the Seasons of your life. Seasons in this case are not the typical Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. These are Season’s God has you go through in your life. We have all gone through them and yes there are more on the way. They can be long, short, stormy, calm, and yes even tranquil, it is all up to God. Each one, he develops in his unique way just like a puzzle. Imagine how many puzzle pieces he has to deal with each day? What if he has the same reaction we do with puzzles…he tried to put it together, but got angry and shelved it for later? Or worse donated it? If you sit back and think about it, it is scary. He will never do that, but I think you get the picture.

Our job is to realize he has put us in certain Season’s for a reason and when he is done putting the puzzle together the Season will be revealed. Realize too that he might start another puzzle before the previous one is complete. Have you ever had multiple puzzles going at once? He has billions! Do you have full FAITH and TRUST he knows what he is doing or are you going to try to put the puzzle together YOUR way? Be careful he might put you in a box and shelf you for later!

The choice is yours.

Running Stats for the Month of May...with a bit of a surprise!

Well the month of May brought a few let’s just say changes. May was supposed to be a quiet month, no planned races, and a normal route of afternoon runs. Well that all changed in the middle of the month. I developed a sore knee and was forced to rest it the last part of the month. I learned a few stretching exercises that truly helped my legs. I have started a strength training workout to develop my legs. This I hope will help during the Fall running season.

So here are the final numbers for May:

Ran: 10 miles

Biked: 17.81 miles

Walked: 32 miles

Not too bad considering.