Dear SCC & Friends,
Honor your father and mother that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ~Ephesians 6:2-4
Update #67
I can’t tell how grateful I am for my Dad. I greatly respected him, and he was truly a man of steel and velvet. My father was raised in Valentine, Nebraska, a town of 1,500…cowboys, ranchers and everything else under the sun. He achieved many accolades…skipped 4th grade, Eagle Scout and President of his high school class all four years. I’m not going to write about his WWII heroics and other honors – Rather, I’d like to tell you about his senior prom. Yes, my Dad’s senior prom in 1938…He escorted the only African American girl in town to the prom solely for her not to feel left out and be honored as part of their class. He told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. ~Micah 6:8 My father was kind and I’ve tried to be kind as well. Kindness is underrated in our “carpe diem” battle to achieve and “make it”. Some have compromised character to get to the top, others hold fast to the principles of God, and if so blessed, the words and positive example of their father… My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments…Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. ~Prov. 3:1, 3-4
So many problems in our society stem from absentee fathers… young men who grew up without a father and are now trying to be a father. The good news is that regardless of our background, the Lord meets us where we are…Take heart and know the Lord is with you… And he will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse. ~Mal. 4:6 There are no perfect fathers, perfect children, perfect spouses or perfect pastors. May we dads and granddads enjoy the privilege He’s given us, and may we be worthy of our children’s’ honor. Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights… ~James 1:17 Let’s press on towards the upward call. Keep up the good work!
Happy Father’s Day,
Kevin